NBC UNIVERSAL DOMESTIC TELEVISION DISTRIBUTION HAS SOLD EMMY AND GOLDEN GLOBE WINNING COMEDY "THE OFFICE" TO THE FOX-OWNED STATIONS

NBC UNIVERSAL DOMESTIC TELEVISION DISTRIBUTION HAS SOLD EMMY AND GOLDEN GLOBE WINNING COMEDY "THE OFFICE" TO THE FOX-OWNED STATIONS

Hit NBC Sitcom to Make Syndication Debut in Fall 2009

UNIVERSAL CITY, CA June 21, 2007 NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution has sold Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning sitcom "The Office" to the Fox Television Stations for its initial broadcast run in off-network syndication starting in fall 2009, it was announced today by Barry Wallach, President, NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution.

"The Office," produced by Reveille and Universal Media Studios, will debut on the Fox owned-and-operated stations in the nation's top markets, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington D.C., Dallas, Houston, Phoenix, Minneapolis, Orlando and Baltimore.

"In the tradition of NBC's legendary Thursday night comedies, 'The Office' has one of the strongest ensemble casts on TV, a terrific team of writers, a loyal young adult skew and the critics are already comparing it to the classic comedies of all time," says Wallach. "And pairing 'The Office" with the great comedies on the Fox Television Stations, will make for a great match as it launches its initial syndication run.

Frank Cicha, Senior Vice President, Programming, Fox Television Stations, said, "We are thrilled to add a program of this strength and quality to our FOX and MyNetworkTV comedy lineups. It's going to be a pivotal player for us."

"The Office" completed the 2006-2007 season as NBC's top-rated comedy, delivering the most upscale audience in all of primetime television. The series enjoyed ratings gains from the previous season in key demographics and was the #1 comedy on all networks among women 18-34, according to Nielsen Media Research.

The 2006 Emmy Award winner for Outstanding Comedy Series, "The Office" is based on the award-winning BBC hit and takes a comedic look into the humorous and sometimes poignant foolishness that plagues the world of 9-to-5 office working environments.

A fly-on-the-wall comedy about modern American office life, "The Office" delves into the lives of the workers at Dunder Mifflin paper supply company in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Regional manager Michael Scott (Golden Globe winner Steve Carell, "The 40-Year-Old Virgin," "Evan Almighty") is a single, middle-aged man who is the boastful tour guide for the documentary.

Pam Beesly (Jenna Fischer, "Slither") is the reasonable and friendly office receptionist who bears the brunt of Michael's routines. The bright spots in Pam's day are her conversations with Jim Halpert (John Krasinski, "Jarhead," "Kinsey"), a likable sales rep with a good sense of humor who should have found a better job years ago, but is too comfortable with his office mates and routine to leave. Jim shares his working space with Dwight Schrute (Rainn Wilson, "Six Feet Under"), the arrogant assistant to the regional manager. Dwight is intensely irritating to normal people while Jim spends a lot of time finding new, interesting ways to drive Dwight crazy. Ryan Howard (B.J. Novak, "Punk'd") is a young, smart, self-possessed temp, who quickly figures out the real office politics despite Michael's attempts to instill the official point-of-view.

"The Office" is executive-produced by Ben Silverman, Greg Daniels, who developed the series for American audiences, Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant and Howard Klein.

About Fox Television Stations

The Fox Television Stations group, one of the nation's largest owned-and-operated network broadcast groups, comprises 35 stations in 26 markets, covering nearly 45% of U.S. television homes. This includes six duopolies in the top 10 markets: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, Washington, D.C. and Houston; as well as duopolies in Minneapolis, Phoenix and Orlando.

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 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 The Chris Matthews Show, The Wall Street Journal Report with Maria Bartiromo, Reel Talk, Your Total Health and the off-network distribution of The Office, House, Monk, the Law & Order series and much more.