TNT & TBS Plan Year-Round Original Programming

NEW YORK: TBS and TNT are undertaking a "major transformation" over the next two years, building up to year-round original programming and maximizing multi-screen technology.

The aim is toward evolving from linear networks into branded video destinations. Both networks also outlined plans for bulking up their original series lineups for 2012-13.

TNT has nine original series coming this summer, the most in the network’s history. Rizzoli & Isles returns in its third season on June 5, followed by the season two premiere of Franklin & Bash. The highly anticipated debut of the Dallas reboot comes on June 13, with a special two-hour premiere. Falling Skies heads back to the network on June 17. The new series The Great Escape makes its debut on June 24. The Closer heads into its final season on July 9, to be followed by the series premiere of Perception. Leverage makes its season five launch on July 15. Coming later, in August, is the series premiere of Major Crimes. Southland will return in February 2013. New series for the 2013 slate are Monday Mornings, Boston Blue (working title) and 72 Hours (working title).

Series in development for TNT include King and Maxwell, based on bestselling author David Baldacci’s popular characters Sean King and Michelle Maxwell; The Last Ship, an action/adventure project based on the novel by William Brinkley; and Legends, a drama being developed by Howard Gordon, Howard Gordon, Jeffrey Nachmanoff and Mark Bomback from the novel Legends by Robert Littell. From The Closer creator James Duff and Closer to Home creator Jim Leonard comes Lew Archer. Tom Clancy’s Homeland Security is an event-based procedural that pits a select team of domestic intelligence operatives against enemies within and without. There’s also two untitled projects, a Steven Bochco murder mystery and a Ron Shelton family drama.

Unscripted series on the TNT slate include American Troubadours, from Nigel Lythgoe and Matthew McConaughey; Cold Justice, from Dick Wolf’s production outfit and Magical Elves; Rivals, from the producers of Laguna Beach and Jockeys; and 24/7: Los Angeles, giving an all-access look at the men and women who protect the streets of Los Angeles.

TBS’s new show Men at Work makes its series premiere on May 24. Sullivan & Son comes July 19. Wedding Band is headed to the network in December. Joining the TBS lineup in early 2013 is Cougar Town, which is making its move from network television. King of the Nerds (working title) is also on the roster, alongside Deon Cole’s Black Box. Who Gets the Last Laugh? (working title) is coming in 2013.

On the development slate for TBS are The Kid, about a golf prodigy who teams up with an unconventional new caddy; Most Likely, about a former "most likely to succeed" star student who loses his job and winds up back home working for the former "most popular" jock; and Zone Lord, executive produced by Conan O’Brien. In the way of unscripted fare, TBS has lined up Norm MacDonald is Trending, featuring SNL alumnus and former "Weekend Update" anchor. There’s also an untitled competition game show being developed by Jared Hoffman and produced by Alloy Digital’s Generate Studios.

"Our strategy is designed to confront the challenges of an ever-growing media universe by focusing on the strength of our brands, the power of our programming and the ability to deliver branded video content that can be enjoyed anytime, anywhere and on any device," said Steve Koonin, the president of Turner Entertainment Networks. "To reach our destination, we will focus on leading with the strength of the TBS and TNT brands; cementing each network’s foundation with popular, high-profile acquisitions; expanding our lineup of scripted and unscripted original series to a year-round model; and maximizing multi-screen opportunities."

"Turner continues to make investments in programming that has broad appeal with viewers, and our commitment to producing originals throughout the year and content for all screens will provide tremendous opportunities for our clients and their brands," added David Levy, the president of sales, distribution and sports at Turner Broadcasting System. "As viewer habits progress and we evolve into a One Media World, advertisers continue to look for opportunities to engage with consumers on multiple screens and platforms. Turner’s leading portfolio of linear and digital brands, with enhanced original content, provides our advertising partners with greater reach for their messages, across multiple screens, genres and demographics."