The Business of Television : Cable

DIY Network, MLB Network Launch ‘Man Cave’ Contest

News — Fri, 29 May 2009 22:37:38 GMT

DIY Network and MLB Network are teaming up for their “Who Wants a Man Cave?” contest. “Man Caves” hosts Tony “Goose” Siragusa and Jason Cameron, along with MLB Network studio analysts and former MLB players Harold Reynolds and Mitch Williams, will transform...(read more)

VH1 Sets Critics’ Choice Movie Awards for Jan. 15

News — Thu, 28 May 2009 21:24:07 GMT

The 15th Annual Critics’ Choice Movie Awards will air live on VH1 Jan. 15. The awards are decided upon by the Broadcast Film Critics Association. Nominations will be announced on Dec. 14. This will be VH1’s third straight year broadcasting the awards...(read more)

Travel Channel President Younge Departing

News — Wed, 27 May 2009 18:26:21 GMT

Patrick Younge will be leaving his post as president and general manger of the Travel Channel, effective January 2010. Mr. Younge said he’d been planning since 2007 to return to London when his youngest child entered high school there. His plans were...(read more)

Granada America Changes Names to ITV Studios

News — Wed, 27 May 2009 18:24:54 GMT

Reality powerhouse Granada America is getting a new name: ITV Studios, Inc. The company behind formats such as "Hell's Kitchen" and "I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here" will immediately be rebranded to reflect its British...(read more)

Spike Presents ‘Guys Choice’

News — Wed, 27 May 2009 12:00:00 GMT

NBA scoring leader Dwayne Wade, UFC heavyweight champ Brock Lesnar and comedian Sacha Baron Cohen are Spike TV’s kind of guys. Those men will be among the winners and presenters at Spike’s third annual “Guys Choice” awards special. “‘Guys Choice’ is a...(read more)

9.8 Million Tune in to ‘Jon and Kate’ Season Premiere

News — Wed, 27 May 2009 01:56:42 GMT

The season-five premiere of TLC’s “Jon and Kate Plus 8” drew more than 9.8 million viewers Monday night, ranking as the most-watched program of the night on television, including both cable and broadcast programs. The increased attention surrounding Jon...(read more)

Engvall to Host CMT Music Awards

News — Tue, 26 May 2009 18:54:03 GMT

Bill Engvall will host the 2009 CMT Music Awards, airing June 16 on CMT and CMT.com. The awards show will feature performances by Trace Adkins, Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Toby Keith, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Keith Urban...(read more)

Fuel TV Expands Distribution With Dish Deal

News — Thu, 21 May 2009 20:11:32 GMT

Fuel TV, the News Corp. cable channel specializing in action sports such as surfing and skating, struck a deal with the Dish satellite TV service that expands the network’s distribution to almost 30 million U.S. homes. The network will be available on...(read more)

DirecTV to Relaunch The 101 Network

News — Thu, 21 May 2009 18:52:17 GMT

DirecTV will relaunch The 101 Network on May 31 with a fresh look. The rebrand will include new 3-D graphics, a new logo and other broadcast elements that will reflect the network’s programming and new direction. The rebrand on May 31 will coincide with...(read more)

WICT President-CEO Mosley to Exit June 30

News — Thu, 21 May 2009 18:46:15 GMT

Benita Fitzgerald Mosley will step down from her position as president-CEO of Women in Cable and Telecommunications on June 30. Ms. Mosley, a 1984 Olympic gold medalist, is departing the organization to join USA Track & Field as chief of sport performance...(read more)

Turner’s Spielberg, Bochco and James Projects Crash Broadcast Upfront

News — Wed, 20 May 2009 13:15:41 GMT

Turner Broadcasting announced new original series projects with Steven Spielberg, Steven Bochco and Kevin James. Turner, which is crashing the broadcast networks’ upfront advertising sales week with a presentation of its own Wednesday, has been pumping...(read more)

A Geek’s-Eye View of Making Movie Magic

News — Wed, 20 May 2009 12:00:00 GMT

What could be geekier than being a fan of “Star Wars”? How about having a deep interest in knowing all about the technology used in making famous science fiction films? Science Channel calls its new series “Science of the Movies,” which debuts May 26...(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)

Kenin Steps Down as Crown Media Exec VP, Programming

News — Tue, 19 May 2009 21:50:05 GMT

David Kenin, executive VP of programming for Crown Media Holdings, is leaving the company on May 31. Barbara Fisher, senior VP of original programming, and Michelle Vicary, senior VP of acquisitions and scheduling, will take over Mr. Kenin’s position...(read more)

History Special to Reveal Revolutionary Fossil, Sponsored by Ally Bank

News — Tue, 19 May 2009 19:05:33 GMT

History plans to air a special on the discovery of a 47 million-year-old primate fossil that scientists say will revolutionize the understanding of evolution. “The Link” will air May 25 at 9 p.m., with limited commercial interruptions under a sponsorship...(read more)