The cable industry is unveiling a major move toward expanding two-way services with a deal with Sony Electronics that will bring to market next-generation TV sets incorporating interactive capabilities next year. The National Cable & Telecommunications Association announced the agreement…
Ad-supported cable channels recorded a 9% increase in viewers during the September-to-May broadcast season and a 48% share of the total TV audience in April, the New York Times reports. The History Channel, AMC, USA and Fox News all posted…
Soap star and former “Dancing With the Stars” contestant Cameron Mathison will host the 35th annual Daytime Emmy Awards alongside “The View” host Sherri Shepherd, the Associated Press reports. The ceremony will be broadcast live on ABC from Hollywood’s Kodak…
Former congressman J.C. Watts is planning to launch an all-news network targeting the African American community, the New York Post reports. Tentatively called Black Television News Channel, the network is slated for a early 2009 launch and already has a…
Tribune Co. relaunched Superstation WGN as WGN America on Monday, Mediaweek reports. The relaunch includes a new slogan—”TV You Can’t Ignore”—and a new logo, the newspaper notes. —Vlada Gelman
Ibra Morales, Telemundo’s station group president, is leaving the company, Broadcasting & Cable reports. Morales’ contract expires at the end of this month and will not be renewed, the newspaper says. Telemundo President Don Browne will assume his duties until…
A announcement from Katie Couric, teased on “Today,” is said to be a three-network cancer fund-raiser for September, Broadcasting & Cable reports, citing unnamed sources. Couric chose to make the announcement on NBC’s “Today,” her former place of employment, rather…
Time Warner, NBC Universal and private equity firm Blackstone Group appear to be the only remaining bidders for Landmark Communications’ Weather Channel, the Hollywood Reporter says. The high asking price, a lack of synergy and different corporate priorities are said…
WE tv has unveiled its redesigned Web site, featuring exclusive video content, new original Web series, comedic interstitials, user-generated content and expert bloggers. The new WEtv.com has content-specific channels aimed at women during key stages in their lives, including “WE…
The Hallmark Channel will join the Hotel Networks’ roster of channels beginning June 1. Through their deal, THN will broadcast Hallmark as part of its programming offerings to more than 360,000 rooms in upscale hotels and accommodations across the country….