Daily Marauder

BROADCAST/CABLE

USA Network‘s season two premiere of Burn Notice last Thursday at 10p drew in 2.47 million A18-49 viewers, the most since the show began. The debut episode also attracted 2.69 million A25-54 viewers and 5.12 million total viewers. The network also launched COVERT OPS 2.0, an interactive online game based on Burn Notice and as a follow up to last year’s COVERT OPS 1.0. The game, sponsored by GM’s Saab USA, allows fans of the show to become spies and participate in various challenges and intrigues. (Cynopsis 1/26)

FOX okayed a U.S. version of the iconic British comedy series, Absolutely Fabulous. FOX’s take is based on the original, though set in Los Angeles, and will even keep the same main characters, crazy best friends and party-mongers Edina and Patsy and Edina’s disapproving daughter, Saffron. Jennifer Saunders who wrote and starred in the Brit version will executive produce FOX’s edition; Christine Zander will write and executive produce along with Ian Moffitt, Mitch Hurwitz, Eric Tannenbaum and Kim Tannenbaum. Sony Pictures Television will produce with Tantamount and BBC Worldwide Americas. (Cynopsis 1/26)

FINALLY Ab fab is making its sparkling return.  This makes me almost want to light up at my desk…

Bravo is hitting all the right notes with the 18-to-49 demographic, which is highly coveted by advertisers. Last Tuesday, Bravo attracted 1.44 million in the demo for an episode of “Real Housewives of Orange County,” while its “Top Chef: New York” is up 18% in the age group so far this season. Multichannel News (1/23)

ABC gave a nod to a television adaptation of The Witches of Eastwick from Warner Bros. written and executive produced by Maggie Friedman. The TV version based on the novel by John Updike and the 1987 movie, centers on three women who discover they have supernatural powers after a strange man moves to town. (Cynopsis 1/26)

Now who praytell could play Jack Nicholson’s character?

On the heels of picking up the dramedy pilot Mercy revolving around three nurses, NBC approved a second new medical drama pilot titled Trauma about medical emergencies out in the field, though the pick-up is contingent on finding a director. (Cynopsis 1/26)

ABC landed a two-hour pilot order for Happy Town, a mystery set in a small town where a series of kidnappings took place seven years prior. The project is billed as similar to ABC’s offbeat drama from the past, Twin Peaks. (Cynopsis 1/26)

Liberty Media’s DirecTV plans to create a new premium network with HBO-like programming for its subscribers. The satellite television service aims to become “a pre-cable window for premium channels.” DirecTV also will produce original movies that will serve as pilots for potential series. (Iwantmedia 1/26, http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/24/business/media/24direct.html?_r=1 1/24)

NBC Universal is entering a deal with American Airlines to take over the carrier’s in-flight entertainment service. As part of the deal, the airline will part ways with CBS, which had programmed American’s in-flight service for more than 10 years. CBS had sold the in-flight ad time; NBC will not. (Iwantmedia 1/26, http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117999040.html?categoryid=18&cs=1 1/25)