PANDORA® NBC SKATING SERIES READY TO KICK OFF 2011-12 SERIES

NBC TO BROADCAST EIGHT SHOWS NATIONALLY

Cast members to include Olympic champions Brian Boitano, Sarah Hughes, Ilia Kulik and Ekaterina Gordeeva; entertainers include Aretha Franklin and Mannheim Steamroller

September 20, 2011 – Disson Skating, the leading producer of televised figure skating shows in the United States, is preparing for the 2011-12 Pandora NBC Skating Series, which features some of the world’s best figure skaters in combination with exciting musical performances.

Disson Skating, which operates in a partnership with Philadelphia-based sports and entertainment firm Comcast-Spectacor, produces the shows. NBC will broadcast all of the shows nationally, and the Ovation Network will rebroadcast all of the shows as well.

The first show in the series to be taped in front of a live audience will be “Fashion on Ice,” featuring 2002 Olympic champion Sarah Hughes, World ice dancing champions (first in U.S. history) Meryl Davis and Charlie White and special guest artist the Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin. The skaters’ costumes will be specially designed by Betsey Johnson and J. Mendel. The live show will take place on Saturday, September 24 at the Sears Centre Arena inHoffman Estates,Ill., at 7:00 p.m. (NBC will broadcast the show on Sunday, November 13 from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. EST.)

The second show in the series is “Hilton HHonors and Progressive present RAIN – A Tribute to the Beatles on Ice.” Headlining the cast are 1988 Olympic champions Brian Boitano and Sarah Hughes with the original Broadway cast of “RAIN – A Tribute to the Beatles” performing live atRushmorePlazaCivicCenter inRapid City,SD, on Saturday, October 15, at 7:30 p.m. (NBC will broadcast the show on Sunday, November 6, from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. EST.)

The “Progressive Skating & Gymnastics Spectacular” is next in the filming line-up, bringing together three-time World champion and two-time Olympic silver medalist Elvis Stojko, 2010 Olympic bronze medalist Joannie Rochette, and three of the world’s best gymnasts: 2008 Olympic all-around champion Nastia Liukin, 2008 Olympic silver medalist and two-time U.S. all-around champion Jonathon Horton and 2011 U.S. all-around champion Danell Leyva. The best of both Olympic Games come together with some of today’s newest singing sensations, including Cody Simpson, Greyson Chance, Ariana Grande and Shane Harper at the i Wireless Center in Moline, Ill., on Saturday, October 29, at 7:00 p.m. (NBC will broadcast the show on Sunday, January 8, from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. EST.)

Fourth up is “Pandora Unforgettable Holiday Moments on Ice.” The show will be led by Brian Boitano and two-time Olympic champion Ekaterina Gordeeva. Mannheim Steamroller and David Archuleta will perform live. The show will be taped on Saturday, November 12, at 7:00 p.m. at Grand Canyon University Arena inPhoenix,AZ. (NBC will broadcast the show on Sunday, November 27, from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. EST.)

“Musselman’s Apple Sauce presents Brian Boitano Skating Spectacular” is the fifth show, led by Brian Boitano and with live performances from Chicago where the Notre Dame Marching Band will join them on a special selection of songs. The live show will be on Sunday, November 20, at the new Compton Family Ice Arena at the University of Notre Dame inSouth Bend,IN, at 5:00 p.m. (NBC will broadcast the show on Sunday, December 18, from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. EST.)

The next show is “Caesars Tribute II – A Salute to the Ladies of the Ice” featuring Olympic champions Tara Lipinski, Sarah Hughes and Shizuka Arakawa. The show will be taped live on Saturday, December 3, at Boardwalk Hall inAtlantic City,NJ. (NBC will broadcast the show on Sunday, January 1, 2012, from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. EST.)

Seventh up will be “Improv-Ice.” The show will feature reigning U.S. champions Ryan Bradley and Alissa Czisny, with live performance by Styx. The live show will be taped on Thursday, December 15, 2011, at 7:00 p.m. inGreenville,SC, at theBI-LOCenter. (NBC will broadcast the show on Sunday, January 15, 2012, from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. EST.)

The final show to be taped in the series is “Pandora Unforgettable Moments of Love on Ice” featuring Olympic champions Ilia Kulik and Ekaterina Gordeeva and current World champion Miki Ando in this show starring Grammy Award winning artists Kenny G and Gladys Knight. The live show will take place at theShoWareCenter inKent,WA, on Thursday, January 26, 2012, at 7:00 p.m. (NBC will broadcast the show on Saturday, February 4, 2012, from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. EST.)

Pandora NBC Skating Series Live Shows

Pandora NBC Skating Series
(check local listings)

Information about each show can be found at www.dissonskating.com.

Follow the Pandora NBC Skating Series on Twitter at @DissonSkating and Facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/Disson-Skating/14961882236.

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612.803.2165(cell)                                         bevans@lpcpublicity.com

lplage@lpcpublicity.com

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lplage@lpcpublicity.com

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