TNA sent out the following press release today.
TNA WRESTLING GOES GLOBAL WITH NEW BROADBAND PAY-PER-VIEW OFFERING
International Viewers Can Now Experience Total Nonstop Action Live on Their Computers via MediaZone
REDWOOD CITY, Calif., March 9, 2006—MediaZone, a leading global online broadcaster, today announced that it will deliver wrestling fans worldwide exclusive live broadband pay-per-view access to Total Nonstop Action (TNA) Wrestling’s “Destination X” event this Sunday, March 12th, 2006. “Destination X” marks the first time that a TNA Wrestling event is available online to international audiences at MediaZone.com.
“Destination X” will feature the return of the high-flying, daredevil “Ultimate X Match,” considered the most innovative bout in wrestling to be introduced in the last decade. The setup for the “Ultimate X Match” features four steel girders that are attached to the ring, rising 15 feet in the air. Connected to the structures are steel cables that cross above the center of the ring, forming a giant X. Hanging from the center will be the X Division Championship belt, with the first star to bring the gold to the mat declared the winner. X Division Champion Samoa Joe will be making his first-ever “Ultimate X Match” appearance. While he has been unstoppable in his brutality on his way to dominating the division, this format represents an entirely new challenge for “The Samoan Submission Machine.”
In addition to the “Ultimate X Match,” the event will also feature a bout for the crown jewel of TNA Wrestling, the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. “Captain Charisma” Christian Cage will square off against “The Alpha Male” Monty Brown for the most coveted prize in wrestling history.
For the first time in his career, wrestling legend Sting will appear at TNA’s “Destination X” pay-per-view without his trademark face paint. Appearing as Steve Borden—his real name—Sting will confront Jeff Jarrett, whose group, Planet Jarrett, had been secretly filming Sting and his family at home after Sting announced his retirement from wrestling at the “Final Resolution” pay-per-view two months earlier.
“TNA’s events have a huge following in the United States and Canada thanks to its innovative matches and in-ring excitement,” said Dixie Carter, president, TNA Wrestling. “We are excited to offer passionate wrestling fans around the world the ability to watch ‘Destination X’ live via MediaZone.com and use this exciting network of broadband video programming to extend the global reach of TNA’s brand.”
“Pro wrestling consistently attracts huge audiences, and marquee events like TNA’s ‘Destination X’ are often amongst the highest rated events in the pay-per-view category, yet despite this tremendous following there is still a large, underserved wrestling fan base around the world that cannot access these events,” said Sean Sweeney, manager of business development, MediaZone. “By delivering an action-packed, three hour mega event via the Internet, we are helping TNA overcome geographic barriers and connect wrestling enthusiasts with one of the sport’s most exciting live events.”
Access to this one of a kind event is available for $14.99 and can be found at:
http://MediaZone.com/tnawrestling. “Destination X” is available live on March 12th, 2006 at 8:00 pm ET/1:00am GMT and will be added to the MediaZone archives for on-demand viewing within hours of the event. Due to pay-per-view restrictions this event will not be available in the United States, Canada or New Zealand.
MediaZone is one of the fastest growing destinations for audiences seeking on-demand broadcast content that is not commonly available through local television. From sports and lifestyle to cultural events, MediaZone lets consumers stay connected with hard to find, yet highly relevant programming, while providing media owners with a new channel to distribute and monetize their content libraries. MediaZone provides the only online network that carries channels spanning the entire international sports world ranging from extreme sports to soccer. Specialized offerings such as a channel dedicated to U.S. competitive figure skating at FigureSkatingChannel.MediaZone.com, and the most comprehensive selection of rugby content available anywhere via RugbyChannel.MediaZone.com, distinguish MediaZone as the premiere outlet for every type of sports enthusiast.
Other recent and upcoming unique events offered exclusively through MediaZone include:
•The famed Mavericks 2006 Surf Contest, which took place February 7, 2006 and is archived at MediaZone.com/mavericks;
•Live coverage of Latin America’s most prestigious soccer tournament, Copa Toyota
Libertadores;
•All 94 matches of Super 14, the world’s toughest annual rugby tournament;
•FIM International Motocross & Supermoto Championships (coverage starting April 2,
2006).
Note to editors: This service is only for fans with a PC and a high-speed, broadband connection.
ABOUT MEDIAZONE
MediaZone is a leading global provider of licensed video programming distributed securely via broadband networks to personal computers. MediaZone offers both subscription services and pay-per-view access to live event broadcasts, as well as an extensive archive, focusing on sports, lifestyle and cultural video programming. The company is headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area with offices in China and Europe. MediaZone is a division of MIH Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Naspers (Nasdaq:NPSN). For more information, please visit: MediaZone.com or send email to
info@mediazone.com
ABOUT TNA ENTERTAINMENT
TNA Entertainment, LLC is a privately held company headquartered in Nashville,TN. TNA iMPACT! airs Saturday nights at 11 PM ET/PT on Spike TV. TNA programming is currently available in 118 countries and is also available on monthly pay-per-view on iN DEMAND, DIRECTV, Dish Network and TVN as well as Viewer’s Choice, Bell ExpressVu and Shaw PPV in Canada. The names of all Total Nonstop Action Wrestling televised programming, talent names, images, likenesses, slogans and all TNA Wrestling logos and trademarks are exclusive property of TNA Entertainment, LLC. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
