Before Shooting Bull, Wells Shoots Bears
Former pitcher David Wells warmed up for his second game as an announcer for TBS by shooting a couple of bears in Alaska, USA Today reports. —Jon Lafayette
Cable
Media Dollars Lagging Cable Ratings
According to Turner Broadcasting research, advertising spending on cable networks lags the viewership of the channels, MediaPost reports. While ad-supported cable has a 60% share of prime-time total viewers, the channels only grab 29% of television’s prime-time ad spending, the…
Feltheimer to Receive World TV Award
Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer will receive the Outstanding Achievement Award at the World Television Festival in Banff next month, Daily Variety reports. The festival, held June 7-10, includes television competitions and discussions with TV executives about industry topics, the trade…
Charter Gets DirecTV Restraining Order
Charter Communications was granted a temporary restraining order against DirecTV, Multichannel News reports. This means DirecTV must halt radio, print and direct mail ads that Charter claims are misleading, the trade paper says. Charter filed suit against the satellite-TV company…
Comedy Central Announces Development Slate, Orders ‘Ugly Americans’
Comedy Central has greenlit the animated series “Ugly Americans.” Seven episodes have been ordered for a premiere in the first quarter of 2010. The series, executive produced by David Stern, chronicles an alternate-universe New York City, in which horror, fantasy…
Nick Adding ‘Kung Fu Panda’ Series
Nickelodeon plans to launch “Kung Fu Panda: The Series,” following up on its success with another series from DreamWorks Animation, “The Penguins of Madagascar,” the New York Times reports. “The great thing about working with DreamWorks is that they’ve spent…
Redstone Sued by Midway Games Creditors
A lawsuit charges that Sumner Redstone sold his 87% stake in Midway Games for only $100,000 so that he could register a $700 million tax loss and collect “a massive tax refund,” the Los Angeles Times reports. The suit, filed…
Versus Scores With NHL Playoffs
Versus has seen its ratings for the National Hockey League playoffs increase 18% in total viewers and 26% among men 18 to 49, Daily Variety says. The sports network, which signed a three-year, $70 million agreement with the NHL last…
Cable Ad Spending May Grow More Slowly
Advertising spending losses hit cable operators hard, as many MSOs anticipate slower climbs once sales begin to pick up, Multichannel News reports. Comcast posted a 25% loss in ad sales revenue, while Charter Communications, which posted a 6% revenue increase,…