ABC has confirmed a new long-term agreement with Reeves Entertainment for the "Home" show, as reported (Daily Variety, March 3).
The show, which was to have left the schedule April 9, received a stay of execution when the network decided not to air the Canadian talk show "Shirley," which the network had licensed but ultimately decided not to air due to apparent resistance from affiliates.
ABC wouldn't specify the length of the new agreement, but sources say it will extend the program a minimum of 52 weeks. It's believed the license fee is significantly higher than that the network agreed to pay for "Shirley," one reason daytime chief Dennis Swanson sought to drop "Home," which originallypremiered on the network in January 1988.
For the most recent available week "Home" averaged a 2.5 rating, 10 share nationally in Nielsen and a 12 share among the key sales demographic of women 18 -49.
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