Press Release:
Blackout Media Corp. Announces — Randy “The Natural” Couture Joins The Fight Network
TORONTO — (MARKET WIRE) — October 04, 2006 — Blackout Media Corp.'s (PINKSHEETS: BKMP) The Fight Network, North America's first and only twenty-four (24) hour combatant sports and entertainment channel, formally announced today that Randy Couture, former mixed martial arts competitor and newest member of the Ultimate Fighting Championship Hall of Fame, has joined The Fight Network as an Ambassador to The Fight Network brand, while also serving as the network's lead analyst for its news and event coverage of the sport of mixed martial arts (“MMA”) across all of its distribution platforms of television, radio, mobile and web.
“This is huge for us,” said Mike Garrow president of The Fight Network. “Randy Couture is one of the most decorated and celebrated mixed martial arts competitors in the world. Anyone who has had the pleasure of meeting Randy or watching how he interacts with both the public and the media knows what an outstanding and genuine person he is. That, coupled with the insight and knowledge he will bring to consumers who watch or are interactive with the Fight Network brands on a going forward basis will only enhance the network's profile — let's just say he was a 'Natural' pick for this role and we are delighted he is aboard.”
Randy Couture is a retired four-time Olympic alternate Greco-Roman wrestler and mixed martial arts competitor, and a member of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (“UFC”) Hall of Fame. Couture is the only athlete to have held championship titles in both the heavyweight and light heavyweight divisions of the UFC, earning him the nicknames “The Natural” and later “Captain America.” Couture currently resides in both Las Vegas and Los Angeles where he owns and operates two training facilities bearing his name. Couture has recently launched a health supplement line called “Natural Nutrition.” Couture's media experience includes his appearances on season one of “The Ultimate Fighter,” Spike TV's hit reality series; training advisor and coach of “The Ultimate Fighter's” fourth season “The Comeback” on Spike TV; and as an on-air analyst for the Ultimate Fighting Championship's Pay-Per-View events.
“The Fight Network is going to be big and I am very excited to be a part of it,” said Couture. “The television channel looks amazing, and the other places that Mike (Garrow) and Sandy (Winick) are looking to take the brand over the coming months and years is very encouraging to me, which is why I accepted this duel role of ambassador and analyst with The Fight Network, as it allows me to continue to stay connected with the sport that I love in a whole new way,” he added.
The announcement was made on Friday, September 29th at The Fight Network's one-year anniversary event held in Toronto, where over 400 invited guests from the Canadian broadcasting, advertising and business industries along with media gathered at The Fight Network studios to witness live Muay Thai boxing, mixed martial arts demonstrations and female wrestling while dining on “fight theme food.” Fight celebrities on-hand that night included former UFC champion Carlos Newton and team members from his Toronto Dragons team from the International Fight League, Toronto's own Ultimate Fighting Championship's competitor Rob “Maximus” MacDonald, Toronto resident Johnny Devine from TNA Pro Wrestling, Canadian boxer Steve “The Canadian Kid” Molitor and Canadian Hall of Fame boxing great George Chuvalo.
About The Fight Network:
The Fight Network is a cross-platform media company with brand interest in television, pay-per-view radio, mobile and web. All five of these media offerings are seamlessly integrated to offer fans of combatant sports and related entertainment a true convergence experience. The Fight Network Inc. corporate headquarters is located in Toronto, Canada. Additional information on the company can be found at www.thefightnetwork.com.
About Blackout Media Corp.:
Blackout Media Corp. is a holding company with an interest in Blackout Communications who is a diversified media and entertainment company conducting operations in digital television, VOD, PPV, radio the Internet and print under the brand name “The Fight Network.” The activities of Blackout Media Corp. are conducted principally in Canada and the United States.
Safe Harbor
Certain statements in this news release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of Rule 175 under the Securities Act of 1933 and Rule 3b-6 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and are subject to the safe harbor created by those rules. All statements, other than statements of fact, included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding potential future plans and objectives of the company, are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Technical complications that may arise could prevent the prompt implementation of any strategically significant plan(s) outlined above. The company cautions that these forward-looking statements are further qualified by other factors. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any statements in this release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
