Program Partners

Merv Griffin's Crosswords to Air in Canada in September

Thunderbird Films and Program Partners Announce Affiliates

Banff, Alberta — June 12, 2007 — Thunderbird Films and Program Partners announced today that Merv Griffin’s new game show, Merv Griffin’s Crosswords, has been licensed to stations owned by Rogers Television and CHUM Television, the series’ first affiliates in Canada. The half-hour series will premiere this fall in Ontario on Rogers OMNI Television (OMNI.2) and in Alberta on ACCESS The Education Station and Canadian Learning Television (CLT). The series marks the latest first-run television programming from Merv Griffin, the most successful game show creator of all time. The deals are the latest outgrowth of the Program Partners and Thunderbird Films collaboration which has included the successful syndication of Da Vinci’s Inquest, Cold Squad, Stone Undercover and Degrassi: The Next Generation.

Griffin, the award-winning creator of Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy!—the two most successful prime-access series in the history of television—introduces simple but dramatic features to a game of universal appeal in his newest half-hour program. Hosted by daytime television star and multi-Emmy Award nominee, Ty Treadway, Crosswords is a fast-paced, new generation “Q & A” game show in the great tradition of the genre from the legendary master of the game.

“The name Merv Griffin has always been associated with high ratings in Canada,” said Michael Shepard, President of Thunderbird Films. “Crosswords will be his next big hit here.”

“Crosswords is a smart show for viewers all over the world,” said Josh Raphaelson of Program Partners. “No doubt Canadians will be very good at this game.”

"Rogers OMNI Television is pleased to add the latest Merv Griffin production to our new fall schedule" said Malcolm Dunlop, VP Programming. "Merv Griffin is truly the master of the game."

Crosswords is being presented by Merv Griffin Entertainment and Program Partners and packaged by the William Morris Agency. Cleared on numerous station groups in the U.S. including NBC owned affiliates in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco and Dallas, the half-hour syndicated strip is cleared in 28 of the Top 30 markets and 45 of the Top 50 markets.

About Program Partners, Inc.
Program Partners, Inc. is an innovative television company that collaborates with networks, sponsors and audiences on original programming. Led by a core group of entertainment executives, including founders Ritch Colbert and Josh Raphaelson, Program Partners provides distinctive programs with high production values, while fostering new creative alliances with advertisers, broadcasters and global co-production entities. For more info about Program Partners, Inc., visit www.programpartners.com.

About Thunderbird Films, Inc.
Vancouver-based Thunderbird Films, Inc. is recognized worldwide as a producer, distributor and financier of high-quality television and films. Thunderbird Films’ founding partners—Tim Gamble and Michael Shepard—have been responsible for internationally acclaimed scripted drama and action series, award-winning theatrical features and movies-of-the-week produced for and aired on every major U.S. network, as well as on major broadcast and cable outlets around the globe. Thunderbird Films’ commitment to high production values, its unique focus on global, high-value territories for distribution, and the economical benefits of its British Columbian location have distinguished the company among its competitors in the world marketplace. For more information on Thunderbird Films, visit www.thunderbirdfilms.net.

About Merv Griffin Entertainment, Inc.
Merv Griffin Entertainment, Inc. is the television and film production arm of Merv Griffin’s umbrella organization, The Griffin Group. Over the years it has provided original programming and long-format films for television, as well as theatrical features. In addition to “Merv Griffin’s Crosswords,” it is currently in production on the second season of “Lisa Williams: Life Among the Dead”, for Lifetime. See www.merv.com for more information on MGE and The Griffin Group of Companies.