WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., Aug. 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ION Media today announced a long-term content deal with NBCUniversal Television Distribution to bring the top-rated drama “Chicago P.D.” to its flagship network, ION Television. From Dick Wolf’s highly successful “Chicago” franchise, the series is a top-10 drama on broadcast television in A25-54 and A18-49 and is the #1 series in its time period (Wed/10p) in all key demos this season.ⁱ The agreement gives ION seasons 1-5 (106 episodes) of “Chicago P.D.,” which will make its network debut in early 2019, plus the option for future seasons.

ION Television will also add season 17 of “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” to its programming lineup this fall. The series continues to be a top performer with an average of 1.24 million viewers, making ION the #1 cable network on Saturdays.ⁱⁱ The agreement extends ION’s rights to “Law & Order,” “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” and “Law & Order: Criminal Intent.” Additionally, ION has acquired the rights to broadcast the “Law & Order” and “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” series on its D2 properties.

“ION is pleased to add another one of television’s most-watched shows to its stable,” said Brandon Burgess, Chairman and CEO of ION Media. “The addition of this compelling new series and renewal of an iconic TV franchise further demonstrates our commitment to building on our multi-network and multi-platform expansion strategy over the next five years, and is another success story in our longstanding relationship with NBCUniversal.”

“NBCUniversal is pleased to work with Wolf Entertainment to expand and extend our partnership with ION Media for ‘Chicago P.D.,’ one of television’s top-rated drama series,” stated Frances Manfredi, President, Television and New Media Distribution, U.S. and Canada, NBCUniversal.

“Chicago P.D.” is a riveting police drama about the men and women of the Chicago Police Department's elite Intelligence Unit, combatting the city's most heinous offenses - organized crime, drug trafficking, high-profile murders and beyond. Detective Sergeant Hank Voight (Jason Beghe) and his intelligence team have always considered rules to be guidelines more than actual laws. Now, it's a new day and age in Chicago. Police are under siege and under a microscope. The intelligence team will feel the pressure, and their form of justice will be questioned and challenged.

“Chicago P.D.” is produced by Wolf Entertainment in association with Universal Television. The cast includes Jon Seda, Sophia Bush, Jesse Lee Soffer, Patrick John Flueger, Marina Squerciati, Elias Koteas, LaRoyce Hawkins, Amy Morton, and Tracy Spiridakos.

“Chicago P.D.” was created by Dick Wolf and Matt Olmstead and developed by Derek Haas and Michael Brandt. In addition to Wolf, Haas and Brandt, executive producers include Rick Eid, who succeeded Olmstead as showrunner, Peter Jankowski, Arthur Forney and Terry Miller.

“Chicago P.D.” will join ION Television’s acclaimed library of hit series, including “NCIS: Los Angeles,” “Blue Bloods,” “Criminal Minds” and “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” plus, a robust catalog of scripted original programming, including the series “Private Eyes” and more than 30 made-for-TV holiday movies.

About ION Media
ION Media is an independent, privately held media company launched in 2007. ION Media’s flagship, ION Television, is the most widely distributed and watched independent broadcast network in the U.S., reaching 102 million homes with a popular lineup of TV series and movies, including original shows. ION Media also nationally broadcasts two digital networks: Qubo, dedicated to children, with content that entertains, educates and celebrates learning; and ION Life, dedicated to healthy, active lifestyles. ION is the nation’s largest operator of TV broadcast stations by national household reach, with 68 full power stations. For more information, visit www.ionmedia.com.

Contact:
Chris Addeo
ION Media
561.682.4210
chrisaddeo@ionmedia.com

ⁱ Source: Nielsen C3 Imp, 2017/18 season to date through 7/1/18
ⁱⁱ Source: Nielsen C3 Imp, 2017/18 season to date through 7/1/18, total day Saturday 6a-6a, ION and all cable networks, excluding news networks