SONY-TV is ON!

Sony, Diller, Gates Team Up To Launch America's Latest, Greatest Network

REDMOND, Wash. -- More choices, bigger stars and better programs -- that's what viewers around the country can expect on Sunday, September 5 when SONY-TV debuts as America's seventh TV network.

SONY-TV combines the resources of America's greatest company -- Sony Entertainment -- with America's greatest cable entrepreneur -- Barry Diller -- and America's greatest multimedia pioneer -- Bill Gates -- to create America's greatest network! This fall, SONY-TV will hit the air in every major market in America, equaling the reach of any of the older, "established" networks... with twice the programming fun.

"For too long, America's TV viewers have had to put up with tired sitcoms, bland cop and doctor dramas and one boring newsmagazine after another," Mr. Diller said at the press conference announcing the launch of SONY-TV. "We offer something different -- funny sitcoms! Exciting cop and doctor dramas. And many, many spine-tingling newsmagazine shows!"

"For a long time, I have wanted to test the challenging waters of television," said Mr. Gates. "I'm not just talking about MSNBC either. I'm talking television that makes a difference. That people actually watch."

"Sony Corporation and American ingenuity have gone hand in hand for years," said Sony CEO Norio Ohga. "We have brought the best in sound to America -- the Sony Walkman. We have brought the best in games -- Sony PlayStation -- and the best in movies -- Sony TriStar.

"Now," Mr. Ohga continued, "We will bring the best in television entertainment. Namely, SONY-TV!"

Upon its launch, SONY-TV will strive to set itself apart from those other, non-SONY-TV networks. As the seventh major network, SONY-TV will take the bold, innovative step of immediately broadcasting seven nights of programming.

"There will be no half-measures here," Mr. Diller said. "We will not follow in the timid footsteps of some of our worthy competitors, slowly adding a night of programming at a time. We'll immediately launch a full slate of programs. In doing so, SONY-TV will join the ranks of the top-flight television networks right from the start."

What's more, SONY-TV will package its shows in easy to remember themes -- one outrageous theme for each outrageous night of the week!

"We find that by assigning easy-to-remember themes to our broadcast schedule, even our slowest viewers will remember what's 'on' SONY-TV," Mr. Diller explained. "Instead of searching all over the dial for a high-quality show about doctors fighting the system and saving lives, for example, viewers need not look any further than our own Medical Drama Monday."

Overseeing the new SONY-TV schedule will be the network's chief programmer, Warren Littlefield. Mr. Littlefield brings a long and distinguished career in network television to his duties at SONY-TV. He joins the network after leaving NBC this past fall.

"When I resigned my job at NBC, Don Ohlmeyer, Robert Wright and Jack Welch begged me to stay," Mr. Littlefield said. "But frankly, the job held no challenges anymore. What I want is the chance to build a new network from scratch, a network in my image. Thanks to Barry Diller, Bill Gates and SONY-TV, that chance is now here."

"I'm particularly excited about Showcase Thursday," Mr. Littlefield continued. "Any student of television knows that Thursday hosts some of the lowest-rated programs in television history. I want to give viewers the kind of 'Must See' Thursday show they haven't had since "Mama's Family" left the air in 1983."

SONY-TV also vows to cut through the confusion facing today's TV viewer by becoming the easiest-to-find channel on the dial.

"You go from city to city and other networks are all over the map," Mr. Diller explained. "In one town, Channel 4 is NBC. In another town, it's CBS and so forth. You won't have that kind of clutter with SONY-TV."

That's because SONY-TV is taking steps to ensure that in every market, the network can be found on Channel 13. In markets where Channel 13 is already taken, SONY-TV can be tuned in through Channel 31.

"We choose that, because you can't spell 'Sony' without the 'on,'" Mr. Diller said. "It makes a lot of sense if you think about it."

"I never really understood that whole peacock thing anyhow," Mr. Littlefield added.

Great programming. Easy-to-remember themes. Convenient programming. And innovative ideas. Put it all together, and you have television for the new millennium. Put it all together, and you have SONY-TV!