NEW YORK, N.Y., June 18, 2008 – Rainbow Media Holdings LLC announced today that Larry Aidem has joined as president, Rainbow Ventures, effective immediately. Prior to this new role at Rainbow Media, Mr. Aidem was president and CEO of Sundance Channel.
In his new position, Mr. Aidem will focus on identifying strategic business opportunities for Rainbow Media. He will also simultaneously help with the transition of Sundance Channel to Rainbow Media, which announced yesterday that it had completed the acquisition of Sundance Channel from General Electric Company’s (NYSE: GE) NBC Universal, CBS Corporation’s (NYSE: CBS) Showtime Networks, and entities controlled by Robert Redford.
Mr. Aidem will report directly to Rainbow Media President and CEO Joshua Sapan, who said: "We are fortunate to have someone like Larry, who has more than two decades of experience in developing programming strategies for successful networks, joining Rainbow. I know that we will benefit from Larry’s knowledge as we integrate Sundance Channel, which he has led so skillfully, and as Rainbow continues to explore new and exciting initiatives."
Ralph J. Roberts, founder of Comcast Corporation, a longtime friend and business associate of Mr. Aidem’s, added: "Larry has enjoyed many years of strong leadership in the cable industry, most recently at Sundance Channel. I wish Larry continued creative and business success as he begins the next phase of his career."
Mr. Aidem joined Sundance Channel in 1997 and a year later was named president and CEO, overseeing the day-to-day operations of the network. Prior to this, Mr. Aidem served as executive vice president of Business Development for Showtime Networks, Inc., responsible for the company’s U.S. and international channel development strategies, executed in tandem with Viacom. In addition, Mr. Aidem expanded the company’s efforts to develop interactive and online applications for its networks and programming. Before arriving at Showtime/Viacom in 1994, Mr. Aidem was vice president of International Operations for HBO. In that position, he was responsible for developing business plans and overseeing the launches of HBO and Time Warner joint ventures overseas, including HBO Asia, HBO New Zealand and, in Central Europe, HBO Hungary and HBO Czech.
Mr. Aidem began his career at HBO in marketing and later served as vice president, Original Programming, before moving to international, shortly after the 1989 merger of Time Inc. and Warner Communications. Prior to HBO, Mr. Aidem worked for Time Inc. as the manager of the Time College Bureau. He began his career as a promotions coordinator at MCA/Universal Studios, where he worked on the college marketing and promotion campaign for Universal’s National Lampoon’s Animal House. Mr. Aidem serves as an honorary chair of Cable Positive. He is also on the Board of Playwrights Horizons and is a vice chair of the Entertainment, Media & Communications Division of the UJA Federation of New York. He resides in New York City with his family.
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, Sundance Channel, LIFESKOOL, SPORTSKOOL, and VOOM HD Networks. Through IFC Entertainment, Rainbow Media also owns and manages the following: IFC Films, a leading distribution company for independent film; IFC Productions, a feature film production company that provides financing for select independent film projects; and IFC Center, a three screen, state-of-the-art cinema in the heart of New York’s Greenwich Village. Rainbow Media also operates Rainbow Advertising Sales Corporation, its advertising sales company; Rainbow Network Communications, its full service network programming origination and distribution company; and 11 Penn TV, a company that manages Rainbow Media’s NYC studios and post-production facilities.