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Spike TV and FremantleMedia Enterprises Extend Strategic Partnership to Finance and Distribute Three New Series Internationally

Posted on: Monday, 10 November 2008, 15:00 CST

NEW YORK, Nov. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Spike TV and FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) today announce an extended partnership whereby FME will help finance and market three Spike's original series worldwide. The multi-million dollar investment deal, announced today by Eddie Dalva, senior vice president, content, MTV Networks Entertainment Group, in conjunction with David Ellender, CEO, FME, also grants FME international distribution rights to the recently announced Spike TV original series, "Jesse James is a Dead Man,""Deadliest Warrior," and "Surviving Disaster (working title)." All three programs will debut on Spike TV in 2009.

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

The deal is the latest in the successful and lucrative partnership between the MTV Networks Entertainment Group and FME, who have worked together on distributing previous titles including season one of Spike's original series "DEA" which has sold in 42 territories, and "Murder," selling into 49 territories. FME launched Comedy Central's "Reality Bites Back" at MIPCOM at the beginning of October.

"We view these new series as long term franchises and FME's tremendous leverage and scope will maximize their revenue potential," said Dalva.

"We couldn't be more pleased with the tremendous success we've shared thus far in distributing Spike TV programming worldwide, and are confident these new series will perform just as strong in the international market place," commented Ellender.

About "Jesse James Is A Dead Man":

Each episode will follow Jesse James as he readies himself for a different death-defying stunt. Preparing for the risky stunt can often be as dangerous as the stunt itself as he endures a battery of tests to prep for the challenge. With CGI effects, viewers get a taste of the enormity of the stunt, revealing the physiological stress James' body will endure.

About "Deadliest Warrior":

With the series "Deadliest Warrior," Spike TV will settle once and for all the age-old bar bet of who is history's ultimate fighting machine. Each week, this original, action-packed, yet historical narrative series will pit two of the most feared warriors civilization has ever known against one another.

About "Surviving Disaster (wt)":

With some of the most elaborate disaster simulations ever created for television, "Surviving Disaster" is a look at how people can arm themselves with knowledge that could save their lives in the event of disaster. The series is hosted by Former Navy SEAL Cade Courtley (Mark Burnett's "Combat Missions").

Spike TV (http://www.spike.com/) is available in 97.3 million homes and is a division of MTV Networks. A unit of Viacom , MTV Networks is one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. Spike TV's Internet address is http://www.spike.com/ and for up-to-the-minute and archival press information and photographs, visit Spike TV's press site at http://www.spike.com/press.

ABOUT FREMANTLEMEDIA ENTERPRISES & FREMANTLEMEDIA:

FremantleMedia Enterprises is the brand extension arm of FremantleMedia, offering a one-stop-shop for all Licensing, Distribution and Home Entertainment. It is a division of FremantleMedia, one of the largest international creators and producers of entertainment brands in the world with leading prime time drama, serial drama, entertainment and factual entertainment programming in over 40 countries worldwide. FremantleMedia is a subsidiary of RTL Group, Europe's largest television and radio broadcast company, which is 90% owned by Bertelsmann AG, an integrated media and entertainment company that commands leading positions in the world's media markets. For further information, visit http://www.fremantlemedia.com/.

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060322/NYW096LOGOAP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com

Spike TV

CONTACT: David Schwarz of Spike TV, +1-212-767-8639,david.schwarz@mtvstaff.com; or Laura Saunders of The Lippin Group, for FME,+44(0)20-3008-5407, laura@lippingroup.com

Web Site: http://www.spike.com/

Source: PRNewswire

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