Court TV and ESPN to Share Resources in Comprehensive Network Coverage of Baltimore Raven's Ray Lewis Murder Trial.

Entertainment, News, and Sports Editors

NEW YORK--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--May 18, 2000

Court TV and ESPN have agreed to share resources, expertise and talent in covering the Ray Lewis trial in Atlanta, GA, announced Sheilagh D'Arcy McGee, Senior Vice President, Programming, Court TV, and Bob Eaton, Senior Vice President and Managing Editor, ESPN. Through the joint coverage, Court TV will share its legal expertise with ESPN viewers and ESPN will provide sports-related expertise for the crime and justice network's viewers. In addition, the networks will exchange video, news segments and promos where appropriate. Jury selection for the Lewis trial began in Atlanta this week with the opening statements anticipated to begin May 23.

Commented McGee, "We want to provide the most complete coverage of this trial and the issues surrounding it for viewers of both networks. In doing so, we understand that while the audiences are interested in getting a comprehensive picture of what is transpiring, the focus of Court TV is quite different from that of ESPN. Our mutual intention is to benefit the viewers, regardless of which network they watch."

Said Eaton: "This unique arrangement offers our networks the best opportunity to provide insightful coverage of the Lewis trial to our viewers. Court TV's expertise in jurisprudence, matched with ESPN's proficiency in sports news coverage, make both networks the definitive news source for the trial."

Court TV reporter Clara Tuma will lead the network's coverage from location in Atlanta. ESPN's daily coverage will feature reporter Sal Paolantonio. In addition, experts on legal, social and National Football League matters will appear regularly on both networks as guest commentators.

Ray Lewis, a star linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens, is accused of participating in a brawl outside an Atlanta nightclub in January that led to the stabbing deaths of two men. Lewis, along with co-defendants Reginald Oakley and Joseph Sweeting, could face life sentences if convicted of the murders. Lewis is the first active NFL player to be tried for murder.

Court TV (http://www.courttv.com), a basic cable network, provides a window on the American system of justice through distinctive programming, which both informs and entertains. As the first and only cable network dedicated to crime and justice, Court TV broadcasts live trials by day and crime stories in the evening. A service of Time Warner Entertainment and Liberty Media Corp., Court TV has commitments to reach 45 million subs by 3rd quarter and is expected to grow by year-end to 50 million.

Based in Bristol, Conn., ESPN, Inc., The Worldwide Leader In Sports, is 80 percent owned by ABC, Inc., which is an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company. The Hearst Corporation holds a 20 percent interest in ESPN. ESPN, Inc. includes six domestic television networks (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Classic, ESPNEWS, ESPN Extra, ESPN Now), ESPN International (20 international networks and syndication), ESPN Radio, ESPN.com, ESPN The Magazine, ESPN Regional Television, SportsTicker, and ESPN Enterprises, overseeing brand extensions such as ESPN Zone, pay subscription packages and consumer products.