Syndication: Cable Rights To TV Guide Channel

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TV GUIDE NETWORK ANNOUNCES ITS FIRST SCRIPTED SERIES ACQUISITION, OBTAINING THE EXCLUSIVE BASIC CABLE OFF-NETWORK RIGHTS TO ABCS UGLY BETTY

Network Takes First Major Step toward Revamping Programming As It Evolves into a Destination for Entertainment


LOS ANGELES (July 22, 2009) -- In a significant move to bolster its programming and attract new viewers, TV Guide Network announced today that it has entered into an agreement with Disney-ABC Domestic Television to acquire the exclusive basic cable off-network rights to ABC Studios Golden Globe Award winning television series Ugly Betty. It is TV Guide Networks first scripted series acquisition and part of a multi-tiered programming strategy to evolve the network as an entertainment destination.

The deal includes access to existing and future episodes of Ugly Betty which will begin airing as a weekly strip on TV Guide Network in fall 2010. As part of the agreement, TVGuide.com will have rights to stream up to five Ugly Betty episodes at a time online. In addition, the deal includes repurpose rights for the new season of Ugly Betty premiering in October 2009 on ABC. The repeat telecast of the new episodes will air on TV Guide Network within two weeks of their premiere on ABC.

We are thrilled to be the exclusive cable and satellite home for a show as popular as Ugly Betty, which will become a cornerstone of TV Guide Networks schedule, said Ryan OHara, President, TV Guide Network and TVGuide.com. Ugly Betty is a show that both fans and critics love, and one we believe will attract new viewers and advertisers to our network and web site. This acquisition is the first step of a larger, ongoing plan to strengthen our programming schedule and redefine TV Guide Network as a place to watch great television.

Ugly Betty is set in the superficial world of high fashion, where the sweet, intelligent, hard-working and fashionably challenged Betty Suarez from Queens takes a job in the cutthroat world of magazine publishing at Mode Magazine. Betty must prove that she is not just a super assistant with no fashion sense, but an aspiring career woman and editor-to-be while balancing her tumultuous love life and her familial responsibilities. Based on Yo Soy Betty La Fea, the groundbreaking Colombian telenovela that became an international phenomenon, Ugly Betty is produced by ABC Studios and distributed by Disney-ABC Domestic Television.

Premiering its fourth season on ABC this October, Ugly Betty stars Emmy Award winning actress America Ferrera as Betty Suarez, Eric Mabius as Daniel Meade, Vanessa Williams as Wilhelmina Slater, Ana Ortiz as Hilda, Tony Plana as Ignacio, Becki Newton as Amanda, Mark Indelicato as Justin, Michael Urie as Marc and Judith Light as Claire Meade. Executive producers are Silvio Horta, Academy Award-nominee and Emmy Award winner Salma Hayek, Jose Tamez, Richard Heus, Ben Silverman, Teri Weinberg, Tracy Poust and Jon Kinnally.

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TV Guide Network Welcomes “Ugly Betty” to Its Fall Schedule with Encore Telecasts of the New Season Thursdays at 7:00 P.M. ET/PT, Beginning October 22

“Ugly Betty” Fans Invited to Upload YouTube Video Comments On the New Season; Best Fan Videos to Air on TV Guide Network As Part of a National Promotional Campaign


LOS ANGELES, CA (October 13, 2009) --Thursday nights are about to get a little bit ‘Bettyer’ as TV Guide Network prepares to telecast encore airings of the new season of “Ugly Betty” this fall. Longtime fans and curious newcomers that miss the Friday premiere of new “Ugly Betty” episodes on ABC can get caught up with TV Guide Network Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. ET/PT, beginning October 22.

TV Guide Network also wants to give “Ugly Betty” fans a chance to be on television. Fans are invited to share their comments and reactions to the new season by uploading video comments to a new YouTube channel created specifically for them. Fans who visit www.youtube.com/uglybettyfans will have the opportunity to share their thoughts on the show, talk about which characters they love and which they love to hate, give their reactions to the latest episodes, and send a hello to their favorite cast members. A selection of YouTube video posts will air on TV Guide Network leading up to each Thursday “Ugly Betty” encore telecast.

On Saturday, October 17 between 1:00 and 3:00 p.m., “Ugly Betty” fans in the Los Angeles area are invited to meet in the second floor courtyard area of the Hollywood & Highland Center for a chance to be interviewed about the show. Fans are encouraged to dress as their favorite character and should come prepared to talk about their favorite “Ugly Betty” episodes and stars, and why they love the show. Fan interviews will air on TV Guide Network Thursdays before “Ugly Betty” encore airings.

Leading up to the October 22 encore telecast, TV Guide Network will air special “Ugly Betty” themed programming including a behind-the-scenes look at the set of “Ugly Betty,” cast interviews, a series overview, scoop on the new season, and fashion tips on how to emulate the characters’ signature styles on the show.

Programming Highlights:

∙ “inFANity: Ugly Betty” airs Monday, October 19 at 7:00 p.m. ET/PT
InFANity is on the set of “Ugly Betty,” taking a behind-the-scenes look at the show and cast. The one-hour special includes interviews with cast members including America Ferrera, Vanessa Williams, Eric Mabius, Michael Urie and Becky Newton. Host Lisa Joyner gets to know all the designer labels on set during a wardrobe tour, and learns fun facts about the show from the cast and crew.

∙ “The Fashion Team: Ugly Betty Style” airs Tuesday, October 20 at 7:00 p.m. ET/PT
The Fashion Team gives TV fans and fashionistas an inside look at the best and worst in the world of celebrity fashion. Hosts Daphne Brogdon and Lawrence Zarian celebrate “Betty style,” covering the fashion evolution of Ugly Betty and its characters while counting down the top trends the show has set thus far. The one-hour special will also explore the real-life style of the series' fashionable cast.

∙ “Look-A-Like: America Ferrera” airs Wednesday, October 21 at 7:00 p.m. ET/PT
Brazilian-born Bianca is no ugly Betty. Look-A-Like style team members Paul Venoit, Alissia Marciano and Jeffrey Altenburg treat Bianca to a full celebrity makeover and make her even more beautiful for her photo shoot as America Ferrera.

∙ “Ugly Betty” Season 4 Premiere (Hour 1) airs Thursday, October 22 at 7:00 p.m. ET/PT

∙ “Ugly Betty” Season 4 Premiere (Hour 2) airs Friday, October 23 at 7:00 p.m. ET/PT


“Ugly Betty” is set in the superficial world of high fashion, where the sweet, intelligent, hard-working and fashionably challenged Betty Suarez from Queens takes a job in the cutthroat world of magazine publishing at Mode Magazine. Betty must prove that she is not just a super assistant with no fashion sense, but an aspiring career woman and editor-to-be while balancing her tumultuous love life and her familial responsibilities. Based on “Yo Soy Betty La Fea,” the groundbreaking Colombian telenovela that became an international phenomenon, “Ugly Betty” is produced by ABC Studios and distributed by Disney-ABC Domestic Television.