Thursday, March 26, 2009
According to Jim Return Delayed To April 14; ION Television Upfront 2009
So why didn't ABC return Jim next week (March 31)? It wouldn't have made sense to launch it that week and then have to preempt it the following week, as ABC had already scheduled It's the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown for April 7. So instead, on March 31, we get encores of the first two episodes of the hilarious new sitcom Better Off Ted! So if you have missed those two episodes, you need to watch on that night!
Underscoring its commitment to build its primetime programming schedule, ION Television announced plans to develop and produce 12 original films a year, with the first film set to premiere in fourth quarter 2009. It was announced yesterday at ION Television's Upfront presentation.
ION Television plans to commission originally produced films and offer integrated marketing opportunities to advertisers who seek an alternative and expanded way to reach the consumer. Genres being explored include drama, romance, thriller, action and holiday -- all of which will be created to appeal to the broad based general entertainment audience that ION Television continues to attract. These films will complement the ION Television's growing library of blockbuster and critically acclaimed films from the major movie studios.
The announcement reinforces ION Television's strategy of expanding its programming mix through a strong combination of quality major network TV series, as well as signature originals produced specifically for ION Television. These films will join a line-up that includes the previously announced off network series Ghost Whisperer and Criminal Minds and the new original acquired series Durham County, The Guard and The Border. New programming will begin roll out on ION Television starting this fall. Ghost Whisperer, Criminal Minds, and Durham County are expected to launch first and air back-to-back-to-back.
ION Television has garnered major increases in primetime viewership among adults 25-54 since the launch of its re-branding campaign last fall. The dramatic growth in ratings includes a 30% increase among adults 25-54 in primetime (2008-09 season to date vs. 2007-08 season to date). Primetime household viewership for the same period was up 16%.
ION Television will also remove up to two more hours a day of paid programming on weekdays. We will have more on that and ION's Fall 2009 schedule soon. Keep checking back. Wonder if ION will start at 2pm now on weekdays or end two hours later after 12am since two hours of Paid will be removed? Currently on weekdays, the network programs from 4pm-11pm. 2pm-11pm or 4pm-1am sounds good!
As for tonight, tune in for the series premiere of comedy In the Motherhood and the return of Samantha Who? all starting tonight at 8/7 central on ABC!
Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows
Saturday, March 15
none scheduled
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of March 10)
Friday, March 14
- Ben Stiller (Arrested Development) - Watch Ben on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Regina Hall (Black Monday/Grandfathered/Married/Second Generation Wayans) - Regina is a guest on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Tom Hanks (Bosom Buddies) - Tom appears on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
- Drew Tarver (Running Point/Bless the Harts/The Other Two), Melanie Lynskey (Two and a Half Men/Togetherness), Mary Holland (The Big Door Prize/Hoops/Robbie/Blunt Talk), and Morris Chestnut (Out All Night) - Drew, Melanie, Mary, and Morris are guests on a repeat of After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
- Randall Park (Young Rock/Blockbuster/Fresh Off the Boat/Veep/Supah Ninjas) - Randall talks about The Residence on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
- Scott Foley (The Goodwin Games/A.U.S.A./Scrubs) - Scott talks about Will Trent on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am.
- Ben Falcone (God's Favorite Idiot/Nobodies/Joey) - Ben chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
- Cristo Fernández (Ted Lasso) - Cristo talks about the film Las Tres Sisters on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
New on DVD and Blu-ray
11/05 - I Love Lucy - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
11/12 - The King of Queens - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (2024 Release)
11/19 - SpongeBob SquarePants - The Complete Fourteenth Season
11/26 - Looney Tunes Collector's Choice - Volume 4 (Blu-ray)
12/03 - Angel (1960-1961) - The Complete Series, Volume 1
12/17 - Seinfeld - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (4K UHD)
01/28 - Wait Till Your Father Gets Home - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
02/04 - Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray)
02/04 - The Wayans Bros. - The Complete Series
03/11 - Frasier (2023) - Season Two
04/01 - Abbott Elementary - The Complete Third Season
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