CHAMPAIGN – Area TV stations haven't solidified all their programming changes for fall, but several have committed to new shows.
In terms of syndicated shows, some of the biggest changes will be at WBUI, the CW affiliate in Decatur. It will pick up two comedies, "The Office" and "My Name Is Earl," to be shown weeknights, said Program Director Graham LaMontagne.
Also coming to WBUI are the syndicated dramas "Grey's Anatomy" and "Bones," he said. They're targeted for late-night weekends, but specific times have not been announced.
Afternoons will change on both WBUI and WCCU, the Fox affiliate in Champaign-Urbana. "The Dr. Oz Show," featuring cardiothoracic surgeon Mehmet Oz, will air on WBUI at 5 p.m. weekdays and on WCCU at 2 p.m. weekdays, said LaMontagne, who oversees programming for both stations.
Several shows currently shown on WBUI are slated to move to WCCU, he added.
"Friends," now shown at 5 p.m. weekdays on WBUI, will move to 4 p.m. weekdays on WCCU.
Also moving to WCCU will be "King of Queens" and "Everybody Loves Raymond."
At WCIA in Champaign, General Manager Russ Hamilton said few changes are expected on that station – though he is considering moving "Rachael Ray" to mornings and "Ellen" to afternoons, pending approval from syndicators.
However, WCFN in Springfield will have several changes. That station is picking up "Everybody Hates Chris" and airing two episodes from 6 to 7 p.m. weeknights, Hamilton said.
"Family Guy" will move to late night, with two episodes airing from 11 p.m. to midnight. Two episodes of "Punk'd" will air from midnight to 1 a.m.
Also joining WCFN's lineup will be "America's Funniest Home Videos," which will air from 5 to 6 p.m. weekdays.
In another change, WCFN will swap its morning and afternoon schedules, with an array of court shows moving to mornings and "The Andy Griffith Show," "I Love Lucy," "Perry Mason," "Hawaii Five-O" and "Little House on the Prairie" moving to afternoons.
At WICD in Champaign, General Manager Tim Mathis said he ex-pects no significant changes in the scheduling of syndicated shows this fall.
"We're very pleased with the lineup," he said, adding that the existing programs have been "stable and successful."
At WAND in Decatur, General Manager Ron Pulera said there will be few changes in syndicated programming. But the station is planning to add locally produced "Inside Illini Football" and "Inside Illini Basketball" shows.
The shows will feature roundtable discussions involving sports reporters who cover University of Illinois sports, he said.
They will air at 10:30 a.m. Sundays and again at 10:35 p.m. Sundays, though the show will appear later on "Sunday Night Football" nights.
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