LOS ANGELES - (Business Wire) TV Land and TV Guide Network today announced that they will jointly acquire basic cable rights to “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” the award-winning HBO comedy series produced by and starring “Seinfeld” co-creator Larry David. One of the most ground-breaking shows on television, “Curb Your Enthusiasm” has never before been seen on basic cable television and for the first time ever, this irreverent comedy series will be delivered to millions of new viewers by TV Guide Network and TV Land. In addition, both networks will acquire certain broadband, wireless and video-on-demand rights, bringing “Curb Your Enthusiasm” to multiple screens for fans to enjoy. “Curb Your Enthusiasm” has recently garnered tremendous buzz and fan-following during its current season which features a long-awaited “Seinfeld” reunion 11 years after the show’s finale. Airing now on HBO, the seventh season of “Curb Your Enthusiasm” stars members of the famed “Seinfeld” cast, who recreate their sitcom characters and also play themselves during the show.
“’Acquiring a series of this caliber truly underscores our commitment to defining TV Guide Network as a destination for some of the best shows on television,” said Ryan O’Hara, President of TV Guide Network and TVGuide.com. “’Curb Your Enthusiasm’ is our second major acquisition this year and it will become another key building block in our programming line-up for 2010 and beyond.”
“We are excited to bring ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ to TV Land PRIME,” stated Larry W. Jones, president, TV Land. “‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ is one of the most clever, witty and groundbreaking shows on television and we’re excited to have it join our roster of top-quality sitcoms. The irreverent way ‘Curb’ uses characters to illuminate real-life situations fit perfectly with our strategy of delivering programming that is geared to the life stage and attitudes of people in their 40s.”
“Curb Your Enthusiasm” will air on TV Guide Network for a multi-year run starting February 2010. TV Land will begin airing the series in TV Land PRIME immediately following TV Guide Network’s term.
“Curb Your Enthusiasm” stars Larry David as himself in an unsparing but tongue-in-cheek depiction of his life. Shot in a verite style and featuring celebrities playing themselves, the episodes are improvised by the actors from an outline created by David. The series also stars Cheryl Hines as David's wife Cheryl, Jeff Garlin as David's manager Jeff and Susie Essman as Jeff's wife Susie. The show was nominated for four Emmys® in 2008, including Outstanding Comedy Series. It won the Golden Globe® in the Best Television Series - Musical or Comedy category in 2002. In 2003, Robert B. Weide won a directing Emmys® for his work on the series. The series has also received awards from the Writers Guild of America, Directors Guild of America, Banff Television Festival, American Film Institute and Monte Carlo Television Festival, among others. “Curb Your Enthusiasm” is executive produced by Larry David, Jeff Garlin, Gavin Polone, Alec Berg, David Mandel, Jeff Schaffer, Tim Gibbons and Erin O'Malley.
About TV Guide Network
TV Guide Network is the true entertainment insider and the only network that celebrates Hollywood, its stars and the shows that fans adore. Committed to buzz-worthy, breakout programming and a rich, multi-platform viewing experience, TV Guide Network is seen in more than 80 million homes nationwide and online at TVGuide.com, a one-stop fan destination serving 21 million unique users per month. TV Guide Network is home to some of America’s fan-favorite series including “Curb Your Enthusiasm," “Ugly Betty” and “American Idol Rewind.” The network also takes fans behind-the-scenes of Hollywood with original programming that delivers the latest news on entertainment and pop culture, as well as live coverage of the industry’s biggest events such as the Red Carpet at the Academy Awards® and Primetime Emmy® Awards. TV Guide Network, TVGuide.com and the TV Guide brand are owned by Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF), the leading next-generation studio and producer of award-winning series “Mad Men” and “Weeds,” and One Equity Partners, the private equity arm of JPMorgan Chase.
About TV Land PRIME and TV Land
TV Land PRIME is TV Land's prime time programming destination designed for people in their mid-forties and the exclusive home to the premieres of the network's original programming, contemporary television series acquisitions and movies. TV Land PRIME is part of TV Land, a network dedicated to presenting the best in entertainment on all platforms for consumers in their 40s and 50s. Consisting of original programming, acquired shows, hit movies and full-service Web site, TV Land is now seen in over 93 million U.S. homes.
About MTV Networks
MTV Networks, a division 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 400 digital media properties worldwide, and includes MTV, VH1, CMT, Logo, Harmonix, Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite, Nick Jr., TeenNick, AddictingGames, Neopets, COMEDY CENTRAL, SPIKE, TV Land, Atom, GameTrailers and Xfire.
For additional press information and photography, visit TV Guide Network’s press room at: www.tvguidenetworkpr.com.
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TV Guide Network
Leslie Furuta
323-856-4062
leslie.furuta@tvguide.com
or
TV Land
Vanessa Reyes Smith
310-407-4727
vanessa.reyes@tvland.com
