MyNetworkTV is considering cutting back on its strategy of "all telenovelas, all the time," sources said. The network, which launched Sept. 5, has a schedule comprising two 13-week drama strips, with new episodes airing Monday-Friday and hourlong recaps airing Saturday. But in light of underwhelming ratings for the dramas, network executives are exploring other options, which could include reducing the number of nights on which the dramas air or throwing nondrama series programming into the mix, sources said. The first two dramas, "Desire" and the Bo Derek-Morgan Fairchild starrer "Fashion House," each averaged a 0.7 household rating/1 share over their 13-week run. The newest dramas — "Wicked Wicked Games," starring Tatum O’Neal, and "Watch Over Me," starring Casper Van Dien and Catherine Oxenberg — debuted Dec. 6. In their first week on the air (a partial week consisting of three days because the shows debuted on a Wednesday), "Games" averaged a 0.7/1 among households, while "Watch" averaged a 0.6/1. As for any possible on-air changes, it’s believed there’s no timetable for a potential revamping of the programming strategy. A MyNetworkTV representative declined comment other than to say "we have lots of meetings." When parent News Corp. announced the network in February, it said that it had several shows in development along with the dramas. Among those in the works were "Catwalk," a reality-competition series involving aspiring models; "Celebrity Love Island," a Granada series that would bring together six celebrities and six singles; "America’s Brainiest," a quiz show from Celador; and "On Scene," an investigative series that would put viewers at the scenes of crimes and with the people who solve them.
The Hollywood Reporter
Although I have not watched a single episode of any of the shows, the shows have helped a lot of actors get work and for that reason alone I hope they stay on the air. But I seriously doubt the MyNetwork is going to keep them on the air.
