FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Corporate Communications 214/854-3190   BLOCKBUSTER® CELEBRATES 'TITANIC' RELEASE WITH GUARANTEED AVAILABILITY, MIDNIGHT RELEASE, SWEEPSTAKES "Titanic" Is Guaranteed For Rent At Blockbuster Or It's Free DALLAS, August 24, 1998 -- The video release of Paramount Pictures' "Titanic" on Sept. 1 is expected to be the biggest hit in the history of home video. And Blockbuster is celebrating in style with a nationwide release extravaganza. To kick off the festivities, Blockbuster will extend its normal business hours by keeping its doors open all evening on Aug. 31 until 2 a.m. on Sept. 1. This is the first time that the video retailer has extended its store hours to rent or sell a video the minute it is legally available for release, 12:01 a.m. on Sept. 1. Blockbuster is also providing an array of exciting incentives for members who participate in this late-night celebration that will include contests and free giveaways. Members who purchase or rent a copy of "Titanic" that evening will receive a free limited-edition print available exclusively at Blockbuster that features Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet on one side and DiCaprio on the other. The first 100 customers who visit a Blockbuster location that evening may be eligible to participate in a sweepstakes that includes a Grand Prize Fantasy Cruise to anywhere in the world or 100 trips for four to Paramount's Carowinds theme park. Many Blockbuster stores will feature live radio broadcasts from their stores, free prizes and other promotions to build excitement among the late-night avid "Titanic" fans. The film was a box-office smash and is expected to create the same fervor in home video. In fact, a recent survey commissioned by Blockbuster showed that 43 percent of active video renters say they are likely to purchase a copy of "Titanic," even though 61 percent of the respondents had seen the film in a theater. "This film captivates audiences with all of the elements that create broad audience appeal -- a fantastic story with love, tragedy, heroes and phenomenal special effects," says Dean Wilson, Blockbuster executive vice president, merchandising. "In fact, almost one in four people who saw the film, saw it more than once (according to the survey). We expect 'Titanic' to make history again as the highest selling and highest renting movie on home video." Guaranteed Availability Blockbuster is making it simple for movie fans to rent "Titanic," by guaranteeing the movie will be in stock for rent at participating Blockbuster locations or the rental is free. "This is our most aggressive guarantee ever," says Wilson. "We have stocked up and put our guarantee behind it to make sure Blockbuster customers go home with the video they want, when they want it." "Titanic" Sweepstakes To help build excitement for the midnight to 2 a.m. event, the first 100 customers at each store will receive a "boarding pass" with information about the Blockbuster "Titanic" sweepstakes. Each boarding pass contains abbreviated sweepstakes rules and a toll-free number customers call to find out if they are a contest finalist. Prizes are awarded through a random drawing. Sweepstakes participants have a chance to win a Grand Prize Fantasy Cruise vacation or one of 100 trips for four to Paramount's Carowinds theme park in Charlotte, NC. The winner of the Grand Prize Fantasy Cruise vacation can select their destination, cruise carrier, air travel, accommodations and other features to build the perfect fantasy cruise vacation for two. The 100 winners of the Paramount's Carowinds trips will be treated to a trip for four to the theme park in Charlotte, NC, which includes airfare, hotel accommodations, park admission and a tour of the "Titanic" exhibit, which is sponsored nationally by Blockbuster. "Titanic" Pre-Sale Breaks All Records "The pre-sale of 'Titanic' has surpassed all of our best expectations and has even topped our previous record-holder, 'The Lion King'," said Wilson. Blockbuster has been running a pre-sale special offer that includes an exclusive $5 collectible Blockbuster GiftCard with any pre-purchase of "Titanic," and sales have been brisk. The Blockbuster GiftCard features the artwork from the movie's box cover and may be redeemed for rentals or purchases at participating Blockbuster stores. "Titanic" Stars Featured In Other Blockbuster Hits Before they signed on to bring alive the ill-fated voyage of the Titanic the starring performers were featured in other great movies available for rent at many Blockbuster locations. Leonardo DiCaprio The Man in the Iron Mask William Shaekspeare's Romeo and Juliet Marvin's Room What's Eating Gilbert Grape (Best Supporting Performance by an Actor Academy Award® nominee)   Kate Winslet Sense and Sensibility Kenneth Branagh's Hamlet Jude   Kathy Bates Primary Colors (Available on home video Sept. 8) Misery (Best Actress Academy Award®) Fried Green Tomatoes Delores Claiborne (Best Supporting Performance by an Actor Academy Award® nominee)   Billy Zane The Phantom Only You Posse   Gloria Stuart One of the most popular actresses of the late silent/early sound era, Ms. Stuart came out of retirement to appear in "Titanic." She was nominated for a Best Supporting Actress Academy Award® for her portrayal of the elder Rose.   Bill Paxton Twister True Lies Apollo 13   Blockbuster also carries an array of movies that directly deal with, or touch on, the maiden voyage of the Titanic. They include: A Night to Remember (Kenneth More, David McCallum, 1958) Titanic (Clifton Webb, Barbara Stanwyck, 1953)   Blockbuster's "Titanic" is Online To find out more about activities at Blockbuster surrounding the release of "Titanic" on home video, access the dedicated "Titanic" web site at www.blockbuster.com/video/titanic. Find out more about the film's cast or research disaster movies on Blockbuster's web site at www.blockbuster.com. Blockbuster operates approximately 6,000 Blockbuster Video and 400 Blockbuster Music neighborhood entertainment stores in the United States, its territories and 26 other countries and may be accessed internationally at www.blockbuster.com. Blockbuster is a unit of Viacom Inc., one of the world's largest entertainment and publishing companies and a leading force in nearly every segment of the international media marketplace.   ### |  Current Releases   |  Archives   |   BLOCKBUSTER name, design and related marks are trademarks of Blockbuster Entertainment Inc. © 1998 Blockbuster Entertainment Inc. All rights reserved.