With all the networks popping up and all the love for the superhero genre at the present, I think a network devoted to superheroes would work. The problem is, getting the rights for all of the different shows and films. Obviously, WB would have the best shot at a 24 hour network devoted to the genre, as they have the most in their vault. However, there are many shows that never see the light of day anymore. There are also many shows that had a very limited run and are not likely to end up on DVD. Obviously, I know there is a major hang up on the rights and then you have to get carriage of the network. I would love to see it as an over the air network, but cable/satellite would obviously be the more likely way to go. I do not feel like it is a total pipe dream, what with the constant addition of sports devoted networks, this would be an untapped market.
The way I see it, you could run shows that had a limited run in regular weekend time slots (BIRDS OF PREY rotated with THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN at 7, FLASH at 8, HUMAN TARGET--both incarnations rotated at same slot--at 9, WITCHBLADE at 10, SHEENA at 11, BLADE THE SERIES at midnight). Weekend mornings could be filled with the numerous cartoons based on superheroes. Weekdays, you could do cartoons from 7am to 9am, movies from 9am to 3pm, and then have a line up of shows in the evenings (SUPERMAN/SUPERBOY at 3pm, SWAMP THING at 4pm, SHAZAM/ISIS at 4:30pm, WONDER WOMAN at 5pm, BATMAN at 6pm, SUPERMAN evenings--ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN, SUPERBOY, SMALLVILLE, LOIS AND CLARK--from 7 to 10pm, THE INCREDIBLE HULK at 11pm. You could also do a constantly rotating line-up on the weekends at 6pm with limited run series (THE TICK live action, MISFITS OF SCIENCE, NO ORDINARY FAMILY, AUTOMAN, MANIMAL, THE MIDDLEMAN, TIMECOP, the 2 LEGENDS OF THE SUPERHEROES specials, and so on), with films or matinee serials running through the day on weekends. This would still leave the opportunity to add or switch out with other series like POWERS OF MATTHEW STAR, SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN, BIONIC WOMAN, NIGHTMAN, MUTANT X, CAPTAIN NICE, MR TERRIFIC, THE GREEN HORNET, ELECTRA WOMAN AND DYNA GIRL, DARK ANGEL, HEROES, THE GREATEST AMERICAN HERO, ULTRAMAN, SPACE GIANTS, and on and on. You could also do like a pilot episode marathon on New Year's Day or something for shows that never got picked up.
Granted, I know not all of these shows are technically superhero shows, but they all fit the mold and would play well together. If I had the money and power, I think I would start this network today. Someone start getting me those rights. But seriously, I do see this as being a network that would have a fan base and would be requested. WWE Network is having so much trouble getting off the ground because wrestling is an iffy proposition. However, superheroes continue to be a big draw at the box office and on TV. Certainly I am not alone in thinking this would be a bankable AND profitable property in the world of entertainment. Meanwhile, I will continue to watch my DVDs for my superhero fix and keep hoping someone else thinks this is a good idea.