FOX BROADCASTING COMPANY, 19 ENTERTAINMENT AND FREMANTLEMEDIA ANNOUNCE SPONSORS FOR EIGHTH SEASON OF “AMERICAN IDOL”

Ford, Coca-Cola and AT&T Return as Official Sponsors of Television’s No. 1 Show

Fox Broadcasting Company (FOX), 19 Entertainment Ltd. and FremantleMedia North America today announced they have re-teamed with Ford Motor Company, Coca-Cola and AT&T as official sponsors of this year’s American Idol which continues with auditions in San Francisco Tuesday, Jan. 20 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) and in Louisville Wednesday, Jan. 21 (8:00-9:03 PM ET/PT) on FOX.

Season Eight of AMERICAN IDOL marks the return of Ford as the official automotive sponsor of the show. Ford has been a leading partner of AMERICAN IDOL since the show’s debut in 2002, and will continue to have a strong presence throughout the upcoming season. Ford vehicles and the Top 12 AMERICAN IDOL contestants will again be featured each week in exclusive Ford music videos. This content, along with candid “making of” segments featuring the contestants, will also be available on americanidol.com. In addition, Ford will launch a truly unique consumer promotion that will offer fans an exclusive chance to win a once-in-a-lifetime AMERICAN IDOL experience. More details will be announced shortly.

AMERICAN IDOL will serve as a key platform to integrate a variety of Ford vehicles, including the all-new 2010 Ford Fusion and Fusion Hybrid the most fuel efficient mid-size sedans in America. The show will also feature the all-new 2010 Mustang as well as the Focus, Edge, Escape Hybrid and for the first time ever Flex. Ford will award the AMERICAN IDOL winner, as well as the runner-up, an all-new 2010 Fusion Hybrid.

Both AMERICAN IDOL and Coca-Cola bring friends and families together to enjoy simple moments of happiness and fun. As a returning partner, Coca-Cola is offering programs that will bring fans closer to the AMERICAN IDOL experience. Exclusive behind-the-scenes content will be available through MyCokeRewards.com, giving fans an inside look at the contestant experience. Through the “Coca-Cola Judges Cup Design” program, fans will again be able to develop their own special cup graphics at MyCokeRewards.com for the opportunity to have their cup design appear on the show. Their cups can also be showcased on their personal pages on MySpace, Facebook and other websites. Coca-Cola will visit submitted personal web pages looking for cups on display, and award a trip to an AMERICAN IDOL show to one lucky fan. In addition, the popular Red Room will make its eighth appearance on the set, providing contestants with a cool place to hang out during the show. Other Coca-Cola activities designed to enhance the AMERICAN IDOL experience will be featured in a variety of retail outlets across the country.

As AMERICAN IDOL’s Official Wireless Sponsor, AT&T returns ready to wirelessly connect fans to their favorite IDOL moments directly from their mobile phones. Building on last season’s phenomenal success of generating more than 78 million text messages, AT&T is once again allowing its wireless customers to participate in hosted text chats with the voted-off Top 12 finalists, test their knowledge of AMERICAN IDOL trivia and, of course, text their votes for their favorite contestants during the voting window after each show. AT&T will also offer Outrageous Tones and Video featuring actual audition performances (subject to music clearances). Although all AT&T wireless customers can text their votes for as many AMERICAN IDOL contestants as they want as often as the want, customers with unlimited messaging plans can cast unlimited votes via text message for one monthly price.

As with previous seasons, AT&T customers can also personalize their wireless phones with Live Idol Tones ring tones and Answer Tones of this season’s Top 12 finalists’ performances. Additionally, AT&T will also offer many new exciting program elements this season, including the AT&T $1,000,000 Idol Sweepstakes, a national promotion that will award one lucky winner tickets to the AMERICAN IDOL finale along with a chance to win a one-million-dollar prize. Fans can visit AT&T stores or go online at www.att.com/idol for more details about the sweepstakes as well as other exciting IDOL-related programs this season.**

AMERICAN IDOL is created and executive-produced by Simon Fuller, founder of 19 Entertainment; and executive-produced by Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO, FremantleMedia North America; and Ken Warwick, Executive Producer, FremantleMedia North America.

**No Purchase Necessary. Standard text messaging rates apply. Must be resident of U.S. or Puerto Rico, 16 or older, to enter. For free entry mail a 3 1/2″x5″ card with your name, address, phone number and date of birth to “American Idol $1,000,000 Sweepstakes,” P.O. Box 8022, Westport, CT 06888. Complete rules available at www.att.com/idolrules. Ends 05/01/2009. Weekly entrants automatically entered into Grand Prize Drawing. Odds of winning Grand Prize Trip depend on number of entries received. Odds of winning $1,000,000 prize 1:12 for Grand Prize Trip winner. Grand Prize value: $570,000 (annuitized $1,000,000). Void where prohibited.

Source: FOX Press Release