SONY PICTURES TELEVISION INTERNATIONAL OPENS RIPLEY VAULT: PLACES HUNDREDS OF RIPLEY’S BELIEVE IT NOT! TV SEGMENTS ON INTERNET, MOBILE PHONES

ORLANDO, Fla. – (March 23, 2007) – Sony Pictures Television International (SPTI) has secured the rights from Ripley Entertainment Inc. to distribute “mobisodes,” or segments of the Ripley’s Believe It or Not! television show, to mobile phone users and Internet browsers.

The segments include unbelievable and completely wacky humans, incredible feats and animal oddities ranging from a microchip dog to mountain stilt hikers!  The show segments are expected to be available to the public later this year and will be available through mobile devices, Internet, airline in-flight entertainment and on-demand channels.

The three-year deal signed with SPTI showcases the insatiable need for mobile information and content for the Internet – especially that of bite-sized, captivating pieces of entertainment.

“We are pioneers in the broadcasting of weird and wacky and unbelievable material, both on radio and television. Through the years, we have proven that truth is absolutely stranger than fiction,” said Bob Masterson, President of Ripley Entertainment. “These shows transcend time and we’re fortunate to have the ability to adapt the clips for use in today’s popular media platforms through our partnership with Sony.”

Norm Deska, Executive Vice President of Intellectual Property for Ripley Entertainment, agrees that most of the show segments are timeless. “When we worked with Sony years ago on the production of these shows, we never dreamed this footage would have any use other than that of television. We are excited that a whole new generation will have the opportunity to witness amazing Believe It or Nots! through a more contemporary channel of communication.”

Sony Pictures Television International  will draw in material from the 79 one-hour episodes of the Ripley Believe It or Not! Television hosted by Jack Palance that aired in the 1980s and from the 88 one-hour episodes in the Dean Cain series that ran1999-2003.  

About Sony Pictures Television International

Sony Pictures Television International (SPTI) is the division of Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) responsible for all television business outside of the United States.  SPTI operates three complementary lines of business: 1) distribution of SPE’s feature films and television programming to television, mobile and digital content delivery outlets around the world, 2) local television production in key international markets, and 3) international television networks.  In addition to being a leader in the distribution of current and classic U.S. and international films and television product worldwide, SPTI produces high profile, locally produced television in local languages. With dedicated offices in France , Germany , Hong Kong , Italy , Miami (Latin America), the People’s Republic of China , Russia , Spain and the United Kingdom , SPTI currently oversees production in nine regions of the world and is the leader in international television production among all major Hollywood studios. SPTI’s worldwide television networks portfolio is a key strategy in the SPE’s long-range commitment to the global marketplace, with over 40 networks in more than 130 countries reaching over 298 million viewers worldwide. SPTI is a Sony Pictures Entertainment company.

For additional information, please contact:
Tim O’Brien, VP Publishing & Communications, Ripley Entertainment
(615) 646-7465, obrien@ripleys.com