or


[01/15/07 - 07:57 PM]
Warner BroS. Domestic Television Distribution Has Sold Tmz, a New Show Based on TmZ.com-The #1 Entertainment News Website-To All the FOX Owned Television Stations in a Multi-Year Deal for National Syndication Launch in Fall 2007
The series to all of the FOX-owned stations, including New York City (WNYW/WWOR), Los Angeles (KTTV/KCOP) and Chicago (WFLD/WPWR), among others.

[via press release from Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution]

Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution Has Sold TMZ, a New Show Based on TMZ.com�The #1 Entertainment News Website�To All the Fox Owned Television Stations in a Multi-Year Deal for National Syndication Launch in Fall 2007

January 15, 2007

Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution (WBDTD) and the Fox Owned Television Stations are teaming up on a multi-year deal for the launch of TMZ, a new, daily television series based upon TMZ.com, the #1 entertainment news destination on the Internet, it was announced today by Ken Werner, President, Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution, at a press conference at the 2007 NATPE Conference & Exhibition in Las Vegas.

The series is being produced by Warner Bros.-based Telepictures Productions, Harvey Levin Productions, Inc., and paraMedia, inc., with TMZ.com managing editor Harvey Levin and paraMedia founder Jim Paratore serving as Executive Producers.

TMZ is being readied for launch in fall 2007, and WBDTD has sold the series to all of the Fox-owned stations, including New York City (WNYW/WWOR), Los Angeles (KTTV/KCOP) and Chicago (WFLD/WPWR), among others.

The licensing deal for the broadcast program includes additional, precedent-setting multiplatform elements. All TMZ station partners will have access to exclusive TMZ content for use on their websites. Telepictures will create a TMZ-branded module that will reside on the station's home page, creating an entertainment news destination that is fully integrated into the local station website and is updated around-the-clock with information on stories featured in the daily TMZ program. Additionally, the local TMZ site will function as a 24/7 "newsfeed" for its affiliates, providing TMZ-branded news reports as well as un-edited footage for station use in local news telecasts.

The half-hour series will bring the TMZ.com brand to television, expanding upon the website's mission as a 24-hour-per day, seven-day-per week entertainment news destination providing a fresh, unvarnished and sometimes irreverent take on celebrities and their real lives. Since its launch in December 2005, TMZ.com�a joint venture between Telepictures Productions and AOL�has enjoyed a meteoric rise, becoming the #1 entertainment news destination on the Internet within seven months of its debut and maintaining its dominance. TMZ.com broke several of the biggest pop-culture news stories of 2006, including Mel Gibson's DUI arrest and subsequent encounter with law enforcement; Michael Richards' ill-fated trip to the Laugh Factory; and the breakup of Britney Spears and Kevin Federline's marriage. TMZ.com has quickly become one of the most-cited entertainment news sources, utilized by national network and local newsgathering organizations across the country.

"In today's television landscape, there is big opportunity for a younger, more gender-balanced entertainment magazine with a distinct voice and point of view," said Werner. "TMZ.com was created by Telepictures and AOL to fill a need in the broadband world for an entertainment news site run by professionals experienced in that world. In a very short time, they have established the most highly trafficked entertainment news site on the web and a brand that under the leadership of Jim Paratore and Harvey Levin will translate in a powerful way in the TV world."

"What we are buying into is a proven, immensely successful internet brand," said Frank Cicha, Senior Vice President, Programming, Fox Television Stations. "The unique combination of broadcast and broadband this project brings makes it extremely attractive."

"The combination of the TMZ brand�and its ability to break stories and tell them from a different point of view�combined with our track record at producing magazine programming will translate into a compelling series," said Hilary Estey McLoughlin, President, Telepictures Productions. "This is a terrific example of how broadcasters, program suppliers and new media can combine their respective areas of expertise to break new ground in programming."

"Today's audience wants a fresh, unvarnished look at celebrities and the world of entertainment. With TMZ.com, we have proven that we can break the stories and create the features they want," said Paratore. "TMZ will not only be the hottest entertainment magazine on TV, TMZ will give local stations a competitive edge on their websites and in their local news."

TMZ will be produced in Los Angeles by Harvey Levin Productions, Inc., and paraMedia, inc., in association with Telepictures Productions and distributed by Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution. With an irreverent point of view, the show will feature fast-paced video segments, investigative news reports, exclusive citizen video and other elements that will give viewers behind-the-scenes access to the most popular entertainment stories of the day.

Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution (WBDTD) is one of the leading distributors of first-run and off-network programming in the domestic television marketplace. It handles the syndication of television series produced by Warner Bros. Television, Telepictures Productions, Warner Bros. Animation, Warner Horizon Television, selected HBO Independent Productions and the impressive Lorimar Television library; current feature films from Warner Bros. Pictures and Warner Independent Pictures; and the Studio's unmatched film library.

WBDTD currently distributes seven first-run series: Telepictures Productions' The Dr. Keith Ablow Show, The Tyra Banks Show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Judge Mathis and Extra, as well as The People's Court and Showtime at the Apollo. The extensive list of off-network programs currently in syndication via WBDTD includes daily strips of Friends, Will & Grace (from NBC Studios), The Drew Carey Show, HBO's Sex and the City and, launching in fall 2007, Two and a Half Men, as well as the weekend broadcast windows of ER, Cold Case, The West Wing and Without a Trace, among others.

The Fox Television Station group, one of the nation's largest owned-and-operated network broadcast groups, comprises 35 stations in 26 markets, covering nearly 45% of U.S. television homes. This includes five duopolies in the top 10 markets�New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas and Washington D.C.�as well as duopolies in Houston, Minneapolis, Phoenix and Orlando.





  [january 2007]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
 


· TMZ (SYNDICATION)





[12/19/25 - 10:00 AM]
HBO Original Documentary "Critical Incident" Debuts December 29
The film revisits the 2010 death of Anastasio Hernández-Rojas, an undocumented Mexican immigrant who died while in custody at the border.

[12/19/25 - 08:31 AM]
Peacock Exclusively Streams Focus Features' Critically Acclaimed "Bugonia" Beginning December 26
Nominated for 3 Golden Globe Awards and 3 Critics Choice Awards, Focus Features' psychological thriller stars Emma Stone, Jesse Plemons, Aidan Delbis, Stavros Halkias and Alicia Silverstone.

[12/19/25 - 06:01 AM]
"Snoop's Holiday Halftime Party" to Feature the Singing Voices of HUNTR/X from Netflix's "KPop Demon Hunters" and Country Sensation Lainey Wilson
This Christmas, Netflix is decking the halls and the halftime stage with a spectacular celebration that's set to dazzle fans around the globe.

[12/19/25 - 06:01 AM]
ESPN and The Heisman Trophy Trust Extend Exclusive Media Rights Agreement
The 2025 Heisman Trophy Ceremony averaged 4.3 million viewers, delivering the event's best audience since 2012 and finishing up 69% year-over-year.

[12/19/25 - 06:01 AM]
Video: Prime Video Unveils the Teaser Trailer and Reveals the Release Month of Its Next Italian Prime Original Film Shot in English, "Love Me Love Me"
It only takes one look to fall in love. And nothing will ever be the same again.

[12/19/25 - 02:01 AM]
"Salvador" Arrives to Netflix on February 6
"Salvador" is an action drama series in which Luis Tosar steps into the shoes of Salvador, a father and emergency medical technician who fights to leave behind his past with alcohol and make amends for the mistakes he made with his family.

[12/18/25 - 07:01 PM]
"Last Samurai Standing" Renewed for Season 2 - A Global Sensation Proudly Made in Japan
The battle royale that captivated Japan and international audiences now turns the page to its next chapter.

[12/18/25 - 06:01 PM]
"Dynamite Kiss" Nears Its Final Episode, Leaving Ji-hyeok and Da-rim at a Crossroads Between Romance and Goodbye
The final episode premieres December 24, just in time for Christmas, only on Netflix.

[12/18/25 - 01:56 PM]
Apple TV Sets New Dramedy "Beat the Reaper," Starring and Executive Produced by Will Poulter
Based on the novel of the same name by Josh Bazell, "Beat the Reaper" will star Poulter as Dr. Peter Brown, an intern at Boston's worst hospital who has a talent for medicine, works a shift from hell and has a past he'd prefer to keep hidden.

[12/18/25 - 11:01 AM]
Netflix Announces "So Far Gone" with Straight-to-Series Order After Competitive Bidding
The series, like Jess Walter's book, follows Rhys Kinnick, a journalist who's pulled out of retirement when his daughter goes missing.

[12/18/25 - 10:15 AM]
Starz Acquires Action Drama "The Nowhere Man," Executive-Produced by and Starring "Power's" Naturi Naughton-Lewis, Set to Premiere January 16, 2026
In "The Nowhere Man," Lukas (Bonko Khoza), a former Special Forces mercenary crippled by PTSD, has turned his back on his violent past and is operating as a junk collector on the streets of Johannesburg.

[12/18/25 - 10:11 AM]
Tubi's Original Film "Terri Joe: Missionary in Miami" Premieres Exclusively on Tubi on January 30
In this wild farce, Southern Belle Terri Joe ventures to Miami to outrun wacky criminals and find a new church where she can atone for her sins.

[12/18/25 - 10:01 AM]
"The Wonderfully Weird World of Gumball" Exclusive Holiday Art Debut & Two More Seasons Coming Soon
As a holiday gift to fans, Hulu has announced that "The Wonderfully Weird World of Gumball" will return for two more seasons.

[12/18/25 - 09:31 AM]
"Today's" Craig Melvin, Al Roker and Hoda Kotb Set to Host NBC's Live Coverage of the 137th Rose Parade Presented by Honda
Plus: For the first time ever, The Rose Parade will broadcast live from 8-10 a.m. PT on Telemundo with hosts Penelope Menchaca and Carlos Calderon from Telemundo's "Hoy Dia."

[12/18/25 - 09:12 AM]
New Norwegian Family Drama "Stayer," Season 1 Exclusive US Debut Thursday, January 15, 2026 on Viaplay
"Stayer" is a gripping, character-driven drama about an aging rock musician confronting his greatest challenge: the sudden death of the mother of his child.