NEW YORK -- In an attempt to forge a brand that appeals to the whole family, Fox Family will air Major League Baseball games, reruns of "3rd Rock From the Sun" and an original animated series featuring the voice of Alicia Silverstone.
The cable net announced Friday at the Television Critics Assn. press tour in Pasadena that it has acquired exclusive television rights to Carsey-Werner's "3rd Rock." Agreement allows Fox to air the show on any of the Fox cable nets beginning in fall 2004. The NBC sitcom has been in syndication since fall 1999.
Fox Family also announced it has acquired 26 episodes of "Braceface," an animated series exec produced by Silverstone, who also provides the title character's voice (
Daily Variety, Aug. 11). "Braceface" chronicles the perils of adolescence through the eyes of junior high schooler Sharon Spitz (Silverstone). Produced by Nelvana, "Braceface" will air in daytime beginning in July.
The cable net will air Major League Baseball for the first time, with a 26-game package to run on Thursday nights beginning April 5.
News is not a total surprise. When Fox execs closed the $2.5 billion, six-year deal with Major League Baseball in September, they indicated that games could air on Fox platforms Fox Sports Net, FX or Fox Family Channel.
Cabler has also greenlit "Scariest Places on Earth," an original reality series hosted by Linda Blair. "Scariest Places" originally aired as a five-part reality special. Series will kick off with a weeklong event, beginning March 26, in which a group of families will be selected to stay overnight in haunted castles and homes around the world.
Fox Family also announced it has acquired the rights to "Step by Step," "The Wonder Years," "Growing Pains" and "Family Matters" from Warner Bros. Television Distribution.
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