"Beyond the Multiplex" to be Hosted by IFC News' Matt Singer and Salon Critics Andrew O'Hehir and Stephanie Zacharek
Series Premieres Thursday, September 13
New York, NY – September 12, 2007 – IFC announced today the growth of its News division through a new and exclusive partnership with Salon.com, the online news and entertainment website. As part of this initiative, IFC will produce an all-new original series of interstitials, Beyond the Multiplex, based on Salon.com's popular arts and entertainment column of the same name. Sponsored by Salon.com, the new interstitial series will be hosted by IFC News' Matt Singer along with Salon entertainment columnists Andrew O'Hehir and Stephanie Zacharek. Beyond the Multiplex, which premieres simultaneously on IFC and Salon.com on Thursday, September 13, will feature conversations between the hosts covering an array of film industry-related topics, maximizing the value of IFC's uncut and uncluttered environment.
With the premiere of Beyond the Multiplex, IFC NEWS continues to expand its coverage of the independent film arena, both on-air and online at IFC.com. With up-to-date coverage on breaking news stories from the film world, including festival coverage and industry events, as well as direct access to independent filmmakers and actors, IFC News is committed to keeping the network's loyal viewers ahead of the indie film curve.
"This is an exciting initiative for IFC, as we are able to join forces with a brand that speaks to our same young, tastemaker audience and is in line with what IFC represents," said Alan Klein, SVP of Partnerships & Licensing for IFC. "This new and original content is an effective way for us to both expand IFC News and uniquely platform the Salon brand. This is another great example of how IFC integrates its original programming with its partners' brands in a creative and engaging format."
"We're delighted to bring Stephanie and Andrew to IFC's audience, and to run its quality programming exclusively online at Salon.com," said Chris Neimeth, Salon Media Group's Publisher. "Independent film has always been an important part of Salon's identity, and IFC is an ideal partner for us as we broaden our audience."
Beyond the Multiplex is an innovative series of 2-3 minute interstitials that will focus on all things film-related. Hosts will discuss a wide range of movie industry topics, including industry news, recent trends in cinema, movie themes, the impact of new technology on the industry, notable actor careers, Oscar picks and much more. Episodes will also be taped in studio and on-site at some of the industry's biggest film festivals throughout the year. A new interstitial will premiere each Thursday night on IFC and salon.com, and then free float on the network.
Matt Singer is the on-air IFC News host, as well as a freelance writer and film critic. His work has appeared in the Village Voice and Shock Cinema, and online on IFC.com and MTV.com, among other websites.
Stephanie Zacharek is a senior writer and film critic for Salon.com. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly, Spin, and Sight & Sound. She is a member of the National Society of Film Critics.
Andrew O'Hehir is a senior writer for Salon.com. His writing has appeared in The New York Times, the Washington Post, Sight & Sound and The Hollywood Reporter.
About IFC
The Independent Film Channel (IFC) is the first and most widely distributed network dedicated to independent film 24 hours a day, uncut, uncensored and commercial free. The network is part of IFC Companies-the only brand to operate in every area of independent film to include television, production, financing, distribution, digital, on-demand and exhibition. IFC Companies uses its unique cross-platform position to broaden the audience of independent film and to provide independent filmmakers with a strong voice. IFC Companies is a division of Rainbow Media Holdings, LLC.
About Rainbow Media Holdings LLC
Rainbow Media Holdings LLC is a subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE: CVC). Rainbow Media is a leading producer of targeted, multi-platform content for global distribution, creating and managing some of the world's most compelling and dynamic entertainment brands, including AMC, IFC, WE tv, LIFESKOOL, SPORTSKOOL, and VOOM HD Networks. Through its IFC Entertainment division, Rainbow Media also owns and manages the following: IFC Films, a theatrical feature film distribution company; IFC First Take/IFC in Theaters, a day and date theatrical feature film/VOD initiative; the IFC Center in New York City; IFC Productions, a feature film production company; and IFC Entertainment, which owns and operates a film library. Rainbow Media also operates Rainbow Advertising Sales Corporation, its advertising sales company, and Rainbow Network Communications, its full service network programming origination and distribution company.
About Salon.com
Salon, the award-winning online news and entertainment Web site, combines original investigative stories, breaking news, provocative personal essays and highly respected criticism along with popular staff-written blogs about politics, technology and culture. Salon hosts two online communities, Table Talk and The Well, and is headquartered in San Francisco, with offices in New York City and Washington D.C.