MuchMusic USA and Radio Free Virgin To Offer Co-Branded Player
New York, NY – July 24, 2001 – Rainbow Media’s MuchMusic USA, the nation’s only viewer-driven all music network, today announced a relationship with Radio Free Virgin, a leading digital broadcasting company, to convert two of MuchMusic USA’s television shows, “Oven Fresh” and “Mixtape Masterpiece” into 24-hour online digital radio channels to complement the network’s new interactive television programming. Radio Free Virgin will create an online extension of the “Oven Fresh” and “Mixtape Masterpiece” programming, as well as provide and power a co-branded player that the Much Music USA audience can select and link to.
“Because the Web acts as the engine to power the content of our on-air programming, Internet radio is the logical next step and Radio Free Virgin is the perfect complement to debut our efforts,” said Nora Ryan, acting general manager, MuchMusic USA and SVP of business strategy for Rainbow Media. “This digital radio programming also supports the MSOs who need quality broadband content to accelerate the adoption of digital services.”
In a very simple and quick process, visitors to the MuchMusic USA Web site, www.mmusa.tv, are prompted to download the co-branded player to listen to programming of the corresponding television shows. “Oven Fresh” features newly released songs from popular and emerging artists, where the fans vote what songs stay on the playlist. “Mixtape Masterpiece” playlists are built around the show’s weekly theme and features song mixes chosen by the viewers. Internet radio listeners will also hear selected tracks of popular music that compliment the shows’ respective themes.
“Radio Free Virgin is always looking to enhance the user experience. Through our superior programming and diversified tools, Radio Free Virgin offers listeners the most unique and comprehensive programming network,” stated Zack Zalon, General Manager of Radio Free Virgin. “Radio Free Virgin and MuchMusic USA working together is a perfect fit, as we are both committed to offering our audiences the best entertainment experiences available.”
The Much Music USA channels will also be available at Radio Free Virgin www.radiofreevirgin.com and included as part of the over 40 superior programmed channels offered. While listening through the co-branded player, Much Music USA’s audience will be able to view images of the artist or album artwork synched with the audio, as well as have to ability to purchase CDs and merchandise through a “buy” button, accessed through Radio Free Virgin’s online store.
About Radio Free Virgin
Part of the worldwide Virgin family, Radio Free Virgin is a leading digital radio broadcasting company that uniquely combines music and technology to bring consumers the highest quality music content available via digital distribution, both on and off the desktop. Radio Free Virgin’s state-of-the-art, CD-quality streaming audio combines the company’s proprietary software application (available by download free of charge at www.radiofreevirgin.com and innovative, genre-rich, original music channels programmed by well-known artists, celebrities, musicologists and DJs from around the world. Based in Los Angeles, Radio Free Virgin is a privately held company funded by Richard Branson, and is a unit of Virgin Audio Holdings, LLC.
About MuchMusic USA
MuchMusic USA is the only independent music network, featuring music videos and live concerts in an all-music-all-the-time format. Beginning Summer 2001, the channel will feature viewer influenced and generated music programming. On MuchMusic USA, viewers voice their opinions, influence what’s on the air, participate in discovering new music and even create music video programming to air on the network. For more information about MuchMusic USA, please visit our Web site at www.mmusa.tv.
About Rainbow Media Holdings, Inc.
A subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE: CVC) and NBC, Rainbow Media Holdings, Inc. manages Bravo, The Independent Film Channel, American Movie Classics, We: Women’s Entertainment, 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. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. (NYSE:MGM) owns a 20 percent stake in four of Rainbow’s national networks – AMC, Bravo, The Independent Film Channel and WE: Women’s Entertainment.
A new series of Cablevision common stock — Rainbow Media Group tracking stock (NYSE:RMG) — began trading on the NYSE on March 30 2001. The assets that comprise Rainbow Media Group tracking stock include: American Movie Classics, Bravo, The Independent Film Channel, WE: Women’s Entertainment, MuchMusic USA, Rainbow’s interest in the national service FOX Sports Net, Rainbow’s five regional sports channels outside of the New York market, and Rainbow Network Communications.
Contact:
MuchMusic USA Contact:
Jocelyn Johnson
Sloane & Company
212-446-1867
jjohnson@sloanepr.com
Radio Free Virgin Contact:
Karen DeMarco/Jennifer Vogelmann
mPRm Public Relations
323-933-3399
kdemarco@mprm.com
jvogelmann@mprm.com