January 19, 2009

CableU, the cable programming research company, predicts 2009 will be a big year for USA Network and that sitcoms could trump reality as the ruling genre during the year. Gazing into its cable crystal ball, CableU said USA’s current momentum could lead the cable network to overtake NBC in the ratings at least one night this year as the Peacock looks to attract a smaller and older audience at 10 p.m. with “The Jay Leno Show.” The series finale of USA’s “Monk” might be the show that does it, CableU suggested. Also, as the economy sours, viewers will be turning to comedy for escape, meaning a shift away from reality and back to the early ’90s heyday of sitcoms, CableU predicted. “We are on record—reality has jumped the shark,” CableU said. “We all need a good laugh, proven by the success of comedies such as ‘Family Guy,’ ‘SNL,’ ’30 Rock’ and ‘House of Payne.’ “Other CableU predictions include a successful start for A&E’s “The Beast”; CMT will find a way to capitalize on the success of country-pop singer-songwriter Taylor Swift; Discovery Health could continue even after falling by the wayside due to the arrival of OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network (possibly by replacing Planet Green); and Sci Fi will continue to grow. CableU said Sci Fi’s “Ghost Hunters” could be the jewel in the network’s crown with spinoff “Ghost Hunters: New Generation” and another yet-to-be-named shows from “Hunters’” producers being for ’09. “Ambitious programming development with a mind toward new reality series in the ‘Ghost Hunters’ Franchise and beyond will draw in the audiences in male and female demographics.”

– Andrew Krukowski