Rainbow Media
Encyclopedia
AMC Networks is an entertainment company in the United States that owns the national cable channels AMC, IFC
, WE tv
, and Sundance Channel; the regional News 12 Networks
, the art house
movie theater IFC Center
in New York
, New York
, and the film company IFC Films
.
The company was originally launched in 1980 and formerly known as Rainbow Media Holdings, LLC, a subsidiary of Cablevision, but was spun off as a publicly traded company in July 2011.
expressed interest in acquiring Rainbow Media from Cablevision.
On March 10, 2011, Cablevision, as approved by its board on December 16, 2010, announced that Rainbow Media would be spun off as a publicly traded company, AMC Networks, later in 2011. Rainbow Media's former president Josh Sapan serves as the president and chief executive of AMC Networks which went public on July 1, 2011.
(now NBCUniversal), giving them full control of the channel. Rainbow also ran the local-minded MSG Metro Channels
, before folding them in late 2005. The company had also founded current Orlando, Florida
MyNetworkTV
affiliate WRBW
(channel 65) in 1994, which it eventually sold to Chris-Craft
in 1998; it was affiliated with the since-defunct UPN
, half of which Chris-Craft owned half at the time. Rainbow Media also formerly ran Fuse TV
; the network was transferred to fellow Cablevision subsidiary Madison Square Garden
(which would also be spun off from Cablevision in 2010). Rainbow Media also owned Wedding Central
which was shut down the same day AMC Networks went public.
Independent Film Channel
The Independent Film Channel is an American cable TV network that airs independent film and related programming. IFC programming includes commercially interrupted feature-length films, original documentaries, shorts, animated series, original series, acquired series, and content exclusively for...
, WE tv
WE TV
We TV is the third TV channel from Malayalam Communications Ltd, in Kerala and based at Trivandrum. The other two channels of this company are Kairali TV and People TV. WE TV is mainly aimed at the youth and was officially launched on April 14, 2007. Mr...
, and Sundance Channel; the regional News 12 Networks
News 12 Networks
News 12 Networks comprises seven regional cable news television channels in the New York metropolitan area. The channels offer local news 24-hours a day and reach approximately 3.8 million television households in the tri-state area...
, the art house
Art film
An art film is the result of filmmaking which is typically a serious, independent film aimed at a niche market rather than a mass market audience...
movie theater IFC Center
IFC Center
IFC Center is an art house movie theater in Greenwich Village, New York City in the United States of America. It is located at 323 Sixth Avenue, on the former site of the Waverly Theater, which was itself a well known art house movie theater...
in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, and the film company IFC Films
IFC Films
IFC Films is an American film distribution company based in New York, owned by AMC Networks. It distributes independent films and documentaries under the IFC Films, Sundance Selects and IFC Midnight. It operates the IFC Center....
.
The company was originally launched in 1980 and formerly known as Rainbow Media Holdings, LLC, a subsidiary of Cablevision, but was spun off as a publicly traded company in July 2011.
History
In 2005, Cablevision considered spinning off its content subsidiary Rainbow Media as a publicly traded company, and making their core cable business private, but withdrew the plan. In 2006, a new plan emerged to privatize all of Cablevision, including Rainbow Media. In January 2007, with no word on if the privatization would go through, Liberty MediaLiberty Media
Liberty Media Corporation is an American media conglomerate and the control is exercised by company Chairman John C. Malone, who owns a majority of the voting shares....
expressed interest in acquiring Rainbow Media from Cablevision.
On March 10, 2011, Cablevision, as approved by its board on December 16, 2010, announced that Rainbow Media would be spun off as a publicly traded company, AMC Networks, later in 2011. Rainbow Media's former president Josh Sapan serves as the president and chief executive of AMC Networks which went public on July 1, 2011.
Former assets
Rainbow was the original owner of the cable network Bravo, before selling their eventual 50% stake to one-time Rainbow partner NBCNBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
(now NBCUniversal), giving them full control of the channel. Rainbow also ran the local-minded MSG Metro Channels
MSG Metro Channels
MSG Metro Channels were a series of local-minded New York City cable networks which launched in 1998 and folded in late 2005. Owned by Rainbow Media, the Metro networks were founded as a spinoff of the MSG Sports networks. The network was originally split into three separate channels, MSG Metro...
, before folding them in late 2005. The company had also founded current Orlando, Florida
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
MyNetworkTV
MyNetworkTV
MyNetworkTV is a television broadcast syndication service in the United States, owned by the Fox Entertainment Group, a division of News Corporation...
affiliate WRBW
WRBW
WRBW is the MyNetworkTV owned and operated station serving the Orlando/Daytona Beach/Melbourne, Florida television market. It is owned by the Fox Television Stations Group, along with Fox station WOFL Channel 35. Known on-air as "My65", the station offers sitcoms, cartoons, court shows, and...
(channel 65) in 1994, which it eventually sold to Chris-Craft
Chris-Craft
For the NASA flight director, see Christopher C. Kraft, Jr.Chris-Craft, Inc. is a privately held American manufacturer of civilian powerboats based in Sarasota, Florida...
in 1998; it was affiliated with the since-defunct UPN
UPN
United Paramount Network was a television network that was broadcast in over 200 markets in the United States from 1995 to 2006. UPN was originally owned by Viacom/Paramount and Chris-Craft Industries, the former of which, through the Paramount Television Group, produced most of the network's...
, half of which Chris-Craft owned half at the time. Rainbow Media also formerly ran Fuse TV
Fuse TV
Fuse is an American national television network dedicated exclusively to music. It features original series and specials, exclusive interviews, live concerts and video blocks....
; the network was transferred to fellow Cablevision subsidiary Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden, Inc.
Madison Square Garden, Inc. , is an American entertainment promotion company, headquartered in New York, New York. The company spun off from Cablevision on February 9, 2010.-Divisions:...
(which would also be spun off from Cablevision in 2010). Rainbow Media also owned Wedding Central
Wedding Central
Wedding Central was an American digital cable television channel that focused on programming involving brides and weddings, which was a spin-off of the programming which made up much of WE tv's schedule at the network's launch on August 18, 2009. The network was launched by the Rainbow Media...
which was shut down the same day AMC Networks went public.