Daily Marauder

BROADCAST/CABLE

With Screen Actors Guild saying it might strike by mid-January, the threat is causing studio executives to produce broadcast network pilot projects under AFTRA contracts, per Variety. So far, SAG has not said when it will send members a strike authorization which would take approximately three weeks to complete and need a 75% approval of those members voting. Many actors are members of both SAG and AFTRA and if SAG does go on strike, those actors would be legally required to work on shows produced under an AFTRA contract. In July, AFTRA ratified a new three-year primetime agreement, despite strong opposition from SAG. (Cynopsis 11/26)

Nearing the end of their three-year commitment, Discovery Communications and former “Nightline” host Ted Koppel have decided to go their separate ways. In announcing the move, Discovery said that the parting was “amicable” and that its Discovery Channel “continues its focus on long-running series and specials in the … core nonfiction genres and emphasizes nonnews content that has a longer shelf life and appeals to audiences around the world.” Mediaweek (11/25)

Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution reupped TMZ, produced by Telepictures Productions through the 2010-2011 season on the Fox Television Stations. The entertainment magazine show will air on all of FOX O&Os including WNYW/New York, KTTV/Los Angeles and WFLD/Chicago. Currently season to date TMZ delivers separate 1.4 ratings among W18-34, W18-49 and W25-54. (Cynopsis 11/26)

The NBA and iTV enabler Jacked have entered into a partnership to produce interactive pregame, in-game and post -game sportscasts on team, regional sports networks and local telecaster sites. Jacked will provide its SportsTop widgets directly to NBA teams to offer through team sites, regional sports networks and local telecasters sites. Jacked will geo-manage and serve national, regional and local contextual ads from the platform. Content includes NBA video, photos, statistics, news, ticketing, merchandise, games, as well as live interactive blogs and chat. (Cynopsis 11/26)

BET founder Robert L. Johnson and ION Media are teaming up for a new cable TV channel devoted to black-themed, urban programming. Johnson and ION believe the channel, to be called Urban Television, will qualify for must-carry status under a “share-time” license. TVNewsday (free registration) (11/25) , Multichannel News (11/25)

In a follow up to Tuesday’s story about Alan Colmes departing Fox News Channel’s Hannity & Colmes program after 12 years, according to the New York Times, Sean Hannity will become the sole host of the political debate show. The network has not confirmed this report and Colmes will continue with announced plans to remain with the network as a commentator, develop a possible new weekend program and host his weekday radio show. (Cynopsis 11/26)

Ashton Kutcher’s production company Katalyst Films has two projects in development for The CW, cites Variety. The first is an ensemble drama about the dark side of the modeling industry called The Beautiful Life about male and females models living together in New York City. The second project is the 60m Chloe Gamble based on the upcoming book The One about a young beauty queen from Texas who moves to Hollywood with her family looking for fame and fortune. Both shows will be produced by CBS Paramount TV where Katalyst Films has an overall deal for scripted TV projects. (Cynopsis 11/26)

CBS is developing a spinoff of its successful series NCIS, reports EW.com. The network has plans to introduce new characters this season that will then spin off into a new show perhaps by next fall. (Cynopsis 11/26)

The business unit of Cox Communications is on track to bring in about $855 million in revenue in 2008, and it is looking to break the $1 billion revenue threshold by 2010, according to Phil Meeks, vice president of Cox Business. Meeks said the company, which has relied on small firms in the past, would branch out with midsize enterprises in the next few years. Light Reading (11/25)