Fox Reality Channel and Scott Sternberg Productions Get Fired Up for the Third Season of the Original Series: "THE ACADEMY"

Fox Reality Channel's "THE ACADEMY: ORANGE COUNTY FIRE" Goes Behind-the-Scenes for the First Time to Capture a Recruit Class as It Endures 18 Weeks of Fire Academy Training

LOS ANGELES -- Fox Reality Channel announced it has begun production on the third season of its original series, "The Academy." "The Academy: Orange County Fire," produced by Scott Sternberg Productions, will return with 10 episodes, beginning Saturday, October 24, 2009 (Time TBD).

In 2007, fires burned more than 500,000 acres from California's Santa Barbara County to the Mexico border. With its hot, dry climate, and Santa Ana winds, Southern California is one of the country's most dangerous areas to fight fires. Fox Reality Channel's "The Academy: Orange County Fire" will take viewers on a journey with 29 recruits as they endure 18 weeks of intense physical and emotional training. The first two seasons of "The Academy" followed recruits of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department as they participated in a rigorous 18-week training program.

For the first time, the Orange Country Fire Authority (OCFA) has opened its doors to let camera crews capture its training and firefighting tactics, along with all of the action and drama associated with taking part in one of the most grueling fire academy training programs in the nation.

"Fox Reality Channel is eager to be working with Scott Sternberg Productions to extend �The Academy' franchise from the Sheriff's Department to the Fire Authority," said Noel Siegel, VP Production & Development, Fox Reality Channel. "�The Academy: Orange County Fire' gives viewers an unprecedented inside look at how firefighters train, including the extreme personal highs and lows of recruits as they aspire to take on one of the world's most dangerous jobs."

A team of OCFA instructors known as "The Cadre" will guide the recruits through their transformation into firefighters, training them how to fight wildfires and structural fires, and deal with building collapses. Rigorous training with The OCFA team also includes handling of hazardous materials, working with vehicle and aircraft fires, and proficiency in emergency and rescue activities.

"We are extremely proud of the way we train and prepare our fire recruits," said OCFA Battalion Chief Kris Concepcion. "Providing Orange County with high-quality fire service requires state-of-the-art training, which will be shown in this series. We are excited that Fox Reality Channel will show the hard work, dedication, and commitment it takes to be an OCFA firefighter."

The OCFA, headquartered in Irvine, CA serves 22 cities in Orange County and all unincorporated areas, protecting over 1,380,000 residents with its 62 fire stations located throughout the county.

"The firefighters of Southern California have one of the toughest jobs in the world," said Scott Sternberg, President of Scott Sternberg Productions. "I am delighted to be partnering with Fox Reality Channel and the OCFA to extend The Academy brand and show viewers exactly what it takes to be part of this elite organization."

ABOUT FOX REALITY CHANNEL

Fox Reality Channel launched in May 2005, to become the premier destination for lovers of unscripted programming. Fox Reality Channel is the only all-reality, all-the-time cable and satellite network featuring compelling original programming, never-before-seen U.S. premieres of international reality hits, and network favorites. Fox Reality Channel is available in nearly 50 million homes and can be accessed via broadband, mobile devices and other digital platforms such as iTunes� (excluding American Idol Extra). For more information on Fox Reality Channel programs and schedules, please visit foxreality.com.

ABOUT SCOTT STERNBERG PRODUCTIONS

Scott Sternberg Productions is a full service television production company focusing on unscripted programming. Emmy-award winning CEO, Scott Sternberg, founded Scott Sternberg Productions in 1991. The firm provides content to broadcast and cable networks, web portals and satellite radio stations. Scott Sternberg Productions also produces branded content for major non-broadcast entities. No Studio Entertainment and Spanglish Entertainment are wholly owned subsidiaries of Scott Sternberg Productions. Both produce regional and local programs, with Spanglish Entertainment providing content for Spanish language outlets. Scott Sternberg Productions is located at Raleigh Studios in Hollywood, CA. www.ssprods.com