"i" (aka: PAX) Acquires Warner Bros. Owned TV Shows

[Pavan]

ION Media Networks Announces Programming Agreement for Extensive Line-up of Theatricals and Television Series from Warner Bros. Domestic Cable Distribution

“Superman III” To Kick Off Schedule Saturday, July 1st

(West Palm Beach, FL – June 27, 2006) – ION Media Networks, Inc. (AMEX: ION) and Warner Bros. Domestic Cable Distribution announced today a comprehensive programming deal, providing ION with the rights to broadcast popular movies and classic television series from Warner Bros.’ extensive library on its flagship i television network, reaching over 90 million homes.

“We are very pleased about this important programming alliance,” said Brandon Burgess, CEO of ION Media Networks. “Given its depth as a content supplier, Warner Bros. is a natural fit for our network, as our current viewers look to us for classic, family-oriented TV fare. We hope to expand this relationship over time, tapping into Warner Bros.’ diverse library to broaden our network’s content appeal and demographic positioning.”

Under the deal, ION has acquired the broadcast rights to a number of Warner Bros.’ most popular television series and movies. Series include classic shows such as “Welcome Back, Kotter,” “Chico and the Man,” “Scarecrow & Mrs. King,” “Mama’s Family,” “Alice” and “Wonder Woman,” and more recent hits including “The Wonder Years,” “Growing Pains,” “Perfect Strangers” and “The Wayans Bros,” among others.

The vast selection of movie titles available to ION includes Academy Award winners for Best Picture “Amadeus” and “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” and other hits, such as ”All the President’s Men,” "Police Academy 2", "Giant," "Oh God," "Rio Bravo," “Dead Ringers,” “Dog Day Afternoon,” “Rebel Without a Cause,” “2001: A Space Odyssey,” “Superman,” “Network,” “Shaft,” “Victor/Victoria,” “Empire of the Sun” and “Beetlejuice.”

The stable of talent represented in the deal is truly stellar, and includes Johnny Depp, Robin Williams, Tom Hanks, Clint Eastwood, Nicole Kidman, Al Pacino, James Dean, Paul Newman, John Wayne, Harrison Ford, Jack Nicholson, Marlon Brando, Mel Gibson, Dustin Hoffman, Denzel Washington, Elijah Wood, Whoopi Goldberg, Charlton Heston, Meryl Streep, Steve Martin and of course, Bugs Bunny. Directors include master filmmakers such as Alfred Hitchcock, Oliver Stone, Sergio Leone, Blake Edwards, Steven Spielberg, Tim Burton and George Lucas.

“We're delighted to be in business with the new i network and are confident that they will reap the proven audience-building benefits of popular features and TV series to drive ratings, attract sponsors and build the network's brand," said Eric Frankel, President of Warner Bros. Domestic Cable Distribution. “With our robust library of titles and ION’s large network of TV stations, this is clearly a win-win situation for everyone involved.”

Targeting its portfolio of content toward the i network’s current family-oriented television audiences, ION will kick off its Warner Bros. movie schedule with “Superman III” on Saturday, July 1st, coinciding with the weekend’s motion picture release of “Superman Returns.”

ION will begin scheduling the Warner Bros. television product in August on i.

[Pavan]

That is what the article says. They have acquired classic TV shows from Warner Bros., to launch in August. Details will follow.
http://www.sitcomsonline.com/blog/20...rner-bros.html

[nickandmore]

Originally Posted by pavanbadal

Under the deal, ION has acquired the broadcast rights to a number of Warner Bros.’ most popular television series and movies. Series include classic shows such as “Welcome Back, Kotter,” “Chico and the Man,” “Scarecrow & Mrs. King,” “Mama’s Family,” “Alice” and “Wonder Woman,” and more recent hits including “The Wonder Years,” “Growing Pains,” “Perfect Strangers” and “The Wayans Bros,” among others.

...

ION will begin scheduling the Warner Bros. television product in August on i.

I'm in shock right now! This is great news, to say the least. I sure do hope that this means "i" will expand its programming hours and let some of these series with over 100 episodes get a weekday (or everyday!) airing. I can't wait to see the schedule for August!!! I am one happy person right now!

[Pavan]

I think it is likely they will program in mornings/afternoon...but I'm not positive.

[ikhuri]

Does anyone know whether or not, the Warner Bros. Shows will be UNCUT?

Imad

[Pavan]

Don't go that far. i will not air them uncut.

[Brian Damage]

Does it mean Alice will be on, or is it just a WB show that they mentioned?

[TeeVeeCloset]

Absolutely incredible wonderful news!!! Finally classic TV will have a home not catering to ratings, "I" won't pull shows after a week on the air, Now classic TV fans will have "I" in addition to "American Life TV" to enjoy some great classic programming. Both networks have deals with Warner Bros. So long TV Land...long live "I" & "American Life TV"......Can't wait for the schedule.

[Clint Eastwood Fan]

Wow this is great news. All that airs on it now is infomercials at least where I live.

[Seth]

Yippee.

[James"Thunder"Early]

This sounds promising