Speech to affect prime-time TV

Broadcast networks are shuffling their prime-time lineups tonight on the East Coast in order to televise President Bush’s 9 p.m. EDT address to the nation about the relief efforts in the Gulf Coast.

ABC has set aside the largest block of time, with three hours of news coverage devoted to the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Ted Koppel will host a special edition of “Primetime” at 8 p.m. EDT (9 p.m. PDT) examining failures in the response efforts. After Bush’s speech, “Primetime” will continue at 10 p.m. EDT/PDT, with a look at how well the U.S. is prepared for other disasters.

CBS is preempting an encore presentation of last season’s finale of “CSI: NY,” a move that bumps the show’s season premiere back a week, to Sept. 28. A repeat will air on the West Coast.

Fox is moving an episode of its new program “Reunion” back a week because of the address. On the West Coast, the network will air an encore of Sunday’s premiere of “The War at Home” and a repeat of “Bernie Mac.”

On NBC, Bush’s speech will bump a repeat of “Scrubs” on the East Coast. That episode will air on the West Coast.

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Matea Gold