TNT & TBS Partner with the Black List to Tap Talented Writers

TNT & TBS Partner with The Black List to Tap Talented Writers

Networks to Work with Online Community to Identify Potential Writers and Scripts For TBS Original Comedies and TNT Original Dramas

TNT and TBS are partnering with The Black List on an initiative to promote diversity in the industry by identifying talented writers to develop scripts and concepts for the networks. TNT and TBS are the first television networks to team up with the Black List following the sites expansion into episodic content. The networks will be looking for writers from diverse backgrounds for possible blind script deals and staffing consideration on TBS and TNT series, with the goal of signing script deals with particularly strong writers in the half-hour comedy and hour-long drama genres.

The Black List is an online community where video content creators find scripts to make and writers to write them and where writers find producers, studios and networks to make their scripts and employ them. Since its launch in October 2012, the Black List has hosted more than 10,000 screenplays and teleplays and has completed more than 13,000 script evaluations. More than 40 writers have found representation at major agencies and management companies, while more than 20 writers have sold their scripts as a direct result of introductions made via the site. At any given moment, more than 2,000 screenplays and teleplays are being actively hosted on the site for perusal by over 2,300 film industry professionals, ranging from agency assistants to studio chairs and network heads.

As part of its program with TNT and TBS, the Black List will solicit teleplays to be evaluated via the Black List website by its community of industry professionals and readers. The Black List will then provide TNT and TBS with a short list of five finalists in each genre. The finalists will be chosen based on criteria the networks provide and on the evaluations received. The networks will then have the option to offer blind script deals. The list of finalists may also be shared with TBS and TNTs current showrunners, who will have the option to offer staff positions.

As we continue to expand the original programming lineups for TNT and TBS, its important that we forge partnerships not only with established producers but also with fresh talent, said Michael Wright, president, head of programming for TBS, TNT and Turner Classic Movies (TCM). Were confident that through this initiative with the Black List, were going to find an abundance of exciting, highly creative work from a wide array of emerging writers.

In addition to TNT and TBS, the Black List iscurrently partnered with the Writers Guild of America, East; the Writers Guild America, West; the Sundance Institute; and Warner Bros Pictures.

About TNT

TNT is televisions destination for drama. Seen in 101 million households and ranking among cables top networks, TNT is home to such original drama series as Rizzoli & Isles, Major Crimes, Falling Skies, Perception, Dallas and Franklin & Bash, as well as the upcoming Legends, The Last Ship and Murder in the First. The network also features dramatic unscriptedoriginals like Cold Justice, Bostons Finest, Marshal Law: Texas, APB with Troy Dunn and the upcoming Private Lives of Nashville Wives, Save Our Business, Inside Job, On the Menu (working title), Wake Up Call (working title) and Life Flight. In addition, TNT is the cable home to populardramas like Hawaii Five-0, Castle, The Mentalist, Bones and Supernatural; primetime specials, such as the Screen Actors Guild Awards ; blockbustermovies; and championship sports coverage, including NASCAR, the NBA and the NCAA Division I Mens Basketball Championship.

TNT is part of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company. Turner Broadcasting creates and programs branded news; entertainment; animation and young adult; and sports media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.

About TBS

TBS is basic cables reigning champion among young adults in primetime. Available in 101 million households, TBS features original scripted comedies like Cougar Town, Ground Floor, Sullivan & Son and Men at Work, as well as American Dad!, which will become a TBS original series in late 2014. TBS also features original unscripted series like King of the Nerds, Deal With It and Trust Me, Im a Game Show Host, as well as the upcoming CeeLo Greens The Good Life. In late night TBS, is home to the Emmy -winning series CONAN, starring Conan O'Brien, and The Pete Holmes Show. The TBS lineup also includes popular contemporary comedies, such as The Big Bang Theory and Family Guy, along with blockbuster movies and championship sports.

TBS is part of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company. Turner Broadcasting creates and programs branded news; entertainment; animation and young adult; and sports media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.

Contact Info:

Erin Felentzer

(404) 885-0272

erin.felentzer@turner.com

LINK:	http://www.timewarner.com/newsroom/press-releases/2014/02/03/tnt-tbs-p...
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