ABC.com Launches Exclusive Internet Programming for The Bachelor; Content To Include Exclusive Video, Interactive Games, a Sweepstakes & Customized Bachelor Party Evites

Business Wire, Sept 17, 2003

Entertainment Editors/Business Editors

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 17, 2003

ABC.com today announced its airing of exclusive daily interviews with the new Bachelor, Bob Guiney, leading up to the television show's premiere on Wednesday, September 24th. This exclusive programming for The Bachelor can only be viewed through ABC Motion, a free service which allows broadband Internet users to view high-quality video, embedded in standard web pages. Additionally, the site will feature The Bachelor Rose Ceremony prediction game & sweepstakes, show trivia and a customized Evite as a way for fans to organize viewing parties.

"Bachelor fans flooded our site last year, so this year we worked hard to provide new content which allows them to be very involved with the show," said Harry Lin, Vice President, ABC.com. "Our new ABC Motion video technology is a great fit, offering ABC fans and broadband users a new and exciting way to see more of their favorite shows and stars. We won't simply air show promos, but content that complements what you see on air."

ABC.com Content:

ABC Motion Programming

Weekly Bachelor Video in ABC Motion after the show premieres will include:

ABC Motion Exclusive: The Bachelor Analysis with Extra's Charlie Maher (Wednesdays) - Charlie Maher, runner-up from The Bachelorette and correspondent for entertainment newsmagazine Extra, will give his take on how he thinks things are going between Bob and the Bachelorettes. He'll include an analysis about the prior week's episode and what he thinks might happen in that evening's episode.

-- Post Rose Ceremony Bachelorette Reactions (Thursdays) -

Exclusive video featuring the reactions of the girls that did

not receive a rose. This footage was shot immediately

following the Rose Ceremony.

-- Bachelor Diary (Fridays) - Exclusive video from Bachelor Bob,

as he provides his thoughts on that week's episode with

regards to who he kept, who he let go and why.

The Bachelor Rose Ceremony Game

Fans of The Bachelor can make weekly predictions to compete with their friends and other fans for the chance to win prizes in The Bachelor Rose Ceremony Game & Sweepstakes. Game registration is now live.

-- Fans can learn more about the Bachelorettes through their

posted photos and bios.

-- Fans make their weekly predictions as to who Bob will choose

next on their 'Playcard'.

-- Each week, participants score points for each Bachelorette

they chose who received a rose. Point values will be assigned

to each correct answer and will increase from week to week.

-- Participants will be able to play as individuals, or they can

create groups of up to 50 people.

-- The game features a weekly leaderboard so players can check

their status.

-- Ten winners, chosen randomly each week, will win a custom,

one-of-a-kind Bachelor sweatshirt.

-- The overall winner will be determined by the most points

scored over the seven weeks. The grand-prize winner will be

awarded with a heart-shape diamond solitaire pendant (3/4 ct.

tw.) suspended on an 18k gold chain necklace, valued at more

than $2,000. The first-prize winner will be awarded a pink

sapphire and diamond heart-shape pendant on an 18k gold chain

necklace, valued at $500. The diamond jewelry is courtesy of

BlueNile.com.

The Bachelor Evite

-- ABC.com is once again teaming up with Evite to offer a

customized Bachelor Evite accessible from ABC.com and

Evite.com so that fans can invite friends to Bachelor viewing

parties.

The Bachelor Perfect Match Quiz

-- Fans, especially male fans, will get their chance at fantasy

as they play The Bachelor Perfect Match Quiz. After answering

a series of 10 questions about their interests, their

personality, and what they are looking for in a woman, they

will be matched with the Bachelorette that they would be most

compatible with. Then, they can automatically email their

friends and boast about their "perfect match."

Additional site features returning this season include The Bachelor Date Tracker, which allows viewers to keep track of who has received a rose with each new episode; The Bachelor Gallery, which includes photos of Bob Guiney, the Bachelorettes, and photos from the episodes; The Weekly Episode Guide, which recaps the previous week's episode; The Bachelor bio, an expanded bio of the newest Bachelor, Bob Guiney; The Bachelorette bios, photos and bios for each individual Bachelorette, including name, hometown, and personal interests; and the official Bachelor message board, which serves the insatiable need of thousands of fans who can't stop talking about Bob and the Bachelorettes.

Free to consumers, ABC Motion delivers brief, daily TV-quality entertainment and editorial content segments including behind-the-scenes set tours, exclusive interviews with stars of ABC Primetime and Daytime shows, sneak-peeks from upcoming ABC shows. It also allows advertisers to run television commercials online with the same video and audio quality of broadcast television.