(Jericho, NY) February 2, 2005 – Rainbow Media Holdings LLC, the programming subsidiary for Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE: CVC), recently secured a number of key distribution agreements with both cable operators and satellite providers for its popular programming services: AMC, WE: Women's Entertainment, IFC, fuse and its FSN regional sports services.
Capping a year of important carriage agreements, in the fourth quarter of 2004 Rainbow completed long-term distribution pacts for its national entertainment and regional sports programming services with both DIRECTV and EchoStar Communications Corporation's DISH Network. Rainbow also completed carriage agreements with Comcast, Adelphia and Mediacom in 2004 covering some or all of Rainbow's programming services.
"Rainbow is pleased to have secured important long-term distribution agreements with both satellite providers and cable operators," said Josh Sapan, president and CEO, Rainbow Media Holdings, LLC. "We are pleased to continue to partner with our distributors in offering Rainbow's diverse portfolio of popular programming services to their subscribers."
Rainbow's national services continue to provide a broad range of programming designed to reach a variety of audiences. AMC has had its best ratings year ever, bringing its unique and diverse mix of popular and classic movies to a wide audience. In its tenth anniversary year, IFC continues to lead the category of independent film on television, quadrupling its original programming. We: Women's Entertainment continues to offer inspirational and empowering entertainment for women, headlined by the critically acclaimed "McLeod's Daughters" and the cultural phenomenon – "Bridezillas."
In just under two years, fuse has become the country's only all-music, multi-platform network leader of all daily measured networks on concentration of persons 12-34. Fox Sports Nets regional networks continue to provide compelling, vital sports programming for passionate sports fans in the country's leading markets.
Added Sapan, "Rainbow continues to focus on further strengthening our brands and increasing their reach, as part of our commitment to providing great programming offerings including original series and specials, great independent, popular and classic films, music and live sports from both pro and college teams. Rainbow Media will continue to provide our distributors with top- notch television designed for a broad range of subscriber interests."
About Rainbow Media Holdings LLC
A leader in sports, news and entertainment programming, Rainbow Media Holdings LLC is a subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation. Rainbow owns and manages national networks: AMC, Fuse, IFC (The Independent Film Channel) and WE: Women's Entertainment, as well as Mag Rack, a collection of on-demand video magazines. Rainbow's other businesses include its regional programming services – MetroChannels, News 12 Networks and Rainbow Sports Networks – in addition to the Rainbow Advertising Sales Corporation and Rainbow Network Communications. Rainbow is a 50 percent partner in Fox Sports Net.