'Grey's Anatomy' Goes to Lifetime Television

Lifetime Television Acquires Exclusive Basic Cable Rights From Buena Vista Television for Emmy Award(R) Nominee ABC Hit Drama 'Grey's Anatomy' Beginning in Fall 2009

- First Season of Series Premieres on Lifetime Once a Week Starting in January 2007 -

NEW YORK, July 24 -- The doctors at Seattle Grace Hospital will soon begin making house calls at Lifetime Television! Continuing its acquisition of high-profile broadcast hits, Lifetime Television today announced that it has acquired the exclusive basic cable rights from Buena Vista Television for the popular Emmy Award(R) nominated series "Grey's Anatomy," beginning in fall 2009.

Lifetime will begin airing episodes from the first season once a week, starting in January 2007.

"Grey's Anatomy," which ended the season as the #1 scripted series on television, focuses on young interns at Seattle Grace Hospital struggling to be doctors and doctors struggling to stay human. It's the drama and intensity of medical training mixed with the funny, sexy, painful lives of interns who are about to discover that neither medicine nor relationships can be defined in black and white.

In making the announcement, Leslie Glenn-Chesloff, Senior Vice President, Acquisitions, Scheduling and Planning, Lifetime Television, said, "This is an extraordinary show that tells powerful stories of love, hope and sometimes despair, as seen through the lives of an amazingly gifted ensemble cast. Women all over the country -- including all of us here at Lifetime -- absolutely adore this wonderful series and we're thrilled that it's joining our schedule."

"It is a rare opportunity and a real privilege to take such an outstanding and successful show into the marketplace," said Jed Cohen, Executive Vice President/General Sales Manager, Buena Vista Television. "With its strong writing and diverse ensemble cast, 'Grey's' attracts the highest ratings and concentration of young female viewers of any show in primetime television. It will do extremely well in Lifetime's lineup."

"Grey's Anatomy," which was nominated for 11 2006 Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Drama Series, now joins ABC sibling "Desperate Housewives" on the Lifetime schedule. "Desperate Housewives" joins Lifetime on Saturday, August 5, 2006, at 11PM (ET/PT), beginning with its first season.

"Grey's Anatomy" stars Ellen Pompeo as Dr. Meredith Grey, Patrick Dempsey as Dr. Derek Shepherd, James Pickens, Jr. as Dr. Richard Webber, T.R. Knight as Dr. George O'Malley, Sandra Oh as Dr. Cristina Yang, Katherine Heigl as Dr. Isobel Stevens, Chandra Wilson as Dr. Miranda Bailey, Isaiah Washington as Dr. Preston Burke, Justin Chambers as Dr. Alex Karev and Kate Walsh as Dr. Addison Shepherd.

Shonda Rhimes ("Introducing Dorothy Dandridge") is creator and executive producer. Mark Gordon ("Saving Private Ryan"), Betsy Beers ("Casanova") and Peter Horton ("thirtysomething") are executive producers. "Grey's Anatomy" is a Touchstone Television Production.

Buena Vista Television (BVT) is the domestic television distribution arm of The Walt Disney Company. BVT is a leader in the pay TV, video-on-demand and pay-per-view arenas, and a pioneer in new media, capitalizing on licensing opportunities within broadband, wireless and digital technologies. The syndication veteran also boasts a powerful cache of highly-anticipated off- network hits, first-run programming and top movie packages. Buena Vista Television is a wholly owned subsidiary of Disney Enterprises, Inc.

LIFETIME is the leader in women's television and one of the top-rated basic cable television networks. A diverse, multi-media company, LIFETIME is committed to offering the highest quality entertainment and information programming, and advocating a wide range of issues affecting women and their families. LIFETIME Television, LMN, Lifetime Real Women, Lifetime Home Entertainment and Lifetime Online are part of LIFETIME Entertainment Services, a 50/50 joint venture of The Hearst Corporation and The Walt Disney Company.

SOURCE Lifetime Television
http://www.lifetimetv.com