Crooners Make Beautiful Music at The Singing Machine Toys `R' Us Open Mike Night

Business Wire, Oct 19, 2001

Business Editors

COCONUT CREEK, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 19, 2001

Shoppers Hitting The High Notes On The Revolutionary

MTV STVG-700 Home Electronic Karaoke Unit Qualify

to Win MTV Karaoke Machine by The Singing Machine

The Singing Machine Company, Inc. (AMEX:SMD), a leading manufacturer of home electronic karaoke equipment, karaoke music and related audio products, and MTV present an Open Mike Night at 350 participating Toys "R" Us (NYSE:TOY) stores nationwide. Beginning Friday, Oct. 19, the week-long nonstop karaoke extravaganza will bring amateur singers "center stage" to perform their own unique interpretations of popular songs using the The Singing Machine(R)/MTV STVG-700, a new home karaoke system from The Singing Machine.

Guests of all ages are invited to step up to the mike, either alone or in groups, and belt out the lyrics to current pop hits, old standards and holiday favorites. If they forget the words, no problem. The lyrics will appear onscreen and in sync on the MTV STVG-700's built-in 7" television monitor. In addition to displaying their karaoke talents, all participants will qualify to win the The Singing Machine(R)/MTV SMGK-1000, a portable home karaoke player featuring CD G (CD Graphics) that operates with any television set, anywhere. One unit per store will be given away during a random drawing to be held immediately upon the conclusion of the Oct. 26 Open Mike Night.

"Earlier this year The Singing Machine signed a multi-year, domestic merchandise license agreement with MTV to create the first line of MTV Karaoke Machines and compact disks with graphics (CD G) featuring music for MTV's core audience. This promotion for the revolutionary Singing Machine/MTV STVG-700, the world's first karaoke machine to incorporate a fully functional television into the unit, and Singing Machine/MTV SMGK-1000, with features and style never before available in a home karaoke unit of its size, should be great fun for crooner and rock star 'wanna-bes' and their families and friends. It's a terrific way to begin the holiday shopping season, and we are thrilled to be teaming with Toys 'R' Us so that shoppers can experience the Karaoke fun first hand behind the mike. Karaoke is sweeping across the nation, and the trend is expected to soar this holiday season," said Terry Marco, Director of Marketing, The Singing Machine.

Shoppers bitten by the karaoke bug can take advantage of several limited savings offers, available during both events, including up to $20 off any karaoke system from The Singing Machine valued at $150 or more. Other offers include a free CD G with the purchase of any MTV CD Gs featuring pop, rock and R&B hits made popular by today's hottest artists, like Destiny's Child, *NSYNC, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Limp Bizkit, Blink 182, TLC and more.

The Singing Machine/MTV STVG-700 is a pioneer in home karaoke systems. It is the first and only stand-alone CD with graphics karaoke machine to contain a built-in 7" TV receiver and screen where words scroll in sync with the music, making it possible to karaoke virtually anywhere. The sleek, silver and blue-toned system features CD G player, sampler CD G with MTV music, single cassette player/recorder, AM/FM radio, video output for additional TV connection, automatic vocal changer, two microphone inputs, microphone echo and volume, music vocal/balance and tone controls and built-in speakers. The STVG-700 fits easily into any room in the house, including outdoor patio areas, and retails for approximately $199.00.

The Singing Machine/MTV SMGK-1000 is a hip, easy-to-operate, portable CD with graphics karaoke system. Fashioned in blue and silver, with rounded edges and a clean, modern design, the SMGK-1000 prominently displays oversized command buttons on the face of the machine for easy location and operation. Other features include: sample CD G with MTV music, video output for connection to TV, two-digit LED CD G track indicator, headphone jack, two microphone inputs, microphone volume and echo controls, repeat/program/search/skip controls and balance music/vocal controls. The SMGK-1000 is compact and fits easily into tote bags and backpacks, making it the ultimate portable party accessory for teens and young adults. It is reasonably priced between $79.99 and $89.99.

A line of CD with graphics (CD G) featuring MTV core music in three formats, pop, rock and R&B, and a line of theme CD Gs, from Christmas favorites and party tunes to pop, country and oldies hits, complement The Singing Machine MTV STVG-700 and MTV SMGK-1000 karaoke systems. The CD Gs cover the gamut of musical tastes and appeal to a variety of age groups. MTV CD Gs include songs made popular by today's top artists.

About MTV Networks

MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom International Inc. (NYSE:VIA,VIA.B), owns and operates the following television services -- MTV: MUSIC TELEVISION, MTV2, VH1, NICKELODEON/NICK at NITE, TV LAND, CMT, TNN and the DIGITAL SUITE FROM MTV NETWORKS, a package of nine digital services, all of which are trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks also has licensing agreements, joint ventures, and syndication deals whereby all of its programming services can be seen worldwide. In addition, MTV Networks operates the MTVi Group and Nickelodeon Online, a portfolio of leading Internet properties built to address every interest of today's music fan and Internet-savvy kid.