John Maatta has been named chief operating officer of The WB Television Network. The announcement was made Thursday by Garth Ancier, chairman of The WB, to whom Mr. Maatta will report.In addition to being the network’s general counsel, Mr. Maatta…
DirecTV said Thursday that it has reached an agreement with XM Satellite Radio to carry 72 music, children’s and talk channels on DirecTV’s satellite TV service.The alliance will nearly double the number of audio channels offered by DirecTV, which will…
Emmis Communications announced Thursday that it has reached an agreement with the Blackstone Group and SJL Broadcast Group to sell four more television stations for a total of $259 million.Emmis is selling CBS affiliate KOIN-TV in Portland, Ore.; Fox affiliate…
Verizon Communications said Thursday that it struck a long-term carriage agreement with The Weather Channel along with all-local weather network Weatherscan on Verizon’s new video service FiOS TV.Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. However, Verizon said it struck…
Talent agency Endeavor and sports programming company TWI have developed a joint venture, Transend, to help develop new media properties sold both domestically and internationally.Ian Moffitt, former head of programming for Target Entertainment has been named managing director of the…
USA Network has renewed “The 4400” for a third season, the network confirmed Wednesday. The alien abduction drama will return next year for an additional 13 episodes. “The 4400” is down this season (30 percent among adults 25 to 54),…
Fox has picked up an additional nine episodes each of “Prison Break,” its new Monday night drama, and “American Dad,” its Sunday animated series, giving both shows full-season pickups for the 2005-06 season, sources said.“Prison Break” premiered with a two-hour…
Verizon Communications announced Wednesday that it has signed carriage agreements with four cable networks, as the company continues to build a roster of channels to be carried by its FiOS TV service.Verizon said it struck deals with Lifetime Television, shopping…
Young Broadcasting announced Wednesday that it has reached a new five-year affiliation agreement with the ABC Television Network for Young’s five ABC-affiliated stations: WKRN-TV in Nashville, WTEN-TV in Albany, N.Y., WRIC-TV in Richmond, Va., WATE-TV in Knoxville, Tenn., and WBAY-…
Bravo has purchased more than 130 theatrical titles in a deal with Paramount Domestic Distribution, Warner Domestic Distribution and Sony Pictures Television, the network announced Monday. The titles include films such as “Vanilla Sky,” “Chicago,” “Training Day” and Memento.” Bravo…