MTV & FREMANTLE MEDIA NORTH AMERICA DIAL UP "THE PHONE" WITH EXECUTIVE PRODUCER JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE
New York, NY (May 9, 2008) - MTV has greenlit FremantleMedia North America’s “The Phone,” executive produced by Justin Timberlake, it was announced yesterday at MTV Networks’ 2008 Upfront presentation, “The Ultimate ROI: Return On Innovation” in New York City. “The Phone” is scheduled to premiere fall 2008.
A groundbreaking reality game show based on the Dutch format by Park Lane Productions, “The Phone” takes viewers on a wild, cinematic ‘run for your money’ ride as contestants go on a no-holds-barred race against time. Reminiscent of films like “Bourne Identity” and “The Game,” two contestants will join forces and hit the ground running for their chance to win a huge cash prize.
“Genre-busting and reinvention is at the core of what we do, and ‘The Phone’ does just that. We’re turning the reality competition format on its head and plunging the contestants into a real life ‘Bourne Identity’—not just in the tone and creative, but also in terms of the visual style and pacing. Each week will be an action packed mini-movie. When you watch, your heart will pound as hard as the contestants. This is Popcorn TV!” said Tony Disanto, Executive Vice President, Programming and Series Development.
“The Phone’ is an exciting, innovative reality game that will make the viewer feel they’re part of an espionage thriller that is gripping to the very end,” says Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO of FremantleMedia North America. “We’re thrilled to be working with Justin Timberlake on such a ground-breaking project that is certain to keep viewers on the edge of their seats.”
Each heart-pounding, non-stop, action-packed episode of “The Phone” begins with two strategically hidden cell phones ringing at opposite ends of a major metropolitan city. Once answered, a mysterious guide gives contestants five seconds to concede whether or not they wish to play the game for a chance of winning a huge cash prize. Once accepted, the competition begins, throwing the two contestants into a collaborative cliff-hanging race against time and odds to accomplish their given mission. The guide will communicate with the contestants via cell phones as a helicopter in the sky tracks their every move, exploit and error – with each failed task chipping away at their coveted cash prize.
“The Phone” is produced by FremantleMedia North America. Justin Timberlake and David Schiff are executive producers. Cecile Frot-Coutaz is executive producer. Maira Suro is the executive overseeing production for MTV. For Film and TV related endeavors, Justin Timberlake is represented by The Schiff Company and The Firm. For legal ventures, Timberlake is represented by Ziffren, Brittenham, Branca, Fischer, Gilbert-Lurie, Stiffelman & Cook.
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. Wanna know more? Come on in… http://www.mtvpress.com.
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), “Farmer Wants A Wife” (The CW), “Rock The Cradle” (MTV), “Can You Duet” (CMT), “MatchGame” (TBS), “The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency” (Oxygen), “Family Feud” (syndicated), “Temptation” (syndicated), “Million Dollar Password” (CBS), and the longest-running game show in television history, “The Price Is Right” (CBS).
