ION Television to Add ''M*A*S*H'' to Its Fall Programming Lineup

  
    
  
  
    
      ION Media Networks, Inc. (AMEX:ION) today announced it has entered into 
      an agreement with Twentieth Television to air the television series, “M*A*S*H,” 
      on ION Television. The agreement marks the latest addition of 
      programming to the ION network’s primetime 
      lineup. This comedic drama melds humor, social, political commentary and 
      often heart-wrenching plotlines to provide ION’s 
      broad audience with a perennial favorite that redefined the boundaries 
      of television programming.
    
    
      “A timeless staple like ‘M*A*S*H’ 
      is a great win for our schedule, as we migrate our network to mainstream 
      audience appeal in the 2008/2009 season,” 
      said Brandon Burgess, Chairman and CEO, ION Media Networks. “We 
      anticipate further announcements in coming months, including some shows 
      that people may not expect from us, as we look to give ION Television a 
      more light-hearted and open-minded programming sensibility that will 
      invite new audiences.”
    
    
      Set in the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (M*A*S*H), the show’s 
      lovable surgeons take their jobs, their patients and their leisure time 
      very seriously. The side-splitting antics of one of the greatest 
      ensemble casts ever assembled led “M*A*S*H” 
      to one of the longest series runs in television history.
    
    
      Lauded with 14 Emmys® and critical acclaim, “M*A*S*H” 
      helped launch the careers of Alan Alda, McLean Stevenson, Loretta Swit, 
      Jamie Farr and Mike Farrell. The series aired in prime time for 11 
      seasons on CBS, and its two-and-a-half-hour finale still holds the 
      record for the most-watched television episode in U.S. television 
      history with over 105 million viewers, representing 77 percent of TV 
      viewership that night.
    
    
      The new agreement is part of ION’s ongoing 
      initiative to add compelling programming from leading content providers 
      that blends effectively with the network’s 
      signature quality content. This past New Year’s 
      Eve, ION Television added to its primetime lineup the Emmy-nominated 
      series, “The Drew Carey Show.” 
      “Baywatch,” 
      debuting on March 3, will further broaden the network’s 
      appeal by targeting a contemporary audience with fun and upbeat 
      entertainment.
    
    
      About Twentieth Television
    
    
      A leader in the U.S. program production and distribution arena, 
      Twentieth Television provides a wide array of first-run, network and 
      off-network programming, as well as feature film packages, to the 
      syndication and cable marketplaces. First-run programs distributed by 
      Twentieth Television include the talk show, “The 
      Morning Show with Mike and Juliet,” the game 
      show “Temptation,” 
      and the court shows “Divorce Court,” 
      “Judge Alex” and “Cristina’s 
      Court.” Off-net shows distributed by 
      Twentieth include “Family Guy,” 
      “24,” “COPS,” 
      “The Simpsons,” 
      and the fall 2008 launch of “Boston Legal.”
    
    
      About ION Media Networks
    
    
      ION Media Networks, Inc. owns and operates the nation's largest 
      broadcast television station group and ION Television, reaching over 94 
      million U.S. television households via its nationwide broadcast 
      television, cable and satellite distribution systems. ION Television 
      currently features popular TV series and movies from the award-winning 
      libraries of Warner Bros., Sony Pictures Television and CBS Television, 
      among others. ION Media has also partnered with RHI Entertainment, which 
      owns over 4,000 hours of acclaimed television content, to provide 
      weekend primetime programming consisting of exclusive original 
      programming and quality library titles. Utilizing its digital 
      multicasting capability, the company has launched several digital TV 
      brands, including qubo, a television and multimedia network for children 
      formed in partnership with several leading media and entertainment 
      companies, and ION Life, a television and multimedia network dedicated 
      to health and wellness for consumers and families. For more information, 
      visit www.ionmedia.tv.