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ESPN, MediaFLO USA and Verizon Wireless Team Up to Deliver First Mobile TV Channel Dedicated to Action Sports


WEBWIRE

For the first time, action sports fans can catch every ollie, kickflip and McCoy from the X Games, even when they’re away from home. ESPN, MediaFLO USA Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of QUALCOMM Incorporated (Nasdaq: QCOM), and Verizon Wireless have teamed up to deliver a new mobile TV channel, EXPN on V CAST Mobile TV, that brings all the action of X Games 13 - including live competitions, behind-the-scenes coverage and commentary - to mobile phones. EXPN will be available for the duration of X Games 13.

Live coverage starts at 11:30 a.m. Pacific on Thursday, Aug. 2 and concludes at 3 p.m. Pacific on Sunday, Aug. 5. Highlights of previous years’ X Games also will be shown on the dedicated channel from July 22 through Aug. 1, and “Best of the X Games” and X Game 13 replays will air Aug. 6-7.

Viewers can expect to see:
- Live coverage of events provided by ESPN for eight hours each day from Aug. 2-5

- Everything from practices to qualifying events to event finals

- A daily “Best of the X Games” segment that will show viewers all of the extreme highlights

- An ESPN debut of an innovative double box segment during the rally car races, giving fans the opportunity to see the race from each driver’s viewpoint as they compete side-by-side

Note that programming is subject to change.

“X Games fans want to see the action as it happens. By teaming with MediaFLO USA to offer this channel through Verizon Wireless, ESPN is reaffirming our commitment to our fans by showing all the extreme action while expanding our multi-platform approach,” stated John Zehr, senior vice president, digital media production, ESPN. “Through this dedicated channel, X fans will see Travis Pastrana’s practice runs or Shaun White grab big air during the skateboarding finals even if they aren’t near a big-screen TV.”

Ryan Hughes, vice president of digital media programming for Verizon, noted, “EXPN on V CAST Mobile TV is another example of how Verizon Wireless is harnessing innovation to bring the best in entertainment to our customers. Whether it’s the excitement of the X Games or the drama of classic sports rivalries, content from The Worldwide Leader in Sports on V CAST Mobile TV helps Verizon Wireless customers stay informed and entertained while on-the-go.”

“This mobile TV first demonstrates how the FLO TV service is changing the way people watch sports,” said Dan Novak, senior vice president of programming and advertising, MediaFLO USA. “With insider access to this flagship event, on-the-go sports fans can be a part of the action wherever they happen to be. We’re thrilled to be working with ESPN to achieve yet another mobile entertainment milestone - exclusive, 24/7 mobile coverage of a global sporting event.”

The dedicated X Games channel will supplement live coverage of the X Games on ESPN Mobile TV, one of the eight regular channels available on V CAST Mobile TV from Verizon Wireless. The FLO TV™ service is provided by MediaFLO USA, which is available to consumers through Verizon Wireless as V CAST Mobile TV. Other channels include CBS Mobile, Comedy Central, FOX Mobile, MTV: Music Television, NBC 2Go, NBC News2Go and Nickelodeon.

V CAST Mobile TV is live in markets from coast to coast, including Atlanta, Chicago, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York and Philadelphia. For a complete list and map of available markets, please visit www.verizonwireless.com/mobiletv. More information on FLO TV can be found at www.flotv.com.

MediaFLO USA Inc. unleashes the power of TV for mobile consumers, combining the best content, an intuitive user interface and a superior multicast network to deliver a true TV experience. The award-winning MediaFLO USA mobile entertainment service, called FLO TV, offers full-length simulcast and time-shifted programming from the world’s best entertainment brands, including CBS Mobile, Comedy Central, ESPN Mobile TV, FOX Mobile, MTV: Music Television, NBC2Go, NBC News2Go and Nickelodeon. The FLO TV service also will deliver short-format clips and real-time information and entertainment services. Based in San Diego, Calif., MediaFLO USA is a wholly owned subsidiary of QUALCOMM Incorporated. Further information is available at www.mediaflousa.com.

Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving 62.1 million customers. The largest U.S. wireless company and largest wireless data provider, based on revenues, Verizon Wireless is headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 67,000 employees nationwide. The company is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). Find more information on the Web at www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

ESPN Mobile Properties is devoted to extending the ESPN brand and content over wireless and encompasses a wide variety of products, including the industry’s most trafficked sports content wireless site (WAP); Mobile ESPN, the immersive sports content application with real-time scores, news, video, personalization for favorite teams and much more; more than 100 daily on-demand video and audio clips; live video and audio content; mobile games; messaging based alert products; and a library of ESPN themed ringtones and wallpapers. ESPN content from ESPN Mobile Properties is available through licensing agreements with every major domestic wireless carrier and in more than 30 countries internationally.

QUALCOMM Incorporated (www.qualcomm.com) is a leader in developing and delivering innovative digital wireless communications products and services based on CDMA and other advanced technologies. Headquartered in San Diego, Calif., QUALCOMM is included in the S&P 500 Index and is a 2007 FORTUNE 500® company traded on The Nasdaq Stock Market® under the ticker symbol QCOM.



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