Daily Marauder

BROADCAST/CABLE

Comcast and the National Football League are reportedly close to a deal that would bring the league’s NFL Network to one of the MSO’s more widely distributed programming tiers. If a deal comes to fruition, it will likely help the NFL network expand its reach. The Wall Street Journal (5/19)

Fox Television, the proud home of The Simpsons and Family Guy, is looking for another cartoon franchise to add to its roster. But rather than searching in Hollywood, it is crowdsourcing cartoon ideas on the Web. In a contest hosted on animation site Aniboom, professional and amateur animators alike will be able to submit a two- to four-minute animated video online for a chance at cash prizes and a shot at producing a full-length pilot for TV. (http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/05/18/fox-television-tries-to-crowdsource-cartoons-through-aniboom/ 5/18)

MTV tackles a sensitive and controversial subject in its new series, 16 & Pregnant opening June 11 at 10p with six one-hour episodes. The intimate series will follow the lives of pregnant teenagers as they become young parents while juggling relationships, finances, school and other new responsibilities. (Cynopsis 5/19)

Drew Carey, host of The Price Is Right on CBS, made a two-year first-look production agreement with CBS Television Studios involving scripted and non-scripted shows, reports THR. (Cynopsis 5/19)

News Corp.’s Fox television is unveiling a new schedule aiming to lure more prime-time viewers next season. Two new shows, “Human Target” and “Sons of Tucson,” will begin airing in 2010 to benefit from the added viewers who tune in when the top-rated “American Idol” returns. (Iwantmedia 5/19, http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=a_85epjtNTNo 5/18)

Time Warner is closing on its acquisition of a 31% interest in Central European Media Enterprises (CME), the Bermuda-based broadcaster founded by cosmetics billionaire Ronald Lauder. CME operates TV channels in countries including Bulgaria, Czech Republic and Romania. (Iwantmedia 5/19, http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Time-Warner-investment-in-CME-apf-15277989.html 5/18)