TEN Promises Better Second Half

Leading TEN's pack is the new Australian crime drama, Rush. Described as “a contemporary action drama series set in a critical incident police unit”, it stars Rodger Corser, Callan Mulvey, Catherine McClements, Claire Van Der Boom and Sam Johnson. It will be joined by three new Aussie series: Bondi Rescue: Bali, Kenny's World and Taken Out. The latter, a new reality dating series, is billed as “One Man. One Arena. 30 Women” (if you live in Melbourne you can apply for casting at casting@fremantlemedia.com.au ). All four shows are promised for September.

As well as the return of Australian Idol, Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader? and So You Think You Can Dance US, TEN has also confirmed it will fast track new episodes of House, NCIS and Life simultaneously with the US.

It also promises more Law & Order: Criminal Intent, America's Next Top Model, Burn Notice, Dexter, Neighbours, The Simpsons, Mark Loves Sharon, Friday Night Download, Good News Week and Rove.

There will be two new Jamie Oliver specials, Jamie Oliver's Fowl Dinners and Jamie Oliver's Eat to Save Your Life, and it again broadcasts the ARIA Awards. In sport there is the AFL Brownlow Medal, The Ryder Cup, Formula 1 World Championship and MotoGP.

With its 20th Century Fox deal TEN has new movies including American Dreamz, The Break Up, Inside Man, Nanny McPhee, United 93, X-Men The Last Stand, and You Me and Dupree.

"We are confident of making valuable strides in our target 18-49 demographic, despite the competition,” said programming chief David Mott.

"Our schedule moving forward is bold, progressive and confident, something our audience has come to expect and we look forward to delivering."

But there are also a number of absentees, previously promised by TEN for 2008: Californication, Unhitched (the much anticipate Farrelly Bros sitcom was cancelled after six eps), Swingtown, Saving Babies and Pussycat Dolls.

TEN also hasn't confirmed any of the programming on its HD channel for shows like Smallville, Battlestar Galactica, Monk, Friday Night Lights or Jericho.

Sci-Fi fans continue to await any clarity on the second season of Torchwood - the network had promised two seasons when it announced the acquisition.

The US version of The Office also seems to be closed for business.

Australian drama The Informant, starring William McInnes, and Bondi Vet are also unannounced, although David Mott said TEN would announce two major new Australian projects in early 2009.

David Knox, Citysearch, July 2008

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