NBC'S "SCRUBS" TO DEBUT ON ITUNES
NBC AND DISNEY-ABC TV GROUP'S TOUCHSTONE TELEVISION OFFER CURRENT SEASON OF THEIR COMEDY 'SCRUBS' ON THE ITUNES MUSIC STORE
BURBANK, Calif. -- March 29, 2006 -- NBC and Disney-ABC Television Group's Touchstone Television have the right "downloadable" prescription for fans of the comedy "Scrubs" (Tuesdays, 9-9:30 p.m. ET) as they offer all current episodes of this season's "Scrubs" on the iTunes Music Store (www.itunes.com). "Scrubs" will be available from the NBC Storefront - the first time that another studio's product will be available under a non-affiliated network's name.
The announcement was made by Jeff Zucker, CEO, NBC Universal Television Group and Anne Sweeney, Co-Chair, Disney Media Networks and President, Disney-ABC Television Group.
"We are rapidly expanding our inventory of such wonderful series as 'Scrubs' on iTunes as a service to our viewers and as another way of attracting even more people to our shows," said Zucker. "At last, now we have the chance to offer even more attractive series that are not necessarily owned by NBCU but are now accessible in a increasingly popular format."
"As was evidenced by our groundbreaking deal with Apple that created the industry template for video dissemination on iTunes, the Disney-ABC TV Group is dedicated to being at the forefront of providing our incredible content, whether it is programming we create and air on ABC or that that we've created and licensed to other broadcasters, to consumers no matter when, where or how they want to view it," said Ms. Sweeney. "Partnering with NBC and Apple to make the current season of 'Scrubs' available for purchase on the iTunes Music Store is a great example of our commitment."
"Scrubs" is produced by Touchstone Television. Bill Lawrence ("Spin City") is the executive producer and creator.
Winner of a prestigious Humanitas Prize and nominated for a Producer's Guild Award in 2004, and two Emmy Awards and a People's Choice Award in its debut season, "Scrubs" focuses on the strange experiences of fresh-faced medical resident John "J.D." Dorian (Zach Braff, "Garden State") as he embarks on his healing career in a surreal hospital crammed full of unpredictable staffers and patients - where humor and tragedy can merge paths at any time.
Joining the rumpled J.D. at Sacred Heart Hospital are fellow residents Chris Turk (Donald Faison, "Remember the Titans," "Felicity") -- J.D.'s college buddy who is part of the more elite surgical group, and the beautiful but socially awkward Elliot Reid (Sarah Chalke, "Roseanne").
Keeping a watchful eye over these young doctors are the caustic chief of medicine, Dr. Bob Kelso (Ken Jenkins, "Courage Under Fire"); the abrasive but caring Dr. Perry Cox (John C. McGinley, "Wall Street," "Platoon"); and no-nonsense nurse Carla Espinosa (Judy Reyes, "Oz"). Neil Flynn ("Magnolia") also portrays J.D.'s nemesis, the hospital janitor, who never seems to miss an opportunity to harass his target.
NBC Universal is one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80%-owned by General Electric, with 20% controlled by Vivendi Universal.
Touchstone Television has established itself as one of Hollywood's leading production companies, supplying critically acclaimed, quality entertainment to the broadcast and cable television industry. For the 2005-06 TV season, Touchstone Television has received 18 pick-ups for new and returning scripted series on broadcast television including the critically and consumer praised phenomenon's "Lost," "Desperate Housewives" and "Grey's Anatomy."
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