NEW YORK, March 5, 2002 – Mag Rack, Rainbow Media’s unique video-on-demand (VOD) service, announced today that three new VOD niche magazines — COOK with the PROS, SportsCamp and Modern Parent— will premiere in March. These VOD magazines focusing on food, sports and parenting are consistent with Mag Rack’s promise to offer viewers specific niche programming. The addition of these video magazines brings Mag Rack’s lineup to a total of 22 specialty categories. Following is information on each new program:
- COOK with the PROS: Hosted by famed restaurateur Drew Nieporent, owner of Nobu and Tribeca Grill, COOK with the PROS will feature tips and recipes to create various culinary masterpieces, from surefire starters to mouthwatering entrees to delectable desserts. Some of America’s favorite chefs open their kitchens and reveal their secrets so viewers can “cook with the pros” and learn how professional chefs are taught their craft. In addition to Mr. Nieporent, COOK with the PROS will feature some of America’s favorite chefs in various cooking segments culled from the library of the food information company allfood.com, including Nick Stellino, Vincent Schiavelli, Nancy Harmon Jenkins, Nick Malgieri, Joe Simone and Dione Lucas. COOK with the PROS also will create special programming in collaboration with Food & Wine magazine, a leading publication in its category. Dana Cowin, editor-in-chief, will serve as the on-camera personality to provide the ultimate insider’s view. Another unique “insider” collaboration will feature The Culinary Institute of America, which will supply mini-master classes on cooking techniques used by professional chefs.
- SportsCamp: SportsCamp, a joint partnership between Mag Rack and Rainbow Sport Network, offers basic instruction for kids, their parents and coaches in some of America’s most popular sports including baseball, basketball, soccer and others. SportsCamp’s March programming will feature baseball and is hosted by Fran Healy, former Yankee catcher and now the “Voice of the Mets,” and features former Yankee and 3-time American League All-Star Bucky Dent, with instruction segments from his world famous baseball school. Rainbow Sports Network serves as supervising producer and will be working closely with Mag Rack in framing editorial content.
According to Fran Healy, “I’ve played baseball my whole life and wished there was sports instructional programming like SportsCamp when I was coming up. This is a terrific service. Kids and parents alike are going to get tremendous benefit from the lessons and instruction offered by some of the country’s top professionals.”
- Modern Parent: Modern Parent focuses on providing practical advice and guidance on child rearing from notable experts in the field. For instance, Modern Parent will create special programming in collaboration with American Baby magazine and will feature the magazine’s editorial experts as on-camera personalities.
“As the most trusted magazine brand in parenting, American Baby magazine has passionate readers and enthusiasts who trust and value the magazine’s editorial expertise and content,” said Jim Ritts, president and CEO of Primedia’s Video Group. “Modern Parent‘s unique video-on-demand format featuring appearances by American Baby magazine editors will provide parents with programming that is not available anywhere else on television.”
Also included will be documentaries from organizations, such as the Civitas Foundation, that are well known in the field of child development issues.
“Mag Rack is the first and only service with original content that is designed and produced exclusively for video-on-demand,” said Matthew Strauss, executive vice president and general manager of Mag Rack. “I believe that VOD consumers are attracted by the opportunity to interact with personalized television. What makes Mag Rack unique, strong, viable and appealing to its customers is the original programming and wide scope of topics offered. We are excited to add COOK with the PROS, SportsCamp, and Modern Parent to Mag Rack‘s selection of video magazines and look forward to adding more content targeted to the viewer’s interests and needs.”
Just like at a newsstand, customers can choose from Mag Rack‘s selection of “video magazines” that offer authoritative content about subjects that are personally relevant. Mag Rack is being marketed to cable operators, supporting the effort to rollout digital set-top boxes and drive VOD adoption by giving customers maximum programming choice and control. Video magazines available at Mag Rack include American Catholic, Art of Basketry, Best of Mag Rack, Better Golf Club, BirdSight, Classic Cars, Club Vegetarian, Destination: Nature, History of Art, Inside Weddings, Maximum Science, Mission: Space, Motorcycle Freedom, Healthy By Choice, Photography Close Up, Shakespeare, Take On Life, The Bible and You, and Wine World. By the end of 2002, Mag Rack expects to offer as many as 40 video magazines.
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 Networks, 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 Cablevision’s Rainbow Media Group tracking stock (NYSE:RMG). MGM (NYSE:MGM) owns a 20% stake in four of Rainbow’s national networks – AMC, Bravo, IFC, and WE: Women’s Entertainment.