ABC Family moving towards year-round programming cycle

US cable network ABC Family is eyeing the launch of a year-round programming cycle as it builds out its original productions.

The Disney-owned broadcaster expanded its schedule to present three nights of original programming this year with four new dramas and a new original comedy.

This marks a wider trend in the US cable industry, as cable networks take on the traditional broadcast networks and launch shows throughout the year, rather than only in the summer, which has traditionally been the case.

Michael Riley, president, ABC Family, told TBIvision: “This year we have got our most aggressive slate to date; we’ve greenlit five new shows and we’ve added a third night of original programming. One of the reasons we’ve greenlit as much content as we have is to expand beyond the traditional environment; we’re looking at launching shows at different times.”

The network launched Switched At Birth, The Great State of Georgia and The Nine Lives of Chloe King in June and is launching Alloy Entertainment-produced The Lying Game and Jane By Design in January 2012.