GSN Launches 'BALLBREAKERS: Battle of the Bars'

10 Cities Host Competitions for the Promotional Tour to Determine Who's the Best of the Best in Nine-Ball Billiards

SANTA MONICA, Calif., June 20 -- GSN is launching its "BALLBREAKERS: Battle of the Bars" promotion for the debut of the new series BALLBREAKERS. The "Battle of the Bars" breaks in Atlanta on Friday, July 8 and visits 10 cities across the nation to promote the new nine-ball billiards show. The announcement was made today by Dena Kaplan, Senior Vice President, Marketing, GSN.

"BALLBREAKERS: Battle of the Bars is the perfect grassroots promotion to get pool enthusiasts talking about BALLBREAKERS and a fresh way to get billiard players to compete to be the best player in their hometown," said Kaplan.

The "Battle of the Bars" features a single tournament in each of 10 cities among players chosen by 140 different bars in those 10 cities. Each tournament will determine the best nine-ball player in the city who will win prizes including a new Brunswick pool table. The tournament in each city will be held in: Marietta, Georgia at Mazzy's Sports Bar & Grill (July 8), St. Louis at Pink Galleon Billiards & Games (July 9), Parma (near Cleveland), Ohio at Fox & Hound English Pub & Grille (July 15), Royal Oak (near Detroit) at Fifth Avenue (July 16), Washington D.C. at Buffalo Billiards (July 22), Philadelphia at Buffalo Billiards (July 23), Boston at The Rack (July 29), New York at State Plus (July 30), Los Angeles at Q's Billiard Club (August 5), and concluding in Sacramento at Hot Shots Billiards (August 6).

Each bar is promoting tune in to GSN's BALLBREAKERS using posters, table tents, coasters, napkins, t-shirts, key chains and other giveaways.

For each city, the participating bars will choose their top player to compete in their respective city's tournament. In addition to the players representing the participating bars, one player may be chosen by a local radio station and at least one player will be selected from the crowd in a random drawing at the tournament location on the evening of each tournament. GSN is also utilizing a radio buy with radio station partners to promote the event in each city.

The players are competing for a new Brunswick pool table of their choice that is valued at up to $7,000 as well as a prize package including pool cues, balls and more. There will be one winner in each city. Participants can also log on to GSN.com for a chance to win a Brunswick pool table and prize package in the separate Ballbreakers Sweepstakes. Additionally, they can log onto http://www.GSN.com/ballbreakers to learn more about "Battle of the Bars." This site includes an online bar guide as well as further information about the promotion.

In addition to the competition, casting directors for BALLBREAKERS will be hand at each of the locations to scout possible contestants for future episodes of the GSN original show. There will also be BALLBREAKERS contestants on hand for trick shot demonstrations and contests. GSN's promotion for BALLBREAKERS also includes mentions on popular internet sites including Yahoo and others.

GSN, the network for games, premieres its exciting new billiards series BALLBREAKERS on Monday, July 18 (10:00-11:00 PM ET/PT). The high-energy, fast-paced series features amateur pool sharks participating in winner-takes-all episodes for $20,000.

The series is hosted by Sal Masekela ("X Games"), and Ewa Mataya Laurance (known as the "Striking Viking" in the billiard industry) will be providing expert commentary to viewers and advice to players. Adrianne Curry, winner of the first season of "America's Next Top Model," will serve as the series' "rack girl."

GSN, the Network for Games, is the only U.S. television network dedicated to game-related programming and interactive game playing. The network features game shows, reality series, documentaries, alternative sports programs and casino games. As the industry leader in interactivity, GSN features over 100 hours per week of interactive programming, which allows viewers a chance to win prizes by playing along with GSN's televised games via gsn.com. Reaching 57 million Nielsen homes, GSN is distributed in the U.S. through all major cable systems and satellite providers. The network is jointly owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment and Liberty Media Corporation. For further media information, visit GSN's press website at corp.gsn.com.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY to enter the "BALLBREAKERS: Battle of the Bars". Contest consists of ten separate pool tournaments that will begin on 7/8/05 and end on or about 8/6/05. Contest open only to legal residents of the U.S., 21 years of age or older as of date of participation. Void where prohibited. Each tournament will have a maximum of 16 contestants. Approximately 14 contestants per market will be pre-selected by local sponsors using methods to be determined in their sole discretion. A minimum of one contestant will be randomly selected in a drawing at each tournament location. GSN may elect, in its sole discretion, not to produce any additional episodes of the "Ballbreakers" television series. See Official Rules at GSN.COM/BALLBREAKERS for complete details, including names of local sponsors, tournament dates and locations, tournament game play rules, and prize descriptions/restrictions.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY to enter the "BALLBREAKERS Sweepstakes". Open to legal residents of the U.S. who are 18 years of age or older as of 7/1/05. Void in Puerto Rico, Guam and all other U.S. territories and possessions and where prohibited by law. Sweepstakes is scheduled to begin on 7/1/05 and end on or about 8/6/05. See Official Rules at gsn.com/win/ballbreakers/rules.php for complete details, including additional eligibility restrictions, odds and prize descriptions/restrictions.

SOURCE GSN
Web Site: http://www.gsn.com