SPT, Meredith Launch ‘People (The TV Show!)’ In Syndication

Sony Pictures Television (SPT) and Meredith Corp. today announced a partnership for the nationwide distribution of People (the TV Show!), a new daily half-hour newsmagazine program inspired by the iconic People brand featuring a combination of celebrity, entertainment and human-interest stories.

People (the TV Show!) debuted on Sept. 14 in Meredith’s 12 local television markets across the U.S. and, the companies say, “is the top-rated new first-run show of the 2020 fall season. In the coveted adults 25-54 demo, through the first six weeks, People (the TV Show!) is tied with Entertainment Tonight and is achieving higher ratings than both Extra and Access Hollywood — programs that have aired for decades.”

Emmy Award winner Rob Silverstein, formerly of Access Hollywood, is the show’s executive producer. Meredith also brought in former CBS executive Lee Villas to facilitate distribution.

“We are thrilled with the early success of People (the TV Show!) in Meredith’s markets and are excited to team with SPT to offer the show to other station groups for fall 2022,” said Patrick McCreery, president, Meredith Local Media Group. “I am grateful to Rob and his team for the outstanding content they produce every day, and to Lee for his leadership and expertise throughout the syndication process.”

John Weiser, president, first-run television, SPT, said: “SPT is focused on bringing the highest quality brands and content to television syndication. People has maintained the largest audience of any magazine brand in America, reaching close to 100 million consumers, and attracts blue chip advertisers at premium rates. Rather than presenting a pilot, we’re strategically taking the risk out of first-run television by offering stations a show that has already been on-air tested and is delivering great ratings. We are proud to partner with Meredith broadcasting in representing this well-established first-class brand.”

Silverstein said: “This show follows the lead of People magazine and is the gold standard, high road alternative to other TV entertainment shows. We will break news, run feature exclusives and continue to lead when reporting on the royal family, pop culture and crime and human- interest stories, which set us apart. Nobody gets closer!”

People (The TV Show!) airs Monday-Friday in all 12 Meredith markets: Atlanta; Phoenix; St. Louis; Portland, Ore.; Nashville; Kansas City, Mo.; Hartford-New Haven, Conn.; Greenville-Spartanburg, S.C.; Las Vegas; Mobile, Ala.-Pensacola, Fla. Flint-Saginaw, Mich.; and Springfield-Holyoke, Mass.

The show is hosted by Kay Adams and Lawrence K. Jackson with correspondents Jeremy Parsons and Sandra Vergara and special contributors Nancy O’Dell and Gretchen Carlson.