ION Television May 2008--

Blog Story:
http://www.sitcomsonline.com/blog/2008/04/ion-television-may-2008-highlights-cbs.html


Regular schedule changes:

None, same as April.




Here is full the regular schedule for May:
Mon-Thurs
5:00PM The Wayans Bros.
5:30PM The Wayans Bros.
6:00PM The Steve Harvey Show
6:30PM The Steve Harvey Show
7:00PM Family Feud
7:30PM Family Feud
8:00PM Mama's Family (Mon-Wed); Total Theatre Thursday (Thurs)
8:30PM Mama's Family (Mon-Wed); Total Theatre Thursday cont. (Thurs)
9:00PM Quantum Leap (Mon-Wed); Total Theatre Thursday cont. (Thurs)
10:00PM The Drew Carey Show (Mon-Wed); 48 Hours (Thurs)
10:30PM The Drew Carey Show (Mon-Wed); 48 Hours cont. (Thurs)


Fri-Sun
2:00PM-5:00PM qubo on ION (Fri)
5:00PM The Wayans Bros. (Fri)
5:30PM The Wayans Bros. (Fri)
6:00PM The Steve Harvey Show (Fri); Baywatch (Sat); 48 Hours (Sun)
6:30PM The Steve Harvey Show (Fri); Baywatch cont. (Sat); 48 Hours cont. (Sun)
7:00PM RHI Entertainment
9:00PM RHI Entertainment




Movies, Stunts, Marathons



- Total Theatre Thursday
Thursdays at 8:00PM

May 1 - 8-11p The Cowboys (1972)
May 8 - 8-11p Superman: The Movie (1978)
May 15 - 8-10:30p Superman II (1980) *
May 22 - 8-10:30p Bladerunner (1982) *
May 29 - 8-10p Risky Business (1983)
* Drew Carey Show follows at 10:30p





- RHI on ION

May Programming:


Friday, May 2
7:00PM-11:00PM Gullilver's Travels (1996)

Saturday, May 3
7:00PM-9:00PM The Incident (1990)
9:00PM-11:00PM Larry McMurtry's Streets of Laredo Part 1 (1995)

Sunday, May 4
7:00PM-11:00PM Jason and The Argonauts

Friday, May 9
7:00PM-9:00PM Neil Simon's London Suite (1996)
9:00PM-11:00PM Neil Simon's The Sunshine Boys (1998)

Saturday, May 10
7:00PM-9:00PM Escape from Wildcat Canyon (1998)
9:00PM-11:00PM Larry McMurtry's Streets of Laredo Part 2 (1995)

Sunday, May 11
7:00PM-11:00PM Odyssey, The (1997)

Friday, May 16
7:00PM-9:00PM Against Her Will: An Incident in Baltimore (1992)
9:00PM-11:00PM Prize Pulitzer, The (1989)

Saturday, May 17
7:00PM-9:00PM Larry McMurtry's Streets of Laredo Part 3 (1995)
9:00PM-11:00PM Dr. Jeykll and Mr. Hyde (2007)

Sunday, May 18
7:00PM-11:00PM Titanic; The (1996)

Friday, May 23
7:00PM-9:00PM Fighting For My Daughter (1995)
9:00PM-11:00PM Mercy Mission: The Rescue of Flight 771 (1993)

Saturday, May 24
7:00PM-11:00PM Space Rangers (1993)

Sunday, May 25
7:00PM-11:00PM In Cold Blood (1996)

Friday, May 30
7:00PM-9:00PM Fighting For My Daughter (1995)
9:00PM-11:00PM Member of the Wedding, The (1997)

Saturday, May 31
7:00PM-9:00PM River of Rage: The Taking of Maggie Keene (1993)
9:00PM-11:00PM Prairie Fever (2008)





Read the blog before you post: http://www.sitcomsonline.com/blog/2008/04/ion-television-may-2008-highlights-cbs.html

I was hoping for a few changes here and there, but I guess not. Hopefully we'll get something else in June.

I don't get why they just don't air Drew Carey on Thursday nights at 10pm. I mean, the movies run to 11pm twice anyways, and Drew Carey is airing at 10:30 afterwards twice. 48 Hours is only airing once - I don't get the point.

I would be nice if they would start at 2pm-11pm add more stuff from the Library deals they got air more classic televsion shows. let hope they expand some more in the furture.

Bummer -- I'm really disappointed that ION didn't expand their hours and add a couple more shows to their schedule -- they certainly have a lot of shows in their vault.

Bummer -- I'm really disappointed that ION didn't expand their hours and add a couple more shows to their schedule -- they certainly have a lot of shows in their vault.
They could even expand their shows without expanding their hours. I think The Wayans Bros. and Steve Harvey could be on once a night, so two more sitcoms can fit in the lineup.

And what happened to Baywatch? Is it gone already?

ION= Incredibly Odd Network. lol

ION= Incredibly Odd Network. lol


Is that you Solomon? J/K :lol:

ION = Incredibly Odd Network -- well said!!

Two weeks is not a real test for a show's rating. I was hoping that ION would give Perfect Strangers another chance.

I wish Comcast would drop ION off my service like ION dropped Alice and Perfect Strangers

I wish Comcast would drop ION off my service like ION dropped Alice and Perfect Strangers

That would show them-LOL

ho hum ho hum.........nothing to see here, people
let's move on to another thread (and channel)

:brent

Saturdays Effective Saturday, May 3, 2008
4:30PM Inside Drag Racing (replaces Paid Programming)

"I wish Comcast would drop ION off my service like ION dropped Alice and Perfect Strangers" King of TV Research



I see that you have written this several times across the forum, and you probably should be aware of something that is called "must carry." In 1972 it was federally mandated that all cable companies have to carry all broadcast television networks that have owned and operated stations within 50-60 miles. You live in Philadelphia. ION Television is a broadcast television network and has an owned and operated station in Philly called WPPX. There is no way that ION Television would ever be taken off the Comcast cable lineup in Philadelphia unless the FCC changed this law. I know that this isn't the information you wanted, but it at least explains why.

Saturdays Effective Saturday, May 3, 2008
4:30PM Inside Drag Racing (replaces Paid Programming)


Which I'm sure is just another form of paid programming--the people who make this are paying ION to play it ala the religious programming in the morning.

"I wish Comcast would drop ION off my service like ION dropped Alice and Perfect Strangers" King of TV Research



I see that you have written this several times across the forum, and you probably should be aware of something that is called "must carry." In 1972 it was federally mandated that all cable companies have to carry all broadcast television networks that have owned and operated stations within 50-60 miles. You live in Philadelphia. ION Television is a broadcast television network and has an owned and operated station in Philly called WPPX. There is no way that ION Television would ever be taken off the Comcast cable lineup in Philadelphia unless the FCC changed this law. I know that this isn't the information you wanted, but it at least explains why.

I'm pretty sure Solomon was just joking-LOL

Which I'm sure is just another form of paid programming--the people who make this are paying ION to play it ala the religious programming in the morning.

At least it's a start for weekends. They could make a great block of shows on the weekends. We're getting somewhere though with 4:30pm. Hopefully they'll expand even more in the upcoming months.

At least it's a start for weekends. They could make a great block of shows on the weekends. We're getting somewhere though with 4:30pm. Hopefully they'll expand even more in the upcoming months.


Hopefully we will get answers with the upfront on May 1st and with the interview Pav will do with them.

Hopefully we will get answers with the upfront on May 1st and with the interview Pav will do with them.

I'm really looking forward to that.

RHI Original Production ``Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde'' Makes Its U.S. Television Debut


NEW YORK, Tuesday, April 22, 2008 -- RHI Entertainment announced today that the two-hour original production Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde will make its U.S. television debut during the RHI Movie Weekend on ION Television, Saturday, May 17 (9/8c).

A contemporary take on Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic mystery, this updated version of the story emphasizes the title character’s internal transformation and relies on suggestion as well as special-effects. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde stars Dougray Scott (Desperate Housewives, Mission Impossible II, RHI’s The Ten Commandments), Emmy® Award winner Tom Skerritt (Brothers & Sisters, Picket Fences, A River Runs Through It) and Krista Bridges (Blythe & Virginia, Late Fragments).

Dr. Henry Jekyll is a well-regarded physician whose evenings are spent researching a rare and sacred Amazonian flower so potent it is said to separate the soul, giving life to man’s dark self. When a series of brutal murders ensues, Jekyll knows it is Edward Hyde, his bloody and violent alter ego, who is responsible. Unable to control Hyde and desperate to end his misery, Jekyll enlists the help of the compassionate attorney, Claire Wheaton, a new character introduced for this new adaptation.

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde was shot in Montreal during the summer of 2007. The television movie was written by Paul Margolis (Sirens, MacGyver), directed by Paolo Barzman (Emotional Arithmetic, Relic Hunter) and produced by Irene Litinsky (Human Trafficking, The Wool Cap) and Francois Sylvestre (The Human Stain, Where the Money Is). Robert Halmi, Sr., Robert Halmi, Jr. and Michael Prupas are executive producers.

“Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is a timeless tale about good and evil and the dual nature of man,” said Robert Halmi, Jr., President and CEO of RHI Entertainment. “This ingeniously re-imagined adaptation brings the haunting classic to life in a contemporary setting while still remaining true to the original story.”

“This film will captivate viewers of all ages and interests,” said Brandon Burgess, Chairman and CEO of ION Media Networks. “The new RHI production further builds on our commitment to make ION Television the weekend destination for quality programming that will attract and delight the widest possible audience.”

I am also looking forward to that

ER seasons 11-14 coming to ION in June:

“ER” on ION Television: A Prescription for Success

Smash Hit Series to Join Contemporary Primetime Lineup in June


WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., May 1, 2008 -- ION Media Networks, Inc. today announced a licensing agreement with Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution to air seasons 11-14 of the long-running hit series “ER” on ION Television. The medical drama, which has earned more Primetime Emmy Award nominations than any other program in history, will debut in primetime on the network beginning this June.

“This deal with Warner Bros. highlights ION Television’s evolution both in terms of programming and target audience — a major consideration for advertisers,” said Brandon Burgess, Chairman and CEO, ION Media Networks. “‘ER’ is one of America’s most acclaimed series. The addition of this show underscores our network’s commitment to contemporary, quality programming that will appeal to a wide audience.”

Currently in its 14th season, "ER" continues to earn some of the highest ratings among TV dramas. In addition to winning 22 Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Drama Series in 1996, and 120 Emmy Award nominations, the show has also earned the prestigious George Foster Peabody Award and four Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Ensemble Performance in a Drama Series.

Combining the extraordinary talents of multiple award-winning producer John Wells, best-selling author Michael Crichton and Steven Spielberg's Amblin Television, the venerated series explores the inner workings of an urban teaching hospital and the critical issues faced by the dedicated physicians and staff of its overburdened emergency room. The impressive current cast includes Goran Visnjic ("Elektra," "Spartacus"), Maura Tierney (“Baby Mama,” “Semi-Pro”), Mekhi Phifer ("8 Mile," "Dawn of the Dead"), Parminder Nagra ("Bend It Like Beckham"), Linda Cardellini ("Freaks and Geeks," "Brokeback Mountain"), Scott Grimes ("American Dad," "Mystery, Alaska") and John Stamos ("A Raisin in the Sun," "Jake in Progress," “Full House”). Created by Michael Crichton (“Jurassic Park”), “ER” is executive produced by Christopher Chulack, Crichton, Wells, David Zabel, Janine Sherman Barrois and Joe Sachs.

ER coming to Ion that is great news

Well, what is getting dumped? Did Quantum Leap bomb? or did the time slot move finally put the nail in Drew's coffin? Since only the last 4 seasons were acquired of ER, I take it ION is using this as a summer filler until the fall rollout of M*A*S*H* and Boston Legal.

Maybe northing will get Dumped maybe there add an hour to the line up

ER is no filler. It has been acquired for a number of years to come. They will have it in the fall as well.

June schedule is not out yet, so I can't tell what is going to happen.

BOO ER already airs twice a day on TNT.

Yes, it does air on TNT, but that is cable. I think TNT doesn't air the last few seasons anyway.

I Predct ER will do good for Ion

ER is no filler. It has been acquired for a number of years to come. They will have it in the fall as well.

June schedule is not out yet, so I can't tell what is going to happen.


so they are going to run only 4 seasons for years? Well, this must point to expanded hours...

If they only air 4 days a week, once a day, it could be done. Plus they might have an option to get seasons 15 and on once they end from NBC.

I would have rathered they acquired some of the earlier or middle seasons. I haven't seen those in a long time. ER isn't the worst choice of show, though. It's a whole lot better than QL. The only problem I have with it is it'll be taking the spot of another good classic show on the lineup. My guess is that by September, the entire lineup will be current/contemporary TV.

I wonder where it'll air. My guess is 9pm, with QL moving to 10pm and Drew Carey gone. For one, having 2 dramas airing together will help improve ratings from one hour to the next, and they really don't seem to be found of Drew Carey much. Either that, or Drew at 9pm, ER at 10, or ER at 9 and Drew at 10. It's hard to say.

I take it ER is not currently seen anywhere in broadcast syndication. I knew it was on weekend syndication years ago, but that must have ended.

Nope, ER was last seen on Daytime WB in broadcast.

ION Television Presents ``Positively Entertaining'' Program Lineup at 2008 Sales Presentation
Positioning for Broad Audiences with General Entertainment Appeal

“Boston Legal,” “ER,” “The Dead Zone,” “Ghost Whisperer” & “Criminal Minds” Coming To ION Primetime

RHI Showcasing 12 Original Movies in New Season

Programming Schedule Expanding to 4 p.m.

"Denny Crane" Makes Surprise Appearance


WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., May 1, 2008 --ION Television today solidified its evolution into a popular, general entertainment network aimed at the 25-54 demographic. At its 2008 sales presentation to the advertising community, held at the New York Public Library in New York City, the Upfront highlighted ION Television’s exciting, contemporary programming initiatives for the 2008-2009 television season and promised strong partnerships for advertisers in an ever-changing and competitive marketplace.

ION Media Networks, Inc.’s Chairman and CEO Brandon Burgess led the event, along with President of Sales and Marketing Stephen Appel. In addition to detailing upcoming programming plans, the two introduced ION Television’s new “positively entertaining” network branding, showcased a powerful new primetime lineup and touted the expansion of the network’s programming block to 4 p.m.

The evening’s festivities were punctuated with a special guest appearance by “Boston Legal’s” very own Denny Crane, TV icon William Shatner, who stars in the hit series premiering on ION Television in September. In addition, Australian singing sensation Delta Goodrem introduced ION Television’s new branding with rousing performances of her break-out singles, “In This Life” and “Believe Again.” Ms. Goodrem’s music will be featured in the launch of the network’s new Fall season.

“ION Television’s expanded content and positioning can be summarized in two words: ‘Positively Entertaining!’,” said Mr. Burgess. “The shows we have lined up to deliver on that promise -– ‘Boston Legal,’ ‘ER,’ ‘The Dead Zone,’ ‘Ghost Whisperer’ and ‘Criminal Minds’ –- will positively do just that, bringing large and loyal audiences to ION Television in 2008 and 2009.”

“Advertisers aiming to build market share and showcase their products need look no further than our new lineup,” added Mr. Appel. “ION Television will be recognized for its value, innovation, ratings growth and expansive reach.”

This Fall, viewers will see a great new lineup of top shows during the week and on weekends. RHI Entertainment, ION Television’s exclusive partner in weekend primetime programming, will deliver 12 original movies, including three Westerns, during the 2008-2009 season. RHI’s high-caliber content has brought impressive ratings returns, demonstrating how well the ION platform does with quality programming. The award-winning producer and distributor of groundbreaking miniseries and movies for television will continue to provide original programming, as well as quality library titles.

ION Television’s weeknight schedule will feature the most Emmy-nominated program in history, “ER,” a long-standing favorite that has earned 22 Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Drama Series, and 117 total Emmy nominations. A winner of the prestigious George Foster Peabody Award, the medical drama is currently in its 14th season and remains one of the highest-rated dramas on television. The series features an all-star cast honored with four Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Ensemble Performance in a Drama Series.

Also joining ION Television’s primetime lineup will be the bold, outrageous and positively entertaining “Boston Legal.” Starring Emmy Award-winners James Spader, Candice Bergen and William Shatner, and created by David E. Kelley, the series has regularly been a top-20 program on ABC and draws one of the most affluent audiences in television. The legal drama has won five Emmy Awards, a Peabody Award and a Golden Globe.

USA Network’s original series, “The Dead Zone,” a science fiction/suspense series from Debmar-Mercury, will appear on ION Television’s Fall primetime schedule. Based on characters from the best-selling Stephen King novel and movie of the same title, this hit drama stars Anthony Michael Hall as Johnny Smith, a man who awakens from a six-year coma to discover that he has psychic abilities. With the help of his former fiancée (played by Nicole deBoer) and her husband (played by Chris Bruno), Johnny uses his powers to solve crimes and help people in need.

Through a deal with Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution, the hit sitcom, “Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper,” will be on the ION Television Fall lineup. In this popular show, comedian Mark Curry plays Mr. Mark Cooper, a single teacher and basketball coach at a high school in Oakland, California. Mr. Cooper’s positive outlook and sense of humor enable him to be a hilarious, yet inspiring figure to his students and players and to navigate the romantic complications in his life. The cast also includes Raven-Symoné, Holly Robinson Peete, Nell Carter, Omar Gooding and more.

As previously announced, the beloved comedic drama, “M*A*S*H,” will be included in the Fall lineup, along with three series that have recently begun their run on the network, “The Steve Harvey Show,” “Family Feud” and “Quantum Leap.” In its continuing commitment to present compelling and entertaining programming aimed at the 25-54 demographic, ION Television will add the much-lauded television series, “Criminal Minds” and “Ghost Whisperer,” to its programming block in 2009. Both series are showing ratings strength going into their fourth original seasons on CBS.

from variety

Ion unveils fall 2008 encore slate
Shows include 'ER', 'Legal', 'Quantum Leap'
By CYNTHIA LITTLETON

Ion Television unveiled a fall 2008 program slate stocked with the off-
network shows that the broadcaster has been acquiring from Hollywood's
majors during the past few months, include encores of "ER" and "Boston
Legal."

At an upfront presentation held Thursday at the New York Public
Library, Ion Media Networks chief Brandon Burgess sought to position
Ion, the former Pax TV, as a general entertainment web aimed at the
adults 25-54 demographic.

West Palm Beach, Fla.-based company, which was taken private last year
by Chicago-based Citadel Investment Group, is in the midst of a push
to raise its profile with viewers and advertisers by spending far more
than it has in the past on off-network programming. Ion also unveiled
a campaign to brand the network with the tagline "positively
entertaining."

Ion put the emphasis on a weekday program block that begins at 4 p.m.
with a stack of comedies: double runs of "The Steve Harvey Show" and
"Hangin' with Mr. Cooper," followed at 6 p.m. by "The Drew Carey Show"
and 6:30 p.m. by "MASH." The syndie "Family Feud" fills the 7 p.m.
hour, followed in primetime by evergreen sci-fi drama "Quantum Leap,"
"Boston Legal" and "ER" to close out the night.

On Thursdays, repeats of USA Network drama "The Dead Zone" will run
from 9-11 p.m. in place of "Boston Legal" and "ER." And on Friday
nights, Ion carries a range new and library movies from producer
Robert Halmi's RHI vault.

During the past week, Ion has picked up rerun rights to two more
network dramas, CBS' "Criminal Minds" and "Ghost Whisperer," starting
in fall 2009.

"Boston Legal" star William Shatner made an appearance at Ion's event
Thursday, along with "Dead Zone" star Anthony Michael Hall and game
show staple Chuck Woolery.

The proposed fall line-up, is not set in stone. I don't think Quantum Leap will last by then, but we'll see.

As of now, ION Fall 2008:

Weekdays
4:00PM The Steve Harvey Show
4:30PM The Steve Harvey Show
5:00PM Hangin' with Mr. Cooper
5:30PM Hangin' with Mr. Cooper
6:00PM The Drew Carey Show
6:30PM M*A*S*H

Mon-Thurs
7:00PM Family Feud
7:30PM Family Feud
8:00PM Quantum Leap

Mon-Wed
9:00PM Boston Legal
10:00PM ER

Thursdays
9:00PM The Dead Zone
10:00PM The Dead Zone

Fridays-Sundays
7:00PM-11:00PM RHI

6:00PM (and if any other slots on weekends are added) weekends will be known closer to the Fall.

We will have an interview with ION shortly, and will try to answer everything.

If this schedule holds it's odd that M*A*S*H only gets one airing a day. And I didn't expect Mama's Family being totally off the schedule.

Here is our blog story on ION's upfron:

http://www.sitcomsonline.com/blog/2008/05/ion-fall-2008-schedule-dead-zone-and-mr.html

Please take a look before you post questions.

I'm pretty sure that schedule will change....why would they keep Quantum Leap and not Mama's Family? Obviously Mama does much better.

Doesn't look like much to look forward to.

When you conduct your interview can you ask if they will run Perfect Strangers, Who's the Boss & Alice again earlier in the day. Maybe in the afternoon

I am also thinking that The Schedule will change from what I heard Quantum Leap is not doing that well.

WTF? Seriously, it's only May. WHy would they skip over the next 4 months and announce a schedule for September already? I'll bet that the final Sept. schedule will be A LOT different.

The schedule isn't all that horrible, though. I think Mr. Cooper will be a nice addition, considering it hasn't been aired anywhere in awhile. Plus, it replaces Wayans Bros, even better. I'm a little surprised that Drew has survived thus far on the Sept. schedule. I guess it hasn't been a complete bomb. Same goes for QL . . . but, like you Pavan, I doubt it'll stay around for Sept. ALso, why would they keep an hour of Family Feud at 7pm? I really hope they change that soon. I'm also suprised at only one aiirng for MASH, and at 6:30. I thought for sure it would have been an 8pm show.

My guesses are that Mama's Family will be back for the final schedule, maybe replacing an airing of Family Feud or something else. Boston Legal and ER will work good together. I was hoping for more classic returns, like WTB, Growing Pains, and The Wonder Years, but I guess not.

Cooper airs on cable on TV One. They are not skipping over June-August...this is just a rough schedule for the fall. It'll be like this for the most part, but I just see them airing MASH 8-9pm (making it Drew from 6-7) instead of Quantum Leap, but we'll see. They want to separate themselves from Mama's Family, so it won't be on in the fall...but it could return if anything fails, I bet.

June won't have much changes I bet, just ER at 10PM I'm guessing and Drew sliding elsewhere.

Drew goes to 5PM replacing Wayans Bros probably.

That'll be cool to see Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper, although that's already on tvone. Too bad about Mama's Family, but I've seen enough of that recently

That'll be cool to see Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper, although that's already on tvone. Too bad about Mama's Family, but I've seen enough of that recently


I don't have digital cable, so no TVOne for me, so seeing Mr Cooper will be a nice change! I think the first season theme song is one of the better themes to have come out of a sitcom from the '90s.

so much for getting perfect strangers back on the air.. it cant seem to get respect anywhere anymore...

their going to show haning with mr cooper? thats good. i been wanting to watch the show all the time. i do watch it on the net couple of times. when does it come out?

Drew goes to 5PM replacing Wayans Bros probably.

That's my guess as well, for now at least.

I'm still a little surprised they're keeping Family Feud around in the fall, and Mama's Family isnt. While I do understand that they should distance themselves away from Mama, it still does well for them, and deserves a spot somewhere in the fall.

Yep, I see it there. You are right it must have been taken off wikipedia. Thanks for clearing it up. I did speak to the network though, and they mentioned nothing regarding it ever coming back. I also found out that this network is now a general entertainment network and is starting to acquire a lot of contemporary programs. "Perfect Strangers" no longer fits their mold and most likely "Mama's Family" will be off their schedule soon.

I can't see any reason why they wouldn't turn one of their digital subchannels into a 24 hour classic TV network, airing all the shows that are currently in their library. There's very little cost involved (they already own the rights to the shows) and this type of programming is sure to outperform any of their current offerings - qubo, Ionlife, and Worship.