NBC UNIVERSAL DOMESTIC TELEVISION DISTRIBUTION'S "STARTING OVER" WINS EMMY FOR BEST SPECIAL CLASS SERIES
Series From Bunim-Murray Productions Renewed In More Than 92% Of The U.S. For Its Third Season
BURBANK, Calif. -- Sunday, May 15 2005 -- NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution and Bunim-Murray Productions' nationally syndicated series "Starting Over" won Best Special Class Series at the Daytime Emmy Awards on Saturday evening.
"Starting Over," has already been renewed in more than 92% of the country for its third season in national syndication, including a record 35 local market upgrades for the 2005/2006 season.
"Starting Over" is produced by Bunim-Murray Productions, the creators of the hit series "The Simple Life," "The Real World" and "Road Rules." "Starting Over" was created by Jon Murray and the late Mary-Ellis Bunim and is executive produced by Jon Murray and Millee Taggart-Ratcliffe. Rhonda Britten and Iyanla Vanzant are "Starting Over's" life coaches, while Dr. Stan J. Katz is the show's consulting psychologist.
"This award confirms our commitment to this daytime franchise and to Bunim-Murray," says Frederick Huntsberry, Executive Vice President, NBC Universal Television Distribution. "Furthermore, it affirms station commitments to upgrade the series in more than 35 local markets for the 2005/2006 season."
"We are thrilled and honored that the Academy has recognized 'Starting Over' with this special award," says Linda Finnell, Senior Vice President, Programming, NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution. "Jon and Mary-Ellis created a truly special program that is touching many people's lives on a daily basis, both on the screen and off. We'd like to thank Jon, Millee and the entire team at Bunim-Murray, who are very deserving of this honor."
"When Mary-Ellis and I created this hybrid of soap, talk and reality formats, we saw it as a chance to change lives for the better while trying something different in daytime TV," says Murray. "On behalf of the more than 100 people involved in producing this show, and my whole team at Bunim-Murray Productions, I want to thank NBC Universal and our affiliates all over the U.S. for continuing to believe in 'Starting Over,' and the members of the Academy for choosing to reward innovation."
About NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution
NBC Universal is a leader in providing entertainment programming to the domestic and international marketplaces. 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.
Current and upcoming first-run strip syndicated programming includes a new daily series with Martha Stewart, 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. Special programming includes Good Housekeeping Reports news inserts, a series of The Remarkable Journey specials, as well as a collection of feature film packages.
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