ION TV Plans Expanded Program Lineup
New Series, 'Total Theatre Thursday' Round Out Extended Schedule
By Linda Moss -- Multichannel News, 4/3/2008 6:11:00 AM
ION Television will add three series—TheSteve Harvey Show, FamilyFeud and Quantum Leap—to its lineup April 7, extending the service’s schedule of entertainment programming an additional hour from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., officials said Thursday.
The Steve Harvey Show was acquired from Sony Pictures Television to add to ION’s schedule. Then ION will debut the 2006-2007 season of Family Feud, hosted by one of People Magazine’s “Sexiest Men Alive,” John O’Hurley, best known for originating the role of J. Peterman on Seinfeld and for his first-season stint on Dancing with the Stars.
Family Feud was acquired from Fremantle Media North America.
ION will add science fiction to its schedule with Quantum Leap, a five-time Emmy Award and two-time Golden Globe Award-winning program that appeals to a wide range of viewers. ION has obtained all 96 episodes of the hit show from NBC Universal.
On Thursday nights, powered by deals with studios such as Warner Bros, ION will launch Total Theatre Thursday over the summer, an array of hit motion pictures like Blade Runner, Dirty Harry, Risky Business and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.
With the addition of these three new series and big screen favorites, ION’s lineup will be: The Wayans Brothers from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday; The Steve Harvey Show from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday; Family Feud from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday; Mama's Family from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Wednesday; Quantum Leap from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Wednesday; The Drew Carey Show from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Wednesday; and Total Theatre Thursday from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Thursdays. Baywatch will be seen at 6 p.m. Saturdays.
