Football with Doug Flutie and Baseball with Harold Reynolds Premiere August 7
New York, NY, July 31, 2007 – SPORTSKOOL, the only free On Demand sports network dedicated to delivering athletic instruction from world-class athletes and coaches, will premiere two all-new On Demand series, Football with Doug Flutie and Baseball with Harold Reynolds, on August 7. The two new series will provide inside tips and insight on becoming a well rounded player with instruction from "Hail Mary" legend Doug Flutie and pro All-Star Harold Reynolds. Launched in 2004 by Rainbow Media, SPORTSKOOL has seen substantial growth, now at over 23 million in total distribution, thanks in large part to an increasing slate of original sports instruction featuring world renowned athletes including soccer superstar Mia Hamm, Olympic skier Bode Miller, baseball legend Tony Gwynn, basketball Hall of Famer and NBA analyst Bill Walton, Stanley Cup champion Peter Forsberg, and skateboarding pioneer Mike Vallely.
The two new On Demand series include:
Football with Doug Flutie
Learn how to throw stronger, deeper, and more accurate passes with in-depth lessons from former pro quarterback and 1984 Heisman trophy winner, Doug Flutie and infamous "Miracle in Miami" wide receiver, Gerard Phelan.
"The series is designed to help everyone from rookies to more advanced players push their limits and become unstoppable on the field," said Doug Flutie. "Passing the football is tough business, your mechanics and fundamentals need to be rock solid. You can never master this stuff-but you can always improve."
Featuring exclusive content and step-by-step instruction on how to improve your speed, accuracy and throwing distance, Football with Doug Flutie takes you inside the game to build the skills you need to become a football great. Learn to master techniques used by the pros, including the 1 step drop, advanced 3 step drop, the sprint out and precision drills to increase accuracy for stellar pocket performance. Lessons include "How To Build a Rocket Arm", "Defending the Pass", "Pocket Perfection", "Quarterback on the Move" and "Build a Better Quarterback."
The series also offers valuable insight on timing, patterns and specific receiving routes with wide receiver Gerard Phelan. Find out how to place your running back in the optimum position to hand-off the ball through repetition drills such as the ride, the fake hand-off and the reach. One episode will also be dedicated to getting children with Autism involved in football, an important cause for Flutie.
"I believe this series will appeal to a broad spectrum of viewers, from ultimate football fans taking a closer look at two of football's most legendary players, to aspiring football players wanting to learn basic technique and strategy," said Daniel Ronayne, executive vice president and general manager of SPORTSKOOL. "Flutie brings incredible insight and expertise to our network, placing a strong focus on traditional techniques that help viewers' develop the speed, agility and confidence to be a better quarterback."
Baseball with Harold Reynolds
Learn the techniques to master guarding the infield and outfield with in-depth lessons from former pro second baseman and 1987 All-Star player, Harold Reynolds, as well as outfield instruction with Gold Glove Winner and All Star, Torii Hunter, beginning August 7, and infield training with Hall of Fame shortstop, Ozzie Smith, coming in September.
"This series is designed to inspire athletes of all ages to work toward actualizing their goals and developing their skills," said Harold Reynolds. "By continuing to practice you develop the ingredients-rhythm, instincts and confidence-necessary for infield and outfield success."
Featuring an all star cast, this series helps aspiring baseball players gain an extra edge with expert instruction on everything from basic relays and cutoffs to advanced plays including the 4-seam throw and how to field a line drive using only your intuition. Go deep into the game with the pros and learn the following key techniques and much more.
- Perfect your running stride for maximum speed
- Avoid the "bobble head" when running up and down the outfield
- Lengthen your reach when catching a fly ball in the outfield without obstructing your view
- Learn key placement when positioned in the outfield-location, distance and proper stance
- Develop key skills and instincts to manage other players and the surrounding environment
"SPORTSKOOL's instructional programming is unique in that it offers practical drills you can do right in your own living room to improve your athletic ability in the sports you love," said Ronayne. "We are thrilled to be adding Harold Reynolds, Torii Hunter and Ozzie Smith, all iconic names in the world of baseball, to SPORTSKOOL's outstanding roster of world class athletes and coaches."
For more information and exclusive videos on Harold Reynolds, Torii Hunter, Ozzie Smith and all of SPORTSKOOL's world class athletes and coaches visit www.SPORTSKOOL.com. To order DVDs and learn more about Harold Reynolds' instructional series visit http://HRBaseball.com.
To learn more or find out if SPORTSKOOL is available through your local cable provider please visit www.SPORTSKOOL.com.
About SPORTSKOOL
Launched by Rainbow Media in 2004, SPORTSKOOL is the first television network dedicated to delivering in-depth sports expert instruction and coaching for a wide range of sports and athletic activities. SPORTSKOOL helps athletes of all ages take their game to the next level by offering guidance and insider tips from the world's best athletes. The network – featuring exclusive and original programming custom-built for On Demand television – boasts some of the most recognizable names in sports, including Doug Flutie, Mia Hamm, Bode Miller, Tony Gwynn, Bill Walton, Mike Vallely (Mike V.), tennis coach Brad Gilbert and renowned training and performance expert, Mark Verstegen. SPORTSKOOL is currently available to more than 23 million digital cable subscribers nationwide. For more information, visit www.SPORTSKOOL.com.
About Rainbow Media Holdings LLC
Rainbow Media Holdings LLC is a subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE: CVC). Rainbow Media is a leading producer of targeted, multi-platform content for global distribution, creating and managing some of the world's most compelling and dynamic entertainment brands, including AMC, IFC, WE tv, LIFESKOOL, SPORTSKOOL, and VOOM HD Networks. Through its IFC Entertainment division, Rainbow Media also owns and manages the following: IFC Films, a theatrical feature film distribution company; IFC First Take/IFC in Theaters, a day and date theatrical feature film/VOD initiative; the IFC Center in New York City; IFC Productions, a feature film production company; and IFC Entertainment, which owns and operates a film library. Rainbow Media also operates Rainbow Advertising Sales Corporation, its advertising sales company, and Rainbow Network Communications, its full service network programming origination and distribution company.