E! takes credit for saving "One Tree"

My take on the renewal of some low-rated shows by the CW is that the network is gambling on established, if little-known, names over the MyNetworkTV strategy, which is to roll out a bunch of new shows nobody's heard of. Nonetheless, E! Online is basking in what glory there is in "One Tree's" reprieve.

E! ONLINE'S SIXTH ANNUAL "SOS: SAVE ONE SHOW" CAMPAIGN DRAWS RECORD-BREAKING TWO MILLION PARTICIPANTS AND HELPS ENCOURAGE THE CW TO PICK UP ONE TREE HILL FOR ANOTHER SEASON

Los Angeles, May 22, 2006 – In its sixth year of helping TV fans save their favorite show from cancellation, E! Online's "SOS: Save One Show" campaign drew a record-breaking two million online participants who voted WB's One Tree Hill as the one endangered show they most want to return next season.  The "Save One Show" campaign, which kicked off April 21, is executed annually through E! Online's "Watch with Kristin" column, a weekly piece written by entertainment expert Kristin Veitch.   The campaign was featured on-air, on E! Online and via a full episode of One Tree Hill on The Vine @ E! Online, the network's broadband channel.

Keeping her promise to fight for the survival of the show that received the most votes, Kristin sent a care package to CW executives declaring One Tree Hill as the official "Save One Show" winner, along with her own letter of support and personal messages from fans.   In response to the fan demand and Kristin's efforts, the CW announced last week that One Tree Hill would be picked up for another season and become part of the new network's primetime line-up.

"E! shares our audience's love of television, and the annual 'Save One Show' campaign gives TV fans the opportunity to be heard," said Suzanne Kolb, executive vice president, marketing and communications, E! Networks.  "The CW's announcement last week to bring back the winner of this year's campaign, One Tree Hill, is testament to Kristin's connection with her fans and her unique ability to rally television fans together.  I'll take Kristin's success rate of five out of six years any day."

"We are grateful for all the devoted fans of 'One Tree Hill' who showed their passionate support of the series by participating in the E! 'Save One Show' campaign," said Lisa Gregorian, executive vice president, worldwide marketing, Warner Bros. Television Group.  "We are ecstatic that 'One Tree Hill' will be returning for a fourth season this fall on The CW, and we look forward to great success on Wednesdays at 9 PM."

"So roughly 50 percent of the people voted to save One Tree Hill? Wow.  Our fans have just shown such great support and that's why we're back. Thanks guys.  You guys did it," said actor Chad Michael Murray who plays "Lucas" on One Tree Hill.

"I heard [about E! Online's poll] and it's really a testament to the effort that our fans put out. It means a lot to us," said actress Sophia Bush who plays "Brooke" on One Tree Hill.

In addition to One Tree Hill, this year's "Save One Show" campaign helped fans save UPN's Veronica Mars, WB's Supernatural and ABC's What About Brian, each of which ranked among voters' top five favorites that they would like to return.  Previous "Save One Show" series that E! has successfully helped rescue from cancellation include Veronica Mars, Roswell, Once and Again and Angel.