Ratings and Viewership Continue to Rise Through First Two Playoff Rounds

Stamford, CONN. (May 7, 2008)— VERSUS, the exclusive cable television home of the National Hockey League, will continue its wall-to-wall coverage of the 2008 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs when the Conference Finals commence on Thursday, May 8, at 7:30 p.m. ET. The Detroit Red Wings and the Dallas Stars will begin their battle for the right to represent the Western Conference in the Stanley Cup Final. The Conference Finals continue on Friday, May 9, at 7:30 p.m. ET when the Eastern Conference takes center stage as the Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins face-off in Game 1 of their intrastate showdown. All Conference Finals telecasts on VERSUS are exclusive.

VERSUS will kick-off the Conference Finals with a special 30-minute “Hockey Central” on May 8 at 7 p.m. ET, prior to Game 1 of the Western Conference Final between Dallas and Detroit. VERSUS’ Stanley Cup Playoffs coverage will culminate with exclusive coverage of the first two games of the Stanley Cup Final. All VERSUS-produced games are produced in hi-definition.

The network’s studio show, “Hockey Central,” is hosted by Bill Patrick with Brian Engblom and Keith Jones and provides extensive insight and commentary of the games and what’s happening around the Stanley Cup Playoffs each night. VERSUS will, on occasion, bring players and coaches into the studio to serve as celebrity guest analysts. In the Quarterfinal round, Manny Legace, goaltender for the St. Louis Blues and Rick DiPietro, goaltender for the New York Islanders joined the VERSUS studio crew. Additions in the Conference Final round will be announced as information becomes available.

Among the regular segments of the studio show are the following:

• Keith Jones’ Odd Man Rush, Keith’s unique look at the plays and players who have put themselves in the spotlight, whether for good or bad
• Brian Engblom’s Reality Check, Brian’s personal opinion on NHL issues
• Highlights from games not airing on VERSUS, as well as Plays of the Week
• Parting Shots; where Engblom and Jones debate bullet point debate topics in rapid fire fashion
• Live-Look-Ins wherever possible, bringing viewers live action from games being played concurrently during VERSUS’ telecast
• Features on NHL players away from the ice
• Historical recaps which spotlight the defining and greatest moments in NHL Stanley Cup history

Total viewership for “Hockey Central” during the first two rounds of this postseason has increased 65 percent compared to the first two playoff rounds last year.