CBS TO PRESENT EXPERIMENTAL "MICRO-SERIES" PREMIERING TUESDAY, JANUARY 24

Serialized Short Film -- Sponsored by Pontiac -- to Be Broadcast in Seven Prime Time Installments Over Nine Days

Companion Website CBS.com Delves into the Mysterious World of THE COURIER

Episodes to be Available on Cell Phones Immediately Following each Broadcast

In a prime time programming experiment, CBS will launch an advertising-sponsored week-long "micro-series" titled THE COURIER on Tuesday, Jan. 24 in the first act break of CSI: MIAMI after 9:00 PM (ET/PT). The serialized short film, sponsored solely by Pontiac and broadcast about the same time each night in seven short episodes, will premiere as a 60-second installment with subsequent editions running for 40-seconds.

After premiering on the 24th, THE COURIER will run in the first act break after 9 PM (ET/PT) on seven nights over nine days (excluding Saturday, Jan. 28 and Tuesday, Jan. 31), with its finale on Wednesday, Feb. 1 during CRIMINAL MINDS. On Sunday, Jan. 29, THE COURIER will air immediately following COLD CASE.

THE COURIER follows a mystery man named "iiro" who races against time to uncover clues and perform a sequence of death-defying tasks in a desperate attempt to rescue his kidnapped wife.

After viewers watch each broadcast segment of THE COURIER, they can delve deeper into the mythology of the micro-series on CBS.com, where they will discover more about "iiro" and his adrenaline-fueled adventures. CBS.com will offer each segment for viewing after it has been broadcast and will flesh out THE COURIER's cryptic narrative via rich video and text components. In addition, CBS.com will offer a second, interactive storyline with its own set of clues, which offers viewers the opportunity to enter a sweepstakes for a chance to win a Pontiac Torrent. Online information regarding the series can also be found on www.the-courier.com.

Immediately following its network broadcast, each episode of THE COURIER will also be available for streaming on cell phones on the Verizon Wireless V Cast Service.

THE COURIER is sponsored by Pontiac, which will feature a commercial for the Pontiac Torrent at the end of each micro-episode. The Torrent will also be integrated into three of the seven COURIER broadcasts.

THE COURIER is the brainchild of producer, animator and conceptual designer Pete Pepe and is produced by Plum Productions and Sam Swisher. Pete Pepe is the creator and executive producer. Gavin Bowden directed the micro-series from a concept by Pete Pepe. Additional cast members include: Joel Berti, Alayna Corrick, Maggie Cubillos, John van Schalkwyk, Jeb Corliss, Pete Pepe and Matt Strickland.

iiro (iiro)

Ranked among the 10 best BASE jumpers in the world, iiro has BASE jumped and skydived on six continents. Some of his best jump-sites are classified: in these jumps the trick is to get there, jump and get out fast -- and complete the mission.

His prominence in the world of BASE jumping has lead to appearances on several television shows and cable networks around the world, including ESPN, CNN, The National Geographic Channel, Discovery Channel, Real TV and Music Television, and in various commercials and documentaries, including the multiple award-winning "African BASE," which features iiro and three other star jumpers leaping into the unknown, against a backdrop of the stunning landscapes of South Africa.

In addition, iiro served as producer, co-director and star of "The Ground Is the Limit," a feature length documentary movie about BASE jumping.

In one of the sacred places of the world of BASE, Mount Kjerag in Norway, iiro and 23 fellow BASE jumpers performed a simultaneous jump called "24-way" -- a world record still unbeaten.

iiro has jumped, among other places, the Mexican Hole, Angel Falls in Venezuela and Petronas Towers and was involved in two more world records. In May 2003, the Perrine bridge in Idaho was the site of 19 simultaneous jumps, and in June the Muscovites were able to witness a 26-way from the Ostankino TV tower -- a numerical world record for 'building' jumps -- or any other kind, for that matter!

Prior to embarking on this death-defying career path, iiro was a professional magician. iiro's magical talents have been showcased on CBS's "Late Show with David Letterman," in front of live audiences with over 50,000 spectators in attendance and in Las Vegas.

PETE PEPE (Creator/Executive Producer)

Pete Pepe is a producer, writer, animator and conceptual artist. As an animator, Pepe's artistic talents can be seen in the Disney Feature movies "Hercules," "Tarzan," "The Emperor's New Groove," "Atlantis," "Treasure Planet," "Home on the Range" and "Fantasia 2000," for which Pete received a 2000 ASIFA-HOLLYWOOD ANNIE AWARD -- CERTIFICATE OF HONOR for his contributions to the film.

Following Disney, Pete became a conceptual designer. He developed and designed the original concept vehicles for the pilot episodes of The Discovery Channel's "Monster Garage."

He has also been designing for the world famous Jesse James West Coast Choppers. He has designed a variety of custom gas tanks and wheels for high profile customers like Shaquille O'Neal, professional wrestler Goldberg, Camel Cigarettes and Jesse James himself.