New York – February 15, 2005 – Surrounding the excitement of the Academy Awards?, video-on-demand (VOD) leader Mag Rack will celebrate one of the most talked about films of the year, Universal Pictures', a division of NBC Universal, "Ray," with the introduction of a new limited edition program, "Ray On My Mind." Launched to promote the national on-demand premiere of the highly-acclaimed film that is nominated for six Academy Awards?, including Best Picture and Best Actor: Jamie Foxx, "Ray On My Mind" will enable Mag Rack viewers to deepen their experience with the film and moreover, one of music's all-time greatest legends, Ray Charles. "Ray On My Mind" will be available exclusively on Mag Rack from March 17th through April 27th, to coincide with the on-demand premiere of the film on March 18.
"Ray on My Mind" will consist of several special features, including very rare footage from 1963 of Charles performing live on Brazilian television and coverage of Charles preparing Jamie Foxx for the role that garnered him a Golden Globe Award and international fame. Additionally, Mag Rack will offer special keyboard instructional segments that allows viewers to learn how to play key-by-key, at their own pace, three of Ray Charles' chart topping classics: "What'd I Say?", "I've Got A Woman", and "I Can't Stop Loving You." All programming features from "Ray on My Mind" will also be available on Mag Rack's "School of Music" instructional program.
"NBC Universal has a definite hit on their hands with 'Ray' and we're proud to be working with them to drive more fans to the on-demand premiere of this critically acclaimed film," said Dan Ronayne, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Mag Rack. "With 'Ray On My Mind' we have created instructional programming for keyboard that will truly allow our viewers to more fully experience the enduring magic of Ray Charles and his music."
"NBC Universal is pleased to continue our partnership with Mag Rack after we saw great success with our on-demand movie promotion in 2003 for '2 Fast 2 Furious'," says Stacy Melle, Vice President, On-Demand Marketing. "The heightened awareness and Oscar buzz around 'Ray' will surely bring this promotion to a whole new level."
Mag Rack will provide cross-channel and VOD interface promotion opportunities to all cable systems where the service is available. In March, Cablevision and Charter Communications will participate in a "Ray On My Mind" billstuffer campaign supported by Mag Rack and NBC Universal. NBC Universal is supporting the on-demand premiere with a 25-market radio promotion.
About Mag Rack
Mag Rack is the leading on-demand television network, launched by Rainbow Media in 2001. Mag Rack engages viewers with over 20 core program categories about subjects that are personally relevant, such as Yoga Retreat, Motorcycle Freedom, Guitar Xpress and 24seven gamer. The service offers special interest programming not widely found on other channels with advanced ability to fast-forward, rewind or pause the program. Every month, 40 total hours of content is 100% refreshed, so there's always something new to watch on Mag Rack.
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, sportskool, 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.
About Universal Pictures
Universal Pictures is a division of Universal Studios (www.universalstudios.com). Universal Studios is part of NBC Universal. NBC Universal is one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates the No. 1 television network, the fastest-growing Spanish-language network, a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80%-owned by General Electric, with 20% controlled by Vivendi Universal.
About NBC Universal Cable
NBC Universal Cable, a division of NBC Universal, one of the world's preeminent media companies, drives the company's cable strategic development and growth including video-on-demand, pay-per-view, HDTV and retransmission consent, and oversees the cable distribution, marketing and local ad sales of fourteen properties (Bravo, CNBC, CNBC World, MSNBC, mun2, NBC Weather Plus, Sci-Fi, ShopNBC, Telemundo, Telemundo Puerto Rico, Trio, Universal HD, USA and the Olympics on cable). NBC Universal Cable also directs and manages the company's cable and new media investments including A&E, The History Channel, History Channel International, The Biography Channel, National Geographic International, the Sundance Channel and Tivo.