On-Demand Sports Instruction Network Surpasses 18 Million Viewers in 2006
Star Athletes and New Slate Spur Rapid Growth
New York, NY, February 6, 2006 – sportskool, the first and only on-demand television network to offer athletic instruction, announced today its launch on Time Warner Cable’s digital cable service, bringing the network’s total distribution to 18 million VOD-enabled homes. Launched in 2004 by Rainbow Media, sportskool‘s rapid growth this year has been spurred by a new slate of original sports instruction led by world renowned athletes and sports trainers. The network further capitalized on its star power to produce inventive marketing campaigns that have increased sportskool‘s value with consumers nationwide.
“The momentum sportskool gained this year is exceptional,” says Dan Ronayne, executive vice president and general manager of Mag Rack and sportskool. “Our growth as a network speaks volumes about sportskool‘s position in the marketplace. Cable operators recognize the value of our distinctive brand and consumers love our programming.”
“Time Warner Cable strives to provide its customers with unparalleled choice in programming,” says Melinda Witmer, Vice President of Programming for Time Warner Cable. “sportskool‘s original instruction with high-caliber athletes makes a great addition to our continually expanding On-Demand offering.”
“The rapid growth of sportskool indicates that cable operators are working to meet the needs of their customers,” says Judi Lopez, senior vice president national accounts, Rainbow Network Sales. “As video-on-demand dominates the marketplace, cable customers will differentiate sportskool‘s brand as unique and original programming not found anywhere else on television.”
Star Athletes and Original Programming
sportskool‘s originally-produced instruction now represents 90% of its 20-hour monthly programming catalogue. Most recently, sportskool signed Olympic Medalist Bode Miller and fellow U.S. Ski Team member Erik Schlopy to produce original ski instruction to launch on the network in 2006.
Last November, the network launched hockey instruction for the first time on the network, featuring renowned OHL hockey coach, Thomas R. Martin with NHL veterans Mike Richter, Adam Graves, Darius Kasparaitis, Curtis Joseph and Kris Draper.
Pro volleyball player Misty May is the latest addition to sportskool‘s roster of female Olympic Gold Medal athletes, joining Jennie Finch, Sue Bird and Mia Hamm. In June 2005, sportskool launched skateboarding instruction with legendary street skater, Mike V. Renowned trainer to all-star athletes, Mark Verstegen, debuted new sport specific training drills for golf, football and basketball.
Consumer Marketing and Event Promotion
sportskool faced off the long-awaited hockey season with NHL franchise the New York Islanders to increase consumer awareness of the on-demand network. The partnership includes sponsorship of 12-16 Mites on Ice (youth hockey) games held at Nassau Coliseum, with additional venue and on-air branding opportunities. sportskool has also partnered with MSG Network and Fox Sports Net on weekly, half-hour “sportskool on MSG” programming blocks promoting sportskool‘s basketball and hockey instruction.
Hot on the heels of sportskool‘s highly successful launch of original skateboarding instruction, the network went on the road with Mike V as Presenting Sponsor of the skateboarding legend’s national “Man vs. Skatepark” tour in November 2005. The eleven-city national tour showcased Mike V‘s unparalleled skateboarding and artistic talent through a series of demonstrations, in-store appearances and concerts that attracted thousands of skateboarding enthusiasts.
In October 2005, sportskool and Charter Communications partnered on a unique “Watch to Win” sweepstakes offering young athletes a one-day soccer clinic with one of the greatest soccer players of all time, Mia Hamm. Through sportskool‘s national sweepstakes and promotion, families with 10-17 year olds who live in participating households were automatically entered to win every time they watched sportskool. Held in early December in Fort Worth, Texas, the event drew more than 1,000 spectators and more than 50 local kids as participants.
About sportskool
Launched by Rainbow Media in 2004, sportskool is the first television network dedicated to delivering in-depth expert instruction, coaching and guidance for a wide range of sports and athletic activities. The network – featuring exclusive and original programming custom-built for on-demand – boasts some of the most recognizable names in sports, including Mia Hamm, Nomar Garciaparra, Bill Walton, Mike Vallely, tennis coach Brad Gilbert and renowned training and performance expert, Mark Verstegen. sportskool is currently available to over 18 million digital cable subscribers. Cable systems carrying sportskool include: Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Cablevision, Charter, Mediacom, Insight, Mid-Hudson, Shrewsbury and Blue Ridge. For more information, visit http://www.sportskool.com.
About Rainbow Media Holdings LLC
A leader in the entertainment industry, Rainbow Media Holdings LLC is a subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation. Rainbow creates and manages some of the country’s most compelling and dynamic programming with linear networks including national networks – AMC, fuse, IFC (The Independent Film Channel) and WE: Women’s Entertainment; its regional programming service – Rainbow Sports Networks; on-demand networks including Mag Rack and sportskool; and the largest suite of high definition channels available anywhere – the VOOM HD Networks. Rainbow’s other businesses include its film distribution, production and exhibition division – IFC Entertainment; in addition to its advertising sales division – Rainbow Advertising Sales Corporation – and its full service network programming origination and distribution company – Rainbow Network Communications.