G4 Gets Competitive By Partnering With Major League Gaming For Exclusive Rights To Air 2007 Boost Mobile MLG Pro Circuit
In-Depth Coverage Will Give Viewers Unprecedented Accessto the Competitions of World's Largest Video Game League
LOS ANGELES, October 22, 2007 - G4, the network that's plugged in, is connecting to the world of competitive gaming by partnering with Major League Gaming, the world's largest video game league, for the exclusive television rights to air the 2007 Boost Mobile MLG Pro Circuit competitions. Each MLG tournament features world-class Pro Gamers battling for a chance to win the respect of gamers around the world as well $1MM in cash and prizes. Beginning Nov. 16, the one-hour shows covering each of the Pro Circuit competitions will air Fridays at 11 pm ET/PT, only on G4.
"MLG tournaments provide a rare opportunity to watch the world's best professional gamers in action," said Neal Tiles, President, G4. "The gaming competitions are a natural extension of G4's leading games coverage and illustrate our dedication to giving our young male audience the widest breadth of high-quality content possible."
In addition to the most intense gaming action available anywhere, G4's broadcasts of MLG events will take viewers behind-the-scenes of MLG to learn more about the players, the games and the skills required to be among the world's best competitive gamers.
"G4 understands video games and the male viewer. With its recent acquisition of high-profile programming like Heroes and Lost, we feel the MLG Pro Circuit couldn't have found a better home," said Matthew Bromberg, President and CEO of Major League Gaming.
G4 is the leading broadcast source for everything related to digital entertainment. "X-Play" is the network's flagship gaming show and the most-watched video game series on television, offering smart, funny and brutally honest reviews of the hottest new video games. G4's extensive games coverage also includes live, comprehensive coverage of the most important video game news and events, ranging from important gaming milestones (e.g., Nintendo Wii launch, Halo 3 release) to industry events such as E3 and CES. Additional video game information is available at http://www.g4tv.com, home to thousands of game reviews, previews, cheat codes and more, along with the latest, up-to-the-minute gaming news and information.
Scott Messick of Mess Media ("Survivor") is the executive producer of the show for MLG. Tony Krantz ("24") and Zack Sherman of Flame Ventures are serving as the show's consulting producers. Messick and Krantz previously partnered to create the first NASCAR reality show for FX and ESPN, "NASCAR Drivers: 360."
The 2007 Boost Mobile MLG Pro Circuit is powered by XBox 360 and presented by GameStop.
About G4
Based in Los Angeles, recently formed Comcast Entertainment Group operates E! Entertainment Television, the 24-hour network with programming dedicated to the world of entertainment, and E! Online; The Style Network, the destination for women 18-49 with a passion for the best in relatable and inspiring lifestyle programming; and G4 offering the last word on gaming, technology, animation, interactivity, and "Internet culture" for the male 18-34 demo. E! is currently available to nearly 92 million cable and direct broadcast satellite subscribers in the United States. In 2006, E! launched the E! Everywhere initiative underscoring the company's dedication to making E! content available on all new media platforms any time and anywhere -- from online to broadband at The Vine @E!Online to wireless to satellite radio to VOD. The Style Network currently counts 59 million cable and satellite subscribers and G4, the #1 podcasted cable network in America, is available in more than 65 million cable and satellite homes nationwide.
About Major League Gaming
Major League Gaming is North America's first professional videogame league, and its only sanctioning body for pro gaming. MLG operates a multi-city live pro circuit, held in major venues across North America; produces compelling competitions for national television, broadband and mobile distribution; and exclusively represents the best gamers in the world. It also operates a thriving online community and online tournaments for millions of gamers at mlgpro.com. MLG, founded in 2002, is based in New York City and privately held.