HBO has bought eight episodes of “The Niestat Brothers,” an autobiographical series that focuses on on the lives of New York filmmakers and brothers Casey and Van Neistat, Daily Variety reports. The project, which lists Nantucket Nectars beverage company founder…
Sci Fi Channel’s “Battlestar Galactica” was the subject of discussion at the United Nations, the Washington Post reports. People from the show discussed issues from the use of child soldiers to torture with diplomats at the organization’s New York headquarters….
Like HBO and Showtime before it, Starz is looking to build a new identity for itself with original series like the comedies “Party Down” and “Head Case,” the New York Times reports. —Jon Lafayette
Viacom CEO Philippe Dauman backed up Jon Stewart and his criticism of CNBC star Jim Cramer, the Hollywood Reporter says. Stewart, whose “Daily Show” airs on Viacom’s Comedy Central, voice what many people were thinking, Dauman said at a keynote…
“Dog Whisperer” was renewed by National Geographic Channel for a sixth season, the Hollywood Reporter says. Thirty new episodes starring dog trainer Cesar Millan will debut later this year, the trade paper says. —Aimee Picchi
Standard & Poor’s is adding Time Warner Cable to its closely followed S&P 500 stock index, the Associated Press reports. The cable company, being spun off from Time Warner later this month, replaces Developers Diversified Realty Corp. in the index….
Actor Ray Stevenson says a script for a movie based on the HBO series “Rome” is in development, MovieWeb.com reports. Script development is entering its final phase with Bruno Heller writing, and production may begin as soon as six months…
Professional tennis player Maria Sharapova is working on a drama series that may find its way to MTV, the Sports Business Journal reports. Sharapova is developing the project with writers and her agent, and will present a pilot to MTV,…
Bravo’s latest incarnation of the “Real Housewives” debuts May 12, this time focusing on a group of women from New Jersey, People.com reports. Among them are sisters Caroline and Dina Manzo and their sister-in-law Jacqueline Laurita, the site adds. —Sergio…
Jeff Wachtel, the executive reponsible for some of cable’s highest-rated original series, has been promoted to president of original series at USA Network. Since Wachtel’s hire in 2001 as executive VP of original programming, USA Network has launched shows including…