NBC UNIVERSAL DOMESTIC TELEVISION DISTRIBUTION BRINGING HIT DRAMA "LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT" TO WEEKDAY SYNDICATION IN FALL 2009
NBC UNIVERSAL DOMESTIC TELEVISION DISTRIBUTION BRINGING HIT DRAMA "LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT" TO WEEKDAY SYNDICATION IN FALL 2009
Fox-Owned Stations In Top Markets Get Highest-Rated "Law & Order" Series and Weekend Syndication Hit
"SVU" Already Sold in 18 of Top 20 Markets and Also To Stations From CBS, Sinclair, Hearst, Belo and Many More
UNIVERSAL CITY, CA�April 28, 2008�NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution has sold Dick Wolf's hit procedural drama "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" to the Fox Television Stations in the nation's top markets, as well as stations from other leading broadcast groups for weekday runs starting in fall 2009, it was announced today by Barry Wallach, President, NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution.
The announcement comes on the heel's of "Law & Order: Special Victim Unit's" successful debut this season in weekend broadcast syndication and the show's continued dominance in primetime on NBC. "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" is a Wolf Films production in association with Universal Media Studios and is Emmy-winner Dick Wolf's highest-rated series of the "Law and Order" brand.
"SVU" has been sold to the Fox owned and operated stations in New York, Los Angeles Chicago, Dallas, Washington D.C., Houston, Phoenix, Minneapolis, Orlando and Baltimore. The series has also been sold in 18 of the nation's top 20 markets, as well as to stations from CBS, Sinclair, Sunbeam, Belo, Hearst, Granite, Capitol, Local TV and more.
"'Law & Order: Special Victims Unit' continues to be one of the highest-rated primetime dramas on TV and it's a bona fide hit in weekend broadcast syndication this season," says Wallach. "'SVU' is a successful brand with both viewers and advertisers alike and it will undoubtedly make for a great Monday-through-Friday series for local broadcasters starting in 2009."
Frank Cicha, Senior Vice President of Programming, Fox Television Stations added, "We've been very pleased with 'Law & Order: Criminal Intent' in our Monday-Friday lineups as it's ushered in the return of hour dramas to strip syndication. Given 'SVU's' powerful presence on weekends and in primetime, we're confident it will work as a great counter program for us."
Currently in its ninth season on NBC, "Law & Order: SVU" continues to be one of the network's top primetime programs. This season, "SVU" is the #1 crime drama on network television among women and adults 18-34 and second among women and adults 18-49, according to Nielsen Media Research data.
And in the just completed February sweep, "SVU's" weekend syndicated runs have improved time periods by more than 40% in both Households and Adults 25-54 (vs. Feb. 2007) and more than 50% in Women 25-54.
This hard-hitting and emotional series from NBC's "Law & Order" brand, chronicles the life and crimes of the Special Victims Unit of the New York Police Department. The drama follows Detective Elliot Stabler (Christopher Meloni), a seasoned veteran of the unit who has seen it all, and his partner, Detective Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay), who's difficult past is the reason she joined the unit.
In 2007, Hargitay (Detective Benson) garnered her third Emmy nomination for Lead Actress in a Drama Series. In 2006, she received her third SAG nomination for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series for her portrayal of Detective Benson. In 2005, Hargitay earned her first Golden Globe Award for Lead Actress in a Drama Series for the role and her second Emmy nomination; and in 2004, both an Emmy and a SAG nomination in the same category.
"Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" is a Wolf Films production in association with Universal Media Studios. Wolf, is creator and executive producer, Neal Baer (NBC's "ER," "China Beach"), Ted Kotcheff ("Fun with Dick and Jane," "Weekend at Bernie's") and Peter Jankowski are executive producers.
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 the upcoming syndicated version of Deal Or No Deal, Access Hollywood, Blind Date, The Jerry Springer Show, The Martha Stewart Show, Maury and The Steve Wilkos Show. Current first-run weekly syndicated programming includes Lyons & Bailes Reel Talk, The Chris Matthews Show, The Wall Street Journal Report with Maria Bartiromo, Your Total Health and the off-network distribution of The Office, House, Monk, Law & Order, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Law & Order: Criminal Intent and much more.
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