Sony Pictures Digital Entertainment Names Nicholas Wodtke Senior Vice President, Interactive Television

CULVER CITY, CA --(January 22, 2001)-- Sony Pictures Digital Entertainment (SPDE) announced Nicholas Wodtke as senior vice president, Interactive Television.

In his newly created post, Wodtke will spearhead the creative and business direction of SPDE's iTV initiatives while supervising the day-to-day and long-range programming development and operations of the studio's interactive television line-up, including the award-winning enhancements of "JEOPARDY!" and "Wheel of Fortune."

Prior to his arrival at SPDE, Wodtke served as Columbia TriStar International Television's chief operating officer for Super Television in Taiwan, one of Asia's leading entertainment cable networks.

"We couldn't be more pleased that Nicholas is joining us," said Yair Landau, president of SPDE, a division of Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE). "We are confident that iTV has a tremendous future as a platform to enhance the television-viewing experience, and are enthusiastic about Nicholas's expertise in production and strategic planning to help guide our efforts."

The enhanced versions of "JEOPARDY!" and "Wheel of Fortune," with their inherently interactive formats, are among the most widely embraced iTV applications to date, enabling viewers equipped with compliant set-top boxes to play along with the game-show contestants in real-time. Wodtke will play a key role in continuing the success of such shows, in addition to developing and producing SPDE's next-generation of iTV entertainment.

With overall growth for iTV household penetration in the United States projected to increase as much as 35% by the year 2005 (Source: Jupiter Interactive Television Module), SPDE is actively exploring the creative and commercial opportunities of its nascent market.

"I look forward to working with the dynamic SPDE team in exploring the interactive television space," said Wodtke. "As an early leader, we are determined to stay at the forefront of interactive television production, and are excited about the possibilities of expanding iTV's scope into new genres including talk, reality and even dramatic programming."

Wodtke joined Sony Pictures Entertainment in 1995 in Corporate Development. In 1997, he joined AXN, Action TV, where as chief financial officer, he was charged with directing business development, distribution and financial planning for the cable and satellite delivered channel broadcasting to Southeast Asia, China and India. Wodtke holds a master of business administration from The Wharton School in Philadelphia.

About Sony Pictures Digital Entertainment

Sony Pictures Digital Entertainment, an operating unit of Sony Pictures Entertainment, oversees the activities of SPE's digital production and online assets including Sony Pictures Imageworks and Sony Online Entertainment.

SPDE focuses on three areas: 1) producing and developing visual effects and computer-generated imaging (CGI), digital character animation, and original content for motion picture, television, online and PlayStation audiences; 2) tapping SPE's film and television libraries and its talent relationships to develop new forms of online content, games and interactive programming; and 3) leading SPE's efforts to provide video-on-demand, interactive television and the distribution of other forms of digital content and services over the emerging broadband networks.