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In Depth

Veteran Syndie Shows See Ratings Grow

Despite various pre-emptions brought on by the Nov. 2 elections, the strongest veteran syndicated strips continued to grow for the week ended Nov. 7, while the majority of rookies either remained flat or declined. Among the new syndicated strips, Paramount’s…

UPN to Run TLC Audition Show

UPN is planning a reality-based music show that will pluck a female signer from obscurity and put her into the band TLC. The eight-week series, “R U the Girl with T-Boz & Chilli,” eliminates contestants until there’s only one, who…

Sonnenberg Resigns From E!

E! Networks executive VP Mark Sonnenberg has resigned his position effective December 1, the company announced Wednesday. In a prepared statement, the network said there are no plans to name a replacement. Mr. Sonnenberg was hired by former E! President…

‘Amazing’ Premieres, ‘Loser’ Wins

With help from the sixth season premiere of reality travel challenge “The Amazing Race,” CBS won Wednesday night in total viewers, but NBC took the win in adults 18 to 49 with weight-loss reality series “The Biggest Loser” and franchise…

Belo Strikes Alliance With Fort Worth Station

Belo Corp. said Wednesday it has signed a letter of agreement with HIC Broadcasting under which Belo will provide advertising sales help and technical and facility support for HIC’s Fort Worth, Texas, independent station KFWD-TV.As part of the alliance, Belo,…

Telemundo Develops Telenovela Writers Program

NBC Universal’s Spanish-language network Telemundo is creating “Taller Telemundo: Escritores,” a program designed to recruit and train the next generation of telenovela writers. Telemundo is teaming with Miami Dade College’s North Campus, School of Entertainment and Design Technology, to prepare…

NBC, Macy’s Agree to Parade Contract Extension

NBC and Macy’s have negotiated a contract extension that will keep the “Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade” and “Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular” exclusive to NBC through 2010. This year’s parade, to be broadcast Nov. 25 at 9 a.m., will…

Voy Network Names Ovrutsky Distribution VP

Voy Network, a planned service targeting English-speaking Hispanics in the United States, today named HBO veteran John Ovrutsky executive VP of distribution and marketing. Mr. Ovrutsky most recently was senior VP of HBO International. Voy named John Sadler VP of…

‘American Idol’ Returns Jan. 18

Fox announced Wednesday its music reality series “American Idol” will premiere for its fourth season with a special two-hour episode Tuesday, Jan. 18, at 8 p.m. (ET). The premiere chronicles last summer’s auditions, which took place in Cleveland, St. Louis,…

DirecTV Inks Carriage Deals for Indian Channels and Cricket Games

DirecTV Group, in a bid to expand its offering of international channels, on Wednesday said it struck an agreement with Star Group Ltd. to carry four channels from India on its international programming platform.DirecTV also said it has created the…