ION Television to Add ''M*A*S*H'' to Its Fall Programming Lineup: Financial News

ION Television to Add ''M*A*S*H'' to Its Fall Programming Lineup
Tuesday February 12, 9:30 am ET

ION Media Networks Secures Rights to Critically-Acclaimed Series from Twentieth Television

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ION Media Networks, Inc. (AMEX:ION - News) 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.