NBC Announces Production Deal With Power And Universal Media Studios For New Hour-Long Series Version Of Classic Adventure 'Robinson Crusoe'

BURBANK - October 1, 2007 - NBC announced a new, 13-part, hour-long series based on the classic "Robinson Crusoe," from Power, the leading award-winning European drama producers, and industry-leading Universal Media Studios, it was announced today by Ben Silverman, Co-Chairman, NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios. The epic event series is an ambitious remake of Daniel Defoe's masterpiece novel.

"One of our key strategies is to look abroad for great production partners," said Silverman. "This was an opportunity that made perfect sense for us. Justin Bodle, Chris Philip and the team at Power create high-quality productions and working jointly with Universal Media Studios, we know they will combine to give new life to this classic tale of adventure."

Justin Bodle, Founder and CEO of Power, said: "This deal is the first for nearly 40 years where a leading British producer has received an order directly from a U.S. network. It is hugely exciting to be producing a network show for NBC, and to be working with Ben and his phenomenal creative team. Power is consolidating on its reputation as the leading creator of high-end event drama in Europe and 'Robinson Crusoe' will be a landmark piece of television in more ways than one. "

Updated and adrenaline-charged for a 21st-century audience, Power's exciting re-telling of the enduring "Robinson Crusoe" will explore the perils and challenges facing the world's most famous castaway as he and his native friend Friday struggle to survive on a desert island with little more than their wits. Overcoming marauding militias, hungry cannibals, wild cats, starvation and apocalyptic lightning storms, Crusoe dreams of the day he will be reunited with his beloved family.

This is the first television remake since the 1964 series, which was first shown in the United States and then screened a year later in the United Kingdom by the BBC.

First published in 1719 and often regarded as "the first" novel in English, Defoe's story is a fictional autobiography of an English castaway who spent 28 years marooned on a remote tropical island. It has since become one of the greatest adventure stories of all time.

About Power

Power has been distributing television programming internationally for the past 12 years and producing feature-film quality mini-series for five years. The company supplies primetime drama to more than 100 broadcasters and millions of TV viewers across the world and has produced more than �125 million worth of high-quality TV drama to date. Collaborating with some of the world's most respected broadcasters, Power's productions to date include the International Emmy Award-winning miniseries "Henry VIII" (ITV), International Emmy nominated "Virgin Queen" (BBC), world war two epic "Colditz" (ITV), the adaptation of Robert Harris' contemporary thriller "Archangel," starring Daniel Craig (BBC), lively drama "Casanova" starring Peter O'Toole (BBC) and the double award-winning "The Incredible Journey of Mary Bryant" (ITV/Network TEN), Power's ongoing TV movie productions, "Power Thrillers," include six newly commissioned movies for the Lifetime Channel in the U.S. this year.

Power's first feature film, "Flood," starring Robert Carlyle and Jessalyn Gilsig, received its U.K. theatrical premiere last month.

About Universal Media Studios

Universal Media Studios, a division of NBC Universal, is one of the country's largest and most successful television production companies, responsible for more than 15 of television's most critically acclaimed, hit primetime series. Some of the series produced by the studio include the popular dramas "House" and "Heroes," the Emmy Award-winning comedies "The Office" and "30 Rock," critically acclaimed cable hits "Battlestar Galactica" and "Monk," as well as the freshman hit dramas "Bionic Woman" and "Life." The studio also produces a variety of reality programming, the daytime drama "Passions" and NBC's late-night programs "Saturday Night Live," "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" and "Last Call with Carson Daly."