MTVN's Entertainment Group and Videogame Journalist Geoff Keighley Expand Partnership with Broad Talent and Development Deal
Tune in to the High-Definition Premiere of 'GameTrailers TV With Geoff
Keighley' Friday, January 25, 2008 on Spike TV
NEW YORK, Jan. 23 -- MTV Networks' Entertainment Group, a
division of Viacom (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B), today announced a talent and
development deal with acclaimed videogame journalist Geoff Keighley, the
host of Spike TV's "Game Head," the preeminent videogame show on
television. Premiering Friday, January 25, 2008, the fifth season of "Game
Head" will be re-launched as "GameTrailers TV with Geoff Keighley." The
weekly magazine- style show, made available for the first time in
high-definition, will feature an expanded online presence and a tighter
integration with GameTrailers.com, the premier provider of video for
gamers.
In addition to serving as an executive producer on the new show,
Keighley will enter into a development deal with Spike TV to create
additional on-air programming, consult on the annual Spike TV "Video Game
Awards" show and host a number of to be announced specials. He will also
continue hosting and producing "Bonus Round," GameTrailers' popular online
roundtable talk show about the videogame industry.
"We are thrilled to have the industry's number one host on the number
one videogame show on television," said Kevin Kay, president of Spike TV.
"This new deal allows us to work more closely with Geoff to ensure that
Spike continues to be home to the best videogame programming both online
and on TV."
"It has long been my hope to sign Geoff to a larger overall deal so we
can make better use of his talents across all of our properties," said Jon
Slusser, SVP Spike Digital and Videogames. "Geoff's experience as a
journalist and passion for videogames make him one of the best gaming
experts in the field and he is an invaluable addition to the MTVN
Entertainment Group."
"I'm proud of what we've done these past few years with "Game Head,"
our various videogame specials and The Bonus Round, so it's natural to
bring everything together into one overall multi-platform deal," said
Keighley. "This year we're going to continue delivering exclusive content
to gamers, but also take videogame programming in some new and unexpected
directions."
"GameTrailers TV with Geoff Keighley" will bring fans the latest scoop
on the gaming industry's hottest titles, coolest events and biggest stars,
offering the access and insight millions of viewers have come to expect
from GameTrailers.com. Featuring a rotation of over 20 segments, Keighley
and co- hosts Amanda MacKay and Daniel Kayser will provide exclusive
content catering to gamers with varying interest levels from the casual
gamer to hardcore enthusiasts. In addition to premiering on Spike TV and
Spike HD, the program will be available in high definition on
GameTrailers.com and Xbox Live Marketplace.
About Spike TV
SPIKE TV is available in more than 96.1 million homes and is a division
of MTV Networks. A unit of VIACOM (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), MTV Networks is one
of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media
platforms.
About GameTrailers
GameTrailers (GT) is the premier video destination for gaming
entertainment and information. GT delivers timely, high-resolution
broadband video content for gamers that includes original shows, video
reviews, game trailers and comprehensive video coverage of gaming events
from around the world. GT also has a robust community that features
user-generated content, a community marketplace and a variety of
communication tools so gamers can talk to friends and share media such as
fan movies, machinima and daily blogs. GT has offices in Los Angeles, San
Francisco and New York and is a division of Viacom Inc.'s (NYSE: VIA,
VIA.B) MTV Networks Entertainment Group.
About Geoff Keighley
Newsweek dubs him Mike Wallace meets Kurt Loder for the videogame
generation. The Wall Street Journal calls him an example of gaming
journalism growing up. Since the age of 14, Geoff Keighley has spent more
than half his life covering the videogame industry across print, online and
television. Today he is widely regarded as the preeminent journalist in his
field and as the top talent for videogame programming on television, both
in front and behind the camera. In 2004 NewsBios.com named him one of the
top 30 journalists under 30.
SOURCE Spike TV
http://www.spiketv.com
http://GameTrailers.com
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