WALTHAM, MA and LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwire - September 8, 2010) - Wheel of Fortune lovers now have a new way to play along anytime, anywhere with a new online social game application for Facebook developed by GSN Digital (www.gsn.com), the interactive division of GSN (Game Show Network).
"Wheel" watchers can visit http://www.facebook.com/wheeloffortunegame to spin the wheel, buy a vowel or solve the puzzle along with their friends on Facebook. This version of Wheel of Fortune combines all the aspects of the TV game show that viewers know and love with an interactive and viral twist. The application allows players to become contestants competing for virtual currency, or "Wheel Bucks," by playing a "Main Round" puzzle on their own and a "Bonus Round" puzzle that will allow them to collaborate with Facebook friends to increase their winnings. Users can also publish their successes on their Facebook "walls."
The ever-evolving game application will continually offer new components and upgrades. Later in 2010, the "Wheel Greeting" will be unveiled, allowing players to create their own puzzles to send as messages to friends.
"We developed the Wheel of Fortune game for Facebook in response to the growing demand from viewers for more ways to interact with our show," said Harry Friedman, Executive Producer, Wheel of Fortune. "GSN Digital has created a fun, interactive application that's true to our brand, and will offer a great user experience for millions of Wheel Watchers and their friends on Facebook."
Next Monday, Wheel of Fortune will launch its 28th season on air as America's number one syndicated series. The show previously licensed interactive games for the PC, various game consoles and mobile phones. In the summer of 2008, WorldWinner, a subsidiary of GSN, launched a wildly popular skill-based version of Wheel of Fortune, which makes it possible for players to participate in cash and prize tournaments to out-spin and out-smart the competition. WorldWinner has already awarded $17 million through online cash tournaments in Wheel of Fortune. Wheel of Fortune can also be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/wheeloffortune. Follow the show on Twitter at http://twitter.com/wheeloffortune.
"Wheel of Fortune has been one of America's most iconic television shows and interactive games for the past 27 years," said Jeremy Shea, Vice President of GSN's Digital Labs division. "Our partnership with Sony is a tremendous opportunity for our team and it will allow us to bring the longstanding favorites to viewers and game players in a new socially engaging way."
Additionally, GSN Digital will create a Facebook game for America's Favorite Quiz Show, Jeopardy!, which will launch in early 2011.
About GSN
GSN is a multimedia entertainment company that offers original and classic game programming and competition entertainment via its 73-million subscriber television network and online game sites. GSN's cross-platform content gives viewers and participants the opportunity to win cash and prizes, whether through GSN's popular TV game shows, gsn.com's free casual games or its WorldWinner competitive cash tournaments. GSN is distributed throughout the U.S., Caribbean and Canada by all major cable operators, satellite providers and telcos. GSN and its subsidiary, WorldWinner.com, Inc., are owned by DIRECTV and Sony Pictures Entertainment. For further information, visit GSN's press website at www.corp.gsn.com.
About Wheel of Fortune
Wheel of Fortune, America's #1 game show, is produced by Sony Pictures Television, a Sony Pictures Entertainment Company. It is distributed domestically by CBS Television Distribution and internationally by CBS Studios International, both units of CBS Corp.
About Sony Pictures Consumer Products Inc.
Sony Pictures Consumer Products Inc. (SPCP), a division of Columbia TriStar Consumer Marketing (CTCM), is based in Los Angeles and handles the merchandising and branding efforts for some of the most recognized properties in film and television.
Columbia TriStar Consumer Marketing is a division of Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE). SPE is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America (SCA), a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE's global operations encompass motion picture production and distribution; television production and distribution; digital content creation and distribution; worldwide channel investments; home entertainment acquisition and distribution; operation of studio facilities; development of new entertainment products, services and technologies; and distribution of filmed entertainment in 67 countries. Sony Pictures Entertainment can be found on the World Wide Web at www.sonypictures.com.
Contact Information:
Media Contacts:
Cindy Johnson
GSN Digital
781.250.8797
cjohnson@gsn.com
Suzanne Aronowitz
SHIFT Communications
617.779.1814
saronowitz@shiftcomm.com
