Cablevision Systems said that after it spins off Rainbow Media, Josh Sapan will become president and chief executive officer of the new public company, which will be renamed AMC Networks.
Sapan had been Rainbow’s CEO of programming.
The new AMC Networks will include the networks AMC, WE tv, IFC and Sundance Channel; AMC/Sundance Global, the company’s international programming business; IFC Entertainment, an independent film business that consists of multiple brands; and AMC Network Communications (formerly Rainbow Network Communications), a full service network programming origination and distribution company.
Cablevision President and CEO James Dolan said: “Much of the success of Rainbow over the past quarter century is due in no small part to Josh Sapan. He has guided Rainbow’s growth for more than 20 years, overseeing the creation of some of the world’s most compelling television brands, and is the ideal executive to provide the leadership necessary as a new AMC Networks becomes a public company.”
The spin-off is still subject to a number of conditions; the company does not yet have a set date for completion of the deal.