Rentrak Adds Smithsonian Channel to Its Growing TV Essentials Client Base

Rentrak Adds Smithsonian Channel to Its Growing TV Essentials Client Base

PORTLAND, Ore., Sept. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Rentrak Corporation (NASDAQ: RENT), the leader in multi-screen media measurement serving the advertising and entertainment industries, today announced that Smithsonian Channel(TM), a joint venture between Showtime Networks Inc. and the Smithsonian Institution, will employ Rentrak's TV Essentials service to analyze the viewing habits of its audience helping the Smithsonian Channel to attract advertisers to its network.

Smithsonian Channel brings programming from the world's leading cultural institution into a media-rich environment, all presented in true high-definition. Smithsonian Channel is dedicated to exploring and celebrating the people, discoveries and achievements that define our country in a way that entertains, educates and inspires.

"As we launch new programs, such as 'The Rivals' which premieres September 11, 2010, Rentrak's TV Essentials will allow us to monitor program viewership as we continue to demonstrate our value to advertisers," stated Chris Shelkin, Senior Vice President of Finance, Operations and Business Development for the network.

"Rentrak is pleased to work with Smithsonian Channel to provide the network with ratings from our stable and predictable database currency, giving them insights necessary to building their television audience," said Carol Hinnant, Senior Vice President of National Network Sales, Advanced Media and Information (AMI) division at Rentrak.

ABOUT TV ESSENTIALS

Rentrak's TV Essentials is a comprehensive suite of research tools that enable customers to analyze anonymous audience viewing of programming and advertising across VOD, DVR, interactive and linear television. Utilizing proprietary technology to process massive amounts of click-stream data, the TV Essentials system is able to aggregate and report second-by-second information from millions of digital set-top boxes nationwide. The system can isolate individual market, network, series, or telecast performance, administer national and local estimates, and provide an evaluation of influencing factors such as psychographics and demographics.

ABOUT RENTRAK CORPORATION

Rentrak Corporation is a global digital media measurement and research company, serving the most recognizable companies in the entertainment industry. With a reach across numerous platforms including box office, home entertainment, video on demand and linear television, broadband and mobile, Rentrak has developed more efficient metrics to be used as alternative currencies for the evaluation and selling of media. Rentrak is headquartered in Portland, Oregon, with additional offices worldwide. For more information on any of Rentrak's services, please visit www.rentrak.com.

ABOUT SMITHSONIAN NETWORKS

Smithsonian Networks (SNI/SI Networks L.L.C.) is a joint venture between Showtime Networks Inc. and the Smithsonian Institution, formed to create channels featuring programs largely inspired by the assets of the Smithsonian Institution, the world's largest museum complex. Smithsonian Channel features award-winning original documentaries, series, and groundbreaking programs highlighting America's historical, cultural and scientific heritage. Smithsonian Channel brings the American experience home in high definition and Dolby Digital 5.1 and is available to customers of DirecTV, Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Charter Communications, Cablevision, Verizon, AT&T, and more. Learn more at www.smithsonianchannel.com.

Contacts for Rentrak Corporation:
---------------------------------
Sallie Olmsted / Amanda Bialek
Office: 310-854-8124 / 310-854-8151
E-mail: solmsted@rogersandcowan.com / abialek@rogersandcowan.com

Contact for Smithsonian Channel
-------------------------------
Johanna Fuentes
Office: 212-708-1590
E-mail: Johanna.fuentes@showtime.net

Source: Rentrak Corporation

CONTACT: Sallie Olmsted, +1-310-854-8124, solmsted@rogersandcowan.com,
or Amanda Bialek, +1-310-854-8151, abialek@rogersandcowan.com, both for
Rentrak Corporation; or Johanna Fuentes, +1-212-708-1590,
Johanna.fuentes@showtime.net, for Smithsonian Channel

Web Site: http://www.rentrak.com/
http://www.smithsonianchannel.com/

-------
Profile: intent