Corner Gas coming to the US!

[Guest Mr. Potato Head]

http://www.ctvmedia.ca/ctv/releases/releas...1&yyyy=2006

-- Corner Gas: Coming soon to 70 million U.S. homes and in countries across 5 continents including Australia, Iraq, Finland and more --

Toronto, ON (November 24, 2006) – Canada’s #1 comedy has gone international. CTV announced today that smash hit original comedy series Corner Gas has secured a U.S. distribution deal with American cable network Superstation WGN. The series will be available in nearly 70 million U.S. homes beginning in 2007. The deal was secured by Arthur Hasson’s Multi-Platform Distribution Company (MPDC), which began shopping Canada’s #1 comedy and most-watched Canadian series in May, 2006.

With today’s announcement, Corner Gas follows in the footsteps of several CTV original series which have gone on to premiere in the US. The list includes Comedy Inc., Comedy Now!, Degrassi: The Next Generation, Instant Star and Whistler.

The two-year, 88-episode deal provides exclusive rights to the series in cable and broadcast.

Superstation WGN is the national flagship of Chicago-based Tribune Broadcasting Company and is available coast-to-coast in the United States to nearly 70 million homes via cable and satellite. Known for its diverse, family-friendly and young adult programming, Superstation WGN’s powerful lineup includes Sex and the City, 24, America’s Funniest Home Videos, American Idol Rewind, The Cosby Show and Home Improvement.

CTV also announced that Corner Gas has now been licensed internationally to broadcasters serving 26 countries – across 5 continents in all – countries including Australia, Iraq, Finland, Morocco and more. UK-based Minotaur International Ltd. brokered these international deals for CTV. A complete list of countries now licensing Corner Gas is detailed below.

“We’re thrilled at the opportunity to share Corner Gas with the U.S. and so many other international markets,” said Susanne Boyce, CTV’s President of Programming and Chair of the CTV Media Group. “Canadians by the millions are uniquely aware of this program’s endearing universal appeal, something that will resonate with audiences anywhere. Congratulations to the talented cast, crew and creative forces behind the series on another benchmark achievement.”

"I'm very excited about both the international and the U.S. deals,” said Corner Gas creator/star/director/writer and executive producer Brent Butt. “We get so much American programming up here in Canada, it's nice to be able to give a little something back. Something besides Celine Dion, I mean."

“This sitcom is very well written and the ensemble cast is very funny!” said Bill Shaw VP/President, Superstation WGN. “Corner Gas will be a perfect fit for Superstation WGN. It will surely be a hit once the audience in the U.S. is exposed to the series and it can only be found here, on us."

“Superstation WGN was smart in not only recognizing this program’s huge hit status, but also the benchmarks that marked its assent; its writing, characters and acting. Corner Gas will work perfectly with the other strong comedies WGN has in their lineup,” said MPDC’s Hasson.

Corner Gas Around the World:

North America

Canada (on originating Network CTV)

USA (on Superstation WGN)

International

Abu Dhabi, Algeria, Australia, Bahrain, Chad, Cyprus, Egypt, Finland, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritius, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Yemen

A critical and audience favourite, Corner Gas is an ensemble comedy series chronicling the adventures of a bunch of nobodies in the middle of nowhere who get up to a whole lot of nothing in the fictional prairie town of Dog River, Saskatchewan, Canada. Nominated for an International Emmy Award in 2004, Corner Gas has won the 2005 and 2006 Gemini Award (Canada’s version of The Emmy Awards) for Best Comedy Series. Corner Gas is the most-watched comedy series (Canadian or American) on Canadian television, besting not only The Simpsons and Family Guy but My Name is Earl, The Office, American Dad and The War at Home as well. Every single original telecast of Corner Gas has achieved over one million viewers in Canada, a record feat in Canadian broadcasting.

Corner Gas has also spawned a multi-million dollar merchandise line, available online at www.cornergas.com and at over 250 retailers across Canada. Tales from Dog River, a companion book to the hit series, recently debuted at No. 2 on the Canadian bestseller list. Meanwhile, the DVD release of Corner Gas: Season 3 is currently in the Top 10 on Canada’s DVD sales charts.

Boasting an award-winning creative team, Corner Gas features directors David Storey, Robert de Lint, Jeff Beesley, Mark Farrell and Brent Butt. Paul Mather is Supervising Producer and Writer. Mark Farrell is Consulting Producer and Writer. Kevin White is Executive Story Editor and Writer, Andrew Carr and Rob Sheridan are Story Editors and Writers. The series was developed for television by Brent Butt, Mark Farrell, David Storey and Virginia Thompson. Executive Producers are Brent Butt, David Storey and Virginia Thompson.

Corner Gas is produced in association with CTV by Prairie Pants Productions, comprised of Virginia Thompson (Incredible Story Studio, renegadepress.com) of Vérité Films and 335 Productions, a partnership of Brent Butt and David Storey (Blackfly, The Seán Cullen Show). Louise Clarke is CTV’s Director, Western Independent Production. Brent Haynes is Director of Programming for The Comedy Network. Ed Robinson is Senior-Vice President, Comedy and Variety Programming, CTV Inc. Susanne Boyce is President, CTV Programming and Chair of the CTV Media Group.

Visit the Corner Gas website at www.cornergas.com.

About CTV

CTV, Canada's largest private broadcaster, offers a wide range of quality news, sports, information, and entertainment programming. It has the number-one national newscast, CTV National News With Lloyd Robertson, and is the number-one choice for prime-time viewing. CTV owns 21 conventional television stations across Canada and has interests in 16 specialty channels, including the number-one Canadian specialty channel, TSN. CTV is owned by Bell Globemedia, Canada's premier multi-media company. More information about CTV may be found on the company website at www.ctv.ca.

About WGN

Superstation WGN, part of Tribune Broadcasting Company, is a nationally distributed cable network with broad-based, family programming consisting of cable exclusives, first-run programs, blockbuster movies and sports, available in 70 million homes. For more program information or additional information visit www.superstationwgn.com

[Corizzle]

Trailer Park Boys failed in the U.S., and I wouldn't be surprised if this does too.

I don't even like Corner Gas myself anyway

[GhostMachine]

Not to knock Canada, but the only Canadian comedy series I've ever seen and thought was even worthy of more than a few chuckles was Red Green.....unless SCTV counts.

Is Corner Gas the name of the gas station the characters hang around a lot, or something?

[Fitzy]

Does anyone even get Superstation WGN?

[GhostMachine]

Does anyone even get Superstation WGN?

Edited November 29, 2006 by GhostMachine

[thuganomic]

I do. But I never watch it....except for occasionall Home Improvement reruns.

[Guest Mr. Potato Head]

Corner Gas IS in fact the name of the gas station most of the characters hang around.

I don't mean this to sound degrading, but the only reason this might not work in the US is the intelligence of the show.

[Farmer Reil]

Great, so Somalia gets TV shows before we do now?

Thanks, Canada. Don't expect a Christmas card. Or an invite to the best Empire in the world, next time we decide to create one.

Edited November 29, 2006 by Farmer Reil

[Sweet Holy Moses]

Meh, American's haven't been missing out on much. Its the most overrated (or should it be overratted?) show on Canadian TV. Its intelligent, sure, but its not funny. I give it two months.

[Ananas]

Trailer Park Boys failed in the U.S., and I wouldn't be surprised if this does too.

I don't even like Corner Gas myself anyway

[The Hardcore Canuck]

I'm thinking Corner Gas may not be popular in certain areas (the two coasts, and perhaps the south), but I think it'll be fairly sucessful in the Mid-South areas, like the Datoka's, Iowa, etc.

Anyways, it's a great show (IMO), and I think people should give it a shot.

Also, there's no reason to insult another country's intelligence just because they may not like a show that's popular here.

EDIT: There is absolutly no way a censored version of TPB would suceed. The show needs its swearing, guns, booze and drugs.

Edited November 29, 2006 by The Hardcore Canuck

[Guest Mr. Potato Head]

I didn't want to insult Americans' intelligence, even though I know it came off that way, I'm just saying that Corner Gas is more intelligent than Americans expect from a sitcom.

[CKN]

Am I the only Canadian who hasn't seen an episode of Corner Gas :ohwell:

[Pepsi Punk]

Am I the only Canadian who hasn't seen an episode of Corner Gas :ohwell:

[Rashid]

Pretty good show, but I don't see it making it "big" in America. It doesn't have what you would call "American Comedy".

Not one of my favorite Canadian shows though. Mine are SCTV, Red Green Show, The Hour (a new show) and Puppets Who Kill. Probably more I'm missing.

[Lowerdeck]

Does anyone even get Superstation WGN?

I don't.

I'm thinking Corner Gas may not be popular in certain areas (the two coasts, and perhaps the south), but I think it'll be fairly sucessful in the Mid-South areas, like the Datoka's, Iowa, etc.

The Dakotas and Iowa are in the north.

[GoGo Yubari]

Corner Gas IS in fact the name of the gas station most of the characters hang around.

I don't mean this to sound degrading, but the only reason this might not work in the US is the intelligence of the show.

Or because it's on one of the most irrelevant cable networks in the States.

[Guest Mr. Potato Head]

Work in perspective to the network, that is.

[GoGo Yubari]

Work in perspective to the network, that is.

Well, I heavily doubt that WGN is one of the most highbrow networks on television. For an intelligent comedy, I can think of a LOT of networks that it would have a better shot on.

[Guest Mr. Potato Head]

At the same time, though, it's become arguably one of the most successful Canadian shows in history, and its on CTV, which isn't known for highbrow comedy either (essentially the Canadian equivalent to ABC)...the best I'm hoping for in the US is a 'cult hit' status, but I don't think it'd achieve that on ANY network.