Spike TV Gets 'In The Know' With International Hit Game Show 'HEY: SPRING OF TRIVIA'

Game Show Sensation Created by Japan's Top-Rated TV Network, the Company Behind 'Iron Chef'

Weekly Series Premieres Thursday, November 11 at 9 PM ET/PT

NEW YORK, Nov. 4 -- The Japanese hit sensation HEY: SPRING OF TRIVIA travels across the International Date Line to Spike TV with 26 half- hour episodes of this game show starting this November. The series, the first number one rated ongoing Japanese series to simultaneously telecast in the United States, joins Spike TV's programming line-up with two back-to-back episodes debuting Thursday, November 11 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT). The series is produced and licensed to Spike TV by Fujisankei Communications International, Inc. (FCI), the US subsidiary of Fuji Television Network, Inc ("Iron Chef").

"If you think your head is crammed full of useless knowledge now, just wait until you see HEY: SPRING OF TRIVIA," says Albie Hecht, President of Spike TV.

HEY: SPRING OF TRIVIA is a high-speed procession of fascinating trivia and outrageous information. In Japan viewers send in more than 20,000 trivia suggestions per week covering topics ranging from pop culture and science to sports and history. From these submissions, the best trivia ideas are selected and video demonstration segments are produced with the accuracy of each segment rigorously verified. Each segment is introduced by HEY: SPRING OF TRIVIA's two cool yet self-effacing hosts, Japanese actors Katsumi Takahashi and Norito Yashima.

Some samples of HEY trivia include, "when an eraser is suddenly frozen, it explodes," "astronauts wear diapers" and "no matter how far an ant falls, it won't die." The trivia video segments are viewed by a panel of judges who award the trivia segments with "Hey" points by slapping a "Hey" button. The more interesting the trivia, the more "Heys" it gets. The viewer who submitted the winning trivia is the winner and receives a 'Golden Brain' and a cash prize. The Spike TV version of the series will be translated into English from its Japanese origin.

HEY: SPRING OF TRIVIA fever has swept Japan since its primetime launch in July 2003. The series is a smash hit, with more than 50% of Japanese audiences tuning in each week. The series has even started a new trend, when people hear unexpected news, they slap on a nearby object and say "Hey." Schools established "No HEY! Zones" to stop TRIVIA-crazed students from smacking their desks during class.

Spike TV has experienced tremendous success with another Japanese import - - the critically acclaimed and cult hit MOST EXTREME ELIMINATION CHALLENGE, better known as MXC. The series uses actual footage from Japanese game show, Takeshi's Castle, and is completely re-written and re-voiced by American announcers Vic Romano and Kenny Blankenship to create a new comedic storyline. The series is not dubbed and there is not a single trace of literal translation from the original show.

Spike TV's MXC has been a ratings monster since its debut last April. During its first run last spring, the series drew a whopping +340% more Men 18-24 compared to the year before in its Saturday night timeslot. In 2004, MXC is still drawing large audiences, despite being in repeats and on the very competitive Thursday nights. MXC has drawn +67% more Men 18-34 and +67% more Men 18-49 compared to the year before 9-11pm on Thursdays.

Produced in Japan, HEY: SPRING OF TRIVIA is licensed to Spike TV by FCI, the American subsidiary of Fuji Television Network, Inc. -- both companies are members of the Fujisankei Communications Group. Automatic Productions, a wholly owned division of Sony BMG Music Entertainment, is producing the United States version. Akifumi Takuma is Executive Producer for FCI. Andy Kadison is Executive Producer for Automatic Productions, and Jodi Hurwitz is Producer. Brian Diamond is the Executive in Charge of Production for Spike TV.

One of the world's largest media conglomerates, the Fujisankei Communications Group (FCG) is comprised of approximately 100 companies, including Japan's top-rated, top-grossing TV network (Fuji Television), its top-grossing radio network, leading newspapers, publishing companies, its premier music and video company, and one of Japan's largest direct marketing firms. FCG shapes Japanese popular culture and exports it to an expanding global audience. A pioneer of new technologies and media, FCG works to increase understanding between Japan and the rest of the world through the exchange of information, entertainment and culture.

Automatic Productions is an award-winning, world-class production company, specializing in music & variety programming. Automatic has produced a wide array of successful entertainment series and specials for network, cable and broadcast syndication including A&E Television's "Live By Request," PBS's "Sessions at West 54th Street" and TRIO's "The Score." Sony BMG Music Entertainment is a global recorded music joint venture with a roster of current artists that includes a broad array of both local artists and international superstars, as well as a vast catalog that comprises some of the most important recordings in history. Sony BMG Music Entertainment is 50% owned by Bertelsmann A.G. and 50% owned by Sony Corporation of America.

Spike TV, the first network for men, is available in 87 million homes and is a division of MTV Networks. MTV Networks, a division of Viacom International Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), owns and operates the following television programming services -- MTV: MUSIC TELEVISION, MTV2, mtvU, VHI, NICKELODEON, NICK at NITE, COMEDY CENTRAL, TV LAND, SPIKE TV, CMT, NOGGIN, MTV INTERNATIONAL and THE DIGITAL SUITE FROM MTV NETWORKS, a package of 12 digital services, all of which are trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks also has licensing agreements, joint ventures, and syndication deals whereby all of its programming services can be seen worldwide.

SOURCE Spike TV
Web Site: http://www.spiketv.com