A&E Network has reached an agreement with Warner Bros. Domestic Cable
Distribution to become the exclusive off-network home to Third Watch
beginning in the fall of 2002, the parties announced Monday.
Under terms of the deal, the value of which was not disclosed, A&E has
obtained the rights to the dramatic series -- tracking the police officers,
firefighters and paramedics in New York working the 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. shift --
through 2007, an A&E spokesman said.
Produced by John Wells Productions in association with Warner Bros.
Television, Third Watch has aired 44 installments during its first two
seasons.
The series will debut another 22 episodes during its third season on NBC
beginning Oct. 8. Its new season was delayed as NBC decided to postpone the
start of its fall season in the wake of last week's hijacking tragedies.
The A&E spokesman said it was 'too early' to tell where the network would
schedule Third Watch, but he ruled out a primetime slot.
'We are excited to add this high-quality, entertaining series to our
network,' A&E general manager and executive vice president Dan Davids said.
'The series is smart, action-packed, entertaining and an ideal match for us from
a demographic standpoint. We are confident that Third Watch will be a
wonderful addition to our lineup and will become a signature series for the
network.'
