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CNN, MSNBC Diversify Political Experts

CNN and MSNBC are among cable networks that have broadened the racial and gender diversity among their political commentators while covering the presidential race, the New York Times says. NBC News Senior VP Phil Griffin said MSNBC is trying to…

Sony Gives U.K. Writer ‘Kingdom’ Keys

Sony Pictures Television hired U.K. writer Tony Jordan to work on the Barry Sonnenfeld-directed drama pilot “Kingdom,” which CBS dropped after the Writers Guild of America strike, Daily Variety reports. Jordan has worked on British series “Hustle” and “Life on…

Verizon Gets Mobile Content Deals

Verizon Wireless said Tuesday it reached mobile-content distribution agreements for its VCast video service with about a dozen networks, including MTV, CNN and ABC, Multichannel News reports. Verizon Wireless will also have an “Election 08” channel covering the presidential race,…

Tandem Gets ‘Pillars’ Miniseries Rights

Munich-based Tandem Communications acquired the rights to develop the Ken Follett bestseller “The Pillars of the Earth” into a miniseries, which will be co-produced with Ridley and Tony Scott, the Hollywood Reporter says. The production budget for the show, based…

MTV’s ‘Racer’ Promos Include Car Contest

MTV Networks next month will air about 100 commercials for the feature film “Speed Racer” that will morph into a text-message contest awarding the winner a $100,000 replica of the title character’s car, the Hollywood Reporter says. Viewers will be…

Video Tool Allows YouTube Uploads

A video-sharing service launched a tool that allows users to upload videos to YouTube from any Web site, TelevisionWeek reports. Magnify.net’s “VidyUp” was created as a “community engagement tool,” the newspaper says, citing the company. –Danny King

Stautberg to be Scripps’ CFO After July Split

Food Channel and HGTV parent E.W. Scripps said yesterday that Timothy Stautberg will be chief financial officer after the company splits off its interactive division in July. Stautberg joined Scripps in 1990 and has overseen investor relations since 1999. –Danny…

Fox TV Promotes Five Executives

Fox Television promoted a handful of executives, including Beth Miyares and James Oh, Daily Variety reports. Miyares, named vice president of current programming, has worked on shows such as “Prison Break” and “Back to You,” while Oh has been involved…

Court TV Fires Half of Web Staff

Court TV is firing 16 of the 31 people on its Web staff as the network, which is changing its name to truTV in January, shifts its online trial coverage to CNN.com. The network also is eliminating six positions in…

Zucker to Deliver NATPE Keynote

With a theme of “Where Now Meets Next,” the National Association of Television Program Executives is tapped Jeff Zucker, chief executive officer of NBC Universal, to keynote its annual conference and exhibition, being held Jan. 28-31 at the Mandalay Bay…