USA Network is taking a dramatic turn into scripted programming, focusing on stories in which people find themselves up against extraordinary circumstances, often not of their own choosing. This should appeal to Millennials who've demonstrated a big appetite for complex plots and characters, explained USA President Chris McCumber. "There's a major demographic change underway," he added, "and this demographic tells us they want to see unexpected, complicated heroes who defy the odds and come out (victorious) on the other side.” When the focus was not on scripted programming it was on expanded offerings from World Wrestling Entertainment: A reboot this summer (starting June 23) of “Tough Enough,” the unscripted search for new grapplers, with some segments live, and the move of “Smackdown” from NBC Universal sister net Syfy to USA next winter. A short Q&A session at the end would have given McCumber time to elaborate on all of this. That didn't happen, leaving reporters to find USA executives and talent for answers -- if they could stick around.
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