"WHEEL OF FORTUNE" AND "JEOPARDY!" RENEWED FOR 2008-2009 AND 2009-2010 SEASONS ON KEY ABC O&O's AND OTHER KEY STATIONS
Santa Monica, CA, October 6, 2004 - Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy!, the top two series in syndication, have been renewed on key stations for the 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 seasons, it was announced today by Roger King, Chief Executive Officer, CBS Enterprises and King World Productions, Inc. and Steve Mosko, president of Sony Pictures Television.
The renewals through the end of the decade include key ABC O&O's, as well as other stations from the Viacom Stations Group, Hearst-Argyle, Belo, Cox Broadcasting, Lin and Post-Newsweek.
"We're thrilled with the enthusiastic response from our valued station partners for Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! renewals," said King. "These are America's shows, and we are confident that they will continue to be a solid performer for stations for years to come," said King.
"Still innovative and exciting after more than twenty years on the air, Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! have set the standard in this industry and that will continue into the next decade," said Mosko.
Currently in its 22nd season, Wheel of Fortune has been the #1 ranked syndicated strip for 83 consecutive sweeps and reaches more than 14 million viewers daily. Jeopardy!, now in its 21st season, has been the #2 ranked syndicated strip for 76 consecutive sweeps and attracts an estimated 11 million viewers daily. These icons of television continue to attract an audience that outdelivers much of what airs on the networks in prime time (Source: Nielsen). Emmy Award-winner Harry Friedman serves as Executive Producer for both series.
Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! are produced by Sony Pictures Television, and are distributed domestically by King World Productions, Inc. The series are also distributed internationally by CBS Paramount International Television. Merv Griffin is the creator of Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy!
King World Productions, Inc. is the preeminent company in television syndication, distributing six of the Top Ten daily syndicated series, including the two highest-rated talk shows and two highest-rated game shows. Among its stable of quality, critically-acclaimed programming are America's favorite game show, Wheel of Fortune, which has ranked #1 among all syndicated strips since its debut 22 years ago, and Jeopardy!, America's favorite quiz show, which has ranked #2 among all syndicated strips for the past 20 seasons. In addition, King World distributes The Oprah Winfrey Show, which has been the #1-rated talk series for the past 18 seasons, and Dr. Phil, which has ranked as the #2-rated talk series since its debut in Fall 2002. Additionally, for the past 16 seasons, King World has produced and distributed Inside Edition, the longest-running and highest-rated newsmagazine in syndication. King World also syndicates the CBS network primetime hits, Everybody Loves Raymond, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and CSI: Miami. The King World slate also includes CBS MarketWatch Weekend, Bob Vila's Home Again and Mr. Food.
Sony Pictures Television is one of the television industry's leading content providers. It produces and distributes programming in every genre, including series, telefilms, theatrical releases and family entertainment for network and cable television, as well as first-run and off-network series for syndication. With more than 30 programs on the air, SPT boasts a program slate that includes the top-rated daytime dramas and game shows, landmark off-network series, original animated series and critically acclaimed primetime dramas, comedies and telefilms. Sony Pictures Television's advertiser sales unit is one of the premiere national advertising sales companies, handling the commercial inventory in SPT's first-run and off-network syndicated series. SPT (www.sonypicturestelevision.com) is a Sony Pictures Entertainment company.
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