ORIGINALS ACCOUNT FOR 72% OF CABLE PROGRAMMING

A survey conducted by the Cabletelevision Advertising Bureau found that about 72% of national ad-supported cable networks' weekly prime-time programming is exclusive to the medium. The CAB survey, conducted over a two-month period beginning in September, asked networks to list the average weekly number of prime-time hours of made-for-cable programming (including repeats) versus acquired shows. The CAB said cable networks will invest a projected $7.64 billion in programming in 2002, almost double what they spent in 1997.

WILLIAMSES GALORE ON CMT

Hank Williams Jr. and Hank Williams III will share a stage for the first time to mark the 50th anniversary of the death of Hank Williams Sr. on CMT's Grand Ole Opry Live on Jan. 4. CMT will also feature Williams Sr. in a new episode of Inside Fame, appearing Jan. 1.

DENZEL-FEST ON AMC

AMC will broadcast Hollywood Celebrates Denzel Washington: An American Cinematheque Tribute in March. Confirmed to participate in the ceremony are Halle Berry, Angela Bassett, Robert Downey Jr. and Keanu Reeves. Taped segments of Mel Gibson, Spike Lee, Nelson Mandela and Bruce Willis paying tribute to Washington will be included in the broadcast.

SHOWTIME OPENS ?RED DOOR?

Kiefer Sutherland and Kyra Sedgwick star in Behind the Red Door, an original movie that will run Jan. 12 on Showtime as part of Viacom's HIV/AIDS initiative.

HBO HUMS BROADWAY TUNES

HBO Signature will air Direct From Broadway, a series featuring broadcasts of top musicals, including Jekyll & Hyde: The Musical, Putting It Together: A Musical Revue and Smokey Joe's Café: The Songs of Leiber and Stoller. The musicals will also be shown on HBO in high-definition television.

INSP PLANS NEW SHOWS

Inspiration Network (INSP) is launching a new 19-episode talent-search series Christian Artist Talent Search (C.A.T.S.) on Jan. 4. The series host is Clifton Davis. INSP also will be launching three new, original teen series in January: Mixx Master Lounge, Mayhem and Artists Profiles.

THE BEAT GOES ON AT MUN2

Mun2 plans to launch a daily prime-time hip-hop and dance music show, The Roof, Dec. 9.

TENNIS NET SERVES MYERS

The Tennis Channel said its second original series will be Center Court with Chris Myers. The former ESPN announcer will interview leading players and coaches during half-hour episodes of the show, which will launch next year.

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