ION expands a whole hour, adds "Quantum Leap," "Steve Harvey," "Family Feud"

from multichannel news

ION TV Plans Expanded Program Lineup
New Series, 'Total Theatre Thursday' Round Out Extended Schedule
By Linda Moss 

ION Television will add three series—The Steve Harvey Show, Family
Feud and Quantum Leap—to its lineup April 7, extending the service’s
schedule of entertainment programming an additional hour from 5 p.m.
to 6 p.m., officials said Thursday.

The Steve Harvey Show was acquired from Sony Pictures Television to
add to ION’s schedule. Then ION will debut the 2006-2007 season of
Family Feud, hosted by one of People Magazine’s “Sexiest Men Alive,”
John O’Hurley, best known for originating the role of J. Peterman on
Seinfeld and for his first-season stint on Dancing with the Stars.

Family Feud was acquired from Fremantle Media North America.

ION will add science fiction to its schedule with Quantum Leap, a
five-time Emmy Award and two-time Golden Globe Award-winning program
that appeals to a wide range of viewers. ION has obtained all 96
episodes of the hit show from NBC Universal.

On Thursday nights, powered by deals with studios such as Warner Bros,
ION will launch Total Theatre Thursday over the summer, an array of
hit motion pictures like Blade Runner, Dirty Harry, Risky Business and
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.

With the addition of these three new series and big screen favorites,
ION’s lineup will be: The Wayans Brothers from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday
through Thursday; The Steve Harvey Show from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday
through Thursday; Family Feud from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through
Thursday; Mama's Family from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through
Wednesday; Quantum Leap from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through
Wednesday; The Drew Carey Show from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through
Wednesday; and Total Theatre Thursday from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Thursdays. Baywatch will be seen at 6 p.m. Saturdays.