Why did Deep Space Nine and Voyager premiere in January?

[Candlelight]

September seems like a more standard month. Did they want a consistant run through the new year or something? Or (in the case of DS9) not want to compete with TNG immediately?

 

[SFRabid]

A lot of new shows premiere in the off season when competition is in reruns. It happens most often with cable network shows but even some of the networks do this. Look at American Idol.

 

[The Wormhole]

The first seasos of DS9 and Voyager were shorter than the average seasons. DS9 had 20 episodes, and I think Voyager only had 16. Therefore, their premieres were held of until January.

 

[Quinton O'Connor]

15 episodes, but 16 as well depending on how you look at it -- "Caretaker" was a two-hour event. So yeah, either way. They were both shorter than usual.

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

Also, Voyager coincided with the launch of UPN, didn't it?

 

[Quinton O'Connor]

I believe so.