Network Entertainment Announces Production of Punk, a Four-Part Series to Premiere on Epix, March 2019, with Executive Producers John Varvatos and Iggy Pop

VANCOUVER, Jan. 8, 2019 /CNW/ - Network Media Group Inc. (TSX: NTE.V) (OTCMKTS: NMGGF) and Network Entertainment Inc. ("Network" or "the Company") are pleased to announce its partnership with John Varvatos, Iggy Pop and EPIX for a four-part docu-series on the quintessential story of punk, premiering on EPIX in the U.S., March 11, 2019 (10:00 pm ET/PT).

Iggy Pop joins the Punk series as an executive producer, and adds his voice alongside exclusive interviews  with America's punk pioneers and the U.K.'s most notorious bands, including musical luminaries Johnny Rotten (Sex Pistols/Public Image Ltd./PiL), Marky Ramone (Ramones), Debbie Harry and Chris Stein (Blondie), Duff McKagan (Guns N' Roses), Wayne Kramer (MC5), Jello Biafra (Dead Kennedys/Alternative Tentacles), Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Dave Grohl (Nirvana/Foo Fighters), as well as industry legends Danny Fields (Elektra Records), Legs McNeil (Please Kill Me/Punk Magazine), and filmmaker Penelope Spheeris (The Decline of Western Civilization; Wayne's World).

"Exploring and reliving the history of punk has been an absolute labor of love for me," said Punk executive producer, John Varvatos. "Punk's ability to transcend generations in its culture, music, and style is a story that needs to be told. So… Hey Ho Let's Go!!"

"EPIX is thrilled to partner with John Varvatos, Iggy Pop, Derik Murray and the entire team on Punk," said Michael Wright, President, EPIX. "Their rare insights, passion and unmatched talent have made this project an unforgettable journey, and we can't wait to see this story unfold in the way that only this team can tell it." 

Featuring a seamless blend of rare and unseen photos, gritty archival film and video, and a crackling soundtrack of punk hits and misses, Punk explores the music, the fashion, the art and the DIY attitude of a subculture of self-described misfits and outcasts. 

"We are excited to collaborate with John Varvatos, Iggy Pop and EPIX on this exploration of the incendiary history of the movement and major cultural phenomenon called punk," said Derik Murray, Network Entertainment's founder and CEO.  "We indeed feel privileged to be working with some of punk's most iconic performers whose rebellious music and on stage antics challenged society and forever changed the face of music."

Punk is produced by Derik Murray and directed by Jesse James Miller.

About Network Media Group Inc.
Network Media Group is the parent company of Network Entertainment Inc. Network Entertainment, founded and headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, produces premium content for global audiences. Network's documentaries and docu-series showcase the lives of the world's most inspiring cultural icons and their enduring legacy, featuring a compelling lineup of icons from the worlds of Music, Movies, Comedy, Sports, Politics and Business. The Network premium brand of programming features outstanding casts and highly cinematic, richly crafted storytelling. Network's productions are consistently embraced by both audiences and critics alike, garnering awards, record ratings and unparalleled media coverage.

Network's broadcast and distribution partners include: AHC, AMC, Discovery Channel, CBC, CMT, CTV, Entertainment One, EPIX, FremantleMedia, HBO Canada, History Channel, iTunes, Lionsgate, National Geographic, Paramount Network, Spike, Sundance TV, Thunderbird, TMN, Virgil Entertainment, and YouTube Premium. The Company's work has been recognized by the Academy Awards, the Emmys, Realscreen Awards, the Gemini Awards, the LEOs, the Los Angeles Film Festival, Washington D.C. Silver Docs, Seattle International Film Festival, Tribeca Film Festival, Hawaii International Film Festival, Houston International Film Festival, Vancouver International Film Festival, Banff Television Festival, and the International Film and Television Festival of New York.

For additional information on Network Entertainment Inc., visit www.networkentertainment.ca

About John Varvatos

John Varvatos has been recognized by the CFDA as Menswear Designer of the Year (June 2001 and June 2005) and was honored as GQ's "Designer of the Year" in 2007. In October 2013, John released his first book entitled John Varvatos: Rock in Fashion, which documents the elements of rock style that are intrinsic in the music community. Further rooting the brand in music, John Varvatos formally launched John Varvatos Records in February 2014. In 2016, John was awarded the ICON Award for Social Impact for his conscience charitable work with The Stuart House Foundation and God's Love We Deliver.

Varvatos grew up in Detroit - the music melting pot of America - where Motown, rock & roll, blues, jazz, and punk melded together during an unforgettable period in music history. At an early age, John was exposed to defining musicians, including The Who, Led Zeppelin, Detroit's own MC5, Alice Cooper, Bob Seger, and The Stooges.

About EPIX

EPIX, an MGM company, is a premium television network delivering a broad line-up of quality original series and documentaries, the latest movie releases and classic film franchises – all available on TV, on demand, online and across devices. A destination for premium content, EPIX is tripling the amount of original programming on the network beginning in 2018, with a roster of original series including Get Shorty starring Chris O'Dowd and Ray Romano, spy thrillers Berlin Station and Deep State, the return of Mark Burnett's boxing competition series The Contender and late night stand-up comedy series Unprotected Sets from executive producer Wanda Sykes. In 2019, the network will premiere new series Godfather of Harlem starring Forest Whitaker, Pennyworth, the origin story of Batman's butler Alfred, from DC, and Our Lady, LTD starring Sir Ben Kingsley. Launched in October 2009, EPIX is available nationwide through cable, telco, satellite and emerging digital distribution platforms providing more movies than any other network with thousands of titles available for streaming.  

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. 

Cautionary Statement on Forward-looking Information
Except for historical information contained herein, this news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including the Company not obtaining required TSX Venture Exchange approval of the Transaction and the Transaction not being completed as proposed or at all. These statements are necessarily based upon management's perceptions, beliefs, assumptions and expectations, as well as a number of specific factors and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management of the Company as of the date of such statements, are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies that could result in the forward-looking information ultimately, perhaps materially, being incorrect. All forward looking information in this news release involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that are beyond the control of the Company and may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward looking information. Except as required pursuant to applicable securities laws, the Company will not update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof. 

SOURCE Network Media Group Inc.

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