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In Depth

HBO Signs Production Deal With Comedian Cook

HBO has signed stand-up comedian Dane Cook to a production deal that includes series and specials, the network announced Wednesday. The projects include a feature-length stand-up performance film, development of a scripted series and documentary series “Tourgasm,” which follows Mr….

TiVo Plans Mid-Year Launch of Parental Controls

Digital video recorder maker TiVo said Thursday that it plans to introduce a parental-control package.KidZone, as the new product is called, will allow parents to control what their children watch through menus that are stocked with programming deemed appropriate for…

Nexstar Reports $6.1 Million Q4 Loss

Nexstar Broadcasting Group said Thursday that it swung to a fourth-quarter loss of $6.1 million, compared with a year-earlier profit of $700,000, as the company felt the pinch of a sharp decline in political advertising revenue.The decline in political ads…

WWE Posts 24% Increase in Q3 Profit

World Wrestling Entertainment said Thursday that it posted a 24 percent increase in fiscal third-quarter profit to $13.9 million, driven by gains in the company’s live-entertainment and televised businesses.Revenue jumped nearly 25 percent to $103 million.The company said it saw…

Jain New Insight President; Two Others Promoted

Cable operator Insight Communications announced three new executive promotions Thursday, including a new president.Dinni Jain, who was executive VP and chief operating officer, was named president of the cable company, assuming a title that had been held by CEO Michael…

Moonves Says CBS First Standalone Retrans Deal Imminent

CBS Corp. CEO Leslie Moonves said late Tuesday that his company is weeks away from striking its first standalone retransmission consent agreement, under which the media company will be paid for its broadcast signal.Mr. Moonves, speaking at a media conference…

Nielsen Declines to Enter Portable People Meter Venture

Nielsen Media Research said Wednesday it has decided not to enter into a joint venture with Arbitron to commercially deploy Arbitron’s Portable People Meter as the primary measurement tool for media ratings currency. Nielsen said the decision won’t affect its…

Maffei Takes Reins of Liberty Media

Gregory Maffei took over as president and CEO of John Malone’s Liberty Media on Wednesday, officially assuming a position he was named to last November.Mr. Maffei, who at one time was chief financial officer of software giant Microsoft, will replace…

Cox to Star in FX Pilot

In her first leading television role since “Friends,” Courteney Cox will star in FX’s pilot “Dirt,” the network announced Wednesday. Ms. Cox will play a tabloid magazine editor who thrives on uncovering celebrity gossip. Ms. Cox will executive produce the…

Cartoon Adding New Series, Plans Original Movies

At its upfront presentation Wednesday Cartoon Network said it will add new programs “Squirrel Boy” and “Class of 3000” to its lineup in November. The network is also planning four original movies, including it’s first production combining live action and…