GROUND-BREAKING DRAMA "SMASH" HEADED TO OVATION

Ovation Acquires Off-Network Rights From NBCUniversal

Santa Monica, CA - June 27, 2013 - After recently announcing over 200 hours of original programming, Ovation, America's only arts network, has additionally acquired all episodes of critically acclaimed series SMASH from NBCUniversal Cable & New Media. Ovation will debut the series beginning Friday, July 19th at 8pm ET. The announcement was made today by Robert Weiss, Ovation's Chief Creative Officer.

"SMASH is exactly the kind of art-centric programming that Ovation's viewers crave. This high-quality series fits in brilliantly with our efforts to showcase the powerful role that the Arts play in our lives," said Weiss. "Ovation is thrilled to satisfy the wishes of diehard SMASH fans and followers to keep the series alive, as well as to provide viewers, who are new to the series, an opportunity to experience the incredible talent, music, dancing, drama and excitement."

Following the struggles of a New York theater company, SMASH brings to life the drama surrounding the creation of a new Broadway musical, "Bombshell," based on the life of the legendary Marilyn Monroe. SMASH features a multi-talented, all-star ensemble cast, led by Debra Messing, Jack Davenport, Katharine McPhee, Christian Borle, Megan Hilty, Jeremy Jordan and Anjelica Huston. The first season received the Primetime Emmy Award(R) for Outstanding Choreography and was nominated for a Golden Globe Award(R) and a Grammy Award(R).

From Universal Television in association with DreamWorks Television, SMASH stemmed from an idea of executive producer and multiple Emmy and Oscar winner Steven Spielberg (ER, Schindler's List). Executive producers also include Joshua Safran (Gossip Girl), Craig Zadan and Neil Meron (Oscar-winning Chicago, Hairspray), Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey (United States of Tara, The Borgias), Tony and Grammy Award winners Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman (Hairspray, Catch Me If You Can), Jim Chory (NBC's Heroes, American Dreams) and Theresa Rebeck (Mauritius, NYPD Blue).

SMASH has been a hit with viewers since its February 2012 debut on NBC - seen by more than 4 million viewers each week. The series also boasts a 700,000+ social media following. Weiss noted, "It's an honor to keep this creative torch lit on Ovation. SMASH will certainly be a spotlight on Ovation's programming schedule."

Ovation will air SMASH every Friday at 8pm. Season two is set to debut on Ovation in November.

About Ovation

Ovation is America's only arts network, whose mission is to surface and connect the world to all forms of art and artistic expression. Ovation programming is one-of-a-kind mix of original and selectively curated series, films, documentaries and specials. The network reaches a national audience of nearly 50 million homes and is available on national cable systems, as well as nationally on DIRECTV, Dish, Verizon FiOS and AT&T U-Verse. Ovation is also available on VOD (in both standard and high definition). Ovation's diversified viewer experiences extend across its linear network, the popular ovationtv.com, and active social presence on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and more. See the Ovation Facebook page for the latest information and conversations happening across the Ovation brand and the arts: www.facebook.com/OvationTV.

About NBCUniversal Cable & New Media Distribution

The NBCUniversal Cable & New Media Distribution division is responsible for the sale and distribution of NBCUniversal product to all forms of television including digital distribution platforms within the U.S. and Canada. This includes current television and film product as well as content from NBCUniversal's vast library (Universal Pictures, Focus Features, Universal Television, Universal Cable Productions, NBC Late Night properties, etc.) distributed in basic cable, pay cable and subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) markets. Current off-network cable distribution programming includes "30 Rock," "House," "Law & Order," "Law & Order: Criminal Intent," "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," "Monk," "The Office" and "Saturday Night Live," as well as Universal Pictures film content. The division is also responsible for the sales of NBCUniversal content to non-theatrical markets including airlines worldwide.