i Network Renamed ION Television; ABC Swaps 'Knights' & 'Jim' on Wednesdays

Friday, January 26, 2007

i Network Renamed ION Television; ABC Swaps 'Knights' & 'Jim' on Wednesdays

i Network, which airs classic series such as Mama's Family and Growing Pains, will now be known as ION Television effective this Monday (Jan. 29), to be consistent with the company's corporate brand identity (ION Media). This move reflects the energy and vision behind the network's plans to expand its programming and viewership.
The network's new contemporary look and logo will be prominently featured on-air through a consumer-oriented promotional campaign over the next few months. Tagged "ION Television: Television in Motion," the on-air campaign will kick off with a series of promotions and image spots, as well a new on-screen network bug logo. The viewer campaign will launch on Monday, January 29th with "What's Your ION?," a web-based promotion that invites viewers to submit creative photos of themselves donning the new ION logo to be featured on the network's website, www.ionline.tv, and also on-air.
ION has seen significant gains in its primetime ratings this season, due in large part to its strategy to introduce popular movies and classic TV favorites through multiple content deals with its current partners, including Warner Bros., Sony, CBS Television and NBC Universal. View the full press release here.

I think this is a big step in expanding the hours to more than just 6-11pm. I think we will be seeing the hours expand very soon (clearly says it is expanding in the press release), maybe in the coming months. Let's hope we see shows like Perfect Strangers, Silver Spoons, Wonder Years, Diff'rent Strokes, and some other favorites not being aired currently, very soon!
We will of course keep you posted on anything ION Television (aka: i Network, aka PAX Television).

In order to strengthen the flow of the ABC Wednesday night line-up, effective this Wednesday (January 31), The Knights of Prosperity will move to 8:30 PM ET/PT and According to Jim will move to 9:00 PM ET/PT until further notice. George Lopez will remain at 8:00PM and In Case of Emergency at 9:30PM.
Also, for those of you who missed the second episode of The Knights of Prosperity that aired on January 10 due to President Bush's speech messing up the timing, ABC will re-air this episode this Tuesday (Jan. 30) at 9:30 PM, after the finale of Big Day.
On the first Wednesday of February Sweep (Feb. 7), According to Jim & In Case of Emergency will be pre-empted during the 9:00PM hour for a Lost Survivor Guide clip show hosted by the producers, which will lead into the return of Lost at 10:00PM! Can't wait!

Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Wednesday, January 21

Shifting Gears - "Toys" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Riley’s new relationship feels perfect until Matt crashes in, throwing some unexpected obstacles her way. Meanwhile, Matt’s toy car project is derailed when he and Gabe are tasked with working together. Jesse Williams and Maria Bamford guest star.

Abbott Elementary - "Mall Part 3: Heroes" (ABC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
After the faculty finds surprising success operating the school in the mall, they quickly realize they are being taken advantage of. Meanwhile, a new custodian arrives to join Mr. Johnson.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of January 19)

Wednesday, January 21

Martin Short (Only Murders in the Building/Mulaney/I'm a Big Girl Now/The Associates) - Watch Martin on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Jackson White (Mrs. Fletcher) - Jackson appears on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Jane Fonda (Grace and Frankie) - Jane is a guest on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
Jessica Williams (Shrinking/Love Life/Just for Kicks) - Jessica stops by The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS. She also chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
Bert Kreischer (Free Bert) - Bert appears on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Kenan Thompson (Kenan/Kenan & Kel) - Kenan appears on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC. He also chats about Unfunny Bunny and Saturday Night Live with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
Simu Liu (Kim's Convenience) - Simu is a guest on Comedy Central's The Daily Show at 11pm.
Kenan Thompson (Kenan/Kenan & Kel) - Kenan share details of his new children’s book, Unfunny Bunny, and more on Tamron Hall, so check your local listings.
Scott Foley (The Goodwin Games/A.U.S.A./Scrubs) - Scott talks about Will Trent and It's Not Like That on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am and on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
Sarah Jessica Parker (And Just Like That.../Divorce/Sex and the City/Square Pegs) - Sarah discusses her love of reading and protecting her vision with Lara Spencer on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am.
Jennette McCurdy (Sam & Cat/iCarly) - Jennette talks about Half Her Age on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
Arden Myrin (Free Bert/Working/Still the King) - Arden dishes about her new Netflix series Free Bert on Sherri, so check your local listings.
Jason Biggs (Outmatched/Mad Love/Drexell's Class) and Meaghan Rath (Children Ruin Everything/Cooper Barrett's Guide to Surviving Life/The Assistants) - Jason and Meagahn talk about their film Untitled Home Invasion Romance on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
Kim Fields (The Upshaws/Living Single/The Facts of Life/Baby, I'm Back) - Kim talks about Netflix's The Upshaws on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.