``Baywatch'' Returns with a Splash Weeknights on ION Television
January 28 2008 - 11:02AM
Business Wire
ION Media Networks, Inc. (AMEX:ION) has entered into an agreement
with distributor Litton Entertainment to air FremantleMedia North
America�s mega-hit television series, �Baywatch,� on ION
Television, it was jointly announced today by Brandon Burgess,
Chairman and CEO of ION Media Networks, and Dave Morgan, President
and CEO of Litton Entertainment. The agreement marks the latest
addition of popular, quality programming to the network�s primetime
lineup. This upbeat, action-packed series melds real-life issues,
accessible characters and tongue-in-cheek humor to provide ION�s
broad audience with a perennial favorite that defined a genre.
�Baywatch� on ION will launch Monday, March 3, and air Mondays
through Thursdays at 10 pm (ET). �This is another fun example of
our strategy to offer upbeat, mainstream programming to our
viewers,� said Burgess. �This iconic series is a multi-generational
TV staple, and �America�s Got Talent� and �Borat� have made David
Hasselhoff and Pam Anderson as hip and relevant as ever.� Set on
the beaches of Malibu, �Baywatch� centers on the daily adventures
of a team of athletic California lifeguards, their life-saving work
and their off-duty relationships. Featuring David Hasselhoff as Lt.
Mitch Buchannon, the series made international stars out of Pamela
Anderson, Carmen Electra, Yasmine Bleeth and Alexandra Paul. In
each episode, new dangers imperiled the cast, but, racing to the
rescue in trademark slow-mo� style, Los Angeles County�s finest
lifeguards usually prevailed. Not long after its debut, �Baywatch�
became the most-watched television show in the world. �We are
thrilled to announce that �Baywatch� will be back before national
audiences in prime time,� said Morgan. �This classic series
features drama, action, romance, humor and a cast of celebrity
icons.� �This brand goes from strength to strength,� added Lisa
Honig, Vice President, Program Distribution for FremantleMedia
Enterprises in North America, the licensing, distribution and home
entertainment division of FremantleMedia. ��Baywatch� continues to
draw audiences on-air all over the world and remains a lucrative
revenue stream off-air with a strong demand in both the home
entertainment and consumer products markets. We�re delighted to be
working with ION and Litton to bring the show back to the domestic
fan base.� The new agreement is part of ION�s ongoing initiative to
add compelling programming from leading content providers that
blends effectively with the network�s signature quality content.
This past New Year�s Eve, ION Television added to its primetime
lineup the Emmy-nominated series, �The Drew Carey Show.� �Baywatch�
will further broaden the network�s appeal by targeting a
contemporary audience with fun and upbeat entertainment. �Baywatch,
which premiered on NBC in 1989 and ran in first-run syndication
from 1991-2001, was executive produced by Michael Berk, Gregory J.
Bonan and Douglas Schwartz. About ION Media Networks ION Media
Networks, Inc. owns and operates the nation's largest broadcast
television station group and ION Television, reaching over 94
million U.S. television households via its nationwide broadcast
television, cable and satellite distribution systems. ION
Television currently features popular TV series and movies from the
award-winning libraries of Warner Bros., Sony Pictures Television
and CBS Television, among others. ION Media has also partnered with
RHI Entertainment, which owns over 4,000 hours of acclaimed
television content, to provide weekend primetime programming
consisting of exclusive original programming and quality library
titles. Utilizing its digital multicasting capability, the company
has launched several digital TV brands, including qubo, a
television and multimedia network for children formed in
partnership with several leading media and entertainment companies,
and ION Life, a television and multimedia network dedicated to
health and wellness for consumers and families. For more
information, visit www.ionmedia.tv. About Litton Entertainment
Litton Entertainment, the preeminent independent distributor in the
television industry, has been producing and distributing quality
programming for twenty years. Programs include �Jack Hanna�s Animal
Adventures,� �Baywatch,� �Cribs,� �Pimp My Ride,� �Storm Stories,�
�Date My Mom,� �NASCAR Angels,� �Animal Exploration with Jarod
Miller,� �BusinessWeek Weekend� and theatrical films. Litton News
Services include �Good Housekeeping Reports,� �BusinessWeek Reports
from Wall Street,� �Standard & Poors Customized Reports� and
�Consumer Reports.� For more information, visit www.litton.tv.
About FremantleMedia Enterprises & FremantleMedia
FremantleMedia Enterprises is the content exploitation arm of
FremantleMedia, offering a one-stop-shop for all Licensing,
Distribution and Home Entertainment. It is a division of
FremantleMedia, one of the largest international creators and
producers of entertainment brands in the world with leading prime
time drama, serial drama, entertainment and factual entertainment
programming in over 40 countries worldwide. FremantleMedia is a
subsidiary of RTL Group, Europe's largest television and radio
broadcast company, which is 90% owned by Bertelsmann AG, an
integrated media and entertainment company that commands leading
positions in the world's media markets. For further information,
visit http://www.fremantlemedia.com. About FremantleMedia North
America FremantleMedia North America (FMNA) is the U.S. production
division of global media giant FremantleMedia. Based in Burbank,
California, FMNA produces entertaining and innovative television
programs for network, cable and syndicated platforms, including the
Emmy-nominated musical/reality phenomenon �American Idol� (FOX),
�The Next Great American Band� (FOX), �America�s Got Talent� (NBC),
�American Inventor� (ABC), �Thank God You�re Here� (NBC), �The
Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency� (Oxygen), �Property Ladder�
(TLC), �Family Feud� (syndicated), �Temptation� (syndicated),
�Million Dollar Password� (CBS), and the longest-running game show
in television history, �The Price Is Right� (CBS).
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