TV20 Detroit Announces New Affiliation With MyNetworkTV

TV20 Detroit Announces New Affiliation With MyNetworkTV

DETROIT, March 23 /PRNewswire/ -- TV20 Detroit has been officially signed as a MyNetworkTV affiliate debuting Tuesday, September 5, 2006. MyNetworkTV is the second broadcast network to be launched by Rupert Murdoch and has signed up 64 television stations throughout the country (representing 55% of the market).

Regarding the announcement, Jack Abernethy, CEO of Fox Television Stations, noted, "We are pleased to enter into this affiliation agreement with Granite Broadcasting Corporation in Detroit, Ft. Wayne and Duluth, three very important markets for MyNetworkTV."

He continued, "While securing affiliates in the major markets is important, it is equally imperative to us to sign strong affiliates in the mid-sized and smaller markets. Every one of these broadcasters brings significant value to MyNetworkTV and they will play a central role in launching this exciting new network."

President and General Manager of TV20 Detroit, Sarah Norat-Phillips, said, "We are on the precipice of an exciting new era for TV20 Detroit and our affiliation with MyNetworkTV is only the first of several valuable opportunities that TV20 will capitalize on in the future. Our association with Rupert Murdoch and News Corporation strengthens our positioning in the market, our value to our viewers and our brand."

John Deushane, Chief Operating Officer for Granite Broadcasting Corporation, said, "We are thrilled to add the MyNetworkTV affiliation to TV20, Detroit's fastest growing television station. Adding this exciting new network to our current schedule, which already includes the red-hot Detroit Pistons, will certainly have audiences referring to TV20 as 'My Favorite TV Station.' We are also very happy about providing MyNetworkTV programming to the communities we serve in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Duluth, Minnesota/Superior, Wisconsin."

Added TV20 Detroit General Sales Manager David Bangura, "This affiliation represents a true partnership between MyNetworkTV and TV20 Detroit; one that will maximize the value of our local inventory while creating an instantly credible and accessible brand."

Targeted to Adults 18-49, the broadcast network will provide broadcasters with operational flexibility through a seamless flow of original primetime programming and branded national marketing initiatives that allow stations to maintain and strengthen their localism. 12 hours of programming will air on MyNetworkTV Monday through Saturday.

MyNetworkTV will launch with Twentieth Television's new scripted primetime drama strips "Desire" and "Secrets." The hour-long programs will feature a 65-episode story arc stripped Monday through Friday over the span of 13 weeks. Each Saturday, a re-cap episode highlighting the two programs' previous week's storylines will air. "Desire," scheduled to air at 8:00pm (Eastern/Pacific)/7:00pm (Central), follows two close brothers on the run from the mafia who both fall in love with, and then passionately battle for, the same woman. Immediately following "Desire" will be "Secrets," airing at 9:00pm (Eastern/Pacific)/8:00pm (Central). The drama takes an in-depth look at the dreams, successes and tragedies found everyday in the fashion industry.

TV20 Detroit is the television home of the Detroit Pistons. Starting in June viewers can look forward to seeing hit shows such as Friends and in September, Scrubs on TV20 Detroit.

Granite Broadcasting Corporation (BULLETIN BOARD: GBTVK) owns and operates, or provides programming, sales and other services to 13 television stations in the following 8 markets: San Francisco, California, Detroit, Michigan, Buffalo, New York, Fresno, California, Syracuse, New York, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Peoria, Illinois, and Duluth, Minnesota-Superior, Wisconsin. The Company's television station group includes affiliates of the NBC, CBS, ABC, WB and UPN networks, and reaches approximately 6% of all U.S. television households.

Source: TV20 Detroit

CONTACT: Sarah Norat-Phillips, +1-248-355-2020, for TV20 Detroit

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