January 27, 2004 New York – World Picks, the preeminent provider of in-language international on demand programming services and international programming networks, today announced it has launched a six language website for customers. The website highlights available programming featured on World Picks On Demand, four international on demand services (Hindi, Latino, Mandarin and Russian), and World Picks Networks, 13 international networks. The site also allows viewers to notify their local programming distributors of their desire for the new in-language services, providing a seamless link from local communities to programming providers.
“The World Picks website is an important vehicle for our customers to obtain information and program schedules for the on demand and network services, as well as for viewers to alert local distributors of the need for international programming in their communities,” said Cynthia Burnell, the senior vice president and general manager of World Picks. “By providing access to World Picks in-language programming and a link to local distributors, the website provides valuable services to both customers and programming distributors. World Picks customers are able to learn about our services and programming, while local cable operators can easily respond to viewers needs, so we reach potential new audiences and tap into this growing programming niche.”
In addition to obtaining detailed, upcoming programming information and schedules for World Picks On Demand, there are also links to the World Picks Networks individual websites for information and the opportunity to contact local distributors to request the in-language programming. Each week the website is updated, informing customers of upcoming and current on demand and linear channel programming offerings. The World Picks website is accessible in six languages: English, Hindi, Mandarin Chinese, Romanian, Russian and Spanish, providing viewers with easy access to World Picks programming and information.
“These services are focused on providing a basic need for entertainment and educational in-language programming. Access to the website in the six languages allows viewers in local communities to obtain information in their native language,” continued Burnell. “As we continue to build the services, offering new languages and programming, the number of foreign languages offered will of course grow with it. Our end goal is to be able to offer every foreign community in the US a specialized service.”
The World Picks services were unveiled in November of 2003 and are currently available on Cablevision’s iO digital cable service to local communities throughout the New York metro area. World Picks On Demand consists of four on-demand services (Latino, Hindi, Mandarin and Russian) and the World Picks Networks is an array of 13 international networks from around the world.
Rainbow Media continues to seek new programming options, and remains the clear industry leader in providing original on-demand programming powered by the latest in cutting-edge entertainment technology. In recent years, Rainbow Media has launched a collection of high profile, content rich, on-demand programming services including Mag Rack, IFC Films On Demand, IFCi (interactive television), Uncensored On Demand, sportskool, Fuse On-Demand and World Picks.
About World Picks
World Picks is World Picks On Demand, a collection of subscription video-on-demand services; and World Picks Networks, an array of international television networks. Each of the World Picks products offers a wide variety of language-specific programming including films, dramas, documentaries, telenovelas, performing arts, spiritual and children’s programming, and language instruction for English as a second language. World Picks On Demand programming is acquired specifically for these services and is exclusive to the World Picks service. World Picks is owned and operated by Rainbow Media Holdings LLC.
About Rainbow Media Holdings LLC
A leader in sports, news and entertainment programming, Rainbow Media Holdings LLC is a subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE:CVC). Rainbow Media owns and manages national networks: AMC, Fuse, IFC (The Independent Film Channel) and WE: Women’s Entertainment; as well as the on-demand services: Mag Rack, Uncensored On Demand, World Picks On Demand and World Picks Networks. Rainbow Media’s other businesses include its regional programming services – MetroChannels, News 12 Networks and Rainbow Sports Networks – in addition to the Rainbow Advertising Sales Corporation and Rainbow Network Communications. Rainbow Media is also a 50 percent partner in Fox Sports Net.