CTD's 'The Test' Cleared in 56% of Country

Tribune, Sinclair to add show to conflict-talk blocks this fall

By Paige Albiniak -- Broadcasting & Cable, 1/9/2013 1:59:20 PM

CBS Television Distribution's The Test is sold to stations covering 56% of the country, including Tribune and Sinclair, for a fall 2013 premiere, said Joe DiSalvo, CTD's president of sales on Wednesday.

Tribune is a financial partner in the show, which is produced by Jay McGraw's Stage 29 Productions. Much like NBCUniversal's Maury and Jerry Springer, The Test is a one-hour conflict talk show that will use lie detector and DNA tests to settle relationship and paternity disputes between the show's guests. Stand-up comedian Kirk Fox is the show's host.

"We're excited to extend and expand our relationships with Jay McGraw and Tribune with this new endeavor," DiSalvo said. "The Test fills a growing niche in daytime television that the audience is really responding to. This strip is a great fit for stations looking to expand on their confrontational talk show blocks."

Tribune -- which also is partnering with CTD on this fall's late-night entry, Arsenio -- will air the show in 17 markets, including New York, Los Angeles and Chicago. On WPIX New York, it will air at 4 p.m., replacing Twentieth's Ricki. Sinclair has cleared the show on 29 of its stations.

The Test isn't the only show that will feature lots of DNA tests: MGM also has sold Paternity Court, starring lawyer Lauren Lake, for a fall 2013 debut.