News
| Mon May 14, 2007 Over 85% Clearance for Merv Griffin's Let's Play Crosswords | |
| Syndicated Daytime Game Show Cleared in 28 of the Top 30 and 45 of the Top 50 Markets Los Angeles, CA - May 14, 2007 - Program Partners and Merv Griffin Entertainment (MGE) have announced major market and group clearances for Let's Play Crosswords that bring the game show past the 85% U.S. clearance mark for the 2007-08 season. The half-hour syndicated strip has added over 55 new affiliates and is now cleared in 28 of the Top 30 markets and 45 of the Top 50 markets. Today's news comes in the wake of the companies' announcement of key production team members, including host Ty Treadway. Additional markets and stations include Philadelphia (KYW), Washington DC (WJLA), Detroit (WDIV), Tampa (WFTS), Miami (WTVJ), Portland (KGW), Columbus (WSFJ), Grand Rapids (WWMT/WWMT-DT), Birmingham (WTTO/WABM), Greensboro (WXLV/WMYV), Richmond (WTVR/WUPV), Ft Myers (WNFM), Tucson (KMSV/KTTU), Springfield (KOLR), Shreveport (KTBS /KPXJ), Burlington (WVNY/WFFF), Harlingen (XHRIO), Colorado Springs (KKTV), Ft. Smith (KNWA/KFTA), Davenport (WBQD), Lincoln/Hastings (KHAS), Tallahassee (WCTV), Reno (KTVN), Tyler (KYTX), Lansing (WILX), Augusta (WAGT), Sioux Falls (KTTW), Fargo (KVLY/KXJE), Eugene (KMTR/KMTR-DT), Bakersfield (KGET), La Crosse (WKBT), Rockford (WIFR), Monroe (KEJB), Medford (KOBI/KOTI), Lubbock (KCBD), Salisbury (WBOC), Albany (WSWG), Anchorage (KYES), Panama City (WPGX), Minot/Bismarck (KBMY/KNDX), Gainesville (WCJB), Abilene (KIDZ/KXVA), Utica (WUTR), Dothan (WDFX), Elmira (WETM/WTTX), Watertown (WWTI), Rapid City (KHSD), Harrisonburg (WAZT), Charlottesville (WCAV/WAHU), Grand Junction (KREX/KFQX), Parkersburg (WTAP/WTAP-DT), Great Falls (KTGF), Cheyenne (KDUH), Fairbanks (KTVF), Victoria (KAVU/WXVT) and Juneau (KYES). "Commitments from these strong players show tremendous confidence in Merv Griffin," said Ritch Colbert of Program Partners. "From New York to Juneau, our stations have told us that Crosswords is their top choice for fall 2007." Griffin has earned 17 Emmys and numerous industry accolades as creator and producer of Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy! and for his eponymous talk show. He is one of over 60 million Americans who regularly do crossword puzzles. Crosswords affiliates include stations from the NBC O&Os, Allbritton, Belo, CBS O&Os, Clear Channel, Cox, Duhamel, Gannett, Gray, Freedom, Hoak Media, Hubbard, Journal, McGraw-Hill, Mission Broadcasting, New Age Media, Nexstar, Post-Newsweek, Raycom, Schurz, Scripps, Sinclair, Sunbeam, Tribune and Young groups. The series is a fast-paced, new generation "Q & A" game show in the great tradition of the genre. Let's Play Crosswords is presented by Merv Griffin Entertainment and Program Partners and packaged by the William Morris Agency. 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. In addition to "Let's Play Crosswords," it is currently in production on the second season of "Lisa Williams: Life Among the Dead", for Lifetime. See www.merv.com for more information on MGE and The Griffin Group of Companies. # # # Media Contacts: Program Partners: Melissa Ford/Priority Public Relations (818) 400-5133; melissa@prioritypr.net Merv Griffin Entertainment: Marcia Newberger (310) 385-2745; Marcia_Newberger@griffgroup.com | |
