VOOM’s Pioneering High-Def Music Channel Rave HD Premieres Two Original TV Series

Talks with Dave Fanning to Feature Interviews with Iconic Artists Including Jon Bon Jovi, Billy Joel and
Joe Elliott of Def Leppard

Season Two of Beautiful Noise to Showcase New and Critically Acclaimed Talent with Performances by Neko Case, The Stills and Cowboy Junkies

New York, NY – September 18, 2006 – VOOM HD Network’s pioneering 24/7 high-definition music channel, RAVE HD, announced today a new, original series, Talks with Dave Fanning, and the renewal of season two of its original series Beautiful Noise. Talks with Dave Fanning is an in-depth weekly interview series, and is kicking off with Jon Bon Jovi on Friday, October 1 at 9PM. Beautiful Noise, a weekly showcase of up-and-coming and critically acclaimed artists, is launching its second season of original programming on October 13 at 10 PM with a performance by Neko Case. Both series are produced and will air in breathtaking high-definition and Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound.

“RAVE HD’s mission is to bring new artists and the live music experience right into your living room. The channel delivers compelling original high-definition programming made specifically for the HD medium,” said Sal LoCurto, RAVE HD’s Vice President of Programming and Acquisitions.

“With Talks with Dave Fanning, Dave has an interview style, a wealth of knowledge and a genuine love of music that puts the biggest stars at ease, and always offers audiences new insights into the work of musicians they thought they already knew. Our new season of Beautiful Noise offers a slate of exceptional musicians heavily influenced by roots in classic, country, jazz and blues. Each create their own captivating sounds with intelligence, originality and deep musicality reaching audiences with the full intimacy and richness of long-form performances,” adds LoCurto.

Talks with Dave Fanning features intimate, one-on-one long-form interviews with celebrated artists exploring their careers, music and history. The host of the show is legendary Irish radio DJ and music journalist, Dave Fanning, renowned for his discriminating taste and ear for new talent. Fanning is responsible for giving U2 their first significant airplay and has since hosted a steady stream of music programs on both English and Irish television. The first of the 26 half-hour episodes features Jon Bon Jovi. Additional episodes include interviews with Billy Joel, The Flaming Lips, Def Leppard frontman, Joe Elliot, Pet Shop Boys and Kaiser Chiefs. Talks with Dave Fanning is a co-production of RAVE HD and Rumble Films.

Beautiful Noise is RAVE HD’s unique new forum for musicians on the rise, as well as a look at known acts who are taking significant new steps in their work. Shot in front of a live audience in a dramatic and richly resonant gothic-style cathedral, each hour-long episode presents performances and brief interviews. Season Two of Beautiful Noise launches on October 13 with a performance by critically acclaimed songstress Neko Case with new installments premiering Friday nights at 10:00 P.M. The Season Two line-up features performances by Neko Case, Cowboy Junkies, The Stills, Pilot Speed, Stefy, Kevin Breit & Sisters Euclid and Sam Roberts Band. Beautiful Noise is a co-production of RAVE HD and Original Spin Media.

Rave HD is a new way to experience music on television. The first-ever 24/7 high definition music channel, RAVE HD offers commercial-free programming that harnesses the surround-sound power of Dolby Digital 5.1, and the breathtaking depth and clarity of state-of-the-art HD video technology, to showcase music with a physical and emotional impact that television has never delivered before. RAVE HD is one of the VOOM HD Networks, a suite of 15 high-definition channels created for satellite and cable distribution.

About VOOM HD Networks:
VOOM HD Networks is the largest suite of high definition channels available anywhere, produced exclusively in high definition for distribution in the U.S. through satellite and cable operators. The VOOM HD Networks carry programming in categories as diverse as sports, movies, fashion, music and art. Today, the VOOM HD Networks are available nationally on Echostar’s DISH Network. The VOOM HD Networks were developed by Rainbow Media to meet the growing demand for quality high definition programming, building on Rainbow Media’s history of original programming innovation. VOOM HD is available nationally on the DISH Network satellite system.

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 two 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.

Press Contacts

  • Lauren Cozzi
    Rainbow-Media for VOOM HD Networks
    (917) 542-6311