CMT PICKS UP EXCLUSIVE CABLE RIGHTS TO SYNDICATED VERSION OF MARK BURNETT’S “ARE YOU SMARTER THAN A 5TH GRADER?” DISTRIBUTED BY TWENTIETH TELEVISION
08/04/09
NASHVILLE – August 4, 2009 – CMT has reached a multi-year licensing deal with Twentieth Television as the exclusive cable partner for the syndicated version of ARE YOU SMARTER THAN A 5TH GRADER?, it was announced today by Mary Beth Cunin, senior vice president of programming strategy, CMT. The syndicated episodes of the series will debut weekdays in primetime beginning Monday, September 21 on CMT.
CMT will also collaborate with the program to produce themed episodes for the syndicated series, including a country music week.
“This 5th GRADER deal is particularly significant for CMT, as we have the exclusive cable rights, and we’ll be airing brand new episodes of the syndicated series,” said Cunin. “We’re thrilled to work with Mark Burnett & Twentieth to build another hit franchise for CMT.”
From Mark Burnett Productions, Jeff Foxworthy hosts this new, fast-paced half-hour syndicated version of 5TH GRADER which will feature all the fun and challenges of the hit broadcast primetime version where adult’s knowledge of grade-school level questions is tested.
ARE YOU SMARTER THAN A 5TH GRADER? originally aired on FOX and premiered on February 27, 2007. Comedian Jeff Foxworthy hosts this atypical game show that measures adults' lack of knowledge – as revealed by how much they've forgotten since grammar school. Grownups find themselves in a classroom setting, revisiting their youth, as they tackle subjects they were taught years ago ranging from art to geography and math to social studies. In ARE YOU SMARTER THAN A 5TH GRADER?, however, the players are not alone and there is a way for contestants to "cheat" in this classroom. The adults have the opportunity to get some help – in the form of elementary advice from real 5th graders who always seem to know more than the contestants.
Visit CMT's press-only Web site www.cmtpress.com for more information and downloadable photos on all of CMT's programming.
About CMT
CMT, a unit of Viacom’s MTV Networks (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B), is the leading television and digital authority on country music and entertainment, reaching more than 88 million homes in the U.S. CMT and its website, CMT.com, offer an unparalleled mix of music, news, live concerts and series and is the top resource for country music on demand. The network’s digital platforms include the 24-hour music channel, CMT Pure Country, CMT Mobile and CMT VOD.
About Twentieth Television
A leader in the U.S. program production and distribution arena, Twentieth Television provides a wide array of first-run, network and off-network programming, as well as feature film packages, to the syndication and cable marketplaces. First-run programs distributed by Twentieth Television include the game show “Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader?”, the court shows “Divorce Court” and “Judge Alex.” Off-net shows distributed by Twentieth include “Family Guy,” “24,” “COPS,” “The Simpsons,” “Boston Legal” and the fall 2009 launch of “My Name is Earl” & “Bones” followed by the 2010 launch of “The Unit” and “How I Met Your Mother.”
About Mark Burnett and Mark Burnett Productions
Mark Burnett (President of Mark Burnett Productions) is a leading executive producer for primetime television, cable and the internet, and has produced over 1,100 hours of television programming which regularly airs in over 70 countries around the world. Mr. Burnett has revolutionized television with continuing hits such as Survivor (CBS), The Apprentice (NBC), Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader? (FOX), which is currently being produced in 55 countries, and the daytime syndicated hit Martha. In May 2009, Mr. Burnett served as executive producer for the MTV Movie Awards for the third consecutive year. Since 2001, Mark Burnett Productions has garnered a total of 60 Emmy nominations with Mr. Burnett receiving 2 wins, along with 4 People’s Choice Awards. Mr. Burnett has been named one of the most influential people in the world by TIME magazine and named TV Guide’s most valuable player. He has won both BRANDWEEK’S Marketer of the Year Award and the prestigious ROSE D’OR FRAPA Format Award. In 2007, Mr. Burnett was inducted into the Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame and in 2009, he received a star on the Hollywood walk of fame. In 2009, Mark Burnett Productions has garnered new series, including Shark Tank (ABC), StarMaker (MTV), Bully Beatdown (MTV), How’d You Get So Rich (TV Land), Expedition (History), Toughest Cowboy (Spike) as well as new pilots for FOX and CBS.
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PRESS CONTACT:
Amanda Murphy (CMT) 615-335-8408 amanda.murphy@cmt.com
Chris Delhomme (CMT) 310-752-8635 chris.delhomme@cmt.com
Craig Radow (20th TV) 310-369-3293 craig.radow@fox.com
