HBO Promotes Season 4 of 'The Wire' With Online Spoken Word Battle.

AUSTIN, Texas -- HBO is collecting entries for "The Wire Spoken Word Battle." This unique user-generated contest hosted by Blastro.com and developed by interactive agency Deep Focus, asks slam poets, hip-hop and freestyle artists to speak out about how they were educated.

Season

4 of the critically acclaimed drama The Wire will explore the role of the educational system in an urban environment. "The Wire Spoken Word Battle" is designed to spark discussion around the central themes of the series prior to the premiere of the new season on September 10th. To enter the competition, contestants log on to blastro.com/spokenwordbattle where they'll be prompted to upload a video of their performance. Judges will select five finalists on the basis of originality, creativity and appropriateness to the topic of education, and Blastro.com users will review finalist videos and cast votes online to select the grand prize winner. (See Blastro.com/spokenwordbattle for a complete list of the rules.) The grand-prize winning entry may be featured on HBO On Demand.

"Blastro.com, The Wire and the spoken word community share a common interest in urban politics," said Sabrina Caluori, Account Director at Deep Focus. "This contest provides a forum for audiences to address The Wire's central themes and issues through the use of conscious user-generated content."

The Wire star Sonja Sohn, who plays Detective Shakima "Kima" Greggs on the show, is herself an accomplished slam poet best known for her role in the film "Slam." Sohn gives the video introduction on the contest homepage.

"'The Wire Spoken Word Battle' asks real people to tell their story. We're looking for honest entries that represent the spirit of The Wire, HBO and Blastro," said Ben Davis, co-founder of Blastro Networks.

About Blastro Networks

Austin, Texas-based Blastro Networks operates the Internet's best destinations for music videos, movie reviews and trailers and original animation. Blastro.com features major label and independent hip-hop, R&B and Latin artists, and Roxwel.com features major label and independent rock and pop artists.

Advertisers choose Blastro Networks websites as highly efficient, highly targeted alternatives to other websites to reach audiences outside of their target demographics. Current Blastro Networks advertisers include American Express, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Microsoft, Miramax, New Line Cinema, Nokia, Pfizer, Procter & Gamble, Reebok, T-Mobile and Toyota/Scion. For more information, visit www.blastro.com.