NBC UNIVERSAL DOMESTIC TELEVISION DISTRIBUTION HAS RENEWED HIT DAYTIME SERIES "STARTING OVER" IN MORE THAN 92% OF THE COUNTRY

NBC UNIVERSAL DOMESTIC TELEVISION DISTRIBUTION HAS RENEWED HIT DAYTIME SERIES "STARTING OVER" IN MORE THAN 92% OF THE COUNTRY

Multiple Daytime Emmy Award-Nominated Series Renewed in All Top 25 Markets and 49 of the Top 50 for 3rd Season in National Syndication

"Starting Over" Scores More Than 35 Key Upgrades For '05-'06

BURBANK, Calif. -- March 29, 2005 -- NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution has renewed its multi-Daytime Emmy Award nominated daytime series "Starting Over" in more than 92% of the U.S. for its third season in national syndication and the series has received more than 35 local market upgrades for the 2005-2006 TV season, it was announced today by Barry Wallach, President, NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution.

"Starting Over," which is produced by Jonathan Murray ("The Real World," "The Simple Life"), has been sold on stations from a number of leading broadcast station groups for a third season, including NBC, Hearst-Argyle, Gannett, CBS/Viacom, Tribune, Belo, Media General, Raycom, Nexstar, Sinclair, LIN, Meredith, Clear Channel and Gray.

"Starting Over" will enter the 2005-2006 TV season with more than 35 local market upgrades, including new time periods in Chicago (WGN-TV at 2 p.m.), Philadelphia (WCAU-TV at 11 a.m.), Baltimore (WJZ-TV at 9 a.m.) and Cleveland (WKYC-TV at noon). Other markets where "Starting Over" has been upgraded for its third season include Houston, Indianapolis, Orlando, Memphis, St. Louis and Milwaukee.

Earlier this month, "Starting Over" was awarded two Daytime Emmy nominations by the National Television Academy. The series is nominated for "Outstanding Special Class Series" and "Outstanding Achievement in Multiple Camera Editing."

In its second season, "Starting Over" has grown an impressive 36% in women 25-54, according to Nielsen Media Research data (9/15/03-3/7/04 vs. 9/20/04-3/6/05). The series also currently has the highest concentration of women 18-49 and women 25-54 of any nationally syndicated program.

"'Starting Over' is truly becoming a daytime franchise and we head into our third season with tremendous momentum, especially with women under 50, which is so rare and valuable in daytime," says NBC Universal's Wallach. "Jonathan Murray and the team at Bunim-Murray have done a terrific job of producing a special daily series that is resonating with the daytime audience."

"The success of 'Starting Over' has proven that there is a place in daytime television for positive, empowering, reality drama," says series creator and Executive Producer Jon Murray. "In our third season, we will continue to innovate with the fresh, compelling, real-life stories that have made 'Starting Over' a must-see program for the daytime audience."

The fan-favorite series re-located to Los Angeles from Chicago for its second season, expanding its life coach ranks and giving a whole new group of women a chance to start their lives over. Inspirational speaker and best-selling author Iyanla Vanzant joined motivational expert Rhonda Britten as a life coach, supporting the women in the "Starting Over" house. Renowned clinical psychologist Dr. Stan J. Katz also joined the show this season as a Consulting Psychologist.

Vanzant, Britten and Dr. Katz are all currently traveling the nation on the "Starting Over in America Tour." The 15-market tour, which features the life coaches' inspiring messages on how to start your life over, has already attracted thousands of fans in San Francisco, Seattle and Phoenix.

"Starting Over" is produced by Jonathan Murray, creator of the hit series "The Simple Life," "The Real World" and "Road Rules." It is distributed by NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution. Jonathan Murray and Millee Taggart-Ratcliffe are Executive Producers.

About NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution
NBC Universal is a leader in providing entertainment programming to the domestic and international marketplaces. The 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 at NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution 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.