Top TV Business Guru Peter Jones Closes Multi-Million Pound ITV Deal

Top TV Business Guru Peter Jones Closes Multi-Million Pound ITV Deal

LONDON, April 28/PRNewswire/ --

- 'Dragon's Den' Star and Creator of 'American Inventor' Signs for ITV
Network

- With photo

Britain's favourite TV business guru Peter Jones is heading to ITV
after closing a Multi-Million Pound million deal to star in and produce at
least two new prime time shows for the network.

One of the shows included in the deal is likely to be a British version
of Jones' own creation "American Inventor," which is currently airing in
the US and is exceeding expectations for the ABC television network.

The show, in which Jones is both executive producer and one of its four
expert judges, opened in style when it premiered last month. It became
ABC's biggest hit on a Thursday night for 15 years with more than 14
Million viewers. In the UK it is expected to be renamed "The Inventor".

The programme follows a search for the country's best new invention,
and ultimately offers 12 finalists seed development money and then one
winning inventor a lucrative manufacturing and distribution deal.

Jones said: "The response to 'American Inventor' has been overwhelming,
and I can't wait for it to hit TV screens in the UK so budding British
inventors can show what they're made of. "

Jones continued: "When I came up with this idea I really believed it
was a great concept for a TV show, because most of us at some point in our
lives think of an idea that will help us make more money or give us a
better life. We all want to either do something for ourselves or have an
idea for an invention."

Jones believes he could have a worldwide hit on his hands, as the show
was well received at MIPTV in Cannes earlier this month, with international
broadcasters fighting over the format.

Jones added: "This is great news. I had already spoken to the UK
broadcasters last year before the show aired in America and they were
fairly interested then. Now that it has become a hit in the US they are
obviously more than keen now to get hold of it."

Jones took his idea to Simon Cowell last year, who also loved it and
commented at the time: "Peter, to say this is a great show is an
understatement". Both Jones and Cowell joined forces by agreeing a 50/50
deal. "American Inventor" is produced by Fremantle and Syco in association
with Peter Jones TV.

The UK show will be produced by Fremantle/Syco and Peter Jones TV.
Jones has other television ideas, one of which has received a firm
commission from ITV as part of his new deal. It is a business reality
format with a twist involving school-leavers.

Jones' on-screen presence has proved a hit with viewers around the
world, and he is currently receiving more than 15,000 hits per day on his
web site www.peterjones.tv from fans in the UK, New Zealand (where series
one of "Dragon's Den" is being aired) and from fans in the US, thanks to
his judging role on American Inventor. Most seek Peter's frank and
straight-talking business advice.

He has also just been voted Britain's top TV business pundit in a
national poll. In a survey of 200 entrepreneurs and new business owners by
Begbies Traynor, the corporate restructuring and turnaround specialists,
Peter Jones topped the poll with 29 per cent of the vote. Second place went
to the star of BBC2's "The Apprentice" Sir Alan Sugar, with 26 per cent of
the votes.

Jones is currently filming the third series of "Dragon's Den" for the
BBC, which will air later this year.

A high resolution photo is available to the media free of charge via the
PA Photowire or viewable at www.mediapoint.press.net or www.prnewswire.co.uk

Source: Peter Jones TV Ltd.

All UK media enquiries to: Lucy Murphy, MCA Public Relations, +44-(0)207-408-2350, Lucy@mcapr.co.uk. Eric White, Peter Jones Television Ltd., +44-(0)7766-478699, eric@pj.tv. All US media enquiries to: Kim Shane, Rogers & Cowan, +1-310-854-8176, kshane@rogersandcowan.com

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