Sony Ships New 'American Idol' Music Creation Software and Enlists All Aspiring Musicians and Singers to Get in the Groove

Sony Media Software, a leading provider of music creation programs for the PC and FremantleMedia Licensing Worldwide, the licensing division of FremantleMedia, one of the leading international creators and producers of programmed brands in the world, announced today the availability of American Idol® Jam Trax™ and American Idol Extreme Music Creator™ software, two new applications that let users experience the thrill of creating music and living the dream -- just like the stars of America's most popular television series, "American Idol."

Perfect for entry-level users, American Idol Jam Trax software is an easy- to-use music creation and recording software application that comes with over six hundred music loops and samples which can be mixed together to build original songs. Users can lay down an instrumental background track, plug in a microphone and record their vocals live. Additionally, the software can change the tempo and key of a song and can even email the finished results to others right from within the program.

American Idol Extreme Music Creator software offers more advanced music- making features for aspiring musicians and singers who are serious about the chance at their turn as America's next superstar. Users can record their vocals, remix their own favorite songs or burn them to a CD to share with others. The software includes hundreds of royalty-free music loops and samples in multiple genres making the creative possibilities endless. Extreme Music Creator also comes with a free Randy Jackson's Producer's Pack bonus disc, providing over 250 additional pop music loops and samples. With up to six prearranged projects, users can simply lay down their vocals and create a hit song!

"This software is the bomb! Working with American Idol Extreme Music Creator software is a great way for anyone to discover their hidden musical talents," said Randy Jackson, music producer, industry veteran, and one of the judges on the hit television show, "American Idol" for the past five seasons. "With my Producer's Pack you can access even more loops that will help you create your own tracks and remix your favorite songs. Then you can share your new music creations with the world!"

American Idol Jam Trax and American Idol Extreme Music Creator software (which includes the bonus Randy Jackson's Producer's Pack) are now available at Best Buy, Circuit City, Target, Office Depot, Amazon.com and other major retail stores nationwide for the suggested retail prices of $19.95 and $49.95 respectively. Look for future editions of the Randy Jackson's Producer's Packs, add-on loops and music samples for American Idol Extreme Music Creator software, to hit the shelves before the holidays for the suggested retail price of $24.95.

  For more information, please visit: www.sony.com/mediasoftware.

  About Sony Media Software

Sony Media Software inspires creative expression with its award-winning line of products for digital video, music, DVD, and audio production. Sound Forge®, ACID®, and Vegas® software have defined digital content creation for a generation of creative professionals, amateurs, and enthusiasts. These signature product lines continue to advance the art of providing powerful, accessible tools to unleash the imagination. Today, there is a Sony Media Software application for every level of expertise, including a full line of consumer software based on the company's professional applications. In addition, Sony Media Software produces the extensive Sony® Sound Series collection of royalty-free loops and production music, Sony Pictures Sound Effects Series exclusive sound effects, Vision Series video creation assets, as well as www.ACIDplanet.com®, the internet's premier site for independent music and video artists. As a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America, the company also develops applications that enhance the experience for users of Sony hardware devices including the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) and Sony Ericsson mobile phones. Sony Media Software customers span the globe and include seasoned professionals in the film, television, video game, and recording industries, students and educators, hobbyists and enthusiasts, and young children exploring music creation.

About FremantleMedia Licensing Worldwide, Americas:

FremantleMedia Licensing Worldwide, Americas (FLW, Americas) is the licensing arm of FremantleMedia for North and South America. FremantleMedia one of the largest international creators and producers of program brands in the world, with leading prime time drama, serial drama, entertainment and factual entertainment programming in over 40 territories. FLW, Americas exploits FremantleMedia's many strong brands, including the award winning, American Idol, the world's longest running gameshow The Price Is Right, the ever-popular Family Feud, and other classic gameshows, across multiple off- screen platforms including merchandising campaigns, live events, sponsorship, interactive and wireless support, home entertainment and music publishing. FLW, Americas is also responsible for additional business diversification initiatives including a pioneering wireless channel, Atomic Wedgie, delivering original made-for-mobile video content on demand.

FLW, Americas is part of FremantleMedia North America (FMNA). FMNA is on the leading edge of global broadcast production, developing some of television's most innovative and watched new programming. Based in Santa Monica and with offices in New York, FMNA has produced such genre-bending shows as the musical/reality phenomenon American Idol. In 2005, FremantleMedia programs garnered 16 Emmy nominations, including six for American Idol. Other credits include The Price Is Right (CBS), the longest- running gameshow in television history, the daily syndicated gameshow Family Feud, Distraction (Comedy Central), American Inventor (ABC), The Gameshow Marathon (CBS), America's Got Talent (NBC), and the upcoming Monarch Cove (Lifetime).

FremantleMedia is the production arm of the RTL Group, Europe's largest television and radio broadcast company. With interests in 34 television channels and 30 radio stations in 10 countries, RTL Group is a division of leading integrated media and entertainment company Bertelsmann AG. For further information, visit www.fremantlemedia.com.

About American Idol:

Fourteen-time Emmy-nominated AMERICAN IDOL is created and executive- produced by Simon Fuller, founder of 19 Entertainment, Ltd.; and executive- produced by Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO, FremantleMedia North America, Inc.; Nigel Lythgoe, President, 19 Television; and Ken Warwick, Executive Producer, FremantleMedia North America, Inc.

About 19 Entertainment:

19 Entertainment, Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of CKX, Inc. (NASDAQ: CKXE), was founded by Simon Fuller 21 years ago and acquired by CKX in March 2005. The company is recognized as a leading creator, provider and promoter of globally successful, music-based entertainment, or "Entertainment Brands."

Simon Fuller, who serves as Chief Executive Officer of 19 Entertainment, is the creator of AMERICAN IDOL in the United States, "Pop Idol" in the UK, as well as versions of the IDOL format in more than 30 countries around the world. Fuller is also the co-creator of SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE, which aired in the U.S. on FOX during summer 2005 and was the top-rated television show in its time slot.

Fuller has made music history in the UK and the U.S.A., producing a stream of No. 1 hits and managing multi-platinum-selling acts. Fuller recently became the world's most successful manager -- breaking a record set by the Beatles' manager Brian Epstein in the 1960s -- when three of his artists occupied the No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 positions on the U.S. single chart as well as the No. 1 position on the album chart.

19 Entertainment has been involved in the creation of 109 No. 1 singles and 87 No. 1 albums in the UK alone, with an impressive tally of 296 Top-40 albums and 465 Top-40 singles.

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SOURCE: Sony Media Software

CONTACT: Steph Jorgl, steph_jorgl@bhimpact.com, or Marlene Esqueda,
marlene_esqueda@bhimpact.com, both of Bender / Helper Impact for Sony Media
Software, +1-310-473-4147

Web site: http://www.sony.com/mediasoftware
http://www.fremantlemedia.com/