CBS and HBO join in comprehensive agreement to create new programming

Business Wire, Sept 12, 1995

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 12, 1995--CBS and Home Box Office have entered into a comprehensive agreement to jointly create new programming for the broadcast television audience, it was announced today by Leslie Moonves, President, CBS Entertainment, and Executive Vice President, CBS/Broadcast Group, and Jeff Bewkes, President and CEO of Home Box Office.

Under the two year agreement, Home Box Office,(HBO) will develop primetime series for broadcast on the CBS Television Network through HBO Independent Productions (HIP), and original films from HBO Pictures will be broadcast on CBS.

CBS Entertainment will have first look at all programming developed for broadcast network audiences by HIP and will own all non-network distribution rights to any program it orders. HIP will be able to pursue other outlets for series not ordered by CBS, although CBS will remain a part of those transactions.

CBS will also purchase rights to at least two HBO original films for broadcast on the Network following their HBO premiere.

"CBS and HBO are combining their creative resources to bring hit series to the broadcast television audience," said Moonves. "The exciting, cutting-edge programming that HBO has produced for broadcast television, with its emphasis on developing new comedy talents, is an excellent fit with CBS's upcoming lineup of urban, contemporary quality television."

"The formal joining of two major television networks for the purpose of creating new programming is a landmark event in the industry," said Bewkes. "HBO has a proven ability to develop successful programming for broadcast networks, and we think our distinctive expertise in this area will be a great fit with CBS. And, now that we're in business with CBS, there will inevitably be other opportunities for us to work together beyond this arrangement."

HBO films broadcast on network television include the Emmy(R)-winning "And the Band Played On" and "Barbarians at the Gate," as well as "Blindside" and "Attack of the 50 Foot Woman." CBS has recently broadcast HBO's "Barbra Streisand: The Concert." HBO's success in comedy development includes the broadcast network series "Martin," "Roc" and "The Ben Stiller Show," and it lists among its alumni Roseanne, Keenan Ivory Wayans, Martin Lawrence and John Leguizamo.

CONTACT: Tom Olson, 212/512-1659