Paramount Home Entertainment to support next generation HD-DVD format with new releases and catalog titles

LOS ANGELES (Paramount Pictures) - Paramount Home Entertainment, part of the Viacom Entertainment Group, announced today that the studio plans to release titles from its home entertainment catalog, as well as new releases, in the HD-DVD format beginning in 2006.

HD-DVD is a next generation digital video format that promises to deliver consumers a more exciting home theater experience. The format features such improvements over existing DVD technology as enhanced picture quality, robust content protection, advanced navigation tools and new interactive capabilities.
"Paramount is excited to be at the forefront of this new technology, allowing consumers to view the studio's library in a way never experienced before," said Rob Friedman, chief operating officer, Paramount Pictures and vice chairman, Motion Picture Group. "We're looking forward to introducing consumers to the next generation, high-definition home entertainment experience."
"We believe that HD-DVD has clear advantages in cost of manufacturing and ease of replication, offering consumers the highest quality viewing experience at the most affordable price," added Thomas Lesinski, president, Paramount Pictures, Worldwide Home Entertainment. "We're confident that retailers and consumers alike will support this compelling new technology."

HD-DVD has been endorsed by the DVD Forum which is comprised of more than 200 member companies including major consumer electronics manufacturers, studios, and IT industry leaders. In addition, the format supports advanced content access and security technology important in today's marketplace.

About Paramount Home Entertainment
Paramount Home Entertainment is part of the Viacom Entertainment Group and is responsible for the worldwide sales, marketing, and distribution of home entertainment for Viacom including:
Paramount Pictures, CBS, Nickelodeon, MTV and Comedy Central. Viacom Entertainment Group is part of the entertainment operations of Viacom Inc., one of the world's largest entertainment and media companies, and a leader in the production, promotion and distribution of entertainment, news, sports and music.
For further information please contact: Nancy Kirkpatrick, Executive Vice President, Worldwide Publicity, Paramount, +1-323-956-5824