Tribune TV Stations to Air 'Two and a Half Men'

CHICAGO, June 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Tribune Broadcasting, a division of Tribune Company , today announced it has acquired off- network syndication rights to "Two and a Half Men" from Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution. The popular CBS comedy series will air on all Tribune stations beginning in fall 2007.

"The show fits our programming needs very well," said John Reardon, Tribune Broadcasting president. "High-quality off-net sitcoms are valuable properties, so acquiring 'Two and a Half Men' was an easy decision. It's a clear winner that will help drive our local ratings and revenues."

"Two and a Half Men," starring Charlie Sheen and Jon Cryer, finished the 2005-06 season, its third, as the number one network sitcom among adults 18-49 and adults 25-54, according to Nielsen. It currently anchors CBS's Monday night prime-time lineup.

"This is the best off-net show to enter the syndication market since 'Everybody Loves Raymond,'" said Marc Schacher, Tribune Broadcasting vice president/programming and development. "Our stations are always looking to refresh their lineups in the valuable fringe time periods. 'Two and a Half Men' should have a very positive impact."

The multi-platform distribution agreement with Warner Bros. includes Internet streaming rights. Tribune stations will be able to offer five episodes of "Two and a Half Men" each week on their websites, free to viewers. This supports Tribune Broadcasting's goal of developing additional revenue opportunities on the Internet, and addresses a growing interest among advertisers to be associated with video on the Web.

Tribune Broadcasting owns and operates 26 television stations concentrated in major markets and Superstation WGN on national cable. The group's combined reach is more than 80 percent of U.S. television households. Tribune Broadcasting also includes Los Angeles-based Tribune Entertainment, a developer and distributor of first-run television programming for the Tribune station group and for national syndication; Chicago's WGN-AM; and the Chicago Cubs baseball team. Investment interests include Comcast SportsNet Chicago (25% owned) and TV Food Network (31%).