WWE Unveils Original Content For Mobile Phones


WWE Unveils Orginal Content For Mobile Phones Using Bango Direct-To-Consumer Technology - 2nd May 2006
(Credit: WWE)


New York, N.Y., May 2, 2006 - World Wrestling Entertainment® today unveiled its slate of original content “made for mobile” it will launch later this month with a focus on one-of-a-kind video content unique to mobile telephones. The original content, which will be available to users on all networks worldwide, was unveiled today at Bango Nexus 2006, a mobile Internet summit.

The WWE mobile initiative will feature at least 75 videos a month, with a potential for delivery of another 70 videos a month through premium based subscription services. Each video will be produced specifically for wireless, range from 2 minutes to 5 minutes in length, and will work across thousands of handsets deployed around the world.

“WWE views developing and supplying content to the mobile industry as a strategic growth opportunity and yet another way for us to deepen our daily relationships with our millions of fans around the world,” said Shane McMahon, WWE’s Executive Vice President, Global Media. “The great thing about our comprehensive digital content is that it scales worldwide and complements our other television and consumer product offerings in more than 130 countries.”

WWE’s made-for-mobile original content will be made available using Bango’s Direct-to-Consumer Technology, which enables consumers on any mobile network to browse WWE content at their leisure and then buy via their phone bill, by credit/debit card or PayPal, using the Bango platform.

“WWE’s decision to work with Bango reflects the consumer’s increasing appetite for mobile content that can be easily accessed and paid for – regardless of which mobile operator they choose to use,” said Bango Senior Vice President of Marketing, Anil Malhotra. “Selling content direct-to-consumer is no longer a hard job thanks to Bango. Through Bango technology, WWE can start charging for content across multiple countries straight away.”

Among the WWE program offerings will be:

* WWE Mobile News: WWE’s daily video news show, recorded from the WWE HQ in Stamford, Conn., will update fans on all the latest news going on in the world of sports entertainment.

* Five More Questions: The spin-off to WWE.com’s popular web short “Five Questions with the Champ” will feature current WWE Champ John Cena® answering five questions sent to him by wireless subscribers.

* Slam of the Week: Top highlights from WWE’s weekly programming.

* Diva Shorts: Videos of WWE’s beautiful Divas delivered three times a week.

Other programs will deliver previews and post-event commentary for popular television programs Monday Night RAW® (USA) and Friday Night SmackDown® (UPN), and profiles of WWE Superstars and WWE Legends. Other video features will include Superstar-specific footage, pay-per-view match previews and recaps, and information on the latest WWE events, appearances, licensed products and merchandise.

WWE also will be offering seven Premium packages, starting in July with “Hell On Your Cell,” a monthly video sampler of some of sports entertainment’s most extreme showcases. Each package offers 8 to 10 videos a month, with each video running about 3 minutes to 5 minutes long. Other premium packages to follow will focus on WWE Legends, WWE Divas, and fantasy gaming.

“WWE has unique advantages that will make it a better experience for mobile phone users than any other brand of sports or entertainment on the planet. Not only do we have direct, daily access to all of our Superstars, but the wrestling action itself is not heavily reliant on wide shots like baseball, NASCAR, football and soccer,” said Chris Chambers, WWE Senior Vice President, Interactive Media. “Each week, we provide compelling programs to our fans, and we believe we can offer an equally compelling entertainment experience for our fans enjoyment in a smaller screen format.”

In addition, WWE Mobile will feature text news alerts, schedules, ringtones, wallpapers, and a fantasy ticker. WWE also offers WWE Mobile Alert, an SMS service that is currently available on all major mobile carriers.

To view a sample of WWE's mobile content, please click here

The demand for WWE content has been growing, particularly online. Monthly unique visitors to WWE.com have increased to more than 13.5 million, approximately double the amount from the prior year, as WWE has made its website more news oriented.

World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: WWE), is an integrated media and entertainment company headquartered in Stamford, Conn., with offices in New York City, Los Angeles, Toronto and London. Additional information on the company can be found at WWE.com and corporate.wwe.com.

Bango (AIM: BGO) has developed and deployed an open, global infrastructure platform that enables content providers to market, sell and deliver their products and services directly to mobile phone users on all mobile networks using the mobile Internet. This “direct-to-consumer” approach operates alongside the mobile carrier’s decks.

The Bango platform has given mobile phone subscribers around the world greater access to third-party content. Leading content brands are now adopting the Bango Service to engage with all of their existing and potential mobile customers directly – irrespective of mobile carrier. For further information, go to www.bango.com.

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WWE Media Contact: Gary Davis, 203-353-5066

WWE Investor Contact: Michael Weitz, 203-352-8642

Bango Contact: Laurie Riedman 585-396-3100

Trademarks: The names of all World Wrestling Entertainment televised and live programming, talent names, images, likenesses, slogans and wrestling moves and all World Wrestling Entertainment logos are trademarks which are the exclusive property of World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains forward-looking statements pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are subject to various risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include the conditions of the markets for live events, broadcast television, cable television, pay-per-view, Internet, entertainment, professional sports, and licensed merchandise; acceptance of the Company's brands, media and merchandise within those markets; uncertainties relating to litigation; risks associated with producing live events both domestically and internationally; uncertainties associated with international markets; risks relating to maintaining and renewing key agreements, including television distribution agreements; and other risks and factors set forth from time to time in Company filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results could differ materially from those currently expected or anticipated. In addition to these risks and uncertainties, our dividend is based on a number of factors, including our liquidity and historical and projected cash flow, strategic plan, our financial results and condition, contractual and legal restrictions on the payment of dividends and such other factors as our board of directors may consider relevant.

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