NBC UNIVERSAL DOMESTIC TELEVISION DISTRIBUTION HAS SOLD UPCOMING MARTHA STEWART SERIES IN MORE THAN 60% OF THE U.S. FOR FALL 2005 DEBUT
BURBANK, Calif -- January 25, 2005 -- NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution has sold its upcoming daily series with Martha Stewart in more than 60% of the U.S. for its fall debut in national syndication, it was announced today by Barry Wallach, President, NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution, and Heidi Diamond, President, Television, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc. (NYSE: MSO).
The series has been sold on stations from a number of leading broadcast station groups, including Hearst-Argyle, Gannett, Scripps Howard, Belo, Freedom, CBS, Young, Clear Channel, Meredith and Milwaukee Journal.
Recent Clearances for the series include KCNC-TV Denver, KDKA-TV Pittsburgh, WCNC-TV Charlotte, WKRC-TV Cincinnati, WTMJ-TV Milwaukee and WPEC-TV West Palm Beach.
It was previously announced that the NBC Owned and Operated Stations, covering more than 30% of the U.S., had acquired the series. NBC stations signed on include WNBC-TV New York, KNBC-TV Los Angeles and WMAQ-TV Chicago.
"The station community is very excited about Martha's return to daytime television in fall 2005," says NBC Universal's Wallach. "With the first half of the U.S. sales now completed, Martha's return has been enthusiastically endorsed by top stations all across the country, ensuring an unsurpassed launching pad."
"We have legions of loyal Martha Stewart fans and they are overjoyed to have Martha back on the air this September. Her loyal viewers have never wavered and are eagerly anticipating the arrival of her new daytime program. The new show format also promises to appeal to new viewers who will embrace our interactive and inspiring approach to home and lifestyle programming," stated Diamond of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia.
Mark Burnett, producer of NBC's hit reality series 'The Apprentice' and upcoming 'The Contender', will executive produce with Martha Stewart the new daily Martha Stewart television series.
The hour-long show will be taped live with a studio audience and feature a new programming format that allows audience members and special guests to participate and interact with Martha. Viewers will learn new ways to enhance their lives as audience members and even celebrity guests help Martha unveil great ideas and new projects -- from cooking and entertaining, to decorating and home renovating, and more. The segments will be engaging, illuminating and fun, appealing to a broad audience of viewers.
About Mark Burnett Productions
Mark Burnett Productions (MBP) is a leading production company in the world of primetime non-fiction television. MBP revolutionized television with hits such as Eco-Challenge, Survivor, The Apprentice and the upcoming Contender. MBP also successfully reintroduced product placement as an integral part of each of its shows and has garnered a total of 24 Emmy nominations since 2001. Mark Burnett was listed as the #1 Most Valuable Player by TV Guide and also in Time Magazine's Top 100 most influential people in the world today.
About Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc.
Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. (NYSE: MSO) is a leading provider of original "how-to" information, inspiring and engaging consumers with unique lifestyle content and high-quality products. MSO is organized into four business segments: Publishing, Television, Merchandising, and Internet/Direct Commerce. Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol MSO.
About NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution
NBC Universal is a leader in providing entertainment programming to the domestic and international marketplaces. NBC Universal Television Distribution division is responsible for the global distribution of NBC Universal product to all forms of television throughout the world. This includes distribution of current and library film and television product, including formats and non-scripted programming, in the pay, free, and basic markets, as well as the domestic syndication of first-run syndicated TV programs and theatrical and TV movie packages.
Current and upcoming first-run strip syndicated programming includes a new daily series with Martha Stewart, Access Hollywood, Blind Date, The Jane Pauley Show, The Jerry Springer Show, Maury and Starting Over. Current and upcoming first-run weekly syndicated programming includes The Chris Matthews Show, The George Michael Sports Machine, Rebecca's Garden, The Wall Street Journal Report with Maria Bartiromo, Your Total Health and the off-network distribution of Crossing Jordan, Fear Factor, Providence, the Law & Order franchise. Special programming includes Good Housekeeping Reports news inserts, a series of The Remarkable Journey specials, as well as a collection of feature film packages.
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