MAUREEN FITZPATRICK NAMED EXECUTIVE PRODUCER OF "ACCESS" AND "ACCESS LIVE"

Veteran and Highly Respected Executive to Oversee NBCU's Popular Syndicated Entertainment News Series

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. - March 19, 2019 - Veteran television executive Maureen FitzPatrick has been named executive producer of the nationally syndicated and Emmy Award-nominated daily entertainment news program "Access" and the daily one-hour syndicated entertainment news talk show "Access Live," it was announced today by Tracie Wilson, Executive Vice President, Creative Affairs, NBCUniversal Domestic TV Distribution.

"Maureen is an extremely talented and creative producer with extensive experience and a proven track record in navigating many different dayparts and genres," said Wilson. "We are looking forward to her creative insight and expertise as we build upon the success of these long-standing and iconic programs."

"I've had a wonderful experience working with the NBCUniversal development and syndication group this past year and am honored to join the talented and hardworking 'Access' and 'Access Live' teams," FitzPatrick said. "The 'Access' brand has become the gold standard and I'm excited to take its legacy to the next level with innovative new ideas that give viewers even more ways to connect with all their favorite entertainment stories."

FitzPatrick has worked as a television and studio executive for more than 25 years, producing live news and several different genres of programming, including entertainment news, talk shows, game shows, variety shows, late night, lifestyle, court and sitcoms as well as digital launches. Most recently, FitzPatrick joined NBCUniversal in early 2018 as a development and creative executive where she worked as a consultant for "Access" and "Access Live," developed several concepts and pilots for the syndication division and oversaw the development and pilot production of the nationally syndicated series "Judge Jerry," which is set to debut this fall.

FitzPatrick's experience includes Judge Judy's "Hot Bench," "Daily Blast Live," "Whose Line Is It Anyway?," "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" and "The Dating Game." With her versatile TV industry experience, FitzPatrick has held roles as an executive producer, programming executive and development consultant and has had overall deals that span multiple studios, including Sony, Disney and Fox.

Previous to her time as a development and creative executive for "Access" and "Access Live," FitzPatrick managed development and production for Oxygen's "Crime Time" pilot. In 2017, she oversaw the development and launch of "Daily Blast Live," a coast-to-coast live broadcast and online series combining news, entertainment and viewer interaction.

FitzPatrick was tapped in 2014 by Judge Judy Sheindlin to launch and executive producer her new series, "Hot Bench," which became the #1 new strip in syndication in the last 10 years. FitzPatrick was named Executive Vice President at CBS Television Distribution in 2012 where she oversaw nine syndicated series. Previously, she was Senior VP of Comedy Development at FremantleMedia.

"Access" and "Access Live" tape live from the Terrace Studios, adjacent to the Universal Studios lot in Universal City, Calif."Access" and "Access Live" are produced by NBC Subsidiary (KNBC-TV), Inc. and distributed by NBCUniversal Domestic Television Distribution.

FitzPatrick lives in Los Angeles with her husband, Doug Armstrong, an Emmy-winning writer, and their elderly cat, Mr. Peepers.

ABOUT "ACCESS"

"Access," currently in its 23rd season, is an Emmy Award-nominated, daily half-hour and nationally syndicated entertainment news program hosted by Natalie Morales and Kit Hoover. Along with senior correspondent Scott Evans and correspondent Sibley Scoles, the show takes viewers behind the velvet ropes and on to the red carpet to deliver the hottest celebrity interviews and the biggest entertainment news stories in Hollywood. For the 2018-19 season, "Access" is averaging 1.8 million daily viewers and ranks as a top syndicated entertainment news magazine among both women 25-54 and adults 25-54. "Access" delivers winning ratings for its local station partners by ranking as the #1 syndicated news magazine in New York (WNBC), Los Angeles (KNBC), Chicago (WMAQ), Philadelphia (WCAU), Dallas (KDFW), Washington DC (WRC), and San Francisco (KNTV) among women 25-54 for 2018-19 season.

ABOUT "ACCESS LIVE"

"Access Live," currently in its ninth season, is a daily one-hour syndicated entertainment news talk show co-hosted by Natalie Morales, Kit Hoover and Scott Evans. The show features in-studio celebrity guests and breaks down the biggest entertainment and viral moments from around the world, keeping viewers up-to-date on all things pop culture.

ABOUT NBCUNIVERSAL DOMESTIC TELEVISION DISTRIBUTION

NBCUniversal Domestic Television Distribution is responsible for the production, sales and distribution of NBCUniversal products to broadcast television within the United States. The division develops and produces first-run programming and distributes these shows, along with off-network content, in broadcast syndication. Current first-run broadcast syndicated programming includes "Steve," "Access," "Access Live," "Maury," "The Jerry Springer Show" and "The Steve Wilkos Show," and in fall 2019 the division will premiere "The Kelly Clarkson Show" and "Judge Jerry." In addition, the division distributes the retro television broadcast network Cozi TV and weekend syndicated series "On the Money" and "Open House." Current off-network programming includes "American Ninja Warrior," "Law & Order: Criminal Intent," "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," "Chicago P.D." and "Dateline."