Television
March 25, 2004
ABC Family Strikes Off-Network Licensing Deal To Acquire Slate Of Series, Movies, And Specials From Warner Bros. Domestic Cable Distribution
(March 25, 2004 – Burbank, CA) - ABC Family has acquired a slate of series, movies and specials in a deal with Warner Bros. Domestic Cable Distribution (WBDCD) top lined by the multi-year off-network rights to The WB’s highest-rated series of all time “SMALLVILLE” (from Warner Bros. Television), it was announced today by Mark Silverman, general manager and senior vice president, ABC Family, and Eric Frankel, president, Warner Bros. Domestic Cable Distribution. ABC Family will begin airing “SMALLVILLE” in Fall 2004.
Also included in this newly-unveiled programming pact is the off-net rights to “JKX: THE JAMIE KENNEDY EXPERIMENT” (to begin airing Fall 2004), the series that pushes the sketch comedy and hidden camera formats to new extremes; dozens of hit movies including the hit titles "You've Got Mail," "Miss Congeniality," "The Perfect Storm" and "Twister"; and the renewal of the enduring family favorite “FULL HOUSE,” which has proven itself as an ABC Family favorite. In addition, holiday specials are part of the deal.
“'Smallville' is a great addition to ABC Family’s lineup this fall,” said Silverman. “'Smallville' has a loyal audience, thematic appeal for today’s families, and will serve as a strong anchor to complement original programming."
“We are always most pleased when we are able to place programming on networks where it not only makes the most audience sense, but where we believe our programs are going to have the best opportunity for success,” said Frankel. “We believe that ‘Smallville' and ‘Jamie Kennedy’ will be staples of ABC Family’s 2004 schedule, and by securing the rights to the perennial family hit ‘Full House,’ ABC Family can continue the success that these series have already brought to them. We look forward to working with ABC Family on marketing these terrific shows.”
Before the legend...before the icon...there was a teenager named Clark Kent (Tom Welling, "Cheaper By The Dozen"). Clark doesn't wear glasses, there's no suit and he can't fly. Between the boy he thought he was and the man he is destined to become are the stories of “SMALLVILLE.” Someday, he'll master his powers and understand his true calling. Currently in its third season, this new interpretation of the enduring Superman mythology and its classic characters blends realism and adventure into an exciting action series.
Reinterpreting the Superman mythology from its roots, “SMALLVILLE” was written and developed by Alfred Gough & Miles Millar ("Shanghai Noon," "Spiderman 2"), based on the DC Comics characters. Gough and Millar serve as executive producers, along with Greg Beeman, Mike Tollin, Brian Robbins, Joe Davola and Ken Horton. The series is produced by Tollin/Robbins Productions and Warner Bros. Television. “SUPERMAN” was created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Schuster.
A weekly half-hour comedy series hosted by charismatic film star and stand-up comic Jamie Kennedy ("Scream," "Three Kings"), “JKX: THE JAMIE KENNEDY EXPERIMENT” pushes the sketch comedy and hidden camera formats to new extremes. Off-the-wall humor and Kennedy's disarming personality, versatility and comedic acting skills combine to make this unique new series a sly combination of on-the-street sneak attacks and elaborate practical jokes. In addition to hosting the show in front of a studio audience, Kennedy can be seen - but maybe not recognized in his disguises in nearly every prank, playing a variety of character roles.
From executive producers Jamie Kennedy, Fax Bahr & Adam Small ("MAD TV," "In Living Color"), Mike Karz ("Max Keeble's Big Move") and Brian Hartt ("MAD TV") the series is produced by Bahr Small Productions and Karz Entertainment in association with Warner Bros. Television Production and Big Ticket Television, a Paramount/Viacom Company.
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