NBC UNIVERSAL DOMESTIC TELEVISION DISTRIBUTION HAS SOLD UPCOMING MARTHA STEWART SERIES IN MORE THAN 85% OF THE U.S. FOR FALL 2005 DEBUT
Daytime Series Licensed In All Top 20 Markets and 47 of the Top 50
BURBANK, Calif. -- March 3, 2005 -- NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution has now sold its upcoming daily series with Martha Stewart in more than 85% of the U.S. for its fall debut in national syndication, it was announced today by Barry Wallach, President, NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution, and Heidi Diamond, President, Television, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc. (NYSE: MSO).
The forthcoming series has now been sold in all top 20 U.S. TV markets and in 47 of the nation's top 50. New clearances include KPRC-TV Houston, WOAI-TV San Antonio and WMC-TV Memphis.
It has been sold on stations from a number of leading broadcast station groups, including Hearst-Argyle, Gannett, Scripps-Howard, Albritton, Post-Newsweek, Belo, Freedom, CBS, Young, Clear Channel, Meredith and Milwaukee Journal.
It was previously announced that the majority of the NBC Owned and Operated Stations, covering more than 30% of the U.S., had acquired the series. NBC stations signed on include WNBC-TV New York, KNBC-TV Los Angeles and WMAQ-TV Chicago. Mark Burnett, producer of NBC's hit reality series 'The Apprentice' and upcoming 'The Contender', will executive produce with Stewart the new daily Martha Stewart television series.
"The table is now set for Martha's return to daytime television," says NBC Universal's Wallach. "Both the station community and viewers alike are enthusiastically anticipating her return and are truly excited about the prospects of Martha teaming up with Mark Burnett to create something very special come this fall."
"Our loyal fans and new audiences can't wait to tune into Martha and her guests on the new home and lifestyle daytime program in the fall," stated Ms. Diamond of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. "With expansive distribution and a new interactive format, the show will present advertisers the opportunity to reach a broad audience of engaged viewers."
The hour-long show will be taped live with a studio audience and feature a new programming format that allows audience members and special guests to participate and interact with Martha. Viewers will learn new ways to enhance their lives as audience members and even celebrity guests help Martha unveil great ideas and new projects -- from cooking and entertaining, to decorating and home renovating, and more. The segments will be engaging, illuminating and fun, appealing to a broad audience of viewers.
About Mark Burnett Productions
Mark Burnett Productions (MBP) is a leading production company in the world of primetime non-fiction television. MBP revolutionized television with hits such as Eco-Challenge, Survivor, The Apprentice and the upcoming Contender. MBP also successfully reintroduced product placement as an integral part of each of its shows and has garnered a total of 24 Emmy nominations since 2001. Mark Burnett was listed as the #1 Most Valuable Player by TV Guide and also in Time Magazine's Top 100 most influential people in the world today.
About Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc.
Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. (NYSE: MSO) is a leading provider of original "how-to" information, inspiring and engaging consumers with unique lifestyle content and high-quality products. MSO is organized into four business segments: Publishing, Television, Merchandising, and Internet/Direct Commerce. Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol MSO.
About NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution
NBC Universal is a leader in providing entertainment programming to the domestic and international marketplaces. NBC Universal Television Distribution division is responsible for the global distribution of NBC Universal product to all forms of television throughout the world. 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 includes a new daily series with Martha Stewart, Access Hollywood, Blind Date, The Jane Pauley Show, The Jerry Springer Show, Maury and Starting Over. Current and upcoming first-run weekly syndicated programming includes The Chris Matthews Show, The George Michael Sports Machine, Rebecca's Garden, The Wall Street Journal Report with Maria Bartiromo, Your Total Health and the off-network distribution of Crossing Jordan, Fear Factor, Providence, the Law & Order franchise. Special programming includes Good Housekeeping Reports news inserts, a series of The Remarkable Journey specials, as well as a collection of feature film packages.
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