Philadelphia, PA (August 13, 2001) – Comcast Cable Communications, Inc. today announced that its Original Programming division has entered into a licensing and promotional agreement with Rainbow Media’s MuchMusic USA, the nation’s only viewer-driven all music network.
Comcast will telecast television concerts from MuchMusic USA’s Shoutback Music Series — featuring performances by artists including Hanson, Wild Orchid, Mandy Moore, LFO and others — as part of the Comcast Original Programming lineup. The series kicked off with a Wild Orchid concert on July 29. In addition, the companies will work together to promote special events in-market such as MuchMusic’s Class Dismissedcontest with recording artist Alanis Morissette.
“We are excited to bring MuchMusic USA’s Shoutback Music Series with its impressive and diverse roster of artists to our customers,” said Jon Gorchow, vice president and general manager of CN8, The Comcast Network. “This agreement will help us further expand the original content we offer, increasing the value of Comcast Original Programming for our customers.”
Added Nora Ryan, acting general manager of MuchMusic USA and senior vice president of Business Strategy for Rainbow Media, “MuchMusic is all about producing music television powered by the viewer, not the company. As we work with industry leaders like Comcast to bring more viewers in touch with MuchMusic, our goal is to showcase high- speed cable technology, enhancing user experience and driving the value of subscribing to our affiliates’ new products and services.”
For example, MuchMusic USA’s Class Dismissed promotion encourages high-school students to create their own online music video for singer Alanis Morissette’s hit single, “Ironic.” One grand prize winner will receive a surprise visit and exclusive concert from Morissette at his or her school in September. Comcast will broadcast the concert on November 22.
Comcast will promote the contest, which runs through August 17, with point-of-purchase displays at its retail kiosk locations, cross-channel cable advertising and on InYourTown.com, Comcast’s web site providing local entertainment and lifestyle information for more than two dozen communities in the company’s footprint.
About MuchMusic USA
MuchMusic USA, owned by Rainbow Media Holding (NYSE: RMG) 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.
About Comcast Original Programming
Comcast Original Programming produces award-winning music, comedy, sports and special event programs, available exclusively to Comcast Cable customers. Comcast Original Programming has been honored with numerous industry awards, including the prestigious Emmy Award and the Telly Award.
About Comcast Cable
Headquartered in Philadelphia, Comcast Cable is a division of Comcast Corporation (www.comcast.com), a developer, manager and operator of broadband cable networks and provider of programming content. Comcast Cable is the third largest cable company in the United States. Providing basic cable, digital cable and high speed Internet services, Comcast Cable is the company to look to first for the communications products and services that connect people to what’s important in their lives. The company’s approximately 18,000 cable division employees serve more than 8.4 million customers in six geographic regions.
Contact:
Jenni Moyer
215-851-3311
Email: jenni_moyer@cable.comcast.com
Jaime Heymann / Sloane & Company
212-446-1887
Email: jheymann@sloanepr.com