or


[05/31/12 - 07:55 AM]
CORE Media Group Launches With Focus On Creating, Managing And Cultivating Compelling, Original Content And Iconic Entertainment Brands
CORE Media Group is the newly branded version of the company formerly known as CKx.

[via press release from CORE Media Group]

CORE Media Group Launches With Focus On Creating, Managing And Cultivating Compelling, Original Content And Iconic Entertainment Brands

Formerly Known as CKx, CORE Media Group Assets Include American Idol, So You Think You Can Dance, Elvis Presley Enterprises and Muhammad Ali Enterprises

CORE Bolsters Senior Management Team with Four Key Additions

NEW YORK, May 31, 2012 -- From legendary icons like Elvis Presley and Muhammad Ali to enduring properties of the future like American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance, CORE Media Group, Inc. announced its launch today, a newly branded version of the company formerly known as CKx. The announcement was made by CORE Media Group President Marc Graboff, who joined the company earlier this year, following its acquisition in 2011 by affiliates of Apollo Global Management, LLC. As part of the announcement, Graboff also named members of a new senior management team.

"With an increasing demand for original programming on traditional broadcast and cable television, as well as the proliferation of digital distribution platforms with their own original content needs, there has never been a better time to be a creator and owner of content," said Graboff. "We have an extraordinary base of existing assets and an infrastructure that makes us uniquely suited to exploit our intellectual property across all revenue streams, including licensing, merchandising and integrated marketing. Our mandate is to grow the assets we have, and cultivate new ones, to become a real presence as a platform agnostic producer and owner of content."

CORE Media Group's portfolio of world-class brands and properties reaches across virtually every aspect of the entertainment industry.

American Idol is perhaps the most influential show in television and music history. It is broadcast in over 100 countries, has launched the careers of numerous Grammy-winning singers, propelled the FOX network to the number one position among the coveted 18-49 demographic, and set the gold standard for a generation of competitive reality programs.

With more than 150 albums and singles certified gold, platinum or multi-platinum, Elvis Presley continues to show the world why he's the King. From Broadway plays and live entertainment to books, movies, television, music, and concerts, Elvis sightings occur every day, all over the world. With more than six million fans on Facebook, over 70,000 official app downloads and more than five million unique visitors annually to Elvis.com, he is also now the King of Digital.

Since its premiere in 2005 to over 10 million viewers, So You Think You Can Dance has continued to be one of the most popular shows on television and a bona fide summertime reality TV hit. It has taken the top spot in its time slots, won Emmys in every year since its inception, and become a social media phenomenon, generating over 70 million fan votes per season. The format for So You Think You Can Dance has been licensed internationally to over 24 different countries, a testament to the show's universal appeal and cross-cultural impact.

The Muhammad Ali brand pervades nearly every aspect of popular culture, from sports and fitness to advertising, television and film. Ali is the world's most recognized celebrity athlete and his image has appeared in marketing campaigns for such companies as Mercedes, Apple, Gatorade, IBM, and Adidas, and soon to include Louis Vuitton. He continues to grace countless magazine covers, books, fine art, and licensed consumer products. Ali's photos and quotes are among the most iconic in sports history. An athlete, artist, humanitarian, and outspoken political figure of unwavering integrity, Ali changed world around him and remains a figure of inspiration to millions.

Based in Los Angeles, 19 Entertainment is CORE Media Group's creative production, recording, touring and artist management arm, responsible for the development and production of both American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance. The company is currently a party to long-term recording agreements with numerous best-selling former Idol contestants including Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Chris Daughtry, Adam Lambert, and Scotty McCreery. 19 Entertainment also continues to manage a number of American Idol winners and finalists, including this year's finalist Phillip Phillips and runner-up Jessica Sanchez. The company provides a critical platform for the development of new entertainment properties, an unparalleled creative production capability, and the artist management skills required to extend CORE Media Group's branded talent to millions of audiences worldwide.

CORE Media Group's corporate headquarters is located in New York City, with additional offices in Los Angeles and Memphis, Tenn. As part of today's announcement, Graboff also named a series of executives to join him on the management team.

"Our focus now is to take CORE to the next level. This means everything from creative content, and new means of distribution to changing the way we partner with sponsors, producers and artists to grow our business," said Graboff. "These executives have the broad institutional knowledge combined with a deep understanding of how to accomplish all of our goals, and I am thrilled to welcome them to CORE."

Peter Hurwitz joins as Executive Vice President, General Counsel of CORE Media Group. An accomplished lawyer with extensive experience in the media business, Hurwitz came from Martha Stewart Omnimedia, where he oversaw all business and legal affairs for the multi-media company, and played a lead role in structuring and negotiating the launch of existing and new programming on Hallmark Channel.

Kay Straky is joining CORE Media Group as Executive Vice President, Human Resources. Previously she worked at Relativity Media, LLC where she was responsible for developing and implementing strategic HR programs, policies and process to support the company's strategic vision and growth targets.

Matt Apfel joins CORE Media Group as its Chief Digital Officer. Previously, he was a member of the original programming team at Ogilvy Entertainment, where he oversaw a slate of content franchises with leading networks, distribution partners, and brands.

Jason Morey will serve as Executive Vice President and Worldwide Head of Music for 19 Entertainment. Morey served previously as President of Morey Management Group.

These newly-named executives join CORE Media Group Chief Financial Officer Tom Benson and Chief Marketing Officer Chris Gannett, both of whom were previously with CKx. In addition, Jack Soden is the Chief Executive Officer of Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc, a position he has held since 1990.

For more information about CORE Media Group, its executives and its assets, please visit our website at www.coremediagroup.com.





  [may 2012]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
  


· AMERICAN IDOL (ABC)
· SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE (FOX)





[06/11/25 - 09:31 AM]
Video: "The Gringo Hunters" - Official Trailer - Netflix
A top Mexican police unit hunts U.S. fugitives fleeing across the border, grappling with lies and crime in this gripping series based on true events.

[06/11/25 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "Building the Band" - First Look - Netflix
In this innovative reality series, gifted singers vie for a chance to form the next great music group sight unseen, leaving looks out of the equation.

[06/11/25 - 09:01 AM]
Paramount+ Renews "SkyMed" for Season 4
The eight-episode season begins production later this summer and will stream exclusively on Paramount+ in the United States, Canada, Latin America and Brazil, UK, Australia, Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland and Austria.

[06/11/25 - 08:20 AM]
Video: Coming to "Masterpiece" in Summer/Fall 2025
"Grantchester," "The Marlow Murder Club," "Unforgotten," "The Gold," "Maigret" and "The Great Escaper" are all on tap in the coming months.

[06/11/25 - 08:05 AM]
FOX Nation Inks New Deal with Martin Scorsese for Continuation of Hit Docudrama "Martin Scorsese Presents: The Saints"
The latest deal encompasses eight all-new episodes, which will premiere in November 2025 and run through Spring of 2026.

[06/11/25 - 07:05 AM]
Video: Apple TV+ Debuts Trailer for Highly Anticipated Third Season of "Foundation"
The 10-episode season will debut globally with one episode on Friday, July 11 on Apple TV+, followed by new episodes weekly, every Friday through September 12.

[06/11/25 - 07:03 AM]
Warner Bros. Animation/Cartoon Network Studios: Annecy International Animation Film Festival 2025 Announcements
Cartoon Network Studios is currently developing "Steven Universe: Lars of the Stars" for Prime Video; while "Teen Titans Go!" has been renewed for a tenth season on Cartoon Network.

[06/11/25 - 07:01 AM]
Video: "Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano 3" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano headline a historic all-women's boxing mega-event from Madison Square Garden. Presented by Most Valuable Promotions.

[06/10/25 - 11:31 PM]
Video: "Panchayat" Season 4 - Official Trailer - Prime Video
Amidst the much-awaited village panchayat elections, Pradhan's and Bhushan's camps battle tooth and nail to maintain the upper hand. The future of everyone, including Abhishek, hangs in the balance.

[06/10/25 - 04:46 PM]
Premiere Episode of NBC's New Unscripted Series "Destination X" Is Now Up to 4.2 Million Viewers Across All Platforms
To date, the series has reached more than 9 million viewers across all platforms.

[06/10/25 - 02:18 PM]
ABC News' "Nightline" Ranks No. 1 in Total Viewers vs. CBS' "After Midnight" and NBC's "Late Night with Seth Meyers" for the 3rd Consecutive Week
On Thursday, "Nightline" scored its strongest telecast in Adults 25-54 (259,000) in nearly 3 months and best Adults 18-49 delivery (202,000) in 5 months.

[06/10/25 - 12:57 PM]
Apple's Gripping, Global Hit Legal Drama "Presumed Innocent" Casts Emmy and Golden Globe Award-Winner Rachel Brosnahan to Lead and Executive Produce Season Two
The second season is inspired by "Dissection of a Murder," the debut legal thriller novel by Jo Murray.

[06/10/25 - 12:01 PM]
Netflix Top 10 Week of June 2: "Straw" Moves Viewers, "Ginny & Georgia" Has Peachy Season 3 Premiere in Top 10
Plus: UK crime thriller "Dept. Q" cracked the code and climbed to No. 2 in its second week (8.9 million views).

[06/10/25 - 11:58 AM]
ESPN Delivers Most-Watched NCAA Division I Women's College World Series on Record
The WCWS Finals, featuring Texas and Texas Tech, averaged 2.2 million viewers across linear as the Longhorns claimed their first national championship in the first three-game series since 2021.

[06/10/25 - 11:31 AM]
Netflix's "Little House on the Prairie" - Now in Production!
Part hopeful family drama, part epic survival tale, and part origin story of the American West, this fresh adaptation of Laura Ingalls Wilder's iconic semi-autobiographical Little House books offers a kaleidoscopic view of the struggles and triumphs of those who shaped the frontier.