CBS CORPORATION FORMS CBS TELEVISION DISTRIBUTION GROUP
Roger King Named CEO of New Worldwide Production, Distribution and Media Sales Entity
That Encompasses a Newly Integrated Domestic Syndication Operation
and CBS Paramount International Television
Syndication Giants CBS Paramount Domestic Television and King World
Combined Under One Management Structure
Robert Madden and John Nogawski Named Presidents and Chief Operating Officers
For New Domestic Syndication Operation;
Armando Nu�ez, Jr. Continues to Serve as President, CBS Paramount International Television
CBS Corporation has formed the CBS Television Distribution Group (CTDG), a new worldwide production, distribution and media sales company that will combine the industry leading resources of CBS Paramount Domestic Television, King World and CBS Paramount International Television into one division, it was announced today by Leslie Moonves, President and Chief Executive Officer of CBS Corporation.
"These premier organizations joined together will form one fully-integrated, syndication powerhouse," said Moonves. "In addition, this restructuring will streamline our global distribution operations, focus our syndicated programming and sales resources and create a dynamic and prolific pipeline to serve the syndication marketplace."
In making the announcement, Moonves named Roger King the Chief Executive Officer of the CBS Television Distribution Group. Robert Madden and John Nogawski have been named Presidents and Chief Operating Officers for the newly combined domestic television entity with Armando Nu�ez, Jr. continuing as President, CBS Paramount International Television (CPITV); all three will report directly to King.
"Roger King is a syndication legend whose salesmanship, programming instincts and passion for servicing his clients are second to none," said Moonves. "There is no one better at identifying the highest quality programming for syndication and bringing it to market in a way that maximizes revenue for the company and delivers value to local stations and cable networks. I look forward to working with Roger, Bob, John and Armando on future strategies to exploit the vast programming assets in our company."
"Bob, John and Armando are three extraordinary executives with impressive track records of success," said King. "We're tremendously excited about this opportunity to harness all of our programming, marketing, media and sales resources into a single structure that is focused on distributing the world-class content from the CBS Corporation."
In domestic television, the CBS Television Distribution Group will comprise first-run and off-network programming from King World and CBS Paramount Domestic Television -- which will keep their respective brands for current programming -- as well as new programming developed under the CBS Television Distribution Group banner. The division will boast eight of the Top 10 rated series in syndication and a diverse roster of popular and acclaimed programming that holds leadership positions in every program genre. The programming assets include:
� "Wheel of Fortune," the top rated show in syndication.
� The Number One and Number Two game shows in syndication: "Wheel of Fortune" and "Jeopardy!"
� The Top Two syndicated entertainment newsmagazines: Number One "Entertainment Tonight" and Number Two "The Insider."
� Number One syndicated daily newsmagazine: "Inside Edition."
� The Top Two syndicated talk shows: Number One "Oprah Winfrey" and Number Two "Dr. Phil," as well as "Rachael Ray," which premiered this Fall as the highest rated new talk show in syndication since 2002.
� The Top Two syndicated court shows: Number One "Judge Judy" and Number Two "Judge Joe Brown."
� Off network series such as "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," "CSI: Miami," "CSI: NY," "Everybody Loves Raymond," "Medium," "NCIS" and "Survivor."
In addition, the CBS Television Distribution Group will serve both the domestic and the international television marketplace with a library of more than 70,000 hours of television programming from CBS Entertainment, CBS News, King World, Spelling Television and CBS Paramount Television -- ranging from current and recent hit programs to classic series such as "I Love Lucy," "Star Trek," "The Twilight Zone," "Gunsmoke" and "Gilligan's Island."
As part of the new structure, CBS Paramount International Television (CPITV) will continue to distribute and market CBS Corporation's network and syndicated programming internationally, as well as identify format sales and co-production opportunities around the world. CPITV has nine offices worldwide and manages the company's interests in TV1, a series programming channel in Australia.
In connection with the restructuring, Joel Berman, who has served as President of CBS Paramount Worldwide Television, will be leaving the company. Under Berman, the studio's syndication division enjoyed outstanding success with lucrative long-term deals for hit programs such as "ET" and "Judge Judy" and the introduction of successful new series such as "Dr. Phil" and "The Insider."
"Joel's resume running the studio's distribution arm is decorated with great success," said Moonves. "He has played a meaningful role in the life or launch of some of the top programs in syndication history. We appreciate all of Joel's contributions to the company, greatly respect his leadership skills and executive talents and wish him the best."
In the new domestic television structure, Madden will oversee operations for administration, finance, legal, communications and CBS Consumer Products. Nogawski will run all syndication sales and advertiser sales, as well as marketing, research and new media.
Terry Wood, who was named President of Creative Affairs and Development for both CBS Paramount Domestic TV and King World last year, will continue that role in the new domestic entity, reporting to both Madden and Nogawski. Wood will be in charge of current programming for both labels and for developing new first-run series for CTDG.
Steve LoCascio, who has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for CBS Enterprises, has been named Executive Vice President and CFO for the CBS Television Distribution Group.
Roger M. King has served as Chief Executive Officer, CBS Enterprises and King World Productions, Inc. since January 2000. He assumed that position following the merger of his company, King World Productions, Inc. with CBS, and the subsequent restructuring of the CBS Enterprises Division, which combined both organizations' global programming and distribution activities. Under his leadership, King has built King World into the pre-eminent distributor of first-run, syndicated programming, bringing such personalities as Oprah Winfrey, Dr. Phil, Alex Trebek, Pat Sajak and Vanna White to national prominence in the process. He has spearheaded the launch, sales and marketing efforts of such landmark programs as "Wheel of Fortune," "Jeopardy!," "The Oprah Winfrey Show," "Dr. Phil" and "Inside Edition," and is responsible for the hugely successful off-net sales of "Everybody Loves Raymond," "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," "CSI: Miami" and "CSI: NY."
Robert Madden has been Chief Operating Officer of CBS Enterprises since January 2004. In this capacity, he oversees the day-to-day activities of King World Productions and CBS Consumer Products. Madden joined King World Productions, Inc. as Executive Vice President in September 1996 and played an instrumental role in the merger of the Company with CBS in January 2000. Following the merger, he assumed a similar position with CBS Enterprises and was subsequently promoted to COO.
John Nogawski has been President, CBS Paramount Domestic Television since March 2002, overseeing all distribution activities for the division as well as Paramount Advertiser Services, which is based in New York. Nogawski has been at the helm of sales efforts for first-run series "Entertainment Tonight," "The Insider" and "Judge Judy" as well as off-network launches for "Medium," "NCIS" and "Frasier."
Armando Nu�ez, Jr. was named President, CBS Paramount International Television, following the merger of CBS Broadcast International and Paramount International Television in August 2004. He joined CBS Broadcast International as President in July 1999. In January 2000, following the merger of CBS Television and King World Productions, he assumed the role of President, CBS Broadcast International, and Executive Vice President, CBS Enterprises.
CBS Corporation (NYSE: CBS.A and CBS) is a mass media company with constituent parts that reach back to the beginnings of the broadcast industry, as well as newer businesses that operate on the leading edge of the media industry. The Company, through its many and varied operations, combines broad reach with well-positioned local businesses, all of which provide it with an extensive distribution network by which it serves audiences and advertisers in all 50 states and key international markets. It has operations in virtually every field of media and entertainment, including broadcast television (CBS and The CW � a joint venture between CBS Corporation and Warner Bros. Entertainment), cable television (Showtime and CSTV Networks), local television (CBS Television Stations), television production and syndication (CBS Paramount Network Television and CBS Television Distribution Group), radio (CBS Radio), advertising on out-of-home media (CBS Outdoor), publishing (Simon & Schuster), digital media (CBS Digital Media Group and CSTV Networks) and consumer products (CBS Consumer Products). For more information, log on to www.cbscorporation.com.
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