NBCUNIVERSAL TELEVISION CONSUMER PRODUCTS AND RETAILER HOT TOPIC INTRODUCE NEW PRODUCT LINE INSPIRED BY THE A&E HIT ORIGINAL SERIES "BATES MOTEL"

Emmy Award-Nominated Vera Farmiga and Cast Return for Second Season of UTV's 'Psycho' Prequel March 3 (10 P.M. ET/PT)

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. - Mar. 18, 2014 - NBCUniversal Television Consumer Products Group has announced a partnership with Hot Topic, a fan-favorite retailer of pop culture merchandise, to introduce a collection of apparel and accessories inspired by "Bates Motel" on A&E.

The Bates Motel collection at Hot Topic will include merchandise inspired by the acclaimed drama - including bathrobes, bloody shower curtains and more. They will be available at HOTTOPIC.COM and select Hot Topic stores starting March 18.

The reimagined prequel to "Psycho" follows a teenage Norman Bates and his mother, Norma, who live in an old house overlooking the Bates Motel. Produced by Universal Television, "Bates Motel" returned for its second season on A&E on March 3, 2014 at 10 p.m. ET/PT.

"'Bates Motel' captured the imagination of television viewers immediately when it premiered, and we are very excited to introduce this clever line of products inspired by the show," said Kim Niemi, Senior Vice President, NBCUniversal Television Consumer Products. "From a cushy bathrobe to a comforting night light, we think the fans will find these items pretty killer."

"The product ideas for this partnership came easily - we wanted to give fans the experience of walking into Bates Motel," said Cindy Levitt, vice president and general merchandise manager for Hot Topic. "Now they can bring Bates Motel into their rooms at home."

The new Hot Topic merchandise will include an exclusive white waffle cloth cotton robe, a home line featuring a bloody "Bates Motel" shower curtain, bath soaps, a hand towel and a night light. Merchandise will also include classic T-shirts for both men and women and novelty items including a "Bates Motel" key chain necklace. Customers who purchase a "Bates Motel" item will receive a gift with purchase - a post card from Bates Motel.

In addition, A&E is hosting a sweepstakes in partnership with Hot Topic. The sweepstakes allows fans to upload photos of themselves to one of four virtual "post cards," which they can then electronically post on Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr or Pinterest. One lucky winner will receive a trip to Comic-Con 2014 in San Diego; ten other winners will receive product prize packs. Fans can enter for this sweepstakes at HellofromBatesMotel.com.

Bates Motel

"Bates Motel" is a contemporary prequel to the genre-defining film "Psycho," and gives viewers an intimate portrayal of how Norman Bates' (Freddie Highmore) psyche unravels through his teenage years. Fans discover the dark, twisted backstory of Norman Bates and how deeply intricate his relationship with his mother, Norma (Vera Farmiga), truly is. "Bates Motel" is produced by Universal Television for A&E Network. Carlton Cuse and Kerry Ehrin serve as executive producers for Carlton Cuse Productions and Kerry Ehrin Productions, respectively.

About Universal Partnerships & Licensing

Universal Partnerships & Licensing oversees NBCUniversal's consumer product licensing, film, home entertainment and television promotions, and corporate alliances for Universal's theatrical, home entertainment, television, theme parks and stage productions. This dedicated division is also responsible for monetizing the company's vast library of films and characters through licensing, branding and marketing opportunities. Universal brings an impressive slate of properties, including two blockbusters, to this year's show - Minions, the spin-off of the phenomenally successful Despicable Me franchise, slated to bow July 10, 2015; and Jurassic World, the long-awaited next installment of Steven Spielberg's groundbreaking film series, scheduled for release June 12, 2015.

About A&E Network

Now reaching 100 million homes, A&E is the home to 100% original content that inspires and challenges audiences to BE ORIGINAL.A&E offers a diverse mix of high quality, uniquely immersive entertainment ranging from the network's original scripted series, including "Bates Motel," "Longmire" and "Those Who Kill," to signature non-fiction franchises, including "Duck Dynasty," "Beyond Scared Straight" and "Storage Wars. "The A&E website is located at aetv.com. Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/aetv and Facebook at facebook.com/AETV. For more press information on and photography on the series please visit us at press.aenetworks.com.

About Hot Topic

Hot Topic is a mall- and web-based specialty retailer beloved by rebellious and expressive teens for nearly 25 years. Hot Topic offers music and pop culture junkies' band-related apparel and accessories, licensed merchandise, and fashion apparel and accessories. Hot Topic operates 634 stores in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico and an online store at hottopic.com. Find Hot Topic on Twitter (twitter.com/hottopic), Facebook (facebook.com/hottopic), YouTube (youtube.com/hottopic) and Instagram (instagram.com/hottopic).