ION Media Networks and Sony Pictures Television Announce Programming Agreement for TV Series and Feature Films

(West Palm Beach, FL and Culver City, CA � July 5, 2006) � ION Media Networks, Inc. (AMEX: ION) and Sony Pictures Television (�SPT�) today announced a programming agreement that provides ION with the rights to broadcast dozens of classic television series and a large selection of award-winning feature films from the Sony library on the i television network, reaching over 90 million homes.

�This agreement reflects our strategy of strengthening our i network�s programming schedule with popular series and theatrical hits with proven audience appeal,� said Brandon Burgess, CEO of ION Media Networks. �We look forward to working with Sony on developing a compelling entertainment line-up that continues to appeal to our current audience, while attracting new viewers to the network.�

�The i network and its stations will benefit from a wide variety of titles from our extensive library of television series and feature films, which have proven to deliver audiences,� said John Weiser, president, distribution for Sony Pictures Television. �We are pleased to be in partnership with ION, helping them grow and making them a destination for great programming.�

Under the terms of the agreement, ION will have access to many of SPT�s most popular TV series from the last three decades, including �Charlie�s Angels,� �Starsky & Hutch,� �The Partridge Family,� �The Monkees� and �Silver Spoons,� among others.

In addition, titles from Sony�s extensive library of theatrical films will be available to ION, including �A River Runs Through It,� �Oliver!,� �Bram Stoker�s Dracula,� �Short Circuit� and many more.

�We are pleased to have access to Sony�s diverse collection of movies and classic TV shows� said Stacey Nagel Galper, ION�s Senior Vice President of Programming and Strategic Planning. �We will begin scheduling the Sony movies on the i network this month, with plans to launch the television series in August.�