"LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT" SOLD IN MORE THAN 92% OF U.S. FOR MONDAY-FRIDAY BROADCAST SYNDICATION DEBUT NEXT FALL
NBC's Emmy and Golden Globe Award-Winning Drama Continues to Thrive in Weekend Syndication & Primetime Ratings
Law & Order: SVU Hits Season-High 3.9 HH in Current National Syndication Ratings
UNIVERSAL CITY, CA�December 18, 2008�NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution's Emmy Award-winning series "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" has been sold in more than 92% of the U.S. for its debut next fall in Monday-Friday broadcast syndication, it was announced today by Barry Wallach, President NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution.
"Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," which continues to thrive in its second season in weekend broadcast syndication, has been sold to stations from Fox, CBS, Sinclair, Sunbeam, LIN, Granite, Meredith, Local TV, Hearst, Media General and other leading groups for its debut in Monday-Friday syndication next fall.
In its second season in weekend syndication, "SVU" is improving time periods across the country, averaging more than 4.7 million viewers per week and it's the #1 off-network weekly drama in many key demos, according to season-to-date Nielsen Media Research GAA ratings data. The hit series is #1 among all off-net weekend dramas in Women 18-49, Adults 18-49 and Adults 25-54 (tied with "CSI: NY").
For the week of December 1, 2008, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" scored its season-high ratings in syndication, averaging a 3.9 HH rating and 5.3 million viewers, according to Nielsen Media Research GAA data.
"'Law & Order: Special Victims Unit' continues to be a dominant force in weekend syndication, as well as one of the highest-rated procedural dramas on primetime television," says Wallach. "And we expect continued strong ratings results from 'SVU' in the fall for our local station and advertising partners when it debuts in Monday-Friday broadcast syndication."
The hard-hitting and emotional series now in its 10th season on NBC, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" chronicles the life and crimes of the Special Victims Unit of the New York Police Department. "Law & Order: SVU" is a Wolf Films production in association with Universal Media Studios and Emmy Award-winner Dick Wolf's second installment of the "Law and Order" brand.
Earlier this month, the series' Mariska Hargitay was once again nominated for a Golden Globe Award. Hargitay, who plays Detective Olivia Benson on "SVU," earned her first Golden Globe Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series back in 2005. She also won an Emmy for Lead Actress in a Drama Series two years ago and has garnered five Emmy nominations for her "SVU" performances through the years.
"Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" has received numerous citations from community-based organizations for the social issues it tackles and the cast members are frequently recognized for the work they do off-screen to promote personal health and safety and other volunteer efforts and initiatives.
About NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution:
NBC Universal is a leader in providing entertainment programming to the domestic and international marketplaces. The NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution division is responsible for the distribution of NBC Universal product to all forms of television within the U.S. and Canada. This includes distribution of current and library film and television product, including formats and non-scripted programming, in the pay, free, and basic markets, as well as the domestic syndication of first-run syndicated TV programs and theatrical and TV movie packages.
Current first-run strip syndicated programming at NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution includes Access Hollywood, Deal or No Deal, The Jerry Springer Show, The Martha Stewart Show, Maury and The Steve Wilkos Show. Current first-run weekly syndicated programming includes The Chris Matthews Show, The Wall Street Journal Report with Maria Bartiromo, Lyons & Bailes Reel Talk and the off-network distribution of Heroes, The Office, House, Monk, Law & Order, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Law & Order: Criminal Intent and much more.
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