TMZ LIVE to Air on All Fox Stations in Fall 2013

Related: TMZ LIVE, Fox

"TMZ Live," TMZ.com's one-hour daily entertainment news program, which brings viewers inside the TMZ newsroom, will expand from seven to 17 FOX-owned stations beginning in Fall 2013, announced Ken Werner, President, Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution and Frank Cicha, Senior Vice President, Programming, FOX Television Stations (FTS).

The series, which began online, will take this next step in its unique broadcast distribution rollout, after a March 2012 test on the FOX-owned station in Los Angeles, KTTV FOX 11. Following that successful test, the program debuted in June on KSAZ FOX 10, the FOX-owned station in Phoenix. In October 2012, FTS then expanded the series to five additional stations: WFXT FOX 25 (Boston), WFLD FOX 32 (Chicago), KDFW FOX 4 (Dallas), WJBK FOX 2 (Detroit) and KMSP FOX 9 (Minneapolis). The additionAl Fox stations to premiere this series in Fall 2013 include: WNYW FOX 5 (New York), WTXF FOX 29 (Philadelphia), WTTG FOX 5 (Washington, D.C.), WAGA FOX 5 (Atlanta), KRIV FOX 26 (Houston), WTVT FOX 13 (Tampa) and WOFL FOX 35 (Orlando).

Looking to Fall 2013 and beyond, WBDTD will strategically sell the show outside of the FOX markets as appropriate opportunities present themselves for strong time periods and licenses fees. The series is available on an all cash basis formatted for 15 minutes of commercials reserved for local station sales.

This November, "TMZ" Live improved the FOX time periods +25% over last year's time periods among Households and +67% with Adults 25-54. The show boosted the time period in six of its seven clearances, including a +67% spike in its originating market, Los Angeles (KTTV FOX 11), +33% in Boston (WFXT FOX 25), and +77% in Detroit (WJBK FOX 2). Additionally, "TMZ Live" has proven itself a recruiter for FOX stations, growing a share over its lead in on average.

Said Cicha: "'TMZ Live' turns the traditional syndication model on its head. This is a vibrant, day-and-date first run program that isn't beholden to 80% US coverage or an NTI. If it gets there at some point, great, but in the meantime the ratings and business model suggest FTS, Warner Bros. and anyone else who clears it, will succeed immediately."

"The distribution roll-out of 'TMZ Live' is as unconventional and unique as the show itself," said Werner. "What incubated online expanded to one television market, then two, seven and now 17. This slow approach has translated into a strong and loyal daily audience, time period increases and younger demos. It's also created a demand in the markets where the series does not yet air."

"'TMZ Live' is a truly distinctive and entertaining take on the daily talk show. It is what TMZ does best, offering a topical, fast-paced and viewer interactive format with a fun and honest point of view on the stories people are talking about," said Hilary Estey McLoughlin, President, Telepictures. "We are very proud of Harvey and the TMZ team on creating the next great brand extension of TMZ that is already resonating with viewers."
"'TMZ Live" has been a work in progress for three years," said Harvey Levin, Creator of TMZ. "We're trying to blend TV and the Internet by taking assets from both and seamlessly weaving them into a global conversation."

Step inside the TMZ newsroom for an hour a day to see how news is made. "TMZ Live" blends elements of the TMZ website with TV for a global conversation that starts in the newsroom and involves viewers from all over the world via Skype, phone and Twitter. Join Harvey Levin, Charles Latibeaudiere and the rest of the TMZ staff as hot topics and breaking news are argued. Celebrities come in to talk about breaking stories, especially those in which they are involved. "TMZ Live" is produced by Harvey Levin Productions, Inc. and paraMedia, Inc., in association with Telepictures.

TMZ is the first multi-platform, three screen success for any media company and stands out as the most cited entertainment news source in the world. Launched in 2005, TMZ's meteoric rise is based on TMZ's consistent ability to be first to break celebrity news. TMZ attributes its growth to multi-platform coverage and original reporting on key entertainment events. TMZ remains the top original Entertainment News web site for over 5 1/2 consecutive years (comScore) and was the fourth most searched news source in 2012 according to Google. The TMZ television program continues to build on and supplement the worldwide success of TMZ.com and is the #1 rated syndicated magazine among adults ages 18-24 (Nielsen). TMZ on TV is cleared in more than 96% of the country, including FOX O&O's through 2014 and also airs in several international markets. TMZ.com is #1 in celebrity news mobile offerings for last 46 consecutive months.