ION Television April 2008 -- Family Feud, Quantum Leap, Steve Harvey Join

[JT]

Considering week one of the new primetime posted higher numbers than the previous weeks, I'm almost positive that it was the movie during the second week of the new primetime that brought the ratings down. I really don't think that "Quantum Leap" would either bring the ratings up to a high (for the period) and then bring them down to a low. I don't think the show has that much of an influence.

[Pavan]

ION didn't send out the press release yet as far as I know on Criminal Minds and Ghost Whisperer...probably will tomorrow.

[Jude The Obscure]

Originally Posted by pavanbadal

ION didn't send out the press release yet as far as I know on Criminal Minds and Ghost Whisperer...probably will tomorrow.

Got this on rec.arts.tv--Usenet.

[Pavan]

Press release on Criminal Minds...still no release on Ghost Whisperer, though. Here is the press release on CM:

ION Television Gets in Your Head with “Criminal Minds”
Series Coming to ION Television in 2009, Evolving the Network as Popular Entertainment TV Destination


WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- ION Media Networks, Inc. today announced it has entered into a content agreement with CBS Television Distribution for the broadcast syndication rights to the hit television series, “Criminal Minds.” ION Television will debut this popular show in prime time beginning in 2009. The deal continues the network’s positioning momentum as a general entertainment destination.

“This high caliber TV series strengthens and broadens ION Television with target audiences and advertisers long term,” said Brandon Burgess, Chairman and CEO, ION Media Networks. “The series has compelling first run ratings on CBS and is showing strength going into its fourth original season.”

“Criminal Minds” is an exciting crime drama that follows a team of profilers from the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit at Quantico, Virginia. The series is unique in its focus on the criminal rather than the crime itself. The cast includes Tony and Emmy Award-winning actor Mandy Patinkin (“Evita,” “Chicago Hope,” “The Princess Bride,” “Yentl”) in the first two seasons; Tony Award-winner Joe Mantegna (“Glengarry Glen Ross,” “Joan of Arcadia,” “The Simpsons”), who joined the cast in season three; Thomas Gibson (“Dharma & Greg,” “Chicago Hope”) and Daytime Emmy Award-winner Shemar Moore (“The Young and the Restless,” “Diary of a Mad Black Woman”), among others. All the agents bring their expertise and personalities into play, as they map out predators’ psychology and attempt to prevent the next crime.

“Criminal Minds” joins recent additions, 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. 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.

[JulieSomoski]

This network will be garbage in about a year or so. Boston Legal, MASH, now Criminal Minds and Ghost Whisperer. We can pretty much say goodbye to the classics.

Their primetime lineup sucks right now. That's the reason for the sink in ratings. Mama at 8pm is probably the highest of the bunch, but Quantum Leap at 9pm is probably low, giving low ratings for Drew Carey at 10pm.

[Pavan]

Boston Legal, Criminal Minds, and shows like that will help them in primetime for sure...so it is a good move for them to climb in the ratings. They never said they are a classic TV network...I don't know why everyone says that. The goal for them should be to have classics/older shows during the day, which I will ask in the interview. These new shows will help them get Mama out of primetime, because it is more of a 6pm type show. I hope something like this in the fall:

11A-6PM Hopefully a Classic Sitcom Block
6-7PM Mama's Family
7-8PM Drew Carey Show
8-9PM M*A*S*H
9-10PM New Show
10-11PM Boston Legal

Criminal Minds and Ghost Whisperer are Fall 2009...so too far...plus ION has more announcements coming at upfront regarding acquisitions.

[Pavan]

Here is the official announcement for Ghost Whisperer in Fall 2009:

“Ghost Whisperer” Brings Supernatural Energy to ION Television

Slated for 2009 Primetime, the Series Further Expands ION’s Widely Appealing and Contemporary Programming Offerings

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., Tuesday, April 29, 2008 -- ION Media Networks, Inc. today announced it has entered into a content agreement with CBS Television Distribution for the broadcast syndication rights to the hit television series, “Ghost Whisperer.” ION Television will debut this popular show in primetime, beginning in 2009. The deal continues the network’s positioning momentum as a general entertainment destination.

“Heading into its fourth season on CBS, this award-winning supernatural series has the great stories and loyal audience we’re seeking in order to grow ION Television into a popular, entertainment network,” said Brandon Burgess, Chairman and CEO, ION Media Networks. “Together with recent acquisitions like ‘Boston Legal’ and ‘Criminal Minds,’ ‘Ghost Whisperer’ extends our reach to a broad upscale adult 25-54 demographic.”

A drama-fantasy-thriller, “Ghost Whisperer” presents the adventures of a young newlywed, Melinda Gordon, who has the ability to communicate with the dead. Played by Jennifer Love Hewitt (“Party of Five,” “I Know What You Did Last Summer”), Melinda helps restless spirits relay messages and deal with unresolved issues that are keeping them earth-bound. Created by John Gray, the show also stars David Conrad (“Miss Match,” “Relativity”), Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winner Camryn Manheim (“The Practice,” “Dark Water”) and Jay Mohr (“Saturday Night Live,” “Jerry Maguire”). Aisha Tyler (“CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” “Friends”) was part of the first season cast.

“Ghost Whisperer” joins “Criminal Minds” and other recent additions, 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. The network continues to push 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.

[JulieSomoski]

Originally Posted by pavanbadal

Boston Legal, Criminal Minds, and shows like that will help them in primetime for sure...so it is a good move for them to climb in the ratings. They never said they are a classic TV network...I don't know why everyone says that. The goal for them should be to have classics/older shows during the day, which I will ask in the interview. These new shows will help them get Mama out of primetime, because it is more of a 6pm type show. I hope something like this in the fall:

11A-6PM Hopefully a Classic Sitcom Block
6-7PM Mama's Family
7-8PM Drew Carey Show
8-9PM M*A*S*H
9-10PM New Show
10-11PM Boston Legal

Criminal Minds and Ghost Whisperer are Fall 2009...so too far...plus ION has more announcements coming at upfront regarding acquisitions.

I doubt they'll go as early as 11am (Even thought that would be awesome). I'd actually rather have Drew Carey in the afternoon or evenings rather than at 10pm . . . it seems like it would do better then. Mama's Family definitely does need to be out of primetime for awhile.

[thebloodyscot]

Where I live, programming is often preempted for Tampa Bay Rays games. Stinks to miss some shows, but at least the weekend schedule's usually better

[Pavan]

Originally Posted by pavanbadal

It looks like the new primetime 8-11pm line-up is not doing too well. I don't have exact numbers for the shows, but maybe Quantum Leap is why. Here is my proof...last few weeks of ION's primetime averages:

Primetime Averages for ION
Week of March 17-23: 540,000 total viewers, 0.4/1 HH rating/share
Week of March 24-30: 520,000 total viewers, 0.3/1 HH rating/share
Week of March 31-April 6: 510,000 total viewers, 0.4/1 HH rating/share
Week of April 7-13: 550,000 total viewers, 0.4/1 HH rating/share
Week of April 14-20: 400,000 total viewers, 0.3/0 HH rating/share

So, it had been consistent around 500,000-550,000 viewers in primetime, but this last week it went down to 400,000...a drastic drop.

Week of April 21-27: 440,000 total viewers, 0.3/1 HH rating/share

Slightly up week to week, but down from normal the last month or so.

[JulieSomoski]

Originally Posted by pavanbadal

Week of April 21-27: 440,000 total viewers, 0.3/1 HH rating/share

Slightly up week to week, but down from normal the last month or so.

They really need to make changes and soon to their primetime. It's just not fun to watch this network anymore. QL sucks at 9pm . . . that show really needs to go soon.

[JT]

Needless to say, I'm enjoying QL. It's a really good show. Completely my opinion, of course.