Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution Sells Judge Jeanine Pirro To The Fox Television Stations For Fall 2009

February 09, 2009

Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution (WBDTD) has sold Judge Jeanine Pirro to the Fox Television Stations (FTS) for a fall 2009 first-run syndication launch. The announcement was made by Ken Werner, President, WBDTD, and Frank Cicha, Senior Vice President, Programming, FTS.

"From the moment Jeanine premiered on The CW network, we have received calls from stations asking us to bring her into syndication," said Werner. "This keen interest in 'Pirro' from the station community has been building momentum over the last year, and we are thrilled that our partners at the Fox Television Stations, who are renowned for bringing top-tier court programming to viewers, have chosen to make the Fox stations the new home for 'Pirro' starting in fall 2009."

Entering its second season in September, Judge Jeanine Pirro will go to the Fox-owned stations in the group's nine duopoly markets � including New York City, Los Angeles and Chicago � as well as in Boston and Baltimore. Additionally, WBDTD has sold "Pirro" to stations from the Sinclair Broadcast Group in 27 markets, including Pittsburgh, Raleigh-Durham, N.C., Cincinnati and Milwaukee, among others. Stations from the following additional groups have also bought the show: CBS Television Stations, Tribune, Scripps-Howard Television, Raycom Media, Belo, Newport Television, Freedom Communications, LIN TV, ComCorp, Journal Broadcast Group, Grant Television, Meredith and Four Points Media Group. With these sales, "Judge Jeanine Pirro" is cleared in 75% of the country.

Cicha added, "We are happy to be adding an established court show to our lineups � particularly one with a proven track record in the New York market."

Presided over by highly respected legal commentator, author and former Westchester (N.Y.) County District Attorney and County Judge Jeanine Pirro, the hour-long Judge Jeanine Pirro program launched in fall 2008 on The CW, as part of a two-hour weekday afternoon block of programming supplied by WBDTD which included "Pirro" at 3:00 p.m. and comedies "The Wayans Bros." and "The Jamie Foxx Show" from 4:00�5:00 p.m.

"Telepictures has a remarkable track record in the court arena. Our experience informs us that the most successful court series are presided over by dynamic personalities, judges who have a powerful TV presence, distinctive point of view and rich professional and life experience," said Hilary Estey McLoughlin, President, Telepictures Productions. "Jeanine possesses all those attributes, and she has developed a national following due to her extensive appearances as an expert on the 'Today' show, 'Good Morning America,' Fox News, and 'Larry King,' just to name a few. We are proud to be able to bring this show to syndication for its second year on the air."

Judge Jeanine Pirro reflects many of the themes of Pirro's own political and legal career, in which she tenaciously fought for a level playing field for women, children and the disenfranchised. After being elected Westchester County's first female County Court Judge in 1990 and Westchester's first female District Attorney in 1993, Pirro crusaded to change laws in order to protect women and children. From successfully starting the first domestic violence unit in the nation to becoming a highly sought-after legal commentator on the biggest news stories to grip the nation � starting with the O.J. Simpson murder trial in 1994 � Pirro has used her insight, education and professional experience to make a difference. A true social activist, she now broadens her reach as she tackles issues affecting families and individuals across the country, in an effort to improve their lives.

Judge Jeanine Pirro is produced by Telepictures Productions and originates from Chicago. Bo Banks ("Judge Mathis") is the executive producer. Judge Greg Mathis serves as executive consultant.

About Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution

Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution (WBDTD) is one of the leading suppliers of entertainment programming to the domestic television marketplace, distributing first-run syndicated series, off-network television programs and theatrical motion pictures to local broadcast television stations, as well as to pay, cable, satellite and broadcast networks throughout the U.S. WBDTD handles the domestic distribution of television series produced by Warner Bros. Television, Telepictures Productions, Warner Bros. Animation and Warner Horizon Television; selected HBO Independent Productions and the Lorimar Television library; current feature films from Warner Bros. Pictures; and the Studio's unmatched motion picture library.

About the Fox Television Stations

The Fox Television Stations is one of the nation's largest owned-and-operated network broadcast groups, comprising 27 stations in 18 markets and covering nearly 37.34% of U.S. television homes. This includes six duopolies in the top 10 markets: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, Washington, D.C. and Houston; as well as duopolies in Minneapolis, Phoenix and Orlando.

About Telepictures Productions

Telepictures Productions is an industry-leading and Emmy� Award-winning producer of television programming for the first-run syndicated marketplace (having garnered 54 Emmys� in 12 years, including Outstanding Talk Show/Outstanding Talk Show Host for 10 of the last 12 years), as well as original digital content for broadband and wireless.