ION Media Networks, Inc. (AMEX:ION) announced today that it has entered into an agreement with Twentieth Television to air the David E. Kelley hit television series, “Boston Legal,” on ION Television, beginning this Fall. The agreement marks a milestone in the network’s commitment to popular and diverse entertainment.
‘Boston Legal’ will be to ION Television what Denny Crane is to Crane, Poole & Schmidt – bold, outrageous and positively entertaining,” said Brandon Burgess, Chairman and CEO, ION Media Networks. “Smart writing, with humor and heart, and an all-star cast, including James Spader, Candice Bergen and William Shatner, makes this one of the best shows on television. We are excited to bring ‘Boston Legal’ to millions of fans on the ION Television Network starting this Fall.”
Led by an Emmy Award-winning cast, “Boston Legal” tells the professional and personal stories of a group of brilliant but often emotionally challenged attorneys. Fast-paced and wildly comedic, the series confronts social and moral issues, while its characters continually stretch the boundaries of the law.
In making the announcement, Bob Cook, president and COO of Twentieth Television, stated, “We are excited that ION Television will be sharing with their viewers this Emmy Award-winning program, exemplifying the best in television writing and acting.”
Back-to-back Emmy Award-winners James Spader and William Shatner play Alan Shore and Denny Crane, unlikely kindred spirits among the brigade of high-priced litigators at Crane, Poole & Schmidt. Five-time Emmy-winner Candice Bergen plays Shirley Schmidt, a founding partner of the firm, who helps bring order to the chaotic office. To help keep the quirky office staff in tow, Schmidt calls in Crane nemesis and senior partner Carl Sack (Emmy Award-winner John Larroquette) to Boston from the New York offices. Rounding out the cast since the series’ inception are Rene Auberjonois, Monica Potter, Mark Valley and Julie Bowen.
Created by David E. Kelley, “Boston Legal” has regularly been a top 20 program on ABC and draws one of the most affluent audiences in television. Kelley and Bill D'Elia are executive producers. The series, which premiered October 3, 2004, airs on ABC and is produced by David E. Kelley Productions in association with Twentieth Century Fox Television.
“Boston Legal” has won five Emmy Awards, a Peabody Award and a Golden Globe. Crane, Poole & Schmidt will be open for business this Fall on ION Television.
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 active living and personal growth. For more information, visit www.ionmedia.tv.
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 David E. Kelley Productions
David E. Kelley Productions is one of the entertainment industry’s most successful suppliers of network television programming responsible for several critically acclaimed, award-winning series, such as The Practice, Ally McBeal, Boston Public, Chicago Hope and Picket Fences. Headed by multiple Emmy, Golden Globe, Peabody and Humanitas Prize Award-winner David E. Kelley, the company currently produces Boston Legal for ABC.