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Five Stations Sign With The CW

The CW announced Wednesday it has signed exclusive, long-term affiliation agreements with five stations, four of which have been affiliated with The WB and one of which has been an affiliate of UPN. When the five new affiliates, which collectively…

Statewide Telco Franchising Approved in Indiana

The Indiana House of Representatives late Tuesday passed legislation backed by the telephone industry that would replace local franchising with a statewide franchising system. The bill now heads for the desk of Gov. Mitch Daniels, who has said he will…

Feldman Re-Ups as NATPE Chief

Rick Feldman has signed a multiyear agreement to continue as president and CEO of the National Association of Television Program Executives. The announcement was made Wednesday by NATPE co-Chairs Emerson Coleman, VP of programming for Hearst-Argyle Television, and Stephen Davis,…

Fox to Serve Up Second Season of ‘Kitchen’ in June

Fox is bringing back its reality chef competition series “Hell’s Kitchen” for a second summer season, starting Monday, June 12, at 9 p.m. (ET).“Kitchen” stars chef Gordon Ramsay, who selects one winning chef from a pool of 12 hopefuls. The…

CBS Radio Sues Stern, Sirius

CBS Radio has made good Howard Stern’s prediction by filing a lawsuit seeking compensatory and punitive damages from Mr. Stern; his company One Twelve; his agent Don Buchwald; his agent’s firm, Don Buchwald & Associates; and Sirius Satellite Radio, which…

Barton Voices Support for National Cable Franchising

House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Rep. Joe Barton said Tuesday he supports replacing the nation’s existing system of local cable TV franchising with a national scheme-a proposal advanced by major telephone companies-and hopes to release a legislative draft on…

Debmar-Mercury Nature Series Clear 70 Percent of U.S.

Debmar-Mercury has cleared a 90-minute block of syndicated nature programming in more than 70 percent of the country and has also cleared the half-hour weekly “National Geographic’s Really Wild Animals” in 70 percent of the U.S. Both sales constitute FCC-mandated…

Guilds, ABC Take Potshots in iPod Residuals Fight

The talent guilds and ABC fired media salvos Monday at each other in a battle over residuals for iPod downloads. ABC has told actors, writers and directors that iPod download sales residuals will be based on the traditional home video…

NBC Wins Week in Viewers; Fox Wins Adults 18 to 49

NBC was tops in total viewers with its Olympics programming for the week ended Feb. 26, but Fox still enjoyed the highest-rated program in both demos and a win in adults 18 to 49.The Wednesday edition of “American Idol” was…

Vaughan, Siegel Join NBC News Executive Team

NBC News President Steve Capus announced Tuesday he is adding two vice presidents to his executive team.Returning to NBC News as a VP is Doug Vaughan, who was a former “Today” supervising producer specializing in entertainment-related segments before he moved…