STRIKEFORCE GOES GLOBAL

 

(PRESS RELEASE) -- Shine International has expanded the STRIKEFORCE brand internationally, selling more than 70 hours of STRIKEFORCE's mixed martial arts (MMA) programming in six markets across Europe, Australia and Latin America. Virgin Media Television's Bravo in the UK, Turner in Latin America, FX in Portugal, Ukraine's Megasport, Seven Network Australia and Dahlia TV in Italy have all purchased STRIKEFORCE's library of TV programming. 

"STRIKEFORCE is the leader in mixed martial arts content as proven by the huge demand for their programming around the world. They have the world's best fighters, the world's best events and they know how to translate that into fast-paced programming that captures what will soon be the most popular sport in the world," said Chris Grant, President of Shine International. 

This includes 30 episodes and 56 hours of fights that have aired on NBC and SHOWTIME®, respectively. Internationally distributed content includes upcoming live fights through February 2012 as well as STRIKEFORCE Challengers fights, pitting STRIKEFORCE up-and-comers against each other. After signing a landmark deal to air live events on SHOWTIME last year, STRIKEFORCE earned the premium network its highest MMA rating ever on August 15, 2009 with "Carano vs. Cyborg." 

About Shine International
Shine International is the sales and distribution arm of the Shine Group, a leading independent production and distribution company focused on exploiting worldwide intellectual property rights through scripted and alternative television formats. Shine International distributes programming from the growing library of programming of the Shine Group, including Reveille, Kudos, Dragonfly, Princess Productions and Metronome, along with a broad array of programming acquired from independent producers and U.S. networks, to more than 150 countries worldwide. 

About STRIKEFORCE 
STRIKEFORCE (www.strikeforce.com ) is a world-class mixed martial arts cage fight promotion which, on Friday, March 10, 2006, made history with its "Shamrock vs. Gracie" event, the first sanctioned mixed martial arts fight card in California state history. The star-studded extravaganza, which pitted legendary champion Frank Shamrock against Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Cesar Gracie at San Jose's HP Pavilion, played host to a sold-out, record crowd of 18,265. Since 1995, STRIKEFORCE, sanctioned by ISKA, has been the exclusive provider of martial arts programming for ESPN and, after 12 years of success as a leading, world championship kickboxing promotion, the company unveiled its mixed martial arts (MMA) series with "Shamrock vs. Gracie." In May 2008, West Coast Productions, the parent company of STRIKEFORCE, partnered with Silicon Valley Sports & Entertainment (SVS&E), an entity created in 2000 to oversee all business operation aspects of the San Jose Sharks and HP Pavilion at San Jose.