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Lifetime Television Acquires Exclusive off-net Cable Rights to Hit Comedy The New Adventures of Old Christine From Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution

Posted on: Thursday, 9 July 2009, 11:51 CDT

LOS ANGELES, July 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Lifetime Television, the number one women's network, has acquired the exclusive off-net cable rights to Warner Bros. Television's critically acclaimed hit comedy The New Adventures of Old Christine, starring Emmy(R) Award-winner Julia Louis-Dreyfus, in a deal with Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090709/LA44265)

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080804/NYM123LOGO)

Under the terms of the agreement, Lifetime will hold the exclusive cable rights to all 88 existing episodes of the program, as well as the exclusive cable rights to all episodes produced in future seasons. The comedy, for which Louis-Dreyfus won an Emmy in 2006 for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series and which won a Humanitas Prize(R) in 2007, will make its off-net cable premiere on Lifetime in fall 2010.

"We couldn't be more excited to bring The New Adventures of Old Christine to Lifetime," said JoAnn Alfano, Executive Vice President, Entertainment, Lifetime Networks. "The show is funny, modern, smart and relatable - a perfect fit for our brand. Julia Louis-Dreyfus is one of the most talented comedic actors of this - or any -generation."

"Julia Louis-Dreyfus is a television icon starring in a show that takes full advantage of her comedic sensibilities and which we know will strongly connect with Lifetime's audience," said Ken Werner, President, Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution.

Louis-Dreyfus stars in the series as Christine Campbell, a divorced working mother who successfully juggles the daily stresses of motherhood and a business. Christine owns a women's 30-minute workout gym with her best friend, Barb. Her young son, Ritchie, attends a posh private school, where Christine endures frequent encounters with two snooty stay-at-home moms, Marly and Lindsay. Christine's twentysomething brother, Matthew, lives with her and serves as Ritchie's sometime babysitter. Christine gets along with her charming ex-husband, Richard, even better than when they were married, but her life got a lot more complicated when she met Richard's new girlfriend: a nice, young, impossible-to-hate woman also named Christine - the "new" Christine. When it dawns on "old" Christine that Richard is moving on with his life, she decides it's time for her to take that same leap.

The New Adventures of Old Christine was created by Kari Lizer (Will & Grace), who executive produces along with Andy Ackerman (Seinfeld). The series also stars Clark Gregg (Iron Man) as Richard, Hamish Linklater (Fantastic Four) as Matthew, Trevor Gagnon (the upcoming Shorts) as Ritchie, Emily Rutherfurd (Will & Grace) as "New" Christine, Tricia O'Kelley (Gilmore Girls) as Marly, Alex Kapp Horner (Will & Grace) as Lindsay and Wanda Sykes (Curb Your Enthusiasm) as Barb. The series is from Kari's Logo Here in association with Warner Bros. Television.

The New Adventures of Old Christine acquisition is a component of Lifetime's ongoing strategy to aggressively expand its line-up of comedies. The Network's slate includes the original series Rita Rocks, starring Nicole Sullivan and slated to return for its second season later this year, and the recently picked-up sitcom Sherri (working title), with Sherri Shepherd (The View, 30 Rock); and the off-net programs Will & Grace, Reba and Frasier, as well as How I Met Your Mother, which will begin stripping on Lifetime in fall 2010.

ABOUT WARNER BROS. DOMESTIC TELEVISION DISTRIBUTION

Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution (WBDTD) is one of the leading suppliers of entertainment programming to the domestic television marketplace, distributing first-run syndicated series, off-network television programs and theatrical motion pictures to local broadcast television stations, as well as to pay, cable, satellite and broadcast networks throughout the U.S. WBDTD handles the domestic distribution of television series produced by Warner Bros. Television, Telepictures Productions, Warner Bros. Animation and Warner Horizon Television; selected HBO Independent Productions and the Lorimar Television library; current feature films from Warner Bros. Pictures; and the Studio's unmatched motion picture library.

ABOUT LIFETIME TELEVISION

Lifetime is a diverse, multi-media company, committed to offering the highest quality entertainment and information programming that celebrates, entertains and supports women. Through its award-winning public affairs initiatives, the Company also advocates a wide range of issues affecting women and their families. Lifetime Television, Lifetime Movie Network, Lifetime Real Women and Lifetime Digital (myLifetime.com, Roiworld.com, DressUpChallenge.com, LMN.tv, LifetimeMoms.com, and MothersClick.com) are part of Lifetime Entertainment Services, a 50/50 joint venture of Hearst Corporation and The Walt Disney Company.

SOURCE Lifetime Television

Source: PR Newswire

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