Sony Pictures Television Has Sold "Rules of Engagement" in Off-Network Syndication
Hit-Comedy Series Sold to Tribune, CBS, Weigel in Top 3 Markets
and Cleared in 45% of the U.S.
Set for Fall 2012 Off-Net Debut
Culver City, CA - June 17, 2011 - Sony Pictures Television has sold the hit comedy series "Rules of Engagement" to local broadcast stations in the nation's top markets in off-network syndication, it was announced today by John Weiser, president of U.S. distribution, Sony Pictures Television.
In the top 3 markets, "Rules of Engagement" has been sold to WPIX-TV New York (Tribune), KCAL9 Los Angeles (CBS) and WCIU-TV Chicago (Weigel). Other leading station groups buying the series include Tribune, CBS, Weigel, Belo and Meredith.
"The show's compatibility with 'The Big Bang Theory' and 'Two and a Half Men,' combined with its strong, consistent performance on CBS among male viewers has been a major enticement to local stations" said Weiser. "It's a win, win for buyers because the show repeats better than any comedy on television."
"Rules of Engagement" is a comedy about the different phases of male/female relationships, as seen through the eyes of a newly engaged couple, Adam (Oliver Hudson) and Jennifer (Bianca Kajlich), a long-time married pair, Jeff (Patrick Warburton) and Audrey (Megyn Price), and a single guy on the prowl, Russell (David Spade) and his assistant, Timmy (Adhir Kalyan). As they find out, the often confusing stages of a relationship can seem like being on a roller coaster. People can describe the ride to you, but to really know what it's like you have to experience it for yourself.
A consistent utility player in every time slot for CBS during its broadcast network run, "Rules of Engagement" builds its time period in each of its five seasons. "Rules of Engagement" is also the #1 CBS network comedy in repeatability.
Tom Hertz, Doug Robinson and Jack Giarraputo serve as executive producers on "Rules of Engagement" which is produced by Happy Madison Productions and CBS Television Studios in association with Sony Pictures Television.
About Sony Pictures Television
Sony Pictures Television is one of the television industry's leading content providers. It produces and distributes programming in every genre, including series, telefilms, theatrical releases and family entertainment around the world and for every platform: broadcast and cable television, first-run and off-network syndication and digital distribution. In addition to one of the industry's largest libraries of feature films and television shows, SPT boasts a current program slate that includes the top-rated daytime dramas and game shows, landmark off-network series, original animated series and critically acclaimed primetime dramas, comedies and telefilms. Internationally, SPT is a leader in local language productions around the world, some of which are co-produced with local partners, and sells SPE-owned formats in approximately 70 countries. To better serve its clients and partners worldwide, SPT maintains offices throughout the world, including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, the Netherlands, the People's Republic of China, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Venezuela and the United Kingdom. SPT's worldwide television networks portfolio is a key strategy in SPE's long-range commitment to the global marketplace, with 120 channel feeds, which are available in more than 142 countries reaching more than 500 million households worldwide. SPT also creates original content for and manages SPE's premium video website, Crackle. Additionally, SPT owns Dutch entertainment company 2waytraffic, production company Embassy Row and Sony Movie Channel, and is a part owner of cable channel GSN, new 3D channel 3net, FEARnet, the premier horror/thriller website and VOD service, and national media sales company ITN Networks, Inc. SPT advertiser sales is one of the premiere national advertising sales companies, handling the commercial inventory in SPT's syndicated series as well as in all of SPE's digital businesses in the United States. SPT (www.sonypicturestelevision.com) is a Sony Pictures Entertainment company.
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