Washington, D.C., Sept. 5, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TV Worldwide, since 1999, a pioneering web-based global TV network, announced that it had teamed with The Entertainment Industries Council, Inc. (EIC) to launch the Health and Wellness Internet TV Channel on the EICtv Network (www.EICNetwork.TV ). The channel was launched on Wednesday, September 4 during a well-trafficked live video webcast of the Annual Recovery Month Luncheon in Washington D.C. highlighting September as National Recovery Month (www.RecoveryMonth.gov). The event, organized in cooperation with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA, www.SAMHSA.gov) was sponsored by EIC, National Association for Children of Alcoholics, (NACoA), the Betty Ford Center, Braeburn Pharmaceuticals, Alkermes and Hazelden.

The event and webcast featured several presentations and a panel discussion that included Dennis Wholey, TV Talk Show Host; Erin Brady, Miss USA 2013; and Tara Connor Miss USA 2006.

During his presentation Mr. Wholey stated, "When I say I'm a recovering alcoholic, I say that with no embarrassment, no shame, no guilt because I've come to understand that it's an illness."

Ms. Brady, who grew up in a family surrounded by addiction remarked, "I want to help all of the kids I know that are out there that have grown up in similar situations."

Asked by Mr. Wholey about her what brought her to her knees to start her own recovery, Ms. Connor said, "I was very willing when I found out that addiction was a disease and there was a solution."
 

"We are pleased to have been selected to work with an organization of the caliber of the Entertainment Industries Council in launching the Health and Wellness Internet TV Channel on the EICtv Network," said Dave Gardy, Chairman and CEO of TV Worldwide. "Under the leadership of Brian Dyak, EIC has become renowned internationally for developing innovative solutions to connect entertainment creators with research and experts on health and social issues to fully engage audiences. The EICtv Network is another one of those innovations, which will soon expand to launch the Science, Technology and Engineering (SET) Channel on Sept. 18. It was great to see this launch webcast so well attended on line."

"We are pleased to work with TV Worldwide as we launch the Health and Wellness Channel on the EICtv Network," stated Brian Dyak, CEO and Co-Founder of the Entertainment Industries Council.

The webcast of the event is now available for on line viewing at www.EICNetwork.TV , or directly by clicking this link. The channel's first newscast is now also available at www.EICNetwork.TV.
 

About Entertainment Industries Council

EIC is a non-profit organization founded in 1983 by leaders within the entertainment industry to bring the power and influence of the industry to bear on communication about health and social issues. The organization is considered to be the chief pioneer of entertainment and journalism outreach and a premiere success story in the field of entertainment education. This mission relies on providing resource information to the creative community and culminates in recognition of the industry through the national television special PRISM Showcase which addresses accurate portrayals of substance use issues and mental health concerns. The organization also produces the S.E.T Awards, honoring positive and non-stereotypical portrayals of science, engineering and technology.

For a complete list of health and social issues addressed by EIC and local projects, please visit First Draft and EIC's website. EIC's web site is http://www.eiconline.org. The PRISM Awards web site is http://www.prismawards.com/.

About TV Worldwide

Founded in 1999, TV Worldwide (www.tvworldwide.com) developed the first Internet TV network of community-based Internet TV channels, primarily targeting niche professional communities ranging from the Maritime industry to the Digital Media sector. Known by many in the industry as "Intelligent Internet TV," Fortune 500 companies, 30 federal government agencies, and numerous International associations including the National Association of Broadcasters utilize TV Worldwide's live and archived state-of-the art video streaming content applications and Internet TV channels. In recognition of the company's unique achievements in new media, TV Worldwide was selected by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) to webcast the Daytime Emmy Awards and the Emmy awards for Technology and Engineering 2007 through 2009. CEO Dave Gardy has been honored by Streaming Media Magazine in 2008 as one of the 25 Most Influential People in Streaming Media. Gardy also currently serves as the President of the International Webcasting Association (IWA) and as a member of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund Corporate Council.

                                                                                                                    ###