On Monday, January 16, 1995, television history was made when UPN premiered with a two-hour episode of the highly anticipated series Star Trek: Voyager. As was reported in The Hollywood Relporter's banner headline the following day, "UPN Sets Sail in First Place." The network averaged a 14.7 rating/20 share in the metered market overnights, a performance that easily placed UPN ahead of ABC, NBC, CBS and FOX.
But the story behind the network's success began much earlier than January. More than a year prior to launch, the blueprint for a brand new broadcast network, one that would supply free, over-the-air entertainment to an American viewing audience, was being drafted by representatives from two of television's most influential and successful corporations, United Television/Chris-Craft Industries Inc. and Paramount Television/Viacom Inc.
UPN was formed from the shared vision of these two companies, and through their efforts, including the commitment of owned and operated stations from both companies, the initial affiliate base for this new venture was assembled.
In September 1994, UPN began to take form. Through the efforts of Evan Thompson (President, United Television) and Herbert Siegel (Chairman, Chris-Craft Industries Inc.), a president and CEO had been found to build and oversee the new network, an admired and respected industry leader whose insight and understanding of the medium were second-to-none -- Lucie Salhany.
Upon announcement, Ms. Salhany immediately began to staff the operation. Her first executive hire was Len Grossi, who would join UPN as Senior Executive Vice President, and second-in-command. Together, they would assemble an expert team whose efforts would eventually inspire the January 17th headlines.
In just a few short months, the network had gone from being a concept to a reality. A unique network identity was created, and soon people across the country began to recognize what a "Circle, Triangle and Square" now symbolized. New affiliates were signed in anticipation of UPN's delivery of quality programming and ratings strength. And the media began to notice, and cover, the new network addition.
The January 16 premiere date arrived with UPN poised to commence broadcasting to the nation. To help mark this auspicious occasion, launch parties were held on both coasts. In L.A., Ms. Salhany was joined by the stars of all UPN programming at exactly 5:00 p.m. (PT) to officially launch the East Coast premiere of the network. Simultaneously in Manhattan, Herbert Siegel was joined by Frank Biondi, Jr. (President and CEO, Viacom Inc.) to inaugurate the network from that end. And at 8:00 p.m. (PT), Ms. Salhany was again joined on stage, this time by all the people who had made the evening possible. As the countdown began, hundreds of hands were poised above the UPN launch buttons, ready to send the network into millions of West Coast homes. And the rest, as they say, is history.
Today, UPN broadcasts four hours of original, primetime programming every Monday and Tuesday evening from 8:00 - 10:00 p.m. (ET/PT). In addition, the network airs a Saturday aftemoon movie block and, beginning in September, will add an hour of Sunday morning children's programming to its ever growing slate. With affiliates covering more than 85% of all U.S. television viewing households, UPN continues to grow and evolve into its legacy, that of "The First Network For The Next Century."
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