News
| Mon Mar 6, 2006 Program Partners Clears "Crime Watch" in Over 70% of U.S. | |
| Dynamic Duo of Crime Dramas, Cold Squad and Stone Undercover, Adds Several Major Markets Los Angeles, CA - March 6, 2006 - Amidst a syndication environment overwhelmed by post-CW merge speculation, one distributor continues to gain momentum for its award-winning, made-for-prime-time programming block. Program Partners has announced that "Crime Watch" has just been cleared in over 70% of the U.S., including Los Angeles (KCOP/KTTV), as well as Boston (WCVB), Washington DC (WDCA/WTTG), Minneapolis (WCCO, WFTC/KMSP), Miami (WFOR/WBFS), Seattle (KONG/KING), Tampa (WMOR), St. Louis (KMOV), Portland (KPTV/KPDX), San Diego (KUSI), Charlotte (WJZY/WWWB), Nashville (WSMV), Kansas City (KMCI/KSHB), Cincinnati (WKRC), with coverage of 18 of the top 20 and 40 of the top 50 markets. In fall 2006, viewers can catch "Crime Watch," featuring the original off-net series Cold Squad and Stone Undercover, on these and the following previously announced stations: New York (WABC), Chicago (WLS), San Francisco (KBWB), Dallas (WFAA), Atlanta (WSB), Detroit (WDWB) and Phoenix (KNXV). Participating station groups include the ABC owned, Allbritton, Belo, Clear Channel, FOX owned, Granite, Gray, Hearst-Argyle, Lin, Meredith, Mission, Post-Newsweek, Scripps Howard, Viacom, Young and The CW 100+ groups. "Stations aren't waiting to lock up 'Crime Watch,"' said Josh Raphaelson of Program Partners. "It's clearly a flight to quality. These series are proven in primetime and late night time-periods, and our flexibility makes it easy to commit to these programs now." Program Partners created the "Crime Watch" initiative to provide stations with an ongoing pipeline of new procedural dramas. Cold Squad and Stone Undercover are known for their high quality production values, critical acclaim and industry awards. The two series are designed to air in prime-time on weekends, replacing down-trending movie showcases, or in late-night on traditional affiliates, in horizontal or vertical stacks, as a news lead-out or to expand existing procedural drama rotations. To give stations the utmost programming and scheduling flexibility, Program Partners will provide Crime Watch affiliates a choice of satellite feeds, with two different episodes of Cold Squad and one of Stone Undercover available each week. Cold Squad is a one-hour procedural that features a strong female central character, Sgt. Ali McCormick (Julie Stewart), leading a team of forensic investigators and pathologists who uncover and resolve long abandoned and forgotten cases. Considered a progenitor to the highly successful CBS Cold Case franchise, Cold Squad has aired to high acclaim on CTV with over 30 Gemini nominations, including Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress wins. Stone Undercover is a one-hour procedural based on the exploits of a pair of commercial crime fighters. Often compared to Moonlighting, the series revolves around the relationship between Tom Stone, an ex-cop, ex-oil rig worker and ex-con who goes undercover, and Sgt. Marina Di Luzio, his boss. Together they catch the bad guys who would normally get away - criminals with influence and money, who think they're above the law. The series stars Chris William Martin (Felicity, The L Word) and Janet Kidder (Earth: Final Conflict). The veteran creative team also includes Stuart Margolis (The Rockford Files, Touched by an Angel) as co-star and director. Produced by Haddock Entertainment and Barna-Alper Productions, Da Vinci's Inquest is an award-winning prime-time procedural drama in the mold of the CSI and Law and Order franchises and is one of the most honored series in the history of Canadian television. Dominic Da Vinci (Nicholas Campbell) is the controversial coroner who-with the help of a compelling ensemble cast of forensic investigators, pathologists and homicide detectives-"speaks for the dead to protect the living." Program Partners is marketing Da Vinci's Inquest, Cold Squad and Stone Undercover as an outgrowth of its worldwide distribution agreement with Thunderbird Films. About Program Partners, Inc. Program Partners, Inc. is an innovative television company that collaborates with networks, sponsors and audiences on original programming. Led by a core group of entertainment executives, including founders Ritch Colbert and Josh Raphaelson, Program Partners provides distinctive programs with high production values, while fostering new creative alliances with advertisers, broadcasters and global co-production entities. For more info about Program Partners, Inc., visit www.programpartners.com. About Thunderbird Films, Inc. Vancouver-based Thunderbird Films, Inc. is recognized around the globe as a producer, distributor and financier of high quality television and films. Thunderbird Films' founding partners - Tim Gamble and Michael Shepard - have been responsible for internationally acclaimed scripted drama and action series, award winning theatrical features and movies-of-the-week produced for and aired on every major U.S. network as well as on major broadcast and cable outlets around the globe. Thunderbird Films' commitment to high production values and its unique focus on global, high-value territories for distribution as well as the economical benefits of its British Columbian location have distinguished the company among its competitors in the world marketplace. For more information on Thunderbird Films, visit www.thunderbirdfilms.net. # # # Media Contact: Melissa Ford/Priority Public Relations - (818) 338-3555; melissa@prioritypr.net | |
