• by David Goetzl , August 3, 2011

The Ion network, which primarily has aired syndicated episodes of CBS shows, will debut two acquired dramas from NBC Universal's USA network Aug. 21. "Monk" and "Psych" will air, in Ion fashion, in lengthy blocks on Saturdays and Sundays.

"Monk" will run from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and "Psych" following until 3 a.m. They will replace movies in prime time on weekends.

Both shows will start with their initial seasons. "Psych" will be on a broadcast network in syndication for the first time, while Ion has rights to six seasons and future ones. It has all eight seasons of "Monk."

Ion will have some overlap with broadcast competitor MyNetworkTV, as the network has back-to-back episodes of "Monk" on Fridays and "Without A Trace" on Thursdays.

Ion recently also acquired rights to NBCU-owned "House" starting in 2012.

Former CBS shows "Without a Trace" and "Ghost Whisperer" are Ion staples, as is "Criminal Minds," currently on CBS.

Ion made a move toward becoming a bigger presence in ad sales with the addition of two vice presidents this summer. Kendra Cleary, who had a lengthy tenure for Turner in Detroit, has opened an Ion office in the auto-heavy market.

Corry Hart, who recently worked on branded entertainment-type deals for IFC and Sundance Channel, is overseeing the Chicago office. Lisa Fischer heads the national sales efforts.