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International Entertainment News

Thursday, January 31, 2008

Paramount Pictures and Marvel Entertainment Announce Super Bowl XLII Advertising Spot for Marvel Studios' Highly-Anticipated 'Iron Man' Film

Paramount Pictures and Marvel Entertainment Announce Super Bowl XLII Advertising Spot for Marvel Studios' Highly-Anticipated 'Iron Man' Film

Ratings Blockbuster Giants/Patriots Battle Exciting Launch Pad For Film Adaptation of Marvel Comic Book Super Hero Due for Release May 2, 2008

Major WebSites to Stream Ad Spot after Tele-Cast

HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Jan. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Paramount Pictures and Marvel Entertainment today announced that a prime advertising spot for Marvel Studios' highly-anticipated "Iron Man" will air during the Super Bowl XLII face-off between the New England Patriots and the New York Giants on Sunday February 3, 2008.

(Logo:

http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19991206/PARLOGO)

Paramount Pictures and Marvel Entertainment Present the big screen adaptation of Marvel's legendary Super Hero Iron Man, which opens in theaters on May 2, 2008.

Marvel.com will tease the spot on February 1, and following its TV debut at approximately 4:30 p.m. PST, the ad will be available on Apple.com, Marvel.com, and the official Iron Man website at IronManMovie.com. Additional sites, including Yahoo Sports! and ESPN.com, will carry the ad the following day.

Oscar(R) nominee Robert Downey Jr. stars as Tony Stark/Iron Man in the story of a kidnapped billionaire industrialist and genius inventor. Using his intelligence and ingenuity, Tony builds a high-tech suit of armor and escapes captivity. When he uncovers a nefarious plot with global implications, he dons his powerful armor and vows to protect the world as Iron Man. The highly-anticipated action-adventure co-stars Gwyneth Paltrow, Jeff Bridges, Terrence Howard and Shaun Toub. The film is directed by Jon Favreau from a screenplay by Mark Fergus & Hawk Ostby and Art Marcum & Matt Holloway, produced by Avi Arad and Kevin Feige. The executive producers are Louis D'Esposito, Peter Billingsley, Jon Favreau, Ari Arad, Stan Lee and David Maisel.

About Marvel Entertainment, Inc.

With a library of over 5,000 characters, Marvel Entertainment, Inc. is one of the world's most prominent character-based entertainment companies. Marvel's operations are focused on utilizing its character franchises in licensing, entertainment, publishing and toys. Areas of emphasis include feature films, DVD/home video, consumer products, video games, action figures and role-playing toys, television and promotions. Rooted in the creative success of over sixty years of comic book publishing, Marvel's strategy is to leverage its character franchises in a growing array of opportunities around the world. For more information visit http://www.marvel.com/.

About Paramount Pictures Corporation

Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment, is a unit of Viacom (NYSE:VIA), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands. The company's labels include Paramount Pictures, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, MTV Films, Nickelodeon Movies and DreamWorks Studios. PPC operations also include Paramount Pictures Digital Entertainment, Paramount Home Entertainment, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Licensing Inc., Paramount Studio Group, and Worldwide Television Distribution.

Iron Man, the Movie (C) 2008 MVL Film Finance LLC. Marvel, Iron Man, all character names and their distinctive likenesses: TM & (C) 2008 Marvel Entertainment, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All Rights Reserve

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:
Website:

http://www.marvel.com


Photo: NewsCom:

http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19991206/PARLOGO
AP Archive:

http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Marvel Entertainment, Inc.; Paramount Pictures Corporation

CONTACT: David Waldman of Paramount Pictures Corporation,
+1-323-956-5503


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Profile: intent

International Entertainment News

New Line Records Releases Digital Single 'Love Me Sexy,' From Upcoming Will Ferrell Comedy 'Semi-Pro'

New Line Records Releases Digital Single 'Love Me Sexy,' From Upcoming Will Ferrell Comedy 'Semi-Pro'

'Love Me Sexy' Music Video Breaks A Million Views Online, Full 'Semi-Pro' Soundtrack Scheduled For Feb. 26 Release

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- "Love Me Sexy," the first single from the soundtrack of the upcoming New Line Cinema comedy "Semi-Pro" (which opens nationwide on Feb. 29), was released by New Line Records on January 29 and is available on all digital service providers.

The song, performed by Jackie Moon (Ferrell's character in the film) and written by Ferrell, Scot Armstrong and Nile Rodgers, is also featured on the "Semi-Pro" soundtrack which will be released by New Line Records on February 26. In addition to "Love Me Sexy," the film's soundtrack will feature classic '70s tracks from Curtis Mayfield, War, LaBelle, Sly and the Family Stone, and the Ohio Players, as well as an Elijah Kelley's ("Hairspray") cover of the Earth, Wind & Fire song "Shining Star."

The video for "Love Me Sexy" has already taken off online, being viewed more than one million times on since being released on January 22, and was the #1 most watched video on YouTube on January 25th.

Ferrell stars in "Semi-Pro," an outrageous comedy set in 1976 against the backdrop of the maverick ABA -- a fast-paced, wild and crazy basketball league that rivaled the NBA and made a name for itself with innovations like the three-point shot and slam dunk contest. Ferrell plays Jackie Moon, a one-hit wonder who used the profits from the success of his chart-topping song "Love Me Sexy" to achieve his dream of owning a basketball team. But Moon's franchise, the Flint Michigan Tropics, is the worst team in the league and in danger of folding when the ABA announces its plans to merge with the NBA. If they want to survive, Jackie and the Tropics must now do the seemingly impossible -- win. "Semi-Pro" co-stars Woody Harrelson ("Anger Management," "White Men Can't Jump"), Will Arnett ("Blades of Glory," "Arrested Development"), Andre Benjamin ("Four Brothers," music group Outkast), Rob Corddry, Maura Tierney, Josh Braaten, DeRay Davis, Jay Phillips, Jackie Earle Haley and Andy Richter. The film is written by Scot Armstrong ("Old School"), directed by Kent Alterman, and produced by Jimmy Miller.

About New Line Records:

New Line Records, a division of New Line Productions, has been releasing recorded music since 2002. Distributed through Warner Music Group's independent arm ADA, NLR has released over 50 titles including the soundtracks to "Elf," "Wedding Crashers," "The Notebook," "A Prairie Home Companion," "The Departed" and "Hairspray." It is also the artist home to The Sounds, Albert Hammond Jr., OFFICE and Allison Moorer and Elijah Kelley, among others.

About New Line Cinema Corporation:

New Line Cinema is the most successful independent film company in the world. Its mission is to produce innovative, popular and profitable entertainment in the best creative environment. In addition to the production, marketing and distribution of theatrical motion pictures, the fully-integrated studio has divisions devoted to home entertainment, television, music, theater, merchandising and an international unit. In 2005, New Line partnered with HBO to form Picturehouse, a new theatrical distribution company to release independent films. A pioneer in franchise filmmaking, New Line's Oscar-winning "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy is one of the most successful film franchises in history. New Line is a division of Time Warner, Inc. (TWX).

Contact:
Candice McDonough
New Line Cinema
310-967-6991

Contact:
Kerri Chyka
New Line Cinema
212-649-6189


First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:


Source: New Line Cinema

CONTACT: Candice McDonough, +1-310-967-6991, or Kerri Chyka,
+1-212-649-6189, both of New Line Cinema


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Profile: intent

International Entertainment News

Country Music Legends Tom Brumley & Darrell McCall to Headline San Antonio's First Live Country Music Show on River Walk in Historic Aztec Theater

Country Music Legends Tom Brumley & Darrell McCall to Headline San Antonio's First Live Country Music Show on River Walk in Historic Aztec Theater

SAN ANTONIO, Jan. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Rick Drury, a director of Drury Hotels, unveiled plans for San Antonio Rose LIVE, a new country music show that will celebrate the masters of country music from the 1950s through the 1970s.

(Photo:

http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080131/LATH167 )

National country recording artists Darrell McCall and Tom Brumley will headline San Antonio Rose LIVE, the first live country music variety show to appear on the River Walk and one of the few live shows nationally.

In addition to San Antonio Rose LIVE, Drury and his production team plan to bring in other performing artists and produce other shows. A show on the Music of Mexico and one featuring Gospel music are currently in the planning stages.

"With the Aztec's new acoustics designed by Nashville's acoustical genius Steve Durr, and our team's depth of expertise within the music industry, we will bring top- tier performances to the River Walk," Drury says.

"Our market research shows 41% percent of San Antonians listen to and love country music and we estimate the percentage of visitors to be just as great. San Antonio Rose LIVE will offer some of the finest live music in the country," says Drury.

San Antonio Rose LIVE will open this summer. Drury anticipates they will produce six performances each week, including at least one matinee. To accommodate the size of the production, the Aztec will undergo a $3 to $4 million upgrade, which will include a 700-seat concert venue, renovating the stage size and installing a state-of-the-art sound system with full video and TV production capabilities.

Steve Hennig of Austin, Drury and Brumley will develop the programs for San Antonio Rose LIVE.

"In the 1970s alone, country music had more than 500 Number 1 single hits, so there is no way we are going to be short of great music," says Hennig.

The Texas-style country music show is modeled after the Grand Ole Opry and Branson variety shows; ticket prices range from $35 to $50.

Hennig, a country musician, developed a custom pedal guitar for guitarist Phil Baugh that is now in the Country Music Hall of Fame. Durr has designed acoustics for Disney Studios, Lenny Kravitz, Willie Nelson, DreamWorks, Speedway as well as the future home of Austin City Limits. Tom Brumley is the original steel guitar player for Buck Owens' Buckaroos, contributed to the "Bakersfield sound" which led to numerous hits for Owens. Brumley was inducted into the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame and the International Steel Guitar Hall of Fame and continues to record with today's stars ranging from Dwight Yoakum to Chris Isaak. Darrell McCall went to Nashville as a teenager with his childhood friend Johnny Paycheck. His talent for songwriting and harmony vocals became immediately apparent and he began recording with many Nashville greats such as Faron Young, Ray Price, George Jones and Hank Williams, Jr. His many recorded hits include: "Lily Dale" -- which he first performed with Willie Nelson and was named "Best Duet by Cash Box magazine in 1977. McCall also wrote "Eleven Roses," (recorded by Hank Williams Jr. and "Dreams of a Dreamer" (a solo Top 40 hit in 1977) and "Still a Lot of Love in San Antone." For information visit http://www.sanantonioroselive.com/

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Photo: NewsCom:

http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080131/LATH167
AP Archive:

http://photoarchive.ap.org/
AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN20
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: San Antonio Rose LIVE

CONTACT: Nancy Scott Jones, or Kelly Johnson, both of NSJ Public
Relations, +1-210-365-5200, or +1-210-473-2888, for San Antonio Rose LIVE

Web site:

http://www.sanantonioroselive.com/


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Profile: intent

International Entertainment News

Super Bowl XLII Broadcasts Globally in Neural-THX Surround

Super Bowl XLII Broadcasts Globally in Neural-THX Surround

First Time International Television Audiences will Experience the Super Bowl in 5.1 Surround Sound

GLENDALE, Ariz., Jan. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Super Bowl XLII -- Neural Audio Corp., THX Ltd. and the NFL have teamed to deliver the HD international broadcast of Super Bowl XLII in Neural-THX(R) Surround. The Neural-THX Surround technology will enable international TV viewers to experience the game in 5.1 surround sound for the first time ever.

A total of 57 international broadcasters will televise the game to 223 countries and territories in 30 languages with the HD signal going to 30 broadcast partners and 28 countries. The live broadcast from University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. will begin at 3pm PST on February 3.

"We are very proud to be a part of the NFL's efforts to expand the excitement and experience of professional football to the world," says Geir Skaaden, CEO, of Neural Audio. "The NFL's partnership with international broadcasters and their dedication to finding new technologies that make the game more accessible and enjoyable to the global audience should be commended."

Neural-THX Surround provides a revolutionary new approach to surround sound production and playback for live broadcasts. It enables broadcasters to create and deliver true, multi-channel surround sound experiences using minimal bandwidth over stereo channels. For the Super Bowl, the technology will let the NFL's on-site broadcast teams produce the game in 5.1 surround sound then transmit the sound mix in a stereo format to audiences around the globe. Television viewers can then decode the 5.1 mix using any AV receiver featuring Neural-THX Surround.

"The Neural-THX surround technology helps us provide our growing international audience a better, more immersive experience," said Jeff Howard, senior executive for engineering and broadcast technologies at NFL Network. "With an event of this magnitude, it was important for the NFL to implement a technology that could deliver a seamless surround sound solution to our international broadcast partners while providing 100 percent compatibility with all consumer systems worldwide."

Neural-THX Surround is the result of a partnership between THX Ltd. and Neural Audio to jointly develop and market surround sound technology solutions to the content creation communities and consumer electronics manufacturers. The technology is being integrated in an estimated 70 percent of new audio-video receivers, from companies such as Sony, Pioneer, Yamaha, Onkyo, Integra, Denon, Marantz, Inkel and Sherwood. Neural-THX Surround AV receivers are being shipped worldwide. Neural-THX Surround professional broadcast products are exclusively distributed by Harris Corporation.

For Super Bowl viewers who do not have access to AV products featuring Neural-THX Surround, they can still experience the game's soundtrack using existing surround sound formats.

ABOUT NEURAL AUDIO

Neural Audio, through its Neural-THX(R) Surround technology and unique audio optimization technologies, has become the key enabler in the delivery of high quality content for the TV, radio, game, Internet, home theatre and mobile markets. Key broadcast partners and customers such as XM Satellite Radio, Yamaha Corporation, Sony Corporation, Pioneer Electronics, Onkyo Corporation, Denon Electronics, Marantz America and Harris Corporation have adopted Neural Audio technologies to provide the best quality audio available today to their customers. For more information, please visit http://www.neuralaudio.com/, or http://www.neuralsurround.com/.

ABOUT THX LTD.

THX Ltd. was founded by filmmaker George Lucas to improve the way movie audiences experience the sights and sounds of feature films on the silver screen. The goal, then and now, is to continually improve the entertainment experience through strict engineering performance standards, innovative product designs and breakthrough technologies. Leading companies from around the globe count on THX to help them create better, more innovative products and services. For more information, visit http://www.thx.com/.

THX is a trademark of THX Ltd., which may be registered in some jurisdictions. All rights reserved.

Neural Surround(TM) is a trademark owned by Neural Audio Corporation.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:


Source: THX Ltd.

CONTACT: Graham McKenna, Sr. Manager, Global PR of THX Ltd.,
+1-415-492-3900, gmckenna@thx.com; or Jackie Broo, Communications Manager of
Neural Audio Corporation, office, +1-425-814-3200, ext. 116, or mobile,
+1-513-304-9514, jackie@neuralaudio.com; or Sunok Pak of Hill & Knowlton,
+1-415-281-7129, sunok.pak@hillandknowlton.com, for THX Ltd.

Web site:

http://www.thx.com/
http://www.neuralaudio.com/


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Profile: intent

International Entertainment News

Spike.com Kicks-Off 'Commercial Bowl' 2008

Spike.com Kicks-Off 'Commercial Bowl' 2008

Site To Offer Fans 'The Big Game' Commercials Immediately After They Air On Fox

During Football's Biggest Night, Users Can Log On To www.spike.com/superbowl To Vote For The Best Ads As They Are Broadcast Live

Enter Spike's 'Light Up The Scoreboard' Sweepstakes To Win Prizes Including a Plasma TV, An All Expense-Paid Trip To Next Year's Big Game And The Complete Tom Petty Collection

NEW YORK, Jan. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Spike.com moves the chains during this year's "Big Game" with the live "Commercial Bowl" 2008! Spike.com, which aligned last year with iFilm to create the leading Web platform for men, is continuing the legacy of iFilm and for the seventh consecutive year serving as a definitive destination for advertisements from football's biggest night. "Commercial Bowl" 2008 (http://www.spike.com/superbowl) will offer fans the commercials almost immediately after they air on Fox and allow the users to vote online for best ads during the live broadcast.

(Logo:

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

Throughout this year's Big Game, spike.com "Commercial Bowl" 2008, editors will be live blogging and allowing users to voice their selection for the best advertisements as they air and for the week beyond. Spike.com has also built a blogger toolkit, which is available to help embed commercials into personal blogs or link to commercials from the site. Users will also have the capability to share and embed their commercial picks.

This year Spike is also giving its users a chance to enter the "Light Up The Scoreboard" Sweepstakes with prizes ranging from a new Plasma TV to the comprehensive Tom Petty collection to an expense-paid trip to next year's Big Game in Tampa, Florida. Spike.com has also put together an editorial selection of the past "wildest" Big Game commercials into a collection that is sure to provoke users' memories and feedback. Users are also invited to peruse the vast library of football's Biggest Game ads compiled from 2002- 2007.

Spike TV is available in 93.6 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.

Photo: NewsCom:

http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060322/NYW096LOGO
AP Archive:

http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Spike TV

CONTACT: Aileen Budow of Spike TV, +1-212-767-3952,
Aileen.budow@spiketv.com

Web site:

http://www.spiketv.com/
http://www.spike.com/superbowl


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Profile: intent

International Entertainment News

DISH Network(R) Launches The History Channel en Espanol(TM)

DISH Network(R) Launches The History Channel en Espanol(TM)

First National Provider to Carry The History Channel en espanol(TM)

NEW YORK and ENGLEWOOD, Colo., Jan. 31 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- DISH Network (NASDAQ:DISH) today announced the January 30 launch of The History Channel en espanol(TM) on its DishLATINO platform. DishLATINO, with more Hispanic customers than any other cable or satellite TV provider in the U.S., now offers customers 37 Spanish-language channels.

(Logo:

http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20051031/HISTORYLOGO )

"The History Channel en espanol provides Latino consumers an unmatched window into their history and culture, with a rich perspective that is unique on the television landscape," said David Zagin, executive vice president of Distribution at A&E Television Networks. "We are delighted to be partnering with DISH Network, one of the nation's largest multichannel TV providers and a leader when it comes to delivering their Hispanic audience a rich and robust offering of quality programming."

"DISH Network is pleased to offer The History Channel en espanol, with its unique schedule of quality programming tailored to the Latino audience," said Eric Sahl, senior vice president of Programming for DISH Network. "This will have a broad appeal for all Latinos, providing subscribers with a unique and compelling reason to select our DishLATINO programming."

The History Channel en espanol will offer DishLATINO customers the best of The History Channel together with programming that centers around Latino roots and culture. In addition, the network will premiere a special schedule of programming, starting in February, to help celebrate the launch of The History Channel en espanol on DISH Network. This includes a week of Mexican-themed programming, leading into the two-hour premiere of "The Mexican Revolution" on Sunday, Feb. 24.

The launch programming lineup follows below:

Feb. 10 at 9-10 p.m. EST - Tsunami 2004: Waves of Death (Premiere)
Feb. 17 at 7-8 p.m. EST - Biography: Augusto Pinochet (Premiere)
Feb. 17 at 8-10 p.m. - The Pinochet Case
Feb. 18-24 - Mexican-themed programming:
* Feb. 18 at 6-7 p.m. EST - Mexico: God, Gold & Glory
* Feb. 19 at 6-7 p.m. EST - Mexico: From Independence to the Alamo
* Feb. 20 at 6-7 p.m. EST - Mexico: Battle for North America
* Feb. 21 at 6-7 p.m. EST - Mexico: Revolution & Rebirth
* Feb. 22 at 6-7 p.m. EST Special Presentation: Cinco de Mayo
* Feb. 22 at 8-10 p.m. Special Presentation: Behind the Shadows
* Feb. 23 at 8-10 p.m. Mexican Migration to the U.S.
* Feb. 24 at 8-10 p.m. Mexican Revolution (Premiere)
Mar. 1 at 8-9 p.m. EST - Champions of the World: Brazil
Mar. 1 at 9-10 p.m. EST - Height of Passion: Real Madrid v. Barcelona


A special marketing initiative to support the launch of The History Channel en espanol on DishLATINO is planned. New subscribers who sign up for any of the DishLATINO packages will receive a DVD from two acclaimed series about soccer (while supplies last). Featured on the DVD are "Height of Passion: Argentina" (Pasion extrema: Argentina) and "Champions of the World: Mexico" (Campeones del mundo: Mexico). To take advantage of the offer, subscribers will need to visit www.dishlatino.com.

For more information on The History Channel en espanol, available in all DishLATINO packages on Ch.850, call 1-800-599-DISH (3474) or your DISH Network local retailer, or visit www.dishlatino.com.

ABOUT DISH NETWORK CORPORATION

DISH Network Corporation (NASDAQ:DISH) provides more than 13.695 million satellite TV customers with industry-leading customer satisfaction which has surpassed major cable companies for seven years running. DISH Network customers also enjoy access to a premier line of award-winning Digital Video Recorders (DVRs), hundreds of video and audio channels, the most International channels in the U.S., industry-leading Interactive TV applications, Latino programming, and the best sports and movies in HD. DISH Network offers a variety of package and price options including the lowest all-digital price in America, the DishDVR Advantage Package, high-speed Internet service, and a free upgrade to the best HD DVR in the industry. DISH Network is included in the Nasdaq-100 Index (NDX) and is a Fortune 300 company. Visit www.dishnetwork.com/aboutus or call 1-800-333-DISH (3474) for more information.

About THE HISTORY CHANNEL EN ESPANOL(TM)

THE HISTORY CHANNEL EN ESPANOL(TM) is a 24-hour television network dedicated to the Spanish-speaking audience in the United States. It presents a wide range of Spanish-language programming that focuses on the great dramatic moments and events as well as the pivotal figures in history. THE HISTORY CHANNEL EN ESPANOL is one of four domestic television networks of The History Channel brand. THE HISTORY CHANNEL EN ESPANOL has emerged as the new "must have" for distributors. The network is now available nationally on DishLATINO and on the nation's top cable systems including Comcast, Charter, Insight, Cox, Cablevision, and NCTC, representing more than 29 million subs in key Hispanic markets across the United States. The channel's website is located at www.history.com/espanol.


Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20051031/HISTORYLOGO
AP Archive:

http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: DISH Network

CONTACT: Francie Bauer of EchoStar Communications Corp., +1-720-514-5351,
press@echostar.com, or Kathie Gordon of The History Channel, +1-212-210-1320,
Kathie.gordon@aetn.com, or Contacto en espanol, Magaly Morales,
+1-954-240-9818, magaly@teamelevation.com, all for DISH Network

Web site:

http://www.history.com/
http://www.history.com/espanol
http://www.dishlatino.com/
http://www.dishnetwork.com/aboutus

NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information and photography please visit us on the web at www.historychannelpress.com.

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Profile: intent

International Entertainment News

UltimateRonPaul.com Demands Apology and Fair Treatment in Future Debates

UltimateRonPaul.com Demands Apology and Fair Treatment in Future Debates

MANASSAS, Va., Jan. 31 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The new independent website, www.UltimateRonPaul.com, has launched a petition to protest the treatment of Congressman Ron Paul on last night's Republican debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.

CNN, The Politico, and The Los Angeles Times -- the debate sponsors -- invited Ron Paul to participate. But then the moderator, CNN's Anderson Cooper, snubbed Paul and cut him off from participating in most of the debate. Paul was allowed only a couple of "cameo" appearances.

"Anderson Cooper's style of 'managed news' belongs in Russia or China, not the U.S.," says David Franke, Editor of UltimateRonPaul.com.

The petition adds: "Even the reporters for one of the sponsors, The Los Angeles Times, noted how Ron Paul was 'often left out.'"

The petition to the debate sponsors demands an apology to Congressman Paul, the barring of CNN's Anderson Cooper from moderating any future debates, and inclusion and fair treatment for Ron Paul in the future.

"Can't the U.S. media do better?" the petition asks.

The petition may be accessed at http://www.ultimateronpaul.com/current-petition/

Contact: David Franke (703) 396-6949

After 6 PM Eastern time, (703) 369-3907

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:


Source: UltimateRonPaul.com

CONTACT: David Franke of UltimateRonPaul.com, +1-703-396-6949, after
hours, +1-703-369-3907

Web Site:

http://www.ultimateronpaul.com/


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Profile: intent

International Entertainment News

Watch Jay-Z and the Roc-A-Fella Family

Watch Jay-Z and the Roc-A-Fella Family

NEW YORK, Jan. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- See exclusive feature film premiere starring Jay-Z, Beanie Sigel, Freeway and the entire Roc-A-Fella family on BlockSavvy.com Leak Channel.

Click here to view: http://www.blocksavvy.com/Channels/TheLeak/home.aspx

BlockSavvy.com, a fully integrated digital society, offers exclusive and self-generated content. Only on the Leak Channel will Internet users find such exclusives and never-before-seen footage and tracks from some of today's hottest stars.

On the BlockSavvy.com Leak Channel, Kanye West and Mos Def rhyme it out in a freestyle battle that takes place in Dame Dash's London flat. You can listen to unreleased tracks by Juelz Santana, Kanye and Jay-Z from Beyond a Reasonable Doubt, a star-studded tribute to Jay Z's classic album. There is also the Jim Jones "Harlem American Gangster" Mixtape, which can be downloaded for free and never before seen Kanye West's "Big Brother" video featuring Jay- Z, Biggie Smalls, Kareem "Biggs" Burke and Damon Dash. Then there's "American Gangster VS Mr. Untouchable," featuring rare footage of a conversation between two former Harlem crime bosses--Nicky Barnes and Frank Lucas. Additionally there's the Internationally Grizzly "aka" "The Real Entourage" featuring Damon and Biggs flying through Milan, Italy, at the Dolce & Gabbana fashion show with Naomi Campbell, Giselle and others...

Earn Shop And Connect

BlockSavvy.com is where you earn, shop and connect. Earn Savvy Dollars for all your activity on the site. Shop with Savvy Dollars to buy rooms and items and participate in auctions. Connect with neighbors who have things in common.

The subscribers can bid on the Auction Channel in real time on various branded items using Savvy Dollars. It has been rumored that the next major auction item is a Roc-A-Fella chain valued at $40,000.

BlockSavvy.com also offers a celebrity channel which actually allows artists to make money when sharing their content and staying active with live performances.

It hasn't taken long for BlockSavvy.com to become one of the most-visited communities on the Internet. There are thousands joining everyday! They are predicting millions of subscribers by the end of the year! With the mind- boggling numbers such as the $580 million dollar sale of My Space and the estimated $15 billion dollar value of Face Book, BlockSavvy.com is steadily on its way to becoming the golden child of Wall Street.

BlockSavvy.com is now the place to connect, play, explore and discover. Centered on users creating a complete virtual lifestyle, BlockSavvy.com allows members to organize their own trendy neighborhoods, buy stylish living spaces, socialize with one another, upload personal videos, and purchase virtual branded goods via a reward-based economy called Savvy Dollars. Residents can also take their self-created living spaces with them as a widget and embed it into other popular websites and blogs, such as MySpace, Xanga, and Blogger.

My Space and Face Book watch out. The Block has arrived!!!!!!

BlockSavvy.com: The destination for lifestyle and personal growth. Where the trendsetters meet.

For Additional Information Visit: www.BlockSavvy.com


First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:


Source: BlockSavvy.com

CONTACT: Tonya Payton, tonya@ssassocs.com, or Ann Brown,
ann@ssassocs.com, both of S&S Associates, +1-908-221-1660, for BlockSavvy.com

Web site:

http://www.blocksavvy.com/
http://www.blocksavvy.com/Channels/TheLeak/home.aspx


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Profile: intent

International Entertainment News

Mike Birbiglia Opens up to Audiences With the World Television Premiere of 'Mike Birbiglia: What I Should Have Said was Nothing'

Mike Birbiglia Opens up to Audiences With the World Television Premiere of 'Mike Birbiglia: What I Should Have Said was Nothing'

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9 AT MIDNIGHT ON COMEDY CENTRAL(R)

NEW YORK, Jan. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Comedian Mike Birbiglia shares his most private, awkward and hilarious experiences from his "Secret Public Journal" in the World Television Premiere of "Mike Birbiglia: What I Should Have Said Was Nothing" debuting Saturday, February 9 at Midnight.

At the suggestion of his therapist, Mike Birbiglia started writing down his awkward experiences in a journal. Then he started sharing his journal entries with his fans in a blog called "My Secret Public Journal" and in weekly radio segments on "The Bob & Tom Show" going out to millions of people across the country. Birbiglia taped his all-new, laugh-out-loud special, "What I Should Have Said Was Nothing," in November at New York University's Skirball Cultural Center as he toured the country to support the release of his COMEDY CENTRAL Records CD, "My Secret Public Journal Live."

For the past seven years, Birbiglia has toured the country honing the act that helped make him one of the youngest comedians ever to appear on "The Late Show with David Letterman" and popularized the phrase "Cracker Please" as well as the renaming of George Bush as "Whiffle Ball Tony." This led to Birbiglia's two highly rated "COMEDY CENTRAL Presents" half-hour specials and his COMEDY CENTRAL Records debut "Two Drink Mike." Birbiglia's "My Secret Public Journal Live" follow-up CD received rave reviews. Time Out New York called "Journal" "the comedy album of the year" and Punchline Magazine called it "the best comedy album of this generation," in addition to accolades it received from The Denver Post, Boston Globe, Washington Post, Time Out Chicago and Las Vegas Weekly.

COMEDY CENTRAL, the only all-comedy network, currently is seen in more than 91 million homes nationwide. COMEDY CENTRAL is owned by, and is a registered trademark of, Comedy Partners, a wholly-owned division of VIACOM Inc.'s (NYSE:VIA)(NYSE:and)(NYSE:VIA.B) MTV Networks. COMEDY CENTRAL's Internet address is www.comedycentral.com.

For up-to-the-minute and archival press information and photographs visit Press Central, COMEDY CENTRAL's press Web site at www.comedycentral.com/press.

MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE:VIA)(NYSE:VIA.B), is one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. MTV Networks, with more than 140 channels worldwide, owns and operates the following television programming services -- MTV: MUSIC TELEVISION, MTV2, VH1, mtvU, NICKELODEON, NICK at NITE, COMEDY CENTRAL, TV LAND, SPIKE TV, CMT, NOGGIN/THE N, VH1 CLASSIC,MTVN INTERNATIONAL and THE DIGITAL SUITE FROM MTV NETWORKS, a package of 13 digital services, all of these networks trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks connects with its audiences through its robust consumer products businesses and its more than 300 interactive properties worldwide, including online, broadband, wireless and interactive television services and also has licensing agreements, joint ventures, and syndication deals whereby all of its programming services can be seen worldwide.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:


Source: COMEDY CENTRAL Corporate Communications

CONTACT: Jamie Lee of COMEDY CENTRAL Corporate Communications,
+1-212-767-3949, jamie.lee@comedycentral.com

Web site:

http://www.comedycentral.com/


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Profile: intent

International Entertainment News

TiVo Statement on U.S. Court of Appeals Ruling in Lawsuit Against EchoStar

TiVo Statement on U.S. Court of Appeals Ruling in Lawsuit Against EchoStar

ALVISO, Calif., Jan. 31 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- TiVo Inc. (NASDAQ:TIVO), the creator of and leader in television products and services for digital video recorders (DVR), offered the following statement today on the ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington, DC in its lawsuit against EchoStar Communications Corporation:

"We are extremely pleased that the United States Court of Appeals for the
Federal Circuit unanimously ruled in our favor in EchoStar's appeal of the
district court judgment of patent infringement, full award of damages and
that the injunction, which was stayed pending appeal, was ordered to be
reinstated. Today's ruling is confirmation of the value of TiVo's IP
portfolio, which is in addition to the other benefits TiVo has to offer.
TiVo can now continue to focus on its goal to drive greater distribution
in both its stand alone and mass distribution efforts."

About TiVo Inc.


Founded in 1997, TiVo (NASDAQ:TIVO) pioneered a brand new category of products with the development of the first commercially available digital video recorder (DVR). Sold through leading consumer electronic retailers and our website, TiVo has developed a brand which resonates boldly with consumers as providing a superior television experience. Through agreements with leading satellite and cable providers, TiVo also integrates its DVR service features into the set-top boxes of mass distributors. TiVo's DVR functionality and ease of use, with such features as Season Pass(TM) recordings and WishList(R) searches and TiVo KidZone, have elevated its popularity among consumers and have created a whole new way for viewers to watch television. With a continued investment in its patented technologies, TiVo is revolutionizing the way consumers watch and access home entertainment. Rapidly becoming the focal point of the digital living room, TiVo's DVR is at the center of experiencing new forms of content on the TV, such as broadband delivered video, music and photos. With innovative features, such as TiVoToGo(TM) transfers and online scheduling, TiVo is expanding the notion of consumers experiencing "TiVo, TV your way.(R)" The TiVo(R) service is also at the forefront of providing innovative marketing solutions for the television industry, including a unique platform for advertisers and audience research measurement.

TiVo, 'TiVo, TV your way.' Season Pass, WishList, TiVoToGo, Stop||Watch, and the TiVo Logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of TiVo Inc. or its subsidiaries worldwide. (C) 2007 TiVo Inc. All rights reserved. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

This release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements relate to, among other things, possible outcomes of litigation and future licensing opportunities. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as, "believe," "confident," "expect," "may," "will," "intend," "estimate," "continue," or similar expressions or the negative of those terms or expressions. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to vary materially from those expressed in or indicated by the forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially include delays in judicial decisionmaking and adverse rulings, as well as the other potential factors described under "Risk Factors" in the Company's public reports, including the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2007 and subsequent current and quarterly reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company cautions you not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect an analysis only and speak only as of the date hereof. TiVo disclaims any obligation to

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact: CDugan@sloanepr.com


Source: TiVo Inc.

CONTACT: media, Whit Clay, +1-212-446-1864, wclay@sloanepr.com, for TiVo
Inc.; or investors, Derrick Nueman of TiVo Inc., +1-408-519-9677,
dnueman@tivo.com

Web site:

http://www.tivo.com/


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Profile: intent

International Entertainment News

Jackson Browne - Solo Acoustic, Vol. 2 Set for Release March 4, 2008 on Inside Recordings

Jackson Browne - Solo Acoustic, Vol. 2 Set for Release March 4, 2008 on Inside Recordings

Recorded live at concerts worldwide, the title follows up 2005's GRAMMY(R)-nominated Vol. 1; a new studio album from Browne is due in late '08

Jackson Browne to perform solo dates in the U.S. beginning March 7

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- On March 4, 2008, singer-songwriter Jackson Browne will release JACKSON BROWNE-SOLO ACOUSTIC, VOL. 2, the second in a series of live albums recorded at recent solo concerts in the U.S., the U.K. and Australia. Building on 2005's critically acclaimed and GRAMMY(R)-nominated Jackson Browne - Solo Acoustic, Vol. 1, the album features twelve career spanning songs, with Browne alternately on both guitar and piano. Also like its predecessor, VOL. 2 features lively exchanges between Jackson and his audiences. The disc will be available on the artist's own Inside Recordings label, with distribution through ADA.

Two selections from JACKSON BROWNE - SOLO ACOUSTIC, VOL. 2, "Something Fine" and "Redneck Friend," reach back to the artist's landmark 1972 self-titled debut album, about which Rolling Stone wrote in its original review, "Jackson Browne's sensibility is romantic in the best sense of the term: his songs are capable of generating a highly charged, compelling atmosphere throughout, and -- just as important -- of sustaining that pitch in the listener's mind long after they've ended."

That rapt connection is felt throughout JACKSON BROWNE-SOLO ACOUSTIC, VOL. 2., which also features four songs from Browne's most recent studio album, 2002's The Naked Ride Home: "Never Stop," "The Night Inside Me," "My Stunning Mystery Companion" and "Casino Nation". Other highlights include "In The Shape Of A Heart," from 1987's Lives In The Balance, "Sky Blue And Black" from 1993's I'm Alive, "Alive In This World" from '96's Looking East and the 1982 Top 10 hit "Somebody's Baby," originally featured on the Fast Times At Ridgemont High soundtrack.

Throughout his career, Jackson Browne has defined a genre of songwriting and performing charged with honesty, emotion and personal politics. He's been honored with inductions into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (2004) and the Songwriter's Hall of Fame (2007). As influential and enduring as Browne's music is his legacy as an advocate for social and environmental justice. Recent humanitarian honors include the John Steinbeck Award and the Chapin-World Hunger Year Harry Chapin Humanitarian Award. In 2007, Browne re-united with his Musicians United For Safe Energy (MUSE) co-founders Graham Nash and Bonnie Raitt to oppose a revival of the nuclear energy industry.

Jackson Browne is currently at work on a studio album of new material slated for release in fall 2008. Following the March 4 release of JACKSON BROWNE-SOLO ACOUSTIC, VOL. 2., he will perform a series of solo concert dates in the U.S.

For more information, log on to http://www.jacksonbrowne.com/.

Jackson Browne concert dates 2008 (more dates to be added):
03/07/08 Brown Theater Louisville, KY
03/08/08 Ryman Auditorium Nashville, TN
03/10/08 Von Braun Center - Concert Hall Huntsville, AL
03/11/08 Tivoli Theatre Chattanooga, TN
03/14/08 Tennessee Theatre Knoxville, TN
03/15/08 Montgomery Performing Arts Center Montgomery, AL
03/17/08 Saenger Theatre Mobile, AL
03/19/08 Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall Ft. Myers, FL
03/20/08 King Center for the Performing Arts Melbourne, FL
03/22/08 Florida Theater Jacksonville, FL
03/24/08 North Charleston Performing Arts Center N Charleston, SC
03/26/08 Ferguson Center for the Performing Arts Newport News, VA
03/28/08 Music Box Theater at Borgata Atlantic City, NJ
03/29/08 Foxwoods Casino Mashantucket, CT
03/31/08 Opera House - LACE Benefit Barre, VT
04/01/08 Calvin Theatre & Performing Arts Center Northampton, MA
04/03/08 Merrill Auditorium at City Hall Portland, ME
04/04/08 Providence Performing Arts Center Providence, RI
04/06/08 Chevrolet Theatre Wallingford, CT
04/07/08 Sovereign Performing Arts Center Reading, PA
04/13/08 Fox Tucson Theatre Tucson, AZ
04/14/08 Ikeda Theater Mesa, AZ
04/16/08 Wells Fargo Center for the Arts Santa Rosa, CA
04/17/08 Bob Hope (Fox) Theatre Stockton, CA
04/19/08 Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium Santa Cruz, CA
04/20/08 Fox Theatre Bakersfield, CA
04/22/08 Lancaster Performing Arts Center Lancaster, CA
04/23/08 Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza Thousand Oaks, CA


First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:


Source: Inside Recordings

CONTACT: Meghan Helsel, +1-626-585-9575, meghan@jensencom.com, for
Inside Recordings

Web site:

http://www.jacksonbrowne.com/


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Profile: intent

International Entertainment News

Netflix Announces Authorization of $100 Million Stock Buyback

Netflix Announces Authorization of $100 Million Stock Buyback

LOS GATOS, Calif., Jan. 31 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) announced today that its Board of Directors has authorized a stock repurchase program that enables the Company to purchase up to $100 million of its common stock through the end of 2008.

Stock repurchases under this program may be made through open market transactions and, from time to time, privately negotiated transactions with third parties, and in such amounts as management deems appropriate. The timing and actual number of shares repurchased will depend on a variety of factors including price, corporate and regulatory requirements, alternative investment opportunities and other market conditions. Repurchased shares would be returned to the status of authorized but un-issued shares of common stock.

About Netflix

Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) is the world's largest online movie rental service, providing more than seven million subscribers access to more than 90,000 DVD titles plus a growing library of more than 6,000 choices that can be watched instantly on their PCs. The company offers nine subscription plans, starting at only $4.99 per month. There are no due dates and no late fees -- ever. All Netflix plans include both DVDs delivered to subscribers' homes and, for no additional fee, movies and TV series that can be started in as little as 30 seconds on subscribers' PCs. DVDs are delivered free to members by first class mail, with a postage-paid return envelope, from over 100 U.S. shipping points. Nearly 95 percent of Netflix subscribers live in areas that can be reached with generally one business day delivery. Netflix offers personalized movie recommendations and has two billion movie ratings. For more information, visit http://www.netflix.com/.


First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:


Source: Netflix, Inc.

CONTACT: investor relations, Deborah Crawford, VP, Investor Relations,
+1-408-540-3712, or public relations, Steve Swasey, VP, Corporate
Communications, +1-408-540-3947, both of Netflix, Inc.

Web site:

http://www.netflix.com/


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Profile: intent

International Entertainment News

MTV's 'Choose or Lose' Citizen Journalists Cover Every Super Tuesday State With First-Ever Live Mobile-to-Web Broadcasts

MTV's 'Choose or Lose' Citizen Journalists Cover Every Super Tuesday State With First-Ever Live Mobile-to-Web Broadcasts

Viewers Can Watch All the Action at MTVNews.com, ChooseorLose.com and Via Special MTV News On-Air Reports

'Street Team '08' Citizen Journalists Armed with Market-Leading Nokia Nseries Devices and Flixwagon's Innovative Software

NEW YORK, Jan. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- MTV's army of Street Team '08 citizen journalists will cover the youth vote like no one else on Super Tuesday, delivering the first-ever live mobile-to-web broadcasts -- from polling stations, caucuses, candidate rallies and everywhere young voters congregate February 5th.

The real-time, on-the-spot reports will be streamed live all day from correspondents' video-equipped mobile phones to MTVNews.com and ChooseorLose.com. Throughout the day, MTV will regularly break into programming and showcase news featurettes excerpted from the live reports. The effort is part of MTV's constantly evolving, Emmy-winning "Choose or Lose" campaign and will offer the network's citizen journalists an unprecedented stage -- with the potential to reach as many as 100 million viewers -- as they bring all the Super Tuesday action to America's youth as it happens.

"Young people are taking hold of the political process like never before, and are clamoring to share and react to the stories as they unfold on the campaign trail in real-time," said Christina Norman, President of MTV. "The Street Team's Super Tuesday coverage will be hyper-focused on the issues and stories that matter most to our audience, empowering them to experience the day's historic events in a whole new way."

MTV's Street Team of citizen journalists will be using Nokia N95 devices, fully-fledged multimedia computers with a leading-class 5 megapixel camera and DVD-like quality video camera capabilities that allow them to create, edit and upload their stories instantly to the Internet. "Nokia is proud and excited to see our flagship Nokia N95 multimedia devices being used so creatively to support and promote the electoral process," commented Bill Plummer, Vice President, Sales, Nokia Americas. "Nokia Nseries devices are at the forefront of mobile technology, in this case delivering real-time high-quality Internet- ready audio and video reporting from the polls -- the very way that first-time and future voters have come to expect their news."

An innovative application, provided by Flixwagon, powers the mobile broadcasting technology by allowing anyone with a capable 3G phone to stream live video to the Internet and store it for later viewing. "Flixwagon.com is changing the way people share life experiences," said Eran Hess, President, My Frame Inc. "The Choose or Lose campaign is an excellent example of how Flixwagon can empower people to broadcast their own unique perspective of Super Tuesday from their mobile phone and share it live on the Web with millions of people."

An interactive map at MTVNews.com and ChooseorLose.com will notify users when the citizen journalists are broadcasting live from one of the 23 states holding a primary or caucus on February 5th. In addition to mobile reporting, the Street Team members will be blogging the latest from every Super Tuesday state throughout the day on ChooseorLose.com.

MTV's innovative mobile phone-to-Web efforts on Super Tuesday are an element of its acclaimed "Choose or Lose '08" campaign to engage, educate and empower young voters. A major component of this year's campaign is the "MTV Street Team '08" -- 51 state-based citizen journalists who contribute weekly, multimedia reports (such as short form videos, blogs, animation, photos, podcasts) that are distributed via WAP site m.StreetTeam08.com, carriers in the MTV Mobile family, the Think Community (Think.MTV.com) and several other media platforms.

Carefully selected by MTV after an extensive nationwide search, the one- of-a-kind press corps utilize mobile media like laptops, video cameras and cell phones to uncover the untold political stories that matter most to young people in their respective states. All 51 of the "Street Team" members have active profiles on Think.MTV.com, MTV's online community where young people, their friends and some of the biggest names in pop culture come together to bring about positive social change.

The "Street Team '08" program is made possible by a $700,000 Knight News Challenge grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. The Knight News Challenge, at www.newschallenge.org, is an annual worldwide competition awarding $5 million for innovative ideas that use digital media to inform and inspire communities. The Knight Foundation plans to invest at least $25 million over five years in the search for bold community news experiments.

On the Saturday before Super Tuesday, MTV, MySpace and the Associated Press are offering all of the frontrunner candidates from both parties one last chance to address the important youth voting bloc with "Closing Arguments: A Presidential Super Dialogue." Taking place Saturday, February 2, 2008 at 6 PM ET live on-air, online, radio and mobile phones, the event is the next installment of MySpace and MTV's acclaimed Presidential Dialogue Series. More info on how to watch or join in and pose real time questions to confirmed participants Hillary Clinton, Mike Huckabee, Barack Obama and Ron Paul is available at www.ChooseorLose.com.

For more information about the Nokia Nseries devices used by MTV, please visit: www.nseries.com/N95 and for more information about Flixwagon, please visit: www.flixwagon.com.

About MTV Networks

MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE:VIA)(NYSE:VIA.B), is one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. MTV Networks, with more than 130 channels worldwide, owns and operates the following television programming services - MTV: MUSIC TELEVISION, MTV2, VH1, mtvU, NICKELODEON, NICK at NITE, COMEDY CENTRAL, TV LAND, SPIKE TV, CMT, NOGGIN, VH1 CLASSIC, LOGO, MTVN INTERNATIONAL and THE DIGITAL SUITE FROM MTV NETWORKS, a package of 13 digital services, all of which are trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks connects with its audiences through its robust consumer products businesses and its more than 300 interactive properties worldwide, including online, broadband, wireless and interactive television services. The network also has licensing agreements, joint ventures, and syndication deals whereby all of its programming services can be seen worldwide.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:


Source: MTV

CONTACT: Matthew Hutchison, +1-212-846-8052,
Matthew.Hutchison@mtvstaff.com, or Jason Rzepka, +1-212-654-7198,
Jason.Rzepka@mtvstaff.com, or Mariana Agathoklis, +1-212-846-5755,
Mariana.Agathoklis@mtvstaff.com, all of MTV

Web site:

http://www.mtv.com/
http://www.chooseorlose.com/
http://think.mtv.com/
http://www.flixwagon.com/
http://m.streetteam08.com/
http://www.nseries.com/N95
http://mtvnews.com/


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Profile: intent

International Entertainment News

Multiplatinum Rock Acts SLIPKNOT and DISTURBED to Top the Bill on the First Annual ROCKSTAR ENERGY MAYHEM FESTIVAL

Multiplatinum Rock Acts SLIPKNOT and DISTURBED to Top the Bill on the First Annual ROCKSTAR ENERGY MAYHEM FESTIVAL

MAYHEM FESTIVAL PRESENTED BY VANS WARPED TOUR/ROCKSTAR TASTE OF CHAOS FOUNDERS IN ASSOCIATION WITH LIVE NATION

ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK IS THE TITLE SPONSOR

FUSE-TV AND REVOLVER MAGAZINE ANNOUNCED AS MEDIA PARTNERS; JAGERMEISTER ON BOARD AS STAGE SPONSOR

TOUR TO KICK OFF JULY 9 IN SEATTLE

BURBANK, Calif., Jan. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- In what's sure to be the hottest concert ticket of the summer, multi-platinum rock acts SLIPKNOT and DISTURBED will lead the first-ever ROCKSTAR ENERGY MAYHEM FESTIVAL, a riotous road show packed with some of hard music's most influential artists and a plethora of the genre's most exciting young voices. The tour is set to kick off July 9th at the White River Amphitheatre in Seattle and will hit 30 cities in the U.S. and Canada between early July and late August (a full itinerary will be announced in the coming weeks).

Joining Slipknot and Disturbed on the main stage will be DRAGONFORCE and MASTODON. In addition, the tour will have two second stages: one sponsored by Jagermeister and featuring SEVENDUST, AIRBOURNE, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH, 36 CRAZY FISTS and the Jagermeister Battle of The Bands Winner. An additional second stage will feature MACHINE HEAD, BLACK TIDE, SUICIDE SILENCE, THE RED CHORD and WALLS OF JERICHO.

"This summer we are truly bringing Mayhem," says Corey Taylor from SLIPKNOT, who will close each show. "SLIPKNOT is excited to be a part of it, and to be able to bring the new chapter of our history to the masses. We are already working, building and designing a new show. We cannot wait. We cannot lose. Get ready for Mayhem!"

"We're really looking forward to being on the first Mayhem tour," adds DISTURBED vocalist David Draiman. "It's a great lineup, which should set a new standard for rock tours and we're excited to be a part of it!"

Adds Clown from SLIPKNOT, "The question is, are you ready for things to be real again?"

The Rockstar Energy Mayhem festival brings together the creative team that has founded many music tours including the highly successful Vans Warped Tour and the Worldwide Rockstar Taste of Chaos Tour. Kevin Lyman, John Reese and CAA's Darryl Eaton have partnered again to bring fans the next great music festival juggernaut, which will be MAYHEM! Following the proven model of utilizing sponsorship to deliver a lower ticket price and an enhanced concert experience the tour organizers have joined forces again with ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK as the Title sponsor.

Live Nation is set to promote the festival nationally.

Jason Garner, Live Nation's CEO of North American Music said, "Kevin, John and Darryl are the undisputed experts in creating fan friendly touring festivals that break new bands. So it's very exciting for us to be working closely with them to build a new touring brand that can not only be a great attraction for hard music fans, but also a launching pad for new bands as well."

"We wanted to create a traveling hard music festival that puts the fans first," says Lyman. "We're offering attendees an incredible value, one that features great bands, a plethora of music-related activities and a full day of fun at a very reasonable price of entry."

Adds Reese, "The Vans Warped Tour and Rockstar Taste of Chaos tours have proven that fans will come in droves if you give them quality entertainment at a fair price. The bands on this Festival all kick major ass! We want attendees to go home and say, 'We can't wait for next year!'"

In addition to catching their favorite bands live, fans can take part in a number of festival activities, including playing the newest video games, perusing vendors, attending autograph signing sessions and a slew of other interactive activities that will add to the festival experience.

ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK will be sampling their products and providing great surprises for attendees. Additional sponsors include Jagermeister, HOT TOPIC and The DiNGSTORE.com (Device Personalization Company).

FUSE Television and Revolver Magazine (who will produce the Official Tour Program) have signed on as official Rockstar Energy Mayhem Festival media partners. Additional sponsors will be announced soon.

"This festival will be our marquee music presentation for years to come," says Rockstar Energy Drink Marketing Director Mike Kelso. "We at Rockstar are excited to team up with our partners from Rockstar Taste of Chaos to launch an all-out summer tour that will blow you away!"

Adds Jagermeister Director of Strategic Marketing Rick Zeiler, "Jagermeister has long been looking for a tour like Mayhem. We have this beautiful new million-dollar Jagermeister Mobile Stage and see no better place to roll it out than Mayhem with some of the biggest rock and metal bands in the world. This tour has integrity, value and most importantly...loyalty! Working with Kevin Lyman and John Reese has been great."

Specific dates, cities and the tour's Internet pre-sale will be announced in the coming weeks. Fans can go to http://www.mayhemfest.com/ to keep up with details as they are released.

SLIPKNOT

Uncompromising. Intense. Chaotic. Unforgiving. Cathartic. Destructive. Dominant. These words barely scratch the surface in describing the multi-platinum, Grammy-Award winning hard rock enigma known as Slipknot. This groundbreaking nine-piece, born out of the desolate landscape of Des Moines, IA, have sold in excess of 10 million albums worldwide over the course of 3 studio albums. Their last studio album Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses) was released in May 2004, debuting at #2 on the Billboard Top 200 Chart and has sold over 1.5 million copies in the U.S. to date. The album broke new ground for the band, spawning a string of hit singles including "Duality," "Vermilion" and "Before I Forget." December 2006 saw the release of the DVD Voliminal: Inside the 9. Certified double-platinum, it's a vivid, brutally honest glimpse of the world inside the 'Knot. Slipknot, along with their maggots, has forged their own path on their own terms.

This isn't a band. This is a way of life.

DISTURBED


Known for their punishingly powerful music and socially conscious lyrics, Disturbed has sold a collective 9 million copies worldwide of their three albums -- 2000's RIAA-certified triple-platinum The Sickness, 2002's Billboard album chart-topper Believe, and in 2005 their second consecutive number one debut on the Billboard charts, Ten Thousand Fists -- since forming in Chicago in 1996. The band, which is singer David Draiman, guitarist Dan Donegan, drummer Mike Wengren and bassist John Moyer, will release their self-produced forthcoming album titled Indestructible on Reprise Records in May. Get ready for what the band calls "a little bit darker, really complex and furiously paced record."

DRAGONFORCE

DragonForce are the next generation of guitar heroes. The lead single, "Through The Fire And Flames," is the massively popular breakout track from Guitar Hero III. Thanks to the superhuman guitar wizardry and soaring vocals on their most recent album, the jaw-dropping Inhuman Rampage, the DragonForce buzz has erupted from the underground and has escalated to a deafening roar. Headline tours always sell out. Heads are consistently turned. New fans are immediately made. Radio reacts. Sales continue to go up. The appetite for DragonForce is insatiable, and so is the band's desire to dominate the US tour market. Guitar virtuoso Herman Li says, "It's great for us to be back after a 16 month absence from touring the U.S. The demand from fans for DragonForce to return has been overwhelming, so we're very excited to be part of the biggest tour of the summer. Get ready for some serious Mayhem on and off stage. Don't blink or you'll miss something!" It's time to experience all that DragonForce have to offer!

MASTODON

Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, Mastodon have been critically acclaimed by almost every publication in the US and UK. "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" took note of this and put them on his show, which set a precedent and paved the way for more metal acts to be considered on NBC. Their Grammy nominated album, Blood Mountain, the group's third release, isn't just unconventional, it's surreal, progressive and unrepentantly heavy. Mastodon combined their favorite musical styles, including thrash, doom, prog and psychedelic metal to concoct something utterly original, undeniably devastating and irrefutably entrancing. The band might as well be from Texas as you don't want to mess with them!

MACHINE HEAD

With virtually no mainstream radio or video play whatsoever the San Francisco Bay Area's 2nd biggest metal band Machine Head have become one of the most credible and influential metal bands of all time, and their unique brand of bludgeoning metal has gone on to sell over 1.8 million records throughout the world. Recently nominated for a Grammy, Machine Head's latest album The Blackening was in the #1 or top 5 "Album of the Year" spot in nearly every single metal magazine throughout the world, and shocked the mainstream press at the 2007 Kerrang! Awards ceremonies, where The Blackening was named "Album Of The Year" over My Chemical Romance and Fall Out Boy.

SEVENDUST

Sevendust are set to release their seventh studio album, Chapter VII: Hope & Sorrow, April 1st, 2008. Hope & Sorrow was produced by Sean Groove, Morgan Rose & John Connolly in Atlanta, GA, at Tree Sounds Studios. The release will be their second on the band's wholly owned record label, 7Bros. Records through Warner Music Group's Independent Label Group. For the first time since Animosity (2001), the band has collaborated with outside artists. As the record gets finalized over the next few weeks, identities of the guest appearances will surface -- Sevendust felt bringing in some outside friends added a healthy dynamic for the project. Additionally, the band has signed on new management and feels like is a fresh new beginning for 2008!

BLACK TIDE

Fresh off their now legendary Ozzfest stint, Avenged Sevenfold dates and a forthcoming tour with All That Remains, Black Tide are set to take the world by storm with their debut album Light From Above, produced by Johnny K (Disturbed, Staind). Revolver Magazine dubbed them the "Future of Metal" and Spin called them "a combination of Megadeth riffage, Metallica brutality, and Guns N' Roses melodicism." They not only embrace the charisma, character and unwavering attitude of those who shredded before them, but they do so in a manner that would make the virtuosos that inspired them proud. Black Tide is not only bringing music back from the dead, but they're returning the power to metal. The meltdown is long overdue.

WALLS OF JERICHO

Detroit's hardest, Walls Of Jericho, have been described as "Murderous Metal-core" by Alternative Press in their recent feature for the "Most Anticipated 2008" issue. With Candace Kucsulain, who is arguably the most energetic and courageous front-woman in all of metal and a twin guitar attack, Walls Of Jericho have won over audiences worldwide. WOJ have an EP due out Spring 2008 produced by and featuring Corey Taylor (Slipknot), and a new album due Summer 2008. Other recent touring credits include Ozzfest 2006, Family Values 2006 as well as Devil Driver, Stone Sour, Unearth, Bullet For My Valentine, and Mastodon.

36 CRAZYFISTS

After three critically acclaimed records, 36 Crazyfists switches labels to Ferret Music for their new album, The Tide and Its' Takers due out April 29th, 2008. Still the only hard rock band to build a career from Alaska, 36 Crazyfists has built an international following by doing extensive touring around the world from appearing on the mainstage of UK's Download Festival, to a sold-out European/UK and Australian tour with co-headliners Atreyu. 36 Crazyfists is poised to finally break the US market with the new album produced by guitarist Steve Holt and mixed by legendary hard rock mixer Andy Sneep.

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH

Five Finger Death Punch has been pummeling audiences since the release of their critically acclaimed debut album, The Way of the Fist. With their hit single "The Bleeding" pulverizing the Active rock charts and MTV2's Headbanger's Ball, the album has been called a "Cowboys from Hell for this millennium (Outburn)." The band has already toured with the likes of Korn, Hellyeah, Flyleaf, Trivium, and Atreyu in the short time since their album debuted in the Billboard Top 200. Five Finger Death Punch features an all-star gang of musicians, including vocalist Ivan Moody (formerly of Motograter), Darrel Roberts (W.A.S.P.) and Zoltan Bathory (UPO). This summer audiences will see why Metal Edge calls Five Finger Death Punch "the sound of violent exhilaration, giving contemporary metal a belligerent shove in an exciting direction."

SUICIDE SILENCE

Suicide Silence's rise through the ranks of extreme metal saw them headline full-scale tours in both the US & UK in the Summer/Fall of 2006 while still an unsigned band. Upon finally finding a home with Century Media Records, the band's debut full-length impacted the Billboard 200 at #94 cementing them as the highest selling debut artist in Century Media history. According to Revolver Magazine, "The Cleansing was well worth the wait" and as the band continues to shatter the boundaries of conventionality with a uniquely devastating live show & rigorous commitment to touring, it comes as no surprise that Suicide Silence has been cited by Alternative Press as one of the 100 bands you need to know about in 2008.

AIRBOURNE
"Stand Up For Rock n' Roll."


It is as clear a statement of intent as you're ever likely to hear. One verse that says everything you need to know about Melbourne, AU four piece Airbourne and their debut album, Runnin' Wild: forget your worries, get down to the front of the stage and lose your mind to some ear-bleeding, sweat-soaked rock 'n'roll. Or, as the song continues, "Drink your beer/Drink your wine/Let's have a good time." Stand up for rock n' roll indeed. From the album's fist-pumping title track to the anthemic "What's Eatin' You" and the self-explanatory rock explosions of "Too Much, Too Young, Too Fast" and "Diamond In The Rough," Runnin' Wild is an exercise in booze-and-sweat soaked rock n' roll that isn't looking to change the world by abolishing Free Trade, but simply provide the ultimate soundtrack to the biggest all-night rock party there is.

THE RED CHORD

The Red Chord have been crafting intriguing heavy music since their independent debut Fused Together in Revolving Doors in 2002. Combining elements of grindcore, death metal and hardcore, that release established them as one of the premier Massachusetts extreme metal acts. In 2005, Metal Blade released the follow-up Clients, a tortured concept album about mental patients, drug addicts, the homeless, the desperate and downtrodden. While they decimated crowds worldwide touring with the likes of Gwar, High On Fire, Unearth, Every Time I Die and Hatebreed, as well as stints on Ozzfest 2006 and Sounds of the Underground 2005, Clients established The Red Chord as innovators in the burgeoning underground metal scene. By staying away from the cliche trappings that crippled some of their contemporaries, 2007's Prey For Eyes hit Metal Maniacs' "Critics Picks" Top 10 Albums of 2007, Revolver's Top 20 Albums of 2007 and Decibel's Top 40 Albums of 2007, further solidifying The Red Chord as a force at the top of their game.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:


Source: ROCKSTAR ENERGY MAYHEM FESTIVAL

CONTACT: Kim Estlund, kestlund@bwr-la.com, or Michael Moses,
mmoses@bwr-la.com, both of BWR Public Relations, +1-310-248-6127,
+1-310-248-6171, for ROCKSTAR ENERGY MAYHEM FESTIVAL

Web site:

http://www.livenation.com/
http://www.mayhemfest.com/


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Profile: intent

International Entertainment News

Media General Board Declares Dividend

Media General Board Declares Dividend

RICHMOND, Va., Jan. 31 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Board of Directors of Media General (NYSE:MEG) today declared a quarterly dividend of 23 cents per common share. The dividend is payable on March 15, 2008, to Class A and Class B shareholders of record on February 29, 2008.

About Media General

Media General is a multimedia company operating leading newspapers, television stations and online enterprises primarily in the Southeastern United States. The company's publishing assets include three metropolitan newspapers, The Tampa Tribune, Richmond Times-Dispatch, and Winston-Salem Journal; 22 daily community newspapers in Virginia, North Carolina, Florida, Alabama and South Carolina; and more than 150 weekly newspapers and other publications. The company's broadcasting assets include 23 network-affiliated television stations that reach more than 32 percent of the television households in the Southeast and nearly 9.5 percent of those in the United States. The company's interactive media assets include more than 75 online enterprises that are associated with its newspapers and television stations.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact: mgoodhead@mediageneral.com


Source: Media General

CONTACT: Investor, Lou Anne Nabhan, +1-804-649-6103, or Media, Ray
Kozakewicz, +1-804-649-6748, both of Media General

Web site:

http://www.mediageneral.com/


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Profile: intent

International Entertainment News

Vaccine Expert Paul Offit, M.D., Counters Anti-Vaccine Message Portrayed in ABC's 'Eli Stone' Premiere

Vaccine Expert Paul Offit, M.D., Counters Anti-Vaccine Message Portrayed in ABC's 'Eli Stone' Premiere

Paul A. Offit, M.D., says that the "Eli Stone" episode to air on Thursday, January 31 at 10 p.m. conveys a highly distorted and confusing message about the role of vaccines. As a fictional courtroom drama in which a heroic lawyer wins a case by arguing that a mercury-based preservative in a childhood vaccine caused a child to have autism, the show may reinforce the fallacy that vaccines cause autism in real life.

The scientific evidence is conclusive, says Dr. Offit: a multitude of peer-reviewed medical studies have consistently refuted any association between autism and vaccines. Undermining public confidence in vaccines, he warns, may have a real-world effect of reducing childhood immunization rates and thereby exposing more children to preventable infectious diseases.

Dr. Offit is the director of the Vaccine Education Center and chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, where he holds the Maurice Hilleman Endowed Chair in Vaccinology. He also is a professor of Pediatrics at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine.

As a vaccine researcher for nearly 30 years, Dr. Offit has published extensively in the scientific literature and has also written three popular books on vaccine topics. He is a former member of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Distributing materials to pediatricians' offices throughout the U.S., the Vaccine Education Center, founded by Dr. Offit in 2000, has provided hundreds of thousands of parents with scientifically based, lay-friendly information on vaccines. Dr. Offit has discussed vaccine safety on national news outlets such as 60 Minutes, the New York Times and National Public Radio.

Availability:
Friday, February 1
Limited availability in the morning
Fully available in the afternoon
Please contact Peggy Flynn to arrange an interview time, (267) 426-6080.

Location:
The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Pa


/PRNewswire-USNewswire -- Jan. 31/


First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:


Source: The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

CONTACT: Peggy Flynn of The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia,
+1-267-426-6080, Flynnp@email.chop.edu.

Web Site:

http://www.chop.edu/


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Profile: intent

International Entertainment News

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, to Host 'Road Trip: Myrtle Beach', Reality Show to Premiere on GOLF CHANNEL, February 5, 2008

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, to Host 'Road Trip: Myrtle Beach', Reality Show to Premiere on GOLF CHANNEL, February 5, 2008

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C., Jan. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday and GOLF CHANNEL are bringing the ultimate Myrtle Beach golf experience to 110 million homes worldwide with the Tuesday, February 5th debut of Road Trip: Myrtle Beach, the first reality show based in South Carolina. Each original episode will air Tuesday nights at 7:30 p.m. and will be rebroadcast during the week. For previews of Tuesday's premiere, visit http://www.thegolfchannel.com/core.aspx?page=26000&select2=8666 , http://www.thegolfchannel.com/core.aspx?page=26000&select2=8667 and http://www.thegolfchannel.com/core.aspx?page=26000&select2=8668 .

Filmed entirely along the Grand Strand, a 60-mile stretch of coastline along the Atlantic Ocean that extends from Southport, N.C. to Georgetown, S.C., the Myrtle Beach area is the first American golf destination to host to a non-competitive reality program. Road Trip: Myrtle Beach will provide a backstage glimpse at why the Grand Strand area is known as the "Golf Capital of the World" with more "Top 100" golf courses than any other destination and three million rounds recorded on area golf courses annually.

The 12-episode series follows former PGA TOUR professional and current ESPN commentator Charlie Rymer, Hootie & the Blowfish band member Mark Bryan, musician Josh Kelley and Duramed FUTURES Tour player Perry Swenson as they enjoy an extended Myrtle Beach golf vacation. Each episode takes place at a different Grand Strand golf course and features light-hearted banter between cast members, course information and videos, game management tips and golf instruction by Rymer, the foursome's activities after golf at area restaurants and night spots and live, original music, including the show's theme song that was written and recorded by Bryan and Kelley.

"Having Road Trip: Myrtle Beach filmed here in Myrtle Beach is a tremendous opportunity to showcase the area as the ideal golf destination," said Bill Golden, vice president and director of marketing at Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday. "We want to continue growing the Myrtle Beach golf market and present the quality of the golf, accommodations, restaurants and after-golf entertainment along the Grand Strand through the eyes of an entertaining cast in a fun and insightful way."

GOLF CHANNEL will broadcast the first four episodes of Road Trip: Myrtle Beach in the United States and more than 50 countries around the world with the remaining eight shows to be broadcast in the fall of 2008.

"We are excited to debut Road Trip: Myrtle Beach in February," said Jay Kossoff, GOLF CHANNEL's managing director of original productions and executive producer. "This is a unique show that features golf, music and a very talented cast. Our viewers will enjoy the humorous dialogue between the cast members and the course highlights from Myrtle Beach, the perfect destination for the show."

Rymer has been treating golf fans to his quick wit and "down home" humor as a sports commentator for ESPN since 1998. Bryan is a founding member, songwriter and the lead guitar player for the multi-platinum band, Hootie & the Blowfish and will release his solo CD on March 10th. Singer/songwriter Kelley releases his third CD, "Special Company" on February 1st and is well- known for his 2004 Top 10 smash "Amazing". A native of Charlotte, N.C., Swenson is one of the up-and-coming American female golfers on the Duramed FUTURES TOUR.

For more information, visit www.GolfHoliday.com.

Available Topic Expert(s): For information on the listed expert(s), click appropriate link. Bill Golden http://profnet.prnewswire.com/Subscriber/ExpertProfile.aspx?ei=33873

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:


Source: Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday

CONTACT: Cheryl Harden, charden@brandonadvertising.com, or Erin Barrett,
ebarrett@brandonadvertising.com, both of Brandon Advertising and Public
Relations, +1-843-916-2000, for Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday

Web site:

http://www.golfholiday.com/
http://www.thegolfchannel.com/core.aspx?page=26000&select2=8666
http://www.thegolfchannel.com/core.aspx?page=26000&select2=8667
http://www.thegolfchannel.com/core.aspx?page=26000&select2=8668


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Profile: intent

International Entertainment News

NBC News Brings Black History Month to Life with Extensive Video Curriculum Resource for Schools

NBC News Brings Black History Month to Life with Extensive Video Curriculum Resource for Schools

Hundreds of Video Resources Designed for K-12 Instruction Supporting African- American Studies

NEW YORK, Jan. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- In an effort to engage students in active learning and transform classroom instruction into 21st-century "digital-learning" centers using primary source digital media content, NBC News launched today an expansive African-American Studies curriculum resource to be used by schools during February, Black History Month, and throughout the school year.

The African-American Studies curriculum is comprised of more than 500 two-to-five minute video clips spanning hundreds of years of history and designed to be easily integrated into teachers' lesson plans. They are pooled from over 70 years of NBC News coverage and supplemented with early history mini-documentaries created in collaboration with educators, historians, textbook authors, and other experts.

The subject matter includes the history of African-Americans from the slave trade through the modern civil rights movement; poignant features on and interviews with African-American leaders from politics, science, arts and literature, and business; and examinations of the African-American experience today including politics, health issues, education, the justice system, the economy, and the family.

The African-American Studies resource is available online at HotChalk (www.hotchalk.com/nbc.html), a free, easy-to-use web-based learning management system designed specifically for K-12 educators. HotChalk helps teachers easily and quickly develop customized lesson plans and assignments, locate and integrate curriculum materials, and manage assignments and grading.

"Our country's history is filled with many complex and emotional moments which are best recast and brought to life using the powerful language of imagery," said Steve Capus, President of NBC News. "We capture a piece of history every day -- now, teachers can easily use these iconic moments in the classroom to make learning relevant and engaging for their students."

On March 1st, to coincide with Women's History Month, NBC News will release a collection of digital resources on Women's Studies that will include news stories and mini-documentaries on women leaders and historical figures, historic milestones, the women's movement, and issues effecting women today.

Both the African-American Studies and Women's Studies curriculum resources are exclusive features of NBC News Archives on Demand, a significant effort by NBC News to set a new standard in bringing life-relevant learning to classrooms. Available on HotChalk (www.hotchalk.com/nbc.html), the Archives are continually updated and comprised of thousands of video, audio, and image and text resources. The content has been organized specifically for classroom instruction, allowing teachers of history, government, civics, English language, writing/composition, and science classes to create richer, timelier lesson plans with engaging curriculum that brings concepts to life and creates relevancy between concepts and real-world applications for this generation of wired kids.

About NBC News

NBC News, http://www.msnbc.msn.com/, has been a leading source of global news and information for more than 70 years, first on radio, and today via broadcast and cable television, the Internet, radio and cell phones. Operating around the clock with bureaus in key cities in the United States and overseas, NBC News provides immediate coverage and in-depth reporting of major events to a worldwide audience.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:


Source: NBC News

CONTACT: Jodie Pozo-Olano, +1-540-349-2311, Jodie@sequoiapr.com, or
Jessica Schwartz Hahn, +1-703-478-0658, Jessica@peithocom.com, both for NBC
News

Web site:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/
http://www.hotchalk.com/nbc.html


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Profile: intent

International Entertainment News

MTV UK Repositions www.mtv.co.uk as a Premiere Music and Entertainment Portal

MTV UK Repositions www.mtv.co.uk as a Premiere Music and Entertainment Portal

MTV UK Enhances its Online Experience, Repositioning www.mtv.co.uk as a Leading Youth, Music and Entertainment Destination

A Record-Breaking Year for MTV On-Line With a 771% Increase in Clips Viewed at www.mtv.co.uk/video, in December 2007 Compared to December 2006

75% Increase in Page Impressions at www.mtv.co.uk in Same Period

LONDON, January 31/PRNewswire/ --

- Average time people spent on www.mtv.co.uk up nearly 50% in 2007

MTV Networks UK & Ireland is repositioning http://www.mtv.co.uk as a
general music and entertainment portal for 16-34 year olds. The site will
become a destination for all things MTV, bringing the best of its
award-winning music and entertainment programming together in a revamped
homepage, rich in editorial scoops and exclusive video content.

The reposition of http://www.mtv.co.uk as a portal site follows a
successful period in MTV's on-line fortunes. For http://www.mtv.co.uk,
December 2007 page impressions were up 75% on December 2006. The stats also
show month on month momentum in the last 6 months of 2007 as more content
clips became available on-line as a result of the newly implemented 360
commissioning process. In fact, video clips viewed at
http://www.mtv.co.uk/video in December 2007 were up 771% on December 2006.
And the average time people spent on http://www.mtv.co.uk in 2007 increased
by almost 50% on the 2006 average session length.

MTV is a leading brand for youth entertainment and music the world over,
especially in the UK. Last year saw MTV rebrand its television channels in
the UK and through 360 programming like 'Totally Jodie Marsh', 'Living On The
Edge' and the 'MTV Europe Music Awards', its broadcast and online services
formed a truly multi-platform experience.

A natural part of the 360 process is to also extend the programme brand
and experience to an online game, many of these - such as 'Pimp My Ride: Big
Dog Donuts' and 'Jodie Marsh: Escape the Mingers!' - can be found alongside
other MTV games at http://www.mtv.co.uk/games

'We are very proud of the turnaround at http://www.mtv.co.uk, the 360
programming and enhanced music services have proved a great hit with the
audience,' said Philip O'Ferrall, Vice President, Digital Media, MTV Networks
UK & Ireland. "The first phase can now be seen online at
http://www.mtv.co.uk."

"As a result of the site redesign and improved navigation, page
impressions were up by 75% on 2006 figures and we have also seen a massive
771% increase in clips viewed," continued O'Ferrall.

The MTV audience has now become a real community online, passionate about
entertainment, music, news and pro-social campaigns. Last year MTV Networks
launched the biggest ever global research project, entitled 'Circuits of
Cool', to find out exactly what digital technology means to its audience of
16-24 year olds and how they are using it. The resulting knowledge has been
used to provide an enhanced user experience that enables a community of
viewers to interact with MTV and each other.

"Our audience have already told us they love MTV News, in response we
have launched http://www.mtv.co.uk/news with dedicated online news
reporters," commented O'Ferrall.

MTV continues to be a leading voice in music and with dedicated pages
from http://www.mtv.co.uk for different genres there's something for
everyone. Recently, microsites went live for alternative music stalwart, MTV
Two (http://www.mtv.co.uk/two), legendary urban music channel, MTV Base
(http://www.mtv.co.uk/base), and supporting the only TV channel dedicated to
dance music in the UK there's MTV Dance (http://www.mtv.co.uk/dance). Each
microsite has been overhauled to bring them closer to the channel strategies
of each brand. The new sites have dedicated editorial support and form a
direct link with the TV channels via the 360 programming process.

MTV also continues to champion emerging talent through MTV Spanking New
Sessions (http://www.mtv.co.uk/sessions). These live, acoustic performances
are exclusive to the online environment and feature both signed and unsigned
artists. This new digital platform is a perfect stage that allows MTV to
support newer artists earlier.

This is the first phase of MTV's multiple enhancements and additions that
will be seen in 2008.

About MTV Networks UK & Ireland

MTV Networks is the largest television network in the world and a leading
creator of programming and content across all media platforms, with 112
channels and 94 websites reaching more than 440 million households in 167
countries worldwide.

MTV Networks UK & Ireland operates 3 channel groups - Comedy, Kids and
Music. Our 9 branded music channels comprise of MTV One, VH1, MTV Hits, MTV
Base, MTV Dance, MTV Two, MTV Flux, VH1 Classic and TMF. They feature the
best in music alongside popular shows such as Pimp My Ride, My Super Sweet
16, Living On The Edge, Punk'd, and Cribs. A tenth channel, MTV(R), offers
the best of MTV shows on the entertainment section of the Sky EPG. MTV
Network's music channels are available on Sky, Virgin Media and Freeview.

Paramount and Nickelodeon in the UK are part of the MTV Networks
International portfolio of channels through joint ventures with BSKYB.

In addition, MTV Networks is a pioneer in the new and exciting world of
digital media, winning awards for its interactive and online services, as
well as being the first media company to offer made-for-mobile 3G video
content. Since 2005 MTV Networks UK & Ireland has offered mobile distribution
of four TV channels (MTV Snax, MTV Trax, Paramount and Nickelodeon). MTV
Networks UK & Ireland has also launched MTV Overdrive, an on-demand,
broadband entertainment and music service where users can view the best of
MTV shows free and create and build their own playlists, and MTV Flux, a
brand new social network community stretching across online mobile and
television.

MTV Networks is a unit of Viacom.

http://www.mtv.co.uk


For Further Information Contact:

Jonathan Reader,
Corporate Communications,
MTV Networks UK & Ireland,
Telephone: +44(0)20-7284-6435,
jonathan.reader@mtvne.com

Source: MTV Networks UK & Ireland

For Further Information Contact: Jonathan Reader, Corporate Communications, MTV Networks UK & Ireland, Telephone: +44(0)20-7284-6435, jonathan.reader@mtvne.com


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Profile: intent

International Entertainment News

The eBook Store From Sony(R) Launches Short Story Program with Entire Collection of Philip K. Dick

The eBook Store From Sony(R) Launches Short Story Program with Entire Collection of Philip K. Dick

NEW YORK, Jan. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony today launched eStories, its short stories initiative involving over 1,000 stories from America's leading authors, including all 120 stories by Philip K. Dick, whose stories and novels have inspired numerous Hollywood films including "Minority Report" and "Blade Runner".

eStories will be available at The eBook Store from Sony (http://ebookstore.sony.com/) and Borders(R)' Online eBook Store (http://ebooks.bordersstores.com/). Effective immediately, short stories are available from selected authors including Kevin J. Anderson, Lawrence Block, Lois McMaster Bujold, Orson Scott Card, Ed Gorman, Joe Haldeman, Wendy Hornsby, Margo Lanagan, Tanith Lee, Mike Resnick, Robert Silverberg, Susan Sizemore, R.L. Stine, Donald E. Westlake, and many others, with more authors being added every month. These stories can be purchased online and read on a PC or on Sony's Reader digital book.

Sony's access to America's leading authors is enabled through its association with Dr. Martin H. Greenberg, the founder and Chief Executive Partner of Tekno Books, a leader in the book packaging industry, with more than 2,000 books produced to date with more than 65 bestselling authors in all genres, including Tom Clancy, Dean Koontz, Nora Roberts, the late Isaac Asimov, and many more.

Dr. Greenberg is the recipient of the Milford Award for lifetime achievement in science fiction editing, The Ellery Queen Award for lifetime achievement in mystery editing, and the Bram Stoker Award for lifetime achievement in supernatural horror editing -- the only person in publishing history to have won all three of these honors. In conjunction with Sony, Dr. Greenberg and the team at Tekno Books will be working directly with authors to bring their short stories to Sony's eBook Store and to Sony's co-branded store with Borders.

"The short story has a long standing place in American literature, but over the last several decades, the economics of distribution made it difficult for authors to make their short stories available outside of anthologies and certain literary magazines," said Steve Haber, senior vice president of Sony Electronics' Digital Imaging and Audio Division. "The eBook format enables readers to instantly access an ever increasing selection of previously hard to find short stories to read on the Reader Digital Book from Sony, or their PC."

Individual short stories will be priced from $0.99-$1.99.

Authors interested in participating in this program with their previously published stories should contact Larry Segriff, Tekno Books' vice president and director of Digital Publishing, at teknobooks@new.rr.com.

About the Reader

The Reader couples an innovative electronic paper display with simple on- screen controls and stylish design. The Reader, which weighs just nine ounces and is only half an inch thick, can hold about 160 averaged sized e-books. Easily held in one hand, the Reader has a rechargeable battery that can accommodate up to 7,500 page turns on a single charge. The Reader's high resolution electronic paper display delivers a realistic print look on an impressive six inch display that rivals traditional paper and results in crisp text and graphics that are easy to read even in bright sunlight.


Source: Sony Corporation of America

CONTACT: Jennifer Glass of Sony Corporation of America, +1-212-833-6975,
jennifer_glass@sonyusa.com

Web site:

http://www.sony.com/
http://ebookstore.sony.com/
http://ebooks.bordersstores.com/


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Profile: intent

International Entertainment News

Potter County Residents to Benefit from Verizon Wireless Network Expansion

Potter County Residents to Benefit from Verizon Wireless Network Expansion

Investing to Stay Ahead of Growing Demand for Wireless Calling, Data Access, and Music

COUDERSPORT, Pa., Jan. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- In a continuing effort to provide the best wireless service for local residents in Potter County, Verizon Wireless has expanded its network with a new cell site in Coudersport. The new site improves coverage and capacity in downtown Coudersport, along Route 44 east and west of Coudersport, along Route 49 North, and on Dutch Hill Road south of Coudersport.

This network expansion is part of the company's aggressive multi-billion dollar network investment each year to stay ahead of the growing demand for Verizon Wireless voice and data services. Verizon Wireless has invested more than $40 billion in the last seven years -- on average, more than $5 billion every year since the company was formed -- to increase the coverage and capacity of its national network and to add new services, including wireless data services such as picture messaging, text messaging, and wireless Internet access. NationalAccess, the company's national high-speed wireless data network, provides wireless Internet access at speeds between 60 and 80 kbps, with bursts up to 144 kbps.

Strong demand for Verizon Wireless services continued during the fourth quarter of 2007 as the company added 1.9 million net retail customers. Verizon Wireless is the leader in wireless customer loyalty, posting a retail customer turnover rate of 1.2%, below the rate reported by the other major wireless carriers.

The company's 'nation's most reliable wireless network' reputation is based on network studies performed by real-life test men and test women throughout the country who inspired the "Can you hear me now" national advertising campaign. These engineers drive nearly 100 specially equipped vehicles over 240,000 miles on average each quarter on Interstate, US and state highways, as well as major roads and surface streets. Test vehicles are equipped with computers that automatically make more than 750,000 voice call attempts and more than four million data tests annually on Verizon Wireless' network and the networks of other carriers.

Verizon Wireless recently introduced its 30-day Test Drive, an industry first that lets customers experience its network virtually risk-free for 30 days. If customers are not satisfied with their experience and take their number to another carrier, Verizon Wireless will refund their money for calls, equipment, activation fee and taxes. For more information about Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving 65.7 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 69,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). For more information, go to: www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast- quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.


EDITOR'S NOTE: If you are interested in setting up an interview or ride-
along test drive with your local Verizon Wireless test man or woman, please
contact John O'Malley at 585-321-7264.
First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:


Source: Verizon Wireless

CONTACT: John O'Malley of Verizon Wireless, +1-585-321-7264, or
+1-585-261-5899, john.omalley@verizonwireless.com; or Meredith Dropkin,
+1-315-233-3000, meredithd@mragroup.com, for Verizon Wireless

Web site:

http://www.verizonwireless.com/


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Profile: intent