FOX UNVEILS LANDMARK PLAN TO EXTEND NETWORK PROGRAMMING TO AFFILIATE WEB SITES THROUGH �FOX ON DEMAND�
Enhanced Version of �FOX on Demand� Platform Now Enables Viewers to Buy Video Downloads for Viewing on Computers and Portable Devices
Los Angeles, Calif., � March 1, 2007 � Fox Broadcasting Company (FOX), Fox Interactive Media (FIM) and Twentieth Century Fox Film Corp. today unveiled a landmark plan to extend FOX television programming to its affiliate Web sites, enabling more than 200 broadcast network affiliates to offer their local viewers the ability to watch or buy FOX�s critically acclaimed shows, including �24,� �Bones�, �Prison Break� and more.
Under the terms of the deal struck with the FOX affiliate Board of Governors, Fox Broadcasting Company, Fox Interactive Media, Twentieth Century Fox Film Corp. and the local affiliates will share both transactional and advertising revenues.
�This is the next logical step in our partnership as the affiliate body and network move forward into the digital age,� said Joe Denk, Vice President and General Manager of KFXA-TV in Cedar Rapids, IA, and Chairman of the FOX affiliate board. �We expect the affiliate body to look favorably on this important opportunity to better serve their communities� emerging digital needs.�
�Fox Interactive Media is thrilled to enable FOX affiliates to build meaningful, localized video distribution businesses online and offer their audiences the highest quality viewing experience,� said Ron Berryman, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Fox Interactive Media Stations Group. �We�re seeing great traction with �FOX on Demand� on MySpace on a national level and in the initial local offerings on the owned-and-operated station sites, and look forward to working closely with the affiliates as we continue to break new ground in digital distribution.�
Matthew Glotzer, Fox�s Senior Vice President of Digital Media added, �This agreement leverages the strengths of our studio and broadcast network programming and deepens our partnerships with both FIM and FBC�s station affiliates. We have created the first market-wide, localized, broadband video offering that includes both ad-supported and sell-through business models, affording consumers unprecedented choice.�
Programming will be delivered via �FOX on Demand,� the company�s leading video distribution platform. To date, �FOX on Demand� has offered an ad-supported, streaming-only platform; now, it will enable visitors to purchase television shows for play on the go on a computer or portable device. �FOX on Demand�s� new commerce functionality is powered by FIM�s Direct2Drive (http://www.direct2drive.com) digital retail store, which also offers top-selling video games, blockbuster movies, anime and more.
Since launching in October, �FOX on Demand� has streamed free, full episodes of hit FOX shows such as �24,� �Prison Break� and �Bones� on MySpace (http://myspace.com/fox) and on 24 of FOX�s owned-and-operated MyFOX local Web sites. �FOX on Demand� is expected to be available on more than 200 FOX affiliate station Web sites throughout the U.S. in the coming year. Visitors to FOX.com (http://www.fox.com) will have the option to enter their zip code and be directed to the FOX local affiliate �FOX on Demand� video hub for viewing.
The lineup of shows currently available on �FOX on Demand� includes �24,� �Bones,� �Prison Break,� �Standoff,� �Vanished,� �Talkshow With Spike Feresten,� ��Til Death,� �The Loop,� �War at Home,� �American Dad� and �The Winner� debuting this weekend with continuous updates and exclusive premieres. New episodes will be available to watch and stream in high quality video or buy and download the night after they air on TV. Shows are sold at a variety of price points as individual episodes or as part of season packages.
Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation is a unit of Fox Filmed Entertainment, a unit of Fox Entertainment Group, Inc.
About Fox Entertainment Group:
Fox Entertainment Group (FEG) is a unit of News Corporation (NYSE: NWS, NWS.A). It is principally engaged in the development, production and worldwide distribution of feature films and television programs, television broadcasting and cable network programming. The Company's studios, production facilities and film and television library provide high-quality creative content, and the Company's broadcasting and cable networks provide extensive distribution platforms for the Company's programs. Fox Digital Media is a division of FEG dedicated to setting distribution strategy and licensing programming from all FEG divisions to new, digital outlets.
About FOX:
Fox Broadcasting Company (FOX) is a unit of News Corporation. FOX finished the 2005-2006 season as the No. 1 network for the second consecutive year among Adult 18-49 viewers, while continuing to dominate all network competition in the more targeted Adults 18-34 and Teen demographics. FOX airs 15 hours of primetime programming a week as well as late night entertainment programming, major sports and Sunday morning news.
About Fox Interactive Media:
A division of News Corporation (NYSE: NWS), Fox Interactive Media (FIM) offers a global, border-free online network that caters to consumers by giving them the platform and tools to express themselves, communicate with each other, and engage with the best music, TV, film, sports, information and more. The company's worldwide network includes such category leaders as MySpace, IGN Entertainment, FOXSports.com, RottenTomatoes, AskMen, AmericanIdol.com and more that together comprise one of the largest and most engaged audiences on the Web.
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