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U.S. Broadcast Debut of Akira Kurosawa's Samurai 7

Rainbow Media's VOOM HD Networks and IFC to air Samurai 7;
Anime Series Begins March 1 on ANIMANIA HD and April 1 on IFC

FORT WORTH, Texas, Feb. 21 -- FUNimation(R) Entertainment, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Navarre Corporation (Nasdaq: NAVR), and one of the nation's leading independent home video entertainment and brand management companies, confirmed today that they have reached an agreement with Rainbow Media for the U.S. debut and cross-channel airing of Akira Kurosawa's Samurai 7 on both VOOM HD Networks' ANIMANIA HD (March 1) and IFC (April 1).

"Akira Kurosawa's Samurai 7 is a great series. It is a perfect match for FUNimation's philosophy of hand-picking the best titles from Japan and bringing them to the United States," explains Gen Fukunaga, president and CEO of FUNimation Entertainment. "It is that quality that also makes it a perfect match for ANIMANIA HD and IFC."

Shot in high definition with stunning production values from Gonzo Digimation, Samurai 7 revisits Kurosawa's epic tale of a small village in feudal Japan that's persecuted by robbers who return every harvest to seize the village's crops. Faced with starvation, the villagers set out on a mission to find and recruit some samurai to defend them. With no pay to offer except rice, and knowing full well that only down-on-their-luck samurai would even consider accepting such a deal, the villagers can only hope that their saviors will appear before the rice is ready for harvest.

Part of FUNimation's broadcast strategy is to get its top-rated anime brands like Samurai 7 broadcast support with companies like Rainbow Media. "Samurai 7 is such a strong property that it appeals to a much larger entertainment audience. Through agreements with companies like Rainbow Media, we will reach these larger audiences and really expand awareness of anime in the U.S. entertainment market," reveals Fukunaga.

Samurai 7 has already experienced home video success with fans and the media in the United States. In its Top 10 Anime DVDs of 2005 list, DVDTalk.com says Samurai 7 is the number one anime DVD and it is "undoubtedly the best new series to be released in 2005." Fukunaga explains that "DVDTalk.com is one of the premiere entertainment sites on the Web and we are pleased that they recognized Samurai 7 as the top anime DVD of 2005. This really captures all the responses we have been getting from our fans and the media."

ANIMANIA HD, available nationally on Dish Network (Ch. 9474), will have the U.S. HD premiere on Wednesday, March 1, 2006 at 9:00 pm ET/6:00 pm PT as part of the channel's new Wednesday "Animayhem" block. Offering a platform where cartoon worlds take on astonishing depth and detail, ANIMANIA HD, is the only channel actively working with producers and distributors to air true HD animation for all ages. The channel is one of 15 VOOM HD Networks, the largest suite of high definition channels available anywhere.

The cable TV premiere of Samurai 7 will air on IFC on Saturday, April 1, 2006 @ 10:30 p.m. ET/PT. The half-hour series will air in conjunction with IFC's popular film strand, "Samurai Saturdays," a weekly presentation of classic, Asian martial-arts-themed movies.
About Navarre Corporation
Navarre Corporation (Nasdaq: NAVR) is a publisher and distributor of a broad range of home entertainment and multimedia products, including PC software, CD audio, DVD and VHS video, video games and accessories. Since its founding in 1983, the company has established distribution relationships with customers across a wide spectrum of retail channels which includes mass merchants, discount, wholesale club, office and music superstores, military and e-tailers nationwide. The company currently provides its products to over 18,000 retail and distribution center locations throughout the United States and Canada. Navarre has recently expanded its business to include the licensing and publishing of home entertainment and multimedia content, primarily through the acquisitions of Encore Software, Inc., BCI Eclipse Company, LLC, FUNimation Productions, LTD. and The FUNimation Store, Ltd. For more information, please visit the company's web site at http://www.navarre.com .
About FUNimation Entertainment
FUNimation(R) Entertainment, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Navarre Corporation, is a brand management company and one of the nation's leading independent home video entertainment companies. The company's most recent initiative is the FUNimation Channel(SM), a new, 24-hour digital network featuring programming from the top anime brands in the United States. FUNimation has a proven formula for launching and advancing brands, and manages a full spectrum of rights for most of its brands including broadcasting, licensing, production, internet, and home video sales and distribution. For images, or more information on FUNimation Entertainment, the FUNimation Channel, or any of FUNimation's properties, contact Jeff Dronen at 817-788-0627, ext. 251 or jeff.dronen@funimation.com .

About ANIMANIA HD / VOOM HD
ANIMANIA HD is just one of the many diverse programming categories on VOOM HD Networks, the largest suite of high definition channels available anywhere. Offering a platform where cartoon worlds take on astonishing depth and detail, ANIMANIA HD, available nationally on DISH Network (Ch. 9474) is the only channel actively working with producers and distributors to air true HD animation for all ages. VOOM HD Networks were developed by Rainbow Media to meet the growing demand for quality high definition programming, building on Rainbow Media's history of original programming innovation. Other VOOM HD channels include sports, movies, fashion, music and art.
About IFC Television
The Independent Film Channel (IFC) is the first and most widely distributed network dedicated to independent film 24 hours a day, uncut, uncensored and commercial-free.

The network is part of IFC Companies -- the only brand to operate in every area of independent film to include television, production, financing, distribution, digital, on-demand and exhibition. IFC Companies uses its unique cross-platform position to broaden the audience of independent film and to provide independent filmmakers with a strong voice. IFC Companies is a division of Rainbow Media Holdings, LLC.

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