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michaelhagerty
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Since members of this board have expressed an interest in news about AZ-TV, I thought I'd pass this along:May 25, 2006For Immediate ReleaseContact: Michael Hagerty, Director of Programming and Promotion 602.224.2271 or [email protected]AZ-TV KNOCKS “KING” OFF 9:30 THRONE! Frasier Beats KUTP’s King Of The Hill, Ties That 70s Show at 9 AZ-TV (KAZT, Channel 27, Cable 13)’s newest acquisition, Frasier, is off to a roaring start…defeating the established hit comedy King Of The Hill in its first Nielsen sweep since joining the station March 6.Factoring out the 10 weeknights of the just-ended May sweeps that included Phoenix Suns’ playoff games, Frasier beat UPN affiliate KUTP’s King Of The Hill weeknights at 9:30 by a substantial margin and tied Bernie Mac on WB6.“There are only three local choices for comedy in that timeslot”, said AZ-TV Director of Programming and Promotion Michael Hagerty, “AZ-TV, KUTP and WB6. They had a decade or more head start and a huge ratings lead as recently as last year. But the audience is finding us, and now we’re tied for first among comedies at 9:30.”The first airing of Frasier at 9PM ties KUTP’s That 70s Show and is within 3/10th of a ratings point of Friends on WB6.“9-10PM is now a real race”, said AZ-TV General Manager Ron Bergamo. “Audiences wanting an alternative to news, talk shows and procedural crime dramas had only two choices until Frasier’s arrival. For us to be this strong out of the box is very exciting and shows we’re connecting with Arizona viewers.”From 7 to 8PM, AZ-TV’s other new arrival this season, the Damon Wayans comedy My Wife & Kids, increased its audience from the most recent sweeps in February, and remained competitive with several shows on UPN and WB, as did Magnum, P.I. from 8 to 9PM.More high-profile comedy programming is in the pipeline at AZ-TV, with Jim Belushi’s hit According To Jim arriving in September, Cheers moving from KPNX-TV (Channel 12) in January, 2007 and The George Lopez Show making its syndicated debut in September, 2007. AZ-TV is Arizona’s only locally-owned television station, part of Londen Media Group, featuring a unique mix of locally-produced programs (The Pat McMahon Show, AM Arizona with Tonya Mock and Lew Rees, Autoshow with Michael Hagerty, Arizona Backroads with Marshall Trimble), regional sports (Mountain West football and basketball, ASU baseball and more) and classic comedies of yesterday and today (I Love Lucy, The Andy Griffith Show, Hogan’s Heroes, Bewitched, Frasier and My Wife & Kids).