Wed, 6 Sep 2006 6:15:00 PDT
TORONTO -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 09/06/2006 -- Blackout Media Corp. (
Dear Shareholders:
Blackout Media's main asset is still its 20% interest in The Fight Network and all its various brand extensions through Blackout Communications Inc.
It has been our goal from day one and still is our goal to build The Fight Network into a globally recognized brand that combatant sports fans will come to identify as "the Source" for fight sports events and entertainment. Here are a few of the highlights that have been implemented to achieve that long term goal:
Television
We have now successfully launched our service on the following cable and satellite providers in Canada:
Rogers StarChoice Videotron Cogeco Source Cable Mountain Cable Telus Aurora Cable Bobcaygen Cable Campbell River Cable Cable Axion Compton Cable Cross Country Cable TV Slave Lake Cable Cable Davia Private Cable Fenelon Falls Mascon Communications Milk River Cable Norcom Telecom New North Networks North Nova Cable Northwestel Cable Rush Communications Sunshine Communications Westman Communications Whistler Cable YourlinkWe are soon to be launching this fall on the remaining cable and satellite operators in Canada, bringing the total number of carriers to about 50. Once this occurs we will have Canada's nearly 5,000,000 digital households.
In addition to that we have been working with Trajectory Sports of New York in pursuing carriage in the United States and we are in talks with a number of operators including:
DirectTV Verizon - FIOS ATT - U-verse Lodgenet On Command Dish Network BresnanWe have expanded our efforts in pursuing carriage and business opportunities in the United States. We strive to have some exciting new announcements by year's end.
Fall Line-Up -- we have secured a number of new promotions from around the world to preview this coming fall on the network, these new shows will give us some of the most premium content in Boxing, Mixed Martial Arts and Wrestling found anywhere in the world.
We have also been in touch with companies in Australia, England, and Panama about launching the service in those countries.
Progress has been significant with the Australian initiative and we should see some results in the upcoming months ahead.
Neilsen Media Research
The company is performing very well in its digital category; our position against the other specialty digital channels in Canada is strong and should only get stronger as we expand our subscriber base. Our goal is to become the number one digital channel in Canada, and we think we can do it.
Fight Network Radio
We have been actively moving our 24/7 Fight Radio concept forward where we are nearly ready to roll this out to the market. We have been in contact with XM and Sirius about the possibilities of putting this on satellite radio. We are looking to have it available on broadband once we have launched.
The LAW has moved to 1010 CFRB in Toronto which is the Number 1 talk radio station in Canada. The move has been very good for both us and them.
Fight Mobile
FIGHT MOBILE is now available in the United States on Verizon Wireless' Mobile Web 2.0 network, Sprint and Cingular. Other second-tier carriers are preparing to launch the U.S. service in the near future, while in Canada we have successful launched on Telus and we are looking to being added by the other tier-one carriers before the year end. When fully deployed, FIGHT MOBILE has the potential of reaching over 220,000,000 (Two Hundred and Twenty Million) cell phones in North America.
Our partners in FIGHT MOBILE are also working on getting the service into other parts of the world and we should see some results in the upcoming months ahead on that initiative.
In addition to the news component of FIGHT MOBILE, we are also working on video content and will be outlining that product in the next quarter. We are expecting to launch the video on mobile phones in the first quarter of 2007.
Fight Network Online
The FIGHT STORE has been launched by The Fight Network; demand is strong and thus far sales have exceeded targets. We are expecting the holiday season to be strong with some important announcements with respect to the Store and some exciting licensing opportunities to be forthcoming this fall.
Stock Buy-Back
The share buy-back is still in full force and effect and should market conditions exist where funds should be allocated to furthering the buyback then that is exactly what will happen.
There are other opportunities that we are looking at, which will be released to the shareholders as they evolve.
I truly believe that this will be a great year for the company and the future is looking very bright and extremely optimistic.
Thank you.
Sandy Winick, President - Blackout Media Corp.About The Fight Network:
The Fight Network is a cross-platform media company with brand interest in television, radio, mobile and web. All four of these media offerings are seamlessly integrated to offer fans of combatant sports and related entertainment a true convergence experience. The Fight Network Inc. corporate headquarters is located in Toronto, Canada. Additional information on the company can be found at www.thefightnetwork.com.
About Blackout Media Corp.:
Blackout Media Corp. is a holding company with an interest in Blackout Communications, who is a diversified media and entertainment company conducting operations in digital television, VOD, PPV, radio the Internet and print under the brand name "The Fight Network." The activities of Blackout Media Corp. are conducted principally in Canada and the United States.
Safe Harbor
Certain statements in this news release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of Rule 175 under the Securities Act of 1933 and Rule 3b-6 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and are subject to the safe harbor created by those rules. All statements, other than statements of fact, included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding potential future plans and objectives of the company, are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Technical complications that may arise could prevent the prompt implementation of any strategically significant plan(s) outlined above. The company cautions that these forward-looking statements are further qualified by other factors. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any statements in this release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Media Contacts: For The Fight Network Stephen Murdoch OEB International Public Relations/Public Affairs Tel: (905) 682-7203 extension 22 Fax: (905) 682-7481 E-mail: smurdoch@oeb.com Tim Foster (Investor Relations Contact) OEB International Public Relations/Public Affairs Tel: (905) 682-7203 Fax: (905) 682-7481 E-mail: tfoster@oeb.com
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