USA Networks Continues Its Commitment To Spend $1 Million To Underwrite Acclaimed "Charlie Rose" Series During 1997

Business Wire, April 30, 1997

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 30, 1997--

"Charlie Rose" Is The Only Public Television Series

Underwritten By A Television Network

USA Networks will continue its unprecedented arrangement of underwriting "Charlie Rose," the unique weeknight public television interview program hosted by Peabody and Emmy award-winning journalist Charlie Rose, during 1997.

USA Networks will continue to provide $1 million to fund "Charlie Rose" on PBS stations nationwide. The announcement was made today by Kay Koplovitz, chairman and CEO, USA Networks.

USA Networks will celebrate its continuing commitment to "Charlie Rose" at a private dinner honoring Rose which will be held tonight, April 30, and will be attended by past guests of the program including Harrison Ford, Mike Wallace, Dominick Dunne, Isaac Mizrahi and Harry Belafonte.

For the second straight year, USA Networks will provide the primary funding for "Charlie Rose," the only public television program which is underwritten by a broadcast or cable network. As a result of USA's funding, "Charlie Rose" for the first time did not require any funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting in 1996. Thirteen/WNET in New York presents the hour-long "Charlie Rose" program five nights per week, 48 weeks per year to PBS affiliate stations nationwide.

"We are proud to extend our commitment to underwrite 'Charlie Rose' and continue to feel strongly that it is the responsibility of the television industry to support important programs such as this one," Koplovitz said. "We hope this partnership will serve as a model for others in the entertainment industry."

"I continue to be enormously grateful for the support of Kay Koplovitz and her colleagues at USA Networks," Rose said. "Her confidence enhances our ability to reach out to the widest spectrum of provocative and thoughtful guests, as well as providing an opportunity for many rarely seen on television in long form interviews. Kay's commitment to public television and to my show makes a significant difference and sends an important message."

"Charlie Rose," referred to by broadcast journalist Morley Safer as "the last refuge of intelligent conversation on television," premiered on Thirteen/WNET in New York on Sept. 30, 1991. Since it was launched nationally on PBS by Thirteen in January 1993, Rose's in-depth interviews have earned him wide-ranging praise. "Charlie Rose" is a production of Rose Communications Inc., in association with Thirteen/WNET. It is produced at the facilities of Bloomberg Television News in New York.

USA Networks, based in New York City, operates USA Network, cable television's leading provider of original series and feature movies; Sci-Fi Channel, one of the fastest growing cable television networks; and USA Networks International, operating channels in Latin America and Europe.

CONTACT: USA/Networks, New York

Lisa Galeano, Senior Publicist,

Corporate Communications

212/408-8890