TAIPEI, Taiwan, Dec. 21 /Xinhua-PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- GigaMedia
Limited("GigaMedia" or the "Company") (Nasdaq: GIGM) announced today that it
has secured the five-year exclusive co-host role of the MahJong World
Championship together with the World MahJong Organization.
The World MahJong Organization is the official international rule-setting
body for the game of MahJong. The World MahJong Organization seeks to promote
the game of MahJong and establish international competition standards.
"GigaMedia is honored to be selected as the exclusive co-host of the
World Series of MahJong," stated CEO Arthur Wang. "MahJong is the
traditional game of choice for over a billion people so we envision a
championship as big as the World Series of Poker."
Pursuant to the partnership agreement, GigaMedia and the World MahJong
Organization will together establish and operate a series of regional
qualifying tournaments in Asia, Europe and North America, culminating in the
grand finale, the MahJong World Championship. GigaMedia plans to include
television programming and corporate sponsorships surrounding a multimillion-
dollar championship event.
Under the terms of the agreement, all profits from the MahJong World
Championship will be divided between GigaMedia and the World MahJong
Organization in equal parts.
"Hosting the MahJong World Championship is an integral part of
GigaMedia's strategic plan to bring MahJong to the world in a full range of
offerings:play for fun, play for prizes, and play for real money," added CEO
Arthur Wang.
About GigaMedia
GigaMedia Limited (Singapore registration number: 199905474H) is a major
provider of online entertainment software and services. GigaMedia develops
software for online entertainment services, including the global online
gaming market. GigaMedia's FunTown game portal is a leading Asian casual
games portal and the world's largest online MahJong game site in terms of
revenue.GigaMedia also operates a broadband ISP providing Internet access
services to consumers and corporate subscribers in Taiwan. More information
on GigaMedia can be obtained from http://www.gigamedia.com.tw.
About the World MahJong Organization
The World MahJong Organization is the official international rule-setting
body for the game of MahJong. The World MahJong Organization seeks to promote
the game of MahJong and establish international competition standards. It has
hosted successful annual international MahJong tournaments for the past three
years. Formed by delegates from eight nations, the World MahJong Organization
promulgates the International MahJong Game Rules and the International
Mahjong Competition Rules.
The statements included above and elsewhere in this press release that
are not historical in nature are "forward-looking statements" within the
meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. GigaMedia cautions readers that forward-looking
statements are based on the Company's current expectations and involve a
number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from
those contained in such forward-looking statements. Information as to
certain factors that could cause actual results to vary can be found in
GigaMedia's Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the United States
Securities and Exchange Commission in June 2006.
For further information contact:
Brad Miller, Investor Relations Director
Country/City Code 8862 Tel: 3518-1107
brad.miller@gigamedia.com.tw
