NEW YORK, NEW YORK – February 25, 2003 – Mag Rack, Rainbow Media Holdings Inc.'s video-on-demand (VOD) service, today announced the launch of "Spring On Demand," a thematic, event-based "video magazine" utilizing the unique capabilities of VOD to present timely and relevant programming not readily found on television. The promotion's centerpiece includes live coverage of four major enthusiast events: Daytona Bike Week, the South Beach Wine & Food Festival, the Philadelphia Flower Show, American Association for the Advancement of Science. "Spring On Demand" airs exclusively on digital cable for six weeks beginning March 20, 2003.
"Mag Rack created 'Spring On Demand' as a unique strategy for cable operators to showcase the value of VOD with programming designed exclusively for on-demand technology," said Matthew Strauss, executive vice president and general manager of Mag Rack. "The popularity of these events and the timeliness of our original programming will help to encourage consumers to embrace VOD as an everyday part of their television viewing experience."
Mag Rack will produce all four original, event-based programs in February to air for six weeks beginning March 20. Each program will take viewers on location, giving them an inside look at the excitement and behind-the-scenes activities of each event. Mag Rack's premier experts, each specializing in their respective industries, will host the newly created shows.
"Mag Rack's 'Spring on Demand' is using a fresh and innovative approach to bringing our customers original programming they will want to investigate and watch," said Pam Euler Halling, senior vice president of marketing and programming for Insight Communications. "The special promotion offers Insight a straightforward technique to market our VOD service."
The following dynamic series will be featured during "Spring On Demand":
- Miami Food Fest
Guest host Dana Cowin (Editor-in-Chief of Food & Wine Magazine) explores the South Beach Wine & Food Festival in South Beach, Miami, a three-day destination event featuring culinary and wine tastings and seminars. Joining the festivities is Drew Nieporent, world-famous restaurateur and host of Mag Rack's Cook with the Pros. - Daytona Bike Week
Host of Mag Rack's Motorcycle Freedom, Steve Natt, takes viewers through the sights and sounds of Daytona Bike Week in Daytona, Florida as thousands of bikes and bikers roll into town for the 62nd annual event. The 10-day festival features indoor and outdoor exhibitions, seminars, new product demonstrations and ride-in show contests.
- Mile High Science
Mag Rack takes viewers to Denver, Colorado, for the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), often referred to as the "Oscars" of the science industry. Ira Flatow (National Public Radio's "Science Fridays") provides coverage of symposia on a variety of scientific disciplines as he broadcasts his radio show live from the conference. - Philadelphia Flower Show
Host of Mag Rack's Let's Go Garden video magazine, Jackie Albarella, will take viewers on an in depth tour of the Philadelphia Horticultural Society's world famous Philadelphia Flower Show.The oldest show in the country and one of the world's largest, the festivities also include themed display exhibitions, lectures and demonstrations by master florists, complimented by gardening book fairs and culinary events.
"Spring On Demand" is taking the benefits of VOD to the next level with live, event-based programming created exclusively for the advanced technology, something never before offered in the cable industry." said Michael Connor, senior vice president of programming and production for Mag Rack. "Mag Rack's on-air event highlights our capability to produce and present compelling original programming in a time frame that is more relevant to our serious fans."
For six weeks "Spring On Demand" will be organized under a specially branded video magazine appearing at the top of the interactive menu on the home page of the Mag Rack television interface. Each of the four original segments will be cross-referenced to Mag Rack's existing video magazines under a different spring-oriented titles, e.g. "Festival of Flowers" on Let's Go Garden and "The Cutting Edge" on Maximum Science. This way, viewers can reach "Spring on Demand" programming through the special promotion, or via their favorite Mag Rack video magazine.
Mag Rack will also feature an on-air television promotion that will include originally produced cross-channel spots directing viewers to the Mag Rack service and www.magrack.com. The "Spring On Demand" pages on Mag Rack's newly designed consumer website feature prize giveaway sweepstakes, streaming video clips and additional programming information.
About Mag Rack
Mag Rack is Rainbow Media Holding Inc.'s unique video-on-demand service and the number one choice for authoritative, branded special interest programming. Marketed to cable operators to support the effort to rollout digital set-top boxes and drive VOD adoption, Mag Rack provides customers with maximum programming choice and control. Video magazines available at Mag Rack include: American Catholic, Art & Artists, Aviator's World, Best of Mag Rack, Better Golf Club, BirdSight, Celebrating Dogs, Classic Cars, Cook with the Pros, Destination: Nature, Fame & Faith, Healthy By Choice, Inside Weddings, Let's Go Garden, Mag Rack Kids Club, Maximum Science, Mission: Space, Modern Parent, Motorcycle Freedom, Personal Trainer, Photography Close Up, Shakespeare, SportsCamp, Tennis Zone, The Bible and You, Total Ski, Total Snowboard, Traveler's Guide, Wine World, Yoga Retreat, and Your Next Car. For more information, please visit www.magrack.com.
About Rainbow Media
A leader in sports, news and entertainment programming, Rainbow Media Holdings, Inc. is a subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE:CVC). Rainbow owns and manages AMC, WE: WOMEN'S ENTERTAINMENT, IFC (The Independent Film Channel), muchmusic usa, Mag Rack, Rainbow Sports Networks, News 12 Networks, and MetroChannels as well as the Rainbow Advertising Sales Corporation and Rainbow Network Communications. Rainbow is a fifty-percent partner in Fox Sports Net and has a strategic partnership with MGM (NYSE:MGM), which owns a 20% stake in four of Rainbow's national networks: AMC, WE: Women's Entertainment and IFC.