Logo

In Depth

Romine Joins SAG as Director of Communications

The Screen Actors Guild has hired Damon Romine as the organization’s director of communications, effective April 1. Mr. Romine joins SAG after serving as director of entertainment media for the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. Before that, he was…

ABC in Talks to Put Programming on Hulu, Take Equity Stake

ABC is getting serious about offering its television programming on Hulu in exchange for an equity stake, reports PaidContent.org. The online news outlet said talks between Disney, which owns ABC, and Hulu, an NBC Universal-News Corp. joint venture, have intensified…

FCC Enlists AmeriCorps for DTV Outreach

The Federal Communications Commission has partnered with AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps on a digital transition outreach effort. Forty-nine cities believed to be less prepared for the DTV switch have been targeted for the outreach effort. AmeriCorps NCAA members will…

Fox Lines Up Summer Slate

Fox is planning a surprise-free summer this year, with no new reality show launches, at least according to the network’s current plans. As expected, off-season tentpole “So You Think You Can Dance” will once again be the centerpiece of Fox’s…

‘Chopping Block’ Chopped by NBC

“The Chopping Block” has been given the ax by NBC. After three weeks of subpar ratings, the network has decided to pull the low-rated reality kitchen competition from its lineup effective immediately, a person familiar with the situation said. NBC…

Oprah Surprises Audience at Discovery Upfront

Oprah Winfrey made a surprise appearance at Discovery Communications’ upfront presentation to advertisers and media buyers in Chicago Thursday afternoon. Ms. Winfrey came out on-stage near the end of a presentation by Christina Norman, the former MTV president who now…

Discovery Explores ‘Stephen Hawking’s Universe’

Discovery Channel has ordered three-part documentary series “Stephen Hawking’s Universe” from Darlow Smithson Productions. The series, which will mix computer-generated imagery with live-action and archival footage, will air on Discovery Channel worldwide, the company said. Also, Discovery Enterprises International, the…

Young Boomers Watch 9.5 Hours of Video per Day; TV Still on Top

Live viewing on television still is the dominant form of video consumption in the United States. A new study conducted by Ball State University’s Center for Media Design and Sequent Partners for the Nielsen-funded Council for Research Excellence, found that…

Reveille, Grape Nuts Team for Web Series

Reveille, the television studio behind such hit shows as NBC’s “The Office” and ABC’s “Ugly Betty,” launched a 50-episode Web series on MSN.com sponsored by Post Grape Nuts cereal. The original digital show, geared for a male audience, stars Kenny…

Ion Looks to Original Movies to Bulk Up Primetime

Ion says it plans to produce 12 original films beginning in the fourth quarter as part of its effort to build its primetime schedule. The films, in a variety of genres, include romances, thrillers, action and holiday pictures. Ion will…