The Business of Television : CBS

Struggling Soaps Seek New Niche

News — Sat, 30 May 2009 23:34:00 GMT

Soap operas may be borrowing from one of their favorite plot lines—patient is in a coma, on life support, hanging on by a thread—but they aren’t dead yet, and networks and studios are working to find ways to keep the genre viable. Most recently, the cancellation...(read more)

CBS Seeking a Return to Form

News — Sat, 30 May 2009 23:28:00 GMT

Over at CBS, offbeat is off the schedule. In the past few years, CBS used upfront week to unveil something a little off-kilter, experimental or quirky. It tested a singing Hugh Jackman in “Viva Laughlin,” a small town grappling with nuclear holocaust...(read more)

Tony Awards to Air in HD

News — Tue, 26 May 2009 18:52:23 GMT

The Tony Awards will be broadcast in high definition for the first time on June 7. The 63rd annual Tony Awards will air on CBS live from Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Presenters for the awards show include Lucie Arnaz, Kate Burton, Kristin Chenoweth...(read more)

Fox Wins 5th Straight Season in Key 18-49 Demo

News — Tue, 26 May 2009 03:40:00 GMT

Fox and CBS did it again. For the 2008-09 TV season, Fox has officially claimed its fifth consecutive ratings win among adults 18-49, while CBS wrapped up the season as the most-watched broadcast network for the sixth time in the last seven years. It...(read more)

YouTube Gets Flexible to Pull in Network Partners

News — Tue, 26 May 2009 03:30:00 GMT

As YouTube tries to win over television programmers and the brand advertisers that want to sponsor their shows, the site is offering more flexible terms for providers of premium TV content. The new inducements? Functionality that lets programmers run...(read more)

Broadcast Networks Holding Firm on Upfront Ad Pricing

News — Fri, 22 May 2009 20:36:24 GMT

With the television industry slogging through the worst economy in decades, the broadcast networks put their best foot forward at the upfront, then braced for long negotiations with media buyers and advertisers. “I’m surprised by how normal everything...(read more)

Ratings: It's Official - Fox Wins 18-49 Demo

News — Fri, 22 May 2009 15:40:59 GMT

Fox has officially claimed its fifth consecutive win among adults 18-49 for the 2008-09 TV season, while CBS wrapped up the season as the most-watched broadcast network for the sixth time out of the last seven years. With “America Idol” to bolster the...(read more)

CBS Claims Bragging Rights at Upfront

News — Thu, 21 May 2009 00:31:15 GMT

CBS made sure that advertisers and media buyers knew it was the No. 1 network, and the only broadcaster that showed growth this television season, in its annual upfront presentation at Carnegie Hall. The network also took pokes at both its broadcast rivals...(read more)

CBS Upfront: 'Mentalist' Shifts, Monday Comedy Shuffles

News — Wed, 20 May 2009 14:31:55 GMT

CBS is shifting first-year hit "The Mentalist" to Thursdays and slightly shaking up its Monday comedy lineup. The generally stable network is taking a couple of dice-rolls next season, though compared to ABC and NBC, it promises to be an island...(read more)

NFL, CBS Extend Broadcast Deal Through 2013-14

News — Tue, 19 May 2009 21:53:12 GMT

The NFL and CBS have made an agreement to extend their American Football Conference broadcast deal for two years, through the 2013-14 season. The deal gives CBS broadcast rights to Super Bowl XLVII in the first year of the agreement. The NFL also announced...(read more)

Neil Patrick Harris to Host Tony Awards

News — Thu, 14 May 2009 19:11:56 GMT

CBS has tapped “How I Met Your Mother” star Neil Patrick Harris to host the 63rd annual Tony Awards. It's the first time Mr. Harris will emcee the theater industry's big night. He joins Hugh Jackman, Whoopi Goldberg and Rosie O'Donnell on...(read more)

Mischer to Produce 2009 Emmy Awards

News — Tue, 12 May 2009 19:03:48 GMT

Don Mischer will executive produce the 61st Primetime Emmy Awards, airing Sept. 20 on CBS. Mr. Mischer has executive produced the Emmy Awards eight times previously, most recently overseeing the 56th Primetime Emmy Awards. “From the Opening Ceremonies...(read more)

Upfront Digital Ad Sales Primed to Rise

News — Mon, 11 May 2009 04:25:00 GMT

With the majority of the networks’ upfront presentations still a few weeks away, it’s difficult to predict when advertisers will start spending on television and online buys. But digital executives at most of the broadcast networks are optimistic that...(read more)

CBS Gains in Sweeps Period; Fox Remains on Top

News — Mon, 11 May 2009 04:05:00 GMT

For the first two weeks of the May sweeps, CBS is the only broadcast television network posting year-over-year gains among total viewers. The network is also the only one to avoid any losses among adults 18-49, the demographic still led by Fox. Among...(read more)

Moonves: NBC’s Leno Move Helps CBS

News — Fri, 08 May 2009 00:30:45 GMT

CBS CEO Les Moonves said that NBC’s decision to put Jay Leno on in prime time will help his company’s bottom line. “We were the No. 1 network at 10 o’clock last year,” Mr. Moonves told analysts and investors during CBS’ quarterly earnings conference call...(read more)