ION Unveils New Slate of Boomer-Targeted Programming from RHI

WEST PALM BEACH/NEW YORK, May 4: At its first upfront
presentation in New York as ION Media Networks, the broadcasting group unveiled
a multiplatform programming slate targeted at the “baby boomer” demographic,
headlined by new content from its partnership with RHI Entertainment that calls
for 12 original productions per year.

That alliance kicks off this July with the debut of the
political-thriller mini-series Killer Wave.
The title, about a multi-billion-dollar conspiracy, will be the first mini-series to premiere on ION
Television, the company’s flagship network. It is the first of 12 planned
original titles from ION’s partnership with RHI Entertainment.

The upfront also included a sneak peek at ION’s partnership
with Firebrand, which will provide a multiplatform experience for consumers and
give them interactive access to their favorite brands, products and promotions.
The partnership is set to launch in the fall.

The company also touted the launch of new digital TV brands
such as qubo—a television and multimedia network for children formed in
partnership with Scholastic, Corus Entertainment, Classic Media and NBC
Universal—and ION Life, a television and multimedia network dedicated to
health and wellness for consumers and families.

Leveraging its national network of over 60 stations reaching
more than 92 million households, ION Television’s weekday primetime average is
up 37 percent in households for the first quarter of this year over last year’s
first quarter results, reaching its highest ratings ever with target audiences.
The network has also had success with classic programming such as The Wonder
Years, Charlie’s Angels, The A-Team, Alice and Diagnosis
Murder, especially among adults aged 25-54, which experienced
a 31-percent gain in Monday to Sunday in prime time.

“This is an exciting time for ION, and we look forward to
updating the advertising community on the dramatic programming and content
changes we’ve instituted across our distribution network,” said ION CEO Brandon
Burgess. “In addition to our success in growing our weekday primetime ratings
with our signature quality programming, our partnership with RHI brings
exclusive original content and award-winning library titles that will attract
even more consumers.”

Added Steve Appel, ION’s president of sales and marketing:
“ION Television is a unique platform for advertisers to reach the adult 35-64
demographic—a powerful consumer group wielding over $3 trillion in
purchasing power.”