Source: Turner Network Televison

NBC's Boomtown Finds Home Among TNT's Hall-of-Fame Drama Line-Up in Early Repurposing Window Beginning May 26

Boomtown Bolsters Cable's Top Drama Programming Line-Up on TNT which includes Law & Order, ER, NYPD Blue, The X-Files and Charmed

May 22nd, 2003--NBC Enterprises and Turner Network Television (TNT) have entered into an agreement for the off-network rights of the critically acclaimed freshman drama, Boomtown, to begin airing on TNT in an early off-net window beginning Monday, May 26. The deal calls for TNT to have an exclusive window to air first-season episodes during this summer and a short-delayed second window on season two episodes of Boomtown, which returns to NBC this fall. The announcement was jointly made by NBC Enterprises President Ed Wilson and Steve Koonin, executive vice president and chief operating officer for TNT and TBS Superstation.

"TNT has proven to be a powerhouse in the field of drama with a collection of some of television's most notable, contemporary one-hour dramas," stated NBC Enterprises' Wilson. "TNT's audiences of attractive demographic categories will help draw additional eyeballs to Boomtown on NBC and be a key ingredient to helping grow its fan base in season two and beyond."

"Boomtown has distinguished itself as one of the brightest new dramas on television and joined with TNT's unparalleled slate of dramas, the network looks to help grow Boomtown's audience this coming summer," stated Mr. Koonin. "We are pleased that NBC recognized the power of the network's drama brand in making TNT the exclusive off-net home for Boomtown."

Boomtown will make its debut on TNT Monday, May 26 at 10 p.m. ET/PT, following the network's Memorial Day marathon of Law & Order, a basic cable powerhouse. Additional first season episodes of Boomtown will run on TNT each ensuing Monday at 10 p.m. ET.PT.

Currently in its first season on NBC, Boomtown is a stylish ensemble drama from Emmy-nominated executive producer/writer Graham Yost (Speed, Band of Brothers) and executive producer/director Jon Avnet (Fried Green Tomatoes), produced by DreamWorks Television in association with NBC Studios.

Boomtown features story-telling with a unique twist - as seen from the diverse perspectives of Los Angeles' unsung and imperfect heroes. These are the cops, paramedics, beat reporters, members of the D.A.'s office and city officials whose stories overlap and intertwine, creating the experience that is Boomtown.

Boomtown stars Donnie Wahlberg (Band of Brothers) as Joel Stevens, a dedicated detective; Mykelti Williamson ("Forrest Gump") as "Fearless" Bobby Smith, Stevens' easy-going, daredevil partner; Neal McDonough ("Minority Report") as David McNorris, a politically savvy and ambitious Deputy D.A.; Gary Basaraba (Brooklyn South) as Ray Hechler, a veteran patrol officer, and Jason Gedrick (The Last Don), as Tom Turcotte, a beat cop struggling to prove himself. Nina Garbiras (The $treet) stars as Andrea Little, a tough metro reporter whose private life is less than perfect and Lana Parrilla (Spin City) as Teresa Ortiz, a compassionate paramedic who has already seen too much suffering. Multi-talented actress Vanessa Williams ("Shaft") joins the Boomtown cast in the fall for the second season.

NBC Enterprises is responsible for the global distribution and exploitation of NBC owned product, which includes foreign and domestic program syndication, strategic marketing and ancillary exploitation of owned product in home video, merchandising, licensing, music and publishing as well as strategic production and co-production alliances and co-ventures. NBC Enterprises oversees the distribution of all NBC-owned programming worldwide. This programming includes all shows produced by NBC Studios, NBC News, CNBC and MSNBC output.

Turner Network Television (TNT), the destination for drama, is a Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. 24-hour advertiser-supported service. TNT, basic cable's reigning 2002 demo king in prime for adults 18-49 and 25-54, is cable's only network combining award-winning original films; broadcast premieres; powerful one-hour dramas, such as Law & Order, ER, NYPD Blue, The X-Files and Charmed, with Judging Amy and Angel joining in 2003; and championship sports coverage including NASCAR, the PGA and the British Open and the NBA. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., an AOL Time Warner company, is a major producer of news and entertainment product around the world and the leading provider of programming for the basic cable industry.