Logo

Author Page

1,778 Entries
TVWeek Contributor

Confusion Inks Sony TV Deal

Circle of Confusion Productions has signed a one-year exclusive development deal with Sony Pictures Television, the Hollywood Reporter says. The company will work on developing about a dozen projects for Sony for the span of the partnership, which comes with…

Hollywood Labor Spat: A Sweaty July?

On July 1, when the Screen Actors Guild contract expires, on-screen talent and the media companies will move into terra incognita, Daily Variety reports. While the union hasn’t held a strike authorization vote, and tradition dictates that actors keep working…

Microsoft Buys Navic, Eyeing TV Ads

Microsoft is purchasing Navic Networks and its interactive TV platform for an undisclosed amount, Multichannel News reports. Navic’s technology powers interactive elements and advertising on over 35 million set-top boxes throughout North America. —Sergio Ibarra

Stations to Boost Sales 3.9% Over 5 Years

SNL Kagan, a financial-research group, said TV stations will have a 3.9% compound revenue increase through the next five years, Broadcasting & Cable says. The research strikes an optimistic note for the industry, following 2007’s 8.5% decrease in revenue, attributed…

Miniseries Titan RHI’s IPO Disappoints

RHI Entertainment, which has produced about half the television miniseries made in the last seven years, priced its initial public offering at $14 a share, below the $16 to $18 it was seeking, the Los Angeles Times reports. RHI, run…

Kimmel Stays ‘Live’ Through 2010

ABC has extended the late night talk show “Live With Jimmy Kimmel” until 2010, Daily Variety reports. Kimmel’s “Live” averaged 3 million viewers during its recent post-NBA finals broadcasts, Variety says. —Sergio Ibarra

Joan Rivers Talks Foul, Gets Boot

Joan Rivers was asked to leave a live British talk show for using foul language, the Associated Press says. Rivers used the bad words during a conversation about actor Russell Crowe guest hosting “Loose Women” and was asked to leave…

Feldman Gets ‘Dirty’ for ABC

Jon Harmon Feldman will serve as the new showrunner for ABC’s “Dirty Sexy Money” after Daniel Cerone left to pursue other projects, Daily Variety reports. Feldman has previously worked on “Big Shots,” “Tru Calling” and “The Wonder Years,” the trade…

‘Weeds,’ ‘Call Girl’ Spark Showtime

Monday night’s season four premiere episode of Showtime’s “Weeds” was the most viewed original-series episode for the network in the last four years, reaching 1.35 million viewers, Daily Variety says. “Weeds’” lead-in also helped “Diary of a Call Girl” becomes…

TV Niches Win Ad-Spending Increases

Nielsen says that although ad spending remained flat for the first quarter, smaller groups, such as Spanish-language and African-American TV showed increases, MediaPost says. National newspaper Sunday supplements also saw a significant increase, climbing 20% in the first quarter compared…