Previews
Real life husband and wife Bradley Whitford (“The West Wing”) and Jane Kaczmarek (“Malcolm in the Middle”) will be masters of ceremonies for the 56th Annual Writers Guild of America Awards on Saturday. The awards are being held for the…
Author Page
15,322 Entries
TV Newsrooms Regrouping for People Meters
Sweeps have traditionally been that time of year when local television stations haul out the sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll special reports and the fancy graphics to promote them. It’s understandable: During sweeps, people receive and fill out the…
Biz Briefs
Media giant Viacom announced last week that it will spin off its video rental unit Blockbuster in a tax-free transaction expected to be completed by the middle of the year. The news came as the parent of CBS and MTV…
Comcast’s Disney Bid Is For Real
Comcast Corp. is seeking and getting the support of Pixar Animation chief Steve Jobs and other key allies who can supercharge the cable operator’s initial $66 billion hostile bid for The Walt Disney Co., which has quickly morphed-at least for…
Contract Extensions on Table
Negotiators for the production community and actors guilds resumed discussions Feb. 13 on whether to extend their current contracts for an additional year.While considering the proposal from the Alliance of Motion Pictures and Television Producers, representatives of the Screen Actors…
Exclusive First Look: Alhurra Gallops Into Mideast Media Mix
Like this image of Arabian stallions at full gallop, the new Alhurra Arabic-language television network is off and running this week with news coverage beamed at the Middle East, despite significant competition and mounting controversy. The signature horses, done in…
Editorial: Barton Must Wield His Power Wisely
The imminent change of leadership on the House Energy and Commerce Committee could have a profound impact on the media business at a time of tremendous change. As Rep. Billy Tauzin, a fiery and often controversial Louisiana Republican, steps down…
FX Enlists ‘Marines’ Story
FX has secured the rights to an acclaimed Los Angeles Times series called “Green Card Marines,” which it intends to develop into a three-hour movie. Moctesuma Esparza is attached to executive produce through Esparza-Katz Productions, which he runs with partner…
Industry watchers sound off on sweeps
“In the space of two days, in the top half of the news, we saw sexual offenders on the loose, cybersex predators, a sexual peeper in San Marcos and, on the lighter side, a story about sexual rejuvenation through surgery.”Jeanne…
News Briefs
ABC renewed “NYPD Blue” for a 12th season, which is expected to be its last. The show launched in 1993 and has consistently been one of ABC’s highest-rated dramas. Creator Steven Bochco routinely pushed the boundaries of broadcast television with…