UPN
幻游百科,影视科幻的百科全书
UPN, or the United Paramount Network is a television network owned by Viacom. It was the original broadcast network for Star Trek: Voyager and Star Trek: Enterprise. The major CBS network is also owned by Viacom.
United Paramount Network launched on January 16, 1995. The initial programming lineup of the series was mostly syndicated shows drawn from the vast body of old programs available to Paramount, although they did produce a small number of original shows. Most notably was Star Trek: Voyager, the only original program from the network's launch to last into its second season. When Voyager ended its television run, Enterprise replaced it.
The idea of a Paramount television network was not new to the 1990's, in the late 1970's there were plans for a Paramount Television Service to compete as a 4th network alongside CBS, NBC and ABC. Star Trek: Phase II was intended to be one of the lead shows of the new network. The plans fell apart as Phase II became Star Trek: The Motion Picture. Eventually the market niche of "4th network" would be filled by FOX in the 1980's. Paramount was also a partner in the failed DuMont Television Network of the late 1940's and early 1950's.
In 2000, it officially changed its name to just the initials "UPN". In the early 2000's the Network began to change its focus. It began targeting itself towards an African-American audience and produced urban-themed situation comedies with African-American casts, as well as professional wrestling and reality shows. This change in targeted demographics and programming is considered to be highly influential in the cancellation of Enterprise after only 4 seasons of a projected 7 season run.
UPN, now under control of the CBS Corporation, is currently slated to cease operations in September 2006, as is the WB. The two networks are reportedly going to merge to form a new network called "The CW". It is unknown whether Star Trek will be a part of this new network's schedule. [1]
