After a long delay in announcing their summer line-up for 2009, I believe Seven have produced a sensible and entertaining line-up for viewers.
 
One of the major issues with the non ratings season is that it really only lasts ten weeks or less when you take into consideration pre emptions for things like the Australian Open or the cricket on Nine. That means if a network returns a show to its summer schedule they never end up playing out the season which results in becoming years behind with shows, with examples being Judging Amy (which expired before finishing on Nine), Gilmore Girls and ER.
 
So I think the point of summer is to either a.) show series that a network really believes will be in the line-up for the following year b.) show series that have a limited number of episodes or c.) air shows that don’t have major carrying over storylines so that viewers can dip in and out of each week.
 
Looking at Seven’s line-up they have done just that. They are airing observational type shows such as Border Patrol, Air Crash Investigations, Whacked Out Sports and Borderline with viewers not having to rely on episode orders and finished off seasons as they are self contained. Seven will also finish off some series such as Outback Wildlife Rescue which has only 3 episodes remaining, Destroyed in Seconds and The Amazing Race. Seven continues with Private Practice which will get very close to the American screenings. Other series such as The Take, Kingdom and Wallander have six or less episodes in their seasons. Gary Unmarried is the only show that has many episodes to play, but at twice a week the idea may be to create interest in the show for next year. Parks and Recreation and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia have a number of episodes but as they are playing late night, there is a good chance they will continue next year.
 
So overall I believe this is a sensible, but perhaps not all that spectacular line-up that should keep viewers that are busy with holidays an opportunity to watch stand alone television or short run series.
 
Seven’s line up for summer:
 
Sundays
6:30 Specials
7:30 Border Patrol
8:00 Outback Wildlife Rescue
8:30 Bones (repeats)
9:30 Castle (repeats)
10:30 Band of Brothers
 
Mondays
7:30 The Force (not clear what episodes are being played yet)
8:00 Destroyed in Seconds
8:30 Movies (looks like at this stage)
10:30 30 Rock (repeats)
11:00 Parks and Recreation
11:30 It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
 
Tuesdays
7:30 Gary Unmarried
Note: Will start with a double episode in Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth as these states are 1 episode behind Sydney and Brisbane
8:00 Whacked Out Sports
8:30 Private Practice
9:30 The Amazing Race
10:30 30 Rock (repeats)
11:00 Parks and Recreation
11:30 It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
 
Wednesdays
7:30 Air Crash Investigations
8:30 City Homicide (repeats)
9:30 The Take (4 episodes only)
10:30 Band of Brothers
 
Thursdays
7:30 Gary Unmarried
8:00 Whacked Out Sports
8:30 Movies (at this stage)
 
Fridays
7:30 Better Homes and Gardens (repeats)
8:30 Movies
 
Saturdays
6:30 No Leave, No Life
7:00 Borderline
7:30 The Kingdom (6 episodes)
8:30 Wallander (3 episodes)