07-07-2006 Monster TV project

For Immediate Release:
July 7, 2006
PRESS RELEASE: MONSTER TV PROJECT

The Centre for Fortean Zoology (CFZ), Britain's leading cryptozoological organisation and the world's only professional research agency dedicated to the discovery, documenting and study of unknown animals, has announced that it is to launch its own web based multimedia site. This site, which can be found at www.cfztv.com , is to be launched on the 17th of August.

The website is timed to go live at the same time as the CFZ's annual convention (the Weird Weekend) and will show live and interactive video streams of the visiting lecturers who have come from all corners of the world and are experts in the field of cryptozoology.

Using new encoding techniques coupled with bandwidth efficient means to transmit and upload the content, CFZTV intends to offer a vast library of existing footage combined with unique new programmes produced for internet broadcasting. Future expeditions will be available via live webcasting from remote locations such as the Gobi Desert and the Atlantic Island of Saint Helena, all discoveries and revelations will be available to an unlimited audience at the click of a button.

In addition to this, it will feature downloadable video clips showcasing the important work that the CFZ does through its expeditions in locations as far flung as Puerto Rico and Mongolia, as well as the current expedition to The Gambia in search of a semi-mythical dragon-like creature called `Ninki Nanka`.

CFZ TV is a collaboration between the CFZ and some of the leading technicians in web-based multimedia. Members of the team have worked on everything from the European Space Programme, to some of the most popular reality TV shows of recent years. The new project will be a format leader in web-based broadcasting, utilising cutting edge technology to achieve extraordinary results.

Jonathan Downes, Director of the CFZ, (46) says "We want to create the web resource for anyone and everyone with an interest in cryptozoology. We want to be able to educate people about the natural world but, most importantly, we want people to realise that what we know about the biology of the world is just the beginning - there are still plenty of new species that are yet to be discovered. We want this website to spark people's imagination and, through it, hopefully create a new generation of cryptozoologists."

For further information, please refer to www.cfz.org.uk

NOTES FOR EDITORS:

+ The Centre for Fortean Zoology is a non profit-making organisation, which was founded in 1992. Over the last 11 years we have mounted expeditions to Central America, Thailand, Mexico, various parts of the United States, as well as numerous investigations in the UK. Further information on the CFZ can be found on their website, www.cfz.org.uk.
+ C F Z director Jonathan Downes has written numerous books on the subject of mystery animals. The latest, entitled `Monster Hunter` is his long awaited autobiography.
+ The honorary life President of the Centre for Fortean Zoology is renowned explorer, author and soldier Colonel John Blashford-Snell OBE, best known for his pioneering Operation Drake and Operation Raleigh expeditions during the 1970s.
+ The CFZ is looking for corporate and private sponsors
+ For more information please contact Jonathan Downes or Mark North