DEBMAR-MERCURY CLEARS HASBRO'S TRIVIAL PURSUIT: AMERICA PLAYS IN OVER 55% OF THE COUNTRY FOR FALL '08 SEASON
America's Beloved Trivia Game Cleared in Eight out of Top 10 Markets
SANTA MONICA, CA (January 4, 2008) � Debmar-Mercury has cleared Trivial Pursuit: America Plays in over 55% of the country including eight of the top 10 markets for its September 2008 debut, it was announced today by Debmar-Mercury co-presidents Mort Marcus and Ira Bernstein.
The series is cleared on FOX affiliates in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington, D.C. and Baltimore. Other station groups on board include Cox, CBS, Belo, Gannett, Scripps, Raycom Media, and Weigel Broadcasting.
Debmar-Mercury joined with Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE: HAS) to deliver the first run half-hour strip version of the iconic game Trivial Pursuit�, one of the most popular board games around the world. Part of the genius behind the show is the format, which is "organically interactive." Questions will come from viewers across the United States, making this a unique and compelling format sure to influence other game formats in the years to come.
"Trivial Pursuit: America Plays has easily exceeded our expectations since our alliance with Hasbro was announced in September," said Marcus. "Due to strong demand for the show, Hasbro and Debmar-Mercury are giving Trivial Pursuit a firm �go'."
Added Bernstein, "We absolutely believe this will make for stimulating, family style viewing and engage audiences week after week. We are confident that Trivial Pursuit has all the key ingredients of great television programming and will keep audiences coming back for more."
"Trivial Pursuit captured the imagination and passion of millions of game players when it was introduced 25 years ago," said Phil Jackson, Group Executive for Hasbro Games. "Transforming this iconic classic into an interactive television experience is one of the exciting ways that we're establishing the brand for success over the next 25 years."
Debmar-Mercury will be showcasing Trivial Pursuit at NATPE 2008 in Las Vegas. Format rights are also available to international territories; both the format and the brand have already created great excitement in numerous territories across the globe.
William Morris Agency's Mark Itkin brokered the original deal between Debmar-Mercury and Hasbro, Inc.
About Debmar-Mercury
Debmar-Mercury is a worldwide production and distribution media company specializing in syndication, cable, network, VOD/Pay-Per-View and Pay TV. The company has global distribution for Tyler Perry's first-run syndicated sitcom Tyler Perry's House of Payne, which premiered on TBS June, 2007 to record-breaking ratings and will be followed in September, 2008 with a four year concurrent syndication run on FOX owned television stations. Debmar-Mercury also owns the domestic distribution rights to the groundbreaking sitcom, South Park, as well as Family Feud, The Surreal Life family of celebrity-based reality shows, USA Network's The Dead Zone, National Geographic's Really Wild Animals and an extensive movie library featuring titles from Revolution Studios and Lionsgate. Debmar-Mercury is a wholly owned subsidiary of Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF), the premier independent filmed entertainment studio.
About Hasbro, Inc.
Hasbro (NYSE: HAS) is a worldwide leader in children's and family leisure time entertainment products and services, including the design, manufacture and marketing of games and toys ranging from traditional to high-tech. Both internationally and in the U.S., its PLAYSKOOL, TONKA, MILTON BRADLEY, PARKER BROTHERS, TIGER and WIZARDS OF THE COAST brands and products provide the highest quality and most recognizable play experiences in the world. TRIVIAL PURSUIT and the distinctive design of the game board and game cards are registered trademarks of Horn Abbot Ltd. for the games distributed and sold in the U.S. under exclusive license to Hasbro, Inc.
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