Filed under: BROADCAST/CABLE
FX’s “Nip/Tuck” attracted 4.3 million total viewers for the debut of its fifth season. The series, which now is set in Los Angeles, also scored well with key demographic groups, averaging 3.5 million total viewers in the 18-to-49 category. (The Hollywood Reporter 11/1)
Talks between Hollywood writers and producers over a new contract ended abruptly Wednesday night, with both sides saying they are still far apart on several key issues. A strike could happen as early as Friday, with writers meeting Thursday night to discuss their options. (http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/business/la-fi-writers1nov01,1,7600319.story 11/1)
Fox network appears to have a built-in advantage in case of a prolonged strike. The News Corp. broadcast network already runs a schedule with six hours of unscripted programming. “American Idol,” set to return in January, could go on as many as three nights a week. (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3ibcaa4be5fd5d93e812d660ddf1d58010 11/1)
ABC ordered three more scripts of Women’s Murder Club the new drama based on the James Patterson mystery novel series starring Angie Harmon. ABC has now given a green light for more episodes to other freshman series Samantha Who?, Pushing Daisies and Private Practice.
HBO’s new series In Treatment starring Gabriel Byrne will kick off on Monday, January 28 at 930p. HBO has ordered 45 episodes, all of which will air over the course of 9 consecutive weeks, reports Variety. In Treatment is about a psychologist (Byrne) and his patients. Each full episode Monday-Thursday will represent a one-on-one session with each of four patients. On the fifth day, Fridays, the therapist takes the couch as he sees his analyst played by Dianne Wiest. So every Monday it’s the same patient for five straight weeks, every tuesday the same patient, and so on. (Variety 10/31)
Exclusive agreements between cable companies and owners of apartments and other multiple-dwelling units were nullified Wednesday by the FCC. Comcast called the move anti-consumer, saying: “The net result is that many consumers are likely to wind up paying more for services if the FCC’s interference in the competitive marketplace stands.” The FCC plans to study whether the new rules should apply to satellite and other telecom providers as well. (Broadcasting & Cable 10/31, The Wall Street Journal/Dow Jones Newswires 11/1)
The FCC on Wednesday voted to extend video-franchise relief to current cable companies, effective immediately. The relief, which includes franchise fees, public, educational and government channel duties and non-cable-related services, bars local franchising authorities from “unreasonably refusing to award competitive cable franchises,” the commission said. (Broadcasting & Cable 10/31)
AT&T may sell cable TV services without being regulated as a cable company, a Superior Court judge in Hartford, Conn., has ruled. Last month, the state’s Department of Public Utility Control found that AT&T needed a cable license to offer its IPTV U-verse service, a finding that was reversed by the court ruling. (The Boston Globe/Associated Press 10/31)
DirecTV now offers NBA TV in high-definition. The satellite provider has 74 HD channels and is on a self-imposed mission to reach 100 by the end of the year. (Broadcasting & Cable 10/31)
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