BEVERLY HILLS, Calif.,
March 7, 2013 /PRNewswire/
-- Starz Worldwide Distribution, the global licensing and
content syndication arm of Starz, announced today that the witty
comedy series, "Party Down" – named by AFI and Time as one of the
top 10 shows on TV in 2009 and 2010 respectively - will be coming
to Esquire Network for U.S. broadcast beginning in April 2013 following the licensing of its U.S.
broadcast rights.
(Logo:
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20080522/LATH063LOGO-b)
Starz Worldwide Distribution is a division of Starz (NASDAQ:
STRZA, STRZB) and sells STARZ Original series and other owned and
licensed movie/TV programming domestically and worldwide.
Esquire Network will air broadcast-friendly TV edited
versions of the series.
Starz retains select on-demand and online rights to the show
during the 2013 license period. "Party Down" aired on STARZ for two
seasons from 2009-2010.
"As the new Esquire Network looks to roll out its new brand and
programming in April, the critically acclaimed and laugh out loud
funny 'Party Down' series is a terrific addition to our new
lineup," said senior vice president, program planning &
acquisitions, Matt Monos. "The show was a treasure to those fans
who enjoyed it on STARZ from 2009-2010 and we believe that a wider
reach on Esquire Network will introduce many fans of all ages to a
revered modern age comedy classic."
"We are very pleased to successfully complete this agreement
with G4 – the first such deal for 'Party Down' on U.S. broadcast
television," said Gene George,
executive vice president of worldwide distribution for Starz. "We
have continued to find new distribution partners for our wide range
of STARZ Original series and other owned and licensed content here
in the U.S. and abroad."
Alecia Dixon-Kurschner, Starz
Worldwide Distribution's VP, Domestic Television Sales added,
"'Party Down' had many passionate supporters during its two-year
run from fans and critics alike and we are very pleased to build on
our working relationship with everyone at Esquire Network and help
'Party Down' find a broadcast TV home."
About "Party Down"
"Party Down" follows a sextet of Hollywood wannabes making ends meet working
for a Los Angeles catering company
as they chase their dreams of stardom. Each episode is a
catered event – a sexy, senior singles mixer, a video porn awards
after-party, a super-sweet 16 party gone horribly wrong, etc.
"Party Down" stars Ken Marino
("Veronica Mars," Role
Models), Adam Scott ("Parks and
Recreation," Step Brothers, Our Idiot Brother), Jane Lynch ("Glee," Role Models, The
40 Year Old Virgin), Martin
Starr (Knocked Up, "Freaks and Geeks"), Ryan Hansen ("Friends with Benefits,"
"Veronica Mars," Friday the
13th 2009) and Lizzy
Caplan ("True Blood," Cloverfield). Emmy®-winning
actress Megan Mullally ("Will &
Grace," Fame), joined the ensemble in season two, replacing
Lynch who guest-starred later that season.
Other guest stars during the two seasons included:
Kristen Bell (seasons one and two),
Ed Begley, Jr., Marilu Henner, Joey
Lauren Adams, Breckin Meyer, Rob
Corddry, Steven Weber, J.K.
Simmons, Steve Guttenberg, Christopher
Mintz-Plasse, Thomas Lennon,
Jimmi Simpson, Loretta Devine, and Alex
Rocco.
"Party Down" was created and executive produced by Rob Thomas ("Veronica
Mars," "Cupid") along with John
Enbom, Paul Rudd and
Dan Etheridge. Enbom also
served as show runner. Childhood actor, Fred Savage ("The Wonder Years") directed many
of the episodes in season two and served as supervising producer.
Co-executive producers in season one were Jennifer Gwartz and Danielle Stokdyk. Jennifer Dugan produced the series in season
one. William J. Hamm,
executive vice president also oversaw production. "Party Down"
actors, Adam Scott and Ken Marino also served as producer and director
of the series finale. Bryan Gordon
("Curb Your Enthusiasm," "24") was another director and supervising
producer in season two.
About Esquire Network
The modern man will be televised. Championing intelligence, wit
and style, Esquire Network brings the iconic men's brand to
television as the definitive network for the modern, multi-faceted
man. A strategic partnership between NBCUniversal and Hearst
Magazines, the network's programming explores and celebrates the
interests, passions and aspirations of today's man: gaming, gear,
entertainment, food, fashion, women, humor, travel, competition,
danger and more. Formerly known as G4, Esquire Network will launch
in April 2013 in 62 million
households nationwide, as well as online, mobile, On Demand and
other platforms. Esquire Network is a unit of NBCUniversal Cable
Entertainment, a division of NBCUniversal.
About Starz Worldwide Distribution
Starz Worldwide Distribution (www.starzglobal.com) is a leading
global distributor of movies, televisions series, documentaries,
children's programming, and other video content. Starz
Worldwide Distribution licenses and syndicates Starz original
series and other owned and licensed third party programming on a
worldwide basis. Starz Worldwide Distribution's partnerships with
independent producers provide high-quality and diverse programming
to its clients, while its experience in the field distinguishes it
as a premier supplier in the global content marketplace. Starz
Worldwide Distribution is a Starz (NASDAQ: STRZA, STRZB) business,
www.starz.com.
Contacts:
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Eric
Becker
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Katherine
Nelson
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Starz
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Esquire
Network
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(720)
852-4065
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(323)
954-6170
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eric.becker@starz.com
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katherine.nelson@nbcuni.com
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SOURCE Starz Worldwide Distribution