Starz Worldwide Distribution Caters To Esquire Network and Comedy Fans With Licensing of 'Party Down'

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., March 7, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Starz Worldwide Distribution, the global licensing and content syndication arm of Starz, announced today that the witty comedy series, "Party Down" – named by AFI and Time as one of the top 10 shows on TV in 2009 and 2010 respectively - will be coming to Esquire Network for U.S. broadcast beginning in April 2013 following the licensing of its U.S. broadcast rights.  

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Starz Worldwide Distribution is a business of Starz (NASDAQ: STRZA, STRZB) and sells STARZ Original series and other owned and licensed movie/TV programming domestically and worldwide.  Formerly known as G4, Esquire Network will bring the iconic men’s brand to television as the definitive network for the modern, multi-faceted man.

Starz retains select on-demand and online rights to the show during the license period.

“’Party Down,’ with its smart and irreverent brand of humor, is a perfect fit for Esquire Network’s new lineup,” said Matt Monos, Esquire Network’s head of programming and acquisitions.“  The series was acclaimed by critics and viewers alike when it premiered on STARZ in 2009 and 2010, and we are pleased to introduce the revered comedy to an entirely new fan base.”

“We are very pleased to successfully complete this agreement with Esquire Network – the first such deal for ‘Party Down’ on U.S. broadcast television,” said Gene George, executive vice president of worldwide distribution for Starz. “We have continued to find new distribution partners for our wide range of STARZ Original series and other owned and licensed content here in the U.S. and abroad.”
 

Alecia Dixon-Kurschner, Starz Worldwide Distribution's VP, Domestic Television Sales added, "'Party Down' had many passionate supporters during its two-year run from fans and critics alike and we are very pleased to build on our working relationship with everyone at Esquire Network and help 'Party Down' find a broadcast TV home."

About "Party Down"
"Party Down" follows a sextet of Hollywood wannabes making ends meet working for a Los Angeles catering company as they chase their dreams of stardom.  Each episode is a catered event – a sexy, senior singles mixer, a video porn awards after-party, a super-sweet 16 party gone horribly wrong, etc.

"Party Down" stars Ken Marino ("Veronica Mars," Role Models), Adam Scott ("Parks and Recreation," Step Brothers, Our Idiot Brother), Jane Lynch ("Glee," Role Models, The 40 Year Old Virgin), Martin Starr (Knocked Up, "Freaks and Geeks"), Ryan Hansen ("Friends with Benefits," "Veronica Mars," Friday the 13^th 2009) and Lizzy Caplan ("True Blood," Cloverfield). Emmy®-winning actress Megan Mullally ("Will & Grace," Fame), joined the ensemble in season two, replacing Lynch who guest-starred later that season.

Other guest stars during the two seasons included: Kristen Bell (seasons one and two), Ed Begley, Jr., Marilu Henner, Joey Lauren Adams, Breckin Meyer, Rob Corddry, Steven Weber, J.K. Simmons, Steve Guttenberg, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Thomas Lennon, Jimmi Simpson, Loretta Devine, and Alex Rocco.

“Party Down” was created and executive produced by Rob Thomas (“Veronica Mars,” “Cupid”) along with John Enbom, Paul Rudd and Dan Etheridge.  Enbom also served as show runner.   Childhood actor, Fred Savage (“The Wonder Years”) and Bryan Gordon (“Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Freaks and Geeks”) directed many of the episodes and served as producers for season one and supervising producers for season two.  Co-executive producers in season one were Jennifer Gwartz and Danielle Stokdyk.  Jennifer Dugan produced the series.  William J. Hamm, executive vice president also oversaw production. “Party Down” actors, Adam Scott and Ken Marino, also served as producers and Ken Marino directed the series finale.  Additional series directors included David Wain. Series writers included John Enbom, Dan Etheridge, Paul Rudd, Rob Thomas, and Russell Smith.  

About Esquire Network 

The modern man will be televised. Championing intelligence, wit and style, Esquire Network brings the iconic men's brand to television as the definitive network for the modern, multi-faceted man. A strategic partnership between NBCUniversal and Hearst Magazines, the network's programming explores and celebrates the interests, passions and aspirations of today's man: gaming, gear, entertainment, food, fashion, women, humor, travel, competition, danger and more. Formerly known as G4, Esquire Network will launch in April 2013 in 62 million households nationwide, as well as online, mobile, On Demand and other platforms. Esquire Network is a unit of NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment, a division of NBCUniversal. 

About Starz Worldwide Distribution

Starz Worldwide Distribution (www.starzglobal.com) is a leading global distributor of movies, televisions series, documentaries, children's programming, and other video content.  Starz Worldwide Distribution licenses and syndicates Starz original series and other owned and licensed third party programming on a worldwide basis. Starz Worldwide Distribution's partnerships with independent producers provide high-quality and diverse programming to its clients, while its experience in the field distinguishes it as a premier supplier in the global content marketplace. Starz Worldwide Distribution is a Starz (NASDAQ: STRZA, STRZB) business, www.starz.com.

SOURCE Starz Worldwide Distribution