Television
March 6, 2012
Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution Sells “The Middle” to Television Stations In Over 92% of the U.S. for Fall 2013
(March 6, 2012 – Burbank, CA) -- Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution (WBDTD) has sold the broadcast television syndication rights for Warner Bros. Television's “The Middle” in over 92% of the US. The announcement was made today by Ken Werner, President, and Rick Meril, Executive Vice President/General Sales Manager, Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution.
The show has been acquired by groups from across the broadcast spectrum including: Tribune, Sinclair, CBS, Communications Corp., Raycom, Newport, Belo, Cox, Local TV, New Age Media, Titan, Grant, News Press & Gazette, Barrington, Mission, Venture, LIN, Pappas, Weigel, & Acme, to name a few.
“We are in a new golden age for sitcoms both on the broadcast networks and syndication,” said Werner. “Stations have been the bedrock destination for off net sitcoms for generations and it is part of their heritage and brand. Our station partners recognized in The Middle a compelling player that would energize their sitcom blocks in 2013 and beyond.”
“‘The Middle’ will set the table for stations,” said Meril. “The show has grown in each of its three seasons and jumpstarts ABC’s Prime at 8pm. Most importantly, “The Middle” repeats like an A-list sitcom. Stations have taken notice and have responded quickly.”
Last season, “The Middle” was able to retain 65% of its Adults 25-54 audience while in repeats, more than ABC companion “Modern Family” and competitors “The Big Bang Theory” and “Two And A Half Men” on CBS. ABC uses this to their advantage, often times airing the show twice a week and on multiple nights.
“The Middle” is currently in its third season on the ABC Television Network, and continues to be a popular hit as the leadoff show for the network’s Wednesday night comedy block. The show has grown its Wednesday night rating by +47% among Adults 25-54 since its debut season, and has posted solid audience recruitment over its lead-in in all three seasons.
About The Show:
Emmy winner Patricia Heaton (“Everybody Loves Raymond”) stars as Frankie Heck in this warm and witty single-camera comedy about raising a family and lowering your expectations. Middle-aged, middle class and living in the middle of the country, Frankie Heck is a harried wife and working mother of three who uses her wry wit and sense of humor to try to get her family through each day intact. Frankie's unflappable husband, Mike, is a manager at the local quarry and her sardonic partner in the daily grind that is raising their average — yes, most definitely average — family. In between juggling shifts and picking up fast food dinners eaten in front of the TV, Frankie and Mike raise their kids with love and solid Midwestern practicality. Axl is the oldest, a teenage jock who eats the family out of house and home and walks around in his underwear. Then there's Sue, their extraordinarily ordinary teen daughter who fails at just about everything she tries with great gusto. Finally, there's Brick, who reads constantly, whispers to himself and considers his backpack to be his best friend. But through all the madness shines a loving family — and together, they're putting “The Middle” on the map. In addition to Heaton, “The Middle” stars Neil Flynn (“Scrubs,” “Mean Girls,” “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the ‘Crystal Skull’”) as MikeHeck, Charlie McDermott (“Frozen River,” “Sex Drive,” “Hot Tub Time Machine”) as Axl Heck, Eden Sher (“Weeds,” “Sons & Daughters,” “The O.C.”) as Sue Heck and Atticus Shaffer (“Hancock,” “The Unborn”) as Brick Heck. Chris Kattan (“Saturday Night Live”) starred in the first two seasons as BobWeaver, Frankie Heck’s co-worker, and is a recurring guest star in season three. “The Middle” was created by Eileen Heisler & DeAnn Heline (both “How I Met Your Mother,” “Lipstick Jungle,” “Murphy Brown,” “Roseanne,” “Ellen”), who serve as executive producers of the series, which is from Blackie and Blondie Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television.###
Emmy winner Patricia Heaton (“Everybody Loves Raymond”) stars as Frankie Heck in this warm and witty single-camera comedy about raising a family and lowering your expectations. Middle-aged, middle class and living in the middle of the country, Frankie Heck is a harried wife and working mother of three who uses her wry wit and sense of humor to try to get her family through each day intact. Frankie's unflappable husband, Mike, is a manager at the local quarry and her sardonic partner in the daily grind that is raising their average — yes, most definitely average — family. In between juggling shifts and picking up fast food dinners eaten in front of the TV, Frankie and Mike raise their kids with love and solid Midwestern practicality. Axl is the oldest, a teenage jock who eats the family out of house and home and walks around in his underwear. Then there's Sue, their extraordinarily ordinary teen daughter who fails at just about everything she tries with great gusto. Finally, there's Brick, who reads constantly, whispers to himself and considers his backpack to be his best friend. But through all the madness shines a loving family — and together, they're putting “The Middle” on the map. In addition to Heaton, “The Middle” stars Neil Flynn (“Scrubs,” “Mean Girls,” “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the ‘Crystal Skull’”) as MikeHeck, Charlie McDermott (“Frozen River,” “Sex Drive,” “Hot Tub Time Machine”) as Axl Heck, Eden Sher (“Weeds,” “Sons & Daughters,” “The O.C.”) as Sue Heck and Atticus Shaffer (“Hancock,” “The Unborn”) as Brick Heck. Chris Kattan (“Saturday Night Live”) starred in the first two seasons as BobWeaver, Frankie Heck’s co-worker, and is a recurring guest star in season three. “The Middle” was created by Eileen Heisler & DeAnn Heline (both “How I Met Your Mother,” “Lipstick Jungle,” “Murphy Brown,” “Roseanne,” “Ellen”), who serve as executive producers of the series, which is from Blackie and Blondie Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television.