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Midway and Cartoon Network Sign Three Multi-Territory Publishing Agreements for Games Based on Three Top-Rated Kids' Properties
Tuesday February 15, 7:00 am ET
Company to Launch Children's Line with Cartoon Network's Ed, Edd n Eddy, The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy and Dexter's Laboratory
CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 15, 2005-- Midway Games Inc. (NYSE:MWY - News), a leading interactive entertainment software publisher and developer, today announced that it has signed three publishing agreements with Cartoon Network, licensed by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, for video games based on three of the network's top-rated kids programs: Ed, Edd n Eddy, The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy and Dexter's Laboratory. Under the terms of the agreements, Midway secures multi-territory rights to develop and publish games for the console, handheld and PC platforms.
"Cartoon Network continues to be a leading creator of premier animated content and its programming has consistently ranked atop the charts for kids and tweens during day and prime time hours," said David F. Zucker, Midway president and chief executive officer. "We are delighted to be working with them and eager to launch our new children's lineup around such popular shows."
"Kids love Cartoon Network's programming as much as video games and our agreements with Midway are a perfect fit for both companies," said John Friend, senior vice president, Cartoon Network Enterprises. "We are excited to be working with Midway and eager to help make the launch of their children's line a success."
Ratings continue to rise for Cartoon Network making it a favorite choice for animated TV entertainment for kids 2-11, kids 6-11 and tweens 9-14, as the network achieved both ratings and delivery gains among every key demographic in 2004.
The agreements cover three of Cartoon Network's top original series, including:
* Ed, Edd n Eddy - A mainstay in the network's key weekly franchise, FRIDAYS, Ed, Edd n Eddy is Cartoon Network's number one series among boys 2-11. Cartoon Network is adding 26 new episodes, the first of which is scheduled to air alongside the game's expected debut in Fall 2005.
* The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy - Since its introduction, The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy has been one of the network's most popular series, particularly with boys. Happy-go-lucky Billy and cynical Mandy are best friends with the Grim Reaper in this crude supernatural comedy.
* Dexter's Laboratory - Dexter's Laboratory is an award-winning program about a boy genius with a secret science lab and was Cartoon Network's first original series and features 72 episodes, making it one of the largest series in rotation on the network.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/050215/155284_1.html
Midway Dives into Publishing Agreement with Cartoon Network for Multi-Territory Interactive Rights to Five ADULT SWIM Original Animated Series
Tuesday February 15, 7:00 am ET
CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 15, 2005--Midway Games Inc. (NYSE:MWY - News), a leading interactive entertainment software publisher and developer, today announced that it has signed a multi-territory agreement with Cartoon Network, licensed by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, to publish video games based on five of the network's ADULT SWIM programs: Aqua Teen Hunger Force, The Brak Show, Harvey Birdman, Attorney At Law, Sealab 2021, and Space Ghost Coast to Coast. Under the terms of the agreement, Midway has the rights to develop and publish games for the console, handheld and PC platforms. The first ADULT SWIM product is scheduled to ship in late 2006.
Source: Midway Games Inc.
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ADULT SWIM is Cartoon Network's late-night programming block of cartoons that appeal to a grown-up sense of humor and adult sensibilities such as superhero lawyers, talking food items and cranky talk show hosts.
"Cartoon Network is known for creating programming that is cutting-edge in its presentation and content, and thus perfectly suited for video games," said David F. Zucker, Midway president and chief executive officer. "The built-in fan base and popularity of ADULT SWIM affords us a critical stepping stone towards success."
"ADULT SWIM is a phenomenon with young adult viewers who identify with the edgy, irreverent tone of the shows and the block," said John Friend, senior vice president, Cartoon Network Enterprises. "Clearly, lots of ADULT SWIM fans are avid gamers, and we look forward to working with Midway to make games the fans will love."
Young adults are flocking to Cartoon Network in record numbers, thanks primarily to ADULT SWIM, which in 2004 set new network records for total delivery of adults (18-34 and adults 18-49). Research indicates that Cartoon Network is watched by more adults (18-34) than E! Entertainment, USA, Discovery, TV Land, CNBC, A&E and VH1, among others.
The ADULT SWIM properties include:
* Aqua Teen Hunger Force -- Aqua Teen Hunger Force is an animated comedy about human-sized food products that live together in a rental house in New Jersey. Master Shake, the self-appointed leader is a miserable crank. Frylock, the most reasonable member of the group, happens to be a box of french-fried potatoes. Meatwad rounds out the squad, with his - you guessed it - round mound of meat. Together they are Aqua Teen Hunger Force. Sometimes they solve the mysteries of New Jersey. More often, they hang out in their neighbor Carl's above-ground swimming pool.
* The Brak Show -- The Brak Show is set somewhere in outer space, but it looks an awful lot like any American suburb, circa 1965. The show follows the formative years of Brak and his best pal Zorak, both of whom attend Learnmore High. Brak's Dad, a small human man with a vaguely Latin accent, loves reading the paper and giving nonsensical advice. Brak's mother is supportive and quite a dish, in a June Cleaver as a space monster kind of way. Zorak leads Brak into all kinds of trouble - like stealing the mascot of Learnmore High's rival just before the big game, overfeeding a neighbor's fish or stealing a magic candy bar. In the end, everything always turns out just fine and there's even usually time for a song.
* Harvey Birdman, Attorney At Law -- once a third-rate superhero, Harvey Birdman is now a third-rate lawyer trying like hell to get by in a fancy law firm. It's not clear whether Harvey actually went to law school, but he definitely knows the things to say to sound like a lawyer. And he has a suit now, that's for sure.
* Sealab 2021 -- The year is 2021, and deep below the ocean's surface lies a vast, high-tech compound: Sealab. This multinational effort has been designed to explore the viability of underwater colonization and uncover the mysteries of the sea. Unfortunately, it's run by a bunch of idiots.
* Space Ghost Coast to Coast -- Space Ghost Coast to Coast is the planet's only late-night talk show hosted by a cartoon superhero. Days when mere men in coats and ties ruled the late-night universe have gone the way of The Chevy Chase Theater, but Space Ghost is fully costumed and on the scene with an array of superpowers. Space Ghost Coast to Coast combines celebrity interviews and assorted nonsense for the weirdest talk show in the universe. Space Ghost is joined by archenemies Moltar and Zorak, whom he has enslaved as unwilling members of his late-night crew. Guests on Space Ghost Coast to Coast have been an eclectic mix, including Tenacious D, Bjork, Donny Osmond, Charlton Heston, The Ramones, Lassie and Fran Drescher. But not Don Rickles.
