Summer Cable Series Score Renewals

Over the last few years, the cable channels have experienced tremendous success during the summer months. Many of these series are repeatedly breaking cable-viewing records and have even caught the eye of those various award voters (i.e. Emmys). Viewers love these cable series, especially since the summer schedule offers a lighter diet of great television dramas.

What makes cable different?

Cable series have the luxury of being able to push the envelope a little further than series that are under the watchful eye of TPTB at the major networks. The writers are given more freedom to create bold and dynamic scripts and the actors are thrilled to have more time to pursue other projects since they produce significantly less episodes each season. Everybody wins.

This summer has brought much success to both new and returning series. ABC Family got a little riskier this summer with The Secret Life of the American Teenager, a series that deals with teenage pregnancy. Over on USA Network, In Plain Sight had no problem luring viewers away from an eternity of reruns. It should come as no surprise that both new series have earned season two renewals.

Summer Series Renewals

• Army Wives
• In Plain Sight
• The Secret Life of the American Teen

The writers strike wreaked havoc with some of our favorite perennial cable series such as Big Love and Rescue Me, leading many to wonder if and when they would return. Stress no more -- while it's disappointing to not be able to watch these shows during the easygoing summer schedule, they are definitely returning!

Summer Series Returning in 2009

• Big Love
• Brotherhood
• Damages
• Greek
• Kyle XY
• Rescue Me
• The Tudors
• Fate To Be Determined - The Riches

The fall schedule may be hectic, but I think it's going to be much busier in the winter months of 2009.

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