MTV, FREMANTLEMEDIA NORTH AMERICA & EXECUTIVE PRODUCER JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE DARE YOU TO ANSWER "THE PHONE" PREMIERING APRIL 21ST AT 10PM ET/PT

Santa Monica, CA (March 3, 2009) - MTV, FremantleMedia North America and executive producer Justin Timberlake are taking viewers on a relentless, heart pounding, adrenaline ride as "The Phone" premieres on April 21st at 10pm ET/PT. The innovative, six episode series is a genre-busting, one hour cinematic competition that simulates what it would be like for viewers to be dropped into the middle of a thrilling adventure movie.

"The Phone" is a groundbreaking game show whose blend of reality and cinematic action-adventure pulls its participants out of their everyday lives and thrusts them into a high-stakes labyrinth of engagement, suspense and intrigue as they race against time for a huge cash prize.

Each week, the lives of four unwitting strangers are interrupted and changed forever by a phone call where a mysterious voice invites them to participate in the game. If they choose yes by pressing "one" on their cell phones, the now new contestants begin to trigger dangerous events that propel them into their adventure and the chance to win up to $50,000.

The mysterious voice pairs the contestants up into two teams and instructs them to follow a movie-like drama that leads them through a series of mental and physical challenges from hanging off the edge of Seattle's Space Needle to racing into a burning building to save a man�s life. The player�s loyalty, courage and morality are tested and their true nature is exposed when a surprise and shocking twist is revealed at the end of the game.

"The Phone" is produced by FremantleMedia North America. Justin Timberlake, David Schiff, Craig Armstrong and Rick Ringbakk are executive producers. Cecile Frot-Coutaz is executive producer. Lois Curren is creative executive in charge for MTV. The original format was devised by Park Lane Productions, represented by Absolutely Independent, The Netherlands. For Film and TV related endeavors, Justin Timberlake is represented by David Schiff at The Schiff Company, Rick Yorn and Jennifer Davisson-Killoran. For legal ventures, Timberlake is represented by Ziffren, Brittenham LLP.

About MTV

MTV is the dynamic, vibrant experiment at the intersection of music, creativity and youth culture. For over 26 years, MTV has evolved, challenged the norm, and detonated boundaries -- giving each new generation a creative outlet and voice that entertains, informs and unites on every platform and screen. On-air, MTV has been the number one rated 24 hour ad-supported cable network P12-24 for 16 straight years. Online, MTV.com scored double-digit growth in 2007 and MTV launched 15 dynamic online communities and eight new virtual worlds. On the go, MTV Mobile is the #1 music brand in the wireless space � delivering 90% more streams than in 2006. And MTV�s successful sibling networks MTV2, mtvU and MTV Tr3s each deliver unprecedented customized content, super-serving music fans, college students and young American Latinos like no one else. MTV is part of MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), one of the world�s leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms.

About FremantleMedia North America

FremantleMedia North America (FMNA) is the U.S. production division of global media giant FremantleMedia. Based in Burbank, California, FMNA produces entertaining and innovative television programs for network, cable and syndicated platforms, including the Emmy-nominated musical/reality phenomenon "American Idol" (FOX), "American Idol Rewind" (syndicated), "American Idol Extra" (Fox Reality), "America�s Got Talent" (NBC), "Celebrity Family Feud" (NBC), "The Osbournes: Reloaded" (FOX), "Hole In The Wall" (FOX), "The Phone" (MTV), "Rock The Cradle" (MTV), "Can You Duet" (CMT), "The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency" (Oxygen), "Family Feud" (syndicated), "Million Dollar Password" (CBS), and the longest-running game show in television history, "The Price Is Right" (CBS).