Ion Expands ViacomCBS Content Deal

Ion Media today announced an expansion of its long-standing content relationship with ViacomCBS Global Distribution Group. The deal covers all seasons of the CBS hit dramas NCIS: New Orleans and Hawaii Five-0 for broadcast.

Ion said this adds two iconic CBS franchises to its syndication library, “further strengthening its position as the leading broadcast distributor of the highest quality dramas. Ion now has 12 of the 20 longest-running U.S. drama franchises as part of its lineup. Many of those franchises remain in original production, extending the audience following of those series for years to come.”

“Ion is committed to serving American broadcast households with the highest quality dramas on U.S. television,” said Brandon Burgess, Ion chairman-CEO. “Over-the-air broadcasting has grown to be the primary source of live linear television for nearly a quarter of the U.S. population. We serve that growing demand — plus multichannel and streaming households — with what our loyal audiences look to us for: the best library of scripted dramas on any network.”

The deal adds to Ion’s longstanding relationship with ViacomCBS, which also includes the hit shows NCIS: Los Angeles, Criminal Minds, Blue Bloods and the CSI franchises.

Last month, it was announced that E.W. Scripps was buying Ion Media for $2.65 billion.