02/06/2001

Americans to View Brisbane's Goodwill Games Live

BRISBANE'S 2001 Goodwill Games will be broadcast live to millions of people around the world, with a commitment by Turner Network Television (TNT) to present more than 66 per cent of its coverage through continuous live crossings.

Turner Sports President Mark Lazarus today committed the network to present 83 hours of original programming from the 2001 Goodwill Games in Brisbane; 55 hours or 66 per cent of which will be live.

The event will be hosted in the Queensland capital from August 29 to September 9 and will see about 1300 of the world's top athletes compete in 14 sports.

Mr Lazarus said in addition to 12 straight days of live coverage, TNT also would air a further 37 hours of encore performances, giving the network a total of 120 hours of competition - including 31 hours during prime time viewing.

``We're pleased our viewers will have the opportunity to experience the suspense of watching the likes of Michael Johnson, Marion Jones and Maurice Greene take on the world,'' Mr Lazarus said.

``After weighing up the challenges of broadcasting from a continent 14 hours away, we're confident we have a schedule that will not only bring the most compelling competition to fans around the globe, but will deliver the majority of them in a fashion that all sports fans crave, with the unpredictability and spontaneity only live coverage can bring.''

2001 Goodwill Games Chief Executive Campbell Rose welcomed the news as an endorsement of not only the event but of Queensland as well.

``Live coverage to the world market will provide an enormous opportunity for Brisbane to showcase itself to the world,'' Mr Rose said.

``Not only will millions of people be glued to their television watching the world's best athletes battle it out in the sporting arena, but their eyes will be firmly on the sights and sounds of Brisbane, significantly enhancing its reputation as Australia's most livable city.''

TNT will feature live event coverage of gymnastics, figure skating, swimming and athletics most mornings with extended blocks of competition from various venues throughout Brisbane. Prime time and late night shows will incorporate select live elements, extended coverage of events, athlete features, in-depth interviews and highlights from the day's competition.

The Nine Network will broadcast the 2001 Goodwill Games in Australia.

In addition to television coverage on TNT, results from the Goodwill Games will be available almost instantaneously via real-time scoring on www.goodwillgames.com

Sites for the 2003 Winter Goodwill Games and 2005 summer version of the Goodwill Games will be announced shortly. Planning is already underway in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, host site of the 2005 Winter Goodwill Games. The 2005 Winter Goodwill Games will help mark the centennial anniversary of Alberta and will also be broadcast by TNT.

Host cities are chosen based largely on facilities, infrastructure, government and corporate interest, as well as the enthusiasm of the local community.

The 2001 Goodwill Games in Brisbane features 14 sports including athletics, swimming, basketball, beach volleyball, boxing, cycling (track), diving, figure skating, artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, trampoline, triathlon, weightlifting and surf lifesaving.

The Goodwill Games were founded by AOL Time Warner Vice Chairman R.E. Turner in 1986 to ensure the world's best athletes have the opportunity to compete in world class competition. The five previous Goodwill Games have alternated between the United States and Russia; however, future Games will be staged in countries around the world in both winter and summer formats.

Goodwill Games, Inc. is a division of Turner Sports, the sports programming and production business unit of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.

Turner Network Television, currently seen in 80.7 million homes, is Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.'s 24-hour, advertiser-supported service offering original motion pictures and miniseries; original series, non-fiction specials and live events; contemporary films from the world's largest film library, the combined Turner and Warner Bros. film libraries; exciting NBA, Wimbledon Tennis, PGA golf and WUSA soccer action; exclusive coverage of both the 2000 Winter and 2001 Goodwill Games; and popular television series.

Turner Sports, Inc., an AOL Time Warner company, presents some of the best and most popular sporting events worldwide, and is a leader in televised sports programming. With events airing on four networks -- TBS Superstation, TNT, Turner South and CNN/Sports Illustrated -- Turner Sports' line-up includes the NBA, NASCAR and NASCAR.com, Wimbledon, Atlanta Braves baseball, Atlanta Thrashers hockey, Atlanta Hawks basketball, professional golf, figure skating, WUSA Soccer and the Goodwill Games.

Media contact:
Janet England, Media & PR Manager
2001 Goodwill Games Brisbane
Ph: 0412 334 937

TNT 2001 Goodwill Games Television
(All Times Are Eastern)

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