Spike TV Gets 'In The Know' With International Hit Game Show 'HEY: SPRING OF TRIVIA'
Game Show Sensation Created by Japan's Top-Rated TV Network, the Company
Behind 'Iron Chef'
Weekly Series Premieres Thursday, November 11 at 9 PM ET/PT
NEW YORK, Nov. 4 -- The Japanese hit sensation HEY: SPRING OF
TRIVIA travels across the International Date Line to Spike TV with 26 half-
hour episodes of this game show starting this November. The series, the first
number one rated ongoing Japanese series to simultaneously telecast in the
United States, joins Spike TV's programming line-up with two back-to-back
episodes debuting Thursday, November 11 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT). The series is
produced and licensed to Spike TV by Fujisankei Communications International,
Inc. (FCI), the US subsidiary of Fuji Television Network, Inc ("Iron Chef").
"If you think your head is crammed full of useless knowledge now, just
wait until you see HEY: SPRING OF TRIVIA," says Albie Hecht, President of
Spike TV.
HEY: SPRING OF TRIVIA is a high-speed procession of fascinating trivia and
outrageous information. In Japan viewers send in more than 20,000 trivia
suggestions per week covering topics ranging from pop culture and science to
sports and history. From these submissions, the best trivia ideas are
selected and video demonstration segments are produced with the accuracy of
each segment rigorously verified. Each segment is introduced by HEY: SPRING
OF TRIVIA's two cool yet self-effacing hosts, Japanese actors Katsumi
Takahashi and Norito Yashima.
Some samples of HEY trivia include, "when an eraser is suddenly frozen, it
explodes," "astronauts wear diapers" and "no matter how far an ant falls, it
won't die." The trivia video segments are viewed by a panel of judges who
award the trivia segments with "Hey" points by slapping a "Hey" button. The
more interesting the trivia, the more "Heys" it gets. The viewer who
submitted the winning trivia is the winner and receives a 'Golden Brain' and a
cash prize. The Spike TV version of the series will be translated into
English from its Japanese origin.
HEY: SPRING OF TRIVIA fever has swept Japan since its primetime launch in
July 2003. The series is a smash hit, with more than 50% of Japanese audiences
tuning in each week. The series has even started a new trend, when people
hear unexpected news, they slap on a nearby object and say "Hey." Schools
established "No HEY! Zones" to stop TRIVIA-crazed students from smacking their
desks during class.
Spike TV has experienced tremendous success with another Japanese import -
- the critically acclaimed and cult hit MOST EXTREME ELIMINATION CHALLENGE,
better known as MXC. The series uses actual footage from Japanese game show,
Takeshi's Castle, and is completely re-written and re-voiced by American
announcers Vic Romano and Kenny Blankenship to create a new comedic storyline.
The series is not dubbed and there is not a single trace of literal
translation from the original show.
Spike TV's MXC has been a ratings monster since its debut last April.
During its first run last spring, the series drew a whopping +340% more Men
18-24 compared to the year before in its Saturday night timeslot. In 2004, MXC
is still drawing large audiences, despite being in repeats and on the very
competitive Thursday nights. MXC has drawn +67% more Men 18-34 and +67% more
Men 18-49 compared to the year before 9-11pm on Thursdays.
Produced in Japan, HEY: SPRING OF TRIVIA is licensed to Spike TV by FCI,
the American subsidiary of Fuji Television Network, Inc. -- both companies are
members of the Fujisankei Communications Group. Automatic Productions, a
wholly owned division of Sony BMG Music Entertainment, is producing the United
States version. Akifumi Takuma is Executive Producer for FCI. Andy Kadison
is Executive Producer for Automatic Productions, and Jodi Hurwitz is Producer.
Brian Diamond is the Executive in Charge of Production for Spike TV.
One of the world's largest media conglomerates, the Fujisankei
Communications Group (FCG) is comprised of approximately 100 companies,
including Japan's top-rated, top-grossing TV network (Fuji Television), its
top-grossing radio network, leading newspapers, publishing companies, its
premier music and video company, and one of Japan's largest direct marketing
firms. FCG shapes Japanese popular culture and exports it to an expanding
global audience. A pioneer of new technologies and media, FCG works to
increase understanding between Japan and the rest of the world through the
exchange of information, entertainment and culture.
Automatic Productions is an award-winning, world-class production company,
specializing in music & variety programming. Automatic has produced a wide
array of successful entertainment series and specials for network, cable and
broadcast syndication including A&E Television's "Live By Request," PBS's
"Sessions at West 54th Street" and TRIO's "The Score." Sony BMG Music
Entertainment is a global recorded music joint venture with a roster of
current artists that includes a broad array of both local artists and
international superstars, as well as a vast catalog that comprises some of the
most important recordings in history. Sony BMG Music Entertainment is 50%
owned by Bertelsmann A.G. and 50% owned by Sony Corporation of America.
Spike TV, the first network for men, is available in 87 million homes and
is a division of MTV Networks. MTV Networks, a division of Viacom
International Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), owns and operates the following
television programming services -- MTV: MUSIC TELEVISION, MTV2, mtvU, VHI,
NICKELODEON, NICK at NITE, COMEDY CENTRAL, TV LAND, SPIKE TV, CMT, NOGGIN, MTV
INTERNATIONAL and THE DIGITAL SUITE FROM MTV NETWORKS, a package of 12 digital
services, all of which are trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks also has
licensing agreements, joint ventures, and syndication deals whereby all of its
programming services can be seen worldwide.
SOURCE Spike TV
Web Site: http://www.spiketv.com
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