“The Big Bang Theory” Ultimate Fan Giveaway For Comic-Con Sweepstakes

(May 21, 2012 – Burbank, CA) – “The Big Bang Theory” will be back at Comic-Con International: San Diego for its fourth consecutive year in 2012 – and this year, fans have a chance to come along. In celebration of “The Big Bang Theory’s” first year airing 5 Nights a Week (check www.BigBangWeeknights.com for local listings) in off-network syndication, Warner Bros. Consumer Products and Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution have teamed up with Hot Topic to invite fans to enter the “Ultimate Fan Giveaway” for an opportunity to attend the biggest pop culture convention in the world — the legendary Comic-Con in San Diego — and have special reserved seats for the hugely popular “The Big Bang Theory” panel featuring stars and executive producers from TV’s most-watched comedy. Fans will also have the chance to win many great prizes, including t-shirts and $1,000 Hot Topic gift cards. From Monday, May 21, through Friday, June 1, pop culture junkies can enter the contest either by watching “The Big Bang Theory” every weeknight in syndication (in select markets) and identifying Sheldon’s special Hot Topic t-shirt online at www.BigBangContest.com or by visiting any Hot Topic store nationwide now through Sunday, June 4, signing up to be a HT+1 rewards member and purchasing any “The Big Bang Theory” t-shirt, including the exclusive “Bazinga!” Comic-Con edition t-shirt only at Hot Topic. One lucky fan will receive an all-expenses paid fun-filled getaway for two to Comic-Con in San Diego, CA, including two tickets to Comic-Con, round-trip airfare, three days/two nights hotel accommodations, ground transportation and VIP passes to “The Big Bang Theory” panel. “The phenomenal fan support for ‘The Big Bang Theory’ has always been a true testament to the success of the series,” said Maryellen Zarakas, Senior Vice President, Worldwide Marketing and TV & Studio Licensing for Warner Bros. Consumer Products. “Partnering with Hot Topic allows us to offer this exciting sweepstakes entry for certain purchases and give fans a chance to get a ‘big bang’ for their buck.” “This partnership with Warner Bros. is perfect because ‘The Big Bang Theory’ has become a pop culture icon – which our customers love,” said Cindy Levitt, Vice President and General Merchandise Manager at Hot Topic. “Over the years, we have become a destination for the best music and pop culture-inspired merchandise – and our collection of ‘The Big Bang Theory’ merchandise will not disappoint.” “The stars and producers of ‘The Big Bang Theory’ are like rock stars at Comic-Con, and this sweepstakes and promotion with Hot Topic will also turn two of the show’s lucky viewers into Comic-Con VIPs,” said Lisa Gregorian, Chief Marketing Officer, Warner Bros. Television Group. “If you are a fan of ‘The Big Bang Theory,’ this is the perfect opportunity to have the ultimate fan experience, with a trip to San Diego and reserved seats to watch the stars and producers of TV’s #1 comedy in action at the most influential pop culture event of the year.” Susan Kantor, Executive Vice President Marketing Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution, added, "This promotion is a unique opportunity to work across multiple Warner Bros. divisions while promoting ‘The Big Bang Theory’ franchise and the five nights a week messaging. It gives our TV station partners and their local viewers a chance to win this one-of-a-kind experience at Comic-Con." Hot Topic stores will feature “The Big Bang Theory” merchandise including accessories, headwear, gifts and novelty items, as well as special edition t-shirts. Hot Topic will unveil an exclusive, “Bazinga!” Comic-Con t-shirt design featuring Sheldon, Leonard, Penny, Howard, Raj, Bernadette and Amy, shown together for the very first time as their super hero alter-egos. In addition to the trip to Comic-Con as the national prize, Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution is offering viewers in 17 markets the opportunity to also win local prize packages that include $1,000 gift cards from Hot Topic. Viewers in Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Houston, Minneapolis, Phoenix, Baltimore, Austin, Detroit, Puerto Rico, Orlando, San Antonio, Dallas, Tulsa, Honolulu, Bakersfield, Fresno and El Paso can win the gift cards by watching the show and entering online. The more viewers tune in to “The Big Bang Theory” 5 Nights a Week on broadcast television (check www.BigBangWeeknights.com for local listings) and go to a Hot Topic retail store, the more chances they have to win the national and regional prizes. About “The Big Bang Theory”: Comedy has expanded to 5 Nights A Week (check www.BigBangWeeknights.com for local listings)! “The Big Bang Theory” is the story of two brainy best friends who could tell you anything you want to know about quantum physics – but when it comes to dealing with everyday life here on Earth, they're lost in the cosmos. Leonard (Johnny Galecki) and Sheldon (Jim Parsons) are brilliant physicists – wizards in the laboratory, but socially inept outside of it. Enter their beautiful, free-spirited neighbor, Penny (Kaley Cuoco), who aims to teach them a thing or two about life. While Leonard spends his days looking for love, Sheldon is quite content playing Star Trek 3D chess with their ever-expanding universe of friends, including fellow Caltech scientists Howard Wolowitz (Simon Helberg), Rajesh Koothrappali (Kunal Nayyar) and more. www.BigBangWeeknights.com Created by Chuck Lorre (“Two and a Half Men”) & Bill Prady (“Dharma & Greg”), who also serve as executive producers along with Steven Molaro (“The Class”) and Eddie Gorodetsky (“Two and a Half Men”), “The Big Bang Theory” stars Emmy and Golden Globe nominee Johnny Galecki (“Roseanne”), Emmy and Golden Globe winner Jim Parsons, Kaley Cuoco (“Hop”), Simon Helberg (“Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog”), Kunal Nayyar (“Ice Age: Continental Drift”), Mayim Bialik (“Blossom”) and Melissa Rauch (“True Blood”). The Emmy-nominated series is from Chuck Lorre Productions, Inc. in association with Warner Bros. Television. About Warner Bros. Consumer Products: Warner Bros. Consumer Products, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, is one of the leading licensing and retail merchandising organizations in the world. About Hot Topic: Hot Topic is a mall- and web-based specialty retailer beloved by rebellious teens for more than 20 years. Hot Topic capitalizes on the latest trends in music and pop culture, offering band-related apparel and accessories, licensed merchandise, and fashion apparel and accessories to an edgy subculture of expressive individuals. Hot Topic operates 624 stores in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico and an online store at hottopic.com. Find us on twitter (twitter.com/hottopic), Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/hottopic) and YouTube http://www.youtube.com/hottopic.###