Paramount Network Orders 68 WHISKEY Pilot Produced and Directed by Ron Howard

Paramount Network today announced a pilot order for "68 Whiskey" (working title) from Imagine Television Studios and co-producing partner, CBS Television Studios. Oscar(R) winner Ron Howard is set to direct and serve as an executive producer along with Oscar(R) winner Brian Grazer, Imagine Television Group Chairman Francie Calfo ("Empire," "Genius"), and Emmy(R) nominated Roberto Benabib ("Weeds," "The Brink," "Ally McBeal") who is also set to write. Zion Rubin, the creator of the Israeli production, will also executive produce along with Efrat Shmaya Dror from the United Studios of Israel and Danna Stern from yes Studios.

Adapted from the Israeli television series "Charlie Golf One," this dark comedy follows a multicultural mix of men and women deployed as Army medics to a forward operating base in Afghanistan nicknamed "The Orphanage." Together, they endure a dangerous and Kafkaesque world that leads to self-destructive appetites, outrageous behavior, intense camaraderie and occasionally, a profound sense of purpose.

"68 Whiskey" was developed as part of the programming partnership between Imagine Television Studios and CBS.

"Charlie Golf One" is produced by United Studios of Israel and yes TV, the production company behind the Netflix hit format, FAUDA. It was the yes platform's most successful original program of 2016 and remains wildly popular with a second season currently in production.

The news comes as the new Paramount Network begins to roll out its inaugural slate of original series, including "Yellowstone," "American Woman," and "Waco." Starring Oscar(R) winner Kevin Costner and written and directed by Oscar(R) nominated screenwriter Taylor Sheridan ("Wind River," "Hell or High Water," "Sicario"), "Yellowstone" recently premiered to a record-setting audience of nearly 5 million viewers (Live+3 Days P2+) and is currently the second most-watched original ad-supported series year-to-date in all of cable behind only "The Walking Dead." "American Woman," starring Alicia Silverstone, Mena Suvari, and Jennifer Bartels also bowed to impressive ratings and now ranks as ad-supported cable's highest rated half-hour scripted series premiere in P/W18-49 and W25-54 since early January. Timed to the launch of the network in January, "Waco," starring Michael Shannon and Taylor Kitsch, premiered to the best ratings for an ad-supported cable drama debut in nearly six months. Additionally, Paramount Network recently announced a 10-episode order for "First Wives Club," premiering next year with Tracy Oliver ("Girls Trip") set to write and direct the series.

About Imagine Television:

Imagine Television was founded in 1986 by Brian Grazer and Ron Howard and is run by Imagine Television Group Chairman, Francie Calfo. The company's productions have been honored with 187 Emmy Nominations and 25 Golden Globe nominations. Current programming includes Fox's award winning series "Empire," Netflix's "Arrested Development," and NatGeo's "Genius," "Mars" and "Breakthrough" series. Earlier productions include Fox's Golden Globe and Emmy(R) award winning Best Drama Series "24"; NBC's Peabody Award winning series "Friday Night Lights"; Fox's Emmy(R) award winning Best Comedy "Arrested Development"; Fox's "Shots Fired"; Fox's "Lie To Me"; CBS's "Shark"; NBC's "Miss Match"; WB's "Felicity"; ABC's "SportsNight"; and HBO's "From the Earth to the Moon", which won the Emmy(R) for Outstanding Mini-Series. Ron Howard and Brian Grazer began their collaboration in 1985 with the hit film comedies "Night Shift" and "Splash", and continue to run Imagine Television as Executive Chairmen.

About CBS Television Studios:

CBS Television Studios is one of the industry's leading suppliers of programming for broadcast, basic and premium cable, and streaming platforms. The Studio's programming includes the phenomenally successful NCIS franchise; the critically acclaimed and Peabody Award-winning series American Vandal for Netflix, Madam Secretary, JANE THE VIRGIN and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend; the hit dramas SEAL Team, Blue Bloods, Hawaii Five 0, MacGyver, Bull, INSTINCT and Elementary; the popular comedy Man with a Plan; DYNASTY for the CW, as well as the summer series SALVATION and the action-adventure drama Blood and Treasure, which will make its debut in 2019.The Studio also produces the Daytime Emmy Award-winning talk show The Talk, as well as the Emmy Award-nominated late night series THE LATE SHOW WITH STEPHEN COLBERT and The Late Late Show with James Corden. For CBS All Access, the Studio produces the critically acclaimed Star Trek: Discovery, The Good Fight and the streaming service's first comedy series, No Activity. As CBS ALL ACCESS expands its slate of original series, the Studio will produce the highly anticipated Twilight Zone, $1 and Strange Angel. The Studio also produces series based on popular, viral segments from The Late Late Show with James Corden: Carpool Karaoke for Apple Music and DROP THE MIC for TBS; as well as Insatiable, Unbelievable and Dead to Me for Netflix. Additionally, the Studio produces the comedy anthology series THE GUEST BOOK for TBS; and OUR CARTOON PRESIDENT and Your Honor for Showtime. The Studio's new series for the 2018-2019 season are Magnum P.I., The Code, FBI, The Neighborhood, Happy Together and Fam for the CBS Television Network; and Charmed and In the Dark for The CW.

About Paramount Network:

Paramount Network is a premium entertainment destination that pushes the limits of story-telling with bold original scripted and non-scripted series. Inspired by over a century of cinema, Paramount Network is where today's brightest stars bring the experience of the big screen to every screen with stories that are immersive, inclusive, and deeply personal. For more information, visit www.ParamountNetwork.com.

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