Coming to the i (aka PAX TV)!

[Pavan]

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.

[ghd]

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

[Scoobiedoo30]

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

[80sTrivia]

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

[tito]

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

[TVJunkie101]

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

[tito]

Originally Posted by TVJunkie101

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.

[Scoobiedoo30]

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

[tito]

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

[oldtvshow7]

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

[PZelda]

Just keep an eye out on the General Sitcoms Questions and Discussions 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.

[oldtvshow7]

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.

[Buffyboy323]

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.

[Pavan]

Mama's Family starts August 14!
8-9pm weekdays! Mama is back in primetime!
http://www.sitcomsonline.com/blog/20...-nicknite.html

[Scoobiedoo30]

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