From: http://www.worldscreen.com/newscurrent.php...e=ion122106.htm

2006-12-21

ION Hails Success of Change in Programming Strategy

WEST PALM BEACH, December 21: ION Media Networks’ flagship i Network, formerly PAX TV, has reported a 21 percent ratings gain in total households as compared with the first half of this year, following a shift in its programming strategy towards feature films and classic TV shows from the Hollywood studios.

“Our improving ratings performance validates the recent efforts we have made to broaden the programming appeal of our TV network, for which we have received positive viewer and advertiser feedback,” said Brandon Burgess, the president and CEO of ION Media Networks. “We are focused on delivering continued gains in the coming broadcast seasons, as we bring additional partners and content into our strategy.”

Highlights for the period include the sitcom Mama’s Family, which joined the schedule in mid-August and posted a 32 percent increase in households for the 8 to 9 p.m. time period. In addition, with classic TV marathons and theatricals, the network’s weekend prime-time average is up 49 percent.

“Our programming approach has focused on increasing our core audience, while still appealing to our current base of loyal viewers,” said Stacey Nagel Galper, ION’s SVP of programming and strategic planning. “We’ve seen immediate gains with the pick-up of perennial favorites such as Mama’s Family and look forward to building on this success with the debut of RHI Entertainment’s award-winning content on our network in July 2007.”

The qubo kids’ block, which launched September 15 and airs Fridays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., has also performed well. On December 8, it delivered increases in Kids 2-11 of 157 percent versus the premiere week and 43 percent versus the previous week. Kids 6-11 increased 107 percent over premiere week and 71 percent from the previous week. In addition, qubo has outperformed the Saturday morning kids’ programming it replaced on NBC, increasing by 57 percent in Kids 2-11 for the November sweep compared with NBC’s November 2005 average.

That's awesome. They're definitely on their way to giving TVLand a run for their money. Just can't wait until the infomercials' contracts run up.

That's awesome. They're definitely on their way to giving TVLand a run for their money. Just can't wait until the infomercials' contracts run up.

Yeah. I actually enjoyed the PAX shows before. Mysterious Ways and Sue Thomas F.B.Eye

This can't be good for MyNetworkTV.

And TVLand lost all credibility when they acquired the rights to BAYWATCH of all shows!

And TVLand lost all credibility when they acquired the rights to BAYWATCH of all shows!

That's one show that should stay on the Spike network, it's not the type of show I want to see on TVLand......

I hope they revive Supermarket Sweep and Shop 'Til You Drop.

That's one show that should stay on the Spike network, it's not the type of show I want to see on TVLand......

I agree...Baywatch has NO place on TVLand, but then again, neither do half the shows presently on TVLand. That channel has gone to hell in a handbasket in the last year. And now they are adding M*A*S*H at the first of the year. Who the hell cares? I don't. They are constantly rearranging their schedule, and removing some of the more popular old tv shows. They are about to lose me completely as a viewer.

I hope they revive Supermarket Sweep and Shop 'Til You Drop.

Ohhhhhh I loved watching those shows on Lifetime when I was younger.......

I agree...Baywatch has NO place on TVLand, but then again, neither do half the shows presently on TVLand. That channel has gone to hell in a handbasket in the last year. And now they are adding M*A*S*H at the first of the year. Who the hell cares? I don't. They are constantly rearranging their schedule, and removing some of the more popular old tv shows. They are about to lose me completely as a viewer.

Well M*A*S*H was on from 72-83 and it's an older show, what pisses me off is that Baywatch isn't that old of a show; and I want to be able to see older shows that didn't go off the air in 2001 on TVLand....

Well M*A*S*H was on from 72-83 and it's an older show, what pisses me off is that Baywatch isn't that old of a show; and I want to be able to see older shows that didn't go off the air in 2001 on TVLand....

I have to agree with you about Baywatch. It has NO place on TVLand.

What do you think of all the original programming on TVLand these days?

Well, "Baywatch" was only for a weekend marathon. TVLand didn't acquire the rights to it. Spike already had the rights, they were running out, so TVLand aired a full weekend of mainly 1989-1995 episodes as a way to send it off. Of course, Spike ended up renewing it and aired it again for a few months. I wish they'd bring it back, and in an afternoon slot (around 3ish). I was really started to revisit it when they suddenly yanked it off again.

I only watch Mama's Family on i, but I definitely see why the network is doing so well. The only show I watched on PAX was Supermarket Sweep...and that was only if I was really bored.

I've never seen Baywatch on TVLand...I remember them doing the weekend of it, but that was the only time it was mentioned. As weird as it seems, some people consider shows from the 90s to be "old." I don't agree with it, but I understand. I remember last week watching an episode of Seinfeld that mentioned JFK Jr., and thinking that that episode was now outdated, even though it was made in the mid-90s.

I don't like how some shows are on all the time, and others aren't. Shows like Leave it to Beaver, Bonanza, and Gunsmoke are on all the damn time!! TVLand used to show Maude and Soap, but they stopped a while ago. I was really bummed out b/c you really can't see them anywhere else. I know that they were featured onDemand on Comcast.

Maybe TVLand should have a second station, one for shows from the 50s and 60s, and another for the 70s and 80s. It must be popular. That's one of the only stations that my family watches.

What do you think of all the original programming on TVLand these days?

What's the point of reality shows on TVLand anyway?! The purpose of this show was to air everything that was "too old" for Nick At Nite.

I also feel in terms of "aging" itself, Nick at Night aged itself way too much. It just feels odd having 90's shows like WINGS and FRESH PRINCE OF BEL-AIR on Nick At Nite. What's next? FRIENDS and SEINFELD?!

I'm just not fond of cable networks that veer off the original intended course(VH1 Classic, THIS MEANS YOU!).

It would be fun if the i network acquired the rights to NightTracks or old, obscure music videos to air on Friday and Saturday Nights.

I'm definitely part of the 21% growth! Especially now that everything on the big networks is in re-runs, I'm watching Growing Pains and Mama's Family every night.

I only have one (well, two) complaints about "I" - the neverending infomercials, and the super-cheesy commercials that are geared to 80 year olds. I'm hoping if "I" keeps growing, air time will get more expensive, and the cheesy commercials will be out.

One thing I hate about TVLand is how they treat "I Love Lucy" moving it all over the place and at one time only airing at 5AM!