• by David Goetzl , March 25, 2008

NBC Universal said it has sold the syndicated version of "Deal or No Deal" to stations in 95% of the country, in advance of its fall launch. The show will run a half-hour per episode, and will be hosted by Howie Mandel.

Station groups with outlets that will carry it include the NBC owned-and-operated stations, CBS, Sinclair, Fox and Hearst-Argyle, NBCU said.

In addition to Mandel as host, the syndicated version will include most of the same elements as the prime-time version.

The series, which is produced by Endemol, averages some 13 million viewers per telecast and is one of NBC's most stalwart performers, often used as a lead-in to new program launches.

It began as a one-week, five-night trial during the 2005 Christmas season.