Sony Media Software and FremantleMedia Hit New High Note With 'American Idol' Versions of Award-Winning Music Creation Software

Sony Media Software and FremantleMedia Hit New High Note With 'American Idol' Versions of Award-Winning Music Creation Software

American Idol Jam Trax and American Idol Extreme Music Creator Lets Everyone Create Songs Just Like Their Favorite Performers

MADISON, Wisc., Aug. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Media Software, a leading provider of music creation programs for the PC, has signed an agreement with FremantleMedia Licensing Worldwide, Americas to develop American Idol(R) Jam Trax(TM) and American Idol Extreme Music Creator(TM) software, two new applications that let users experience the thrill of making music and living the dream, just like the stars of America's most popular television series, "American Idol."

"The ever-increasing popularity of "American Idol" makes it clear that there are millions of aspiring musicians looking for an outlet for their artistic talents," said Dave Chaimson, vice president of marketing, Sony Media Software. "These new software packages make it easy to create original songs in minutes and provide limitless ways to explore music, take center stage and discover your inner 'Idol'."

American Idol Jam Trax software comes with over six hundred music loops and samples and is the perfect entry-level software application for those who want to get started creating their own music. Users can record vocals, change tempo and key and even email songs to others right from within the software.

American Idol Extreme Music Creator software is a more powerful application that lets users experience what it's like to produce songs much in the same way their favorite producers do -- right on their home computer. It offers more advanced music-making features for aspiring musicians and singers who are serious about the chance at their turn as America's next superstar. Users can record their vocals, remix their own favorite songs, burn them to CD to share with others -- or even publish to the web. The software includes hundreds of royalty-free music loops and samples in multiple genres and also comes with a free Randy Jackson's Producer's Pack bonus disc providing over 250 additional pop music loops and samples.

"This software is the bomb! With American Idol Extreme Music Creator software, recording and producing your own music is easier than ever," said Randy Jackson, music producer, industry veteran, and one of the judges on the hit television show, "American Idol" for the past five seasons. "Add the loops and music samples from my new Producer's Pack into the mix, and you've got everything you need to make your own hit songs!"

"We're very excited to be partnering with Sony Media Software to bring these new music creation products to market, said David Luner, Vice President, Licensing, Americas FremantleMedia Licensing Worldwide. "Sony has a wonderful reputation for creating innovative software for consumers of all levels of expertise and ability. These new "American Idol" music software applications are a perfect fit with our commitment to continue to provide the best technology and products that will help aspiring singers, musicians and composers harness their talent and perhaps become the next 'American Idol'."

American Idol Jam Trax and American Idol Extreme Music Creator, which includes the bonus Randy Jackson's Producer's Pack, will be available at major retail stores nationwide in October 2006 for the suggested retail prices of $19.95 and $49.95 respectively. Look for future editions of the Randy Jackson's Producer's Packs, add-on loops and music samples for American Idol Extreme Music Creator software, to hit the shelves before the holidays for the suggested retail price of $24.95.

For more information, please visit: www.sony.com/mediasoftware.

About Sony Media Software

Sony Media Software inspires creative expression with its award-winning line of products for digital video, music, DVD, and audio production. Sound Forge(R), ACID(R), and Vegas(R) software have defined digital content creation for a generation of creative professionals, amateurs, and enthusiasts. These signature product lines continue to advance the art of providing powerful, accessible tools to unleash the imagination. Today, there is a Sony Media Software application for every level of expertise, including a full line of consumer software based on the company's professional applications. In addition, Sony Media Software produces the extensive Sony(R) Sound Series collection of royalty-free loops and production music, Sony Pictures Sound Effects Series exclusive sound effects, Vision Series video creation assets, as well as www.ACIDplanet.com(R), the internet's premier site for independent music and video artists. As a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America, the company also develops applications that enhance the experience for users of Sony hardware devices including the PSP(R) (PlayStation(R)Portable) and Sony Ericsson mobile phones. Sony Media Software customers span the globe and include seasoned professionals in the film, television, video game, and recording industries, students and educators, hobbyists and enthusiasts, and young children exploring music creation.

About FremantleMedia Licensing Worldwide, Americas:

FremantleMedia Licensing Worldwide, Americas (FLW, Americas) is the licensing arm of FremantleMedia for North and South America. FremantleMedia one of the largest international creators and producers of program brands in the world, with leading prime time drama, serial drama, entertainment and factual entertainment programming in over 40 territories. FLW, Americas exploits FremantleMedia's many strong brands, including the award winning, American Idol, the world's longest running gameshow The Price Is Right, the ever-popular Family Feud, and other classic gameshows, across multiple off- screen platforms including merchandising campaigns, live events, sponsorship, interactive and wireless support, home entertainment and music publishing. FLW, Americas is also responsible for additional business diversification initiatives including a pioneering wireless channel delivering original made- for-mobile video content on demand.

FLW, Americas is part of FremantleMedia North America (FMNA). FMNA is on the leading edge of global broadcast production, developing some of television's most innovative and watched new programming. Based in Santa Monica and with offices in New York, FMNA has produced such genre-bending shows as the musical/reality phenomenon American Idol. In 2005, FremantleMedia programs garnered 16 Emmy nominations, including six for American Idol. Other credits include The Price Is Right (CBS), the longest- running gameshow in television history, the daily syndicated gameshow Family Feud, Distraction (Comedy Central), American Inventor (ABC), The Gameshow Marathon (CBS), America's Got Talent (NBC), and the upcoming Bianca (Lifetime).

FremantleMedia is the production arm of the RTL Group, Europe's largest television and radio broadcast company. With interests in 34 television channels and 30 radio stations in 10 countries, RTL Group is a division of leading integrated media and entertainment company Bertelsmann AG. For further information, visit www.fremantlemedia.com.

About American Idol:

Fourteen-time Emmy-nominated AMERICAN IDOL is created and executive- produced by Simon Fuller, founder of 19 Entertainment, Ltd.; and executive- produced by Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO, FremantleMedia North America, Inc.; Nigel Lythgoe, President, 19 Television; and Ken Warwick, Executive Producer, FremantleMedia North America, Inc.

About 19 Entertainment:

19 Entertainment, Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of CKX, Inc. (NASDAQ:CKXE), was founded by Simon Fuller 21 years ago and acquired by CKX in March 2005. The company is recognized as a leading creator, provider and promoter of globally successful, music-based entertainment, or "Entertainment Brands."

Simon Fuller, who serves as Chief Executive Officer of 19 Entertainment, is the creator of AMERICAN IDOL in the United States, "Pop Idol" in the UK, as well as versions of the IDOL format in more than 30 countries around the world. Fuller is also the co-creator of SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE, which aired in the U.S. on FOX during summer 2005 and was the top-rated television show in its time slot.

Fuller has made music history in the UK and the U.S.A., producing a stream of No. 1 hits and managing multi-platinum-selling acts. Fuller recently became the world's most successful manager -- breaking a record set by the Beatles' manager Brian Epstein in the 1960s -- when three of his artists occupied the No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 positions on the U.S. single chart as well as the No. 1 position on the album chart.

19 Entertainment has been involved in the creation of 109 No. 1 singles and 87 No. 1 albums in the UK alone, with an impressive tally of 296 Top-40 albums and 465 Top-40 singles.

Source: Sony Media Software

CONTACT: Brent Marcus, brent_marcus@bhimpact.com, or Dior Brown,
dior_brown@bhimpact.com, both of Bender/Helper Impact, +1-310-473-4147, for
Sony Media Software

Web site: http://www.fremantlemedia.com/

Web site: http://www.sony.com/mediasoftware

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