Prime Time Entertainment Network

Background: The Prime Time Entertainment Network (PTEN) was an American television network that operated as a television block, and was owned by the Prime Time Consortium, a joint venture between Warner Bros. Television and Chris-Craft Industries (later the owners of UPN). First launched on January 20, 1993 and operating until 1997, the network mainly aired drama programs aimed at adults between the ages of 18 and 54 (including most notably Babylon 5). At its peak, PTEN's programming was carried on 177 television stations, covering 93% of the country. The network also faced issues from some PTEN-affiliated stations that took issue with the network's barter split, which gave nine minutes of advertising time per hour to the syndicator, leaving only five minutes for the stations to sell and program locally. PTEN also ran into difficulty when the studio was forced to let stations out of their back-end commitments for several series. PTEN adopted a variable schedule for the 1995-96 season, for affiliates to schedule around The WB and UPN's programming on the night of their choosing. With Chris-Craft pulling out of the venture, PTEN essentially became a syndication service for its remaining shows before ceasing operations in 1997.

(January 20, 1993-October 27, 1997) Prime Time Entertainment Network (1993)

Nicknames: "Hero Time Entertainment Network", "PTEN"

Logo: On a black background, the silver letters "PTEN" zoom in towards the screen one by one. After the "N" zooms in, the text "PRIME TIME", also in silver, spread, rotate, and zoom into place, as 4 silver squares fly in. A line draws below the word and "ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK" zoom out with "PTEN" above it. The logo then becomes blue and 2D, shining as it ends.

FX/SFX: The zooming, the forming of the logo, the shining and color change.

Music/Sounds: A 5-note heroic synth theme with the 5th note sustained as it's added with a synth whoosh.

Availability: Extinct. Seen before broadcasts of their shows in the mid '90s on local stations.

Editor's Note: None.