ABC Orders Full Season Pick Up of Invasion  10/21/05

Freshman Drama Joins "Commander In Chief," Which Yesterday Also Received Full-Season Order

The ABC Television Network has picked up "Invasion" for a full season, it was announced today by Stephen McPherson, president, ABC Primetime Entertainment. The freshman drama series joins "Commander In Chief," which yesterday also received a full-season order from the network.

"These shows are great additions to our network and continue ABC's creative and ratings momentum," Mr. McPherson said. "I applaud all the tremendous work that has gone into making both of these series."

The critically acclaimed "Invasion," a suspenseful tale of a blended family trying to recover from a hurricane and its mysterious aftermath, is TV's No. 1 new drama of the 2005-06 television season in the key Adult 18-49 sales demographic. "Invasion" airs on Wednesdays at 10:00 p.m., ET on the ABC Television Network.

On average in the ultra-competitive Wednesday 10:00 o'clock time period, against established dramas on NBC ("Law & Order") and CBS ("C.S.I.: NY"), ABC's "Invasion" ranks No. 1 across each of the key adult demographics: Adults 18-34 (4.5/13), Adults 18-49 (5.2/13) and Adults 25-54 (6.0/14). On average "Invasion" has improved ABC's performance in the time period by 38% in Total Viewers (12.6 million vs. 9.1 million), by 37% in Adults 18-49 (5.2/13 vs. 3.8/10) and by 40% in Adults 25-54 (6.0/14 vs. 4.3/10) over the Net's average with original regular programming last season. In fact, "Invasion" is delivering ABC's strongest performance in the hour with scripted series programming in well over five years - prior to the 2000-01 season, ABC aired newsmagazines in the hour.

"Invasion" stars William Fichtner as Sheriff Tom Underlay, Eddie Cibrian as Russell Varon, Lisa Sheridan as Larkin Groves, Kari Matchett as Dr. Mariel Underlay, Tyler Labine as Dave Groves, Evan Peters as Jesse Varon, Ariel Gade as Rose Varon, Alexis Dziena as Kira Underlay and Aisha Hinds as Mona Gomez.

Shaun Cassidy created the series and serves as executive producer. Lawrence Trilling is co-executive producer and Thomas Schlamme is executive consultant. "Invasion" is from Shaun Cassidy Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television Production Inc.

Source: ABC Press Release