THE WORLD'S GONE MAD - AMC'S EMMY� & GOLDEN GLOBE� AWARD-WINNING DRAMA "MAD MEN" RETURNS SUNDAY, AUGUST 16 AT 10PM

Premiere Episode Presented with Limited Commercial Breaks

Created and Executive Produced by Emmy� and Golden Globe�-Winner Matthew Weiner; Produced by LIONSGATE�

NEW YORK, NY � July 20, 2009 � "Mad Men," the most talked about show on television, returns to AMC for its highly anticipated third season on Sunday, August 16 at 10 PM ET/9C. Heralded as "one of the most critically acclaimed TV shows ever" (New York Post), "Mad Men" has become a pop culture phenomenon, with an award-winning ensemble that continues to captivate as they contend with a world on the brink of dramatic social change. Created by Emmy�Award-winning executive producer Matthew Weiner and produced by LIONSGATE�, "Mad Men" has made history as the first basic cable series ever to win the Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series, and back-to-back Golden Globes� for Best Television Series � Drama. A riveting portrait of a time that was anything but innocent, "Mad Men's" new season is bursting with one scandalous surprise after another.

Set in 1960s New York, the sexy and provocative original drama follows the lives of the ruthlessly competitive men and women of Madison Avenue advertising.

Season Two left off against the backdrop of the Cuban Missile Crisis. Major changes were unfolding at the Sterling Cooper advertising agency resulting from its takeover by British advertising firm PPL (Putnam, Powell & Lowe). Creative Director Donald Draper (Jon Hamm) returns from Los Angeles - where he ran away trying to come to terms with his identity - to news of the merger, and attempts to reconcile with his wife, Betty (January Jones). In the wake of her separation from Don, Betty discovers she's expecting their third child, and in a shocking moment, sleeps with another man in a back office at a bar. When Pete (Vincent Kartheiser) professes his love for Peggy (Elisabeth Moss), she makes the heartbreaking confession that she secretly gave birth to his child only to give it up for adoption in order to pursue her career. A self-indulgent Roger (John Slattery) leaves his wife Mona for Don's former secretary Jane, while Joan (Christina Hendricks) once again faces the limitations of her gender in both the workplace and her personal relationship.

"Mad Men's" third season will further explore relationships, family and evolving gender roles through its fascinating, complex characters. The series' thought-provoking storylines will reflect the rising tensions in American society, the questioning of traditional norms and the fermenting frustrations between women and men.

"'Mad Men' struck a pop-cultural chord and is now widely considered one of the most exciting and distinctive dramas on television," said Charlie Collier, President and General Manager of AMC. "Matthew Weiner is an extraordinary storyteller, who - along with an outstanding production team and brilliant cast - has created some of TV's most poignant, shocking and entertaining moments. In the new season, the complex and changing world of 1960s Madison Avenue will continue to enthrall fans everywhere."

"The response to 'Mad Men' has been tremendous, both here and abroad," said Kevin Beggs, Lionsgate's President of Television Programming and Production. "Through great writing and execution, the series has tapped into the universal appeal of intimate, nuanced storytelling and the public's fascination with the style, fashion and events of this turbulent time in America's history."

"Mad Men" stars 2007 Golden Globe-winner Jon Hamm; January Jones; Vincent Kartheiser; Elisabeth Moss; Christina Hendricks; John Slattery; Bryan Batt; Michael Gladis; Aaron Staton; and Rich Sommer, and guest stars legendary stage and screen actor Robert Morse.

Leading up to the new season, AMC will air a "Mad Men" marathon on Monday, August 10 from 7am � 8pm ET, featuring all 13 episodes from the series' award-winning second season.

Season One is available On Demand, in both standard- and high-definition. Season Two will be available on DVD July 14 and On Demand starting July 20. The series pilot, "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes," is also available for live streaming on www.amctv.com.

"Mad Men" is produced by Lionsgate in association with AMC. Joining Weiner is executive producer Scott Hornbacher ("The Sopranos"); supervising producer Lisa Albert ("Becker"); co-producer Dahvi Waller ("Desperate Housewives"); producers Dwayne Shattuck ("Hidden Palms") and Blake McCormick ("Swingtown"); and associate producer Marcy Patterson ("Miss Guided"). Andr� and Maria Jacquemetton ("Highlander"); Marti Noxon ("Grey's Anatomy"); and Frank Pierson (Dog Day Afternoon) are consulting producers. Emmy Award-winner Christopher Manley, ASC ("Prison Break") is director of photography. Emmy Award-winner Dan Bishop ("Big Love") is production designer and Emmy Award-winner Janie Bryant ("Deadwood") is costume designer. Malcolm Jamieson ("Damages") is supervising editor and Christopher Nelson, A.C.E. ("Lost") and Tom Wilson ("Rome") are editors.

About AMC

AMC - the most Emmy�-winning basic cable network of 2008 - reigns as the only basic cable network to win back-to-back Golden Globes� for Best Television Series � Drama and boasts a comprehensive library of the most entertaining movies of all time. Whether commemorating favorite films from every genre and decade or creating acclaimed original productions, the AMC experience is an uncompromising celebration of great stories. AMC's original stories include the Emmy� Award-winning dramas "Mad Men" and "Breaking Bad," the upcoming miniseries "The Prisoner" and insightful non-scripted programming such as "AMC Storymakers" and AMC News. AMC further demonstrates its commitment to the art of storytelling with curated movie franchises like AMC Hollywood Icon and AMC Complete Collection. Available in more than 94 million homes (Source: Nielsen Media Research), AMC is a subsidiary of Rainbow Media Holdings LLC, which includes sister networks IFC, Sundance Channel and WE tv. AMC is available across all platforms including on-air, online, on demand and mobile. AMC: Story Matters HereSM.

About LIONSGATE�

Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF) is the leading next generation studio with a strong and diversified presence in the production and distribution of motion pictures, television programming, home entertainment, family entertainment, video-on-demand and digitally delivered content. The Company has built a strong television presence in production of prime time cable and broadcast network series, distribution and syndication of programming through Debmar-Mercury, reality programming through its joint venture with ISH Entertainment and an array of channel platform assets. Lionsgate has nearly 20 television series airing or scheduled to air on 11 different networks from its in-house production operations, through distribution by Debmar-Mercury or as part of its ISH Entertainment joint venture. Its programming roster is headed by such critically-acclaimed and groundbreaking shows as "Mad Men," "Weeds," "Nurse Jackie," "Crash," "Tyler Perry's House of Payne," "Meet The Browns," "The Wendy Williams Show" and "Paris Hilton's My New BFF." Lionsgate handles a prestigious and prolific library of approximately 12,000 motion picture and television titles that is an important source of recurring revenue and serves as the foundation for the growth of the Company's core businesses. The Lionsgate brand remains synonymous with original, daring, quality entertainment in markets around the world.