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
Tuesday, April 30
Lopez vs Lopez - "Lopez vs Confessions" (NBC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
George thinks Rosie's fiancé might be hiding an unholy secret, so he goes undercover to get him to confess and expose the truth; with wedding bells in the air, Chance puts pressure on Mayan and Quinten about why they're not married.
Lopez vs Lopez - "Lopez vs George" (NBC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Secrets rain down on the Lopez clan like candy from an exploding piñata when Mayan invites her therapist, Dr. Glenda Brenda, to mediate some family drama at Rosie's engagement party.
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of April 29)
Tuesday, April 30
- Jerry Seinfeld (Seinfeld) - Catch Jerry on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Todd Barry (Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist) - Todd is a guest on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
- Hannah Einbinder (Hacks) - Hannah appears on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
- Joe Manganiello (How I Met Your Mother) - Joe stops by Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
- Paul F. Tompkins (The Great North/BoJack Horseman/DAG) - Paul is a guest on a repeat of After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
- Jesse Tyler Ferguson (Modern Family/The Class) and Renée Elise Goldsberry (Girls5eva) - Jesse and Renée announce the 77th Annual Tony Awards nominations on CBS Mornings some time between 7-9am.
- Casey Wilson (The Righteous Gemstones/Black Monday/The Hotwives/Marry Me/Happy Endings) - NBC's Today catches up with Casey in the 10am hour.
- John Leguizamo (The Brothers Garcia) - John chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
- Tisha Campbell (Act Your Age/Uncoupled/Outmatched/Dr. Ken/Rita Rocks/My Wife and Kids/Martin) - Tisha talks about NBC's Lopez vs Lopez on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
- Kadeem Hardison (K.C. Undercover/Abby/Between Brothers/A Different World) - Kadeem will be on PIX11 Morning News on WPIX in New York at 9:40am.
New on DVD/Blu-ray
12/05 - Father Knows Best - The Complete Series
12/05 - The Odd Couple - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
12/12 - The Dick Van Dyke Show - The Complete Series
12/12 - Looney Tunes Collector's Choice - Volume 2 (Blu-ray)
12/12 - That Girl - The Complete Series
12/15 - Letterkenny - Season 11
12/19 - The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet - The Official Restored Complete Series
12/22 - Three's Company - The Official 40th Anniversary Collection (includes The Ropers and Three's a Crowd)
01/09 - South Park - Seasons 11-15 (Blu-ray)
01/16 - Ghosts (UK) - Season Five
02/13 - Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
02/27 - The Really Loud House - Season One
03/12 - Ghosts (UK) - The Complete Series
03/12 - Looney Tunes Collector's Choice - Volume 3 (Blu-ray)
03/12 - Rick and Morty - Season 7 (Blu-ray Steelbook) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
04/03 - Too Close for Comfort - The Complete Series (VEI)
04/08 - Check It Out! - The Complete Series (VEI)
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