CBS Paramount Shops Swingtown to Cable
By Melissa Grego and Ben Grossman -- Broadcasting & Cable, 8/24/2008 8:00:00 PM
The on-screen grownups of Swingtown are not the only ones exploring their options, as CBS is courting a new partner for the couple-swapping rookie drama.
The show, produced by the CBS Paramount Network Television studio, has had disappointing ratings in its debut run on CBS this summer. But it has many fans within the company who want to see it return, either on CBS or somewhere else. So, sources say, the drama is now being shopped around to potential cable buyers in the event CBS gives it the ax. CBS declined comment.
Swingtown depicts a 1970s Chicago suburb where neighbors swap partners. It got some early buzz because of its racy subject matter. Sources say the pitch to cable networks is that, free from FCC regulations, cable could take the series in a direction that broadcast networks wouldn't dare, but that no deal is imminent.
CBS demoted the show last month from its spot on Thursday nights at 10 to Fridays at 10. Prior to the move, the show averaged 6.7 million viewers, and a 2.3 rating in the 18-49 demo. After the move, the show predictably fell to an average of just 3.9 million viewers and a 1.3 average rating in the demo.
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I love this show! I hope it returns!!
Jennifer - 9/13/2008 10:21:00 PM EDT -
It would just be foolish not to keep Swingtown as a running hit series. It was awesome. It was so refreshing to see what that era was getting into. I loved watching it ever week. You couldn't take your eyes off the show. Keep swingtown on!!
Kelly Purvis - 9/12/2008 11:38:00 AM EDT -
Swingtown has been a welcome respite from the almost endless stream of cop/lawyer/doctor/reality shows flooding the network schedules. CBS would be foolish to cancel this wonderful show before it finds its audience, but based on the recent history of the networks they will almost assuredly be foolish. Thank god the current network heads were not in charge when Seinfeld, Cheers, and Everybody loves Raymond got their start, they would have deprived themselves of some of the biggest hit shows in television history.
Ty Wilson - 9/11/2008 2:24:00 AM EDT -
I have enjoyed watching the characters on Swingtown explore their relationships and themselves this summer. I hope it comes back so we can find out what happens to these wonderfully complex and fleshed out characters after the choices they made on the season finale.
Jen http://popculturecurmudgeon.blogspot.com - 9/8/2008 5:09:00 PM EDT -
Swingtown has become my "must watch" show of the summer. The characters have been developing slowly, but surely...and the attention to nostalgic details is excellent. The show really brings me back to that era. I hope CBS gives it a serious chance to fully develop, as the show has a loyal following. However, if CBS drops the ball, then let's hope that someone on cable picks it up...I would HATE to see this show end! There is a ton of garbage out there, and a well-written show like this deserves a chance to make it.
Mother of 3 - 9/7/2008 11:52:00 PM EDT
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