Fox to launch My Network TV

Televisionpoint.com Correspondent
Fox will launch My Network TV, a new primetime program network scheduled to debut this fall. Fox Television Stations, Inc., and Twentieth Television will operate the new venture. The announcement was made today at a press conference in New York by Peter Chernin, President and Chief Operating Officer, News Corporation; Roger Ailes, Chairman of Fox Television Stations; and Jack Abernethy, CEO of Fox Television Stations.

Upon launching on Tuesday, September 5th, 2006, My Network TV will feature quality primetime programming from 8:00-10:00pm (EST/PST) Monday through Saturday, totaling 12 hours of original content per week. Providing broadcasters a viable and station-friendly option for primetime, involving no reverse compensation, My Network TV will position stations with operational flexibility through an appealing affiliation term and attractive inventory split, further building asset value.

Fox Television Stations' WWOR/New York, KCOP/Los Angeles, WPWR/Chicago, KDFI/Dallas, WDCA/Washington, D.C., KTXH/Houston, WFTC/Minneapolis, KUTP/Phoenix, WRBW/ Orlando and WUTB/Baltimore will serve as anchor affiliates of My Network TV, representing 24% of the United States. Supported with powerful branding and marketing initiatives that tie-in locally, the service will maintain and strengthen affiliates' community brand recognition with a complete look and feel of a national network that empowers localism.

Regarding the announcement, Chernin stated, "No other media company comes close to Fox when it comes to launching new networks and gauging audience appetites. Over the past 20 years, we've proved it time and again with FBC, FX, Fox News Channel and National Geographic Channel among many others. And with My Network TV, we think we've come up with a unique format that will resonate with today's consumer and a model that can be profitable from day one."

Ailes added, "Backed by the strongest media company in the world, My Network TV is a viable alternative brought to you by proven winners who know quality programming. Independent stations are in need of a solid option for primetime and we believe no other company is providing this service to the market."

Commented Abernethy, "We're thrilled to be launching My Network TV this fall. We consider this to be a station-friendly alternative that will deliver more local inventory to its affiliates, uphold each station's localism and feature quality programming supported by strong branding and marketing. We are looking forward to signing additional affiliates in the coming weeks."

Twentieth Television's new hour-long scripted dramas "Desire" and "Secrets" will inaugurate My Network TV. Structured in a 65-episode story arc stripped Monday through Friday for 13 weeks, "Desire" and "Secrets" are based on the worldwide success of the telenovela format. "Desire" chronicles the destruction of a family and the bonds of brotherhood take center stage when two brothers on the run from the mafia find themselves in a heated battle of passion, betrayal, deceit and murder over the woman they both love. "Secrets" goes deep behind-the-scenes to focus on the glamorous, yet sometimes brutally ruthless fashion industry, in which greed, lust and blind ambition surround a violent corporate takeover of the business' hottest company. Principal photography on the dramas will commence early March.