News You Can Use From Rainbow Media
ATLANTA, GA, April 10, 2006 – At today's NCTA, Rainbow Media announced several programming and brand initiatives that demonstrate its ongoing leadership in innovation, service and entertainment. Across its linear, VOD and HD services, Rainbow continues to add value to operators' breadth of product offerings and bundle packages, while providing a strong and diverse library of original and popular content to consumers.
Along with showcasing its popular brands, Rainbow Media's National Show booth #1937 will highlight specific initiatives such as the latest in HD programming from VOOM HD, innovative original programming with robust VOD and broadband applications from AMC, WE, IFC, fuse, Mag Rack, sportskool and our newest on-demand service – IFC In Theaters.
The following announcements are part of Rainbow's 2006 National Show for Monday, April 10:
DAY TWO NATIONAL SHOW NEWS:
National Show Announcement From IFC:
IFC RAMPS UP DOCUMENTARIES – ANNOUNCES 2006 ORIGINAL DOC SLATE
IFC, the first and largest network dedicated to independent film, announced today an ambitious slate of documentaries scheduled to air on the network in 2006. The addition of the docs provides added value to the IFC brand and is reflective of the network's commitment to original programming.
- In May, the network will premiere Wanderlust, an IFC Original Documentary that explores the cinematic fascination with the American road. Wanderlust is directed by the award-winning filmmaking team of Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini (American Splendor).
- Premiering on IFC on June 12 at 9pm ET/10pm PT is the feature-length documentary Yo Soy Boricua, Pa Que Tu Lo Sepas! (I'm Boricua, Just So You Know!) directed by actress Rosie Perez (Do the Right Thing, White Men Can't Jump). The film, produced by Moxie Firecracker Films, chronicles the struggles and triumphs of Puerto Ricans living in the United States, and explores the ethnic pride the parade has provided American Puerto Ricans.
- The IFC Original doc, Fabulous! The Story of Queer Cinema will make its debut on the network in July 2006. Directed and produced by award-winning filmmakers Lisa Ades and Lesli Klainberg, Fabulous! examines the history of gay filmmaking and its impact on mainstream culture.
- In October, IFC will air Rank, an exciting documentary that brings the gritty reality of the hazardous sport of professional bull riding into focus for the first time. Shot on location in Las Vegas, Nevada, RANK takes viewers from the ranch to the arena for the fascinating struggle of the three highest-ranking bull riders competing for the title of PBR World Champion. The critically acclaimed director and producer team of John Hyams and Jon Greenhalgh are the creative force behind the doc.
- Coming to IFC in December is the original doc, This Film Is Not Yet Rated, the breakthrough film from Oscar-nominated director Kirby Dick (Twist of Faith) that offers an unprecedented investigation into the MPAA film ratings system and its profound impact on American culture.
National Show Announcement for Mag Rack:
MAG RACK ANNOUNCES ON-DEMAND ADVERTISING PARTNER
Mag Rack, the premier on-demand television brand, announced today Unilever's Axe Unlimited brand of men's toiletry products as the exclusive on-air sponsor of the network's "24seven gamer" program category. Unilever will promote two new Axe Unlimited products on "24seven gamer" during the months of April and May. Mag Rack's partnership with Unilever marks the first time an advertiser will use the network's exclusive on-demand brand to reach a target market. On view at Rainbow Media's on-demand demo in Booth #1937, every "24seven gamer" segment is packaged with 30-second commercial spots for Axe Unlimited at the beginning and end of each segment. Additionally, Axe Unlimited has been given placement for immersive advertising. The partnership between Mag Rack and Unilever is exclusive to the "24seven gamer" category during the given period.
National Show Announcement for sportskool:
sportskool LAUNCHES CONSUMER WEBSITE AND E-COMMERCE
sportskool, the first on-demand television network dedicated to delivering in-depth sports instruction and coaching, launched its new online presence for athletes of all levels wanting to get in the game. The network's new consumer website launched this week with robust interactive features and a virtual "SHOP" stocked with the network's exclusive athletic instruction available on home video. Titles available for purchase include: Soccer with Mia Hamm, Basketball with Bill Walton, Tennis with Brad Gilbert and Skateboarding with Mike V. Apparel and other merchandise will also be for sale. Live at Rainbow Booth #1937, sportskool.com features 14 different Sport Pages, each supported by video clips, schedules, instant-result polling, contests, biographies and curricula. Full length video, Flash animated instruction and PDF-formatted tips and glossaries are web exclusives available free to registered subscribers. Launched by Rainbow Media in 2004, sportskool is now available to 20 million VOD-enabled subscribers nationwide.
National Show Announcement from VOOM HD Networks:
RAVE HD PREMIERES TWO LIVE CONCERTS
This month VOOM's Rave HD premieres two live HD concerts. On Friday, April 14th at 9PM ET, this Soundstage episode captures the duo of newcomer Joss Stone and legendary Mavis Staples in one stunning performance. Highlights include a smoky delivery of "Fell In Love With A Boy" along with several of her own gems, including "Right To Be Wrong" and "You Had Me." Then on Friday, April 28th at 9PM ET, Usher's Live: 8701 Evolution Tour premieres. The show features the songs "You Make Me Wanna," "My Way," "U Remind Me," and many more. All re-mastered into HD, the 5.1 digital audio gives you a true concert-going experience.
National Show Announcement from WE: Women's Entertainment:
WE ANNOUNCES TWO NEW ORIGINAL SPECIALS FOR 2006 PROGRAMMING SLATE
WE: Women's Entertainment announced today two new original one-hour specials, Mom's Dream Day and Dad's Dream Day, further strengthening the network's commitment to original programming. Mom's Dream Day will premiere on Monday, May 8 at 10:00 pm ET and Dad's Dream Day will premiere on Monday, June 12 at 10:00 pm ET. In each special, the cameras follow an extraordinary Mom or Dad who has devoted their lives to helping others as they are surprised and rewarded with a day filled with pampering, a home makeover, reunions with friends and a celebratory event held in their honor.
Today's announcement comes on the heels of record ratings success for WE. The 05/06 season is pacing to be the best in WE's history for Prime M-Su 8p-11p delivery of HH, W18-34, W18-49 and W25-54. To date in 05/06, WE has +147% more original telecasts than the same time period during the 04/05 season. In 2005, six of the top ten rated telecasts for the network were WE Originals.
Mom's Dream Day and Dad's Dream Day are both produced by Nancy Glass Productions.
**Source: Nielsen Media Research WE Prime M-Su 8p-11p for the 05/06 season 9/25/05-2/26/06 compared to 04/05 9/27/07-2/27/05, 03/04 9/29/03-2/29/04 and 02/03 9/30/02-2/23/03 seasons. Original program telecasts on WE during Prime M-Su 8p-11p for the 05/06 season 9/25/05-2/26/06 compared to 04/05 9/27/07-2/27/05. Top ten original telecasts for HH AA% during WE Prime M-Su 8p-11p for 2005 12/27/04-12/25/05 compared to 2004 12/29/03-12/26/04.
National Show Announcement from Rainbow Media:
RAINBOW MEDIA STRENGHTENS CREATIVE SERVICES TEAM
Rainbow Media announced today the promotion of Kent Rees to Vice President and Creative Director for On-Air Promotions, IFC; Mike Walton to Vice President and Creative Director for On-Air Promotions, WE: Women's Entertainment; and Tara Gordon to Senior Graphic Designer for Rainbow Design Services. Rees and Walton will both report to Senior Vice President and Creative Director for On-Air Promotions, Rainbow Creative Services, Stuart Selig. Gordon will report to Vice President of Design Services, Diane Dobler.
In his prior position as Creative Director for On-Air Promotions for IFC, Rees played a lead role in creating IFC's innovative branded program initiatives such as Cinema Red, Film Fanatic Fridays and The Cellar. Walton, previously Creative Director of On-Air Promotions for WE, helped to create the very successful on-air campaigns for WE hit series' Bridezillas and American Princess. In her previous role as Assistant Art Director, Gordon led the creation of key art and breakthrough print design for many of Rainbow Media's key brands, including AMC and WE.
DAY TWO NATIONAL SHOW BOOTH EVENTS: Rainbow Booth #1937
OLYMPIANS BODE MILLER & JULIA MANCUSO HOST HAPPY HOUR, 3:00 – 5:00 PM
Champion skier and cover boy Bode Miller joins free-spirited Gold Medalist Julia Mancuso as hosts of a festive Happy Hour sponsored by sportskool, the first on-demand television network to offer sports instruction from world class athletes. Miller recently claimed his 21st World Cup victory after a season of front-page news. Mancuso, the 21-year-old tiara-crowned skier from California, is the first American woman to earn a medal in an Olympic Alpine event since Picabo Street. Miller and Mancuso will be available for photos and autographs. Rainbow's on-demand networks will raffle three (3) 60 gigabyte video iPods. Winners must be in attendance at the Happy Hour to receive their prize.
FUSE's "FUSEBALL" TOURNAMENT CONTINUES, 2:00 – 4:00 PM
On Monday, April 10 from 2:00 – 4:00 pm, fuse, the nation's only music-centric viewer driven television network, will host the second day of their "fuseball" tournament at the Rainbow Media booth, #1937. National Show attendees are encouraged to challenge members of the fuse staff in a foosball tournament with a variety of prizes up for grab. Prizes are awarded depending on the number of goals a challenger scores, prizes will include fuse branded Frisbees, hats, and t-shirts, as well as iTunes gift certificates and iPod speakers.
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.