TV Land Advances Network Evolution With 'TV Land PRIME' on October 6

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Tue Sep 2, 2008 12:14pm EDT

New Primetime Programming Destination Will Feature Original Programming And
Contemporary Acquisitions

NEW YORK, Sept. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- TV Land announced today the launch of TV
Land PRIME, a new primetime programming block designed to appeal to the
attitudes, life stage and interests of people in their 40s and 50s, catering
specifically to people in their mid-40s.  Debuting October 6, this primetime
destination will feature original programming such as TV Land hit franchises
"High School Reunion," "She's Got The Look" and the upcoming series "The
Cougar," acquired television series such as "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,"
"Scrubs" and "That 70s Show" and theatrical releases including "Analyze This,"
"Titanic" and "Independence Day."
    Equipped with a new logo, color scheme and on-air graphics program, TV
Land PRIME will air Monday through Friday, 9pm to midnight beginning October 6
on TV Land.  TV Land PRIME's programming is defined as entertaining, engaging,
escapist and most importantly -- targeted for this Adult demographic -- a
dynamic group with unmatched purchasing power.  Moving forward, all of TV
Land's original programming, contemporary television series acquisitions and
movies will premiere solely in this daypart.
    "MTV Networks has always connected deeply through original content for a
wide range of audiences, so the new step for TV Land to embrace adults in
their 40s and 50s is a smart and dynamic move," states Judy McGrath, MTV
Networks chairman and CEO.  "TV Land is a priority and a vital part of the MTV
Networks roster."
    "TV Land PRIME is a natural progression of the TV Land brand," said Larry
W. Jones, president, TV Land.  "We have had great success with our original
programming like 'High School Reunion' and 'She's Got The Look,' so we are
thrilled to continue to create provocative new shows and air them alongside
proven hits as we build a channel for this targeted Adult audience."
    New and returning original series and pilots commissioned for TV Land
PRIME include:
    SERIES:
    "High School Reunion" -- The second season of this successful TV Land
original series brings together high school alumni from Chandler, Arizona 20
years after their graduation as they gather for two weeks for an exotic
vacation getaway in Kauai, HI.  The eight-episode series is slated to premiere
in early 2009 and reunites classmates from all walks and stages of life who
have issues to address and resolve since their high school days.  Executive
produced by Mike Fleiss ("The Bachelor") in association with Warner Horizon
Television.
    "She's Got The Look" -- Back for a second season, and growing from six
episodes to eight, this series is done in collaboration with Wilhelmina
Models, Inc., and sets out to discover a sophisticated, beautiful and
confident woman 35 or older destined to become the next great supermodel.  The
winner will receive a lucrative modeling contract with Wilhelmina Models, Inc.
and a photo spread in a national magazine.  Executive produced by Allison
Grodner ("Big Brother").
    "The Cougar" -- An elimination dating series where eligible young men vie
for the attention of a sexy and accomplished mature woman.  Through a series
of creative and romantic challenges, men will be eliminated each week -- all
at the discretion of the Cougar.  The eight episode series is executive
produced by Mike Fleiss ("The Bachelor") in association with Warner Horizon
Television.
    "Myths & Legends" -- Premiering October 8 at 10:00pm (previously announced
to air August 27), this original series is back for a second season with seven
brand new episodes.  "Myths & Legends" answers all those burning questions
that have been endlessly lurking in the minds of pop culture junkies for
years.  Questions discussed include:  Did heavy metal rocker Ozzy Osbourne
bite the head off a live bat?  Was Jayne Mansfield decapitated in her fatal
automobile accident?  Is J. Lo's best "asset" insured for over a million
dollars?  Executive produced by Gay Rosenthal Productions ("Little People, Big
World").
    PILOTS:
    "First Love/Second Chance" -- This pilot gives long-lost sweethearts an
opportunity to rekindle their romance -- years later.  Whether it is
unrequited love or a relationship that ended badly, the couples decide if
there's still a romantic link after all these years and answer the question,
"What could have been?"  Produced by Granada Entertainment USA ("Celebrity Fit
Club" and "Hell's Kitchen").
    "What's in the Box" -- TV Land PRIME's first game show pilot features
individual contestants squaring off in the ultimate, fast-paced 20-question
competition.  Through a series of pointed yes or no answers to questions like,
"Does it move?" or "Is it man-made?," the players must figure out what's in
the box without giving their opponent the upper-hand -- all for a cash jackpot
and a chance to win a fabulous grand prize.  Executive produced by
Bunim/Murray ("Real World," "Living Lohan," "Keeping Up With the
Kardashians").
    "Make My Day" -- This show provides a window into one day in the life of
an unsuspecting participant.  Hidden cameras capture the action as contestants
are put through a series of weird coincidences, extraordinary situations and
surprise appearances.  Executive produced by Michael Davies ("Who Wants to Be
a Millionaire?," "Life Swap," "Power of 10") with Monkey Kingdom.
    "I've Got Your Number" -- This reality pilot based on a British format
proves the theory that there is a 76% chance that you already have the number
of the person you're going to marry in your cell phone.  Produced by
FremantleMedia ("American Idol," "America's Got Talent").
    "How Rich Are You?" -- We've all driven by an enormous home and asked the
question, "Who lives there?"  This show unveils the truth about the people who
occupy these homes, what else they own and reveals how they went from average
Americans to mega-moguls.  Executive produced by Mark Burnett ("Survivor,"
"The Apprentice") and Zoo TV.
    "Now or Never" -- Empty nesters are given the chance of a lifetime to open
a new chapter in their lives by pursuing careers they always dreamed of, but
never dared to pursue.  In each installment, couples try out their dream jobs,
a new place to live and a whole new social scene before making the gut-
wrenching decision of which path to follow.  Produced by RDF USA ("Wife
Swap").
    "Boomerangers" -- TV Land PRIME explores the exploding occurrence of
"boomerang kids," young adults who return home from college to live with their
parents.  Cameras capture the parents and kids who are, once again, together
under the same roof.  Cast contingent.  Produced by Evolution Media ("The Real
Housewives of Orange County").
    Contemporary acquisitions slated to air in TV Land PRIME include hit
series "That 70's Show," "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," "Scrubs," "Friends"
and "Third Rock from the Sun."  Theatrical releases on TV Land PRIME will
include "Ray," "A River Runs Through It," "Love Actually," "Analyze This" and
"Jerry Maguire."
    TV Land PRIME will offer advertising and sponsorship opportunities beyond
the traditional 30 second commercial spot.  Key advertisers will be able to
integrate their marketing messages into the network's programming in unique
ways during TV Land PRIME, including product integration, co-branded
interstitials and convergent on-air and online opportunities.
    Online, viewers can visit TVLand.com to fully experience the programming
in TV Land PRIME.  TVLand.com includes a mix of features such as exclusive
original and acquired video content, games, trivia, photos, entertainment news
and the ability to connect with other fans to offer a rich entertainment
experience.
    About TV Land:
    TV Land is dedicated to presenting the best in entertainment on all
platforms for consumers in their 40s and 50s.  Armed with a slate of original
programming, acquired classic shows, hit movies and full-service web site, TV
Land is now seen in over 90 million U.S. homes.  For up-to-the-minute and
archival press information including releases and photographs, please visit TV
Land's press-only Web site at www.tvlandpress.com.
    About MTV Networks
    MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), is one of the world's
leading creators of entertainment content, with brands that engage and connect
diverse audiences across television, online, mobile, games, virtual worlds and
consumer products.  The company's portfolio spans more than 150 television
channels and 350 digital media properties worldwide, and includes MTV, VH1,
CMT, Logo, Harmonix, Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite, Noggin, The N, AddictingGames,
Neopets, COMEDY CENTRAL, Spike TV, TV Land, Atom, Gametrailers and Xfire.
SOURCE  TV Land

Rachel Sandler, +1-212-846-4412, Rachel.Sandler@tvland.com, or Vanessa Reyes,
+1-310-407-4727, Vanessa.reyes@tvland.com, or Jennifer Zaldivar,
+1-212-846-8964, Jennifer.Zaldivar@tvland.com, all of TV Land
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