Anheuser-Busch to Launch 'Bud.TV,' an Online Entertainment Network

Anheuser-Busch to Launch 'Bud.TV,' an Online Entertainment Network

Programming to Feature Multiple Channels of Original Content

ST. LOUIS, Sept. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Anheuser-Busch will tap into the world's growing online community by launching an internet-based entertainment network -- Bud.TV -- featuring 24-hour live and on-demand programming from numerous exclusive partners such as Wild West Picture Show Productions, TriggerStreet.com, LivePlanet, SEED, @radical.media, Omelet and DDB Worldwide.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060906/CGW012 )

Bud.TV will engage contemporary adult consumers with a wide array of entertainment options in branded and original proprietary content including new humorous webisodes, sporting events, consumer-generated content, field news reports, celebrity interviews, music downloads and comedian vignettes. The first-of-its-kind initiative is slated to launch in February 2007, and more content providers will be announced in the coming months.

"We're always looking for new opportunities to connect with adult consumers on a more personal level," said August Busch IV, president, Anheuser-Busch, Inc. "With adults spending more time online looking for entertainment to fit their lifestyles, we believe Bud.TV will enable us to reach them in an engaging and fun way."

Bud.TV will launch as a multi-channel online network, with as many as seven channels dedicated to a variety of consumer-interest areas, including comedy, sports, news, short films, and original and mainstream programming. The network will also serve as a distribution platform for multimedia content providers showcasing new and creative material. Bud.TV's innovative desktop application will allow users to view the content in full-screen DVD quality, setting Bud.TV apart in quality and performance from other online entertainment portals.

Bud.TV will partner with Wild West Picture Show Productions in the marketing release campaign of its upcoming documentary "Vince Vaughn's Wild West Comedy Show." In addition, Bud.TV will showcase short films of rising filmmakers and screen writers on Kevin Spacey's TriggerStreet.com project, along with multi-platform productions from LivePlanet -- producers of the Matt Damon-Ben Affleck fronted "Project Greenlight," the world's largest online filmmaking contest.

"Supporting TriggerStreet.com since its creation four years ago, Anheuser-Busch understands the importance of encouraging promising talent in new and innovative ways," said Spacey, Academy Award winning actor and founder of TriggerStreet.com. "With Bud.TV they are continuing on this exciting path while providing original content for the growing number of adults who seek entertainment on the Internet."

Bud.TV also will tap into existing and forthcoming projects from partners like SEED (a division of Backyard Productions), @radical.media, and Omelet for reality programming and original content.

"We saw a great opportunity to partner with several of the world's most enlightened entertainment content providers into a single, unique online network," Busch said. "As adult consumers look for more entertainment options online, Bud.TV will help redefine the boundaries of emerging media."

Anheuser-Busch tapped into the talent of its former Vice President of Creative Development Jim Schumacker to head up the new Digital Marketing team overseeing Bud.TV. Schumacker and his team report to Vice President of Global Media and Sports Marketing Tony Ponturo as the company expands its use of new media to communicate with consumers.

Anheuser-Busch is working with DDB Worldwide as the lead agency to help manage and produce Bud.TV. Rodgers/Townsend (St. Louis) is providing the interactive design for the website and desktop application, and Nine Systems (San Diego) is producing the technology and distribution platform for Bud.TV.

Based in St. Louis, Anheuser-Busch is the leading American brewer, holding a 48.8 percent share of U.S. beer sales. The company brews the world's largest-selling beers, Budweiser and Bud Light. Anheuser-Busch also owns a 50 percent share in Grupo Modelo, Mexico's leading brewer, and a 27 percent share in Tsingtao, the No. 1 brewer in China. Anheuser-Busch ranked No. 1 among beverage companies in FORTUNE Magazine's Most Admired U.S. and Global Companies lists in 2006. Anheuser-Busch is one of the largest theme park operators in the United States, is a major manufacturer of aluminum cans and is America's top recycler of aluminum cans. For more information, visit http://www.anheuser-busch.com/ .

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060906/CGW012
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN4
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Anheuser-Busch

CONTACT: Brian Eaton, +1-314-577-3914, or Bill Etling, +1-314-577-9603,
both of Anheuser-Busch

Web site: http://www.anheuser-busch.com/

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