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USA Network and Major League Gaming Bring Professional Videogaming to Fall Television
NEW YORK, Oct. 5 -- USA Network, the top-rated basic cable
network, and Major League Gaming (MLG), the world's first professional
video game league, today announced "Boost Mobile Major League Gaming Pro
Circuit," will be debuting this fall on Saturday mornings. The show, a
seven-part series premiering on Saturday, November 11 at 10am ET/PT,
chronicles the challenges, drama and excitement of young professionals
competing in MLG's seven-city professional video game circuit.
Lead sponsors of the broadcast include Boost Mobile, Scion, and
Gamestop and additional advertising sponsors are expected to be announced
prior to the airing of the broadcast.
By making videogaming entertaining to the mainstream public and
available to 90 million homes, USA Network and MLG have created a powerful
way to reach and connect with the elusive youth demographic. The show
introduces gaming as the next TV phenomenon, using innovative graphic
illustrations, in-depth personality profiles and the broadest distribution
of any competitive gaming series.
"This is a unique opportunity for USA to be involved in the growth of
such an innovative concept as professional gaming," said Chris McCumber,
SVP Marketing & Brand Strategy. "We're thrilled to be working with Major
League Gaming and introducing our viewers to their amazing characters."
Characters Welcome
"Boost Mobile Major League Gaming Pro Circuit" will take viewers into
the lives of the players with a behind-the-scenes look into their homes,
schools, work and social lives. The audience will experience the highs and
lows with the professional gamers who put it all on the line to compete and
win.
Some of the characters and excitement viewers can expect to see include:
-- Team Final Boss, led by captain Dave "Walshy" Walsh, went undefeated
for most of the Pro Circuit. Now its fighting to regain its edge before
the Championship. Meanwhile, the team members manage to find time to
create a clothing company and keep their college grades high.
-- Team Str8 Rippin and rival Team Carbon have been threatening to knock
Final Boss out of the lead all year, until Team Carbon finally knocked
them off their pedestal. However, emotions and smack-talk between the
two teams reach a fever pitch and threaten to get in the way of a
winning streak. The leader of Str8 Rippin is the well-known Tom
"Tsquared" Taylor, who has appeared in Stuff Magazine, ranking #1 on
the Power 2
-- Under 30 list, MTV True Life, Wall Street Journal and more. He's
confident and cocky with the skills to back it up, making him a
favorite target of the other pros.
-- Viewers will also get to know players like Xena -- a 16-year old
Pennsylvania girl who is active in horseback riding, sports, church and
school activities -- and who also happens to be the world's top-rated
female Halo 2 player; and Strongside, a player who came out of nowhere
last year and single-handedly beat hundreds of competitors on the fast
track to becoming a pro.
Every MLG player has a great story and an unparalleled drive to be the
best. Viewers will get hooked as they watch the drama unfold throughout the
series.
"USA Network's Characters Welcome says it all. MLG has the best players
in the world signed to exclusive contracts, and our show will give viewers
the opportunity to get to know them," said Sundance DiGiovanni, co-founder
and CMO of MLG. "USA is the perfect partner for us to make this show a
success as we take the next step in building out our sports media
business."
ABOUT USA NETWORK
Seen in 90 million homes, USA Network is cable television's leading
network of original series and feature movies, sports and entertainment
events, network shows and blockbuster theatrical films. The USA Network Web
site is located at http://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.
ABOUT MAJOR LEAGUE GAMING
MLG is the first professional video game league. By raising video game
competition to the level of professional sport, the company is creating a
sports media business that provides players, developers, publishers, media
partners, and advertisers a unique connection to the video game lifestyle
enjoyed by 168 million Americans. With the support of major sponsors, MLG
operates a pro tour that in 2006 will make 7 stops in major cities across
the U.S., exclusively featuring the best gamers in the world. We produce a
variety of online and broadcast-quality programming that showcases MLG's
pros and this exciting new sports entertainment phenomenon. More
information can be found at http://www.mlgpro.com.
SOURCE USA Network
http://www.usanetwork.com
http://www.mlgpro.com
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