PRESS RELEASE WOODLAND HILLS, CA: FEBRUARY 28, 2007
WEIDER PUBLICATIONS AND BODYBUILDING.COM PARTNERING UP FOR EXCLUSIVE 2007 ARNOLD CLASSIC COVERAGE
Weider Publications  publisher of FLEX and MUSCLE & FITNESS magazines  and internet supersite Bodybuilding.com have reached an unprecedented agreement, as the two biggest companies in their respective media fields are partnering up to provide exclusive online coverage of IFBB pro contests.
The historic agreement begins with this weekendÂs live exclusive coverage of the Arnold Weekend bodybuilding, fitness and figure events. Fans will be able to watch webcasts of the womenÂs bodybuilding, fitness and figure finals on Friday, March 2, and the Arnold Classic menÂs bodybuilding prejudging and finals on Saturday, March 3 in real time, as they happen. The webcasts, available free of charge, will be anchored by industry veterans Dan Solomon and Bob Cicherillo, hosts of the Pro Bodybuilding Weekly radio program.
Bodybuilding.com CEO Ryan DeLuca states, ÂWe are confident the live webcasts will help increase the number of fans and competitors as more people are exposed to the dedication it takes to achieve the physiques youÂll see at the IFBB and NPC levels. It is our belief that providing coverage of the sport will give the individual athletes more exposure and help the sport of bodybuilding grow. Flex magazine has been doing it since the beginning.Â
Weider Publications Group Editorial Director Peter McGough says the webcast is the beginning of a groundbreaking partnership between Weider Publications and Bodybuilding.com. ÂWe are proud and excited to establish this partnership with Bodybuilding.com and to be able to kick it off with exclusive coverage is icing on the cake, McGough said. ÂBoth companies share similar philosophies about bodybuilding, and we are committed to bringing the sport to the widest possible audience. Our two companies will be working closely on a number of media projects this year, including webcasts of the upcoming Colorado Pro and Europa Super Show contests. This co-production is just the start of what we know will be a great relationship.Â
Coverage of the Arnold Classic will begin on Friday, March 2 at 6:30 p.m. (EST) with the finals for the Ms. International, Figure International and Fitness International competitions. Coverage of the much-anticipated Arnold Classic menÂs bodybuilding contest will begin with the prejudging on Saturday, March 3 at noon (EST). Coverage of the menÂs finals will begin Saturday evening at 6:30 p.m. (EST).
