Multi-year deal with Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution brings the family classics to INSP starting Monday, October 18th.

Series supports network’s “It’s a New Day!” rebrand.

Indian Land, SC – The Inspiration Networks today announced an agreement with Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution that brings the family television classics “The Waltons” and “Our House” to INSP. Beginning Monday, October 18th, the network will strip “The Waltons” Monday-Friday at 1pm and 8pm EST and “Our House” Monday-Friday at 7pm and 1am EST. The program additions are part of INSP’s “It’s a New Day!” rebrand, which targets socially-conservative Baby Boomers with values-based entertainment programming.

“It’s difficult to think of timeless, family-friendly television programs without ‘The Waltons’ and ‘Our House’ coming to mind,” said Doug Butts, SVP, Programming for The Inspiration Networks. “We’re excited to announce this agreement with Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution. These are two wonderfully produced, safe, values-based series that provide wholesome entertainment our viewers will enjoy.”

“‘The Waltons’ and ‘Our House’ are classic series, which speak to audiences today much as they did in their original network runs,” said Ken Werner, President, Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution. “One of the exciting aspects of our business is that there is no longer a distribution bottleneck restricting the availability of programming. This has allowed for the emergence of new outlets that can program to the distinctive tastes of the American TV audience.  INSP is a wonderful example of this trend and we are thrilled that some of our classic programs have a great home.”

“The Waltons” follows one family’s life as they run a lumber mill during the Great Depression in rural Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. Created and narrated by author Earl Hamner, Jr., the program is a reflection of Hamner’s own upbringing during the same era, with his experiences re-told to the viewer through the eyes of aspiring writer John Boy Walton (portrayed by Richard Thomas). The close-knit family includes father John Walton (Ralph Waite) and his wife Olivia (Michael Learned), and their children John Boy, Mary Ellen, Jim-Bob, Elizabeth, Jason, Erin, and Ben. Grandparents Zeb (Will Geer) and Esther (Ellen Corby) serve as the elders of this large and loving family, who together face the challenges of 1930s United States while living on Walton’s Mountain. The series earned a total of 13 Emmy® Awards during its original run.

The family drama “Our House” stars Wilford Brimley as Gus Witherspoon, a retired widower who allows his daughter-in-law Jessica (portrayed by Deidre Hall), her children, and their Basset Hound to move in with him following his son’s (her husband’s) death. Gus becomes a new father figure to Jessica’s children, Kris (Shannen Doherty), David (Chad Allen), and Molly (Keri Houlihan). Each show features a moral lesson for the family to learn each week.

“These programs highlight the importance of love in a family and the sacrifices often made to overcome life’s daily struggles,” said Butts. “These family dynamics are still relevant today.”

The Inspiration Networks recently announced a major rebrand for INSP based on extensive research into trends and market conditions which showed that millions of Americans are yearning for the familiar and comfortable and desire television that reinforces their values. The new INSP lineup is tailored to the viewing habits of a cross-section of socially-conservative Baby Boomers with a combination of original and acquired high-quality content that spans the drama, comedy and documentary genres, along with interstitials, award-winning specials, family-friendly films, and top-tier music and teaching programs that viewers have come to expect from INSP.

Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution is one of the leading suppliers of entertainment programming to the domestic television marketplace, distributing first-run syndicated series, off-network television programs and theatrical motion pictures to local broadcast television stations, as well as to pay, cable, satellite, and broadcast networks throughout the U.S. For more information about Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution and its programming visit www.wbdtd.com.

INSP is available in more than 60 million homes across the US on more than 2,800 cable systems and on DIRECTV channel 364 and DISH Network channel 259. Viewers can check their local program guides for channel line-up information or visit www.insp.com.

RELEASE:
September 29, 2010

CONTACT:
Melissa Prince
mprince@insp.com