UPFRONT: NBC UNIVERSAL CABLE ANNOUNCES USA NETWORK'S FREE ON DEMAND AND BROADBAND PREMIERE OF 'MONK' AND 'PSYCH'
Adelphia, Bresnan Communications, Charter, Comcast, Cox, Insight Communications, Time Warner Cable and Verizon Among Others to Participate in Multi-platform Summer Affiliate Promotion
NEW YORK -- May 9, 2006 -- NBC Universal Cable (NBCUC) promotes USA Network's summer programming and digital initiatives with a multi-platform affiliate marketing campaign to support the Free On Demand (FOD) and broadband premieres of "Monk" and "Psych" June 30, one week prior to the USA broadcast premiere on July 7.
This marks the first time ever that a top rated program will premiere prior to the broadcast airing on both on demand and broadband platforms simultaneously.
Premiere episodes of both shows will be made available to viewers via cable, satellite and telco affiliate's FOD and broadband platforms. Participating affiliates include Adelphia, Charter, Comcast, Cox, Insight Communications, Time Warner Cable and Verizon, in addition to Advanced Cable Communications, Bresnan Communications, Buckeye CableSystem, Knology, Patriot Media and Vista III Media among others.
"This is an extraordinary promotion we've implemented with USA where our affiliates and advertisers can leverage hit shows from cable's number one network to help drive their business," said Jean-Briac Perrette, senior vice president of New Media and chief financial officer, NBCUC. "In addition, affiliates can entice viewers and potential subscribers to their digital on demand and broadband services."
"These broadband and FOD 'firsts' are indicative of USA's on-going efforts to find new and innovative ways to promote our shows across multiple platforms," said Chris McCumber, SVP Marketing and Brand Strategy at USA Network. "We're thrilled to offer viewers the power to choose when, where and how they interact with our content."
USA Network will also create unique content for "Monk" and its newest series "Psych" in support of its summer launches. On a weekly basis, viewers will be able to access exclusive 3-4 minute clips of the opening scene from upcoming episodes of "Monk" in addition to "Monk"-themed ancillary content including behind-the-scenes footage, webisodes and cast interviews. USA will also offer advertisers the opportunity to sponsor these unique new media offerings.
NBCUC will provide affiliates with a robust marketing campaign including TV and radio spots, print and online ads to help drive awareness. Additionally, the promotion will include a local ad sales component, offering affiliates the opportunity to win a "Psych Out Buddy" trip for two to Santa Barbara CA, where the series takes place. Other prizes include iPods and iTunes gift cards.
About USA Network
USA NETWORK is cable television's leading provider of original series and feature movies, sports and entertainment events, off-net television shows, and blockbuster theatrical films. The #1 basic cable network across the board in 1Q06, USA Network is seen in 90 million U.S. homes. The USA Network Web site is located at www.usanetwork.com. Characters Welcome.
About NBC Universal Cable
NBC Universal Cable, a division of NBC Universal, one of the world's preeminent media companies, drives the company's cable strategic development and growth including video-on-demand, pay-per-view, HDTV and retransmission consent, and oversees the cable distribution, marketing and local ad sales of fourteen properties (Bravo, CNBC, CNBC World, MSNBC, mun2, NBC Weather Plus, SCI FI, ShopNBC, Sleuth, Telemundo, Telemundo Puerto Rico, Universal HD, USA and the Olympics on cable). NBC Universal Cable also directs and manages the company's cable and new media investments including A&E, The History Channel, History Channel International, The Biography Channel, National Geographic International, the Sundance Channel and Tivo.
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