Posted: Tue., Sep. 8, 2009, 4:04pm PT

TV Guide Network picks up 'Punk'd'

One-year deal includes 100 half-hour episodes

By Stuart Levine

TV Guide Network has picked up the exclusive cable rights to Ashton Kutcher's "Punk'd."

One-year deal includes 100 half-hour episodes. TV Guide will air them as an hourlong strip with back-to-back episodes.

Cabler began airing "Punk'd" as a strip on July 20, and the reality skein increased ratings in the 18-49 demo 63% compared to the second quarter. The network will begin its exclusive window late this month in the same 9 p.m. timeslot the show airs now.

In July, net picked up offnet rights to ABC's "Ugly Betty." Each episode will run two weeks after the original airing on the Alphabet.