ABC Announces Early Pick Ups

BURBANK, February 29: ABC
Entertainment has announced early pick ups of alternative series for next
season, including America’s Funniest Home Videos and Dancing with the Stars.

America’s Funnies Home
Videos, currently in its 18th
season, is the longest-running prime-time show in ABC’s history. The series has
placed either first or second in its respective time slots (Fridays at 8 p.m.
and Sundays at 7 p.m.) in the 18-to-49 demographic for six of the past seven
seasons.

The hit competition series
Dancing with the Stars will
also return to the network. During its fall 2007 run, the show led its time
period in total viewers and adults 18 to 49, qualifying as Monday’s
most-watched TV program and as the number-one show of the night on each of its
telecasts.

Another reality series heading
back to ABC is Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. For the fifth straight season, the home-makeover
show ranks number one in its Sunday 8 p.m. time slot with viewers 18 to 49.
Beginning this season, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition will feature green elements on every episode, with
eco-friendly, low-energy and recyclable sources being incorporated into the
builds.

Also returning to the
network are Supernanny, which
ranks as the number-two show in its Wednesday 9 p.m. slot with adults 18 to 49
and the 18-to-34 demographic, and Wife Swap, which holds a number-two spot in its Wednesday 8
p.m. time period with adults 18 to 34, women 18 to 34 and teens 12 to 17.

—By Kristin
Brzoznowski