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[via press release]

Kids’ WB! Announces 2004-2005 Schedule As Network Builds On All-New All-Year-Round Programming Strategy And Success

(February 25, 2004 – New York, NY) — Kids’ WB!, the #1 broadcast network for kids and the top-rated service in all television for Boys 6-11, Tweens 9-14 and Male Tweens 9-14, will add two new animated series and two live-action projects to its top-rated Saturday morning and weekday slates. The network continues to build on its all-new all-year-round strategy and success with its diverse and innovative programming schedule, beginning this Spring and leading into the 2004-2005 television season. The schedule was announced today by John Hardman, Senior Vice President, Kids’ WB!, speaking to advertisers and media at the third annual joint Kids’ WB! and Cartoon Network upfront sales presentation in New York.

“In the ever-changing landscape of kids’ television, Kids’ WB! has solidified its dominance as the #1 broadcaster for kids, building on its success of creating high-quality hit after hit, such as the latest breakout series “Xiaolin Showdown” and “Teen Titans.” We are now gearing up with a crop of fresh new hits-in-the-making for our powerhouse schedule,” said Mr. Hardman. “In the spirit of our partnership with Cartoon Network, we will continue to jointly deliver quality programming and expand on the longevity of our many series to ensure that Kids’ WB! programs reach and establish a new generation of fans.”

In the midst of capturing its 14th straight sweep win this month as the #1 Saturday morning broadcast network, Kids’ WB! has maintained its leadership position this season with its consistent delivery of high-quality programs in all key demographics. The network consistently offers kids what they want in every series – the Kids’ WB! essentials: high-adventure; action-comedy; unique, ethnically diverse, kid-empowering characters; and captivating storylines.

Season-to-date, Kids’ WB! dominates all broadcast and cable competition in Boys 6-11 and Tweens 9-14 with seven of the top 10 programs and Male Tweens 9-14 taking all top 10 program spots. Kids’ WB! also leads as the #1 broadcast network among Kids 2-11, Kids 6-11 and Boys 2-11 – with the top 10 programs in these demos.

As the #1 choice for kids, Kids’ WB! continues to captivate its audience with its powerful 14-hour Monday-Saturday slate all year long. The current 2003-2004 season has brought viewers this Fall’s breakout hit “Xiaolin Showdown,” taking the #1 overall program spot in Boys 6-11 and #2 spot in Boys 2-11, earning series highs in both demos, and leading Kids’ WB! to win the first Saturday morning of the highly competitive February sweeps, as well as season-to-date, the series tops all of its 9:30 a.m. ET time period broadcast competition in Kids 2-11, Kids 6-11, Boys 2-11, Boys 6-11, Tweens 9-14 and Male Tweens 9-14. Another powerhouse series this season is “Teen Titans,” season-to-date, taking the #6 overall program spot among Boys 6-11 and ranking among the top 10 broadcast shows in Kids 2-11, Kids 6-11, Boys 2-11, Tweens 9-14 and Male Tweens 9-14. The new hit series also took the #1 post for the morning in Boys 6-11 and Tweens 9-14 on 2/14/04, the second Saturday of February sweeps.

Additionally, season-to-date, smash-hit favorite “Pokémon: Advanced” ranks among the top two series, including broadcast and cable, in the key demo of Boys 6-11, #3 overall in Tweens 9-14 and Male Tweens 9-14 and as the #1 broadcast show in Kids 6-11, tying with “Yu-Gi-Oh!: Enter The Shadow Realm” and “Ozzy & Drix.” The animé-adventure also captures its 10:00 a.m. ET time period broadcast competition in Kids 2-11 and Boys 2-11. White-hot “Yu-Gi-Oh!: Enter The Shadow Realm,” at 11:00 a.m. ET, takes the #1 Saturday morning spot in Tweens 9-14 and Male Tweens 9-14, and outperforms all time period competition among Boys 6-11 and dominates the broadcast competition in Kids 2-11, Kids 6-11 and Boys 2-11.

Beginning this Spring 2004, Kids’ WB! will reinforce its 52-week roll-out schedule with the return of series favorites and fresh, original programming. Returning hits include the second season of the futuristic-adventure series “MegaMan NT Warrior” as the cyber-saga powers-up Kids’ WB! with 26 energetically-charged episodes of this high-tech digital universe. In March, the teen sleuths will return to the schedule with all-new adventures for more “What’s New Scooby-Doo?” as the series will be highlighted with a weekly “unsolved” mystery online participation for kids to guess “whodunit.” The conclusion – as well as those who guessed right – will be revealed on-air the following week. Also, with more all-new original episodes, the animé-adventure “Astro Boy” will highlight Kids’ WB! in April; and the bod-squad duo “Ozzy & Drix” also will return to the line-up in the Summer.

Leading into Summer 2004, the aggressive campaign also will introduce two live-action projects for Kids’ WB!, including the first original movie and a hidden camera prank show. The first live-action movie “Zolar,” from Insight Film and Television and executive producer Barry L. Levy, follows the action-packed, adrenaline-pumping adventure of three semi-pro action sports athletes who discover their newest team member is really “out of this world” and they must protect him from evil extraterrestrials attempting to steal his powerful alien life force. This movie will have special cameos by some of today’s biggest action sports stars, including Mike Metzger, X-Games Gold and Silver Medallist for Motoross, Big Air, Freestyle and Best Trick competitions. An experimental format for Kids’ WB!, from Gotcha Entertainment LLC, comes the no-holds-barred hidden-camera prank show “Gagsters,” which introduces a team of kid pranksters who play practical jokes on unsuspecting adults – all in hilarious good fun. Offering an exciting interactive experience for viewers, each week kids will get to vote online for their favorite gags, as well as request a prank from the team or suggest one of their own.

Maintaining its momentum into Fall 2004, Kids’ WB!’s Saturday morning schedule kicks into high gear with more comedy, action and adventure with two new series and seven returning hits. The 2004-2005 Saturday slate will have the planets aligned when it introduces “Da Boom Crew” (working title), produced by Jambalaya Studio/BFC Berliner Film Companie and created by Bruce Smith and John Patrick White & Stiles White based on a concept by Serge Michaels, a hip-hop, sci-fi animated series following the intergalactic adventures of four orphans who are transported into the parallel universe that strangely resembles the video game world they’ve created. The network also welcomes the return of one of the most popular superheroes of all time, the world’s greatest detective – when Kids’ WB! brings on “The Batman.” From Warner Bros. Animation, this innovative animated series based on the famed DC Comics super hero Batman, is an all-new take on the Dark Knight – in year three: in his mid-twenties, finding his way as protector, defender and Caped Crusader, as well as meeting many of his classic Rogue’s Gallery of villains for the first time.

Kids’ WB! also is proud to announce today the new season pick-ups of seven Saturday morning favorites, including cornerstone hits: “Yu-Gi-Oh!” with season four and 52 new dueling adventures and the next installment of the top-rated “Pokémon” franchise with season seven and 52 original episodes; as well as returning hits: action-comedy “Jackie Chan Adventures” unmasking 13 all-new episodes in season five and season three of the irreverent comedy “¡Mucha Lucha!” with 13 new “Mucha-sized” energetic adventures and fantastical stories and the all-original “What’s New Scooby-Doo?” with 13 cleverly “unsolved” mysteries on Kids’ WB! throughout the 2004-2005 season. The new Saturday line-up also will be highlighted by sophomore breakout series “Teen Titans,” in conjunction with Cartoon Network, with 13 high-flying adventures brewing up in the T-Tower for our super-duper heroes and comedy-adventure “Xiaolin Showdown” with an impressive 26-episode season order filled with rich mystical adventures for our four young, newly anointed apprentice Dragon Warriors.

Building on its powerhouse weekday line-up, Kids’ WB!’s Monday-Friday slate welcomes the over-the-top comedy “¡Mucha Lucha!” – as the series will air six days week beginning in the Fall – and will join “Jackie Chan Adventures,” “Pokémon” and “Yu-Gi-Oh!” for more outrageous antics, exhilarating quests and unpredictable adventures.
KIDS’ WB!
2004-2005 SEASON
SERIES DESCRIPTIONS

The new series debuting in Fall 2004 are:

• “Da Boom Crew” (working title), a new fascinating sci-fi animated series, introduces four kids living in an orphanage who have created a hip-hop flavored video game beyond the depths of their wildest dreams, greatest fears and grandest wishes. Fantasy becomes reality when the kids are mysteriously transported into the parallel universe of space, aliens and intergalactic adventure that strangely resembles the world they’ve conjured up. Now they face the task of collecting every lost game cartridge before they fall into the hands of villains Scortch, Hedlok, and Jerome – the treacherous trio of this newly discovered galaxy. “Da Boom Crew” (working title) is produced by Jambalaya Studio/BFC Berliner Film Companie and created by Bruce Smith and John Patrick White & Stiles White based on a concept by Serge Michaels.

• “The Batman” picks up Batman’s story in year three: in his mid-twenties, just finding his way as protector, defender and Caped Crusader, while balancing his public persona as billionaire bachelor Bruce Wayne. Living in Gotham, a metropolis where shadows run long and deep, beneath elevated train tracks, this younger Batman will confront updated takes of familiar foes — meeting each member of his classic Rogue’s Gallery for the first time. From the likes of Joker, Penguin, Catwoman, Mr. Freeze, Riddler and Man-Bat, among others, the war on crime jumps to the next level with a new arsenal at the Dark Knight’s disposal, all operated and linked by an advanced remote-controlled invention he dubs the “Bat-Wave.” Accentuating the original take on “The Batman,” The Edge from multi-Grammy Award-winning sensation U2 will perform the series’ theme song. “The Batman” is produced by Warner Bros. Animation for Kids’ WB! and Cartoon Network.

The returning Spring 2004 series is:

• “MegaMan NT Warrior,” from ShoPro Entertainment, returns for an invigorating second season this Spring as Lan and MegaMan continue their cyber-saga with new and improved powers and various morphing techniques. The new season of this futuristic-adventure series kicks-off with the exciting finish of the N1 Grand Prix, but will Lan and MegaMan prove to be victorious? With new cyber-villains – including PharaohMan and Grave – wreaking havoc across the planet, MegaMan faces an uphill battle to guard the cyber-world from complete deletion.

The new Summer 2004 Live-action projects include:

• Kids’ WB!’s first original live-action movie “Zolar,” from Insight Film & Television and executive producer Barry L. Levy. “Zolar” revolves around a team of three young semi-pro action sports athletes who discover their newest team member, Zolar, is really “out of this world.” When they learn that Zolar is actually the most powerful alien in the universe – and that every known alien in the galaxy is hunting him down – our teenage heroes must come to the aid of their new friend to protect him from evil extraterrestrials out to steal his powerful life force. “Zolar” also will include special cameo appearances by some of today’s hottest action sports stars such as Mike Metzger, X-Games Gold and Silver Medallist for Motoross, Big Air, Freestyle and Best Trick competitions.
• “Gagsters,” a live-action series in the vein of “Candid Camera” from Gotcha Entertainment LLC, is comprised of a team of kid pranksters. However, these aren’t just pranks on innocent bystanders – but gags played on adults who have slighted kids. Listening to kids’ stories about adults who have embarrassed them in some way or insulted them by treating them like a kid, the Gagsters flip the script and pull practical jokes on unsuspecting adults to get one message across – don’t mess with kids because the Gagsters will get you! Viewers will have the opportunity to write to “Gagsters,” requesting the team to create a prank or suggesting pranks of their own.

The returning series in Fall 2004 include:

• The animé-hit “Yu-Gi-Oh!,” from 4Kids Productions, Inc., will enter its fourth season with an entirely new adventure! After the captivating conclusion of the Battle City Finals, chaos ensues once again as Marik’s three Egyptian God Cards are stolen and a dark and mysterious new villain emerges. Suddenly, real monsters begin to appear around the world, terrorizing the population. Are these strange, unexplainable chain of events connected and will they be resolved? Yugi and the gang will embark on their quest to find out…before the planet faces total destruction.

• The saga continues for the top-rated franchise in the seventh season of “Pokémon,” which finds Ash, Pikachu and friends experiencing new adventures as they carry on through the Hoenn region. Produced by 4Kids Productions, Inc., the season is filled with new Pokémon – as well as the return of old friends and favorites – and even an unexpected team-up of Ash and May for some exciting Pokémon competition. Never a dull moment, Ash and the gang keep one step ahead of Team Rocket and the new Teams Magma and Aqua, while facing intense Pokémon challenges in this mysterious land.

• The hit action-comedy “Jackie Chan Adventures,” produced by Sony Pictures Television, returns for its fifth season, finding Jackie and the J-Team’s hold on the dark forces starting to unravel when Shendu’s teenaged son, Drago, escapes from the Section 13 slammer. Jackie, Jade, Uncle and Tohru soon learn that Drago intends to reclaim the same seven chi powers – wind, thunder, sky, mountain, earth, water and moon – that once belonged to his father’s Demon Brethren. It’s a race against time for Jackie and company to find those objects which contain these traces of Dark Chi so our heroes can take down Drago and his dragonized minions.

• LUCHARAAAN! The school bell is ringing again at the Foremost World-Renowned International School of Lucha. Celebrating Latin culture, the irreverent comedy “¡Mucha Lucha!” is back for its third season as the three Mascaritas – Rikochet, Buena Girl and The Flea – remain focused on learning the fundamentals of Lucha Libre…Honor, Family, Tradition…and, of course, Donuts! Produced by Warner Bros. Animation, this upcoming season will include more “Mucha-sized” highly energetic adventures and fun fantastical stories – which could only happen in the world of “¡Mucha Lucha!”

• The coolest crime-fighting crew will be back for the third season of more action-packed and modern-day hair-raising adventures in “What’s New Scooby-Doo?,” produced by Warner Bros. Animation for Kids’ WB! and Cartoon Network. With lovable canine Scooby, the always-hungry Shaggy, Velma, Daphne and Fred, the mysteries will be filled with even more unique unsuspecting villains. In a thrilling interactive twist, viewers will get the chance to help crack the case as each episode will end “unsolved” and kids will be able to go online to guess “whodunit.” The much-anticipated reveal will be aired the following week – along with the names of the crime-solving viewers who guessed right!

• “Teen Titans” – the hip, young breed of superheroes return for another season of video game playing and high-flying adventures. Produced by Warner Bros. Animation in conjunction with Cartoon Network, the powerful second season finds Robin, Cyborg, Beast Boy, Raven and Starfire continuing to struggle with sibling rivalry, jealousy and dirty dishes, but they must put aside their differences to square off with favorite villains like Gizmo, Plasmus, Cinderblock, Overload and their arch-nemesis Slade. Shaking up the T-Tower, mysterious Terra returns hoping to gain acceptance into the Titan’s clique…but will she get a second chance? Popular DC Comics characters such as Speedy, Aqualad, Wildebeest and Warp will make exciting guest appearances.

• The new breakout hit “Xiaolin Showdown,” from Warner Bros. Animation, returns for its second season as the evil Heylin witch Wuya becomes flesh and gains control of the world. However, the four young monk warriors are stronger this season as they have honed their elemental powers of Wind, Earth, Water and Fire and are now officially apprentice Dragon Warriors. With Dojo in tow, Omi, Raimundo, Kimiko and Clay will do whatever they must to protect themselves, the powerful Shen Gong Wu and the world from evil…and will challenge any and all – including evil boy genius Jack Spicer – to more Xiaolin Showdowns!