It's official: Arsenio Hall is returning to television, partnering with CBS Television Distribution for a late-night talk show.
The project will see the former host of "The Arsenio Hall Show" reteam with CBSTVD, whose previous incarnation, Paramount Domestic Television, oversaw his syndicated late-night talker that ran from 1989-94.
"We're excited to welcome Arsenio back to the family and partnering on his new, late-night syndicated talk show,” CBSTVD president John Nogawski said in announcing the news Monday. "Arsenio had a substantial following with his previous late-night show, and that same 18-34 audience is now right in the middle of the late-night core audience of 35-54. Years ago, he transcended time periods and attracted a crossover audience while bringing a fresh perspective to late night. That same need in the market exists today as when we originally launched. We are looking forward to the same success with Arsenio's seasoned expertise and appeal in this genre.”
Hall's new Monday-Friday entry will bow in fall 2013, with CBSTVD partnering with Tribune broadcasting stations for the show, which already has been sold in the top 10 markets and 17 of the top 20 -- covering 52 percent of the country. With Tribune aboard, the strip will launch on 17 stations including WIPX New York and KTLA Los Angeles at 11 p.m. and WGN Chicago at 10 p.m.
More from THR: Arsenio Hall in early talks for syndicated talk show
In May, Hall defeated former "American Idol" contestant Clay Aiken to be crowned the fifth-cycle winner of NBC's Donald Trump-hosted "Celebrity Apprentice" and has been vocal with his desire to return to the talk-show circuit.
Recent speculation indicated that Hall would return to the small screen as the host of a syndicated daytime talk show.
"It's an amazing feeling to be going home to my old friends and colleagues and firing up our 'Night Thing,’ " Hall said. “Let's get busy ... again!”
The as-yet-untitled taker has been cleared in markets including Boston, San Francisco, Atlanta, Detroit, Tampa, Pittsburgh, Denver, Cleveland, St. Louis, Milwaukee, Kansas City, Mo., Greensboro, N.C., and Norfolk, Va.
“As Tribune evolves, we will continue to add first-run, original programming," Tribune Broadcasting president of programming and entertainment Sean Compton said. "Arsenio will be exclusive to broadcast and is a natural fit for our stations’ Monday-Friday late-night time period."
The show will be produced by CBSTVD in association with Arsenio Hall Communications and Octagon Entertainment Productions. Hall will executive produce alongside his manager, John Ferriter. The entry joins CBSTVD fare including such daytime entries as "Judge Judy," "Dr. Phil," "Judge Joe Brown" and "The Jeff Probst Show."
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