TV station owners are testing standards for sending digital TV signals to mobile devices, bypassing traditional cell phone companies, the Associated Press reports. An open standard would allow stations to better compete for what they expect to be $2 billion…
IMG’s Chris Albrecht signed an agreement to co-develop reality shows with Andrew Glassman, whose credits include “Average Joe,” Daily Variety reports. IMG will distribute the shows on TV and over the Internet while Glassman will have access to IMG’s entertainment,…
“The Oprah Winfrey Show” will start airing in high definition this fall, Broadcasting & Cable reports. Primetime specials from Winfrey’s Harpo Productions such as “The Oprah Winfrey Oscar Special” were shown in HD, Broadcasting & Cable says. — Danny King
U.K. journalist Richard Butler, who had been doing freelance production work for “60 Minutes,” was rescued in Iraq after more than two months of captivity, the Hollywood Reporter says. Mr. Butler, captured in Basra Feb. 10, was freed by a…
“Arrested Development” creator Mitch Hurwitz signed show cast members Jason Bateman, Henry Winkler and Will Arnett to provide character voices for the new animated Fox comedy “Sit Down, Shut Up,” the Hollywood Reporter says. Will Forte, Regina King and Cheri…
Rob Thomas has chosen not to write the pilot episode of CW’s new version of “Beverly Hills, 90210,” and will focus on “Cupid” and “Good Behavior,” two of his scripts ABC ordered for pilots, the Hollywood Reporter says. Mr. Thomas…
PBS’s “Sick Around the World,” which airs tonight, examines how healthcare in countries such as Japan, Germany and Taiwan includes universal coverage that is cheaper and more effective than U.S. healthcare, the New York Times reports. The hour-long show features…
The Screen Actors Guild yesterday began negotiations with studios for a primetime contract without the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists after AFTRA turned down SAG’s effort to make peace with the smaller union, Daily Variety reports. AFTRA ended…
Television viewers are more loyal to particular shows than the networks or distribution channels that deliver them, according to a poll released yesterday by consultant Accenture. About 70% of consumers watch at least four TV shows a week while 71%…
Despite extensive warnings and advertising, some Americans will lose television service because of the switchover to digital broadcasts without knowing why, Multichannel News reports, citing National Association of Broadcasting joint board chairman Jack Sanders yesterday. By next February, every U.S….