MTVN'S ENTERTAINMENT GROUP AND VIDEOGAME JOURNALIST GEOFF KEIGHLEY EXPAND PARTNERSHIP WITH BROAD TALENT AND DEVELOPMENT DEAL
Tune In To The High-Definition Premiere Of "GameTrailers TV With Geoff Keighley" Friday, January 25, 2008 On Spike TV
MTV Networks’ Entertainment Group, a division of Viacom' (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B), today announced a talent and development deal with acclaimed videogame journalist Geoff Keighley, the host of Spike TV’s “Game Head,” the preeminent videogame show on television. Premiering Friday, January 25, 2008, the fifth season of “Game Head” will be re-launched as “GameTrailers TV with Geoff Keighley.” The weekly magazine-style show, made available for the first time in high-definition, will feature an expanded online presence and a tighter integration with GameTrailers.com, the premier provider of video for gamers.
In addition to serving as an executive producer on the new show, Keighley will enter into a development deal with Spike TV to create additional on-air programming, consult on the annual Spike TV “Video Game Awards” show and host a number of to be announced specials. He will also continue hosting and producing “Bonus Round,” GameTrailers’ popular online roundtable talk show about the videogame industry.
“We are thrilled to have the industry’s number one host on the number one videogame show on television,” said Kevin Kay, president of Spike TV. “This new deal allows us to work more closely with Geoff to ensure that Spike continues to be home to the best videogame programming both online and on TV.”
“It has long been my hope to sign Geoff to a larger overall deal so we can make better use of his talents across all of our properties,” said Jon Slusser, SVP Spike Digital and Videogames. “Geoff’s experience as a journalist and passion for videogames make him one of the best gaming experts in the field and he is an invaluable addition to the MTVN Entertainment Group.”
“I’m proud of what we’ve done these past few years with “Game Head,” our various videogame specials and The Bonus Round, so it’s natural to bring everything together into one overall multi-platform deal,” said Keighley. “This year we’re going to continue delivering exclusive content to gamers, but also take videogame programming in some new and unexpected directions.”
“GameTrailers TV with Geoff Keighley” will bring fans the latest scoop on the gaming industry’s hottest titles, coolest events and biggest stars, offering the access and insight millions of viewers have come to expect from GameTrailers.com. Featuring a rotation of over 20 segments, Keighley and co-hosts Amanda MacKay and Daniel Kayser will provide exclusive content catering to gamers with varying interest levels from the casual gamer to hardcore enthusiasts. In addition to premiering on Spike TV and Spike HD, the program will be available in high definition on GameTrailers.com and Xbox Live Marketplace.