MARTHA -- ONE NAME AND ONE SHOW THAT WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN DAYTIME
New Nationally Syndicated Series �Martha � Set to Premiere in More Than 96% of the Country Beginning September 12
NEW YORK -- August 16, 2005 -- When Martha Stewart�s daytime show, Martha, premieres on September 12, television viewers should expect the unexpected from a woman who gave new meaning to the phrase �how-to� lifestyle programming. Simply called Martha, the nationally-syndicated, lifestyle series, distributed by NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution, will be anchored by entertaining and informative segments but will also highlight and spotlight Martha�s sense of humor and love of fun, people, and projects. In addition, for the first time Martha will interact with a studio audience everyday during her live show. Martha�s new studio is located on West 26th Street in the famed Chelsea Television Studios.
Every hour-long episode will feature movers, shakers and headline makers, A-list celebrities, plus everyday people who�ve accomplished extraordinary things. And Martha will hit the road in segments such as �What�s Really for Dinner,� in which Martha surprises a viewer by visiting her home, tying on an apron, assisting in the cooking of a meal, and joining the family at the dinner table. Family members can barely believe their eyes when they find Martha Stewart sitting in their living room, chatting with the kids and their parents, and petting the family dog. And while cooking, crafting, collecting, gardening, and home design will be featured components in the show, Martha will present these subjects with a new twist. For example, Martha will be scouring the country for the worst cooks in America. She really hopes that with a little coaching, these culinary catastrophes can be turned into magical meal makers. Don�t be surprised to see Martha behind the counter of a local eatery in an effort to promote the best restaurants across the country. In addition, a regular segment called �Martha�s Scholars� will identify and help stellar students; Martha will also focus on young mothers who are already successful business entrepreneurs or are headed on a path to fame and fortune but need a helping hand.
Martha�s casual and beautifully designed set will feature a line of top appliances and other essential how- to accoutrements but the center of the action will be at the kitchen island, which will serve as Martha�s home base. The innovative set design will accommodate a wide range of segments from gardening in the glass-enclosed conservatory to cooking in a well-stocked prep kitchen visible to the studio audience and home viewers through a sound-proofed glass window.
Commenting on the series, executive producer and host Martha Stewart said: �I am very excited about working with a live audience for the first time and relish the idea of hosting a series that is a one-stop destination for all things �how-to.� This show will be everything that viewers have come to expect from Martha Stewart Living Television � it is informative and inspiring content that is well researched and presented in an engaging format. With the new show, we have set the bar very high, and I�m sure viewers will be surprised and entertained by what we�ll have to offer this fall.�
Mark Burnett, who executive produces Martha and makes his first foray into daytime with the series noted: �As soon as I spent time with Martha I knew that her witty and engaging humor would surprise and entertain viewers. Our new daytime show does just that. It remains informative but this time it�s in front of a live studio audience. It�s energetic, it�s fun. It works.�
Emmy-winning co-executive producer Rob Dauber, whose credits include The Rosie O�Donnell Show, said: �Martha�s ability to communicate how-to is legendary. But the goal of this series is to also deliver the why � why a young mother of three chooses to start her own business, or why a celebrity champions a new charity or takes on a new hobby. If a celebrity guest has a love of animals, then our entire studio audience will have an opportunity to share their love of pets with Martha and the viewers. Many of the shows will have a theme � for example, if Martha has heard about a new book on the genetics of red hair, then all our guests as well as our studio audience will celebrate the red-head phenomenon and that includes Martha, who will happily don a red wig to ensure that we stay true to our theme.�
Martha is executive produced by Martha Stewart and Mark Burnett. Co-executive producer is Rob Dauber. The series is distributed by NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution to more than 96% of the country.
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, The Contender and Rockstar: INXS. 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 in Time Magazine�s Top 100 most influential people in the world today.
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 Martha, Access Hollywood, Blind Date, 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.
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. MSLO 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.
We have included in this press release certain �forward-looking statements,� as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts but instead represent only our current beliefs regarding future events, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of our control. These statements can be identified by terminology such as �may,� �will,� �should,� �could�, �expects,� �intends,� �plans,� �anticipates,� �believes,� �estimates,�
�potential,� or �continue� or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. The Company�s actual results may differ materially from those projected in these statements, and factors that could cause such differences include: adverse reactions to publicity relating to Martha Stewart by consumers, advertisers and business partners; an adverse resolution to the pending SEC enforcement proceeding against Ms. Stewart arising from her personal sale of non-Company stock; adverse resolution of some or all of the Company�s ongoing litigation; downturns in national and/or local economies; shifts in our business strategies; a loss of the services of Ms. Stewart; a loss of the services of other key personnel; a softening of the domestic advertising market; changes in consumer reading, purchasing and/or television viewing patterns; unanticipated increases in paper, postage or printing costs; operational or financial problems at any of our contractual business partners; the receptivity of consumers to our new product introductions; and changes in government regulations affecting the Company�s industries. Certain of these and other factors are discussed in more detail in the Company�s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, especially under the heading �Management�s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,� which may be accessed through the SEC�s World Wide Web site at http://www.sec.gov. The Company is under no obligation to update any forward-looking statements after the date of this release.
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