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Fox Fought for Dark Angel's Epic Premiere
22 Jun
Summary
- The show's premiere required special network approval.
- James Cameron co-created the cyberpunk series.
- Fox had to negotiate with local affiliates for airing time.
The ambitious television project 'Dark Angel' made a significant impact with its initial two-hour pilot, a movie-length premiere that generated considerable discussion. The scheduling of this mega-premiere at 9:00 p.m. necessitated substantial behind-the-scenes adjustments, with Fox reportedly needing to secure special permissions for its airing.
Co-created by James Cameron, the cyberpunk sci-fi series introduced viewers to Max Guevara, a genetically engineered super-soldier navigating a dystopian Seattle in 2019. According to a report from The Philadelphia Inquirer on October 1, 2000, Fox's standard prime-time programming ran from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Extending the premiere until 11:00 p.m. meant encroaching on territory typically allocated for late-night broadcasts, which often included local news programs. To facilitate the super-sized debut of 'Dark Angel,' Fox executives had to seek a one-time agreement from their national local affiliates to postpone their 10:00 p.m. newscasts.
