MGM to Handle U.S. Syndication Sales for New Line Television

MGM to Handle U.S. Syndication Sales for New Line Television

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM) has formed a strategic relationship with New Line Television, a division of New Line Cinema, which has MGM handling U.S. domestic distribution for syndication of New Line's motion picture packages, and series programming for the next two years. MGM will also handle New Line's future barter sales. The announcement was made today by Jim Rosenthal, President, New Line Television, and Jim Packer, President, Worldwide Television Distribution, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20011119/MGMLOGO )

David Spiegelman, Senior Executive Vice President, Domestic Television Distribution and Marketing for New Line Television, will continue to oversee the development and production as well as acquisition of syndicated programming for the company. He will also continue to distribute all New Line product to network, pay, basic cable and VOD/PPV outlets. Under the terms of the new alliance, Spiegelman will work closely with MGM's John Bryan, Executive Vice President, Broadcast Strategy, on syndication sales for New Line TV product.

In making the announcement, New Line's Rosenthal said: "This relationship allows us the opportunity to create one powerful team to address the syndication marketplace. David is constantly seeking new programs from non-traditional sources to fuel this area. We believe that the combination of New Line's resources, and MGM's reach in local markets, will bring us both tremendous success."

Added MGM's Packer: "New Line Television's catalogue will benefit from John's strategic direction and the ardent efforts of MGM's sales team. Like MGM, New Line is committed to developing new strategies that will maximize revenue and create greater operating efficiencies. New Line's deal with MGM on the domestic distribution of its television content will prove to be an effective model for both companies."

New Line Television premiered "Masterminds" from Court TV in syndication this past week to solid ratings. The riveting half-hour series examines the most daring, brilliant and complicated capers in history and the relentless police work that brought most of the perpetrators to justice. MGM will assist New Line Television with second year renewals for the popular cable series.

About New Line Television

New Line Television is a division of New Line Cinema (www.newline.com), the most successful independent film company in the world. The division develops, produces and distributes TV projects for the broadcast networks, cable and first-run syndication, as well as distributes New Line feature films across the television landscape. In addition to the production, marketing and distribution of theatrical motion pictures, New Line Cinema has divisions devoted to home entertainment, music, theater, merchandising and international. A pioneer in franchise filmmaking, New Line's Oscar-winning The Lord of the Rings trilogy is one of the most successful film franchises in history. New Line is a division of Time Warner, Inc.

About Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc.

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc., through its operating subsidiaries is actively engaged in the worldwide production and distribution of motion pictures, television programming, home video, interactive media, music, and licensed merchandise. The company owns the world's largest library of modern films, comprising around 4,000 titles. Operating units include Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc., United Artists Films Inc., MGM Television Entertainment Inc., MGM Networks Inc., MGM Distribution Co., MGM International Television Distribution Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Home Entertainment LLC, MGM ON STAGE, MGM Music, MGM Consumer Products and MGM Interactive. In addition, MGM has ownership interests in international TV channels reaching nearly 110 countries. MGM ownership is as follows: Providence Equity Partners (29%), Texas Pacific Group (21%), Sony Corporation of America (20%), Comcast (20%), DLJ Merchant Banking Partners (7%) and Quadrangle Group (3%). For more information, visit www.mgm.com.

CONTACT: Jeff Pryor
Executive Vice President/Corporate Communications
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc.
p. (310) 449-3446; e. jpryor@mgm.com

Robert Pini
Senior Vice President/Corporate Communications
New Line Cinema
p. (212) 649-4934; e. robert.pini@newline.com

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20011119/MGMLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc.

CONTACT: Jeff Pryor, Executive Vice President/Corporate Communications
of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., +1-310-449-3446, jpryor@mgm.com; or
Robert Pini, Senior Vice President/Corporate Communications of New Line
Cinema, +1-212-649-4934, robert.pini@newline.com

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

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

-------
Profile: intent