NBC Renews 'Marriage Ref,' 'Minute To Win It' & 'Who Do You Think You Are?' For New Season

NBC has picked up three freshman alternative series as "The Marriage Ref," "Minute to Win It" and "Who Do You Think You Are?" are renewed for the 2010-11 season. The announcement was made today by Paul Telegdy, Executive Vice President, Alternative Programming, NBC and Universal Media Studios.

"All of these new series have demonstrated increasing popularity and generated far-reaching interest among viewers," said Telegdy. "Equally important, each has a compelling and innovative format, and a second season will allow these shows to grow creatively and attract an even wider audience."

From executive producer Jerry Seinfeld, "The Marriage Ref" is delivering a 3.0 rating, 8 share in adults 18-49 and 7.2 million viewers overall to date in its Thursday 10 p.m. ET slot in "most current" figures from Nielsen Media Research. "The Marriage Ref" is averaging a 93 percent retention of its lead-in from "30 Rock" in 18-49 and is up 7 percent versus that lead-in in total viewers. "Marriage Ref" has also consistently over-delivered in key upscale demos, currently ranking in the top 10 among all primetime network series in its concentration of homes with $100K+ incomes in its adult 18-49 audience.

The competition series "Minute to Win It" hosted by Guy Fieri is averaging a 2.0 rating, 6 share in adults 18-49 and 6.0 million viewers overall in "most current" results for its regular Sunday telecasts to date. Those "Minute To Win It" Sunday editions have been building from half-hour to half-hour by an average of 29 percent in 18-49 rating and 25 percent in total viewers. A "Minute To Win It" encore also ran in the 8 p.m. ET hour on Wednesday of last week and finished #2 among the major networks in the time period in adults 18-49 and total viewers.

"Who Do You Think You Are?" from executive producer Lisa Kudrow is averaging a 1.6 rating, 6 share in adults 18-49 and 6.8 million viewers overall in "most current" results for its season thus far. In preliminary results for last Friday, "Who Do You Think You Are?" won the 8-9 p.m. ET hour in adults 18-49, marking the first time any regular competitor in this slot has beaten an original episode of CBS's "Ghost Whisperer" in 18-49 rating since November 17, 2006. "Who Do You Think You Are?" has improved the time period by 23 percent in adult 18-49 rating versus NBC's average for the traditional 2008-09 season in "live plus same day" results.

"The Marriage Ref" is NBC's new comedy panel series about the unpredictable and hilarious institution commonly known as marriage. The series features comedian/actor Tom Papa, who was personally selected by Seinfeld to host and serve as the "marriage ref." Seinfeld has appeared in several episodes and other celebrity participants to date have included Tina Fey, Alec Baldwin and Tracy Morgan (NBC's "30 Rock"), Madonna, Larry David, Ricky Gervais, Eva Longoria Parker, Jason Alexander and Kelly Ripa.

"The Marriage Ref" is produced by Seinfeld's Columbus 81 Productions and Ellen Rakieten Entertainment. Seinfeld, Ellen Rakieten ("The Oprah Winfrey Show"), Shed Media's Nick Emmerson ("Supernanny") and Jennifer O'Connell ("Supernanny"), Al Berman ("The Biggest Loser Live Finale," "The Celebrity Apprentice Live Finale"), Howard West ("Seinfeld"), George Shapiro ("Seinfeld") and Jessica Seinfeld serve as executive producers. International distribution is by Endemol.

"Who Do You Think You Are?" gives viewers an up-close and personal look inside the family history of some of today's most beloved and iconic celebrities. Among the celebrities featured this season are Matthew Broderick, Lisa Kudrow, Spike Lee, Sarah Jessica Parker, Susan Sarandon, Brooke Shields and Emmitt Smith. Ancestry.com is currently NBC's official partner on the series.

"Who Do You Think You Are?" is produced by Wall to Wall productions (a Shed Media company) in association with Is Or Isn't Entertainment. Alex Graham from Wall to Wall, and Lisa Kudrow and Dan Bucatinsky from Is or Isn't Entertainment, are the executive producers. The unique, award-winning series is based on the popular BBC television documentary series created and executive-produced by Graham.

All-American chef and television personality Guy Fieri ("Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives") hosts NBC's competition series "Minute to Win It." Fieri serves as master of ceremonies and leads competitors through a series of simple, yet nerve-wracking games that can reward them a $1 million prize. In each episode, competitors will face 10 challenges that escalate in level of difficulty using everyday household items. At various points throughout the game, the contestant can walk away with the money earned up to that point -- but it takes nerves of steel to win $1 million.

"Minute to Win It" is produced by Universal Media Studios with Friday TV. Craig Plestis, Tim Puntillo (NBC's "Identity"), Mattias Olsson and Jock Millgardh serve as executive producers.

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