News
| Tue Feb 20, 2007 New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco and Dallas Committed to New Merv Griffin Game Show | |
| Los Angeles, CA --- February 20, 2007 --- Program Partners, Merv Griffin Entertainment and the William Morris Agency (WMA) today announced major market clearances for the new Merv Griffin game show, Let's Play Crosswords. The series---set to launch as a syndication strip for fall 2007---has been cleared by the NBC owned stations in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco and Dallas as part of a comprehensive commitment by the stations group to the project. "The NBC Universal stations are an ideal launch platform for Let's Play Crosswords," said Ritch Colbert of Program Partners. "We look forward to partnering with NBC to ensure the success of this series." The agreement provides for NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution to represent national barter advertising sales and for the parties to jointly develop a broadband offering that will launch from the NBC stations' websites. Additionally, the parties are continuing to explore an opportunity to produce the series at NBC-owned facilities at WMAQ in Chicago. "Merv Griffin is the master of the game show genre, and we're excited about the addition of Let's Play Crosswords to our program schedules this fall," said Steve Schwaid, SVP, News & Programming, NBC Universal Television Stations. Emmy award winner Merv Griffin, creator of Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy!, the two most successful prime-access series in the history of television, introduces simple but dramatic features to a game of universal appeal in his newest series for syndication, Let's Play Crosswords. The series is a fast-paced, new generation "Q & A" game show in the great tradition of the genre from the legendary master of the game. Let's Play Crosswords is presented by Merv Griffin Entertainment, Program Partners & the William Morris Agency (WMA). The series will be produced for syndication in high-definition (HD). 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 Merv Griffin Entertainment, Inc. Merv Griffin Entertainment, Inc. is the television and film production arm of Merv Griffin's umbrella organization, The Griffin Group. Over the years it has provided original programming and long-format films for television, as well as theatrical features. Its latest original project, "Lisa Williams: Life Among the Dead", can be seen on Lifetime, and MGE is in pre-production on numerous other projects. Along with Merv Griffin, Andrew Yani and Raymond J. Brune serve as producers of MGE programming. See www.merv.com for more information on MGE and The Griffin Group of Companies. Media Contacts: Program Partners: Melissa Ford/Priority Public Relations (661) 964-0333 melissa@prioritypr.net Liz Fischer, NBC Universal 212-664-4825 liz.fischer@nbcuni.com Joe Schlosser, NBCU Domestic Television Distribution 818-777-6439 joe.schlosser@nbcuni.com Marcia Newberger, Merv Griffin Entertainment: (310) 385-2745 Marcia_Newberger@griffgroup.com | |
