MSN debuts original video series

Cory Bergman January 16th, 2007

Produced by Reveille, the same production company behind the NBC series The Office, The Big Debate is MSN’s first big debut into the world of original video programming. The daily show features two hosts who debate a given topic of tremendous importance, such as “Who’s American Idol’s most annoying judge?” While you watch, you can vote for yourself. Sure, I expect a few of you will say the show is just as annoying as the Idol judges. Is it must watch online video? Not so much. But I found it oddly entertaining, and on the more interesting topics, I’ll be tuning in. Screen grab followed by the release…

PRESS RELEASE — Redmond, WA — MSN today announced
the availability of new entertainment content including a new MSN(R)
Originals series, “The Big Debate,” produced by Reveille LLC. This content
is resulting from the relationship MSN has with Reveille, a leading
independent Hollywood production studio and distribution company that has
produced groundbreaking critical and ratings hits including NBC’s “The
Office” and “The Biggest Loser,” ABC’s “Ugly Betty,” FX Network’s “30
Days,” and MTV’s “Parental Control.”

The debut of a new MSN Originals series, “The Big Debate,” premiering
at http://originals.msn.com/thebigdebate , is a comedic and interactive
daily original program in which two pop culture experts debate the right
and wrong of today’s hottest topics and vie for viewers’ votes on why their
respective arguments are correct. The audience explores the debate through
innovative video design and interactivity, posting their own comments and
in turn creating new debates. The first series episode, premiering today,
will launch with a debate surrounding the Golden Globe Awards nominees.

“We’re committed to growing original content online like ‘The Big
Debate,’ because we believe the ability to capture an immediacy and build a
community dialogue is a part of the future of entertainment,” said Ben
Silverman, founder and CEO at Reveille. “We’re able to realize a fresh
content idea with ‘The Big Debate’ by first taking the rich information MSN
has about consumers’ news interests, and then pairing that with the
possibilities for viewers to interact using the MSN platform.”

“The Big Debate” is the result of the relationship between Reveille and
Microsoft announced May 3, 2006, to develop the next generation of
entertainment programming online.

“Hollywood is increasingly taking advantage of the audience and
interactive experiences MSN offers,” said Joanne Bradford, corporate vice
president of Microsoft Corp. and chief media officer of MSN. “For MSN to
align with production companies as esteemed as Reveille is a mark of our
commitment to expand our entertainment practice and continue to generate
elevated content for our 465 million worldwide viewers.”

About MSN Originals: Storytelling for the Digital Age

MSN Originals combines video, interactive community features and rich
editorial content to deliver unique entertainment experiences that will be
deeply integrated throughout the MSN network, including MSN Lifestyle and
MSN Video, as well as Windows Live(TM) Spaces. The first MSN Originals
series, “Fan Club: Reality Baseball” ( http://fanclub.msn.com ), debuted in
July 2006. The next original series, “Be Jane” ( http://bejane.msn.com ),
debuted in August 2006, and “A Big Life with Sissy Biggers” (
http://originals.msn.com/abiglife ) debuted in November 2006.

MSN Originals is focused on partnering with the best and brightest
creative minds in the media industry to bring the new generation of
storytelling online. Exclusive MSN Originals content is supported by
advertising and made available free to MSN users. Advertising opportunities
include display and streaming video, as well as sponsorship packages
incorporating MSN media and in-content integration.

Information about MSN Originals can be found at
http://originals.msn.com.