NAMCO BANDAI Networks Joins With FremantleMedia Enterprises To Bring Idols To Mobile In Europe, Middle East And Asia Pacific

News by GamesIndustry International Contributor

Published on June 21, 2007

London - June 21, 2007 - NAMCO BANDAI Networks Europe Ltd today announced it is working with FremantleMedia Enterprises, the commercial division of FremantleMedia, one of the largest international creators and producers of entertainment brands in the world, to develop, publish and distribute mobile games based on the Idols format, one of the world's most successful television franchises.

The multi-year agreement between NAMCO BANDAI Networks and FremantleMedia Enterprises will see mobile games based on the Idols format launch across a number of territories in Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific. This agreement is the first time NAMCO BANDAI Networks has licensed content specifically for a European audience, and follows the creation of a dedicated European mobile entity in January 2007.

"Announcing this deal is a great milestone for NAMCO BANDAI Networks, and it's one which underlines our commitment to be one of the industry's premier games companies," said Masaji Okubo, Managing Director of NAMCO BANDAI Networks Europe Ltd. "Idols is one of the biggest television formats in the world, with millions of fans who will soon be able to interact with their favourite show anytime they want."

Mark Newton, Executive Vice President, EMEA of FremantleMedia Enterprises' licensing team added: "Idols is one of our most important brands and we're pleased to be working with industry leader, NAMCO BANDAI Networks, on the development of mobile games in this multi-territory deal. NAMCO BANDAI Networks' experience in games development and wide distribution network will ensure that we produce exciting and highly creative gaming experiences that fans of Idols can enjoy the world over."

FremantleMedia has sold the Idols format to 41 territories to date, and these local versions of the format are watched by millions of people around the world. Mobile games based on television shows have been consistent best sellers, with games based on familiar shows topping the UK's ELSPA mobile download chart for four months out of the last six.

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About NAMCO BANDAI Networks Europe Ltd.

NAMCO BANDAI Networks Europe Ltd. is one of the companies comprising the newly formed BANDAI NAMCO Group, headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. On 29th September, 2005, BANDAI Co., Ltd and NAMCO LIMITED implemented a management integration to compete more effectively on the global stage in the fast-changing entertainment industry and deliver future growth. The resulting BANDAI NAMCO Group is a global entertainment operation involved in business fields ranging from toys, video game software and visual software to amusement machines & facilities and network content.

More information about NAMCO BANDAI Networks Europe Ltd, its products and services can be found online at www.namcomobile.com

About FremantleMedia Enterprises

FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) is the commercial arm of FremantleMedia and comprises of Fremantle International Distribution (FID), FremantleMedia Licensing Worldwide (FLW) and Fremantle Home Entertainment (FHE).

FID has a network of international sales offices and licenses over 19,000 hours of programmes to 150 countries worldwide. FID's programming comes from in-house UK producer, talkbackTHAMES and from an increasing number of independent producers in the UK and internationally. Recent international successes include US ratings-toppers The Apprentice: Donald Trump and The Apprentice: Martha Stewart, hugely successful fashion reality series, Project Runway starring Heidi Klum, exquisite Brook Lapping production Catherine the Great and the music event special, Britney Spears: In the Zone.

FLW is the licensing division of FremantleMedia and exploits the company's many strong brands including the award winning international format, Idols and the cult children's classics, Rainbow and DangerMouse, across multiple off-screen platforms including merchandising campaigns, interactive and wireless support and music publishing. FHE is the home entertainment arm of FremantleMedia.

FremantleMedia is one of the largest international creators and producers of programme brands in the world, with leading prime time entertainment, drama, serial drama and factual entertainment programming produced in over 25 territories. International drama programmes include Germany's top rated serial drama, Gute Zeiten, Schlechte Zeiten (Good Times Bad Times), the UK's most successful police drama, The Bill, and Australia's top serial drama, Neighbours. The company's entertainment and factual entertainment hits range from the award winning international format, Idols, broadcast as the prime time show, American Idol, on FOX in the US, to the grime-busting format, How Clean is Your House? and factual entertainment series starring celebrity chef, Jamie Oliver, Jamie's Kitchen, as well as long-running gameshows like The Price Is Right. FremantleMedia is the production business of the RTL Group, Europe's largest television and radio broadcast company.

www.fremantlemedia.com

For further information, please contact:

Pramesh Chauhan

NAMCO BANDAI Networks Europe Ltd

Head Of Business Development

Email: pchauhan@namco.co.uk

Lynne-Mei Lee

FremantleMedia Enterprises

Email: lynne-mei.lee@fremantlemedia.com

John Ozimek

Chomp PR

tel: +44 (0)7949 201 569