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TV GUIDE NETWORK ANNOUNCES ITS FIRST SCRIPTED SERIES ACQUISITION, OBTAINING THE EXCLUSIVE BASIC CABLE OFF-NETWORK RIGHTS TO ABC�S �UGLY BETTY�
Network Takes First Major Step toward Revamping Programming As It Evolves into a Destination for Entertainment
LOS ANGELES (July 22, 2009) � In a significant move to bolster its programming and attract new viewers, TV Guide Network announced today that it has entered into an agreement with Disney-ABC Domestic Television to acquire the exclusive basic cable off-network rights to ABC Studios� Golden Globe� Award winning television series �Ugly Betty.� It is TV Guide Network�s first scripted series acquisition and part of a multi-tiered programming strategy to evolve the network as an entertainment destination.
The deal includes access to existing and future episodes of �Ugly Betty� which will begin airing as a weekly strip on TV Guide Network in fall 2010. As part of the agreement, TVGuide.com will have rights to stream up to five �Ugly Betty� episodes at a time online. In addition, the deal includes repurpose rights for the new season of �Ugly Betty� premiering in October 2009 on ABC. The repeat telecast of the new episodes will air on TV Guide Network within two weeks of their premiere on ABC.
�We are thrilled to be the exclusive cable and satellite home for a show as popular as �Ugly Betty,� which will become a cornerstone of TV Guide Network�s schedule,� said Ryan O�Hara, President, TV Guide Network and TVGuide.com. ��Ugly Betty� is a show that both fans and critics love, and one we believe will attract new viewers and advertisers to our network and web site. This acquisition is the first step of a larger, ongoing plan to strengthen our programming schedule and redefine TV Guide Network as a place to watch great television.�
�Ugly Betty� is set in the superficial world of high fashion, where the sweet, intelligent, hard-working and fashionably challenged Betty Suarez from Queens takes a job in the cutthroat world of magazine publishing at Mode Magazine. Betty must prove that she is not just a super assistant with no fashion sense, but an aspiring career woman and editor-to-be while balancing her tumultuous love life and her familial responsibilities. Based on �Yo Soy Betty La Fea,� the groundbreaking Colombian telenovela that became an international phenomenon, �Ugly Betty� is produced by ABC Studios and distributed by Disney-ABC Domestic Television.
Premiering its fourth season on ABC this October, �Ugly Betty� stars Emmy� Award winning actress America Ferrera as Betty Suarez, Eric Mabius as Daniel Meade, Vanessa Williams as Wilhelmina Slater, Ana Ortiz as Hilda, Tony Plana as Ignacio, Becki Newton as Amanda, Mark Indelicato as Justin, Michael Urie as Marc and Judith Light as Claire Meade. Executive producers are Silvio Horta, Academy Award-nominee and Emmy Award winner Salma Hayek, Jose Tamez, Richard Heus, Ben Silverman, Teri Weinberg, Tracy Poust and Jon Kinnally.
About TV Guide Network
TV Guide Network reaches 82 million homes and is a premier television entertainment network for viewers seeking the latest information on the best programs, hottest stars and latest trends in entertainment. Headquartered in the heart of Hollywood, the network combines original programming with comprehensive program listings information - all of which deliver on viewers' need for an entertaining and easy guide to what's on TV. TV Guide Network, TVGuide.com and the TV Guide brand are part of a joint venture owned by Lionsgate and One Equity Partners, the private equity firm of JPMorgan Chase.
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