'Knicks Read to Achieve @powertolearn.com' Kicks Off 2008 Summer Reading Program Presented by Kia Motors

June 23, 2008 1:49 PM EDT

BETHPAGE, N.Y., June 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Continuing their efforts to promote reading and literacy, the New York Knicks and Cablevision Systems Corp.'s (NYSE: CVC) Power to Learn have kicked-off the second annual "Knicks Read to Achieve @powertolearn.com" 2008 Summer Reading Program presented by Kia Motors.

Focused on children aged 6-12, the summer reading program is distributed through 14 participating libraries in Connecticut, New York and New Jersey. The literacy program features reading lists selected by librarians, parents and children, and will be highlighted by local book giveaways and "read-aloud" events with Knicks alumni at select locations. Additionally, each library will be giving away 25 tickets to pre-season Knicks games to program participants and their families. This summer's program was officially launched on Friday at an event held at the Bridgeport Public Library in Connecticut and featuring New York Knicks' great John Starks.

"At Kia Motors, we believe that learning is an everyday, year-round experience, and reading is a critical part of ongoing learning," said Tim Chaney, director, marketing, Kia Motors America. "Kia is delighted to present Knicks Read to Achieve @powertolearn.com Summer Reading Program for the second year in a row, and we are proud to bring the joy of literacy to young readers throughout the tri-state area."

"The Knicks are excited to continue its summer literacy partnership with Cablevision's Power to Learn and the 'Knicks Read to Achieve @powertolearn.com' program. Motivating students throughout the tri-state area to embrace reading can be a significant contributor to their future success and that is why we proud to play a part in this important program," said Karin Buchholz, the New York Knicks vice president for community relations and fan development. "We wish to recognize the continued support of Kia Motors in this effort and their commitment to enhance literacy."

"Supporting literacy and education have long been cornerstones of Cablevision's commitment to the communities we serve. Through the Power to Learn initiative, innovative literacy programs, and partnerships such as 'Knicks Read To Achieve @powertolearn.com' we have been able to immerse young minds in the joys of reading and also reach reluctant readers - particularly in the summer, when they are out of school," said Trent Anderson, Cablevision's vice president of education.

Children participating in the reading program will receive a colorful "Knicks Read To Achieve @powertolearn.com, presented by Kia Motors" poster and earn stickers to measure their progress. When they've collected all eight stickers, the children will receive t-shirts, a completion certificate, and be eligible to enter into a sweepstakes to win a "NY Knicks Ball Kid Experience." One lucky sweepstakes winner will join the team for a home game at Madison Square Garden as an official on-court Ball Kid for the night supporting the team during its pre-game shoot-around, player introductions and for the duration of the entire game. For more information, parents and children can log onto http://powertolearn.com/reading_lounge/knicks_read_to_achieve/summer_reading_2 008.shtml. (Due to length of URL, please copy and paste into browser)

In 2007, Cablevision's Power to Learn developed and launched the inaugural program with the New York Knicks and Kia Motors. Materials were distributed to 12 libraries in the tri-state area for 1,200 children, with four of those libraries hosting read-aloud events with Knicks Alumni John Starks and Charles Smith. At the conclusion of the program, Cablevision's Power to Learn gave away 800 tickets to Knicks pre-season games.

    This year, participating libraries include:

    BRONX
    Bronx Library Center, Bronx, NY
    Wakefield Library, Bronx, NY

    BROOKLYN
    Crown Heights Library, Brooklyn, NY
    Cypress Hills Library, Brooklyn, NY
    Eastern Parkway Library, Brooklyn, NY
    Gravesend Library, Brooklyn, NY
    Kensington Library, Brooklyn, NY

    CONNECTICUT
    Bridgeport Lighthouse Program

    LONG ISLAND
    Longwood Library, Middle Island, NY
    Uniondale Public Library, Uniondale, NY

    NEW JERSEY
    North Bergen Public Library, North Bergen, NJ

    WESTCHESTER/GREATER HUDSON VALLEY
    Grinnell Library, Wappingers Falls, NY
    Riverfront Library, Yonkers, NY
    White Plains Library, White Plains, NY

"Knicks Read to Achieve @powertolearn.com" literacy program is a partnership between the New York Knicks and Cablevision's Power to Learn initiative, designed to promote reading and literacy in tri-state-area schools. The program encourages reading and comprehension through the use of incentives to motivate students to reach reading goals and supports these efforts with interactive videos and the Internet, a natural partnership and extension of existing Knicks and Cablevision's Power to Learn education initiatives. The Knicks' educational initiatives reach thousands of children annually through in-school programs, group readings and player and celebrity visits. Power to Learn expands this reach to the hundreds of thousands of students, teachers and parents it serves through broadband technology and innovative curriculum programs. This exciting program consists of:

-- Reading Zones -- The school-based program features quarterly prizes, including the chance for the entire class to attend a Knicks game at MSG, for students at participating schools who meet teacher-defined reading literacy goals. Teachers and students set up "Knicks Read to Achieve@powertolearn.com" zones in their classes, decorated with supplies provided by the Knicks and Power to Learn. Class reading achievements are celebrated at www.powertolearn.com. At the end of the academic school year, all participating schools that have fulfilled program requirements receive a Power to Learn pizza party and individual certificates for each participating student.

-- Postcard Club -- Students everywhere who visit www.powertolearn.com can read books chosen by their favorite Knicks and Liberty players, take a comprehension quiz, and get a personalized congratulatory postcard from the player. At this online destination, Knicks players recommend books by grade level. This program component fosters both reading and comprehension.

-- Knicks Video Books -- Players and other popular figures such as Spike Lee read or introduce video books at www.powertolearn.com. NY, NJ, CT, and NYC standards based lesson plans and subtitled versions are available for each book. Through the video books, players can virtually visit classrooms and inspire kids to read.

Power to Learn, Cablevision's signature education initiative, empowers K- 12 learning in the tri-state area by making technology in the classroom useful and by facilitating the home-school connection. Power to Learn offers the Optimum Triple Play for Education, providing all schools in Cablevision's service area with the opportunity to receive high-speed Internet, video and voice services to enhance learning. In addition, Power to Learn goes beyond just providing the technology, to offer content, programs and events that integrate technology into learning. Highlights include Internet Smarts, "The Challenge" game show, and www.powertolearn.com, a free web resource for teachers and parents.

The NBA's New York Knicks basketball team is part of Madison Square Garden, L.P. Cablevision Systems Corporation owns Madison Square Garden, L.P., which includes MSG Network; FSN New York; the New York Knicks (NBA); the New York Rangers (NHL); the New York Liberty (WNBA); Radio City Entertainment; the Hartford Wolf Pack (American Hockey League), and the Madison Square Garden arena complex, located in the heart of the New York metropolitan area.

Kia Motors America -- Kia Motors America (KMA) is the sales, marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea. KMA offers a complete line of vehicles through more than 640 dealers throughout the United States. For 2007, KMA recorded its 14th consecutive year of record U.S. sales. Kia Motors subscribes to a philosophy of building high value, high quality, safe and dynamic vehicles. Kia Motors prides itself on producing vehicles that are exciting and enabling and evoke the Kia tagline "The Power to Surprise."

Kia Motors America is the "Official Automotive Partner of the NBA." Information about Kia Motors America and its full vehicle line-up is available at its Web site -- www.kia.com. For media information, including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com.

About Cablevision

Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE: CVC) is one of the nation's leading entertainment and telecommunications companies. Its cable television operations serve more than 3 million households in the New York metropolitan area. The company's advanced telecommunications offerings include its iO TV(SM) digital television, Optimum Online(R) high-speed Internet, Optimum Voice(R) digital voice-over-cable, and its Optimum Lightpath integrated business communications services. Cablevision's Rainbow Media Holdings LLC operates several successful programming businesses, including AMC, IFC, WE tv and other national and regional networks. In addition to its telecommunications and programming businesses, Cablevision owns Madison Square Garden and its sports teams, the New York Knicks, Rangers and Liberty. The company also operates New York's famed Radio City Music Hall, and owns and operates Clearview Cinemas.

SOURCE Cablevision Systems Corp.

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