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, October 30

Abbott Elementary - "Costume Contest" (ABC, 9:30PM ET/PT)
It’s Halloween at Abbott Elementary! Janine and Gregory proudly show off their couple’s costume, but it fails to translate. Meanwhile, Barbara faces pushback from parents concerned about hygiene and her beloved apple-bobbing tradition.

Wizards Beyond Waverly Place - "Saved by the Spell" (Disney Channel, 8:00PM ET/PT)
On her first day of school, Billie uses magic to impress Roman's best friend; when a jealous Roman steals Billie's wand, he falls into the grasp of a wizard-hunting phantomus.

Wizards Beyond Waverly Place - "Something Wizard This Way Comes" (Disney Channel, 8:30PM ET/PT)
On Halloween, Billie tells Roman about Pumpkin Belly, a ghoul who eats anyone whose house isn't spookily decorated; Justin, Milo and Giada defend the home from pranksters.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of October 28)

Wednesday, October 30

Sheryl Lee Ralph (Abbott Elementary/Fam/Instant Mom/Moesha/It's a Living) - Watch Sheryl on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Salma Hayek Pinault (The Sinbad Show) - Salma appears on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
Kieran Culkin (Solar Opposites/Go Fish) - Kieran is a guest on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
Tom Hanks (Bosom Buddies) - Tom stops by Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Emily Osment (Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage/Young Sheldon/Young & Hungry/Hannah Montana), Tien Tran (How I Met Your Father) and Vinny Thomas (Platonic) - Emily, Tien and Vinny are guests on After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
Ronny Chieng (Young Rock/Ronny Chieng: International Student) - Ronny hosts Comedy Central's The Daily Show at 11pm.
Adam Pally (Mr. Throwback/Indebted/Making History/The Mindy Project/Happy Endings) - Adam appears on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen at 3:30am on Bravo.
Keri Russell (Running Wilde/Daddy's Girls) - Keri talks about The Diplomat on ABC's Good Morning America some time between 7-9am and on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
Matty Matheson (The Bear) - Matty talks about improvising scenes on the hit show The Bear and how he started his career in restaurants on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Anna Kendrick (Love Life) - Anna is chatting with Drew about directing her first film Woman of the Hour, the crazy serial killer case the movie is based on, finding boundaries in her life, turning 40 and more on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Mayan Lopez (Lopez vs Lopez) - Mayan discusses her sitcom Lopez vs Lopez on The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
Blair Underwood (Fatherhood/The New Adventures of Old Christine) - Blair is a guest on PIX11 Morning News on WPIX in New York at 9:30am.
Marissa Jaret Winokur (What We Do in the Shadows/Retired at 35/Stacked) - Marissa appears on New York Living on WPIX in New York at 10:05am.
Melissa Peterman (Happy's Place/Young Sheldon/Baby Daddy/Working Class/Reba) - Melissa talks about NBC's Happy's Place on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.