UGM/UA Premiere Network
NetworkSyndication
LaunchedNovember 10, 1984 (1984-11-10)
Closed ()
Country of origin United States
OwnerMGM Television
Key peopleLarry Gershman[1] (president of MGM/UA Television)
Joseph C. Tirinato (MGM/UA's President of Television Distribution)
Format1 day
Running time95 minutes
Original language(s)English
Official websiteOfficial website

The Premiere Network, or MGM/UA Premiere Network, was an ad-hoc television network created by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer/United Artists, which announced plans to launch in 1984, originally set for an October launch.

Background

In 1982, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Television was renamed MGM/UA Television Distribution after the merger with United Artists the previous year. In 1984, MGM/UA TV again launched an ad hoc TV network, MGM/UA Premiere Network, with movies.[2]

The MGM/UA Premiere Network[3][4] along with MCA TV's Universal Pictures Debut Network came as a response to the weakened network television market for films in packages[5]. By the summer of 1984, the network had signed affiliation agreements with eight television stations in large markets.

The service was expected to broadcast 24 movies[6] in double-runs once a month for two years. MGM received 10½ minutes of advertising time within a two-hour movie telecast, while its stations would retain 11½ minutes.[mah 1] 100 television stations were signed as affiliates by October 1984, with the planned launch pushed back and set for November 10 of that year.

List of films featured

Main article: List of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer films

List of stations

City Station
Atlanta WGNX 46[13]
Chicago WGN 9[14]
Fresno KMPH 26[15]
Los Angeles KTLA 5
New York WPIX 11[16]
Pittsburgh WPXI 11
Rochester WUHF 13[17]
Seattle KCPQ 13
Sioux City KCAU 9[18]
Smithtown WFTY 67

See also

References

  1. ^ Kerry Segrave (January 1, 1999). Movies at Home: How Hollywood Came to Television. McFarland. p. 146. ISBN 9780786406548. Retrieved April 8, 2015.
  1. ^ "A Kid From Brooklyn: Lessons Learned" (PDF). mcclellansjbl.web.app.
  2. ^ Farber, Stephen (October 23, 1984). "Film Studio's New Approach to TV". New York Times. Retrieved April 8, 2015.
  3. ^ "MGM/UA PREMIERE NETWORK - Trademark Details". JustiaCompany.
  4. ^ "1989-01-23-RTVA-Page-0217.pdf" (PDF). World Radio History.
  5. ^ Hilmes, Michele. Hollywood and Broadcasting: From Radio to Cable. p. 191.
  6. ^ "Larry Gershman: Creating The Basis For Innovating U.S., Int'l TV Distribution". VideoAge.
  7. ^ MGM Premiere Network (1993) on YouTube
  8. ^ Farber, Stephen (October 23, 1984). "FILM STUDIO'S NEW APPROACH TO TV". The New York Times.
  9. ^ MGM/UA Premiere Network (1985) on YouTube
  10. ^ 1987 Feb 10 WPIX Commercials The Pope Of Greenwich Village Broadcast Premier on YouTube
  11. ^ "Original MGM/UA PREMIERE NETWORK Press Kit Photo RED DAWN PATRICK SWAYZE See original listing". eBay.
  12. ^ MGM/UA Premiere Network on KCPQ 1988 preview on YouTube
  13. ^ "Worst Stations and Markets for Local TV". Radio Discussions. November 5, 2015.
  14. ^ "Two more movie networks for independents" (PDF). Broadcasting. Broadcasting Publications Inc. December 31, 1984. p. 38. Retrieved March 20, 2019 – via World Radio History.
    "Two more movie networks for independents" (PDF). Broadcasting. Broadcasting Publications Inc. December 31, 1984. p. 39. Retrieved March 20, 2019 – via World Radio History.
  15. ^ MGM/UA Premiere Network promo, mid-to-late 1984. on YouTube
  16. ^ MGM/UA Premiere Network (1986) on YouTube
  17. ^ MGM/UA Premiere Network (1985) on YouTube
  18. ^ "Oldest Extant Off-Air VHS/Beta Tape You Have". Radio Discussions. December 28, 2018.

External links

Amazon MGM Studios
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