Martha Stewart signs deal with reality TV guru, stock soars

0 Comments | AFP, September, 2004

NEW YORK (AFP) — Martha Stewart Omnimedia has inked a deal with a reality TV expert, news the market welcomed as a good thing as the soon-to-be-jailed domestic diva's company share surged 17.16 percent in a day.

Martha Stewart Omnimedia CEO Sharon Patrick said the show would contain "new and exciting entertainment and interactive elements."

But the company in its announcement on Wednesday had no details on the projects that might come out of the deal with Mark Burnett, mastermind behind shows such as "The Apprentice" and "Survivor."

MSO's share rose by 2.57 dollars Thursday to finish at 17.55 dollars a share.

Stewart said she looked forward to working with Burnett to bring "new programming to new audiences in prime-time next year."

She is set...