Unique 138-card set includes exclusive autographed cards of past and present Idols from the No. 1 show in America

NORTH LAS VEGAS, Nev., April 14 /PRNewswire/ -- FremantleMedia Enterprises in partnership with The Upper Deck Company is proud to announce the release of the American Idol collectible trading card set based on television's most popular show. With more than 26 million viewers per night on FOX, American Idol has established a dedicated fan following and Upper Deck is taking the national phenomenon from the small screen to collectible trading cards.

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"We're ecstatic that we have the opportunity to produce the newest American Idol trading cards to hit the market," said Ana Pereira, Upper Deck's brand manager for American Idol Collectible Cards. "The show has such a loyal following and has produced such dynamic performers, that we know collectors and fans everywhere will appreciate our collectible set."

The new collectible cards can be found on store shelves beginning Tuesday, April 21, 2009, at Wal-Mart, Target, Kmart, select Toys 'R Us locations as well as hobby stores. Featuring a variety of Idols past and present, as well as some of the show's more memorable "novelty" acts, such as William Hung, the set represents a time capsule chronicling some of the most unforgettable auditions and talent to walk on to the American Idol stage. Dedicated fans will find cards featuring their favorite American Idol personalities such as Jordin Sparks, Jennifer Hudson, Clay Aiken and David Archuleta, alongside world-renowned celebrities such as Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson, Kara DioGuardi and Ryan Seacrest.

What's more, the set boasts select autographed cards from this season's Top 36 finalists as well as several past American Idols. Sets will include lenticular "makeover" cards showing contestant transformations from their initial auditions to their polished Hollywood week performances, in addition to never-before-seen cards of the top two finalists from every season. The autographed cards fall at a ratio, on average, of 1:12 packs (hobby shops) or 1:65 packs (retail), and feature signatures from Idols including Sparks, Archuleta, Fantasia Barrino, Michael Johns, Carly Smithson and Elliott Yamin. There are five cards per pack with 24 packs per box.

Last, but definitely not least, every foil pack will include a unique code to enter online at www.americanidolcards.com for a once-in-a-lifetime chance to win an all-expense-paid trip for two to the American Idol Season 8 Finale. The lucky winners will have VIP access to some of the hottest parties in Hollywood during finale week. Additional winners will receive a free song on iTunes. The more codes you enter, the better the chances of winning. To find out more, visit www.americanidolcards.com.

ABOUT UPPER DECK

Upper Deck is the leading sports and entertainment trading card and collectibles company. For more information on Upper Deck and its products please visit www.upperdeck.com.

ABOUT FREMANTLEMEDIA ENTERPRISES & FREMANTLEMEDIA

FremantleMedia Enterprises is the brand extension arm of FremantleMedia, offering a one-stop-shop for all Licensing, Distribution and Home Entertainment. It is a division of FremantleMedia, one of the largest international creators and producers of entertainment brands in the world with leading prime time drama, serial drama, entertainment and factual entertainment programming in over 40 countries worldwide. FremantleMedia is a subsidiary of RTL Group, Europe's largest television and radio broadcast company, which is 90% owned by Bertelsmann AG, an integrated media and entertainment company that commands leading positions in the world's media markets. For further information, visit www.fremantlemedia.com.

ABOUT AMERICAN IDOL

American Idol is created and executive-produced by Simon Fuller, founder of 19 Entertainment; and executive-produced by Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO, FremantleMedia North America; and Ken Warwick, executive producer, FremantleMedia North America.

ABOUT FREMANTLEMEDIA NORTH AMERICA

FremantleMedia North America (FMNA) is the U.S. production division of global media giant FremantleMedia. Based in Burbank, California, FMNA produces entertaining and innovative television programs for network, cable and syndicated platforms, including the Emmy-nominated musical/reality phenomenon "American Idol" (FOX), "American Idol Rewind" (syndicated), "American Idol Extra" (Fox Reality), "America's Got Talent" (NBC), "Celebrity Family Feud" (NBC), "The Osbournes: Reloaded" (FOX), "Hole In The Wall" (FOX), "Farmer Wants A Wife" (The CW), "The Phone" (MTV), "Rock The Cradle" (MTV), "Can You Duet" (CMT), "The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency" (Oxygen), "Match Game" (TBS), "Family Feud" (syndicated), "Million Dollar Password" (CBS), and the longest-running game show in television history, "The Price Is Right" (CBS).

ABOUT 19 ENTERTAINMENT LTD

Simon Fuller's 19 Entertainment Ltd. is recognized as a lead creator, provider and promoter of globally successful entertainment and music brands of today. The company has attracted a unique team of exceptionally creative executives, who work together to integrate and leverage activity across television, sports, film, touring, merchandising, music publishing, recording and artist management. 19 Founder/CEO Simon Fuller has developed and managed some of the biggest entertainment properties of our time, with credits that include the creation of TV phenomenon AMERICAN IDOL and SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE, and the HBO series "Little Britain USA." 19's unique talent includes legendary musical icon Annie Lennox, country music sensation Carrie Underwood, the pop group sensation Spice Girls, and IDOL alumni Chris Daughtry, David Cook, supermodel Claudia Schiffer and soccer icon David Beckham.

ABOUT CKX, INC.

CKX, Inc. is engaged in the ownership, development and commercial utilization of entertainment content. To date, the Company has focused on acquiring globally recognized entertainment content and related assets, including the rights to the name, image and likeness of Elvis Presley, the operations of Graceland, the rights to the name, image and likeness of Muhammad Ali and proprietary rights to the IDOLS television brand, including the American Idol series in the United States and local adaptations of the IDOLS television show format which, collectively, air in more than 100 countries. For more information about CKX, Inc., visit its corporate website at www.ckx.com.

SOURCE The Upper Deck Company