Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios and Fox Home Entertainment To Bring HISTORY’s®Highest-Rated Freshman Drama Series to Blu-ray™ and DVD October 15th

Vikings Season 1 delivers a visceral journey to a thrilling ancient world in this epic new series about history’s bravest and most brutally fearsome warriors.

Vikings follows the adventures of the great hero Ragnar Lothbrok (Travis Fimmel), a Viking chieftain seeking to fulfill his destiny as a conqueror, alongside his ambitious brother Rollo (Clive Standen) and loyal wife Lagertha (Katheryn Winnick). Throughout his quest, Ragnar faces a path of betrayals and temptations to protect his freedom, family, and life. When Ragnar teams up with his boat builder friend Floki (Gustaf Skarsgard) to craft a new generation of intrepid ships capable of conquering the rough northern seas, the stage is set for conflict.

Exclusively featured on the Blu-ray™ and DVD, “Birth of the Vikings” looks at the creator’s approach to, the series challenge in re-creating the period, and the wonders of shooting the series in Ireland’s beautiful, Wicklow mountains.  “Birth of the Vikings,” is an all-access look at the creation of VIKINGS.

Vikings Season 1 will make an appearance at this year’s Comic-Con in San Diego, CA, announcing its release along with four exclusive lenticular trading cards that will be distributed to fans. Additionally, Season 1 packaging will be unveiled at the convention. Consumers will also have an opportunity to pre-order Season 1 at The Fox Booth (#4229) as well as The Vikings Interactive Waterway (running from 11am – 4pm on 7/19 and 7/20). For a limited time, consumers who purchase the Blu-ray™ will receive a collectible packaging box which displays the iconic ‘V” symbol from the series. The Waterway is located at 450 Second Ave., across from the San Diego Convention Center.

Vikings Season 1 Blu-ray Special Features will include over 9 hours of exclusive content including:

● Includes 9 episodes with extended and alternate scenes. ● The Armory Of Vikings - an interactive feature that allows viewers to learn more about the history and legacy of Vikings armory and weapons. ● Conquest and Discover: The Journey Of The Vikings - an interactive feature that allows viewers to learn more about the locations and places Ragnar traveled to in his journey through Season 1 ● Warrior Society: Viking Culture & Law - featurette that takes a closer look inside the fascinating system of laws, practices and rules employed by Vikings. ● Birth Of The Vikings: featurette that provides an all-access look at the creation of VIKINGS. ● Forging The Viking Army: Warfare And Tactics - featurette that takes a behind-the-scenes look at the process of casting and creating the epic battle scenes of Vikings ● Deleted Scenes ● Commentary from Michael Hirst

Vikings Season 1 DVD Special Features:

● Warrior Society: Viking Culture & Law - featurette that takes a closer look inside the fascinating system of laws, practices and rules employed by Vikings. ● Birth Of The Vikings: featurette that provides an all-access look at the creation of VIKINGS. ● Forging The Viking Army: Warfare And Tactics - featurette that takes a behind-the-scenes look at the process of casting and creating the epic battle scenes of Vikings ● Deleted Scenes ● Commentary from Michael Hirst

About Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment

Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment is the industry leading worldwide marketing, sales and distribution company for all Fox produced, acquired and third party partner film and television programing. Each year TCFHE expands its award-winning global product portfolio with the introduction of new entertainment content through established and emerging formats including DVD, Blu-ray™ and DigitalHD™. Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment is a subsidiary of 21st Century Fox.

About Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc.

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. is a leading entertainment company focused on the production and distribution of film and television content globally. The company owns one of the world's deepest libraries of premium film and television content. In addition, MGM has investments in domestic and international television channels. For more information, visit www.mgm.com.

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Vikings Season 1 Blu-ray
Street Date:	October 15, 2013
Prebook Date:	September 04, 2013
Screen Format:	Widescreen
Audio:	English
Subtitles:	English for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing, Spanish (Latin Spanish), Quebecois (Canadian French)
U.S. Rating:	N/A
Total Run Time:	15:35:51
Closed Captioned:	Yes

Vikings Season 1 DVD
Street Date:	October 15, 2013
Prebook Date:	September 04, 2013
Screen Format:	Widescreen
Audio:	English
Subtitles:	English for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing, Spanish (Latin Spanish), Quebecois (Canadian French)
U.S. Rating:	N/A
Total Run Time:	8:03:51
Closed Captioned:	Yes

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As Comic Con quickly approaches us next week, here's all of the exciting happenings for HISTORY’s hit series VIKINGS as they raid SDCC!

VikingsonHistory INSTAGRAM Account – HISTORY has launched today its first Instagram account – @VikingsonHistory. Fans can follow for Vikings photos from season one and for real time photos from Comic Con. Also fans are encouraged to share their Vikings Comic Con images to Instagram by using #VikingsSDCC. Additionally, please join and follow the conversation on Twitter with the following hashtag:  #VikingsSDCC.

7/18-7/20, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. – ALL HAIL VIKINGS: AN INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCE – The activation includes miniature Vikings “ships” that visitors can race on actual water, a Photo-Op area for keepsakes, and Lagertha-inspired shield maidens who will greet visitors. The waterway is located across the street from the Convention Center at 450 Second Ave. at Island Avenue. Additionally, on Saturday, 7/20 at 6 p.m. the band SILENT COMEDY will perform for fans in attendance.

[CAST appears for fan autograph signing on 7/19 from 11 a.m.-12:00 p.m.]

7/19, 6-7 p.m., Top Level, Room 6A – VIKINGS PANEL - Stars Travis Fimmel, Katheryn Winnick, Clive Standen, Gustaf Skarsgard, George Blagden, Jessalyn Gilsig join VIKINGS Writer & Creator Michael Hirst and Dirk Hoogstra, EVP and General Manager, HISTORY® for a discussion about the series and life during production. Check out an exclusive sneak peek from Season Two!

VIKINGS COMIC BOOK – HISTORY is excited for its first-ever VIKINGS comic book written by series creator/writer Michael Hirst. Fans attending the panel and waterway will receive a Comic Book (while supplies last).

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VIKINGS are raiding Comic Con! HISTORY is excited to welcome for the first time the cast of its hit scripted series, VIKINGS, to Comic-Con on Friday, July 19. Here are some of the exciting opportunities for fans:

• VIKINGS COMIC BOOK – Check out the link below for a sneak peek of the first-ever VIKINGS comic book written by series creator/writer Michael Hirst. The comic book will be given to select fans attending the below VIKINGS events at Comic Con. P

• 7/19, 6-7 p.m., Top Level, Room 6A – VIKINGS PANEL – Stars Travis Fimmel, Katheryn Winnick, Clive Standen, Gustaf Skarsgard, George Blagden, Jessalyn Gilsig join VIKINGS Writer & Creator Michael Hirst and Dirk Hoogstra, EVP and General Manager, HISTORY for a discussion about the series and life during production.

• 7/18-7/20, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. – VIKINGS INTERACTIVE WATERWAY – The experience includes miniature Vikings “ships” that fans can race on actual water, a Photo-Op area for keepsakes, and Lagertha-inspired shield maidens who will greet visitors. The waterway is located across the street from the Convention Center at 450 Second Ave., between 1st & 2nd Avenue.
[CAST appears for fan autograph signing on 7/19 from 11 a.m.-12:00 p.m.]

Catch Twitter updates by following #VikingsSDCC

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HISTORY® ORDERS SECOND SEASON OF

HIT SCRIPTED SERIES

VIKINGS

#1 NEW CABLE SERIES OF THE YEAR

EARNS TEN EPISODE ORDER

Four New Episodes Remain This Season, Airing Sundays at 10 p.m.

Season One Finale Scheduled for Sunday, April 28

New York, New York, April 5, 2013 – HISTORY has picked up VIKINGS, its first scripted drama series for a 10-episode second season, it was announced today by Dirk Hoogstra, EVP, Development and Programming for HISTORY. Created and written by Michael Hirst, the renewal comes just five episodes into the VIKINGS freshman season. Four new episodes remain in the current season airing Sundays at 10 p.m. with the season finale slated for Sunday, April 28 at 10 p.m.

VIKINGS continues to be the #1 new cable series in 2013 and has propelled HISTORY to #1 in cable in itsSunday 10-11 p.m. time period. Over the five weeks, the hit drama series averaged 5.0 million total viewers, 2.2 million Adults 25-54 and 1.9 Adults 18-49. This past Sunday, episode five delivered 4.7 million total viewers, 2.2 million Adults 25-54 and 1.7 million Adults 18-49. This was up 4% among total viewers and up 5% among Adults 25-54 from last week.

“Vikings is a win win for us. As our first scripted series, VIKINGS has paid off in a big way with critical acclaim, strong ratings and a passionate, loyal fan base. It came out of the gate strong and has stayed on top, solidifying HISTORY as a major player in the scripted genre, just as we are in reality,” said Hoogstra. “We could not be more proud of the entire cast and crew and everyone involved in the making of VIKINGS. Michael Hirst has captured audiences with his complex, compelling characters and brought the unknown, epic world of these warriors to life. Season Two will begin production this summer to air in 2014.”

MGM Television brought the series to the network and brings VIKINGS to the global audience, serving as the international distributor outside of Ireland, Canada and the U.S.

“We are very excited that VIKINGS is generating so much attention worldwide,” said Roma Khanna, President, Television Group and Digital, MGM. “MGM is thrilled to have the continued support and enthusiasm of our partners at HISTORY and to work with an amazing international team as they bring Michael Hirst’s vision to audiences around the globe.”

VIKINGS, airing Sundays at 10 p.m. ET, tells the extraordinary tales of the lives and epic adventures of these warriors. The drama portrays the world of these Dark Age raiders, traders, explorers – not from an outsider’s view, but, through the eyes of Viking society.

While VIKINGS is filled with conflict, warfare and bloodshed – for these were extreme times – it is a family saga at heart. It follows the adventures of Ragnar Lothbrok (Travis Fimmel, The Beast, Baytown Outlaws), a curious, compelling man who is always looking to break through barriers and discover new worlds to conquer. Ragnar is deeply frustrated by the unadventurous policies of his local chieftain, Earl Haraldson (Gabriel Byrne, In Treatment, Usual Suspects, Millers Crossing), who continues to send his Vikings raiders east every summer, to the Baltic states and Russia, whose populations are as materially poor as themselves.

Joining Fimmel and Byrne are Katheryn Winnick (Bones, Love and Other Drugs, The Black Marks) as Lagertha, a fierce shield maiden and Ragnar’s wife; Jessalyn Gilsig (Glee, Heroes, Nip/Tuck, Friday NightLights) as Siggy, Earl Haraldson’s beautiful wife; George Blagden (Les Miserables, Wrath of the Titans) as Athelstan, a young, innocent Christian monk captured by Ragnar on his first raid on England, Clive Standen (Camelot, Robin Hood) as Rollo, Ragnar’s impulsive, wild, care-free brother and Gustaf Skarsgard (The Way Back) a ship builder who designs the new generation of Vikings ships.

Created and written by Michael Hirst – one of the premier historical story-tellers in the industry (Academy-Award winning film Elizabeth; and the Emmy and Golden Globe nominated series The Tudors), Michael serves as Executive Producer along with Morgan O’Sullivan of World 2000 (The Count of Monte Cristo; The Tudors), John Weber of Take 5 Productions (The Tudors; The Borgias), Sherry Marsh, Alan Gasmer, James Flynn (The Tudors; The Borgias) and Sheila Hockin (The Tudors; The Borgias). Dirk Hoogstra and Julian P. Hobbs are the Executives in Charge of Production for HISTORY.

VIKINGS is an international Irish/Canadian co-production being co-produced by World 2000 and Take 5 Productions. HISTORY will broadcast domestically in the U.S.  MGM Television will bring VIKINGS to the global audience, serving as the international distributor outside of Ireland, Canada and the U.S. VIKINGS is produced in association with Shaw Media, and the series will air on HISTORY in Canada.

About HISTORY®

HISTORY® is the leading destination for factual entertainment, including award-winning original series and specials that connect viewers with history in an informative, immersive and entertaining manner across multiple platforms. The network’s all-original programming slate, including scripted event programming,  features a roster of hits including American Pickers®, American Restoration™, Ax Men™, Ice Road Truckers®, Pawn Stars®, Swamp People® and Top Shot® as well as epic mini-series and specials such as the Emmy® Award-winning Hatfields & McCoys, Gettysburg, Vietnam in HD, America The Story of Us, and 102 Minutes That Changed America. The HISTORY website is the leading online resource for all things history, and in 2011, the United States Library of Congress selected HISTORY’s Civil War 150 site for inclusion in the historic collection of Internet materials related to the American Civil War sesquicentennial. www.history.com

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