Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip to be Distributed Online & Wireless  9/13/06

NBC UNIVERSAL TELEVISION GROUP AND WARNER BROS. TELEVISION GROUP ANNOUNCE DIGITAL DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT ON NEW DRAMA 'STUDIO 60 ON THE SUNSET STRIP'

Broad-ranging Deal Gives Non-Permanent Download And Streaming Rights to Network and Permanent Download Rights to Studio, Among Other Firsts

BURBANK - September 12, 2006 - NBC Universal Television Group and Warner Bros. Television Group jointly announced today a digital distribution agreement on NBC's highly anticipated new drama "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" (Mondays, 10-11 p.m. ET, premiering September 18).

The broad-ranging deal gives NBC the rights to stream the new drama on NBC-branded sites, NBC affiliate sites or third-party-branded sites, as well as VOD, SVOD (through cable, telephone company and satellite platforms) and wireless platforms. Warner Bros. is given the rights to permanent downloads of episodes on electronic retail platforms (such as iTunes, Amazon.com and AOL) after initial broadcast on the network. Rights are assured through the upcoming 2006-07 broadcast season.

The announcement was made today by Jeff Zucker, CEO, NBC Universal Television Group, and Bruce Rosenblum, President, Warner Bros. Television Group.

"This network and our studio partners have so much to gain if we use the emerging digital markets wisely," said Zucker, "This deal is an excellent example of how a network and a studio can work together to give a great new series like 'Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip' every advantage that digital distribution has to offer."

"We are thrilled to be working in close collaboration with our network partners at NBC in developing the first of what will eventually be many business models for the digital distribution of our premium television series," said Rosenblum. "While it is clearly in all of our best interests for 'Studio 60' to be successful on Mondays at 10 p.m., this deal takes a big step towards enabling our viewers to sample and even own episodes of this series on multiple platforms."

"To have this opportunity to offer access to our EST partners, such as iTunes, Amazon.com and AOL, such remarkable programming is a thrill and we look forward to exploring distribution avenues with other online retailers so that we can maximize the availability of our programming and make it easy for consumers to find and get hooked on," added Simon Kenny, President Warner Bros. Digital Distribution.

"Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" was created by Emmy Award-winning writer/producer Aaron Sorkin and is executive produced by Emmy Award-winning director/producer Thomas Schlamme and Sorkin. The series stars Matthew Perry, Bradley Whitford, Amanda Peet, Sarah Paulson, D.L. Hughley, Nathan Corddry, Timothy Busfield and Steven Weber. The series is a production of Warner Bros Television.

Source: NBC Press Release