Robust DVD Debut Keeps 'Curious George' Franchise Swinging

Robust DVD Debut Keeps 'Curious George' Franchise Swinging

Winning Home Entertainment Premiere Bolsters Successful Theatrical, TV Series, CD, Videogame and Licensing Efforts Further Propelling the Hugely Popular Family Property

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif., Oct. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Outperforming industry projections, home entertainment consumers swung through retail aisles, grabbing approximately 1.75 million units of "Curious George" DVD in the first week following its September 26, 2006 release from Universal Studios Home Entertainment.

The strong DVD debut comes on the heels of successes in a wide range of media that have made "Curious George" one of the year's most popular children's properties. In addition to the film's impressive $60 million domestic theatrical run, the movie's chart-topping soundtrack, Sing-A-Longs & Lullabies for the Film Curious George featuring songs by multi-platinum singer-songwriter Jack Johnson, debuted at #1 on the Billboard chart has sold two million units to date worldwide. More recently, the animated television show "Curious George," produced by Imagine Entertainment, premiered on PBS in September and is a critical darling of the 2006 fall season. Meanwhile, NAMCO's recently released "Curious George" videogame for Playstation 2, Xbox, Game Boy Advance and Game Cube has quickly become one of the most high-profile in its category. Overall, "Curious George" has fast become Universal's top-selling line of children's merchandise, led by more than 100 licensees and promotional partners across the globe spanning all categories including apparel, accessories, toys, interactive games and publishing.

"'Curious George' has long been one of the world's most embraced children's characters, transcending all generational barriers," said Craig Kornblau, President of Universal Studios Home Entertainment. "Audiences' insatiable appetite for this hugely popular property has fueled its runaway success as a full-fledged, multi-platform family franchise. I have every confidence that 'Curious George' will continue to attract new fans as we continue to expand the brand with a range of new, high-quality, original projects."

Universal Studios Home Entertainment was joined by a variety of top family brands, including Dole, French's, Langers, Little Debbie, Carvel, Cold-EEZE and Parenting magazine, in promoting the "Curious George" DVD.

A colorfully told story that is delightfully true to the beloved original by H.A. and Margret Rey, "Curious George" was awarded the Parents Television Council Seal of Approval and the Film Advisory Board's Award of Excellence. This remarkable family treasure, voiced by a stellar cast including Will Ferrell, Drew Barrymore, Eugene Levy, Dick Van Dyke, Joan Plowright and David Cross, is the heartwarming and hilarious tale of an incurably curious monkey with an insatiable taste for adventure and his ever patient human friend. An instant classic, "Curious George" is packed with amusing mischief and delivers wholesome family entertainment sure to delight kids and parents again and again.

The DVD includes an exclusive sing-a-long music video from Jack Johnson, as well as a variety of interactive games and special features designed to keep the fun going long after the movie ends.

For more information please visit: www.curiousgeorgemovie.com

For artwork or screeners, please log on to our Web site at www.ushepublicity.com or fax your request to Universal Studios Home Entertainment Publicity at (818) 866-0226.

Universal Studios Home Entertainment is a unit of Universal Pictures, a division of Universal Studios (www.universalstudios.com). Universal Studios is a part of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80% owned by General Electric and 20% owned by Vivendi.

CONTACTS

Universal Studios Home Entertainment
Vivian Mayer
Senior Vice President, Publicity
(818) 777-3594

Lea Porteneuve
Vice President of Publicity
(818) 777-1391

Meghan Gamber
Manager, Print Publicity
(818) 777-0546

Kelly Castell
Assistant Manager, Broadcast Publicity
(818) 777-0549

www.curiousgeorgemovie.com

Source: Universal Studios Home Entertainment

CONTACT: Vivian Mayer, Senior Vice President, Publicity,
+1-818-777-3594, or Lea Porteneuve, Vice President of Publicity,
+1-818-777-1391, Meghan Gamber, Manager, Print Publicity, +1-818-777-0546, or
Kelly Castell, Assistant Manager, Broadcast Publicity, +1-818-777-0549, all of
Universal Studios Home Entertainment

Web site: http://www.universalstudios.com/
http://www.curiousgeorgemovie.com/

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