Basketball Series Broadens On Demand Network's Roster
of High-Profile Athletic Instruction
MAGIC JOHNSON FUNDAMENTALS
to Premiere December 18, 2007
New York, NY – November 12, 2007 – SPORTSKOOL, the only free On Demand sports network dedicated to delivering one-on-one athletic instruction, training and motivation, announced today it has tapped basketball legend and five-time NBA world champion Magic Johnson for a new On Demand series, Magic Johnson Fundamentals scheduled to premiere December 18, 2007. Throughout the eight episode series, Johnson will share the techniques and drills that helped make him a 12-time NBA All-Star and three-time League MVP.
Johnson is the newest addition to SPORTSKOOL's roster of All-Star basketball athletes, which includes basketball Hall of Famer and NBA analyst Bill Walton, Grant Hill and Streetball Legend Waliyy "Main Event" Dixon in addition to superstars such as soccer great Mia Hamm, Baseball Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn, and Football Legend Doug Flutie, among many others. Special highlights and clips from Magic Johnson Fundamentals will also be available online at www.SPORTSKOOL.com.
"Magic Johnson is one of the most recognized and highly-regarded names in sports, and we are thrilled to welcome him to SPORTSKOOL as we continue to broaden our VOD offerings and build on our roster of world-class athletes," said Daniel Ronayne, Executive Vice President and General Manager of SPORTSKOOL. "For viewers looking to improve their basketball skills and performance on the court, this new series offers instruction from one of the best players to ever play the game, and is sure to be a huge hit with our audience."
In this new series, Johnson will reveal the techniques and drills that helped turn him into a 3-time MVP and 5-time world champion. Working along side NBA All-Star players such as Carmelo Anthony, Amare Stoudemire, Rip Hamilton, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Kenny Smith, Johnson demonstrates drills for footwork, dribbling, passing, ball handling, defending in the post, and overall court presence – all of the skills necessary to become a better all-around ball player.
During his time in the NBA, Johnson was widely recognized as one of the most complete players in basketball. Throughout his career he has received numerous awards and accolades, including 12 All-Star appearances, three League MVP Awards, three NBA Final MVP Awards, an Olympic Gold Medal, and an NCAA Championship. He is also a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame and the NBA's 50 Greatest Players. The same principles of hard work, sacrifice and discipline that translated into Johnson's success on the court have again proven to be his most valuable tool in becoming a successful entrepreneur. He is one of the African-American community's most influential businessmen and his considerable charitable work through The Magic Johnson Foundation has resulted in millions of dollars being donated to underprivileged youths.
SPORTSKOOL is available in more than 23 million homes nation-wide, offering an increasing slate of original sports instruction. To learn more or find out if SPORTSKOOL is available through your local cable provider please visit www.SPORTSKOOL.com.
About SPORTSKOOL
Launched by Rainbow Media in 2004, SPORTSKOOL is the first television network dedicated to delivering in-depth sports expert instruction and coaching for a wide range of sports and athletic activities. SPORTSKOOL helps athletes of all ages take their game to the next level by offering guidance and insider tips from the world's best athletes. The network – featuring exclusive and original programming custom-built for On Demand television – boasts some of the most recognizable names in sports, including Doug Flutie, Mia Hamm, Bode Miller, Tony Gwynn, Bill Walton, Mike Vallely (Mike V.), tennis coach Brad Gilbert and renowned training and performance expert, Mark Verstegen. SPORTSKOOL is currently available to more than 23 million digital cable subscribers nationwide. For more information, visit www.SPORTSKOOL.com.
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, LIFESKOOL, SPORTSKOOL, and VOOM HD Networks. Through its IFC Entertainment division, Rainbow Media also owns and manages the following: IFC Films, a theatrical feature film distribution company; IFC First Take/IFC in Theaters, a day and date theatrical feature film/VOD initiative; the IFC Center in New York City; IFC Productions, a feature film production company; and IFC Entertainment, which owns and operates a film library. Rainbow Media also operates Rainbow Advertising Sales Corporation, its advertising sales company, and Rainbow Network Communications, its full service network programming origination and distribution company.
About Magic Johnson Fundamentals
"Magic Johnson Presents: The Fundamentals of Basketball" is a four-DVD series packed with nearly 8 hours of instruction for players of all skill levels. The principles of discipline, sacrifice and work ethic that are taught in the series not only result in improvement on the court but will help players achieve success in any area of life where they want to excel. "Magic Johnson Presents: The Fundamentals of Basketball" focuses on why most people play the game…because it's FUN! The instruction and drills that Magic and his All-Star cast developed to help players improve were designed with this in mind. For more information, visit www.MagicFundamentals.com.