Saban Brands Partners with The CW to Launch Five-Hour Kids Television Block

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Saban Brands Partners with The CW to Launch Five-Hour Kids Television Block

National broadcast and online footprint connects and entertains kids with action/adventure and comedy programming

LOS ANGELES, July 2, 2012 - Kidsco Media Ventures LLC, an affiliate of Saban Brands, will supply programming for The CW Network's five-hour, Saturday morning kids television block, allowing the company to create a revitalized and branded block with powerful programming and promotion. The block will be anchored by key franchises such as Power Rangers and Yu-Gi-Oh!, in addition to other marquee, soon-to-be-announced action/adventure and comedy shows. The company plans to re-brand the daypart, which will air on The CW Saturday mornings from 7 a.m. -12 p.m. starting this fall.

"Saban Brands is back in the kids' television business in a BIG way!" said Elie Dekel, President, Saban Brands. "The broadcasting block represents a unique opportunity for us to be the premier destination for action/adventure and comedy on Saturday mornings, while delivering what kids want online and on mobile 24/7/365."

The new block will provide the company's programming, brands, and marketing initiatives with access to 110 million households – a truly national audience, reaching 10 million more homes than anything delivered through cable. Furthermore, with the broadcast entity comes a passionate and dedicated online audience of kids, thereby providing an additional platform on which to connect with fans and viewers. A robust new website will also be launching, providing exciting content and activities that will keep kids engaged 24/7/365.

"We are very excited to partner with Haim Saban and Saban Brands, an individual and a company with a celebrated history of creating and distributing world-class children's programming," said John Maatta, Chief Operating Officer, The CW. "The association with Saban and the programming and marketing they will bring to us will be a great asset for The CW and its affiliates on Saturday mornings."

This new partnership with The CW continues Saban Brands' dramatic growth since reacquiring the Power Rangers property in 2010. About to celebrate its 20th season, Power Rangers is the brainchild of Haim Saban.

About Saban Brands

Formed in 2010, Saban Brands (SB) was established to acquire and develop a world-class portfolio of properties and capitalize on the company's experience, track record and capabilities in growing and monetizing consumer brands through content, media and marketing. SB applies a strategic transmedia management approach to enhancing and extending its brands in markets worldwide and to consumers of all ages. The company provides full-service management, marketing, promotion and strategic business development for its intellectual properties including comprehensive strategies unique to each brand, trademark and copyright management and enforcement, creative design, retail development, direct-to-consumer initiatives and specialized property extensions. SB is led by a superior management team with decades of experience in media, content creation, branding, licensing, marketing and finance. For more information, visit www.sabanbrands.com.

About The CW

The CW Network was formed as a joint venture between Warner Bros. Entertainment and CBS Corporation in 2006. The CW is America's fifth broadcast network, targeting young adult viewers, specifically young women, 18-34. The CW offers a five-night, 10-hour primetime lineup of original programming that runs Monday through Friday; a one-hour weekday afternoon block; and a five-hour Saturday morning animation block that delivers a total of 20 hours of programming a week over six days.

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Saban Brands to Launch Vortexx on The CW

Brand-New National Kids Television Programming Block will deliver high-impact action, exciting adventure and laugh-out-loud comedy, premiering on TVs everywhere, Saturday, Aug. 25

LOS ANGELES, July 12, 2012 - Saban Brands wants kids everywhere to step into Vortexx, a power-packed broadcast television and online destination for action, adventure and comedy entertainment that was unveiled today. Vortexx brings all new energy to Saturday morning television with its new five-hour programming block on The CW Television Network. Vortexx will launch with online (www.myvortexx.com coming soon) and mobile offerings making Vortexx available to kids whenever and wherever they are. The television premiere of Vortexx on The CW Television Network will be Saturday, August 25.

"Vortexx will be an entirely new platform for action-adventure fans.  It will give them more of what they want on TV and online than any other source," said Elie Dekel, President, Saban Brands. "Vortexx will be the new maverick in kids entertainment - delivering a high-energy entertainment destination that delivers action and comedy unlike any other."

Vortexx will be a multi-platform entertainment brand destination that engages kids through well-established properties, and provides them with a single source for entertaining content, activities and more. The nationally-broadcast channel will be anchored by key franchises such as Power Rangers and Yu-Gi-Oh!, in addition to other marquee, soon-to-be-announced action/adventure and comedy shows. The brand-new programming block will air on all CW affiliated stations nationwide, Saturday mornings from 7 a.m. to noon.

"Vortexx will have the shows that our audience knows and loves, with a mix that is very different from anything else – a programming lineup that features electrifying moments of action and humor, and stories that feature characters that are larger than life, but also very relatable," said Dekel. "And when you consider the fact that Vortexx will be so much more than a broadcast outlet - delivering what kids want online and on mobile 24/7/365 – this new entertainment venue represents something very exciting for brands and advertisers interested in reaching this audience across 114 million households on-air, and more online and on mobile."

The announcement of Vortexx, which took place today at San Diego Comic-Con International, continues Saban Brands' dramatic growth since reacquiring the Power Rangers property in 2010. About to celebrate its 20th season, Power Rangers is the brainchild of Haim Saban.

About Saban Brands
Formed in 2010 as a subsidiary of Saban Capital Group, Saban Brands (SB) was established to acquire and develop a world-class portfolio of properties and capitalize on the company's experience, track record and capabilities in growing and monetizing consumer brands through content, media and marketing. SB applies a strategic transmedia management approach to enhancing and extending its brands in markets worldwide and to consumers of all ages. The company provides full-service management, marketing, promotion and strategic business development for its intellectual properties including comprehensive strategies unique to each brand, trademark and copyright management and enforcement, creative design, retail development, direct-to-consumer initiatives and specialized property extensions. SB is led by a superior management team with decades of experience in media, content creation, branding, licensing, marketing and finance. For more information, visit www.sabanbrands.com.

About The CW
The CW Network was formed as a joint venture between Warner Bros. Entertainment and CBS Corporation in 2006.  The CW is America's fifth broadcast network, targeting young adult viewers, specifically young women, 18-34.  The CW offers a five-night, 10-hour primetime lineup of original programming that runs Monday through Friday; a one-hour weekday afternoon block; and a five-hour Saturday morning animation block. 

[KyL416]

The schedule should be coming real soon however so far the following is confirmed:

Power Rangers Lost Galaxy
WWE Saturday Morning Slam (A new 30 minute show from WWE featuring an original match and some backstage behind the scenes stuff, mixed with a bunch of Be A Star promos)
Yu-Gi-Oh (Season TBA)


And contrary to the clueless posts on their facebook page claiming that Fox Kids is back, Saban did not buy the entire Fox Kids library back when he got Power Rangers, they only got the Renaissance Atlantic shows (Power Rangers, Beetleborgs, VR Troopers, Ninja Turtles the Next Mutation, Masked Rider and Mystic Knights) So people begging for the Marvel shows, Digimon, Eek the Cat, and others are in for a disappointment, lol. (Not to mention Power Rangers was not the only thing on Fox Kids, using that logic, ABC Kids was Fox Kids) The odds are the bulk of the additional shows will be some 4Kids leftovers and maybe some Canadian or European imports not carried by other stations.

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WWE® Returns to Kids Time Slot with Original Content Anchoring Vortexx on The CW
Saban Brands Unveils Full Lineup for New Saturday Morning Kids Programming Block

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 10, 2012 - Today Saban Brands announced new original content from WWE will anchor its programming block, dubbed Vortexx, which debuts nationwide on The CW August 25th.  WWE Saturday Morning Slam packs the riveting in-ring action, the larger-than-life WWE Superstars, and WWE's kid-friendly entertainment into the fastest, most energy-filled half-hour on television.  WWE Superstar profiles, behind-the-scenes footage and an exclusive WWE match every week will all combine to make WWE Saturday Morning Slam the perfect destination for the youngest viewers in the WWE Universe.

"We are extremely excited to partner with the WWE to bring their world class-brand of entertainment to Vortexx," said Joel Andryc, Co-President, Vortexx.  "With a focus on action, adventure and comedy, Vortexx is the perfect home for WWE Saturday Morning Slam and will definitely excite our fans."

Also coming to the block, which airs Saturdays from 7 a.m. to noon, will be marquee titles including Justice League Unlimited, Power Rangers Lost Galaxy and Iron Man: Armored Adventures. Vortexx will feature many iconic franchises available to viewers in one place for the first time.

7:00 a.m. - 7:30 a.m. (Educational and Informational Hour) —Cubix
In a world full of robots, an ingenious young boy named Connor and his miraculous transforming robot Cubix must combine forces, along with the help of their human and robot pals, to save the day when the evil Dr. K plots to steal the mysterious power source known as Solex.

7:30 a.m. - 8:00 a.m. (Educational and Informational Hour) —Rescue Heroes
The Rescue Heroes are a crack team of international emergency response professionals who travel the globe to help those in danger. Equipped with the latest up-to-the-minute knowledge, high-tech hardware and cutting-edge technology, they are dedicated to promoting safety and saving lives everywhere.

8:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.—Power Rangers Lost Galaxy
The massive spaceship Terra Venture represents mankind's greatest accomplishment as it traverses the galaxy.  When this tremendous achievement is threatened by dangerous aliens, led by the insect-like villain Scorpius and his daughter Trakeena, a new team of Power Rangers from different walks of life unite to become the Galaxy Rangers in a saga that will take them to undiscovered worlds and even other galaxies.

8:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.—Yu-Gi-Oh! ZEXAL
Yuma Tsukumo is a young duelist who strives to become the Duel Monsters champion.  During a duel with a school bully, a mysterious spirit called Astral appears before him, and helps him to win. Astral explains to Yuma he is searching for his lost memories, which have been transformed into 99 Xyz Monsters cards called Numbers and have been scattered across the globe. In order to recover his memories, Astral teams up with Yuma in order to recover the Numbers cards. Using the powers of Zexal, the two must compete with Numbers Hunters, who seek to claim the Numbers cards for themselves in order to destroy Astral's home world.

9:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.—Iron Man: Armored Adventures
Tony Stark, teenage heir to a billion-dollar corporation, must take on the mantle, and formidable armor, of Iron Man when his father mysteriously disappears.  Along with his teenage friends, James Rhodes and Pepper Potts, Iron Man must save the world from a multitude of villains and balance the pressures of teenage life with the duties of being a super hero.

9:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.—Justice League Unlimited
The "founding members" of the Justice League, Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Martian Manhunter, Green Lantern and Hawkgirl continue to defend the planet from every known threat.  Along the way, they are aided by a large number of other superheroes from the DC Universe, including Aquaman, Black Canary, Captain Marvel, Supergirl and more. The League not only clash with their famous nemeses, from Brainiac, Lex Luthor, Mantis and many others, but the building tensions between the Justice League and a secret government agency known as Project Cadmus brings heightened conflict to a series where every child's favorite superheroes are called to action.

10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.—WWE Saturday Morning Slam
WWE Saturday Morning Slam packs the riveting in-ring action, the larger-than-life WWE Superstars, and WWE's kid-friendly entertainment into the fastest, most energy-filled half-hour on television.  WWE Superstar profiles, behind-the-scenes footage and an exclusive WWE match every week will all combine to make WWE Saturday Morning Slam the perfect destination for the youngest viewers in the WWE Universe.

10:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.—Dragonball Z Kai
The epic adventure continues as the famous martial artist Goku and his son Gohan are shocked when they learn that Goku belongs to an alien race called the Saiyans, who are bent on destroying the Earth.  Father and son travel the galaxy, battling Saiyans and other enemies in their heroic attempt to save the world from total destruction.

11:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.—Yu-Gi-Oh! Classic
Yu-Gi-Oh! tells the tale of Yugi Moto, a young boy who solves an ancient artifact known as the Millennium Puzzle, causing his body to play host to a mysterious spirit.  Yugi and his friends love playing the card game Duel Monsters, and with the help of his doppelganger, Yugi becomes the most famous duelist in the world.  When Yugi learn that the spirit inside his puzzle is actually an unnamed Pharaoh from Egyptian times, he and his friends attempt to help the Pharaoh regain his memories.

11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.—Yu-Gi-Oh! ZEXAL
(Description above at 8:30 a.m.)

"Our goal is to reenergize Kids Broadcast Television by providing entertaining and high-impact programming on Vortexx all morning long," Andryc continued.  "We are proud of the lineup we have put together, which also includes classics and fan favorites like Power Rangers: Lost Galaxy and Yu-Gi-Oh!"

Saban Brands will also be hosting a live chat with a Power Ranger during the premiere of the Vortexx television block. Fans can interact LIVE with a Power Ranger on August 25 from 7 a.m. to noon on Twitter at @MyVortexx.

In addition to this new television block on The CW, MyVortexx.com will also offer fun activities, interactive games, and other exciting and unexpected content online and across mobile devices, giving kids the full Vortexx experience 24/7/365.   

Follow Vortexx on Facebook and Twitter.

About Vortexx
Launching August 25, 2012, Vortexx is an entertainment platform focused on delivering content, activities and products featuring high-energy action, adventure and comedy. On television, Vortexx will provide programming to air Saturdays from 7 a.m. – noon on the CW. The nationally-broadcast programming block will feature marquee titles such as Power Rangers and Yu-Gi-Oh!, as well as other new and returning favorites.  In addition to television, Vortexx will offer a variety of online and mobile entertainment destinations that will keep kids entertained 24/7/365. Vortexx is an affiliate of Saban Brands. Learn more at www.MyVortexx.com.

About Saban Brands
Formed in 2010 as an affiliate of Saban Capital Group, Saban Brands (SB) was established to acquire and develop a world-class portfolio of properties and capitalize on the company's experience, track record and capabilities in growing and monetizing consumer brands.  SB applies a strategic transmedia management approach to enhancing and extending its brands in markets worldwide and to consumers of all ages.  The company provides full-service management, marketing, promotion and strategic business development for its intellectual properties including comprehensive strategies unique to each brand, trademark and copyright management and enforcement, creative design, retail development, direct-to-consumer initiatives and specialized property extensions.  SB is led by a superior management team with decades of experience in media, content creation, branding, licensing, marketing and finance. For more information, visit www.sabanbrands.com.

About WWE
WWE, a publicly traded company (NYSE: WWE), is an integrated media organization and recognized leader in global entertainment. The company consists of a portfolio of businesses that create and deliver original content 52 weeks a year to a global audience. WWE is committed to family friendly entertainment on its television programming, pay-per-view, digital media and publishing platforms. WWE programming is broadcast in more than 145 countries and 30 languages and reaches more than 600 million homes worldwide. The company is headquartered in Stamford, Conn., with offices in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, London, Mumbai, Shanghai, Singapore, Istanbul and Tokyo.

Additional information on WWE (NYSE: WWE) can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com. For information on our global activities, go to http://www.wwe.com/worldwide/.

[KyL416]

Vortexx has a new schedule next week, it kind of began with the recent removal of Cubix, but it goes in full force next week with Power Rangers moving to its long time 8:30am slot:

7:00am Rescue Heroes
7:30am Rescue Heroes
8:00am Sonic X
8:30am Power Rangers Lost Galaxy
9:00am Iron Man: Armored Adventures
9:30am Justice League Unlimited
10:00am WWE Saturday Morning Slam
10:30am Dragon Ball Z Kai
11:00am Yu-Gi-Oh!
11:30am Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal

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Transformers Prime replaces Iron Man starting December 8th