New York, NY, November 29, 2001 – MetroTV was one of nine entities to receive a prestigious “Bandie Award” last night for the design of its innovative video-on-demand interactive television service. The Bandies are the premier awards for the excellence in the creation of broadband content.
MetroTV won in the category of “Best Time-Shifting Solution,” recognizing that one of the future applications of television will be to allow viewers to call-up video programs or segments on demand. MetroTV launched MetroTV Plus in September 2001 as the first interactive “city guide” focusing on nine categories of content relevant to residents of greater New York. MetroTV serves 4 million homes in the New York market and provides original programming about arts, leisure, and lifestyle as well as coverage of professional sports. Metro TV Plus is available as part of iO: Interactive Optimum, Cablevision’s suite of digital services.
“It’s quite an honor to win a Bandie,” said Greg Moyer, President of Regional Programming for Rainbow Media and head of MetroTV, “These awards seek to recognize visionary pioneers whose work is helping shape the future of the entertainment industry. We are proud to help the launch of the next era of television.”
The MetroTV Plus service features video-on-demand segments organized according to nine categories ranging from “Around Town” to “Style” to “Food.” “Our goal is to keep our users up-to-date with the most current information about how to make the most of living here in New York,” said Bill Roberts, Vice President and General Manager of MetroTV Interactive. “This is the just the beginning as MetroTV Plus plans on adding new features that make the service even more useful to people in the months to come.”
MetroTV is one of several regional services owned by Rainbow Media Holdings, a subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation.
About MetroChannels
Rainbow Media’s MetroChannels (MetroTV, Metro Learning and Metro Traffic & Weather) is the first and only suite of television networks devoted entirely to the experience of living in the New York metropolitan area. MetroTV is the only local channel providing original programs focusing on everything from fashion, comedy, music, and sports to independent features and documentaries about the people, places and history of New York. MetroTV has received numerous accolades for its programming including three NY Emmy Awards from the 1999 and 2000 competitions, the 2000 Gold Promax Award, the 2000 & 2001 Community Spirit Award, New York Festivals Awards, Omni Awards, and The Communicator Award. MetroLearning provides unfiltered coverage of events unfolding in the many diverse communities throughout this metropolis. Metro Traffic&Weather is the tri-state’s first and only 24-hour local traffic, transit, and weather channel.
MetroChannels is owned and managed by Rainbow Media Holdings, Inc. A subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE:CVC) and NBC, Rainbow has been at the forefront of innovation in programming for more than 20 years. Rainbow also manages American Movie Classics, We: Women’s Entertainment, Bravo, The Independent Film Channel, MuchMusic USA, Rainbow Sports Networks and News 12 Networks as well as the Rainbow Advertising Sales Corporation and Rainbow Network Communications. In addition, Rainbow is a fifty-percent partner in FOX Sports Net.
Contact:
Lisa Rogen
MetroTV
212-324-8552