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Qubo to Launch on NBC, Telemundo and the I Network This September; New Children's Programming Venture From ION Media Networks, NBC Universal, Scholastic, Classic Media/Big Idea and Corus Entertainment's Nelvana

Posted on: Wednesday, 23 August 2006, 15:00 CDT

ION Media Networks (AMEX:ION), NBC Universal, Scholastic (NASDAQ:SCHL), Classic Media/Big Idea and Corus Entertainment's (NYSE:CJR) Nelvana:

-- Multi-platform QUBO Network Will Evolve to Include a 24/7

Digital Broadcast Kids Channel, Video on Demand and a Branded

Website

-- Programming Line-Up Includes VeggieTales, VeggieTales

Presents: 3-2-1 Penguins! and LarryBoy Adventures, Babar, Jane

And The Dragon, Jacob Two-Two and Dragon

Qubo, a groundbreaking new multi-platform television network for children that champions literacy and positive values through entertainment, will launch its first platform, the qubo programming block, this September. Broadcasting in both English and Spanish, the block will premiere on NBC and Telemundo on Saturday morning (September 9), Telemundo on Sunday morning (September 10) and ION Media Networks' i network on Friday afternoon (September 15).

Representing an alliance of leading distribution and content providers in children's television, qubo was created when NBC Universal, Scholastic, Corus Entertainment and Classic Media/Big Idea joined forces in May, 2006 with the national TV distribution systems of ION Media Networks, NBC and Telemundo.

Qubo will focus on inspiring young viewers to realize their full potential, and will simultaneously promote literacy and positive values through entertainment. The new E/I (educational and informational)-compliant qubo broadcast schedule has been developed for kids ages four to eight and encourages problem-solving on issues such as getting along with friends and family, overcoming fears and mastering new ideas and challenges. Future qubo multi-platform offerings will include a dedicated 24/7 digital television kids network that will launch across ION Media Networks' nationwide television station group, a branded website (http://www.qubotv.com) and VOD services.

The qubo schedule on NBC, the i network and Telemundo includes four U.S. broadcast premieres, DRAGON (Scholastic), JANE AND THE DRAGON (Nelvana), VEGGIETALES (Classic/Big Idea) and VEGGIETALES PRESENTS: 3-2-1 PENGUINS! AND LARRYBOY ADVENTURES (Classic/Big Idea), alongside much-loved programs BABAR (Nelvana) and JACOB TWO-TWO (Nelvana).

Throughout the programming block, there will be positive messages reinforcing early literacy through interstitial content provided by Scholastic. These READING... EVERYBODY'S DOING IT!(TM) spots celebrate the joys of reading and literacy, as well as the essential role books play in preparing children for success in school and in life.

The qubo programming block schedule is as follows: NBC Saturday Morning (premieres September 9, 2006 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.) 10:00 a.m. VeggieTales 10:30 a.m. Dragon 11:00 a.m. VeggieTales Presents: 3-2-1 Penguins! and LarryBoy Adventures (alternating stories) 11:30 a.m. Babar 12:00 p.m. Jane and the Dragon 12:30 p.m. Jacob Two-Two i Network Friday Afternoon (premieres September 15, 2006 from 3-6 p.m.) 3:00 p.m. VeggieTales 3:30 p.m. Dragon 4:00 p.m. VeggieTales Presents: 3-2-1 Penguins! and LarryBoy Adventures (alternating stories) 4:30 p.m. Babar 5:00 p.m. Jane and the Dragon 5:30 p.m. Jacob Two-Two Telemundo Saturday (premieres September 9, 2006 from 8-9:30 a.m.) 8:00 a.m. VeggieTales 8:30 a.m. Dragon 9:00 a.m. VeggieTales Presents: 3-2-1 Penguins! and LarryBoy Adventures (alternating stories) Telemundo Sunday (starts September 10, 2006 from 8-9:30 a.m.) 8:00 a.m. Babar 8:30 a.m. Jane and the Dragon 9:00 a.m. Jacob Two-Two

"Qubo is pioneering, not only in its multi-platform structure but also because of its collaborative partnership between established media networks and respected companies in the children's entertainment and education businesses," said Marc Graboff, President, NBC Universal Television West Coast. "This unique partnership draws on the capabilities of each of these distribution and content providers to benefit children and parents. Through qubo, NBC Universal has strengthened our commitment as a supplier of children's programming and ensured that the NBC and Telemundo E/I children's programming blocks are populated with the highest quality educational and informative shows."

"We are thrilled to introduce parents and children to qubo's new brand of educational and values-oriented content," said Brandon Burgess, CEO of ION Media Networks, Inc. "These programming blocks are the first phase of qubo's multi-platform rollout, which will include ION's own launch of a fully dedicated digital broadcast network later this year. With the help of our exceptional slate of partners, we are committed to increasing the quality and quantity of programming available to all children in the digital age."

"Qubo's unique and innovative approach to quality children's programming builds upon the core values of reading and literacy for all children that Scholastic has championed for 85 years," said Deborah Forte, president of Scholastic Media, a division of Scholastic. "We are delighted to join our partners in providing a fun-filled bilingual media experience for children that reinforces their learning and development."

"This is a milestone for kids and families on commercial television," said Eric Ellenbogen, CEO of Classic Media. "Qubo will deliver Big Idea's hilarious brand of values-based entertainment that teaches timeless lessons like self-esteem and sharing, along with Classic's trusted library of beloved animation and live-action favorites."

"We are confident that this partnership will deliver a programming service that will delight kids and provide comfort to parents across multiple platforms," said John Cassaday, President and CEO of Corus Entertainment Inc., parent company of Nelvana.

Qubo will draw upon the expertise and resources from each of the partner organizations to launch the network. Classic Media/Big Idea, Scholastic Media, Corus Entertainment's subsidiary Nelvana and NBC Universal will together contribute more than 1,000 half-hours of children's programming. The arrangement provides that in addition to the library of existing content made available to the network, each partner will also produce one original series per year. Details of future programming and platform launches will follow.

About NBC Universal

NBC Television Network and Telemundo are units of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80%-owned by General Electric and 20%-owned by Vivendi Universal.

About ION Media Networks

ION Media Networks, Inc. (AMEX:ION) owns and operates the nation's largest broadcast television station group and the i network, reaching approximately 92 million U.S. television households via its nationwide broadcast television, cable and satellite distribution systems. For more information, please visit http://www.ionmedia.tv.

About Scholastic

Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ:SCHL) is the world's largest publisher and distributor of children's books and a leader in educational technology and children's media. Scholastic creates quality educational and entertaining materials and products for use in school and at home, including children's books, magazines, technology-based products, teacher materials and toys. Scholastic Media, a division of Scholastic Inc., is a leading producer of quality, family-oriented feature films, television programming, videos, interactive media and web sites and is a major developer and marketer of children's brands worldwide. The Company distributes its products and services through a variety of channels, including proprietary school-based book clubs, school-based book fairs and school-based and direct-to-home continuity programs; retail stores, schools, libraries and television networks; and the Company's Internet site, http://www.scholastic.com.

About Classic Media/Big Idea

Classic Media is America's largest private owner of kids and family entertainment. Classic's library includes more than 4,000 popular and award-winning movie, TV, book and comic titles. The company's rich content library includes some of the world's most trusted names in literary and values-based entertainment, including Golden Books (The Poky Little Puppy, pat the bunny), Dr. Seuss' Gerald McBoing Boing (currently airing on the Cartoon Network), Little Lulu (HBO Family), Lassie (Discovery Networks) and Big Idea's VeggieTales, among many others. Classic's Big Idea division is recognized as the leading producer and creator of values-based family product. Best known for its award-winning VeggieTales animated series, which has sold more than 50 million videos since 1993, Big Idea is committed to providing entertaining stories that help families teach children important life lessons in a delightfully wacky way. For more information, please visit us at http://www.bigidea.com.

About Corus Entertainment Inc.

Corus Entertainment is a Canadian-based media and entertainment company. Corus is a market leader in specialty television and radio with additional assets in pay television, advertising and digital audio services, television broadcasting, children's book publishing and children's animation. The company's multimedia entertainment brands include YTV, Treehouse, W Network, Movie Central, Nelvana, Kids Can Press and radio stations including CKNW, CKOI and Q107. Corus creates engaging branded entertainment experiences for its audiences across multiple platforms. A publicly traded company, Corus is listed on the Toronto (CJR.B) and New York (CJR) exchanges. Experience Corus on the web at http://www.corusent.com.

About Telemundo

Telemundo, a U.S. Spanish-language television network, is the essential entertainment, news and sports source for Hispanics. Broadcasting unique national and local programming for the fastest-growing segment of the U.S. population, Telemundo reaches 93% of U.S. Hispanic households in 142 markets through its 16 owned-and-operated stations, 36 broadcast affiliates and nearly 684 cable affiliates. Telemundo is wholly owned by NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies.

Show Summaries

DRAGON, based on the books by best-selling children's author Dav Pilkey, is a stop-motion series for preschoolers about a kindhearted blue dragon named Dragon. Dragon is friendly and helpful, but tends to see things from a much different perspective than most of us--and that's when the fun begins. Set in a colorful world populated by a menagerie of animal pals, the series playfully explores themes that are universally identifiable to children: wanting a friend, being afraid of the dark, and trying new things.

JANE AND THE DRAGON is a coming of age story about a middle-class, medieval girl who lives in the Royal Court with her family. As an only child, Jane is raised to be a Lady-in-Waiting but through her determination and a stroke of luck, she ends up being trained as a Knight in the King's Guard instead. Accompanied by her best friend, a giant green Dragon who lives in her backyard, Jane experiences a series of adventures that test her character and her skills as a young knight in a castle full of friends and foes. Each episode in the show takes us through the problems and challenges Jane encounters and the process she goes through to find the solutions for them.

BABAR is a young elephant who returns to the jungle where he builds the city of Celesteville and is crowned king of the elephants. A dedicated ruler and father, Babar and his family experience many challenges as they journey through life, and they learn to rise above them through strength and optimism.

JACOB TWO-TWO is a very little boy with a very big heart. As the youngest member of a large family, Jacob has to say things twice so he can be heard. He looks up to his siblings, but tends to be ignored or bullied by them when he tries to participate in their activities. Still, there are those who notice him when he inadvertently lands himself in adventures that involve mysterious neighbors, international spies, and villains that come in all shapes and sizes. Often accompanied by his closest pals, Buford and Renee, Jacob Two-Two finds innovative ways to get himself and others out of hot water as he tumbles through a series of exciting adventures with honesty, integrity, and a whole lot of determination.

VEGGIETALES is an award winning 3-D animated series that teaches kids values like honesty, kindness and forgiveness in a delightfully wacky way. The series follows the hilarious adventures of Bob the Tomato, Larry the Cucumber and a bushel full of their vegetable friends as they learn important life lessons. Each episode includes infectious "Silly Songs," usually sung by Larry the Cucumber, that help reinforce the values-based message.

VEGGIETALES PRESENTS: 3-2-1 PENGUINS! AND LARRYBOY ADVENTURES are two fun-filled animated adventures from the producers of the award-winning VeggieTales series. 3-2-1 Penguins! tells the story of two young kids (Jason and Michelle) and four out-of-this-world penguins, as they explore the galaxy -- and learn important lessons and values along the way. The second story, LarryBoy, follows the caped cucumber and his alter-ego Larry as he defends decency and guards goodness everywhere.

For Photography and Logos Please Visit http://www.nbcumv.com

Source: Business Wire

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