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To: TobagoJack who wrote (82)	5/6/1999 11:54:00 AM
From: Don Dorsey	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 497

Columbia TriStar Television Group to Launch New 'SoapCity' Channel Devoted to Daytime Dramas New Channel to Leverage Studio's Key Soap Opera Assets and Existing Online 'SoapCity' Destination New Venture Brings Studio to Forefront of TV/PC Convergence CULVER CITY, Calif., May 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Reinforcing its leadership position in the serial arena, Columbia TriStar Television Group (CTTG) will launch SoapCity, a new 24-hour channel featuring daytime serial dramas, it was jointly announced by Jon Feltheimer, president, Columbia TriStar Television Group (CTTG) and executive vice president, Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE), and Andy Kaplan, executive vice president, CTTG. The new venture will leverage CTTG key soap opera assets to create the programming slate. CTTG will turn to its existing online SoapCity hub, the premier destination on the Internet for fans of daytime dramas, to integrate its online community, ecommerce and organic content into the new channel's programs' offering. The new all-soaps channel is scheduled to debut January 2000. "We are always exploring ways of maximizing the inherent value of content we produce and distribute," said Feltheimer. "Our SoapCity channel will allow us to significantly broaden the viewership base of programs by exposing shows to a potential new audience, as well as making it easier for fans to stay current with their favorite programs. By tapping into the vibrant online community of the SoapCity website, we are creating an entirely new kind of engaging experience for soap opera fans to discover." CTT currently produces the top rated soap operas "The Young and The Restless" and "Days of Our Lives," and partners with Procter & Gamble on the international distribution of P&G's soaps including "Guiding Light," "As The World Turns" and "Another World." "Through the years, daytime dramas have played a significant role in the success of our studio," said Kaplan. "Our soap channel will allow us the opportunity to strengthen franchises, while also providing us the ability to cross promote and market shows which have proven drawing power. It also gives us the freedom to debut and test a new series or related programming, if we choose, and the flexibility to program day and date broadcasts." Building on GSN's Success This announcement marks CTT's second foray into the domestic cable television arena, following the successful launch of Game Show Network in December 1994 as the only programming service exclusively dedicated to the exciting world of games, game playing and game shows. The Game Show Network, one of the fastest growing program service in 1997 and 1998, currently boasts 20 million subscribers and offers a wide array of programming including game show favorites from its diverse library, new interactive game shows and original programs. The new SoapCity channel launch will follow a similar programming strategy to GSN and build on the cable expertise and infrastructure already put in place with GSN. Soap Channel at Forefront of Convergence The new cable channel will play into the strengths that Columbia TriStar Interactive (CTI) has already garnered with SoapCity (www.soapcity.com), a site dedicated to soap fans which currently boasts more than 3,000,000 page views each month. SoapCity, which was launched two years ago, allows users to learn more about their favorite shows, plot lines and characters, as well as interact with their favorite actors through live chats and other events. SoapCity also features one of the largest soap related stores with a broad selection of merchandise, videos, music and books plus celebrity collectibles. Together, CTTG and CTI will integrate the two premiere platforms for fans of daytime drama to gather and interact. Upon launch, the SoapCity site will utilize video streaming for daily updates of current programs airing on the channel. "It's no secret that soap opera fans are among the most passionate audiences. But with the explosive growth of the Internet as an entertainment platform, this audience has not only tuned into their favorite soaps daily, but they're also turning to communities like SoapCity to extend that experience and interact with their favorite shows, characters and other fans. SoapCity's audience is growing at a rate of 200% each year," said Lynda Keeler, vice president and general manager of CTI. "With the SoapCity channel we can bridge and drive content on both platforms, making the experience of watching TV and logging online an even richer and more immersive experience, while also adding the potential for new revenue streams with integrated ecommerce opportunities.