Programming

The Telemundo-owned Spanish-language multicast network’s programming is now available on Spectrum systems serving top Hispanic markets.

Airing at 8 p.m., the hit CBS sitcom Big Bang Theory drew a 2.8 rating in adults 18-49 and 14.3 million viewers. That is up approximately 12% from the 2.5 it drew last week. It was also the top-rated and most-watched scripted show of the night.

Creating and maintaining channel lineups for so-called skinny bundles, or virtual MVPDs, is proving to be a balancing act between quality content offerings and razor-thin profit margins. That dynamic played out on stage Thursday at the TV of Tomorrow Conference in New York, where Sling TV’s Andy LeCuyer participated in a panel alongside execs from OTT programmers seeking wider distribution and, in some cases, carriage fees.

If Disney’s billions have their way, most of 21st Century Fox will soon move into Cinderella’s Castle. The biggest downside of such a deal for the Murdochs may be the loss of the TV production studio run successfully by Dana Walden and Gary Newman for the last 18 years that has generated hits for the Fox broadcast network like 24, Family Guy, Empire and American Horror Story.

Splitting the difference between AT&T’s request for a trial date in February and the government’s interest in beginning as late as May, the judge in the closely watched antitrust battle said the trial will begin March 19.

CBS Corp. has initiated a round of buyouts and layoffs. The staff reductions, which sources say number fewer than 50, are focused primarily in the broadcast-network and syndication units. The cuts have taken place over the last month.

The more than 100 new series and specials that Netflix bowed in 2017 alone easily give Cindy Holland purview of the largest originals slate in television (and one that was second only to HBO in Emmy wins this year). With Netflix planning to up its content spend to $8 billion in 2018, Holland’s influence in Hollywood will only continue to grow.

Marquee Broadcasting’s ABC affiliate WMDT Salisbury, Md. (DMA 143) has expanded its programming options, launching Ion Television as its fourth digital channel (47.4). Ion’s library includes off-net shows Criminal Minds, […]

Fox’s Empire drew a 1.8 rating in adults 18-49 and 5.7 million viewers, up from the 1.7 and 5 million it drew last Wednesday. That is an improvement of approximately 6% in the key demo and 13% in total viewers.

It’s 2017 and everyone in broadcast television is miserable. All five of the over-the-air English-language networks are down again in Nielsen’s TV ratings, though some are retaining fall 2016 numbers better than others.

Katz-owned multicast network Escape has acquired the rights to drama series Without a Trace in a multi-year licensing agreement with Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution (WBDTD). Escape will launch Without a Trace on New Year’s […]

Airing at 9 p.m. on NBC, Will and Grace averaged a 1.8 rating in adults 18-49 and 7.1 million viewers, up approximately 13% in the key and 24%in total viewers compared to its last original episode in early November. It also tied with The Voice as the top-rated show of the night.

The only first-run offerings to show increases from last November are Dr. Phil, Judge Judy, Jeopardy and Inside Edition.

The decision to block YouTube is retaliation for Amazon’s refusal to sell some Google products that compete with Amazon gadgets.