NEW YORK (AP) — Nielsen says 5.3 million viewers watched the multi-network debut of “Roots” on Memorial Day, making it the most-watched scripted miniseries premiere on cable television since 2013 […]
Katie Couric has apologized for the Under the Gun documentary that aired on Epix, saying she regrets the editing process that was “misleading.” In a statement posted on the Under the Gun website, Couric took responsibility and expressed regret for the editing process.
NBCUniversal’s cable networks USA and Syfy are laying off staff. The headcount reduction, which is said to affect less than 10% of the employees at the two networks, or about 25 people, stems from the February executive restructuring at NBCU’s cable division, which led to the consolidation of USA and Syfy into the Entertainment Networks Group under Chris McCumber.
NEW YORK (AP) — “The Americans” will conclude its series run on FX with two more seasons, the network announced Wednesday. A 13-episode fifth season will air in 2017, followed […]
Powell: Cable Under Regulatory Assault
Michael Powell, a former FCC chairman and currently head of the cable industry’s biggest lobbying group, is frustrated. Cable companies have been “increasingly saddled with heavy rules without any compelling evidence of harm to consumers or competitors,” he said at NCTA’s trade show last week in Boston. Here, he talks about the issues facing the cable industry and offers his candid views on the FCC, as well as his thoughts on the presidential campaign.
If all goes as planned, ELeague on TBS will be TV created in the image of successful online e-sports, rather than the other way around.
Michael Lombardo, whose abrupt exit was announced Friday, will segue into a producer deal with the premium network.
LAS VEGAS (AP) — One of the stars of the reality TV show “Pawn Stars” told a judge on Monday he’s taking a plea deal that would spare him jail […]
NEW YORK (AP) — President Barack Obama dined in Hanoi, Vietnam, on Monday with CNN personality Anthony Bourdain, whose “Parts Unknown” food travelogue is one of the network’s most popular […]
Michael Lombardo is exiting his post as president of programming at HBO. The executive had been at his post since 2007 and had been with the premium cable network for 33 years.
Turner Vow To Reduce Spots A Growing Trend
Turner-owned networks TNT, TBS and others announced a number of new shows Wednesday at the company’s upfront presentation in New York, but the cornerstone of the company’s pitch to advertisers was a vow to reduce commercial loads. “The consumer experience must come first,” said Donna Speciale, president of ad sales for Turner Broadcasting. “We’re dedicated to keeping our content bold, engaging and less cluttered,” she told ad reps.
Discovery Unveils Shark Week Lineup
Wheeler: Cable Needs To Welcome Change
Addressing a depleted, surprisingly docile general assembly crowd today at INTX, FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler steered clear from the specifics of three controversial proposals targeting the cable industry.
For Turner, A Focus On Maintaining Its Edge
TBS and TNT offering shows that bring a little more spice to the comedy and drama genres. CNN adds three new series. Buyers do wonder at the efficiency of a huge presentation, though.
The $67 billion acquisition of Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks make Charter the second-largest home Internet provider and third-largest video provider in the U.S. Charter says its Spectrum brand will replace the Time Warner Cable and Bright House brands over the next 18 months or so.
The PGA Tour can opt out of its media deals with CBS and NBC in 2018, and tour executives already have reached out to several media companies to gauge their interest in bidding for a package of rights or, potentially, helping the tour launch its own channel.
ESPN To Get Out-Of-Home Nielsen Ratings
The technology is expected to become available next year. Networks have been pushing Nielsen for technology to keep up with the changing way people watch TV, and the company said it is working on the ability to regularly measure viewership across all screens in various places, not just TV at home. CBS easily won last week in primetime, averaging 7.6 million viewers. NBC had 5.4 million, ABC had 5.1 million, Fox had 2.8 million, Univision had 1.8 million, the CW had 1.5 million, Telemundo had 1.4 million and Ion Television had 1.2 million.
WJLA Expands Government Matters On Cable
On June 13, Sinclair-owned ABC affiliate WJLA Washington (DMA 7) will increase its Sunday morning Government Matters to weeknights, airing live Monday-Friday at 8 p.m. on co-owned NewsChannel 8, then re-airing […]
Charter’s bid to acquire Time Warner Cable cleared its final regulatory hurdle Thursday, when regulators on the California Public Utility Commission approved the $55 billion deal.
Trends From The Cable Upfronts So Far
More networks than ever before are offering original scripted fare. New advertising packages and increased online integration have also been popular.