Category: Babylon 5 (franchise)

Corporate networking

PTENHobbled by the recent half-billion-dollar losses of its Atari division, Warner Communications finds itself vulnerable to a potential hostile takeover by Australian publisher Rupert Murdoch, who isn’t shy about his plan to acquire a controlling interest in Warner’s very slowly recovering stock. To stave off Murdoch’s takeover attempt, a 19% stake in Warner is traded for 43% of Chris-Craft Industries’ broadcasting division, BHC Communications. This transaction later has unforseen consequences, including BHC’s near-successful 1989 attempt to block the Time Warner merger, and the creation of the short-lived PTEN television network, a failed 1990s venture whose main claim to fame will be the science fiction series Babylon 5.

The name of the show is Babylon 5

Babylon 5After three years of tinkering with the basics of the concept, and spending much of his downtime from the 1988 Writers’ Guild strike refining the idea, writer J. Michael Straczynski completes his first draft script and series bible for a new science fiction series, Babylon 5. In the coming months he will pitch it to several networks, studios, and broadcasters (including Paramount, which passes on it), finally finding a receptive ear in Chris-Craft Television executive Evan Thompson. Thompson, in turn, introduces Straczynski to Warner Bros. TV executive Dick Robertson, with whom Thompson is exploring the possibility of launching a new network.

Warner Brothers announces new network

PTENAfter two years of running the numbers and making alliances with foreign investors, Warner Brothers announces that it will launch its own television network, the Prime Time Entertainment Network, as a joint venture with Chris-Craft Industries’ group of television stations. Modeled after the recently premiered Fox Network, PTEN will begin with one night a week of programming, gradually increasing to two or more. With Fox still only broadcasting two nights a week, ironically, most TV stations that sign up as early adopters of PTEN are Fox affiliates. The network is expected to sign on in late 1992 or early 1993, and will become the home to the science fiction series Babylon 5.

Babylon 5 cleared for launch

Babylon 5Writer and series creator J. Michael Straczynski takes to the GEnie online message service to announce that his science fiction series, Babylon 5, has gotten the go-ahead from Warner Brothers and will be the cornerstone of a new television network. He promises that the series will begin with one or two two-hour movies to set up the premise, with a series to follow in 1993, as well as revealing that the show’s visual effects will be accomplished with computer generated graphics rather than miniature models.

Babylon 5: The Gathering

Babylon 5The week-long national syndication window opens for the pilot movie of Babylon 5, The Gathering. The movie’s completely computer-generated effects – a first for television science fiction – win an Emmy Award. Despite favorable ratings from the movie’s initial broadcast, months pass before Warner Bros. orders the first full season, to premiere in 1994. Read more Hear about it on the Sci-Fi 5 podcast

Babylon 5: And The Sky Full Of Stars

Babylon 5The week-long national syndication window opens for the eighth episode of Babylon 5. Christopher Neame (Doctor Who, Blake’s 7) and Judson Scott (The Phoenix, Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan) guest star in a major “arc” episode that makes major revelations about the series’ intricate storyline. Read more

Babylon 5’s change of command

Michael O'HareBabylon 5 creator J. Michael Straczynski announces to fans on the GEnie online service that a new commander character is being created and cast for the show’s second season, following an amicable decision to part ways with actor Michael O’Hare, who played Commander Jeffrey Sinclair in the series’ first season. The possibility of O’Hare returning as a guest star to continue Sinclair’s story is also raised. Details of the new character, and the actor playing that character, are still under wraps.

Babylon 5: Grail

Babylon 5The week-long national syndication window opens for the 15th episode of Babylon 5. David Warner (Tron, Time Bandits, Star Trek VI) and William Sanderson (Blade Runner, Newhart) guest star. Thanks in part to its mid-season debut, this is one of several episodes of Babylon 5 aired during the usually-ignored July ratings sweep, an unusual move for any series, syndicated or network. Read more

Babylon 5: Eyes

Babylon 5The week-long national syndication window opens for the 16th episode of Babylon 5. Jeffrey Combs (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Star Trek: Enterprise) guest stars. Thanks in part to its mid-season debut, this is one of several episodes of Babylon 5 aired during the usually-ignored July ratings sweep, an unusual move for any series, syndicated or network. Read more

Babylon 5: A Voice in the Wilderness – Part 1

Babylon 5The week-long national syndication window opens for the 18th episode of Babylon 5. Thanks in part to its mid-season debut, this is one of several episodes of Babylon 5 aired during the usually-ignored July ratings sweep, an unusual move for any series, syndicated or network. Read more

Babylon 5’s new commander

Bruce BoxleitnerMonths after the departure of Babylon 5‘s lead actor, Michael O’Hare, is announced, his replacement is revealed: actor Bruce Boxleitner (Tron, Scarecrow & Mrs. King) has been tapped to play the newly-created character of Captain John Sheridan, a veteran of the Earth-Minbari War that nearly led to the extinction of the human race. Filming on the series’ eagerly anticipated second season is set to begin on August 10th.

More about Babylon 5 in the LogBook and theLogBook.com Store
Babylon 5 now streaming on Amazon Prime
Hear about it on the Sci-Fi 5 podcast

Babylon 5: Chrysalis

Babylon 5The week-long national syndication window opens for the 22nd episode of Babylon 5, bringing the show’s first season to a close, despite being held back to air just one week prior to the second season premiere. This marks the final appearance of Michael O’Hare as a series regular. Ed Wasser guest stars as Mr. Morden. Read more