Next One Leaving Idol Might Not Be a Contestant (Daily Variety)
“American Idol” director Bruce Gowers may leave the show, Daily Variety reports, citing people it didn’t identify. Mr. Gowers, who directed music videos such as Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” before joining Fox’s ratings and pop-culture juggernaut in 2002 along with Simon, Paula, Randy and Ryan, was nominated for an Emmy last year for his work in the control room. “Idol” producer FremantleMedia declined to comment.
Jackasses Taking Over MTV (NY Daily News)
MTV will program the once-shocking show “Jackass” for 24 hours straight Saturday to promote the launch of the new Web site JackassWorld.com, according to the New York Daily News. MTV owner Viacom has been working to drum up digital business and the uncensored antics of Johnny Knoxville and crew have long been popular with the Internet generation.
Ad Boycott for Bloody ‘Dexter’ (Ad Week)
The Parents Television Council, longtime crusader against TV sex and violence, called for advertisers to boycott “Dexter” on CBS. The PTC says the network didn’t edit out enough bloody scenes from the original versions produced for Showtime, Ad Week reports. CBS didn’t respond to the boycott request for the show, which features a forensics expert who secretly kills criminals, the magazine says.
HBO Steps in After Discovery Balks on Controversial Iraq Documentary (Daily Variety)
HBO acquired first airing rights of the documentary “Taxi to the Dark Side” from Discovery Channel after Discovery held off showing the controversial film, Daily Variety reports. Created by Alex Gibney (“Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room”) the movie probes U.S. detention and interrogation methods in Iraq. HBO will show the movie in September. Discovery’s Investigation Discovery channel will show the film next year, after the election. Discovery said it was normal to sell a pay-TV window before a film appears on basic cable.
Televisa Earnings Rise; Upfront Ads Fall (Company Report)
Grupo Televisa, Mexico’s No. 1 broadcaster, said fourth-quarter earnings rose 17% as margins from its primary television broadcasting and pay-TV channels widened. Upfront advertising deposits fell 3.2% from a year earlier. Net income rose to 2.83 billion pesos ($262.3 million) from 2.43 billion pesos a year earlier, the company said yesterday. Revenue increased 11% to 12.4 billion pesos ($1.15 billion).
‘Frank TV’ Lives to Mimic Again (Daily Variety)
TBS renewed “Frank TV,” the sketch comedy starring impressionist Frank Caliendo, for eight new episodes, Daily Variety reports. The original show has averaged about 2.1 million viewers on the cable network, which bills itself as “Very Funny.”
FCC Will Cut Digital Transition Ad Requirements (The Wall Street Journal)
While polls indicate that many Americans are confused about next year’s transition to digital broadcasting, the Federal Communications Commission will reduce the number of public service announcements on the switch as stations plead poverty over lost revenue, the Wall Street Journal reports. The FCC may announce today that broadcasters will have to run 16 ads a week, down from at least 28, the Journal says.
Lifetime Plans Movie on Cheerleader Scandal (The Hollywood Reporter)
The story of a Texas school where cheerleaders ruled is being made into a Lifetime original movie, the Hollywood Reporter says. Tatum O‘Neal and Ashley Benson will star in the film, based on 2006 events at a high school where a teacher was asked to resign after trying to discipline popular cheerleaders.
British Actor Sewell to Star in CBS Bruckheimer Drama (The Hollywood Reporter)
Television’s infatuation with men who have accents continues with British actor Rufus Sewell being tapped to star in “Eleventh Hour,” Jerry Bruckheimer’s new drama on CBS about a government adviser who saves people from science abuses, the Hollywood Reporter says. Sewell’s movie credits include “The Illusionist” and “The Holiday,” the newspaper reports.
News Corp. Boosts Stake in German Pay-TV Operator (Company Report)
News Corp. said yesterday it increased its share of leading German pay-television operator Premiere AG to 20% from 15%. News Corp. last month paid Unity Media 287 million euros ($425.1 million) for 15% of Premiere, which has more than 4 million subscribers and 10 million viewers in Germany and Austria.
—Danny King
(Editors: Jon Lafayette, Greg Baumann)