Daily Marauder

BROADCAST/CABLE

Viacom CEO Philippe Dauman is ending Paramount’s deal with CBS pay channel Showtime to start a rival network with MGM and Lionsgate. His decision is said to be fueled by CBS boss Les Moonves‘ refusal to sweeten an offer on a renewal pact to run Paramount films on Showtime. (http://www.nypost.com/seven/04222008/business/moonves_waning_107560.htm 4/22)

Cable-company executives took a look at the recently announced joint venture by Paramount, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and Lions Gate to create a pay-TV movie channel and, according to this article, collectively shrugged their shoulders. Michael Willner, chief executive officer of Insight, said the as-yet-unnamed channel could have a hard time securing carriage agreements: “If they are just another outlet for movies, they will have a tough go.” (The Wall Street Journal 4/22)

Anne Sweeney, president of Disney-ABC Television, is credited with boosting Disney profits with smash-hit multiplatform tween products like Hannah Montana and “High School Musical.” Sweeney is seen to hold the top spot on the list of those who might succeed Disney CEO Bob Iger. (Iwantmedia 4/22, http://www.portfolio.com/news-markets/national-news/portfolio/2008/04/14/Disneys-Evolving-Business-Model 5/08)

I am a HUGE Anne Sweeney supporter in part because of her ability to garner the tween marketplace and for her confidence in bringing online streaming video to ABC.com.  In case you don’t believe me, I bring you a pic from the bulletin board in my office.  I’m thinking of making a T.  Only media geeks will get it. . .

Netflix added 3 more (unnamed) set-top partners to its streaming video-to-the TV project, according to CEO Reed Hastings in an earnings call, who join previously-announced LG Electronics. Netflix now offers over 9,000 movies and TV shows for online rental. (Cynopsis 4/22, Reuters 4/21)

Fox Television Stations and distributor Debmar-Mercury are co-producing a six-week preview of The Wendy Williams Show. The daily, 60m entertainment and talk show will be based in New York and surround radio DJ and author Wendy, who will offer advice to the audience and viewers on various life issues as well as dish on celebrity gossip and new events. (Cynopsis 4/22)

CBS’s Entertainment Tonight and The Insider will be the first to entertainment magazine shows to be broadcast in HD beginning this September, reports B&C. (Cynopsis 4/22)

Beginning this week, NBC will flip-flop two of its Thursday night sitcoms as 30 Rock will move into the 930p time slot following The Office, per Variety. Scrubs will move to 830p filling the vacancy left by 30 Rock.  (Cynopsis 4/22)

FOX renewed the sci-fi drama Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles for a sophomore season, confirming the series will be back this fall. FOX ordered 13 episodes though the fall season time slot for the series is yet to be determined. (Cynopsis 4/22)

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles

(Below) Even for broadcast TV, this is a new low.

Appearing on NBC’s Celebrity Circus series which premieres on June 11 at 930p, are Christopher Knight, Rachel Hunter, Antonio Sabato Jr., Blu Cantrell, Janet Evans and Jason “Wee Man” Acuna. Signed as ringmaster is Joey Fatone,  Celebrity Circus, produced by Endemol USA, features celebs performing a variety of circus feats including the high trapeze and fire eating, reports Variety. (Cynopsis 4/22)

TV Guide Network rebranded its ad-supported VOD barker channel as TV Guide Network On Demand, which provides news and behind-the-scenes content to VOD viewers. The service is also planning to roll out original content from next month, including minisodes of “Making News” and a newly ordered comedy series from internet impresarios from Rhett & Link. (Cynopsis 4/22)

Charter has announced a corporate reorganization, primarily at its St. Louis headquarters, to streamline operations and maximize efficiencies as the company looks to bundle services. As part of the move, some executives will be leaving the company, most notably Cathy Fogler, vice president and general manager of video services. (Multichannel News 4/21)

AT&T is introducing its full U-verse package to western Michigan, marking the first time the company has debuted TV, broadband and telephony service at once in a market. Still, Comcast spokesman Patrick Paterno seemed underwhelmed by the news of the competition’s latest move: “We deal with competition all the time. We still feel we offer the best value in TV, high-speed Internet and home phone service.” (MLive.com (Mich.) 4/21)