NBC UNIVERSAL DOMESTIC TELEVISION DISTRIBUTION HAS SOLD EMMY AND GOLDEN GLOBE WINNING COMEDY "THE OFFICE" IN MORE THAN 93% OF U.S.
Hit NBC Sitcom Sold In 50 Of The Nation's Top 50 Markets And Set to Make Syndication Debut in Fall 2009
UNIVERSAL CITY, CA � March 30, 2009 � NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution has sold Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning sitcom "The Office" to local broadcast stations representing more than 93% of the U.S. for its initial run in off-network syndication starting in fall 2009, it was announced today by Barry Wallach, President, NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution.
"The Office," produced by Reveille, Universal Media Studios and Deedle-Dee Productions, has been sold to stations from many of the nation's leading broadcast groups, including Fox, CBS, Tribune, Peachtree TV, Sinclair, Gannett, Meredith, Hearst-Argyle, LIN, Local TV and more.
"The Office" has been sold to the Fox Television Stations in the nation's top markets, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Washington D.C., Phoenix, Minneapolis, Orlando, Baltimore and Memphis. Additional markets include the CBS Television Stations in Philadelphia, Boston, Seattle, Miami and Pittsburgh. The series has been sold in 50 of the nation's top 50 markets.
"In the tradition of NBC's legendary Thursday night comedies, 'The Office' is set to debut in syndication next fall with a tremendous loyal 18-49 fan base that's eager to watch their favorite series five days a week," says Wallach. "Our broadcast and advertising partners alike are eagerly anticipating the arrival of 'The Office,' which has continuously grown its highly desirable audience each season."
"The Office" is NBC's top-rated comedy series and it's the #1 comedy on all networks among Adults 18-34 and Women 18-34, according to Nielsen Media Research. "The Office" continues to grow its audience each season, gaining double-digit growth during the current season vs. last in Adults 18-34 (+15%), Adults 18-49 (+11%) and Adults 25-54 (+18%). And the series continues to be appointment television, growing on its lead-in by 86% in Adults 18-49 this season, the most lead-in growth over a network show of any sitcom on any network.
Since its premiere on NBC in March 2005, "The Office" has established itself as a genuine hit, earning prestigious television honors such as the 2006 Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series, 2006 Peabody Award, 2006 and 2008 AFI Honor, Producers Guild Award, Writers Guild Award, SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy, Ace Eddie Award for editing and a Television Critic's Association Award for Outstanding Achievement in Comedy.
A fly-on-the-wall sitcom about modern American office life, "The Office" delves into the lives of the workers at Dunder Mifflin paper supply company in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Regional manager Michael Scott (Golden Globe winner and Emmy nominee Steve Carell, "Get Smart," "Little Miss Sunshine") is a single, middle-aged man who is the boastful tour guide for the documentary.
"The Office" is executive-produced by Ben Silverman, Greg Daniels, who developed the series for American audiences, Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant, Howard Klein and Paul Lieberstein and Jennifer Celotta.
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 throughout the United States 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, Lyons & Bailes Reel Talk, The Wall Street Journal Report with Maria Bartiromo and the off-network distribution of The Office, Heroes, House, Law & Order, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and many more series.
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