(3 March 2007 5:30 pm)

MUMBAI: Sony Pictures International secured the rights from Ripley Entertainment Inc and plans to distribute "mobisodes,'' or segments of the Ripley's Believe It or Not! television show on mobile phone and Internet.

The segments include unbelievable and completely wacky humans, incredible feats and animal oddities ranging from a microchip dog to mountain stilt hikers.

"The show segments are expected to be available to the public later this year and will be available through mobile devices, Internet, airline in-flight entertainment and on-demand channels.

The three-year deal signed with CPT Holdings, Inc., a subsidiary of Sony Pictures Television International showcases the need for mobile information and content for the Internet.

"We are pioneers in the broadcasting of weird and wacky and unbelievable material, both on radio and television. Through the years, we have proven that truth is absolutely stranger than fiction,'' said Ripley Entertainment president Bob Masterson.

"These shows transcend time and we're fortunate to have the ability to adapt the clips for use in today's popular media platforms through our partnership with Sony, " he added.

Norm Deska, Executive Vice President of Intellectual Property for Ripley Entertainment, agrees that most of the show segments are timeless.

"When we worked with Sony years ago on the production of these shows, we never dreamed this footage would have any use other than that of television. We are excited that a whole new generation will have the opportunity to witness amazing Believe It or Nots! through a more contemporary channel of communication."

Sony Pictures Television will draw in material from the 79 one-hour episodes of the Ripley Believe It or Not! Television hosted by Jack Palance that aired in the 1980s and from the 88 one-hour episodes in the Dean Cain series that ran between 1999 and 2003.