MTM: a "family" company slated with productions.

MTM has benefited from having a strong parent in the Virginia Beach-based IFE, owner of The Family cable channel. Since the restructuring was completed in 1993, the company has expanded its library as well as actively pursued a variety of projects now in various stages of production. MTM's production slate exemplifies its tradition of working with strong ensemble casts and well-known writers, (e.g., Linda Bloodworth-Thomason), to create network programming. This is the core of MTM's business. More peripheral, but not less important, are MTM's ventures into children's programming, which are likely to increase because of its relationship to The Family Channel, under the umbrella of IFE. Also significant is MTM's presence in the international marketplace both as a distributor of U.S. and non-U.S., programming and as a sought-after co-production partner.

According to Chuck Larsen, president MTM Worldwide Distribution, MTM's main thrust at NATPE will be America's Funniest Home Videos. Its secondary objective will be the renewal of Rescue 911 for a third season.

Internationally, MTM continues to demonstrate its strength in distributing quality programming as shown by its deal with the Nine Network in Australia. Now MTM represents the Nine Network library and current production slate around the world. Internationally its focus will be on the continued sales of the Christy series and a 12-movie package.

Larsen acknowledged that MTM Worldwide Distribution represents a mix of product from MTM's golden years (Mary Tyler Moore Show, Hill Street Blues, Cagney and Lacey to name a few), and product currently on the air (Christy) as well as other programs acquired through the merger with IFE. In addition, MTM's distribution activities include the worldwide presentation of product from elsewhere within the company (TVS library) as well as that of outside producers, such as CBS's Rescue 911 and ABC's America's Funniest Home Videos. Plus IFE's original shows such as Snow River, The McGregor Saga and Big Brother Jackie. MTM also markets its product in-flight. For the future, Larsen sees MTM augmenting the MTM product line by acquiring quality libraries and product that complements MTM's existing mix, with more emphasis on family programming to further its association with the Family Channel.

Bill Allen, president of MTM Television, is responsible for guiding the production, acquisition and development of programming for the L.A.-based company. In this capacity, he was associated with some of MTM's best performing shows, including Hill Street Blues, St. Elsewhere, Remington Steele, Newhart, Evening Shade and now Christy.

Christy is in its second season on CBS this year with 21 additional episodes scheduled for later in 1995.

Allen is bullish about the projects that MTM has in development. For starters, two four-hour, two-part mini-series based on Hill Street Blues and St. Elsewhere are planned. MTM is waiting for its executive producer partners, Bruce Paltrow and Steven Bochco to become available. NBC has already expressed strong interest in the series.

MTM International is also strong in the area of TV movies, representing Marion Rees' For the Love of Aaron, with Meredith Baxter, co-produced in association with Marion Rees & Associates. The Gift of Love, starring Andy Griffith and Blair Brown, was created by prestigious Hallmark Hall of Fame producers. Shooting will begin next winter for Face on a Milk Carton, a Dorothea Petrie co-production about a kidnap victim who comes to the realization that something is very wrong with the way she has grown up after she sees a picture of herself as a lost child on a milk carton. This show is scheduled to air on CBS sometime before the May sweeps.

Currently in development are several early evening action adventure series involving primarily single buddy or team comedies along the lines of MacGyver and Simon & Simon. Discussions are already under way with several foreign co-production partners to do an action adventure series involving well-known European stars.

According to Allen, MTM is involved in a series of anniversary specials based on successful quality product from outside the MTM libraries. Plus, a Christmas special aired last month featured the best years of television with lots of music and variety segments, clips from well-known sitcoms and TV movies as well as the work of great entertainers, such as Judy Garland, Dinah Shore, Bing Crosby and many