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The USA Network is a popular American cable TV network with about 89 million household subscribers as of 2005. The network shows a variety of original and second-run programming, from syndicated TV series to edited movies. USA also shows some sports coverage, such as select golf tournaments, the U.S. Open (tennis), and annual Westminster Kennel Club dog show. Since 2004, they have broadcast portions of the Olympic Games, along with many other NBC Universal basic cable channels. Previously, it had a weekly boxing show named USA Tuesday Night Fights, which ran for 17 years. USA was also the home of World Wrestling Entertainment (then called the World Wrestling Federation or WWF)'s flagship cable TV shows from the channel's launch until September 2000, and currently since October 2005.
Once a minor player in basic cable, the network has steadily been gaining popularity recently, thanks in part to breakout hits like the detective series Monk, the return of WWE RAW, and the sci-fi mini-series turned regular series The 4400. Reruns of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and Law & Order: Criminal Intent are also frequently shown and are popular on the network, as is another NBC Universal property, House.
Alan Kalter was the network's main promotional voice throughout the 1980s and much of the 1990s.
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USA Network timeline
April 1980: The channel changed its name to USA Network after the ownership structure was reorganized under a joint operating agreement by the UA-Columbia Cablevision cable system (now known as Cablevision Systems Corporation ) and MCA Inc. (whose assets are currently owned largely by NBC Universal and Vivendi SA).
1987: Ownership consolidates under Paramount and MCA, each with 50 percent ownership.
1997: Seagram buys out Viacom's 50% interest and gains complete ownership of USA and Sci Fi and sells both channels to Barry Diller's Home Shopping Network, which renames itself USA Networks, Inc.
2001: USA Networks sells its non-shopping TV and film assets (including the USA Network, the Sci Fi Channel, the Trio channel, USA Films (which is rechristened as Focus Features) and Studios USA) to Vivendi Universal. USA and the other channels are folded into Vivendi's Univeral Television Group.
2003: General Electric's NBC agrees to buy 80% of Vivendi Universal's North American-based filmed entertainment assets, including Universal Pictures and Universal Television Group in a multibillion dollar purchase, renaming the merged company NBC Universal.
2004: NBC Universal officially takes over as owner of USA and its sibling cable channels except for Newsworld International, which is bought by an investment group led by Al Gore and Joel Hyatt who rebrand the network with a new title, "Current TV", in fall 2005.
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USA programming
Children/Teen Programming
Dance Party USA, teen-oriented dance program (similar to American Bandstand, 1986-92)
USA Live (1995-2000), an afternoon program that mixed court shows with live lifestyle segments, hosted by Kathleen Murphy (1995-1998) and later by Bertice Berry (1999-2000). This replaced the station's popular game show programming.
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Special Programming
On October 20, 2006, the network has aired the show To Catch a Predator, a show depicting how the police catch online child molesters. Among those caught were some US Marines, computer experts and a doctor. As they exit from the interview area, sheriffs' deputies await those targeted and arrest them.
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USA Late Night Series
Night Flight, (1981 - 1988) - late-night anthology with music videos, short films and miscellaneous programming
Camp Midnite,1989, Friday night variety-talk show hosted by Dick Wilson with music by Scooter Pietsch. Cast include Caroline Schlitt and Tony. Produced by dick clark productions.
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USA Sunday Afternoon Series
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USA Original Series
Alfred Hitchcock Presents (newer version bought when NBC cancelled it) black & white intros were colorized and storylines were remade.
Kojak, a revamped version of the 1970s detective series that debuted in March 2005.
Monk, a comedic mystery series that has become USA's signature show
Psych, another comedic mystery series about a man pretending to be a psychic
The 4400 (In Association with Sky Television), a sci-fi miniseries that debuted in July 2004. It returned as a regular weekly series on June 5, 2005.
Weird Science, a fantasy-oriented comedy series based on the 1980s film of the same name
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World Wrestling Entertainment Programming
WWE A.M. RAW, a program showing recaps from the previous week's RAW.
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Programming Staples
PGA Tour Golf on most Thursdays and Fridays
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Historical Programming Notes
At one point, USA shared channel time/space with two upstart cable nets, C-SPAN and Black Entertainment Television; both these services would be listed in TV Guide under "USA", with a disclaimer that the program is a presentation of either BET or C-SPAN. Later, it simulcast Bloomberg TV in the early-morning hours.
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USA Network slogans
1980s: It's a Great Place to Stay
1990-1994: America's Favorite Cable Network
1994-1997: The Remote Stops Here
1997-1999: The Cure for the Common Show
2005-present: Characters Welcome
The slogan incorporates the use of television spots featuring USA original characters interacting with each other or the world (with humorous effect)
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Logos
Image:USA Network Logo 1980-1996.png|USA Network logo from 1980-1996
Image:USA Network Logo 1996-1999.png|USA Network logo from 1996-1999
Image:USA Network Logo 1999-2002.png|USA Network logo from 1999-2002
Image:USA Network 2002-2005 Logo.png|USA Network from 2002-2005
Image:USA Network Current Logo.png|Present USA Network logo
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See Also
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