TNT Plans Dramatic Increase in Original Programming

TNT is planning a significant boost in original programming, with 14 series in development and a plan to change most of the network's weekday, primetime schedule to originals by 2010. TNT's aggressive plan includes a mixture of scripted dramas, unscripted programs and the network's award-winning telecasts of the NBA. Under the new strategy, TNT will continue to showcase popular movies on Friday nights and weekends. TNT has several new series in development. They join two recently greenlit projects RAISING THE BAR (working title), from executive producer Steven Bochco (NYPD Blue), and LEVERAGE, from executive producer Dean Devlin (Independence Day). Both projects are expected to premiere in TNT's lineup later this year. TNT is also considering TRUTH IN ADVERTISING, from Greer Shephard and Michael M. Robin, executive producers of THE CLOSER. Scripted series in development include THE GENIE CHRONICLES, a fantasy-adventure from DreamWorks Television, producers of TNT's Into the West; GENERATIONS, a family drama from executive producer Robert Redford and writer/executive producer John Sacret Young (The West Wing, China Beach); TECHNOPHOBIA, from executive producer Mark Frost (Twin Peaks); an untitled project from the Hoosiers team of Angelo Pizzo and David Anspaugh; and an untitled drama based on characters created by crime novelist Tess Gerritsen. For the first time, TNT is also branching into unscripted series, with several projects in development from such talents as Ridley Scott, Tony Scott, Mark Burnett, Mark Wolper, former NBA star Kenny Smith and Gay Rosenthal. TNT's current original programming successes include ad-supported cable's #1 series of all time, THE CLOSER, starring Golden Globe winner Kyra Sedgwick. That series will return for its fourth season this summer. The network's highly successful SAVING GRACE, featuring Oscar winner Holly Hunter, also will return for a second season this summer. SAVING GRACE premiered in 2007, claiming ad-supported cable's largest audience of the year for a new series launch. TNT can be seen on DIRECTV channel 245.