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.

I am wicked excited for this program to air on ION. I am a big fan of theirs because I see them as what FOX used to be before "Married With Children" made that network what it is today. I think that they will be able to compete with the big boys within the next 10 years, but that is only my opinion.

Whoohoo! I finally have a reason to watch ION. I can't wait to revisit seasons 11-14, especially season 12, one of the best ever.

I'm guessing ION will air these four seasons all summer - leading into season 15 this fall. I hope it gets the weeknights at 10:00pm timeslot.

Launch marathon week of June 9 from 8-11p, then it will air at 10pm Mon-Wed starting June 16:

http://www.sitcomsonline.com/blog/2008/05/cbs-upfront-2008-09-fall-2008-schedule.html

ION Television Injects “ER” into Primetime Lineup with All-Star Marathon Kickoff

Groundbreaking Award-Winning Drama Raises Pulse of Network


WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., May 27, 2008 -- ION Television announced today that it will launch the highly-acclaimed, hit series, “ER,” on its primetime schedule June 9th with a four-day marathon of back-to-back episodes featuring guest stars who have either won or been nominated for Emmy Awards. The network will showcase television’s longest-running medical drama, which has earned more Primetime Emmy Award nominations than any other program in history, with three episodes from 8 p.m. – 11 p.m. on June 9th, 10th and 11th, and two episodes from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. on June 12th. “ER” will then air in its regular timeslot Monday through Wednesday, 10 p.m. – 11 p.m. (ET), beginning June 16th. Also joining ION Television‘s primetime schedule with a special sneak preview on June 12th at 10 p.m. will be “The Dead Zone.”

"The four-day ‘ER’ marathon of these memorable, hand-picked episodes ushers in an all-time fan favorite for ION Television viewers," said Brandon Burgess, Chairman and CEO, ION Media Networks. “This intense series, with its star-studded cast and high-profile guest stars, takes us to the next level of becoming a positively entertaining television network.”

Combining the extraordinary talents of multi award-winning producer John Wells, best-selling author Michael Crichton and renowned director 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 episodes airing during the ION Television marathon feature Emmy-winners Chad Lowe, Cynthia Nixon, Armand Assante, Danny Glover and Sally Field, plus Emmy-nominees Louise Fletcher, Stacy Keach and John Mahoney. Also spotlighted are Ray Liotta, who won an Emmy for his “ER” appearance, and Red Buttons and James Woods, who both were nominated for their respective performances.

On May 1st, ION announced a licensing agreement with Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution to air seasons 11-14 of the groundbreaking series. Having recently completed 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 most in television history—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.

Joining “ER” on ION Television’s primetime schedule this summer is “The Dead Zone,” originally produced by Lions Gate Television and CBS Paramount Television for the USA Network. Based on Stephen King’s bestselling novel, “The Dead Zone” stars Anthony Michael Hall as a teacher who awakens from a coma to find he has extrasensory abilities and can use them to help others. The psychological thriller premieres Thursday, June 12th at 10 p.m. – 11 p.m. (ET). It will air directly before “ER,” Monday through Wednesday, 9 p.m. – 10 p.m. (ET) beginning June 16th.

“The debuts of these two popular and highly-acclaimed series highlight ION Television’s commitment to contemporary, quality programming that will appeal to a wide audience,” added Mr. Burgess.

The network is pushing forward with its long-term strategy to meet the entertainment needs of the adult 25-54 demographic with a mix of compelling television series, theatrical and made-for-television movies, specials and sports. “ER” and “The Dead Zone” join recent acquisitions, including “Boston Legal,” coming to ION off-network later this year, as well as “The Steve Harvey Show,” “Family Feud” and “Quantum Leap,” currently airing in ION Television’s expanded entertainment schedule.