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Nets Share ‘Big Picture’ at Development Meetings

At their development meetings last week, the networks shared their plans for upcoming programs, but also focused on the “big picture” and the ideas behind programming decisions.

ABC, for example, talked about offering less hard-edged dramas, while The CW explained how the network is developing shows that resonate both socially and emotionally to its 18- to 34-year-old audience, writes Mediaweek. And NBC focused on its approach to making shows that translate from TV to the web.

Fox, the farthest along in terms of programming, announced several new shows, including: sitcom Action news, about news anchors in Pittsburgh; Sarah Connor Chronicles, a spinoff of the Terminator movies; medical drama The Cure; a cop show called The Apostles; and law drama Canterbury’s Law. The network will also have big sports events, such as the NFC Championship game, the Super Bowl and the college Bowl Championship Series games, in the first quarter.

The CW showed clips from Gossip Girl, about rich kids and their parents, and Wild at Heart, about a veterinarian who moves to South Africa. Comedies included Dash 4 Cash - a scripted spoof on reality TV - Aliens in America, about a family who takes in a Muslim exchange student, and a drama about a man who becomes the Devil’s bounty hunter, called Reaper.

ABC paraded the cast of the Grey’s Anatomy spinoff (titled Private Practice, for now). ABC, Fox, NBC and The CW made presentations last week.