"DEAL OR NO DEAL" DEBUTS AS #1 NEW FIRST-RUN SHOW IN NATIONAL SYNDICATION
Highest-Rated Game Show Launch in Six Years
"Deal" Also Scores Best Metered Market Rating Tuesday, Topping All New First-Run Programs
Los Angeles, CA-September 24, 2008--NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution and Endemol USA's new half-hour, five-day-a-week version of "Deal or No Deal" debuted as the top new first-run series in national syndication, according to Nielsen Media Research data for the week ending September 14th, 2008.
"Deal or No Deal," which debuted September 8 on local broadcast stations, was the highest-rated new syndicated series in households, total viewers, adults 25-54 and women 25-54 (tie). "Deal" is the highest-rated game show to launch in national syndication in six years and the show also scored its best metered market HH rating to date on Tuesday, topping all new syndicated programs.
"'Deal or No Deal' has gotten off to a terrific start in syndication and we are thrilled that it is helping improve time periods across the country," says Barry Wallach, President NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution. "As viewers settle into the new season, 'Deal' continues to grow and just yesterday it scored its highest ratings of the new season."
"Deal or No Deal" averaged a 1.6 HH rating for the first week of the 2008-2009 TV season, topping all other new first-run syndicated programs. "Deal" also averaged more than 2.2 million total viewers per episode, topping the second highest-rated new syndicated series by 32% for the week and debuted with the youngest median age of any game show in syndication, according to Nielsen Media Research data.
And in the metered markets on Tuesday (Sept. 23), "Deal or No Deal" was the top new first-run show in syndication, averaging a season-best 1.4 HH rating, up 8% from the year ago time period average. "Deal" scored season highs in Boston, Atlanta, Minneapolis, St. Louis, Portland, Baltimore, Milwaukee and numerous other markets on Tuesday.
Hosted by Howie Mandel, who continues to host NBC's primetime version of "Deal or No Deal," the new syndicated edition is sold in more than 97% of the U.S. for its first season.
The new syndicated version features all the key elements of the hit primetime series, including models, contestants taking big risks and having the chance to win a life-changing amount of money, the Banker, Mandel as host and the same award-winning production team from Endemol USA and Executive Producer Scott St. John.
Based on the successful format from Endemol that has aired in more than 50 countries, "Deal or No Deal" is produced by Endemol USA, a division of Endemol Holding and distributed in national syndication by NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution. David Goldberg is the President of Endemol USA. The series is executive-produced by Scott St. John.
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 and upcoming first-run strip syndicated programming at NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution includes Deal or No Deal, Access Hollywood, 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: Criminal Intent, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and much more.
About Endemol USA:
Endemol USA is a leading producer of television programming specializing in reality and non-scripted genres for network and cable television. The company produces the break-out hits "Deal or No Deal," "1 VS 100," "Fear Factor," "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" "Wipeout" and "Big Brother." Endemol USA is a division of Endemol Holding, a prominent international content developer, producer and distributor of television and online programming. The company, headquartered in the Netherlands, has subsidiaries and joint ventures in 21 countries, including the major European markets, the U.S., South Africa, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and Australia. Endemol Entertainment is a subsidiary of the Consortium, a conglomerate formed by Mediacinco Cartera S.A., Cyrte Found II B.V., and GS Capital Partners VI Fund.
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