(West Palm Beach, Fla. – September 8, 2008) – Today, over 94 million households will have the opportunity to tune-in to a reinvented ION Television, repositioned as a compelling new entertainment destination and galvanized by an exciting new brand, ION Television: Positively Entertaining. The new contemporary look and tag line – Positively Entertaining – complement the robust critically acclaimed off-network series – “Boston Legal,” “ER” and “NCIS” – which launch as part of ION Television’s strategically acquired fall programming lineup that appeals to a younger audience. The rebranding campaign coincides with the launch of ION Television’s new advertisers, distribution partners, shifted viewership, and newly rebranded website, www.iontelevision.com.
“With our contemporary look and ‘Positively Entertaining’ tagline, we are positioning ION Television as a general entertainment network, with broad appeal for consumers, advertisers and content creators,” said Brandon Burgess, Chairman and CEO, ION Media Networks. “We are pleased with our early success in securing marquis off-net acquisitions, as well as our theatrical and made-for-TV movies, targeting a broad and desirable 25-54 demo.”
“Our rebranding campaign essentially frames all that is new to ION Television and reinforces our brand’s limitless potential,” said Eleo Hensleigh, Chief Marketing Officer, ION Media Networks. “The ‘Positively Entertaining’ tagline exudes enthusiasm, translated across multiple genres of programming. The new contemporary aesthetic purposely complements the more youthful, confident and innovative brand personality and values of the network’s programming and mission.”
Advertiser Growth, New Categories: The impact of ION Television’s May upfront presentation is evidenced by our continued growth in advertising sales. The number of first-ever advertisers on ION Television has grown substantially and contributed to the dramatic increase in ad sales post-upfront. This fall, ION Television welcomes Walgreens, Western Union, Expedia.com, Hotels.com, Edward Jones and Red Lobster to its client roster. In addition, the network is introducing a new advertiser within the automotive category with the recent sign-on of Honda.
Multiple Distribution Deals: Straddling the unique position of both broadcaster and cable network, ION Television continues to sign cable, telecommunications and satellite distribution deals in local markets across the country. New rollouts by national distributors, such as Comcast, the nation’s largest multiple service operator, continue to increase momentum and expand the network’s total reach. Upcoming launches will include the continued rollout by Verizon FiOS, AT&T U-Verse, Bresnan, Mediacom and Buckeye, as well as niche cable operators like MidContinent, Broadstripe, Comporium and Sky Angel. Additionally, ION Television recently announced a station affiliation agreement with WRCX-TV in Dayton, the nation’s 62nd largest TV market, which represents approximately 511,000 households.
New Website Launch: iontelevision.com: ION Television extends its breadth beyond television and is launching a newly revamped and rebranded website, www.iontelevision.com. The site will feature numerous new features from streaming video, interactive games, video mash-ups, cast/show information, show trivia, forums and blogs.
ION Television’s strategy will focus heavily on expanding its programming offerings in coming television seasons, targeting a strong mix of quality major network TV series, as well as signature originals produced specifically for ION Television. Several key content additions have already been secured, such as the successful “Ghost Whisperer” and “Criminal Minds” franchises, which will infuse the lineup in fall 2009.
About ION Television: ION Television (www.iontelevision.com) is a general entertainment network which reaches over 94 million U.S. television households via its nationwide broadcast television, cable and satellite distribution systems. Launched in 2006, ION Television features popular TV series and movies from the award-winning libraries of RHI Entertainment, CBS Television, NBC Universal, Sony Pictures Television, Twentieth Television and Warner Bros. Parent company, ION Media Networks, Inc., owns and operates the nation’s largest broadcast television station group. Using its digital multicasting capability, ION Media Networks has launched the digital TV brands qubo, a channel for children focusing on literacy and values, and ION Life, a channel dedicated to active living and personal growth. It also has launched Open Mobile Ventures Corporation (OMVION), a business unit focused on the research and development of portable, mobile and out-of-home transmission technology using over-the-air digital television spectrum. For more information, visit www.ionmedia.com.