Playboy Fashion Show Hits PPV

Playboy Entertainment Group Inc. will attempt to reach both pay-per-view and Internet audiences with distribution of a live adult-oriented fashion show next month.

The show, Playboy's Wet & Wild Live! Summer Fashion Show, will premiere July 7 on both Playboy TV and Playboy.com.

The suggested retail cost of the PPV telecast will be $5.95 or $7.95, depending on how much operators charge for a two-hour Playboy block. Internet users will be able to access the event free-of-charge, Playboy Entertainment Group president Tony Lynn said.

More than 20 Playboy Playmates and models will premiere the new Playboy line of swimwear and accessories. In addition, online guests will have the opportunity to chat with Playmates and celebrities at the event and vote via e-mail for the specific attire they want to see modeled.

Also, members of Playboy.com's "Playboy Cyber Club" (www.cyber.playboy.com) can access behind-the-scenes footage of the Playmates and models.

The show marks Playboy's second simultaneous Internet-PPV telecast. In November, the company offered its Playboy Club Lingerie show on both platforms.

Lynn said the event broke records for online participation at Playboy.com, although it was unclear how much it boosted PPV buys.

Playboy TV co-host Tiffany Granath will host the event, along with 1999 Playmate of the Year Heather Kozar.

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.