Comedy Central Gives Virgin Mobile Users Something to Laugh About

Upstart Wireless Provider Debuts Content from Comedy Central Across All Handsets WARREN, N.J., July 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Customers of wireless upstart Virgin Mobile will be all smiles this month when brand new content from the all-comedy network, Comedy Central, begins hitting their handsets. In June 2004, Virgin Mobile kicked-off a monthly roll-out of an array of content based on original programming from TV's top comedy destination.

The agreement, part of a broad ongoing strategic alliance between Virgin Mobile and Comedy Central's parent company, MTV Networks, will let Virgin Mobile users dial up special Comedy Central games, screen savers, wallpapers, news alerts, voice greetings and more. The agreement will also offer exclusive access to content from one of the network's hot properties: that unholy alliance of puppets and crank calls, "Crank Yankers," which kicks off new episodes from its third season on Tuesday, July 20.

"As the nation's sole wireless provider totally focused on the young adult market, we're constantly on the hunt for the kind of content that fits both the personality of our customers and our company. Comedy Central's edgy and irreverent programming is an ideal fit," said Howard Handler, Virgin Mobile USA's chief marketing officer. "We've got a lot of Comedy Central fans in our offices. And we have no doubt that this content is going to be a major hit with our users. Now I just have to be careful no one around here starts crank calling me at home."

"The strong performance of other MTV Networks content on Virgin Mobile phones proved to us the value of bringing Comedy Central to this medium," said Cathy Tankosic, senior vice president marketing, Comedy Central. "We're really talking to many of the same people, in terms of audiences. And together, our teams have come up with some very creative ways of translating our TV and Web programming into unique wireless experiences." Tankosic added that Comedy Central expects Virgin Mobile to serve as a powerful promotional vehicle for the network. "They've got a young, hip and smart audience that's ready and willing to interact through new mediums."

Keeping the Laughs Coming Over the next few months, Virgin Mobile and Comedy Central intend to keep the wireless laughs coming. The exclusive suite of "Crank Yankers" content debuted in June with "Crank Yankers" ringtones. "Crank Yankers" voicemail greetings, downloadable screen savers and wallpaper, voting, alerts and a "Crank Yankers" game will follow through Summer and Fall.

Virgin Mobile has also thrown a life-line to struggling comic wannabes with the launch of Comedy Central's "Joke of the Day." This SMS-based feature will supply farm-fresh humor right to Virgin Mobile customers' phones each day, Monday through Friday.

Other Comedy Central content on the 2004 horizon includes wireless SMS and downloadable games based on those "loveable" kids from South Park, as well as exclusive content from upcoming animated series "Drawn Together" -- television's first animated reality show.

Through Virgin Mobile's strategic alliance with MTV Networks, all Virgin Mobile customers already have access to exclusive content from MTV through the *MTV wireless portal, as well as content from Nickelodeon.

About COMEDY CENTRAL: COMEDY CENTRAL, the only all-comedy network, currently is seen in more than 85 million homes nationwide. COMEDY CENTRAL is owned by Comedy Partners, a wholly-owned division of MTV Networks. COMEDY CENTRAL is a registered trademark of Comedy Partners. COMEDY CENTRAL's Internet address is http://www.comedycentral.com .

About Virgin Mobile USA, LLC: Launched nationally in July of 2002, Virgin Mobile USA, LLC has set the pace as the fastest growing wireless carrier in the U.S. while redefining the entire prepaid category. The nation's first mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), Virgin Mobile has attracted nearly two million wireless users to its Pay As You Go service with no contracts and no hidden fees. All Virgin Mobile customers have access to VirginXtras -- a host of music, entertainment and fun lifestyle features, including exclusive content from strategic partner MTV: Music Television. Virgin Mobile is a joint venture between Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group and Sprint, which operates the largest 100-percent digital, nationwide PCS wireless network in the United States.

Virgin Mobile phones and Top-Up cards are available direct on the Web at http://www.virginmobileusa.com ; at 888-322-1122; or, at more than 12,000 locations, including Amazon.com, Best Buy, CompUSA, Media Play, Rite Aid, Safeway, Sam Goody, Sprint Stores, Target Stores, Wal*Mart, Virgin Megastores and select college bookstores. Top-Up cards are also available at more than 45,000 locations, including Circle K, CVS and 7-Eleven stores.

SOURCE COMEDY CENTRAL; Virgin Mobile USA, LLC Web Site: http://www.comedycentral.com http://www.virginmobileusa.com