TV Guide Channel� Signs Lisa Rinna as Leading Red Carpet Host and Fashion Expert
Ms. Rinna to Debut on TV Guide Channel at the 2007 Emmy� Awards
LOS ANGELES -- Popular TV host, actress and fashion entrepreneur Lisa Rinna has signed an exclusive, multi-year contract with TV Guide Channel, a leading entertainment network distributed in more than 80 million homes nationwide, to host the network's signature Red Carpet pre-shows at Hollywood's biggest events. Ms. Rinna will make her Red Carpet hosting debut for TV Guide Channel at the Emmy� Awards on September 16, 2007. The announcement was made today by Ryan O'Hara, president of TV Guide Channel.
"Lisa has the perfect mix of charisma, poise and experience to lead our live Red Carpet coverage at the major industry award shows," said O'Hara. "In addition to being an established TV star, she also has fashion expertise as both a business person and commentator, so she is a great fit for this role and for our brand. We are thrilled to welcome her to the TV Guide family and look forward to seeing her on the Red Carpet in September."
Under the agreement, Ms. Rinna will host five Red Carpet pre-shows per year for TV Guide Channel, as well as headline five fashion recap shows connected to those events. TV Guide Channel has telecast live Red Carpet pre-shows at the Academy Awards�, Emmy� Awards, Grammy� Awards, Golden Globe� Awards and Screen Actor's Guild� Awards.
Ms. Rinna said, "I'm delighted to be joining TV Guide Channel at such an exciting time in the network's evolution. Ryan and his team have shown a real commitment to showcasing top-quality entertainment programming, with their Red Carpet coverage of Hollywood's biggest events leading the way. I'm looking forward to September's Emmy Awards and to a long and happy future with TV Guide."
Ms. Rinna is replacing Joan and Melissa Rivers, who launched TV Guide Channel's Red Carpet programming in January 2005.
"TV Guide Channel is very appreciative of Joan and Melissa Rivers' contributions to the success of our Red Carpet programming over the past three years," said O'Hara. "We wish them the best in their future endeavors."
TV Guide Channel, which has significantly ramped up its programming in recent years, has established a premium franchise with Red Carpet pre-shows. Year-to-date, TV Guide Channel's ratings for Red Carpet live pre-shows are up 36%. (Source: Nielsen, HH (000). 1/15/07-2/25/07 vs. 1/16/06-3/5/06.)
About Lisa Rinna
Lisa Rinna, most recently, was seen on the hit ABC TV series "Dancing with the Stars" as well as participating in the national "Dancing with the Stars" tour. Next, Rinna will make her Broadway debut in the hit musical "Chicago." She will star as Roxie Hart while her husband Harry Hamlin takes on the role of Billy Flynn. The pair will start June 19th through July 29th. Rinna also hosted the Oxygen TV series "Tease," a reality show focusing on up-and-coming hair stylists vying for an ultimate prize. She served as co-host of SOAPnet's daily talk show "Soap Talk" from 2002-2006 and garnered her fourth Emmy� nomination for Talk Show Host for last year's season. Best known to many daytime TV fans as Billie Reed, the free-spirited character she portrayed in the NBC hit "Days of Our Lives," she also starred as the "love-to-hate-her" Taylor McBride on primetime TV's "Melrose Place." In addition to being a popular TV host and actress, Ms. Rinna is owner and creator of Belle Gray, a women's clothing boutique based in Sherman Oaks and Calabasas, CA, and online at www.bellegray.com.
About TV Guide Channel
TV Guide Channel reaches more than 80 million homes and is the premier television entertainment network for viewers seeking the latest information on the best programs, hottest stars and latest trends on television. Headquartered in the heart of Hollywood at its TV Guide Studios, the network combines original programming with comprehensive program listings information - all of which deliver on viewers' need for an entertaining and easy guide to what's on TV. TV Guide Channel is owned and operated by TV Guide Networks, Inc., a subsidiary of Gemstar-TV Guide International, Inc.
About Gemstar-TV Guide
Gemstar-TV Guide International, Inc. (the "Company") (NASDAQ: GMST) is a leading global media, entertainment, and technology company that develops, licenses, markets and distributes products and services that maximize the video guidance and entertainment experience for consumers. The Company's businesses include: television, publishing, and new media properties; interactive program guide services and products; and intellectual property licensing. Additional information about the Company can be found at www.gemstartvguide.com.
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