Logo

In Depth

‘Girlfriends’ Episode Will Introduce Spinoff Story Line

UPN will air an episode of its veteran comedy “Girlfriends” on April 17 that will serve as a pilot for the emerging network The CW, introducing a story line that producers hope will be picked up as a series when…

Upton Announces Bipartisan Package of Legislation on Video Franchises

Rep. Fred Upton, R-Mich., late Tuesday said a bipartisan package of amendments would be offered tomorrow to beef up key enforcement provisions in legislation to make it easier for phone companies to roll out pay TV services. The legislation, which…

Woodin to Retire From Seattle’s KIRO-TV

John Woodin announced Tuesday that he is retiring as VP and general manager of Cox-owned KIRO-TV, the award-winning CBS affiliate in Seattle, for the past nine years. He will be succeeded by Eric Lerner, currently general manager of ABC-owned KFSN-TV…

Digital PBS Kids Go! Sets October Launch

The Public Broadcasting Service announced Tuesday that it will launch a digital broadcast channel in October aimed at entertaining and educating children of early elementary school age. The channel will be named PBS Kids Go!, after the afternoon programming block…

Drury Named SVP, Director at Optimedia

Ellen Drury has been named senior VP and director of local TV and radio investments at Optimedia. Ms. Drury succeeds Linda Pittman, who left the agency earlier this year. Ms. Drury had been a consultant working with agencies and clients….

Scripps Taps IAG to Measure Ad Effectiveness on HGTV, Food Network

Scripps Networks has signed a deal to have IAG Research measure the effectiveness of the advertising, product placement, integrations and sponsorships on HGTV and Food Network, the companies said Tuesday. IAG’s ad performance data measures viewer response to ads as…

Amp’d Mobile to Offer Logo Programming

Cellular video provider Amp’d Mobile launched a new video service Tuesday called LOGOMotion, which features lesbian-, gay-, bisexual- and transgender-themed content from Logo, the gay-targeted cable channel from MTV Networks. The content, which will be updated daily, includes comedy, music…

Rappoport Named ‘Ablow’ Executive Producer

Diane Rappoport has been named executive producer of the Telepictures Productions’ fall talk strip “The Dr. Keith Ablow Show.” The announcement was made Monday by Hilary Estey McLoughlin, executive VP and general manager of the company.Ms. Rappoport has produced Paramount’s…

The CW Orders Single-Camera Comedy ‘Aliens in America’

The CW has ordered a pilot for a single-camera comedy about a Wisconsin teenager whose family hosts a Muslim Pakistani exchange student. “Aliens in America,” which is not yet cast, is from NBC Universal Television Studio.The deal adds to the…

FCC’s Martin Warns Ownership Rules May Dampen Local News Quality

A Federal Communications Commission rule that bars daily newspaper owners from buying radio or TV stations in their communities could be dampening the quality and amount of local news coverage, according to FCC Chairman Kevin Martin. Mr. Martin’s comments, intended…