ION Television Reveals Rebrand, New Lineup

WEST PALM BEACH, May 2: At
an Upfront presentation held in New York City yesterday, ION Television
introduced its new tagline “Positively Entertaining,” and unveiled its
programming lineup for the 2008-2009 season, which includes 12 original movies
from RHI Entertainment and the sci-fi drama The Dead Zone, among other highlights.

RHI Entertainment, ION
Television’s exclusive partner in weekend prime-time programming, will deliver
12 original movies, including three westerns, during the 2008-2009 season.
Following an agreement with Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution, the
network’s prime-time schedule will feature the Emmy Award-winning medical drama
ER, which is currently in its
14th season and remains one of the highest-rated dramas on television. Also
joining ION Television’s weeknight schedule is the ABC drama Boston Legal and the USA Network original sci-fi/suspense
series The Dead Zone from
Debmar-Mercury. Through a deal with Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution,
the sitcom Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper
will be on ION Television’s fall lineup. As previously announced, the comedic
drama M*A*S*H will be included
in the network’s schedule this fall, along with three series that have recently
begun their run on ION Television: The Steve Harvey Show, Family Feud and Quantum Leap.

In its continuing
commitment to present programming aimed at the 25-to-54 demographic, ION
Television will add the CBS series Criminal Minds and Ghost Whisperer to its programming block in 2009. Both series are
going into their fourth original seasons on CBS. At the Upfront, ION Television
also touted the expansion of its programming block to 4 p.m.

“ION Television’s expanded
content and positioning can be summarized in two words: ‘Positively
Entertaining!’,” said ION Media Networks’ chairman and CEO, Brandon Burgess.
“The shows we have lined up to deliver on that promise—Boston Legal, ER,
The Dead Zone, Ghost
Whisperer and Criminal Minds—will positively do just that, bringing large
and loyal audiences to ION Television in 2008 and 2009.”

“Advertisers aiming to
build market share and showcase their products need look no further than our
new lineup,” added ION Media Networks’ president of sales and marketing,
Stephen Appel. “ION Television will be recognized for its value, innovation,
ratings growth and expansive reach.”

—By Irene Lew