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[via press release]

‘Karma’ Comes Full Circle As The N Premieres Season Three of Instant Star on Friday, February 16

The N’s Rock and Role Premiere Night (February 16-February 18) to Award One Lucky Fan an Exclusive Walk-On Role on the Teen Hit Series

NEW YORK, Feb. 7 – Jude Harrison is a bona fide rock star — no “instant” required. The third season of the hit teen drama Instant Star returns to The N Friday, February 16 at 8:30 p.m. (ET) during The N’s Rock and Role Premiere Night, a two-hour block of new programming which includes an exclusive opportunity for one lucky fan to win a walk-on role on Instant Star. The N’s Rock and Role Premiere Night features a new half-hour episode of Degrassi at 8:00 p.m. (ET), the one-hour premiere of Instant Star at 8:30 p.m. (ET), followed by a new half-hour episode of Beyond the Break at 9:30 p.m. (ET).

Beginning Friday, February 16 through Sunday, February 18, The N kicks off Instant Star’s first on-air/online giveaway during The N’s Rock and Role Premiere Night. Each night for three consecutive nights, fans can watch The N to unscramble themed mystery clues and then go online to www.the-n.com to place their entry. Once viewers submit the correctly spelled word, they will automatically be entered into the contest for a chance to win the grand-prize — a walk-on role on the Toronto set of Instant Star, a $1,000 shopping spree and a new electric guitar. Runners up will each get an exclusive on-line sneak-peek of Instant Star’s third season.

“Instant Star portrays every teenage girl’s fantasy of becoming a glamorous rock star,” said Sarah Tomassi Lindman, SVP of Production and Programming. “Now one lucky fan can experience the real dream of winning a walk-on role in an upcoming episode.”

The season three premiere of Instant Star, “Lose Yourself,” resumes where the cliffhanger of season two left off. Jude learns stardom comes at a price and her life is anything but private now that she is a superstar. Just as her music hits the top of the pop charts, illicit photos of her in a compromising situation surface and she must decide whether to continue being blackmailed or release the photos herself. Looks can be deceiving when Jude contends with Karma, Instant Star’s newest rock star. She will test Jude’s good girl image to the limit, but will Jude retaliate and remain the favorite? Whatever the case, Jude has to keep her dignity and the heart she wears on her sleeve intact.

Also this season, Jude enters adulthood with a celebratory 18th birthday bash like no other. Her relationship with Tommy matures, but he could hurt everyone he loves when some of his secrets emerge. Tragedy hits G Major with a devastating accident involving Jude’s friend and fellow colleague that could be catastrophic for all.

Exclusive Instant Star content will also be available at the-n.com beginning Friday, February 16. Following each on-air episode, a corresponding “On The Set” — a behind the scenes look at the cast and crew during the night’s featured episode — will premiere online. Additionally, the-n.com will feature 11 Instant Star Minis, fun moments featuring the Instant Star characters outside the series, that will roll out online during the season.

The roll out of the exclusive Instant Star online content is as follows:

Friday, February 16 – On The Set: 301 & 302; Mini: “If I Should Stay”
Friday, February 23 – On The Set: 303; Mini: “The Flame”
Friday, March 2 – On The Set: 304; Mini: “Warrior Princess”
Friday, March 9 – On The Set: 305; Mini: “Geometry of Love”
Friday, March 16 – On The Set: 306; Mini: “Instant Noir”
Friday, March 23 – On The Set: 307; Mini: “My Best Friend’s Wedding”
Friday, April 6 – On The Set: 308; Mini: “8 Kilometer”
Friday, April 13 – On The Set: 309; Mini: “Jude Rageaholic”
Friday, April 20 – On The Set: 310; Mini: “What You Need”
Friday, April 27 – On The Set: 311; Mini: “Jude Party Girl”
Friday, May 11 – On The Set: 312; Mini: “Tommy and Portia”

Instant Star depicts the life of soon-to-be 18-year-old Jude Harrison, a singer/songwriter who is propelled to superstardom after she wins a national American Idol-style talent competition. Jude is played by real life singer/songwriter/actress Alexz Johnson, who has written and recorded several of the original songs featured in the series. Each episode of Instant Star features a new song performed by Johnson.

Those helping Jude along the way on her rock ‘n’ roll journey include: her hot young producer and former boy-band heartthrob Tom Quincy, aka Lil’ Tommy Q (Tim Rozon), boy-next-door best friend Jamie Andrews (Kristopher Turner), punk rocker friend (and Jamie’s girlfriend) Patsy Sewer (Zoie Palmore), band-mate and ex-boyfriend Spiederman (Tyler Kyte), Jude’s older jealous sister Sadie (Laura Vandervoort), her father Stuart (Simon Reynolds), as well as the head of G Major, media-mogul Darius Mills (Wes Williams).

Instant Star is produced in association with CTV by Toronto-based Epitome Pictures, producers of Degrassi: The Next Generation. The series was created by Linda Schuyler, co-creator of the original Degrassi series. Schuyler and Stephen Stohn serve as Executive Producers of Instant Star.

Epitome Pictures and its affiliate companies have been producing quality Canadian programming since 1976, including the multi-award winning, internationally recognized Degrassi franchise, The Kids of Degrassi Street, Degrassi Junior High and Degrassi High, which still air throughout the world. Epitome Pictures has also produced the series Liberty Street and Riverdale, as well as Instant Star and several MOWs. For more information, please visit www.epitomepictures.com.

The N, the nighttime network for teens, is a programming arm of MTV Networks and is currently available in 55 million households via cable, digital cable and satellite television. The N’s mission is to be the authentic voice for teens and help them figure out their lives with relevant, topical programming on-air and online at the Emmy Award-winning network’s web site www.the-n.com. The N airs everyday from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. (ET). The N and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom International Inc.