Digital

Franken Tries to Channel NBCU/Comcast Rage Into Campaign Cash

Minnesota Democratic Senator Al Franken has already turned last week’s outspoken criticism of the Comcast-NBC Universal merger into a solicitation e-mail for donations to his campaign chest, B&C reports. At a Senate hearing last week on the proposed merger, Franken…

New Blow for NBC Olympics Plans

NBC has already said it will lose $250 million on its upcoming Winter Olympics coverage. Now it has to worry that one of the U.S. stars of the games won’t be taking part, the Los Angeles Times reports. Lindsey Vonn,…

Ben Silverman Raids Media Agency Starcom; Steals Major Talent

NBC’s former top programming exec, Ben Silverman, who formed a joint venture with Barry Diller’s IAC called Electus, has hired veteran entertainment-marketing specialist Laura Caraccioli-Davis away from media agency Starcom, Advertisng Age reports. According to the article, "Mr. Silverman formed…

TV Guide Net President, Who Stepped Down Last Week, Gets Another Topp Job

Ryan O’Hara, who stepped down as TV Guide Network president late last week, has announced his newest gig, B&C reports. O’Hara is headed to Topps, the trading card and media company, as its new president and CEO. Topps, which is owned…

MTV Networks and RealNetworks Spinning Off Rhapsody America

Viacom’s MTV Networks and RealNetworks will spin off their digital-music subscription joint venture Rhapsody America, Multichannel News reports. RealNetworks currently has a 51 percent stake and operating control of the venture. It was founded in 2007 and had 700,000 subscribers…

Reports: News Corp. In Talks to Sell Sports Network Fuel TV To Viacom

News Corp. is in talks to sell its action sports network Fuel TV to Viacom. The story was first reported by the SportsBusiness Journal. However, a follow-up report by The Hollywood Reporter says News Corp. and Viacom aren’t close to completing…

New Comic From Creator of ‘Spider-Man’ Has TV Version Planned for Fall

The creator of "Spider-Man," Stan Lee, has a new comic in the works, and a TV version is being developed, reports The Hollywood Reporter. The new comic is called “Super Seven,” about seven aliens who are befriended by Lee himself after they are stranded…

ABC TV Station Affiliates Mad About Company Moving Live Sports to ESPN

ABC affiliates are complaining about a corporate decision to move some live sports events that they thought belonged to them to ESPN, reports Mediaweek. Most recently, ESPN said it is picking up eight fall NASCAR races that were originally set…

Yes, Howard Stern is an A*Hole, But He’s the Right Choice to Replace Simon Cowell on ‘Idol’

Or so says TVWeek Open Mic blogger Chuck Ross. To read why he thinks so, click here. (I think my colleague Ross may have finally gone too far and his mom is going to be unhappy with him…) –Tom Gilbert

Oscars Get Social Media Makeover to Attract Younger Viewers to Its TV Broadcast

Last year’s broadcast of the Academy Awards was the third lowest-rated broadcast in the show’s history. With the nominations of such crowd pleasers as "Avatar" and "The Blind Side," audience numbers should increase dramatically this year, but the Academy of…