TV Guide Network ordered a fourth season for “Idol Tonight,” its pre-show for Fox’s “American Idol.” The program will return with hosts and former show contestants Kimberly Caldwell and Justin Guarini. The show also will have Taylor Hicks, winner of…
Epix, the premium cable service being launched by Viacom, its Paramount Pictures unit, Lionsgate and MGM, has hired Courtney Menzel from Viacom unit MTV Networks as its senior vice president of content distribution. Menzel will continue to work under Denise…
YES Network, the New York area regional sports network, said it reached a new deal with WFAN-AM radio to simulcast Mike Francesa’s “The NFL Now” live during football season. YES also renewed its agreement with WFAN to simulcast Mr. Francesa’s…
Speed Channel last week hosted and televised a press conference announcing plans for a U.S.-based Formula One racing team, Multichannel News reports. Speed Channel is the U.S. television base for F1 racing, the publication says. —Aimee Picchi
The Style Network is tailoring its image to focus on content about ordinary women, instead of focusing on runway-based programming, Multichannel News says. Style’s new tagline, “Before Meets After,” reflects its new focus, said network president Salaam Coleman Smith, the…
ESPN will commemorate women’s history month in March with original content including a one-hour special called “Her Story,” Multichannel News reports. The show will be hosted by “SportsCenter” host Hannah Storm, the publication says. —Aimee Picchi
Lifetime Hires Rice for Sales Multichannel Lifetime Networks has hired Jane Rice as senior vice president of affiliate sales, Multichannel News reports. She had been vice president of field sales for Disney and ESPN Media Networks, the publication says. —Aimee…
KETC-TV in St. Louis trimmed its staff by more than 10%, or seven staffers, after the state cut the public television channel’s funding, Broadcasting & Cable reports. The station also cut salaries by 5%, with the station’s president, Jack Galmiche,…
National Cable Communications named Greg Schaefer president and CEO. Mr. Schaefer has been president since 2004. NCC, owned by Comcast Cable, Cox Communications and Time Warner Cable, is the nation’s top spot cable advertising-sales firm. (Editor: Baumann)