Elizabeth Dorée Appointed Vice President,
Acquisitions and Promotional Strategy
Gary Pipa Appointed Vice President
of Program Planning and Scheduling
Two New Anthology Blocks to Launch
on the Network in January
New York, NY, December 4, 2006 – WE tv today unveiled plans to expand the way the network platforms its programming with the launch of two new one-hour anthology blocks to debut in January 2007: 'Real Mysteries', a block of dramatic mystery-themed programming, and 'WE Spotlight', a selection of original and acquired series and specials. Both blocks will operate as umbrellas under which various programs and titles will rotate. The 'Real Mysteries' anthology, which was created in response to industry research indicating that mysteries resonate with women viewers, will air Fridays at 10 pm ET starting January 5 and will include such shows as: Case Reopened: The Black Dahlia, Who Killed Diana, and Crimes of Passion. The network's new 'WE Spotlight' anthology will air Mondays at 10 pm ET starting January 22 and will include: Vietnam Nurses, The Other Side of the Cell and Extreme Skinny Celebrities, among others. The blocks were developed as part of WE's strategy to schedule and promote the network's programming with maximum effectiveness, ultimately increasing viewer satisfaction and building ratings.
In Summer 2006 WE tv launched its most successful branded block to date, WE's Wild Wedding Night, a Sunday night lineup of nuptial-themed programming, including the network's signature series Bridezillas. Nielsen research revealed that the block was a hit with viewers. Over 30% of women who can receive WE tv tuned in to the network's wedding related programming since the block's June launch.
"Our branded programming blocks offer a platform to showcase WE's content – both acquired and original – in a way that makes sense and is attractive to our viewers," said Kim Martin, WE tv's General Manager and Executive Vice President. "The addition of these anthologies is another step forward in the way we are positioning our programming to effectively reach our audience with engaging and compelling content."
In conjunction with today's announcement, WE tv announced the expanding roles of two key architects behind the programming block strategy. Elizabeth Dorée will take on an expanded role as Vice President, Acquisitions and Promotional Strategy, and Gary Pipa will be promoted to Vice President of Program Planning and Scheduling. Dorée and Pipa's efforts have contributed to WE tv's best year ever in HH rating and delivery. Year-to-date, 2006 is pacing 12% ahead of 2005 in HH rating and 25% ahead in delivery of women 25-54. Dorée and Pipa will both report to Steve Cheskin, Senior Vice President of Programming and will look to maximize the network's overall programming and scheduling strategy.
"As we continue to expand our programming slate, it is essential to have a good team in place to strategically and effectively plan and promote our content lineup," said Cheskin. "Elizabeth and Gary have brought unparalleled talent to WE in that area and their new roles will help continue the network's strong programming momentum."
In her new role as Vice President of Acquisitions and Promotional Strategy, Dorée will be responsible for the development and implementation of acquisition strategies, and will evaluate and negotiate deals on behalf of the network for use across all platforms, as well as multi-network deals with other properties owned by Rainbow Media. Dorée will also oversee the traffic and promotional strategy teams. As Vice President of Program Planning and Scheduling for WE tv, Pipa will be responsible for long-term schedule planning and strategies, including movies and original and acquired series and specials. In this role, he will also oversee the development of on-brand programming stunts and blocks tied to sponsorships, product integration and other revenue generating opportunities.
WE's programming strategy, which includes a substantial increase in originals, has dramatically impacted the network with record ratings success. 3Q06 tied with 3Q02 as the best 3Q in the history of the network for HH ratings (.29) and its best 3Q yet for HH delivery at 173K. In the 05/06 season, WE tv had +161% more hours of original programming during Prime M-Su 8p-11p than in the 04/05 season. In addition, the 05/06 season is the best in WE tv's history for Prime M-Su 8p-11p delivery of HH, W18-34, W18-49, W25-49 and W25-54.
Elizabeth Dorée joined WE tv in 2001 as Vice President of Program Planning where she developed short and long-term programming strategies and was instrumental in identifying brand-relevant and ratings-generating films for licensing. Prior to WE tv, Dorée worked at Warner Bros. for seven years. As Vice President of Sales Planning & Program Inventory, she choreographed domestic cable and network sales of the entire Warner Bros. library and collaborated with more than 40 basic, pay and broadcast clients to customize available product to individual programmer needs. Dorée began her career at Lifetime Television, where she worked in acquisitions and helped launch two of the network's longest running acquired series, "Unsolved Mysteries" and "The Golden Girls." Dorée earned her Master of Science degree in broadcasting from Boston University and her Bachelor of Arts degree in film studies from Clark University. She is a member of American Women in Radio and Television (AWRT), Girls Inc., the International Radio and Television Society (IRTS), the Museum of Television & Radio, the National Association of Television Program Executives (NATPE), Women in Cable Telecommunications (WICT), and New York Women in Film (NYWIF).
Gary Pipa joined the network in 2000 as Director of Scheduling, where he was responsible for monthly movie and series scheduling and on-air promotional strategies. Pipa was a key member of the team that launched and scheduled WE's hit original series "Bridezillas", as well as its recent successful programming block WE's Wild Wedding Night. Before joining WE tv, Pipa spent five years at USA Network as manager of programming. From 1992-1995, he served as manager of production for both USA Network and Sci-Fi Channel. Pipa was part of the team that launched Sci-Fi Channel in 1992. Earlier in his career, he worked in production, including work on the syndicated series "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous." Pipa earned his Bachelor of Arts in communications from Adelphi University. He is a member of the International Radio and Television Society (IRTS), the Museum of Television & Radio, and the National Association of Television Program Executives (NATPE).
*Source: Nielsen Media Research, Prime M-Su 8p-11p Daypart average from 12/27/04-10/30/05 vs. 12/26/05-10/29/06.
**Source: Nielsen Media Research, WE tv Prime M-Su 8p-11p 3Q06 (6/26/06-9/24/06) vs 3Q05 (6/27/05-9/25/05), 3Q04 (6/28/04-9/26/04), 3Q03 (6/30/03-9/28/03), & 3Q02 (7/1/02-9/29/02); WE tv Prime M-Su 8p-11p 05/06 season (9/26/05-9/24/06) vs 04/05 season (9/27/04-9/25/05); WE tv Prime M-Su 8p-11p 2006 YTD 12/26/05-9/24/06 vs 2005 YTD (12/27/04-9/25/05).
About WE tv
WE tv is the only cable network dedicated to helping women connect to one another and the world around them. With quality original programming including the hit series "Bridezillas," unique movie packages like "Three Men and A Chick Flick," topical specials and its public affairs initiative WE Empowers Women, the network supports women and appeals to their interests in pop culture, relationships and personal style. WE tv is a subsidiary of Rainbow Entertainment Services and is currently seen in over 61 million homes.
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.