Longoria inks deal with Universal

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UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif., Oct. 25 (UPI) -- America's Universal Television says it has signed a first-look development deal with actress Eva Longoria.

The pact with the "Ready for Love" and "Desperate Housewives" star was announced jointly Thursday by Paul Telegdy, president of alternative and late night programming for NBC Entertainment, and Jennifer Salke, president of NBC Entertainment.

"Having Eva Longoria on our team is a huge advantage for our alternative program development as we have pleasantly discovered in implementing her ideas for 'Ready for Love,' which is shaping up as a terrific and upbeat series," Telegdy said in a statement. "She is passionate, fully engaged and has keen instincts for putting together a winning formula for her shows that always bear her imprint."

"We know that this new agreement with Eva Longoria is significant in continuing what has already been a productive relationship," said Salke. "She has exceptional energy, vision, a prestigious name and the creative knack for finding compelling new concepts for our growing studio."

"I am thrilled and excited to join Universal Television on what promises to be a wonderful and creative partnership, especially given all of the recent success at both the studio and the NBC network," said Longoria. "The collaboration between UTV and my production company, UnbeliEVAble Entertainment, on our 'Ready for Love' project has been extraordinary. Looking ahead it will be fun to find and develop unique scripted and non-scripted shows that excite television audiences."