The Shows!
Everyone simply adored 'So You Want to Bond a Dragon'. The younger crowd got a kick out of 'How (not) to Raise a Hatchling'. Even 'Patrol' - the local 'Cops' type show starring the dragon-riding members of the police and fire departments - hit the top ten on the west coast.
Since a number of the dragons that Alabaster sponsors and houses are not bonded to anyone in particular, they've had to really overhaul the system for determining what a 'citizen' and 'taxpayer' is, in California (skin side) anyway.
Note that Alabaster actually has its own whole broadcast channel, ADN, the Alabaster Dragon Network, where these shows air in addition to the other Alabaster-produced comedies, game shows, dramas, and news. It is assumed that with the schedule shown below, there are other daily programs such as noon and evening news, early morning kids shows, and the like! They rebranded their old network name from ATN, the Alabaster Talent Network, since a lot more income has been from dragon-centric shows. No one batted an eye. That might be because Engel and his doppelgangers can alter memories. Shhh.
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| 6-8 AM* |
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| 8-9 AM |
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| 9-10 AM |
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| 10-11 AM |
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| 1-2 PM |
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| 2-3 PM |
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| 3-4 PM |
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| 4-5 PM |
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| 7-8 PM |
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| 8-9 PM |
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| 9-10 PM |
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| 10-11 PM |
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Friday, 8-10 PM
Weekly, 6-month contract
Reality TV: fit for dragon-kin. The Aerie is a mansion-sized home with dragon dens and room for several rider-dragon pairs as well as humanoid or Kin sized dragons.
Currently in its first season.
Thursday, 7-8 PM
Weekly, year-long contract
In syndication daily in some areas
Reality TV: 'cops' and 'firefighters' as well as other emergency-services dragon-riders and their mounts. This show enjoys continued success because of its extremely topical and entertaining real-world cast. Cameras follow rider-pairs on routine (and not so routine) patrols around town, into dangerous situations, and do follow-ups on arrests, rescues and situations.
Currently in its 7th season. (link to Cops)
So You Want To Bond A Dragon
Wednesday, 7-9 PM
Weekly, except for season endings which occur whenever the hatchlings arrive
In syndication daily in some areas
Reality TV (staged): Tryouts around the country result in competitions and instruction for potential dragon-bonding. All contestants receive various prizes and quite often more than one winds up bonding or impressing a dragon, depending on the season or type of dragonry they're attending.
Currently in its 6th season, tryouts are localized and this show has versions across the country as well as in certain countries around the world.
How (not) To Raise A Hatchling
Tuesday, 8-9 PM
Weekly, 6-month season; Once-per-year extravaganza added in December
In syndication weekly in some areas
Comedy/Reality: though based on largely true events, this show is a hilarious collection of events both caught on amateur video and staged for filming. Mishaps in flight training, landings and tail-lashings, etc.
Currently in its 4th season. Takes any amateur film as long as everyone on it legally agrees to have it shown, and with the restriction that no lasting damage is done to anyone.
Thursday, 9-10 PM
Weekly, 3-month season; Live shows and events broadcast as individual specials
Reality TV (staged, literally! but not scripted!): If you think that drag shows are purely for humanoids, think again. Dragons can Drag too! Sparkly, shimmery, shapeshifters, inspired by Yodel Hidalgo's Rainbow Revue.
New, 2025 but planned for any number of seasons since this can also be filmed on site in other locations than Talon or Crescent where the RR is held.
The Odd Couple
Friday, 8-9 PM
Weekly, 6-month season
Comedy: Two disparate dragons, trying to get along in their shared den. This show is one of the few which features exclusively dragons as main characters, though humans appear they're not the focus of the show in any way.
Currently in its 3rd season.
Sunday, 9-11 PM
Weekly, year-long contract
Documentary/Historical Drama: a time-traveling look at war through the years, from ancient, prehistoric, off-world, and modern sources. Not every week shows a dragon, however some of the 'rescues' have become bonded and are featured in update shows.
Currently in its 2nd season.
Professor Pepper's Science Power Hour
Monday - Friday 4-5 PM, repeats of various shows Saturday and Sunday 9-10 AM
Daily, variable contract, in syndication nearly everywhere
Educational: Professer Pepper and his family and entourage study everything from sunlight and flowers to time travel and alternate dimensions. This is a rousingly popular show because of the personalities of the Professor and his kids, as well as the subject matter. The science behind magic, the magic behind science, superpowered physics, all manner of 'how it works' questions are answered. Viewers are encouraged to write or email their questions, some of which are answered at the end of the show, but others are turned into full on episodes (and the sender usually gets a guest spot!).
Currently in its 15th season. Occasionally goes on hiatus depending on availability of cast/crew, though usually time-travel alleviates the need for this to impact too many shows.
Pepper Dragons?
Unknown, in talks
Reality/Comedy/Drama: life with the Pepper family? Who knows?
Now that the whole team... And someone special... have come back from their break with dragons, literally everyone who has ever even heard of the Peppers is abuzz.
Giving It All Back (Holiday Edition)
Monday, 8-9 PM
Weekly, year-long show with quarterly finals, and one mega-final year end show running from 7 PM to 10 PM
Game show with a heart: taking on worthwhile charities and donating various amounts to the winners and runners up. Celebrities and charity reps team up and compete against one another in fun and challenging feats. Over the years has become associated with dragonries and often uses dragon-based travel - particularly when a 'wish come true' is involved (generally kids charities get personalized deliveries by dragon).
Currently in its 7th season. Reruns are occasionally in syndication in a variety of non-local venues.
Thursday, 8-9 PM
Weekly, year-long contract with 'summer' being the focus but they move to the southern hemisphere when needed!
Documentary/Location Exploration: You know how dragons fly right? Wait - some don't fly? They swim! From the local SoCal beaches and bays, to high mountain caldera lakes on distant dimensions and worlds, to the deepest trenches below the ocean surface, if there's a dragon that can swim there, and a camera crew willing to help get footage (trust us, there are both of those), viewers will get a fantastic view of sea life, even ancient fallen civilizations, and maybe even a Deep One now and again whoops.
Currently in its 2nd season, and with all the hooplah surrounding the Summer Swim '25th' Anniversary, there are plentiful locations to film, this is sure to be a very popular long-lived show.