ION Media Networks Announces Programming Agreement for Extensive Line-up of Theatricals and Television Series from Warner Bros. Domestic Cable Distribution

“Superman III” To Kick Off Schedule Saturday, July 1st

(West Palm Beach, FL – June 27, 2006) – ION Media Networks, Inc. (AMEX: ION) and Warner Bros. Domestic Cable Distribution announced today a comprehensive programming deal, providing ION with the rights to broadcast popular movies and classic television series from Warner Bros.’ extensive library on its flagship i television network, reaching over 90 million homes.

“We are very pleased about this important programming alliance,” said Brandon Burgess, CEO of ION Media Networks. “Given its depth as a content supplier, Warner Bros. is a natural fit for our network, as our current viewers look to us for classic, family-oriented TV fare. We hope to expand this relationship over time, tapping into Warner Bros.’ diverse library to broaden our network’s content appeal and demographic positioning.”

Under the deal, ION has acquired the broadcast rights to a number of Warner Bros.’ most popular television series and movies. Series include classic shows such as “Welcome Back, Kotter,” “Chico and the Man,” “Scarecrow & Mrs. King,” “Mama’s Family,” “Alice” and “Wonder Woman,” and more recent hits including “The Wonder Years,” “Growing Pains,” “Perfect Strangers” and “The Wayans Bros,” among others.

The vast selection of movie titles available to ION includes Academy Award winners for Best Picture “Amadeus” and “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” and other hits, such as ”All the President’s Men,” "Police Academy 2", "Giant," "Oh God," "Rio Bravo," “Dead Ringers,” “Dog Day Afternoon,” “Rebel Without a Cause,” “2001: A Space Odyssey,” “Superman,” “Network,” “Shaft,” “Victor/Victoria,” “Empire of the Sun” and “Beetlejuice.”

The stable of talent represented in the deal is truly stellar, and includes Johnny Depp, Robin Williams, Tom Hanks, Clint Eastwood, Nicole Kidman, Al Pacino, James Dean, Paul Newman, John Wayne, Harrison Ford, Jack Nicholson, Marlon Brando, Mel Gibson, Dustin Hoffman, Denzel Washington, Elijah Wood, Whoopi Goldberg, Charlton Heston, Meryl Streep, Steve Martin and of course, Bugs Bunny. Directors include master filmmakers such as Alfred Hitchcock, Oliver Stone, Sergio Leone, Blake Edwards, Steven Spielberg, Tim Burton and George Lucas.

“We're delighted to be in business with the new i network and are confident that they will reap the proven audience-building benefits of popular features and TV series to drive ratings, attract sponsors and build the network's brand," said Eric Frankel, President of Warner Bros. Domestic Cable Distribution. “With our robust library of titles and ION’s large network of TV stations, this is clearly a win-win situation for everyone involved.”

Targeting its portfolio of content toward the i network’s current family-oriented television audiences, ION will kick off its Warner Bros. movie schedule with “Superman III” on Saturday, July 1st, coinciding with the weekend’s motion picture release of “Superman Returns.”

ION will begin scheduling the Warner Bros. television product in August on i.

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Stay tuned for further details, such as launch date and timeslots.

I am glad because now I don't have to worry about getting every epidsode taped before Aug. 31st

I am glad that Mama's Family is going to be on The I Network Because when it was on TBS it aired at 5:00 am and 5:30 am Central Time

This is awesome news for all Mama's Family fans!!! :)

That's great news! Now I'm glad DirecTV did not drop it like they were planning on doing last March. :cool:

I agree, LOL. I was all for DirecTV dropping it, but now I'm REALLY glad they didn't.

I agree, LOL. I was all for DirecTV dropping it, but now I'm REALLY glad they didn't.

Me, too! I was ticked a few months back when I found out they were not dropping it, because I wanted them to yank it & add something good in it's place. Now I'm glad they kept it & I'm even more glad that they will have good shows worth watching on it. :cool:

I am hoping that The I Network Put's Mama's Family on The Prime Time Schedule

Anyone know when the new schedule goes into effect? I looked ahead online to August 1st, & it still shows paid programming.

i talked to the guy today that is over the programming department at
"I" television (PAX TV), and he said they would have a schedule out later this week. so hopefully mama's family will be chosen. everyone keep their fingers crossed

Just keep an eye out on the General Sitcoms Questions and Discussions (http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/forumdisplay.php?f=27) board -- first board you see at the top of the main page when you come here to Sitcoms Online -- for the schedule. One of the admins, pavanbadal (the same person that started this thread), will post the i schedule when he finds out. :)

i am related to seth, who is over the department of i tv programming, i didnt say i was going to post a schedule, all i said was that i called him, and he told me when the schedule would be out.

As reported by Pav on another Thread:

The changes will start happening Aug. 14. A schedule will be released later this week to us.

I am told that the real stuff will start in the fall and a few shows will start on Aug. 14.

Please check the blog for further updates.

Mama's Family starts August 14!
8-9pm weekdays! Mama is back in primetime!
http://www.sitcomsonline.com/blog/2006/07/i-networks-new-line-up-nicknite.html

I know I will be watching Mama's Family from 7:00 pm until 8:00 pm On I Network starting Monday, Augusdt 14, 2006

That's 7 to 8pm Central, right?


AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH


Okay, got that out of my system.

MAMA'S FAMILY WILL BE ON AT A DECENT HOUR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YIPPEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :banana: party: :yippee: :clap :rock: :guitar: This is a great birthday present too, I turn 21 on the 16th :D

Mama's Family starts August 14!
8-9pm weekdays! Mama is back in primetime!
http://www.sitcomsonline.com/blog/2006/07/i-networks-new-line-up-nicknite.html


That's great news for me, since I have nothing at all to watch on TV anymore, except for two current shows.

8-9pm ET/PT, 7-8pm CT/MT.

I have been waiting a Long Time for Mama's Family to Return to Broadcast Televison.

Mama's Family starts August 14!
8-9pm weekdays! Mama is back in primetime!
http://www.sitcomsonline.com/blog/2006/07/i-networks-new-line-up-nicknite.html

That's great news! Thanks for letting us know. :cool:

I can only hope that Alice returns to prime time as well.

How Long has it been since Mama's Family been in Prime Time.

How Long has it been since Mama's Family been in Prime Time.

Back in the late 90s, TBS had it on at 6 (or 7????) I remember it was around that time.

At one time it came on at 4:00 (eastern) because I would always get so pissed off if the bus was late bringing me home from school beacuse I would miss part of it. LOL!

I was just wondering why is Mama's Family airing Monday throught Thursday Night from 7:00 pm until 8:00 pm on I Network

from I online tv schedule they going to show a Mama Family Marathon on Saturday August 12 at 8pm-11pm eastern

http://www.ionline.tv/schedule/

sorry for the typo.

^ yep, but it's Saturday, August 12th.

that is Awsome News that I Network is going to have a Mama's Family Marathron

"I" (aka:Pax) will welcome Mama and the gang in a three hour 9 episode "Mamathon" (that's not what they are calling it) Saturday, August 12 at 8:00PM......fans enjoy!

YAY! Ahh, the start of something great... :D Wouldn't it be cool if we were watching it, and there was just something weird in that episode that we've seen a million times...? (AKA, TBS Edit..) I hope there are things like that, even though I probably edits too.. At any rate, that's awesome

Hopefully you don't mind me merging this thread with the current one I have stickied regarding MF being on the "i" channel. :)

This post, including the last two above me were originally part of another thread. The threads have been successfully merged.

Mama's Family marathon on 8/12 and Green Acres marathon on 8/26:
http://www.sitcomsonline.com/blog/2006/07/mamas-family-launch-marathon-on-i-wgn.html

I just thought this was pretty cool, so thought I'd share!

http://www.ionline.tv/shows/mamasfamily/

It's official!

Mamathon on 8/12 Episodes:
http://img1.adjuggler.com/banners/Client179991/1154448299442_skyad_mamasmarathon.jpg
http://img1.adjuggler.com/banners/Client179991/1154444776088_skyad_mamasfamily.jpg

8:00PM #3 "The Wedding Part 1"
The Harper family gets together for Vinton and Naomi's wedding, but things don't go as planned when family members start arguing.
8:30PM #4 "The Wedding, Part 2"
As the wedding takes place, Thelma and Fran adjust to the fact that they now have one more addition to the house.
9:00PM #7 "Mama Gets a Job"
After Mama complains she hasn't done anything with her life, Naomi suggests she get a job. But when she takes a position as a secretary in the Traveling Agency Company, can she keep her cool withe customers?
9:30PM #43 "An Ill Wind"
A tornado threatens the Harpers on Thanksgiving day.
10:00PM #89 "The Really Loud Family"
Bubba films the Harpers for a school project.
10:30PM #103 "April Fools"
The family and Iola play April Fools jokes on Mama, but when she's not amused, she tries to get even.

I know I will be watchingg all The Episodes of Mama's Family
on Saturday, August 12, 2006 from 7:00 pm until 10:00 pm

ditto

Check out some of the crap my i network affiliate airs. http://www.ionline.tv/stations/default.cfm?sti_id=128&siteid=50670001 Looks like no Mama's Family or the other Sony and WB shows that are on the way for me :( I thought when a station is affiliated with a network they HAD to air that network's programming. Damn you, WLMB.

I was just going thru the MF cast bios on ionline.com, and it looks like they took some of the pics of the cast members from my site. :lol:

ClassicTV, have you checked your local listing on http://tv.yahoo.com/grid/? ? I just checked my local listings and, yes, MF will be airing in my area. :cool:

I was just going thru the MF cast bios on ionline.com, and it looks like they took some of the pics of the cast members from my site. :lol:

ClassicTV, have you checked your local listing on http://tv.yahoo.com/grid/? ? I just checked my local listings and, yes, MF will be airing in my area. :cool:

Thanks for the info.It will be airing in my area.:D Maybe we might get to see Gert Rides Again on this network.:happyface

I wonder why TBS nervery aired Gert Riders Again

Check out some of the crap my i network affiliate airs. http://www.ionline.tv/stations/default.cfm?sti_id=128&siteid=50670001 Looks like no Mama's Family or the other Sony and WB shows that are on the way for me :( I thought when a station is affiliated with a network they HAD to air that network's programming. Damn you, WLMB.


My PAX (I) station isn't airing Mama's Family either. But since I have Directv I'll be able to watch it. So If you have Directv, tune into channel 255 it's going to air on that channel.

I am lost if Your I Network is not going to air Mama's Family How are you going to watch Mama's Family

I am lost if Your I Network is not going to air Mama's Family How are you going to watch Mama's Family


are you asking me?

I can't wait to watch Mama's Family on the i (aka PAX) channel. Of course, I will buy Mama's Family on DVD to miss the commercials.

I was just going thru the MF cast bios on ionline.com, and it looks like they took some of the pics of the cast members from my site. :lol:

ClassicTV, have you checked your local listing on http://tv.yahoo.com/grid/? ? I just checked my local listings and, yes, MF will be airing in my area. :cool:

I sure did, and the same old lame boring religious shows are being shown.

Once again, damn you, WLMB.

Marathon promo:
http://www.ionline.tv/img/tonight/20_MAMA_0812D.swf

Thanks For Shareing The Promo withn All of Us

I've set my dvr for it !! :) :wave:

I also set my DVR to Record The Mama's Family Marathron from 7:00 pm until 10:00 pm.

I was on the www.ionline.tv website and saw that the episodes are listed for the MamaThon on August 12th.

I posted the Mamathon episodes like over a week ago...

AMERICA’S LAUGH-OUT-LOUD CLASSICS, “MAMA’S FAMILY” AND “GREEN ACRES,” DEBUT ON i IN AUGUST



The Network Treats Viewers to Two Saturday Marathons This Month



(West Palm Beach, FL – August 9, 2006) – The laughs are on i with the network’s summer debut of two classic TV hits, “Mama’s Family” and “Green Acres,” launching this month with a three-hour marathon of “Mama’s Family” on Saturday, August 12th at 8 p.m. ET/PT.



Starting, Monday, August 14th, the i network will begin airing back-to-back episodes of “Mama’s Family” every Monday to Thursday at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT. “Mama’s Family” stars Vicki Lawrence as the outspoken gray-haired matriarch of a Southern, eternally squabbling family living under one roof. The show debuted in 1983 as a spin-off of the popular skit "The Family” from “The Carol Burnett Show.”



Also launching on Monday, August 14th, “Green Acres” will air every Monday to Friday at 7:00 p.m. ET/PT. The i network will treat viewers to a special “Green Acres” marathon on Saturday, August 26th from 8:00 – 11:00 p.m. ET/PT. The series, which debuted in 1965 as a spin-off to “Petticoat Junction,” stars Eddie Albert and Eva Gabor as a high-rolling New York City couple who decides to get closer to nature by taking up residence on a 160-acre rundown farm in Hooterville, U.S.A.



The i network is available in more than 90 million homes via local broadcast stations, cable and satellite. For more information, visit www.ionline.tv.

Marathon promo:
http://www.ionline.tv/img/tonight/20_MAMA_0812D.swf
Wow, looks like the episodes are remastered!

I can't wait for the Mamathon. :banana:

Also, I just noticed that the Season 1 DVD table got put up. Just one month away! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!! :rock:

Tomarrow Mama's Family:D :happyface

I watched Mama's Family from 11:05 pm until 2:05 am on Saturday, August 11, 2006 and I really enjoyed seeing The Show again on The I Network

That mamathon was the best! I love it when the two daughters start fighting with each other like they did in the wedding episode. :lol:

I am very happy about the timeslot the show is getting. Hopefully Alice will find her way into prime time as well. :cool:

Wow, looks like the episodes are remastered!

I can't wait for the Mamathon. :banana:

Also, I just noticed that the Season 1 DVD table got put up. Just one month away! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!! :rock:
I agree with u, i was so excited to see the show back on another network and I am so waiting for the dvd to come out... cant wait.. Wonder what the cost will be? Wonder what the extras will be like?

Not sure if this has been posted, but it sounds like the show did phenomenal in the marathon...

Ratings Hit!!! (http://news.yahoo.com/s/eo/20060815/en_tv_eo/19771)

Oh wow, that's not too shabby for the 'I' or Mama's Family! Thanks for the link Jayman!

Oh wow, that's not too shabby for the 'I' or Mama's Family! Thanks for the link Jayman!
Yes, i agree indeed.. Go Mama!!!!

I'm sure the ratings will only get better for the channel as they start adding more of the shows they're going to. Very smart move on I Network's part.

I can't wait for Alice to be added, it's been years since I've seen that show! Same with Growing Pains. :)

I have also been waiting a Long Time to see Alice and Growing ains as well
and it will be great to see Alice and Growings Pains along with the other Show's that are coming to The I Network I hope that I Network airs Regural Programming during The day also very soon

Another Mama-thon on Sept. 23:
http://www.sitcomsonline.com/blog/2006/08/new-fox-special-comes-to-fans-of.html

The next Mama-thon on Sept. 23 has been canceled, for a Growing Pains launch. Not to worry, Mama will still air weekdays 8-9pm.

I finally have the HH ratings for the Mama's Family Mama-thon on Aug. 12:
8:00pm: 0.4
8:30pm: 0.4
9:00pm: 0.6
9:30pm: 0.7
10:00pm: 0.7
10:30pm: 0.7

Nice build-up. 10pm had the most total viewers.
In comparison the Saturday before (8/5) had It's a Miracle doing 0.3 from 8-9pm and a movie doing 0.3 from 9-11pm.
And the very next day after the Mama-thon the Sunday movies did a 0.2 and a 0.3. The movie the day before also did a 0.3.

I should have the weekday numbers for the first few weeks soon. But the previous schedule in primetime 8-11pm had Sue Thomas, Doc and Diagnosis Murder doing a 0.4-0.5 or so with DM doing a 0.6 usually. So, if Mama can pull a 0.7 on a Saturday, it might be doing a 1.0 on weekdays. We'll see soon.

Nice! Everybody really does love Mama. :D

I Loved watching Mama's Family since it First aired on NBC Saturday Night's at 8:30 pm Central Time

That's too bad, the Sept. 23rd Mamathon being cancelled. :(

At least it's not all bad, Growing Pains is another show that I'm looking forward to being able to see again. :cool:

How are the episodes on I ? I only watched a few episodes and couldn't really tell, but does that Network edit the show alot? I mean, it is a local channel and locals tend to heavely edit their sitcoms. Anyone know? Has anyone compared these versions to the TBS one's?

The Mama's Family episodes are great on The I Network

Are the episodes edited alot? Do they show the closing credits?

I am not sure if The Mama's amily episodes are edited
Mama's Family looks the same when I watched The Reruns
when it was on WGNO Weeknight's at 11:35 pm

They played this the other night. I've seen it a thousand times, but I still laugh when they play it. I find it histerical when Mama gets hissed out, & on her way out, tells one of the guys there to hiss off. :rofl:

Are the episodes edited alot? Do they show the closing credits?
The episodes are pretty much straight from TBS, but I did notice a few scenes here and there that I didn't remember seeing on TBS. It's not a whole lot, though. Nothing to get excited over. :lol:

Yea, they show the original closing credits, but they squash them. Not like TV Land, though... they actually squash the credits to dimensions (TV Land squashes their credits vertically, rendering them unreadable), so they're still readable. They play the credits @ normal speed too.

It is nice, however, how they occasionally forget to do it & you can see the credits. They did that when they played Benson the other day. :)

Mama's Family Thanksgiving Night Marathon from 6-11pm. And then Mama moves to 6 & 6:30pm starting Mon. Nov. 27:
http://www.sitcomsonline.com/blog/2006/10/i-network-november-sees-growing-pains.html

this is Awsome News that Mama's Family will have another Great Marathron from 5:00 pm until 10:00 pm Central Time

The Mama's Family episodes are great on The I Network


I totally agree with u.. I have loved Mamas Family for yrs and Im glad to be able to tape it and watch when Im home from work.. Hope the I keeps the show going.;)

Thanksgiving Weekend Marathon:

Thursday, November 23
Mama's Family
6pm Mama's Family: Vint and the Kids Move In
Evicted Vint shows up with his children.
6:30pm Mama's Family: The Return of Leonard Oates
Naomi's second husband pursues her.
7pm Mama's Family: Aunt Gert Rides Again
Mama tries to revitalize an aging cousin.
7:30pm Mama's Family: Family Feud
The clan goes on ``Family Feud.''
8pm Mama's Family: An Ill Wind
A Thanksgiving tornado traps the clan in the cellar.
8:30pm Mama's Family: Mama Cries Uncle
Mama's long-lost brother-in-law arrives and charms everyone except her.
9pm Mama's Family: Best Medicine
Ellen returns home for an operation.
9:30pm Mama's Family: Mama's Cousin
Mama feels inferior when her rich cousin visits.
10pm Mama's Family: After the Fall
Mama helps Aunt Effie recover from a concussion.
10:30pm Mama's Family: My Mama, Myself
Mama has visions of her overbearing mother.

I will be looking forward to seeing that marathon of MF on the i channel on Turkey Day.

Me as well.

Mama's Family Thanksgiving Night Marathon from 6-11pm. And then Mama moves to 6 & 6:30pm starting Mon. Nov. 27:
http://www.sitcomsonline.com/blog/2006/10/i-network-november-sees-growing-pains.html

Mama's Thanksgiving night marathon is still on, but the show will not be moving to 6-7pm starting Nov. 27, it will remain weeknights 8-9pm because Growing Pains has been delayed until January. More good news, Mama gets Sundays 6-7pm, and holiday episodes:
http://www.sitcomsonline.com/blog/2006/11/i-network-december-brings-holiday.html

I will be counting down until Janurary 2007 so I can watch Growing Pains on I Network

The Thanksgiving weekend marathon have changed a bit:
Nov. 23: Mama's Family 6-8pm, Growing Pains 8-11pm
Nov. 24: Charlie Angels 6-11pm (same)
Nov. 25: Mama's Family 9:30pm-11pm
Nov. 26: Growing Pains 6-11pm (same)

More details:
http://www.sitcomsonline.com/blog/2006/11/growing-pains-sneak-preview-on-i.html


Updated Thanksgiving Weekend Marathons:

Thursday, November 23
Mama's Family/Growing Pains
6pm Mama's Family: Vint and the Kids Move In
Evicted Vint shows up with his children.
6:30pm Mama's Family: The Return of Leonard Oates
Naomi's second husband pursues her.
7pm Mama's Family: An Ill Wind
A Thanksgiving tornado traps the clan in the cellar.
7:30pm Mama's Family: Family Feud
The clan goes on ``Family Feud.''
8:00pm Growing Pains: The Weekend Fantasy
8:30pm Growing Pains: Slice of Life
9:00pm Growing Pains: Carol's Crush
9:30pm Growing Pains: Dirt Bike
10:00pm Growing Pains: Standardized Test
10:30pm Growing Pains: A Christmas Story

Friday, November 24
Charlie's Angels
6pm Charlie's Angels Part 1 of 2: One Love ... Two Angels
Kelly finds that a millionaire is her true father.
7pm Charlie's Angels Part 2 of 2: One Love ... Two Angels
Involved in inheritance struggle when dad dies.
8pm Charlie's Angels Part 1 of 2: Angels in Paradise
A woman kidnaps Charlie and threatens to kill him if the Angels don't get her husband out of jail.
9pm Charlie's Angels Part 2 of 2: Angels in Paradise
Rescue is confusing when Charlie's rekidnapped.
10pm Charlie's Angels: The Sandcastle Murders
Kris' friend is latest victim of psycho's murder.

Saturday, November 25
Mama's Family
8:30pm Mama's Family: Mama Cries Uncle
Mama's long-lost brother-in-law arrives and charms everyone except her.
9pm Mama's Family: Best Medicine
Ellen returns home for an operation.
9:30pm Mama's Family: Mama's Cousin
Mama feels inferior when her rich cousin visits.

Sunday, November 26
Growing Pains
6pm Growing Pains: Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?
Jason learns his widowed mother (Jane Powell) has a beau
6:30pm Growing Pains Part 1 of 2: The Loooove Boat
Jason's mother (Jane Powell) plans to wed aboard a cruise ship.
7pm Growing Pains Part 2 of 2: The Loooove Boat
Jason tries to mend his mother's broken wedding plans.
7:30pm Growing Pains: Extra Lap
Mike's practical-joker uncle visits from the hereafter.
8pm Growing Pains: Five Grand
Grandparents give Mike, Carol and Ben $5,000 each.
8:30pm Growing Pains: Be a Man
Custodian Mike watches a wild party explode in his home.
9pm Growing Pains: Thank You, Willie Nelson
Maggie's quarreling parents drop in on the Seavers.
9:30pm Growing Pains: Eddie, We Hardly Knew Ye
Maggie's father (Gordon Jump) drives her crazy.
10pm Growing Pains: Home Malone
The ghost of Maggie's father (Gordon Jump) oversees the Seavers' visit to her childhood home.
10:30pm Growing Pains: In Vino Veritas
Maggie and Jason suspect Luke is stealing from their wine collection