PlayStation® Launches New Partnership with AEG Live's Theater in NYC's Iconic Destination

NEW YORK, Oct. 1, 2015 — (PRNewswire) —  Times Square's 2,150-capacity concert and special events venue has officially been renamed PlayStation®Theater, it was announced today by Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC. (SCEA) and AEG Live.  Formerly known as Best Buy Theater, the venue celebrates its 10^th anniversary this Fall having hosted 1,368 events and sold 1.7 million tickets since its grand opening on September 19, 2005.  Artists that have played at the theater include Bon Jovi, The Eagles, John Legend, Rihanna, Selena Gomez, Nick Jonas, Fall Out Boy, Jay-Z, Linkin Park, Drake, Little Big Town, Sugarland, Prince, Tom Jones, Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings, and Phil Lesh & Friends who had an historic 14 night run at the venue in 2008.   

The 45,000-square foot theater has also hosted special events such as Dick Clark's Rockin' New Year's Eve, Good Morning America concert series performances by Janet Jackson and Usher, Bruce Springsteen's Gateway Schools Benefit, MusiCares MAP Fund Benefit Concert honoring Pete Townshend and Bill Curbishley, ESPN and Nickelodeon upfronts in addition to being the home of the annual Heisman Trophy presentation since 2005.

The strategic partnership, negotiated by AEG Global Partnerships and SCEA will include the rebranding of all of the Theater's interior and exterior signage, including the iconic Times Square marquee, live performances on PlayStation Network, experiential marketing initiatives, and VIP hospitality opportunities.

"As a leader in global entertainment, PlayStation is the perfect partner for a venue centrally located at the 'crossroads of the world,'" said Mark Shulman, Vice President and General Manager of AEG Live.  "As the live music experience evolves, it's important to AEG Live to stay ahead of technology and trends, and as many of our younger fans are gamers as well, we are excited for the possibilities at PlayStation Theater."

"PlayStation Theater is an exceptionally exciting initiative, allowing us to marry our tremendous brand momentum with an amazing venue right in the heart of Times Square," said John Koller, Vice President, Marketing at PlayStation.  "We believe the PlayStation brand should be deeply integrated with large cultural events, and this partnership provides that opportunity.  We are looking forward to exploring significant cultural moments at PlayStation Theater."

"PlayStation Theater, located at the epicenter of live entertainment, is the perfect venue for PlayStation to show their latest products," said Andrew Klein, Sr. Vice President, AEG Global Partnerships.  "We are excited to work with a global leader to launch the new PlayStation Theater, a venue proven to be one of the industry's greatest destinations for live entertainment."

The Fall 2015 line-up at PlayStation Theater continues to bring an eclectic mix of shows to the Times Square stage with acts that include Billboard Latin Music "New Artist of the Year" award-winner J Balvin with pop star Becky G, a run of shows by rising comedian Bo Burnham, rock band Circa Survive, The Misfits, genre-bending producer/DJ Parov Stelar, rap group Cypress Hill's annual "Haunted Hill," country singer Cole Swindell, and three nights with heavy metal band King Diamond performing their classic album Abigail in its entirety.

About PlayStation®Theater

PlayStation®Theater, formerly known as Best Buy Theater, is the premier concert and events venue in New York's iconic destination.  The 2150-capacity concert space centrally located in the heart of Times Square is an innovative, multi-use theater that can be transformed to accommodate a wide array of events including live television and web broadcasts, live recordings, award shows and cocktail receptions.  Developed and operated by AEG Live, the nation's second largest concert promotion and touring company, PlayStation Theater has been a host to a variety of performers since its grand opening as NOKIA Theatre Times Square including Bon Jovi, The Eagles, John Legend, Rihanna, Selena Gomez, Nick Jonas, Fall Out Boy, Jay-Z, Linkin Park, Drake, Little Big Town, Sugarland, Prince, Tom Jones, Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings, and Phil Lesh & Friends who had an historic 14 night run at the venue in 2008.  

About Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC

Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC (SCEA) has revolutionized home entertainment since the first PlayStation® console launched in 1995 in the United States, followed by the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system launch in 2000. SCEA continued to redefine the entertainment lifestyle with the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) handheld entertainment system, the PlayStation®3 (PS3™) computer entertainment system, PlayStation®Network, PlayStation®Vita (PS Vita) handheld entertainment system, and the PlayStation®4 (PS4™) computer entertainment system. Recognized as an undisputed industry leader, SCEA markets the PlayStation family of products and develops, publishes, markets and distributes software for PS3, PS Vita, and PS4 systems in North and South America. Based in San Mateo, California, SCEA serves as headquarters for all North and South American operations.

About AEG Live

AEG Live, the live-entertainment division of Los Angeles-based AEG, is dedicated to all aspects of live contemporary music performance.  AEG Live is comprised of touring, festival and special event divisions, seventeen regional offices and owns, operates or exclusively books thirty-five state-of-the-art venues.  AEG Live's global touring divisions of Concerts West, Atlanta Worldwide Touring, The Messina Group, Marshall Arts, Marshall Arts USA, Goldenvoice Touring and AEG Live New York, London, South America and Asia consistently promote and produce top 10 international tours. The company currently produces residency shows at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas and is the exclusive promoter at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas. AEG Live is also the largest producer of music festivals in North America from the critically acclaimed Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival to Stagecoach Country Music Festival and New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. www.aeglive.com

PlayStation is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

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SOURCE Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC

Contact:

Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC AEG Live Michael Roth, AEG, 213-742-7155 Email Contact Cristina Parvu, PlayStation Theater, 347-727-9178 Email Contact Web: http://www.us.playstation.com