Sony Pictures Television and Gaia Online Partner to Bring Movies and TV Programming and Virtual Merchandise to Millions of Teens in Gaia's Cinemas

Sony Pictures Television and Gaia Online Partner to Bring Movies and TV Programming and Virtual Merchandise to Millions of Teens in Gaia's Cinemas

SAN JOSE, Calif., Dec. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Gaia Online, the leading online hangout for teens, today announced that it has completed an agreement with Sony Pictures Television to bring many of the studio's top movie and TV titles into the Gaia Online Cinema. The more than 2.5 million teens who visit Gaia every month will have access to a combination of pay-per-view and ad-supported free programming in the uniquely interactive virtual theaters at Gaia Online. Movie titles will include contemporary classics such as Spider-man, Gattaca and Ghost Rider and television content will include titles from The Minisode Network, AXN and Funnybones channels.

The partnership also includes an investment from Sony Pictures in Gaia Online in the series B round.

The Gaia Online Cinema boasts an engaging community experience where users and their friends watch movies together. In typical teen fashion, there is more to do inside the theaters than simply watch movies. Concession stands offer popcorn (to eat or throw at each other) and other items to enhance the viewing experience, such as laser pointers, fireballs and tomatoes for throwing at the screen. Users can chat during the films to share insights, commentary and jokes with other users. Virtual movie posters allow users to access information about the films or participate in a related Gaia Online forum without leaving the cinema experience.

"We have been focused on the explosive growth of the virtual world space and Gaia's position in it," said Sean Carey, senior executive vice president, Sony Pictures Television. "Offering our movies and television shows there will capture yet another audience eager for our compelling content."

Sony content available in Gaia Online will ultimately include 50 pay-per- view premium movies and ad-supported free-to-the-user TV programs from The Minisode Network, Funnybone and AXN. In the second half of the yearlong engagement, Sony will provide 25 additional movies on an ad-supported, free- to-the-user basis as well as free anime programming. The agreement also includes licensing to sell virtual goods based on this content for Gaia members to outfit their avatars.

"Teenage members of Gaia have been enthralled with the Gaia Cinemas from day one. Millions of teens have viewed videos tens of millions of times so far, and adding Sony movies and TV to the experience will only make it more engaging and fun for our users," said Craig Sherman, CEO, Gaia Online. "The Gaia Cinemas are just one of the many ways that Gaia attracts such a loyal user base, where teens spend more hours per day than any other social network or virtual world."

The Gaia Online Cinema opened earlier this year to the delighted approval of the community. Public domain classics such as Night of the Living Dead have been viewed millions of times. Previews for upcoming commercial movie releases have also been a huge success, with Gaia members watching trailers and engaging in other activities to earn virtual goods related to the movies. A partnership with Toyota's Scion division similarly revealed the level of teens' engagement with the site -- within 24 hours of making virtual Scion xB cars available, more than 90,000 had been acquired, customized and drag-raced. And four months into the campaign, 550,000 Scion cars were zooming through the site.

About Gaia Online

Founded in 2003, Gaia Online is the leading teen hangout on the web. Millions of teens come to Gaia every month to make friends, play games, watch movies in Gaia Cinemas, Gaia's virtual theaters, and participate in the world's most active online community. Gaia Online provides a fun, social environment that inspires individuality and creativity. With everything from art contests to discussion forums on poetry, politics, celebrities and more, to fully customizable profiles, digital characters and cars, Gaia Online is a place where teens can create their own space and express their individual style. For more information, visit http://www.gaiaonline.com/.

About Sony Pictures Television

Sony Pictures Television is one of the television industry's leading content providers. It produces and distributes programming in every genre, including series, telefilms, theatrical releases and family entertainment for network and cable television, as well as first-run and off-network series for syndication. With more than 25 programs on the air, SPT boasts a program slate that includes the top-rated daytime dramas and game shows, landmark off- network series, original animated series and critically acclaimed primetime dramas, comedies and telefilms. SPT also owns one-half of cable channel GSN and is a partner in FEARnet, the premier horror/thriller website and VOD service. Sony Pictures Television oversees all of Sony Pictures Entertainment's (SPE) domestic digital distribution efforts across all electronically delivered platforms, including the internet and mobile. Sony Pictures Television, advertiser sales, is one of the premiere national advertising sales companies, handling the commercial inventory in SPT syndicated series as well as in all of SPE's digital businesses in the United States, for Sony BMG and for iN DEMAND's high-definition channel Mojo and the Tennis Channel, and is part owner of national media sales company ITN Networks, Inc. SPT (http://www.sonypicturestelevision.com/) is a Sony Pictures Entertainment company.

Gaia Online is a trademark of Gaia Interactive, Inc. in the United States and other countries.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Gaia Online

CONTACT: Lindsay Stevens of Bite Communications, +1-415-365-0459,
lindsay.stevens@bitepr.com, for Gaia Online

Web site:

http://www.gaiaonline.com/
http://www.sonypicturestelevision.com/

-------
Profile: intent