TBS Bags Earl, The Office

ATLANTA, June 22: TBS has acquired the rights to NBC’s
highest-rated sitcoms, My Name is Earl
and The Office.

The deal with Twentieth Television brings My Name is Earl to the cable network in September 2009. Also
included in the deal are digital rights for broadband streaming and on-demand.
“My Name is Earl is a truly
unique and very funny comedy that has captured the imagination of both critics
and audiences alike,” said Ken Schwab, the senior VP of programming for TBS and
sister network TNT. “It will make a perfect addition to the TBS line-up, which
is the go-to place for the best in television comedy.”

My Name is Earl,
returning this fall for its third season on NBC, follows the story of Earl
Hickey (Jason Lee), who wins a small lottery and sets out to right all the
wrongs from his past.

The deal for The Office,
with NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution, includes non-exclusive
broadband streaming, on-demand and wireless rights to run concurrent with the
off-network telecast rights, which will begin in fall 2009. Ken Schwab, the
senior VP of programming for TBS and sister network TNT, noted: “The
Office is not only a top-notch sitcom, but
also one of the most relatable comedies on television. Anyone who has ever
worked for a completely clueless boss, had an inner-office romance or simply
worked among an odd assortment of coworkers will immediately get the offbeat
humor in this series. It’s a wonderful addition to our line-up, and we’re
thrilled to bring it to our audience of comedy lovers.”

Based on the hit BBC comedy of the same name, The Office delves into the lives of the workers at Dunder
Mifflin paper-supply company in Scranton, Pennsylvania. It joins the TBS lineup
in the fall.