SciFi Channel Press Release # 2

Business Wire
April 2, 2002, Tuesday 01:03 PM Eastern Time
SECTION: ENTERTAINMENTWIRE
DISTRIBUTION: Entertainment Editors
LENGTH: 746 words

HEADLINE: SCI FI Trips Out With a New Primetime Animated Series; CineGroupe
and Animation Giant Film Roman to Produce SCI FI's First Animated Series

DATELINE: NEW YORK, April 2, 2002

BODY:
Production has begun on SCI FI Channel's first-ever animated series.

Produced by CineGroupe (Galidor: Defenders of the Outer Dimension, Sagwa, The Chinese Siamese Cat), in association with Film Roman (The Simpsons, King of the Hill), Tripping the Rift is an edgy half-hour CGI-animated series based on an award-winning short film of the same name. This new weekly comedy is an irreverent and lusty send-up of space adventure, ripping apart pop culture and sci-fi convention as only SCI FI can. Thirteen half-hour episodes have been slated to debut as part of SCI FI's regular Friday primetime line-up of original series in first quarter 2003. "As we take the plunge into the world of animation, CineGroupe and Film Roman have created a smart, funny and very twisted show that sends up current events and everything sci-fi," stated Bonnie Hammer, President of SCI FI Channel.

Tripping the Rift follows the adventures of The Free Enterprise, a smuggling vessel led by a stumpy purple alien called "Chode" who, along with his colorful group of misfit shipmates, battles arch enemies and new obstacles in space each week. The series features the comic send-ups of creators Chuck Austen and Chris Moeller, and the raucous humor of head writers Bill Rosenthal (Working, The Single Guy, The John Larroquette Show) and Andrew Borakove (South Park, Dilbert).

"The style, the design and wicked humor of Tripping the Rift is a perfect fit for SCI FI Channel," stated Ken Katsumoto, head of U.S. Entertainment for CineGroupe. "This is CineGroupe's first primetime series project, evolving from a long standing track record of producing quality shows for the worldwide market using our state of the art CGI know how."

"The stage is set for Tripping The Rift to be a breakout hit," said Peter Schankowitz, President of Television Programming and Development at Film Roman. "It's a home grown Film Roman Web project and we have a great production partner in CineGroupe and SCI FI Channel is the perfect home for it. We're certain Tripping will drive new fans to the Channel, because where else are you going to find a sarcastic purple blob commanding a runaway spaceship?"

Produced by CineGroupe, in association with Film Roman, Tripping the Rift became a breakout Web hit as a film short on LEVEL13.NET. Having debuted online in November 1999, it continues to be the site's number one draw. In 2000, Tripping the Rift won the grand prize in the Playboy Animation Contest.

About CineGroupe

CineGroupe, a leader in state-of-the-art animation, CGI, 2-D/3-D backgrounds and special effects, boasts over 800 half-hours of animation and live-action family entertainment programs, and has received more than 40 People's Choice and International Jury Awards. Its quality programming is seen in 125 countries around the globe. CineGroupe is currently in production on its  half-hour a live-action/3D background and effects series, Galidor: Defenders of the Outer Dimension. The company has  recently completed Sagwa, The Chinese Siamese Cat, the top new kids series in the U.S. this season.

About Film Roman

For almost two decades, Film Roman has been a leading animation production company working on such primetime hits as The Simpson's and King of The Hill, as well as Saturday morning and syndicated kids animation, including the current top-rated Saturday morning series X-Men: Evolution. Since its founding sixteen years ago by acclaimed animator Phil Roman, the Company has delivered successful animated children's series to broadcasters worldwide and has picked up seventeen Emmy awards along the way. Among those shows are such well-loved animated classics as Garfield and Friends, Bobby's World, Felix the Cat, Mortal Combat, C-Bear and Jamal and Bruno the Kid.

On December 17, USA Networks, Inc. (Nasdaq:USAI) and Vivendi Universal announced the creation of Vivendi Universal Entertainment (VUE), a joint venture that combines the assets of the USA Entertainment Group, including SCI FI Channel, and the Universal Studios Group.

SCI FI Channel, owned and operated by USA Cable, a division of USA Networks, Inc.'s (Nasdaq:USAI) Entertainment Group, transmits fantastic images to 78 million human homes. Launched in 1992, SCI FI features a continuous stream of
cinematic hits, new and original series, and special events, as well as classic sci-fi, fantasy, and horror programming. Check out SCIFI.COM(R), the SCI FI Channel's award-winning Web site, at www.scifi.com

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