MTVN's Entertainment Group and Videogame Journalist Geoff Keighley Expand Partnership with Broad Talent and Development Deal

MTVN's Entertainment Group and Videogame Journalist Geoff Keighley Expand Partnership with Broad Talent and Development Deal

Tune in to the High-Definition Premiere of 'GameTrailers TV With Geoff Keighley' Friday, January 25, 2008 on Spike TV

NEW YORK, Jan. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- MTV Networks' Entertainment Group, a division of Viacom (NYSE:VIA)(NYSE:and)(NYSE:VIA.B), today announced a talent and development deal with acclaimed videogame journalist Geoff Keighley, the host of Spike TV's "Game Head," the preeminent videogame show on television. Premiering Friday, January 25, 2008, the fifth season of "Game Head" will be re-launched as "GameTrailers TV with Geoff Keighley." The weekly magazine- style show, made available for the first time in high-definition, will feature an expanded online presence and a tighter integration with GameTrailers.com, the premier provider of video for gamers.

(Logo:

http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060322/NYW096LOGO )

In addition to serving as an executive producer on the new show, Keighley will enter into a development deal with Spike TV to create additional on-air programming, consult on the annual Spike TV "Video Game Awards" show and host a number of to be announced specials. He will also continue hosting and producing "Bonus Round," GameTrailers' popular online roundtable talk show about the videogame industry.

"We are thrilled to have the industry's number one host on the number one videogame show on television," said Kevin Kay, president of Spike TV. "This new deal allows us to work more closely with Geoff to ensure that Spike continues to be home to the best videogame programming both online and on TV."

"It has long been my hope to sign Geoff to a larger overall deal so we can make better use of his talents across all of our properties," said Jon Slusser, SVP Spike Digital and Videogames. "Geoff's experience as a journalist and passion for videogames make him one of the best gaming experts in the field and he is an invaluable addition to the MTVN Entertainment Group."

"I'm proud of what we've done these past few years with "Game Head," our various videogame specials and The Bonus Round, so it's natural to bring everything together into one overall multi-platform deal," said Keighley. "This year we're going to continue delivering exclusive content to gamers, but also take videogame programming in some new and unexpected directions."

"GameTrailers TV with Geoff Keighley" will bring fans the latest scoop on the gaming industry's hottest titles, coolest events and biggest stars, offering the access and insight millions of viewers have come to expect from GameTrailers.com. Featuring a rotation of over 20 segments, Keighley and co- hosts Amanda MacKay and Daniel Kayser will provide exclusive content catering to gamers with varying interest levels from the casual gamer to hardcore enthusiasts. In addition to premiering on Spike TV and Spike HD, the program will be available in high definition on GameTrailers.com and Xbox Live Marketplace.

About Spike TV

SPIKE TV is available in more than 96.1 million homes and is a division of MTV Networks. A unit of VIACOM (NYSE:VIA)(NYSE:VIA.B), MTV Networks is one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms.

About GameTrailers

GameTrailers (GT) is the premier video destination for gaming entertainment and information. GT delivers timely, high-resolution broadband video content for gamers that includes original shows, video reviews, game trailers and comprehensive video coverage of gaming events from around the world. GT also has a robust community that features user-generated content, a community marketplace and a variety of communication tools so gamers can talk to friends and share media such as fan movies, machinima and daily blogs. GT has offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York and is a division of Viacom Inc.'s (NYSE:VIA)(NYSE:VIA.B) MTV Networks Entertainment Group.

About Geoff Keighley

Newsweek dubs him Mike Wallace meets Kurt Loder for the videogame generation. The Wall Street Journal calls him an example of gaming journalism growing up. Since the age of 14, Geoff Keighley has spent more than half his life covering the videogame industry across print, online and television. Today he is widely regarded as the preeminent journalist in his field and as the top talent for videogame programming on television, both in front and behind the camera. In 2004 NewsBios.com named him one of the top 30 journalists under 30.

Photo: NewsCom:

http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060322/NYW096LOGO
AP Archive:

http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Spike TV

CONTACT: Aileen Budow of MTVN Entertainment Group, +1-212-767-3952,
aileen.budow@mtvn.com; or Karen Raque of Bender-Helper Impact,
+1-310-694-3138, karen_raque@bhimpact.com

Web site:

http://www.spiketv.com/
http://gametrailers.com/

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