AtomFilms(R) and Aardman Animations Team Up for Exclusive Release of Broadband Comedy Series 'Pib and Pog'

AtomFilms(R) and Aardman Animations Team Up for Exclusive Release of Broadband Comedy Series 'Pib and Pog'

Oscar(R)-Winning Creators Develop New Series With AtomFilms Studio

SAN FRANCISCO, July 17 /PRNewswire/ -- AtomFilms (http://www.atomfilms.com/), a division of Viacom's (NYSE:VIA)(NYSE:and)(NYSE:VIA.B) MTVN Entertainment Group, and Aardman Animations, creators of the Oscar(R)-Winning "Creature Comforts" and "Wallace and Gromit," announced the debut of "Pib and Pog," an original broadband animated series. The series debuts exclusively today on AtomFilms.com at http://pibandpog.atomfilms.com/ and through the AtomFilms Channel on Verizon Wireless' V CAST service. Later this month, "Pib and Pog" will also be available for download on the AtomFilms Channel on xBox Live.

This new "Pib and Pog" series was developed by Aardman in conjunction with AtomFilms Studio. The series and characters are based on a short film originally created by Aardman and Oscar(R)-nominated director Peter Peake in the late 1990s. Peake has returned to direct the broadband series, which features the original two cutesy children's TV characters, who in reality are anything but cute.

The series marks the latest in a long line of collaborations between AtomFilms and Aardman. The companies first teamed up in 1999 with the online release of classic Aardman shorts including "Creature Comforts," "Humdrum" and "Adam" and went on to unleash digital blockbusters including "Angry Kid" and "Wallace and Gromit's Cracking Contraptions" on Internet viewers. Collectively, Aardman titles have been viewed over 40 million times on AtomFilms.

"I've been a fan of Peter Peake's work for years, including Humdrum and the original Pib and Pog short," said AtomFilms vice president of acquisitions and productions, Megan O'Neill. "We were thrilled to be working with both Peter and Aardman again, in order to bring this very funny new series to our audience."

Helen Brunsdon, executive producer says "We are really excited about Pib and Pog and believe strongly that Atom audiences will love this new series. Our collaboration with Atom on Angry Kid has been superb and if Pib and Pog can get anywhere near that success we will be delighted. "

AtomFilms Studio creates original short-form content for distribution on the Internet, mobile devices, television and beyond. Previous AtomFilms Studio hits include "HellHoles," "Possum Death Spree" and "Game Over," which have generated millions of plays.

AtomFilms will release three episodes of "Pib and Pog" for free online viewing today at http://pibandpog.atomfilms.com/, with more episodes to follow in the coming weeks. The original "Pib and Pog" short film is also available at the same address.

About AtomFilms

Since 1998, AtomFilms has evolved from an online video pioneer into one of the world's leading brands for independent entertainment. For viewers, the AtomFilms Web site (a 2007 Webby Award finalist) is a daily source of original web shows, animation, and short films -- from hit viral comedies like Possum Death Spree to Oscar(R)-winning classics like Creature Comforts. AtomFilms empowers creators by licensing their content, sharing revenue, funding and developing new programming, and providing distribution to extensive audiences on the Internet, mobile phones, and television to partners including COMEDY CENTRAL, Spike TV, Verizon and BellSouth. The company recently debuted a new service, AtomUploads, which enables users to immediately post and share their own videos. AtomFilms is a division of VIACOM Inc.'s (NYSE:VIA)(NYSE:and)(NYSE:VIA.B) MTV Networks.

About Aardman

Aardman Animations, based in Bristol UK, is one of the world's leading animation studios. Founded by David Sproxton and Peter Lord in 1976 Aardman produces feature Films, television commercials and television series for the global market. The studio has won over 400 international awards including 4 Oscars(R), 1 Emmy and 9 BAFTAs.

Aardman's Broadcast and International Departments are responsible for the development, production and distribution of Aardman's TV series, specials and shorts. Recent credits include Creature Comforts (ITV1), Angry Kid (BBC3) and Planet Sketch (CiTV). Current productions include Chop Socky Chooks (Cartoon Network and Teletoon), Shaun The Sheep (BBC & WDR) and Creature Comforts USA for CBS.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: AtomFilms

CONTACT: Aileen Budow, +1-212-767-3952, aileen.budow@mtvn.com; or
Melissa Zukerman, +1-323-658-1555, melissa@pcommgroup.com, both for AtomFilms

Web site:

http://www.atomfilms.com/
http://pibandpog.atomfilms.com/

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