The Flagship Drama Has Been Sold In More Than 80% Of The U.S. For Its Debut In Broadcast Syndication
NEW YORK–November 30, 2010– NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution has sold “Law & Order” to local broadcast stations for weekend syndication beginning Fall 2011, marking the very first time the iconic, Emmy®-award winning drama will be available in broadcast syndication, it was announced today by Sean O’Boyle, Executive Vice President, Syndication Sales, NBC Universal Domestic TV Distribution.
“Law & Order†has been sold to station groups representing more than 80% of the U.S. including FOX, CBS, Cox, Gannett, Hearst and Sunbeam. Stations in the nation’s top markets debuting “Law & Order†next fall include WNYW-TV / WWOR-TV New York, KTTV-TV / KCOP-TV Los Angeles and WFLD-TV / WPWR-TV Chicago from the FOX station group; KYW-TV / WPSG-TV Philadelphia and WBZ-TV / WSBK-TV Boston from CBS; KTVU-TV / KICU-TV San Francisco and WPXI-TV Pittsburgh from Cox Communications; WXIA-TV / WATL-TV Atlanta from Gannett; KCRA-TV / KQCA-TV Sacramento from Hearst; as well as WSVN-TV Miami from the Sunbeam station group.
“With its dynamic ensemble cast, high quality story-telling, self-contained episodes and high-profile guest stars, ‘Law & Order’ is a perfect fit for local broadcast stations,†said O’Boyle. “We are thrilled to extend our partnership with the ‘Law & Order’ franchise with FOX and other leading groups. This premiere procedural series has proven itself with viewers, as well as advertisers and continues to work exceptionally well in a variety of day parts.â€
“We’ve had success with the ‘Law & Order’ franchise both in syndication and as an important building block for MyNet,†said Frank Cicha, Senior Vice President, Programming, FOX Television Stations. “Acquiring ‘the mothership’ for weekends is a natural extension of this.â€
“I am thrilled that ‘Law & Order’ is joining its brand mates, ‘Law & Order: Criminal Intent’ and ‘Law & Order: SVU’ in broadcast syndication—both of which are exceptional performers on local broadcast stations,†said Dick Wolf, Creator and Executive Producer of the “Law & Order†branded series. “We have a lot of momentum with this brand in the marketplace and I am excited for continued success with the flagship drama that started it all.â€
“Law & Order,†the longest running crime drama in the history of television, is a classic fan favorite which sparked the most successful television brand in history—“Law & Order: Special Victim’s Unit,†“Law & Order: Criminal Intent,†as well as the new hit series, “Law & Order: Los Angeles.†Currently “Law & Order†airs on TNT cable network where it continues to be a ratings powerhouse.
“Law & Order,” which aired on NBC for 20 seasons, is a Wolf Films production in association with Universal Media Studios. Dick Wolf is creator and executive producer. “Law & Order†is distributed in the U.S. and Canada by NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution.
About NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution:
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, formats and non-scripted programming in the pay, free, and basic cable television markets, as well as the domestic syndication of first-run syndicated TV programs, theatrical and TV movie packages.
Current first-run strip syndicated programming from NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution includes “Access Hollywood,” “Access Hollywood Live,” “The Jerry Springer Show,” “Maury” and “The Steve Wilkos Show.” Current first-run weekly syndicated programming includes “The Chris Matthews Show,” “The Wall Street Journal Report with Maria Bartiromo” and the off-network distribution of “30 Rock,” “Friday Night Lights,” “House,” “Law & Order,” “Law & Order: Criminal Intent,” “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” “Monk,” “The Office,” “The Real Housewives” franchise and much more.