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Cable Nets Step Up to Reality

Cable World, Jan 6, 2003

Byline: JON LAFAYETTE

Cable networks are ready to air new episodes of some of their biggest shows in January, but they'll be facing intense competition from well-hyped midseason programming from the broadcasters.

Coming off a record-setting fourth quarter, cable is looking to maintain its 2003 momentum with returning series, new series and specials.

This week, two of cable's biggest hits from last season, FX's The Shield, featuring Emmy Award-winning actor Michael Chiklis, and USA Network's The Dead Zone, begin their sophomore year.

But network executives had no idea what those shows would be up against.

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Reality series alone will be grabbing viewers. This week, Fox launches Joe Millionaire, ABC begins The Bachelorette and Celebrity Mole Hawaii and CBS brings back Star Search. Later this month, Fox's popular American Idol returns.

New dramatic series will also be launched this month, including CBS's Queens Supreme and NBC's Mr. Sterling, and those shows will be heavily promoted.

Other cable networks are launching new series and specials in January, further crowding the airwaves.

ABC Family's new entry into the reality-comedy business, My Life Is a Sitcom, premieres Jan. 20. That day, Sci Fi Channel begins its new series, The Dream Team.

MTV is launching several new shows this month, starting with Real World/Road Rules Battle of the Sexes on Jan. 6. Later this month, MTV will start Made, a makeover series; Clone High USA, an animated show in which Lincoln, Cleopatra and Gandhi go to school, on Jan 20; and Crib Crashers, a spin-off of Cribs, on Jan. 22.

Other January series debuts include the Weather Channel's prime-time Storm Stories and Game Show Network's Cram. The History Channel will present its miniseries on Teddy Roosevelt, TR An American Lion, on Jan. 20.

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Cable Nets Step Up to Reality

Cable World, Jan 6, 2003

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