ION Television to Add ''M*A*S*H'' to Its Fall Programming Lineup
February 12 2008 - 9:30AM
Business Wire
ION Media Networks, Inc. (AMEX:ION) today announced it has entered
into an agreement with Twentieth Television to air the television
series, �M*A*S*H,� on ION Television. The agreement marks the
latest addition of programming to the ION network�s primetime
lineup. This comedic drama melds humor, social, political
commentary and often heart-wrenching plotlines to provide ION�s
broad audience with a perennial favorite that redefined the
boundaries of television programming. �A timeless staple like
�M*A*S*H� is a great win for our schedule, as we migrate our
network to mainstream audience appeal in the 2008/2009 season,�
said Brandon Burgess, Chairman and CEO, ION Media Networks. �We
anticipate further announcements in coming months, including some
shows that people may not expect from us, as we look to give ION
Television a more light-hearted and open-minded programming
sensibility that will invite new audiences.� Set in the 4077th
Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (M*A*S*H), the show�s lovable
surgeons take their jobs, their patients and their leisure time
very seriously. The side-splitting antics of one of the greatest
ensemble casts ever assembled led �M*A*S*H� to one of the longest
series runs in television history. Lauded with 14 Emmys� and
critical acclaim, �M*A*S*H� helped launch the careers of Alan Alda,
McLean Stevenson, Loretta Swit, Jamie Farr and Mike Farrell. The
series aired in prime time for 11 seasons on CBS, and its
two-and-a-half-hour finale still holds the record for the
most-watched television episode in U.S. television history with
over 105 million viewers, representing 77 percent of TV viewership
that night. The new agreement is part of ION�s ongoing initiative
to add compelling programming from leading content providers that
blends effectively with the network�s signature quality content.
This past New Year�s Eve, ION Television added to its primetime
lineup the Emmy-nominated series, �The Drew Carey Show.�
�Baywatch,� debuting on March 3, will further broaden the network�s
appeal by targeting a contemporary audience with fun and upbeat
entertainment. About Twentieth Television A leader in the U.S.
program production and distribution arena, Twentieth Television
provides a wide array of first-run, network and off-network
programming, as well as feature film packages, to the syndication
and cable marketplaces. First-run programs distributed by Twentieth
Television include the talk show, �The Morning Show with Mike and
Juliet,� the game show �Temptation,� and the court shows �Divorce
Court,� �Judge Alex� and �Cristina�s Court.� Off-net shows
distributed by Twentieth include �Family Guy,� �24,� �COPS,� �The
Simpsons,� and the fall 2008 launch of �Boston Legal.� About ION
Media Networks ION Media Networks, Inc. owns and operates the
nation's largest broadcast television station group and ION
Television, reaching over 94 million U.S. television households via
its nationwide broadcast television, cable and satellite
distribution systems. ION Television currently features popular TV
series and movies from the award-winning libraries of Warner Bros.,
Sony Pictures Television and CBS Television, among others. ION
Media has also partnered with RHI Entertainment, which owns over
4,000 hours of acclaimed television content, to provide weekend
primetime programming consisting of exclusive original programming
and quality library titles. Utilizing its digital multicasting
capability, the company has launched several digital TV brands,
including qubo, a television and multimedia network for children
formed in partnership with several leading media and entertainment
companies, and ION Life, a television and multimedia network
dedicated to health and wellness for consumers and families. For
more information, visit www.ionmedia.tv.
Proshares S&P Global Cor... (AMEX:ION)
Historical Stock Chart
From Nov 2024 to Dec 2024
Proshares S&P Global Cor... (AMEX:ION)
Historical Stock Chart
From Dec 2023 to Dec 2024