ENTERTAINMENT BIZ - ‘Ripley’s Believe It or Not!’ Headed for Italy, Russia, India and More - April 2007

Dean Cain the host of Ripleys Believe It Or Not

James Loving - National Radio Text Service - Thursday April 12, 2007

Ripley Entertainment signs with Sony Pictures Television International to extend Sony’s rights to continue to produce international versions of the Believe It or Not! Show

ORLANDO, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)

Orlando-based Ripley Entertainment Inc. and Sony Pictures Television International (SPTI) have reached an agreement to extend SPTI’s rights to continue to develop versions of the popular Believe It or Not! television show outside the United States.

The Ripley's Believe It or Not! show originally produced in the United States between 1999 and 2003 will soon be shown in Italy, Russia, India and more countries worldwide with local language actors replacing Dean Cain as the host of the programs.

The original programming was produced by Sony under license from Ripley Entertainment. However since production of new shows was discontinued, Sony’s rights to produce new programming has reverted back to Ripley Entertainment Inc.

“There remains a great deal of interest in the shows internationally and we saw no reason not to allow Sony Pictures Television International to continue to promote that interest with local versions of the show,” said Norm Deska, Ripley’s Executive Vice President of Intellectual Property. “Ripley is a global brand, and the appeal of our television, books, weird-and-unusual exhibits and people is widespread,’’ Deska said.

The foreign version segments of the show will be drawn from 88 one-hour episodes in the series that starred Dean Cain and originally aired on TBS.

About Ripley Entertainment

Ripley Entertainment Inc. is a leading global attractions company with annual attendance of more than 13 million guests. In addition to its 60-plus attractions, the Orlando-based company has publishing, licensing and broadcast divisions that promote the world famous trademark, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! www.ripleys.com

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.

(Business Wire)

© Copyright: National Radio. Any use of these materials, whole or in part, is prohibited unless authorized in writing by National Radio. Contact: nationalradio@yahoo.com ALL RIGHTS RESERVED