Endemol Acquires 'Hot' New Sitcom

LONDON and LOS ANGELES, June 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --  Endemol, a world leader in entertainment programming, today announced it has acquired distribution rights outside of the U.S. to Hot in Cleveland, the highly anticipated new original half hour sitcom produced by MTV Networks Entertainment Group for TV Land.

Hot in Cleveland's premiere episode was the highest rated and most watched show the entire day on American cable achieving an audience of nearly 5 million viewers.

Hot in Cleveland stars Valerie Bertinelli ('Touched By An Angel'), Jane Leeves ('Frasier'), Wendie Malick ('Just Shoot Me') and television icon Betty White ('The Golden Girls').  "Hot in Cleveland" is executive produced by Emmy® Award-winner Sean Hayes and Todd Milliner of Hazy Mills Productions and is helmed by Emmy® Award-winning Suzanne Martin ("Frasier," "Ellen") serving as executive producer, show runner and writer.

Three best friends from L.A. find their lives changed forever when their plane - headed for Paris - makes an unexpected landing.  Starting over, they rent a house in Cleveland that comes with one hilarious and feisty caretaker.

The deal was brokered by Endemol Group's Executive Vice President Acquisitions, North America, Philippe Maigret and MTV Networks Entertainment Group's Senior Vice President, Content, Eddie Dalva.

Eddie Dalva commented: "We are thrilled to be in business with Endemol on Hot in Cleveland and excited to be able to harness Endemol's many strengths for TV Land's biggest original show ever."

Philippe Maigret comments:  "We are delighted to partner with TV Land on Hot in Cleveland.  The show's original creative and premiere talent attached, make it a perfect acquisition opportunity for Endemol, as we continue to expand our scripted programming portfolio in North America for global distribution across all platforms."

The series has attracted some big name guest stars including Wayne Knight ('Seinfeld'), Huey Lewis ('Duets'), Susan Lucci ('All My Children'), Carl Reiner ('The Dick Van Dyke Show') and John Schneider ('The Dukes of Hazard').

Endemol Worldwide Distribution will launch the series at MIPCOM 2010.

Cathy Payne, Chief Executive of Endemol Worldwide Distribution commented:  "We are extremely excited and privileged to be working with MTV Networks Entertainment Group on Hot in Cleveland.  The calibre of the cast and creatives is exceptional and we look forward to presenting the programme to our international broadcasters in October."

ABOUT ENDEMOL

Endemol is a global leader in entertainment programming and the largest independent television and digital production company in the world.  

Endemol comprises a global network of more than 80 companies in 26 countries and employs about 6,500 people.

Each year the company produces content and partners with more than 400 broadcasters and cross media platforms worldwide.  Endemol is also one of the largest independent distributors of formats and finished programming in the world.  The company has a growing library of over 2,000 formats and more than 22,000 hours of content across genres including entertainment, reality TV, game shows, animation, comedy, drama, docu-dramas, features and feature films.    

Endemol's credits include international blockbusters such as Big Brother, Deal or No Deal, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, 1 vs. 100, Star Academy and Wipeout.  Its growing drama portfolio includes worldwide hits such as Home and Away, Rush, McLeod's Daughters; Wire in the Blood, Secret Diary of a Call Girl, Robin Hood and Nini.  Endemol is also behind a wide range of multi-media sports content including football, cricket, rugby and motor racing.

Endemol is owned by Goldman Sachs, Mediacinco and Cyrte, which acquired the company in May 2007.

ABOUT TV LAND

TV Land is a network dedicated to presenting the best in entertainment on all platforms for Adults 25-54.  Consisting of original programming, acquired shows, hit movies and full-service Web site, TV Land is now seen in over 95 million U.S. homes. 

SOURCE TV Land

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