Business

In ‘Millionaire’ Trial, Email from Eisner Expresses Belief that Show Was as Important to ABC as the NFL

In a trial about a profit dispute over "Who Wants to be a Millionaire," a 1999 email was presented from former Walt Disney Chief Executive Michael Eisner in which he expressed his belief that the show was as important to…

ABC Goes on the Offensive Against Nicollette Sheridan

ABC in clearly not interested in quietly settling the lawsuit brought against it by fromer "Desperate Housewives" star Nicollette Sheridan, reports THR. Esq. According to the report, "The network has hired Adam Levin, an employment litigation specialist at L.A.’s Mitchell…

The Late Capt. Phil Harris to Be Focus of Remaining Season of ‘Deadliest Catch’

Discovery Channel was in a quandary when Captain Phil Harris, a star of its documentary show "Deadliest Catch," died suddenly in February after a stroke, reports the Los Angeles Times’ Show Tracker blog. But the network has now decided the…

WPIX-TV to Cut 6:30 P.M. Newscast with Jim Watkins and Kaity Tong, Less Than a Year After it Began

It’s been less than a year since WPIX-TV in New York started a 6:30 p.m. newscast, and now it’s cutting the program, reports the New York Daily News. The half-hour news program was anchored by Jim Watkins and Kaity Tong….

With Concern Over CNBC in Comcast Merger, Bloomberg Asks for More Time to Study Comcast-NBCU Deal

With concern that competitor CNBC will gain an unfair advantage once parent NBC Universal closes its merger with Comcast, Bloomberg LP is asking the Federal Communications Commission for more time to study the deal, the Los Angeles Times’ Company Town…

Warner Bros.’ Scott Rowe Gets Worldwide Communications Responsibilities; Tammy Golihew Promoted to SVP, Publicity, Warner Bros. TV

The Warner Bros. Television Group has created a new job to fit the talents of our good friend Scott Rowe. It’s senior vice president, worldwide communications. Rowe, a 16-year veteran at the studio, worked for a long time in Warner Bros. syndication…

Is DirecTV Planning to Buy TiVo?

TiVo, which recently suffered a set-back in its patent war against Dish Network and its parent EchoStar, saw its stock price soar yesterday based on rumors that it would be bought out by DirecTV, reports Zachs.com, citing Street Insider. Neither…

Former WPIX-TV News Director Sues Station, Says New York News Legends Kaity Tong, Marvin Scott and Sal Marchiano Were All Victims of Age Discrimination by the Station

WPIX-TV has been hit with a $4.5 million lawsuit alleging age discrimination by former news director Karen Scott, 60, the New York Daily News reports. Scott alleges she was fired last year because of her age and not for the reason she was…

Looking to Cut Costs, CBS’ ‘Criminal Minds’ to Pare Female Cast Members

In a cost-cutting maneuver, CBS’ "Criminal Minds" is paring its female cast members, opting not to pick up the option of series regular A.J. Cook and reducing the number of episodes for co-star Paget Brewster, reports Nellie Andreeva on Deadline.com….

Study: TV Stations to See 2010 Ad Revenue Reach $19.8 Billion, 14% Jump from 2009

Ad revenue at television stations will rise 14% to reach $19.8 billion this year from $17.3 billion recorded in 2009, reports B&C, citing a study from SNL Kagan. With retransmission fees, TV station revenue should reach $20.9 billion this year….