ION TV Acquires Syndication Rights to ABC's ROOKIE BLUE

ion TELEVISION today announced its latest acquisition, adding the hit police drama series "Rookie Blue" from the Disney-ABC Television Group to its robust general entertainment lineup.

Coming off a highly successful fourth season on ABC, "Rookie Blue" averaged 2.4 million Adults 25-54 and nearly 7.0 million Total Viewers, growing its overall audience 13% from season 3. Ranking as the #3-rated summertime broadcast drama in 2013 in both Total Viewers and Adults 25-54, "Rookie Blue" was also the highest-rated summertime drama on Thursday nights in the key Adult demo in each of its four seasons.*

"We're excited to enter into this agreement with the Disney-ABC Television Group and provide our audience with this fresh, new police drama," said Brandon Burgess, Chairman and CEO of ION Media Networks. "'Rookie Blue' fits seamlessly with our current roster of hit series and reinforces our commitment to viewers."

Premiering its fifth season on ABC this June, "Rookie Blue" gives viewers a candid look at the personal and professional lives of five rookie Cops from the 15 Division. After graduating from the academy, they must learn to deal with their duties as law enforcement officers while juggling the everyday problems and expectations of their family, friends and coworkers. As they work to prevent crime and solve cases, these first responders quickly learn that their training only prepares them so much for life as a rookie. "Rookie Blue" stars Missy Peregrym as Andy McNally, Gregory Smith as Dov Epstein, Ben Bass as Sam Swarek, Travis Milne as Chris Diaz, Enuka Okuma as Traci Nash, Charlotte Sullivan as Gail Peck, Peter Mooney as Nick Collins, Priscilla Faia as Chloe Price, Matt Gordon as Oliver Shaw, Rachael Ancheril as Marlo Cruz, Melanie Nicholls-King as Noelle Williams, Adam MacDonald as Steve Peck and Aliyah O'Brien as Holly Stewart. Joining the series in season five are Oliver Becker as Inspector John Jarvis and Matthew Owen Murray as Duncan Moore.

"Rookie Blue" is executive produced by the award-winning Tassie Cameron, Russ Cochrane, Ilana Frank, David Wellington and John Morayniss. "Rookie Blue" is a production of IFC Films and leading independent studio Entertainment One (eOne), who also distributes the series internationally.

The "Rookie Blue" announcement comes on the heels of a number of key programming announcements for ION Television, including the acquisition of "Blue Bloods" and the co-production deal for the original series "The Listener." It also joins ION's portfolio of acclaimed series, including viewer favorites "Criminal Minds," "Cold Case" and "Law & Order: Criminal Intent," as well as off-cable dramas, "Burn Notice," "Psych" and "Leverage."

*Source: The Nielsen Company, (National, Live + 7 Day Program Ratings), Summer 2013=5/27/13-9/22/13, unless otherwise dated.

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