Renewed for 2003-2004 season

[Pavan]

IN AN UNPRECEDENTED MOVE THAT DEMONSTRATES A STRONG
SHOW OF CONFIDENCE IN ITS NEW SCRIPTED PROGRAMMING,
ABC ANNOUNCES EARLY 2003-2004 SEASON ORDERS FOR SEVEN SERIES:
“8 SIMPLE RULES FOR DATING MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER,” “ACCORDING TO JIM,” “ALIAS,” “GEORGE LOPEZ,” “LESS THAN PERFECT,” “LIFE WITH BONNIE” AND “MY WIFE AND KIDS”
Popular Series Join “NYPD Blue” in Early Pick-Ups
Network Also Re-ups “America’s Funniest Home Videos” and “The Bachelor” Franchise

In an unprecedented move that demonstrates a strong show of confidence in its new scripted programming, the ABC Television Network has picked up seven current series for the 2003-2004
season, including all four of its freshman comedies: “8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter,” “According to Jim,” “Alias,” “George Lopez,” “Less Than Perfect,” “Life with Bonnie” and “My Wife and Kids.” The announcement was made today by Lloyd Braun, chairman, ABC Entertainment Television
Group, and Susan Lyne, president, ABC Entertainment.
These successful series join previously-announced pick-up “NYPD Blue. ”
“These seven shows have demonstrated both creative growth and an ability to compete in their timeslots,” Ms. Lyne said in making the announcement. “Each one plays a key role in our current schedule, and they will be the building blocks for launching our new series next season.”

Dominating its time period again this season, “My Wife and Kids” leads its closest competition in Wednesday night’s lead-off half-hour by 14% in Total Viewers (12.3 million vs. 10.8 million - CBS)
and by 15% among Adults 18-49 (4.7/13 vs. 4.1/12 – Fox) on average. The hit family comedy has improved on its own performance in the same time period last season in both Total Viewers (12.3 million vs. 11.4 million) and Adults 18-49 (4.7/13 vs. 4.6/13). “My Wife and Kids” ranks as ABC’s top rated comedy this season and its No. 1 scripted program in viewers (12.4 million) and young adults (4.9/14), tied with “8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter” and “According to Jim,”respectively.
“My Wife and Kids” stars Damon Wayans, Tisha Campbell-Martin, George O. Gore II, Jennifer Freeman and Parker McKenna Posey. Wayans and Don Reo are co-creators and executive producers.
David Himelfarb is executive producer and Eric Gold is co-executive producer of the Touchstone Television series.