Posted on: Thursday, October 28, 2004
KIKU-TV to pick up UPN programs
By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer
Without sacrificing its multicultural core programming and prime-time Japanese shows, KIKU-TV (Channel 20; Oceanic 9) will become a secondary UPN showcase starting Monday.
Advertiser photo illustration/World Wrestling Entertainment photo Until the switchover at the start of November, select UPN shows will continue to air on KGMB-9, the CBS affiliate, and KHON-2, the Fox station.
"The strength of KIKU still is multicultural," said Jason Hagiwara, station manager. "Our Japanese programming will remain unchanged. And we still will have some Filipino, Chinese and other cultural shows."
The "secondary" status means KIKU will air UPN shows on a timetable that prioritizes Japanese viewership in prime time, from 7 to 10 p.m. weekdays.
New UPN shows: Returning UPN shows: Unchanged KIKU favorites: Fridays Some of the UPN network's shows — which cater to younger demographics, in ages 18 to 49 and 18 to 34 — will be shown in the late afternoon and early evening slots when network affiliates are airing news shows. The wrestling matches — which have been pulled out of this market since KFVE-5 relinquished UPN shows to become an affiliate of The WB in 2001 — will occupy a later time slot on Saturdays.
"Veronica" stars Kristen Bell as a high schooler who helps her private investigator dad. She has baggage: she was date-raped, has a boyfriend, an ex, and her best friend was murdered.
"Kevin Hill" features Taye Diggs as a hotshot New York entertainment lawyer, happy with his bachelor life, who "inherits" a 6-monthiold daughter of his cousin, who unexpectedly dies.
Despite the new programming, KIKU is emphasizing the stability of its Japanese programming. "If you watch, nothing will change; at least it won't be noticeable," said Hagiwara. "Our Japanese viewers will still see their shows in the normal times, and we won't be pushing (the UPN franchise) in station IDs," said Hagiwara.
"Soko Ga Shiritai" will continue at 7 p.m. weekdays and "Shinsengumi" will retain its 8 p.m. slot Tuesdays. "Kikaida 01" will continue at 10 p.m. Fridays, repeating at 7 p.m. Saturdays.
"We're dropping just a few programs, like the daily Filipino news show, but our viewers still can find this on The Filipino Channel," said Hagiwara.
Reach Wayne Harada at 525-8067, wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com, or fax 525-8055.
This means KIKU will embrace 13 hours of UPN programming each week, picking up two new UPN series —"Veronica Mars" on Tuesdays and "Kevin Hill" on Wednesdays. Ongoing programs such as "America's Next Top Model" on Wednesdays and Fridays, "Enterprise" on Fridays and Sundays, and "WWE Smackdown," the World Wrestling Entertainment program, on Saturdays, also join the KIKU schedule.
"WWE Smackdown!" and its characters like Rico, above, will return when KIKU adds UPN programming, starting next week.
Hagiwara said the station embarked on the UPN franchise to offer diversity to its viewers and advertisers. Meanwhile, KIKU retains "a firm commitment to providing high-quality Japanese entertainment to the Islands."
NEW KIKU PROGRAMS
