Zap2it.com Shows Off Re-Launched Site for Comic-Con 2009

LOS ANGELES, July 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Zap2it.com will officially launch its newly revamped web site with exclusive coverage of the annual Comic-Con sci-fi/fantasy/comic arts fan convention starting July 22 in San Diego, CA.

Zap2it has partnered with Syfy to create a special Comic-Con web page where readers will find exclusive interviews with cast members of Syfy shows including "Caprica," "Sanctuary" and the new "Warehouse 13," red-carpet photos and video from the Syfy party plus more coverage. The recently re-branded cable network, formerly known as Sci Fi Channel, is granting Zap2it writers exclusive access to Syfy events, and it will be the exclusive sponsor of Zap2it's comprehensive Comic-Con coverage.

As part of the agreement, Zap2it readers will have the unique opportunity to submit questions in advance for all Syfy-produced panels at Comic-Con including the highly-anticipated "Stargate Universe" panel taking place on July 24. Scheduled to discuss the latest iteration of the popular franchise are actors Robert Carlyle (Dr. Nicholas Rush), Brian J. Smith (Matthew Scott), Elyse Levesque (Chloe Armstrong), David Blue (Eli Wallace), Alaina Huffman (Tamara Johansen), Jamil Walker Smith (Ronald Greer) and Ming Na (Camille Wray), plus series writers Brad Wright and Robert Cooper.

Talent and producers representing "Caprica," "Eureka," "Sanctuary" and "Warehouse 13" will also be on-hand for separate panel discussions. Readers can visit http://zap2it.com/syfyquestions now to contribute questions for any or all panels. The very best inquiries will be put directly to the Syfy panelists by the moderators at the individual events.

The new Zap2it.com features a refreshed design and increased coverage of TV, movies and celebrities, with an emphasis on breaking and behind-the-scenes news about popular TV shows and personalities. The new site, which has been in beta for two months, pioneers an aggregation of celebrity, journalist and blogger Tweets, and showcases headlines from a variety of entertainment bloggers from around the web. For entertainment advertisers, the site features new rich-media advertising positions and an enhanced site "wrapper" which has already been used by ABC, A&E, Warner Home Video and others.

Syfy also has been making big changes. It unveiled a major rebranding initiative on July 7 during the premiere of it new original series "Warehouse 13." The network's brand evolution, which adopts the tagline "Imagine Greater," reflects a move to offer a broader range of imagination-based entertainment. The network, a division of NBC Universal, is seen in 95 million households.

Zap2it users have an exceptionally strong affinity for science-fiction/fantasy genre content. The typical Zap2it user is more than twice as likely than the average Internet user to have watched science-fiction TV programming in the last week (source: Nielsen @Plan). Additionally, the site consistently out-performs competing entertainment websites in key engagement metrics including Time Per Person and Web Pages Per Person (source: Nielsen NetView).

Comic-Con is the world's largest and most highly-anticipated comic arts, science fiction and fantasy convention, drawing more than 120,000 fans, journalists and industry professionals in 2008. This year's event running July 22 - 26 at the San Diego Convention Center is sold out. Zap2it's coverage will include original content from its own LA-based journalists attending the event, as well as content from sister Tribune properties including the Los Angeles Times' "Hero Complex" blog, the Chicago Tribune's "The Watcher" blog and other sources.

"Comic-Con is the go-to event of the year for zealous fans of sci-fi and fantasy genre entertainment," said Joseph Kapsch, Editorial Director of Zap2it.com. "So we're thrilled to be teaming with the new Syfy to present complete coverage of the convention with exclusive access to their events which will undoubtedly have massive drawing power. The occasion is so big, it's the perfect opportunity to use as Zap2it.com's "re-launch" pad. Effective the July 22 start date of Comic-Con, the beta designation is coming off and the all-new Zap2it officially goes live!"

For Zap2it's full coverage of the event launching on July 21, visit http://www.zap2it.com. For more on Syfy, visit http://www.syfy.com/. For a full schedule of Comic-Con events, visit http://www.comic-con.org/cci/cci_prog.shtml.

About Zap2it.com

Zap2it.com is the online destination for more than 5 million TV and Movie fans who want to stay connected to popular shows, films, events, celebrities, and other fans. Zap2it is a service of Tribune Media Services, a division of Tribune Company. For more information about Zap2it, visit Zap2it.com/mediakit.

About Tribune Media Services

Tribune Media Services' Entertainment Products division is an international leader in entertainment navigation. It provides industry-leading databases of TV, movie and celebrity information; guides in print, online and on-screen formats; and advertising and marketing services to build audiences. For more information about TMS Entertainment Products visit TribuneMediaServices.com.

About Syfy

Syfy is a media destination for imagination-based entertainment. With year-round acclaimed original series, events, blockbuster movies, classic science fiction and fantasy programming, a dynamic Web site (www.Syfy.com), and a portfolio of adjacent businesses (Syfy Ventures), Syfy is a passport to limitless possibilities. Originally launched in 1992 as SCI FI Channel, and currently in 95 million homes, Syfy is a network of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies. (Syfy. Imagine greater.)