Daily Marauder

BROADCAST/CABLE

ABC okayed a single-camera comedy based on a British series called No Heroics about superheroes with limited powers hanging out in a bar. (Cynopsis 2/12)

Check out the trailer from the British version.  Loves it.  Of course, ABC is producing the “US version” otherwise known as ‘light beer.’  But at least on the surface level, it looks fun.

Writers Guild of America, West is reviewing the possibility of disciplinary action against Jay Leno for “Tonight Show” monologues he delivered last year while the guild was on strike. Leno is both a WGA member and a writer for the NBC late-night show. (Iwantmedia 2/12, http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117999952.html?categoryid=1066&cs=1 2/10)

Did NBC pay Nadya Suleman close to $1 million for exclusive video of the mother and her eight babies? The network denies it. But an insider says that Suleman’s people “said negotiations would start at $1.2 million, which is when producers from ABC and CBS left the room. NBC stayed.” (Iwantmedia 2/12, http://www.nypost.com/seven/02122009/gossip/pagesix/nbc_and_the_octomom_154693.htm 2/12)

This would be a good thing folks.  In this case, the American taxpayer would at least be responsible for less…

President Barack Obama made it official: He signed into law a bill making the new DTV date June 12. The four-month delay gives millions of Americans another chance to get a new TV, a digital-to-analog converter box or switch to a multichannel provider, such as a cable TV company. Los Angeles Times (free registration) (2/12) , InformationWeek (2/11)

In related news, the FCC announced yesterday stations in 19 markets, comprising 5.1 million TV households, have asked to make the DTV switch by the original transition date of February 17. In these 19 markets all four major network affiliates are ready and in 17 of those markets all local stations are completely prepared. An additional 15 markets, representing 2.3 million TV households, cite most of their major network affiliates are all set to go. The FCC is currently reviewing which stations can proceed and make the switch prior to June 12 and which ones will have to wait. Those stations wanting to go ahead and make the analog-to-digital transition total 491 and were required to alert the FCC of their goal by February 9. (Cynopsis 2/12)

Sumner Redstone says an agreement between his holding company and its creditors is “within reach.” The Viacom/CBS chief could reach a deal to refinance $1.6 billion in debt by the end of February. A deal is expected to help resolve succession questions surrounding his daughter Shari. (Iwantmedia 2/12, http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=a_rc3EKa_THI 2/12)

Viacom is reporting that its fourth-quarter profit fell 69%, hurt by weakness in advertising sales at MTV and other cable channels, and ad revenues are likely to get worse in 2009 before they get better. Also: Job 1 at Viacom is “repairing the image of the famous brand MTV.” (Iwantmedia 2/12, http://www.marketwatch.com/News/Story/viacoms-quarterly-net-tumbles-69/story.aspx?guid=%7B83D58628%2DCEB1%2D4F6A%2D90CD%2DC71E6E900938%7D 2/12)

CBS, which will report earnings next week, could announce a reduction of its dividend. Such a move would acknowledge that despite upbeat statements by CBS boss Les Moonves, the company “needs to preserve cash” to meet $1.6 billion of debt obligations. (Iwantmedia 2/12, http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123438092027574105.html 2/12)

CBS added the crime procedural drama I Witness about a female detective/professor who taps her psycho-physiological talents to solve crimes. (Cynopsis 2/12)

Bravo and production company Magical Elves (Top Chef) introduces a new series for food lovers, Top Chef Master. Twenty-four world-famous chefs will compete against each other in weekly challenges to make it to the final round with the winner receiving the title of “Top Chef Master” and a prize for their charity of choice. (Cynopsis 2/12)

The FCC has put its stamp of approval on Time Warner’s spinoff of Time Warner Cable, a deal that is expected to be completed later this quarter. In its ruling, the FCC said that “the applicants contend that this transaction will enable each company to have ‘greater strategic, financial and operational flexibility,’ thereby increasing its competitiveness.” The Wall Street Journal/Dow Jones Newswires (subscription required) (2/12) , Reuters (2/11)

Sirius XM Radio, the satellite radio giant that is on the brink of bankruptcy, is said to be in preliminary talks with Liberty Media, the conglomerate controlled by John Malone. A deal between Sirius XM and Liberty could create a battle with EchoStar for control of the company. (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/12/business/media/12radio.html?_r=1 2/12)