Filed under: BROADCAST/CABLE
BROADCAST/CABLE
The broadcast networks will feature fewer than 20 half-hour sitcoms for the fall season, about half as many as five seasons ago. The decrease could reflect the loss of viewers. Some viewers “would rather see real people” than fictional characters, says sitcom producer James Burrows. (http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2007-08-22-fall-sitcoms_N.htm 11/23)
From telenovelas to football … MyNetworkTV will soon be the broadcast home to new and original episodes of NFL Network: Total Access, the weekly 60m show that previews the upcoming weekend’s games along with segments from NFL Network’s top shows. Hosted by Rich Eisen, Marshall Faulk and Rod Woodson, twenty original episodes will air on Saturdays at 9p starting September 8 through February 23 (with the exception of a handful of dates in December and January due to NFL live games). NBC has ordered up American Gladiators from MGM-TV and Reveille, and it’s still a competition series and it still has a stable of gladiators (four men and four women) who are competing in a variety of physical trials with regular folks. The differences will be the regular folks will have some time to train before entering the ring, and there will be more back stories included.
Joining the lineup for the upcoming season of 24 on Fox will be Colm Feore who will play the role of the President’s husband – the President will be played by Cherry Jones.
Ad-supported cable networks are together averaging a 52.4 share in the all-important 18-49 demographic this summer, while the six broadcast nets are just eking out a 24.2 share, according to Turner Research. The more than 2-1 split is the largest ever and has been fueled by new cable hits such as TNT’s “Saving Grace,” USA Network’s “Burn Notice” and Lifetime’s “Army Wives.” (The Hollywood Reporter 8/23)
Cablevision, Cox Communications and Time Warner Cable are experimenting with new technology that will deliver HD programming to viewers only when they are tuned in. The system, dubbed switched digital video, will allow cable companies to offer far more high-definition content. (Reuters 8/23)Verizon has received the first of three approvals from Rhode Island regulators that would allow the company to expand its fiber-optic video service in the state. The ruling brings Verizon one step closer to offering FiOS to an additional 158,000 Rhode Island households. (The Providence Journal (R.I.) 8/23)
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