ABC Family 2008 Upfront -- Original Series/Movies, That 70s Show, My Wife & Kids, Etc

[Pavan]

ABC FAMILY ANNOUNCES 2008 SUMMER AND FALL SCHEDULE

New Series Include “The Middleman,” “The Secret Life of the American Teenager,” “Samurai Girl,” “Sophie” and “Roommates”

Returning Hit Series Include “Greek,” “Lincoln Heights” and “Kyle XY”

Original Movie Premieres Include “The Circuit” and “Picture This”

Newly Acquired Series Include “That 70’s Show” and “My Wife and Kids”

11th Annual “25 Days of Christmas” Event Includes Original Movies and Specials
and the Basic Cable Premieres of “The Chronicles of Narnia” and “Cars”


Burbank, CA (May 1, 2008) - Paul Lee, president, ABC Family, today outlined ABC Family’s plans for Summer and Fall of 2008. Scheduled to debut this summer are new original series including “The Middleman” and “The Secret Life of the American Teenager.” In addition to the summer series, ABC Family will premiere “Samurai Girl,” a special event premiering with six hours over three nights this Fall and has ordered a third season of “Lincoln Heights,” a second season of “Greek,” and a third season of “Kyle XY.” The 11th annual “25 Days of Christmas” event will feature an original movie and special as well as the basic cable premieres of “The Chronicles of Narnia” and “Cars.”

“ABC Family has just grown and grown and we're thrilled this summer to be adding two great new original series targeted at our Millennial audience,” said Mr. Lee. “We think “The Middleman” written by Javier Grillo-Marxauch and "The Secret Life of the American Teenager" written by Brenda Hampton are going to be great additions to our defining original series. And then we're going to finish out the summer with our six part premiere television event ‘Samurai Girl.’”

In 2007, ABC Family enjoyed its most-watched year on record in Prime in Total Viewers, Adults 18-34, Adults 18-49, Women 18-49 and Viewers 12-34, and most-watched year in Total Day in the four key demos. Powered by its record-setting 10th annual “25 Days of Christmas” programming event, which saw ABC Family's #1 telecast in its history with the debut of original movie "Holiday in Handcuffs," December 2007 wrapped as the Net's most-watched month of all-time in Total Viewers and all target demos, specifically Adults 18-49 and Viewers 12-34. In 2007, ABC Family's critically-acclaimed family drama "Lincoln Heights" finished its second season on a high-note, hitting a series high for its November finale in Total Viewers and Viewers 12-34. Additionally, "Greek's" first 10 episodes, wrapped in September as ABC Family's #1 original series ever in Adults 18-34, with its finale drawing series highs in Total Viewers and Adults 18-49.

ABC Family's ratings momentum carried into 2008, as 1Q08 wrapped with best-ever 1Q deliveries in both Prime and Total Day in Total Viewers and all targets. In fact, boasting sixth straight quarter of year-to-year gains, 1Q08 now stands as the net's second-most-watched quarter on record in Prime in Adults 18-34 and Viewers 12-34, behind only 4Q07. For the just concluded month of April, the network generated its best April deliveries on record in all key demos, powered by the debut of original movie, "Princess," which ranked as the month's No. 1 cable movie in Women 18-34 and Females 12-34. Moreover, "Greek" made the grade in its return on March 24, earning ABC Family's best ratings ever for an original series telecast in Adults 18-34 and Women 18-34, while posting series-highs in Total Viewers, Adults 18-49 and Viewers 12-34. Following the introduction of ground-breaking social media features and social networking sites like VirtualRush, Cheer Camp and Prom, ABCFamily.com’s traffic has increased dramatically over the past year with monthly unique users up over 247% and page views up 78%.


“The Circuit,” an adrenaline-charged ABC Family original movie, starring Michelle Trachtenberg premieres Sunday, June 8, (8:00 – 10:00 PM ET/PT). This action-packed movie tells the story of an estranged father and daughter, Al and Kylie Shines, who both compete on the stock car race circuit. While Kylie’s star is on a sizzling rise, Al’s once legendary career is on the decline. But Kylie’s father isn’t her only competition as the circuit’s top racer, Kid Walker makes his own advances — both on and off the track. Drew Fuller and Billy Campbell also star.

“The Middleman,” a new one hour series based on the popular graphic novels by writer/producer Javier Grillo-Marxauch (“Lost,” “Medium”), premieres Monday, June 16, (Time TBD). “The Middleman” follows the surreal life of twenty-something year-old Wendy Watson as she gets recruited by a top secret agency to fight comic book-esque criminals under the guidance of her straight-laced boss, The Middleman. The thirteen episode order stars Matt Keeslar, Natalie Morales, Mary Pat Gleason, Brit Morgan and Jake Smollett.
“The Secret Life of the American Teenager,” from the creator of “7th Heaven,” comes a heartfelt one hour drama that focuses on the relationships between families and friends and how they deal with an unexpected teen pregnancy, premieres Tuesday, July 1, (8:00 – 9:00 PM ET/PT) with ten episodes. The series regular cast includes Shailene Woodley, Kenny Baumann, Daren Kagasoff, Francia Raisa, Greg Finley, Megan Park, India Eisley, Jorge-Luis Pallo, Mark Derwin and Molly Ringwald. The recurring cast includes John Schneider, Ernie Hudson, Luke Zimmerman, Allen Evangelista, Amy Rider, Renee Olstead, Camille Winbush, Josie Bissett and Steven Schirripa.
“Picture This,” an ABC Family original movie premiere, stars Ashley Tisdale premiering Sunday, July 13, (8:00 – 10:00 PM ET/PT). “Picture This” is a coming-of-age comedy about an unpopular high school senior - with an overprotective father - who gets a date to the biggest party of the year with the school’s most sought after guy, only to find herself grounded on the appointed day. So, she enlists her friends and a video phone to outsmart her dad – as well as her date’s ex-girlfriend. Kevin Pollack stars as the father.

“Samurai Girl” will air as a special event premiering with six hours over three nights, on September 5, 6 & 7th. Based on a series of popular young adult novels, "Samurai Girl" tells the story of a 19-year old Japanese girl named Heaven, who discovers that the wealthy businessman who adopted her as an infant is really the head of the Yakuza (the Japanese mafia) and may have had her beloved brother brutally murdered. She breaks from her family and begins training to become a samurai, and with the help of a group of new American friends, sets out to take down her father's evil empire. The ensemble cast includes Jamie Chung, Brendan Fehr, Saige Thompson, Kyle Labine, Anthony Brandon Wong, Steven Brand and Kenneth Choi.

“Lincoln Heights” will return for its third season this Fall 2008 with ten new episodes. The critically acclaimed and multiple NAACP Image and NAMIC award nominated “Lincoln Heights,” follows the lives of the Sutton family led by Eddie, an ambitious police officer, who moved his wife and three kids to the inner-city neighborhood where he was raised, with hopes of cleaning it up and making a difference. This season, Cassie and Charles take their relationship to new heights and Tay and Lizzie also delve further into their passions - Tay starts creating his own music, and Lizzie gets recruited to attend a prestigious private school. Eddie and Jenn meet a powerful new family, who promise better things for the community, but despite early signs of renewal in the neighborhood, their changes may not be what's best for the Heights. The cast includes Russell Hornsby, Nicki Micheaux, Erica Hubbard, Mishon Ratliff, Rhyon Brown, Robert Adamson and Michael Reilly Burke.

“Greek” will return for its second season this Fall 2008 with twelve new episodes. Spring Break is over and the “Greek” gang returns to campus for the conclusion of their school year. As initiation approaches, the Freshman pledges' devotion is put to the test when it's determined whether or not they are accepted into the fraternities and sororities. The upperclassmen explore new relationships and academic aspirations as their upcoming Senior Year looms. The ensemble cast includes Jacob Zachar, Spencer Grammer, Scott Michael Foster, Jake McDorman, Clark Duke, Dilshad Vadsaria, Paul James, Amber Stevens and Tiffany Dupont.

“Kyle XY” returns with ten new episodes in January 2009 for its third season. In the third season of "Kyle XY," lives are saved, secrets are exposed and hearts are broken as Kyle discovers that being a hero doesn't come without a price. Cast includes breakout star Matt Dallas, Marguerite MacIntyre, Bruce Thomas, April Matson, Jean-Luc Bilodeau, Chris Olivero, Kirsten Prout and Jaimie Alexander.

“Roommates,” the networks first foray into half-hour comedy production, will premiere with thirteen episodes in 2009. “Roommates” is about a group of friends trying to figure out love and life in their post-collegiate years. The ensemble cast includes, Tyler Francavilla, Dorian Brown, Tommy Dewey, David Weidoff and Tamera Mowry.

“Sophie,” an all new original half-hour series will premiere in 2009 with thirteen episodes. “Sophie” is a heartwarming and comedic tale of a lovely young woman having the worst year of her life. The cast includes Natalie Brown, Sebastian Spence, Jeff Geddis, Amy Lalonde, Mimi Kuzyk, Sara Botsford, Chantelle Chung and Catherine Bérubé.

Joining our successful line-up of acquired series, including “America’s Funniest Home Videos,” “What I Like About You,” and “Gilmore Girls” will be the newly acquired “That 70’s Show” premiering this June and “My Wife and Kids” premiering this September.

ABC Family’s 11th annual “25 Days of Christmas” programming event, will feature over two hundred hours of holiday-themed entertainment for the whole family from December 1- 25. In addition to classic holiday favorites like “Rudolph’s Shiny New Year,” “Frosty’s Winter Wonderland” and “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town,” this year's holiday event will also feature an all new holiday special, “A Miser Brothers Christmas,” the sequel to the holiday favorite “A Year Without a Santa Claus.” In addition, ABC Family presents the new original movie “Snow 2 Brain Freeze” starring Tom Cavanaugh and Ashley Williams, the sequel to our highly successful “Snow” as well as the basic cable premieres of “The Chronicles of Narnia” and “Cars.” And again this year, Christmas comes early with “Countdown to 25 Days of Christmas,” which adds fifteen additional days of holiday programming.

[icecream]

I was interested in the Brenda Hampton series, but they had to put it against Celebrity Family Feud.

[thebloodyscot]

Sounds like an interesting schedule