CENTENNIAL, Colo., Nov 15, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) --

U.S. Figure Skating and NCM Fathom today announced tickets are available for RISE, a special one-night Fathom event celebrating American figure skating while commemorating the 50th anniversary of the 1961 U.S. World Team tragedy. The event will be broadcast live from the Best Buy Theater in New York City's Times Square to nearly 500 movie theaters nationwide on Thursday, Feb. 17, 2011, at 8:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. CT / 6:00 p.m. MT / 8:00 p.m. PT (tape delayed). Hosted by Matt Lauer of NBC's "The Today Show," the live event will include uniquely choreographed figure skating performances, interviews with American figure skating legends, the premiere of the cinematic feature "RISE" and more. Evan Lysacek, the 2010 Olympic gold medalist, and the "RISE" storytellers are among those scheduled to participate in the event.

Tickets to the event are available at participating theater box offices and online at www.FathomEvents.com. For a complete list of theater locations and ticket prices, visit the website (theaters and participants may be subject to change).

"It will be a historic and emotional night for U.S. Figure Skating," said Patricia St. Peter, president of U.S. Figure Skating. "Our sport will be showcased like never before as we honor the 1961 World Team and celebrate the joy that figure skating has brought to millions of Americans through the years."

Peggy Fleming, Dorothy Hamill, Scott Hamilton, Brian Boitano and Michelle Kwan serve as storytellers in "RISE." The five legendary skaters provide the narrative for the cinematic feature by relating the interwoven stories of some of the biggest names and moments in the history of the sport to those on the 1961 U.S. World Team who lost their lives in the crash of Sabena Airlines Flight 548 on its way to the World Championships in Prague, Czechoslovakia.

"An historic Times Square venue, a host of Matt Lauer's stature and the presence of so many figure skating luminaries will make this event a momentous night for the U.S. Figure Skating family," said David Raith, executive director of U.S. Figure Skating.

RISE will appear in nearly 500 theaters, including AMC Entertainment Inc., Celebration! Cinema, Cinemark USA Inc., Clearview Cinemas, Cobb Theatres, Georgia Theatre Co., Goodrich Quality Theatres, Hollywood Theaters, Rave Motion Pictures, R/C Theatres and Regal Entertainment Group movie theaters, as well as The Beacon Cinema (Pittsfield, MA), Carolina Theatre (Asheville, NC), Palace Cinema 9 (South Burlington, VT) and Penn Cinema (Lititz, PA), through NCM's exclusive Digital Broadcast Network -- North America's largest cinema broadcast network.

"U.S. Figure Skating fans of all ages won't want to miss the opportunity to honor and celebrate the lives of those lost in this tragic accident 50 years ago," said Dan Diamond, vice president of NCM Fathom. "RISE brings together skating legends and superstars for one night in an evening of skating and remembrance live from New York for fans in local movie theaters across the country."

Proceeds from "RISE" and the Feb. 17, 2011, event will be used to further the mission of U.S. Figure Skating's Memorial Fund, which was established Feb. 23, 1961, as a living tribute to those that lost their lives in the crash. The Memorial Fund awards approximately $300,000 annually in grants and scholarships to skaters, recognizing excellence both on and off the ice.

More details about "RISE" and the Feb. 17, 2011, event can be found at www.rise1961.com.

About National CineMedia (NCM)

NCM operates NCM Media Networks, a leading integrated media company reaching U.S. consumers in movie theaters, online and through mobile technology. The NCM Cinema Network and NCM Fathom present cinema advertising and events across the nation's largest digital in-theater network, comprised of theaters owned by AMC Entertainment Inc., Cinemark Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CNK), Regal Entertainment Group (NYSE: RGC) and other leading regional theater circuits. NCM's theater network covers 170 Designated Market Areas(R) (49 of the top 50) and includes approximately 17,300 screens (15,700 digital). During 2009, over 690 million patrons attended movies shown in theaters currently included in NCM's network (excluding Consolidated Theatres, Rave Cinemas and R/C Theatres). The NCM Fathom Events broadcast network is comprised of over 550 locations in 156 Designated Market Areas(R) (49 of the top 50). The NCM Interactive Network offers 360-degree integrated marketing opportunities in combination with cinema, encompassing over 40 entertainment-related web sites, online widgets and mobile applications. National CineMedia, Inc. (NASDAQ: NCMI | PowerRating) owns a 48.2% interest in and is the managing member of National CineMedia LLC. For more information, visit www.ncm.com or www.fathomevents.com.

About U.S. Figure Skating

U.S. Figure Skating is the national governing body for the sport of figure skating in the United States as recognized by the United States Olympic Committee and the International Skating Union. U.S. Figure Skating is made up of 743 member, collegiate and school-affiliated clubs and more than 990 Basic Skills programs representing approximately 176,000 members. U.S. Figure Skating is charged with the development of the sport on all levels within the United States including athletes, officials, sanctioning of events and exhibitions, and establishing the rules and guidelines by which the sport is governed.

About RISE

Commissioned by U.S. Figure Skating, the cinematic feature RISE will celebrate American figure skating while commemorating the 50th anniversary of the 1961 U.S. World Figure Skating Team that perished in a plane crash on its way to the World Championships in Prague, Czechoslovakia. Produced and directed by 16-time Emmy Award winners Lookalike Productions, RISE will tell the compelling stories around the sports' growth in popularity over the years and feature various luminaries of American figure skating. Proceeds from RISE will be used to further the mission of U.S. Figure Skating's Memorial Fund, which was established on Feb. 23, 1961, as a living legacy of those who lost their lives. RISE is scheduled to premiere in theaters nationwide on February 17, 2011 to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the tragedy.

SOURCE: NCM Fathom

  NCM Fathom   Michelle Portillo, 303-792-8651   michelle.portillo@ncm.com   or   Goodman Media for NCM Fathom   Heath Fradkoff, 212-576-2700   hfradkoff@goodmanmedia.com   or   Nicole Summer, 212-576-2700   nsummer@goodmanmedia.com   or   U.S. Figure Skating   Scottie Bibb, 719-635-5200   sbibb@usfigureskating.org   or   RISE   Ryan Turrin, 212-505-2900   rturrin@thekarpelgroup.com  

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