Program Partners

PROGRAM PARTNERS LAUNCHES ‘CROSSWORDS’ DAILY INTERACTIVE GAMES, CONTESTS AND VIDEOS

Multiple Online Promotions Boost Syndicated Game Show and Station Affiliate Web Play

Los Angeles, CA — December 11, 2007 — Program Partners has launched a series of online games, sweepstakes, videos and other interactive features for Merv Griffin’s Crosswords ™ as part of a user-friendly microsite designed for inclusion in station affiliate websites. This is the latest in a string of recent brand extensions for the syndicated half-hour series from Merv Griffin Entertainment and Program Partners.

“The half-hour show ends, and our audience just wants to keep playing Crosswords," said David Hutchinson, Program Partners’ Senior Vice President of New Media. “These new games and contests get viewers more involved and give them new reasons to watch Crosswords.”

The microsite was developed to increase viewer participation and drive awareness for Crosswords, while optimizing online revenues and web traffic for the show’s nationwide television station affiliates. The affiliate microsites also include a Crosswords show guide, news and updates, downloads and contestant information, among other features.

“The gameplay of Crosswords is so compelling and dynamic that the show lends itself so naturally to many extensions,” said Rob Pritchard, President of Merv Griffin Entertainment. “With this latest online offering, we continue to follow our audience from television to the myriad of other platforms that they use to access information and entertainment.”

Highlights of the Crosswords microsite include:

• The Crosswords Play-at-Home Game, which gives viewers a weekly “watch and win” opportunity to score $1000 after picking up clues from the program and submitting answers via the Crosswords website or mobile text messaging;

• The Crossword Extra, which lets fans test their skills in a daily five-question ‘Lightning Round’ format;

• The Final Round, a video replay of the most exciting “Final Round” from each week of the Crosswords television series;

• Play-to-Win Sweepstakes, which now gives fans the chance to enter a daily drawing to win an Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system.

Merv Griffin’s Crosswords™ is a fast-paced, new generation “Q & A” half-hour game show in which players compete against each other and the clock in a unique way to solve a crossword puzzle. The series airs as a daily strip in over 90% of the U.S., including major market NBC-owned stations.

Merv Griffin’s Crosswords™ is presented by Merv Griffin Entertainment and Program Partners, and is packaged by the William Morris Agency.

About Program Partners, Inc.
Program Partners, Inc. is an innovative television company that collaborates with networks, sponsors and audiences on original programming. Led by a core group of entertainment executives, including founders Ritch Colbert and Josh Raphaelson, Program Partners provides distinctive programs with high production values, while fostering new creative alliances with advertisers, broadcasters and global co-production entities. For more info about Program Partners, Inc., visit www.programpartners.com.

About Merv Griffin Entertainment, Inc.
Merv Griffin Entertainment, Inc. is the television and film production arm of Merv Griffin’s umbrella organization, The Griffin Group. Over the years it has provided original programming and long-format films for television, as well as theatrical features. In addition to “Crosswords,” it recently wrapped production of the second season of “Lisa Williams: Life Among the Dead”, for Lifetime. See www.merv.com for more information on MGE and The Griffin Group of Companies.

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Media Contact:
Program Partners:
Melissa Ford/Priority Public Relations
(661) 964-0333; melissa@prioritypr.net

Merv Griffin Entertainment:
Marcia Newberger
(310) 385-2745; Marcia_Newberger@griffgroup.com