Paul Korda . com - The Web Home of Paul Korda, singer, musician & song-writer.

International Entertainment News

Sunday, May 31, 2009

BBC AMERICA HD Launches July 20 with a Special Sci-Fi Week

BBC AMERICA HD Launches July 20 with a Special Sci-Fi Week

U.S. Premieres of Torchwood: Children of Earth, Doctor Who: Planet of the Dead and Being Human to Air in HD

NEW YORK, June 1 /PRNewswire/ -- BBC Worldwide launches BBC AMERICA HD on July 20 with the high-definition simulcast of BBC AMERICA. BBC AMERICA HD kicks off with an extraordinary week of sci-fi U.S. premieres - the return of the channel's highest rated series, Torchwood, the latest Doctor Who special, Planet of the Dead, the BBC AMERICA co-production, Being Human and the thrilling season finale of Primeval, Season 3.

Since its inception in 1998, BBC AMERICA has seen substantial growth, recently celebrating its highest ratings ever in total live viewers for the first quarter of 2009. The channel is responsible for bringing the BBC's world renowned news stateside with BBC World News America as well as some of the year's most buzzed about and critically acclaimed UK shows - from the popular Torchwood and addictive Mistresses to the provocative Skins and charming Gavin & Stacey. It has introduced American audiences to such marquee series as The Office, Top Gear and Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares. This unique and high quality programming has aided BBC AMERICA to see an increase in ad sales of almost 40% in the last year. It has also secured the channel two Golden Globes, six Peabody Awards and availability in over 64 million households nationwide.

Garth Ancier, President, BBC Worldwide America says, "BBC AMERICA is a truly unique channel in the cable landscape. We bring viewers some of the best programs on television and now with the option to experience them in HD, they're going to be even better. The launch of BBC AMERICA HD coupled with the existing VOD channel, BBC AMERICA On-Demand, expands the opportunity for viewers and distributors to access the best of British entertainment."

The highly anticipated return of Torchwood: Children of Earth will kick off the first of BBC AMERICA's HD offerings. Told over five consecutive nights starting July 20 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT, the series re-joins Captain Jack (John Barrowman), Gwen Cooper (Eve Myles) and Ianto Jones (Gareth David-Lloyd) as they are still coming to terms with the death of two of their closest friends. Yet despite their pain, they know they have a job to do. This time they are faced with their fiercest threat to date - one which throws the future of Torchwood and the entire human race spiralling into danger. Battling against the odds, do they stand a chance of saving mankind?

Also airing in HD on Sunday, July 26 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT is the U.S. premiere of the first of the last four Doctor Who specials featuring David Tennant as the tenth Time Lord. In the latest special, Doctor Who: Planet of the Dead, the Doctor (David Tennant) must join forces with the mysterious Lady Christina (Michelle Ryan), when a London bus takes a detour to an alien world. But the mysterious planet holds terrifying secrets, hidden in the sand. And time is running out, as the deadly Swarm gets closer.

On Saturday July 25 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT, the monster hit, Primeval concludes its third season in high-definition style. As the embattled team continues to fight against unrelenting threats and creatures, Helen (Juliet Aubry) is attempting to stop the destruction of the Earth by traveling back in time to prevent humans from evolving. The team is determined to go back to the future and stop her before she can hurt anyone else but is forced to split up when a fracture in time causes another destructive creature to appear.

The lauded BBC AMERICA co-production, Being Human premieres in HD on Saturday July 25 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT. A witty and intriguing look into the lives of three twenty-somethings and their secret double-lives - as a werewolf, a vampire and a ghost - the trio do their best to live their lives as normally as possible, despite their strange and dark secrets. But with unwelcome intruders into their world, a threatened revolution from the vampire underworld and constant threats of exposure - on top of the day-to-day issues faced by young people - the only thing they may be able to rely on in their heightened world, is each other.

About BBC AMERICA

BBC AMERICA brings audiences a new generation of award-winning television featuring news with a uniquely global perspective, provocative dramas, razor-sharp comedies and life-changing makeovers. BBC AMERICA pushes the boundaries to deliver high quality, highly addictive and eminently watchable programming to viewers who demand more. BBC AMERICA is available on digital cable and satellite TV in more than 64 million homes.

About BBC Worldwide

BBC Worldwide Limited is the main commercial arm and a wholly owned subsidiary of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). The company exists to maximise the value of the BBC's assets for the benefit of the licence payer and invest in public service programming in return for rights. The company has seven core businesses: BBC Worldwide Channels, BBC Worldwide Content & Production, BBC Worldwide Digital Media, BBC Worldwide Global Brands, BBC Worldwide Sales & Distribution, BBC Magazines and BBC Home Entertainment.

For up-to-the-minute information on BBC AMERICA, forthcoming U.S. premieres, art work and news from the channel, log on to www.press.bbcamerica.com.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: BBC Worldwide

CONTACT: Amy Mulcair, +1-212-705-9498, or Sarah Takenaga,
+1-212-705-9422

Web Site: http://www.press.bbcamerica.com/


Profile: International Entertainment

International Entertainment News

Woodstock.com, a Revolutionary Destination Site for the Music Community, Goes Live Monday, June 1 at 11am (ET)

Woodstock.com, a Revolutionary Destination Site for the Music Community, Goes Live Monday, June 1 at 11am (ET)

Woodstock Ventures & Sony Music Entertainment Launch Woodstock.com, A New Social Network Website for Live Music Fans from All Generations

NEW YORK, June 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Woodstock Ventures and Sony Music Entertainment have joined forces to create Woodstock.com, a revolutionary destination website for live music fans from every generation. A new social networking website devoted to the live music community, Woodstock.com opens its doors to artists, fans, music lovers and websurfers everywhere at 11am (ET) on Monday, June 1.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090601/NY24943LOGO /

40 years after the original Woodstock Festival drew a half a million music fans to upstate New York for four days of peace, love and understanding, Woodstock.com, the official website for the Woodstock community, is keeping those ideals alive 24-7 in a vital new online social networking community.

Utilizing a clean and user-friendly aesthetic and interface, Woodstock.com is compatible with other online social networking sites and offers fans the opportunity to create their own Woodstock.com profile pages.

With information on more than 130,000 events and more than 20,000 pieces of content on-hand at launch, Woodstock.com is the web's most comprehensive live music community site, offering fans the inside story on local and national concerts, access to ticketing, artist's forums, and the unique ability to connect with other fans, compare and review their concert experiences, rate bands and concerts, post their own photos from live events they've attended and much more.

Woodstock.com offers a platform where fans can share their experiences from all of the Woodstock Festivals ('69,'94 & '99) in addition to other live concert events. Woodstock.com is also premiering WikiStock, an interactive wiki-style encyclopedia of all things Woodstock, which will accept and incorporate contributions about the individual experiences visitors have had at Woodstock festivals over the years.

Woodstock.com will present forums to discuss environmental initiatives, social issues, and other current topics relevant to the Woodstock community. Visitors to the site can meet on a virtual village green, a platform for developing initiatives about global warming, carbon emissions, and responsible energy use. A special interactive portion of the site will make clear to the world which issues are of the greatest importance to the Woodstock community.

The site will be the ultimate source for all things Woodstock -- exclusive interviews, guest editors, previously unreleased artifacts, audio-visual content, rare photographs and other memorabilia with an online store offering a wide variety of goods including fine art prints of never-before-seen photography, music, film, collectables, apparel and books.

"Three pillars of the Woodstock Music and Art Fair, live music, community involvement and social awareness, will define the Woodstock Nation on a new frontier as the promoters of that pivotal event in Aug. 1969 set out to bring their vision of the world to cyberspace," wrote John W. Barry in his article on the site appearing in the Poughkeepsie Journal/Associated Press.

Woodstock.com has been created under the auspices of Michael Lang and Joel Rosenman, two of the founders of the Woodstock Festival. The launch of Woodstock.com is planned to coincide with the 40th anniversary of the 1969 Woodstock Festival, the historic weekend that showed the world how the youth of America could unite in peace and music.

That spirit lives on at Woodstock.com, the ultimate Woodstock destination for the 21st century.

http://www.woodstock.com/http://www.legacyrecordings.com/

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090601/NY24943LOGO

Source: Legacy Recordings

CONTACT: Tom Cording, VP of Media Relations, Sony Music - Legacy
Recordings, +1-212-833-4448, tom.cording@sonymusic.com

Web Site: http://www.legacyrecordings.com/


Profile: International Entertainment

International Entertainment News

U.S. Census Bureau Daily Feature for June 1

U.S. Census Bureau Daily Feature for June 1

WASHINGTON, June 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following is the daily "Profile America" feature from the U.S. Census Bureau:

   (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090226/CENSUSLOGO)    MONDAY, JUNE 1: CABLE NEWS   

Profile America -- Monday, June 1st. What is now routine for many Americans each day -- checking an all-news cable television channel for the latest events around the world -- began on this day 29 years ago. That's when CNN -- the Cable News Network -- started its service. At the time, many critics questioned whether the public would be interested in a channel that carried nothing but news, 24 hours a day. Now, there are not only a number of such news channels, but others dedicated fully to weather, golf, automobiles and cooking, among other special interests. When CNN began operations, one-in-five American households were hooked up to cable. Today, cable television reaches nearly three-out-of-four homes across the U.S. You can find these and more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau online at www.census.gov.

   Sources:  Chase's Calendar of Events, p. 293   www.cnn.com   Statistical Abstract 2009, t. 1090   

Profile America is produced by the Public Information Office of the U.S. Census Bureau. These daily features are available as produced segments, ready to air, on a monthly CD or on the Internet at http://www.census.gov/ (look under the "Newsroom" button).

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090226/CENSUSLOGO
PRN Photo Desk photodesk@prnewswire.com

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

CONTACT: Rick Reed of the U.S. Census Bureau, +1-301-763-2812, fax:
+1-301-763-3762, Richard.Thomas.Reed-at-census.gov

Web Site: http://www.census.gov/


Profile: International Entertainment

International Entertainment News

Twilight Dominates '2009 MTV Movie Awards' with 5 Golden Popcorns Including 'Best Movie'

Twilight Dominates '2009 MTV Movie Awards' with 5 Golden Popcorns Including 'Best Movie'

EMINEM STORMS OUT, ACADEMY AWARD(R) WINNER FOREST WHITAKER SINGS "DICK IN A BOX" AND VIEWERS GET EXCLUSIVE SNEAK PEEKS OF 2009'S MOST BUZZED ABOUT FILMS

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif., May 31 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The "2009 MTV Movie Awards" proved to be a comedy-filled night as host Andy Samberg welcomed a variety of his celebrity friends including Justin Timberlake and Will Ferrell to collaborate on ingenious short films and controversial and unexpected moments. This year, viewers truly took matters into their own hands, led by fans of Twilight, who banded together throughout the voting period to put their favorite film into its rightful place in Movie Awards history. The film took home five golden popcorn statues and received a huge majority of the record breaking votes submitted this year online and via text message.

Eminem stormed out in a heated rage after Bruno put him into a compromising position by landing face down into the rapper's lap.

The MTV audience was treated to exclusive first looks at the highly anticipated movie releases of 2009 including The Twilight Saga: New Moon, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, and Public Enemies.

Twilight dominated the ceremony, taking home the top honors for "Best Movie" at the conclusion of the night. Robert Pattinson won three statues for "Breakthrough Performance Male," "Best Kiss" with co-star Kristen Stewart and "Best Fight" with Cam Gigandet. Kristen Stewart also won for "Best Female Performance." High School Musical 3: Senior Year grabbed two awards as Ashley Tisdale won "Breakthrough Performance Female" and Zac Efron won "Best Male Performance." Jim Carrey can add to his collection of statues after earning "Best Comedic Performance" for his role in Yes Man. Miley Cyrus earned her first golden popcorn statue for "Best Song From A Movie" for "The Climb." Amy Poehler captured "Best WTF Moment" for her unforgettable scene in Baby Mama, and "Best Villain" went to the legendary performance Heath Ledger displayed in The Dark Knight.

The show got off to a hilarious start as Andy Samberg took fans through a parody of some of this year's favorite films including Slumdog Millionaire, Twilight, The Reader and Star Trek. Andy's wild journey included a cameo by Taylor Swift and ended with him naked in the back of a limo next to Justin Timberlake. Finally arriving onstage in time to open the show, Andy got the crowd hyped up with the help of Mixmaster Mike.

Dressed to the nines and backed by a 20 piece orchestra, Academy Award(R) winner Forest Whitaker, Grammy Award(R) winner LeAnn Rimes and multi-platinum recording artist Chris Isaak paid respect to Andy and his incredibly vibrant musical career as they serenaded the crowd with a classical arrangement of "Jizz In My Pants," "I'm On A Boat," "Lazy Sunday," "Dick In A Box" and "Motherlover." The talented trio earned a standing ovation as they turned these edgy hits into an operatic masterpiece.

Zac Efron, Kiefer Sutherland and Triumph the Insult Dog presented former MTV Movie Awards host Ben Stiller with the "MTV Generation Award" for his dynamic career and entertainment of MTV audiences over the years. The honorees began with lofty praises reminiscent of this year's Oscars(R), but the tribute awkwardly turned into a no-holds-barred roast when Sutherland broke down sobbing and Triumph started taking jabs at Stiller.

Joined onstage by a New Orleans style brass ensemble and a hypeman, Eminem made a triumphant return to the MTV stage as he performed his latest singles "We Made You" and "Crack A Bottle" from his #1 album Relapse. Kings of Leon made their first-ever live appearance on MTV, performing their rock anthem "Use Somebody" off their Only by the Night album.

In true MTV Movie Awards fashion, the night was filled with laugh-out-loud parodies including the "Explosion" music video starring Andy "Bruce Springsteen" Samberg, Will "Neil Diamond" Ferrell and triple threat writer, director, producer JJ Abrams "as himself" on keyboards. Needless to say it left viewers with a whole new notion of Hollywood's tough guys walking away from mega-movie explosions.

Always looking to break the mold when it comes to award shows, MTV teamed up with Orbit(R) gum to perform a first-of-its-kind live commercial pod takeover featuring Hayden Panetierre and Big Pak, who presented Amy Poehler with the "Best WTF Moment" award.

The "2009 MTV Movie Awards" welcomed the top names in Hollywood, music and TV throughout the night as the list of superstar presenters included Denzel Washington, Cameron Diaz, Will Ferrell, Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, Taylor Lautner, Kiefer Sutherland, Bruno, Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Sandra Bullock, Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Hayden Panetierre, Sienna Miller, Jonah Hill, Lil Wayne, Chris Pine, Anna Faris, Channing Tatum, Bradley Cooper, Abigail Breslin, Michael Bay, Ryan Reynolds, Leighton Meester, Taraji P. Henson, Rupert Grint, Ed Helms, Danny McBride, Justin Bartha, Sofia Vassilieva, Mixmaster Mike and Triumph The Insult Dog.

   Winners for the "2009 MTV Movie Awards" are:    BEST MOVIE    --  Twilight Director: Catherine Hardwicke, Producers: Wyck Godfrey, Greg       Mooradian and Mark Morgan (Summit Entertainment)    BEST MALE PERFORMANCE    --  Zac Efron - High School Musical 3: Senior Year (Walt Disney Pictures)    BEST FEMALE PERFORMANCE    --  Kristen Stewart - Twilight (Summit Entertainment)    BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMANCE MALE    --  Robert Pattinson - Twilight (Summit Entertainment)    BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMANCE FEMALE    --  Ashley Tisdale - High School Musical 3: Senior Year (Walt Disney       Pictures)    BEST COMEDIC PERFORMANCE    --  Jim Carrey - Yes Man (Warner Bros. Pictures)    BEST VILLAIN    --  Heath Ledger - The Dark Knight (Warner Bros. Pictures)    BEST FIGHT    --  Robert Pattinson vs. Cam Gigandet - Twilight (Summit Entertainment)    BEST KISS    --  Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson - Twilight (Summit Entertainment)    BEST WTF MOMENT    --  Amy Poehler - Baby Mama, Peeing In the Sink (Universal Pictures)    BEST SONG FROM A MOVIE    --  "The Climb" - Miley Cyrus, Hannah Montana: The Movie (Walt Disney       Pictures)    

Mark Burnett serves as Executive Producer for the 2009 MTV Movie Awards. Audrey Morrissey is Co-Executive Producer. Lee Rolontz is Executive Producer for MTV, Garrett English is Executive in charge for MTV and Jane Mun serves as Producer. Robin Reinhardt-Locke is Celebrity Talent Executive, Amy Doyle and Joanna Bomberg are Music Talent Executives for MTV.

Official sponsors of the 2009 MTV Movie Awards include Coca-Cola(R), Kia Motors, Nikon, Orbit(R) gum, Taco Bell(R), T-Mobile USA, and Venus. Orbit is a registered trademark of the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company.

About MTV:

MTV is the dynamic, vibrant experiment at the intersection of music, creativity and youth culture. For over 27 years, MTV has evolved, challenged the norm, and detonated boundaries -- giving each new generation a creative outlet and voice that entertains, informs and unites on every platform and screen. On-air, MTV is the number one rated full-day ad-supported cable network for P12-24. Online, MTV.com averaged 8.5 million monthly unique visitors during the first quarter of 2009 -- up +6% from Q4/2008 and up +6% year-over-year. Total video streams for the first quarter of 2009 increased 21% over the same time period last year. And MTV's successful sibling networks MTV2, mtvU and MTV Tr3s each deliver unprecedented customized content, super-serving music fans, college students and young American Latinos like no one else. MTV is part of MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE:VIA) (NYSE: VIA.B) , one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. Wanna know more? Come on in... www.mtvpress.com

About Mark Burnett Productions:

Mark Burnett is a leading executive producer for primetime television, cable and the internet, and has produced over 1,100 hours of television programming which regularly airs in over 70 countries around the world. Mark Burnett (President of Mark Burnett Productions) has revolutionized television with continuing hits such as Survivor (CBS), The Apprentice (NBC), Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? (FOX), which is currently being produced in 52 countries, and the daytime syndicated hit Martha. In the summers of 2007 and 2008, MBP entered the world of award shows, when Mark Burnett served as executive producer for the MTV Movie Awards. Since 2001, MBP has garnered a total of 51 Emmy nominations with Mark receiving 2 wins, along with 4 People's Choice Awards. Mark Burnett has been named one of the most influential people in the world by TIME magazine and named TV Guide's most valuable player. He has won both BRANDWEEK'S Marketer of the Year Award and the prestigious ROSE D'OR FRAPA Format Award. In 2007, Mark Burnett was inducted into the Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame. In 2008, Mark was honored with the announcement that he is to receive a star on the Hollywood walk of fame. In 2009, MBP has garnered new series, including Shark Tank (ABC), StarMaker (MTV), Bully Beatdown (MTV), How'd You Get So Rich (TV Land), Expedition (History), Wedding Day (TNT), Toughest Cowboy (Spike) as well as new pilots for FOX and CBS.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: MTV

CONTACT: Noelle Llewellyn, +1-212-846-7166,
Noelle.Llewellyn@mtvstaff.com; or Stephanie Berman, +1-212-846-7175,
Stephanie.Berman@mtvstaff.com, both of MTV Communications

Web Site: http://www.mtv.com/


Profile: International Entertainment

International Entertainment News

Rentrak Theatrical Announces Box Office Numbers for Weekend of May 29, 2009

Rentrak Theatrical Announces Box Office Numbers for Weekend of May 29, 2009

LOS ANGELES, May 31 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Rentrak Theatrical, a business unit of Rentrak Corporation (NASDAQ:RENT) , today announced the weekend theatrical box office estimates for the weekend period of May 29 through May 31, 2009 according to the company's Box Office Essentials(TM) theatrical box office data collection and analytical service.

The twelve estimated top producing motion pictures for the weekend, per data collected as of 9:30AM Pacific on Sunday, May 31, 2009 by Rentrak Theatrical include:

   Rank   Title                               Weekend Gross       Locations     1    Up                                    $68,200,000           3766     2    Night At The Museum: Battle           Smithsonian                          $25,500,000           4101     3    Drag Me To Hell                       $16,628,000           2508     4    Terminator Salvation                  $16,140,000           3602     5    Star Trek                             $12,800,000           3507     6    Angels & Demons                       $11,200,000           3464     7    Dance Flick                            $4,900,000           2459     8    X-Men Origins: Wolverine               $3,900,000           2263     9    The Ghosts Of Girlfriends Past         $1,905,000           1450    10    Obsessed                                 $665,000            679    11    The Brothers Bloom                       $652,000            148    12    The Soloist                              $500,000            412    Weekend of 05/29/09 to 05/31/09   (C) 2009 by Rentrak Corporation    About Box Office Essentials  

Box Office Essentials provides each studio with password-protected, real-time, web browser-based and 24/7 access to data pertaining specifically to their movie release titles. A sophisticated toolset allows studio distribution executives to view and analyze the information at different levels of detail and across a multitude of attributes (by theatre circuit, DMA, time zone, etc.), enhancing their ability to make faster, and better informed decisions. Additional features include online school calendars (K-12 and college), interactive release schedule and 24-hour subscriber support.

About Rentrak Corporation

Rentrak Corporation, based in Portland, Oregon, is an information management company serving clients in the media, entertainment, retail and advertising industries. The company's Entertainment Essentials(R) suite of services is redefining media measurement in the digital broadband era. Entertainment Essentials provides customers with near-real-time, actionable insight into performance of content distributed over a wide variety of modern media technologies. Available by license or subscription, each Entertainment Essentials application allows executives to analyze detailed industry-wide and title-specific data to make decisions that enhance the bottom line and provide competitive advantage. For further information, please visit Rentrak's corporate website at Rentrak.com.

   Contacts:  Rogers & Cowan for Rentrak Corporation              Sallie Olmsted                      Amanda Bartz              (310) 854-8124                      (310) 854-8151              solmsted@rogersandcowan.com         abartz@rogersandcowan.com  

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Rentrak Corporation

CONTACT: Sallie Olmsted, +1-310-854-8124, solmsted@rogersandcowan.com,
or Amanda Bartz, +1-310-854-8151, abartz@rogersandcowan.com, both of Rogers &
Cowan for Rentrak Corporation

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


Profile: International Entertainment

International Entertainment News

'Stars of Science' Has Kicked Off on 17 Arab Channels

'Stars of Science' Has Kicked Off on 17 Arab Channels

DOHA, Qatar, May 31/PRNewswire/ --

- The Groundbreaking Projects of Innovation From the 16 Candidates are Now Revealed

'Stars of Science', the previously unseen Pan-Arab innovation contest on TV initiated by Qatar Foundation, kicked off, yesterday, with a highly-anticipated first prime-time episode, available to millions of Arab homes.

In a fast-pace and vibrant rhythm, the audience has been transported to Doha, Tunis, Alexandria and Beirut, where 100 hopeful applicants, short listed among 5600 applications, tried to impress and convince the jury with their projects of innovation.

Only 16 of them, from 11 countries, were selected and gained access to the ultra-modern Doha workshop, build within Qatar Science and Technology Park, where the competition will continue.

This episode was also the occasion to discover more about the candidates, their projects (see thereafter), personalities and aspirations, as well as the three jurors, Dr. Sadeg Fares, William Sawaya and Dr. Mona Zaki.

Engineer Dr. Sadeg Fares, with over 500 patents in his name, expressed his support for the candidates, saying that their projects will "Aid in developing the Arab world in the fields of science and technology."

Renowned designer William Sawaya expressed his endorsement of Stars of Science, saying that it, "Challenges Arabs to pursue technological excellence."

Dr. Mona Zaki, businesswomen and marketing consultant, advised the candidates to "be optimistic and to have confidence in what they do."

The 16 candidates distinguish themselves by their various profiles and backgrounds, while their projects, characterized by their great diversity, are a testimony of the vibrant inventiveness of the Arab youth:

          - Wahiba Chair (26 y.o - Algeria) - a nutrition label-scanning device       that can be uploaded to mobile phones, immediately telling the consumer       whether a food item is good for them.      - Sarah Al Sammak (24 y.o - Bahrain) - 'Canito' , a product bringing       together a garbage and recycle bin that will attract people to recycle       their waste.      - Mohammed Hijazi (25 y.o - Egypt) - a physiotherapy equipment that will       help patients with various disabilities in strengthening their injured       limbs with minimal interference.      - Mazen Salah (31 y.o - Jordan) - a device that would keep cars cool       through all seasons.      - Sager Fayez (28 y.o - Saudi Arabia) - a reading tool for the blind       persons, where books can be scanned and read aloud, as well as       translated.      - Bassam Jalgha (22 y.o - Lebanon) - an automatic tuner for string       instruments.      - Yasser Ramil (21 y.o - Morocco) - a wireless mobile phone charger      - Imad Al Harithy (23 y.o - Oman) - a mind-controlled wheelchair      - Mohammed Khalaf (25 y.o - Palestine) - a vertical keyboard to make       typing a more comfortable process.      - Ahmed Abou Salim (29 y.o - Palestine) - an oxygenated drink that will       give the consumer energy and revitalize the body      - Hashem Al Sada (22 - Qatar) - a specific tent fitted with solar panels       for electricity generation.      - Mohammed Orsod (26 - Sudan) - an oil testing device that allows to       determine the quality of cooking oil.      - Hassan Deeb (22 - Syria) - a piece of equipment that can generate       electricity from waves.      - Saber Ben Massoud (24 - Tunisia) - Tyres which can be changed in a       lesser amount of time.      - Taha Tissaoui (26 - Tunisia) - a device to transport injured patients       safely  


The show promotes a healthy competitive and team spirit, in that it focuses on a non-eliminatory voting process, where candidates whose projects are not chosen, will join the teams of their peers.

Each of the subsequent weekly episodes, broadcast on Fridays, will revolve around one of the specific challenges of the innovation contest:

          - Episode 2: Engineering (June 5)      - Episode 3: Design (June 12)      - Episode 4: Business (June 19)  


During the final episode, to be broadcast live from Aspire Sports Academy in Doha on June 26, and in which the two finalists will be given the opportunity to launch their product, viewers will vote by SMS and telephone to decide the winner of a $300,000 prize.

Starting from tomorrow, Sunday, May 31, the audience will also be able to follow the activities of the candidates and their inner impressions, in daily episodes of this original reality show, broadcast from Sundays to Thursdays.

To be part of this experience, viewers can tune in to one of the 17 channels broadcasting the program, through an unprecedented Pan-Arab partnership:

Qatar Television, ENTV (Algeria); Bahrain TV; Nile Cultural Channel (Egypt); Jordan TV; Saudi 1 (KSA); Kuwait TV; Future TV (Lebanon), Tele Liban (Lebanon); Mauritania TV; Al Aoula (Morocco); Oman TV; Sudan TV; Syria 1, Hannibal TV (Tunisia), Yemen TV and ANA.

For the latest updates, log on to http://www.starsofscience.com.

More about Qatar Foundation:

Founded in 1995 by decree of His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, Emir of Qatar, Qatar Foundation is a non-profit organization focusing on education, scientific research and community development. Under Qatar Foundation's umbrella are Education City which comprises elite universities, several academic and training programmes and Qatar Science and Technology Park which boasts more than 21 world class companies involved in scientific research and development.

Chaired by Her Highness Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al Missned, Qatar Foundation also aims to enhance lives through community development initiatives including Doha Debates, Reach out To Asia and Al Jazeera Children's Channel.

Joint venture partnerships in the areas of design, ICT, telecommunications, policy studies and event management contribute to fulfilling the objectives of the Qatar Foundation.

          Contacts:     For more information on 'Stars of Science'     Impact Porter Novelli     Lina Matraji     Email: l.matraji@ipnbeirut.com.lb or      Ceem Haidar     Email: c.haidar@ipnbeirut.com.lb     Tel: +961-1-367890      For information on Qatar Foundation     Tariq Al Sada or Omar Chaikhouni     Tel : +974-454-0967  


Source: Stars of Science

For more information on 'Stars of Science': Impact Porter Novelli, Lina Matraji, Email: l.matraji@ipnbeirut.com.lb or Ceem Haidar, Email: c.haidar@ipnbeirut.com.lb, Tel: +961-1-367890. For information on Qatar Foundation, Tariq Al Sada or Omar Chaikhouni, Tel : +974-454-0967


Profile: International Entertainment

International Entertainment News

justAd.TV to Showcase Sun Java Media Client Interoperability for New Non-Linear TV Ad Formats During JavaOne 2009 Conference

justAd.TV to Showcase Sun Java Media Client Interoperability for New Non-Linear TV Ad Formats During JavaOne 2009 Conference

TEL AVIV, Israel, May 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Tel Aviv based start-up justAd.TV today announced the successful interoperability of the justAd.TV STB Agent with the Sun Java Media Client software. This interoperability allows TV providers to easily insert embedAds(TM), justAd.TV's wide variety of new ad formats, into non-linear TV viewer experiences such as VOD and PVR, without requiring changes or upgrades to the video delivery network.

The justAd.TV solution offers a new approach for advertising in VOD and PVR services while preserving the viewing experience. Existing solutions mainly rely on the well-known 30 second spot to insert a video ad before, within or at the end a video stream. As users tend to skip ads by using their Fast-Forward remote-control button, some solutions block this capability, thus irritating viewers, degrading the overall viewing experience and potentially reflecting negatively on advertiser brands. justAd.TV's innovative approach and patent-pending technology is focused on the proactive nature of non-linear TV, bringing new ad formats invoked when the user engages with his TV to pause the stream, rewind, or fast-forward to another scene thus minimizing user frustration.

"We've been hearing from TV providers a lot of frustration about the complexity of implementing current video-insertion solutions, that it became clear to us that this is where we cannot compromise," said Yariv Erel, justAd.TV CEO and co-founder. "Interoperability with Sun's Java-based technology, the foundation for STB industry standards, adds another proof point to the viability of our solution and makes us confident in our promise to deliver a low-investment solution to our TV provider customers."

Packed with a full-range of smart tools and Telco-grade ad serving platform, justAd.TV complements its cross-platform STB agent, and offers Pay-TV providers (Cable, IPTV and Satellite) with a pre-integrated solution for personalized, interactive advertising to monetize on their VOD and PVR services.

As part of its solution, justAd.TV also utilizes Sun GlassFish Enterprise Server, which provides a robust network enrichment process ensuring that every ad is suitable for the viewer and relates to the context of the show that is being watched.

"We are excited by the wave of new Java-based applications for TV from companies like justAD.TV. By leveraging our tuned APIs, justAd.TV was able to integrate its STB Agent application with the Sun Java Media Client platform in less than two weeks. The combination of justAD.TV's latest technology enhancements with Sun Java Media Client and GlassFish Enterprise Server, the industry leading open source application server, will help to enable service providers to rapidly launch new, feature-rich, revenue-generating interactive television services and provide the foundation for justAD.TV's powerful network enrichment process," said Eran Vanounou, General Manager, Sun Microsystems Israel Development Center.

Attendees of the 2009 JavaOne conference are invited to a live demonstration of the solution and complimentary Sun authoring tools.

About justAd.TV, Ltd.

justAd.TV is an early stage startup that develops a unique technology allowing Pay-TV providers (Cable, Satellite & IPTV) to harness the power of non-linear TV advertising format and experience. Focused on delivering easily-deployable solutions, its patent-pending technology fits into existing TV provider networks, involves minimal costs and provides quick return-on-investment. Founded in 2008, the company plans to release its initial product in 2009. More information is available at www.justad.tv.

   Media Contact   Eli Sadoun   VP Marketing   justAd.TV   Tel: +972 3 5102845   info@justad.tv  

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: justAd.TV

CONTACT: Eli Sadoun, VP Marketing of justAd.TV, +972-3-5102845, or
info@justad.tv

Web Site: http://www.justad.tv/


Profile: International Entertainment

International Entertainment News

Spike TV Announces 2009 'Guys Choice' Winners

Spike TV Announces 2009 'Guys Choice' Winners

THIRD ANNUAL SHOW PAYS HOMAGE TO THE LORDS OF THE KINGDOM OF TESTOSTERONE PREMIERES ON SPIKE TV SUNDAY, JUNE 21 AT 10:00 PM, ET/PT

Brad Pitt, Edward Norton And David Fincher Electrify Audience As "Fight Club" Is Inducted Into "Guy Movie Hall Of Fame," Receiving the Award From Mel Gibson

Clint Eastwood Receives "Brass Balls Award"; Mickey Rourke Named "Guy Of The Year"

Show Features Performances And Appearances By Halle Berry, Jamie Foxx, Robert Downey, Jr., Ben Stiller, Quentin Tarantino, Mel Gibson, Jason Statham, Dwyane Wade, Hayden Panettiere, Jack McBrayer, Triumph The Insult Comic Dog, Metallica, Jonah Hill, Sacha Baron Cohen, Malin Akerman, Michael Irvin, Mila Kunis, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Judd Apatow, Asher Roth, Rainn Wilson And Many More

To View Exclusive Footage From "Guys Choice" Log-On to www.spike.com

LOS ANGELES, May 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Winners were announced Saturday night during the biggest boy's night out of the year, the third annual Spike TV "Guys Choice" held at the Sony Studios in Los Angeles. The explosive show paying tribute to the things guys love most premieres on Spike TV Sunday, June 21 (10:00 PM-Midnight, ET/PT).

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060322/NYW096LOGO)

The show broke rules one and two about "Fight Club," as the cult classic was inducted into the "Guy Movie Hall of Fame" with stars Brad Pitt and Edward Norton and director David Fincher on hand to accept the honor from Mel Gibson, who kicked off the show with a rousing speech reminiscent of his Academy Award winning movie Braveheart.

Also on hand was cinematic icon and original badass Clint Eastwood, who accepted the "Brass Balls Award" for his lifetime of legendary work as an actor and filmmaker.

Mickey Rourke was the recipient of the night's top honor, as the Oscar nominated star of "The Wrestler" was voted "Guy of the Year" by Spike TV viewers, beating out President Barack Obama in the process.

In addition, Eddie Van Halen made a rare public appearance, and was brought to tears as he accepted the first annual "Guitar God Award" for his years of shredding on the six stringed axe. And, seven years after being kissed by Adrien Brody at the Oscars, Halle Berry turned the tables on the boys, and had a very special moment with Jamie Foxx, who was on hand to present her with the "Decade of Hotness Award."

Spike TV's "Guys Choice" also included a performance by hip hop impresario Asher Roth, and appearances by Robert Downey, Jr., Quentin Tarantino, Jason Statham, Dwyane Wade, Hayden Panettiere, Jack McBrayer, Triumph The Insult Comic Dog, Metallica, Jonah Hill, Sacha Baron Cohen, Malin Akerman, Michael Irvin, Mila Kunis, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Judd Apatow, Rainn Wilson and many more.

   A full list of winners is included below:     GUY OF THE YEAR         MAN KIND AWARD           BRASS BALLS   Mickey Rourke           Judd Apatow              Clint Eastwood    BALLSIEST BAND          FUNNIEST M.F.            GUY MOVIE HALL OF FAME    Metallica               Sacha Baron Cohen        "Fight Club"    BIGGEST ASS KICKER      SEXIEST SIREN            MOST UNSTOPPABLE JOCK   Jason Statham           Katy Perry               LeBron James    COMEDY SAVANT           MOST DANGEROUS MAN       DECADE OF HOTNESS   Jason Segel             Brock Lesnar             Halle Berry    HOT N' FRESH            HOTTEST 'MILA'           BEST BUSH   Malin Akerman           Mila Kunis               Will Ferrell    FEMME FATALE            DEADLIEST WARRIOR        BIG MEN ON CAMPUS   Angelina Jolie          Christian Bale           Florida Gators    GUITAR GOD              BEST UNSUPPORTED ROLE   Eddie Van Halen         Kate Winslet    SEXIEST ATHLETE         TOP FANTASY LEAGUER   Biba Golic              Dwyane Wade    HOTTEST GIRL ON THE PLANET              MOST MAN-TICIPATED MOVIE   Megan Fox                               Inglorious Basterds    OUTSTANDING LITERARY ACHIEVEMENT        PLAY OF THE YEAR   Russell Brand                           Ben Roethilsberger/Santonio Holmes   

To view exclusive footage, interviews, behind-the-scenes access, and more from the "Guys Choice," log-on to www.spike.com

The official sponsors of Spike TV's "Guys Choice" are - AT&T, Corona, Degree V12, Pizza Hut, and the U.S. Army.

Casey Patterson, Carol Donovan and Beth McCarthy-Miller will serve as executive producers.

Spike TV is available in 98 million homes and is a division of MTV Networks. A unit of Viacom (NYSE:VIA) (NYSE:VIA.B) , MTV Networks is one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. Spike TV's Internet address is www.spike.com.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060322/NYW096LOGO
http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com

Source: Spike TV

CONTACT: Salil Gulati, +1-917-209-1497, or salil.gulati@mtvstaff.com, or
Aileen Budow, +1-917-842-9653, or aileen.budow@spiketv.com, both of Spike TV

Web Site: http://www.spike.com/


Profile: International Entertainment

International Entertainment News

Friday, May 29, 2009

Be Part of Cinema History Open Air Screening of Home in New York and Boston on June 5th

Be Part of Cinema History Open Air Screening of Home in New York and Boston on June 5th

NEW YORK and BOSTON, May 29 /PRNewswire/ -- WHAT: An exclusive screening of HOME directed by internationally renowned French photographer Yann Arthus-Bertrand (Earth from Above), produced by award-winning director Luc Besson (Taken, Subway, The Big Blue, Nikita, The Fifth Element), with the exclusive support of Francois-Henri Pinault, CEO of PPR (Gucci, Stella McCartney, Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga, Yves Saint Laurent, Puma) will premiere globally on World Environment Day, June 5th.

HOME aims to change the way people see the planet and their impact on it. Shot in high definition in 54 countries and 120 locations over 217 days, the unique and first-time ever all aerial filming style highlights the Earth's wonders as well as its wounds and provides a necessary perspective to approach the changing environment. HOME is narrated in English by five-time Academy Award(R) nominee Glenn Close (Dangerous Liaisons) and in Spanish by Academy Award(R) nominee Salma Hayek (Frida).

PPR's support of HOME enabled this film to be free of distribution rights to reach viewers in more than 127 countries. HOME can be viewed for free on TV, in open-air theaters, on the Internet in partnership with Youtube and Google, in theaters worldwide at a reduced rate and on DVD.

VIEWING OF HOME IN THE UNITED STATES

In the United States, HOME will be broadcast on June 5th at 9:00 pm ET/PT exclusively on the National Geographic Channel.

HOME will also be publicly screened on June 5th at the following locations:

NEW YORK - Central Park At Cedar Hill, (5th Avenue and 79th Street) at 8:30 pm

BOSTON - Institute of Contemporary Art, (100 Northern Avenue) at 7:00 pm For ticket information visit: http://www.icaboston.org/programs/film/home/?event_id=8997059

Additionally, the film's global premiere can be viewed on Youtube in English at www.youtube.com/homeproject and in Spanish at www.youtube.com/homeprojectes.

Home is an Elzevir Film and EuropaCorp coproduction and a carbon neutral movie through Action Carbone.

   For further information about Home please visit www.home-2009.com.     ABOUT THE DIRECTOR  

In addition to Home, Yann Arthus-Bertrand has directed a series of four, two-hour documentaries based on his multi-million copy best-selling book, "Earth From Above." His photography regularly appears in magazines such as National Geographic, Life, GEO and Sierra Magazine, and he has authored more than 40 books. Bertrand serves as the chairman of GoodPlanet, a nonprofit association for the promotion of sustainable development.

Explore the universe of PPR brands on www.ppr.com: the Luxury brands of Gucci Group (Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Yves Saint Laurent, Balenciaga, Boucheron, Sergio Rossi, Alexander McQueen and Stella McCartney), Puma, Redcats Group (La Redoute, Vertbaudet, Somewhere, Cyrillus, Daxon, Ellos, The Sportsman's Guide, The Golf Warehouse and brands of the plus-size division), Fnac, Conforama and CFAO.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: PR Consulting

CONTACT: Home, +1-212-228-8181, Home-2009@prconsulting.net

Web Site: http://www.prconsulting.net/
http://www.ppr.com/


Profile: International Entertainment

International Entertainment News

Majority of Viewers Want Recount of American Idol Voting for Season 8 Winner

Majority of Viewers Want Recount of American Idol Voting for Season 8 Winner

-- 50% have less favorable view of AT&T after learning of controversial texting parties --

FLEMINGTON, N.J., May 29 /PRNewswire/ -- A new national media study among 300 viewers of a news clip featuring the recent controversy surrounding the American Idol voting process revealed that the majority of respondents (59%) indicated that there should be a recount of the voting for the American Idol finale show.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20071204/NYTU133LOGO )

The study was conducted by the MediaCurves.com(R) website on May 28, to obtain Americans' perceptions of the controversy involving Fox's American Idol show and Fox's sponsor AT&T, who hosted "texting parties" in Arkansas which were thought to give contestant, Kris Allen, an edge in the competition. To view agreement curves and detailed results go to: www.mediacurves.com.

The study also revealed that half of participants (50%) have a less favorable view of the AT&T brand after this incident was made public. In addition, a large majority (87%) reported that "power texting" (texting a vote multiple times for the same contestant) can influence the voting system for American Idol and similar competitions.

"The dial testing results for the CNN report study suggests that viewers were dubious of statements from AT&T as well as Fox supporting the American Idol results," commented Glenn Kessler, President and CEO, HCD Research. "Viewers' agreement levels increased when the American Idol methodology was questioned by the reporters, and plummeted when the corporate statements were quoted. It is clear that viewers agreed with the statements questioning the validity of the results and disagreed with rebuttals from AT&T and Fox," concluded Kessler.

Among the findings:

"Do you believe that voting can be influenced by 'power texting' (texting one's vote multiple times for the same contestant)?"

                                      Total   Yes                                 87%   No                                  13%     "How does this issue impact your perception of AT&T?"                                        Total   More favorable                       4%   Less favorable                      50%   No change                           46%   

"Do you think American Idol should re-do the voting process to determine the winner of season 8 with no 'power texting' allowed?"

                                      Total   Yes                                 59%   No                                  41%   

"Out of the two final contestants, who did you want to win the season 8 finale of American Idol?

                                      Total   Kris Allen                          20%   Adam Lambert                        34%   No preference                       46%   

While viewing the video clip, participants indicated their levels of agreeability by moving their mouse from left to right on a continuum. The responses were recorded in quarter-second intervals and reported in the form of curves. The participants were also asked to respond to post-viewing questions.

About MediaCurves.com

MediaCurves.com(R) (www.mediacurves.com) is a media measurement website that provides the media and general public with a venue to view Americans' perceptions of popular and controversial media events and advertisements. MediaCurves.com is a service of HCD Research, a communications research company headquartered in Flemington, NJ. The company's services include traditional and web-based communications research. For additional information on HCD Research, access the company's web site at www.hcdi.net or call HCD Research at 908-788-9393.

Editors/Reporters: For more information on the study, or to speak with
Glenn Kessler, president and CEO, HCD Research, please contact Barbara Taylor,
Director, MediaCurves.com division, HCD Research, at 483-9146 or
(barbara.taylor@hcdi.net). You can also receive updates from MediaCurves.com
by following us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/mediacurves.
First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20071204/NYTU133LOGO
http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com

Source: HCD Research

CONTACT: Barbara Taylor, Director, MediaCurves.com division, HCD
Research, +1-908-483-9146, barbara.taylor@hcdi.net

Web Site: http://www.hcdi.net/


Profile: International Entertainment

International Entertainment News

JetAmerica $9 Ticket Sales Soar

JetAmerica $9 Ticket Sales Soar

NBC's Jay Leno Ticks-Off Toledo with Joke that Jolts Eleventh Hour Spree

TOLEDO, Ohio, May 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is being issued by Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority:

JetAmerica, the nation's newest air service, which is offering one-way non-stop fares for as low as $9, reports that 48 hours after its e-commerce website - www.JetAmerica.com - went active at 12:01 a.m. May 27, 2009 that ticket sales reached 12,000 just after midnight May 29, 2009.

JetAmerica spokesperson Bryan Glazer said, "The seat sales surge was sparked in the eleventh hour by NBC Tonight Show host Jay Leno's Thursday night monologue wisecrack, "A new airline, JetAmerica, announced they're gonna be in operations with ticket prices as low as $9 on flights from Toledo to Newark. Nine bucks to fly from Toledo to Newark. The bad news is you wind up in Toledo or Newark."

Apparently the joke was sparked by a recent story by New York Post reporter Jeremy Olshan about JetAmerica's $9 fares. Olshan jibed that the cost of a flight from Toledo was less expensive than a ride across the Verazzano Narrows Bridge. The tabloid journalist also poked fun at JetAmerica's medium-sized Midwestern metro area markets. He joked that they are "hot spot" destinations.

"Toledoans invite Mr. Leno to fly JetAmerica from Toledo Express Airport to New York where we will take him on a $9 shopping spree through the trendiest retail districts of Manhattan and see how far nine greenbacks go -- probably not as far as a one-way flight on JetAmerica from the 'Glass City' to 'The Big Apple,' which is 438 nautical miles," said, with tongue-in-cheek, Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority Chief Executive Officer Michael J. Stolarczyk.

"Since Mr. Leno has probably not been to Toledo since his days as a traveling stand-up comedian, we'd also like to give him a $9 shopping spree along the shores of the mighty Maumee River."

Stolarczyk recommends that the retiring King of Late Night, soon to become Prince of Primetime television, spends his $9 at Toledo's beloved Tony Packo's Hungarian Hot Dog House. It was made famous by the cross-dressing character corporal Max Klinger in the classic 1970's TV sit-com M*A*S*H. Stolarczyk said, "The world-renowned hot doggery has catered to celebrities and royalty from around the globe, all of whom autograph their buns and display them on the eatery's walls."

Owner Tony Packo III whose grandfather started selling the famous franks in 1932 said, "I've got autographed buns from presidents, athletes and celebrities including Leno's predecessor Johnny Carson and former Tonight Show bandleader Doc Severinsen -- but not from Jay."

When asked for suggestions on how Leno might wisely spend $9 at one of his five Toledo gourmet wieneries, the 36-year-old Packo said, "I recommend the popular 'Mother Dog.' It is one foot long, weighs one pound, is cradled in a 12-inch bun and smothered with onions and mustard. The price is $8.99, tax included. If he wants to wash it down with a soft drink he'll blow his budget."

JetAmerica's $9 seats don't include taxes and surcharges and sodas cost $2 a can. Despite these extra fees, which are also charged by most other air carriers, JetAmerica is selling seats like "hot cakes" since its announcement earlier this week.

Glazer said, "We are forecasting at least 20,000 confirmed reservations by next week once television commercials hit the air in our focus markets of Toledo, Ohio; Lansing, Michigan; Melbourne, Florida; and South Bend, Indiana. The most recent sales figures show that people living within 75 miles of Toledo Express Airport led the way with the most online reservations because JetAmerica has more flights in and out of that airport," said Stolarczyk.

Those flights include six weekly roundtrip non-stops from Toledo to New York/Newark Liberty International. JetAmerica is also flying roundtrips several times per week from Toledo to Florida's Space Coast and Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota.

"Jet America is also selling a slew of roundtrip seats from Newark to South Bend, Lansing and Toledo so that Notre Dame University, Michigan State University and University of Michigan alumni living in the New York metropolitan area can catch non-stop flights close to their respective alma maters for the upcoming collegiate football season, which starts September 5, 2009 and ends November 28, 2009," said Glazer.

The Alumni Associations of all three Big 10 conference schools report that more than a half million of their graduates reside in the Tri-State Area (NY/NJ/CT). Approximately 75,000 of them fly back to the Midwest to attend home football games.

"Toledo-bound flights are selling quickly because University of Michigan faithful football fans flying to Ann Arbor for The Wolverines' 11 home games are tired of dealing with delays at Detroit Metro Airport," said Glazer. "When you factor in the mileage to the Michigan campus, along with traffic snarls, it's a whole lot quicker to fly from New York to Toledo and then drive to Ann Arbor, Michigan."

"It appears that business travelers are also booking online knowing they can depart Toledo at 6 a.m. and be at their Midtown Manhattan meetings by 9 a.m. and then fly back home in time to sit down for a late dinner," said Stolarczyk.

JetAmerica is offering from nine to 19 seats at a cost of $9 one-way on every flight. On average, most seats range in price from $49 to $79 one-way. The most expensive fares top-off at about $199. Taxes and surcharges are additional.

The Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority's business is transportation. That business is shaped by our mission to move people and cargo through the region while employing innovative finance programs to stimulate economic development. For more information, please visit www.toledoportauthority.org.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority

CONTACT: Carla L. Firestone, Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority
Communications Director, Office: +1-419-243-8251, Mobile: +1-419-260-9981

Web Site: http://www.toledoportauthority.org/
http://www.jetamerica.com/


Profile: International Entertainment

International Entertainment News

Sinclair Announces Retransmission Agreement with DISH Network

Sinclair Announces Retransmission Agreement with DISH Network

BALTIMORE, May 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:SBGI) announced today that it has entered into an extension of its retransmission consent agreement with DISH Network Corporation.

Under the terms of the agreement, DISH will continue to carry the signals of stations which Sinclair owns and operates, programs or provides sales services. The agreement also provides DISH with certain rights to carry local content produced by Sinclair on a video-on-demand basis. Although Sinclair does not disclose the dollar amount of consideration received from individual multi-channel video program distributors, such as DISH, Sinclair will continue to be compensated by DISH under the agreement.

Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc., one of the largest and most diversified television broadcasting companies, currently owns and operates, programs or provides sales services to 58 television stations in 35 markets. Sinclair's television group reaches approximately 22% of U.S. television households and includes FOX, ABC, CBS, NBC, MNT and CW affiliates.

First Call Analyst: Lucy Rutishauser
FCMN Contact:

Source: Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc.

CONTACT: Barry Faber, VP & General Counsel, +1-410-568-1500

Web Site: http://www.sbgi.net/


Profile: International Entertainment

International Entertainment News

Los Angeles Premiere of Nickelodeon Movies' IMAGINE THAT - Update #3

Los Angeles Premiere of Nickelodeon Movies' IMAGINE THAT - Update #3

 LOS ANGELES, May 29 /PRNewswire/ --    WHAT:   LOS ANGELES PREMIERE OF NICKELODEON MOVIES' "IMAGINE THAT".    WHEN:   SATURDAY, JUNE 6TH, 2009           Screening will begin promptly at 11:00 a.m.           Arrivals begin at 10:00 a.m.           Press Check-in begins at: 9:00 a.m.    WHERE:  PARAMOUNT PICTURES           The Paramount Theatre           5555 Melrose Ave           Hollywood, CA 90038    WHO:    Cast members and filmmakers attending include:  Eddie Murphy           (Evan Danielson), Nicole Ari Parker (Trish), Thomas Haden Church           (Johnny Whitefeather), Yara Shahidi (Olivia Danielson), Ronny Cox           (Tom Stevens), DeRay Davis (John Strother), Vanessa Williams           (Lori Strother), Bobb'e J. Thompson (The Kid), Heidi Marnhout           (Cheryl Whitefeather), Stephen Rannazzisi (Kulick), Colbie           Caillat (recording artist - soundtrack), Karey Kirkpatrick           (director), Lorenzo DiBonaventura (producer), Ed Solomon           (writer / producer), Chris Matheson (writer).            Celebrities attending to date include: John Singleton, Andy           Richter, Anthony Anderson (Law and Order), Arsenio Hall, Yvette           Nicole Brown (Drake and Josh), Mary Mary (recording artist).            - Others will be added as they are received -    ABOUT "IMAGINE THAT":   

In Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies' family comedy "Imagine That," Eddie Murphy stars as a successful financial executive who has more time for his BlackBerry than his seven-year-old daughter (Yara Shahidi). When he has a crisis of confidence and his career starts going down the drain, however, he finds the solution to all his problems in his daughter's imaginary world.

RELEASE DATE: June 12th, 2009

This film has been rated PG for some mild language and brief questionable behavior.

ALL PRESS MUST BE ACCREDITED TO COVER THE EVENT

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Paramount Pictures

CONTACT: Broadcast/Print/Online, Gail Silverman of Paramount Pictures,
gail_silverman@paramount.com, or Photo, photo_rsvp@paramount.com


Profile: International Entertainment

International Entertainment News

Cox Enterprises, Inc. Completes Acquisition of Cox Radio, Inc.

Cox Enterprises, Inc. Completes Acquisition of Cox Radio, Inc.

ATLANTA, May 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Cox Enterprises, Inc. announced today that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Cox Media Group, Inc., has completed its acquisition of Cox Radio pursuant to a short-form merger in which Cox Radio became an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Cox Enterprises following the successful completion of its tender offer, which expired on Tuesday, May 19, 2009.

As a result of the merger, any outstanding shares of Class A common stock not purchased in the tender offer, other than those as to which appraisal rights are perfected and shares owned by Cox Media Group or held by Cox Radio in treasury, were converted into the right to receive $4.80 per share in cash, without interest. American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as exchange agent for the merger, will mail to non-tendering stockholders materials to advise them of their rights and facilitate receipt of payment for their Cox Radio shares. We have been advised that trading in Cox Radio shares on the New York Stock Exchange will be suspended prior to the market opening on Monday, June 1st.

About Cox Enterprises (www.coxenterprises.com)

Cox Enterprises, Inc. is a leading communications, media and automotive services company. With revenues exceeding $15 billion and more than 77,000 employees, the company's major operating subsidiaries include Cox Communications, Inc. (cable television distribution, telephone, high-speed Internet access, commercial telecommunications, advertising solutions and the Travel Channel); Manheim, Inc. (vehicle auctions, repair and certification services and web-based technology products); Cox Media Group, Inc. (television stations, digital media, newspapers, advertising sales rep firms and Cox Radio, Inc.); and AutoTrader.com (online automotive classifieds and related publications). Additionally, Cox's Internet operations include Kudzu.com and Adify Corporation, a unit of Cox TMI, Inc.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Cox Enterprises, Inc.

CONTACT: Media: Bobby Amirshahi, +1-678-645-4518,
bobby.amirshahi@coxinc.com; Investors: Richard Jacobson, +1-678-645-0111,
richard.jacobson@coxinc.com

Web Site: http://www.coxenterprises.com/


Profile: International Entertainment

International Entertainment News

Michael Polis Named CEO, W!LDBRAIN Entertainment

Michael Polis Named CEO, W!LDBRAIN Entertainment

LOS ANGELES, May 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Charles Rivkin, President and CEO, W!LDBRAIN, announced the appointment of Michael Polis to the newly created position of CEO, W!LDBRAIN Entertainment, effective immediately. Rivkin, who oversees operations for W!LDBRAIN and its subsidiary Kidrobot, will step down as President and CEO, W!LDBRAIN on June 5, 2009, having been named as President Obama's candidate to serve as the United States Ambassador to France. Polis will report directly to W!LDBRAIN's board of directors. Diego Marchioni, CEO of Kidrobot, will remain in his post and will also report directly to the board.

Rivkin hired Polis as chief marketing officer of W!LDBRAIN in 2007. As chief marketing officer, Polis led and supervised unprecedented global marketing and licensing initiatives on behalf of W!LDBRAIN's entertainment assets, including YO GABBA GABBA! In his new role, Polis will oversee all operations for W!LDBRAIN Entertainment, where he will continue to expand, evaluate and develop opportunities for the studio's intellectual properties.

"Mike was instrumental in helping to grow W!LDBRAIN Entertainment," said Rivkin. "His proven creativity and entrepreneurial spirit will ensure his success in this new position."

"Mike Polis has an impressive record of achievement and has been a big part of our success," said Jim Caccavo, W!LDBRAIN board member and Managing General Partner, Steelpoint Capital Partners. "We are confident that he will build on our past success and take W!LDBRAIN Entertainment to a new level."

Polis is a 20-year entertainment industry veteran with a proven track record in marketing, licensing and product development. Prior to joining W!LDBRAIN in 2007, he served as Senior Vice President of Marketing Worldwide at The Jim Henson Company, overseeing global strategic marketing initiatives for the entire Henson library, including "The Muppets," "Fraggle Rock" and "Labryrinth." Polis received an Emmy nomination as an executive producer on "Kermit's Swamp Years." Before Henson, Polis was Executive Director of Marketing at Universal Home Entertainment, managing marketing of the home video catalog and releases such as "E.T.," "The Lost World: Jurassic Park" and "The Land Before Time."

About W!LDBRAIN:

Founded in 1994, W!LDBRAIN (www.wildbrain.com) is an award-winning entertainment company that develops and produces unique and compelling content across the media spectrum. W!LDBRAIN also creates and distributes collectible merchandise through its subsidiary Kidrobot, planet Earth's premier creator and retailer of limited edition toys, clothing, mini-figures, artwork and books. Powered by its distinctive pool of talented animators and directors renowned for blending traditional animation methods with state-of-the-art computer graphics, the studio and its creative team have consistently won top industry awards. In film, W!LDBRAIN won an Annie for its computer graphics short film Hubert's Brain. In television, the studio has produced an exceptional slate of original work, including the hit series YO GABBA GABBA!, which was renewed for a third season by Nickelodeon and Higglytown Heroes, the top-rated and critically acclaimed animated series on the Disney Channel. W!LDBRAIN has a motion picture based on the hit series YO GABBA GABBA! in the works and has teamed with Paramount to develop a motion picture based on Kidrobot characters. In the short form category, the studio has teamed with Dan Clark to produce TEAM SMITHEREEN. W!LDBRAIN also conceptualized and will produce and animate "The Ricky Gervais Show" for HBO. As one of the nation's foremost producers of animated commercials, W!LDBRAIN has won Clios, Addys, BDA Awards and Annies for their commercial work, reinvigorating classic brands for leading companies including The Coca-Cola Company, Honda, Kraft and Nike.

Contact: Kelly Kimball

310.271.1400/ kkimball@wildbrain.com

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: W!LDBRAIN

CONTACT: Kelly Kimball of W!LDBRAIN, +1-310-271-1400,
kkimball@wildbrain.com

Web Site: http://www.wildbrain.com/


Profile: International Entertainment

International Entertainment News

Deadly Parasites Hijack Unsuspecting Hosts in Animal Planet's New Series Monsters Inside Me

Deadly Parasites Hijack Unsuspecting Hosts in Animal Planet's New Series Monsters Inside Me

--Hidden Enemies Lurk Among Us, Wednesday, July 1, at 9 PM (ET/PT)--

SILVER SPRING, Md., May 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Not all monsters are big. In fact, some of the most deadly organisms in the world are invisible to the human eye. Using size to their advantage, microscopic parasites quietly invade their hosts without fear of inhibition or detection. Once inside, these creatures wait in concealment for months, or sometimes years, before striking--all the while, silently feeding off their victims.

Premiering Wednesday, July 1, at 9 PM (ET/PT), Animal Planet's new series, MONSTERS INSIDE ME, shows what happens when humans fall prey to parasitic activity. Revealing the dramatic stories of people whose lives were forever altered by an encounter with a parasite, this six-part series explores the shocking, gruesome and sometimes deadly details of a parasitic infection. Every episode is a constant battle for life as doctors and scientists attempt to unravel each case...before it's too late.

"MONSTERS INSIDE ME is part horror movie, part medical detective story," says Marjorie Kaplan, president and general manager of Animal Planet. "Parasites live everywhere--our water, soil and even in the air we breath. When it comes to these stealth creatures, there's no where to hide."

Throughout MONSTERS INSIDE ME, viewers watch as victims are afflicted with parasites as exotic as malaria, to as common as raccoon roundworm, which is found in many parts of the U.S. No matter what the assailant, each parasite proves a formidable opponent as doctors are puzzled, and victims are frequently misdiagnosed before the real culprit is unveiled.

Doctors think John Figge's stifling headaches are the result of a brain tumor until surgery reveals Schistosoma mansoni worms attacking his brain; Vietnam vet, Tim Carmack is suffering from swollen legs that are oozing lymph fluid. He visits multiple specialists--none of which have any answers--until a urologist finally realizes Carmack is suffering from the parasite Wuchereria bancrofti, which he contracted 40 years earlier; And teenager Mallory Greiner contracts Acantheamoeba keratitis, a parasite that's intent on eating her cornea, but doctors believe she is suffering from herpes. By the time each organism is discovered, doctors must rush to reverse the damage left in the wake of these parasitic nightmares.

Biologist Dan Riskin, with help from doctors and experts who witnessed each case, leads the scientific discussion about each parasite. Riskin, currently a researcher at Brown University, completed his doctoral work at Cornell University, specializing in the only mammalian parasite in the world--the vampire bat.

"Parasites are tremendously advanced creatures that have had millions of years to learn and combat the behaviors of their hosts," says Riskin. "Having had a few myself, I can tell you, it's not an experience to look forward to, or one you can easily forget."

MONSTERS INSIDE ME is produced for Animal Planet by Optomen Productions. Beth Hoppe is the executive producers for Optomen, and Martha Ripp is the executive producer for Animal Planet. Dr. Dickson Despommier, one of the world's leading parasitologists and renowned co-author of the reference book Parasitic Diseases, serves as the science advisor on the series

**For more information on parasites and their stomach-churning habits visit www.animalplanet.com where you can find profiles on the parasites from MONSTERS INSIDE ME.

Animal Planet Media (APM), a multi-media business unit of Discovery Communications, is the world's only entertainment brand that immerses viewers in the full range of life in the animal kingdom with rich, deep content via multiple platforms and offers animal lovers and pet owners access to a centralized online, television and mobile community for immersive, engaging, high-quality entertainment, information and enrichment. APM consists of the Animal Planet television network, available in more than 95 million homes in the US; online assets www.animalplanet.com, the ultimate online destination for all things animal; the 24/7 broadband channel, Animal Planet Beyond; Petfinder.com, the #1 pet-related Web property globally that facilitates pet adoption; and other media platforms including a robust Video-on-Demand (VOD) service; mobile content; and merchandising extensions.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Animal Planet

CONTACT: Erin Pryor of Animal Planet, +1-240-662-6781,
Erin_Pryor@discovery.com

Web Site: http://www.animalplanet.com/


Profile: International Entertainment

International Entertainment News

Jay-Z, Eminem and DJ Hero(TM) Join in Groundbreaking Collaboration to Bring New Music and DJ Culture to Gaming Platform

Jay-Z, Eminem and DJ Hero(TM) Join in Groundbreaking Collaboration to Bring New Music and DJ Culture to Gaming Platform

Innovative Partnership Includes Special Edition Featuring Music CDs from Both Artists

SANTA MONICA, Calif., May 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Jay-Z and Eminem - two of the music industry's most influential and successful artists - will join DJ Hero(TM), the highly-anticipated new game that is bringing DJ culture and new music genres including hip-hop, electronic, R&B and soul music to the successful Guitar Hero(R) platform, Activision Publishing, Inc. (NASDAQ:ATVI) announced today.

Jay-Z and Eminem will contribute some of their popular songs to DJ Hero and will collaborate on a special branded edition of the game that will include an advanced version of the game's turntable controller, a metal traveling case that transforms into a performance-ready DJ stand and two exclusive music CD compilations featuring greatest hits and new mixes from each artist. Jay-Z and Eminem will both provide downloadable content later this year that will give DJ Hero fans fresh mixes of their material.

"Jay-Z and Eminem are innovators and they share a vision for expanding their genre by letting fans embrace technology and music in new and exciting ways to get the most out of the experience," said Dan Rosensweig, president and CEO of Guitar Hero. "Jay-Z and Eminem embody an entire generation and will continue to influence popular culture. Now their fans can experience what it's like to play the music, mix the music and compete with themselves and others in a game that expands with the user."

"A DJ has the ability to use music to control people's emotions and is responsible for the entire vibe of a room, a club or a party," said Jay-Z. "DJ Hero is the first video game that allows everyone to enjoy the unique experience of creating that environment."

"I came up doing freestyle battles on local stages with other MCs and DJs," said Eminem. "DJ'ing is an essential part of hip-hop and DJ Hero will give people all over the chance to experience the music from the other side of the turntables."

DJ Hero immerses fans into DJ culture and a sea of music as they take turns with their friends, scratching songs, playing along to the hottest tracks and ruling the party. The game's innovative turntable controller was created exclusively for the game and features familiar DJ tools including a fully-rotating turntable, sample buttons, effects dial and crossfader. Players master various DJ techniques as they play along to visual cues for scratching, blending, crossfading and sampling, and can also add their own creative spark by choosing to add a variety of effects, samples and scratches. Social expression is heightened with euphoric multiplayer gameplay where two DJs can battle competitively or have a player join in to emcee over any track in the game using any USB compatible microphone. Additionally, gamers can rock together as DJ Hero features DJ-guitar exclusive mixes played with a turntable controller and Guitar Hero(R) guitar controller.

DJ Hero is part of a highly anticipated fall video game lineup that includes Guitar Hero(R) 5 and Band Hero(TM), which will redefine how consumers interact with music. Through unique partnerships with some of the hottest rock, hip-hop and top 40 artists, these games are bringing more fun ways to explore, share and participate in music for millions of people around the world.

DJ Hero is being developed by FreeStyleGames for the Xbox 360(R) video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, the PLAYSTATION(R)3 and PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment systems and the Wii(TM) system from Nintendo. The game is not yet rated by the ESRB. For more information about DJ Hero, please visit djhero.com.

About Activision Publishing, Inc.

Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Activision Publishing, Inc. is a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and leisure products.

Activision maintains operations in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Spain, the Netherlands and Australia. More information about Activision and its products can be found on the company's website, www.activision.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements: Information in this press release that involves Activision Publishing's expectations, plans, intentions or strategies regarding the future are forward-looking statements that are not facts and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Activision Publishing generally uses words such as "outlook," "will," "could," "would," "might," "remains," "to be," "plans," "believes," "may," "expects," "intends," "anticipates," "estimate," future," "plan," "positioned," "potential," "project," "remain," "scheduled," "set to," "subject to," "upcoming" and similar expressions to help identify forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause Activision Publishing's actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements set forth in this release include, but are not limited to, sales levels of Activision Publishing's titles, shifts in consumer spending trends, the impact of the current macroeconomic environment, the seasonal and cyclical nature of the interactive game market, Activision Publishing's ability to predict consumer preferences among competing hardware platforms (including next-generation hardware), declines in software pricing, product returns and price protection, product delays, retail acceptance of Activision Publishing's products, adoption rate and availability of new hardware and related software, industry competition, rapid changes in technology and industry standards, protection of proprietary rights, litigation against Activision Publishing, maintenance of relationships with key personnel, customers, vendors and third-party developers, domestic and international economic, financial and political conditions and policies, foreign exchange rates, integration of recent acquisitions and the identification of suitable future acquisition opportunities, Activision Blizzard's success in integrating the operations of Activision Publishing and Vivendi Games in a timely manner, or at all, and the combined company's ability to realize the anticipated benefits and synergies of the transaction to the extent, or in the timeframe, anticipated, and the other factors identified in Activision Blizzard's most recent annual report on Form 10-K and any subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. The forward-looking statements in this release are based upon information available to Activision Publishing and Activision Blizzard as of the date of this release, and neither Activision Publishing nor Activision Blizzard assumes any obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements believed to be true when made may ultimately prove to be incorrect. These statements are not guarantees of the future performance of Activision Publishing or Activision Blizzard and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond its control and may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations.

(C) 2009 Activision Publishing, Inc. Guitar Hero, Activision and RedOctane are registered trademarks and DJ Hero is a trademark of Activision Publishing, Inc.

"PlayStation", "PLAYSTATION" and "PS" Family logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Used with Permission. Microsoft, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox LIVE, and the Xbox logos are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies. Wii and the Wii logo are trademarks of Nintendo.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact: ksouthey@activision.com

Source: Activision Publishing, Inc.

CONTACT: Eric Hollreiser, Vice President, Public Relations, GUITAR HERO,
+1-424-744-5784, Eric.hollreiser@activision.com

Web Site: http://www.activision.com/

Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/007396.html


Profile: International Entertainment

International Entertainment News

Toyota Park to Stage Two-Day, $15 MusicFest July 4th Weekend: Starship, Billy Squier, Lita Ford, Warrant, L.A. Guns and More

Toyota Park to Stage Two-Day, $15 MusicFest July 4th Weekend: Starship, Billy Squier, Lita Ford, Warrant, L.A. Guns and More

Jamming weekend to end with fireworks night of July 4th

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill., May 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Toyota Park will stage a two-day Bridgeview MusicFest July 3-4 featuring several No. 1 hit acts with a strong 80s flavor, Stadium officials said today. Festivities will culminate with fireworks the evening of July 4th.

Starship with Mickey Thomas, Billy Squier, Lita Ford, Warrant and L.A. Guns will be among 10 bands and artists appearing. Single-day tickets are $10, two-day passes are $15 and parking is free. Tickets are on sale through Ticketmaster. Doors will open at 2 p.m. each day. The fireworks display will take place July 4th at 9 p.m.

"Bridgeview MusicFest promises to be one of the most entertaining and affordable music events of the summer," said Dan Garnett, General Manager of Toyota Park. "Because of our convenient location near I-294 and I-55 and our proximity to Pace and the CTA, we're closer and more convenient than downtown Chicago for most people in the six-county area, and with less traffic. This is an event with something for everyone, and it's priced for everyone."

   The full schedule is as follows:     Friday, July 3    Billy Squier   Starship starring Mickey Thomas   Over the Rainbow   Off Broadway    Saturday, July 4    Lita Ford   Warrant   Lynch Mob   L.A. Guns   Adlers Appetite   Enuff Z'nuff   The Leftovers    About Toyota Park  

Toyota Park puts fun within reach. Fans, entertainers and athletes alike praise Toyota Park as accessible, friendly and fun. In addition to being home to the Chicago Fire of Major League Soccer and the Chicago Red Stars women's professional soccer team, Toyota Park is home to leading acts like Jimmy Buffett and Phish and world-class sports such as USA Rugby and pro lacrosse. Visit www.toyotapark.com for a full line-up of events.

How to reach Toyota Park

Toyota Park is conveniently located in Bridgeview near the I-294 and-I-55, within an easy drive from every corner of the Chicagoland area. Just 15 miles from Chicago's Loop, Toyota Park features ample parking, is served by PACE buses and offers free shuttles to and from the nearby CTA Midway Orange Line station.

Contact: Laurent Pernot

(773) 865-5381

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Toyota Park

CONTACT: Laurent Pernot, +1-773-865-5381, for Toyota Park

Web Site: http://www.toyotapark.com/


Profile: International Entertainment

International Entertainment News

Cablemas 1Q09 Net Revenue and Adjusted EBITDA Up 16.7% and 0.8% YoY, Respectively

Cablemas 1Q09 Net Revenue and Adjusted EBITDA Up 16.7% and 0.8% YoY, Respectively

MEXICO CITY, May 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Cablemas, S.A. de C.V., (Cablemas), the second-largest cable television operator in Mexico based on number of subscribers and homes passed, today announced results for the three-month period ending March 31, 2009.

Cablemas CEO Carlos M. Alvarez Figueroa commented, "Revenue growth remained resilient this quarter, despite the tougher economic environment worldwide. Our customer base continued to expand, with cable television subscribers up by 10.3%, high-speed internet subscribers by 8.9% and IP telephony lines up by 57.5% year-on-year."

"Adjusted EBITDA margin for the quarter was 33.6% continuing to reflect higher programming costs throughout the year. Quarter on quarter, Adjusted EBITDA rose 17.5%, from Ps.257.7 million in 4Q08 reflecting the ongoing successful implementation of the cost reduction program and the negotiation of better terms with suppliers initiated in 4Q08. This has allowed us to partially offset the effect of the depreciation of the Mexican Peso, which impacts around 30% of the Company's overall costs."

"During this quarter, our shareholder Alvafig made a capital contribution of Ps.557 million to Cablemas in exchange of convertible limited voting shares, increasing its interest in the capital stock of the Company from 54.5% to 58.3%. These funds will contribute to further support our strong balance sheet while we continue implementing cost controls throughout the Company, limiting capital expenditures and consolidating our current infrastructure in light of the more challenging global economic environment," closed Mr. Alvarez Figueroa.

To obtain the full text of this earnings release, please visit our Investor Relations website at www.cablemas.com/investor-relations under the Press Releases section.

This document may contain certain forward-looking statements concerning Cablemas' operations, performance, business, financial condition and growth prospects. These statements are based upon beliefs of management as well as a number of assumptions and estimates, which are inherently subject to significant uncertainties, many of which are beyond Cablemas' control. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, changes in the Mexican economy, including changes in inflation rates or exchange rates, changes in political conditions and government policies in Mexico, increased competition, regulatory developments and customer demand. These statements are made as of the date of this press release and Cablemas undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise in light of these risks and uncertainties, there can be no assurances that the events described or implied in the forward-looking statements contained in this document will in fact transpire.

   Financial and Operational Highlights   ------------------------------------   (in million Mexican    Pesos)                     1Q08       1Q09       % Chg.   -------------------         ----       ----       ------   Financial Highlights   --------------------       -----      -----         ----   Net revenue                770.9      899.9         16.7%   Operating profit           147.8      104.4        -29.4%   Adjusted EBITDA            300.3      302.7          0.8%   Net income                  33.2     (349.0)         n/a   ----------                  ----     ------          ---   Operating margin            19.2%      11.6%    -758 bps   Adjusted EBITDA    margin                     39.0%      33.6%    -532 bps   Net income margin            4.3%     -38.8%   -4308 bps   -----------------            ---      -----    ---------   Total Debt               2,420.1    3,242.2         34.0%   Net Debt                 1,839.2    2,831.8         54.0%   Total Debt/ LTM    Adj. EBITDA                2.3x       2.9x   Net Debt/ LTM Adj.    EBITDA                     1.8x       2.5x   EBITDA/ Net    interest expense           3.9x       3.8x   -----------------           ----       ----   Operational Highlights   ----------------------   Homes passed           2,285,974  2,619,654         14.6%   Cable Television    subscribers             793,236    874,696         10.3%   High-speed internet    subscribers             226,962    247,237          8.9%   IP Telephony lines        53,781     84,680         57.5%   ------------------        ------     ------         ----  

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Cablemas, S.A. de C.V.

CONTACT: In Mexico, Allan Ituarte Hesles, Planning & IR Manager for
Cablemas, (5255)-41-21-83-35, aituarte@cablemas.com.mx or in the United
States, Susan Borinelli of Breakstone Group, +1-646-330-5907,
sborinelli@breakstone-group.com

Web Site: http://www.cablemas.com/investor-relations


Profile: International Entertainment