Oxygen Ties Up Glee Deal

NEW YORK: Oxygen—one of the 100 channels profiled in World Screen’s new U.S. Cable & Satellite Channels guide—has shored up the basic-cable syndication rights to FOX’s hit series Glee, and has lined up an original companion reality series. 

The deal with Twentieth Television brings Glee to Oxygen in January 2011 with a weekend marathon of the second season. This will be followed by a companion unscripted reality competition series to discover the next Glee star in June 2011. Oxygen will retain exclusive basic-cable rights to telecast all seasons throughout the Oxygen schedule beginning in 2013. The show has already been ordered for season three by FOX.

"Glee is the number one hit show for women 18-34 and Generation O is obsessed with it," said Jason Klarman, president of Oxygen Media. "It’s Live Out Loud in every way."

Steve MacDonald, executive VP and general sales manager for basic cable at Twentieth Television, added: "This is a unique syndication opportunity and we’re thrilled to be working on it with Oxygen. This deal not only provides viewers with the opportunity to see even more of the drama, comedy, song and dance that they have come to expect from Glee, but also extends the reach of this pop-culture phenomenon’s brand through a new reality series."