ION Media Networks Unveils Initiative to Combat Childhood Obesity

WEST PALM BEACH, August 27: ION Media Networks has announced
a variety of on- and off-air advertising, programming and media initiatives for
its digital networks qubo and ION Life that are aimed at reducing the rates of
childhood obesity in the U.S. by encouraging fitness and better nutrition for
kids.

Available as a block on NBC, ION and Telemundo and as a
linear channel, qubo has made a commitment to refrain from airing national
advertising that features unhealthy food and beverage choices. Furthermore, qubo
will work with its advertising and marketing partners to promote the importance
of healthy eating and active lifestyles, and will actively seek to grow
advertising categories that emphasize these topics. In addition, in selected
episodes of new original content, qubo will create story lines addressing good
eating habits and physical activity. qubo will
also create over-the-air packaging and a PSA campaign that will emphasize the
importance of eating healthy foods and performing physical activities.
Moreover, qubo.com will have a special section devoted to healthy lifestyle
choices and a parents' section that will highlight the importance of
maintaining healthy, active lifestyles for kids at home and at school.

The ION Life network, a digital multicast channel also
distributed by ION Media Networks, has agreed to provide a dedicated amount of
program time focused on the diet, nutrition and fitness needs of children.
Examples of this programming will include Kids Healthworks, which provides information on children's health at
each parenting stage; Growing up Hispanic, which will address childhood obesity and Type II diabetes in the U.S.
Hispanic population; and general programs promoting exercise, nutrition and
active lifestyles for the whole family.

ION Media Networks also participates in the Task Force on
Media and Childhood Obesity, a government and industry initiative created to
examine the impact of the media on childhood obesity rates, and collaborates on
voluntary recommendations addressing the alarming rise in the number of obese
children.

“ION remains committed to raising the bar for children's
programming through positive messaging directly in our programming content and
by setting distinct standards for our advertisers,” said Brandon Burgess, the
CEO of ION Media Networks. “We are pleased to join our industry, the Federal
Communications Commission and Congress to focus on providing a constructive
television environment that will promote healthy lifestyle choices for
children.”

Added Rick Rodriguez, the president and general manager of
qubo: “We can't think of a more important goal than to help kids and families
learn about how to lead healthier and stronger lives. Educating families about
these subjects is an important element of the qubo mission and we are excited
to work with our production, marketing and advertising partners to highlight
these important issues on our many different content platforms.”