ABC is giving sophomore drama “Alias” the coveted post-Super Bowl time slot and moving “The Practice” to Mondays. Super Bowl XXXVII airs Jan. 26, with a new episode of “Alias” immediately following. “This is a show that we have always believed deserved a bigger audience, and the Super Bowl will help introduce it to millions of new viewers,” said ABC Entertainment President Susan Lyne.
The network also announced that it will move “The Practice” from Sunday to Monday from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. (ET) starting Jan. 27. New freshman drama “Dragnet” will occupy “The Practice’s” old home on Sundays at 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. “Dragnet” will premiere Sunday, Feb. 2. ABC’s new Monday lineup includes “Veritas: The Quest” from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. and “Miracles” from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m.
CBS firms midseason schedule
CBS has made numerous midseason scheduling moves. Talent show “Star Search” will debut Wednesday, Jan. 8 at 8 p.m. (ET) to 9 p.m., with a second run each week on Thursdays at 8 p.m. to 9 p.m., beginning Jan. 9. The series will run for four weeks, with its finale Thursday, Feb. 6.
New drama “Queens Supreme” will take over the 10 p.m.-to-11 p.m. Friday slot previously occupied by “Robbery Homicide Division,” which has been put on hiatus, starting Jan. 10.
Medical drama “Presidio Med” will return to the network’s schedule Wednesday, Jan. 15, from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. “Presidio Med” will air original episodes on Friday, Jan. 17, and Friday, Jan. 24, at 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. in addition to its regularly scheduled Wednesday airings.
CBS also announced that it will air three “The Price is Right” specials in prime time during February sweeps. “The Price is Right Million Dollar Spectacular” will air from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday Feb. 5, Feb. 12 and Feb. 19. During the weeks “Star Search” and “Price is Right” air, “60 Minutes II” will be bumped to the 9 p.m.-to-10 p.m. time slot.
Touchstone promotes three
Touchstone Television has promoted the heads of its comedy and drama departments. Julia Franz was upped to senior VP of comedy series from VP of comedy series. Ms. Franz will continue to develop new projects and oversee all current comedy series, including “My Wife and Kids” and “8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter.” Francie Calfo and Suzanne Patmore were promoted to senior VPs of drama series from VPs of drama series. Ms. Calfo and Ms. Patmore will oversee all drama development and production. Touchstone also announced that Nicole Norwood has joined the studio as director of drama series, from manager of current programming and drama development at The WB.
Universal promotes Beverly
Universal Television has promoted Carl Beverly to senior VP of drama programming. Mr. Beverly joined Universal (then Studios USA) in October 2001 as VP of drama programming. Previously, he was at Artists Television Group, where he served as VP of development and current programming from July 1999 to August 2001.