Fox Broadcasting Company, Syco Television and FremantleMedia Announce Sony as Official Consumer Electronics Sponsor of "THE X FACTOR"

SAN DIEGO, July 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Fox Broadcasting Company (FOX), Syco Television and FremantleMedia North America today announced Sony Electronics as the official consumer electronics sponsor of THE X FACTOR, the award-winning international phenomenon created and executive-produced by Simon Cowell that makes its highly anticipated debut with a two-night series premiere event Wednesday, Sept. 21 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) and Thursday, Sept. 22 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.

The latest Sony consumer electronics products will be featured in episodes throughout the season, and a key in-show integration will highlight the Sony products used on the set. The in-show Sony integration, product placements and advertisements will be extended with an integrated multi-platform, off-air marketing partnership that will include online digital and social media elements.

"Being part of THE X FACTOR arrival in the U.S. is a natural partnership fit for Sony," said Stuart Redsun, senior vice president, marketing communications, Sony Electronics. "We are combining the element of advancing music entertainment with Sony – the greatest consumer electronics and entertainment brand – and our make.believe promise empowers consumers to believe that anything they can imagine, they can make real."

"FOX is excited to collaborate with Sony Electronics on a truly organic integration partnership for THE X FACTOR," said Jean Rossi, President of FOX One and Executive Vice President of Sales for Fox Broadcasting Company. "Sony's make.believe promise aligns perfectly with the aspirations of the talented singers and musicians striving to make their dreams come true on THE X FACTOR."

"Sony Electronics and THE X FACTOR makes for a perfect partnership," said Jeff Burroughs, Head of Commercial, Syco Television. "Sony already shares THE X FACTOR's ambitions, and through partnering with Sony Electronics, we are looking forward to delivering exciting new integrations."

"We are thrilled to partner with Sony Electronics as excitement for THE X FACTOR continues to build," said Amy Lorbati, SVP Branded Entertainment and Partnerships, FremantleMedia Enterprises. "Aligning ourselves with a great partner like Sony enables us to engage fans through innovative programs both on and offline and connect them with their favorite brands."

THE X FACTOR is a new competition series that gives viewers the opportunity to help choose the next global superstar or breakout music act. The judges – Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, L.A. Reid and Nicole Scherzinger – will travel the nation searching for undiscovered talent 12 years old or over – both solo artists and vocal groups – who are willing to brave the panel for a chance to make their dreams come true. In a departure from other singing competition series, the first time a contestant auditions for THE X FACTOR judges, he/she will do so in front of an audience of thousands – raising the stakes and increasing the pressure to impress not only the judges, but also a potential legion of fans. This will be the ultimate test to prove they have the vocal ability, charisma and stage presence that it takes to become a global superstar or breakout music act and win a $5 million recording contract with Syco/Sony Music.

THE X FACTOR is produced by Syco Television and FremantleMedia North America. Simon Cowell, Rob Wade and Siobhan Greene are executive producers for Syco Television. Cecile Frot-Coutaz, Richard Holloway and Andrew Llinares serve as executive producers for FremantleMedia North America.

About Sony Electronics Inc.

Headquartered in San Diego, Sony Electronics is a leading provider of audio/video electronics and information technology products for the consumer and professional markets. Operations include research and development, design, engineering, sales, marketing, distribution, and customer service.  Sony has played a key role in the development of Blu-ray Disc™, CD, DVD and Super Audio CD technologies, among many others. The company is noted for a wide range of consumer audio-visual products, such as the BRAVIA® 3D LCD HDTV, BRAVIA® LCD high-definition television, Sony Internet TV with Google TV, Cyber-shot® digital camera, Handycam® camcorder and Walkman® personal stereo. Sony is an innovator in the IT arena with its VAIO® personal computers and in high-definition professional broadcast and video equipment, highlighted by the XDCAM® HD and CineAlta™ lines of cameras and camcorders, and the SXRD™ 4K digital projector. Sony also offers a full line of business-to-business products for medical, security, visual imaging and photofinishing applications.

About "THE X FACTOR"

Since its debut in 2004, "THE X FACTOR" has remained the U.K.'s #1 program for the last seven years, peaking with an audience of 21 million with 65% audience share for its 2010 finale. The format swiftly broke similar records around the world, where local versions have consistently rated #1 in 15 territories, with a worldwide audience now well over 100 million. In Denmark, it has ranked #1 for the last four years, peaking with an 80% share of the audience. In Colombia, it has consistently ranked #1 with a 75% share of the audience. Additionally, "THE X FACTOR" consistently delivers a 50% to 65% share of the viewing audiences in Greece, Hungary, Netherlands, France and Italy - with the highest percentage of these shares in A15-34. In some markets, "THE X FACTOR" has increased the channel average demographic by up to 250%. The series has received numerous honors worldwide, including three BAFTA awards, numerous NTA awards and the coveted Rose d'Or. In the U.K., an unprecedented 1.5 million iTunes downloads were made from "THE X FACTOR" contestant performances in 2010. Globally, more than 100 million records have been sold by artists launched through the series, including over 90 #1 singles and albums and 150 Top Ten records.

About Sony Music Entertainment

Sony Music Entertainment is a global recorded music company with a current roster that includes a broad array of both local artists and international superstars. The company boasts a vast catalog that comprises some of the most important recordings in history. It is home to premier record labels representing music from every genre, including American Recordings, Arista Nashville, Arista Records, Battery Records, Beach Street Records, BNA Records, Columbia Nashville, Columbia Records, Day 1, Epic Records, Essential Records, Flicker Records, J Records, Jive Records, LaFace Records, Legacy Recordings, MASTERWORKS, Polo Grounds, RCA Records, RCA Nashville, RCA Red Seal, RCA Victor, Reunion Records, Roc Nation, Sony Classical, Sony Music Latin, Star Time International, Verity Gospel Music Group, and Volcano Entertainment. Sony Music Entertainment is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America.

About Syco/Simon Cowell

Syco, with offices in London and Los Angeles, is a global music, television and film production joint venture between Simon Cowell and Sony Music Entertainment. Syco Television owns and produces the BAFTA Award-winning "THE X FACTOR," which has topped the charts around the world. Syco Television is also the owner of the "Got Talent" television format. Versions of both "THE X FACTOR" and "Got Talent" are co-produced by Syco, and are shown in more than 70 countries and have won multiple awards including national television awards and BAFTAs.

Syco is also the record label home for such diverse international recording stars as Leona Lewis and Il Divo. Cowell has worked with artists selling more than 200 million albums and delivering more than 180 No. 1 records. Britain's Got Talent in 2009 launched the global singing career of Susan Boyle. Her debut Syco album sold over 8 million units in six weeks, making it the world's biggest-selling album of 2009 and the fastest-selling album in history and a total of 20 million records to date. In 2009, Cowell was named No. 1 in Hollywood Reporter's Top 50 Most Powerful in Reality TV and Entertainment Weekly's Top Entertainer of the Year. In 2010 Simon Cowell was awarded Variety International's Humanitarian Award for his extensive charitable work, The Rose d'Or Golden Jubilee Award and BAFTA's Special Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the entertainment industry and development of new talent. He also appeared on Time Magazine's list of Most Influential People in the World and was awarded the International Emmy Founders Award.

About FremantleMedia Enterprises and FremantleMedia

FremantleMedia is one of the leading creators and producers of entertainment brands in the world. FremantleMedia is part of the RTL Group, Europe's largest television and radio broadcast company, which is in turn 90 percent owned by Bertelsmann AG, one of the world's major media and entertainment companies. FremantleMedia's worldwide production arm is responsible for many of the world's highest rated prime time entertainment, drama, serial drama and factual entertainment programmes. FremantleMedia Enterprises is the brand extension arm of FremantleMedia, offering a one-stop-shop for all Licensing, Distribution and Home Entertainment around the world. The FremantleMedia Group (which includes FremantleMedia North America, UFA, talkbackTHAMES, FremantleMedia Australia and Original Productions amongst others) has operations in 22 countries, one of the most comprehensive global networks, creating nearly 10,000 hours of programming a year, rolling out more than 60 formats and managing over 300 individual titles. FremantleMedia has some of the world's most sought after and long running formats in its catalogue, and globally, produces such programmes as: "Idols" (co-produced with 19 Productions in the U.S.), "Hole In The Wall," "Got Talent" (co-produced with Syco in the U.K. and the U.S.), "THE X FACTOR" (co-produced with Syco in the U.K.), "Take Me Out," "Family Feud," "The Price is Right," "Farmer Wants A Wife," "Gute Zeiten Schlechte Zeiten" and "Neighbours."

SOURCE Sony Electronics Inc.