19 Entertainment Press Release

CKX Inc., the parent company of 19 Entertainment who signs all Idol artists released this press release today. Clay was managed by 19 E in 2003 and early 2004, and is still legally bound to 19 E under his Idol recording contract.

CKX: IDOL Artists Continue to Dominate Album Charts Worldwide; Carrie Underwood, Bo Bice and Kelly Clarkson All Top 10 in U.S., Clarkson and Will Young Reach Top 15 in the U.K.

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 27, 2005--As reported online last week by Hits Magazine, American Idol stars Carrie Underwood, Bo Bice and Kelly Clarkson ruled the charts with three of the top ten spots on Billboard's Top 200 album chart the week before Christmas, historically one of the best selling weeks of the year for the music industry. In addition, American Idol and Pop Idol artists, Clarkson and Will Young, also took two of the top fifteen spots in the weekly sales chart in the United Kingdom. The Idol franchise was created by 19 Entertainment, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CKX, Inc. (NASDAQ:CKXE). Idol artists in the U.S. and U.K. are signed to recording agreements with 19 Recordings, also a wholly-owned subsidiary of CKX.

In addition to these achievements, American Idol 3 winner Fantasia is approaching the double platinum mark with her debut album "Free Yourself" and American Idol 2 runner-up Clay Aiken's Christmas album, "Merry Christmas With Love" recently soared past the million unit mark. Aiken is expected to release a new album this spring.

Commenting on the successful recording careers of Idol contestants, Simon Fuller, creator and Executive Producer of American Idol said, "This success is a true testament to the power of Idol fans and people power worldwide. Carrie, Bo and Kelly are prime examples of the impact of the Idol format, having been discovered by the American public, taken from obscurity and made into true superstars. I am proud to have created a format which has captured the imagination of music fans around the world and which can launch the careers of so many talented young singers. We are looking forward very much to the start of American Idol's 5th season in January"