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Daily Archives : Dec 7, 2012

Unlikely Hit Is Now A&E’s No. 1 Telecast of All Time

A show that almost no one would have predicted would be a hit is now one of cable’s biggest success stories in years, with its season finale becoming the most-watched telecast of all time for A&E. The show is the…

More Advice for Jeff Zucker About How to Fix CNN. This Time the Guidance Comes From a Former Broadcaster With About 40 Years’ Experience

In today’s Open Mic guest commentary, Bill Bauman, the well-known retired broadcaster who has about 40 years of experience in the TV business, has a few ideas for Jeff Zucker when he takes over CNN. To read this provocative advice,…

Lifetime Finds a Reality Format That Hasn’t Been Done Yet

It’s getting harder to find a format that hasn’t already been made into a reality show, but Lifetime, which is becoming increasingly comfortable with taking risks, appears to have found one. The A&E Networks-owned cable channel ordered a family docusoap…

Big Move Behind the Scenes for NBC’s ‘Up All Night’

The NBC comedy "Up All Night" will shift showrunners as it moves to a multicamera format this spring, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The sophomore comedy has tapped Linda Wallem, a co-creator of Showtime’s "Nurse Jackie," to replace current showrunner…

Hey Jeff, Here’s How You Can Fix CNN, Part 2. This Time the Advice Comes From a Broadcaster in This Guest Commentary

[Note: This guest blog entry is written by Bill Bauman, who addresses his comments to new CNN boss Jeff Zucker. For many years Bauman was the GM of WESH, Hearst Television’s NBC affiliate serving Orlando, Fla. He retired five years…

Tribune’s WGN May Get Makeover Under Peter Liguori

Tribune’s WGN America cable station may get a makeover under chief-executive-in-waiting Peter Liguori, reports the New York Post. The cable network currently airs a mix of syndicated shows such as "Law & Order" and Chicago Cubs games, but may morph…

Facebook Blues: Netflix CEO Reed Hastings’ Bragging on Facebook Lands Him in Hot Water With U.S. Stock Regulators. Did Hastings Say Something He Shouldn’t Have?

Netflix Chief Executive Officer Reed Hastings may face a civil action by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission over a Facebook post, reports Bloomberg News. The post coincided with the stock’s biggest gain in almost six weeks, and the SEC…

Sci-Fi Project From ‘Walking Dead’ Producer in the Works at USA

"Walking Dead" producer Gale Anne Hurd is working on a sci-fi pilot set in World War II for USA Network, according to The Hollywood Reporter’s Live Feed. Hurd will executive produce, while "Burn Notice" writer Bridget Tyler will write the…

CBS Chief Leslie Moonves: ‘I Would Love to Own [Another] General Entertainment Network.’ Also, Don’t Expect Any Calls From Moonves to Zucker About a Possible CNN-CBS News Deal

Is CBS Corp. on the prowl for an acquisition? According to B&C, CBS Chief Leslie Moonves, in an interview, said that he would "love to own" another "general entertainment network." Moonves was interviewed by our good friend, B&C editor-in-chief Melissa…

ABC Orders Salma Hayek Project

Salma Hayek and Silvio Horta, two of the people behind ABC’s popular drama "Ugly Betty," have teamed up again on another project sold to ABC, reports Deadline.com. In what’s described as a last-minute purchase, ABC has put "Bastards" into development….