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The UPN and WB Networks Expand Programming Options For Fall

© F. Colin Kingston

Editor's Note: This week we examine the new fall schedules of the UPN and WB networks. In the coming weeks of summer we will add more links to various television websites and resume our popular feature THIS WEEK IN TELEVISION HISTORY.

The UPN Network: UPN overtook the WB in popularity last season due in large part to their WWF SMACKDOWN! program. This year they plan to add the new professional football league, The XFL, in order to attract even more male viewers. Here are their new programs:

THE HUGHLEYS, airing on Monday from 9 to 9:30 p.m. THE HUGHLEYS originally aired on ABC but UPN picked it up after it was cancelled by ABC.

GIRLFRIENDS, airing Monday evenings from 9:30 to 10 p.m. This series is produced by Kelsey Grammar's production studio. It follows the lives and loves of four female friends in their early 20s.

FREEDOM, airing Friday evenings from 8 to 9 p.m. Produced by Joel Silver (director of THE MATRIX) this is an action/adventure series. Set in the near future, it follows a group of rebels who try to reclaim an America that has been taken over by totalitarian rulers.

LEVEL 9, airing Friday evenings from 9 to 10 p.m. This adventure series follows a top-secret government agency (is their any other kind in television?) that tracks Internet terrorists.

XFL, airing from 7 to 9:30 p.m. on Sundays beginning in February. The XFL is a new professional football league brought to you by the same people who bring you the WWF. This is the "in your face" version of the NFL that is primarily being financed by NBC. UPN picks up the second half of the season and airs a total of 10 games next year.

Time Slot Changes: UPN moves their movie of the week to Tuesdays from 8 to 10 p.m. UPN has said they will feature less original programming and more acquisitions of programming from outside sources.

Here are the new programs for The WB.

The WB is introducing six new programs for next season. Their ratings were down 22% over last year. In an effort to regain those viewers the WB is emphasizing comedy and family- oriented programming.

GILMORE GIRLS, airing Thursdays from 8 to 8:30 p.m. This family-oriented program is about a mother and daughter who are best friends and who just happen to look the same age. This is the first series developed from the Family Friend Programming Forum, a group designed to develop family- friendly programming along the lines of the WB's most popular series, 7THE HEAVEN.