JUDGE JERRY Sells in 90% of US for Syndication Debut

NBCUniversal Television Distribution has sold "Judge Jerry" to more than 90% of the country for its fall 2019 debut, it was announced today by Tracie Wilson, Executive Vice President, Creative Affairs, NBCUniversal Domestic Television Distribution.

The new daily, first-run half-hour court program "Judge Jerry," with the iconic Jerry Springer presiding as judge, will air on top stations across the country, including WPIX NY, WCIU Chicago, WPHL Philadelphia, WDAF Dallas, WLVI Boston and WATL Atlanta. These stations join previously announced station groups Tribune, Sinclair, Weigel, Hearst, Cox, Sun Beam, Block, Raycom, Tegna, Scripps, Meredith and Capital.

Kerry Shannon, who previously served as executive producer of "The Jerry Springer Show," will executive produce. Leah Ponce and Joe Scott will also join the production team as the show's co-executive producers. Both Ponce and Scott come to "Judge Jerry" with an extensive background in daytime court TV having worked on "Judge Judy," "Hot Bench" and "Divorce Court."

"The combination of Jerry's proven experience in broadcast television and his legal mind will make 'Judge Jerry' like no other courtroom show on TV," Shannon said. "I'm excited that Jerry's fans will get to see him in a new role, presiding from the judge's bench, as he rules each case with a fair but firm disposition that is uniquely Jerry."

"Judge Jerry" will be taped in front of a live studio audience at the Stamford (Conn.) Media Center, which is also home to the long-running and successful NBCU talk shows "The Steve Wilkos Show" and "Maury." The show is produced and distributed in the U.S. by NBCUniversal Television Distribution.

Kerry Shannon, formerly Kerry Smith, served as executive producer of "The Jerry Springer Show" from 2015-18 and worked on the series for more than 15 years. She began as an associate producer but within a year was quickly elevated to the title of producer. In 2007, she was promoted to senior producer and was soon supervising producer. In 2011, Shannon was named the show's co-executive producer working closely with then executive producer Rachelle Wilkos. Shannon received her bachelor's degree in communications from the University of Nevada. She currently resides in Stamford, Conn., with her husband and three children.

Leah Ponce has worked over 10 years in syndication with an expertise in daytime court TV. Previously, Ponce was Director, Business Affairs and Legal at CBS Television Distribution where she provided production and legal guidance to the division's syndicated programs. At CTD, she was there to launch and serve as the lead production attorney for the daytime court television show "Hot Bench." Ponce served as counsel for "Entertainment Tonight" and the streaming entertainment news service "ET Live." Ponce's experience includes "Judge Judy," "The Insider" and "Face the Truth."

Joe Scott has had a long career in daytime court TV and most recently served as supervising producer on Twentieth's "Divorce Court." Previously, Scott was senior producer on CBS' "Hot Bench" as well as Twentieth's "Judge Alex." Scott's additional court show credits include "Judge Judy" and "Judge Karen." Scott worked as a producer on AMC's hit talk show "Sunday Morning Shootout" and began his career as an actor on "Days of our Lives," "General Hospital" and the feature film "Camp Nowhere." Scott received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts.

NBCUniversal Domestic Television Distribution is responsible for the production, sales and distribution of NBCUniversal products to broadcast television within the United States. The division develops and produces first-run programming and distributes these shows, along with off-network content, in broadcast syndication. Current first-run broadcast syndicated programming includes "Steve," "Access," "Access Live," "Maury," "The Jerry Springer Show" and "The Steve Wilkos Show," and in fall 2019 the division will premiere "The Kelly Clarkson Show" and "Judge Jerry." In addition, the division distributes the retro television broadcast network Cozi TV and weekend syndicated series "On the Money" and "Open House." Current off-network programming includes "American Ninja Warrior," "Law & Order: Criminal Intent," "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," "Chicago P.D" and "Dateline."

To post a comment, you must register and login.