ION TV Acquires TNT's 'Leverage'

Drama joins recent acquisitions 'Psych,' 'Monk,' 'House'

By Lindsay Rubino -- Broadcasting & Cable, 9/7/2011 11:12:18 AM

ION Television has acquired the off-network rights to all seasons of TNT's Leverage, to begin airing in summer 2012.

Leverage, produced by Devlin's Electric Entertainment, has averaged more than 4.8 million total viewers during this year's season.

The deal is a continuation of ION TV's planned programming expansion, which includes the acquisition of Psych, Monk and House in July. Leverage joins Without a Trace, Criminal Minds, Ghost Whisperer and ION's original drama Flashpoint on the network's  lineup.

"We're pleased to team up with Dean Devlin's Electric Entertainment, which has distinguished itself by providing high caliber theatrical production standards for TV audiences," says Brandon Burgess, CEO, ION Media Netowrks. "Collaborating with both Electric and Turner to support the longevity of a popular original drama, such as Leverage, furthers our strategic goal to be a viable partner for cable network productions."