Television News

Wanted by MTV: "Adventure capitalists" (Reuters)

Posted: 17 Dec 2008 01:32 AM CST

Reuters - MTV is developing a slate of eight new "aspirational, enterprising and empowering" series for 2009 as part of a push to ramp up the network's original programing.

MSNBC promotes "pimped out" anchor (Reuters)

Posted: 17 Dec 2008 01:11 AM CST

Reuters - MSNBC anchor David Shuster, who got into trouble earlier this year for saying Chelsea Clinton had been "pimped out" by her mother's presidential campaign, will take the helm of "1600 Pennsylvania Avenue," the nightly news program on politics and Washington news.

Oprah Winfrey makes TV movie deal with HBO (Reuters)

Posted: 17 Dec 2008 01:10 AM CST

Reuters - Oprah Winfrey's production company has signed a deal to make movies, documentaries and series for cable channel HBO, Harpo Films and HBO said on Tuesday.

NBC giving "Today" a special primetime slot (Reuters)

Posted: 17 Dec 2008 01:03 AM CST

Reuters - TV's top breakfast cast is heading to a one-time-only slot after dinner.

Ousted producer returns to "Philanthropist" at NBC (Reuters)

Posted: 16 Dec 2008 11:44 PM CST

Reuters - TV producer Tom Fontana is returning to "The Philanthropist," the troubled NBC drama from which he was ousted in April.

It's All in the Family on Biggest Loser Finale (E! Online)

Posted: 16 Dec 2008 09:39 PM CST

E! Online - Twelve weeks and hundreds of pounds later, the scales tipped in favor of only one contestant on Tuesday's finale of The Biggest Loser: Families.

ESPN launches sleeker site in bid to boost ads (Reuters)

Posted: 16 Dec 2008 07:36 PM CST

Reuters - The Walt Disney Co's ESPN sports network launched a sleeker, easier-to-use version of its Web site on Tuesday that it hopes will boost ad sales by hooking casual sports fans for longer stays.

Stock analysts say Disney stock too expensive (Reuters)

Posted: 16 Dec 2008 07:10 PM CST

Reuters - The Magic Kingdom has lost some of its Wall Street magic.

List of top 20 shows in prime-time Nielsen ratings (AP)

Posted: 16 Dec 2008 06:36 PM CST

AP - Prime-time viewership numbers compiled by Nielsen Media Research for Dec. 8-14. Listings include the week's ranking, with viewership for the week and season-to-date rankings in parentheses. An "X" in parentheses denotes a one-time-only presentation.

Football tops ratings for NBC; CBS dominant (AP)

Posted: 16 Dec 2008 06:34 PM CST

AP - A strong Sunday night football game between the New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys helped NBC top the prime-time ratings, but it was an otherwise dominant week for CBS.

Oscar-winning "Crash" finds new life on TV (Reuters)

Posted: 16 Dec 2008 03:01 PM CST

Reuters - Four years after polarizing Americans with its take on racial bigotry and stereotypes, Oscar-winning movie "Crash" is enjoying a new life as a television series that has equally divided critics.

We Still Watch Heroes, Eventually (E! Online)

Posted: 16 Dec 2008 06:07 PM CST

E! Online - All right, TiVo users, your generic DVR relations and those who aspire to be the masters of their TV universes: Which shows did we record—and watch—the most in 2008? And why's the answer some rare good news for Heroes?

"American Idol" is most time-shifted show: Nielsen (Reuters)

Posted: 16 Dec 2008 04:52 PM CST

Reuters - "American Idol", already America's most watched television series, was also the most time-shifted prime-time TV program in the United States in 2008, ratings tracker The Nielsen Company said on Tuesday.

The Clock Is Ticking on Lipstick Jungle (E! Online)

Posted: 16 Dec 2008 05:15 PM CST

E! Online - Is there any hope for Lipstick Jungle?

Will.i.am to perform on Dick Clark New Year's Eve (AP)

Posted: 16 Dec 2008 05:14 PM CST

AP - 2009 will mark the start of a new era, so it's fitting that will.i.am will celebrate it by singing "It's A New Day" on Dick Clark's New Year's Eve special.

Survivor: Gabon Not Immune to U.S. Customs (E! Online)

Posted: 16 Dec 2008 03:44 PM CST

E! Online - Survivor's immunity idol has no effect on border patrollers.

HBO, Winfrey's production company reaches deal (AP)

Posted: 16 Dec 2008 03:46 PM CST

AP - Oprah Winfrey is ending a long-term relationship with ABC by taking her production company to HBO for a three-year deal to make movies, documentaries and TV series.

Ratings Report: Another Big Mother (E! Online)

Posted: 16 Dec 2008 12:00 PM CST

E! Online - Monday's Big Winner: The laugh-track sitcom. CBS' The Big Bang Theory (11.4 million viewers, per Nielsen estimates), How I Met Your Mother (11.4 million) and Two and a Half Men (17.9 million), the night's No. 1 show, were up a combined 4 million viewers from last week.