CTD To Syndicate ‘Hot In Cleveland’

CBS Television Distribution has acquired the exclusive broadcast domestic distribution rights for TV Land’s hit sitcom Hot In Cleveland.

“When Hot In Cleveland debuted it was immediately hailed as an instant classic by TV critics, in the same vein as traditional four-camera sitcoms such as Everybody Loves Raymond, Friends, Seinfeld and Frasier,” said Scott Koondel, president of distribution for CTD said. “In a marketplace where the sitcom pipeline is dry, there is a pent-up demand by stations for a big, broad-skewing sitcom like this. It will seamlessly slip into any TV station’s lineup.”

“Hot In Cleveland has been a huge success for TV Land, and we see great potential for it in the off-network broadcast marketplace,” said Eddie Dalva, EVP, content and program enterprises, entertainment and music groups, Viacom Media Networks. “We’re thrilled to be working with the top syndicator in the business, CBS Television Distribution, to sell the show so even more people can enjoy it.”

Debuting June 2010, Hot In Cleveland’s premiere episode was the highest-rated telecast in TV Land’s 14-year history. Through its past two full seasons, Hot In Cleveland averaged 3.5 million total viewers, according to Nielsen. Hot In Cleveland recently launched its third season on TV Land and airs Wednesdays at 10 p.m. ET.

The cast of Hot In Cleveland has been honored with several accolades including Betty White’s second Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series for her role as “Elka,” for which she won last year.

In addition to White, the show stars Valerie Bertinelli, Jane Leeves and Wendie Malick.

White was also nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. The series was awarded a Creative Arts Emmy Award for Outstanding Art Direction for a Multi-Camera Series (Michael Andrew Hynes and Maralee Zediker).