ABC Family Conjours Half Blood Price Cable Rights

ABC Family continues to secure a basic-cable lock on the Harry Potter franchise by prebuying cable rights to Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince 10 months in advance of its theatrical debut, and making a belated pickup of the 2007 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. The first four Potter movies – Sorcerer’s Stone, Chamber of Secrets, Prisoner of Azkaban and Goblet of Fire – are already under contract to ABC Family. Tom Zappala, senior VP of program acquisitions and scheduling for ABC Family, said the movies have become one of the standards of the network’s annual 25 Days of Christmas programming, often getting key primetime slots.

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Jesse McCartney Pledges Greek For ABC Family

Actor/singer/songwriter Jesse McCartney has joined ABC Family’s Greek, says Michael Ausiello. He will play the recurring role of Andy, a heavily recruited freshman jock who’ll be torn between rushing the KT and OX houses. The fact that he’s an old friend of Calvin’s may offer a clue as to which way he’ll ultimately swing. Greek creator Sean Smith says Andy is of the straight persuasion. McCartney, who can also been seen in this season’s 10th episode of SVU, will make his Greek debut in early ‘09 when the show kicks off its fourth season.

Lauren Conrad Lands Greek Guest Spot

Lauren Conrad has signed on to appear in an episode of ABC Family’s Greek. She will be playing herself in the show’s second season finale on October 28. Explains series creator Sean Smith, Conrad is going to play a spiritual adviser to Spencer Grammer’s character. “It’s a dream sequence in which Casey and LC are best friends. Casey has a big decision she has to make, and she’s like, ‘LC, what do I do? Advise me!’” he reveals, adding that the girls’ dynamic reminds him of “when Frankie Avalon is telling Frenchie what do to in Grease. Casey holds LC in that high esteem.”

Carol Potter Going Greek For ABC Family

Carol Potter, who played Brandon and Brenda Walsh’s mother on the original 90210, is joining ABC Family’s Greek this coming season. Potter will fill the recurring role of Paula, a ZBZ alumna who turns out to play a pivotal role in Casey’s (Spencer Grammer) future.

ABC Family Expected To Renew Lincoln Heights

ABC Family is expected to renew Lincoln Heights for a third season, sources said. The network is looking at giving the drama series a 10- to 12-episode order, with the whole cast expected to return. Sources said ABC Family is eyeing a spring start-of-production date for the series, which is produced by ABC Family/Disney and executive produced by Kathleen McGhee-Anderson.

ABC Family Picks Up The Middleman

ABC Family has picked up the supernatural drama pilot The Middleman for a full series, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The production schedule and launch date of the new series have yet to be determined because of the writers’ strike. Middleman, from writer-producer Javier Grillo-Marxuach (Lost), stars Natalie Morales as a 20-something struggling artist recruited by a secret agency to fight comic-book-type villains. Matt Keeslar plays the title character, a superhero who serves as her guide.