THE CW TO PARTNER WITH MEDIA RIGHTS CAPITAL FOR ORIGINAL PRIMETIME PROGRAMMING SUNDAY NIGHTS
STRATEGIC PROGRAMMING ALLIANCE WILL LAUNCH SUNDAY NIGHT LINEUP FOR 2008-09 SEASON WITH FOUR NEW SHOWS FROM MRC
May 9, 2008 (Burbank, CA) � The CW is aligning with Media Rights Capital to program its Sunday night primetime programming block for the 2008-09 broadcast television season. The strategic alliance between the two companies will take effect in Fall 2008 and feature four new programs�two comedies and two dramas�from top producers and creative talent. The joint announcement was made today by Dawn Ostroff, President, Entertainment, The CW, John Maatta, Chief Operating Officer, The CW and Keith Samples, President, Television, Media Rights Capital.
"This is a strategic move by The CW that will give viewers more original programming on Sunday nights than we have ever had," said Ostroff. "As the leading independent producer of television programming, MRC will bring a slate of high-quality entertainment to our air on the most competitive night on television, while we will focus our resources and efforts on strengthening our Monday through Friday schedule."
"This kind of alliance is becoming common in our business, and it's a win for all involved�affiliates, advertisers and viewers," said Maatta. "It will also allow our sales team more opportunity to capitalize on our new Friday night schedule with the departure of wrestling, as that is such a critical night for retailers and marketers with a weekend product push."
"We are thrilled to team with The CW and bring our new shows to their air," said Samples. "Our blend of comedy and drama will be exciting, accessible and a perfect fit for the network and its affiliate constituency. We have been building momentum at MRC and will continue to drive our business with innovative partnerships like this one."
"When we decided to get into the television business we knew the ground was shifting," said Modi Wiczyk and Asif Satchu, co-CEOs of MRC. "By partnering with the best talent and a network like The CW, whose conception was based on innovation, Sunday nights have suddenly become our favorite night of the week."
"We have great confidence in the producing skills and talent at MRC," said Ed Wilson, president of Tribune Broadcasting. "We think this is a great move, and as The CW Network begins expanding its audience reach on Sunday, our local stations will certainly benefit."
Details on MRC's Sunday night programs on The CW will be announced shortly.
About The CW:
The CW Network, which is owned jointly by CBS Corp. and Time Warner, Inc., consists of a six-night, 13-hour primetime lineup including Monday through Friday nights from 8:00-10:00 p.m. ET; Sundays from 7:00-10:00 p.m. ET; Sunday from 5:00-7:00 p.m. ET outside of prime time as well as a Monday-Friday afternoon block from 3:00-5:00 p.m. ET and a five-hour Saturday morning animation block. Altogether, The CW programs 30 hours a week over seven days. For more information, visit www.cwtv.com.
About Media Rights Capital:
MRC is a leading independent film, television and digital studio. The company specializes in the creation of premium content, custom building distribution for each of its projects and partnering directly with leading creative talent. 2008 film projects include "Shorts," written and directed by Robert Rodriguez; "The Box," written and directed by Richard Kelly and starring Cameron Diaz; "Linha de Passe," written and directed by Walter Salles; "Foxcatcher," written and directed by Bennett Miller; "Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho" and new films by Sacha Baron Cohen and Todd Field. Upcoming television projects include "The Goode Family" created by Mike Judge, John Altschuler and Dave Krinsky for ABC; "Outnumbered" by Larry Levin for Fox Television; "The Life and Times of Tim" created by Steve Dildarian, premiering in June on HBO; "Rita Rocks" and "Libertyville" for Lifetime Television; "Krod Mandoon" for Comedy Central; and a newly conceived "Name That Tune" in an unmatched cross-network arrangement between MTV, VH-1 and CMT. MRC is producing digital projects including an original series with Raven-Symone and an upcoming animated series with original characters created by Seth MacFarlane, with initial distribution through Google and YouTube.
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