ABC hopes series will give it some resuscitation

0 Comments | USA TODAY, March, 2004 | by Bill Keveney

For ABC, Stephen King's horrors have been a long-running delight.

Miniseries adaptations of the author's works have drawn big ratings for more than a decade. The stakes are even higher now: The struggling network hopes Stephen King's Kingdom Hospital will become its first successful dramatic series launch since Alias in 2001.

"He's been enormous for us," says Quinn Taylor, who has overseen ABC's King projects. "If history is any indication, there is always an appetite for King."

The pressure this time may be higher, because ABC is stuck in fourth place in the ratings and has had difficulty launching a successful drama. With lower ratings, the promotional reach is weaker, too, although Oscar-telecast commercials could help.

Hospital differs from King's...