or


[12/08/04 - 12:00 AM]
Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia and NBC Universal Reach Long-Term Distribution Agreement for New Television Series

[via press release from NBC Universal Television Studio]

MARTHA STEWART LIVING OMNIMEDIA AND NBC UNIVERSAL REACH LONG-TERM DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT FOR NEW TELEVISION SERIES

Syndicated Program Starring Emmy-Award Winning Stewart, Produced by Mark Burnett Will Debut in fall 2005

New Daily Show Will Feature Studio Audience, Celebrity Guests; Program Will Debut on NBC's Owned and Operated Stations

NEW YORK -- December 8, 2004 -- Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. (NYSE: MSO) and NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution today announced a multi-year distribution agreement that will bring Martha Stewart back to local television stations in a new nationally syndicated daily series starting in fall 2005. The program has been sold to NBC-owned and operated stations, covering more than 30% of the nation. The joint announcement was made today by Susan Lyne, President and CEO of MSO, and Jeff Zucker, President of NBC Universal Television Group.

Mark Burnett, producer of NBC's hit reality series 'The Apprentice' and upcoming 'The Contender', will executive produce the new daily Martha Stewart television series. In September, MSO announced that it would collaborate with Mr. Burnett on new television programming opportunities. This is the first of these programs.

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.

'This is the first of several new initiatives at MSO that will have positive implications across the entire spectrum of our business,' Ms. Lyne said. 'The new format should appeal to Martha's loyal core audience, as well as a new generation of viewers interested in home and lifestyle. We are especially pleased to be teaming with NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution and Mark Burnett. Mark's ideas for reshaping Martha's show have excited everyone at MSO, and the support of NBC's syndication arm will guarantee the program a broad national platform.'

"I have known Martha since her days on 'Today' and am thrilled to have her back in the NBC Universal family," said Mr. Zucker. "Martha is a proven winner across all media. The power of the brand is stronger than ever and a terrific addition to the NBC Universal Distribution portfolio. Martha is an incredibly appealing and engaging talent with an enormously loyal following. We look forward to working with Martha, Susan Lyne and Mark Burnett to bring the new program to millions of viewers next year."

'Martha has incredible value and enduring appeal. As the arbiter of taste, Martha teaches people in a practical, helpful manner how to include style in everyday living. Our new show will build on this Emmy-award-winning formula by incorporating more interaction, accessibility, vibrancy, and most importantly, humor. Together, I know we can create a show that breaks new ground in daytime, and bring new viewers to Martha's already strong base,' said Mr. Burnett.

'We have been fortunate to work with some of the best distribution partners in the business and it is wonderful to team with NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution in this next phase,' stated Heidi Diamond, President of MSO's Television business segment. 'MSO's Television team is particularly excited by the opportunity to reach more viewers and roll out the new show format to marketing clients, who we believe will benefit greatly from the new integrated marketing and advertising opportunities,' Ms. Diamond added.

'The powerful brand recognition and the promise of high-quality programming will greatly appeal to local broadcasters. The program will provide many opportunities for both national and local advertisers. We anticipate a broad and successful distribution effort,' stated Barry Wallach, President of NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution. 'I worked with Martha in the early days of her TV career, so it is personally very rewarding to be partnering once again with Martha and her terrific team,' added Mr. Wallach.

About Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia
Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. (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. It's 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.

NBC Universal's vast library of theatrical and television titles includes more than 4,000 feature films and more than 40,000 episodes of television programming. NBC Universal's world-class filmed entertainment library offers customers a compelling selection of titles, including such contemporary hit feature films as Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas, The Fast and the Furious, The Mummy Returns, and Bruce Almighty, as well as classics including the Academy Award??-winning All Quiet on the Western Front (1929), To Kill a Mockingbird (1962), The Deer Hunter (1978) and Schindler's List (1993). NBC Universal's library is also home to some of pop culture's most popular classic television programs, including Magnum, P.I., Miami Vice, The A-Team, Alfred Hitchock Presents, Murder, She Wrote and Columbo.

Current and upcoming first-run strip syndicated programming includes 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 and special programming including Good Housekeeping Reports news inserts, a series of The Remarkable Journey specials, as well as a collection of feature film packages. Current format and non-scripted programming includes Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, Outback Jack, Last Comic Standing, Average Joe and NBC News programming including Dateline and Nightly News with Tom Brokaw.

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.





  [december 2004]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
   


· MARTHA (HALLMARK)
· MARTHA STEWART LIVING (SYNDICATION)





[06/19/13 - 05:57 PM]
Tuesday's Cable Ratings: "Counting Cars" Tops Viewers, "Pretty Little Liars" Leads Demos
Plus: numbers for MTV's "Most Awkward Moments," Discovery's "Blood & Oil" and Syfy's "Total Blackout."

[06/19/13 - 04:20 PM]
Gothic Thriller "Hemlock Grove" Back on Netflix for a Second Season
10 new episodes will return in 2014 with Charles Eglee serving as showrunner.

[06/19/13 - 03:27 PM]
FX Acquires New Untitled Sitcom Starring Kelsey Grammer and Martin Lawrence
Lawrence and Grammer will play two Chicago lawyers from vastly different backgrounds who unexpectedly meet in court on the worst day of their lives.

[06/19/13 - 03:15 PM]
USA Network Launches "Necessary Roughness" Webisode Series
The six-week experience follows Terrance "TK" King (Mehcad Brooks) on his quest to become a reality star.

[06/19/13 - 03:04 PM]
ABC Family's "Twisted" Grows by Double Digits; "Pretty Little Liars" Is Tuesday's #1 Scripted TV Telecast in Core 18-34 and 12-34 Demos
ABC Family spins the numbers for Tuesday, June 18.

[06/19/13 - 01:39 PM]
TNT Bumps Newcomer "72 Hours" to Friday Nights
The reality competition series, which had been airing on Thursdays at 9:00/8:00c, will relocate to Fridays effective immediately.

[06/19/13 - 12:17 PM]
ESPN to Present World Series of Poker Main Event
To kick off ESPN's WSOP coverage, the inaugural World Series of Poker Asia-Pacific Main Event Final Table will air on Tuesday, July 23.

[06/19/13 - 12:04 PM]
OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network Announces Summer Premieres for Popular Primetime Series
"Oprah's Lifeclass," "Iyanla: Fix My Life," "Welcome to Sweetie Pie's" and "Oprah: Where Are They Now?" are all due back in the coming weeks.

[06/19/13 - 12:04 PM]
CBS Promotes Glenn Geller to Oversee Combined Current Programming Department for CBS Entertainment and CBS Television Studios
Plus: David Brownfield, who has been head of CBS Entertainment's current programming department since 2004, has signed a development deal with CBS Television Studios.

[06/19/13 - 11:00 AM]
Ohio State and University of Michigan Students Compete to Win "Best Makeover" in HGTV's "Raise a Roof: College Challenge"
The special features teams of university students as they compete in a spirited makeover event that benefits two Rebuilding Together-sponsored homes near their campuses.

[06/19/13 - 09:27 AM]
Chad Smith, Marky Ramone, Nick Jonas, ?uestlove, Zac Hanson, Liberty DeVitto and Others to Join Andrew W.K. for 24-Hour Live Drumming Marathon During MTV/VH1/CMT's O Music Awards Kicking Off Tonight at 7PM ET/4PM PT
The drumming world record attempt will serve as the heart beat for O Music Awards' "Live Music Day Festival," which features more than 50 bands, five kittens, and one goat.

[06/19/13 - 09:12 AM]
Melissa Joan Hart ("Melissa & Joey") and Anna Maria Perez de Tagle ("Baby Daddy") to Participate in Live Twitter Chats Tonight, June 19 on ABC Family
They'll be up on @MelissaJoanHart and @AnnaMariaPdT during their respective telecasts.

[06/19/13 - 09:11 AM]
Disney Channel Orders "I Didn't Do It," Starring Disney XD Star Olivia Holt and Newcomer Austin North
In the series, ultra-competitive fraternal twins Lindy and Logan Watson, together with their four best friends, navigate their freshman year of high school.

[06/19/13 - 09:06 AM]
"Beware the Batman" Soars to Cartoon Network - CGI Action Series Premieres on Saturday, July 13 at 10 A.M. (ET/PT)
Anthony Ruivivar, J.B. Blanc and Sumalee Montano lead the voice ensemble for the series.

[06/19/13 - 09:02 AM]
'Tis The Season... To Celebrate Half Christmas with the "Workaholics"
The infamous Half Christmas episode, "The Strike," will air on Monday, June 24 at midnight/11:00c to kick off the holiday.