MyNetwork TV Changes Programming Strategy

MyNetwork TV is moving away from the network TV business reports Variety. Fox’s three-year-old broadcast unit announced that it will adopt what it calls a “programming service model” for next fall. The strategy will call for reduced original programming and will feature a two-hour offnet block of Law and Order: Criminal Intent and a movie night. The plan will also reduce MyNetwork’s programming commitment to 10 hours a week from 12 hours and leave its 180 affiliates responsible for programming Saturday nights. The broadcaster’s most popular offering, WWE Friday Night Smackdown, will remain unaffected. Fox will announce the entire MyNetwork fall slate shortly.

Fox launched MyNetwork TV in fall 2006, using a collection of former UPN and WB stations, including 10 former UPN affils owned by News Corp. in such major markets as New York (WWOR), Los Angeles (KCOP) and Chicago (WPWR). An initial programming strategy based on telenovelas proved unsuccessful, but station managers have recently been pleased with the performance of wrestling, which bowed on the broadcaster last fall.