or


[10/05/06 - 08:34 AM]
USA Network and Major League Gaming Bring Professional Videogaming to Fall Television
The seven-part series premieres on Saturday, November 11 at 10am ET/PT.

[via press release from USA]

USA Network and Major League Gaming Bring Professional Videogaming to Fall Television

NEW YORK, Oct. 5 -- USA Network, the top-rated basic cable network, and Major League Gaming (MLG), the world's first professional video game league, today announced "Boost Mobile Major League Gaming Pro Circuit," will be debuting this fall on Saturday mornings. The show, a seven-part series premiering on Saturday, November 11 at 10am ET/PT, chronicles the challenges, drama and excitement of young professionals competing in MLG's seven-city professional video game circuit.

Lead sponsors of the broadcast include Boost Mobile, Scion, and Gamestop and additional advertising sponsors are expected to be announced prior to the airing of the broadcast.

By making videogaming entertaining to the mainstream public and available to 90 million homes, USA Network and MLG have created a powerful way to reach and connect with the elusive youth demographic. The show introduces gaming as the next TV phenomenon, using innovative graphic illustrations, in-depth personality profiles and the broadest distribution of any competitive gaming series.

"This is a unique opportunity for USA to be involved in the growth of such an innovative concept as professional gaming," said Chris McCumber, SVP Marketing & Brand Strategy. "We're thrilled to be working with Major League Gaming and introducing our viewers to their amazing characters."

Characters Welcome

"Boost Mobile Major League Gaming Pro Circuit" will take viewers into the lives of the players with a behind-the-scenes look into their homes, schools, work and social lives. The audience will experience the highs and lows with the professional gamers who put it all on the line to compete and win.

Some of the characters and excitement viewers can expect to see include:

-- Team Final Boss, led by captain Dave "Walshy" Walsh, went undefeated for most of the Pro Circuit. Now its fighting to regain its edge before the Championship. Meanwhile, the team members manage to find time to create a clothing company and keep their college grades high.

-- Team Str8 Rippin and rival Team Carbon have been threatening to knock Final Boss out of the lead all year, until Team Carbon finally knocked them off their pedestal. However, emotions and smack-talk between the two teams reach a fever pitch and threaten to get in the way of a winning streak. The leader of Str8 Rippin is the well-known Tom "Tsquared" Taylor, who has appeared in Stuff Magazine, ranking #1 on the Power 2

-- Under 30 list, MTV True Life, Wall Street Journal and more. He's confident and cocky with the skills to back it up, making him a favorite target of the other pros.

-- Viewers will also get to know players like Xena -- a 16-year old Pennsylvania girl who is active in horseback riding, sports, church and school activities -- and who also happens to be the world's top-rated female Halo 2 player; and Strongside, a player who came out of nowhere last year and single-handedly beat hundreds of competitors on the fast track to becoming a pro.

Every MLG player has a great story and an unparalleled drive to be the best. Viewers will get hooked as they watch the drama unfold throughout the series.

"USA Network's Characters Welcome says it all. MLG has the best players in the world signed to exclusive contracts, and our show will give viewers the opportunity to get to know them," said Sundance DiGiovanni, co-founder and CMO of MLG. "USA is the perfect partner for us to make this show a success as we take the next step in building out our sports media business."

ABOUT USA NETWORK

Seen in 90 million homes, USA Network is cable television's leading network of original series and feature movies, sports and entertainment events, network shows and blockbuster theatrical films. The USA Network Web site is located at http://www.usanetwork.com. Characters Welcome.

USA Network is a program service of NBC Universal Cable a division of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience.

ABOUT MAJOR LEAGUE GAMING

MLG is the first professional video game league. By raising video game competition to the level of professional sport, the company is creating a sports media business that provides players, developers, publishers, media partners, and advertisers a unique connection to the video game lifestyle enjoyed by 168 million Americans. With the support of major sponsors, MLG operates a pro tour that in 2006 will make 7 stops in major cities across the U.S., exclusively featuring the best gamers in the world. We produce a variety of online and broadcast-quality programming that showcases MLG's pros and this exciting new sports entertainment phenomenon. More information can be found at http://www.mlgpro.com.

SOURCE USA Network
http://www.usanetwork.com http://www.mlgpro.com





  [october 2006]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S


· SHOWATCH
(series past and present)
· DEVWATCH
(series in development)
· MOVIEWATCH
(tv movies and mini-series)





[11/22/24 - 01:31 PM]
Video: "Suits LA" Arrives February 2025 - NBC
The all-new spinoff of the beloved legal drama, starring Stephen Amell, Lex Scott Davis, Josh McDermitt, and Bryan Greenberg, lands on the West Coast.

[11/22/24 - 12:11 PM]
Video: Peacock Releases First Look at the Third Season of Emmy Award-Winning Reality Competition Series "The Traitors" Returning January 9 with Alan Cumming as Host
Last season, "The Traitors" became the #1 unscripted series in the U.S. across all streaming platforms during launch week, according to Nielsen.

[11/22/24 - 10:15 AM]
Apple's Drama "Your Friends & Neighbors" Lands Early Season Two Renewal
Starring and executive produced by Emmy Award winner Jon Hamm, "Your Friends & Neighbors" will premiere globally on Apple TV+ on Friday, April 11 with two episodes, followed by one new episode weekly through Friday, May 30.

[11/22/24 - 09:01 AM]
Apple Original Films' "Fly Me to the Moon" to Premiere December 6, 2024
Since its debut in theaters worldwide, the film has received the Verified Hot certification on Rotten Tomatoes by fans.

[11/22/24 - 08:03 AM]
Peacock Exclusively Streams Blumhouse's "Speak No Evil" Beginning December 6
The psychological horror thriller stars James McAvoy, Mackenzie Davis, Aisling Franciosi, Alix West Lefler, Dan Hough, Scoot McNairy, and more!

[11/22/24 - 07:35 AM]
2024 "Emirates NBA Cup" Championship Game Exclusively on ABC and ESPN+ December 17
In addition, ESPN platforms will exclusively present a semifinal game and a quarterfinal game as part of its 2024 Emirates NBA Cup Knockout Round coverage.

[11/22/24 - 07:12 AM]
Peacock and Sky's Original Hit Drama Series "The Day of the Jackal" Scores Second Season Renewal
In the US it ranked #1 on Peacock's Top 10 TV Shows on its platform and was a Top 5 streaming original in the US for its opening weekend (according to preliminary Nielsen data).

[11/22/24 - 06:31 AM]
Video: "Chef's Table" Volume 7 - Official Teaser - Netflix
Meet five world-class chefs who redefine culinary boundaries with delicious, innovative dishes honoring their diverse cultures and personal philosophies.

[11/22/24 - 05:41 AM]
"They Call It Late Night with Jason Kelce" Set for January 2025 on ESPN
Airing on Friday nights/early Saturday mornings, the new personality-driven, one-hour program will take its inspiration from traditional late-night television, emphasizing a comedic approach throughout all five scheduled episodes which run in conjunction with the finale of the NFL regular season and playoffs.

[11/22/24 - 03:01 AM]
Video: "Ad Vitam" - Official Trailer - Netflix
After escaping an attempted murder, Franck Lazarev (Guillaume Canet) must find his wife Léo, who has been kidnapped by a mysterious group of armed men.

[11/21/24 - 04:01 PM]
"Rugged Rugby: Conquer or Die" Premieres December 10: A Battle for Supremacy Begins
In the shadows of Korea's rugby world, seven teams engage in a fierce battle of strength, strategy, and teamwork - all vying to be crowned champion.

[11/21/24 - 04:00 PM]
ABC Presents a Two-Night Special Event To Commemorate the Diamond Anniversary of "Mary Poppins"
First, "The Untold Story of Mary Poppins: A Special Edition of 20/20," a two-hour special from ABC News Studios chock full of rarely seen footage, photos and stories from the film's living legends, airs Wednesday, November 27 on ABC and streams next day on Hulu and Disney+.

[11/21/24 - 01:32 PM]
2024 International Emmy Nominees on Hulu
Check out these Emmy-worthy international series streaming on Hulu.

[11/21/24 - 01:12 PM]
"Dancing with the Stars" Semifinals Is Top Program of the Night in Adults 18-49 and All Key Women Demographics
The spectacular season 33 penultimate episode grew over the previous week's 500th episode celebration in both Total Viewers (5.19 million vs. 5.13 million) and Adults 18-49 (0.75 rating vs. 0.71 rating), hitting a season high in Total Viewers.

[11/21/24 - 01:05 PM]
NBC Orders Five Additional Episodes of Its Friday Night Comedy Hit "Happy's Place"
The "Happy's Place" premiere has hit 14 million viewers across all platforms.