Exclusive 1-on-1 Interview with Miller Debuts Online Tonight; On Demand Series Premieres December 5
New York, NY: November 1, 2006 – sportskool, the first and only on-demand television network to offer athletic instruction, will premiere a new original series on December 5 featuring world champion ski racer Bode Miller. Skiing with Bode Miller will provide unparalleled expertise to sportskool viewers through a variety of fun and challenging instruction, strategy and conditioning segments. Launched in 2004 by Rainbow Media, sportskool has seen substantial growth, now at over 21 million in total distribution, thanks in large part to an increasing slate of original sports instruction featuring world renowned athletes including soccer superstar Mia Hamm, baseball legend Tony Gwynn, basketball Hall of Famer and NBA analyst Bill Walton, Stanley Cup champion Peter Forsberg, and skateboarding pioneer Mike Valley.
"Bode is an amazing talent and it is an honor to have his expertise as part of sportskool's extensive roster of world class athletes and expert instruction," said Dan Ronayne, General Manager. "sportskool is a distinctive brand that offers viewers original programming that is informative and entertaining – and custom built for the on-demand platform. With this series, skiers of all ages and abilities have the unique opportunity to learn from one of the greatest skiers of all time, at their own pace by utilizing VOD's functionality to pause and rewind."
sportskool's on-demand Ski series was recently shot on location in Portillo, Chile. Miller and U.S. ski team coach Phil McNichol demonstrate in-depth instruction on key elements to improve skills and technique including carving, pole planting, and skiing the steeps. Skiers of all levels can sharpen their skills and get the ultimate edge needed to take their ability to the next level. Also integrated into the Skiing with Bode Miller series will be footage of Miller throughout his life, including video of him as a child.
Starting tonight, and leading up to the instructional on-demand series premiere, sportskool will post exclusive content online at www.sportskool.com offering a close-up look at Bode Miller – as a person and as an athlete. The one-on-one interview with Miller explores his upbringing, his athleticism, his passion for skiing and how he got to where he is.
Bode Miller is the reigning double World Champion in the Downhill and SuperG. Miller's highlight accomplishments include a World Cup overall title, the first for an American in 22 years, two additional World Cup discipline titles (Giant Slalom and SuperG), two Olympic Silver medals, four World Championships, a World Championship silver medal and 21 World Cup wins, placing him second all time among American ski racers. Bode also boasts eight US National titles. Bode is the second man in the history of ski racing to win a World Cup race in each of the four alpine disciplines in a single season. After becoming the first American to ever ski in all five alpine events in a single Olympics in February 2006, Bode finished the 2005-06 season the 3rd ranked skier in the world.
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 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 over 21 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 creates and manages some of the country's most compelling and dynamic entertainment brands including popular national and regional television channels AMC, fuse, The Independent Film Channel (IFC), WE tv, and three FSN affiliated regional sports networks managed by Rainbow Sports Networks. The company also manages Mag Rack and sportskool, two original on-demand networks; VOOM HD Networks, the largest and most diverse suite of high definition channels available anywhere; IFC Entertainment, its film distribution, production and exhibition division; Rainbow Advertising Sales Corporation, its advertising sales division; and Rainbow Network Communications, its full service network programming origination and distribution company.