TNT Gets 'Alias' in Fall 2005; Locals on Weekends in Fall 2005

[Pavan]

Spike TV and FX are bidding to get reruns of Alias. One of them will probably get it. So far it has not been bought:

Spike, FX Eye 'Alias' Reruns


HOLLYYWOOD REPORTER -- Spike TV and FX have emerged as front-runners to air reruns of ABC's espionage drama "Alias," sources said.

"Alias" syndicator, Disney's Buena Vista Television, made a presentation at Spike TV, according to sources close to the network, which is very interested in the series but has yet to make a formal bid. FX and Spike TV declined comment. A spokeswoman for Bune Vista also declined comment.

With a sexy star in Jennifer Garner and critical buzz still growing, "Alias" would be a fine addition to such male-skewing cable networks as FX and Spike TV, Lifetime senior vp research Tim Brooks said.

"It could be a real brand builder if you're looking for a distinctive series to add to your schedule," he said.

However, "Alias" isn't likely to carry a steep price tag because its ratings are nowhere near hit status and its intricate multiepisode story lines make it a tougher sell than the self-contained plots in single episodes of syndicated war horses like "Law & Order."

"'Alias' has to be watched sequentially, which is not good for syndication," Brooks said. "You can't just pick up the series in the middle and understand it."

The show begins its third season this fall.

[Pavan]

I thought fX would get this show, but TNT got it. I think that's better anyway.


NEW YORK -- TNT has bought the cable rights to reruns of the action series "Alias" for a minimum of $20 million.
Distributor Buena Vista TV will deliver at least 88 episodes to TNT, which will be able to start running "Alias" up to 10 times a week beginning in the fall of 2005.

TNT may end up sharing "Alias" with TV stations during its run because Buena Vista has reserved the right to sell it in syndication for weekend play while TNT schedules it Monday through Friday.

The series, which stars Jennifer Garner, has never racked up big ratings for ABC on Sunday nights -- it averages a relatively modest 8.2 million total viewers, down about 15% from last year -- but the series pulls in enough adults 18-49 to make it highly salable on Madison Avenue.

Thanks to its lineup of off-network hours such as "Law & Order," "Charmed," "Angel," "ER" and "The X-Files" -- to be bolstered this fall by a weekly play of the hit CBS series "Without a Trace" -- TNT has vaulted to No. 1 among all cable networks in total viewers, adults 18-49 and adults 25-54.

[EricIdlefan]

TNT seems to be hitting on the younger 18-50 audience!!

[Pavan]

Now locals have been added for fall 2005 on weekends:

Buena Vista Television has inked a two-year syndie deal with Fox Station Group for Jennifer Garner action series "Alias" to be added to the weekend sked in fall 2005.
It's an all-barter arrangement with Buena Vista holding back seven minutes each run for sale to national advertisers.

Deal involves all 35 Fox-owned stations, including WWOR New York and KCOP Los Angeles.

The Touchstone series, which stars Garner as a CIA agent, is about to wrap up its third season on ABC.

[missyme]

TNT rules lately... first they started the Grid (my new favorite show) and now they get sydney! I'm so excited!