"The River", Chilling New US Series From Steven Spielberg, and Oren Peli, Creator of "Paranormal Activity", to Debut on Itunes Before its TV Broadcast

LONDON, January 31, 2012 -- The much-anticipated new US thriller series "The River", from Steven Spielberg, and Oren Peli, the creator of "Paranormal Activity", is set to make its UK debut on iTunes on 8th February, just 24 hours after its US broadcast on ABC. iTunes customers will be first in the UK to see this chilling drama series. A Season Pass of all eight episodes of the much-anticipated show will be available to pre-order from today, with episodes one and two launching on 8th February.

"The River" is produced by ABC Studios ("Lost", "Desperate Housewives") and Amblin Films. It follows the story of world famous wildlife expert and TV personality Dr. Emmet Cole (Bruce Greenwood - "Star Trek"). After Cole goes missing deep in the Amazon, his family, friends and crew set out on a mysterious and deadly journey to find him. Led by his wife, Tess (Leslie Hope - "24"), and his estranged son, Lincoln (Joe Anderson - "The Twilight Saga"), and filmed documentary-style by Cole's ex-producer, Carl (Paul Blackthorne - "Lipstick Jungle"), the rescue mission will take them deep into the unexplored reaches of the Amazon River. A place where nature is cruel, magic is real, and nothing is what it seems. As the journey continues, the show will take audiences along for a scary new mystery each week.

"The River", from Amblin's Steven Spielberg, DreamWorks Television's Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey, and showrunner/executive producer Michael Green ("Heroes," "Kings"), is also executive-produced by Oren Peli (creator of "Paranormal Activity"), Zack Estrin ("Prison Break"), Jason Blum ("Paranormal Activity 1, 2 and 3") and Steven Schneider. Teleplay by Michael R. Perry and Michael Green, story by Oren Peli & Michael R. Perry and Michael Green. The series is produced by ABC Studios and Amblin Films, and distributed by Disney UK.

Executive producer Oren Peli said: "Right from the start, we've had a global audience in mind for "The River" - the show preys on universal human fears, and follows a journey to an exotic, remote setting. I'm excited to be debuting the show on iTunes."

The River is available for pre-order from iTunes at http://www.itunes.co.uk/tv/theriver. Once downloaded, the show can be enjoyed at the viewer's leisure, either at home via home computer or Apple TV, or on the move with iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. A full Season Pass is GBP9.99 (SD) or GBP12.99 (HD), and single episodes are GBP1.89 (SD) or GBP2.49 (HD).

Follow "The River" at:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheRiverABC

Twitter: @TheRiverABC

Source: Disney UK

Betty White Honored With Screen Actors Guild Award® Nomination for TV Land's "Hot in Cleveland"

NEW YORK, Dec. 14, 2011 -- Betty White scored a Screen Actors Guild Award® nomination for Outstanding Performance By A Female Actor in a Comedy Series for her role on TV Land's "Hot in Cleveland" for the upcoming 18th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards®, it was announced this morning from the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood. "Hot in Cleveland" also stars beloved actresses Valerie Bertinelli ("One Day at a Time"), Jane Leeves ("Frasier") and Wendie Malick ("Just Shoot Me"). White won the SAG Award® for Outstanding Performance By A Female Actor in a Comedy Series last year for the same role.

"We are so proud to have Betty recognized again for her role on 'Hot in Cleveland,'" stated Larry W. Jones, President, TV Land. "It's such an honor for us to work with her. She is a true legend and the chemistry between the four women is amazing – they are television all-stars."

"Hot in Cleveland" revolves around three fabulous best friends from LA – novelist Melanie Moretti (Valerie Bertinelli), eye-brow archer to the stars Joy Scroggs (Jane Leeves) and former soap star Victoria Chase (Wendie Malick) – who find their lives changed forever when their plane, headed for Paris, makes an unexpected landing. When the friends discover that life is better for them and that they are hot in Cleveland, they decide to stay. Starting over together, they rent a house that happens to come with a very opinionated caretaker (Betty White). The show is currently in its third season and airs Wednesdays at 10pm ET/PT on TV Land.

Filmed in front of a live audience, "Hot in Cleveland" is executive produced by Emmy® Award-winner Sean Hayes and Todd Milliner of Hazy Mills Productions and is helmed by Emmy® Award-winning Suzanne Martin ("Frasier," "Ellen") serving as executive producer, show runner and writer. Lynda Obst also serves as executive producer, and Larry W. Jones and Keith Cox are executive producers for TV Land. "Hot in Cleveland" is currently seen around the world in over 165 countries.

The 18th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards® will be simulcast live coast-to-coast on TNT and TBS on Sunday, January 29, 2012, at 8pm ET/5pm PT from the Shrine Exposition Center in Los Angeles. The ceremony will also be telecast internationally, as well as to US military installations overseas through the American Forces Network Broadcast Center.