WGN-America's 'Sky Dives' Signs Priceline.com as Sponsor

WGN-America's 'Sky Dives' Signs Priceline.com as Sponsor

Program Highlights Weekend Travel

CHICAGO, July 13 -- WGN-America, Tribune Company's national cable network, today announced that Priceline.com has signed a 10-week sponsorship deal for its Sky Dives series hosted by Lee Abrams, Tribune's chief innovation officer and resident pilot.

Sky Dives, a WGN-America original program, stars Abrams, his Cirrus SR22, a lucky three-person crew, a Midwestern city, and a unique restaurant or two (usually a local treasure). The 60-second show, which airs in-between regular programming, inspires viewers to look for hidden dining gems they can discover in a weekend, providing a perfect sponsorship opportunity for Priceline.com and its half-price hotel deals.

"Given today's economy, weekend getaway trips and domestic travel is a major focus for consumers," said David Diederich, vice president/western region for WGN-America. "The weekend escape is an attractive and affordable travel option."

Priceline.com gives leisure travelers the inside track to the best travel deals and discounts around. "With our broad array of tens of thousands of hotels in every star category, including the most luxurious 4- and 5-star properties, Priceline.com has the perfect hotel for any budget in virtually any city or town around the U.S.," said Brian Ek, Priceline.com's vice president/public relations. "Our Name Your Own Price hotel reservation service enables travelers to save even more - up to 50% over published rates. With those savings, you'll have plenty of money left over to sample the unique restaurants featured in Sky Dives."

The charm of Sky Dives is its simplicity--the show simply showcases a locale and its food.

"Sky Dives explores America's passion for the character and soul of our regional food," says Abrams. "We're delighted Priceline.com joins us in our travels."


TRIBUNE is America's largest employee-owned media company, operating businesses in publishing, interactive and broadcasting. In publishing, Tribune's leading daily newspapers include the Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, The Baltimore Sun, Sun Sentinel (South Florida), Orlando Sentinel, Hartford Courant, Morning Call and Daily Press. The company's broadcasting group operates 23 television stations, WGN America on national cable, Chicago's WGN-AM and the Chicago Cubs baseball team. Popular news and information websites complement Tribune's print and broadcast properties and extend the company's nationwide audience. At Tribune we take what we do seriously and with a great deal of pride. We also value the creative spirit and nurture a corporate culture that doesn't take itself too seriously.

SOURCE Tribune Company