It’s been a good year for ABC. Emerging from last place last season, the network has posted what it describes as the largest audience growth for any major network in the coveted adult 18-49 demographic in 25 years. However, despite the newfound success, ABC has shaken up its schedule for next season.
Coming off a year that saw ABC land breakout hits from “Desperate Housewives” to “Lost” to “Grey’s Anatomy,” the network will launch three new dramas and two new comedies this fall, with even more new programming ready for midseason. In addition, the network is shifting around many of its most popular and established shows.
“Through strong development and strategic marketing, we were able to make valuable strides this season. Our responsibility next season and beyond is to continue that forward movement,” says ABC Entertainment President Stephen McPherson. “We’re grateful to all of the people at ABC, as well as those in the creative community who are contributing to our promising first steps.”
Viewers will be forced to follow established shows around, such as “Boston Legal” (now on Tuesday) and “Alias” (the first hour of what ABC hopes will be a vital Thursday), but ABC has set up familiar buffers for many of its new shows. In terms of comedies, ABC’s schedule will include “Freddie” and “Hot Properties,” while “Commander-in-Chief,” “Invasion” and “The Night Stalker” are the new dramas.
ABC’s will start things off on Mondays with “Wife Swap” leading into the network’s final season of “Monday Night Football.” When the football season ends in January, “The Bachelor” will return in the 8 p.m. ET time period, followed by the Heather Graham project “Emily’s Reasons Why Not,” and the surprisingly returning comedy “Jake in Progress.” The night will end with “What About Brian,” a J.J. Abrams-created dramedy starring Barry Watson and the only one of three pilots from the “Lost” creator to make ABC’s roster.
“According to Jim” and “Rodney” move to 8 p.m. to start ABC’s Tuesday. ABC will then shift gears with Geena Davis in the female president drama “Commander-in-Chief” at 9 p.m. and “Boston Legal” in its new 10 p.m. time slot.
On Wednesday, ABC is moving the desert island smash “Lost” to 9 p.m., starting the night instead with the comedies”George Lopez” and “Freddie,” which aims to make a sitcom star out of Freddie Prinze Jr. “Lost” will take the middle of the night, providing a solid lead-in for “Invasion,” an alien-based drama that McPherson describes simply as “spectacular.”
For the third year in a row, “Alias” has been moved, joining the tough battle on Thursday night at 8 p.m. The show will set up “The Night Stalker,” an update of the 1970s supernatural series, which had a strong cult following. The night will close with “Primetime Live.”
After several failed attempts at re-establishing Friday night as the home of family comedies (TGIF), ABC is offering the evening’s first hour to the reality series “Supernanny.” Returning comedy “Hope & Faith” remains in its current 9 p.m. time lsot, setting up the real estate half-hour “Hot Properties.” The 10 p.m. hour goes to “20/20.”
ABC is sticking with its movie-of-the-week on Saturday.
The network will also hold on to the Sunday lineup that has gone from non-existant to champion in recent months. From “America’s Home Videos” to “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” to returning hits “Desperate Housewives” and “Grey’s Anatomy” (now ordered for a full season of 22 episodes), ABC can count on a strong night.
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