News Update: October 9, 2006

G4 CHECKS IN WITH FIRST ORIGINAL REALITY SERIES ‘THE BLOCK,’ SET IN THE WORLD’S FIRST SNOWBOARDER HOTEL

G4’s Cameras Go Inside With Staff and Guests at Lake Tahoe Hotel Where Action Sports Meet Non-stop Party Action

LOS ANGELES, October 9, 2006 - Smoking or non-smoking room? Queen bed or two twins? Stripper pole or beer-proof floor? G4’s outrageous original new reality series, THE BLOCK, will give viewers an exclusive pass to the snowboarding nirvana of THE BLOCK, the first hotel chain that truly appreciates and caters to everything snowboarder.  Founded by snowboarding legend Marc Frank Montoya and Las Vegas hotelier Liko Smith, THE BLOCK has allowed G4’s cameras to leap into the ultimate snowboarding domain for an entire winter season, exploring the wild lifestyle behind THE BLOCK phenomenon. THE BLOCK is scheduled to premiere on G4 in January 2007.

THE BLOCK will capture the best of the snowboarding lifestyle that few outsiders ever get to see. Each episode combines hardcore riding on the slopes with the crazy lives of the hotel’s staff, as they interact with the guests, pro snowboarders, bands and celebrities who make the hotel their winter home.

“Action sports and authentic lifestyles are the perfect topics for G4’s first foray into reality programming,” said Neal Tiles, president, G4.  “We continue to look for new and exciting ways to give our male 18-34 audience engaging content, and we believe they will be especially receptive to THE BLOCK.”

THE BLOCK follows the adventures of snowboarding star Montoya as he travels the globe in true rock-star style, while Vegas veteran Smith tries to provide a balance between art and commerce.  In addition to the colorful owners, THE BLOCK introduces hotel staffers who party as hard as they work.  Can Smith continue to grow THE BLOCK and maintain its blend of edginess and service, as it enters into new communities with new city officials, new staff and new guests?

“Amazing parties.  Ridiculous action on the slopes. THE BLOCK is going to be insane,” said Kevin Kearns, Vice President of Operations for THE BLOCK Hotels.  “Working with G4 was a no-brainer. G4 and THE BLOCK hotels share the same overall goal: give guys a place to hang out and be themselves.”

From the yearly bacchanal of THE BLOCK Party and ongoing Fight Club events held outside the hotel, to the culmination of the season with a schoolyard rail jam and parking lot bash, THE BLOCK gives viewers an unprecedented inside look at the making of a cultural icon.  And in keeping with the spirit of Montoya—who is also an in-demand hip-hop deejay when not on the slopes or running his skateboard company—every episode of THE BLOCK will feature up-and-coming hip-hop and R&B acts that have the hard edge of a good ride.

THE BLOCK chain of hotels currently includes locations in Big Bear Lake and South Lake Tahoe, California, with several other locations in the planning stages.  The hotels feature some of the most inventive rooms in the hospitality industry, with special suites that feature amenities such as a sit-down arcade stand, unique 1980s design or even padded walls and stripper poles.  All rooms come equipped with PS2 game consoles, boot/glove dryers, cordless phones and iPod-compatible mini boom boxes, and guests receive free energy drinks, free beer (21 years and over), snacks, DVDs and PS2 video games at check-in.

About G4

G4, the fastest growing network on television for 2006, launched in April 2002 and is now available in 59 million cable and satellite homes nationwide. The #1 podcasted cable network in America and a leader in VOD, G4's programming includes breaking video game industry news, trends, reviews, the hottest games and gear, celebrity interviews and insider opinions. Targeting the male 18-34 audience, G4 is the first and last word on games, technology, animation, interactivity, the Internet and broadband. The company is headquartered in Los Angeles and is owned by Comcast Corporation. To learn more, log onto www.g4tv.com.