BET Event Productions Joins Showtime, St. Lucia Tourist Board and Goossen Tutor Promotions for the Most Highly Anticipated Shobox Fight Card of the Year 'SHOWTIME(R) in Paradise'

BET Event Productions Joins Showtime, St. Lucia Tourist Board and Goossen Tutor Promotions for the Most Highly Anticipated Shobox Fight Card of the Year 'SHOWTIME(R) in Paradise'

WASHINGTON, Sept. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Late last week, BET Event Productions joined Showtime Network Inc., the St. Lucia Tourist Board, and Goossen Tutor Promotions at New York City's The Palm Restaurant to announce its plans to bring live, professional boxing to a breathtaking setting -- "SHOWTIME(R) In Paradise". On hand to talk about the highly-anticipated boxing event were President of BET Event Productions and Executive Vice President & General Manager of BET J and BET Digital Networks, Paxton Baker; Showtime Sports & Event Programming Senior Vice President & General Manager, Ken Hershman; St. Lucia's Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister, Senator Allen Chastanet; and renowned boxing promoter, Dan Goossen.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070927/NETH042 )

On November 16, 2007, the "simply beautiful" eastern Caribbean island of St. Lucia will play host to the spectacular boxing extravaganza featuring two of the world's fastest rising super middleweight contenders in 2004 US Olympic Gold Medalist & Undefeated Andre Ward and Undefeated Native American challenger Roger Cantrell. BET Networks' stand-alone event productions arm, BET Event Productions will assist in production and promotion of the exclusive event which will air on SHOWTIME, Friday, Nov. 16, live at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

"BET Event Productions is excited to be a part of 'SHOWTIME(R) In Paradise' and we are proud to play a pivotal role in transitioning St. Lucia into one of the most sought-after Caribbean destinations for world-class events," stated Paxton Baker, President of BET Event Productions. "This boxing event emphasizes BET J and BET Event Productions' commitment to delivering a diverse lineup of originals and music specials, and connecting viewers across cultures."

The "SHOWTIME(R) In Paradise" international boxing event is just one of many events and television specials that BET Event Productions has been an integral part of. Its impressive production roster also includes jazz and world music festivals in St. Lucia, the Cayman Islands, Anguilla, Turks & Caicos, India and Iceland, as well as the famed J & R Music and Computer World Jazz Festival in New York City. BET Event Productions has been producing events for over 15 years, and continues to serve as the premier event production vehicle turning out top-notch events across the world.

ABOUT BET J

BET J, a subsidiary of Viacom, Inc. (NYSE:VIA) (NYSE:and) (NYSE:VIA.B) , is a sophisticated digital network infused with innovative and original programming featuring a unique mix of music, culture and style embracing the Black experience. It is the premier destination for a multicultural audience delivering music from all genres along with movies, riveting talk, concerts and in-depth interview shows. BET J keeps viewers talking with exciting original programs such as: MY TWO CENTS, REAL LIFE DIVAS, THE BEST SHORTS and SOUL SESSIONS, and is currently viewed in over 26 million households and growing.

ABOUT SHOWTIME NETWORKS, INC.

Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBS Corporation, owns and operates the premium television networks SHOWTIME(R), THE MOVIE CHANNEL(TM) and FLIX(R), as well as the multiplex channels SHOWTIME(R) TOO(TM), SHOWTIME(R) SHOWCASE, SHOWTIME EXTREME(R), SHOWTIME BEYOND(R), SHOWTIME NEXT(R), SHOWTIME WOMEN(R), SHOWTIME FAMILYZONE(R) and TMC XTRA. SNI also offers SHOWTIME HD(R), THE MOVIE CHANNEL HD(TM), SHOWTIME ON DEMAND(TM) and THE MOVIE CHANNEL ON DEMAND(TM). All SNI feeds provide enhanced sound using Dolby Digital 5.1. SNI is also an owner and manager of SUNDANCE CHANNEL(R), a venture of NBC Universal, Robert Redford and SNI. In addition, SNI manages and is the principal owner of Smithsonian Networks(TM), a venture with the Smithsonian Institution, which was formed to create networks showcasing scientific, cultural and historical programming. SNI is also the principal owner of On Broadband Networks LLC, a broadband game service provider, and OurChart.com LLC, provider of OurChart.com(TM), a social networking website featuring elements from the SHOWTIME hit series "The L Word(R)". SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME(R) PPV and is an equity investor in ProElite Inc., a Mixed Martial Arts event promotion company.

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Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070927/NETH042
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com

Source: BET J

CONTACT: Lyntina Townsend of BET J, +1-202-608-2745,
lyntina.townsend@bet.net; or Bevan Springer, +1-201-861-2056,
bevanspringer@nj.rr.com; or SHOWTIME, Chris DeBlasio, +1-212-708-1633, or Ivy
Moon, +1-212-708-7319

Web site: http://www.bet.com/betj
http://www.bet.com/pr

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Profile: International Entertainment