World Wrestling Entertainment Signs Agreement With Viasat; WWE RAW and SmackDown! Launch on Free TV Throughout Scandinavia
STAMFORD, Conn., Dec 1, 2004 (BUSINESS WIRE) — World Wrestling Entertainment(R) has signed a new agreement with Viasat Broadcasting that will launch the WWE brand throughout Scandinavia for the first time in more than a decade.
The Viasat platform, part of the international entertainment broadcasting group Modern Times Group MTG, has acquired WWE(R) RAW(R) and SmackDown!(TM) for broadcast across Sweden, Denmark and Norway. Viasat is a multi-channel broadcaster operating in both the Free TV and Pay TV sectors. The shows will be broadcast on ZTV in Norway and Sweden, and TV3 in Denmark, reaching more than four million households in the three territories.
The deal represents 156 hours of original programming across Norway, Sweden and Denmark and lays the foundation for the development of the brand.
“We are very excited about introducing WWE programming in this part of Europe,” said Andrew Whitaker, Senior Vice President & Managing Director, WWE International Television Distribution. “Working with a quality multi-channel broadcaster in the Free TV and Pay TV space such as Viasat is the key first step in delivering our unique entertainment brand to viewers across Scandinavia.”
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE:WWE) is an integrated media and entertainment company headquartered in Stamford, Conn., with offices in New York City, Los Angeles, Toronto and London. Additional information on the company can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com.
Trademarks: The names of all World Wrestling Entertainment televised and live programming, talent names, images, likenesses, slogans and wrestling moves and all World Wrestling Entertainment logos are trademarks which are the exclusive property of World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.
Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains forward-looking statements pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are subject to various risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include the conditions of the markets for live events, broadcast television, cable television, pay-per-view, Internet, entertainment, professional sports, and licensed merchandise; acceptance of the Company’s brands, media and merchandise within those markets; uncertainties relating to litigation; risks associated with producing live events both domestically and internationally; uncertainties associated with international markets; and other risks and factors set forth from time to time in Company filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results could differ materially from those currently expected or anticipated.
SOURCE: World Wrestling Entertainment
