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BROADCAST/CABLE

Next month HBO brings back a third season of hour-long series Big Love on January 18 at 9p followed on the same night by the second season opener of half-hour comedy Flight of the Conchords at 10p. (Cynopsis 12/15)

Happier holidays demand more wives. . .

Big Love on HBO

Screen Actor Guild (SAG) leaders in New York are distancing themselves from SAG leaders based in Hollywood and have asked the guild to halt its strike authorization vote, writes Variety. The NY division leaders cite the nation’s crippling financial crisis as their reason to stop the strike vote. In a statement released last Friday, the New York board said: “While issuing a strike authorization may have been a sensible strategy in October, we believe it is irresponsible to do so now, in the face of widespread layoffs, cutbacks and reduced programming.” (Cynopsis 12/15)

The “George Lopez” family-friendly sitcom helped Nick at Night rise to the top of the ratings heap among 18- to 49-year-old viewers. Now, according to Cyma Zarghami, president of Nickelodeon/MTVN Kids and Family Group, the network is talking to the star about other projects, including a variety of specials. TVWeek.com (12/14)

Actress Lauren Graham (Gilmore Girls) will soon be seen again in primetime, this time on ABC as the network okayed a production commitment for a new comedy starring Graham, cites Variety. The yet-to-be-titled half-hour is about a female self-help instructor who fails to follow her own advice when her boyfriend leaves her. (Cynopsis 12/15)

The pay-TV joint venture featuring Viacom, MGM and Lionsgate will be named Epix, according to this report. The cable channel, which was announced last April, is expected to launch next fall and compete directly with premium programmers such as HBO and Showtime. MediaPost Communications (12/12)

Liberty Media board members have given approval for a new, asset-backed stock, hopefully calming investors’ fears that Chairman John Malone would use Liberty Entertainment to prop up other assets. Analysts quoted in this article said AT&T might be interested in a merger or purchase of the new unit. The Wall Street Journal (subscription required) (12/15)

After all the recent executive shifts, NBC Universal President/CEO Jeff Zucker confirmed Ben Silverman, Co-Chairman, NBC Entertainment and NBC Universal Television Studio will remain with the company and will soon sign a new contract, reports B&C. (Cynopsis 12/15)

FCC has canceled its meeting scheduled for Thursday after two lawmakers, Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., and Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., sent a letter to FCC Chairman Kevin Martin urging him to concentrate the commission’s time and resources on the transition to digital television. The scheduled meeting was to have considered a number of potentially controversial issues, including the rules governing cable-retransmission-rights agreements with broadcasters. Reuters (12/13) , Multichannel News (12/13) , The Wall Street Journal/Dow Jones Newswires (subscription required) (12/12)

Top 10 “Timeshifted” Primetime TV Programs
Rank Program                   Network % Increase in Viewership
1       HEROES                       NBC            35%
2       FRINGE                        FOX            26%
3       LOST                           ABC            25%
4       BONES                         FOX           21%
5       GREY’S ANATOMY         ABC            20%
6       HOUSE                        FOX            18%
7       SURVIVOR: GABON      CBS            18%
8       AMERICAN IDOL-Tues  FOX            13%
9       THE MENTALIST          CBS             13%
10     AMERICAN IDOL-Wed.  FOX            12%
Source: The Nielsen Company
Data from Jan 01, 2008- Nov 23, 2008.  Percent Increase in viewership is based on absolute difference between Live Household Ratings and Live+7

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