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Wednesday, October 8, 2008

SPIKE TV ORDERS TWO-HOUR PILOT FROM MGM TO BE DIRECTED BY WALTER HILL

Courtesy of Spike TV:

Original Scripted Pilot Focuses On Irish Gang Warfare in Boston

New York, NY, October 8, 2008 - Spike TV has ordered an untitled two-hour pilot based on the Irish Mob in Boston from MGM Television Entertainment (MGM), and will go into production late this fall with an option to go to series. Emmy® and DGA award-winning director Walter Hill will serve as director of the pilot. Chris Bertolini (“The General’s Daughter,” Battle: Los Angeles) wrote the script. The original drama is executive produced by Ultimate Fighting Championship® President Dana White and Tom Lynch and the Tom Lynch Company.

Scheduled to shoot on location in Boston, the story revolves around the explosive fallout that occurs when a Boston mob boss abruptly vacates his position and various rival factions face off in an epic battle to control the streets.

The production team also includes Gary Stephenson and Richard Bullock who will serve as producers. Sheila Jaffe ("The Sopranos," "Entourage") will serve as casting director.

During the course of his remarkable career, Hill has been a writer, director and producer on projects ranging from classic westerns to action-packed thrillers and buddy comedies, all marked with his visceral style. Hill most recently directed AMC’s critically-acclaimed and Emmy®-award winning miniseries “Broken Trail,” for which he won the Emmy Award® for producing and was nominated for Outstanding Directing For a Miniseries, Movie or Dramatic Special. Hill won the DGA award for “Broken Trail,” and was honored with Emmy and DGA awards for his work on the pilot of the groundbreaking neo-western “Deadwood” for HBO. Hill is represented by ICM.

This movie marks the first ever scripted project for White, who helms the world’s fastest growing sports organization, the UFC, and hosts Spike TV's wildly popular series, "The Ultimate Fighter."

Bill McGoldrick, senior vice president, development, is Spike TV's executive in charge of production. For MGM, production is being managed by Chris Ottinger, Executive Vice President, Worldwide Television Group.

About Spike TV

Spike TV is available in 97.3 million homes and is a division of MTV Networks. A unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), MTV Networks is one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. Spike TV's Internet address is www.spike.com and for up-to-the-minute and archival press information and photographs, visit Spike TV's press site at http://www.spike.com/press.

About Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc.

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc., through its operating subsidiaries, is actively engaged in the worldwide production and distribution of motion pictures, television programming, home video, interactive media, music and licensed merchandise. The company owns the world's largest library of modern films, comprising around 4,100 titles. Operating units include Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc., United Artists Films Inc., Ventanazul, MGM Television Entertainment Inc., MGM Networks Inc., MGM Domestic Networks LLC, MGM Distribution Co, MGM International Television Distribution In, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Home Entertainment LLC, MGM ON STAGE, MGM Music, MGM Worldwide Digital Media, MGM Consumer Products and MGM Interactive. In addition, MGM has ownership interests in international TV channels reaching nearly 120 countries. MGM ownership is as follows: Providence Equity Partners (29%), TPG (21%), Sony Corporation of America (20%), Comcast (20%), DLJ Merchant Banking Partners (7%) and Quadrangle Group (3%). For more information, visit www.mgm.com.