“Friends” Renewed By Tribune Station Group Through 2017

(June 27, 2011 – Burbank, CA) – The mega-hit sitcom “Friends” has been renewed by the Tribune Station Group to air on their major market stations, including New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, through 2017. The off-net third cycle of the series will begin December 2013 and will be available for the first time in TrueHD. Ken Werner, President, Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution, and Sean Compton, President, Programming & Entertainment, Tribune Broadcasting announced the cash-plus-barter deal today. The 15 Tribune stations included in this deal are WPIX-TV (New York), KTLA-TV (Los Angeles), WGN-TV (Chicago), WPHL-TV (Philadelphia), KDAF-TV (Dallas), WDCW-TV (Washington, DC), KIAH-TV (Houston), KCPQ-TV (Seattle), WSFL-TV (Miami), KRCW-TV (Portland, OR), KWGN-TV, WXIN-TV (Indianapolis), WTIC-TV (Hartford), WXMI-TV (Grand Rapids), WGNO-TV (New Orleans) and WPMT-TV (Harrisburg). “In every market there are two broadcast stations that are destinations for sitcom viewers,” said Werner. “Having iconic, reliable and proven sitcom performers that viewers and advertisers know and love is part of their DNA. ‘Friends’ is one of those rare sitcoms that delivers the goods year in and year out.” “When people think of the Tribune stations they think of comedy and ‘Friends,’" said Compton. “We have been the local destination for the series for 13 years and are thrilled to continue to have it in our sitcom family for our viewers and advertisers to enjoy.” Consistently one of the top-ranked series worldwide, this smash-hit comedy offers a hilarious take on dating and working in the big city. Delve into the hearts and minds of six friends living in New York City as they explore the anxieties and absurdities of true adulthood. Even with marriage, pregnancy and career moves changing the group dynamic, they know they will always face the future together. As Rachel, Monica, Phoebe, Joey, Chandler and Ross realize, the search for happiness often seems to turn up more questions than answers. But while they look within for fulfillment, they also look out for one another during this exciting time when everything seems possible--as long as they’ve got Friends. “Friends” is a Bright/Kauffman/Crane Production in association with Warner Bros. Television and is distributed by Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution. ###