Warner Bros. and CBS Consumer Products Launch Co-Branded Collection of “The Big Bang Theory”/“Star Trek” Merchandise

(May 14, 2013 – Burbank, CA) – In a bold twist to bring “The Big Bang Theory” to a new frontier, Warner Bros. and CBS Consumer Products are launching an exclusive, limited edition co-branded collection of “The Big Bang Theory”/“Star Trek” merchandise for the first-time ever that includes Leonard, Sheldon, Howard and Raj’s preferred version of “Rock, Paper, Scissors, Lizard Spock” themed product, as well as t-shirts and Funko bobble-heads featuring characters in Starfleet uniforms. This new co-branded collection of merchandise will be available only at Hot Topic stores nationwide and HotTopic.com from now until July. Hot Topic will also be the exclusive home to a new, limited edition “The Big Bang Theory”/DC Comics t-shirt, featuring Leonard, Sheldon, Howard and Raj in their favorite DC Comics Super Hero costumes. In support of these exciting new collections, Warner Bros. Consumer Products and Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution have teamed up with Hot Topic to celebrate “The Big Bang Theory” airing 5 Nights a Week (check www.BigBangWeeknights.com for local listings) in off-network syndication. The partnership offers a second annual sweepstakes inviting 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. Fans will also have the chance to win many great prizes, including the special edition DC Comics t-shirt and $500 Hot Topic gift cards. This year’s partnership is offering an even bigger bang with a larger collection of exclusive “Big Bang” merchandise at Hot Topic locations nationwide. From Monday, May 20, through Friday, May 31, avid fans and 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 2, signing up to be a HT+1 rewards member and purchasing any “The Big Bang Theory” t-shirt, including the exclusive “Big Bang” DC Comics 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 special access to various events at the Warner Bros. booth. “We’re excited to pay-it-forward to ‘The Big Bang Theory’’s legions of fans in this perfect alliance that brings together this pop-cult favorite with the iconic brands of “Star Trek” and DC Comics,” said Karen McTier, Executive Vice President, Domestic Licensing and Worldwide Marketing for Warner Bros. Consumer Products. “We had such a great fan reaction and experience with this promotion last year that we’re excited to team up with Hot Topic again to bring fans a bigger bang offering and more chances to win another out-of-this-world opportunity.” “We are thrilled to renew our partnership with Warner Bros. on such an exciting merchandise program,” said Cindy Levitt, VP and General Merchandise Manager at Hot Topic. “We feel like we’ve created the perfect geek storm by combining “The Big Bang Theory,” “Star Trek,” DC Comics, Comic-Con and Hot Topic in this program and promotion, and we couldn’t be happier that we can make it happen for our customers.” "We approach each and every initiative we endeavor from the perspective of giving back to the fans," said Lisa Gregorian, Chief Marketing Officer, Warner Bros. Television Group. "We know that fans of ‘The Big Bang Theory’ and fans of ‘Star Trek’ are going to go mad for this co-branded merchandise. We set out to deliver a truly unique co-branded opportunity and are thrilled to have gone where no man – or woman – has gone before.” As part of the promotion, Hot Topic stores will also feature an exciting array of merchandise from “The Big Bang Theory” spanning apparel, accessories, gift and novelties, and toys, including Funko bobbleheads of fan-favorites Leonard, Sheldon and Howard in Starfleet uniforms. The more viewers tune in to “The Big Bang Theory” five 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. In addition to the trip to Comic-Con, Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution and Hot Topic are offering viewers in 47 markets the opportunity to also win local prize packages that include $500 gift cards from Hot Topic. Markets include:

About “The Big Bang Theory”:
Comedy has Expanded to five 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 video-chatting with platonic partner Amy Farrah Fowler (Mayim Bialik) or playing “Star Trek” 3D chess with their ever-expanding universe of friends, including fellow Caltech scientists Rajesh Koothrappali (Kunal Nayyar), Howard Wolowitz (Simon Helberg), and Howard’s new wife, the adorable microbiologist Bernadette (Melissa Rauch). www.BigBangWeeknights.com Created by Chuck Lorre (“Two and a Half Men”) and Bill Prady (“Dharma & Greg”), who also serve as executive producers along with showrunner Steven Molaro (“The Class”), “The Big Bang Theory” stars Emmy and Golden Globe nominee Johnny Galecki (“Roseanne”), Emmy and Golden Globe winner Jim Parsons (“The Muppet Movie”), Kaley Cuoco (“Hop”), Simon Helberg (“A Serious Man”), 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 “Star Trek”:
With an over 45-year history and more than 700 hours of content from six television series and twelve movies, “Star Trek” is an entertainment and pop culture icon across the world. With its visionary philosophy and thrill for adventure, the “Star Trek” universe only continues to broaden into new territories. “Star Trek” is licensed by CBS Consumer Products. 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 and expressive teens for more than 20 years. Hot Topic offers music and pop culture junkies band-related apparel and accessories, licensed merchandise, and fashion apparel and accessories. Hot Topic operates 621 stores in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico and an online store at hottopic.com. Find Hot Topic on Twitter (twitter.com/hottopic), Facebook (facebook.com/hottopic), YouTube (youtube.com/hottopic) and Instagram (instagram.com/hottopic). About CBS Consumer Products:
CBS Consumer Products manages worldwide licensing and merchandising for a diverse slate of television brands and series from CBS, CBS Television Studios and CBS Television Distribution, as well as from the company's extensive library of titles, Showtime and CBS Films. Additionally, the group oversees online sales of programming merchandise. For more information, visit www.cbsconsumerproducts.com. ###