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View Full Version : TBS Acquires The Office for Fall 2007 Repurposing and Syndication in Fall 2009


Pavan
06-21-2007, 05:12 PM
Emmy® and Golden Globe®-Winning Sitcom
THE OFFICE to Join TBS Line-Up
Top-Rated Series from NBC Universal

To Be Repurposed on TBS Beginning in Fall 2007

One of the funniest workplaces in television history is coming to TBS when the Emmy® and Golden Globe®-winning series THE OFFICE joins the network’s line-up in Fall 2007, according to an announcement today by Ken Schwab, senior vice president of programming for TBS and sister network TNT. TBS’s deal for the series, which stars Steve Carrell (Evan Almighty, The 40-Year-Old Virgin), includes non-exclusive broadband streaming, on-demand and wireless rights to run concurrent with the off-network telecast rights, which will begin in Fall 2009. Jonathan Katz, senior vice president of program planning and acquisitions for Turner Entertainment Group, negotiated the deal on behalf of Turner Broadcasting with Frances Manfredi, senior vice president/general sales manager, Cable & Non-Theatrical Sales, NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution.

“THE OFFICE is not only a top-notch sitcom, but also one of the most relatable comedies on television,” said Schwab. “Anyone who has ever worked for a completely clueless boss, had an inner-office romance or simply worked among an odd assortment of coworkers will immediately get the offbeat humor in this series. It’s a wonderful addition to our line-up, and we’re thrilled to bring it to our audience of comedy lovers.”

The 2006 Emmy winner for Outstanding Comedy Series, THE OFFICE is a documentary-style look into the humorous and sometimes poignant foolishness that plagues the 9-to-5 world. It delves into the lives of the workers at Dunder Mifflin paper supply company in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Regional manager Michael Scott (Golden Globe winner and Emmy nominee Carell) is a single, middle-aged man who is the boastful tour guide for the documentary. With unshaken enthusiasm, he believes he is the office funnyman, a fountain of business wisdom and his employees’ cool friend. He has no clue that his employees tolerate his inappropriate behavior only because he signs their paychecks.

Michael’s staff includes Pam Beesly (Jenna Fischer, Slither), the friendly office receptionist who bears the brunt of his routines; Jim Halpert (John Krasinski, Jarhead, Kinsey), a likable sales rep with a good sense of humor who should have found a better job years ago; Dwight Schrute (Rainn Wilson, Six Feet Under), the arrogant assistant to the regional manager; and Ryan Howard (B.J. Novak, Punk’d), a young, smart, self-possessed temp, who quickly figures out the real office politics.

In addition to its 2006 Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series and Golden Globe for lead Carrell, THE OFFICE has earned four Emmy nominations, a Screen Actors Guild Award® for Outstanding Ensemble in a Comedy Series, two Television Critics Association Awards and two Writers Guild of America Awards. THE OFFICE, from Reveille and Universal Media Studio, is executive-produced by Ben Silverman; Greg Daniels, who developed the series for American audiences; Ricky Gervais, who starred in the British version of the series; Stephen Merchant; and Howard Klein.

TBS, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., is television’s “very funny” network. It serves as home to such hot contemporary comedies as Sex and the City, Everybody Loves Raymond, Family Guy, King of Queens, Seinfeld and Friends; original comedy series like My Boys, The Bill Engvall Show, 10 Items or Less and Frank TV (working title); first-run series like Tyler Perry’s House of Payne; specials and special events, such as Funniest Commercials of the Year and The Comedy Festival in Las Vegas; blockbuster movies; and hosted movie showcases.

Pavan
06-21-2007, 05:31 PM
NBC UNIVERSAL DOMESTIC TELEVISION DISTRIBUTION HAS SOLD EMMY AND GOLDEN GLOBE WINNING COMEDY "THE OFFICE" TO THE FOX-OWNED STATIONS

NBC UNIVERSAL DOMESTIC TELEVISION DISTRIBUTION HAS SOLD EMMY AND GOLDEN GLOBE WINNING COMEDY "THE OFFICE" TO THE FOX-OWNED STATIONS

Hit NBC Sitcom to Make Syndication Debut in Fall 2009

UNIVERSAL CITY, CA June 21, 2007 NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution has sold Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning sitcom "The Office" to the Fox Television Stations for its initial broadcast run in off-network syndication starting in fall 2009, it was announced today by Barry Wallach, President, NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution.

"The Office," produced by Reveille and Universal Media Studios, will debut on the Fox owned-and-operated stations in the nation's top markets, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington D.C., Dallas, Houston, Phoenix, Minneapolis, Orlando and Baltimore.

"In the tradition of NBC's legendary Thursday night comedies, 'The Office' has one of the strongest ensemble casts on TV, a terrific team of writers, a loyal young adult skew and the critics are already comparing it to the classic comedies of all time," says Wallach. "And pairing 'The Office" with the great comedies on the Fox Television Stations, will make for a great match as it launches its initial syndication run.

Frank Cicha, Senior Vice President, Programming, Fox Television Stations, said, "We are thrilled to add a program of this strength and quality to our FOX and MyNetworkTV comedy lineups. It's going to be a pivotal player for us."

"The Office" completed the 2006-2007 season as NBC's top-rated comedy, delivering the most upscale audience in all of primetime television. The series enjoyed ratings gains from the previous season in key demographics and was the #1 comedy on all networks among women 18-34, according to Nielsen Media Research.

The 2006 Emmy Award winner for Outstanding Comedy Series, "The Office" is based on the award-winning BBC hit and takes a comedic look into the humorous and sometimes poignant foolishness that plagues the world of 9-to-5 office working environments.

A fly-on-the-wall comedy about modern American office life, "The Office" delves into the lives of the workers at Dunder Mifflin paper supply company in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Regional manager Michael Scott (Golden Globe winner Steve Carell, "The 40-Year-Old Virgin," "Evan Almighty") is a single, middle-aged man who is the boastful tour guide for the documentary.

Pam Beesly (Jenna Fischer, "Slither") is the reasonable and friendly office receptionist who bears the brunt of Michael's routines. The bright spots in Pam's day are her conversations with Jim Halpert (John Krasinski, "Jarhead," "Kinsey"), a likable sales rep with a good sense of humor who should have found a better job years ago, but is too comfortable with his office mates and routine to leave. Jim shares his working space with Dwight Schrute (Rainn Wilson, "Six Feet Under"), the arrogant assistant to the regional manager. Dwight is intensely irritating to normal people while Jim spends a lot of time finding new, interesting ways to drive Dwight crazy. Ryan Howard (B.J. Novak, "Punk'd") is a young, smart, self-possessed temp, who quickly figures out the real office politics despite Michael's attempts to instill the official point-of-view.

"The Office" is executive-produced by Ben Silverman, Greg Daniels, who developed the series for American audiences, Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant and Howard Klein.

About Fox Television Stations

The Fox Television Stations group, one of the nation's largest owned-and-operated network broadcast groups, comprises 35 stations in 26 markets, covering nearly 45% of U.S. television homes. This includes six duopolies in the top 10 markets: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, Washington, D.C. and Houston; as well as duopolies in Minneapolis, Phoenix and Orlando.