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TV Guide Channel Announces New Reality Competition Series From the Executive Producers of Project Runway and Top Chef

Posted on: Tuesday, 20 February 2007, 09:00 CST

TV Guide Channel, a leading television entertainment network providing original programming to more than 80 million homes, and Magical Elves, executive producers of "Project Runway,""Top Chef" and "Project Greenlight," today announced AMERICA'S NEXT PRODUCER, a 10 episode reality competition series that will give a group of television and video producers the chance to prove they have what it takes to create the next generation of TV hits. Contestants will be judged on their abilities to create and execute compelling TV concepts in a variety of genres from scripted to reality. Contestants will have varying levels of TV production experience and will compete each week to survive elimination rounds. The winner of the new TV Guide Channel series will receive the ultimate TV producer prize package: $100,000 cash, a production office in Hollywood, and a first-look deal with TV Guide Channel. The host and judges for AMERICA'S NEXT PRODUCER will include a mix of celebrities, accomplished TV producers and industry deal-makers who are stars of the TV business today.

"'America's Next Producer' is TV Guide Channel's biggest original television production to date and a brand defining show for our network as we evolve into a programming destination for TV fans," said Ryan O'Hara, President of TV Guide Channel. "Magical Elves has proven that they are TV hit-makers and we are excited to partner with them on our first reality competition TV series 'America's Next Producer.'"

"We know from our own experience what a dramatic, creative, varied and entertaining world exists behind the camera, but a lot of people don't know what a producer really does," said Dan Cutforth, Co-Founder of Magical Elves and Executive Producer of AMERICA'S NEXT PRODUCER. "We're excited to give some talented producers a chance to show the world what they can do, and what it takes to create television."

A nationwide search for contestants on AMERICA'S NEXT PRODUCER has already begun. Eligible parties may enter through traditional means, or by participating in a user-generated video contest hosted by TV Guide Channel in partnership with Jumpcut, a Yahoo! company. Entry options are as follows:

OPTION 1

Submit An Application: Download an application at www.tvguidechannel.com and submit it along with a bio video and reel.

OPTION 2

Attend an Open Call: Attend a casting call in Chicago (February 24), Los Angeles (March 10) or New York (March 16 and 18). For specific times and locations, please visit www.tvguidechannel.com.

OPTION 3

AMERICA'S NEXT PRODUCER Search Contest: In partnership with Jumpcut, TV Guide Channel is sponsoring a user-generated video contest. Starting February 22, contestants can submit a short personal bio video online at www.tvguidechannel.com. The top three videos will be selected and posted online on March 19, and consumers will have one week to vote on their favorite. The video that receives the most votes will be announced on March 30 and its creator will be offered a contestant spot on AMERICA'S NEXT PRODUCER.

AMERICA'S NEXT PRODUCER is executive produced by Dan Cutforth and Jane Lipsitz, co-founders of Magical Elves, the Emmy®-nominated producers of "Project Runway" and "Top Chef," along with executive producer Richard Bye and co-executive producer Casey Kriley.

About TV Guide Channel

TV Guide Channel reaches over 80 million homes and is the premier television entertainment network for viewers seeking the latest information on the best programs, hottest stars and latest trends on television. Headquartered in the heart of Hollywood at its TV Guide Studios, the network combines original programming with comprehensive program listings information - all of which deliver on viewers' need for an entertaining and easy guide to what's on TV. TV Guide Channel is owned and operated by TV Guide Networks, Inc., a subsidiary of Gemstar-TV Guide International, Inc.

About Gemstar-TV Guide

Gemstar-TV Guide International, Inc. (the "Company") (NASDAQ: GMST) is a leading media, entertainment and technology company that develops, licenses, markets and distributes technologies, products and services targeted at the television guidance and entertainment needs of consumers worldwide. The Company's businesses include: television media and publishing properties; interactive program guide services and products; and technology and intellectual property licensing. Additional information about the Company can be found at www.gemstartvguide.com.

Forward-Looking Statements:

This news release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or results and involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, including risks and uncertainties related to the transformation of our TV Guide magazine publishing business; timely availability and market acceptance of products and services incorporating the Company's technologies and content; our investment in new and existing businesses, including TV Guide magazine, TV Guide Spot and TV Guide Mobile; the impact of competitive products, services and pricing; ongoing and potential future litigation; and the other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's SEC reports, including the most recent reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K, each as it may be amended from time to time. The Company assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

Note to Editors: GEMSTAR, TV GUIDE, TV GUIDE CHANNEL, AND TV GUIDE SPOT are trademarks or registered trademarks of Gemstar-TV Guide International, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. The names of other companies, products and services used herein are for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners.

Source: Business Wire

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