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From ABCMedia.net:
February 26, 2003
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.
8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter is a strong lead-off program for ABC on Tuesday at 8:00 p.m. The comedy is bringing ABC enormous time period improvement, boosting the Network's totals by 42% in Total Viewers and by 35% in Adults 18-49 over the same point last season. The show is a solid second in the half-hour this season among Adults 18-49 (4.6/13), behind only Fox with the mega-hit American Idol and That 70's Show. In its half-hour, 8 Simple Rules tops NBC by 70% (2.7/8) and CBS by 53% (2.9/8) among Adults 18-49. 8 Simple Rules qualifies as ABC's most-watched comedy (12.4 million) and its No. 1 scripted program in Total Viewers, tied with My Wife and Kids.
8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter stars John Ritter, Katey Sagal, Kaley Cuoco, Amy Davidson and Martin Spanjers. Tracy Gamble, who created the series, also serves as executive producer, along with Tom Shadyac, Flody Suarez and Michael Bostick. The series is from Touchstone Television.
According to Jim is an incredibly strong transitional program for ABC on Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. Like its 8 Simple Rules lead-in, Jim is greatly improving the time period for ABC, up 33% in viewers and 36% in Adults 18-49 over the Net's delivery in the slot at the same point last season. The comedy is a strong second to Fox's American Idol in the half-hour in Adults 18-49 (4.9/12). A key component to ABC's success on the night, According to Jim builds by 4% on its Adult 18-49 lead-in
on average. According to Jim is ABC's No. 1 comedy among Adults 18-49 and its No. 1 scripted program this season in the key demo, tied with My Wife and Kids. According to Jim is up over its own delivery last season by 15% in viewers and by 9% in young adults.
According to Jim stars Jim Belushi, Courtney Thorne-Smith, Kimberly Williams, Larry Joe Campbell, Taylor Atelian and Billi Bruno. Executive producers/writers are Tracy Newman & Jonathan Stark. Executive producers are Suzanne Bukinik and Marc Gurvitz. The series is from Touchstone Television in association with Brad Grey Television.
With significant sampling on its post-Super Bowl telecast, Alias hit its highest ratings ever in Total Viewers and Adults 18-49. Since then Alias has maintained its momentum, outpacing its average prior to the Super Bowl by 12% in Total Viewers (10.1 million vs. 9.0 million) and by 18% in Adults 18-49 (4.7/10 vs. 4.0/9). Versus the same point last season, Alias is up by 3% in its core demographic of Adults 18-34 (3.8/10 vs. 3.7/9) and by 9% among Teens 12-17 (2.4/7 vs. 2.2/7).
Alias stars Jennifer Garner, Victor Garber, Ron Rifkin, Michael Vartan, Lena Olin, Bradley Cooper, Merrin Dungey, Carl Lumbly, Kevin Weisman and David Anders. The series, from Touchstone Television, was created by J.J. Abrams, who executive-produces along with John Eisendrath and Ken Olin.
The release continues on regarding the other shows it has signed for next year.
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