Tiger Woods Scandal Cost Shareholders of Companies He Endorsed $5 Billion to $12 Billion

The Tiger Woods scandal cost the shareholders of companies he endorsed between $5 billion and $12 billion dollars, according to a study by two University of California economics professors.

According to a Reuters story, the professors, from UC Davis, wrote in their report that they "looked at stock market returns for the 13 trading days after November 27, the date of the car incident that ignited the Woods scandal. They compared returns for Woods' sponsors during this period to those of both the total stock market and of each sponsor's closest competitor. They also reviewed returns for four years before the car accident to build up a comparative picture of the sponsors' market performance."

In addition, the Reuters story said that the economics professors "called the results statistically significant and said the overall pattern of losses at the parent companies was unlikely to stem from ordinary day-to-day variation in their stock prices."

The professors also said that "Our findings speak to a larger question of general interest in the business and academic communities: Does celebrity sponsorship have any impact on a firm's bottom line?"

To read the actual study as published by the University of California professors, click here.

--Chuck Ross

Wow! Report Says DirecTV Will Launch The First U.S. 3-D Hi-Def Channel Early in 2010

DirecTV will debut the nation's first 3-D HDTV channel in early 2010, according to a report by HDGuru.

The reports says that last night, Dec. 28, a program satellite launched by DirecTV will be the one to carry the new 3-D channel, and that that channel could be operational as soon as March. DirecTV will make an announcement about the new channel at the 2010 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas on Jan. 7th, the report says.

According to the article, the new channel "will feature an assortment of movies, sports and programs in 3D. All programs are in HD 3D and meet the new 3D standards the major TV manufacturers support, according to sources.

"Sources tell HD Guru DirecTV’s current HDTV boxes will receive a firmware upgrade to allow its existing subscriber base to receive HD 3D programming. The shows will then be compatible with the new 3D capable HDTVs expected to debut at CES by Panasonic, Sony, Samsung, LG and other TV makers, as well as existing Mitsubishi DLP models that are accompanied by a forthcoming 3D converter box. Viewers will need one of these new 3D HDTVs to view DirecTV 3D programming, along with compatible 3D glasses."

--Chuck Ross

A Basic Truth: Why Charlie Sheen Will Get a Pass While Tiger Gets Crucified

TVWeek Open Mic blogger Chuck Ross addresses a basic truth about the media, advertising and ourselves: Why Charlie Sheen will get a pass for his latest alleged bad behavior while Tiger Woods gets crucified. Click here to read.

Tyra Banks Ending Her Talk Show

Tyra Banks has told People magazine that this will be the final season of her syndicated talk show that is produced by Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution. This is the show's fifth season. Both Warner Bros. and People are owned by Time Warner.

Says the People article, "Banks will focus on the launch of Bankable Studios, a N.Y.-based film production company currently reviewing possible projects. Sticking to her mission, Banks aims to bring 'positive images of women to the big screen,' says an industry insider. 

'My next huge steps will allow me to reach more women and young girls to help us all feel as fierce as we truly are,' Banks says.' "

 Her "America's Next Top Model" will continue with new episodes on the CW, as will her ABC show "True Beauty." 

--Chuck Ross

Producer Accused of Trying to Blackmail Letterman Reportedly Willing to Serve One Year in Prison if Plea Deal is Struck

The CBS producer who is accused of trying to blackmail David Letterman may have proposed a plea deal, the New York Post reports.

Citing unnamed sources, The Post claims that Robert Halderman has offered to plead guilty in exchange for serving one year in prison. Halderman’s lawyer, Gerald Shargel, denied that there have been any plea negotiations.

Any plea discussions won’t be entertained until after a new Manhattan DA takes office in January, The Post says.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Guess Which Cable Network Won the Primetime Viewing Race in 2009 (Hint: Not ESPN nor TNT)

Drum roll please. Here are the top 5 viewed cable networks in primetime in 2009, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Coming in at No. 5 was Fox News. Number 4 was TNT. Three was ESPN. In second place was the Disney Channel.

Number one in primetime was NBC Universal’s USA Network. With 3.2 million average viewers, USA was up 15% compared to its primetime numbers in 2008. USA was also No. 1 among all cable networks in primetime among viewers 18 to 49.

--Elizabeth Jensen

MSNBC Criticized for Ignoring Plane Terror Story on Christmas Day

MSNBC executives wouldn’t discuss why the network devoted little attention Friday to the attempted terror attack on a U.S.-bound airplane, the Associated Press reports.

CNN and Fox News Channel both covered the story while MSNBC remained with taped programs, the AP said.

Mediaite blogger Rachel Sklar wrote: "If you're going to call yourself a news network, then cover the news.”

The AP report says, "For its part, MSNBC has noted that its long-form taped programming have been successful in the ratings during weekends."

--Elizabeth Jensen

TVs in Cars Projected to More than Double by 2015

About 17.6 million car television systems worldwide are projected to be shipped in 2015, more than double the 6.2 million this year, according to an iSuppli forecast, Multichannel News reports.

The forecast includes TVs in portable navigation devices. Numerous technical obstacles also must be overcome by the market, says iSuppli analyst Richard Robinson, including how to make the picture delivery in moving vehicles uninterrupted.

--Elizabeth Jensen

NBC News Accused of Unethical 'Checkbook Journalism' by Society of Professional Journalists

The Society of Professional Journalists is "appalled" that NBC News gave a ride to the U.S. from Brazil to David Goldman, and his son, who have been involved in a high-profile custody battle.

In a statement, SPJ Ethics Committee Chairman Andy Schotz said, "The public could rightly assume that NBC News bought exclusive interviews and images, as well as the family's loyalty, with an extravagant gift." 

NBC taped the first exclusive interview with Goldman during the flight, for the Monday “Today” show.

NBC claimed it didn't pay for the interview, noting, "The Goldmans were invited on a jet NBC News chartered to fly home to the U.S. on Thursday, Dec. 24," and adding, "NBC News has followed this story since the Goldman's story first ran on Dateline nearly one year ago -- David Goldman since has appeared on Today seventeen times." The NBC statement was printed by B&C.

 "Mixing financial and promotional motives with an impartial search for truth stains honest, ethical reporting," Schotz said in the SPJ statement. "Checkbook journalism has no place in the news business."

--Elizabeth Jensen and Chuck Ross

Ripa, Consuelos to Return to ‘All My Children’

Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos, the husband and wife who are alums of "All My Children," are returning to the ABC daytime soap next Monday and Tuesday, Jan. 4th and 5th,  which is the show’s 40th anniversary, as well as the start of its production move to L.A. from New York, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

Other show veterans, including La Rue, Julia Barr, Laurence Lau, Taylor Miller, James Mitchell, Leven Rambin and Eden Riegel will take part in the two anniversary episodes as well.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Town Without Pity: Place Where ‘Jersey Shore’ is Shot Distances Itself from Show

New Jersey beach town Seaside Heights, home to MTV's "Jersey Shore," said in a statement on Monday, Dec. 28, that it "did not solicit, promote or participate in the filming" of the show, the Associated Press reports.

The town says it did, however, issue a permit allowing filming of the program, which has lost advertisers as politicians and Italian-American groups call for it to be pulled from the air for what they say are its promotion of negative stereotyping.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Sheen’s Wife Says he Pinned Her on Bed, Knife to Throat and Threatened to Kill Her

Charlie Sheen's wife Brooke Mueller Sheen told police that the “Two and a Half Men” star pinned her on a bed, held a knife to her throat and threatened to kill her on Christmas Day, the Associated Press reports.

The fight in Aspen started, she told police, because she told Sheen she wanted a divorce. Sheen was arrested on suspicion of menacing, second-degree assault and criminal mischief, as well as domestic violence.

According to the AP report, in an arrest affidavit Mueller said Sheen told her: " 'You better be in fear. If you tell anybody, I'll kill you.' He also told her, 'Your mother's money means nothing, I have ex-police I can hire who know how to get the job done and they won't leave any trace,' according to the affidavit."

Sheen was freed on bail, and denied to police that he threatened his wife or choked her.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Next TVBizWIre and E-Daily E-Newsletter Will be on Monday, Jan. 4th. Happy New Year!

TVWeek will next publish its TVBizWire and E-Daily e-newsletters on Monday, Jan. 4th.

Until then, if there's breaking news, you'll find it on TVWeek.com. And if we need to email you an Extra Alert, we'll do that as well.

Happy Holidays!

‘Boondocks’ Returning to TV

The animated series “The Boondocks” will return for a third season on Cartoon Network, after a nearly two-year hiatus, reports our friend Joe Adalian at The Wrap.

Creator Aaron McGruder said via Twitter that the show is coming back in about three months. Previously McGruder had written on his My Space page that Sony had ordered up more episodes, according to Adalian's report..

--Chuck Ross 

Indoor Rabbit Ear Antennas Making a Comeback in Era of Digital TV; Viewers Like Increased Channels, Clear Pics and That it's Free TV

Rabbit ear antennas, once a staple for millions of Americans watching free, over-the-TV, are making a comeback, the L.A. Times reports.

According to the report, "In these penny-pinching times, watching TV over the airwaves is becoming an increasingly attractive option for many households, particularly among the Los Angeles region's minority communities.

"Although the number of households with antennas in the U.S. fell slightly in the last year, nearly 20,000 Asian American homes in the region began using rabbit ears, and 8,000 African Americans switched to over-the-air TV, according to the media research firm Nielsen Co.

"Nearly a quarter of Latino households with televisions, or about 440,000 homes, already tune in with an antenna -- the most of any demographic group in the area."

--Chuck Ross

ABC, CBS and NBC Look to Remake Three Classic TV Series

The networks may not have sufficiently learned the lesson from the failure of CBS’s “The Fugitive” remake in 2000 or many of the other attempts at reviving old series: The broadcast network development lineup is laden with familiar concepts, the New York Times reports.

NBC is eyeing bringing back “The Rockford Files,” while ABC is considering a new “Charlie’s Angels” and CBS has in development an updated “Hawaii Five-O.”

--Elizabeth Jensen

Legendary Sportscaster Who Pioneered Airing of Sports Highlights Clips on TV Dies

One of the pioneering broadcasters to use sports highlights clips on TV has died, the New York Times reports.

Washington D.C. television sports reporter George Michael died on Thursday, Dec. 24, at age 70 of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. 

Michael’s Sunday night “The George Michael Sports Machine” was the first nationally syndicated sports show to make extensive use of the clips, which are now a staple of shows such as ESPN’s “SporstCenter.”

--Elizabeth Jensen

Lawmakers Join Attack Against MTV over ‘Jersey Shore’

The New Jersey Italian American Legislative Caucus joined those pressuring MTV to cancel "Jersey Shore," the Associated Press reports.

The caucus, in a letter sent last week to the head of MTV parent Viacom, said the show is “wildly offensive” and promotes ethnic stereotypes, and asked that it be immediately canceled. The lawmakers are also calling for an advertiser boycott.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Gosselin’s NYC Apartment Ransacked Over Holiday

Newly divorced reality star Jon Gosselin went to visit his eight children over the Christmas holiday and while he was gone his New York City apartment was ransacked, the Associated Press reports. 

In the break-in, his furniture was slashed, his clothes cut up and his TV was stolen. The intruder also left a note that was pinned to his dresser with a butcher knife, the AP said, citing his lawyer, who wouldn’t say who the note was from or what it said.

--Elizabeth Jensen 

Excitement Builds For Apple Tablet (the iSlate?), Which Will Likely be Able to Play TV Shows

An analyst covering Apple says it's 50/50 that an Apple tablet device will be unveiled in January, AppleInsider reports.

The analyst, Gene Munster of Piper Jaffray, said in a note to investors, "We believe Apple's tablet would compete well in the netbook category even though it would not be a netbook," he said. "Rather it would focus more on apps, entertainment content (from the iTunes Store), and Web surfing."

Furthermore, the AppleInsider article says,"Numerous reports this week have claimed that Apple is in talks with CBS and Disney in an attempt to offer a subscription plan for TV shows. Sources have said that both companies are currently considering an offer from Apple that would provide them $2 to $4 per month for a subscriber to a broadcast network like CBS or ABC, and $1 to $2 per month for subscribers to a basic cable network."

Additionally, the AppleInsider reports that analyst Munster "has long believed that Apple is pursuing a subscription service for iTunes. He also believes the company could add DVR capabilities to the Apple TV, and, at some point in the future, release a connected television set."

Also, thedigitalnewsroom.com is reporting that the official name of the new Apple tablet is likely to be the iSlate.

--Chuck Ross

Charlie Sheen Allegedly Threatens Wife with Knife; Couple to Get Counselling

"Two and a Half Men" star Charlie Sheen was arrested for domestic violence on Christmas morning, according to various media reports.

He was also charged with having a deadly weapon, which TMZ.com has reported was a knife, with which he alledgedly threatened his wife.

According to the New York Daily News, "Sheen's Christmas in jail has inspired the actor and his wife, Brooke Mueller, to seek counseling despite the fact that Sheen reportedly pulled a knife during their latest fight."

Says People magazine, Sheen and his wife, Brooke Mueller, " 'were fighting at a dinner in a friend’s house and it continued until the next morning,' a source close to Mueller tells People. 'Both of them were drinking and neither was supposed to be. They both have histories of alcohol abuse and have made every effort to stop. But things got out of hand.' "

--Chuck Ross

Broadcaster Percy Sutton Dead at 89; Was Malcolm X's Lawyer, First Black Owner of Radio in NYC and Had Cable TV Interests as Well

Percy Sutton, a politician who was Malcolm X’s lawyer and later became the first black owner of a radio station in New York City, died over the weekend, at age 89, the New York Times reports.

While Manhattan Borough President in 1971, Sutton bought, with a group, the city’s largest black newspaper, The New York Amsterdam News, and later, AM station WLIB. Through his Inner City Broadcasting, Sutton eventually acquired 18 radio stations in several cities, cable franchises in New York and Philadelphia and the Harlem theater the Apollo, which was later turned over to a non-profit.

--Elizabeth Jensen

As Year Ends, So Does DirecTV Deals With a Number of Programmers--New Agreements Being Negotiated

A number of well-known programmers have deals that expire with DirecTV on Dec. 31, Multichannel News reports.

They include: Rainbow Media's national services AMC, We TV, IFC and Fuse, as well as the regional sports networks MSG and MSG Plus, the report says,

Furthermore, "Sources familiar with the negotiations also indicate that Sundance Channel, which Rainbow acquired last year, and Wedding Central, the spin-off of the women's-targeted We service, are also part of the negotiations," Multichannel reports.

The article also quotes a DirecTV spokesperson as saying that the parties are having productive discussions about renewing the channels on the satellite service.

--Chuck Ross

OMG, Forget TV: Movies Have Biggest Weekend in Box Office History

With three movies grossing over $50 million for the first time in history, this past three-day weekend--Dec. 25-27--brought in a record $278 million in U.S. and Canadian box office receipts, the L.A. Times reports.

Never before had three movies made more than $50 million each over a single three-day period, the Times said.

Those films were "Avatar" ($75 million), "Sherlock Holmes" ($65.4 million), and the squeakquel of "Alvin and the Chipmunks," ($50.2 million).

Also continuing was of one of the biggest surprise success stories of this movie year, the performance of "The Blind Side." In its sixth week of release its box office was up 16% and has now hit total box office of $184.4 million, according to the Times.

--Chuck Ross

Alexis Glick Leaves Fox Business; Might Extension of Imus Show Replace Her?

Fox Business Network morning anchor Alexis Glick is leaving the network, three years after she was lured away from NBC, the Los Angeles Times reports.

The network said it had no immediate plans to replace her. Her “Opening Bell” morning show hasn’t been able to sustain the ratings lead-in from the simulcast of radio host Don Imus. A media executive told TVWeek that one idea that might make sense would be to extend the TV version of Imus' show as a replacement.

--Elizabeth Jensen and Chuck Ross

Top Media Exec Pulls in $11.3 Million in 2009, and That's a Cut of 28% Compared to 2008

According to a proxy statement filed last week at the Securities and Exchange Commission, one of the nation's top media executives received $11.3 million in salary and bonus in fiscal 2009, which was a decrease of 28 percent compared to 2008 the New York Times reports.

The executive in question, Walt Disney CEO Robert Iger, received $2 million in salary and a $9.3 million bonus. The cut was pegged to a decline in Disney’s profitability.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Fox Nearing Deal to Renew ‘Idol,’ Whether or Not Cowell is On Board

Fox last week was near a deal to renew “American Idol,” even though judge Simon Cowell hasn’t reached a new agreement with the show, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

The network is currently looking at ordering three more seasons beyond the current deal which ends in 2011. The talk of renewal comes even as the speculation grows that Cowell will leave the program after the current season in favor of bringing his British competition series “X-Factor” to the U.S.

--Elizabeth Jensen

'Balloon Boy' Parents Get Jail Time; Also Can't Exploit Event For Any TV Show for Four Years

Richard and Mayumi Heene, the reality-TV-obsessed parents of six-year-old Falcon 'Balloon Boy' Heene have been sentenced to jail for the stunt, the Associated Press reports.

Richard Heene was sentenced to 90 days in jail, Mayumi 20 days. Furthermore, according to the report, the couple were "given strict probation conditions that forbid them from earning any money from the spectacle for four years."

On Oct. 15 the Heene's received worldwide TV attention when they reported that Falcon had drifted away on a homemade balloon device. It turned out to be a hoax.

The prosecutor in the case, Chief Deputy District Attorney Andrew Lewis, who represents the Fort Collins, CO, area where the event happened, "portrayed the Heenes as growing increasingly desperate as their pitches for a reality TV show kept getting turned down by networks - and the family fell deeper into a financial hole," the AP said. 

--Chuck Ross

Sen. Kerry Doesn’t Want the Time Warner/News Corp. Spat Disrupting Football

Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) is trying to play mediator in the retransmission consent dispute between Time Warner Cable and News Corp., worried that the fight will disrupt New Year’s Day football games, the Los Angeles Times reports.

In a letter to the two companies, Kerry, who is chairman of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Communication, Technology, and the Internet, urged a resolution by New Year’s Day, because, "We do not want consumers waking up on the first day of the new year wanting to watch football and instead finding that they have to take a trip to the electronics store to purchase a digital receiver in the hope that they receive a clear over-the-air signal.”

He added that, "If both parties conclude that the best alternative to a negotiated agreement is to have screens go dark for consumers, then they will have neglected the core interests of the millions of households that subscribe to Time Warner Cable in affected markets. As leaders of major companies that are FCC licensees and are obligated to serve the public interest, I hope and expect that you will resolve this matter consistent with those obligations."

Fox responded in a statement that it has been negotiating in good faith for months, and will continue to do so, while Time Warner Cable said that whether or not an agreement is reached is up to Fox.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Comcast Extends Contract of Key Management Executive in Deal Worth Up to $20 Million

Comcast has extended the contract of one of its top executives an additional four years in a deal that could be worth up to $20 million, according to an 8-K filing the company made with the SEC.

Comcast COO Steve Burke,  a key member of the Comcast management team, had a contract that was set to expire at the end of next year. His new contract expires at the end of 2014.

In his new deal his annual salary and annual bonus are  the same as in his contract that was set to expire next year.

--Chuck Ross

Small Bump for Sawyer’s ‘World News’ Debut

ABC’s “World News” got a slight Nielsen bump for Diane Sawyer’s Monday debut as anchor, B&C reports.

Preliminary data put the audience at an average 8.9 million viewers, up from the show's usual Monday average of 8.4 million viewers. For the season, the program is averaging 8 million viewers.

“NBC Nightly News” still won the night with 9.3 million viewers.

--Elizabeth Jensen

TMZ Planning a Sports Spin-Off

TMZ is expected to spin off an all-sports site next year, The New York Times reports, citing the blog SportsByBrooks, which noted that the celebrity site has registered the TMZSports.com domain name.

The expected spinoff comes after several weeks of non-stop coverage of golfer Tiger Woods marital infidelities by TMZ.

--Elizabeth Jensen

The Situation at CNN: Blitzer's Show Trimmed by an Hour to Make Room for New Program

Wolf Blitzer’s “Situation Room” will contract by an hour to make room for a new show,  TVNewser reports.

Early next year Rick Sanchez, who currently hosts the 3 p.m." CNN Newsroom,"  will add the new “Rick's List" at 4 p.m., taking an hour out of “Situation Room,” which will air from 5-7 p.m.

Blitzer is also filling in on the 7 p.m. hour until John King’s new show launches.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Another Advertiser Exits MTV’s ‘Jersey Shore’

Another sponsor pulled out of MTV’s “Jersey Shore,” citing the program’s “ethnic bashing, TMZ reports.

Dell Computers told TMZ that its ads will be blocked from future shows because the company doesn’t "condone or support ethnic bashing in any form."

--Elizabeth Jensen

Vatican Gives Seal of Approval to ‘The Simpsons’

The Vatican's newspaper L'Osservatore Romano congratulated “The Simpsons” on its 20th anniversary, the Associated Press reports.

Without Homer Simpson and his gang, "many today wouldn't know how to laugh," the paper said in article titled "Aristotle's Virtues and Homer's Doughnut."

While the paper wasn’t too thrilled with the show’s "excessively crude language, the violence of certain episodes or some extreme choices by the scriptwriters,” overall, the writers said, Homer's attitude toward God and religion are "a mirror of the indifference and the need that modern man feels toward faith."

--Elizabeth Jensen

‘Mister Ed’ Star Connie Hines Passes Away

Actress Connie Hines, best known as Wilbur's wife on the 1960s show "Mister Ed," about a talking horse, passed away, the Associated Press reports.

She was 78. Her other TV credits included "The Millionaire," "Johnny Ringo" and "Riverboat."

--Elizabeth Jensen

Paley Awards: Emmys Could Use Some Competition

TVWeek Open Mic blgger Hillary Atkin thinks it's a good idea that the Paley Center is thinking about handing out its own awards for television excellence. Read her thoughts here.

Bah, Humbug! Two Notes About TVWeek

1) This will be TVWeek's last TVBizWire e-newsletter until Monday, Dec. 28. For breaking news until then, please visit TVWeek.com. And when news warrants, we'll let you know with one of our Extra Alerts.

TVBizWire will publish Tuesday, Dec. 29, as well, then after a New Year's holiday break, will resume publication Jan. 4.

2) TVWeek Open Mic blogger Chuck Ross has taken it upon himself to share with us a Christmas poem that begins:

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the House
Not a doctor was stirring, not even Hugh Laurie, that louse.

If you dare read the rest, click here.

Happy Holiday!

Cablevision Taking Must-Carry Fight to Supreme Court

Cablevision will try to convince the Supreme Court to take on the FCC’s must-carry policies, Multichannel News reports.

The cable operator lost on the issue in the Second Circuit, which upheld the FCC’s ruling that Cablevision was obligated to carry WRNN in some Long Island areas.

Cablevision will argue that there is sufficient competition to make the FCC’s must-carry policies no longer necessary.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Albrecht Taking Over at Starz

Chris Albrecht, the former head of HBO, will be taking over as president and CEO of Starz, reports Deadline Hollywood.

While running HBO from 2002-07, the cable network produced "The Sopranos," "Sex and the City," "Deadwood," "Band of Brothers," "Entourage" and "Six Feet Under."

-- Allison J. Waldman

Michael Jackson's FBI File: Authorities Feared Terrorist Attack During Trial

The FBI files about the late Michael Jackson reveal that the Santa Maria Police Department in California feared a potential terror attack during the media maelstrom surrounding the singer's 2003 arrest for child molestation, reports the Associated Press.

The file was released under the Freedom of Information Act on Tuesday. Included was information that police asked for FBI "involvement,"  saying they believed the court case would be a "soft target" for terrorism because of "worldwide media coverage."

-- Allison J. Waldman

Lehrer Gets President Obama Interview

On the "PBS NewsHour," newsman Jim Lehrer will have a one-on-one interview with President Barack Obama at the White House on Wednesday night, reports the Orlando Sentinel.

The interview will be broadcast during the "NewsHour" at 7 p.m. on PBS.

Separately, NPR News announced that it will will interview President Obama tomorrow morning from the White House, focusing on health care and the president's first year in office. The interview  will be conducted by "All Things Considered" host Robert Siegel and Health Policy correspondent Julie Rover.

NPR will broadcast the interview tomorrow during the afternoon newsmagazine "All Things Considered' and throughout the day on its newscast.

-- Allison J. Waldman

Fox Tweaks 'American Idol' Premiere Sked

The two-hour new  season premiere of Fox's "American Idol" on Tuesday, Jan. 12, will be followed Jan. 13 by a 75-minutes long show, extending the Wednesday show by 15 minutes, reports The Futon Critic.

The Wednesday show will lead in to the debut of "Our Little Genius," which will now run from 9:15 p.m. to 10 p.m.

-- Allison J. Waldman

'Home Improvement' Added to TV Land Schedule

Tim Allen's hit ABC sitcom "Home Improvement" is joining the TV Land lineup starting Jan. 11 at 9 p.m. weeknights.

As a build-up to the regular run, TV Land will present a week-long marathon beginning Jan. 4 at 8 p.m., that will feature some of the best episodes from the series.

“Home Improvement” premiered on ABC in 1991 and ran until 1999.

-- Allison J. Waldman

Weather Channel's 'Will It Snow on Christmas' Returns

The Weather Channel Interactive has launched a new "Countdown to Christmas" section on the Website www.weather.com, that includes the return of the popular “Will it Snow on Christmas” feature offering weather maps to aid in planning for the holidays.

The holiday initiative is part of American Express’ DailyWish program and will run throughout the month of December.

-- Allison J. Waldman

Joan Rivers Returns to E! for 'Fashion Police' Award Season Specials

E! will present Joan Rivers in “Fashion Police: The 67th Annual Golden Globe Awards,” the first in a series of red carpet review shows Rivers will host throughout the awards season.

For the Jan. 18 Golden Globe show, Khloé Kardashian Odom, Giuliana Rancic and Jay Manuel will be joining Rivers.

"I am delighted to be back on E! and to have the opportunity to say what I think about the fashions on the red carpet," said Rivers, whose daughter Melissa is producing the show. "I know with Melissa at the helm, I can relax and say what I really want," she added.

-- Allison J. Waldman

Actor Known as the Ultimate Nerd Dies

Arnold Stang, best known from his film and television roles as the ultimate nerd, has passed away at the age of 91, reports the Associated Press.

Stang was a regular on "The Red Skelton Show," "The Milton Berle Show" and appeared on many episodic TV shows, including "Wagon Train" and "December Bride."

He achieved fame supporting Frank Sinatra in the movie "The Man with the Golden Arm." Stang, was also the voice of Hanna-Barbera's TV cartoon character "Top Cat."

-- Allison J. Waldman

Comedy Central Announces Return of Two Series

Comedy Central announced today that "The Sarah Silverman Program" and "Important Things with Demetri Martin" will be returning for new seasons on Feb. 4.

Season 2 of "Demetri" returns at 10 p.m., followed at 10:30 p.m. by the third-season premiere of "Sarah Silverman." In addition, the 14th edition of "Comedy Central Presents" returns Feb. 19, featuring new comics from clubs around the country.

-- Allison J. Waldman

TVWeek's Final E-Daily of 2009

This will be TVWeek's last E-Daily until Jan. 4, 2010. For breaking news until then, please visit TVWeek.com. And when news warrants, we'll let you know with one of our Extra Alerts.

Our TVBizWire e-newsletter will be published tomorrow morning, as well as next Monday and Tuesday. Then TVBizWire will resume publication Jan. 4.

Happy holidays!

Jeff Probst Blog: Russell Was a ‘Victim’

“Survivor” host Jeff Probst blogs at Popwatch that he believes Russell, who lost to Natalie on the show’s finale Sunday night, “was the victim of a jury of bitter people.”

He added that he isn’t taking anything away from winner Natalie, who “clearly did a great job of reading the group dynamic of the jury and as a result she deserves the money.” But Russell, he said, clearly dominated the season and “to not give him the money and the title is a bit silly.”

To read TVWeek Open Mic blogger Chuck Ross' opinion about what happened, and a key change he thinks the producers of the show need to make, click here.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Brother Says This Season is Simon Cowell’s Last on ‘Idol’

Tony Cowell, the author and radio journalist-brother of Simon, says this season will be Simon Cowell’s last on “American Idol,” The New York Times reports.

On his Dec. 19 podcast, Tony Cowell said “a press statement is being prepared which will confirm what everybody expected: Simon will leave ‘Idol’ at the end of 2010 to concentrate on bringing the American version of ‘X Factor’ to U.S. TV in 2011.”

Simon Cowell, also interviewed in the podcast, didn’t comment.

--Elizabeth Jensen

'Sesame Street' Alum Passes Away

A long-time “Sesame Street” actress died last week after a two-year battle with breast cancer, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

Alaina Reed-Amini (previously known as Alaina Reed-Hall), who also appeared on Broadway ("Chicago," "Hair") and on “227,” "The Drew Carey Show" and "Ally McBeal,” was 63.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Sawyer’s ABC Debut Focused on Serious

Diane Sawyer’s debut as anchor of “World News” was draped “in utter seriousness,” New York Times critic Alessandra Stanley says in a review.

Her first night, the critic wrote, signaled “the return of the alpha anchors.”

--Elizabeth Jensen

Fox to Turn Yellow in New Year for More ‘Simpsons’ Anniversary Tribute

Fox will drape its graphics in yellow for the week of Jan. 3 as a tribute to the 20th anniversary of “The Simpsons,” reports The Hollywood Reporter.

The stunt will include on-air graphics, Web and social networking graphics and even yellow ties on some local Fox news anchors.

The color-change will lead up to a Jan. 10 documentary special about the show, directed by Morgan Spurlock.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Other ‘Jersey Shore’ Residents Not So Keen on MTV Series

MTV's reality show "Jersey Shore” isn’t winning rave reviews from some of the residents of the town of Seaside Heights who weren’t featured in the series, the Associated Press reports.

Although the town is largely closed up for the winter, those who are around say the show offers a distorted picture.

"You're trying to create a family town, and you got a bunch of kids acting very rude, and it doesn't create a good image," John LaStalla, a municipal worker, told the AP.

--Elizabeth Jensen

ABC Makes Second Early Pilot Pickup

ABC picked up another comedy pilot, its second this week, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

The good news went to "Women Are Crazy, Men Are Stupid," a multicamera comedy based on a book by Howard Morris and Jenny Lee, about a newly married couple who both came from failed previous marriages.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Apple’s Web TV Proposal Drawing Some Network Interest

Some broadcasters are showing interest in Apple’s proposal to offer Web-based TV subscription packages, The New York Times reports.

ABC and CBS, which both have sister channels, are among those considering taking part, the paper said, citing sources who added that the talks were still at an early stage.

–Elizabeth Jensen

Speed Channel Inks Formula One Deal

The Speed channel reached a multiyear deal to continue coverage of the Formula One circuit, Multichannel News reports.

Terms weren’t disclosed. In 2010, Speed’s coverage will again include live qualifying and practice sessions and 15 of 19 races, beginning March 14. The other four races will air on Fox.

--Elizabeth Jensen

ABC Schedules Double Episodes of Two Struggling Comedies

ABC will air back-to-back episodes of two of its struggling comedies in early January, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

Tuesday night shows "Scrubs" and "Better Off Ted" will run double episodes each on Jan. 5 and 12. On New Year’s Day, the network will run a new episode of "Scrubs" in between two "Teds." The quick run through of new episodes makes a next season return of either show unlikely.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Starz Renews ‘Spartacus’ Before It Launches

Starz renewed its upcoming action-drama "Spartacus: Blood and Sand" even before its Jan. 22 launch, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

The pay cable network called the renewal a “bold vote of confidence" for the first season. The second season will have the name "Spartacus: Vengeance."

--Elizabeth Jensen

Limelight Networks Acquiring Digital Ad Provider EyeWonder

Limelight Networks will acquire EyeWonder, an interactive digital ad provider, for about $62 million in cash and about 12.74 million common shares, Reuters reports.

The deal, with a total valuation of up to $110 million, is expected to help Limelight move more deeply into the rich media, video, mobile and Web TV ad business.

--Elizabeth Jensen

'Incoherent' Brittany Murphy 'SNL' Bit Pulled From Web

NBC has pulled from the Web a "Saturday Night Live" "Weenend Update" segment originally aired Dec. 5 in which comic Abby Elliot portrayed an "incoherent" Brittany Murphy, The Wall Street Journal reports.

The skit was prompted by the late actress being fired from the movie "The Caller" and was removed from Hulu.com and other sites in light of Murphy's death yesterday

-- Allison J. Waldman

Report: Did Co-Host's Behavior Contribute to O'Dell's 'Access Hollywood' Exit?

Last week, the industry was shocked by Nancy O'Dell's abrupt exit from "Access Hollywood" after 13 years on the syndicated hit, but now comes news that her decision might have been in reaction to Billy Bush's behavior, reports the New York Daily News, though the show adamantly denies any such rift.

Citing an anonymous source, the Daily News said O'Dell was incensed by Bush's alleged tantrums and antics, which included screaming at producers when the stories weren't written the way Bush wanted them to be.

The Daily News' source said O'Dell had complained in vain to executive producer Rob Silverstein, who is also Bush's partner on syndicated nighttime talk radio show "The Billy Bush Show," and accused Silverstein of playing favorites among the co-hosts.

O'Dell representative said: "Nancy's decision was based solely on her desire to take her career to the next level and is completely amicable." A rep for Bush didn't return the Daily News' calls for comment by deadline.

"Access Hollywood's" representative told the Daily News: "Any rumors regarding on-set issues between Nancy O'Dell and Billy Bush are unfounded and completely false. We continue to support Nancy's decision and wish her all the best."

-- Allison J. Waldman

CBS News' Kimberly Dozier Returns to Iraq

For the first time since being injured by a car bomb, CBS News correspondent Kimberly Dozier has returned to Iraq, reports TVNewser.com.

Dozier, who spent months recovering from the May 2006 incident in which her soundman James Brolan and cameraman Paul Douglas were killed, went back to Baghdad, Talil and Ramadi as a guest of Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

She reported about her visit on CBSNews.com and for CBS radio news, but there was no video coverage of her trip.

-- Allison J. Waldman

Charles Barkley to Host 'SNL' in 2010

Former NBA great and current NBA commentator Charles Barkley will be the host of NBC's first "Saturday Night Live" episode in 2010, the night of Jan. 9, according to The Wrap.

Barkley last hosted "SNL" in 1993. The musical guest will be Alicia Keys.

-- Allison J. Waldman

Congress Extends Satellite Home Viewer Act

The Satellite Home Viewer Extension and Reauthorization Act (SHVERA) was scheduled to come to an end Dec. 31, but Congress voted Saturday to extend the act by 60 days, reports Multichannel News.

The act allows for satellite providers to bring in out-of-market network affiliates for viewers who aren't able to receive local coverage. Congress attached the extension to the Defense appropriations bill.

-- Allison J. Waldman

NFL Network Scores Big With Saturday Game

What do you get when you broadcast a National Football League game between America's team, the Dallas Cowboys, and an undefeated New Orleans Saints squad? The NFL Network's most-watched cable telecast of all time, reports Multichannel News.

The Dec. 19 primetime broadcast averaged 10.5 million cable viewers. That's the best ever in NFL Network's four seasons of televising live regular-season games.

-- Allison J. Waldman

Disney XD Orders Up ‘Pair of Kings’

Disney XD gave a series order for a live-action comedy, “Pair of Kings," that will premiere next fall, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

The series stars Mitchel Musso ("Hannah Montana") and Doc Show ("House of Payne") as fraternal twins being raised by an aunt and uncle in Chicago, who suddenly discover they are really the heirs to the throne of an island, where they move to govern.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Syfy Plans Unusual Rollout for ‘Caprica’ Series

Syfy wants to build interest in its upcoming series “Caprica” with an unusual Web rollout, Multichannel News reports.

Sci-fi oriented Web sites will be allowed to stream the entire two-hour pilot of the series, which is a prequel to “Battlestar Galactica,” and it will also be available at Syfy.com.

A slightly modified version, including upgraded special effects, will be shown on-air for the series premiere Jan. 22.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Citadel Files for Bankruptcy

Radio company Citadel Broadcasting Corp., reeling under debt taken on when it merged with ABC Radio in 2006, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Sunday, the New York Times reports.

The company, which owns 223 stations and syndicates Don Imus on radio, has already reached an agreement with a majority of its creditors, which the company said it hopes will shorten the bankruptcy proceeding.

--Elizabeth Jensen

NBC Affiliates Begin to Question Leno Strategy

NBC affiliates are beginning to question Jay Leno’s 10 p.m. show, B&C reports.

Metered market results from the November sweeps have some stations worried about dropping ratings for their late local news. Post-Newsweek Stations President and CEO Alan Frank told B&C: “I think the experiment hasn't worked,” adding that “The handwriting is on the wall—the only question is what [NBC] is going to do about it.”

NBC said in a statement that the show is “performing exactly as we expected it to on the network.”

--Elizabeth Jensen

And the Winner of 'Survivor: Samoa' is ... Who? You Gotta be Kidding

In what is likely the biggest surprise in the decade that "Survivor" has been on-the-air, Natalie White was voted the $1 million first-place prize by a jury of her peers-- the nine players on the show who had been voted out most recently.

I've been a big fan of the show since day one, and I don't know who was more upset that Russell Hantz didn't win--Russell or me.  In my TVWeek Open Mic blog I write about why I'm so pissed and why, heading into its big 20th Anniversary arc of the show, this might be a good time for "Survivor" to re-evaluate a key element of the series. Click here to read.

--Chuck Ross

Actress Brittany Murphy Dies of Cardiac Arrest at Age 32

Actress Brittany Murphy has died of cardiac arrest in Los Angeles at age 32, according to multiple media reports. The death was first reported by the website TMZ.com

According to the TMZ report, "Sources tell TMZ Brittany Murphy's mom discovered her unconscious in the shower. We're told when paramedics arrived, they quickly determined Murphy was in full cardiac arrest and immediately administered CPR. They continued CPR in route to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center -- several miles away -- and Murphy was unresponsive. She was pronounced dead at the hospital."

Murphy, who became well-known in the films "Clueless," "Girl, Interrupted," and "8 Mile," started her career on a number of TV shows.

According to a biography of Murphy on Yahoo, " After making her primetime TV debut as the sister of Joe Regalbuto's Frank Fontana on a 1991 episode of CBS'  'Murphy Brown', the rising talent landed the role of Dabney Coleman's daughter on the short-lived Fox sitcom 'Drexel's Class' (1991-92). She quickly rebounded as Perry King's daughter who is jealous of her new stepsister in the spin-off sitcom 'Almost Home' (ABC, 1993), although the show only lasted 13 episodes. Murphy lent her persona to the recurring role of Sarah, a friend and classmate of twins Tia and Tamara, on "Sister, Sister" during its 1994-1995 run on ABC."

For those who'd like to remember Murphy as lively, fun and vivacious, here's a brief clip of her on Letterman from Sept., 2008, having some sly fun when Letterman asks her about ex-boyfriend Ashton Kutcher hooking up with Demi Moore.

--Chuck Ross

CBS Puts Surprise Pick in the Plum Post-Super Bowl Slot

CBS didn’t make an obvious choice when scheduling the post-Super Bowl XLIV slot on Feb. 7, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

Instead of giving a boost to one of its newer series, the network will premiere a new reality show called "Undercover Boss." The program follows top executives—from White Castle, 7-Eleven, Hooters, Waste Management and Churchill Downs, in the first season—as they take undercover entry-level jobs at their own companies and see how their management decisions affect the rank-and-file workers.

A network hasn’t aired a new series in the post-game slot since 2005. “Undercover Boss” will move to a Sunday at 9 p.m. slot the following week.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Report: Bravo Preparing to Share With Homeland Security Committee Unaired Footage of White House Party Crashers

Bravo is preparing to share unaired footage of Michaele and Tareq Salahi--best known as the couple that crashed the White House State Dinner for Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in November--with members of the Homeland Security Committee, the Washington Post reports. 

That information was part of a long, detailed article the Post has published  about how the Salahis got into the star-studded Nov. 24 event.

According to the article, as the couple prepared for the dinner on the 24th they went to a salon in Georgetown for make-up, some tweaking to the hair, etc. They spent six hours in the salon and it was taped for potential airing on Bravo's "Real Housewives of  D.C."

The report states, "Michaele fluttered around the salon and pecked Gomez six times before taking a chair. When the stylist asked her how she scored the coveted invite, she exclaimed, 'I'm just so blessed.' Members of the Homeland Security Committee would like to know what else she said at the salon and, according to committee staff, held conference calls on Dec. 11 and 15 with B. Robert Okun, vice president of NBC Universal, which owns Bravo, to discuss seeing roughly four hours of footage shot of the Salahis on Nov. 24. According to committee staffers, the video could be viewed as early as Tuesday [Dec. 22]."

--Chuck Ross

USA Renews ‘White Collar’

USA Network renewed its new “White Collar” for a second season, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

The news broke Friday evening when it was twittered by the show's creator and executive producer Jeff Eastin, who wrote, "Congratulations to the best cast and crew on television." USA confirmed the pickup but didn’t provide details.

The show returns to the schedule to finish its first season on Jan. 20, moving from Fridays to Tuesdays.

--Elizabeth Jensen

ABC Gives Pilot Order to Danny Wallace Show

ABC gave a pilot order to “Awkward Situations for Men," a comedy starring the British humorist Danny Wallace, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

The show is tied to Wallace’s upcoming book of the same name, which chronicles Wallace’s move to the U.S. with his family, and the ensuing culture clash.

--Elizabeth Jensen
 

PR Vet Shirley Powell Leaving Turner

Shirley Powell is leaving her job as Turner Broadcasting’s senior VP of corporate communications after the first of the year, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

Powell has been at the company for 15 years, first at the Cartoon Network and since 2001 in corporate communications.

--Elizabeth Jensen

The BBC Will Be Able to Bring Internet Services to TVs in the U.K.; It's a Controversial Move in England

The British Broadcasting Corp. has been given the go-ahead to join a consortium that will bring the Internet to TV sets in the United Kingdom, the Financial Times reports.

According to the report, "The venture – known as Project Canvas – which is designed to strengthen free-to-air broadcasters in the Internet age, has been fiercely criticised by British Sky Broadcasting, the pay-TV operator."

The other members of the Project Canvas consortium, according to the article, are "ITV, Channel 4 and Five plus BT and Carphone Warehouse, the leading broadband providers."

--Chuck Ross

Fox vs. FCC Profanity Arguments Scheduled

The Second Circuit Court of Appeals set Jan. 13 as the date for oral arguments in Fox vs. the FCC, one of the attorneys involved in the case told B&C.

Each side will get 22 minutes for argument in the case over fleeting profanity.

--Elizabeth Jensen

HGTV Plans to Focus on Personalities, Core Programming

In the new year, HGTV will emphasize personalities and focus on its core building and decorating shows, Multichannel News reports.

Primetime ratings for 2009 are up 9 percent from last year. New personality-driven shows for 2010 include, beginning on Jan. 1, “The Outdoor Room With Jamie Durie,” a designer.

--Elizabeth Jensen

PBS Signs Up for More Detailed Nielsen Ratings

PBS has for the first time signed up for weekly ratings data from Nielsen, the New York Times reports.

In the past, the public broadcaster has only received monthly reports; now it will get weekly ratings, but not overnights.

PBS hopes the more detailed ratings will make it easier to entice corporate sponsors to support its shows.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Ford to Depart in Major Reorganization at Discovery

Discovery President and General Manager John Ford is leaving as part of a major reorganization at Discovery Communications networks, Mediaweek reports.

Twenty-four-year Discovery veteran Clark Bunting, formerly president and general manager of Discovery’s emerging networks group -- which includes Science Channel, Military Channel and Investigation Discovery -- will now be responsible for overseeing the flagship Discovery network  along with Science Channel, serving as acting president of both.

Debbie Myers continues as Science Channel general manager under Bunting.

Planet Green, Discovery Health and FitTV are being combined under a single business unit led by Planet Green General Manager Laura Michalchyshyn, while former Discovery Health and FitTV General Manager Carole Tomko has been named president of Discovery Studios.

Investigation Discovery General Manager Henry Schleiff will assume responsibility for Military Channel and HD Theater, also previously under Bunting.

-- Tom Gilbert

It's Finally Over: The Gosselins Are Divorced

The marriage of former TLC "Jon & Kate Plus 8" stars Jon and Kate Gosselin came to an end this morning when Judge Arthur Tilson signed the final divorce decree, according to TMZ.com.

Kate Gosselin and the eight children will remain in the family home, and according to her representative, says she will now focus on "restructuring our lives."

According to his representative, "Jon is confident that he and Kate will be able to move forward in a fashion that will be in the best interest of the Gosselin family."

-- Allison J. Waldman

DirecTV's 101 to Offer Series of 'Lost' Recaps

DirecTV's 101 Channel will telecast a comprehensive set of recaps of the series to date, beginning Dec. 26.

Leading up to the show's sixth and final season on ABC, which kicks off  Feb. 2, 101 will air six commercial-free recap specials, starting with “Destination: LOST,” which recounts the show's first season.

-- Allison J. Waldman

CBS Rules Thursday Night Ratings Roost

New installments of "Survivor," "CSI" and "The Mentalist" led CBS to dominate Thursday night in the ratings, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

At 8 o'clock, "Survivor" pulled down a preliminary Nielsen rating of 3.9 in the adults 18-49 demo, more than the first hour of NBC's "Saturday Night Live: A Very Gilly Christmas" clip special, which averaged a 3.0.

At 9, "CSI" held to a 3.4 among 18- to 49-year-olds, topping "SNL's" 3.2.

The "SNL" special gave NBC its best time-period performance since early October, drawing 7.8 million total viewers.

Finally, at 10 o'clock, "The Mentalist" earned a 3.6, beating NBC's "The Jay Leno Show," which, at a 1.7, hit a nine-week high thanks to the "SNL" lead-in.

-- Allison J. Waldman

Nearly 30% of America Uses Non-Cable Delivery Systems

The Television Bureau of Advertising, using Nielsen Media Research data, has determined that 29.3% of the country is currently receiving television from alternative delivery systems -- non-cable outlets such as satellite and IPTV, reports MediaPost.

That figure is up from 28.7% in November 2008.

-- Allison J. Waldman

TLC to Rebroadcast Tiger Woods Profile

TLC is hoping to jump on the Tiger Woods bandwagon this weekend with an update on NBC's "The Secret Life of Tiger Woods: A Dateline Special," which originally aired Dec. 11 

TLC will show the upodated version of the newsmagazine show Dec. 20 at 9 p.m. with never-before-seen interviews and other previously unaired footage.

-- Allison J. Waldman

New 'Storytellers' Season to Debut With Mayer

Singer-songwriter John Mayer will be the first star featured in the new season of "VH1 Storytellers" when the show returns Jan. 28 at 8 p.m.

Viewers can go to the VH1.com Web site to submit Mayer their questions, some of which will be part of the show. VH1 has also started a new Storytellers site at Storytellers.VH1.com.

-- Allison J. Waldman

Casting Shakeup at 'Young & the Restless'

There will be a new actor in the role of Tucker McCall on CBS' "The Young & the Restless" come Jan. 27, reports TV Guide.

Soap veteran Stephen Nichols, previously of NBC's "Days of Our Lives" and ABC's "General Hospital," will replace William Russ, who has been playing the role for the past month but was bounced because the producers have decided to take the character in another direction.

-- Allison J. Waldman

Actress Leaving 'Big Love' Role

HBO's "Big Love" will say goodbye to one of its original cast members after the upcoming season, reports TV Guide.

Amanda Seyfried, who has played Bill Paxton’s oldest child since the drama's premiere in 2006, has decided to move on to other projects.

According to series creator Will Scheffer, Seyfried, who played Meryl Streep's daughter in the big-screen musical "Mamma Mia!," has been "exploring her movie career for a couple of years now, and we've been giving her a lot of room to do that. I know having a commitment to a show for six months definitely cuts into her ability to pursue that career."

-- Allison J. Waldman

Nancy O’Dell Abruptly Quits ‘Access Hollywood’

“Access Hollywood” co-host Nancy O’Dell is abruptly leaving the show at the end of this week, People reports.

She’s been at the syndicated entertainment news strip for all of its 13 years and had two years to run on her contract. A statement from her representative said she had chosen to leave, for “a new opportunity,” in broadcast entertainment journalism, which wasn’t specified.

But a source told People that O’Dell hasn’t been comfortable in recent months with what she feels is the show’s turn to a more sensational format.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Stewart and Colbert Go HD

Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show With Jon Stewart” and “The Colbert Report” are making the switch to HD, Multichannel News reports.

The two shows will make the switchover on Monday, Jan. 4, joining most other series on the network in using the format.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Orange County ‘Housewives’ Tightening Belts

“The Real Housewives of Orange County” aren’t living quite as flashy lifestyles this season as in the past, the Associated Press reports.

One had a garage sale, another took her daughter shopping at the inexpensive H&M and another is cleaning her own house. The cameras also were there when another got evicted, which will be shown later in the season.

In season three, by contrast, one got a diamond Rolex as a birthday present, another a Harley and a third considered buying a yacht.

"All of them have been very much affected by the economic situation," executive producer Douglas Ross told the AP.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Oprah's People Confirm They've Reached Out to Tiger Woods to Be on Her Show as the Internet Explodes with Seemingly Non-stop Rumors of a Tiger-Elin Divorce

Oprah Winfrey's Harpo Productions has confirmed that it is trying to get Tiger Woods to appear on Winfrey's talk show, the Chicago Tribune reports.

According to the article, " 'We have reached out to Tiger Woods' representatives, but nothing is confirmed,' a representative from Harpo Productions said Wednesday."

Meanwhile, rumors of Woods and his wife divorcing are all over the Internet. This Tribune article said, " 'Divorce is 100 percent,' one source told ABC News. 'She's [Elin] not rushing to divorce. ... She wants all the dirty laundry to be out on the table before she signs anything.' "

--Chuck Ross

Is End Near for ‘Idol’ as We Know It?

Simon Cowell could leave Fox’s “American Idol” at the end of this season for a starring role in a U.S. version of his hit British show “The X Factor,” reports the New York Post, citing a report in the Times of London.

Cowell’s "Idol" contract expires in May and negotiations on a new deal have dragged out for months.

Fox, "Idol" and Cowell's company wouldn’t comment.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Democratic Operative Joins Fox News as Contributor

Democratic consultant Joe Trippi, the former campaign manager for Howard Dean’s 2004 Presidential run, is joining Fox News as a contributor, The Swamp reports.

He’ll begin Jan. 1.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Anderson Cooper and Kathy Griffin Back to Ring in CNN New Year

Anderson Cooper and Kathy Griffin will again co-host CNN’s New Year’s Eve broadcast from Times Square, despite Griffin’s foul-mouthed comments to a heckler last year, TVNewser reports.

This year, they will also be joined by Lance Bass, the former 'N Sync performer, who will be live in Las Vegas.

--Elizabeth Jensen

FCC Asked to Intervene to Guarantee No Orange Bowl Blackout

Iowa Democratic Rep. Bruce Braley asked the FCC to intervene to make sure his constituents can see the Orange Bowl college football game on Jan. 5, which will feature the Iowa Hawkeyes and Georgia Tech, Multichannel News reports.

In a letter to FCC chairman Julius Genachowski Thurday, the Congressman noted that a retransmission consent agreement between Mediacom and Sinclair Broadcast Group is scheduled to expire Dec. 31. He wants the FCC to back Mediacom’s request for mandatory interim carriage, while the FCC considers a complaint that Mediacom made against Sinclair in the ongoing dispute.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Not Every Advertiser Leery of ‘Jersey Shore’

Far from considering pulling ads like Domino’s, one company is happy to have its commercials run in MTV’s controversial “Jersey Shore,” reports The Hollywood Reporter.

MGM Worldwide will tout its movie “Hot Tub Time Machine” in an upcoming episode. Mike Vollman, executive VP of marketing, says, "The show is all over the Internet, everybody is blogging about it," and adds, "It's another example of MTV grabbing the zeitgeist and I want to put my movie next to it."

--Elizabeth Jensen

Belo CFO Williamson to Retire

Belo Corp. Executive VP and CFO Dennis A. Williamson said he’ll retire next March, after six years in the post, B&C reports.

He’ll be replaced by 17-year Belo veteran Carey P. Hendrickson, who will become senior VP and CFO.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Lifetime Developing Legal Drama

Lifetime is developing a legal drama about a team of victim witness advocates, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

It’s being written by Pam Wechsler, a former homicide prosecutor who left her legal career for a job as legal consultant on NBC's short-lived "Law & Order: Trial by Jury." She later wrote for "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" and "Canterbury's Law."

--Elizabeth Jensen

Nick Finds a New Potential Teen Star

Nickelodeon may have found its next teen star in a 13-year-old actor/singer/dancer, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

The network signed a talent development deal with Cymphonique, which calls for developing comedy/musical or straight comedy series for her or adding her to existing projects. Sony Music also signed her to a record deal.

She’s the daughter of Percy Miller, aka Master P, and the sister of actor-rapper Romeo, who had his own Nickelodeon show for four seasons.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Cartoon Developing Live-Action Comedy

Cartoon Network is developing a live-action comedy from writers Greg Coolidge (Nickelodeon’s “The Troop”) and Kirk Ward, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

It’s about a teenager whose family sponsors a Japanese exchange student who is on a secret mission.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Tellem Takes on New Role at CBS

Longtime CBS executive Nancy Tellem has been named senior advisor to CBS Corp. CEO Leslie Moonves, reports B&C.

The move, which had been expected, will have Tellum overseeing new domestic and international corporate options for CBS, and spending less time on the daily chores at the CBS Network Television Entertainment Group.

In a statement, Moonves said, "She has been instrumental in the growth and success of CBS's television business, helping to lead our network entertainment and television studio operations to great heights. She has been looking for a new challenge and is very passionate about this transformative time in our business."

-- Allison J. Waldman

Longtime Super Bowl Advertiser Opts Out

After 23 years of star-driven, award-winning commercial spots in the annual Super Bowl telecast, a major brand has decided not to advertise its beverages during 2010's Super Bowl XLIV, reports the Wall Street Journal.

Pepsi-Cola plans to market its beverages in a new cause-related campaign instead. Parent PepsiCo's Doritos brand snacks, however, will continue as a Super Bowl advertiser.

The game airs Feb. 7 on CBS.

-- Allison J. Waldman

Fox's 'Dance' Finale Performs Well, but CBS Still Wins Wednesday

The two-hour finale of Fox's "So You Think You Can Dance" drew good numbers Wednesday night, averaging a 2.6 in the adults 18-49 demo, but it was still CBS' night, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

In the 8 o'clock hour, CBS' "The New Adventures of Old Christine" and "Gary Unmarried" logged a 2.4 and 2.5, respectively, which bested the first hour of NBC's "The Sing Off," which received a 2.1.

At 9 p.m., a new "Criminal Minds" on CBS was the biggest draw of the night with a 3.7, besting the second hour of "Sing Off" with a 2.2.

In the 10 p.m. slot, CBS again had the top-rated program, "CSI: NY," which scored a 3.1. That was more than a new "Jay Leno" at 1.6, and a new "Eastwick" on ABC, which eked out a 1.3.

-- Allison J. Waldman

Run-Off Election Set for Top ATAS Job

There will be a run-off election for the chairmanship of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, reports B&C.

Current chairman John Shaffner will be competing with second vice chairman Brian Seth Hurst and artists rep Peter Kwong. The Academy will hold the election Jan. 6.

-- Allison J. Waldman

Turner Sports and HLN Team for 'With All Due Respect'

Stars from Turner Sports will team up with HLN personalities to present "With All Due Respect," a roundtable discussion on the biggest issues of 2009.

The one hour special will air on HLN Dec. 20 at 10 p.m. HLN anchor Robin Meade will be hosting, and the lineup of guests include Charles Barkley, Dennis Eckersly, Kyle Petty, Spike Lee, Eric Stonestreet and Anthony Anderson.

-- Allison J. Waldman

TCM Plans Movie Marathon for Legend's Birthday

Turner Classic Movies will present a 20-hour movie and documentary marathon Jan. 8. in celebration of the 75th anniversary of the birth of Elvis Presley. 

Robert Osbone will host the day, and will be visited by Priscilla Presley and Elvis' friend Jerry Schilling.

Among the films shown will be "Girl Happy," "Blue Hawaii," "Viva Las Vegas" and "Jailhouse Rock," as well as the documentary concert films "Elvis on Tour" and "Elvis: That's the Way It Is."

-- Allison J. Waldman

HBO Sets ‘Pacific’ Airdate

HBO's "The Pacific," a 10-part miniseries follow-up to "Band of Brothers," has an airdate, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

The World War II project, from Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg, will air weekly beginning Sunday, March 14.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Kutcher's ‘Beautiful Life’ to Live on Web

Ashton Kutcher's short-lived CW drama "The Beautiful Life" is getting resurrected on the Web, Reuters reports.

Only two episodes of the five that were produced were broadcast before the show about fashion models was canceled. But all five will now be rolled out on YouTube, starting today. If the audience is big enough, Kutcher hopes he can find sponsors to fund new Web episodes.

--Elizabeth Jensen

MTV Expands Comedy Development

Brent Haynes was named senior VP of comedy and animation at MTV, B&C reports.

He had been senior VP of east coast development for MTV, which has been expanding its comedy offerings this year.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Fox Tries to Preempt ‘Chuck’ Return

Fox isn’t taking competition from the return of NBC’s “Chuck” lightly, B&C reports.

The NBC show will now face off on Jan. 11 against an original episode of Fox’s “House,” which hadn’t been planning to run an original until two weeks later.

--Elizabeth Jensen

John Edwards Mistress Scandal to be Discussed on ABC News Exclusive

ABC News grabbed the exclusive interview next month with Andrew Young, a former friend and aide to Sen. John Edwards who once claimed to have fathered a child with Edwards’ former mistress, the Associated Press reports.

Young will discuss his upcoming book, "The Politician," which is an account of Edwards' campaigns and the scandal with Edwards’ former mistress Rielle Hunter. Correspondent Bob Woodruff will do the interview, which will air Jan. 29 on "20/20." Young will also appear on ABC's "Good Morning America" on Feb. 2.

Edwards, the Democratic nominee for vice president in 2004 and a candidate for president in 2008, admitted to having an affair with Hunter, but denied he was the father of her child. The New York Times later reported that Young’s book proposal claimed that he had helped arrange the affair and that Edwards was the father of the child.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Tiger Woods and Sex and Advertising

In a controversial, thought-provoking entry, TVWeek Open Mic blogger Chuck Ross tackles Tiger Woods and Sex and Advertising. Click here to read.

--Tom Gilbert 

Analyst: Comcast Could Be Sole NBCU Owner in Four Years

Comcast could be the sole owner of NBC Universal within four years, buying out General Electric Co.'s 49% interest in the joint venture for $17 billion, Citigroup media analyst Jason Bazinet writes in new research note, Multichannel News reports.

The deal gives GE up to seven years after the deal closes to gradually sell its stake to Comcast, if it chooses to do so, beginning at the three and a half-year mark. But Bazinet writes that it would make affordable sense for Comcast to buy out its partner early.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Creator of 'American Idol' Has Another Star-Making Show in the Works

Simon Fuller, the man behind “American Idol," has another star-making show in the works, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

"If I Can Dream” will follow the path of five young people who have Hollywood goals, tracking their lives in a group house in Los Angeles around the clock online, at ificandream.com.

Hulu, Clear Channel and MySpace will distribute the series initially; viewers will be able to interact with the five participants via Twitter and Facebook. Eventually the show will be shopped to TV networks after the project is established.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Screen Actors Guild Award Nominations Announced

The Screen Actors Guild Award nominations were announced this morning, with ensemble drama TV series nods going to TNT's “The Closer,” Showtime's “Dexter, CBS' “The Good WIfe,” AMC's “Mad Men” and HBO's “True Blood.”

Ensemble comedy series nominations went to NBC's “30 Rock,” HBO's “Curb Your Emthusiasm,” Fox's “Glee,” ABC's “Modern Family” and NBC's “The Office.”

The awards ceremony will be telecast Jan. 23 on TNT and TBS from the Shrine Exposition Center in Los Angeles. 

A full list of nominees appears here.

-- Tom Gilbert

'Two and a Half Men' Creator Gets CBS Pilot Order

CBS gave a pilot order to "Mike and Molly," a comedy from Chuck Lorre and Mark Roberts, of the network’s "Two and a Half Men," reports The Hollywood Reporter.

The ensemble show is set in a weight-loss support group.

--Elizabeth Jensen

 

NATPE Sets Speaker Lineup

Speakers at the upcoming NATPE conference will include Discovery President and CEO David Zaslav, Shine Group Chairman and CEO Elisabeth Murdoch and Tornante CEO Michael Eisner, B&C reports.

The conference takes place in Las Vegas from Jan. 25-27.

Among the producers addressing the show will be Anthony Zuiker (“CSI”); David Shore, Katie Jacobs and Hugh Laurie (“House”); Bill Lawrence (“Cougartown” and “Scrubs”) and Steven Levitan (“Modern Family.”)

--Elizabeth Jensen

Fox News Has Best Year Ever in 2009

Fox News Channel will end 2009 with the best ratings in the 13 years it has been on the air, reports B&C.

The top-rated network saw double-digit gains this year for all of its primetime programs.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Attorney: Gosselin Divorce Not Likely Until 2010

A lawyer for Jon Gosselin says that the TLC reality star and his wife Kate aren’t likely to have a final divorce decree before 2010, the Associated Press reports.

Attorney Mark Jay Heller told the AP that an arbitrator’s decision on custody of the couple’s eight children and their finances is "a work in progress." The two have been married 10 years.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Video: Fun Tribute to Tim Conway, Who Turned 76 This Week

Our friends at fark.com reminded us of this video, a funny outtake from the 'Carol Burnett Show," with a great payoff at the end. It features the wonderful Tim Conway in a sketch with Burnett,  Harvey Corman and Vicki Lawrence as Burnett's mother.

They did this "family" kind of sketch a lot on the show. What's going on in the sketch is that Conway will not let the sketch continue until he finishes telling his "elephant story," and the rest of the cast are on the verge of laughing out loud. A tribute to TV great Conway, who turned 76 years old this week. Click here to watch.

Roy Disney, Walt's Nephew, Dead at 79; Played a Key Role in Eisner's Departure From Media Company

Roy Disney, nephew of entertainment giant Walt Disney, died today at the age of 79, succumbing to stomach cancer, according to the Huffington Post.

Disney was involved in the business operations for The Walt Disney Co., and his behind-the-scenes influence was instrumental in the departure of former Disney chief Michael Eisner in 2005.

"Roy's true passion and focus were preserving and building upon the amazing legacy of Disney animation that was started by his father and uncle," Disney Co. President and CEO Bob Iger said in a statement. "Roy's commitment to the art of animation was unparalleled and will always remain his personal legacy and one of his greatest contributions to Disney's past, present and future."

-- Allison J. Waldman

Donald Trump Getting His Own Show

Donald Trump is teeing off his own show, according to the New York Post.

The Donald will host "Donald J. Trump's Fabulous World of Golf," a new half-hour series on Golf Channel in which celebrities, professional golfers and stars will play golf for charities of their choices one on one, with Trump going along for the match.

The show is slated to premiere April 26 at 9 p.m.

-- Allison J. Waldman

J-Lo and Daughtry Added to New Year's Eve Special Lineup

Reports by "Good Morning America" correspondent Melissa Rycroft and performances by Jennifer Lopez and Daughtry  have been added to the lineup ABC's "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve" special.

Ryan Seacrest will host the Dec. 31 live broadcast from New York's Times Square. The show will also include performances from other parts of the country by other acts, including The Black Eyed Peas, Selena Gomez, Justin Bieber, Keri Hilson, Colbie Caillat, Orianthi and Robin Thicke.

-- Allison J. Waldman

Lifetime's 'Project Runway' Returning to NYC

One year after a season in Los Angeles, Lifetime announced today that “Project Runway” Season 7 will be returning to New York City.

The new edition of the reality series debuts Jan. 14 at 10 p.m. Heidi Klum will be back as hostess, and Tim Gunn will be on board mentoring the contestants.

Former judges Michael Kors and Nina Garcia have committed to the full run for Season 7.

-- Allison J. Waldman

TV Sports Execs Testify in D.C. About Piracy

The piracy of live sports broadcasts was the subject of a House Judiciary Committee hearing in Washington today, reports B&C.

ESPN executives appeared to present their side in the issue, as did representatives from Major League Baseball and the Ultimate Fighting Championship, whose chairman, Lorenzo Fertitta, contended that the unlawful use of the broadcasts "kills jobs" and "threatens the expansion of U.S.-based companies."

-- Allison J. Waldman

Comedy Central Extends Deal With Tosh

A second season of "Tosh.0," the comedy series starring comic Daniel Tosh, has been ordered by Comedy Central, according to B&C.

There will be 25 new episodes of the weekly program, which features Tosh's take on new media and the Internet.

In addition, Comedy Central has ordered a one-hour comedy special featuring Tosh's stand-up act which will be followed by a national tour and releases on CD and DVD. The second season premieres Jan. 13 at 10:30 p.m.

-- Allison J. Waldman

2009 Best Year Ever for Food Network

Food Network had the best year in its history in 2009, averaging a .5 Nielsen rating among adults 25-54 in primetime, nearly 20 percent more than 2008.

Food Network was also up in the 25-54 $100,000K household demographic to .5, a 29 percent jump from 2008.

According to Nielsen Media Research, the network was watched by an average of 44 million persons 2-plus and 23 million persons 25-54 each month in primetime.

-- Allison J. Waldman

ESPN's 'The U' Its Most Watched Documentary

ESPN's broadcast of Billy Corben's documentary "The U," which aired Saturday night after the Heisman presentation, was the most watched presentation of the "30 for 30" series.

The film earned a 1.8 Nielsen rating (2.368 million viewers), making it the highest-rated documentary of all time on ESPN. Overall, "30 for 30" averaged a 1.0 rating.

-- Allison J. Waldman

'Billboard’s New Year's Eve Live' Adds Guest Stars

The star of ABC's "Desperate Housewives," Eva Longoria Parker, has been added to the Fox New Year's Eve special "Billboard's New Year's Eve Live."

Another celebrity, VH1 star Kim Kardashian, is also slated to make a guest appearance on the Carmen Electra-hosted Las Vegas extravaganza. The program airs Dec. 31 at 11 p.m.

-- Allison J. Waldman

CBS Golf Commentator Says He’s Been Gagged on Topic of Tiger Woods

CBS golf commentator Ian Baker-Finch said the network has gagged him from talking about Tiger Woods' problems, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.

"Mate, if I say one word about Tiger I will get fired," Baker-Finch was quoted as saying in advance of playing in an Australian’ pro-am.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Accused Letterman Blackmailer Said He Needed Money to Visit His Son

Producer Robert J. "Joe" Halderman, who is accused of trying to blackmail David Letterman for $2 million, told the comedian’s lawyer that he needed the money in order to visit his son, the Associated Press reported.

Prosecutors said that in secretly taped conversations when the alleged deal was being negotiated, Halderman also said he would call the transaction a business deal, and worried about a possible tax audit.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Comcast Rolls Out Its Version of TV Everywhere to 14 Million of Its 24 Million Subs

Comcast Corp. launched its Web TV service for about 14 million of its cable and high-speed Internet subscribers, Multichannel News reports.

Dubbed Fancast Xfinity TV, the service makes shows from 27 networks available for free online to most of the company’s subscribers who also pay for broadband access from Comcast.

After a summer test for 5,000 homes, the service is now being made available much more widely, but Comcast is continuing to say it is in “beta” test mode, as it works out any issues that come up.

--Elizabeth Jensen

YouTube Eyeing Subscriptions, Movie Rentals

YouTube may offer subscriptions as a way to entice more companies to license premium TV shows and movies to the site, Google's vice president of content partnerships, David Eun, told Reuters in an interview.

The company wants to attract more long-form content, but media companies are skittish about doing so using an advertising model. In addition to possibly offering subscriptions, YouTube is considering a movie rental model like that offered by Apple’s iTunes.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Another TV Maker Plans Major 3D Push in 2010 and 2011

TV manufacturer LG Electronics set an ambitious goal for 3D television sales, indicating a coming battle among set makers, Reuters reports.

The company said at a news conference that it hopes to sell 400,000 3D TVs in 2010 and 3.4 million in 2011.

LG currently offers just one 47-inch 3D set, but a number of 3D models with improved technology will be brought to market in the second half of next year.

Recently Sony said it was making a similiar commitment to 3D.

--Elizabeth Jensen and Chuck Ross

Harpo’s Show With Designer Nate Berkus Moves Forward

Oprah Winfrey’s Harpo Productions and Sony Pictures Television will announce today that they are creating a daytime talk show for designer Nate Berkus, in the hopes of rolling it out to local stations next fall, The New York Times reports.

Berkus has appeared on Winfrey’s own talk show for six years. “When Nate appears with Oprah, the ratings spike,” said John Weiser, Sony’s president of distribution.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Scripps Closes Travel Channel Deal

Scripps Networks Interactive completed its purchase of 65 percent of the Travel Channel from Cox Communications, for about $1 billion, Multichannel News reports.

The deal was announced last month after a bidding war.

--Elizabeth Jensen
 

Little First-Day Gain for ‘GMA’ With Stephanopoulos

ABC’s “Good Morning America” saw only a small audience bump on the first day of co-host George Stephanopoulos, B&C reports.

On Monday, the show drew 4.6 million viewers, just under the 4.8 million who watched Diane Sawyer’s last day on Friday. Both were just above the show’s 4.5 million average for the week.

By comparison, nearly 7 million people tuned in to see Meredith Vieira’s first “Today” show broadcast in September 2006.

--Elizabeth Jensen

PTC Again Goes After ‘Family Guy’ for Indecency

The Parents Television Council filed an indecency complaint against Fox’s “Family Guy,” Multichannel News reports.

The new complaint is over a Dec. 13 episode in which a stripper gives a lap dance to the father-in-law of the character Peter.

--Elizabeth Jensen

‘Real Housewives’ Cleared for Fall 2010 Syndication

NBC Universal cleared its “Real Housewives” in more than 85 percent of the country for fall 2010, B&C reports.

The off-Bravo show was picked up by NBC Local Media, Hearst Television, CBS, LIN, Media General, Post-Newsweek, Raycom and Sinclair stations.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Simon Cowell’s ‘X Factor’ Has Huge British Finish

Simon Cowell’s “The X Factor” drew 19.1 million viewers to its peak hour, or nearly one-third of Britain’s population, in its Sunday night finale, a record for the singing competition show, The New York Times reports.

Cowell, who is in negotiations with Fox for a new contract for “American Idol,” on which he is a judge, owns “The X Factor” and also appears on it. He is negotiating to be able to bring “The X Factor” to the U.S., something that was prohibited by his previous “American Idol” contract.

--Elizabeth Jensen

ABC to Add Popular Daytime Soaps to its Broadband Player

ABC is making “All My Children” and “One Life to Live” available on its broadband full-episode player, effective immediately, the company said.

The most recent five shows in each program will be available, with new episodes added at 4 p.m. PT daily, after their broadcast. With the addition, ABC’s entire daytime lineup is now available online.

--Elizabeth Jensen

House of Representatives Votes to Control Volume of TV Commercials

Measure is Approved by an, Ahem, Voice Vote

The United States House of Representatives voted today to approve a measure that would control the volume level of commercials, the Associated Press reports.

According to the article, the bill, "is aimed at stopping TV ads from playing noticeably louder than programs." It was introduced by Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-Calif.

An identical measure has been introduced in the Senate.

Years ago,  Barbra Steisand reportedly called one of the broadcast networks to complain about the volume of commercials that accompanied the airing of one of her films.

--Chuck Ross

Freshman Series Among Golden Globe Nominees for Best Show

Two freshman shows have been recognized with Golden Globe nominations for best comedy/ musical.

The two shows are ABC's "Modern Family" and Fox's "Glee."

The nominations for the 67th Golden Globe Awards were announced this morning, reports TV Guide.

Here are the TV nominations:

Best Drama: "Big Love" (HBO); "Dexter" (SHO); "House" (Fox); "Mad Men" (AMC); "True Blood" (HBO)

Best Comedy/Musical: "Entourage" (HBO); "Glee" (Fox); "Modern Family" (ABC); "30 Rock" (NBC); "The Office" (NBC)

Best Lead Actor - Drama: Simon Baker, "The Mentalist"; Michael C. Hall, "Dexter"; Jon Hamm, "Mad Men"; Hugh Laurie, "House"; Bill Paxton, "Big Love"

Best Lead Actress - Drama: Glenn Close, "Damages"; January Jones, "Mad Men"; Julianna Margulies, "The Good Wife"; Anna Paquin, "True Blood"; Kyra Sedgwick, "The Closer"

Best Lead Actor - Comedy/Musical: Alec Baldwin, "30 Rock"; Steve Carell, "The Office"; David Duchovny, "Californication"; Thomas Jane, "Hung"; Matthew Morrison, "Glee"

Best Lead Actress - Comedy/Musical: Toni Collette, "United States of Tara"; Courteney Cox, "Cougar Town"; Edie Falco, "Nurse Jackie"; Tina Fey, "30 Rock"; Lea Michele, "Glee"

Best Supporting Actor in a Series, Miniseries or TV Movie: Michael Emerson, "Lost"; Neil Patrick Harris, "How I Met Your Mother"; William Hurt, "Damages"; John Lithgow, "Dexter"; Jeremy Piven, "Entourage"

Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Miniseries or TV Movie: Jane Adams, "Hung"; Rose Byrne, "Damages"; Jane Lynch, "Glee"; Janet McTeer, "Into the Storm"; Chloe Sevigny, "Big Love"

-- Allison J. Waldman

Pioneer Televangelist, Internationally Known, Dies at 91

One of the pioneer televangelists, who started preaching on TV in 1955, has died.

Oral Roberts, who would have been 92 next month, died of complications from pneumonia in Newport Beach, Calif., according to the Associated Press.

According to a biography of Roberts at answers.com,  Roberts "was the first evangelist to lead large televised revivals in which worshipers claimed to be miraculously healed. He was raised in a Pentecostal Christian tradition whose worship style emphasized personal experiences of the Holy Spirit, such as speaking in tongues."

Furthermore, "He invited viewers to put their hands on their hearts or TV sets for his closing prayer. His fame grew with the 1965 opening and 1971 accreditation of Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma, an academic institution with Pentecostal convictions. By the time of his network TV specials in 1969, he was America's second best-known evangelist, behind his friend Billy Graham."

--Chuck Ross

Rather Admits to Spending $2 Million on CBS Lawsuit

Former CBS anchorman Dan Rather has revealed that he has spent in excess of $2 million in legal fees suing the network, according to TVNewser.com.

Rather's lawsuit against CBS was dismissed on Sept. 29, 2009. Rather, who left CBS News in 2006, currently appears on HDNet's "Dan Rather Presents."

-- Allison J. Waldman

AMC Dramas Face Off in Writers Guild Awards Race

The nominations for the Writers Guild Awards were announced this morning, and in the drama series competition, AMC's two top shows, "Breaking Bad" and "Mad Men," will go up against Showtime's "Dexter," ABC's "Lost" and NBC's "Friday Night Lights," reports Multichannel News.

In the comedy series category, Fox's newcomer "Glee" is vying with NBC's two much-honored sitcoms, "The Office" and "30 Rock," as well as HBO's "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and another newbie, ABC's "Modern Family."

The awards will be presented Feb. 20 in a dual presentation at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles and the Hudson Theatre at the Millennium Broadway Hotel in New York City.

-- Allison J. Waldman

President to Appear on WWE Special

President Barack Obama has agreed to deliver a taped holiday message to the troops on NBC's "WWE Tribute to the Troops" special.

The special chronicles the three days that the WWE Superstars and Divas spent visiting military bases and features a special live performance in front of thousands of military personnel. 

It airs Dec. 19 at 9 p.m.

-- Allison J. Waldman

Nick Renews 'SpongeBob SquarePants'

Nickelodeon has ordered 26 new original episodes of "SpongeBob SquarePants," the hit kids TV show that it currently celebrating 10 years on the air.

The original voices are all returning, including Tom Kenny as SpongeBob, Bill Fagerbakke as Patrick, Rodger Bumpass as Squidward, Clancy Brown as Mr. Krabs and Carolyn Lawrence as Sandy Cheeks.

Nickelodeon's announcement follows the Nov. 6 "Truth or Square” 10th anniversary SpongeBob special, which drew 7.7 million total viewers and was basic cable’s No. 1 entertainment show for the week. Nickelodeon said..

-- Allison J. Waldman

Larry King’s Radio Simulcast Dropped by Westwood One Radio

Westwood One told affiliates it is dropping its simulcast of CNN’s “Larry King Live” after New Year’s Eve, reports Radiosyndicationtalk.com.

Only about two dozen stations still carry the show. King, who got his start on radio in Miami Beach in the 1950s, will be replaced by a rebroadcast of the “Fred Thompson Show.”

--Elizabeth Jensen

CNBC Poaches from WSJ for a New Managing Editor

CNBC named a top Wall Street Journal editor to be its new managing editor, The New York Times reports.

Nikhil Deogun, the Journal’s international editor and a deputy managing editor, will start his new post in January.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Alfre Woodard to Guest Star on ‘True Blood’

Alfre Woodard recently joined the cast of TNT’s “Delta Blues’ pilot but before that she’ll make a guest appearance on HBO’s “True Blood,” reports The Hollywood Reporter.

She’ll play the mother of character Lafayette Reynolds.

--Elizabeth Jensen
 

Telemundo to Beef Up News Programming

NBC Universal’s Spanish-language Telemundo plans to beef up its news programming, B&C reports.

The network will create a national public affairs program, increase its investment in local newscasts and embark on a new multimedia strategy, B&C says.

In addition, Jose Diaz-Balart will replace veteran Pedro Sevcec as anchor of the nightly newscast “Noticiero Telemundo.”

--Elizabeth Jensen

Study: Recession Brings Consumers Back to TV Viewing

The recession has brought American consumers back to their TV sets, Deloitte's 2009 State of the Media Democracy survey says.

Tight budgets have cut attendance at movies, concerts and sports events, and purchases of DVDs and video games, almost three-fourths of respondents said. Instead, 34 percent of those surveyed ranked TV watching as their favorite media activity, up from 27 percent in 2008.

Average TV watching per week jumped to almost 18 hours from less than 16 hours last year, according to Reuters, which got an advance copy of the report to be released today.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Tiger Woods Bet: Largest Betting House in Ireland Makes Book on Which Advertiser Will Drop Woods Next--Guess Who's the Favorite at 7 to 4

Irish bookmaker Paddy Power, the largest bookmaker in Ireland (it's legal there) is taking bets as to which of the companies that Tiger Woods has endorsements  will drop him next.

Leading the pack is AT&T at 7/4, meaning that if you bet $4 you'd win $7 if AT&T drops Woods.

Next is General Mills at 9/4, Gillettte at 3/1 and American Express at 6/1. (Gillette has already said it's taking a hiatus from running any Woods' commercials, but has not dropped him as an endorser.)

The two least likely companies to drop Woods, according to Paddy Power's betting line, are Nike and golf ball maker Titlelist, with odds of 33/1 and 40/1 respectively.

These numbers are from an article at the Irish news Web site Irish Central.

According to the article, "Netjets, the private plane hire company, are 12/1 and Golf Digest  is 16/1 to split from Tiger, with Upper Deck trading cards at 10/1. Paddy Power says it will pay out whenever there is an official announcement from the company that they are dropping Woods."

Accenture has already ended its commercial relationship with Woods. To read Open Mike blogger Chuck Ross's comments about that split, click here.

--Tom Gilbert

VH1 Adding Couples to the ‘Tough Love’ Franchise

VH1 will let couples on the verge of becoming engaged take part in its “Tough Love” boot camp, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

The network picked up eight episodes of the spinoff "Tough Love: Couples" for the second quarter of next year. After taking part in the boot camp, five couples will get judged by a professional matchmaker on whether they are right for each other.

--Elizabeth Jensen
 

Erin Andrews to Confront Stalker Today

ESPN reporter Erin Andrews is expected to be in a Los Angeles courtroom today when Illinois insurance executive Michael David Barrett is expected to enter a guilty plea to stalking her, the Associated Press reports.

Barrett has been accused of secretly filming her nude in hotel rooms and then posting the video online. Her attorney said she will attend the hearing.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Showtime’s ‘Dexter’ Finale Sets Record; Showrunner Departs

Season four was a breakthrough for Showtime’s “Dexter,” which set a network record in its finale Sunday, Multichannel News reports.

The show was the most-watched original series episode in the cable channel’s history, averaging 2.5 million viewers. That was up 71% from the third-season finale. It was also the best performance for any original series, special or sports event on the network since a 1999 boxing match.

When an 11 p.m. encore is added in, the show averaged 3 million viewers for the evening, the first time an original series on the network has hit that benchmark.

Meanwhile, The Hollywood Reporter says the show’s executive producer and showrunner Clyde Phillips is leaving the series to be closer to his family, which stayed in Connecticut when he went to work on the show.

"24" co-executive producer Chip Johannessen will succeed him.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Tribune Broadcasting Gets New COO

Tribune Co. named Jerry Kersting as chief operating officer of its broadcast group, reports the Associated Press.

He had been an executive vice president at Tribune, and before that was CFO for Clear Channel Communications’ radio division. He’ll work with Ed Wilson, president of Tribune Broadcasting and Tribune’s chief revenue officer, on the day-to-day operations of the TV stations, and free up Wilson to focus on revenue and sales companywide, the company said.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Nike Chairman Phil Knight: Tiger's 'Indiscretions' Are a 'Minor Blip'

Nike chairman and co-founder Phil Knight says that when Tiger Woods' career is over "you’ll look back on these indiscretions as a minor blip," according to an interview Knight did with Tripp Mickle of the SportsBusiness Journal.

Woods is the key endorser of Nike's golf line.

When asked about the the Woods scandal and if it changes "the concept of building brands arounds athletes," Knight responded, "Not for us. It's part of the game."

So far the only sponsor who has said it has dropped Woods completely because of the scandal is Accenture. To read TVWeek Open Mic blogger Chuck Ross's comments about situation, click here.

--Tom Gilbert

‘Jersey Shore’ Gets an Edit to Remove Controversial Scene

An upcoming episode of MTV’s “Jersey Shore” has been trimmed of a controversial scene, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

The network cut a scene in which a female participant is punched in the face, a scene that the network has already teased repeatedly on air and online. There’s already been a prosecution in the attack, whose aftermath will be shown but not the event itself.

"After hearing from our viewers, further consulting with experts on the issue of violence and seeing how the video footage has been taken out of context to not show the severity of this act or the resulting consequences, MTV has decided not to air Snooki being physically punched in next week's episode,” the network said.

--Elizabeth Jensen

VP Biden Among Those to Meet Tuesday on Intellectual Theft

Vice President Joe Biden will be among the government officials meeting with the entertainment industry Tuesday at the White House to discuss how to fight theft of intellectual property, the Los Angeles Times reports.

Also attending the meeting, the paper says, will be Atty. Gen. Eric H. Holder Jr. and FBI Director Robert S. Mueller III, as well as Viacom CEO Philippe Dauman, Warner Bros. Entertainment CEO Barry Meyer, NBC Universal CEO Jeff Zucker and Sony Pictures CEO Michael Lynton. Vice President Biden will lead the discussion.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Susan Boyle Plays Well on TV Guide Network

The story of Scottish singer Susan Boyle proved appealing to TV Guide Network viewers, Multichannel News reports.

The one-hour Sunday night “I Dreamed A Dream: The Susan Boyle Story,” averaged 1.1 million viewers in its time period.

--Elizabeth Jensen

NBC Announces 'Parenthood' Debut Date

The midseason schedule for NBC includes the premiere of the delayed primetime series "Parenthood" starring Peter Krause, Lauren Graham and Craig T. Nelson, reports the Los Angeles Times.

"Parenthood" debuts March 1 at 9 p.m. Also on the roster is Jerry Seinfeld's reality show, "The Marriage Ref," which premieres March 14 at 8 p.m.

-- Allison J. Waldman

AFI Picks Top 10 TV Shows of 2009

The American Film Institute has issued its list of the Top 10 TV shows of 2009, including Fox's breakout hit "Glee" and -- in a surprise -- the Starz comedy, "Party Down," reports HitFix.com.

The Top 10 also included: AMC's "Mad Men," CBS' "The Big Bang Theory," HBO's "Big Love," NBC/DirecTV's "Friday Night Lights,"  ABC's "Modern Family," HBO's "The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency," Showtime's "Nurse Jackie" and HBO's "True Blood."

-- Allison J. Waldman

J-Lo, Mary J. Blige Set for Dance Show Finale

When the two-hour season finale of Fox's "So You Think You Can Dance" airs on Dec. 16 at 8 p.m., two music stars will be on hand to lend their talents.

Jennifer Lopez will be singing her latest single, "Louboutins" and Mary J. Blige is slated to sing "I Am." The grand finale will feature additional performances by Adam Lambert, Leona Lewis and the Groovaloos.

-- Allison J. Waldman

Ramsay's Live 'Cook-Along' Lands Three Guest Stars

Three stars have joined the lineup for the Dec. 15 premiere of Fox's "Gordon Ramsay's CookAlong Live," according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Singer LeAnn Rimes, comic Cedric the Entertainer and "How I Met Your Mother" star Alyson Hannigan have been added to the live show, in which the chef will lead viewers through a three-course cooking lesson.

-- Allison J. Waldman

'Kardashians' Return Sets Records for E!

Sunday's fourth-season premiere of E!'s "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" set records for the network, averaging over 4.1 million total viewers, more than seven times E!’s fourth-quarter 2009 average, E! announced.

The show was E!'s most-watched telecast ever in the adults 18-49 demo (3.1 million) as well as among adults 18-34 (2.2 million) and women 18-34 (1.6 million).

"Kardashians" also scored a series high across in households (a 3.0 Nielsen rating), adults 18-34 (3.90) and adults 18-49 (2.82), more than doubling the performance of last season’s return.

-- Tom Gilbert

Sunflower Station Group Signs Up for New Rentrack Measurement Service

Sunflower Broadcasting is the first station group to sign up for StationView Essentials, Rentrack Corp.'s new local TV station measurement and analytical service that uses digital set-top box data to deliver anonymous viewing information from the top 100 markets.

Sunflower operates stations in the Wichita, Kan., market, including KWCH-DT, a CBS affiliate, and satellite stations KBSH-DT in Hays, Kan., KBSD-DT in Dodge City, Kan., and KBSL-DT in Goodland, Kan.

For complete details, click here.

--Tom Gilbert

TNT Gets Off-Net Rights to 'Supernatural'

The off-network syndication rights to the Warner Bros. TV's science-fiction drama "Supernatural," which is still going strong on the CW, have been acquired by TNT, reports the Futon Critic.

TNT will begin airing the reruns Jan. 4 at 10 a.m., starting with the pilot episode. The network will run a 10-hour marathon of fan favorites Feb. 15.

-- Alllison J. Waldman

Lakers Star and Former NBA Coach Rejoins ESPN

An ex-NBA head coach and former champion Los Angeles Lakers point guard has rejoined ESPN to provide analysis and commentary on basketball, according to B&C.

Byron Scott, who was recently fired as head coach of the New Orleans Hornets, was with ESPN for the 2003-04 season. According to Norby Williamson, ESPN executive VP of production, "Byron has excelled in every professional endeavor and we know his success will carry over to his on-air role. We welcome him back. His experience and passion for the game will resonate with our fans."

-- Allison J. Waldman

TVWeek Picks the Internet Site of the Year

Looking back at many of the big stories of the year, from the death of Michael Jackson to the news that Comcast was going to buy NBC to the Tiger Woods post-Thanksgiving night driving incident and subsequent scandal, it's a pretty safe bet that the majority of Americans first heard something about these events on the Internet.

And hands down the site that’s been on the forefront of much of the news this year—with scoop after scoop on celebrity news, is TVWeek’s Internet Site of the Year, TMZ.com.

It was TMZ that first reported Jackson’s death—and it took three hours for other media outlets to confirm it.

Most recently, it was TMZ that first told of Woods’ auto mishap in the wee-hours after Thanksgiving.

We spoke to the site’s founder and driving force, Harvey Levin, last week. Levin is a lawyer who’s been in journalism for years now.

Levin wasn’t too pleased with our interview. He thought we were too negative. We didn’t tell him about the honor we were about to bestow upon the site—he’ll learn that when he reads this.

Levin wasn’t happy about our very first question. We asked why he thought the site didn’t get as much respect as it might deserve from the mainstream press. For example, the New York Times, for days when it first reported on the Tiger Woods story, refused to cite TMZ in its primary news stories about the incident.

And Jim Herre, the managing editor of the Sports Illustrated Golf Group, said during a recent roundtable discussion, "The real eye-opener for me has been how TMZ.com and Radaronline.com have been cited as credible sources by lots of media outlets, even though the websites' sourcing is beyond flimsy. The fact is, we really don't know what's true and what's not."

Levin said that since TMZ has indeed been quoted by so many in the mainstream press that he doesn’t pay any attention to those who don’t cite them.

But then he added,“I think that a lot of mainstream media is either struggling or dying right now. That’s reality. What’s happened is, some of them are having trouble reconciling the success of online with the demise of some areas of traditional media that are just going to disappear over the next five years.”

Next we asked him how TMZ is able to get its scoops. An edited transcript of our interview, conducted by TVWeek's Chuck Ross,  follows.

Click here to continue reading this story.

NBC's 'Loser' Returns in January With Biggest Contender of All

When NBC's "The Biggest Loser" returns with a new season in January, one of the competitors will be the biggest ever, a 526-pound man from Chicago, reports the New York Times.

Michael Ventrella is a 31-year-old disk jockey from Chicago and the first weight-loss contestant to ever tip the scales at over 500 pounds. The eighth season commences Jan. 5.

-- Allison J. Waldman

MSNBC Shakes Up Daytime

NBC’s White House correspondents Chuck Todd and Savannah Guthrie will anchor a Washington political program on MSNBC every morning at 9 a.m., bumping Dylan Ratigan to late afternoon, TVNewser reports.

Ratigan’s show will now air at 4 p.m., bumping one hosted by David Shuster and Tamron Hall, who will remain daytime anchors for the network. The new morning show will be called “Daily Rundown” and will start Jan. 11.

--Elizabeth Jensen

http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/msnbc/dylan_ratigan_moving_to_4_pm_on_msnbc_145875.asp

Gillette Shaves Tiger Off of Spots; Accenture Decides Road to High Performance isn't Wooded

In two moves that could cost Tiger Woods million of dollars, Accenture said it would part ways with the beleagured golf star, and Gillette said it would limit Woods' marketing presence.

According to the New York Times, "In a telephone interview, the Gillette spokesman Damon Jones said the move amounted to 'a timeout' for Woods, who has been at the center of a worldwide scandal for the past two weeks after being linked to affairs with numerous women."

The report says Woods' Gillette deal pays him $5 million a year and has a year to run.

To read more about Woods and Accenture, click here to check out TVWeek Open Mic blogger Chuck Ross' latest blog.

TLC’s Duggar Gives Birth Early

Michelle Duggar, half of the couple featured on TLC’s reality show "18 Kids and Counting," gave birth several months early to a 1-pound, 6-ounce daughter, the Associated Press reports.

The 43-year-old was due March 18 but gave birth to the child Thursday in an emergency cesarean section. The child was reported to be in stable condition in a Little Rock, Ark., hospital.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Preston Padden, Disney's Top Lobbyist, Takes a New Gig

former  ABC-TV network President Preston Padden, currently Disney's top lobbyist in Washington, has announced that he will retire in January 2011, reports B&C.

Padden will become adjunct professor and senior fellow at the Silicon Flatirons Center at the University of Colorado Law School. Alan Braverman will oversee Disney's government relations team until Padden's replacement is found.

-- Allison J. Waldman

New Survey: Guess Which Medium is Teenagers’ Favorite?

A new study of European teens’ media habits shows that what they really like to spend time with is out of sync with what the common wisdom thinks their habits are, the New York Times reports.

Contrary to popular opinion, European teens are watching more traditional television than spending time with video games, music or the Internet, the study by the research firm Forrester found.

The study put teen viewing time at 10.3 hours a week, on average, compared to 9.1 hours of personal Internet use (excluding work and school.) And 12- to 17-year-old Europeans spend less personal time on the Internet than those 18 and older.

Teens, the study found, also like to multitask, by watching TV while mobile texting, say.

--Elizabeth Jensen

‘The Doctors’ Renewed Through 2011-12

CBS Television Distribution renewed “The Doctors” through the 2011-12 TV season in 91% of the country, B&C reports.

That will take the show through a fourth season. Stations in 48 of the top 50 markets have picked it up.

--Elizabeth Jensen

‘GMA’ to Veer Toward News With Stephanopoulos as Co-Host

ABC’s “Good Morning America” plans to increase its news quotient and get rid of some of the fluff, reports B&C.

The pending changes come with the arrival of George Stephanopoulos as co-host, replacing Diane Sawyer, who is moving to “World News.”

Senior executive producer Jim Murphy says the changes will be “tweaks, not an explosion.”

--Elizabeth Jensen

Syfy Renews ‘Stargate,’ ‘Sanctuary’

Syfy renewed "Stargate: Universe" and "Sanctuary" for another season, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

As part of the deal, "Stargate: Universe" will now start the second half of its first season in April, and debut its second season in the fall, at the same time as “Sanctuary” begins a third season.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Web Sites Playing Bigger Role Connecting Reality Shows with Contestants

The number of Web sites that connect contestants to reality shows is growing, the New York Times reports.

As the number of shows has boomed, the sites are serving as an important clearinghouse for wannabe contestants, the paper says.

--Elizabeth Jensen

History to Tackle Kennedy Family in First Scripted Mini

The History channel is jumping into scripted programming with an eight-hour miniseries about “The Kennedys,” reports The Hollywood Reporter.

Production will begin in the spring and the program, from "24" co-creator and executive producer Joel Surnow, will air in 2011. The budget is reported to be between $20 million and $25 million.

Nancy Dubuc, History’s president and general manager, called the move into scripted programming "the logical next step" for the channel.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Retrans Battle Between TWC and News Corp. Crucial to Future of Broadcast TV

The outcome of the tough retransmission consent negotiation going on between Time Warner Cable and News Corp. over the Fox-owned stations, cable networks and regional sports networks could determine the future health of broadcast television, B&C reports.

“Whatever they agree to with Fox, they have to agree to with all four networks,” one industry executive told B&C.

With broadcast TV in trouble, the money stations could get for their signals could improve their fortunes.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Vuguru Taps Larry Tanz as President

Michael Eisner’s Vuguru studio tapped Larry Tanz as president, the Los Angeles Times reports.

Tanz is the former president and chief executive of LivePlanet Inc., formed by Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, where his productions included HBO’s "Project Greenlight."

--Elizabeth Jensen

Controversy Helps MTV's 'Jersey Shore'

The second episode of MTV’s “Jersey Shore” shot up in the ratings, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

The second episode drew 2.1 million viewers, 50% higher than week one, which was two hours to the recent episode’s one.

The series has drawn criticism about its depiction of Italian American stereotypes.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Tiger Woods to Take Indefinite Leave from Golf; Move Could Cost Millions to Those Nets That Carry Golf Events He'll Miss

In a move that could cost millions of dollars to the networks that air golf  tournaments that Tiger Woods usually plays in, Woods announced today that he is taking "an indefinite break from professional golf."

Golf tournaments in which Woods plays usually have much higher ratings than those in which he doesn't play. The higher the ratings the more money advertisers are willing to pay to advertise during the event.

Woods made the announcement in a statement on his website, www.tigerwoods.com. For the first time since the Thanksgiving scandal broke, Woods used the words "my infidelity" publicly to describe his behavior.

Here is the entire statement Woods posted on his Website:

Tiger Woods taking hiatus from golf

By Tiger Woods

I am deeply aware of the disappointment and hurt that my infidelity has caused to so many people, most of all my wife and children. I want to say again to everyone that I am profoundly sorry and that I ask forgiveness. It may not be possible to repair the damage I've done, but I want to do my best to try.

I would like to ask everyone, including my fans, the good people at my foundation, business partners, the PGA Tour, and my fellow competitors, for their understanding. What's most important now is that my family has the time, privacy, and safe haven we will need for personal healing.

After much soul searching, I have decided to take an indefinite break from professional golf. I need to focus my attention on being a better husband, father, and person.

Again, I ask for privacy for my family and I am especially grateful for all those who have offered compassion and concern during this difficult period.#

--reported by Chuck Ross

Real Kitchen Nightmare: Is Gordon Ramsay Resorting to Lower-Quality Beef in His Own Kitchens?

"Hell's Kitchen" and "Kitchen Nightmares" host Gordon Ramsay has had troubles of his own this year with his restaurants, according to the New York Post.

To save his restaurant empire from bankruptcy, Ramsay has allegedly resorted to drastic actions -- including shutting restaurants, eliminating floral displays and serving lower-quality meat -- to cut back after allegedly breaching the terms of a $17 million loan, the Post reports, citing Bloomberg Markets magazine.

"Everything was on the line. December, January, February and March were the most highly pressurized, s- -tiest, most awful four months I've ever had in business," said Ramsay.

-- Allison J. Waldman

New York Yankees Star to Guest on Sitcom

A member of the New York Yankee championship team will be appearing as himself on the CBS
sitcom "How I Met Your Mother," according to The Wrap.

In the episode, which is scheduled to air Feb. 1, Nick Swisher visits McClaren's Bar, where his star power as a Yankee star crimps Barney's attempts to pick up women.

-- Allison J. Waldman

Report: FCC Chairman Brings in 'Broadcast Hitman'

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski has brought in an advisor on spectrum and First Amendment issues, reports Harry Jessell at TVNewsCheck.com.

Stuart Benjamin, a Duke law professor on sabbatical, will serve as as a "distinguished scholar in residence" at the Commission. 

Benjamin is expected to help the FCC in its quest to strip away broadcasters' spectrum and auction it off to wireless broadband operators, Jessel says, citing, the professor's essay "Roasting the Pig to Burn Down the House: A Modest Proposal," which Duke published last May.

In it, Benjamin argues that broadcasting is an inefficient use of spectrum and that taking it back and auctioning it would generate "hundreds of billions of dollars" for the government and put it to better use.

--Tom Gilbert

'The View' Says Sorry for Tiger Woods Story

Joy Behar of ABC's "The View" was speaking out of turn when she referred to one of Tiger Wood's alleged acquaintances, Rachel Uchitel, as a hooker, reports the Associated Press.

In a statement issued Friday, after Uchitel's lawyer Gloria Allred demanded an apology, ABC declared that Behar's comment was a joke and the show officially was sorry for any hurt feeings or misimpressions.

-- Allison J. Waldman

NBC Goes Social Networking for 'Chuck' Promotion

NBC is turning to a major social network promotion in advance of the Jan. 10 return of the spy series "Chuck," according to The Hollywood Reporter.

In the "Mission: Chuck Me Out" game, fans who mention "Chuck"  on Twitter, Facebook and MySpace will earn points The person who collects the most points from now to March 10 will get their photo inserted into the broadcast of an episode, as one of Chuck's mental flashes.

-- Allison J. Waldman

'Gilmore Girls' Guy Moves to '90210'

One of the more popular stars from CW's "The Gilmore Girls" has gotten a new gig, reports Entertainment Weekly.

Scott Danes will appear on two episodes of the network's "90210" in 2010 as Liam's biological dad.

-- Allison J. Waldman

Cable Dominates Time-Shifting Top 10

Cable shows dominated the Nielsen top 10 time-shifted programs for 2009, reports Multichannel News.

Syfy's "Battlestar Galactica" led with nearly 60% extra viewers from DVR watchers. AMC's "Mad Men" was next with 57.77% additional viewers.

The remainder of the top 10 were: FX's "Damages" (56.3%); "Rescue Me" (53.2%); HBO's "True Blood" (46.9%); Syfy's "Stargate Universe" (46.5.9%) and "Sanctuary" (45.9%), NBC's "Heroes" (45.9%) , Fox's "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles" (45.5%); ABC Family's "10 Things I Hate About You," Fox's "Dollhouse" and CW's "Melrose Place" were tied for last place (each 44.9%).

-- Allison J. Waldman

CBS Dominates Thursday Night Ratings

Thursday was a good night for the CBS lineup, anchored by "Survivor," which led the evening by winning the 8 o'clock hour with a 4.3 in the 18-49 demo, according to B&C.

In fresh competition, Fox's "Bones," with a special guest appearance by Zooey Deschanel, logged a 3.1, while NBC's "Community" and "Parks & Recreation" both scored a 2.3.

At 9-10, NBC's "The Office" and "30 Rock" were good for a 4.4 and 3.5 respectively. Just behind was CBS' "CSI" with a 4.1. Fox's "Fringe" netted a 2.3

The 10 o'clock hour was easily won by "The Mentalist" on CBS with a 3.8, while a new "The Jay Leno Show" earned only a 1.9.

-- Allison J. Waldman

'The Jay Leno Show' is No. 1 -- in Product Placement, That Is

The top television show when it comes to product placement is NBC's "The Jay Leno Show," reports Time magazine.

The top five shows for product placement in 2009 are as follows: "Leno" (1015 products); "WWE Monday Night Raw" (787); "The Biggest Loser" (704); "American Idol" (553); and "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" (483).

-- Allison J. Waldman

'The Goode Family' Moves to Cable

Reruns of the animinated sitcom “The Goode Family,” first sired on ABC, will make their Comedy Central debut Jan. 6.

The series, consisting of 13 episodes, will air on Comedy Central on Wednesday nights at 10:30 p.m.

-- Allison J. Waldman

Report: NBCU’s Zalaznick in Talks to Join MTV Entertainment; Companies Deny

 Lauren Zalaznick, president of NBC Universal's Women and Lifestyle Entertainment Networks, is in advanced talks to join MTV, reports Deadline Hollywood.

Zalaznick, who now oversees Bravo, Oxygen and iVillage.com, is in talks to become MTV’s entertainment president, overseeing MTV and VH1, a job that went vacant in June when Brian Graden left.

Both MTV and NBC spokespersons said on the record that there was no truth to the report, Variety reports.

Meanwhile, Variety reports that MTV is moving closer to hiring Greenblatt/Janollari partner and WB Entertainment president David Janollari. He’ll be an executive vice president, reporting to MTV programming president Tony DiSanto

--Elizabeth Jensen

Jeff Zucker Signs New G.E. Contract

NBC Universal president and CEO Jeff Zucker signed a new three-year contract with G.E. last week, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

The deal will keep him at the company through 2013. Zucker is to be CEO of the new NBC U joint venture, owned 51 percent by Comcast and 49 percent by G.E.

--Elizabeth Jensen
 

Liguori in Line for Rich Discovery Payday

Peter Liguori’s new job as Discovery Communications’ chief operating officer could pay him as much as $4.7 million a year in salary, bonuses and stock grants, documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission show, Multichannel News reports.

According to the documents, his three-year deal includes a base salary of $1 million plus an equal amount in incentive compensation, as well as a signing bonus.

--Elizabeth Jensen

If You're a Baby Boomer He Was a Major Player in Your TV Upbringing: The Star of 'Bat Masterson' ('58-'61), 'Burke's Law' ('63-'66) and 'The Name of the Game' ('68-'71), Gene Barry, Dies at 90

Gene Barry, who was ubiquitous on the TV dial for over four decades, has died at age 90, the New York Times reports.

If you're a baby boomer, you grew up with him in his starring roles in "Bat Masterson," "Burke's Law," and "The Name of the Game." [To see a wonderful clip of Barry in "Burke's Law," click here.]

He also appeared in countless other TV guest-starring roles from the 1950s through the 1980s.

As for his movie career, the Times notes, "Mr. Barry signed a Hollywood contract in 1951. Two years later he starred in perhaps his most famous movie role, the scientist Dr. Clayton Forrester, in the George Pal production of  'War of the Worlds,' based on the H. G. Wells novel. He also had a role in 2005 as Tom Cruise’s ex-father-in-law in the Steven Spielberg remake."

At age 65, in 1984, Barry became the toast of Broadway, garnering a Tony nomination, as the Times obituary says, "for his performance as Georges, the less flamboyant half of a gay couple, in 'La Cage Aux Folles,' the first Broadway musical in which the principal lovers were gay men. Mr. Barry 'proves a most sensitive foil — far more sensitive than you’d ever guess from his starring roles on such television series as ‘Bat Masterson’ and ‘The Name of the Game,’ ' Frank Rich wrote in The New York Times, adding that Mr. Barry sang his love songs 'with tender directness.' "

--Chuck Ross

Illinois Man to Plead Guilty in Erin Andrews Taping

Court documents show that Illinois insurance executive Michael Barrett will plead guilty next week to interstate stalking for making secret nude videos of ESPN’s Erin Andrews and then allegedly posting them on the Internet, the Associated Press reports.

"Mr. Barrett accepts full responsibility for his conduct," said Barrett's attorney David Willingham. "He apologizes to Ms. Andrews, and expresses his deep regret for his conduct that caused her so much pain." Barrett faces up to five years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000, but is expected to be recommended for a lesser sentence.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Reality Producers Rethink Vetting Process

A spate of high-profile incidents involving reality show participants and wannabes has the shows’ producers rethinking their vetting processes, the Los Angeles Times reports.

"It's clearly something everyone is worried about and is trying to deal with," History’s Nancy Dubuc told the paper. “There's a lot of quiet chatter in the industry of, 'Hey, let's look at this before it becomes a bigger issue.'”

--Elizabeth Jensen

Media Shield Bill Headed to Full Senate

A bill that would protect reporters' confidential sources in federal court is headed to the full Senate after being approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee, the Associated Press reports.

The bill had been held up in committee for several months. It differs from a previously approved version in the House, so even if the current bill is approved by the Senate, a federal shield is unlikely to take effect this year.

--Elizabeth Jensen

NBC U’s Cotton Stands by AOL/Time Warner Merger Comments on Distribution

NBC Executive VP and General Counsel Rick Cotton said he stands by comments he co-wrote in 2000 that raised concerns about a merged AOL/Time Warner’s potential to discriminate against competitors, B&C reports.

He wrote then that the distribution side of the deal “should not advantage affiliated services." The American Cable Association has been suggesting that NBCU is reversing its position now that it is merging with Comcast.

Cotton said the distribution issue was addressed in a public interest statement issued at the time of the Comcast/NBCU deal.

--Elizabeth Jensen

‘Conchords’ Shut Down After Two Seasons

HBO’s “Flight of the Conchords,” about New Zealand musicians Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement who move to New York City in search of stardom, is ending after two seasons and 22 episodes, The New York Times reports.

A statement on their official Web site says: “We’ve noticed the less we say about the future of the show, the more people want to talk about it, so in an effort to reverse this trend we are today announcing that we won’t be returning for a third season. We’re very proud of the two seasons we made and we like the way the show ended. We’d like to thank everyone who helped make the show and also everyone who watched it. While the characters Bret and Jemaine will no longer be around, the real Bret and Jemaine will continue to exist.”

--Elizabeth Jensen

Discovery Finds an EP for ‘Curiosity’

Discovery tapped Beth Hoppe to be the executive producer of its major upcoming multiyear project "Curiosity: The Questions of Life," reports The Hollywood Reporter.

Hoppe had been president and CEO of Optomen Productions, which produces programming for cable channels including Discovery, History, Animal Planet, Lifetime and Food Network. She previously oversaw science programs at public station WNET in New York.

The first episode begins filming in March, for a launch in the first quarter of 2011.

--Elizabeth Jensen

MTV Cancels ‘Alexa Chung’ Talk Show

MTV’s daytime talk show "On the Air With Alexa Chung" won’t return after finishing a second season on Dec. 17, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

The show hosted by the British TV personality had already been cut back to a half-hour this fall.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Citadel Prepping for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

Citadel Broadcasting Corp. is planning to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy by year’s end, Reuters reports, citing a Wall Street Journal report.

The prearranged plan would cut the radio company’s debt, but existing shareholders would be wiped out in favor of its lenders. Citadel owns 165 FM stations and 58 AM stations, as well as the ABC Radio Networks.

--Elizabeth Jensen

CBS Under More Fire for Its Foulmouthed Frosty the Snowman Online Promo for 'How I Met Your Mother' and 'Two and a Half Men'

CBS is still getting flak for its Web site mashup of visuals from the Christmas children's classic "Frosty the Snowman" with off-color dialog from "How I Met My Moother" and "Two and a Half Men."

Today it's Richard Metzger at the Los Angeles Times' Brand X site, who fails to see the point of the promotion and questions the instincts of the executive behind greenlighting it.

--Tom Gilbert

Trade Pub Variety Starts Building Pay Wall For Its Web Site Starting Today

Starting today, Dec 10, the venerable Hollywood trade publication Variety has started to rebuild a pay wall around its site.

Though the site has been free to all comers for several years now, it had tried--and abandoned--a pay wall model before.

Eventually, non-paying subscribers to Variety will only be able to get to 5 pages a month for free.

Initially, starting today, one in 10 users at variety.com, selected at random, will be asked to register to continue viewing content at the site. They will get the prompt after seeing two pages for free.

Variety TV critic Brian Lowry, in his column today, writes that he's happy about the change to a pay wall. To read why he says that, click here (hope you get through).

--Chuck Ross

Gosselin a No-Show at TLC Hearing

Former "Jon & Kate Plus 8" star Jon Gosselin failed to show up at a hearing in his legal battle with TLC Thursday, Popeater.com reports.

Gosselin's attorney previously said Gosselin would attend the Maryland hearing, the Web site says.

TLC is seeking to stop Gosselin from making media appearances, which it contends are in violation his exclusive contract.

--Tom Gilbert

Hollywood Reporter Sale Finalized

The sale of The Hollywood Reporter, along with the music trade Billboard and six other Nielsen Business Media publications, has been finalized, the Los Angeles Times reports.

As expected, the new owner is a consortium of investors called e5 Global Media consisting of financial services firm Guggenheim Partners and Pluribus Capital Management, a private equity fund led by James Finkelstein; Matthew Doull, former associate publisher of Wired UK, and George Green, former chief executive of Hearst Magazines International.

Finkelstein's News Communications owns such publications as Roll Call and the "Who's Who" directories. Finkelstein also owns the Thompson Publishing Group

Lachlan Murdoch, the son of News Corp. Chairman Rupert Murdoch, who was previously reported to be part of the acquisition, was not involved in the final deal, the Times said.

Editor & Publisher and Kirkus Reviews, Nielsen's publishing trades, were not part of the deal and are being shut down,

--Tom Gilbert

Mauldin Named President of KCBS/KCAL Duopoly

Steve Mauldin is replacing Patrick McClenahan as president and general manager of the CBS-owned duopoly KCBS-TV/KCAL-TV in Los Angeles, Variety reports.

Mauldin previously was president and GM of CBS' KTVT-TV/KTXA-TV duopoly in Dallas/Fort Worth.

Variety says the replacement of McClenahan represents the first major move by newly named CBS Television Stations President Peter Dunn.

--Tom Gilbert

Fox Pilot Changes Lead from Male to Female

Kate Micucci has landed a lead role on Greg Garcia’s Fox pilot "Keep Hope Alive," a role originally cast for a man, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

She’ll play a cousin of the main character, Jimmy, a single parent raising a child with the help of his family.

--Elizabeth Jensen
 

ABC Eyeing U.S. Remake of Long-Running Russian Game Show

ABC is eyeing a U.S. remake of the long-running Russian game show “What? Where? When?” reports The Hollywood Reporter.

The top-rated show has been on the air almost 35 years. Merv Griffin Entertainment is producing the U.S. version which for now is going by the name “The Six.” Six contestants form a team to compete to answer questions from viewers.

--Elizabeth Jensen
 

History Taps Celebs for 12-Part Documentary

Meryl Streep, Michael Douglas, Colin Powell, Brian Williams and numerous others will take part in History’s 12-part "America The Story of Us" series next year, Variety reports.

The cable channel says the documentary series, which will cover 400 years of history, is its most ambitious original programming ever. It will look at the building of the country, from the conflicts that shaped it to what distinguishes American democracy.

Jane Root, former president of Discovery Channel and BBC2, is the executive producer.

--Elizabeth Jensen

FX Renews ‘The League’

“The League” will be back for a second season on FX, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

FX ordered an additional 13 episodes for late-summer 2010.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Anthea Disney, Well-Respected Top News Corp. Executive, Leaving at Year's End

Anthea Disney, News Corp's EVP of Content, will be leaving the company at the end of the year, it was announced today.

Disney, who was in charge of TV Guide when News Corp. owned it, has been with the company 20 years.

At various times she also served as President and CEO of HarperCollins Publishers and as Chairman and CEO of News America Publishing Group.

She was also in charge, with then MCI executive Scott Kurnit, for a brief period in 1995 and 1996, a joint venture between News Corp. and MCI that was intended to be a major player in the digital content space. [Full disclosure: this reporter worked that venture, which never had a formal name, for three months.] The venture never got any traction and folded within a year.

A statement from News Corp. said Disney is retiring and that she "plans to counsel young female entrepreneurs through a non-profit she recently co-founded in Northwest Connecticut, the Women’s Enterprise Initiative. It will bring together seasoned female corporate executives with aspiring young women to help fund new business ideas."

In the same statement News Corp CEO Rupert Murdoch said, “Anthea’s keen creative instincts are equal to her business acumen, a combination which is hard to find in an executive and one that has made her a dynamic leader at our company for many years. She has impeccable judgment and taste and I have relied on her counsel across just about all of our content businesses. I will miss her immensely but understand her desire to shift gears at this point in her life.”

--Chuck Ross

Top Sports Illustrated Golf Writers Are Upset That Revelations About Tiger Woods from TMZ and Other Celebrity News Sites Are Being Treated as Legitimate

The top golf writers from Sports Illustrated, in a recent roundtable discussion, dissed the Tiger Woods news coming from TMZ and other celebrity sites.

The roundtable, posted at golf.com, can be read here. A summary of the roundtable is available at The Improper.com, here.

Jim Herre, the managing editor of the Sports Illustrated Golf Group, said during the roundtable discussion,  "The real eye-opener for me has been how TMZ.com and Radaronline.com have been cited as credible sources by lots of media outlets, even though the websites' sourcing is beyond flimsy. The fact is, we really don't know what's true and what's not."

Agreed Farrell Evans, a writer-reporter for Sports Illustrated Golf Plus, "There are no facts, really. All we know is that Tiger isn't in control of what's out there. We have some text messages and a voicemail, but we have no bulletproof evidence of Tiger 'knowing' any of these women in the Biblical sense. At this point perception is much more powerful than whatever the reality is." 

Said Jim Gorant, senior editor, Sports Illustrated Golf Plus, "This is why [Woods] needs to come clean. I don't know about Barbara Walters or Oprah (too staged), but you have to take control of it. Look at what Letterman did. Everything's going to come out in the end anyway, and the TMZ crowd won't stop 'til they pick every last piece of meat off the bone. You can kill all the rumors and speculation by telling the whole truth. Then, everyone can start to 'heal,' whatever that means."

Interestingly, both the Sports Illustrated publications and TMZ are owned by Time Warner.

--Chuck Ross

'GMA's' Chris Cuomo Announces He’s Headed to Another ABC Show

His replacement had already been identified, but his new deal is now official: Chris Cuomo said on “Good Morning America” that he’s leaving for a co-anchor slot at “20/20,” reports TVNewser.

An official announcement of all the “GMA” changes is expected later today.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Time Warner Cable Accuses Fox of Attempted ‘Hijack’ of Retransmission Consent

Time Warner Cable (TWC) says that Fox "has brazenly sought to hijack the retransmission consent process" by jumping into negotiations by its affiliates, B&C reports.

TWC made the charge in a Dec. 8 FCC filing supporting a Mediacom Communication retransmission consent complaint about Sinclair Broadcasting.

According to the report, "TWC announced Dec. 7 that it had agreed to a one-year extension of its carriage agreement with Sinclair, which has several Fox affiliates among other affiliate stations in TWC markets. That deal also was up at the end of the year. TWC's filing essentially claims their deal with Sinclair was controlled by Fox, in violation of the FCC's good faith bargaining requirement in retrans negotiations."

The FCC filing, according to the report,  "says Fox has hijacked retrans by 'threatening to exercise veto power over any station's negotiation of a retransmission deal that does not extract a satisfactory kickback for the network.' "


--Elizabeth Jensen and Chuck Ross

Clay Aiken Voting Investigation Ended

A North Carolina election board ended its investigation into whether former "American Idol" runner-up Clay Aiken voted illegally this fall, the Associated Press reported.

The board determined Aiken may have voted illegally but decided not to pursue further action after Aiken wrote to request that he be removed from the voting rolls.

--Elizabeth Jensen

With AOL Spinning Off From Time Warner Today, Former TW CEO Jerry Levin Still Defends Merger

Ad Age Editor Jonah Bloom Leaving; Klaassen to Run Edit Operations

Jonah Bloom is leaving his position as the editor of Advertising Age, the publication has announced.

Hi will become CEO and editor-in-chief of Breaking Media LLC.

Concurrently, Ad Age announced that Abbey Klaassen has been promoted to executive editor, in charge of all editorial operations for the brand. Klaassen, who's been  has been at  Ad Age for five years, most recently has been the publication's digital editor. 

In a statement Rance Crain, president of Ad Age (and TVWeek) parent Crain Communications said, "Jonah did a tremendous job for us as editor, and we will definitely miss him. But Abbey is a great editor in her own right. We are very happy to see her move into this new role as leader of the Ad Age editorial team."

Also in a statement, Allison Arden, Ad Age publisher, added, "Abbey's talent and incredible grasp of the digital landscape are the exact skills Ad Age needs during this extraordinary time in marketing and media. We have been so fortunate to have Jonah on board, especially through this past year, to help guide Ad Age and our industry through a difficult time. We wish him much success in the future."

--Chuck Ross

MTV’s DiSanto Defends ‘Jersey Shore’ Against Charges That It Promotes Negative Stereotypes

MTV programming president Tony DiSanto, an Italian-American, defended his new reality series “Jersey Shore” against charges that the show promotes negative stereotypes.

DiSanto made his remarks in an interview with James Hibberd’s Live Feed blog at The Hollywood Reporter.

“It never crossed my mind this would be offensive,” DiSanto said of the show, which has been criticized for promoting negative stereotypes and has lost some advertisers. He added: “I don't look at these characters as representing an entire ethnic group. They refer to themselves as "guidos" sometimes, but it's more about the way they act, their behavior, what they're attracted to, their rituals. It's not about an entire ethnicity.”

--Elizabeth Jensen

Report: ABC Scheduling New Legal Drama for January

With ABC announcing recently that "FlashForward" won't return until March, that frees up a time period for the netork's new legal drama.

The show, "The Deep End," about first-year lawyers, from 20th Centurey Fox TV, will thus debut at 8 pm on either Jan. 14 or Jan 21, reports our friend Joseph Adalian at TheWrap. 

The series will get a six-episode run to see how it does. 

--Elizabeth Jensen and Chuck Ross

Comcast-NBCU Execs Meet With Regulators in D.C.

Comcast chief executive Brian Roberts and NBC Universal chief executive Jeff Zucker met with the FCC officials who will play a role in approving Comcast’s purchase of majority control of NBCU, the Washington Post reports.

Roberts said the meetings were meant to emphasize that Comcast is committed to local broadcasting and that the deal wouldn’t lead to less programming choice for consumers.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Oprah’s OWN Plans Doc Showcase

Oprah Winfrey's upcoming cable network OWN is teaming up with documentary distributor Roco Prods. for a monthly documentary showcase on the network, Variety reports.

Theatrical screenings nationwide will accompany the broadcast of some of the titles.

"There is a wide-ranging audience hungry for access to profound documentaries of substance and originality," Roco founder and managing director Annie Roney said.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Executive Producer Musical Chairs at CBS' 'Early Show'

Zev Shalev, the executive producer of "The Early Show" on CBS, is leaving to start a new Internet site, the Associated Press reports.

The Observer, meanwhile, reports that the "Early Show" executive producer job will go to David Friedman, most recently the executive producer on NBC's "Last Call With Carson Daly," and the son of CBS News executive vice president Paul Friedman.

Shalev's new website is called NewsTsar, and will bring together news and social media when it launches in the spring.

CBS did not make any announcement about who will replace Shalev.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Alfre Woodard Jumping to TNT from CBS

Alfre Woodard will co-star in TNT's pilot "Delta Blues," after her “Three Rivers” was recently pulled from CBS, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

“Delta Blues,” about a Memphis police officer who lives with his mother and moonlights as a singer, is executive produced by George Clooney.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Iger Says He Wants Retrans Fees For Both ABC O&Os And a Cut From What Affiliates Get

Walt Disney Co. will be asking for cash compensation from cable, satellite TV and telco operators and station groups that retransmit its programming in 2010, chairman Robert Iger said today at the UBS Global Media and Communications conference in New York, reports Multichannel News.

Iger told the gathering that when retrans agreements are renewed in 2010, "retransmission consent is going to be on the table .… We believe that ultimately we should get paid for the value we deliver. We have always looked at that value as part of the overall equation of what we sell various channels to these multichannel providers for, but I think there is probably going to be more of a focus on deriving specific value from retransmission consent for those stations. That seems to be a trend in the market place."

Iger said he was both looking for retrans fees for the ABC owned-and-operated stations and a cut from the retrans agreements the ABC affiliates make with other distributors.

-- Allison J. Waldman

It's Official: Stephanopoulos Takes 'GMA' Chair

Ending weeks of speculation, ABC announced today that George Stephanopoulos will take the "Good Morning America" seat beside Robin Roberts being vacated by Diane Sawyer, reports B&C.

He assumes the role of co-anchor Dec. 14.

Stephanopoulos will continue moderating the Sunday morning news hour "This Week With George Stephanopoulos."

-- Allison J. Waldman

Upcoming ABC Reality Special Involves Love and a Conveyer Belt

The latest incarnation of reality romance comes to ABC in 2010, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Beauty will be in the eyes of the beholder/contestants on the hour Endemol special, called "The Conveyor Belt of Love," as five women are presented with 30 men who appear on display -- moving across a stage on a conveyer belt. Each lady must select one man.

The special airs Jan. 4, following the debut of "The Bachelor."

-- Allison J. Waldman

Laurie Adds Director to His 'House' Duties

Hugh Laurie, star of Fox's "House," will be taking on a new role in 2010, reports Entertainment Weekly.

Laurie will direct the 17th episode of current season of "House," the first time he's going behind the camera on the show. The episode will air March 22.

-- Allison J. Waldman

NBC a Winner With 'Biggest Loser' Finale

The finale of NBC's reality series "The Biggest Loser" was a ratings smash for the network, even lifting Jay Leno in its wake, according to The Wrap.

The two-hour finale averaged a 5.1 in the 18-49 demographic, ahead of the competition.
At 10 p.m., "The Jay Leno Show" averaged a 2.9 against reruns on ABC and CBS.

ABC's holiday cartoons in the 8 o'clock hour performed well, too. "A Charlie Brown Christmas" and Disney's "Prep & Landing" netted a 3.7 and 4.1, respectively. Fox's "So You Think You Can Dance" managed a 2.4 in that hour.

In the 9 o'clock hour, the dance show held at 2.4, while new sitcom fodder on ABC -- "Scrubs" and "Better Off Ted" -- failed to catch fire, scoring a 2.3 and 1.9, respectively.

-- Allison J. Waldman

'TMZ' Looking to Expand as WB Takes Full Control

Tabloid Web site and syndicated TV show "TMZ" will look to expand, as Warner Bros. gets full control this week, the Los Angeles Times reports.

The celebrity site had been a partnership between Warner Bros.' Telepictures unit and America Online since its December 2005 launch, but AOL is being spun off of Warner Bros.’ owner Time Warner.

Plans include expanding "TMZ’s" news operation, beefing up ad sales and expanding its mobile presence.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Syfy’s ‘Alice’ Ratings Fall Short of Past Minis

Syfy’s “Alice” remake of “Alice In Wonderland” didn’t have the appeal of its “Tin Man” reinvention of “The Wizard of Oz,” Multichannel News reports.

“Alice” averaged 2.3 million viewers over its two nights this week, down from the 5.3 million on average who watched the 2007 “Tin Man” (which ran three nights).

--Elizabeth Jensen

Ricky Gervais Says Stars Are In for ‘Gentle Ribbing’ at Globes

Golden Globes host Ricky Gervais said he’ll be working with a minimal script at the awards next month, the Associated Press reports.

"I want to host it a little bit more like someone from the Rat Pack would host," Gervais said, with not too many prepared comedy bits. But, he added, "If you're not prepared at all, it can be very flimsy and a bit self-indulgent."

He said the stars in the audience can expect “gentle ribbing.” He’s the first host the show has had since 1995.

--Elizabeth Jensen

TLC Examines Hudson Landing Jan. 10

TLC will take a look at the USAirways flight that landed on the Hudson River in a Jan. 10 documentary called “Brace for Impact,” Variety reports.

In the hourlong show, pilot Capt. Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger will recreate his much-hailed water landing after the engines were knocked out by birds.

--Elizabeth Jensen

TNT’s ‘Dark Blue’ Returning for a Second Season

TNT has renewed its cop drama “Dark Blue,” reports The Hollywood Reporter.

The network ordered an additional 10-episode second season for next year.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Ex-'Full House' Star Will Release Photos Used in Extortion Attempt

A former star of the hit series "Full House" says that photos which were used in an attempt to extort $680,000 from the star are so tame that they will be released to the public, the New York Post reports.

John Stamos, from whom two people had allegedly tried to extort the money last month, had reported the incident to the FBI, and the pair was arrested in a sting operation.

According to the report, " 'At the conclusion of the investigation and hearing, the photos will be available and the public will be able to see that the photos are simply John posing with fans,' said the actor's spokesman, Matt Polk."

--Chuck Ross

Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/stamos_extort_pix_aren_pixxx_RD8vcb1mKN1SIlu53ODLQL#ixzz0ZCZYHdSL

Peter Gammons Leaving ESPN for MLB

Peter Gammons is leaving ESPN, where he’s made his home since 1990, for a job as an analyst at the MLB Network, reports the Associated Press.

He’ll do commentary for breaking news and big events, and will appear on the network’s news shows, as well as do short documentary pieces and write for the MLB.com Web site.

He said the decision to leave ESPN “has been conflicted,” noting that, “ESPN gave me a great deal more than I gave it, and will always be a huge part of who I am.”

--Elizabeth Jensen

Is Tiger Woods Getting Bad PR Advice?

Is Tiger Woods handling the PR aspect of the growing scandal concerning his alleged extramarital affairs the best way he can?

That's one of the questions addressed in a profile of his longtime agent, Mark Steinberg, in the Wall St. Journal. [Note: this WSJ story may not be available for free.]

The article quotes various PR experts, some of whom say Woods is getting good advice and others who say he's been ill-advised.

--Chuck Ross

Finally Some Good News on the DVD Front

For Hollywood studios, who have been lamenting the decline of DVD sales for some time, it looks like it's not all bad news.

Jeff Bewkes, CEO of Time Warner, says that DVD sales have not fallen as precipitously this year as they did last year, Home Media Magazine reports.

According to the report this is what Bewkes said Tuesday in New York at the UBS media conference: “ 'DVD trends are not declining as fast as they were last year. I think some of that was the pressure of the economic contraction.' That said, Bewkes reiterated his concern about $1 DVD kiosk rentals and their appropriate place in the home entertainment food chain. He said he would support the business models that have appropriate margins and not those that don’t."

--Chuck Ross

TV Commercials Featuring Tiger Woods Not Airing

TV ads featuring Tiger Woods have not been appearing on TV since the Woods scandal broke last month, the Kansas City Star reports.

The paper says both Bloomberg and the Wall St. Journal have had articles about this.

The Kansas City paper says, "As the scandal continues to unfold and additional allegations pour out, there's no doubt that Woods' sponsors are meeting to decide how to move forward.

"For Woods, the stakes are huge. He is projected to surpass $1 billion in career earnings by 2010, 90% of which will have come from endorsements."

One widely reported move--that by Gatorade in cancelling a Tiger Woods drink--has been documented to have been announced before the scandal broke.

--Chuck Ross

Five Major Media Companies—Four of Whom Have Major TV Businesses—Join Together to Boost Their Print Divisions With New Web Application

Five major media companies have formed a joint venture to sell print publications through a single online store.

Hearst, Meredith, News Corp. and TIme Warner--through it's Time Inc. division--have joined with Conde Nast to form a still-to-be-named online storefront, the Los Angeles Times reports.

According to the report, "The five publishers envision a Web store that would sell full-color, interactive digital versions of their newspapers and magazines that would be readable on next-generation touch-screen reading devices, said John Squires, the group's interim managing director. He estimated that the store would open for business late next year, but that applications for smart phones, such as Apple Inc.'s iPhone, could be available sooner."

--Chuck Ross

CBS’ Moonves Says Scatter Rates Are Up

CBS CEO Leslie Moonves said advertisers are paying 25 percent more in the scatter market than they did during the upfront, the Associated Press reports.

Moonves was speaking at the UBS media conference Tuesday.

--Elizabeth Jensen

More Ad Woes as ‘Jersey Shore’ Controversy Grows

Another advertiser pulled out of MTV’s new “Jersey Shore” reality series about Italian-Americans in a beach house, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

American Family Insurance joined Domino's Pizza in asking for its ads not to run in the show, after complaints from an Italian-American group UNICO.

MTV denied a Fox News report that the network’s New York offices received death threats over the show, which critics say perpetuates stereotypes.

--Elizabeth Jensen
 

Jon Hamm to Make Return ‘SNL’ Appearance in January

“Mad Men” star Jon Hamm is going to make a return hosting appearance on NBC's “Saturday Night Live” in January, reports TV Squad.

Rich Sommer, who plays Harry Crane on the show, dropped the news in an interview with TV Squad.

--Allison J. Waldman

Daily Variety Turns to Longtime L.A. Times Staffer for New Editor

Daily Variety tapped a former longtime L.A. Times editor to be its new editor, the New York Times reports.

Leo Wolinsky left the L.A. Times in 2008 after 31 years at the paper, including stints as executive editor and managing editor and a brief period overseeing entertainment.

He’ll start at the trade in January. New editors are also expected to be named for Variety’s online and weekly editions.

--Elizabeth Jensen

‘Dexter’ Soars in Advance of Finale

Sunday night’s “Dexter” brought Showtime its most-watched telecast in a decade, B&C reports.

The next-to-last episode of the season drew 2.1 million viewers in its first airing at 9 p.m., making it the series’ most-watched episode.

The last time a Showtime original series, acquired movie or sports special did better was a boxing match on Oct. 23, 1999.

--Elizabeth Jensen

History Entering Reality Business With Competition Show

The History channel will get into the reality show business with “Top Shot,” a competition show between marksmen using weapons of different eras, B&C reports.

The 10-episode show will challenge 16 players to master guns, arrows and stones, among other weapons.

--Elizabeth Jensen

CAB Reports Rise in Cable Ad Sales for 2009

The Cabletelevision Advertising Bureau announced Tuesday a 1.8% increase in ad sales growth for the national cable nets, reports Multichannel News.

The total when the year is complete will be approximately $18.7 billion. That's an increase of $330 million from 2008.

In a statement, CAB CEO Sean Cunningham explained, "As 2009 ad budgets were under intense scrutiny, we did a lot of work with agencies and advertisers on cable's gains in original programming, ratings and reach analysis and multiscreen insights. So having cable's branded networks counted on even more heavily by 2009 national advertisers was extremely gratifying."

-- Allison J. Waldman

NFL to Experiment With 3-D Game in Dallas Stadium

The NFL will experiment with a 3-D presentation of Sunday's game at Cowboys Stadium when the Dallas Cowboys play the San Diego Chargers, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

HDlogix's ImageIQ 3D, an Edison, N.J.-based company, will provide the 3-D broadcast, which fans at the stadium will see on the huge video screen perched over the field. Attendees will receive the 3-D glasses when they enter the stadium.

This is the first time the technology is being used to convert standard HD from 2-D to 3-D without months of production.

-- Allison J. Waldman

Bryant Gumbel Being Treated for Lung Cancer

Former NBC "Today" show anchor and HBO sports talk show host Bryant Gumbel has revealed that he has lung cancer and is currently undergoing follow up treatement to eradicate the cancer cells, reports Popeater.com.

Gumbel talked about his condition during an appearance on "Live! With Regis & Kelly."

-- Allison J. Waldman

Romano's New TNT Show Scores in Overnights

Everybody apparently still loves Ray Romano, because his new TNT series, "Men of a Certain Age," kicked off with a strong 5.4 million total viewers Monday, reports The Wrap.

"The Closer," which preceeded "Men," attracted 6.2 million viewers in its winter premiere.

-- Allison J. Waldman

'20/20' Drops Plans to Investigate the 'The Biggest Loser'

The ABC News investigative newsmagazine "20/20" has been thwarted in its attempts to get information about the hit NBC reality series "The Biggest Loser," according to The Wrap.

Contestants on "The Biggest Loser" have been warned not to disclose information about the show to anyone or they would be in violation of contracts they signed with the producers. ABC dropped the story in November, just before the New York Times ran an article questioning the safety of some procedures on the NBC show.

-- Allison J. Waldman

NBC Slates 'SNL' Holiday Special

NBC's "Saturday Night Live" will compile clips for a two-hour holiday special to be hosted by Kristen Wiig's troublemaker character "Gilly."

"SNL Presents: A Very Gilly Christmas" will be broadcast Thursday, Dec. 17, from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. with new material featuring Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin included. The two actors will be promoting their new film, "It's Complicated" with Meryl Streep, which opens Christmas Day.

-- Allison J. Waldman

After 54-Year Run, Soap Opera Canceled

Not a good year for soap operas. Three months ago CBS canceled the pioneering soap opera "The Guiding Light."

Today the network has canceled "As The World Turns." The show has been on CBS TV since April 2, 1956.

"As The World Turns" will have its final broadcast in September 2010.

Chris Goutman, the show's executive producer, said in a statement, “We are disappointed and saddened by the news that the show is not being renewed. It will certainly be a loss for all of us, and for the show’s loyal audience.”

If you'd like to join other readers who've left comments about this story, please click here and scroll to the end of the article.

In 2006, TVWeek saluted the 50th anniversary of "As The World Turns." The following timeline, compiled by Allison J. Waldman, is from that tribute:

1956
``As The World Turns '' debuts on CBS. ``The Edge of Night'' premieres on the network at the same time. They are the first 30-minute daytime soaps on television.

1956
In her role as Nancy Hughes, Helen Wagner speaks the opening line of ``As The World Turns'': ``Good morning, Chris.'' She will play the part from then on. The actress has been cited in the ``Guinness Book of World Records'' for Longest Time in the Same Television Role.

1958
Just two years after its debut, ``ATWT'' reaches the top of the daytime Nielsens, tied with CBS's ``Search for Tomorrow'' with a 9.8 rating. ``World'' keeps the No. 1 spot for the next 20 years, until ABC's ``All My Children'' surpasses it in 1978. ``ATWT's'' 20-year reign is a record that still stands.

1960
Eileen Fulton is introduced as Lisa Miller, a ``bad girl'' character who's not completely evil. She is daytime's original ``woman you love to hate,'' pre-dating Erica Kane (Susan Lucci on ``All My Children'') by 10 years.

1962
``ATWT's'' favorite couple is split for good when the love of Penny's (Rosemary Prinz) life, Jeff (Mark Rydell), is killed in a car crash. Fan reaction is tremendous: CBS is swamped with mail, telegrams and calls complaining about Jeff's demise.

1963
CBS interrupts the broadcast of ``As The World Turns'' to announce that President Kennedy has been shot. However, the actors must continue performing because the show is live, not on tape, and cannot be stopped. They are informed about JFK's death when the broadcast ends.

1965
A spinoff from ``ATWT'' called ``Our Private World'' debuts on CBS as a prime-time serial, the first time a daytime show inspired a prime-time show. Ms. Fulton stars as Lisa, the character she created on ``As The World Turns.'' When ``Our Private World'' is canceled after five months, Ms. Fulton returns to ``As The World Turns.''

1967
The show begins broadcasting in color.

1968
``As The World Turns'' is spoofed on ``The Carol Burnett Show'' in a sketch called ``As the Stomach Turns.'' It becomes a regular feature on Ms. Burnett's comedy hour.

1970
Eileen Fulton's autobiography, ``How My World Turns,'' is published.

1973
``World'' changes its musical accompaniment. Instead of organ music, prerecorded orchestral arrangements are used.

1975
``As The World Turns '' expands to 60 minutes, becoming the first hour-long daytime drama on CBS. Also, the show stops airing live episodes, instead broadcasting a tape of the actors' real-time performance of the soap opera.

1976
``ATWT'' maintains its dominance as the top soap in the ratings, but Time magazine criticizes the show as being ``bland, euphemistic and reactionary.''

1980
CBS moves ``World'' to 2 p.m., a spot it still holds today.

1981
Dr. John Dixon (Larry Bryggman) is put on trial for marital rape.

1983
Actors Justin Deas and Margaret Colin get married, just like their on-screen alter egos, Tom and Margo Hughes.

1983
``As The World Turns'' wins its first two acting awards at the Daytime Emmys: Mr. Bryggman as outstanding actor and Mr. Deas as outstanding supporting actor.

1985
After a 12-year courtship, Bob (Don Hastings) and Kim (Kathryn Hays) get married. Also, a new core family is added to the cast when the Snyders are introduced.

1987
``ATWT'' wins the Daytime Emmy as outstanding drama series.

1988
Hank Eliot (Brian Starcher) comes out to Iva (Lisa Brown). He's the first male gay character on a daytime soap.

1988
Julianne Moore wins the Daytime Emmy for outstanding ingenue for her role as twins Frannie and Sabrina.

1989
Stories from the early years of ``ATWT'' are converted into novels and published by Pioneer in a series of paperbacks.

1991
``As The World Turns'' wins its second Daytime Emmy as outstanding drama series.

1993
Show alum Marisa Tomei (Marcy) wins an Oscar for best supporting actress for her role in ``My Cousin Vinny.''

1995
Actress Patricia Bruder is let go after playing Ellen for 35 years.

1995
``As The World Turns'' broadcasts its 10,000th episode.

1999

When ``Another World'' is canceled by NBC, some characters ``move'' from Bay City to Oakdale, including Jake McKinnon (Tom Eplin) and Cass Winthrop (Stephen Schnetzer).

2000
``World'' moves its production facilities to JC Studios in Brooklyn, N.Y., where ``Another World'' had been shot for years.

2001
``ATWT'' wins eight Daytime Emmys, the most for any one show in a single year. Among the honors is the show's third award for outstanding drama series.

2002
Oakdale cop Jack Snyder (Michael Park) is kidnapped, bound and raped by psycho stalker Julia Lindsay (Annie Parisse).

2002
Tamara Tunie (Jessica) joins the cast of ``Law & Order: SVU'' while continuing her long run on ``World.''

2003
``As The World Turns'' wins its fourth Daytime Emmy as outstanding drama series.

2005
TV Guide names ``ATWT'' the best soap opera of the year.

2006
Podcasts of entire ``As The World Turns'' episodes are made available for download on CBS.com/netcast and iTunes.com.

And today we add:

2009
Show is canceled. Final airing will be in September 2010.#

--Chuck Ross

Chang to Take 'GMA' News Spot

The new "Good Morning America" newsreader is Juju Chang, an ABC News correspondent since 1998, according to B&C.

Chang takes over for Chris Cuomo, who is reportedly in talks to become co-anchor on"20/20" with Elizabeth Vargas.

-- Allison J. Waldman

'CSI' Creator Takes Aim at the Internet

Anthony Zuiker, the man behind "CSI," has embarked on a new procedual genre with "Cyber Crimes" and CBS has committed to the deal, reports Variety.

This is the first production from Zuiker's company, Dare to Pass, and he will executive produce and create the hour drama series involving a government group that specializes in Internet and computer attacks.

-- Allison J. Waldman

Former ‘Family Ties’ Child Star Arrested

A former child star in the 1980s series "Family Ties" was arrested for investigation of assault in Colorado, the Associated Press reports.

Brian Bonsall, 28, who played Michael J. Fox's little brother Andy Keaton on the sitcom, was arrested after getting into a weekend fight and hitting a friend with a piece of a broken wood stool, the police said. According to the report, he told the police he didn’t remember what happened because he had been drinking.

--Elizabeth Jensen

ABC Joins FLO TV Portable Service

Disney Channel and ABC signed on to Qualcomm’s FLO TV portable TV service, giving it all four of the major broadcast networks to offer, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

ESPN Mobile TV already was part of the service, which offers a number of channel packages for mobile devices, beginning at $8 a month.

--Elizabeth Jensen
 

Woman Rushed to Hospital From Tiger Woods' Home, Orlando TV Station Reports

In a developing story this morning, WESH-TV in Orlando is reporting that an ambulance took a woman from Tiger Wood's home to a hospital early this morning and that Elin Nordegren, Wood's wife, was then later seen leaving the hospital.

According to the report on WESH-TV's website, "Dispatchers received a call from the home at 2:36 a.m. A radio log showed a woman was transported to Health Central Hospital in Ocoee. The log also showed the patient initially refused transport, but was later listed as an advanced life support patient.

Several celebrity news Web sites reported that the mother of Tiger Woods' wife, Elin Nordegren, had arrived in Central Florida on Monday. It is not known if she was the patient."

--Chuck Ross

NBCU’s Zucker Says Company is Underinvested in NBC Entertainment

NBC Universal president and CEO Jeff Zucker said the company has “underinvested in development” at NBC Entertainment in recent years, and called it a mistake, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

Speaking at the UBS Global Media & Communications Conference, he also said the media business is making slow progress in bringing in revenue from digital operations.
"We are making progress," he said, but added that "It's just not where it needs to be."

--Elizabeth Jensen

NBC’s Lauer and Roker Headed to Afghanistan

Matt Lauer and Al Roker will broadcast from Afghanistan for NBC’s “Today” show next week, the Associated Press reports.

The two will anchor the show on Tuesday and Wednesday from the country’s capital city of Kabul.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Two Court Shows Renewed Through 2011-12 Season

Two long-running court shows have been renewed through the 2011-12 season,  B&C reports.

One has been on-air 11 seasons, the other one five years. From Twentieth Television, respectively, "Divorce Court" and "Judge  Alex."

Each show is cleared in 75 percent of the country, including the top 15 markets.

--Elizabeth Jensen

 

Nielsen: Traditional TV Still Dominates Viewing

Traditional TV still accounted for 99 percent of video viewing in the U.S. during the third quarter, Nielsen’s new "Third Screen Report" shows, Variety reports.

The study did show that changes are coming: Online video usage was up 35 percent from a year ago and DVR playback was up 21 percent. The average consumer took in 31 hours of TV weekly, 22 minutes of online video and three minutes of mobile video.

--Elizabeth Jensen

News Corp. Foresees Bitter Retransmission Fight With Cable and Satellite Broadcasters

News Corp. Chief Operating Officer Chase Carey expects that the retransmission consent battle with cable and satellite broadcasters is going to get nasty, the Los Angeles Times reports.

News Corp. wants more money for rights to carry its Fox-owned television stations. “This distinction between broadcast and cable is a looking-backwards definition," Carey said at the UBS media conference. He said a "business model that recognizes that reality" is needed.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Showtime Adds More Sports Programming

Showtime is getting deeper into sports programming after last year rescuing HBO’s canceled “Inside the NFL,” the New York Times reports.

The pay cable channel plans a new weekly series, “Inside Nascar,” that will carry race footage and commentary of the Sprint Cup season, Wednesday nights at 10 p.m., beginning Feb. 10.

--Elizabeth Jensen

‘Bonnie Hunt Show’ to End Run This Year

“The Bonnie Hunt Show” will end its run after this season, B&C reports.

The host of the Warner Bros. show told her staff Monday. Ratings for the two-year-old program had been so-so.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Oprah’s Harpo Productions Names New Co-Presidents

Oprah Winfrey went in-house in tapping new co-presidents of her Harpo Prods., Variety reports.

She named “Oprah Winfrey Show" executive producer Sheri Salata and Harpo executive VP Erik Logan to the posts, beginning next May, when Tim Bennett retires.

They will be charged with developing new programming, and overseeing original shows already on the air.

--Elizabeth Jensen

VH1 to Track Highs and Lows of Lives of NBA Players’ Wives and Girlfriends

A new reality series on VH1 will follow the lives of the wives and girlfriends of NBA players, the Associated Press reports.

The series, called "Basketball Wives," starts March 15. The network said it will look at the perks of the women’s lives, including their large homes and designer clothes, as well as their fears that their partners aren’t being faithful while on the road.

Shaquille O'Neal's wife, Shaunie, who recently filed for legal separation with intent to divorce, is one of the executive producers and will also will be featured.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Tiger Woods Scandal is Fair Game for Parody on 'SNL'

TVWeek Open Mic blogger Hillary Atkin takes issue with the criticism of "Saturday Night Live's" recent Tiger Woods sketch. Read it here.

CBS, PBS Lead Business and Financial Reporting Emmy Wins

 CBS, with four wins, led the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences' 7th Annual Emmy Awards for Business & Financial Reporting, presented today at Fordham University in New York.

PBS, with two wins, was the other multiple winner. BBC America and CFR.org also walked away with Emmys.

Read the full story here.

--Tom Gilbert

CBS Super Bowl Update: 90% of Ads Sold

Super Bowl XLIV ad sales have been brisk and CBS is reporting that over 90% of the available spots have been snatched up, reports Mediaweek.

The game is set for Feb. 7, 2010, at Landshark Stadium in Miami. The rapid selling is a positive sign in this tough economy, because a year ago at this time, only 85% of the ad sales for NBC's broadcast had been wrapped up.

-- Allison J. Waldman

Feds Say Former TV Star Owes Almost $2 Million in Taxes

A former TV star known for cavorting on the beach is in hot water with the Internal Revenue Service, reports Walletpop.com.

An IRS lien has been issued against former "Baywatch" star Pamela Anderson for $1,700,173. This follows an earlier lien of more than $250,000 by the state of California.

According to the report, Anderson released a statement saying, "Mistakes may have been made in calculating taxes owed and we are now in the process of ensuring that any taxes owed are paid.

-- Allison J. Waldman

Cavuto: Fox's High Priest of Business Journalism

Neil Cavuto, who has been at Fox News Channel since its beginning in 1996 as anchor and
managing editor of business news (and who now has the additional title of senior VP of both Fox News and spinoff Fox Business Network), discusses his career -- and his early aspirations to be a priest -- with NewsPro's Elizabeth Jensen. Read it here.

Actress Who Plays Jack Bauer's Daughter Kim on '24,' Elisha Cuthbert, Joins Struggling ABC Series

Elisha Cuthbert, best known for her role as Jack Bauer's daughter on “24,” will have a recurring role on an ABC drama series and will begin appearing on screen in February 2010, it's been announced.

She'll be playing a successful Chicago professional who joins The Forgotten Network on Jerry Bruckheimer's struggling ABC drama "The Forgotten." 

-- Allison J. Waldman

NBC's Football Tops Sunday Ratings

NBC's "Sunday Night Football" was the top-rated show of Sunday, according to The Hollywood Reporter, while CBS' "Amazing Race" finale and ABC's "Brothers & Sisters" reached season highs in the Nielsens.

Preliminary ratings for NBC's Vikings vs. Cardinals game showed 18.2 million total viewers and a 6.8 rating among adults 18 to 49. Fox, which was boosted by an NFL overrun and the "BCS Selection Show," was good for second place despite airing only animated repeats later in the evening, the Reporter says.

-- Allison J. Waldman

'Sesame Street' Teams with Hasbro

Hasbro and "Sesame Street" are going into business together, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The toy company and Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit organization that created the "Sesame Street" television show and all the characters on it, have inked a 10-year pact that gives Hasbro the permission to use the brand on toys and games.

-- Allison J. Waldman

Fox Stacks New Year's Eve Special with 'Idol' Stars

Two of the biggest stars from 2009's "American Idol," finalist Allison Iraheta and grand-prize winner Kris Allen, will be singing on "Billboard's New Year's Eve Live" on Fox Dec. 31 at 11 p.m.

Carmen Electra will be the host of the live broadcast from the Las Vegas Strip.

-- Allison J. Waldman

Broadband for America Appoints Ford and Powell

Broadband for America, a group of cable and phone networks, associations and other organizations advocating broadband adoption with the help of the private sector, has named former congressman Harold Ford, D-Tenn., and ex-FCC Chairman Michael Powell honorary co-chairs of the organization, reports B&C.

"As our country prepares a national broadband plan to bring high-speed Internet to every American, it is critical government and the private sector work together," Powell said in a statement.

-- Allison J. Waldman

Diane Sawyer Announces Exactly When Her Last Day Hosting 'GMA' Will Be

While Chris Cuomo is denying rumors that he's leaving "Good Morning America," Diane Sawyer has announced when exactly what date she'll stop her hosting chores on the show, Associated Press.

Sawyer will sign off "GMA" this coming Friday, Dec. 11th, and commence anchoring ABC's "World News" Dec. 21, replacing retiring Charles Gibson.

-- Allison J. Waldman

Univision to Start Studio Division to Produce Telenovelas

Spanish-language Univision is starting a studio division and has hired Luis Fernández, from Spain's RTVE, to run it, the New York Times reports.

The network hopes to produce and own more of its key programs, including the popular nighttime telenovela soaps, which it has traditionally acquired from Mexico’s Televisa. Dramas and reality shows will also be developed.

Univision already produces some of its variety shows and game shows, as well as its news, from Miami.

--Elizabeth Jensen

‘GMA’ Rumors Spin Out of Control

RadarOnline reported that “Good Morning America” news anchor Chris Cuomo quit via email; TVNewser says it isn’t true.

TVNewser quoted ABC News spokesman Jeffrey Schneider: “I just got off the phone with Chris who told me, 'nothing could be further from the truth.'"

The rumors are being prompted by the behind-the-scenes maneuvering for Diane Sawyer’s spot, which has been offered to “This Week” anchor George Stephanopoulos.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Broadcast TV’s Place in Comcast’s NBCU Empire Questioned

Where NBC’s broadcast businesses will fit under a cable-focused Comcast control is worrying some NBC employees, the New York Times reports.

On the record, Comcast executives say they see plenty of room for the broadcast network in the new structure, and plenty of upside in the business.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Peter Liguori Headed to Post at Discovery

Discovery Communications has hired former Fox programming executive Peter Liguori as the company’s chief operating officer, the Los Angeles Times reports.

Liguori, who left News Corp. earlier this year, will be charged with raising the profile of the Discovery channels, the paper says, and will be the company’s point person working with Oprah Winfrey and her new OWN network, as well as the upcoming joint channel with Hasbro.

--Elizabeth Jensen

G.E. Commits $345 Million to Ad Time on NBC

G.E. said in a regulatory filing that it plans to buy at least $345 million in ads on NBC over the next five years once Comcast takes control of the NBC Univeral joint venture, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

The deal may take a year or more to close. The commitment includes $59 million a year for five years plus $50 million in ads for the 2012 Olympic.

--Elizabeth Jensen

MTV’s ‘Jersey Shore’ Down One Advertiser

MTV’s “Jersey Shore” lost an advertiser, TVGuide.com reports.

Domino’s decided it didn’t need to have its spots run in the reality program, which has been criticized by an Italian-American group for promoting stereotypes.

Domino's' vice president of communications, Tim McIntyre, told TVGuide.com that, “once we saw what the program was, we decided that the content wasn't in keeping with what we're all about.”

MTV said in a statement that “no advertiser has specifically pulled full sponsorship from the show. Domino's had indicated that they just did not want their run of schedule spots running during Jersey Shore, so they are not currently scheduled there.”

--Elizabeth Jensen

With Void Left by Oprah, Syndication Marketplace Heating Up

With Oprah Winfrey’s talk show set to end after next season, syndicators are beginning to lay the groundwork for shows that could grab some of the time slots expected to open, B&C reports.

CBS Television Distribution's “Swift Justice With Nancy Grace” has already announced a firm go, and four other shows are considered possibilities. A fifth is likely for 2011, and many more are expected to emerge.

--Elizabeth Jensen

ABC Lets Adam Lambert Sing on a Show—Pre-Taped

Adam Lambert will finally get to make an appearance on an ABC show, after being bumped from three others in the wake of his controversial “American Music Awards” performance, the Associated Press reports.

Lambert will appear and perform on "The View" on Thursday, but the appearance will be pre-taped, not live. It will air the day after he’s honored on Barbara Walters’ “Ten Most Fascinating People of 2009” special on ABC.

After he simulated oral sex, among other things, on the “AMA” show, ABC dropped Lambert’s scheduled appearances on “Good Morning America,” “Jimmy Kimmel Live” and “New Year’s Rockin’ Eve.”

--Elizabeth Jensen

Is Fear Driving Comcast's NBCU Deal?

Now that the Comcast-NBCU deal has been announced, TVWeek Open Mic blogger Chuck Ross speculates about how much fear of changes in technology--and the implementation of current technology in new ways--is driving Comcast's quest for content. Click here to read.

Comedy Central Using Web as Series Development Tool

Comedy Central has four projects in development that started on the Web in some form, B&C reports.

Programming president Lauren Corrao says by starting shows on the Web the network can see whether potential talent “can write, act or direct. It is almost like they can walk in the door already having proven that they can do certain things."

--Elizabeth Jensen

‘Monk’ Series Finale Sets Cable Record

USA's "Monk" ended after eight seasons by setting a basic cable viewing record, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

The one-hour finale drew about 9.4 million viewers, topping the 9.2 million who tuned in for TNT's "The Closer,” and setting a record for an hourlong basic cable show.

--Elizabeth Jensen

James Patterson’s ‘Private’ Could be Headed to CBS at the Same Time the Novel is Published

CBS is developing James Patterson's upcoming novel "Private” into a drama, Variety reports.

The book, co-written with Maxine Paetro and to be released June 28, is about a former CIA agent who goes into the family detective and security business.


--Elizabeth Jensen

NBC Cuts ‘100 Questions’ Order

The midseason order for NBC’s online-dating comedy “100 Questions” has been cut from 13 episodes to six, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

The network said it didn’t need as many episodes after it gave full-season pickups to “Community” and “Parks and Recreation.”

--Elizabeth Jensen

Comcast Sidesteps NBC Primetime Lineup in Presentation

Comcast touted the acquistion of NBCU with a 36 slide presentation, but the NBC primetime lineup was barely part of the tout -- just an image of a poster for "The Office," according to The Hollywood Reporter.

No NBC primetime shows, not "Law & Order" or "30 Rock" or "The Jay Leno Show," were crowed about, however names were named in the NBCU's cable nets presentation … although "In Plain Sight" was misspelled "In Plain Site." Ooops.

-- Allison J. Waldman

Fox's 'Fringe' Scores in Thursday Ratings Race

The mix of reruns and new episodes gave Fox's "Fringe" a boost in the Nielsen ratings Thursday night, with the sci-fi series netting a 2.5 in the 18-to-49-year-old  demo at 9 p.m., behind ABC's "Private Practice's" 3.1 and NBC's "The Office" at 4.1, but the best score for "Fringe" since the season debut, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

At 8 p.m. CBS won, with "Survivor" pulling a 3.9 in the demo, besting Fox's "Bones" at 2.9, NBC's "Community" and "Parks and Recreation" at 2.2 and 2.1, respectively, and ABC's last "FlashForward" til March. The latter scratched up only a 2.2.

At 10 p.m., the second hour of "Private Practice" increased to a 3.4, easily beating reruns on CBS and NBC.

-- Allison J. Waldman

'Friends' No More: Kudrow and Cox on 'Cougar Town'

When Lisa Kudrow appears on Courteney Cox's sitcom "Cougar Town" on Jan. 6, the former "Friends" will be at each other's throats, reports Entertainment Weekly.

According to executive producer Bill Lawrence, the actresses wanted to be at odds so the writers created an unappealing character for Kudrow, "a dermatologist who is a horrible, horrible person, but [Cox] goes to her because she’s the best."

-- Allison J. Waldman

'Jimmy Kimmel Live' Finds the Next Bachelor for ABC

ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live" came up with a novel way to make light of the Tiger Woods scandal on Thursday night, Dec. 3rd:

DGA Ratifies Contract With Commercial Producers

The Association of Independent Commercial Producers and members of the Directors Guild of America ratified a new two-year collective bargaining agreement Thursday, reports Variety.

It's the same contract that the DGA national board voted yes to Oct. 24, one that includes increased salaries, an agreed-upon code of practices on creative rights as well as pension and health coverage augmentations. The agreement's term ends Oct. 31, 2011.

-- Allison J. Waldman

'Idol' Judge DioGuardi: ABC's Actions With Adam Lambert Understandable

"American Idol" judge Kara DioGuardi told EOnline's Marc Malkin that ABC's decision to drop
Adam Lambert from two appearances -- "Good Morning America" and New Year's Eve -- was all about money.

"We're living in a pretty bad economic time, so they have to do what they have to do to keep their advertisers. Networks are doing what they think their viewers want and don't want, so it's just budgetary," said DioGuardi.

-- Allison J. Waldman

R&B's Earth Wind & Fire, 'Cleveland Show' Make Christmas Music

As a holiday treat, R&B musical group Earth Wind & Fire have teamed with the animator of Fox's "The Cleveland Show" to record "Get Your Hump on This Christmas."

The new Christmas carol, released on the 20th Century Fox TV record label, is also a music video using the cartoon characters. It's now available on iTunes, but for one week beginning Dec. 8, it will be a free download on the site.

-- Allison J. Waldman

PEN Awards Recognize HBO's 'Shouting Fire'

TVWeek Open Mic blogger Hillary Atkin spent an evening honoring excellence in writing at the 19th annual PEN Awards, which presented HBO’s Sheila Nevins and Emmy award-winning filmmaker Liz Garbus with the First Amendment Award for the cable network's “Shouting Fire: Stories from the Edge of Free Speech.” Read all about it here.

Fox Going to the Werewolves With New Series

 Mummys and vampires have done well lately, so why not werewolves? That's the thinking with Fox network's new deal with DreamWorks TV to create a new show called "Howl," reports Variety.

Set in Alaska, the series will be about a family feud among two clans of werewolves who've been going after each other for decades. In light of the success of "New Moon," werewolves make a lot of sense.

-- Allison J. Waldman

U.S. Olympian Blasts Stephen Colbert in Defense of Canada

Shani Davis, an Olympic speedskater on the United States team, is offended that comic Stephen Colbert -- whose TV show, "The Colbert Report," is sponsoring the U.S. team -- has been insulting the Canadian Olympians, reports the Associated Press.

When asked about Colbert's kidding at the expense of the Canada team, Davis declared, "He's a jerk. You can put that in the paper."

-- Allison J. Waldman

GE Keeping Name on 30 Rock, Offices on 53rd Floor

GE executives sold off control of NBC Universal to Comcast but that doesn’t mean they will move out of NBC’s 30 Rockefeller Plaza offices, ABC News reports.

GE chairman Jeffrey Immelt and other members of his executive team plan to stay in their 53rd floor offices, ABC said, citing sources. GE is also insisting that the company’s red lit logo remain on the skyscraper.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Finalized Comcast Deal for NBCU Still Raises Burning Questions

Where do Brian Roberts and Steve Burke stand on “The Jay Leno Show”? That’s just one of the many “burning questions” still unanswered now that the Comcast deal for NBC Universal is finally done, Variety reports.

Among Variety’s lengthy list: “Does Comcast have a plan for NBC?” “Will the merged company have to dump some properties to satisfy regulators?” “Is there genuine content-distribution synergy?”

And “Will Comcast be forced to divest any stations in order to secure regulatory approval?”

--Elizabeth Jensen

FCC's Copps Says Comcast/NBCU Deal Has ‘Steep Climb’

The Comcast/NBCU deal was barely announced before FCC Commissioner Michael Copps weighed in with reservations, noting that, as expected, the deal faces “a very steep climb with me,” B&C reports.

Copps is a longtime skeptic of media consolidation. "I am anxious to hear more from the parties to the deal about how they believe the proposed transaction, as presently constructed, advances the public interest. It will come as no news to them that they face a very steep climb with me,” he said in a statement.

Among his questions are what impact the deal will have on consumer prices, minorities and diversity, and network neutrality, B&C reported.

--Elizabeth Jensen

No Comcast/NBCU Plans to Turn Comcast’s Versus Into ESPN Rival

Comcast has no plans to try to turn its Versus cable network into an ESPN rival in the wake of the company’s takeover of NBC Universal, Multichannel News reports.

During a conference call, Comcast chief operating officer Steve Burke said that NBC Sports could help Versus as well as Comcast’s Golf Channel but “The idea we would take on ESPN is overly simplistic.”

--Elizabeth Jensen

GLAAD and ABC Work Out Differences Over Adam Lambert Cancellations

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) said it spoke “several times” with ABC on Thursday after the network decided to cancel appearances by openly gay singer Adam Lambert, on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” and “Dick Clark’s ‘New Year's Rockin' Eve.'”

GLAAD said it was concerned that Lambert was being held to a “double standard,” after he was criticized for his overtly sexual American Music Awards appearance, which included simulated oral sex.

But all appears to have been worked out. “It would appear that the kiss between Adam Lambert and his keyboardist did not factor into ABC’s decision,” said GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios. And ABC said in a statement that that it was the fact that Lambert changed his on-air AMA performance from what he did in rehearsal, and not his “sexual orientation” that prompted concerns.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Stephanopoulos Offered ‘GMA’ Job

George Stephanopoulos has been offered the job co-hosting “Good Morning America,” the Associated Press reports.

The host of ABC’s “This Week” hasn’t said he will take the job replacing Diane Sawyer, who is moving on to be the anchor of “World News,” now that Charlie Gibson is retiring. ABC News wouldn’t comment.

--Elizabeth Jensen

‘Entourage’ Headed to the Movies in Two Years

HBO’s “Entourage" plans to produce two more seasons and then move to the big screen, executive producer Mark Wahlberg said at the premiere of “The Lovely Bones,” reports The Hollywood Reporter.

The show was recently picked up for a sixth cycle. Wahlberg said he expects there will be two more seasons before a film, but added, "We'll see; there could be more." An HBO spokeswoman said that a movie “is not out of the realm of possibility."

--Elizabeth Jensen

ABC Pushes ‘FlashForward’ Back

ABC isn’t bringing “FlashForward” back until March, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

Viewers had been expecting it to return in January, but ABC wants to air it straight through and not have to run repeats.

--Elizabeth Jensen

‘Survivor’ Producer Mark Burnett Turns to Design World

Mark Burnett, the executive producer of reality shows including “Survivor” and “The Apprentice,” is turning his eye to the design world, Multichannel News reports.

He’ll help design the fifth season of “HGTV Design Star.” The network said it expects he will infuse the show with “fresh perspectives and innovative ideas.”

--Elizabeth Jensen

Stossel Starts at Fox Business Next Week

John Stossel will launch his Fox Business Network show next Thursday, TV Newser reports.

According to an on-air promo, the program from the former “20/20” co-anchor will cover "pop culture controversies," expose "pork barrel politics" and reveal consumer scams.

--Elizabeth Jensen

New Sales Chief for Weather Channel

The Weather Channel is bringing on a Yahoo executive, Beth Lawrence, as its executive VP of advertising sales and media solutions, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

She’s currently Yahoo's vice president of agency development, and will replace Paul Iaffaldano, who left his post overseeing the channel’s ad sales in October. She starts at the beginning of the year.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Country Star Joining Epix’ ‘Tough Trade’

Another country star has signed on to Epix’ Nashville drama series “Tough Trade,” reports The Hollywood Reporter.

Trace Adkins, who is a Nashville native, will play a bodyguard who is loyal to the struggling music family at the heart of the series.

Another musician, T Bone Burnett, recently signed on to the series as an executive producer.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Comcast Promises More Kids and Local Programs, Fair Terms to Get Regulatory Approval on NBCU Deal

Comcast Corp., in a statement released today regarding its deal to acquire control of NBC Universal from General Electric, is promising to increase local and children’s programming and give rival media companies access to NBC broadcast stations on fair terms, according to Bloomberg.

The move is aimed at securing approval of the deal by the Federal Communications Commission and antitrust authorities at the Justice Department or the Federal Trade Commission. The Obama administration has expressed concern that the consolidation of U.S. media companies may thwart competition.

-- Tom Gilbert

Comcast Explains (Sorta) Its Position on Whether Hulu Should Have a Pay Tier

There was some confusion this morning as to what Comcast's position is about making any part of Hulu a pay service. Recently, one of the Hulu partners, News Corp's Deputy Chairman, Chase Carey, said that was likely in the cards.

Here's what Comcast COO Steve Burke said during a conference call this morning with the press. Peter Kafka of All Things Digital asked Burke to explain Comcast's position on Hulu.

Steve Burke: We think the way NBC Universal is distributing its video content on the Internet is very consistent with the way we would do it. In other words, lots of broadcast content on Hulu, being very careful about the cable content that's going out on the Internet for free, and look at things like TV Everywhere to control how that content goes out.

We start from the premise that during the year it's going to take for this deal to be approved, NBC Universal is highly likely to be doing exactly what we would do. Once the deal is approved we'd want NBC Universal to continue to do what it needs to do to maximize the value of its content on the Internet.

I got asked the question after I said that, on our investor call [earlier today], do you have any plans to make Hulu a premium content service. And I said, 'That's not in the cards.' What I meant by that is that that's not our decision. We're not coming into this with any pre-conceived notion. NBC Universal is a minority partner of Hulu. We hope they will continue to run Hulu successfully because it's an important asset. For the next year those are their decisions. I actually think Hulu and TV Everywhere are highly complementary.

When pressed about what he would think about Hulu having a premium tier, Burke then punted to NBCU CEO Jeff Zucker, who said "The product roadmap for Hulu is not something that we want to publicly talk about. Obviously there are a number of things Hulu is looking at. Whether or not subscription is something that makes sense is something that we will look at in the months ahead." 

--Chuck Ross

Comcast CEO Brian Roberts Responds to Malone's Comments That the Broadcast Model is Broken

In today's conference call with the press about Comcast's announced deal to acquire 51% of NBC Universal, Comcast CEO Brian Roberts was asked by TVWeek about Liberty Media chief [and DirecTV owner] John Malone's recent comments that the broadcast model of doing business does not work anymore.

TVWeek: Brian, on CNBC, as it so happened recently, John Malone was on and he said the broadcast [business] model was broken. Basically his argument was that there isn't enough ad support to continue with the number of broadcast stations that we have in each market. Since you've just bought a broadcast network, do you agree with John's assessment?

Brian Roberts: The business has gone through lots of transitions in the last 20 years. I think we're coming in during a moment when a lot of those things that John may have been referring to have already been baked into where the business is today and what its prospects are. I think one of the things we're both committed to--GE and Comcast--is trying to restore it to a number one position. Trying to grow it, at the same time to continue to use it so beautifully, as NBC Universal has, to leverage it into the cable programming business--it's really part of that synergy in the NBC family of companies that has made their cable portfolio some 75% of the company that we're buying today in cash flow. So I think there is more upside than downside. I think it's a business that does have to transition, and we'll learn about it as we go. But we're pretty excited by the whole portfolio.

Later Roberts was asked by our colleague at Ad Age, Andrew Hampp, about fees broadcast can get from cable operators, such as for signal retransmission.

Brian Roberts: I think the broadcast business has talked about retransmission fees for awhile. Value has been getting conveyed for awhile. Historically that's been creating cable channels for a number of the broadcast companies, NBC very much included in that. And it continues to evolve and we'll be part of the business as it goes forward and proabably a more meaningful part of the business. I think we have an opportunity, by being in both businesses, to help find constructive solutions to allow the broadcast business to thrive and to grow and to continue to invest in the highest class of programming that it does. And we're still a cable operator who is trying to manage its costs. The two are going to work well together. They always have. There's always some tension but we're confident that the broadcast business can be pretty vibrant and is now getting more and more revenue from retransmission consent.

NBCU CEO Jeff Zucker then added that on behalf of the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks that "Obviously we believe that we should be paid for that content and to the degree that the marketplace continues to move more to a discrete fee paid for that content that is something we expect to participate in and we look forward to those conversations in the future."

--Chuck Ross

Anderson Cooper Struggles in the Ratings

Things are not looking good for "Anderson Cooper 360" according to Business Insider.

Competition across the dial and the lack of the election to drive viewers to CNN are seen as the reason for Cooper's troubles. Cooper's 10 p.m. show has slid dramatically in the ratings, down 62% in total viewers and even worse -- 70% -- in the key TV news demographic of adults 25 to 54.

-- Allison J. Waldman

'Rudolph' Rings the Ratings Bell for CBS

The holiday classic "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" was a winner in the Wednesday ratings race, picking up a 3.8 preliminary Nielsen rating among adults 18-49 for CBS, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Thus far this year, that's tops for holiday programs. CBS followed "Rudolph" with a new concert/announcement special, "Grammy Nominations Live," good for a 2.3. Fox's "Glee" at 9 p.m. hit a high note in the demo with a 3.6, the best this season for the musical drama. It was considerably better than its lead-in, "So You Think You Can Dance," which earned a 2.3.

ABC was offering mostly reruns, but a new "The Middle" rated a 2.0, and the soon-to-be canceled "Eastwick" scrounged up a 1.3. "Christmas in Rockefeller Center" brought NBC a 1.8.

-- Allison J. Waldman

Seagal Show a Winner for A&E

Actor Steven Segal's first foray into reality television, A&E's series "Steven Seagal Lawman," got off to a stellar start in the ratings Wednesday night, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The two episodes, shown from 10-11 p.m. on A&E, broke viewership records for the network with 3.5 million viewers and 2 million in the 18-49 demographic.

-- Allison J. Waldman

TLC Masters Grilling With New Show

The world of competitive barbecue will be highlighted in TLC's new series "BBQ Pitmasters."

TLC has ordered eight, one-hour episodes of the new show which will go on the barbecue circuit and introduce viewers to the big names.

Original Media is producing the series.

-- Allison J. Waldman

MTV Renews 'The Hills' and 'The City'

MTV is sticking with "The Hills" and its spinoff "The City," renewing both shows for another season, reports Variety.

Since Lauren Conrad's exit, "The Hills" has fallen off in the ratings, but the network will try to resurrect the number with Kristin Cavallari now the centerpiece of the show. "The Hills'" former castmember, Whitney Port, continues to headline "The City."

-- Allison J. Waldman

3-D World Cup Soccer on the Way From Sony

Sony has inked a deal with FIFA to telecast as many as 25 World Cup soccer matches from the upcoming 2010 tournament, reports B&C.

Sony's 3-D technology will capture the games in a unique new way and Sony Pictures Entertainment will produce and distribute the 3-D material after the games are over. The U.S. broadcast rights for the World Cup are held by ESPN, with games airing on ABC, ESPN and ESPN2.

-- Allison J. Waldman

Fox's New Game Show Premieres in January

Reality producer Mark Burnett is back at Fox -- where he made "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?" -- with a new game show on deck called "Our Little Genius."

Actor/comic Kevin Pollack will host as a bunch of brilliant children prove just how smart they are. The new game debuts on Jan. 13 at 9 p.m.

To play, each child contestant must answer increasingly difficult questions as they work their way up to win hundreds of thousands of dollars.

-- Allison J. Waldman

GE and Comcast Announce Deal: Brian Roberts Says Company Committed to Broadcast, and That Comcast Shareholders Have Nothing to Fear

Comcast CEO Brian Roberts, in an interview with CNBC this morning announcing that Comcast will take a 51% stake  in NBC Universal, said that the company is commited to broadcast TV.

"We'd like to invest in the business and succeed in the business," Roberts said, referring to NBC's broadcast business. One of the things we've talked about is 'are we together going to win and create winners?' I think that's absolutely the case."

Roberts also said that Comcast is announcing today that it's increasing it's dividend by 40% and that he is still very much enamored of the cable operating business.

To read the full press release about today's deal, click here.

--Chuck Ross

Dave Cassaro Expected to Head Comcast-NBCU Ad Sales

Comcast ad sales executive Dave Cassaro is expected to get the plum assignment overseeing ad sales for the new Comcast-controlled NBC Universal, B&C reports.

The $9 billion TV advertising realm will include the NBC broadcast network and cable networks ranging from USA Network, Bravo and E! Entertainment to Oxygen and PBS Sprout. Advertisers will be able to tap into advanced interactivity through Comcast’s upgraded set-top boxes, as well.
B&C said Cassaro didn’t return a call for comment and Comcast executives declined to comment.

--Elizabeth Jensen

White House Dinner Crashers Turn Down Invitation to Testify Before Congress; Subpoena Threatened

Tareq and Michaele Salahi, who slipped into a White House state dinner uninvited last week, declined a request to testify before Congress today, which is looking into the security breach, the Associated Press reports.

That prompted the threat of a subpoena forcing them to appear from Democratic Rep. Bennie Thompson, chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, which is holding the hearing.

The Salahis publicist, Mahogany Jones, said in a statement that the couple believe "there is nothing further that they can do to assist Congress in its inquiry regarding White House protocol and certain security procedures. They therefore respectfully decline to testify."

--Elizabeth Jensen

Sam Zell Out as Tribune CEO

Sam Zell is out as chief executive of Tribune Co. but will remain chairman, the New York Times reports.

Zell is being replaced by his top deputy Randy Michaels.

Zell gained control of Tribune in December 2007, taking the company private and nearly tripling its debt before it filed for bankruptcy last year.


--Elizabeth Jensen

Is Paul Allen Off Charter Communications Board?

Paul Allen’s name wasn’t on a just-released list of board members of Charter Communications, Multichannel News reports.

The cable company emerged from bankruptcy protection earlier this week. Allen, who helped build the company by using his billions of wealth to make acquisitions, wasn’t listed as chairman in a recent press release; Apollo Management partner Eric Zinterhofer was.

Charter didn’t comment, and a spokesman for Allen’s Vulcan Inc. didn’t return calls for comment, but Multichannel said an executive familiar with the company confirmed the news.

Allen was recently diagnosed by non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Comcast Renames its OnDemand Online Service

 Comcast has a new name for its OnDemand Online service launching this month, B&C reports.

According to promotional materials obtained by B&C, the new name is Fancast Xfinity TV.

--Elizabeth Jensen