Press Release
Cinedigm (NASDAQ:CIDM) and Wizard World (OTCBB: WIZD) today announced that CONtv, the multi-platform OTT service geared toward the Comic Con community, will be available to consumers on March 3, 2015. The digital service will bring fans their favorite films, television series, comics, behind the scenes access to Wizard World Comic Cons and more. CONtv will be offered as a free ad-supported platform as well as a subscription of $6.99/month with content exclusives, audience rewards, a dynamic social viewing experiences, and ticketing bundle opportunities for fans planning to attend Wizard World conventions. CONtv will be rolling out with over 1600 hours of programming across a wide spectrum of devices including Roku, Apple iOS, Android, Xbox, Samsung, Smart TV, mobile, and tablet devices.
- Spanning cult television, sci-fi, horror and fantasy films, grindhouse classics, thrilling martial arts adventures, and more, CONtv’s extensive launch offering includes:
- Superhero Action: “He-Man And The Masters Of The Universe,” “Voltron,” Trial of the Incredible Hulk, “She-Ra: Princess Of Power”
- Cult Classics: Godzilla, Death Race 2000, Elvira: Mistress Of The Dark, Return Of The Killer Tomatoes, Beware The Blob, Transylvania 6-5000, Night Patrol
- Horror: Evil Dead, Re-Animator, Hellraiser, I Spit On Your Grave (#1 and #2), Hellboy: Blood & Iron, Rob Zombie Presents The Haunted World of El Superbeasto, Ichi The Killer, Puppet Master, Embrace of the Vampire
- Martial Arts: Fists of Fury, Shaolin, Man From Nowhere, War of the Arrows, Legend of the Fist, Yakuza Weapon, Blade of Kings, Lady Ninja
- Gaming: “Sonic The Hedgehog,” “Super Mario Bros,” “Legend Of Zelda,” “Stargate Infinity,” “Street Fighter Alpha,” “Heavenly Sword”
- Sci-Fi/Fantasy Television: UK’s “Being Human,” “Farscape,” “Highlander,” “Demon King,” “Stargate Infinity”
- Anime: “Yu-Gi-Oh,” “Beyblade,” “Digimon,” “Ghost in the Shell,” “High School Of The Dead,” “Saint Seiya,” “Angel Beats,” “Clannad”
Additionally, CONtv will also debut original series throughout 2015, including the innovative horror/reality series “FIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD,” a genre-bending show that follows digital celebrities including Joey Graceffa (4.3 million YouTube subscribers), Jesse and Jeana (PrankvsPrank, 7.1 YouTube subscribers), and Justine Ezarik (iJustine, 2.1 million YouTube subscribers), as they fight to survive the undead’s relentlessly grisly, and frighteningly realistic onslaught through a “real-world” Zombie apocalypse. In addition to “FIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD,” the digital network will also debut original series through 2015 including Game show “LAST FAN STANDING,” hosted by pop culture icon Bruce Campbell (The Evil Dead), and the adrenaline-packed reality series “MY MORPHING LIFE” that follows actor and Wizard World regular Jason David Frank, the original Green Power Ranger, through many of his thrilling convention experiences.
CONtv is a joint venture between Cinedigm, a leading independent content distributor, and Wizard World, a leading producer of live pop culture multimedia conventions.
“CONtv is designed to be the epic destination for every fan, every day,” says John Macaluso, CEO of Wizard World. “Created by fans, for fans, and constantly improving based on fan feedback, the channel will not only serve as an extension of our hugely popular live events, but will be a place where fans can discover, inform, revisit and help make the best in pop culture.”
“The combination of Cinedigm’s vast library of content with Wizard World’s track of success as the largest operator of Comic Con’s in the world is a partnership built for success,” says Chris McGurk, Chairman and CEO of Cinedigm. “We are excited to make the Comic Con experience available to its fans anywhere, and at any time on their favorite viewing platform.”
About CONtv
CONtv is a new digital network devoted to passionate fans of pop culture entertainment. CONtv will provide consumers access to thousands of hours of exclusive content showcasing an original slate of programming as well as a vast digital catalog of over 1,200 must-watch titles. Everything from quirky original series, cult television shows and genre movies encompassing sci-fi, horror, fantasy, anime, grindhouse, martial arts action, and more, to live coverage of events at the cons– all available on-demand either in a free, ad-supported format or a low cost, subscription-based model of $6.99/month for premium content. CONtv is a partnership of Cinedigm, the nation’s largest independent distributor of digital entertainment, and Wizard World, producers of the largest chain of Comic Con and pop culture conventions in the U.S. Together, they make a dream team for offering a targeted, direct-to-fan experiential hub online and on-demand, across the entire landscape of mobile and streaming devices. For more information, visit CONtv.com.
About Cinedigm
Cinedigm is a leading independent content distributor in the United States, with direct relationships with over 60,000 physical retail storefronts and digital platforms, including Wal-Mart, Target, iTunes, Netflix, and Amazon, as well as the national Video on Demand platform on cable television. The company’s library of films and TV episodes encompasses award-winning documentaries from Docurama Films®, next-gen Indies from Flatiron Film Company®, acclaimed independent films and festival picks through partnerships with the Sundance Institute and Tribeca Films and a wide range of content from brand name suppliers, including National Geographic, Discovery, Scholastic, NFL, Shout Factory, Hallmark, Jim Henson and more.
Additionally, given Cinedigm’s infrastructure, technology, content and distribution expertise, the company has rapidly become a leader in the quickly evolving over-the-top digital network business. Cinedigm’s first channel, DOCURAMA, launched in May 2014, and is currently available on over 200 million consumer devices including ioS, Roku, Xbox and Samsung, with additional platforms currently being rolled out. Earlier this year, Cinedigm also announced plans for CONtv, a Comic Con branded channel, in partnership with WIZARD WORLD, for launch in Q1 2015. The Company also announced its third OTT channel via a partnership with The Dove Foundation. DOVE MOVIE CHANNEL will be a digital streaming subscription service targeted to families and kids seeking high quality and family friendly content approved by Dove.
About Wizard World
Wizard World (OTCBB: WIZD) produces Comic Cons and pop culture conventions across North America that celebrate the best in pop-fi, pop culture, movies, television, cosplay, comics, graphic novels, toys, video gaming, sci-fi, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more. A first-class lineup of topical programming takes place at each event, with celebrity Q&A’s, the Wizard World Film Festival, comics-themed sessions, costume contests, movie screenings, evening parties and more. Wizard World also produces socialcon featuring social media stars and will be launching CONtv, a digital media channel in partnership with leading independent content distributor Cinedigm™.
The 2015 Wizard World schedule is available at: wizd.me/PRSchedule2015.
