NBC UNIVERSAL DOMESTIC TELEVISION DISTRIBUTION HAS RENEWED "THE MARTHA STEWART SHOW" FOR THIRD SEASON WITH TOP LOCAL BROADCASTERS
Popular Daytime "How-To" Show Sold for 3rd Season To NBC Owned & Operated Stations, Gannett, Belo, Fisher, Scripps and Others
New York City, NY October 30, 2006�NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution has renewed "The Martha Stewart Show" on a number of leading broadcast station groups for a third season in national syndication, it was announced today by Barry Wallach, President, NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution, and Sheraton Kalouria, President of Broadcasting, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc. (NYSE: MSO).
"The Martha Stewart Show," which is currently in its second season in national syndication, has been sold to the NBC Owned and Operated stations in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco and other major markets for the 2007-2008 season. The daytime "how-to" program has also been sold to stations from Gannett, Belo, Fisher, Scripps and other leading broadcast station groups for its third season.
Martha Stewart and Mark Burnett are executive producers of "The Martha Stewart Show," which is produced by Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia and distributed by NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution.
"We are thrilled with Martha's strong return to daytime television and the overwhelmingly positive response we have received from our local broadcast partners and viewers," says Wallach. "Martha's fresh and lively approach to how-to instruction, mixed with the show's live format, has been a winning combination from the start."
Kalouria said: "This news really underscores the difference that 'The Martha Stewart Show' makes in daytime. The series has distinguished itself by becoming a resource for everything how-to, and this early endorsement from our affiliates indicates their satisfaction with the show's performance and its content."
Burnett added: "Thanks to NBC Universal and our station partners for showing such incredible support so early in this, our second season. We look forward to a third year of entertaining content, filled with great storytelling and how-to information that will make a difference in the daily lives of our viewers."
After debuting in 2005 with one of the highest daytime ratings of the decade, "The Martha Stewart Show" continues to be a strong player in daytime television in its second season in national syndication. In its most recent national ratings, the show scored its best ratings of the season in its target demo Women 25-54 and its largest audience average as well (source Nielsen Media Research week of Oct 16, 2006).
THE MARTHA STEWART SHOW is a nationally-syndicated, daily "how-to" series anchored by segments that entertain, inform and inspire. Shot in front of a studio audience, the hour-long program's format allows audience members, home viewers and special guests to participate and interact with host, Martha Stewart.
Featuring movers, shakers and headline makers plus everyday people who've accomplished extraordinary things, THE MARTHA STEWART SHOW sheds new light on subjects including cooking and entertaining, decorating, and home renovation and provides a forum for Martha Stewart's sense of humor, love of fun and desire to teach. Martha Stewart and Mark Burnett are executive producers. The Emmy-winning series is produced by Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia and is distributed by NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution to more than 95% of the country.
About Mark Burnett Productions
Mark Burnett Productions (MBP) is a leading production company in the world of primetime non-fiction television. MBP revolutionized television with hits such as Eco-Challenge, Survivor and The Apprentice. MBP also successfully reintroduced product placement as an integral part of each of its shows and has garnered a total of 24 Emmy nominations since 2001. Mark Burnett was listed as the #1 Most Valuable Player by TV Guide and also in Time Magazine's Top 100 most influential people in the world today.
About Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc.
Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. (NYSE: MSO) is a leading provider of original "how-to" information, inspiring and engaging consumers with unique lifestyle content and high-quality products. MSO is organized into four business segments: Publishing, Television, Merchandising, and Internet/Direct Commerce. Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol MSO.
About NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution
NBC Universal is a leader in providing entertainment programming to the domestic and international marketplaces. The NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution division is responsible for the distribution of NBC Universal product to all forms of television within the U.S. and Canada. 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 The Megan Mullally Show, The Martha Stewart Show, Access Hollywood, The Jerry Springer Show, Maury and Blind Date. Current first-run weekly syndicated programming includes The Chris Matthews Show, The George Michael Sports Machine, The Wall Street Journal Report with Maria Bartiromo, Your Total Health and the off-network distribution of House, Monk, the Law & Order series and much more.
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