Replacing Russert a Tall Order
Finding a way to fill all the jobs left vacant by the sudden death of Tim Russert is likely to prove a daunting challenge for NBC, the New York Times says. In addition to moderating “Meet the Press,” Mr. Russert…
Monthly Archives : June 2008
De Mol Seeks Reality Ideas from Viewers
Reality show producer John de Mol, who founded Endemol, has set up a Web site called TalpaCreative.com where viewers can post concepts for new series, USA Today reports. Mr. de Mol says he will buy the rights to concepts with…
Big Ten Close to Comcast Kick Off
Comcast and the Big Ten Network are close to announcing a carriage agreement that would end nearly two years of talks that resembled an argument between alumni of Ohio State and Michigan, the Chicago Tribune reports. The deal, called done…
Hulu Becoming a Top Video Site
Hulu, the not-yet three month old video site, comes as close as possible to turning a computer into a television, the Los Angeles Times says. A joint venture of New Corp. and NBC Universal, Hulu has about 700 titles and…
CBS’s McManus on His Dad, Jim McKay
CBS Sports President Sean McManus recalls attending 10 Indianapolis 500s and seven U.S. Opens by the time he was 20 with his father, sportscaster Jim McKay, who died June 7, according to TVWeek. Mr. McManus also met the big names…
Interactive TV Ads Get Station Boost
An interactive advertising system run by Backchannel Media that was introduced in May at Hearst-Argyle Television’s WCBV-TV in Boston is set to expand, the New York Times reports. The test program, which lets viewers respond to programs and ads they’re…
SAG Sticks to Guns on Demands
Leaders of the Screen Actors Guild say they’re not backing down on key demands in their negotiations with media companies over a new labor agreement, Daily Variety says. With two weeks before their contract expires, SAG’s negotiating committee said late…
Obama Aims to Prevent Media Consolidation
Presidential Candidate Barack Obama says he favors steps to prevent media concentration, accord to an E-Mail interview with Broadcasting & Cable. “The effects of consolidation today and continued consolidation are well-documented,” Mr. Obama says. “Less diversity of opinion, less local…
Sony Series Heads for Web, DVD
Sony is launching a new show online and hoping that will drive sales of DVD, the Wall Street Journal reports. The show, “Angel of Death,” will cost $1 million to produce and episodes will be released on Sony-affiliated Web Sites…
Fox Gives Jason Bateman First-Look Deal
Jason Bateman inked a deal with 20th Century Fox TV to develop television series, as well as to usher projects to the screen, Daily Variety reports. After his award-winning runs in “Arrested Development,” Mr. Bateman was tapped by Twentieth to…