NEW YORK, Sept. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Attention "Halo" Nation! This September, "Halo," the legendary video game franchise, joins forces with Spike TV to bring viewers an unprecedented month of exclusive content and programming to celebrate the release of "Halo 3: ODST." Dubbed "Halo Month," the wide-ranging programming initiative will span multiple formats, including an exclusive look at the making of the game at Bungie; the US premiere of the stunning "Halo 3: ODST" live-action short; and the world exclusive first look at "Halo Legends," the upcoming collection of animated short films based on "Halo" fiction. In addition, "Halo 3: ODST" presents Spike TV's groundbreaking live and commercial-free broadcast of the "UFC 103" undercard bouts from Dallas. "Halo 3: ODST," an Xbox 360 exclusive game, will be available at retail on September 22, 2009.
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"Spike guys love videogames and especially Halo,'" said John Griffin, vice president, programming, Spike TV. "We're thrilled to be working with Xbox and Bungie across our leading properties, including the UFC , 'GameTrailers TV' and video game specials to bring viewers exclusive content they won't see anywhere else."
"'Halo 3 ODST' is the next great 'Halo' release and shows a new side of the 'Halo' universe," said Mike Stout, senior product manager, Xbox. "We're excited to be working closely with Spike on multiple fronts to expose viewers to the game and share content that will deepen the lore around this seminal game franchise."
The full lineup of programming is as follows: Thursday, September 3 at 12:30 AM ET/PT "GAMETRAILERS TV WITH GEOFF KEIGHLEY" FROM BUNGIE
"GTTV" heads behind-the-scenes at Bungie for an exclusive new look at the campaign of "Halo 3: ODST." Host Geoff Keighley interviews the development team and reveals the first footage from a brand new, never-before-discussed mission. Plus, composer Marty O'Donnell discusses the game's soundtrack and gives a live recital of the ODST theme.
Monday, September 7 at 10:30 PM ET/PT
"HALO 3: ODST" LIVE-ACTION SHORT U.S. PREMIERE DURING SPIKE'S PREMIERE OF "BAND OF BROTHERS"
For the first time in the United States, see the 150 second live-action "Halo 3: ODST" short. Directed by Rupert Sanders (Halo 3: Believe), viewers are immersed in the world of the Orbital Drop Shock Troopers.
Thursday, September 10 at 12:30 AM ET/PT "GAMETRAILERS TV WITH GEOFF KEIGHLEY: BEHIND THE SCENES OF 'WE ARE ODST'"
Tune in for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the making of the "We Are ODST" short, including a visit to Legacy Effects (formerly Stan Winston Studios), the group behind many of the props and animatronic figures used to bring the world of "Halo 3: ODST" to life.
Thursday, September 17 at Midnight ET/PT
"GTTV" PRESENTS "HALO 3: ODST" COUNTDOWN TO LAUNCH featuring "Halo Legends"
Dive deeper into the ODST lore when "GTTV" host Geoff Keighley assembles experts from Bungie and 343 Industries to discuss the past, present and future of the "Halo" universe in this half-hour video game special. Plus, catch the worldwide premiere and exclusive preview of scenes from "The Babysitter," the first Halo Legends episode based on ODSTs and learn more about the collection of animated short films that make up Halo Legends. In "The Babysitter," when an all-or-nothing opportunity to strike at the heart of Covenant leadership arises, only a Spartan is up to the task...unless the Orbital Drop Shock Troopers have their way.
Saturday, September 19 at 9 PM ET/PT UFC 103 UNDERCARD FIGHT
Before the UFC 103 pay-per-view, UFC, Spike makes history when select undercard fights from UFC 103 are presented live and commercial free from Dallas, brought to viewers by "Halo 3: ODST." Plus, tune in for an extended sneak-preview of "Halo 3: ODST."
Spike TV is available in 98 million homes and is a division of MTV Networks. A unit of Viacom , MTV Networks is one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. Spike TV's Internet address is http://www.spike.com/ and for up-to-the-minute and archival press information and photographs, visit Spike TV's press site at http://www.spike.com/press.
Spike TV
CONTACT: Spike TV, Salil Gulati, +1-212-767-8705,
Salil.gulati@mtvstaff.com
Web Site: http://www.spike.com/
