Its Official: Jeff Probsts Talk Show Picked Up By NBC Stations, Cleared In 55% Of US

Jeff Probsts Syndicated Daily Talk Show Closing In On Deal With NBC Stations CBS TV Distributions syndicated daily talk show hosted by Survivors Jeff Probst has finalized a deal with the NBC owned and operated stations, clearing the strip for a fall 2012 launch. In addition to the NBC Owned TV Stations in NY, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Dallas-Fort Worth, San Francisco, Miami, San Diego and Hartford, Connecticut, the show, titled Jeff Probst, has been sold to stations owned by CBS, Gannett Broadcasting, Post-Newsweek, Belo, Cox Television, Scripps Howard Broadcasting and LIN Television, the station groups that previously carried CTD’s Oprah Winfrey Show, for 55% coverage of the U.S., including 16 of the Top 20 markets. Stations enthusiastically embraced our and Jeffs vision for re-creating the classic talk show, CTD president John Nogawski said. Jeff developed his listening and storytelling skills on the prime-time hit Survivor, and his hosting appeal was cemented onLive With Regis and Kelly and Larry King Live. The one-hour talk show, hosted and executive produced by Probst, will cover topics ranging from relationships and family dynamics to newsmakers of the day to families facing challenges. Im fascinated with people, Probst said. And I love adventure. I cant wait to bring these two worlds together in daytime, and the added bonus is I get to continue with Survivor in primetime. Jeff Probst had been competing with 2 other talk show hopefuls, Twentieths Ricki Lake and Warner Bros Bethenny Frankel, for a spot on the NBC O&Os, the last available premium piece of station real estate for next fall. Rikki Lake is still expected to launch next fall with what was described as a “non-traditional” clearance list, which includes the Tribune stations in NY, Seattle and Hartford, CT as well as sibling Fox stations, including those in Los Angeles and Chicago. The Jeff Probst acquisition does not affect Sony TVs Nate Berkus Show, which has a deal with the NBC stations though next season. In addition to Jeff Probst, the 10 NBC O&O will also serve as the launch group for the new Steve Harvey talk show next fall. Meanwhile, the station clearances rule out Probst, a frequent substitute guest host on Live! With Regis And Kelly, as a possible successor to departing Regis Pilbin. (He also served as a regular guest host on Larry King Live.) This marks CBS TV Distributions first first-run syndication launch since The Doctors.