TEN Secures Two High-Profile New Series

SYDNEY, August 7:
Australia’s TEN is set to air the spin-off of the hit ’90s drama Beverly
Hills, 90210 from CBS Paramount
International Television, as well as FremantleMedia Enterprises’ fantasy drama
series Merlin.

Launching with a special
two-hour premiere event on September 8 at 8:30 p.m., just days after the show
makes its U.S. debut, 90210 follows
a group of teens at West Beverly Hills High School. Original cast members set
to appear in the new series include Shannen Doherty (Brenda), Jennie Garth
(Kelly), Tori Spelling (Donna) and Joe E. Tata (Nat from the Peach Pit), who
will return as regular guest stars. Also appearing on 90210 are Lori Loughlin (Summerland), Jessica Walters (Arrested Development) and Rob Estes (Womens Murder Club).

Merlin takes a contemporary look at the saga of Prince
Arthur and his wizard Merlin in the mythical city of Camelot. A Shine
production for the BBC One, Merlin will
premiere in prime time in September on BBC One, and is also set to air on NBC
in the U.S. this winter and on CTV in Canada. The show, distributed by FremantleMedia
Enterprises, will make its Australian debut on TEN in 2009.

TEN’s chief programming
officer, David Mott, said, "In its day Beverly Hills, 90210 set trends in fashion, produced iconic heart
throbs, think ‘Brandon and Brenda,’ ‘Kelly and Dillon’ and introduced iconic
language that would become part of the youth vernacular for years after it left
the small screen. In its day it was one of TEN's pivotal prime-time shows,
pushing our irreverent, fun image and we see the new 90210 with its sexy cast, edgy story lines and brand-new
families set to get that wheel spinning once again for the new
millennium."

On the pickup of Merlin, Beverley McGarvey, TEN's network head of
programming, commented, "TEN is very proud to have acquired such a
prestigious new drama. Its multigenerational appeal, compelling cast,
impeccable production, writing and special effects will make it a stand out
television event and a spellbinding addition to our 2009 lineup. It's just a
taste of what TEN has in store for the coming year.”

—By Kristin
Brzoznowski