NBC TELEVISION STATION DIVISION BUYS “THE ELLEN DEGENERES SHOW” FOR FALL 2003

Clearance Represents More Than 30% of the Country

Telepictures Productions To Produce Nationally Syndicated Talk/Variety Strip;
Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution To Distribute


(January 7, 2003 – Burbank, CA & New York, NY) – The NBC Television Station Division has bought the one-hour syndicated talk/variety strip “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” for all of its14 owned-and-operated stations representing more than 30% of the country for fall 2003, it was announced today by Jay Ireland, President, NBC Television Stations, Dick Robertson, President, Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution, and Jim Paratore, who serves as both Executive Vice President, Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution and President, Telepictures Productions.

The hour-long, five-times-weekly talk/variety show will feature interviews with top celebrities -- from feature film and television stars -- to newsmakers and pop culture icons. There will be segments featuring ordinary people with extraordinary stories, and musical performances as well as recurring studio and field segments. “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” will highlight DeGeneres’ background in standup comedy and her “everywoman” approach to life’s everyday situations. The series will be produced in Los Angeles by Telepictures Productions and distributed by Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution.

The NBC Television Stations carrying “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” include: WNBC-TV (New York), KNBC-TV (Los Angeles), WMAQ-TV (Chicago), WCAU-TV (Philadelphia), KNTV-TV (San Jose/San Francisco), KXAS-TV (Dallas/Ft. Worth), WRC-TV (Washington, DC), WTVJ-TV (Miami), KNSD-TV (San Diego), WVIT-TV (Hartford), WNCN-TV (Raleigh), WCMH-TV (Columbus), WVTM-TV (Birmingham) and WJAR-TV (Providence).

“Ellen is as big of a name and, more importantly, as big of a talent as syndicated television has seen hit the airwaves in a very, very long time,” said Robertson. “With this show, we have an advertiser-friendly, high-CPM-commanding, quality talk show. We are particularly pleased that our friends at NBC have placed this kind of confidence in Telepictures Productions and Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution.”

“There will always be an audience for quality daytime shows,” said Ireland. “We couldn’t be more excited than to have Ellen.”

Added Paratore: “With over 20 years experience as a stand-up comic, television actress, Emmy Award-winning writer, and host of major award shows like the Emmys and the Grammys, Ellen has the proven comedic skills to deliver at the top of the show as well as the credibility in Hollywood to deliver the ‘A-list’ stars you need for this format to succeed.”

Successful comedian, award-winning feature film and television actress, accomplished host, author and producer Ellen DeGeneres has more than 20 years of entertainment experience. She has hosted several industry events, including the Grammy Awards, the VH-1 Honors and, most notably, the off-again, on-again, 53rd Primetime Emmy Awards last fall, for which she has received critical praise. She may be best known for her starring role in the groundbreaking series “Ellen,” which she also created and produced. The series earned her an Emmy Award for writing, and throughout its run, she received annual Emmy nominations in the Best Actress in a Comedy category, People''s Choice Award nominations, Golden Globe nominations and Screen Actors Guild nominations.

DeGeneres’ other television credits include “Open House,” “Laurie Hill,” an Emmy-nominated guest appearance in “The Larry Sanders Show,” the HBO film “If These Walls Could Talk 2” and the cable special “Command Performance: One-Night Stand.” Her feature film credits include “EDtv,” “Goodbye, Lover,” “The Love Letter,” “Coneheads” and “Mr. Wrong.”

DeGeneres began her career as an emcee at a comedy club in her hometown of New Orleans. She’s also released a comedy CD, “Taste This,” and authored “My Point…and I Do Have One,” which reached number one on the New York Times best-seller list.