USA Network is close to giving a full-season order to the pilot “Royal Pains,” one of three that were greenlit during the summer, the Hollywood Reporter says. The project stars Mark Feuerstein as a former emergency room doctor who becomes…
Glenn Britt, Time Warner Cable president-CEO, said TWC will seek regulation review from the new Congress on the issue of retransmission, the Hollywood Reporter says. Britt said at Monday’s UBS investor conference that retransmission deals with broadcasters have played a…
Last Wednesday’s prime-time Grammy Awards nominations concert failed to generate much buzz for the recording industry, Daily Variety reports. After the nominations were released, few online retailers responded with buzz-generating lists, the trade says. Even “The Early Show” on CBS,…
A new report from London-based ZenithOptimedia says global ad spending will be down 0.2% next year, Daily Variety reports. According to the report, while ad spending in developing markets will be up, that growth will be offset by the drops…
NBC has found a way to keep Jay Leno in the Peacock fold, signing the comic to host a Monday-through-Friday comedy/talk show at 10 p.m. starting in fall 2009. That’s the word from industry insiders who’ve been briefed on the…
NBC Entertainment Co-Chairman Marc Graboff on Monday said NBC’s executive massacre is an attempt “to right-size and realign our organization.” “We’re eliminating layers of bureaucracy and we’re eliminating multiple layers of executives,” he added. The company today officially announced several…
The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers will begin a promotional drive encouraging Screen Actors Guild members to read the offer from producers before casting their vote in SAG’s upcoming strike-authorization ballot. The ad, available here, will run in…
The Smithsonian Channel is looking to take viewers on a high-def, high-altitude trip to some of the country’s most important landmarks through a new series, “Aerial America,” Daily Variety reports. The network has commissioned the project, to be produced by…
Television’s “The Nanny” Fran Drescher is considering running for the U.S. Senate to replace future Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, New York Magazine reports. Drescher said recently at a restaurant party, “I was thinking I’d take the next four years…
CNN has re-signed Wolf Blitzer through 2012 in addition to naming chief national correspondent John King anchor for Sunday morning news programming, Daily Variety reports. The moves are part of the network’s effort to be in position for the start…