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Tom Gilbert 4,032 Entries
Tom Gilbert

Finalized Comcast Deal for NBCU Still Raises Burning Questions

Where do Brian Roberts and Steve Burke stand on “The Jay Leno Show”? That’s just one of the many “burning questions” still unanswered now that the Comcast deal for NBC Universal is finally done, Variety reports. Among Variety’s lengthy list:…

FCC’s Copps Says Comcast/NBCU Deal Has ‘Steep Climb’

The Comcast/NBCU deal was barely announced before FCC Commissioner Michael Copps weighed in with reservations, noting that, as expected, the deal faces “a very steep climb with me,” B&C reports. Copps is a longtime skeptic of media consolidation. "I am…

No Comcast/NBCU Plans to Turn Comcast’s Versus Into ESPN Rival

Comcast has no plans to try to turn its Versus cable network into an ESPN rival in the wake of the company’s takeover of NBC Universal, Multichannel News reports. During a conference call, Comcast chief operating officer Steve Burke said…

GLAAD and ABC Work Out Differences Over Adam Lambert Cancellations

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) said it spoke “several times” with ABC on Thursday after the network decided to cancel appearances by openly gay singer Adam Lambert, on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” and “Dick Clark’s ‘New Year’s Rockin’…

Stephanopoulos Offered ‘GMA’ Job

George Stephanopoulos has been offered the job co-hosting “Good Morning America,” the Associated Press reports. The host of ABC’s “This Week” hasn’t said he will take the job replacing Diane Sawyer, who is moving on to be the anchor of…

‘Entourage’ Headed to the Movies in Two Years

HBO’s “Entourage" plans to produce two more seasons and then move to the big screen, executive producer Mark Wahlberg said at the premiere of “The Lovely Bones,” reports The Hollywood Reporter. The show was recently picked up for a sixth…

ABC Pushes ‘FlashForward’ Back

ABC isn’t bringing “FlashForward” back until March, reports The Hollywood Reporter. Viewers had been expecting it to return in January, but ABC wants to air it straight through and not have to run repeats. –Elizabeth Jensen

‘Survivor’ Producer Mark Burnett Turns to Design World

Mark Burnett, the executive producer of reality shows including “Survivor” and “The Apprentice,” is turning his eye to the design world, Multichannel News reports. He’ll help design the fifth season of “HGTV Design Star.” The network said it expects he…

Stossel Starts at Fox Business Next Week

John Stossel will launch his Fox Business Network show next Thursday, TV Newser reports. According to an on-air promo, the program from the former “20/20” co-anchor will cover "pop culture controversies," expose "pork barrel politics" and reveal consumer scams. –Elizabeth…

New Sales Chief for Weather Channel

The Weather Channel is bringing on a Yahoo executive, Beth Lawrence, as its executive VP of advertising sales and media solutions, reports The Hollywood Reporter. She’s currently Yahoo’s vice president of agency development, and will replace Paul Iaffaldano, who left…