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Nick at Nite Acquires Everybody Hates Chris for Fall 2009; The CW Announces Early Pick-Ups for 2008-09 Season, Includes Chris

The award-winning family comedy series, Everybody Hates Chris from co-creator and narrator Chris Rock, will join the Nick at Nite line-up in fall 2009.
Beginning September 2009, Nick At Nite will become the exclusive basic cable home to the half-hour series which stars Tyler James Williams (Unaccompanied Minors) as Chris, Terry Crews (The Longest Yard) as Julius, Tichina Arnold (Martin) as Rochelle, Tequan Richmond (Ray) as Drew, Imani Hakim as Tonya and Vincent Martella (Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo) as Greg.
The deal with CBS Television Distribution includes a four-year license period for a minimum of four seasons (80 episodes)...the series was renewed today for a fourth season coming this fall. The hit series is currently already in production on season four, which is included as part of the overall deal.
The series features guest stars including Jimmie Walker (Good Times), Todd Bridges (Diff'rent Strokes), Ernest Thomas (What's Happening!!), Loretta Devine, Wayne Brady, Orlando Jones, Richard Lewis, Vincent Pastore, Robert Wuhl, Phylicia Rashad (The Cosby Show) and Tommy Davidson.
The series is also cleared in off-network broadcast syndication for fall 2009, with 52% of the country covered thus far and deals signed with stations from the Fox, CBS, Cox Television and Weigel Broadcasting station groups. Chris will air on Fox-owned stations in New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, Washington and Houston. The CBS-owned stations pacting for the show are in Philadelphia, Detroit, Atlanta and Miami. Weigel Broadcasting's WCIU has snagged Chris for Chicago, while indie KAZT has bought the show in Phoenix.
Other upcoming series on Nick at Nite include Family Matters (June 2008), Friends (Fall 2011) and possibly The Nanny in 2009, or that could be TV Land now.
Discuss the Chris news here.

The CW announced early pickups of six series today, including the network's signature reality hit, America's Next Top Model, four dramas and one comedy. All six series will return for the fall season.
The network's most popular series, America's Next Top Model will return with mega-star Tyra Banks for cycles 11 and 12. Returning dramas include the buzz-worthy freshman hit Gossip Girl and One Tree Hill, returning for a sixth season. These three series are the top-ranked shows on television with a concentration of women 18-34 viewers.
Also renewed were the long-running Thursday night team of Smallville, which will begin its eighth season, and Supernatural, which will begin its fourth season. In addition, the critically acclaimed comedy Everybody Hates Chris will return for season four.