LANHAM, Md., Jan 06, 2004 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Radio One's Russ Parr, host of the top-rated, nationally syndicated Russ Parr Morning Show, and Alfredas, the radio program's entertainment reporter and personality, have signed on as the key on-air promotional talent for TV One, the new cable network targeting African American adults that is scheduled to launch January 19. The duo will also host TV One's original dating game show Get the Hook Up, expected to debut in spring 2004.

Parr and Alfredas will be featured in TV One on-air and cross-promotional TV and radio spots and will participate in off-air TV One events as well.

"Russ Parr and Alfredas will essentially serve as the voice and face of TV One, and we are delighted to make use of their tremendous talents," said TV One President and CEO Johnathan Rodgers. "We are fortunate to be able to capitalize on Radio One's established personalities as well as its marketing prowess in promoting TV One to African American adults."

Get the HookUp will be a lighthearted, funny half-hour series that is half dating game show, and half beauty pageant. Each episode will feature three African American bachelors competing to win a dream date with an eligible bachelorette -- or three bachelorettes competing to win a date with an eligible bachelor. Contending in three specific category rounds (an amusing twist on the age-old beauty pageant formula), Get the HookUp's contestants will have an equal opportunity to impress their prospective dates, hoping to win them over with their charm, their talent and even their fly physiques.

The Russ Parr Morning Show is heard weekdays by more than three million listeners in more than 50 cities and has garnered numerous national awards. In addition, Russ Parr's weekend radio show, On the Air with Russ Parr can be heard on more than 40 radio stations across the country.

Get the HookUp is being produced by Big Chief Entertainment, with Tim Miller serving as executive producer and Steven Jon Whritner serving as show creator and executive producer. Jay Feldman will be the executive producer for TV One. The series will be taped in Washington, DC.

Scheduled to launch January 19, TV One will offer a broad range of entertainment-oriented original programming, classic series, movies, fashion and music that focus on African American themes, issues culture and politics. TV One's investors include Radio One (Nasdaq: ROIA; ROIAK), the nation' s seventh largest radio broadcasting company (based on 2002 net broadcast revenue) and the largest company that primarily targets African-American and urban listeners; Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA; CMCSK), the leading cable television company in the country; Constellation Ventures; Syndicated Communications; Pacesetter Capital Group; and Opportunity Capital Partners.

SOURCE TV One

Lynn McReynolds, +1-410-268-0275, for TV One