NBC UNIVERSAL DOMESTIC TELEVISION DISTRIBUTION'S "THE STEVE WILKOS SHOW" RENEWED BY MAJOR STATION GROUPS FOR THIRD SEASON
Talk Show Renewed By Tribune, Sinclair, Hearst, Sunbeam & Other Leading Station Groups for 2009-2010 Season
"Wilkos" Has Biggest Year-To-Year Growth Of All Syndicated Strips & Hit Series Highs In Most Recent National Weekly Ratings
Chicago, Illinois--February 9, 2009--NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution's "The Steve Wilkos Show" has been renewed on local broadcast stations from numerous leading station groups for its third season in national syndication, it was announced today by Barry Wallach, President, NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution.
"The Steve Wilkos Show," which has the biggest year-to-year growth of all nationally syndicated strips and just hit its all-time high ratings in the most recent weekly syndication figures, has been renewed by stations from Tribune, Sinclair, Hearst, Sunbeam, Weigel and more for the 2009-2010 TV season.
"Wilkos" has been renewed on top Tribune stations including WPIX-TV New York, KTLA-TV Los Angeles and WPHL-TV Philadelphia. Sinclair stations include WPGH-TV Pittsburgh, WNUV-TV Baltimore, WTTE-TV Columbus, Weigel Broadcasting's WCIU-TV Chicago, Sunbeam's WLVI-TV Boston and on Hearst-owned WKCF-TV Orlando.
"'The Steve Wilkos Show' has shown positive ratings growth for our local station partners and continues to be a wonderful complement to broadcaster's existing daytime lineups," says Wallach. "Steve and the show's producers are helping change the lives of millions of Americans each day on the screen and off with their efforts, including their current initiative to aid the families of U.S. military personnel the with non-profit USA Cares organization."
"We've been very pleased with the performance of 'The Steve Wilkos Show' for two seasons now, as it has worked very well alongside our other daytime programming across our station group," says Sean Compton, Senior Vice President, Programming & Entertainment, Tribune Broadcasting. "We look forward to another strong season with Steve and the team at the show."
"The Steve Wilkos Show," which is currently in its second season in national syndication, has the biggest year-to-year growth of all first-run nationally syndicated shows returning this season, up 22% in HHs and 17% in Women 25-54, according to Nielsen Media Research (November '08 vs. November '07). In the top 100 markets, "Wilkos" is improving both time periods and building on its lead-in time period average by 11% and it is the fourth youngest talk show in all of national syndication. And in the most recent weekly national syndication ratings, "The Steve Wilkos Show" scored its best national ratings to date in households, total viewers and Women 25-54.
Wilkos, a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and a former Chicago Police Department officer, is now a national spokesperson for USA Cares, a non-profit organization that provides military families with financial and advocacy support in their time of need. "The Steve Wilkos Show" is taped in front of a live studio audience at WMAQ-TV Chicago. Rachelle Consiglio is the executive producer.
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 throughout the United States 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 first-run strip syndicated programming at NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution includes Access Hollywood, Deal or No Deal, 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, Lyons & Bailes Reel Talk, The Wall Street Journal Report with Maria Bartiromo and the off-network distribution of Heroes, House, The Office, Law & Order, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and many more series.
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