MUMBAI: Come Fall 2005, and Tribune Entertainment's South Park, the much appreciated US sitcom will premiere in broadcast syndication as a weekday strip.

The company has announced that the currently off-cable sitcom strip has been cleared for syndication in 85 per cent of the US including 48 of the top 50 markets. The sitcom from Comedy Central South Park will be carried on stations from the Viacom, Tribune, Weigel, Belo, Scripps-Howard, Cox, Clear Channel, Raycom, Sinclair and Meredith broadcast groups. Stations clearing the program in the top five markets include WPIX/New York, KCAL/Los Angeles, WCIU/Chicago, WPSG/Philadelphia and KBHK/San Francisco. The show is being offered on a cash plus 90-second barter basis.

Tribune Entertainment EVP Domestic & Cable Sales Steve Mulderrig states, "We're thrilled with the enthusiastic response from stations toward 'South Park.' The local DMA Market numbers are so competitive that stations immediately see the value in adding this smart and edgy show to their sitcom lineups."

Tribune Entertainment is distributing South Park under an exclusive deal with Debmar Studios and Mercury Entertainment. The Mort Marcus, president of Debmar Studios, acquired the domestic syndication rights from Comedy Central and together with Ira Bernstein of Mercury Entertainment, cleared over 50 per cent of the country. Tribune Entertainment will also oversee barter ad sales under the agreement.

South Park created by Matt Stone and Trey Parker, has aired on Comedy Central for seven seasons. Tribune Entertainment, the Los Angeles-based entertainment division of Tribune Company Entertainment has entered into a variety of distribution, production, and ad sales relationships with such major partners as DreamWorks SKG, FremantleMedia North America, Hearst Entertainment, New Line Television, and Universal Domestic Television.