Mag Rack Super-Serves Customers with Hyper-Specific, Special Interest Programming
(Western Cable Show, Anaheim, CA) – Rainbow Media Holdings, Inc. has announced that Michael Connor, a long-time, award-winning journalist and media executive, has been appointed Mag Rack Senior Vice President, Programming and Production. Mag Rack is Rainbow Media’s new, unique video-on-demand service delivering special interest programming that explores in-depth a wide range of topics that are unavailable elsewhere on television. The announcement was made by Matt Strauss, Mag Rack EVP and GM.
In this new role, Connor will serve as the Editor-In-Chief for Mag Rack, overseeing all aspects of its original and acquired programming, including category development, program mix and strategic planning.
“Michael Connor brings wide-ranging journalistic skills, management experience, and a deep knowledge of digital media to Mag Rack,” said Strauss. “We believe Mag Rack ushers in a new era for television, delivering content that serve people’s passions from birding to wines. As a respected journalist, Michael knows how to create deep, rich programming that resonates with consumers and keep them coming back.”
Connor joined Mag Rack earlier this year to head up development of Maximum Science, one of Mag Rack‘s flagship video magazines. As General Manager of the Maximum Science, Connor was instrumental in the program’s strategic direction and production. He has extensive experience in TV, electronic and print media, and has served as a strategic consultant on digital media issues to a number of leading international media companies.
Connor previously held senior executive positions at Dow Jones & Co., where he led global development of the company’s TV and multimedia operations. He also served in London as founding Chief Executive of Dow Jones’s pan-European TV unit.
He began his career as a journalist, and has received numerous industry honors, first as a staff reporter for The Wall Street Journal, and later as a correspondent and senior producer for ABC News.
About Mag Rack
Similar to a newsstand, Mag Rack enables customers to choose from its ever-expanding selection of video “magazines” that offer authoritative content about subjects that are personally relevant. Initial topics include science, bird watching and wine to photography, weddings and vegetarian cooking. Designed to satisfy subscribers’ curiosity and address their passions, hobbies, lifestyles and special interests, Mag Rack launched last month with ten video magazines – each one presented with editorial authority and expertise, featuring comprehensive coverage of the subject matter plus fresh, provocative information packaged into fast-moving segments. Mag Rack expects to have 20 video magazines by the end of the year.
The new VOD service – available to all MSOs and currently being offered as part of Cablevision’s Interactive Optimum (iO) digital cable service – is designed to support the rollout of digital set-top boxes and drive MSOs’ VOD marketing initiatives by giving customers maximum programming choice and control. As a VOD service, Mag Rack enables distributors to use advanced digital technology to give their customers unparalleled convenience and control, including the ability to rewind, fast-forward, pause, stop and even switch from magazine to magazine. Research shows that VOD is one of the offerings of digital television that subscribers most want. Responding to that consumer demand, VOD enables viewers to see the programming they want, when they want it, how they want it.
About Rainbow Media
Mag Rack is owned and managed by Rainbow Media Holdings, Inc. A subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE:CVC) and NBC, Rainbow manages American Movie Classics, WE: Women’s Entertainment, Bravo, The Independent Film Channel, MuchMusic USA, Rainbow Sports, News 12 Networks, and MetroChannels as well as the Rainbow Advertising Sales Corporation and Rainbow Network Communications. In addition, Rainbow is a fifty-percent partner in FOX Sports Net. Mag Rack is one of the assets included in a new series of Cablevision common stock – Rainbow Media Group tracking stock (NYSE:RMG) – which began trading on the NYSE in March. MGM (NYSE:MGM) owns a 20% stake in four of Rainbow’s national networks – AMC, Bravo, IFC, and WE: Women’s Entertainment.
Contact:
Matt Frankel
Rainbow Media Holdings, Inc.
516-803-5141
Whit Clay
Sloane & Company
212-446-1864