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In Depth

‘Wheel,’ ‘Oprah’ Retain Top Syndie Spots

King World once again dominated the top four spots in syndication for the week ended Oct. 3, thanks to game show stalwart “Wheel of Fortune,” talker “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” quiz show “Jeopardy!” and off-net sitcom “Everybody Loves Raymond.”“Wheel of…

Blackbelt TV Signs Distribution Deal With Comcast

Blackbelt TV said Thursday it has signed a distribution agreement with Comcast Cable covering both a linear channel and a video-on-demand service. Terms were not disclosed.Blackbelt president Joshua Wexler said the timing of the rollout was still being negotiated. He…

‘Benefactor’ Run Cut Short

ABC’s “The Benefactor,” the Monday night reality competition starring billionaire Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, is losing two of its originally scheduled episodes. The show, which was scheduled to run for eight episodes, will conclude Oct. 25, for a total…

Mischer to Produce Super Bowl Halftime Show

The NFL has named Don Mischer Productions to produce the halftime show for the 2005 Super Bowl. Performers for the show, to be sponsored by Ameriquest Mortgage, will be announced later. This year’s halftime show drew a huge amount of…

Chris Rock to Host Academy Awards

Chris Rock has been named to host the 77th Annual Academy Awards, which take place Feb. 27, 2005, and will be broadcast in the United States on ABC.Best known for his stand-up comedy, Mr. Rock, 39, has appeared in a…

Powell: FCC Won’t Block Sinclair Broadcast

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Michael Powell on Thursday said the agency would not attempt to block Sinclair Broadcast Group’s plan to air “Stolen Honor: Wounds That Never Heal,” a documentary critical of Democratic presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry’s antiwar record,…

VH1 Picks Up ‘Surreal Life’ With a Side of ‘Strange Love’

VH1 has ordered a fourth season of “The Surreal Life,” along with seven new series, including “Strange Love,” featuring Brigitte Nielsen and Flavor Flav, who met in the third season of “Surreal Life.” Both series are executive produced by Mark…

Cable Nets Boost Scripps Q3 Profit

Continued strength of its cable networks, along with robust political advertising spending at its television stations, helped E. W. Scripps Co. post profit and revenue gains Thursday.The Cincinnati-based company, which owns cable nets Food Network and HGTV, along with 10…

‘Reno 911!’ Gets Third Season

Comedy Central has renewed “Reno 911!” for a third season. The 13-episode third season will debut in summer 2005. The show is a Jersey Television production, in association with Comedy Central.

ABC, Affiliates Come to Terms on NFL, Other Issues

ABC and the ABC Affiliates Association board of governors made it official Wednesday: They have agreed on a plan that defines how much the ABC affiliates will contribute toward the cost of the network’s $550 million-per-year NFL contract (TelevisionWeek Oct….