Buena Vista Television Announces Deal With CBS Owned and Operated Station Group for Syndication's ``Who Wants to be a Millionaire''; Show Launches in Syndication in Fall 2002.

Entertainment Editors

BURBANK, Calif.--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--June 22, 2001

Janice Marinelli, president of Buena Vista Television announced today that the syndicated version of "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire" has been sold to the CBS owned and operated station group for a Fall 2002 launch.

"The syndication industry needs a big hit," said Marinelli, "and when you look at the magnitude of 'Millionaire's' performance on the network, you're looking at a rare opportunity. 'Millionaire' has a proven track record and a totally successful format. As a fast-paced, first-run half-hour for syndication, it'll be the closest thing you can get to a guaranteed winner."

"The marketplace recognizes the potential of 'Millionaire' as a major syndication franchise," said Tom Cerio, executive vice president, sales, BVT. "There have been very few shows in recent history that have offered such potential as news adjacencies which are so critical to stations."

"We are very pleased to add 'Millionaire' to our programming lineup in the nation's top television markets, and look forward to the impact it will have on our daytime schedule," said Fred Reynolds, president of the Viacom Television Stations Group. "Add this to the other exciting acquisitions we've made in the last few weeks, and it's clear we're positioning ourselves for dramatic growth in the coming season and beyond. Stay tuned."

The deal with the CBS o&o's clears the show in eight of the top 10 markets -- nearly 30 percent of the country, including WCBS/New York, KCBS/Los Angeles, WBBM/Chicago, KYW/Philadelphia, KPIX/San Francisco, WBZ/Boston, KTVT/Dallas, WWJ/Detroit, KDKA/Pittsburgh and KUTV/Salt Lake City.

"Who Wants To Be A Millionaire" will launch in national syndication in Fall 2002 as a half-hour show produced by the same Emmy Award-winning network production team. "Millionaire" hit the U.S. airwaves in the summer of 1999 and instantly became a national sensation and a brand name that penetrated American pop culture.