News
| Thu Mar 8, 2007 Program Partners Clears Degrassi: The Next Generation In Over 70% Of The U.S. | |
| Award-Winning Drama Adds Major Markets for Fall 2007 Launch Los Angeles, CA --- March 6, 2007 --- Gaining momentum for the September 2007 syndication debut of Degrassi: The Next Generation, Program Partners today announced deals sufficient to bring the critically-acclaimed drama past 70% U.S. clearance. Recently added affiliates are stations from the Hearst-Argyle, Hubbard, Capitol Broadcasting, and ACME groups, including Tampa (WMOR), Minneapolis (KSTP/KSTC), Cleveland (WBNX), Charlotte (WJZY/WMYT), Raleigh-Durham (WRAZ), Albuquerque (KBWQ), Dayton (WBDT), Knoxville (WBXX), Green Bay (WIWB), Champaign (WBUI), and Madison (WBUW). With these clearances, the show is now cleared in 18 of the top 20, and 25 of the top 30 markets. These stations join an impressive roster that already includes New York (WPIX), Los Angeles (KTLA), Chicago (WGN), Philadelphia (WPHL), San Francisco (KBWB), Dallas (KDAF), Washington D.C. (WDCW), Atlanta (WXIA/WATL), Houston (KHCW), Detroit (WMYD), Phoenix (KTVK/KASW), Seattle (KCPQ/KMYQ), Miami (WSFL), Denver (KWGN), Sacramento (KTXL), St. Louis (KPLR), Portland OR (KRCW), Indianapolis (WXIN/WTTV), San Diego (KSWB), Hartford (WTXX/WTIC), Kansas City (KSHB/KMCI), Cincinnati (WKRC-DT), San Antonio (KCWX), Grand Rapids (WXMI), Harrisburg (WPMT), Louisville (WBKI), Austin (KCWX), and Knoxville (WBXX). "Degrassi has emerged as this year's best new early fringe option," said Ritch Colbert of Program Partners. "The series has high production values, a built-in fan base and a proven track record." Added Robert Shaw, VP Corporate Programming, ACME Communications, "With Degrassi: The Next Generation, style and attitude combine to attract, entertain, challenge, and positively inform young viewers." Degrassi: The Next Generation, is a fictional, dramatic series that tackles tough issues in a realistic way. Degrassi introduces a new generation going through the trials and tribulations of youth in the 21st century at the newly refurbished Degrassi Community School. The series follows Emma (Miriam McDonald), Manny (Cassie Steele), Jimmy (Aubrey Graham), Alex (Deanna Casaluce), Liberty (Sarah Barrable-Tishauer), Spinner (Shane Kippel), Toby (Jake Goldsbie), J.T. (Ryan Cooley), Darcy (Shenae Grimes) and Peter (Jamie Johnston) as they journey through high school, as well as alumni Paige (Lauren Collins), Ellie (Stacey Farber), Marco (Adamo Ruggiero), Craig (Jake Epstein) and Jay (Mike Lobel) as they experience life post-Degrassi. The N, the nighttime network for teens from MTV Networks, currently airs the critically acclaimed drama in the U.S. and has been the official home for the series since 1999. Degrassi, the network's highest-rated program, is also digital cable's first break-out teen hit. Produced by Epitome Pictures in Toronto, the series is based on a 25-year legacy that began with Executive Producer and Co-Creator Linda Schulyer. Degrassi has earned the TCA Critics Award, Teen Choice Award and International Emmys(r), while scoring high marks from trade and consumer publications from Time, TV Guide and Entertainment Weekly to New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Washington Post. Program Partners is marketing Degrassi: The Next Generation as an outgrowth of its overall 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 companies. For more info about Program Partners, 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 . The N, the nighttime network for teens, is a programming arm of MTV Networks and is currently available in 54 million households via cable, digital cable and satellite television. The N's mission is to be the authentic voice for teens and help them figure out their lives with relevant, topical programming on-air and online at the network's web site www.the-n.com. The N airs everyday from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. (ET). The N and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom International Inc. Media Contact: Melissa Ford/Priority Public Relations (661) 964-0333; melissa@prioritypr.net | |
