TV Guide Snaps Up Jump The Shark

Just in: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Gemstar-TV Guide Acquires Jump the Shark Jumptheshark.com is a Popular Niche Online Community of Passionate TV Viewers (Los Angeles, CA) June 21, 2006 Gemstar-TV Guide International Inc. (NASDAQ: GMST), a leading media, entertainment and technology company, announced today that it has acquired the web site www.jumptheshark.com and related assets from Jump the Shark, Inc. Jumptheshark.com is a popular Internet destination, where passionate TV viewers debate if and when popular TV programs reached their peak. The term Jump the Shark refers to the episode of "Happy Days," where Fonzie literally jumped over a shark during a water-skiing scene, an episode many TV fans believe signaled the show's demise. The acquisition of Jump the Shark enhances Gemstar-TV Guideâ€™s position as the leading source of television information and entertainment guidance. Gemstar-TV Guide will develop and promote Jump the Shark across its multiple media platforms with Jon Hein, founder of Jump the Shark, Inc., providing editorial and other related services for Gemstar-TV Guide on a cross-platform basis. Obvious, but necessary, commentary: Will this be the Happy Days of ironic media deals? Or does it not matter, as TV Guide jumped its own shark long ago? The full release: Just in: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Gemstar-TV Guide Acquires Jump the Shark Jumptheshark.com is a Popular Niche Online Community of Passionate TV Viewers (Los Angeles, CA) June 21, 2006 Gemstar-TV Guide International Inc. (NASDAQ: GMST), a leading media, entertainment and technology company, announced today that it has acquired the web site www.jumptheshark.com and related assets from Jump the Shark, Inc. Jumptheshark.com is a popular Internet destination, where passionate TV viewers debate if and when popular TV programs reached their peak. The term Jump the Shark refers to the episode of "Happy Days," where Fonzie literally jumped over a shark during a water-skiing scene, an episode many TV fans believe signaled the show's demise. The acquisition of Jump the Shark enhances Gemstar-TV Guide's position as the leading source of television information and entertainment guidance. Gemstar-TV Guide will develop and promote Jump the Shark across its multiple media platforms with Jon Hein, founder of Jump the Shark, Inc., providing editorial and other related services for Gemstar-TV Guide on a cross-platform basis. Due to the popularity of the Jump the Shark website, Hein has become a well-known commentator about television programming on radio and TV, most notably as a recurring guest on the Howard Stern Radio Show. Hein was recently chosen to be the co-host of both the The Wrap Up Show and The Friday Show with Howard Stern producer Gary Dell'Abate on Sirius Satellite Radio. "Jump the Shark provides TV fans with a unique forum to discuss their favorite shows and we are excited to welcome such a dedicated online community to Gemstar-TV Guide. We will also look to introduce Jon Hein's unique and entertaining editorial voice to TVGuide.com, TV Guide magazine, and TV Guide Channel," said Sanjay Reddy, senior vice president of business development for Gemstar-TV Guide. "We believe Jump the Shark will be a valuable addition to our repertoire of entertainment content." "TVGuide.com has become the premier destination for entertainment information. We look forward to continuing that tradition with the addition of jumptheshark.com, and also in integrating elements of that site into TVGuide.com's new online community section, where it will further enhance our site's comprehensive program listings, expert recommendations, movie reviews, and entertainment news and information," said Rich Cusick, senior vice president of digital media for Gemstar-TV Guide. Mr. Hein said, "I'm thrilled to have Jump the Shark become a part of Gemstar-TV Guide. Since launching jumptheshark.com, we have covered over 3,000 shows with hundreds of thousands of pages of related content and trivia questions. I'm certain that regular users of Gemstar-TV Guide's media properties will find value and enjoyment in this content, as well as in the editorial content I will continue to create directly for them. Gemstar-TV Guide was a natural fit for Jump the Shark, and I'm excited to expand and enhance the brand with the leader on all things television."

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TV Guide Snaps Up Jump The Shark

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