MY FAMILY PROVES A HIT WITH VIEWERS IN 2003

Fifth series of popular sitcom goes into production

London 12 February 2004: Leading independent production and distribution company DLT Entertainment is celebrating an exceptional 2003 for its hit sitcom My Family. The company has capped an award-winning year with top viewing figures in the UK for the show. Currently in production on the fifth series, My Family was the top sitcom running throughout 2003. Based on ratings information from BARB, My Family ranked as the fifth most watched entertainment show of the year and achieved the twenty-third spot in the top 100 shows of 2003.

The fifth series of the popular programme will consist of 14 episodes plus a specially commissioned flash-back one-off which will start the show’s run. My Family will broadcast on BBC ONE from March 2004.

In a hugely successful 2003, DLT not only won accolades for My Family at the TV Quick Awards and the prestigious National Television Awards, but also cracked the competitive German market selling the format rights to the long-running programme to RTL and to Poland’s TVP.

Produced by DLT Entertainment UK in association with Rude Boy Productions for BBC ONE, My Family is created by Fred Barron, written by a team of writers and stars highly acclaimed actors Robert Lindsay and Zoë Wanamaker. The new episodes are written by an experienced team of writers, headed by James Hendrie and Ian Brown.

BBC ONE aired the fourth series of My Family last year and it continued to win major audiences throughout the run, further proving to be one of the broadcaster’s most successful sitcoms over the last seven years. My Family continually won its Friday night primetime slot with a 35% audience share.

The series has developed a dedicated viewership both in the UK and internationally, with sales concluded in Australia, Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Dubai, Eire, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Holland, Iceland, Israel, Kenya, Kuwait, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, South Africa and Sweden. DLT Entertainment has the worldwide format rights to the series and BBC Worldwide and DLT jointly handle finished programme sales.

My Family focuses on the life of Ben Harper, a moderately successful family man and dentist. He is also undergoing a mid-life crisis and trying to cope with the bizarre reality of raising his three, very different, teenage children.

Donald Taffner Jr, Vice President DLT Entertainment says: “We are delighted that 2003 has seen My Family win much deserved acclaim. It is a true mark of the show’s success to finish the year in a winning position and we have no doubt the fifth series will prove just as popular with audiences.” For further information please contact Danielle Kemble /  Andrew O’Driscoll at Premier Tel + 44 (0) 20 7292 5086, Fax +44 (0) 20 7734 2024 E Mail: danielle@premierpr.com

About DLT Entertainment
With offices in London, New York and Los Angeles, DLT Entertainment Ltd. is engaged in every aspect of television distribution and production around the world, as well as stage production in the US and in the UK.

Founded in 1963 as a distribution company by Don Taffner Senior, the company added television production to its portfolio in 1977. DLT Entertainment has enjoyed terrific success over the last forty plus years with legendary hits including the multiple award-winning sitcom My Family, As Time Goes By, Three’s Company, Too Close For Comfort and Meet My Folks. In addition DLT has built a reputation as a leading distribution company with classics such as The Benny Hill Show, The World at War, The Adventures of Teddy Ruxpin, Chicken Soup for the Soul, Cinema Europe: The Other Hollywood and The Russ Abbot Show.