Logo

In Depth

Showtime Loads Up on ‘Lock’ Series

Showtime has pulled the trigger on “Lock ’n’ Load,” a reality series set in a Colorado gun shop. The network has ordered six half-hour episodes of the series, which will debut in 2009. It will focus on Josh Ryan, a…

Dish Expands Local HD Channels

Dish Network will add high-definition local channels in Beaumont-Port Arthur, Texas. The addition brings Dish’s roster of local channel offerings to 66 markets, reaching more than 69% of U.S. TV households. Dish Network is committed to reaching 100 local HD…

SAG’s Chief Negotiator Decries AMPTP’s Offer

Further bickering between the Screen Actors Guild and the Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers continues to make the entertainment industry uneasy, as SAG’s chief negotiator Doug Allen flatly said the producers’ June 30 contract proposal is “not a…

Couric-‘Evening News’ Split: Not ‘Any Time Soon’

It took reporters at the Television Critics Association all of two seconds to ask Katie Couric about the rumors of her imminent departure from “The CBS Evening News.” While today’s TCA session is supposed to be about the election, Ms….

Post-Newsweek Acquires WTVJ

The Washington Post Co. is buying Miami’s WTVJ-TV from NBC Universal. Post-Newsweek Stations, which already owns ABC-affiliated WPLJ-TV in Miami, will operate WTVJ as an NBC affiliate, part of a duopoly in the market. No terms were disclosed, but previous…

TCA Video: ABC’s Berlanti Gives ‘Brothers and Sisters’ Spoiler

Forget about Katherine Heigl exiting “Grey’s Anatomy.” One of the Walkers on ABC’s “Brothers & Sisters” may be in trouble. In an exclusive video interview, executive producer Greg Berlanti said he is talking to ABC about airing a commercial-free episode…

CTM to Handle Sponsorship on ‘Doctors’

CBS Television Distribution’s upcoming “Dr. Phil” syndicated spinoff, “The Doctors,” has tapped Creative Television Marketing to represent closed captioning and promotional consideration sponsorship deals for the series. CTM also announced it had renewed deals for similar roles for “Judge Judy”…

Litton Gives Stations ‘Storm Stories’ Episodes

Litton Entertainment will offer TV stations six preseason episodes of “Storm Stories,” which will be available to incumbents for use during the summer. The barter-free half-hour episodes will come with promos, scripts for voice-over customization or drop-in weather updates. In…

Hulu Users Happy With Site and Tech-Savvy but Not Numerous

Despite a high-profile in the media business, only 15% of online Americans have even heard of Hulu.com, the NBC-Fox online video venture. But those who have used the site like it a lot. That’s the conclusion of a recent study…

Yahoo’s Gilford Joins Comcast Interactive Media

Comcast Interactive Media has hired Karin Gilford as senior vice president of Fancast and online entertainment. She most recently was VP/general manager of Yahoo Entertainment. In her new role Ms. Gilford will manage Comcast’s video and entertainment Web site, Fancast,…