Sprint Nextel to offer new made-for-mobile content

FremantleMedia and Mobliss Stretch the Limit of Mobile Programming with Launch of Atomic Wedgie. New Mobile Channel Introduces Hours of Irreverent Original and Library Video Shorts To Consumers Starting October 16th

FremantleMedia and Mobliss®, announced today the launch of a groundbreaking new mobile channel, Atomic Wedgie. The channel will feature hours of original programming as well as content from the FremantleMedia library including hilarious animated and live action shorts and comedic series ranging from Baywatch Babes to the best of British cult comedy and TV Bloopers. Atomic Wedgie will be available on Sprint, one of the largest wireless carriers in the US, starting October 16 for a monthly subscription cost of $4.95.

Atomic Wedgie is the first mobile channel to launch from the joint venture between FremantleMedia, producers of American Idol, Baywatch, Family Feud and several other popular television programs and Mobliss, one of the most trusted names in mobile entertainment and content delivery. The two companies have a history of successful partnerships, including the introduction of SMS messaging for American Idol - the largest text voting campaign in television history - and the creation of the popular mobile games Family Feud and The Price is Right.

“We are blurring the lines between network and producer by programming our own channel,” commented Keith Hindle, Executive Vice President North America, FremantleMedia Licensing Worldwide. “The mobile user wants to be entertained on demand, at key moments in their day. Our ability as a producer to create content specifically for this audience, coupled with a unique, FremantleMedia operated direct–to-consumer channel, is the key to Atomic Wedgie.”

FremantleMedia will tap into its powerful worldwide network of producers and mine its extensive library of more than 9,000 hours of TV production annually to create original Atomic Wedgie content. The company will also look outside itself for the best-of-the-best in third party producers to bring fresh, irreverent shorts to the channel. Mobliss provides the technology necessary to power the mobile video clips and with deep roots in the wireless industry, was a critical partner for delivering the channel to top tier carriers.

“Mobliss and FremantleMedia have a successful track record of delivering mobile entertainment that has not only been fun and accessible to everyone, but has helped to cement the mobile device as a true entertainment platform,” added Jim Merrick, President and CEO of Mobliss. “It’s this history combined with the hilarious content that positions Atomic Wedgie for success.”

Atomic Wedgie will debut with eight categories of short form comedy targeted directly to the 18-34 year old male demographic including:

* Baywatch Babes – Hot footage of the sultry ladies from the internationally acclaimed classic TV series
* Bush Bites – Animated shorts featuring real audio clips of the president’s most public malapropisms
* British Invasion – The best of new material from cult UK TV shows such as Smack the Pony





* Famous Farts in History – Historic speeches with surprise pauses for flatulent farces
* Fortune Cookie – A daily dose of mystical comedy
* TV Bloopers – The funniest outtakes from FremantleMedia’s vast library
* Short & Stupid – Comedic dubs over classic films from the 50’s
* Grab Bag – A mish-mash of anything and everything guaranteed to brighten your day

“We’re very excited with all the possibilities that exist for this new medium,” said Maureen Fitzpatrick, FremantleMedia’s Vice President of Mobile Development for FremantleMedia. “Our producers are energized by mobile as it presents the opportunity to create those great comedy concepts they always envisioned. We’re also bringing some great new creative talent to the table who look at producing for mobile in a whole new way than for TV.”

About FremantleMedia Licensing Worldwide, Americas:

FremantleMedia Licensing Worldwide, Americas (FLW, Americas) is the licensing arm of FremantleMedia for North and South America. FremantleMedia one of the largest international creators and producers of program brands in the world, with leading prime time drama, serial drama, entertainment and factual entertainment programming in over 40 territories. FLW, Americas exploits FremantleMedia’s many strong brands, including the award winning, American Idol, the world’s longest running gameshow The Price Is Right, the ever-popular Family Feud, and other classic gameshows, across multiple off-screen platforms including merchandising campaigns, live events, sponsorship, interactive and wireless support, home entertainment and music publishing. FLW, Americas is also responsible for additional business diversification initiatives including ‘Thumbdance’, a pioneering wireless channel delivering original made-for-mobile video content on demand.

FLW, Americas is part of FremantleMedia North America (FMNA). FMNA is on the leading edge of global broadcast production, developing some of television's most innovative and watched new programming. Based in Santa Monica and with offices in New York, FMNA has produced such genre-bending shows as the musical/reality phenomenon American Idol. In 2005, FremantleMedia programs garnered 16 Emmy nominations, including six for American Idol. Other credits include The Price Is Right (CBS), the longest-running gameshow in television history, the daily syndicated gameshow Family Feud, Distraction (Comedy Central), American Inventor (ABC), The Gameshow Marathon (CBS), America’s Got Talent (NBC), and the upcoming Monarch Cove (Lifetime).

FremantleMedia is the production arm of the RTL Group, Europe's largest television and radio broadcast company. With interests in 34 television channels and 30 radio stations in 10 countries, RTL Group is a division of leading integrated media and entertainment company Bertelsmann AG. For further information, visit www.fremantlemedia.com.

About Mobliss

Mobliss, an Index Group company, develops the most creative concepts in wireless media and gaming by bringing the world’s best-known brands to the small screen. With an experienced track record developing and publishing BREW, J2ME, SMS, MMS and WAP games, Mobliss connects carriers, game developers and brands. Mobliss brings many popular titles to the mobile space, including Family Feud, PGA TOUR’s TOURCast Mobile, allowing subscribers to track every player and every shot on every course for PGA TOUR Tournament events; and The Price is Right, one of television’s longest running game shows. More information is available at www.mobliss.com/products/games/.

(c) Published NEW YORK & SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)