$\"Bill$ <\/a>

<\/a> Bill Kurtis<\/p><\/div>\n

What better day to launch a television network that immerses viewers in the past than Memorial Day?<\/p>\n

Monday marks the debut of Decades, <\/a>the new digital subchannel from CBS Television Stations and Chicago-based Weigel Broadcasting. Each day\u2019s programming will focus on a different era or theme through vintage series, popular movies and historical news footage.<\/p>\n

In Chicago, Decades will air on WBBM 2.2, a subchannel of CBS-owned WBBM-Channel 2<\/a>, and local cable systems, including Comcast Channel 338 and Wide Open West Channel 172.<\/p>\n

$\"Neal$ <\/a>

Neal Sabin<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cWe are working hard to create something unique in the diginet space with the Decades Network,\u201d said Neal Sabin, vice chairman of Weigel Broadcasting and the programming genius behind MeTV, Me-Too, The U and Heroes & Icons, among others. \u201cOur goal is to present information, movies and TV series that prompt viewers to relive, remember and relate to our cultural past.\u201d<\/p>\n

Initially airing on 35 stations representing more than 45 percent of the country, Monday-through-Friday programming will be presented in six-hour blocks repeated four times each day. Weekends will consist of binge marathons of such classic series as as \u201cThe Mary Tyler Moore Show,\u201d \u201cThe Untouchables,\u201d \u201cThe Beverly Hillbillies,\u201d \u201cDark Shadows\u201d and \u201cI Love Lucy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Centerpiece of the new network is \u201cThrough the Decades,\u201d<\/a> a one-hour weekday program hosted by Bill Kurtis, utilizing the archives of CBS News and \u201cEntertainment Tonight,\u201d among other sources. Joining Kurtis are correspondents Ellee Pai Hong and Kerry Sayers.<\/p>\n

Monday\u2019s premiere edition will explore the Memorial Day holiday in American history, including the debut of \u201cStar Wars\u201d on this weekend in 1977 and the crash of American Airlines Flight 191 near O\u2019Hare Airport in 1979.<\/p>\n

Opening day programming also will present the anti-war movie musical \u201cHair\u201d along with the comedy series \u201cHogan\u2019s Heroes\u201d and the drama series \u201cThe Rat Patrol,\u201d delivering contrasting depictions of combat and patriotism in entertainment.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"