Eye web inks royal deal with Ardent

By ELIZABETH GUIDER

NEW ORLEANS -- CBS Enterprises cinched a prince of a deal on the NATPE floor. It will distribute globally a series of TV specials to be produced by Ardent Prods., the British-based indie production company co-founded by Prince Edward.

The prince, who prefers to be known as Edward Windsor within the TV industry, will host the series.

Windsor made the announcement at NATPE Tuesday along with CBS Enterprises prexy Ed Wilson and Robb Dalton, senior VP, business & program development, Eyemark Entertainment.

"We were very impressed with the quality of the eight programs produced to date by Ardent and broadcast internationally, especially 'Edward on Edward,' which Edward Windsor also hosted," Dalton said.

Windsor said this alliance offers his company a significant opportunity in the worldwide TV marketplace. "This agreement is a landmark in the development of Ardent as a truly international production company. We are genu-inely excited about the prospects for making more high-quality programming and the enthusiasm CBS and Eye-mark have shown for our product."

CBS Enterprises distributes programming to all TV venues worldwide through its associated units. Eyemark Entertainment is responsible for domestic syndication sales. The William Morris Agency brokered the deal.