Chicago, Ill. NCTA – Monday, June 9, 2003 – Mag Rack, Rainbow Media Holdings Inc.'s unique video-on-demand (VOD) service, will bring to life today's interface landscape with its "VOD Interface Showcase," launching at the 2003 NCTA National Show in Chicago this June. In this demonstration, Mag Rack has replicated its service on eight interface platforms that are either deployed or in development – each on its own 32-inch monitor. The ninth 42-inch plasma screen at the center of the booth will showcase Mag Rack's interface for Cablevision's Sony platform. The monitors are fully interactive and allow visitors to experience Mag Rack by remote control.
"In just under two years, a range of VOD interfaces have been deployed nationwide, each with a unique look and level of functionality," said Matthew Strauss, executive vice president and general manager of Mag Rack. "Mag Rack's "VOD Interface Showcase" centralizes a variety of on-demand offerings to demonstrate the current breadth of interface platforms and encourage a better understanding of how VOD is being experienced by consumers in different markets today."
"Consumer adoption is key to the success of VOD and interfaces are the first step to providing a compelling viewer experience. We are demonstrating how different that experience can be from one system to the next," adds Stuart Rohrer, vice president, New Media/ITV for Mag Rack. "We have made it part of our standard operating procedure to work closely with cable partners and developers to create an adaptable, deployable Mag Rack service that will attract a dedicated audience for VOD."
Mag Rack will also be demonstrating its VOD marketing capabilities in a dedicated section of the Rainbow booth. The interactive display features components for customizable on-air promotion, local marketing strategies, CSR training materials, local press events and Mag Rack's unique affinity influencer campaigns.
Mag Rack currently has affiliate agreements with Cablevision, Insight Communications and Charter Communications and plans to be available in nearly 1 million homes by the end of 2003.
Mag Rack's "VOD Interface Showcase" will be located at Rainbow's booth #539. Mag Rack's exhibits are one part of Rainbow's VOD content showcase at NCTA, reflecting the company's commitment to creating services just for VOD.
About Mag Rack
Mag Rack is the first service designed exclusively for on-demand television, launched by Rainbow Media Holdings, Inc in 2001. Mag Rack engages enthusiasts with a wide selection of "video magazines" about subjects that are personally relevant such as "Yoga Retreat," "Motorcycle Freedom" and "Inside Weddings." Mag Rack offers customers' special interest programming not widely found on other television channels with advanced DVD-like ability to fast-forward, rewind or pause the program. Mag Rack's value to cable operators reaches beyond excellent programming to also serve as an expert resource for marketing, branding and affiliate sales. For more information, visit www.magrack.com.