NBCUNIVERSAL CABLE NETWORKS COMBINE TO CREATE A "ROADBLOCK" FOR NBC'S NEW HIT MUSICAL DRAMA "SMASH"

USA, E!, Bravo, Style, Oxygen, G4, mun2, Universal HD and Cloo Will Re-broadcast the Series Premiere of "Smash" Tonight

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. - February 9, 2012 - NBCUniversal cable networks are joining forces to create a formidable "cable roadblock" to promote NBC's new hit musical drama "Smash" from 12 a.m.-1 a.m. (ET/PT) tonight.

The participating networks include USA, Bravo, Style, Oxygen, G4 and mun2, which will re-broadcast the series premiere of "Smash" from 12 a.m.-1 a.m. (ET/PT). E! will air the first episode of "Smash" from 12:30 a.m.-1:30 a.m. (ET/PT), while Universal HD and Cloo will carry "Smash" at 12 a.m. ET/9 p.m. PT. Times may vary for DirecTV and Dish Network subscribers.

The series debuted Monday, delivering NBC's top in-season Adults 18-49 and total viewer results in its 10-11 p.m. (ET/PT) time period and scoring the best ratings for any 10 p.m. drama on any network this season.

The announcement was made today by Robert Greenblatt, Chairman of NBC Entertainment.

"Coming off our promising debut Monday, a multi-cable network roadblock is the perfect way to continue the momentum for this exciting new show," said Greenblatt. "'Smash' is an event to be experienced more than once and we truly appreciate the cooperation of our sister cable networks led by Bonnie Hammer and Lauren Zalaznick in our efforts to help the series break through."

NBC's "Smash" (Mondays, 10-11 p.m. ET/PT) is a musical drama that celebrates the beauty and heartbreak of the Broadway theater as it follows a cross-section of dreamers and schemers who all have one common desire - to be a "Smash." Evolving from an idea of executive producer and multiple Emmy and Oscar winner Steven Spielberg ("ER," "Schindler's List") and created by acclaimed playwright/screenwriter Theresa Rebeck ("Mauritius," "NYPD Blue"), the series unites the hit-making Broadway writing team of Julia Houston (Debra Messing, Emmy winner, "Will & Grace") and Tom Levitt (Christian Borle, "Legally Blonde: The Musical") with producer Eileen Rand (Anjelica Huston, Oscar winner, "Prizzi's Honor") to create a new musical based on the life of Marilyn Monroe, and seasoned chorus girl Ivy Lynn (Megan Hilty, "9 to 5: The Musical") vies with newcomer Karen Cartwright (Katharine McPhee, "American Idol") for the role of a lifetime.

The cast also features Jack Davenport ("Pirates of the Caribbean" films), Raza Jaffrey ("MI-5," "Sex and the City 2"), Brian d'Arcy James ("Shrek the Musical") and Jaime Cepero ("Porgy & Bess"). In addition to Spielberg and Rebeck, the executive producers include David Marshall Grant ("Brothers & Sisters"), Craig Zadan and Neil Meron ("Chicago," "Hairspray"), Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey ("United States of Tara," "The Borgias") and Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman ("Hairspray," "Catch Me If You Can"). The first three episodes were directed by Tony Award winner Michael Mayer.

"Smash" is a production of Universal Television in association with DreamWorks Television and Madwoman in the Attic.

For embeddable clips and full episodes from "Smash," please visit NBC.com's official show site: http://www.nbc.com/smash/.

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