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[05/09/06 - 12:00 AM]
USA Network Upfront: USA Characters "Clique" with Digital

[via press release from USA]

USA NETWORK UPFRONT: USA CHARACTERS "CLIQUE" WITH DIGITAL

Network Aggressively Ramps Up Digital, Broadband and FOD Initiatives

NEW YORK -- May 9, 2006 -- Demonstrating its aggressive commitment to digital initiatives, USA Network announced that its summer marquee series will be made available on digital and Free On Demand (FOD) platforms. In a cable first, beginning June 30, one week before its broadcast premiere, USA Network will make available the season premiere episodes of MONK and its newest series PSYCH on cable, satellite and telco free on demand (FOD) digital services. Incorporating its Characters Welcome branding into the digital domain, the network will also unveil its new content-rich online broadband video player, entitled USA characterclique, on May 12.

"These FOD 'firsts' and our proprietary broadband player are indicative of USA's on-going efforts to find new and innovative ways to promote our shows across multiple platforms," said Chris McCumber, USA's senior vice president, marketing and brand strategy. "We're thrilled to offer viewers the power to choose when, where and how they interact with our content."

"This is a fantastic opportunity for our distribution partners to participate in USA's multi-platform promotions," commented Jean-Briac Perrette, senior vice president of New Media and chief financial officer, NBC Universal Cable. "Distributors can showcase their broadband and on demand offerings to help drive digital growth and provide viewers with hit shows and the compelling content they're looking for."

These significant offerings are indicative of USA Network's innovative summer marketing efforts, which also include extensive mobile programs, as well as the overall integration of NBC Universal's "TV 360" initiative.

MONK & PSYCH FREE-ON-DEMAND

Recognizing the power of on-demand and broadband opportunities to its distribution partners, USA Network will offer unique FOD and broadband promotional content for MONK and its newest series PSYCH as part of its summer marketing efforts. The premiere episodes of both MONK and PSYCH will premiere first on FOD June 30, one week prior to the USA Network broadcast premieres on July 7.

In a channel and NBCU first, the premieres of the two shows will help drive awareness of digital offerings and increase ratings through in-kind marketing support by its cable operators. This marks the first time ever that a top-rated program will premiere prior to the broadcast airing on both on demand and broadband platforms simultaneously. On a weekly basis, viewers will have exclusive access to the first 3-4 minutes from upcoming MONK episodes in addition to ancillary promotional content including behind-the-scenes footage, webisodes and actor interviews.

TV 360, USA BROADBAND PLAYER AND MOBILE

As part of NBC Universal's commitment to TV 360 content, every USA Network show will have a unique broadband component giving viewers access to their favorite characters anytime, anywhere. Recent examples include the Show Us Your Character Social Networking Community whereby members upload videos, photos and profiles; NASHVILLE STAR video blogs and companion web series; the award-winning Monk's Mind Game, and coming soon Psych's Memory Game.

On May 12, USA will launch a new broadband video player, entitled USA characterclique, with user-generated content, mashups, parodies and original webisodes from the network's top-rated series, exclusive behind the scenes and in development, short-form character-themed programming. In the near future, USA will also stream full episodes of the network's marquee shows.

On the Mobile front, USA will engage its fans in a summer-long mobile text-messaging program in support of THE 4400, PSYCH and MONK. The program offers viewers the opportunity to connect with their favorite characters from their most beloved series on the network at anytime, any place. Users can register online at usanetwork.com or via cell phone. By example, the weekly PSYCH SMS content package will include tune-in alerts, weekly character updates and two SMS Watch & Win questions where participants can win weekly prizes or go online to answer multiple choice questions.

For photos of USA NETWORK PROJECTS, please log on to the NBC Universal Media Village at http://www.nbcumv.com/.

USA NETWORK is cable television's leading provider of original series and feature movies, sports and entertainment events, off-net television shows, and blockbuster theatrical films. The #1 basic cable network across the board in 1Q06, USA Network is seen in 90 million U.S. homes. The USA Network Web site is located at www.usanetwork.com. Characters Welcome.

USA Network is a program service of NBC Universal Cable a division of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience.





  [may 2006]  
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· 4400, THE (USA)
· MONK (USA)
· NASHVILLE STAR (NBC)
· PSYCH (USA)





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