NBC UNIVERSAL DOMESTIC TELEVISION DISTRIBUTION REACHES NEW DEAL WITH TOP-RATED TALK SHOW HOST MAURY POVICH
'Maury' Renewed on Tribune & Sinclair Broadcasting Stations Through 2006-2007 TV Season
UNIVERSAL CITY, CA-September 12, 2005 -NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution has signed Maury Povich to a new, multi-year contract and has renewed the hit syndicated series "Maury" on the majority of both the Tribune Broadcasting and Sinclair Broadcasting stations through the 2006-2007 TV season, it was announced today by Barry Wallach, President, NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution.
Povich, who is entering his 40th year in broadcasting, has reached a new accord with NBC Universal that will keep him hosting the hit talk show for years to come. "Maury," which will kick off its eighth season in national syndication on Monday Sept. 12, has been renewed in more than 98% of the U.S. for the upcoming 2005-2006 TV season.
It is currently the youngest skewing talk show in all of national syndication (41.1 average median age), according to Nielsen Media Research.
"'Maury' continues to attract millions of viewers on a daily and weekly basis, a true testament to Maury himself and the very strong loyal following he has attracted over the years," says Wallach. "Tribune, Sinclair and other broadcasters that have renewed 'Maury' for the next several seasons, have enjoyed strong ratings over the years with the show and we look forward to many more seasons with them."
"I am delighted to continue my relationship with NBC Universal. Our years together are a testimony to the respect we have for each other," says Povich. "I am very excited about our plans for the coming season and we believe it will be on that we can build on for years to come."
"Maury" has been renewed on 16 Tribune Broadcasting stations through the 2006-2007 season, representing 36% of the U.S. and 10 of the top 12 markets. Stations in the deal include WPIX-TV New York, KTLA-TV Los Angeles, WGN-TV Chicago and WPHL-TV Philadelphia.
Sinclair Broadcasting has renewed "Maury" in 24 markets, covering 15% of the U.S. Sinclair stations signed on for more "Maury" include WLFL-TV Raleigh, KDNL-TV St. Louis and WPGH-TV Pittsburgh.
"Maury" finished the 2004-2005 TV season as the third highest-rated talk show in national syndication in both women 18-34 (2.2) and women 18-49 (2.1), according to Nielsen Media Research. In early fringe across all markets, "Maury's" 1.8 average rating with women 18-49 ranks #3 among all shows in syndication, behind only "Oprah" and "Dr. Phil."
Povich is truly one of the pioneers of television with a broadcasting career spanning an amazing 40 years. This also marks his 20th consecutive season in national syndication and Povich is the only individual to ever have three back-to-back hits in syndication: "A Current Affair," "The Maury Povich Show" and now, "Maury."
Povich began his broadcasting career in 1966 as a news reporter and sportscaster at WTTG-TV Washington D.C. The following year, he became the original host of the station's popular midday talk show, Panorama, which brought the rising star widespread acclaim and national recognition.
From 1977-1983, he anchored the news in such major markets as Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Philadelphia. When media mogul Rupert Murdoch acquired the Metromedia television station group in 1986, one of his first successful moves was to bring Povich to New York to host "A Current Affair."
Povich left "A Current Affair" to host the highly successful talk series, "The Maury Povich Show" in national syndication from 1991-1998. NBC Universal's "Maury" debuted in 1998 and is currently in its eighth season.
Povich resides in Manhattan with his wife and their son. He has two grown daughters who live in New York City and Los Angeles with their families. Family and children's causes play a special role in the life of Povich, whose efforts to raise awareness for the National Adoption Month led then-New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani to honor the talk show host at a special City Hall ceremony in 1995.
Povich recently served two consecutive terms as president of the New York Chapter of the National Television Academy (NTA). Previous presidents of the New York Chapter of the (NTA) have included such luminary figures as Ed Sullivan, Mark Goodson and Walter Cronkite.
"Maury" is taped at NBC Universal's state-of-the-art studios in the heart of Midtown Manhattan and is distributed by NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution. It is sold in more than 98% of the U.S. for the coming season. Paul Faulhaber is executive producer. Stephanie Posner is supervising producer. John Pascarella is senior producer.
About NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution
NBC Universal is a leader in providing entertainment programming to the domestic and international marketplaces. The 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 at NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution includes Martha, Access Hollywood, Blind Date, 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, Law & Order and many more series.
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