UPN Bullets

• UPN has announced its first pilot orders for the Fall 2001 season, including deals with horror producer Wes Craven and music video director Hype Williams. Craven's will produce and direct a pilot about a wealthy mogul and a woman who specializes in artificial intelligence as they explore the supernatural, while Williams will develop an urban 'Melrose Place'-like "hip-hop soap opera".

• According to a review by Variety's Laura Fries, UPN's new 'Level 9' action thriller is "an impressive addition to the network's schedule", surprising with a likable cast and great technology.

• Even if Level 9, and companion show 'Freedom', have to face heavy competition from the other networks on Friday nights, at least UPN was able to promote the show well. According to a ratings report by Tom Bierbaum, last Friday UPN scored its highest Friday ratings ever in adults 18-49 and 25-54, men 18-49 and 25-54 and households. This was achieved by airing two reality specials, 'World's Nastiest Neighbors' and 'Cheating Spouses Caught on Tape'.

• As of next January, UPN will be moving away from its current affiliate in Utah, KJZZ, according to a report by Variey's Michael Schneider. The split followed after tense negotiations over issues such as compensation and programming, with, according to UPN, the current Utah affiliate objecting against UPN's urban/ethnic programming. The new UPN affiliate in Utah will now likely become KAZG.

• Tom Nunan, UPN president of Entertainment, was one of the four network presidents to condone Al Gore, saying the Democratic presidential candidate embraces progress.

Discuss this news item at Trek BBS!
 Add TrekToday RSS feed to your news reader or My Yahoo!
Also a CSI: Crime Scene Investigation fan? Then visit CSIFiles.com!