USA Network and Major League Gaming Bring Professional Videogaming to Fall Television

USA Network and Major League Gaming Bring Professional Videogaming to Fall Television

NEW YORK, Oct. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- USA Network, the top-rated basic cable network, and Major League Gaming (MLG), the world's first professional video game league, today announced "Boost Mobile Major League Gaming Pro Circuit," will be debuting this fall on Saturday mornings. The show, a seven-part series premiering on Saturday, November 11 at 10am ET/PT, chronicles the challenges, drama and excitement of young professionals competing in MLG's seven-city professional video game circuit.

Lead sponsors of the broadcast include Boost Mobile, Scion, and Gamestop and additional advertising sponsors are expected to be announced prior to the airing of the broadcast.

By making videogaming entertaining to the mainstream public and available to 90 million homes, USA Network and MLG have created a powerful way to reach and connect with the elusive youth demographic. The show introduces gaming as the next TV phenomenon, using innovative graphic illustrations, in-depth personality profiles and the broadest distribution of any competitive gaming series.

"This is a unique opportunity for USA to be involved in the growth of such an innovative concept as professional gaming," said Chris McCumber, SVP Marketing & Brand Strategy. "We're thrilled to be working with Major League Gaming and introducing our viewers to their amazing characters."

Characters Welcome

"Boost Mobile Major League Gaming Pro Circuit" will take viewers into the lives of the players with a behind-the-scenes look into their homes, schools, work and social lives. The audience will experience the highs and lows with the professional gamers who put it all on the line to compete and win.

Some of the characters and excitement viewers can expect to see include:

-- Team Final Boss, led by captain Dave "Walshy" Walsh, went undefeated
for most of the Pro Circuit. Now its fighting to regain its edge before
the Championship. Meanwhile, the team members manage to find time to
create a clothing company and keep their college grades high.

-- Team Str8 Rippin and rival Team Carbon have been threatening to knock
Final Boss out of the lead all year, until Team Carbon finally knocked
them off their pedestal. However, emotions and smack-talk between the
two teams reach a fever pitch and threaten to get in the way of a
winning streak. The leader of Str8 Rippin is the well-known Tom
"Tsquared" Taylor, who has appeared in Stuff Magazine, ranking #1 on
the Power 2

-- Under 30 list, MTV True Life, Wall Street Journal and more. He's
confident and cocky with the skills to back it up, making him a
favorite target of the other pros.

-- Viewers will also get to know players like Xena -- a 16-year old
Pennsylvania girl who is active in horseback riding, sports, church and
school activities -- and who also happens to be the world's top-rated
female Halo 2 player; and Strongside, a player who came out of nowhere
last year and single-handedly beat hundreds of competitors on the fast
track to becoming a pro.

Every MLG player has a great story and an unparalleled drive to be the best. Viewers will get hooked as they watch the drama unfold throughout the series.

"USA Network's Characters Welcome says it all. MLG has the best players in the world signed to exclusive contracts, and our show will give viewers the opportunity to get to know them," said Sundance DiGiovanni, co-founder and CMO of MLG. "USA is the perfect partner for us to make this show a success as we take the next step in building out our sports media business."

ABOUT USA NETWORK

Seen in 90 million homes, USA Network is cable television's leading network of original series and feature movies, sports and entertainment events, network shows and blockbuster theatrical films. The USA Network Web site is located at www.usanetwork.com. Characters Welcome.

USA Network is a program service of NBC Universal Cable a division 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.

ABOUT MAJOR LEAGUE GAMING

MLG is the first professional video game league. By raising video game competition to the level of professional sport, the company is creating a sports media business that provides players, developers, publishers, media partners, and advertisers a unique connection to the video game lifestyle enjoyed by 168 million Americans. With the support of major sponsors, MLG operates a pro tour that in 2006 will make 7 stops in major cities across the U.S., exclusively featuring the best gamers in the world. We produce a variety of online and broadcast-quality programming that showcases MLG's pros and this exciting new sports entertainment phenomenon. More information can be found at www.mlgpro.com.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: USA Network

CONTACT: USA Network, Brad Bernstein, +1-212-664-4401,
brad.bernstein@nbcuni.com; Contact for MLG, Corie Pierce, +1-415-934-9600,
ext. 307, mlg@sutherlandgold.com

Web site: http://www.usanetwork.com/
http://www.mlgpro.com/

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