SCI FI UNVEILS SCI FI VENTURES PORTFOLIO OF BUSINESSES ENCOMPASSING GAMING, PUBLISHING, MERCHANDISING, DIGITAL, WIRELESS AND YOUTH MARKET
Beverly Hills, CA - July 20, 2008 - SCI FI today announced the formation of SCI FI Ventures, a new portfolio of media and non-media businesses, which transcend the television screen and leverage the deep affinity the SCI FI audience has with the most main stream and profitable genre world-wide. The announcement was made today by Dave Howe, President, SCI FI.
"SCI FI Ventures is a major initiative that demonstrates our commitment to building businesses and driving maximum value around the unique relationship we have with our audience," said Mr. Howe in making the announcement. "The SCI FI brand's deep connection with its consumers - comprised chiefly of trend-setting innovators - proves that SCI FI has the power and the imagination to reach beyond the television screen to become a total global lifestyle brand."
The businesses in addition to SCI FI Channel include:
SCI FI MEDIA
A portfolio of media assets focused on dominating the sci-fi/fantasy genre as well as adjacent affinity-based experiences. In addition to the top-10 ranked SCI FI Channel, SCIFI Media also includes the category-killing SCIFI.com, the world's #1 genre Web destination. Recent digital expansions include DVICE, the Website for the technology obsessed, and Fidgit, the consumer entertainment general game site. SCI FI Media's portfolio will continue to grow and expand with a new stand-alone Website focused on the latest entertainment news and reviews, and the development of a theatrical film banner, SCI FI Films.
SCI FI GAMES
The popularity of sci-fi/fantasy genre based titles and passion SCI FI fans have for video games make SCI FI Games a natural component of the SCI FI Ventures portfolio. SCI FI recently announced a groundbreaking partnership with Trion Worldwide to co-develop and simultaneously launch a global TV and MMOG (Massively Multi-Player Online Game) experience. This effort represents the next evolution in deeply immersive dynamic MMOGs and will allow SCI FI's audience to actually "play out" the story they will be seeing on television inside a video game. Additionally, NBC Universal recently acquired an equity stake in BigPoint, market leader in browser based multiplayer online games, through its Peacock Equity Fund. BigPoint Games will be hosted on SCIFI.com along with a range of more casual games based on SCI FI Channel shows.
SCI FI GEAR
Working with licensing agency BrandSense, SCI FI Ventures will develop, produce and market licensed product lines for SCI FI's passionate consumer base in retail and on-line. Based in Los Angeles, CA, Brand Sense Partners, LLC was founded by Brian France, Chairman & CEO of NASCAR. Their high profile clients include Britney Spears, Halle Berry, and Magic Johnson Enterprises.
SCI FI PUBLISHING
With new comic book titles serving as the creative genesis, SCI FI/Virgin Comics are developing fresh properties that integrate the unique spirit and vitality of both brands. Delivering innovative, multi-platform projects, original concepts are being considered across all mediums from publishing, film and television to digital and gaming.
SCI FI KIDS
For many consumers, the passion for the science fiction and fantasy genre starts when they are very young. Accordingly, SCI FI plans to expand the brand by launching a kid's division to serve the all-important youth market of 2 - 17 year olds. This business will be analog and digital with physical product extensions to create an immersive world within which young consumers can stimulate their imaginations with fantastical worlds and stories.
SCI FI Channel is a television network where "what if" is what's on. SCI FI fuels the imagination of viewers with original series and events, blockbuster movies and classic science fiction and fantasy programming, as well as a dynamic Web site (www.scifi.com ) and magazine. Launched in 1992, and currently in 93 million homes, SCI FI Channel is a network of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies.
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