Lexus and Smith Barney to Be Charter Sponsors of Sundance Channel's THE GREEN(TM) Presented by Robert Redford

Lexus and Smith Barney to Be Charter Sponsors of Sundance Channel's THE GREEN(TM) Presented by Robert Redford

New Environmental Programming Block Debuts April 17, 2007

First Major Deals to be Announced Since Network Unveiled New Sponsorship and Branded Entertainment Strategy

NEW YORK, Jan. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Lexus and Smith Barney have signed on as co-presenting sponsors of Sundance Channel's THE GREEN. The announcement was made today by Sundance Channel President & CEO Larry Aidem, Lexus Vice President, Marketing, Deborah Wahl Meyer and Citigroup Global Wealth Management's branding head, Steve Cone. The weekly primetime destination, presented by Robert Redford, will feature original programming and documentaries focusing on environmental topics and is due to launch on April 17, 2007.

This is the first deal announced by Sundance Channel since the network unveiled its sponsorship and branded entertainment strategy last June. Sundance Channel intends to identify and join forces with like-minded consumer brands interested in establishing a long-term relationship with the Sundance Channel audience and looking to create robust marketing and promotional platforms tied to distinct content. With THE GREEN, Sundance Channel becomes the first television network in the United States to establish a significant, regularly-scheduled programming destination dedicated entirely to the environment.

Each company has constructed with Sundance Channel, a multi-year, multi- platform program that includes sponsorship of one or more series.

THE GREEN will feature two short form series. The first, "The Ecoists(TM)," is a short form interstitial series showcasing some of today's most active and recognizable environmental activists and their cause of choice. Participating talent includes, for example, Robert Kennedy Jr., Paul Newman, Daryl Hannah, Willie Nelson, Laird Hamilton, Gabby Reese, Tim Robbins, and Josh Lucas. The second, "Eco-Biz(TM)," will explore financial aspects of environmental innovation in business. Segments will look at global "green" business news such as executives within companies working to develop more environmentally sustainable policies, innovative eco-friendly business tactics and the subsequent impact to the bottom line.

Lexus is the exclusive sponsor of the Sundance Channel original series "Big Ideas for a Small Planet," a 13-part character-driven documentary series produced by SCOUT ("Queer Eye for the Straight Guy," "The Fog of War"). The series presents the innovative designers, products and processes that are on the front lines of a new green world. From the ingenious to the avant garde, the practical to the incredible, the series tells the stories of people who are blazing a trail to a sustainable future, and their emerging inventions that will eventually redefine how we go about our daily lives.

Commenting on the deal, Aidem said: "When we first unveiled our sponsorship strategy last summer, our goal was clear -- to establish relationships with like-minded companies who support the kind of compelling content only available on Sundance Channel. With these two significant relationships in place, we have set the bar very high and see an especially bright future for sponsorship of our signature programming. We couldn't be more pleased about Lexus and Smith Barney's investment in Sundance Channel's THE GREEN and their willingness to address their concerns about the environment through THE GREEN lineup."

"As Lexus introduces more hybrid luxury vehicles we see that sustainability is a lifestyle choice and customers are seeking information about how to purchase products that have less impact on the environment," said Deborah Wahl Meyer, Lexus vice president of marketing. "We're pleased to be supporting THE GREEN as it helps people explore our world and how we can make a positive difference."

On Smith Barney's decision to sponsor THE GREEN, Citigroup's Steve Cone said, "It is important to shine a spotlight on businesses that are trying to create positive change around environmental impact. We believe that doing what is good for the environment can also be very beneficial for the bottom line and it's Citigroup's desire to help highlight the organizations and companies that are leading the way."

THE GREEN on Sundance Channel will present original series and documentary premieres about the earth's ecology and concepts of "green" living that balance human needs with responsible environmental stewardship. The three- hour weekly destination is designed to be both informative and entertaining, with an emphasis on information, practical advice and community building.

Lexus has become synonymous with luxury since its introduction in 1989. By offering some of the finest quality luxury vehicles and providing benchmark customer service, Lexus has remained the top-selling luxury nameplate in the United States for seven years in a row. Lexus and its 221 dealers have repeatedly achieved high honors for both the products they sell and the customer service they provide.

Citigroup Global Wealth Management is a business of Citigroup, Inc. and comprises The Citigroup Private Bank, Citigroup Investment Research, and Smith Barney (a division of Citigroup Global Markets Inc., member SIPC). It is one of the premier wealth management businesses in the world with nearly $1.4 trillion in client assets and approximate 14,000 financial advisors and bankers in more than 30 countries.

Under the creative direction of Robert Redford, Sundance Channel is the television destination for independent-minded viewers seeking something different. Bold, uncompromising and irreverent, Sundance Channel offers audiences a diverse and engaging selection of films, documentaries, shorts and original programs, all uncut and commercial free. Launched in 1996, Sundance Channel is a venture of NBC Universal, Showtime Networks Inc. and Robert Redford. Sundance Channel operates independently of the non-profit Sundance Institute and the Sundance Film Festival, but shares the overall Sundance mission of encouraging artistic freedom of expression. Sundance Channel's website address is www.sundancechannel.com.

Source: Sundance Channel

CONTACT: Sarah Eaton, +1-212-708-8043, sarah.eaton@sundancechannel.com;
or Katie Lanegran, +1-212-708-8044, katie.lanegran@sundancechannel.com

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

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