King World Gives 'Rachael Ray' a Firm Go

King World Gives 'Rachael Ray' a Firm Go

Series Already Cleared in More Than 70% of the Country for Fall 2006 Launch

All Top 25 Markets Sold

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Dec. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- King World Productions, Inc. has given a "firm go" to the new, daily, one-hour series featuring dynamic television personality and best-selling author Rachael Ray, already having sold the series to stations representing more than 70% of the country, it was announced today by Roger King, Chief Executive Officer, CBS Enterprises and King World.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20051205/LAM024)

The series, which has been cleared in all Top 25 markets and 46 of the Top 50, has been sold to ABC O&O, Viacom O&O, Fox O&O, Gannett, Post-Newsweek, Media General, Cox, Meredith, Hearst-Argyle, Belo, Scripps Howard and LIN stations, among others.

"The demand for this show is unbelievable," declared King. "To have this much of the country cleared in just a few weeks is a testament to the tremendous talent and popularity of Rachael Ray, and to the great skill and experience of our team launching the series. Our station line-up across the country is fantastic, and we're totally committed to delivering syndication's next, great, daytime hit."

The clearances in the Top 25 markets are WABC (New York), KCBS (Los Angeles), WBBM (Chicago), WPVI (Philadelphia), WBZ (Boston), KPIX (San Francisco), KTVT (Dallas/Ft. Worth), WTTG (Washington, D.C.), WXIA (Atlanta), KPRC (Houston), WDIV (Detroit), WFLA (Tampa), KIRO (Seattle), KPHO (Phoenix), KARE (Minneapolis), WKYC (Cleveland), WFOR (Miami), KCNC (Denver), KCRA (Sacramento), WKMG (Orlando), KTVI (St. Louis), WTAE (Pittsburgh), KGW (Portland), WMAR (Baltimore) and WISH (Indianapolis).

The new series, to be based in New York City and launching in Fall 2006, will be produced by King World, in association with Harpo Productions, Inc., Scripps Networks, Inc. and Watch Entertainment, Inc., and distributed by King World.

King World Productions, Inc. is the preeminent company in television syndication, distributing all Top Five and six of the Top Ten daily syndicated series, including the two highest-rated talk shows and two highest-rated game shows. In Fall 2006, it will launch the highly anticipated, new series featuring dynamic television personality and best-selling author Rachael Ray. Among King World's stable of quality, critically-acclaimed programming are "Wheel of Fortune," America's favorite game show, which has ranked #1 among all syndicated strips since its debut 22 years ago; "Jeopardy!", America's favorite quiz show, which has ranked #2 among all syndicated strips for the past 21 seasons; "The Oprah Winfrey Show," which has been the #1-rated talk series for the past 19 seasons, and "Dr. Phil," which has ranked as the #2-rated talk series since its debut in Fall 2002. Additionally, for the past 17 seasons, King World has produced and distributed "Inside Edition," the longest-running and highest-rated newsmagazine in syndication. In addition, King World distributes the CBS network primetime hits, "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," "CSI: Miami" and "CSI: NY," family favorite "Everybody Loves Raymond" and the reality series, "Survivor," "The Amazing Race" and "America's Next Top Model." The King World slate also includes "MarketWatch Weekend," "Bob Vila" and "Mr. Food."

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20051205/LAM024
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: King World Productions, Inc.

CONTACT: Arthur Sando, +1-310-264-3405, or Susanna Beck,
+1-310-264-3406, both of King World Productions, Inc.

Web site: http://www.kingworld.com/

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