Filed under: BROADCAST/CABLE | Tags: 1984 Summer Olympics, 2008 Summer Olympics, Dara Torres, NBC Universal, Olympic Games, Olympics, Showtime, Sports
NBC Universal announced it will offer more than 3,600 hours of coverage from the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics which includes spotlighting all 34 Olympic sports in some fashion. Approximately 2,900 of those hours will be presented live and coverage of the Olympic Games will be distributed over the company’s stable of networks and various platforms presented in three blocks: afternoon, primetime and late-night, starting with opening ceremonies beginning at 8p on August 8. (Cynopsis 7/9)
Showtime is developing “Exterminators,” an adult animated series based on the comic books by the same name. Sara Colleton, the executive producer of Showtime’s “Dexter” series, also will work on “Exterminators.” (The Hollywood Reporter 7/9)
Cablevision-owned Fuse announced plans for three original series that will focus on aspects of the music world. The shows, expected to premiere in the fourth quarter, are “Redemption Song,” about 10 women vying for a record deal; “Rock Bottom,” a look at band members helping their mates overcome problems; and “Tour Me a New One,” which involves a quest to find the most passionate music fans on the planet. (Variety 7/8)
The American Federation of Television & Radio Artists (AFTRA) voted in favor of ratifying the primetime agreement, effectively quashing SAG’s efforts to have the contract voted down. The terms in the AFTRA deal, passed by 62% of voting members, echo those signed previously by the WGA and DGA. SAG’s interest in seeing this deal crash and burn was to give it more leverage in its deal with producers, while arguing actors should get better terms in the areas of new media, DVD residuals and salary minimums. AFTRA contends that approving the contract keeps people employed, and it offers increases in salaries and new media without rollbacks or concessions. (Cynopsis 7/9)
For the first time, AT&T, Verizon Communications and Qwest are joining forces to keep residential business in the telecom family. The three said that when customers relocate, service agents will advise them to go to a Web site called Movearoo.com, which has information on telecommunications firms … but not cable companies. (Chicago Tribune/Bloomberg 7/9, CNNMoney.com/Dow Jones Newswires 7/8)
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