(Jericho, NY, June 24, 2002) Rainbow Media Holdings, Inc. announced today that Steven J. Pontillo, P.E., age 43, has been promoted to senior vice president and general manager of Rainbow Network Communications (RNC). Mr. Pontillo will continue to report to Michael Dispaquale, senior vice president for operations at Rainbow Media Holdings. RNC is a division of Rainbow Media Holdings and is a full service network programming origination and distribution company supplying an array of services to the cable and broadcast industries.
In his new role, Mr. Pontillo will continue to be responsible for the management of RNC and will provide technical guidance to the Rainbow programming entities. He will oversee operations, engineering, business development and financial functions; satellite negotiations; equipment design and technical specifications; contract reviews; affiliate engineering support; and alternate and new technology research and development.
"Steve has played a vital role in the successful management and growth of RNC," said Mr. Dipasquale. "His hard work, oversight and vision in the building and opening of the RNC Technology Center in Bethpage have been an important part of Rainbow's overall growth. This promotion is well-earned and we are excited about the potential for RNC under Steve's guidance."
Mr. Pontillo joined Cablevision in 1981 and most recently held the position of vice president, engineering and technical services, Rainbow Network Communications where he was responsible for all engineering, operational and business development functions for the division.
A 20-year veteran of the company, Mr. Pontillo has held numerous roles at both Cablevision and Rainbow. He began his career at Cablevision as a corporate staff engineer. He joined Rainbow in 1986 as director of engineering and has been involved in numerous engineering and technical development projects throughout the years, including the most recent RNC Technology Center, which is one of the most advanced facilities in the country. RNC's experience in program delivery is unparalleled in the industry distributing content to more than 150 million people on a daily basis.
About Rainbow Media Holdings Inc.
Rainbow Media Holdings, Inc. is a subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE:CVC) and NBC. Rainbow manages American Movie Classics, WE: Women's Entertainment, Bravo, The Independent Film Channel, MuchMusic USA, Mag Rack, Rainbow Sports Networks, 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. Rainbow's five national networks, Fox Sports Net and Mag Rack are the assets included in Cablevision's Rainbow Media Group tracking stock (NYSE:RMG). MGM (NYSE:MGM) owns a 20% stake in four of Rainbow's national networks – AMC, Bravo, IFC, and WE: Women's Entertainment.