Ovation TV To Bring New Episodes of Later…With Jools Holland To US Music Fans

Ovation TV to Provide the US Premiere of the Next Three Series of Later…with Jools Holland

LOS ANGELES, CA (May 11, 2009) – Ovation TV, the only television network dedicated to art and contemporary culture, announced today the acquisition of Later…with Jools Holland through a deal arranged by BBC Worldwide.  Under the terms of the agreement, this highly-acclaimed BBC music program will run exclusively on Ovation TV for the next 27 new episodes.  Michelle Zajic, VP, Programming, Ovation TV and Melissa Green, Director, Sales and Distribution, BBC Worldwide, America, brokered the deal.

“Quite simply, Later…with Jools Holland is the best music show on television.  The music always takes center stage and it’s always exciting to watch the new up-and-coming artist alongside the superstar,” said Kris Slava, SVP, Programming, Ovation TV.  “Jools’s enthusiastic and energetic presenting style is fuelled by a true passion for his craft.  The audience can’t help but be engaged and entertained.  It really has no equal and we’re ecstatic to have it on Ovation TV.”

Ovation TV will kick off the series with a Labor Day Weekend Marathon consisting of new and archival episodes.  Later ….with Jools Holland will assume a regular Thursday night, prime-time slot as of September 10. 

“Later… with Jools Holland has been a fantastic success in the UK and we are delighted that Ovation TV will be able to share this program with American audiences,” said Susanna Pollack, SVP, Sales & Distribution, BBC Worldwide, Americas.

Later…with Jools Holland has been a hit in the UK since its launch in 1992 and has become a favorite of music lovers around the world for its eclectic mix of music and its immensely credible and likeable host, Jools Holland.  

Ovation TV will pick up with the show in its 33rd series run, which features such guests as Metallica, Pink Floyd guitarist Dave Gilmour, The Kaiser Chiefs, Fleet Foxes, Kings of Leon, Carla Bruni, Nicole Atkins, The Killers, The Streets, Grace Jones, Seu Jorge, Seasick Steve, VV Brown, Natalie Cole and Dengue Fever.  The network will continue airing new episodes through the 34th and 35th series runs.

Jools Holland is the most popular pianist and bandleader in the United Kingdom and holds the unique status of performing with musicians who have achieved success in every decade of the 20th century.  He is known to American audiences as a member of the hugely successful band Squeeze, but he has performed on many hit records, including “Good Thing” by the Fine Young Cannibals.  Before “Later….,” Jools earned his TV host credentials by hosting The Tube in the UK with Paula Yates; Night Music, filmed in New York for NBC with co-host David Sanborn; The Happening, filmed at London’s Astoria Theatre; two series of Name That Tune; 15 Hootenanny New Year’s Eve shows; and one series of Beat Route, filmed all over the world.  In 2003, Jools Holland was bestowed the Order of the British Empire (O.B.E.) designation by the Queen for services to the British music industry as a television presenter and musician.  His autobiography Barefaced Lies & Boogie-Woogie Boasts was published in 2007.

About Ovation TV:  Ovation TV is a multi-platform network devoted to art, culture, creativity and making art more accessible to viewers in their daily lives.  The network showcases the world's greatest artists in theater, dance, opera, literature, film, visual and fine art, music, design, photography and architecture. Ovation TV reaches a national audience of 30 million households through carriage on DirecTV (channel 274), Dish Network (channel 157) and on cable and telco systems in major markets across the country.  Ovation TV’s programming is also available on video on demand (in both standard and high definition), as well as at http://www.OvationTV.com.

About BBC Worldwide Sales & Distribution:  BBC Worldwide Sales & Distribution is one of seven core businesses under BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm and wholly-owned subsidiary of the UK public service broadcaster, BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation).  BBC Worldwide exists to maximize the value of the BBC’s assets for the benefit of the BBC, and invests in programming in return for rights.  The Sales & Distribution business negotiates, sells and distributes television programs to networks and secures co-production partners, in the Americas region.

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Information:
Patricia Frith, Patricia Frith Marketing (for Ovation TV)
818.876.0480, pfmarketing@roadrunner.com

Christine Shaw Davis, BBC Worldwide, Americas
818.299.9699, christine.davis@BBC.com

Images available upon request.