NEW YORK, August 10, 2004.-- JTV, a 24-hour national Jewish network, announced that it has been in discussion with major cable and satellite (DBS) providers to carry the network as a digital basic service, and is now planning an early 2005 launch.

JTV CEO John Odoner, a New York attorney says, "The programming strategy is news and reality-driven, yet 'not just news and not just Jews'. With a distinctive slant on current events and cultural trends, JTV can target adults 18-49 with a mix of news, comedy, reality shows, business, sports, movies, music, religion, health and Hollywood. Certain programs naturally will carry a unique Jewish perspective, which happens to be entertaining to a much broader audience. So mix one part Fox News Channel with one part Comedy Central, MTV and ESPN, add a special editorial voice, stir thoroughly and you have JTV."

Odoner continued, "After consulting with key cable and satellite executives, JTV management and our board of advisors now believe the timing is right for JTV. We intend to hit the ground running with programming that is bold, accurate and unapologetic, and of interest to a variety of upscale audience demographics. We believe we can quickly achieve widespread brand recognition, considering the world's current state of affairs and intertwined issues - from the global terrorist threat to Mideast security to leading productive lives in the midst of it all."

According to Elie Rosenfeld, COO of the Joseph Jacobs Organization, the pre-eminent Jewish targeted advertising and marketing agency, "The multichannel providers recognize that niches are indeed riches when it comes to the American Jewish demographic. There is no better presently underserved, targetable audience: the Jewish community is simply an interested, ample and especially desirable audience from an advertiser's perspective." Eric Illowsky, a new media veteran who helped start the Sci Fi Channel among others, added, "JTV addresses a distinct and vocal niche, and as such has local community, regional, and national cross-promotional aspects to be exploited in all major markets - the network has unique built-in viral marketing aspects to help increase digital services penetration. JTV fits current industry agendas, and I think the content will have appeal beyond the Jewish community."

JTV plans to be an interactive, convergent network with a novel tripartite revenue stream including advertising, a targeted home shopping component, and license fees. To help secure carriage, license fees initially will be waived. The network is negotiating a satellite transport agreement with OlympuSAT, a satellite service provider which packages and distributes independently owned and operated digital networks.

Programming will run from weighty to wacky. In development are shows appealing to Jews and non-Jews alike, including:

• News dayparts which will utilize resources around the world and deep inside Israel;

• "Two Jews, Three Opinions," a Crossfire-type show that will celebrate the international food fight that sometimes characterizes Jewish political discourse;

• "Jewishly Incorrect," a borderline-edgy, comedic political commentary show;

• Jewish televangelism, hosted by a hip, provocative Gen X rabbi delivering timeless guidance suitable for all peoples;

• "Nice Jewish Boyz," a Jewish man show which will smash the myth of the over-mothered Jewish male;

• "Genesis 9:0," a Bible Quiz Game Show which builds upon the Bible game craze sweeping high schools and college campuses; and

• A music video show hosted by Juliette Powell, who as both an on-air celebrity and show producer (through her company PIE, Inc.) created literally thousands of live shows over a ten year period for Much Music, City TV and Musique Plus in Canada. Powell sees JTV as the true "new look network which will reflect the colors of the rainbow that are the Jewish people from Moroccans to Ethiopians to Jewish Latinos. It has considerable appeal as a window to the new ethnic America, and has the potential to become the Jewish BET."

JTV also is working with Sal Anthony, CEO of Forever Films International to develop various reality-based shows. Separately, through an arrangement with two Israeli-based programming suppliers, JTV has acquired exclusive U.S. rights to several hundred hours of relevant biographies and documentaries. JTV also is in discussion to provide new venues for certain established program hosts who can bring built-in audiences to provide breakthrough, appointment viewing. Among them is John Batchelor, whose ABC-syndicated radio show boasts several million nightly listeners coast-to-coast. According to Batchelor, "JTV can be the essential post-partisan 9/11 savvy network while also being fun about the way we lead our lucky lives."

Others concur about JTV's relevance and timing. According to Fox News Live strategic analyst John Loftus, "While it will not be the Jewish Al-Jazeera, it will be a network with 'attitude' appealing to individuals of every faith." General Paul Vallely, a Fox News Channel military analyst said, "JTV will help in getting the message out about terrorism and the global war on terror." Dr. Ruth Wisse of Harvard University thinks "JTV's casual, yet compelling approach will prove to be a must-watch for the large number of Jews and others thirsting for Jewish television programming. JTV will be a network that will provide a fair and in-depth portrayal of Middle East events." As to the timing, Professor Wisse queries, "If not now, when?"