Television
August 25, 2006
Five Secures Chatshow Host Ellen Degeneres For Five Life
(August 25, 2006 - London and Burbank, CA) - Five has signed "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" for the forthcoming free-to-air channel Five Life, which launches in the autumn, it was announced today (FRI).
The daily entertainment show, produced by Telepictures Productions and distributed by Warner Bros. International Television Distribution (WBITD), sees the American talk show host use her distinctive sense of humour—perfected over more than two decades as a stand-up comedian, actress, Emmy Award®-winning writer and host of major award shows—to interview high-profile celebrity guests in her unique and unconventional way.
In addition to the celebrity element, the one-hour programme features chart-topping music, interviews with people who share their extraordinary real-life stories and a variety of audience participation.
Five’s Director of Programmes, Dan Chambers, said: “Ellen DeGeneres’ humour and approach to interviews is intelligent and emotionally engaging. She is perfect for Five Life, and we’re delighted to have secured the show.”
Chris Law, Managing Director, UK Television, WBITD, said: “We are delighted to extend our long-standing relationship with Five and to work closely with the channel as it launches 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show' on the new Five Life digital venture this autumn. Ellen is a singular talent, and we can think of no better service in the UK than Five Life to present her outstanding entertainment programme.”
Five Life will feature an extension of the channel’s hugely popular pre-school strand Milkshake!, as well as drama, films, soaps, popular factual and lifestyle programming skewed towards a female audience.
Five Life is one of two digital channels being launched by the broadcaster. The second, Five US, will bring UK viewers the very best of American television in genres such as established and new drama, comedy, films, sport and youth programming.
Warner Bros. International Television Distribution is one of the world’s largest distributors of feature films, television programmes and animation to the international television marketplace (broadcast, pay cable, basic cable, satellite, pay-per-view, video-on-demand, digital platforms, etc.). It licenses 48,000 hours of programming (including more than 6,000 features and 74 current series), dubbed or subtitled in more than 40 languages, to telecasters and cablecasters in more than 175 countries.
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