ABC GIVES AWAY A MILLION DOLLARS IN THE "EXTREME MAKEOVER: AMERICAN DREAM EDITION" NATIONAL AND LOCAL PROMOTIONS

In the spirit of the inspiring series "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" ("EM:HE"), ABC is continuing to make American dreams come true by giving away $1,000,000 to help individuals and their local communities in the "Extreme Makeover: American Dream Edition" national and local promotions.

Beginning Sunday, January 18, ABC will encourage people to tell their story or to share the story of someone they know who is actively involved in their community and has fallen upon recent economic hardship as a result of the current financial crisis in United States for the chance to win their own American Dream or win a dream for the person they submit. Essays must be submitted through ABC.com. The dream can vary from anything to paying off medical bills, to retrofitting a home to accommodate a disability, to paying off credit card debt. Five national winners will receive $20,000 and could be featured in one-minute segments on episodes of "EM:HE" on March 15, 22, 29, April 12 or April 26.

Along with the national contest, participating ABC affiliates will sponsor local promotions beginning Monday, February 9. Participating ABC affiliates will encourage people to share their story or the story of somebody they know. Essays must be submitted through the local affiliate's website. Not only will the local winner receive money toward their American Dream, but the qualified charity of their choice will also receive money toward the completion of a project that will benefit the entire community. Utilizing $1,000 in event-funds provided by ABC, the local affiliate will partner with the organization to create an event where community members can volunteer to help complete the project and garner additional donations. Local winners will be featured on their affiliate station.

Participating affiliates will be asked to generate local buzz and publicity for their American Dream program through on-air promos, news mentions and tie-ins, morning talk show coverage, online editorial and banners, partnerships with other media outlets and remote broadcasts.

National Entry Period

Sunday, January 18 � Sunday, February 1, 2009

Viewers will be directed to abc.com, where they can link to the entry form and complete their submission. Included on the contest page are rules and FAQ's.

Local Entry Period

Monday, February 9 � Monday, February 23, 2009

Viewers will be directed to the participating affiliate's local website, where they can link to the customized local contest page (which will include entry, rules, prize page, FAQ's).

About "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition"

Now in its sixth season, "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" airs Sundays 8:00 p.m. ET/PT. Each episode of "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" is self-contained and features a race against time on a project that would ordinarily take at least four months to complete, involving a team of designers, contractors and several hundred workers who all have just seven days to totally rebuild an entire house � every single room, plus the exterior and landscaping. The series is produced by Endemol USA, a division of Endemol Holding. It's executive-produced by Anthony Dominici. David Goldberg is the president of Endemol USA.