New Network Hitting Airwaves

While the United Paramount Network (UPN), one of the new contenders for America’s fifth TV network, launches tonight in most of its 100 markets, the Inland Northwest will have to wait until this weekend.

The region doesn’t have a UPN affiliate because all four of Spokane’s broadcast stations are already affiliated with other networks. However, all of UPN’s five new series will be carried on Spokane’s Fox affiliate, KAYU-Channel 28 (channel 3 on Cox Cable).

The only catch is that these shows will only be shown on the weekends, so they won’t conflict with the regular Fox programming.

Here’s the UPN lineup:

“Star Trek: Voyager” kicks off on Saturday at 6 p.m. with the two-hour season premiere (repeated at 10 p.m. Jan. 22). (See review, above). After that, “Voyager” will be a regular onehour show every Saturday at 6 p.m.

“Marker,” a drama set in Hawaii starring Richard Grieco, airs Sundays at 5 p.m. It’s about the estranged son of a wealthy businessman who discovers an odd legacy: His late father left him a lifetime of markers, or debuts, to repay.

“The Watcher,” a drama set in Las Vegas, runs Saturdays at 10 p.m. It’s an anthology series starring rap artist Sir Mix-A-Lot as the Watcher, an enigmatic figure who sees lives and dreams unfold in Las Vegas.

“Platypus Man,” a sit-com based on the comedy of Richard Jeni, airs Sundays at 11 p.m. Jeni stars as the host of a New York cooking show geared toward bachelors.

“Pig Sty,” a sit-com about five incompatible young guys sharing an apartment in New York, runs Sundays at 11:30 p.m.

The other new network starting up is the Warner Brothers’ network, WB, which has some 45 affiliates around the country airing its four shows. But for now, Spokane will not get those programs.