Filed under: BROADCAST/CABLE
Jamie Lynn Spears’s pregnancy prompted Viacom to issue a statement saying it respected her “decision to take responsibility.” However, the media giant is likely to eventually sever ties with the 16-year-old Nickelodeon star. (http://www.thestreet.com/_tscnav/video/index.html#1348315277 12/19)
The Writers Guild of America is pursuing agreements with several small independent producers that would allow at least some of its members to begin returning to work. The agreements would address writers’ demands to be compensated for work that appears on the Internet. (http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iE0uIqtrdPXiNMr1qniAIsCAa0fwD8TKN7N81 12/19)
Despite a growing cadre of viewing alternatives like the Web, people are still watching television, according to a new survey by Integrated Media Measurement. The 11:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. block retained its audience in recent weeks, despite the loss of the late-night talk shows. (http://www.forbes.com/business/media/2007/12/19/television-writers-strike-biz-media-cx_lr_1219viewers.html 12/19)
AMC, which received several Golden Globe nominations for its “Mad Men” series, is pursuing an aggressive dramatic slate, but will not push too many new series at one time. “We’re not in the volume business,” said Christina Wayne, vice president of scripted series and miniseries for the network. “At most, three series at a time will be on our channel. We’re purposely not doing five shows at once so that we can really get involved in the production of the shows.” (Variety 12/19)
CBS says it will broadcast the People’s Choice Awards as scheduled on Jan. 8 but will change the format because of the strike by Hollywood writers. Instead of a live ceremony with presenters giving statuettes out to honorees, the show will consist of taped pieces. (http://theenvelope.latimes.com/awards/env-peoplechoicecancelled-19dec19,0,7478304.story 12/20)
MTV is launching a “Street Team” of 51 young amateur journalists to cover the 2008 election and emphasize issues important to the younger generation. Reports will appear on digital venues including a new mobile site and the Associated Press online video network. (http://www.news.com/the-social/8301-13577_3-9836325-36.html 12/19)
Domenico Nesci, one of the suitors on MTV’s “A Shot at Love With Tila Tequila,” is getting his own show. In a rare spinoff of a competition series, 15 women will vie for Nesci’s attention in “That’s Amore,” scheduled to premiere in March. (The Hollywood Reporter 12/20)
Cox and Gemstar-TV International have agreed to a contract extension that gives the cable company access to Gemstar’s Passport interactive program guide and its My TV Guide, which allows viewers to access their DVRs. The deal also allows Cox to use the Open Cable Applications Platform version of the Passport IPG. (Multichannel News 12/19)
Leave a Comment so far
Leave a comment
