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Television & Radio Recent Headlines Dish Network CEO Quits Board of EchoStar Denver Business Joseph Clayton, the new president and CEO of Dish Network, has resigned from the board of its sister company, EchoStar. Clayton left the EchoStar board, "among other reasons, to allow him to devote more time to his new responsibilities" at Dish. Fox News Nabs CNN White House Correspondent Deadline CNN senior White House correspondent Ed Henry has jumped to Fox News Channel. Henry is the second major CNN on-air talent to defect to Fox News since HLN topper Ken Jautz took over as CNN Worldwide president, following the January move of John Roberts. MTV 'Jackass' Star Dunn Dies in Fiery Car Crash Associated Press "Jackass" performer Ryan Dunn, 34, was killed early Monday in a fiery car crash in suburban Philadelphia. Dunn, a daredevil who gained notoriety for performing unsavory stunts, was driving his Porsche when it careered off the road and crashed into the woods. Fox Sports TV Deal with LA Dodgers Rejected Los Angeles Times The Los Angeles Dodgers are closer than ever to a change in ownership after Major League Baseball rejected a proposed broadcast deal between the team and Fox Sports, denying the financially troubled ballclub a much needed infusion of cash. Discovery Launches Q&A Website with Experts AllThingsD Discovery Communications has launched a question-and-answer site, Curiosity.com. While Q&A sites are a web staple, Curiosity is an interesting take: Rather than providing crowdsourced answers to user queries, the site relies on experts to respond. Scripps Networks Poised for Sale on Court Move New York Post Scripps Networks Interactive, the Cincinnati-based owner of Food Network and HGTV, saw its stock jump nearly 6% after it sought a court ruling that could open the door for an easier sale of the company. The firm also owns travel and cooking cable channels. Comcast CEO Sees Digital Future for Olympics Bloomberg Comcast said the 2014 and 2016 Olympic games on NBC Universal should break even or earn a small profit while the later games will yield a bigger payoff. "We have the digital rights for all devices now and into the future," said CEO Brian Roberts. Disney-ABC Narrows Search for Regis Successor Wall Street Journal Disney-ABC Domestic Television has been considering a range of candidates to succeed Regis Philbin, 79, who plans to step down from "Live With Regis and Kelly" in November. Contenders are said to include Ryan Seacrest, Andy Cohen and Mark Consuelos. ABC to Shift Execs in Entertainment, Studios Broadcasting & Cable ABC has announced several key exec changes aimed at bolstering the strength of its studio. Patrick Moran has been upped to senior VP and head of creative development at ABC Studios; Amy Hartwick will move to the studio role of senior VP of comedy development. MSNBC to Face Rivals in Current TV, Olbermann New York Times Starting on Monday, there will be new competition for progressive attention spans on television. Challenging MSNBC, which has a lineup of left-leaning hosts, will be Current TV, where Keith Olbermann will start anchoring the 8 p.m. hour, his former MSNBC time slot. MTV 'Jersey Shore' Cast Gets Another Raise TMZ The "Jersey Shore" cast is said to have negotiated with MTV for new contracts for an upcoming season back in New Jersey, winning their biggest salaries yet. Plans are in motion for a fifth season, but sources said that the gang refused to take part without new deals. Comcast to Use NBC Cash to Buy More of Unit Bloomberg Comcast CEO Brian Roberts said the cable company plans to use cash generated by NBC Universal to buy the rest of that unit from General Electric, rather than on other acquisitions. Comcast has no plans for acquisitions, CFO Michael Angelakis said last month. U.S. Video Delivery Said to Remain on Wires Dow Jones Video media content in the United States will likely continue to be delivered mostly over wireline networks operated by cable providers for "a long time to come," according to Motorola Mobility Holdings CEO Sanjay Jha. U.S. wireless spectrum remains "very limited." Time Warner Cable Mulls Web Billing Change Bloomberg Time Warner Cable is considering billing broadband Internet customers by usage, said CEO Glenn Britt. Such a service may affect companies like Netflix that require consumers to use large amounts of bandwith. Heavy Netflix users may find themselves paying more. TV Resists Flow of Ad Dollars to Digital Media Wall Street Journal Despite the torrent of dollars marketers are pouring online, big advertisers aren't expected to cut back their television budgets anytime soon. Even as Americans spend more time digital media, marketers are investing more money than ever on TV ads. Time Warner Slammed Over CNN Web Captions San Francisco Chronicle As more Americans get their news online, the owner of CNN.com has been accused in a lawsuit of discriminating against the hard-of-hearing by failing to provide closed captions for videos posted on the Internet. "The era of waiting for the 6 o'clock news is over." Bloomberg Television Names New U.S. Head TalkingBizNews Andrew Morse, executive producer of innovation and integration for ABC News Digital, has been named head of Bloomberg Television. Morse replaces David Rhodes, who was named head of CBS News in February. Morse will report to Bloomberg Media CEO Andy Lack. NBC's O'Donnell to Cover White House for CBS Associated Press CBS News has named Norah O'Donnell its chief White House correspondent. O'Donnell also will report for all CBS News broadcasts. She has been the chief Washington correspondent for MSNBC and a contributing correspondent for NBC's "Today" show. Oprah to Spend Time Overhauling TV Channel Los Angeles Times Oprah Winfrey has acknowledged that launching her own cable channel has been more difficult than she expected. But now that her syndicated talk show has ended, Winfrey plans to devote herself to overhauling the struggling OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network. CBS Names Exec to Oversee Entertainment Sites Hollywood Reporter CBS' interactive unit has named Marc DeBevoise, who most recently worked at premium TV firm Starz where he oversaw digital strategy, to run its entertainment websites. DeBevoise will be responsible for such sites as CBS.com, TV.com and Clicker.com. NBC: We're In Bad Shape, Recovery to Take Years Hollywood Reporter Robert Greenblatt, NBC's new programming chief: "When you're in as bad of shape as we are, to think it can be turned around quickly is foolish." NBCUniversal CEO Steve Burke "has been very vocal about it, saying it could take four to five years." Vudu Streaming Video Service to Add 'Mad Men' Variety All four seasons of AMC's "Mad Men" have been added to the Walmart-owned streaming service Vudu, which is continuing to stock up on TV product after launching with a film-heavy catalog. "Mad Men" has already signed up with Netflix, iTunes and Amazon. Nielsen: Online Video Viewers Watch Less TV Associated Press Americans who watch the most video online tend to watch less TV, according to Nielsen, a finding that overturns a longstanding belief that people who watch more programming do so over all devices. The activity was more pronounced among people ages 18-34. FCC Chief Calls On Cable to Boost Broadband Dow Jones Julius Genachowski, chairman of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission, has urged the cable industry to "step up" and help improve the nation's broadband adoption. Broadband adoption is crucial for U.S. efforts to revive its economy, Genachowski said. Sirius XM Takes a Hit from Online Rival Pandora CNNMoney Shares of Sirius XM satellite radio have taken a huge hit while investors trip over themselves to gush about Pandora Media, the online radio upstart. But some analysts believe that Sirius XM has a more sustainable business model than the unprofitable Pandora. Media Chiefs: Cable Is Relevant In Online World CNET News Big media chiefs took to the stage at the Cable Show to make their case for how they plan to keep cable services relevant to consumers. "We need to embrace all of the screens," said Glenn Britt, CEO of Time Warner Cable. "There's no such thing as a TV anymore." Netflix a Catalyst for Cord-Cutting, Report Says VideoNuze Netflix streaming use correlates with a propensity to cut back on pay-TV services, according to research by the Diffusion Group. Some 61% of heavy Netflix streamers cite online video use as the top reason for the likelihood of downgrading or eliminating pay-TV services. Comcast to Test Cloud-Based Video Recording Bloomberg Comcast plans to start testing a video-recording service that lets customers store programs remotely on the company's server computers, rather than on their set-top boxes. The cable giant will test the cloud-based recording service late this year or early next year. McGraw-Hill Puts Broadcasting Unit on the Block MarketWatch McGraw-Hill is pursuing a sale of its broadcasting business and reviewing its general expenses as it looks to focus on its faster growing segments. The company plans to shed its ABC affiliate TV stations in markets including Denver, San Diego and Indianapolis. Cable Networks Eye $1 Billion More in Upfront New York Post U.S. cable networks are on track to close out the upfront ad-selling season with about $1 billion more in their pockets than they had last year. The bumper upfront period could conclude with cable networks finishing with between $9.1 billion and $9.2 billion. Oprah, Media Moguls on Tap for Cable Show Hollywood Reporter Conversations with Oprah Winfrey and FCC chief Julius Genachowski, as well as panels with media moguls, are on the schedule of this week's Cable Show in Chicago, running Tuesday through Thursday. Cable's response to Netflix is expected to be in the spotlight. CBS Sees No Ratings Boost from New Anchor New York Times CBS introduced Scott Pelley as the new anchor of its evening news with no fanfare last week, and the result was no new fans. The numbers for Pelley's first week showed no growth from the audience that Katie Couric had been averaging for her last month on the air. NBC Affiliate Refuses to Air 'Playboy' Series Los Angeles Times NBC affiliate KSL-TV in Salt Lake City is making headlines for its refusal to carry the network's new show "The Playboy Club," a racy drama set to premiere this fall. According to the station's CEO, the Playboy brand is "completely inconsistent" with the KSL brand. Fox: Charlie Sheen's New Sitcom Broadcaster? Deadline Charlie Sheen is said to be in "deep negotiations" with a broadcast network for a new sitcom. CBS is out of the picture and sources indicate that ABC and NBC are not happening either. That leaves Fox, where the troubled actor took an exploratory meeting in March. Viacom's Nickelodeon Makes Move in Education New York Times Nickelodeon plans to introduce a line of Team Umizoomi Preschool Math Kits based on the Nick Jr. show of the same name. The new kits, at $20 each, will be sold by the Viacom children's channel at Toys "R" Us and online. "It's a true marriage of content and product." Comcast's $4.4B Olympian Bid a Bold Online Bet Associated Press NBC lost more than $200 million the last time it showed the Olympics. So, people scoffed when the network bid $4.4 billion for the U.S. rights to carry the games through 2020. But Internet video and opportunities under new owner Comcast could make the Olympics profitable. Bloomberg LP, Comcast in Dispute Over Channel Wall Street Journal Bloomberg LP is expected to make good on its threat to complain to the U.S. Federal Communications Commission that Comcast is violating a condition of its takeover of NBCUniversal. Bloomberg is unhappy over its position on Comcast's cable channel lineup. NBC Responds to Morgan's Homophobic Remarks Los Angeles Times Following Tracy Morgan's apology regarding his homophobic comments at a comedy gig, NBC Entertainment head Bob Greenblatt and "30 Rock" creator Tina Fey have issued their own statements. Said Greenblatt: "This kind of behavior will not be tolerated." MSNBC 'Morning Joe' Hosts Pitch Move to CNN New York Post MSNBC's morning duo of Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski wasted no time buttonholing Time Warner chief Jeff Bewkes at the Newhouse School journalism awards last week. The "Morning Joe" hosts made a pitch about moving their show to a morning slot on CNN. Hulu Adds British, U.S. TV Series to Offerings Los Angeles Times The video service Hulu, which offers television shows online, has secured a pair of British imports and a U.S. series to help propel it through the summer doldrums. "Misfits," "Whites" and "The Booth at the End" will have their premieres in the coming weeks. Nielsen: Class of '11 Watch Less Traditional TV Variety The high-school graduating class of 2011 has TV viewing habits that are markedly different from their elders. According to a report from Nielsen, teenagers watch less TV than the general population. Instead, they prefer watching broadband video on mobile devices. ABC, CBS, NBC Win Boost in Upfront Ad Prices Los Angeles Times ABC, CBS and NBC said they had completed their advanced advertising sales with rate increases of 9% to 14% over last year's prices. However, the networks will not receive a boost in total ad revenue because programs have been delivering lower ratings. Comcast's Olympics Bet Met with Skepticism Bloomberg Comcast CEO Brian Roberts says NBC Universal's $4.38 billion deal for the TV rights for the next four Olympics will be profitable. Some analysts disagree: "The fact they outbid everyone else by about $1 billion, I think it would be a challenge to argue they're going to make money." NBC Execs Attend First Retreat Under Comcast Hollywood Reporter Days after NBCUniversal won U.S. TV rights to the Olympics, top company execs are holed up in Santa Barbara for the first strategy-planning retreat under the new Comcast ownership. At the three-day sojourn are more than a dozen execs, including CEO Steve Burke. NBC '30 Rock' Star Baldwin Mulls Run for Mayor The Daily Alec Baldwin is mulling a run for mayor of New York City now that Anthony Weiner appears to have "sexted" himself out of the 2013 race. Baldwin, who has long talked about running for political office, believes Weinergate has shaken up the field of candidates. Sirius XM Shock Jocks Claim Weiner Photo Leak Slate While appearing on Sirius XM's "Opie and Anthony" show, journalist Andrew Breitbart showed off a purported photo of Anthony Weiner's private parts to the radio DJs. One of the hosts claimed to have snapped his own photo of the photo, and then posted it online. Oprah TV Talk-Show Finale Viewed by Millions Wall Street Journal Oprah Winfrey took her bow from daytime TV in front of her biggest audience in nearly two decades. About 16.4 million people watched the final episode of "The Oprah Winfrey Show" on May 25, according to new Nielsen figures provided by the show's distributor. CBS Runs More Ads Online as Audience Grows Associated Press CBS now runs twice as many ads per show on its website as it did last year. The CW network shows four times as many. Dozens of cable networks now carry as many ads online as they do on TV. The networks see an opportunity to make more money as online audiences grow. MTV Study: Heavy Mobile Users Addicted to Apps AllThingsD MTV Networks surveyed 1,300 people who use mobile apps daily to find out their usage patterns, with 83% of respondents saying they are "addicted" to their apps. "One participant went so far as to say that 'apps are like Xanax in a phone,'" MTV said in a summary. Execs: TV Content Migrating to Online, Mobile Adweek Execs from Disney, Turner and Comcast, speaking at an Internet Week panel, were in unanimous agreement that we are only two years away from 75% of TV content being available online and on mobile devices. "My kids think an iPad is a TV. People don't think of TV anymore." Comcast Scores Win for NBC Olympics Rights Philadelphia Inquirer Comcast has locked up the Olympics' U.S. broadcast rights through 2020 by agreeing to pay $4.4 billion for four Olympic Games to be aired via broadcast and cable, giving a boost to its NBC networks. The Olympics lost more than $200 million for NBC in 2010. Viacom Star Stewart Cuts Wrist During Skit Associated Press Jon Stewart broke a glass and gashed his wrist while taping a skit about U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner on Comedy Central's "The Daily Show." The taping was briefly stopped so a bleeding Stewart could get medical attention, then resumed after he was bandaged up. Fox News Scorned at Media Reporting Awards Deadline Fox News was on the minds of the media elite who gathered in New York for the annual Mirror Awards, Syracuse University's celebration of the best reporting about the media. Winner Eric Alterman urged the audience to "stop treating Fox News as though it's news. It's not." NBC, ABC Get Closer to Completing Ad Sales Bloomberg NBC and ABC are getting closer to wrapping up commitments from advertisers for the TV season that starts in September. NBC is averaging 9% rate increases and is two-thirds done with the upfront process; ABC is averaging 10% to 11% price gains. ABC: Couric, Zucker Reunite for New Talk Show Daily Beast Katie Couric officially plans to join ABC to produce and host a syndicated daytime talk show debuting in fall 2012. Jeff Zucker, Couric's producer in her early years at the "Today" show before he became CEO of NBC, will reunite with his longtime friend for the new venture. CBS Sports Names Albert as NFL Announcer Associated Press Marv Albert will join CBS Sports as a play-by-play announcer for coverage of the NFL. Albert worked for NBC Sports from 1977 to 1997, announcing the NFL on NBC for 19 years. He will keep his lead role as play-by-play announcer for TNT's NBA coverage. Fox News Star Beck to Impose Fee Model Online New York Times Glenn Beck plans to charge his fans a monthly subscription for his daily talk show online starting this summer, as he makes the move from being a Fox News host to the owner of his own Internet network. The move is an adaptation of the business models of both HBO and Netflix. CBS Wins Ad Rate Increases for Next Season Bloomberg CBS is said to be obtaining advertising rate increases of 14% to 15% in commitments from marketers for the TV season that starts in September. Those compare with a goal of an 18% year-over-year increase for the broadcast network when upfront sales began last month. ABC, Couric Set for 'Oprah-esque' Talk Show Wall Street Journal Katie Couric is said to be finalizing a deal with ABC to create her own "Oprah"-style syndicated talk show, and is likely to announce the program as early as Monday. As part of the deal, Couric would own her show, allowing the former CBS news anchor to reap profits more directly. CNBC: Geographical Expansion Key to Growth Telegraph CNBC plans for significant expansion into new territories, with Brazil and Mexico high on the agenda for new channels. "We're studying Brazil, Mexico and other parts of Latin America," said CEO Mark Hoffman. CNBC "has seen record profits over the last five years." Clear Channel Digital Pro Moves to Billboards AllThingsD Evan Harrison, who left his post running digital for Clear Channel Radio in March, has a new job as chief creative officer at Van Wagner, the privately held billboard giant. Van Wagner said Harrison's "digital expertise will lead the company in new directions." CBS to Redo MP3.com with Free Downloads Radio-Info CBS acquired CNET three years ago, and along with it got the MP3.com brand. The company now plans to tie MP3.com closely together with corporate sibling company Last.fm. CBS "will be starting off with 1 million tracks on MP3.com, available for free legal download." MTV Taps Social Media in Movie Awards Blitz GigaOm MTV Networks bet big on social media for its movie awards show on Sunday. The cable network leveraged Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Tumblr in a social media blitz before, during and after the telecast. MTV recognized that many of its fans use multiple social networks. CBS Chief: Networks Have Little Faith in Hulu Variety CBS boss Les Moonves said that he believes two of three network partners backing the video website Hulu "would back out if they could," without specifying who. Moonves said Hulu "gives away the family jewels for free" in reference to shows and "we don't believe in it." Fox Wraps Up TV Ad Sales with Hefty Increases Reuters Fox has become the first major U.S. network to wrap up its advanced sales of TV advertising, banking nearly $2 billion worth of deals for commercials next season. Fox locked up deals at prices that were 10% to 11% above those from a year ago. ESPN Said to Offer Position to NBA Star Shaq New York Post Shaquille O'Neal, a day after tweeting his decision to retire, has hinted that he was going to work for ESPN. In a video tweeted by O'Neal and posted on the social media site Tout, the NBA star said he had just been offered a position at the all-sports network. CBS: Weiner's Office Calls Police on Reporter CBS New York New York Rep. Anthony Weiner's office is said to have called the police on Marcia Kramer, a reporter with WCBS in New York, after she tried to get an interview with the politician regarding his Twitter photo flap. "I wasn't refusing to leave," Kramer said. Fox 'Glee' Star Lynch to Host Emmy Awards UPI Comic actress Jane Lynch will serve as host of the 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards show in Los Angeles. The ceremony honoring the best in television will air Sept. 18, live on Fox. Said Lynch: "I'm looking forward to singing, dancing and sporting my finest tracksuit." CBS: Armstrong Demands Apology for Report Bloomberg Lance Armstrong's attorneys have demanded an on-air apology from CBS's "60 Minutes" following accusations that the cyclist tested positive for a banned substance at the 2001 Tour of Switzerland race. CBS News said its story was "truthful, accurate and fair." NBC News Hires CBS Veteran for Williams Show Associated Press NBC News is bringing a veteran CBS and BBC journalist on board to run Brian Williams' new newsmagazine, which it hopes to get on the air this fall. The network has hired Rome Hartman to be executive producer of its newsmagazine, which doesn't have a name yet. NPR Former CEO Schiller Is Eyed by NBC News AllThingsD Former National Public Radio head Vivian Schiller, who left her last job under a political cloud, looks to have found a new position. Schiller is in talks to work at NBC News, where she will oversee digital projects. Schiller once ran the New York Times' website. MTV Launches Tumblr Blog in Digital Expansion Mashable MTV has just added another social media tool to its roster in the form of a new Tumblr blog featuring original and reblogged content. The Viacom network has created Tumblr sites around various initiatives in the past, but this is the first official MTV blog. Simon & Schuster Expands Book Deal with Beck Crain's New York Less than two months after Glenn Beck and Fox News agreed to part ways, the conservative talk-show host has reached a new deal with publisher Simon & Schuster that includes the launch of a new imprint. Mercury Ink will release fiction and non-fiction titles. ABC: Supreme Court Justice Held Disney Stock Associated Press U.S. Supreme Court justice Samuel Alito took part in a case over curse words on television involving ABC and other networks even though he owned around $2,000 stock in ABC parent company Disney at the time. Alito said his participation was an oversight. NBC Universal Names Head for Digital Sales MediaPost Scott Schiller has been named executive VP-digital media sales for NBC Universal Entertainment & Digital Networks and Integrated Media, the division overseeing Fandango, iVillage and DailyCandy. Schiller had been senior VP-Comcast digital entertainment. Fox News Channel Launches Sponsored App Mashable Fox News has released its official iPad app, a visually-focused news experience with a big-name sponsor, ExxonMobil. The app, now available in the App Store, was built from the ground-up. Users will notice the prominent placement of ExxonMobil ads throughout. ESPN, Tribeca Launch On-Demand Film Fest Associated Press Tribeca Film and ESPN are establishing a video-on-demand sports film festival, featuring five movies, available in some 40 million homes. The festival, running June 23 through Aug. 25, will include Alex Gibney's scapegoating documentary "Catching Hell." Bravo's 'Real Housewives' Gets Web Spin-Off New York Post "The Real Housewives of New Jersey" has spun off on to the web. Chris and Albie Manzo, the grown sons of series star Caroline Manzo, are now starring in their own seven-episode series, "Boys to Manzo," which premiered Monday on bravotv.com. Sirius XM Seeks Dismissal of Stern Lawsuit RBR Sirius XM has asked a New York court to throw out the lawsuit that Howard Stern filed seeking more money under the five-year contract through last year which had already paid him over $600 million. Sirius XM claims Stern has already been paid all he is due. Tribune Boosts Broadcasting Chief to CEO Crain's Chicago Tribune Broadcasting division chairman Nils Larsen has been appointed CEO of the unit in a move that eliminates the post of division president Jerry Kersting. Kersting was promoted to president just a year ago, before the ouster of Tribune CEO Randy Michaels. MTV Hatches New Brand to Attract Movie Fans Variety MTV Networks aims to expand NextMovie into more than just a website. The 7-month-old "next gen" film site may get its own show on MTV2. MTV sees the brand fitting in the middle ground between niche blogs and movie-web giants like Yahoo Movies and IMDb. PBS Site Hacked In Retaliation Over WikiLeaks Wired News A hacker group unhappy with a PBS documentary on WikiLeaks has hit back by cracking the broadcaster's servers, posting stolen passwords and adding a fake news story claiming that famed rapper Tupac Shakur was "alive and well" in New Zealand. HSN Adds Online Game 'Arcade' to Website Wall Street Journal HSN, the TV-shopping network, is adding videogames to its website in hopes of piggybacking on the attraction of online games. The new feature, called HSN Arcade, will pair 25 games like Sodoku and Mahjongg with a live stream of HSN's main TV channel. Bloomberg, Comcast Prep Cable News Brawl New York Post Bloomberg LP has accused Comcast of violating a condition of its merger with NBC Universal, claiming the cable giant has discriminated against Bloomberg Television by relegating the channel to the Siberia of cable land while favoring its own CNBC. TV Networks Watch a Core Audience Erode Wall Street Journal U.S. TV networks marked the official end of the TV season on Wednesday. Few new shows became hits, and ratings for the four most-watched networks fell. Fewer viewers age 18 to 49 years old watched TV of any kind — live or recorded, broadcast or cable. Oprah Draws Her Largest Audience in 17 Years Bloomberg Oprah Winfrey, departing broadcast television for cable TV, attracted her largest audience in 17 years with the finale of her daily talk show. The last "Oprah Winfrey Show" was seen in 13.3% of the 115.9 million U.S. TV households, according to distributor CBS. Sirius XM: Stern Seeking $75 Million in Suit FMQB Sirius XM CEO Mel Karmazin announced during the company's shareholders meeting that the satcaster would be filing a Motion for Summary Judgment in its lawsuit against Howard Stern. The motion revealed that Stern is asking for "at least $75 million." Fox 'American Idol' Finale Declines in Ratings EW Fox's "American Idol" performance finale, delivering 20 million viewers, was down slightly in the ratings from last year's all-time low. The performance isn't unexpected given that "American Idol" has been tracking slightly below 2010's run all season. ABC, Couric Near Lucrative Talk Show Deal Daily Beast ABC is near a deal with Katie Couric for a syndicated daytime talk show after upping the ante. Couric could win almost total ownership of the venture, paying her far more than her former $15-million-a-year anchor salary at CBS. An announcement is likely in June. CNN Eyes Burnett for New Daily News Show New York Post CNN is said to be creating a daily news show for Erin Burnett to air at 7 p.m., a switch from business to breaking news. Burnett's show launches in June and will replace "John King USA." Burnett will also get the job of handing over to Eliot Spitzer at 8 p.m. MSNBC Host Schultz to Take Unpaid Leave Bloomberg MSNBC host Ed Schultz will take one week of unpaid leave after making disparaging remarks about commentator Laura Ingraham. Schultz offered to take the unpaid leave. "Remarks of this nature are unacceptable and will not be tolerated," said MSNBC. CNBC Anchor Mark Haines Dies Unexpectedly CNBC Mark Haines, 65, a fixture on CNBC for 22 years, had died. Haines, founding anchor of CNBC's morning "Squawk Box," was co-anchor of the "Squawk on the Street" show. CNBC head Mark Hoffman called Haines a "building block" of the network's programming. Oprah: No Giveaways on Finale of Talk Show Chicago Sun-Times There were no major surprises on the final episode of "The Oprah Winfrey Show." Winfrey told the audience: "You will not be getting a car or a tree. This last hour is really about me saying, thank you." She added: "I won't say goodbye. I'll just say until we meet again." NBC Sports President Expected to Step Down Los Angeles Times Just a week after Dick Ebersol exited his post as chairman of NBC Sports, his longtime No. 2 exec is also likely to be heading out the door. Ken Schanzer is expected to announce his retirement within the next few weeks. Schanzer has been with NBC for 30 years. Fox News Host Beck Planning Web TV Channel TV Newser Glenn Beck, the outgoing Fox News host, and his company are developing a new service called GBTV, which will be a web-based TV channel. GBTV will be based at GBTV.com. Beck's company has filed a trademark on a tagline for the channel: "The Truth Lives Here." CBS Star Kutcher Invests In Travel Booking Site Los Angeles Times Ashton Kutcher has made a "significant investment" in Airbnb, a website where people can list and book places and things -- apartments, sailboats or even the occasional castle -- for traveling and vacations. Kutcher is also joining the site as a strategic advisor. Fox Takes Demo Prize for 2010-11 TV Season Hollywood Reporter For the seventh consecutive year, Fox has closed the season as the top-rated broadcast network among the 18-to-49 demo, while CBS was the most-watched network for the eighth time in nine years. CBS has been dogged by the perception that its viewers are old. DirecTV-Dish Network Could Be Pay-TV Power New York Post A potential DirecTV-Dish Network merger could seriously challenge broadcast and cable networks looking to wring higher fees from cable and satellite-TV providers. Dish CEO Joe Clayton said a deal has a better shot at winning regulatory approval nowadays. Oprah Network Goes Dark for Talk Show Finale TVbytheNumbers In honor of Oprah Winfrey's final episode of "The Oprah Winfrey Show," OWN: the Oprah Winfrey Network will celebrate her legacy by taking an hour from its regularly scheduled programming Wednesday afternoon to direct fans to watch "this truly historic event." Sirius XM: Howard Stern Bashes Bosses On Air Examiner Howard Stern has brought his legal battle with Sirius XM to the airwaves, trashing the satellite radio company's execs on his show for what he believes is a breach of his 2006 contract. "There wouldn't be a Sirius if I wasn't here. This was a Hail Mary pass, hiring me." Sinclair Broadcast Buys Wrestling Franchise Associated Press Sinclair Broadcast Group has bought the "Ring of Honor" wrestling franchise and will start showing matches on its local TV stations. The move makes "Ring of Honor" the only U.S. wrestling federation with a "major, multi-market presence" on broadcast TV. Magic Johnson Buys Stake In Radio Broadcaster The Deal Basketball star Magic Johnson has acquired distressed debt in radio chain Inner City Broadcasting, as part of a play to eventually take control of the company. Johnson and investor Ron Burkle recently teamed up to invest in Vibe Holdings, the parent of Vibe magazine. CBS: Kutcher's Contract Extends Just One Year Wall Street Journal Ashton Kutcher has signed only a one-year deal to appear on CBS' "Two and a Half Men." That is partially because CBS has licensed the show for only an additional year. CBS and Warner Bros. want to get at least two or three more years out of TV's most popular comedy. Comcast Hiring of FCC Official Probed by Politician Bloomberg U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa has asked the Federal Communications Commission to explain commissioner Meredith Attwell Baker's departure for Comcast, four months after she voted to let the company buy NBC Universal. The public must be able to "trust the process." Oprah Book Club to Continue After TV Show Ends USA Today As "The Oprah Winfrey Show" ends its 25-year run on Wednesday, its host says Oprah's Book Club will follow her to her fledgling cable network, OWN. "I'm going to try to develop a show for books and authors," Winfrey said, without offering details. ESPN Book Takes Readers Inside Sports Network Associated Press A new book about ESPN, "Those Guys Have All the Fun," mixes a detailed corporate history of the 24-hour-a-day sports network with off-camera gossip and after-hours tales about network personalities. The oral history weighs in at more than 700 pages. MTV May Get New Tech-Savvy Rival in Karmaloop CNBC Pharrell Williams, the Grammy winning musician, aims to create an MTV for a new era. Williams has joined streetwear retailer Karmaloop.com, which is also an online TV channel. Williams is meeting with cable and satellite TV companies to bring Karmaloop to TV sets. Fox News Chief Ailes Mulls Legacy as Kingmaker New York Roger Ailes, the powerful chairman of Fox News and so-called "GOP kingmaker," reportedly wants New Jersey governor Chris Christie to run for U.S. president. Christie, who so far has turned down Ailes's calls to enter the race, possesses "Fox News TV values." Fox News Host Beck to Launch Groupon Rival Wall Street Journal Glenn Beck's production company plans to announce a new website called Markdown.com that will sell discounted products and services. The discounted deals service is entering a market dominated by giants such as Groupon and filling up with niche players. ABC, Couric Closing In on Deal for Talk Show Los Angeles Times Katie Couric, who anchored the "CBS Evening News" for the last time Thursday, is closing in on a deal with Disney's ABC to host an afternoon talk show. Issues remain surrounding her compensation. Disney chief Bob Iger has been "very involved" in the deal. NBC Sports' Ebersol Exits In Contract Dispute New York Times Dick Ebersol, who has run NBC Sports since 1989 and engineered the network's bids to acquire the rights to more Olympics than any other, has resigned after he said he could not come to an agreement on a new contract with new owner Comcast. ESPN, NBC, Fox Expected to Bid for Olympics Associated Press ESPN, NBC and probably Fox are expected to make bids next month on the next set of lucrative Olympic broadcast rights in the United States, with the International Olympic Committee hoping to surpass the previous deal for $2.2 billion. CBS is not expected to bid. MSNBC's Licht in Join CBS In News Reboot New York Times Chris Licht, the behind-the-scenes member of the "Morning Joe" band, is leaving MSNBC and becoming the VP of programming at CBS News. At CBS, he will try to inject new energy into the network's long-troubled morning show and develop other programs. CBS Lands 'Sully' Sullenberger for News Gig Associated Press The pilot who safely brought down the US Airways plane in the Hudson River in 2009 has landed at CBS News. The network has announced that Captain Chesley Sullenberger III, also known as Sully, has been named as aviation and safety expert. "Sully is a genuine hero." The CW to Reward Viewers for Watching Ads Lost Remote The CW network has announced a unique partnership with the shopping app Shopkick. When a Shopkick-enabled commercial airs on the CW, viewers will see an on-screen alert that prompts them to open the app, where they will find discounts at advertisers' stores. Oprah: After 25 Years, A Brand In Transition Bloomberg Businessweek The Oprah brand "performs as well as anything in the market today," according to branding professionals. However, Oprah Winfrey is a baby boomer, and "her historical moment is passing." Also: Winfrey's OWN cable network has drawn fewer viewers than expected. Dish Network CEO: More Acquisitions Coming Associated Press Joe Clayton, the new CEO of Dish Network, said that more acquisitions are on the horizon as the satellite-TV provider pieces together a "new video model" to compete with other pay-TV operators and Netflix. "No one's going to have a monopoly on this." Disney Mulls Creating Navy SEALs TV Series Fox Business Disney is said to be planning to develop a TV series based on the Navy SEALs team that killed Osama bin Laden, without focusing on the deadly mission that made these men famous. The company applied to trademark "Seal Team 6" shortly after Osama's death. CBS Eyes 'Fabulous' Exit for Charlie Sheen Wall Street Journal "Two and a Half Men" creator Chuck Lorre has "cooked up something fabulous" to get rid of Charlie Sheen's character on TV's No. 1 sitcom and replace him with a new character played by Ashton Kutcher, according to CBS Entertainment head Nina Tassler. Oprah Booted from Top of Forbes Celeb List AM New York Pop queen Lady Gaga has dethroned daytime-talk queen Oprah Winfrey as the most powerful entertainer on Forbes' annual "Celebrity 100" list. Gaga's 32 million Facebook fans and 10 million Twitter followers pushed her to the top spot, the magazine's editors said. Univision Plans Three New Cable TV Channels Los Angeles Times Spanish-language media giant Univision plans to launch three new cable TV channels next year, in an effort to tighten its grip on the growing Latino market and diversify its revenues. The new channels will be devoted to sports, news and telenovelas. CBS: Katie Couric Signs Off 'Evening News' Daily Beast Katie Couric, the first woman to anchor solo a "big three" evening news show, bids farewell to her post at "CBS Evening News" Thursday night after five years in the chair. No matter where she goes next, as Couric said in a tweet, there is "much to be proud of." Time Warner Cable Invests In TV Ad-Tech Firm TechCrunch BlackArrow, a provider of advertising solutions for "new television platforms," has announced a strategic investment by Time Warner Cable. The new capital will be used for the deployment of BlackArrow's Advanced Advertising System to programmers. ABC Touts Digital Media Delivery to Advertisers Deadline ABC execs have told ad buyers that the network's shows translate well to digital media. Commercials on ABC programs "deliver consistent ad impact" on devices as effectively as they do on TV. ABC is preparing a study that will focus specifically on iPads. CBS Eyes Kutcher's Social-Media Cred for 'Men' TV Guide New "Two and a Half Men" star Ashton Kutcher is set to participate in CBS' presentation to advertisers Wednesday. The actor comes with serious social-media cred, having garnered nearly 7 million followers on Twitter, which helps drive TV tune-in. ESPN Exec Denies Reports of 'Frat-Boy Culture' Washington Post John Skipper, ESPN executive VP of content, has denied that the company has a "frat-boy culture," despite recent reports. He also said that "stuff happens" because of the sheer size of the company. "We have a lot of employees. A few of them do something stupid." Fox News Channel Targeted with 'Drop' Site DropFox Media Matters for America, the progressive media watchdog group, has launched DropFox.com, an effort urging "accountability for Fox News' reckless vitriol." DropFox aims to get advertisers to stop supporting the news channel until it "reforms its behavior." Oprah: Stars Come Out for TV Talk-Show Finale Chicago Tribune Will Smith, Maria Shriver, Beyonce and Tom Hanks are among the celebrities appearing in two "Surprise Oprah! A Farewell Spectacular" episodes of the "Oprah Winfrey Show." The episodes will air next week as the talk show's third- and second-to-last spots. Disney Mulls Marketing with ESPN Olympics Bid SportsBusiness Journal In an attempt to sweeten its Olympic bid next month, ESPN is mulling the idea of supplementing its TV rights offer with a marketing deal from parent company Disney. A Disney sponsorship could marry the Olympic rings with Disney's immense global entertainment assets. Comcast: Advertisers to Lose Grip on NBC Shows New York Post New Comcast-owned NBC, which has long welcomed product placements, plans to move away from such deals this fall in favor of programs that don't plug sponsors. New entertainment chief Bob Greenblatt is pursuing a "content before commerce" strategy. ABC Cancels 10 Shows to Prepare for Fall Season New York Post ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC have cleaned house, canceling more than 20 shows in preparation for their new fall schedules. ABC led the way with 10 cancellations. CBS tolerated one season from "$#*! My Dad Says," the Twitter-inspired sitcom starring William Shatner. NBC: Trump Forsakes Presidential Bid for TV Job Financial Times Donald Trump, instead of becoming the next leader of the free world, has said that he will stick to his gig as host of "Celebrity Apprentice," the NBC reality show. The announcement marks the end of Trump's brief moment in the sun as a U.S. presidential candidate. ABC Pursues Couric for 'Today' Competitor Gig New York Post NBC "Today" co-hosts Matt Lauer and Ann Curry could soon be at war for ratings against former colleague Katie Couric. As part of a possible deal with ABC for a daytime talk show, Couric could make "strategic guest appearances" on "Good Morning America." Fox Offers One-Stop Ad Shopping for TV, Digital Deadline Fox execs have told advertisers that the network will embrace digital platforms by offering opportunities to buy spots that will run on a TV show anywhere it airs -- including digital sites such as Hulu. "The Internet and mobile are television's friends, not enemies." Netflix to Become 'TV Network' with New Shows New York Post Netflix is said to be close to financing a host of original TV shows on the heels of its staggering $100 million, two-season deal for "House of Cards." The streaming-video leader "wants to be the fifth network" after ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox, said one Hollywood talent agent. DirecTV to Create 'Next HBO' In Channel Redo Wall Street Journal DirecTV wants to create a channel with the same cachet as HBO or Showtime to draw new customers. The satellite-TV provider next month will rebrand its exclusive 101 Network channel as the Audience Network and plans to create original shows for the channel. Dish Network Names Sirius Veteran Clayton CEO Bloomberg Dish Network has named Joseph Clayton as president and CEO. Charlie Ergen, who formerly held both posts, will remain chairman of the second-largest U.S. satellite-TV provider. Clayton was chairman of Sirius Satellite Radio from November 2004 through July 2008. TV's $9.2 Billion Upfront Ad Season Kicking Off New York Post U.S. network television's beauty pageant begins Monday. The big five broadcast networks will wine and dine and hopefully wow Madison Avenue and their clients, America's biggest corporations, into committing advertising dollars to their fall schedules. CNN Anchor Lemon Comes Out as Gay In Book New York Times Don Lemon, CNN weekend prime-time anchor, has not made a secret of his sexual orientation in his work life. Many of his CNN co-workers are aware that he is gay. But going public in his new book, "Transparent," carries certain risks, he said. "I'm scared." CBS Close to Million-Dollar 'Men' Deal with Kutcher Wall Street Journal CBS and Warner Bros. are close to bringing actor Ashton Kutcher on board the sitcom "Two and a Half Men" in a newly-created role, a move that would give a new lease of life to TV's most-watched comedy. Kutcher reportedly would be paid around $1 million per episode. NBC Primary Concern: Will Trump Run for Prez? New York Post NBC is pushing Donald Trump to make up his mind about whether he wants to be a reality-show host or run for president before the network unveils its fall lineup on Sunday. NBC has been "calling Trump every hour" and making offers that are said to touch $60 million. Dish Network in Talks for Premium Video Rentals Bloomberg Dish Network is considering a video-on-demand service to offer Hollywood movies about eight weeks after they are released. The service would likely have terms similar to those of DirecTV, Dish's larger satellite-TV competitor, including a price tag of about $30. ABC News Hires CBS Producer for 'This Week' ABC News Rick Kaplan is returning to ABC News as executive producer of "This Week with Christiane Amanpour." He recently served in the same capacity with the "CBS Evening News with Katie Couric." Kaplan has spent some 20 years at ABC as executive producer of news shows. NBC Eyes News Anchor Williams for Prime Time Wall Street Journal NBC is developing a new prime-time news magazine show hosted by "NBC Nightly News" anchor Brian Williams, as the network's new management attempts to buck NBC's prime-time slump. The program could air as soon as the fall but the timing is still unclear. PBS: Lehrer to Step Down as 'NewsHour' Anchor PBS NewsHour Jim Lehrer will end his role as a regular anchor of the "PBS NewsHour" in June. While Lehrer, 76, who has been with the program for 36 years, will no longer have a regular anchoring role, he will continue to appear on many Friday evenings to moderate weekly analysis. Oprah to Include Smiths on Finale of Talk Show The Daily Cementing their place in history as two of Oprah Winfrey's favorite guests, actor Will Smith and wife Jada Pinkett Smith will appear on the talk queen's final show May 25. Speculation about who will appear on the mystery-shrouded last episode has been building. Disney's ABC Is Rated Favorite U.S. TV Brand Hollywood Reporter ABC is the top "must keep TV" brand in the United States, according to a survey of American consumers by Consultants Solutions Research. The survey also found ESPN repeated as the top cable brand. For the first time since 2007, HBO failed to make the top 10 TV brands list. CBS Hopes to Land 'Men' Star by Next Week Wall Street Journal CBS and Warner Bros. are racing to lock in a new star for "Two and a Half Men," looking to save TV's most-watched comedy before CBS presents its fall TV schedule to advertisers next week. Hugh Grant had been in talks to take a role, but those conversations are on hold. NBC: Trump Won't Reveal Presidential Plans National Journal Donald Trump, contrary to his own personally advanced hype, will not be making an announcement about his U.S. presidential plans on the "Celebrity Apprentice" season finale. "There will be no announcement," according to NBC. "It's just misinformation on his part." CBS Names Veteran Producers for Newscasts New York Times CBS has named Batt Humphreys the interim executive producer of its morning newscast, "The Early Show," replacing David Friedman, and named Patricia Shevlin the executive producer of the "CBS Evening News," replacing Rick Kaplan. Both are veterans of CBS News. Oprah to Get Street Named After Her in Chicago Chicago Tribune A section of street near Oprah Winfrey's Harpo Studios in Chicago will be named after her, per an announcement by mayor Richard Daley. Winfrey has "been a gift for over two decades." The talk-show queen joked: "This is better than an Oscar or an Emmy." CBS News Site to Debut 'Trending' Social Show Lost Remote Next week, CBSNews.com will launch a show called "What's Trending" that bridges a live, weekly webcast with social media interaction. "'What's Trending' fills the gap as a broadcast show for the Internet generation," said host and executive producer Shira Lazar. Sirius XM Bringing 'TMZ Live' to Satellite Radio Satellite Radio Playground Sirius XM Radio has announced that "TMZ Live", the daily entertainment news program hosted by Harvey Levin on TMZ.com, will be coming to the satellite radio company in June. "I'm excited," said Levin. "A lot of our users are watching 'TMZ Live' on their computers at work." Fox Employees' Personal Data Leaked by Hackers Gawker Fox Broadcasting employees might want to change their passwords: A database of about 300 staffers' email addresses and passwords, apparently stolen from a Fox.com database, have been leaked by a hacking group that previously stole "X Factor" contestants' personal data. Shine International Moves Headquarters to London Los Angeles Times Elisabeth Murdoch's rapidly growing international sales and distribution arm for her TV production company Shine plans to relocate its headquarters from Los Angeles to London. Shine International sells such TV formats as "MasterChef" and "The Biggest Loser." CBS 'Evening News' Producer for Couric to Leave New York Times Two weeks after Katie Couric confirmed that she was leaving the "CBS Evening News," her producer, Rick Kaplan, said that he was also departing. Kaplan's exit has been expected for weeks. He told "Evening News" staff members that his last day would be Thursday. NBC Anchor's Son Hiring Stirs Nepotism Charge Chicago Tribune The hiring of Stefan Holt, whose father is NBC News anchor Lester Holt, by WMAQ in Chicago has brought charges of nepotism. The younger Holt, just two years out of Pepperdine University, has been named reporter and weekend morning co-anchor at the NBC station. CNN, MSNBC Surpass Newspapers on the Web NPR Cable news channels are increasingly beating major newspaper brands for online audiences, at least among the legacy news shops. CNN.com is far and away the leader, with nearly 8.5 million unique U.S. visitors each day. Next in line is MSNBC.com, with 7.4 million uniques daily. MTV Entertainment Bulks Up Web Production Adweek Comedy Central has unveiled two new web-only shows amid a broader reorganization at MTV Entertainment Group aimed at developing content online. The shows mark one of Comedy Central's first forays into branded content online, and a new focus on web-only material. FCC to Offer Disaster Alerts for Mobile Phones CNET News The U.S. Federal Communications Commission plans to expand its familiar emergency alert system notifications sent over TV and radio to include mobile phones. The alerts would be in the form of text messages sent to cell phones of people who want to be notified. Apollo Global to Buy 'American Idol' Company Wall Street Journal CKX, the company behind television singing competition "American Idol," is said to have agreed to sell itself to private-equity firm Apollo Global Management in a deal valued at about $509 million. The CKX deal is scheduled to be unveiled publicly Tuesday. Comcast Customers Will TiVo on Actual TiVos Philadelphia Business Comcast has given up trying to bring TiVo's popular user interface to its customers with its own digital video recorders and has struck a deal to offer TiVo's DVRs instead. The companies expect to launch their partnership in the San Francisco Bay Area. ESPN Debuts Live TV Streaming App for Android Multichannel News ESPN plans to make four live network feeds available through a free app for Google's Android operating system to subscribers of Time Warner Cable, Bright House and FiOS TV. ESPN is in talks with other pay-TV operators about providing access to the services. HBO Goes Mobile But Lacks Key Cable Carriage MarketWatch HBO has launched a mobile web video service in an attempt to shift its pay-TV business model on to the Internet, but two key distributors — Time Warner Cable and Cablevision — have yet to sign on to the effort. The new HBO Go may be hampered without them. Univision Produces Telenovela for Web, Mobiles Fast Company Univision has just wrapped filming on a new telenovela to be streamed on the web and mobile devices. The series, called "No Me Hallo" ("Finding Myself") stars Angelica Vale, a major Mexican star, and will "air" in 15 mini-episodes, each about five minutes long. Bloomberg TV to Profile Media Game Changers Hollywood Reporter Bloomberg Television's business biography series "Bloomberg Game Changers" returns Tuesday night for its second season, focusing on people — including Rupert Murdoch, Reed Hastings, Jeff Bezos and Richard Branson — who have changed the face of media. NBC: Lauer Won't Leave 'Today' to Join Couric USA Today As Meredith Vieira confirmed plans to step down from NBC's "Today" show on June 8, co-anchor Matt Lauer said he isn't going anywhere. Lauer spoke with Katie Couric about the possibility of joining her planned daytime talk show. However, "it's not going to happen." CBS Ousts Another Producer of 'Early Show' New York Times For the fifth time in less than four years, "The Early Show" on CBS is getting a new boss. CBS News said that David Friedman, who has been the beleaguered morning show's executive producer for the last 16 months, is the latest producer to leave. Oprah Eyes Broadway Role as Talk Show Ends Chicago Tribune As Oprah Winfrey's talk show approaches its final episode, Winfrey is moving to turn her long-time dream of appearing on Broadway into reality. "Just this past weekend, I was in New York meeting with producers. This is really going to happen." BIO Channel to Air Palin Daughter Reality Show Reuters Single mom Bristol Palin has landed her own reality TV show, and producers say she will allow cameras "exclusive access" into her personal life for the first time. The BIO cable channel has ordered 10 half-hour episodes of the documentary series. NBC: Warren Buffett to Join 'The Office' Finale Variety Warren Buffett will make a cameo in Thursday's episode of "The Office," interviewing for the job as a replacement to Michael Scott, the character Steve Carell played until last month. The billionaire investor is among a star-studded list of names coming to "The Office" finale. Oprah Winfrey Network Ousts CEO Norman Los Angeles Times Christina Norman has been replaced as CEO of the Oprah Winfrey Network, which has struggled to attract viewers since its Jan. 1 launch. Discovery's No. 2 executive, Peter Liguori, will take over the Los Angeles-based channel on an interim basis. MTV Big's Farewell Party Attracts Big Names New York Post If there were any question that former MTV Networks honcho Judy McGrath was pushed out, then her farewell speech to colleagues and friends, including U2's Bono and The Edge, said it all: "I know you know how I feel. I'll send you an elaborate letter on Gmail." CNBC Leader Pink Replaced by WSJ Veteran Adweek CNBC has announced that senior VP Jeremy Pink is stepping down. Pink will be replaced by CNBC managing editor for business day programming Nikhil Deogun, who will take the title senior VP and editor in chief, business news. Deogun is a veteran of the Wall Street Journal. NBC: Vieira Leaving 'Today' Show Next Month Associated Press Meredith Vieira said that she will leave NBC's "Today" show next month to spend more time with her family, and Ann Curry will replace her as host. The turnover at TV's top-rated morning show was anticipated. Vieira has talked about wanting more free time. CBS News Anchor Pelley 'Raising Eyebrows' New York Post New CBS anchor Scott Pelley raised some eyebrows on the "Evening News" after appearing to have undergone an eyebrow and eyelid lift. Pelley "looks like he had the nip and tuck in the eyelid area" before it was announced he would replace Katie Couric. NBC Ex-CEO Zucker Rejects Kanye Price Tag New York Post Former NBC boss Jeff Zucker threw a lavish bar mitzvah at the Four Seasons for his son, with no expense spared — except Kanye West's $1 million demand to perform. The bash, costing well over an estimated $250,000, included a performance by rapper Drake. MTV Head Exits as Viacom Chief Takes Control New York Post With the departure of longtime MTV Networks head Judy McGrath, Viacom chief Philippe Dauman is seizing the opportunity to solidify his grip on the company's profit center. One source said the rebuilt corporate structure would be renamed Viacom Networks. Fox News Ends Contracts of Gingrich, Santorum CNN Fox News Channel has terminated the contracts of contributors Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum. Contracts for the former House Speaker and former Pennsylvania senator were suspended until May 1 while they considered runs for the White House in 2012. ABC, Couric Near $20 Million Talk-Show Deal TMZ Katie Couric and ABC are said to be on the verge of signing a $20 million deal, which would give Couric her own weekday talk show starting in September, as well as significant involvement in ABC News. "General Hospital" may be canceled to make room for Couric. NBC Publicity VP Out After Emails to Couric New York Post Former NBC communications VP Kevin Goldman's friendship with CBS anchor Katie Couric may have cost him his job. The NBC publicist left the network after execs allegedly found emails from Goldman to Couric regarding "stuff that was happening in the building." CBS 'Early Show' Rumored for Big Shakeup New York Post CBS "Early Show" executive producer David Friedman gathered his staff on Wednesday afternoon for a pep talk and to address reports that he is leaving the morning show and that the network is wooing other anchors. "There's a lot of rumors going on in the newspapers." Cablevision Continues to See Subscriber Slide FierceCable The weak economy is partially responsible for an ongoing video subscriber slide at Cablevision, said COO Tom Rutledge. The company, he added, is still reeling after a dispute with Fox Networks that led to a blackout during last year's Major League Baseball playoffs. Fox Plans 3D 'Glee' Movie with Original Cast Deadline News Corp.'s 20th Century Fox TV and film divisions have partnered to produce "Glee Live! 3D!," a feature film based on the upcoming "Glee Live! In Concert!" North American tour. The studio plans to release the film for a two-week engagement starting Aug. 12. Clear Channel Exec Plays Up Radio's Stability Los Angeles Times Bob Pittman: "Our strategy is to be where the listeners are. They're on the web. They're on Facebook. They're on Twitter. They're on their tablets and cellphones. And so are we. Radio is truly America's companion, wherever they happen to be." CNNMoney to Launch 'More Visual' Redesign TalkingBizNews CNNMoney plans to unveil changes to its website next week. According to executive editor Chris Peacock, stories will be "much more visual, with high-resolution video. Along those lines, we're also introducing an innovative 'tablet view' to view our most important stories." CBS Eyes 'Five-0' as Billion-Dollar Franchise Los Angeles Times CBS' remake of "Hawaii Five-O" is already on track to turn a profit. CEO Les Moonves said the company will rake in nearly $5 million an episode. "This is only 'Hawaii Five-0''s first year and it's already on its way to being another billion-dollar franchise for us." NBC, Fox, ABC Shows Face Uncertain Futures Los Angeles Times Network TV execs will be huddling in screening rooms the next few days, watching pilots for proposed fall series. Current shows with uncertain futures are said to include CBS' "Two and a Half Men," ABC's "Brothers & Sisters," NBC's "Chuck," and Fox's "Lie to Me." MTV Signs Development Deal with 'Situation' Variety The most famous abs in reality TV are getting their own show, thanks to Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino's new development deal at MTV. The "Jersey Shore" participant has signed an agreement for series development, with a pilot likely to be filmed later this year. CBS Names Pelley Anchor of 'Evening News' CBS News Scott Pelley has been confirmed as the new anchor and managing editor of the "CBS Evening News," replacing Katie Couric. The appointment is effective June 6. Pelley will continue to report stories for "60 Minutes." According to CBS News chief Jeff Fager: "Scott has it all." Sirius XM: Howard Stern to Reduce Schedule Digital Spy Howard Stern has begun working a reduced schedule for Sirius XM radio. Earlier this year, the talk show host confirmed that his contract extension with the satellite radio company allows him to cut down on the number of shows he broadcasts each month. NBCUniversal to Launch Local News Channels The Hill NBCUniversal has announced it is launching nonstop local news and information channels in Dallas, Miami and California to fulfill part of the of the local programming condition imposed by the Federal Communications Commission as part of the Comcast merger. Sirius XM's Risks Seen to Outweigh Rewards TheStreet Sirius XM Radio's stock has advanced 71% in the past 12 months. But it remains "dangerous" because of its business model. "The fact remains: Sirius XM profits by selling an otherwise free service — radio — at a premium price. It may be wise to abandon this stock." CNN: Bin Laden News Gives Ratings Victory New York Times The breaking news of the killing of Osama bin Laden pushed CNN to the top of the cable news ratings Sunday night, with almost 8 million viewers tuning in during the hour of President Obama's speech. CNN easily eclipsed Fox News and other news channel rivals. NBC: Trump Has Decided on Bid for Presidency Bloomberg Donald Trump said he has decided "in my mind" to run for president, yet won't make an official announcement before the season finale of his "Celebrity Apprentice" show later this month on NBC. Trump said he will focus on "making our country rich and respected." NBC's Meyers Mocks Trump at WH Press Dinner Washington Post During his speech at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner on Saturday, "Saturday Night Live" head writer Seth Meyers took several digs at fellow NBC star Donald Trump, who was seated in the audience. Meyers gave the traditional celebrity keynote address. CBS Deadline Looms for 'Two and a Half Men' Associated Press There are 2 1/2 weeks left for Warner Bros. Television and CBS to decide the fate of "Two and a Half Men." With CBS unveiling its fall schedule to advertisers on May 18, deadline pressure is on to develop a post-Charlie Sheen version of the highly lucrative sitcom. CNN Hires Burnett, Seeking 'Substance, Depth' New York Times CNN has hired anchor Erin Burnett from CNBC and plans to develop a daily show for her to start this summer. Ken Jautz, the exec in charge of CNN/U.S., has not determined a time slot for Burnett's show. He said that the network aims to emphasize "substance and depth." NBC to Announce Curry as Vieira Replacement Wall Street Journal The rumored musical chairs at the "Today" show is expected to become official Monday as NBC will announce that Ann Curry will replace Meredith Vieira as co-anchor in June. The move, which was expected, marks a big break for Curry, a longtime "Today" news anchor. Oprah's New TV Network to Boost Investment Wall Street Journal Discovery CEO David Zaslav has conceded that ratings for OWN, the joint-venture cable network his company operates with Oprah Winfrey, were "below our expectations." The company said it would try to boost them by spending more on programming. NFL Network Considers Programming on Tablets Wall Street Journal The National Football League is in talks with pay-TV operators to distribute the NFL Network's programming over tablets and other computers, as the TV industry wrestles with the rise of digital media. The channel carries live games, among other programming. Dish, EchoStar to Pay $500 Million in TiVo Suit Associated Press Dish Network and EchoStar will pay TiVo $500 million to settle a patent lawsuit over digital video recorder technology. TiVo first sued Dish and EchoStar in 2004 for infringing on patents covering its "Time Warp" technology to digitally record TV programs. Comcast's NBC News, E! to Team on Coverage Advertising Age NBC News and E! became siblings when Comcast, E!'s owner, bought a majority stake in NBC News parent NBC Universal. Now NBC News and E! are working together to cover Britain's royal wedding. The two expect to share more in the days ahead as circumstances warrant. Time Warner Cable Sees Future in Web Access Associated Press Time Warner Cable's high-speed Internet service overshadowed its core cable TV business as a boost in broadband subscribers contributed to a 52% increase in first-quarter net income. The company has focused more on developing technology around web-delivered video. HBO Coming to Android, Apple Mobile Devices Los Angeles Times HBO is going mobile. The pay-TV network on Monday will begin offering its subscribers access to watch HBO programming on Android mobile devices and Apple's iPhone and iPad tablet. "That device has changed television," said HBO co-head Eric Kessler of the iPad. NBC: Curry to Replace Vieira on 'Today' Show Hollywood Reporter Meredith Vieira is due to exit NBC's "Today" show in June, nearly three months before the end of her contract. "Today" newsreader Ann Curry will be promoted to co-host, and correspondent Natalie Morales will take Curry's place. An official announcement could come next week. Warner Bros Revises CBS 'Men' Without Sheen New York Times "Two and a Half Men" studio Warner Brothers has confirmed that it hopes to bring the CBS No. 1 sitcom back without its original lead, Charlie Sheen. One aspect of the new effort will be the presence of a new star. "We are not bringing the show back with Charlie." Oprah Store in Chicago to Close as Show Ends Chicago Sun-Times Now that the queen of TV talk is leaving Chicago, the Oprah Store is closing. Oprah Winfrey's venture into retail opened to high hopes and hype in early 2008 near her studio. It stocked some 700 items chosen to reflect her style and themes explored on her show. MTV Awards to Include 'Best Tweet of the Year' Huffington Post MTV has named the "best tweet of the year" in honor of the inaugural O Music Awards, which will stream live online on April 28. The honor goes to performer Kanye West, whose tweets have been acted out by little kids and paired with New Yorker cartoons. ABC News, Twitter Team Up on Royal Wedding Los Angeles Times ABC News has partnered with Twitter to create hashtags for viewers to use when reacting to Britain's royal wedding as they watch it on TV or monitor it on the Internet. Twitter and ABC came up with #RoyalMess and #RoyalSuccess to indicate a tweeter's opinion. ESPN Grantland.com Staffs Up for June Debut ESPN MediaZone ESPN.com writer Bill Simmons has announced the first wave of writer and editor hires for Grantland.com, a new sports and pop culture website coming in June. Conceived and led by Simmons, the site plans to feature a diverse lineup of writers and editors. Comcast to Offer More On-Demand TV Shows Bloomberg Comcast plans to add more than 20 network TV shows to its on-demand service, giving customers a broader option of recorded programming. The cable TV giant will include TV series from ABC and Fox for the first time, including "Grey's Anatomy" and "Glee." DirecTV Mulls Launching Netflix Rival Service Zatz Not Funny DirecTV has hit up some of its customers with a web survey that includes the "concept" of a "Netflix-like service" to existing satellite-TV subscribers: "The service would allow you to stream thousands of movies and TV shows over a broadband Internet connection." NBCUniversal Sees Exit of Another Top Exec Deadline Jean-Briac (JB) Perrette, president of NBCUniversal digital and affiliate distribution and content distribution strategy, is the latest exec from the previous regime to exit after Comcast's takeover of the company. Perrette previously served as head of digital distribution. CBS Affiliates Non-Plussed by Couric Departure Broadcasting & Cable CBS affiliates were largely non-plussed by Katie Couric's announcement that she plans to leave the "CBS Evening News," while some lamented an unconverted opportunity to score big in the time slot. Said one station manager: "I don't think any talent is worth that kind of money." CNN Near Deal to Hire CNBC Anchor Burnett New York Times CNBC anchor Erin Burnett is said to be poised to sign a long-term contract with CNN. The signing will represent a shift to general news anchoring for Burnett, who has shown interest in branching out beyond business news. Burnett was considered a rising star at CNBC. MTV Exports 'Jersey Shore' to United Kingdom Zap2It An idea as good as "Jersey Shore" was bound to spawn spin-offs. MTV U.K. has released a trailer for a British take on the concept: "Geordie Shore." Set in Newcastle, the show will follow eight young "toons" as they party and preen and, no doubt, hook up. CBS: Couric Says She Is Leaving Evening News People After weeks of speculation, Katie Couric is ready to go on the record. "I have decided to step down from the CBS Evening News. I am looking at a format that will allow me to engage in more multi-dimensional storytelling." She adds that other details about her future are "still being discussed." NBC's Vieira Expected to Exit 'Today' in Summer The Daily A changing of the guard at NBC's "Today" show is said to be imminent, with an announcement that Meredith Vieira will be leaving the top-rated morning broadcast in June. Ann Curry is expected to replace Vieira as Matt Lauer's co-anchor. NBC has no comment on the "speculation." Current TV to Resurrect Olbermann's 'Countdown' Reuters News host Keith Olbermann will call his new Current TV show by an old name -- "Countdown," the same as his old program on MSNBC. "Countdown with Keith Olbermann" will premiere on the public affairs channel co-founded by Al Gore on June 20. Olbermann left MSNBC in January. Comcast Hopes Fall Schedule Will Revive NBC Philadelphia Inquirer When Comcast bought NBCUniversal in January for $13.8 billion, it got the worst prime-time lineup on network TV, the perennial loser that is NBC. The network, said to be losing $500 million a year, ranks in some cities at seventh place, "behind three or four cable networks." ABC, NBC Said to Consider Couric for Talk Show Bloomberg Katie Couric is said to be considering a move to ABC as she prepares to end her five-year run as "CBS Evening News" anchor. Couric is expected to announce this week that she will leave the show. Both NBC and ABC are believed to be discussing talk shows with her. MSNBC's Maddow Clarifies Coming Out Remarks Mediaite In an interview, Rachel Maddow urged others in cable news who may be gay to come out, citing it as a "responsibility." The remarks were interpreted by some news outlets as a direction to CNN's Anderson Cooper. Maddow took to her blog to clarify she meant nothing of the sort. NBC Sitcom Star Fey Visits Google Headquarters Wired Tina Fey participated in a Q&A with Google chief Eric Schmidt last week as part of the tech giant's Authors@Google series to promote her new book, "Bossypants." The "30 Rock" creator explained the rules of improv and attempted to engage Schmidt in a quick comedic bout. CBS: Couric Is Expected to Say She's Leaving New York Times This week, Katie Couric plans to acknowledge one of the worst-kept secrets in television: that she is leaving the "CBS Evening News" after five years. Then, as soon as she returns from anchoring the network's coverage of the royal wedding, CBS will announce her successor. VH1 'Mob Wives' Gains Traction With Women Wall Street Journal VH1's bid to draw young women with a line-up of flashy new reality shows appears to be working. "Mob Wives," a reality program about a group of women who were born into, or married into, reputed Mafia families, drew 1.4 million viewers when it premiered a week ago Sunday. Univision's Goal: Leading Latino Sports Net Crain's New York Business Univision is hoping to score its biggest goal yet. The Spanish-language broadcaster will launch a sports cable network, called Univision Deportes, in early 2012 that could send a corner kick over the heads of Spanish-language sports channels ESPN Deportes and Fox Deportes. TV 'Upfront' Market: Demand Builds for Ads Wall Street Journal For the second consecutive year, marketers are poised to spend more money in advance on commercials for the coming TV season than they did a year earlier, driven in part by high prices for last-minute commercials, according to buyers and sellers of TV advertising. WNBC Veterans Launch Zazoom Online Biz Crain's New York Business Three New York TV news veterans have launched a website and production company, Zazoom, that creates one-minute videos which they hope will be the first step toward an extensive online-media venture. The videos can be found on Zazoom's website, Buzz60.com, which is in beta. Hulu In Talks with RIM About PlayBook Access Dow Jones Blackberry maker RIM is in talks with Hulu about gaining paid access to the online video site's content for users of its new tablet device, the PlayBook. Hulu blocked access from PlayBook users as part of its strategy to make content available through its new pay service. Fox Adds Twitter Hashtags to Primetime Shows New York Post Fox has added Twitter hashtags for its primetime programming to the network logos that appear on the bottom right of the screen during broadcasts. Hashtags are used to identify keywords and topics in tweets and help track categories that are "trending" across the Twitter universe. Travel Channel to Invest $7.5M in Oyster.com New York Times The Travel Channel has invested $7.5 million in Oyster.com, a startup that employs professionals to review hotels and takes a cut of hotel room reservations. It will promote Oyster on TV and online, and may incorporate the site's reviewers into future programs. Fox's Dodgers TV Deal May Hinge on Trustee Bloomberg The Los Angeles Dodgers' new $3 billion broadcast agreement with News Corp.'s Fox may need the approval of Major League Baseball's yet-to-be-named trustee for the team, according to former CBS Sports exec Neal Pilson. The trustee "could very well void it." Comcast Sees Big Potential in USA Network Wall Street Journal USA network has built an identity defined by sunny, optimistic original series like "White Collar." But too many of such shows could make the network seem formulaic. "Financially, it's the most important property NBCUniversal has," said Comcast-NBCU boss Steve Burke. NBCUniversal Plans Telemundo Blog Summit Variety NBCUniversal's Lauren Zalaznick is trying to work her upscale brand magic on Spanish-language broadcaster Telemundo. The exec has announced a blogger summit in Miami called Social@Telemundo, in an effort to reach out to Hispanic high-end consumers. NBC's 'Chuck' Gets Twitter Push to Save Show Wired An online force has swelled in hopes of getting nerdy action-comedy "Chuck" renewed for a fifth season. The "We Give a Chuck" campaign has been flooding Twitter with appeals to the show's advertisers. Fans are "paying attention," according to the campaign's organizer. NatGeo to Air 'Restrepo' After Filmmaker's Death Washington Post The National Geographic Channel will re-telecast the documentary "Restrepo" at 9 p.m. Monday, after news that Tim Hetherington, one of two men who made the film, was killed while covering the combat in Libya. The channel holds the global broadcast rights to "Restrepo." U.S. Seeks Review to Limit Broadcast Profanity Bloomberg President Obama's administration has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to consider reinstating Federal Communications Commission restrictions on broadcast profanities and nudity. Justices are being urged to review a lower court's ruling that the FCC policy was vague. Comcast to Provide Coverage for NBC Station Philadelphia Inquirer A Comcast regional sports network will assume sports coverage for an NBC TV station in northern California, the first case of the cable giant's content replacing a report at an NBC affiliate. NBCUniversal will examine whether similar synergies exist in other markets. ABC Exec Getting Heat for Canceling Soaps New York Post ABC head of daytime programming Brian Frons is said to be in hot water over the cancellation of "One Life to Live" and "All My Children." After Hoover announced it would yank ads over the soap axing, other advertisers are getting heat from consumers to pull ads. DirecTV Willing to Lower Price for Film Service Bloomberg DirecTV may lower the $30 price on its premium video-on-demand film rentals and offer new movies sooner if subscribers don't embrace the service, according to Derek Chang, executive VP. "We're testing a price point and testing a window in the early days of this product." Dish in Contempt of Court in TiVo Patent Fight Associated Press A panel of federal appeals judges has found Dish Network and EchoStar in contempt of court for failing to abide by an injunction barring them from using technology patented by TiVo in older Dish set-top boxes. The ruling pushed TiVo's shares up $2.47, or 30%, Wednesday. Clear Channel Radio Unveils iHeartRadio App San Antonio Express-News Clear Channel Radio has made its iHeartRadio app for the iPad available at the App Store. The app allows users to listen to Clear Channel's 750 digital radio stations from 150 cities, along with the company's digital-only commercial-free stations. Comcast Extends Hockey Rights for $2 Billion Bloomberg Comcast's NBC and Versus networks have retained the U.S. broadcast rights for National Hockey League games in a 10-year contract that people familiar with the deal said was worth $2 billion. The NHL describes the agreement as its "most significant media deal." DirecTV to Launch Premium Video on Demand Los Angeles Times After much feuding among studios and theaters, DirecTV is ready to "Just Go With It." The satellite TV provider will launch its premium video on demand service Thursday with the Adam Sandler comedy, just 69 days after the film premiered in theaters. HBO Go to Stream Series Free for Subscribers Time HBO fans have reason to celebrate with the premium cable network's announcement of HBO Go, available on tablets and mobile devices next month. HBO Go will offer instant access to both old favorites and newer series. To access it, viewers must subscribe to HBO. Netflix Eyes Multiple Streams, Tweaks to Plans CNET News Netflix's limits on the number of streams available to customers might soon change. In a question-and-answer page on the company's investors site, Netflix said that it is exploring ways to encourage customers to pay for the ability to watch multiple streams at the same time. CNN Launches Free App for Android Globally Broadcasting & Cable CNN has launched a new free CNN App for Android phones globally on the Android Market that includes iReport, global radio content, live video, VOD and personalization features. Lexus is the exclusive launch sponsor for the CNN Android app in the United States. ABC News Shakes Up Ranks, Seeks Alliances Wall Street Journal ABC News has shuffled some top jobs, replacing two execs and creating a new role charged with seeking business alliances and partnerships. Former AOL and MTV exec Joe Ruffolo will take over as head of ABC News Digital; Barbara Fedida will take over as top talent exec. CBS: 'Happy Days' Cast Sue Over Merchandise CNNMoney "Happy Days" faces an unhappy legacy nearly four decades after it first went on the air. Four cast members, and the estate of Tom Bosley, who died last October, claim that show owner CBS has not paid them for merchandising revenues they are owed under their contracts. ABC Loses Hoover Ads After Canceling Soaps Associated Press A Hoover exec whose wife and mother are big fans of two ABC soap operas that were canceled last week said he is yanking the vacuum-maker's ads from the network in protest. "All My Children" and "One Life to Live" will be replaced with cooking and weight-loss shows. Fox Mulls Contract Changes to Punish Leakers Hollywood Reporter The fallout from a "Glee" extra revealing key spoilers via Twitter could impact the way some TV contracts are drafted. Nicole Crowther, a day player on the hit Fox show, came under fire for sharing the names of the prom king and queen in an upcoming episode. Young Adults Favor Internet, Mobiles Over TV World Screen Many Britons aged between 12 and 24 would prefer to live without a TV set than without a mobile phone or Internet access, according to new research from U.K. media regulator Ofcom. The research reports that some 74% of U.K. homes have Internet access. MTV Digital Music Awards Bound for Las Vegas Associated Press MTV is taking its inaugural O Music Awards to Las Vegas. The network announced that its planned show honoring digital music and fandom will take place at a "mystery location" in Vegas on April 28. The live show will stream online and on mobile. ESPN Drops Poker After Move on Gambling Sites Bloomberg ESPN will remove poker advertising and programming after the U.S. indicted gambling websites that sponsor televised tournaments and froze their bank accounts. "We are making efforts to remove related advertising and programming pending further review." CBS to See 'Big Shakeup' In News This Summer New York Post The harsh email from CBS News head David Rhodes about the network's "bad Monday morning" augurs of changes to come, according to sources. "There will be a big shakeup when Katie Couric leaves. Scott Pelley is already telling people that he has Couric's job." CNBC to Launch Websites for Asia Pacific, Europe Talking Biz News CNBC.com has announced that it has launched an Asian Pacific version of its website, with a European site to follow. The new site includes more Asia Pacific content and news and analysis from regional content partners including Caixin Media from China. Fox News Chief Accused of Spying on Newspaper Gawker Employees at the Putnam County News and Recorder in Putnam County, N.Y., claim that Fox News chief Roger Ailes had them followed, read their emails and bugged their offices. Ailes bought the newspaper in 2008 as a project to manage after he retired from Fox News. Tribune: Creditors Seek to Claw Back Payouts Wall Street Journal Former shareholders in Tribune are bracing for a possible barrage of litigation aimed at clawing back more than $8 billion in payouts received in the company's ill-fated buyout. If successful, any litigation could represent an unprecedented legal development. Comcast, Ebersol Said to Face Olympics Hurdle New York Post As U.S. TV networks put the finishing touches on bids for rights to the Olympics, due next month, friction is said to be growing between NBC Universal's longtime Olympics chief, Dick Ebersol, and network brass. "This is a big test of what Dick's role is." Time Warner Cable App Sees Networks Return GigaOM After weeks of back and forth between Time Warner Cable and its programmers, the provider is bringing back six cable networks that had been taken off its controversial TV iPad app. The channels, from Fox Networks and Discovery, include Fox News and TLC. Oprah to Export TV Network to Foreign Markets Reuters Three months after Oprah Winfrey's cable TV channel premiered in the United States, preparations are underway to introduce the network to international audiences. Execs from co-owner Discovery Communications have been holding talks in foreign markets. NBC to Trim Coverage of 'Too Boring' Royals New York Post NBC Universal is said to have cut a number of pretaped segments from its coverage of the royal wedding because insiders fear Prince William and Kate Middleton are "too boring," according to sources. "The U.S. public's interest was not what they thought." VH1 Aims to Appeal to 'Regurgitation Nation' Wall Street Journal Viacom cable channel VH1 is giving itself a makeover, aiming to reach more women age 25 to 35. A revival of "Pop Up Video" will incorporate viewer comments from Twitter and Facebook. The new "Regurgitation Nation" will remix comedic versions of viral videos. 'Mad Men' Network Plans Ad-Biz Reality Show Associated Press AMC, home to dramas like "Mad Men" and "The Walking Dead," plans to expand into unscripted series. One of its new productions, "The Pitch," will be a reality series set in the advertising industry. Each episode will follow ad agencies as they pitch accounts. NBC: Trump Stalls Contract for 'Apprentice' Associated Press Donald Trump said he has put off agreeing to a three-year extension of his "Celebrity Apprentice" reality show while he weighs a presidential bid. The potential Republican contender has told NBC he could not commit until he decides whether he's running. Oprah Gets Her Own Official Section on Flipboard ReadWriteWeb Flipboard has opened an official section for Oprah Winfrey, to be included with every download of the iPad app. The section will include Oprah's personal farewell countdown videos. In February, Flipboard managed to bring Rolling Stone magazine on board. Warner Bros, Sheen in War Over Comeback Talks Los Angeles Times Charlie Sheen has been saying that he has had talks about returning to "Two and a Half Men." But Warner Bros., the studio that makes the hit CBS sitcom, said: "There have been no discussions, there are no discussions and there will be no discussions." ABC Cancels Two Longtime Soaps from Lineup Associated Press ABC has canceled two of its three soap operas, consigning "One Life to Live" and "All My Children" — and Susan Lucci, daytime's most famous actress — to TV history. The move leaves "General Hospital" as ABC's only daytime drama, as soaps fade as a TV force. NBC: Trump to Announce Presidency Decision Newsmax If you wonder whether Donald Trump is serious about running for president, tune in to the finale of "The Celebrity Apprentice" on May 22. Trump plans to announce on the NBC show that he will hold a press conference to reveal whether he will run for office. ABC News Former Head to Oversee AP Licensing Associated Press The Associated Press has named former ABC News president David Westin as CEO of an independent agency created to generate more revenue by licensing news content for online use. Westin stepped down late last year after nearly 14 years running ABC News. CBS Names Rousso as Chief Technology Officer Associated Press CBS has appointed Doug Rousso to its new chief technology officer post. Starting Monday, Rousso will oversee technology for the company and report to CFO Joseph Ianniello. His most recent position was with business management software firm CA Technologies. Comcast Eyes Sports Deals to Build Up Cable TV Wall Street Journal Less than three months after Comcast took control of NBCUniversal, NBCU's new CEO, Steve Burke, is angling for sports deals and pushing a big shift in how the company would use them. His first big push is a play for rights to the Pac-12 college sports conference. DirecTV's $30 Movie Rentals to Start Next Week Variety Warner Bros., Sony, Universal and 20th Century Fox are moving forward with plans to provide movies for a premium video-on-demand service through DirecTV. The service, offering rentals for $30 about 60 days after theatrical release, should be unveiled next week. CBS: No Comment on Sheen Return to Sitcom Associated Press Charlie Sheen has said there have been talks about bringing him back to "Two and a Half Men." Sheen, who was fired from the CBS hit sitcom last month, put his chances of returning at "85%." CBS declined to comment on Sheen's remarks made in an interview Tuesday. Discovery to Launch TV Network for Rich Men Associated Press Discovery is launching a television network for rich guys and their toys. Called Velocity, the new network will replace the current network HD Theater in some 40 million homes on Sept. 25. The target audience is men with incomes of $150,000 a year and more. Comcast Boosts Speed for Home-Internet Users USA Today Comcast is expected to announce a new, blur-fast service, called Extreme 105, available to 40 million homes. The service delivers data at 105 megabits per second — more than 60 times faster than a T-1 line — and can download a high-def movie in 8 minutes. CBS Boss Moonves Talks Ads, Couric and Hulu CNBC CBS chief Les Moonves, appearing at the National Association of Broadcasters convention, declined to weigh in on the Charlie Sheen controversy. But he did comment on talk that Katie Couric may leave the network. "It's too soon to say how this will turn out." NBCUniversal's Telemundo President to Retire Los Angeles Times Telemundo president Don Browne is stepping down, clearing the way for his new bosses at NBCUniversal to make sweeping changes to the Spanish-language television operation. NBCUniversal said it would announce a new Telemundo president "in the coming months." Univision Mulls U.S. News Channel in Spanish Wall Street Journal Univision plans to launch at least two new U.S. Spanish-language cable channels in the next year, as an increasing number of competitors rush to cash in on the growth of the country's Hispanic population. Also under consideration: A 24-hour news network in Spanish. CNN Eyes Chris Rock to Lure Diverse Audience New York Post CNN is said to be scrambling to find a new host for its troubled 7 p.m. timeslot, currently held by "John King USA," as well as attract African-American and Hispanic viewers. Comedian Chris Rock and former "Talk Soup" host Aisha Tyler are among the "possibilities." Oprah Seeks $1 Million for Ads in Final Show Bloomberg "The Oprah Winfrey Show" wants $1 million for 30-second commercials during its May 25 finale, according to advertising firm Horizon Media. At that price, the ads would set a record for a nonsports daytime broadcast, said Horizon research director Brad Adgate. Magic Johnson, Yucaipa Buy Radio Stations Phoenix Business Magic Johnson Enterprises and Ron Burkle's Yucaipa Cos. are buying three radio stations in Phoenix. "We are extremely optimistic about the value-creation potential in radio," said Earvin "Magic" Johnson, adding that he plans to "build an exceptional broadcast radio group." Sirius XM Radio Mulls Move to Ground Zero New York Observer Sirius XM Radio is said to be considering a move to occupy 250,000 square feet at 100 Church Street, about one block away from the World Trade Center site. Niche Media already occupies a modest space in the building once called "the emptiest in Manhattan." Hulu TV Website May Hurt Owners' Business Los Angeles Times Hulu has reached a dizzying level of popularity by offering free online access to episodes of hit TV programs. But Hulu's media owners — the corporate parents of ABC, Fox and NBC — fear they may be encouraging consumers to drop cable and satellite TV services. 'Avatar' Director in Venture to Bring 3D to TV Reuters "Avatar" director James Cameron is expanding his 3D vision to the small screen. The filmmaker has teamed up with "Avatar" cameraman Vince Pace to form a new venture aimed at driving the widespread adoption of 3D technology in episodic TV, sports and advertising. Hearst, Burnett Enter Media Production Venture Dow Jones Hearst plans to form a joint venture with reality-TV producer Mark Burnett to help cross-market its magazines and other brands on TV and through new and emerging platforms. The venture will have Hearst acquire a substantial interest in Burnett's existing business. HBO Video Service Coming to DirecTV, iPad Wall Street Journal "Game of Thrones" will be the first series in which HBO makes available some episodes — before they are televised — through HBO Go, its new streaming-video service. DirecTV is launching HBO Go for its subscribers Tuesday. HBO Go on the iPad is due in May. CBS' Couric May Re-Team with Lauer, Zucker New York Times Katie Couric and Matt Lauer are said to be in serious talks to team up for a new syndicated talk show. Jeff Zucker, the former NBC chief who originally put them together at the "Today" show, has been involved in the discussions and figures to be involved in Couric's next project. NBC: Cuomo Is Front-Runner to Replace Lauer New York Post Chris Cuomo, who didn't succeed at landing the co-host job on "Good Morning America," has emerged as the front-runner to replace Matt Lauer on the "Today" show. According to several sources, Cuomo stands the best chance in a crowded field of hopefuls. MTV Networks to Form Division for Games CNET News MTV Networks has announced the forming of 345 Games, a division that will develop titles based on original Comedy Central and Spike TV properties. 345 Games' first two titles will debut this summer, first in July with Spike TV's "Deadliest Warrior: Legends." NBCUniversal to Rename Sleuth 'Cloo TV' TV Guide NBCUniversal plans to change the name of Sleuth, its crime and mystery cable channel, to Cloo TV. Why the name change and quirky spelling? NBCUniversal realized that it couldn't trademark the words Sci Fi. (Or Clue, for that matter.) But it can own the word Cloo. Sirius XM Expected to Up Subscription Price RBR Sirius XM Radio is trading near a 52-week high of $1.88 after Gabelli & Co. analyst Brett Harriss upgraded the stock. The upgrade was based in part on expectations that the satellite radio firm will soon raise its subscription price after the expiration of a three-year freeze. CNN: As Breaking News Fades, Ratings Fall New York Times The surge of interest in breaking news that helped drive up CNN's audiences has faded. The cable news network's prime-time lineup has not capitalized much on the attention its coverage gained, returning to a steady finish in third place behind Fox News and MSNBC. Time Warner Cable, Viacom in iPad Dispute Los Angeles Times Time Warner Cable has asked a federal court to rule that it is within its rights to stream Viacom's cable channels over the iPad. Viacom quickly countered with a filing seeking an injunction preventing Time Warner Cable from putting its channels back on the iPad app. Disney's ESPN Offers TV on iPad, iPhone Bloomberg ESPN has begun allowing owners of Apple's iPad and iPhone who subscribe to a pay-TV service to watch its channels live on their devices. ESPN, the most-watched U.S. sports channel, plans to start inserting commercials into the video streams in August. Comcast Asks FCC to Keep Hulu Info Secret Politico Comcast has asked the U.S. Federal Communications Commission to put a "top secret" stamp on its deal with Hulu. The cable giant contends that a document it will soon file with the agency detailing its deal with the video site is too sensitive for the public to see. Cablevision: Tablets to Transform Cable Biz Dow Jones Cablevision's new live TV app, which allows customers to view channels through their cable subscriptions on Apple's iPad, represents "a transformation of the cable industry," said COO Tom Rutledge. "Most consumers will eventually have a tablet." Study: More U.S. TV Viewers 'Cutting the Cord' CNET A growing number of people are willing to ditch their cable or satellite subscriptions in favor of streaming and other TV options, according to a study from Convergence Consulting. Some 2.07 million Americans will have "cut the cord" between 2008 and the end of 2011. MTV Names New President as Ratings Improve Los Angeles Times MTV exec Stephen Friedman has been promoted to president of the youth-orientated cable network. Friedman has served as MTV's general manager since 2008, running day-to-day operations and becoming a key player in the reversal of the channel's ratings slide. NBC Denies Rumors of Lauer, Vieira Departure MSNBC NBC News has denied reports that Matt Lauer and Meredith Vieira may be leaving their co-anchor spots on "Today" when their contracts expire later this year: "There seems to be an awful lot of speculation, and it's not our practice to comment on any of it." Fox News Channel to Drop Glenn Beck Show Associated Press Fox News Channel plans to drop Glenn Beck's afternoon talk show, which has sunk in the ratings and suffered financially due to an advertiser boycott. The News Corp.-owned channel and Beck said will work together to create other projects for Fox television and digital. Univision Gaining on NBC as Population Shifts Los Angeles Times Univision last week attracted more prime-time viewers than NBC, the second time in four weeks that the Spanish-language network edged out one of the Big Four. Univision still trails NBC on a regular basis. But the network has been slowly narrowing the gap. NBCUniversal to Seek Out 'Hispanics at NBCU' New York Times NBCUniversal is forming a specialty division, Hispanics at NBCU, which will be composed of broadcast, cable and digital properties that appeal to Hispanic consumers — whether in Spanish or English. The group includes the Telemundo Spanish-language network. Netflix to Stream 'Mad Men' in Lions Gate Deal Wall Street Journal Lions Gate, producer of the TV series "Mad Men," has struck a deal with Netflix to stream all seven seasons of the hit show. The agreement, said to be worth between $75 million and $100 million, is the latest deal that Netflix has entered with a film and TV studio. Dish Network Wins in Auction of Blockbuster Bloomberg Dish Network has won the auction for bankrupt Blockbuster's movie-rental business with a $320 million bid that beat offers from Carl Icahn and others. Blockbuster filed for bankruptcy in September, saying sales shrank as Netflix and Redbox grew their businesses. NBC: Vieira May Follow Couric Out Exit Door TV Guide Meredith Vieira is expected to leave NBC's "Today" when her current contract expires in September. Vieira has been in talks with NBC News execs for several months about extending her deal. But the co-anchor is said to be weary of the early morning hours. Discovery Renames Science Channel as Science Broadcasting & Cable Discovery is rebranding its Science Channel as Science, with a new logo and new on-air look debuting in June. The logo will change shape, texture and sound to represent "the potential of the future while displaying a willingness to reshape current reality." CNN Hires MSM Exec for New Digital Post Journalism.co.uk Peter Bale has joined CNN in the newly created role of VP and general manager of CNN International Digital. Bale, who was most recently with Microsoft, will lead the editorial and commercial functions of CNN Digital outside the United States. CBS Said to Pick Pelley to Replace Couric TMZ Katie Couric's replacement for the "CBS Evening News" will be Scott Pelley, the "60 Minutes" correspondent, according to TMZ. CBS boss Les Moonves "is not sold" on the choice, "but he will defer" to CBS News chief Jeff Fager, who wants Pelley for the job. YES Says No to Cablevision's New iPad App New York Post YES, the regional sports network for the New York Yankees and the New Jersey Nets, has become the first programmer to protest its inclusion in Cablevision's new iPad app, which allows cable customers to watch some 300 channels on their iPads at home. NBCUniversal Names Key Execs for Local NBC Bay Area NBCUniversal has announced two key leadership roles, naming Valari Dobson Staab as head of NBC Local Media and promoting John Wallace to run NBCUniversal Media Works. Wallace will oversee local media until Staab joins the company in June. MTV Outlines New Web-Based Awards Show Associated Press Lady Gaga and rapper Tyler the Creator lead MTV's new O Music Awards with three nominations each. MTV has announced the nominees for its new web-based awards show, a celebration of digital music. Winners will be decided by fan voting in social media. CBS: Sheen Says He Would Return to Sitcom Radar Online Charlie Sheen said he would be open to returning to "Two and a Half Men." The former sitcom star made the remark during the performance of his one-man show. He told the crowd: "If they hire me back, I'll do it again, I'll go back to work, I'll sign a f**king contract!" Time Warner Cable Adds Channels to iPad App Dow Jones Time Warner Cable has added 17 new cable TV channels — including ESPN News, QVC and CSPAN — to its controversial live TV iPad app, and said it plans to add seven more, including three channels owned by its former parent company, Time Warner. Cablevision Launches iPad App to Watch TV Reuters Cablevision plans to launch an app for its customers to watch television on their iPads at home. The move comes after Time Warner Cable launched its own TV iPad app, which sparked controversy and attracted several cease-and-desist notices. Bounce TV Network Eyes African Americans Broadcasting & Cable A group led by ambassador Andrew Young and Martin Luther King III is expected to announce plans to launch Bounce TV, a television network aimed at African-Americans. Bounce TV plans to line up distribution through the digital signals of local TV stations. 'American Idol' Owner CKX Gets Unsolicited Bid Bloomberg Billionaire Alec Gores is said to have made an unsolicited offer for "American Idol" owner CKX. The company has market value of about $392 million. CKX owns two-thirds of the "Idol" brand and co-produces the show with Fremantle Media, owner of the rest. NBC Ex-Zucker Resurfaces as Movie Producer Deadline Universal Pictures has acquired screen rights to the series of bestselling espionage novels by Daniel Silva. Former NBC Universal chief Jeff Zucker has become involved as producer of the films because he and Silva are close friends "and the author wanted it that way." CBS Exec: Couric Leaving News Anchor Post Associated Press Katie Couric plans to leave her anchor post at "CBS Evening News" less than five years after becoming the first woman to solely helm a network TV evening newscast. A network exec, who spoke on condition of anonymity, reported the move Sunday night. MTV 'Jersey Shore' Stars Want More Money TMZ The stars of "Jersey Shore" are reportedly refusing to sign contracts for the fourth season of the hit reality TV show. The castmates, allegedly believing the season may be the show's last, are attempting to earn more money "before their 15 minutes of fame run out." CBS Former Star Sheen Wins Standing Ovation Chicago Sun-Times Charlie Sheen, in the second performance of his touring one-man show, received a standing ovation in Chicago. The evening before, patrons booed and walked out of a haphazard production in Detroit. The show is said to have changed considerably in just a day. Fox News Gives Weekly Segments to Trump CBS News Donald Trump, who has said he is considering a presidential run, will now appear on Fox News every Monday morning. He will be permitted to continue making the regular appearance even if he declares a presidential bid, since he will not be paid. NBC: Silverman's 'Fashion Star' to Sell Online New York Times NBC plans to announce a deal for "Fashion Star," a new reality show from Electus, the IAC-backed production firm run by former network programmer Ben Silverman. The "Project Runway"-like competition show will allow viewers to buy contestants' designs online. MTV Mulling Reality Series Based on 'Catfish' Variety MTV is in talks for a reality show based on the film "Catfish." The documentary centered on a New York City photographer who travels to Michigan to meet a woman he met on Facebook. The series is expected to focus on online users who misidentify themselves. CBS Declares 'Tweet Week' for Shows, Talent TVbytheNumbers CBS has announced the launch of #CBSTweetWeek, starting Sunday. For eight nights, fans of the CBS series, specials and sports events will be able to log on to their Twitter accounts to watch some of their favorite actors, musicians and sports analysts tweet live. NBC: Betty White to Host Hidden-Camera Show Associated Press The unstoppable Betty White is taking on reality TV with a hidden-camera show that turns senior citizens into merry pranksters. NBC has ordered 12 episodes of "Betty White's Off Their Rockers," the working title for a series based on a hit Belgian program. PBS: Bill Moyers May Exit Retirement for Return New York Times Bill Moyers' retirement from weekly TV last year may not last long. The journalist and commentator has received preliminary approval for a major grant to return to PBS with a half-hour show with the working title "Something Different With Bill Moyers." AMC 'Mad Men' to Return for Final Three Seasons Reuters "Mad Men" will return to the air in early 2012 for a final three-season run, the creator of the ad-agency drama said after announcing a resolution of tense contract negotiations with AMC. Matt Weiner's lucrative new deal is said to be worth about $30 million. ESPN Front Row Blog Brings Fans Back Stage min Sports mega-brand ESPN has launched a corporate blog aimed at bringing loyalists behind the scenes at the television, print, web and mobile juggernaut. Staffers throughout the organization and around the world will be posting to this site, ESPNFrontRow.com. CNN, CBS, FX Honored with Peabody Awards New York Times The Peabody Awards, bestowed by the University of Georgia Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, recognize excellence in electronic media. CNN was among this year's recipients, for its coverage of the 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. CBS Seen as Front Runner for Couric Talker Broadcasting & Cable CBS Television Distribution has emerged as the front-runner to distribute Katie Couric's daytime talk show starting in fall 2012. CBS chief Les Moonves fully backs the effort to keep Couric in-house, report several sources, and is involved in talks. NBC Eyes Adult Content for Playboy TV Show Variety Actors on the NBC drama pilot "Playboy" could conceivably bare more than their souls. Contracts for talent contain a clause for "graphic scenes" that may not get past broadcast standards, but could be used to sell R-rated versions on DVD or cable syndication. CBS TV Distribution's Judge Judy Hospitalized TMZ Judge Judy Sheindlin, 68, was rushed to a Los Angeles hospital Wednesday after feeling "funky" on the set of her syndicated TV show "Judge Judy." Said Sheindlin: "I wanted to go back to work this afternoon. At my age, I know my body. My body is fine." Broadcast Critics to Launch TV Awards Show Hollywood Reporter Having become a factor in the movie awards season, broadcast critics are extending their franchise to TV. The new Critics' Choice Television Awards will be presented on June 20 at the Beverly Hills Hotel. The new TV honors won't be televised — at least not yet. Viacom's MTV Attains Five-Year Ratings High TVbytheNumbers MTV delivered its best quarterly ratings in five years on the strength of a 27% year-over-year increase. "Jersey Shore" season 3 is the quarter's No. 1 series across all of cable and broadcast TV, beating Fox's "American Idol" in the prized 12-to-34 demo. Comcast, E! Hit with Lawsuit from Dwarf Couple Philadelphia Daily News A dwarf couple has sued E! and Comcast over the use of their photos on the TV satire show "Talk Soup." Images of the couple were used in a comic bit that made light of reality TV shows called "Fertile Little Tattooed Pageant Parents Who Enjoy Baking." NBC Universal Shakes Up Overseas Channels Dow Jones Roma Khanna, formerly head of NBC Universal's international channels, has left the company amid a restructuring. New majority owner Comcast has named Jeff Shell and Kevin MacLellan to run NBCU's international channels operations, based in London. CBS, CityGrid to Target Local Digital Dollars Radio-Info CBS said its "CBS Local Pages" collaboration with CityGrid will "result in local businesses gaining broad exposure to millions of online and mobile consumers across the country." Listings for local businesses will be on the two dozen local websites operated by CBS. Sirius XM Lawsuit Alleges Abuse of Monopoly Bloomberg Sirius XM Radio must face class-action claims in a lawsuit alleging antitrust violations, a judge has ruled. In a complaint filed in 2009, subscribers claimed that the satellite-radio firm abused its monopoly power by illegally raising prices by almost 30%. NBC News Neglects to Report Major GE Story Washington Post General Electric, reported the New York Times last week, earned $14.2 billion in worldwide profits last year, including $5.1 billion in the United States, but paid zero dollars in federal taxes. The story was picked up by many news outlets — but not by GE unit NBC. Time Warner Cable Defends Streaming to iPad New York Times Time Warner Cable has started a web campaign to defend its app that streams 32 of its TV channels to the iPad. Some providers of programming, like Viacom, oppose streaming in part because they want to be able to charge cable companies for the right. ReelzChannel's 'Kennedys' Offered Free on iPad New York Post ReelzChannel's controversial miniseries "The Kennedys" will be available for free to iPad users who can sync live to the telecast. "We want to connect people to the history behind this dramatic movie event in the most engaging way possible," said CEO Stan Hubbard. NBC Offers iPad App for Royal Wedding Coverage Hollywood Reporter NBC has launched an iPad app to chronicle the royal wedding of Kate Middleton and Prince William. The network, in partnership with its U.K. broadcast partner ITN, also will assign more than a dozen anchors to cover the event, including "Today" show correspondents. CBS Launches Web Version of 'Hawaii Five-0' Adweek CBS has launched "Hawaii: Undiscovered," an original companion web series to its reboot of '70s classic "Hawaii Five-O." Each of the eight episodes will highlight unique aspects of life on the island of Oahu tied to plot points from the prime-time hit series. AMC Threatens to Cancel 'Mad Men' Over Cuts The Daily "Mad Men" might be cancelled after four seasons because creator Matthew Weiner and his producing partners are said to be balking at making cuts designed to improve AMC's bottom line. Execs want three minutes cut from every episode and two characters eliminated. CBS Offers Couric '60 Minutes' in Package Deal New York Post CBS is said to be offering Katie Couric a role as a correspondent on "60 Minutes" if she will stay and do a projected daytime talk show for the network. The deal is part of a proposed package being offered Couric if she steps down from the nightly news anchor job. ABC Programming Exec Exits in Restructuring Deadline Suzanne Patmore-Gibbs, exec VP scripted creative for at ABC Entertainment, is leaving the company. The decision was made by ABC Entertainment president Paul Lee, who is eliminating the position as part of his effort to be closer to the creative process. NBCUniversal Exec's Death Ruled a Homicide Los Angeles Times Authorities said NBCUniversal exec Brian Russell Kaplon was fatally shot by a military-style rifle at the end of a St. Patrick's Day party held at the home of a longtime friend, who was subsequently arrested. Authorities have ruled the death as a homicide. BET Personality Shot to Death Near Home in NY Associated Press DJ Megatron, the urban radio and BET personality, was shot to death early Sunday while heading to a store near his home on New York City's Staten Island. The deejay built a career at hip-hop and R&B radio stations from Philadelphia to Boston. MTV 'Jersey' Draws Highest-Rated Season Finale Hollywood Reporter "Jersey Shore" isn't slowing down. MTV's hit reality show delivered its highest-rated season finale last Thursday, drawing a 7.3 rating in the persons 12-34 demographic, up 20% from the Season 2 finale. About 7.6 million total viewers tuned in to the telecast. Oprah's Final Talk-Show Episode Slated in May Associated Press The final episode of "The Oprah Winfrey Show" will air May 25. Winfrey's Harpo Productions has confirmed the date. Winfrey announced on the show in 2009 that she would end its run after 25 years. She since has launched cable's Oprah Winfrey Network. CBS Eyes Pelley to Replace Couric in Anchor Chair Los Angeles Times CBS has begun focusing on Scott Pelley as the leading candidate for Katie Couric's job as evening news anchor should she depart for daytime TV. Pelley, a "60 Minutes" correspondent, has been with CBS for more than 21 years. He is seen as unlikely to leave soon. Time Warner Cable in TV Fracas Over iPad Offering Wall Street Journal Time Warner Cable is digging in its heels in a dispute with TV networks over whether it can beam live channels to Apple iPads. While TV execs insist their carriage deals delineate rights for "cable TV," a Time Warner exec responds: "I don't know what a TV is anymore." Liberty Media's Starz to Delay Releases on Netflix New York Times Starz is about to be more restrictive about what it allows Netflix to stream to customers' computers and TV sets. The cable channel has announced a three-month delay between the time it plays new TV episodes and when those episodes will be on Netflix. Fox's 'American Idol' Aims to Profit from Facebook New York Times Beginning Friday, Facebook users will be encouraged to spend $1 to send each other video messages recorded by the 10 finalists on Fox's "American Idol." An advertiser could be brought in to finance the videos so Facebook users can send them at no cost. Spectrum Fight: Mobile Broadband vs TV Broadcasts USA Today A debate is brewing over U.S. government policies over the airwaves. The current spectrum for mobile broadband isn't enough to accommodate the explosion of smartphones and tablet devices. However, TV broadcasters don't want to give up their control. CBS Proposes New Model for Buying TV Ads Advertising Age Age and sex don't matter when it comes to TV ad effectiveness, said CBS researcher David Poltrack, who has teamed with Nielsen to create what he called a historic move to replace demographics with a model for TV buying based on viewer behavior and attitudes. NBCUniversal Signs GetGlue for Social Rewards Reuters GetGlue has reached a new partnership with NBCUniversal's cable networks, including USA, SyFy and MSNBC, to reward users for alerting friends on Facebook whenever they are watching TV shows. The social media service already has deals with FX and HBO. MSNBC.com Relaunches EveryBlock News Site Mashable EveryBlock, a hyperlocal news site acquired by MSNBC.com in 2009, has unveiled a new version designed to encourage conversation and collaboration among neighbors. "We're shifting from a one-way newsfeed to more of a community-empowered site." Fox News Host Beck Mulls Starting Own Channel New York Times Fox News Channel host Glenn Beck is reportedly contemplating a partial or wholesale takeover of a cable channel, or an expansion of his subscription video service on the web. The news comes as Beck is said to be considering an exit from Fox News. Starbucks: Economist, ESPN Join Digital Network Puget Sound Business Starbucks said it has added digital deals with The Economist, ESPN Inside Rumor Central, and Marvel Digital Comics to its in-store Digital Network, which appears as a landing page for anyone who accesses the free Wi-Fi service at the 6,800 outlets. ABC Morning Show 'Trashed' by Singer Brown Associated Press R&B singer Chris Brown trashed his dressing room at "Good Morning America" and broke a window with a chair after co-host Robin Roberts asked him about his attack on pop singer Rihanna. Brown was on the ABC morning show to promote his new album. Sirius XM Sued by Star Stern Over Stock Awards TMZ Howard Stern's production company and manager are suing Sirius XM Radio, claiming the shock jock was bilked out of promised stock awards. The suit, which is seeking unspecified damages, claims: "Sirius needed Stern more than Stern needed Sirius." Clear Channel Eyes Digital Music Service Playlist CNET News Clear Channel is one of the companies taking a serious look at the assets of Playlist.com, the once promising digital music service that filed for bankruptcy protection last summer. Playlist.com enables users to create and share music playlists with friends. HDNet, CBS, Fox Seeking Sheen Return to TV Access Hollywood CBS, Fox and HDNet are among the networks said to be pursuing Charlie Sheen for a return to TV. CBS reportedly wants the troubled actor back on "Two and a Half Men." Also: Sheen made a surprise visit to ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live" Monday night. CBS Evening Star Couric Eyes Daytime Options Wall Street Journal Katie Couric, whose $15 million a year contract to anchor the "CBS Evening News" is up in early June, is said to be discussing the idea of creating a daytime talk show with CBS, NBCUniversal and Time Warner. Each company has a syndication arm. Fox News Exec May Join Beck in New Venture Mediaite Fox News host Glenn Beck reportedly plans to hire Joel Cheatwood, an exec at the news channel, to work within his own production company "on his next creative idea." The word comes amid talk that Fox News is considering life without its controversial star. Sirius XM: No Threat Yet to Traditional Radio USA Today Radio stations are receiving a strong signal from audiences, even as they face new rivals like Sirius XM and Pandora. An average of 241.6 million people listened to conventional radio stations each week last year, an increase of 2.1 million over 2009. CBS News Seen as Top-Performing Media Site MediaPost CBS News was named the top media website in 2010, followed by Yahoo News and the New York Times, according to a report rating sites based on web performance. The awards were handed out by Gomez, a unit of Compuware that specializes in web optimization. CBS' Showtime Responds to Threat from Netflix Crain's New York By midyear, early seasons of Showtime's original series "Californication" and "Dexter" will no longer be available for streaming on Netflix, according to an insider. "We're more conscious of the competition now," said Showtime CEO Matthew Blank. PBS: 'Nightly Business Report' Owner Mulls Sale New York Times NBR Worldwide, the majority owner of the PBS-distributed "Nightly Business Report," is said to have hired an advisory firm to weigh strategic options for the business news program, from selling a minority stake up to selling the entire company. NPR: U.S. House Votes to Cut Taxpayer Funds USA Today The Republican-led House of Representatives has voted to end taxpayer funding for NPR, a week after its top fundraiser was caught on a hidden camera disparaging the Tea Party movement. The measure is likely to die in the Democratic-controlled Senate. Sirius XM Targets Traditional Radio's Audience RBR Sirius XM satellite radio CEO Mel Karmazin said he isn't worried about Internet radio. AM and FM radio stations still dominate the market -- and that is who he is targeting. "A lot of people would rather pay us 50 cents a day and not have to hear all of those commercials." Radio Host Keillor Announces Plans to Retire AARP Bulletin Garrison Keillor, the longtime host of "A Prairie Home Companion," has said that he plans to retire from the radio show in spring 2013. "First I have to find my replacement. I'm pushing forward, and also I'm in denial." The show airs on 590 U.S. public radio stations. CBS Ex-Star Sheen Suffers Setback in Lawsuit Deadline Charlie Sheen has been dealt a blow in his lawsuit against Warner Bros. Television and "Two and a Half Men" co-creator Chuck Lorre. Private arbitration will settle the dispute, thwarting Sheen's attempt to draw the studio and Lorre into a messy public court fight. NBC Newsers Exposed to Radiation in Japan Huffington Post NBC News journalist Lester Holt, in Japan covering the earthquake and nuclear crisis, revealed on the "Today" show that minor traces of radiation had been found on him and his news crew. Radiation was found on Holt's shoes, even after they were scrubbed. Time Warner Cable Launches Live TV iPad App Associated Press Time Warner Cable has launched a free iPad app that plays live TV, becoming the first cable company to do so. The app will only work for people who subscribe to both video and Internet service from the cable company. Even then, it will only work in the home. FCC Ex-Chief Named Head of Cable Association Bloomberg The National Cable and Telecommunications Association has named former Federal Communications Commission chairman Michael Powell as its president and CEO. The Washington-based trade group's members include Comcast and Time Warner Cable. CNN: TV Rights of GOP Prez Debates for Sale? CNN The Republican National Committee has considered sanctioning the GOP presidential primary debates and then selling the broadcast rights to news outlets, according to a report by CNN. The proposal was mentioned at a meeting of top RNC officials. ESPN Study Sees Little Proof of Cord-Cutting MediaPost TV cable cord-cutting? ESPN said that just 0.18% of all U.S. TV households cut their cable service in the fourth quarter of 2010 and first quarter of 2011. That comes to roughly 209,000 TV homes out of an entire 116 million U.S. TV universe, according to Nielsen. NBCUniversal: Two Execs to Run USA Channel New York Times NBCUniversal has promoted two execs, Jeff Wachtel and Chris McCumber, to be the co-presidents of USA, the most-watched channel on cable TV. "Their collaborative style is a critical part of USA's DNA and a key component of the network's success." Dish Network, LIN Media Settle Fee Dispute Denver Business Dish Network and LIN Media have agreed to a new retransmission-fee structure, ending a weeklong blackout of LIN's local TV stations in 17 U.S. markets on the satellite-TV service. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. "We appreciate our customers' patience." Sony to Launch Branded British TV Channel Reuters Sony Pictures Television has announced the lineup for its inaugural Sony-branded TV channel in Britain, launching April 7. The channel, carried on Sky and accessible to regular Sky customers, will mainly target women aged between 25 and 54 years old. Univision Eyes Mainstream as CEO Uva Exits Los Angeles Times Univision CEO Joe Uva, who guided the Spanish-language media giant through several turbulent years, said he plans to step down. New COO Randy Falco, the longtime NBC exec and former AOL chief, has been seen as a leading contender to replace him. CBS Anchor Couric Likely to Exit for Talk Show Broadcasting & Cable A syndicated talk show featuring Katie Couric is looking increasingly likely for fall 2012. Couric's "CBS Evening News" contract expires in June, and sources said she has become serious about launching a multi-platform production company and syndicated talk show. Fox News Signs Ex-Senator Bayh as Contributor Huffington Post Fox News has announced that former Democratic senator Evan Bayh will become a contributor to the network. "Senator Bayh's decades of experience in the political arena and his participation in key decisions in Washington will lend a valuable point of view." Fox News Host O'Reilly Jumps to Henry Holt New York Post Fox News talk-show host Bill O'Reilly is dumping his book publisher and jumping to Henry Holt to write a memoir in a deal believed to be worth in the mid-seven figures. "Let's put it this way: I am very happy with it," said O'Reilly. "It's more than I deserve." Clear Channel, Britney Contest Uses Facebook Radio Ink Clear Channel will partner with Britney Spears in a nationwide contest that will give one radio-station listener a chance to meet the pop singer on the set of a music-video shoot. The contest will use Facebook instead of traditional telephone request lines. HDNet's Cuban to Swim with 'Sharks' on ABC New York Post As Mark Cuban continues to finesse a deal to bring Charlie Sheen to his cable network, the outspoken billionaire is preparing for his own return to TV. Cuban will join the panel of venture capitalists on ABC's "Shark Tank" for four episodes beginning later this month. CNN Former Host King Eyes Comedy Central New York Post Larry King plans to make his TV comeback as a contributor to Jon Stewart's Comedy Central show. King is said to be in early talks about being a regular on "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart." Sources said King is talking to his close friends as if it is a done deal. Fox News, CNN See Big Viewership Declines Hollywood Reporter CNN, MSNBC and Fox News Channel lost viewers last year, the first time all three have seen dropoffs in a dozen years, according to the Project for Excellence in Journalism's annual State of the News Media report. Cable news viewership fell 13.7 % in aggregate. Time Warner's HBO Threatened by Web Rivals Dow Jones HBO, home of popular TV shows like "Big Love" and "True Blood," faces a key test of its business model this year after its subscriber rolls declined to an estimated five-year low in 2010, causing concerns among investors about the threat of emerging online video competitors. Cablevision to Rename 'Mad Men' Division AMC Bloomberg Cablevision said it will rename its Rainbow Media unit AMC Networks and appoint longtime exec Josh Sapan as CEO as the business is spun off as a separate company. AMC Networks will include TV stations AMC, IFC, WE tv, and Sundance Channel. Cumulus-Citadel Deal Creates New Radio Giant Atlanta Journal-Constitution Cumulus Media, the Atlanta-based radio company, has sealed its $2.4 billion acquisition of Citadel Broadcasting, after wooing the Las Vegas firm for four months. Cumulus will become the nation's biggest pure play radio company, with 572 stations across 120 markets. BBC to Cut Funds for 40 UK Radio Stations Telegraph The BBC has been accused of planning "the death of local radio," as it prepares to replace almost all its local programming with the national station Radio 5 Live. Staff at the BBC's 40 local radio stations will be briefed today on the plans, which could include 700 job cuts. MTV to Produce TV Movie About Cyberbullying Deadline MTV plans to produce a movie based on the tragic, true-life story of Abraham Biggs, a 19-year-old who battled bipolar disorder and ultimately webcast his suicide after being egged on by a digital mob. The film is part of MTV's campaign against digital abuse. ABC Under Fire for 'Good Christian B*tches' New York Daily News ABC is taking a round of righteous heat for an upcoming series pilot based on the book "Good Christian B*tches." The American Family Association wants ABC and Disney to cancel the pilot and has asked sponsors to boycott the show if it is it picked up for a series. NPR Chief Resigns After 'Sting' Video Surfaces Washington Post Vivian Schiller has resigned as CEO of NPR, one day after an embarrassing video surfaced of another exec at the organization disparaging conservatives. The public radio network is under "tremendous pressure" because of a "de-funding threat," said Schiller. CBS' TV.com Chief to Exit Amid Exec Moves AllThingsD More bodies are moving around at CBS' digital division. Last week, the broadcaster bought Clicker.com for a reported $100 million, and put its CEO Jim Lanzone in charge of CBS Interactive. Now, CBS Interactive entertainment head Anthony Soohoo said he is leaving. TV's Senior Moment: Average Viewer Turns 51 Wall Street Journal As the nearly 80 million U.S. baby boomers continue to age out of the coveted 18- to 49-year-old demo, broadcast networks now want to charge advertisers more to reach them. TV is "still their cultural touch point." The average prime-time TV viewer has hit age 51. MTV's 'Real World' Aims to Stay Fresh at 25 Reuters "The Real World" embarks on its 25th season on MTV today with another set of young men and women living together under one roof. The series, seen as launching the phenomenon known as reality TV, is now one of several hundred reality shows on the air. Al Jazeera to Take On Disney, Nickelodeon Fast Company Al Jazeera plans to launch an English-language children's channel to help the Qatar-based network get on the air in the all-important North American and Asian markets. The new Al Jazeera Children's Channel is scheduled to launch by the end of 2012. CBS: Could Rob Lowe Replace Charlie Sheen? TMZ Associates of "Two and a Half Men" creator Chuck Lorre are courting actor Rob Lowe as a replacement for Charlie Sheen on the CBS sitcom, according to TMZ. "Lorre's people as well as honchos from Warner Bros. have been in touch with Rob's agent." Charlie Sheen 'Winning' in Social Media Buzz Reuters Charlie Sheen has topped all social-media discussions since the start of 2011, beating out the buzz surrounding the Apple iPad, Lady Gaga and President Obama, according to a survey by the Global Language Monitor. Social media "enhances the global echo chamber." Live Nation in Licensing Deal with Charlie Sheen E! News Live Nation, the concert promotion giant, has entered a deal with Charlie Sheen for merchandising and licensing. "Being fired has only made him more popular, because he is standing up for himself," said Live Nation exec Joey Scoleri. "He is a folk hero." CBS' Katie Couric Eyes Oprah Winfrey Role Daily Katie Couric is said to be "gunning to become the new Oprah Winfrey." The CBS evening news anchor's five-year contract with the network expires in early June. "People are pitching her. It's like baseball, and she's a great free agent who is on the market." NBC Runs Video Ads on LivingSocial Website Fast Company People who bought a LivingSocial voucher for a restaurant over the weekend may have gotten $2 off their purchase. That is, if they first watched a video trailer for NBC's "America's Next Great Restaurant." It's the first ad of its kind to appear on the daily deals site. CBS, Fox Execs Predict Blockbuster Ad Sales Reuters TV execs are banking on a white-hot season for advertising sales, saying strong demand from automakers and telecommunications companies could drive prices up at least 10%. "We will see double-digit price growth," said Viacom CEO Philippe Dauman. CBS: Charlie Sheen Fired from No 1 Sitcom Bloomberg Warner Bros. Television has fired Charlie Sheen, star of CBS's top-rated "Two and a Half Men," after a series of interviews critical of the show's producer. Warner Bros. is weighing the future of the sitcom without Sheen, who is said to be contemplating legal action. Oprah to Reboot Struggling New Cable Network New York Post Oprah's new cable network, which has not been able to get much traction since its blockbuster opening week, is getting the "reboot." Network officials have quietly been telling worried advertisers that OWN will begin reshuffling its lineup in the next weeks. MSNBC 'Morning Joe' Hosts: We Aren't Leaving New York Post "Morning Joe" host Joe Scarborough insists that he and Mika Brzezinski are happy at MSNBC and are not shopping a new show around to other networks. The co-hosts of MSNBC's popular morning show were rumored to be looking for a syndication deal. E! Boss With Vision Sought By NBC Universal New York Post NBC Universal exec Bonnie Hammer has begun searching for a new chief for E! Entertainment, according to sources, and hopes to find one who is able to create a broader identity for the brand. E! former boss Ted Harbert was named head of NBC Broadcasting in January. Comedy Central Makes Money from the Internet Los Angeles Times "Tosh.0" has become the first TV show to turn raw material from the Internet into successful television programming. It appeals to young male viewers, making the Comedy Central series and its website a must-buy for video game makers and auto companies. HDNet's Mark Cuban in Talks with Charlie Sheen Radar Online Mark Cuban and his HDNet TV network have begun negotiations with besieged CBS "Two and a Half Men" star Charlie Sheen. The pair has been in talks for at least a week. "It would be a great show," said Cuban. "Can't really say anything beyond that at this point." SiriusXM Creates Channel About Charlie Sheen MarketWatch SiriusXM has created a limited-run channel dedicated to Charlie Sheen. The satellite radio company said it conceived the channel "in response to the national conversation sparked by the recent events." The new offering will bring listeners "behind the headlines." Bloomberg Staffs Up in San Francisco for Tech 7x7 Bloomberg Television has hired 65 reporters and editors to cover the tech boom in San Francisco, as well as launch a new program, "Bloomberg West," broadcast live daily. "This is an amazing moment in the history of technology," said co-host Emily Chang. ABC Turns to 'B*tches' to Fight Cable, Internet Wall Street Journal Broadcast networks are testing out unusual -- and even bizarre -- ideas for TV shows, in an effort to stand out against a deluge of new rivals on cable TV and the Internet. Among the pilots ABC is considering: "Good Christian B*tches" and "The B*tch in Apartment 23." CBS Buys Web Video Guide Clicker, Hires Exec CNET CBS Interactive has named former Ask.com exec Jim Lanzone as president. He replaces Neil Ashe, who announced last year that he would be stepping down once a successor was named. As part of Lanzone's hire, CBS will buy Clicker, his online video guide company. NBC Longtime Scheduling Chief to Step Down Los Angeles Times Mitch Metcalf, NBC's top scheduling exec for more than a decade, is leaving the peacock network. The move comes just weeks after Bob Greenblatt took over as head of NBC Entertainment and began assembling his own team. More execs are expected to exit. Fox News Ratings Slide as Viewers Go Online Crain's NY / NY Times Fox News Channel is continuing to see a slide in ratings that started last spring. Analysts point out that more people are getting news from the Internet. "That is a challenge to cable news generally." Also: Fox News is "contemplating life" without fading host Glenn Beck. Lifetime's Top Programming Executive Resigns Los Angeles Times JoAnn Alfano, Lifetime executive VP of entertainment, has resigned as the cable channel starts to make a shift in programming strategy. Lifetime has been adding more reality fare and edging back into the "women in jeopardy" movies that were its hallmark for years. Nickelodeon Gives New Kick to Ninja Turtles Wall Street Journal Nickelodeon is betting that the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles still have some fight left in them. The cable channel spent $60 million to acquire the global rights to the franchise and plans to offer a new TV version of the series using computer-generated animation in 2012. Cablevision System Shows Highly Targeted Ads Wall Street Journal Cablevision has rolled out a system that can show different commercials, in real time, targeted to different households tuned to the same program. Such new ad systems are driven, in part, by fear: The TV industry is moving fast lest it lose ground to Internet ad companies. Dish Network Drops LIN TV Stations Over Fees Associated Press A battle over fees between Dish Network and TV-station owner LIN Media caused 27 local CBS, Fox, NBC, ABC and the CW affiliates to go dark for the satellite-TV provider's subscribers. The two companies faced a deadline that came and went early Saturday. FCC Aims to Avert Blackouts in TV-Cable Spats Los Angeles Times In the wake of several high-profile disputes between broadcasters and cable providers over distribution deals, the Federal Communications Commission has voted to launch an examination of its rules regarding so-called retransmission consent negotiations. Sinclair Reaches Carriage Deal with Comcast Dow Jones Sinclair said Comcast has agreed to continue to carry 36 stations in 22 markets it owns, operates or provides sales services. The agreement comes amid a long line of public standoffs between station owners and cable companies over programming fees. Comcast Names Digital Chief for NBCUniversal AllThingsD Comcast's NBCUniversal hasn't had a digital boss yet, but the young company does now: Nick Lehman, a longtime veteran of Viacom's MTV Web operations. Lehman has spent the last year at niche TV network Plum TV, where he has been CEO since November. ESPN, Others Ready Themselves for NFL Break Reuters CBS, NBC, Fox, ESPN and other media outlets are bracing for a big revenue hit from a possible lockout by the National Football League but hold out hope that college football and other prime-time shows could pick up the slack for lost advertising dollars. CBS Website Posts Sheen 'Goddess' Photos Business Insider CBS, embroiled in a controversy with "Two and a Half Men" lead Charlie Sheen, has posted a 58-page slideshow of the star's "goddesses" on its news website. The slideshow includes images of model Natalie Kenly and adult-film performer Rachel Oberlin. Twitter: Charlie Sheen to Start Tweeting Ads ClickZ News Charlie Sheen will soon have advertisements running in his Twitter stream, according to Ad.ly, which facilitates celebrity endorsements for brands on Twitter and Facebook. "We're talking about top advertisers. Charlie's the biggest billboard in America right now." DirecTV to Launch Premium Video-On-Demand Los Angeles Times DirecTV is in advanced talks to be Hollywood's first partner for early video-on-demand, a plan that is putting it in the cross hairs of the nation's top theater chains. The satellite TV company would likely be the first distributor to launch so-called premium VOD. HBO More Than Doubles Online Service Titles Bloomberg HBO has more than doubled to 1,400 the number of titles available online to its paying subscribers. The increase makes virtually all of the channel's library available at HBO Go for customers who get pay-TV service from Comcast Xfinity and other providers. Al Jazeera Talks to Cablevision, Time Warner Fast Company Al Jazeera English, in addition to talking with Comcast, is also holding carriage talks with Cablevision and Time Warner Cable. The Qatar-based news network is currently available on a handful of local cable outlets in Washington, D.C., and a few other locales. Fox News Channel Suspends Prez Contenders New York Times Fox News Channel has suspended the contracts of two contributors, Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum, who are considering running for president. Fox appears to be addressing questions about how to handle pundits who are contemplating political bids. NBC, Comcast Get Bad News from Univision MarketWatch Univision has given NBC and its new parent, Comcast, some unwanted news. Among all adults 18-to-34 and people 12-to-34, the Spanish-language broadcaster said it is poised to finish the February sweeps as the No. 4 network, ahead of NBC. CBS Star Charlie Sheen Sets Twitter Record San Francisco Chronicle Charlie Sheen probably just set a new Twitter speed record by going from zero to 1 million followers in just 24 hours. But we may never know for sure. A Twitter spokeswoman said the microblogging service doesn't track those kind of numbers. MTV 'Jersey Shore' Like Prison, Snooki Says Rolling Stone The production of MTV's hit reality show "Jersey Shore" is very stressful, according to Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi, in the cover interview of Rolling Stone. "We can't have cellphones, TV, radio or the Internet. There's no normalcy. It's just like prison, with cameras." CBS Hopes 'Two and a Half Men' Will Return Wall Street Journal CBS chief Les Moonves said that he hopes the sitcom "Two and a Half Men" will eventually return to the air, but that in the short term he does not expect his company to take a hit by losing the show. "Short term, it's actually financially a gainer for us." Charlie Sheen Racks Up Followers on Twitter New York Post Charlie Sheen started a Twitter feed Tuesday afternoon and within a couple of hours had crossed the 100,000 mark, before even posting a single tweet. In less than a day, the controversial "Two and a Half Men" star attracted more than 700,000 followers. Comcast Seen Unlikely to Sign Up Al Jazeera MarketWatch Execs from Al Jazeera English met with Comcast last week. However, the cable giant will have to see more evidence that the channel can attract -- and keep -- a sizable audience before it commits to a carriage deal. "This is strictly a business decision." Clear Channel Buys Music Streaming Service Associated Press Clear Channel plans to acquire part of digital music company Thumbplay so that the radio-station owner's listeners can stream more music over the Internet via computers and smart phones. Thumbplay streams some 8 million songs from major record labels. ABC: Oscar Telecast Is Among Least-Watched Reuters Some 37.6 million Americans watched Sunday's widely-panned Oscar ceremony, making the telecast one of the least-watched Academy Awards shows of the past 10 years. Still, the show kept 95% of its younger, 18-34 year-old audience from last year. CBS Chief Courting Stamos to Replace Sheen E! News CBS boss Les Moonves is said to have had an informal chat with actor John Stamos about joining the cast of "Two and a Half Men," replacing troubled star Charlie Sheen. "It wouldn't be to play Charlie's character. They talked about introducing a new character." CNN Journalist King May Be Next to Leave New York Post John King, CNN chief national correspondent, may be the next journalist to leave the news network. Former "American Morning" host Soledad O'Brien filmed a pilot last week for a show that could replace low-rated "John King USA." "It won't be a straight political show." ABC News Hires NBC, Mediaite Journo Abrams Mediaite Dan Abrams, the longtime chief legal analyst at NBC News and MSNBC, has joined ABC, where he will take on a variety of roles. Abrams will work as legal analyst at "Good Morning America" and occasionally substitute anchor on the show's weekend broadcast. CW Moves to Replace Entertainment Chief New York Post The CW network hopes to net a successor to outgoing entertainment president Dawn Ostroff, and is interviewing at least 10 candidates for the position. Ostroff joined the youth-centric network behind such shows as "Gossip Girl" and "The Vampire Diaries" in 2006. MTV Co-Founder Sykes Joins Shazam Board Brand Republic Shazam, a mobile music and advertising identification service, has named MTV co-founding exec John Sykes to its board. Shazam's ad technology is used by firms like clothier Old Navy to encourage consumers to download mobile content from TV ads. ABC, Oscar.com: Kinks Plagued Digital Viewing Los Angeles Times Oscar.com lured subscribers with "exclusive cameras and content" at a price of $4.99. However, some of the same problems that have plagued live streaming of sporting events occasionally bedeviled the Oscars, with occassional frozen and pixilated images. CBS, Warner May Lose Millions in Sheen Dispute New York Times Charlie Sheen's antics may leave CBS and producer Warner Bros. with a quarter-billion-dollar headache from the shutdown of the hit sitcom "Two and a Half Men." The loss of next season's episodes could cost the two companies about $250 million in revenue. NBC, ABC Battle Over 'First' Interview with Sheen Los Angeles Times NBC is trumpeting its interview with Charlie Sheen on Monday's "Today" as "his first television interview since his contentious comments against CBS." However, ABC has said Sheen promised the network an "exclusive" for an interview to air Tuesday night. Sheen to Sue CBS for $320M for 'Mental Anguish' New York Post Charlie Sheen is said to be planning to return fire at CBS, Warner Bros. and "Two and a Half Men" creator Chuck Lorre -- by slapping them with a $320 million "mental anguish" lawsuit. Sheen is expected to demand payment for the ninth season of the sitcom. CNN's 'Parker Spitzer' Drops Parker for 'Arena' Washington Post "Parker Spitzer," CNN's troubled prime-time talking-head program, is losing co-host Kathleen Parker. The opinion writer is leaving the show after just four months. Eliot Spitzer will continue in a new ensemble program starting Monday called "In the Arena." Fox Flagship Station Offers Housewife 'Rants' New York Daily News "City Rant," a new segment on the 10 p.m. newscast of Fox TV station WNYW in New York, presents Bensonhurst housewife Joann Augello sounding off on various issues. The non-news professional's segments are often bleeped for her frequent use of profanity. FCC Explores Overhaul of TV Ratings, V-Chip National Journal The Obama administration is said to be exploring an overhaul of U.S. television ratings, potentially enabling the use of alternatives from the likes of Focus on the Family, the Christian group. The key would be updating the so-called V-chip installed in TV sets. Current TV's Olbermann Unveils Fok News Blog Huffington Post Keith Olbermann's new website, FOK News Channel, launched Friday. On the site, Fok News Channel is described as the "official not-for-profit blog of Keith Olbermann." Olbermann's first post was an online version of his "Worst Persons in the World" feature. HBO Eyes Finke's Blog After Passing on 'Tilda' Deadline HBO has passed on the comedy pilot "Tilda," which starred Diane Keaton as a powerful Nikki Finke-like Hollywood blogger. While "Tilda" was conceived and developed without Finke's involvement, HBO is said to be still interested in a show about her. CBS Outlines $3 Billion Goal for Extra Revenue Bloomberg CBS expects to gain $3 billion a year in revenue from cable fees and sales of television shows outside the United States, said CFO Joseph Ianniello. Growth will come from local online operations, international TV syndication and fees from pay-TV systems. ABC to Broadcast Academy Awards for 45 Years Reuters ABC has entered a new agreement to broadcast the annual Academy Awards ceremony until 2020, extending its current deal. The network has broadcast the Oscars -- traditionally the most-watched non-sporting event of the year -- to U.S. viewers for several decades. CBS, Warner Bros Shutter 'Two and a Half Men' Los Angeles Times CBS and Warner Bros. have cancelled the rest of the season of "Two and a Half Men," casting a pall over the fate of television's most-watched comedy, following a stormy month that culminated with wayward star Charlie Sheen attacking his employers in vitriolic rants. CNN's 'Parker Spitzer' Poised to Lose Parker New York Post Eliot Spitzer is said to be telling friends his CNN co-host Kathleen Parker "will be gone within a week." Relations between the ex-governor and his co-host are reportedly at an all-time low. "Spitzer thinks she's holding him back. The ratings surged when she was out sick." Fox News Chief Ailes Urged Employee to Lie New York Times After publisher Judith Regan was fired by HarperCollins in 2006, she claimed that Roger Ailes of News Corp. sibling Fox News had encouraged her to lie two years earlier to federal investigators who were vetting Bernard Kerik for homeland security secretary. ESPN: Poynter Institute to Serve as Ombudsman Associated Press The Poynter Institute, will offers training to journalists in St. Petersburg, Fla., will serve an ombudsman role for ESPN. Poynter faculty will post monthly essays about ESPN content and other responses to fan concerns during an 18-month tenure starting next month. Dish Network Loses More Viewers Than Expected Bloomberg Dish Network, the second-largest U.S. satellite-television provider, declined in Nasdaq trading after losing more customers than some analysts predicted. The number of subscribers fell by 156,000 in the fourth quarter, Dish's worst quarterly performance ever. Comcast, Al-Jazeera Confirm TV Carriage Talks Philadelphia Inquirer Al-Jazeera exec Al Antsey met with Comcast execs this week, seeking a major U.S. platform for the 24-hour, Qatar-based news channel. "We had a very fruitful meeting," he said. Comcast declined to comment on programming negotiations or discussions. DirecTV Sees Biggest Subscriber Increase Denver Business A big jump in subscribers --the largest in a decade -- has pushed DirecTV to profitability in the fourth quarter. DirecTV increased market share and profitability in both the U.S. and Latin America. "We accomplished something pretty rare," said CEO Michael White. CBS Sitcom Star Sheen Returning to Work Los Angeles Times The studio that makes the CBS hit sitcom "Two and a Half Men" remains committed to resuming production next week, despite the fact that star Charlie Sheen's home-based rehab "seems to be getting crazier by the minute." Sheen is due to return to work Tuesday. ABC Oscar Show Aims at More, Younger Fans Wall Street Journal Sunday's Academy Awards show is counting on younger hosts and a bigger online presence to attract young viewers. ABC will offer live backstage video to watch alongside the show through interactive features on Oscar.com and new iPhone and iPad apps. MTV Digital Music Awards Show Set for April Associated Press MTV has named its new digital music awards the OMAs. The O Music Awards, honoring "the migration of music to digital," will be held April 28. MTV plans to present an interactive award show across multiple screens, including the Internet, social media and mobile. Comcast, Al Jazeera Execs in Carriage Talks Philadelphia Business Al Jazeera execs are scheduled to meet with Comcast officials to discuss the possibility of the cable giant carrying Al Jazeera English on its cable-television systems. Al Jazeera execs plan to bring print-outs of 13,000 e-mails asking Comcast to carry the news network. MSNBC President Rumored to Head for Exit New York Post Buzz that MSNBC president Phil Griffin will soon be out is so strong that he has even had to deny it to close friends. Some say NBC president Steve Capus may show Griffin the door and take control of the cable news unit. An MSNBC rep insisted: "There's no truth to it." NBC 'Today Show' Hosts in Broadcast Scare New York Post The hosts of the "Today Show" got a scare during Tuesday morning's broadcast after a man lunged over barricades and tried to approach them outside the NBC studios at Rockefeller Center. Police arrested the unidentified Brooklyn man; no one was injured. CBS, Netflix Enter Web Streaming Agreement Hollywood Reporter CBS and Netflix have signed a two-year, non-exclusive licensing deal that will allow subscribers of the web service to stream older series like "Frasier" and "Family Ties." Netflix is now the only online subscription service with shows from all four broadcast networks. ABC, CBS, NBC Win Court Bar of Web Streams Bloomberg The website Ivi.tv must stop its streaming of television programming that is copyrighted by TV networks, a federal judge has ruled. Broadcasters including ABC and NBC sued Seattle-based Ivi and its founder in September for copyright infringement. Current TV's Olbermann Plots News Website TheWrap Keith Olbermann, the former MSNBC personality and upcoming Current TV host, said via Twitter that he plans to launch a website called FOKNews Channel. According to Olbermann, FOK is an abbreviation for "Friends of Keith." The site is unlikely to be large scale. CNBC, Institutional Investor to Swap Content TalkingBizNews CNBC and Institutional Investor magazine have announced a content sharing deal that also includes running an annual investor conference. Institutional Investor will provide CNBC with customized content for distribution across CNBC's platforms. CBS Eyes Syndication Sales, 'Gives Up' 10 P.M. New York Times Nothing at 10 p.m. on any broadcast network comes anywhere near the 6 million 18-to-49 viewership figure achieved by MTV's "Jersey Shore" at that hour. CBS has found that its formulaic, older-skewering 10 p.m. crime dramas are very lucrative in syndication sales. NBC Thursday Night Hits Record Low Ratings TVbytheNumbers So much for "Comedy Night Done Right." NBC saw its lowest regularly original programmed night of the season last Thursday and tied as the network's lowest Thursday night with original programming ever among 18-to-49 viewers. "30 Rock" was down 13% to a season low. ABC Taps Social Media with Website for Oscars New York Times ABC, aiming to exploit viewers' two-screen behavior, has built an Academy Awards companion website offering behind-the-scenes video streams. As more and more people chat in real time, television networks are trying to figure out how to keep viewers' attention. CBS News Veteran Exits in Company Shakeup Associated Press Paul Friedman is leaving CBS News as part of the division's management shake-up. Friedman was the top deputy to CBS News president Sean McManus. CBS announced earlier this month that McManus was returning to the company's sports division. Disney, ABC Station Owners to Share Pay-TV Fees Bloomberg Disney, owner of the ABC network, said it reached an agreement with some affiliate stations to collect a share of the retransmission fees they obtain from pay-TV systems. The agreement advances Disney's effort to receive retransmission fees from pay-TV carriers. Comcast to Launch 24-Hour Xfinity 3D Channel Reuters Comcast will launch a 24-hour 3D television channel next week focusing on music, sports, movies and original programming. The debut of the new Xfinity 3D channel is the latest in a series of 3D programming initiatives offered by providers such as ESPN and 3net. Al Jazeera, Fox Ratings Jump During Egypt Crisis Los Angeles Times Al Jazeera English and Fox News appear to be the winners in terms of audience expansion during the recent crisis in Egypt. Other news outlets that usually gain in such big international crises, like CNN, got a more modest bump. MSNBC saw its audience decline slightly. Citadel in Negotiations to Sell Itself to Cumulus CNBC Citadel Broadcasting, which runs 224 radio stations, is said to be in exclusive talks to be acquired by Cumulus Media in a deal worth $37 a share in cash and stock. Last November, Cumulus made a $31 a share bid for Citadel, which was rejected by the company. NBC Turnaround Will Take Years, CEO Says Hollywood Reporter NBCUniversal CEO Steve Burke says he is not expecting a quick turnaround at NBC, but adds that the broadcast network has the most room for upside over several years when looking at his company's range of businesses. "We are here to make money." CBS 'Two and Half Men' to Resume Production Hollywood Reporter "Two and a Half Men" is said to be resuming production Feb. 28. The CBS comedy has been on hiatus since Charlie Sheen entered rehab Jan. 28. Up to $250 million in syndication deals -- as well as millions more in advertising revenue -- have been in jeopardy. Comedy Central Star Launches HuffPost Parody TechCrunch Stephen Colbert, frustrated with all the free content Arianna Huffington has been glomming off "The Colbert Report" and others, has built his own website and called it "The Colbuffington Re-Post." The site is the Huffington Post "with a new border around it." PwC: Pricy Films, TV Shows Contribute to Piracy Bloomberg Movies and television shows may be priced too high to deter piracy, according to a survey by PricewaterhouseCoopers. People who admit to stealing say they are unwilling to pay more than $3 for films and $1 for TV shows. Also, thieves say they are unlikely to stop. CBS News Journalist Logan Assaulted in Egypt CBS News CBS chief foreign correspondent Lara Logan suffered a sexual assault and beating while covering the jubilation in Tahrir Square for a "60 Minutes" story, the network said. Logan has returned to the United States and is currently in the hospital recovering. ESPN Hosts Face Criticism for Shoe Contracts New York Times Erin Andrews, who signed an endorsement deal with Reebok last month, is not the only ESPN personality to have a contract with a major shoe company. Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit and Lee Corso have had deals with Nike that involve speaking engagements. Comcast to Sell Local Ads For AT&T U-verse TV Multichannel News Comcast Spotlight, the advertising arm of the nation's largest cable company, has struck an agreement with AT&T to sell local ads for the telco's U-verse television service in 21 U.S. markets. Comcast Spotlight also sells ads for Verizon's FiOS TV in select markets. Sirius XM Not Feeling Threatened by Pandora RBR Sirius XM CEO Mel Karmazin said Pandora is not really a direct rival to satellite radio. The Internet music firm's ad-supported business model "sounds an awful lot like terrestrial radio. We like our business model, which is principally subscription-driven." CBS: Grammy TV Audience Hits 26.6 Million New York Daily News Sunday's Grammy Awards on CBS had the largest audience for the music fest since 2000. CBS' telecast was up 3% from last year, according to Nielsen. The three-hour show went on without a traditional host and moved quickly from performance to performance. YouTube Pulls Video Clips of CBS Reporter LA Observed CBS has put in a copyright claim to get YouTube to take down all the videos it can find of KCBS reporter Serene Branson's on-air medical event Sunday night. In the clip, Branson tries to give a live report from the Grammy Awards, but her words come out as gibberish. Turner Sells TheFrisky Website to Buzzmedia Multichannel News Turner Broadcasting System has sold TheFrisky.com, a website focused on entertainment news, celebrity, fashion and women's lifestyle, to web publishing company Buzzmedia. Turner decided to sell the site because it did not fit the programmer's overall portfolio. CBS Seeks Pay Cut for New Katie Couric Deal Wall Street Journal CBS and Katie Couric appear open to a new deal that would keep her at the network's news division beyond her five-year deal, which expires in May. CBS, however, wants to pare her annual pay of $15 million and could give her other business opportunities. MTV Former Exec Graden to Help Current TV New York Post Keith Olbermann isn't the only big name moving to Al Gore's Current TV. Former MTV programming czar Brian Graden has been quietly helping the channel make its mark by giving it some guidance about producing reality shows. Graden left MTV in June 2009. Discovery Invests $50 Million in Oprah Network New York Post Discovery plans to invest another $50 million into the venture for Oprah's cable channel, bringing its total investment to $239 million, less than two months after OWN launched. The channel, which was expected to turn a modest profit in 2011, will barely break even. HBO Eyes Action in Plan to Kill Off 'Skinemax' New York Post HBO plans to revamp its sister channel Cinemax, the pay cable channel known for its late-night, soft-core programming. The 30-year-old Cinemax has entered a deal to make a series based on "The Transporter" movies, with the film's original star, Jason Statham. Sirius XM's Howard Stern Tweets Movie to Fans E! Online As HBO aired Howard Stern's 1997 film "Private Parts" Saturday afternoon, the Sirius XM radio host took to Twitter, offering fans a behind-the-scenes look at the biopic, with a running commentary. Stern divulged tidbits about the film's other performers. ABC Sells Out of Ad Time for Oscar Broadcast Reuters ABC has sold out of advertising time for its Feb. 27 Academy Awards broadcast, with blue-chip names such as Amazon and Procter & Gamble buying spots. The Oscars broadcast is often the second most-watched U.S. TV program of the year after the Super Bowl. NBC to Seek Increase in Super Bowl Ad Price Broadcasting & Cable Only days after the Green Bay Packers defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers before a TV audience of 111 million people, NBC said the network will be looking to charge more than the nearly $3 million per 30-second spot Fox got this year. "We're going to push price." CBS, Turner to Air Entire NCAA Tournament Live Bloomberg CBS and Turner Broadcasting will televise all 67 games of the National Collegiate Athletic Association men's basketball tournament live in their entirety for the first time in the tournament's 73-year history. The games will air on CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV. CNN's Anderson Cooper Targeted in 'Gay Jihad' National Enquirer CNN's Anderson Cooper reportedly has been targeted by Muslim extremists, due to the newscaster's purported "gay lifestyle." Islamic militants "would like to make an example of Anderson." According to sources, Cooper knows about the threats and is worried. Fox News Channel Book Due from Random House Yahoo News New York magazine writer Gabriel Sherman has signed on with Random House to write a book on Fox News Channel, which will include Fox News chief and founder Roger Ailes as a central character. Sherman penned a cover story last year on cable news. CBS' Charlie Sheen Offers to Pay Sitcom Crew TMZ Charlie Sheen is said to have notified the "Two and a Half Men" crew that he will pay a portion of their salaries for the two weeks the show is down -- if CBS and Warner Bros. agree to pay the remaining portion. Sheen is saying he is ready to return to work. Oprah Winfrey Network Ratings Keep Falling TVbytheNumbers In its fifth full week of programming, OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network was down 34% versus the previous week among women 25 to 54 in prime time. OWN is now well below last year's women 25 to 54 averages for Discovery Health, the channel it replaced. Conan O'Brien Builds Audience Beyond TBS Fortune Conan O'Brien has started a company, called Team Coco, to expand the reach of his humor in digital platforms. TBS funded the new company's first $2 million of expenses. Team Coco touches more than 5 million people each month, via "content satellites" like YouTube. CBS Seeking Pay-Cut Deal for Katie Couric Daily Beast CBS is said to have asked Katie Couric to stay on as anchor for significantly less money than her $15 million original deal. The new contract also would be for a shorter period. Negotiations have not yet started and a deal might fail to materialize. Clear Channel CEO Mark Mays to Step Down San Antonio Business Mark Mays plans to relinquish his positions as president and CEO of Clear Channel by March 31. "There's a time for everything," Mays said in a memo to employees. "Now is the right time for me to follow through on the commitment I made to my family." Current TV Taps Keith Olbermann for News Reuters Unabashed liberal news anchor Keith Olbermann will return to television on Current TV, taking a leadership position and holding an equity stake at the public affairs channel run by Al Gore. Olbermann will drive Current TV's editorial operation as chief news officer. Fox May Drop Local Stations in Fee Dispute WWD News Corp.'s Fox network said it may drop some affiliates if local TV stations are unwilling to pay a program fee sought by the broadcaster. Fox said it "will have to pursue different channels to receive fair value" for programming. "I don't think they're bluffing." MTV to Debut Britney Video Before 'Jersey' USA Today Britney Spears' new music video, "Hold It Against Me," will premiere on MTV right before a new episode of the top-rated "Jersey Shore," as well as on MTV.com, on Feb. 17. The video will debut simultaneously on Vevo, the music-video website. Sirius XM's Howard Stern Arrives on Twitter NBC Bay Area Howard Stern, the so-called King of All Media, has finally joined social media. The Sirius XM radio host opened an account on Twitter last week and has already built a following of more than 176,000 people. His account has been was verified by Twitter. NBC Tried to Buy Huffington Post, Zucker Says Poynter Just-ousted NBC Universal chief Jeff Zucker said NBC had tried for 18 months to buy the Huffington Post but "could never agree on price." Zucker called AOL's purchase of HuffPost "a very good day if you believe in news. It gives AOL a bigger platform." Current TV Said to Seek Deal with Olbermann New York Times Keith Olbermann, former host of "Countdown" on MSNBC, will announce his next television home on Tuesday, and people familiar with his plans point to a possible deal with Current TV. Olbermann could have an equity stake in the public affairs channel founded by Al Gore. Fox: Super Bowl is Most-Watched Program Bloomberg Super Bowl XLV became the most-watched U.S. television program ever, and Fox became the first network to exceed 100 million viewers with 100.9 million for a night in prime time, according to fast-national ratings released by Nielsen Media Research. Clear Channel Radio Hires Former Hearst Exec San Antonio Business Clear Channel Radio appointed Wendy Goldberg to the newly created position of executive VP for marketing and communications. Goldberg comes to Clear Channel from Hearst, where she ran business development for Hearst Entertainment & Syndication. Hulu Bests TV Network Websites in Viewers TechCrunch The U.S. online audience watched 19.4 billion minutes of video on Hulu in the fourth quarter -- which was twice as much as the how much viewers watched on the websites of the five major television networks combined. Still, the individual network sites are growing faster. Viacom's Hulu Deal Stirs Discontent in Cable Dow Jones Viacom's offering of "The Daily Show" and "Colbert Report" for free on Hulu is a boon for fans. But it doesn't sit well with the major cable and satellite companies that pay steep affiliate fees for Viacom programming. They see such deals as "problematic." Comcast Taps PR Exec as Flacks Swap Jobs TheWrap Adam Miller, public-relations strategist at Abernathy MacGregor, has been named head of corporate affairs at Comcast's NBCUniversal. Big-media flacks are swapping jobs as their companies fight the message that business models are "mortally challenged." ABC Flagship to Add News in Post-Oprah Era Crain's New York New York local television will be different in the fall, at least for longtime market leader WABC. For the first time in 25 years, there will be no "Oprah Winfrey Show" overpowering the ratings at 4 p.m. WABC plans to add another hour of local news in its place. NBC Fires Staffer for 'Today Show' Video Leak AllThingsD NBC fired the employee who posted a video on YouTube that showed 1994 "Today Show" hosts Katie Couric and Bryant Gumbel appearing confused about the Internet. The employee was let go for "repeatedly copying and distributing materials without permission." Sirius XM New Website Lets Users Buy Songs Satwaves Pro Sirius XM Radio has unveiled a new website that offers the ability to share a song via Facebook and Twitter. The satellite radio company's revamped site also allows users to purchase a song through either Amazon or Apple's iTunes. Its online media player also has been revamped. Fox Super Bowl Ad Take to Exceed $300 Million CNBC Sunday's Super Bowl could draw the highest ratings ever, and could also break records as the biggest advertising event. Fox should bring in more than $200 million in revenue for ads during the game, plus another $100 million from pre-and post-game ads. MTV Non-Stop 'Jersey Shore' to Rival Big Game Examiner To compete with Fox's all-day Super Bowl pre-game coverage, MTV is offering an alternative. Beginning at 12 noon ET, MTV is set to run a six-hour "Jersey Shore" marathon that will include an exclusive sneak peek of the remainder of the current season. Fox: 'Idol' Draws More Viewers Than Last Year Bloomberg Fox said "American Idol" drew 2% more viewers Wednesday night, the first time the singing competition gained over last season. "Idol," the most-watched show on U.S. television, is narrowing viewership declines this season after Fox retooled the program. CBS Sitcom Star Sheen Seeks Return to Work Associated Press Charlie Sheen wants to get back to work on "Two and a Half Men," his spokesman said. The actor remains in rehab but hopes to return to the top-rated comedy by the end of February. CBS and series producer Warner Bros. Television declined comment. CNN Android App to Let Viewers Post News VentureBeat CNN showed off an Android tablet app that will let users broadcast news directly. The app debuted at Google's event to show off Honeycomb, the latest version of the Android mobile operating system. CNN's iReport relies on content from ordinary citizens. Fox Business Network May Drop Don Imus U.S. News Fox Business Network and shock jock Don Imus are said to be going their separate ways, less than two years into a reported $3 million, multi-year deal. Fox Business reportedly considers Imus's mission to attract viewers and publicity to be "accomplished." MSNBC Former Journo Plans Political Website Washington Post David Shuster, a former MSNBC reporter, plans to launch a for-profit political news website focusing on investigative journalism. Shuster envisions his site as a cross between Huffington Post or Politico and investigative ventures like Pro Publica. CBS Orders Replacements for Sheen Sitcom Hollywood Reporter CBS is ordering two additional episodes of the sitcoms "Mike and Molly" and "Rules of Engagement" to help cope with scheduling issues from the absence of Charlie Sheen from "Two and a Half Men." Sheen reportedly is attempting a rehab program at home. Martha Cooks Up Another Hallmark Show Associated Press Martha Stewart is adding a new show dedicated to teaching the basics of baking to the growing list of programs her company produces for the Hallmark Channel, the cable network to which she moved her daily show, "The Martha Stewart Show," in the fall. ESPN Retools Radio App for Super Bowl AllThingsD ESPN is releasing a refresh of its radio app at Apple's iTunes store in time for the Super Bowl. Most impressive: Searchable audio that lets users sift through all of the network's daily audio output to find mentions of favorite teams, players and more. CBS Rejects Ad from NFL Players Union Washington Post CBS is declining to air an ad by the National Football League players union that seeks to rally public opposition to a lockout by team owners. The network is one of four that combined to pay the league as much as $4 billion a year for television rights. Weather Central Attracts Rothschild Stake Wall Street Journal Evelyn de Rothschild and Lynn Forester de Rothschild are buying a 70% stake in Weather Central, marking an expansion of their media investments. Weather Central provides weather forecasting services and graphics to ABC's "Good Morning America" and others. Deloitte: TV Bests Internet as Media Favorite Hollywood Reporter Some 71% of Americans say television is their favorite form of media, even as they consume it more and more on devices other than traditional TV sets, according to Deloitte's new "State of the Media Democracy" report. TV is followed by the Internet, at 46%. CBS May Lose Millions with Sheen in Rehab Los Angeles Times Charlie Sheen is entering a rehabilitation center, forcing CBS and Warner Bros. Television to halt production of the actor's "Two and a Half Men." With each episode worth some $3 million in syndication, television's most-watched sitcom tops $1 billion in value. Sinclair, Time Warner Cable Talks Stretch On Associated Press Sinclair and Time Warner Cable are agreeing to yet another extension in their negotiations over broadcast programming fees. The two companies say they are extending their talks until Feb. 2. A blackout could affect some 4 million cable subscribers. HBO to Develop Cable-News Drama by Sorkin Deadline HBO is ordering a pilot for Aaron Sorkin's long-gestating drama set behind the scenes of a cable news show. The project, which has the working title "More As the Story Develops," reunites "The Social Network" writer with producer Scott Rudin. Fox's 'Glee' to Bookend Super Bowl Broadcast Los Angeles Times Fox "Glee" star Lea Michele will sing "America the Beautiful" before the network's Super Bowl game broadcast on Feb. 6. Her appearance will be bookended after the game by a special "Glee" episode featuring a remake of Michael Jackson's "Thriller." CNN Hires NBC Newser Whitaker for New Role CNN Mark Whitaker, bureau chief of NBC News, is leaving for a newly created role at CNN. Whitaker, a former editor of Newsweek, will become CNN executive VP and managing editor, overseeing editorial coverage at CNN, HLN, CNN.com and other properties. Al Jazeera Shuttered in Egypt Amid Uprising Reuters Egypt's decision on Sunday to close the offices of Al Jazeera illustrates the leading role the Arabic news broadcaster has taken in reporting unprecedented popular revolts against Arab rulers. Egypt has often harassed the Qatar-based channel. Turner Unloading TheFrisky to BuzzMedia Adweek Turner is in the process of selling TheFrisky.com, the relationship- and gossip-centric website aimed at young women. New owner BuzzMedia manages a slew of edgy, pop culture-driven sites, including the male-aimed What Would Tyler Durden Do? MTV: We Stand By Racy Teen Drama 'Skins' Reuters Viacom's MTV says it is standing by its controversial teen series "Skins," despite an exit of advertisers, a 50% slump in audience and calls for a pornography probe. "'Skins' has earned the loyalty of fans across the globe for its honest portrayal of teen life." Zucker Eyes Couric for Syndicated Talk Show New York Post Former NBC Universal CEO Jeff Zucker, expected to set up shop Monday on Park Avenue, is already lining up his next gig. Zucker is talking about starting a syndicated talk show featuring CBS News anchor Katie Couric, according to three separate sources. NBC: 'SNL' Wants Facebook's Zuckerberg New York Post Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg is being lured to make a cameo appearance on "Saturday Night Live" tomorrow alongside host Jesse Eisenberg, who plays him in "The Social Network" movie. Zuckerberg is said to want to "show he has a sense of humor." NBC Universal's Burke to Take Reins as CEO New York Times Steve Burke will officially be introduced today to NBC Universal employees as the company's new boss, in a closed-circuit presentation. "He's very direct," say longtime associates of the new chief. "There's very little beating around the bush." Oprah Network Kills Mark Burnett Talk Show New York Post Oprah Winfrey's cable network, OWN, is pulling the plug on Mark Burnett's planned daytime talk show. The show, said to be in the mode of "The View," was planned for a March launch. "We have to be really smart about what goes on our air and when." Fox News Hit by Rabbis in Wall St Journal Ad Washington Post A coalition of rabbis wants Fox News chief Roger Ailes and host Glenn Beck to cut out all their talk about Nazis and the Holocaust, per a full-page ad in today's Wall Street Journal, a News Corp sibling. Fox News is not discussing the Holocaust "appropriately." NBC Chief Vows Racier Fare to Boost Ratings New York Post Bob Greenblatt, NBC's new programming chief who previously made Showtime a pay-TV powerhouse, plans to push the boundaries of broadcast television in a bid to revive ratings. He also plans to give former NBC exec Ben Silverman a big presence. MTV's 'Jersey' Heading to Italy Next Season Associated Press "Jersey Shore," the popular MTV reality television series starring a group of hard-partying Italian-Americans, will film its fourth season in Italy. "Europe is a fresh spin on a show that continues to reach new heights for us," says MTV exec Chris Linn. HBO: Sorkin Working on Cable News Pilot Associated Press Writer Aaron Sorkin says he has written a pilot episode for HBO that takes place at a nightly cable show. After spending time observing at CNN, Fox News Channel and MSNBC, Sorkin hopes to give viewers an appreciation of the work being done. MSNBC Eyes Alec Baldwin for Hosting Duties PopEater Now that MSNBC has said goodbye to its top draw, Keith Olbermann, the news network is looking to find a new marquee star. Its ultimate wish list is said to be topped by "30 Rock" star Alec Baldwin. "He's already part of the NBC family." NBC Universal's Zucker Hints of Future Plans Hollywood Reporter Jeff Zucker, the outgoing NBC Universal CEO, is dropping hints at NATPE about what he wants to do when he leaves the media giant this Friday. "I'm passionate about producing," says Zucker, adding that he has been thinking about "getting back into that." MTV Former Execs Team with Electus Studio WorldScreen Tony DiSanto and Liz Gateley, whose tenure at MTV saw the launch of hit series like "Teen Mom," are setting up an independent production company with Ben Silverman's Electus. The company, DiGa, promises to "leverage their unique voice." Time Warner Cable, ESPN Talk Network Stake Sports Business Daily ESPN and Time Warner Cable are in preliminary talks to give the cable operator an ownership stake in the new University of Texas network. TWC could have as much as a 20% ownership stake in the channel in exchange for state-wide distribution. Oprah Unveils 'Secret' Sister on Talk Show Associated Press Oprah Winfrey says she has discovered she has a half-sister — a woman who was given up for adoption by Winfrey's mother nearly 50 years ago. An emotional Winfrey is introducing her newly found sibling to viewers "This is the miracle of all miracles." NBC's Dan Abrams Jumps to ABC as Anchor New York Post NBC legal reporter Dan Abrams is jumping to ABC for the chance to do more anchoring, sources say. Abrams will get to anchor the weekend edition of "Good Morning America." He will continue to own and run his media and style websites, including Mediaite. MSNBC Ex-Anchor Olbermann Tweets His Fans Reuters Former MSNBC anchor Keith Olbermann, who abruptly left his top-rated show at the cable news network last week, is taking to Twitter to share his thoughts with his fans. "The reports of the death of my career are greatly exaggerated," he says. MTV Orders Pilot for Columnist Dan Savage Entertainment Weekly "Savage Love" columnist Dan Savage is developing an advice show for MTV. The network is ordering a pilot that follows Savage as he tours college campuses giving his brand of candid advice on relationships, taking questions from auditorium audiences. MSNBC, Olbermann Split After Years of Tension New York Times MSNBC host Keith Olbermann's abrupt departure, which he announced on Friday, came as a shock to many fans. But underlying the decision, described as a "negotiated separation," were years of behind-the-scenes tension, conflicts and near terminations. NBC New Boss Greenblatt Picks First Pilots Variety Bob Greenblatt is moving quickly to take the reins of NBC entertainment, ordering four pilots. His early picks include a new take on "Wonder Woman," an ambitious musical project from Steven Spielberg, and a romantic comedy about lesbian motherhood. MTV Gets Groove Back Amid 'Skins' Furor Crain's New York MTV, after several years of ratings declines, is back in the youth-culture conversation, thanks to envelope-pushing shows like "Jersey Shore" and "Teen Mom." Its racy new show "Skins," however, is under attack and seeing some advertisers jump ship. Oprah's Daytime Departure to Affect NATPE Hollywood Reporter The exit of talk-show queen Oprah Winfrey from the television syndication arena this year could bring renewed energy to this week's National Association of Television Program Executives convention in Miami. TV stations will be looking for "something fresh." Anderson Cooper Aims to Be New Phil Donahue Mediaweek Anderson Cooper's new syndicated daytime talk show is cleared in 87% of the country, including several soon-to-be former Oprah time slots. "I want to connect with audiences like the old 'Donahue' show," Cooper says. "I'm a great admirer of the old Donahue brand." Regis Philbin Quit Talk Show Over Pay Cut TMZ Regis Philbin reportedly quit "Live with Regis and Kelly" after execs told his agent they would cut his salary when his current contract expired. ABC station group honchos "made it clear," partly because the show is not performing as well as in the past. BBC to Slash Online Budget, 200 Websites BBC News The BBC plans to cut about 200 websites as it reduces the amount of money it spends on its online output. The changes will result in the loss of up to 360 jobs over the next two years. The BBC says the changes are intended to make its website more distinctive. MSNBC, Olbermann End Contract, Cancel Show MSNBC Commentator Keith Olbermann is signing off his MSNBC cable television show after nearly eight years. No reason is given for the abrupt departure. New MSNBC owner Comcast insists it played no role in the move. Network president Phil Griffin says: "We wish him well." NBC Entertainment Chief Bromstad to Leave Los Angeles Times The executive housecleaning at NBC continues in advance of Comcast's takeover of NBC Universal. Angela Bromstad, NBC president of prime-time entertainment, responsible for such shows as "Parenthood" and "The Cape," will be leaving the network. Oprah Network Ratings Drop Weeks After Debut New York Post In its second week, Oprah Winfrey's new network, OWN, is seeing ratings drop about 20% among its target audience, women over age 25. The ratings are "a little lower than I'd thought it would be," says analyst Brad Adgate. "But I don't think it's alarming." Fox's 'American Idol' Loses Viewers in Revamp Reuters "American Idol" dominated U.S. television on its first outing but lost millions of viewers despite the addition of judges Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler. Some 26.1 million Americans tuned in for the 10th season premiere, down 13% on last year's opening show. ABC: 'Nightline' Gives Six Minutes to 'Kimmel' USA Today ABC's "Nightline" will be trimmed by six minutes so "Jimmy Kimmel Live" can move up to a clean midnight ET start, making it easier for insomniacs switching channels at that hour to find him. Kimmel, in turn, will expand by six minutes to still end at 1:06 a.m. MTV's Racy 'Skins' Loses Advertiser in Boycott New York Post After Viacom execs ordered the producers of the MTV teen drama to go back to the editing room and tone down its racy content, Taco Bell is pulling its ads. The fast-food giant was spurred on by the Parents Television Council, which requested the boycott. MTV Plans Online-Only Show for Digital Music Associated Press MTV is developing an untraditional awards show to celebrate digital music, in an effort to suit an altered music landscape. The as-yet unnamed show, MTV says, will be a "multiscreen experience," including the Internet, social media and mobile — but not broadcast. ESPN, University of Texas Form TV Channel Associated Press The University of Texas and ESPN are announcing a 20-year, $300 million deal for a 24-hour television network that will broadcast Longhorn sports, including at least one football game and eight basketball games per season, and other sports and academic content. Scripps' Food Network, HGTV See Viewers Flee New York Post Food Network and sister network HGTV -- Scripps Networks' two biggest money-makers -- are seeing signs that their core female fans are starting to look elsewhere. After years of growth, both networks saw their first major ratings falloff at the end of last year. CNN: 'Piers Morgan' Viewership Drops Sharply Associated Press "Piers Morgan Tonight" drew 1.3 million viewers for its second airing, dropping sharply from Monday's premiere, when nearly 2.1 million viewers tuned in to see Oprah Winfrey. CNN says Tuesday's program, with Howard Stern, built on the premiere's 25-to-54 demo. Hubbards to Pay $505 Million for Radio Stations Wall Street Journal The billionaire Hubbard family is entering a $505 million deal to buy 17 radio stations from Bonneville International, a company affiliated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The deal may be a sign of a thaw in the buying and selling of media assets. Euronews Plans Expansion to Rival CNN, BBC Reuters Euronews is planning a major expansion centered around a new, 20-person bureau in Brussels to better distinguish itself from CNN International and BBC World News. The international news TV channel also will introduce more reporters' faces on air. Weinsteins Planning Return to TV Production Deadline Harvey and Bob Weinstein are plotting a re-entry into television and talking to producer Meryl Poster to run the new Weinstein Co. TV arm. Poster worked with the Weinsteins for 16 years at Miramax Films, including seven as co-head of production. CNN: Piers Draws 2.1 Million Viewers in Debut Bloomberg Piers Morgan attracted 2.1 million viewers to his debut Monday night with guest Oprah Winfrey on CNN. The number of viewers was more than triple CNN's average fourth-quarter audience, according to Time Warner's Turner Broadcasting. Regis Retiring from 'Live with Regis and Kelly' Reuters Regis Philbin says he plans to retire later this year from his morning TV show "Live with Regis and Kelly" after 28 years with the program. "There is a time that everything must come to an end," says Philbin, 79, in a surprise on-air announcement. Sirius XM: Howard Stern Seeks Bubba's Return Examiner Howard Stern is not giving up hope that Bubba the Love Sponge could return to Sirius XM satellite radio. Stern says he had a meeting with Sirius XM execs about the situation on Monday and that there is still a chance the talk jock could return. NBC Wins With Telecast of Golden Globes Associated Press Sunday's Golden Globes ceremony was seen by almost 17 million television viewers, beating all network competition in its time period. It ranks as NBC's most-watched prime-time entertainment telecast in the 18-to-49 demographic since last year's Golden Globes. CBS Scores as Jets Beat Patriots in Playoffs Bloomberg The New York Jets' win over the New England Patriots in Sunday's American Football Conference playoff game drew 13% higher ratings than last year in the biggest U.S. markets. It had the highest overnight rating for the AFC Sunday divisional game since 1995. CNN's Morgan Promotes Himself as Peerless USA Today On Monday night, Piers Morgan stepped into the shoes of Larry King on "Piers Morgan Tonight," CNN's latest attempt to remake its lineup. His first guest, Oprah Winfrey, will be followed this week by Howard Stern, Condoleezza Rice, Ricky Gervais and George Clooney. Discovery to Launch Fitness & Health Channel Associated Press Discovery is combining the fitness programming of its FitTV channel with the real-life stories aired by the recently defunct Discovery Health to form the new Discovery Fit & Health cable network. Discovery Health was scrapped to make room for the new Oprah Winfrey Network. MTV 'Jersey Shore' Breaks Another Record Entertainment Weekly "Jersey Shore" is breaking another all-time MTV series record. The reality show delivered 8.6 million viewers and a 4.4 in the adults 18-49 demographic on Thursday night, up slightly from the previous week's eye-popping season three premiere number. CBS: Sheen's Partying Doesn't Affect Sitcom Washington Post Charlie Sheen's off-camera partying has not affected his job as star of "Two and a Half Men," the most popular U.S. sitcom, says CBS programming chief Nina Tassler. "He does his job and he does it well and the show's a hit, and that's all I have to say." NBC: Carell to Exit 'Office' Before Season End New York Steve Carell will leave the long-running NBC sitcom "The Office" about a month before the season ends. "The spring will prove to be not about an actor leaving, but what happens in an office when a manager leaves and the chaos ensues and people vie for the job." Clear Channel Removes Limbaugh Billboard Tucson Citizen Clear Channel is taking down a billboard in Tucson, Ariz., for Rush Limbaugh in the aftermath of the shootings in the city. The billboard described the talk-radio star as a "straight shooter." Its interpretation might not "contribute to the desire for healing." NBC Muzzled Due to Pending Comcast Deal Associated Press NBC chose not to make incoming entertainment chief Bob Greenblatt available to talk about programming during this week's Television Critics Association gathering, citing NBC Universal's still-pending purchase by Comcast. NBC "seems like a rudderless ship." Clear Channel Seeks Multi-Platform Reach Bloomberg Bob Pittman, chief of media and entertainment platforms at Clear Channel, insists that the radio giant's customers don't care about the platform, so long as they get the content they want. "Our strategy is we should be wherever our listeners are." Hearst Names Top Exec for TV Station Group MediaPost Hearst Television is naming Jordan Wertlieb, the head of its WBAL station in Baltimore, to a top corporate post, in a move that may position him as the successor to long-time CEO David Barrett. Wertlieb will become the only executive VP for the station group. ABC 'Housewives' Desperate for Pay Raise Bloomberg ABC, running last this season in the viewers marketers target, is said to be unable to renew its most-popular drama "Desperate Housewives" because of pay demands by stars Felicity Huffman, Marcia Cross and Eva Longoria. Teri Hatcher has already re-upped. Fox, Oxygen Collaborate on 'Glee Project' Reuters More than 40,000 people auditioned for a guest role on Fox's "Glee" in a talent search so popular it is being turned into a reality show of its own. "The Glee Project," airing in June on Oxygen, is seen as an unprecedented collaboration between rival networks. NBC '30 Rock' Staffer Eyed in Embezzlement Associated Press New York prosecutors say a former production accountant for "30 Rock" has been charged with embezzling more than $13,600 from NBC. Matthew Rudolph faces 22 counts of grand larceny, falsifying business records and possession of a forged instrument. Howard Stern Inks Renewal with In Demand Multichannel News Howard Stern, who last month re-upped his contract with Sirius XM Radio for five more years, is renewing his agreement with In Demand to continue the Howard TV On Demand subscription video on demand channel, reaching 40 million households. Martha Hospitalized After Mishap with Dog Daily Mail Martha Stewart received nine stitches to treat a gash on her upper lip after one of her dogs head butted her in the face. The domestic diva took to her blog to relate the incident to fans: "My little dogs were all a little upset with me — they had been lonely." Discovery Gives New Roles to Top TV Execs New York Post Discovery CEO David Zaslav is shaking up the ranks of his company, handing three top network execs additional duties. Among them, Eileen O'Neill, the TLC chief credited with hits such as "Jon and Kate Plus 8," will gain oversight of the Discovery Channel. TBS: DVRs Give 'Conan' Lead Among Youth Associated Press Conan O'Brien's late-night talk show is the favorite of younger viewers — that is, when DVR usage is factored in, according to cable channel TBS. "Conan" ranks No. 1 in the key 18-to-49 and 18-to-34 audience segments when "time-shifted" data is included. ABC Hires Comcast Veteran for Digital Post Adweek ABC is naming Karin Gilford senior VP of digital media, focusing her efforts primarily on ABC.com. Gilford most recently served as senior VP of online media at Comcast, where she helped manage Comcast.net and the online video hub Fancast.com. CBS Worried About Top Sitcom Star Sheen TheWrap "Two and a Half Men" star Charlie Sheen is said to be facing concerns at CBS, following a weekend bender in Las Vegas with adult-film industry performers. The network is reportedly having "discussions" with the highest-paid star in television about his behavior. Fox: No More Villain Judges on 'American Idol' Associated Press Now that Simon Cowell is gone, nobody is ready to claim the villain's role on "American Idol." New judges Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler say they plan to use their experience to help guide new artists. The series will begin its 10th season on Jan. 19. Clear Channel: Limbaugh 'Won't Be Silenced' Radio Inc Rush Limbaugh, the talk-radio host, is unapologetic about heated broadcast rhetoric, in the aftermath of the Tucson, Ariz., shootings. "I'm not going to be silenced by this." Fellow on-air hosts should "hold your heads high, and turn this back on the media." Hearst TV News Chopper in Boston Mishap Boston Herald A news helicopter with WCVB, a Hearst-owned ABC affiliate in Boston, made an emergency landing Tuesday night with no injuries reported after warning lights and an alarm went on. The chopper's engine "was completely silent," according to an eyewitness. MTV 'Jersey Shore's' Snooki Turns Novelist Reuters Reality-TV personality Snooki doesn't read books much, nor magazines or newspapers. But the 23 year-old castmate from MTV hit show "Jersey Shore" has written her own novel, "A Shore Thing," published this week. "Maybe there is a sequel to this," she says. CNN: Piers Morgan Lures Stars for First Week New York CNN is announcing the opening lineup of interviews for "Piers Morgan Tonight," which debuts next week in Larry King's former time slot. After Oprah Winfrey, Morgan will sit down with Howard Stern, Condoleezza Rice, Ricky Gervais and George Clooney. Fox News: Network to Tone Down Rhetoric New York Daily News Roger Ailes, president of Fox News Channel, has some new marching orders for his on-air hosts, in the wake of the shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. "I told all of our guys, shut up, tone it down, make your argument intellectually. I hope the other side does that." ABC News Chief Open to Bloomberg Tie-Up New York Times Ben Sherwood, the new president of ABC News, says that the door remains open to a future partnership with the cable news outlet Bloomberg News. "How can you not think about partnering with an organization that has had the success Bloomberg has?" Penthouse to Launch World's First 3D Channel TechCrunch Penthouse says it plans to launch a television channel in 2011 featuring original adult-oriented programming in high definition and 3D. "Consumer excitement for 3D content is high," according to Marc Bell, CEO of Penthouse owner FriendFinder Networks. Comcast Seeks Swift Approval of NBC Deal Bloomberg Comcast CEO Brian Roberts is asking two Federal Communications Commission members for the agency's prompt approval of the cable giant's purchase of NBC Universal. The FCC is yet to set a deadline as its members mull possible requirements for the deal. Time Warner, Comcast Lower Cable Pricing Philadelphia Inquirer As more cable subscribers cut the cord, Comcast and Time Warner Cable are offering lower prices for no-frills cable-television packages in some areas of the country. The poor economy -- not the Internet -- is largely to blame for cord cutting, says Comcast. Disney's ABC Eyes Marvel Comics for Shows Bloomberg Disney's ABC is looking to tap characters from its Marvel comic-book franchise for television shows, building from an initial list that includes the Hulk and AKA Jessica Jones. Disney completed its $4 billion purchase of Spider-Man owner Marvel a year ago. CNN May Replace Parker on 'Parker Spitzer' Wall Street Journal CNN is said to be considering replacing Kathleen Parker, co-host of its new program "Parker Spitzer," as the network aims to reverse a slide in its audience. The columnist could be replaced by a new co-host to serve alongside former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer. NPR News Falsely Reports Giffords Death Associated Press The rapidly replicated false report that U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords had died after being shot in Tucson, Ariz., on Saturday gave news outlets another lesson in the danger of leaping to conclusions. NPR News apologized to Giffords' family for the false report. History Channel Pulls 'Kennedys' Miniseries Hollywood Reporter A&E Television Networks is canceling plans to air "The Kennedys," a multi-million dollar miniseries about the American political family that was to run this spring on the History channel. The content was not considered historically accurate enough for network standards. MTV Breaks Record with 'Jersey' Premiere KABC The third season premiere of MTV's "Jersey Shore" garnered more than 8 million viewers, making it the most watched series telecast in the Viacom cable network's history. MTV recently announced a deal with Paul "DJ Pauly D" DelVecchio to star in his own spinoff. AMC: 'Mad Men' Will Return for Season Five Los Angeles Times AMC is announcing that the Emmy-winning series "Mad Men" will return for Season 5. A date is yet to be set for the season premiere. Fans have been worried ever since "Mad Men" actor Rich Sommer tweeted: "I have no idea if there will be a season 5." Bravo Eyes Deutsch for Relationship Series New York Post Donny Deutsch is said to be developing a show for Bravo called "Love Live." The advertising-industry figure will field calls and e-mails on a half-hour live program, which will have a special airing at the end of the month with hopes of becoming a regular series. Oprah's OWN Ratings Fall During First Week Entertainment Weekly Oprah Winfrey's new cable network appears to be having some early growing pains. While OWN's Saturday opening night averaged 1 million primetime viewers, Sunday dropped to 822,000. Monday fell to 394,000, followed by Tuesday hitting 315,000. Fox: O'Reilly Gets Obama for Super-Bowl Chat Bloomberg President Obama will be interviewed on the pre-game show before next month's Super Bowl by Fox News host Bill O'Reilly. The president is continuing what has become a tradition of his to sit for an interview with the broadcaster of the annual big game. CNN: Piers Morgan to Open Show with Oprah Associated Press Piers Morgan says he is spoiling for a prime-time fight with CNN's rivals -- and plans to throw the first punch with Oprah Winfrey. Winfrey, who is promoting her new cable network, will be the first interview subject when "Piers Morgan Tonight" launches on Jan. 17. Oprah: Wacky Turn In Pitch for Cable Network New York Post Oprah Winfrey may be starting to crack from the pressure of launching her own cable network. At a press conference, the talk-show queen surprised reporters with her aimless ramblings: "I am very much aware of the energy that television is transmitting." CNBC's Suze Orman to Join Oprah Channel New York Times Another one of Oprah Winfrey's friends is joining her new cable channel. Suze Orman will create a show called "Money Class," featuring advice for people in financial straits. The announcement suggests that Orman may wrap up her weekend show on CNBC. NPR's Top News Editor Resigns After Review Washington Post NPR's top news editor, Ellen Weiss, is resigning after an internal review found that the news organization mishandled the firing of Juan Williams. News analyst Williams had told Fox News in October that he was "nervous" flying with people dressed in "Muslim garb." ESPN, NFL Near $2 Billion Media Rights Deal SportsBusiness Daily ESPN and the NFL are agreeing to broad terms on a new media rights deal that will be worth nearly $2 billion per year. Multiple sources say ESPN has told the NFL that it will increase its annual rights fee by 65% to 70%, which means it will pay the league a record fee. CBS Enters Content-Sale Deal with Boxee New York Times Boxee says that CBS will allow it to begin selling episodes through its software platform. The deal is the first of its kind between Boxee and a major television network. Boxee is one of several companies that wants to bridge television and the Internet. Hulu Plus Coming to Android Mobile Devices GigaOM Hulu plans to make its subscription video service available on Android tablets and mobile handsets, as more and more users turn to mobile devices to watch long-form video. The app will be available on select Android phones in the coming months. NBC to Premiere New TV Show on the iPad Mashable NBC's new show "The Cape" is making its premiere on the Apple iPad. The sneak peek is being made possible via a relationship with DC Comics, which will offer viewers the chance to view the pilot episode from Jan. 5 to 8 via DC's free app on the device. Comcast to Offer Live TV Streaming on Tablets Dow Jones Comcast says it will enable streaming of live and on-demand content later this year on Apple's iPad and tablets powered by Google's Android operating system. Users will be able to watch on-demand content anywhere with a wireless connection. Turner CEO Criticizes Heavy Web Exposure Los Angeles Times Turner Broadcasting CEO Phil Kent says that his company, the parent of the cable network TBS, which buys lots of sitcom reruns, pulled out of bidding for the rights to air "Modern Family." The series, Kent says, has become "a little too prevalent on the Internet." Cisco Unveils Technology to Help Pay TV Biz Los Angeles Times Cisco Systems is showcasing a new cable TV set-top box that will marry web video with traditional TV programming. The device could help cable operators maintain their lock on the living room as rivals unveil offerings allowing consumers to "cut the cord" on cable. Sony Preps 3-D Channel with Discovery, IMAX Reuters Sony is reaffirming its commitment to 3-D, announcing plans to launch a 24-hour 3-D television channel in partnership with Discovery and IMAX this year. "2011 begins the next phase of our 3-D strategy, a year in which 3-D becomes personal," says CEO Howard Stringer. MTV 'Jersey Shore' Star Snooki: The New Martha? New York Post MTV "Jersey Shore" star Snooki is hiring a New York firm to manage the rollout of a slew of branded products, starting with slippers, jewelry and sunglasses. The line may expand into sportswear and lingerie. "Jersey Shore" begins its third season tonight. Discovery, Catholic Church Team for TV Series Entertainment Weekly Discovery Channel is teaming with the Vatican for an unprecedented new series hunting the deadliest catch of all: Demons. "The Exorcist Files" will recreate stories of real-life hauntings and demonic possession, based on cases investigated by the Catholic Church. The Onion Comes to TV with News, Sports Spoofs Associated Press For nearly a quarter-century, the Onion has skewered the media with its satirical newspaper, followed by a website and online videos. Now the Onion is coming to television, with Comedy Central's "Onion SportsDome" and the IFC network's "Onion News Network." NBC Picks Up 1960s Playboy Drama for Pilot Deadline NBC is making its first drama pilot order this development season, turning to Playboy for a period drama about Playboy bunnies in the New York club in the 1960s. The "Mad Men"-like project is set against the background of the political and moral changes of the era. NBC: Leno Is Back on Top and Beating 'Conan' New York Post For the first time since reclaiming "The Tonight Show" from Conan O'Brien last winter, Jay Leno is pulling in as many younger viewers as O'Brien did as the host. It's a clear sign that audiences are starting to forget about the two hosts' ugly personal feud. ESPN's New 3-D Channel to Air 24 Hours a Day New York Times ESPN's fledgling three-dimensional channel, which started last June and is only on the air for live sporting events, will begin broadcasting 24 hours a day starting on Feb. 14. Along with a few live games each week, ESPN 3-D will rebroadcast archived games. Sirius XM Radio Slashing Salaries of Top Talent Hollywood Reporter After entering pricy deals with the likes of Oprah Winfrey and Martha Stewart, Sirius XM has been asking some of its top talent to take dramatic pay cuts. So says Bubba the Love Sponge, who quit after he says Sirius XM tried to cut his salary by 80%. Netflix Buttons Coming to TV Remote Controls Associated Press Netflix fans will soon be able to use a remote controller to flick through their movies available for streaming over the Internet on devices including television sets. Consumer electronics firms will begin selling remotes with "Netflix" buttons in the spring. Moody's: Broadcast TV Safe for the Next Decade RBR Moody's Investors Service isn't buying the idea that broadband video rivals will wipe out broadcast and cable operators anytime soon. "Even with the advent of Internet TV, broadcast and cable networks ... will be protected from online competition over the next 10 years." Web, Other Options Shake Up How We Watch TV USA Today What media moguls fear: 2011 could become the year when increasing numbers of people watch web TV content from sources including Netflix, iTunes, YouTube, Amazon, Vudu, Hulu Plus and Crackle -- and cancel their subscriptions for pay-TV services. Oprah Network Lures More Than 1 Million Viewers New York Post The new Oprah Winfrey Network got off to a fast start over the weekend, averaging slightly more than 1 million viewers on its first two nights. The ratings catapulted the new channel into the Top 25 cable networks, on a par with SyFy, TLC and the Food Network. CNBC, Bartiromo Suffer Big Decline in Ratings Business Insider Maria Bartiromo, arguably the most recognizable face at CNBC, lost 40% of her demo viewers in 2010, according to Nielsen. CNBC itself saw one of its worst years in the 25-to-54 demo in the past decade and ratings are way down across the board. CNN's Roberts Departs for Fox News Channel New York Times John Roberts, recently removed from his post as the co-anchor for CNN's "American Morning," has found a new cable news home at the Fox News Channel. Roberts, CNN's morning anchor since April 2007, will be a Fox News national correspondent, based in Atlanta. ESPN Yanks Another Host for Sexist Behavior Washington Post ESPN, where male announcers have repeatedly faced disciplinary action in episodes of sexist behavior, has benched yet another host. Announcer Ron Franklin has been yanked after reportedly making belittling comments to reporter Jeannine Edwards. CBS Taps Programming Exec for Syndication Los Angeles Times CBS wasted little time in replacing Terry Wood, its highly regarded program development exec for syndicated shows. The company is announcing that former Oxygen and Fox TV exec Aaron Meyerson is joining the CBS Television Distribution division. Sirius XM to Carry Manchester United Soccer Associated Press Sirius XM Radio is entering an exclusive, multi-year U.S. broadcasting deal with Manchester United Football Club, the U.K. soccer team that has won 18 league titles. The satellite radio provider will become the first U.S. broadcaster to air the club's matches. Ebert Movie Review Show Adds Website Writer Associated Press Film critic Ignatiy Vishnevetsky is joining Roger Ebert's upcoming movie review show. The Russian-born Vishnevetsky, who writes for the film website Mubi and contributes to the Chicago Reader, is replacing the previously announced Elvis Mitchell on the show. Disney to Broadcast Le Mans Series on ESPN, ABC Associated Press The American Le Mans Series is entering a multiyear broadcasting agreement with Disney. The media giant will broadcast races in the series on the ABC network and ESPN2 as well as online at ESPN3.com. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. CBS, USA Lead Networks as TV Viewing Grows New York Times Americans watched more television than ever in 2010, according to Nielsen. CBS was the No. 1 network among total viewers for 51 out of 52 weeks. Among viewers ages 18 to 49, Fox again ranked first for the year. On cable, USA remained the most popular in prime time. Comedy Central: 'Daily Show' May Return to Hulu New York Times "The Daily Show" could soon return to Hulu, the premier website for television viewing. The show and its counterpart on Comedy Central, "The Colbert Report," were removed from Hulu in early 2010 when the two parties could not agree on a fair price for distribution. MTV Moves Snooki's 2011 Ball Drop to Jersey AOL PopEater After officials rejected an original proposal by MTV to drop Snooki in a ball in Times Square on New Year's Eve, the Viacom network went ahead with a ball-drop of its own, staged among a rowdy crowd of "Jersey Shore" fans in Seaside Heights, N.J. Discovery Cancels Jackson Autopsy TV Show Reuters Discovery says it canceled plans to air a reenactment of the autopsy on Michael Jackson's body, citing an upcoming court hearing and concern by the late pop star's estate. The show had been set to air in several countries of western Europe and in the United Kingdom. Oprah Fans Sputtering Over Cable Fees for OWN New York Post The message board on Oprah Winfrey's website has been flooded with posts from fans upset that they now have to pay to see the talk-show queen. "Cannot believe Oprah would launch a new show on a cable channel that is not part of basic service." Sirius XM: No More 'Bubba The Love Sponge' RBR Bubba the Love Sponge tweeted on New Year's Eve that he is "done" with Sirius XM and is taking his show to Internet radio: "I'm scared, but also somewhat relieved. I'm my own boss now!! As of midnight my name and all content will be removed from Sirius XM." Best Buy Turns Publisher With Multichannel Net Advertising Age Best Buy, the consumer-electronics retailer, is now a publisher, rolling out a multichannel network filled with original content ranging from how-to videos to new-technology primers. The network, called Best Buy On, includes a website it bills as an "online magazine." ESPNEWS Anchor Suspended for Plagiarism AOL FanHouse ESPNEWS anchor Will Selva is being suspended for an unknown period for lifting portions of a column in the Orange County Register and using them in a script without attributing where the passage originated. "I made a horrible mistake and I'm deeply sorry." MTV 'Jersey' Stunt Banned From Times Square PopEater MTV's stunt to promote the new season of "Jersey Shore" by having star Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi descend in a glass ball in Times Square on New Year's Eve is said to have been banned. "The crowd will be watching the official ball drop, not a cast member of 'Jersey Shore.'" Discovery Asked to Cancel Jackson Autopsy Reuters Executors of Michael Jackson's estate are asking Discovery to cancel a program reenacting the singer's autopsy: "Your decision to even schedule this program is in shockingly bad taste and appears to be motivated solely to exploit Michael's death." Winfrey OWN Channel Won't Be '24/7 Oprah' Associated Press The Oprah Winfrey Network launching Saturday is wary of promising too much of Winfrey herself. The new channel's marketing effort aims to "manage expectations that it's not 24/7 Oprah," with Winfrey committed to appearing in 70 hours of programming in 2011. CNN Sees Weakest Primetime Ratings Year TV Newser CNN may still reach more total-day viewers than its rivals, but the news network in 2010 is posting its worst primetime performance in total viewers and adults 25 to 54 since at least 1996. CNN's highest rated program is "Larry King Live," which is going off the air. Mobile Media Time Rising as TV, Print Decline eMarketer Consumer time spent with mobile devices is rising faster than all other media, says eMarketer. Time spent on the Internet is showing steady gains. All other major media are seeing declines: Television lost 1.1% in 2010, while magazines and newspapers lost 9.1% each. DirecTV, Hearst Reach Deal on Programming Fees Associated Press DirecTV subscribers around the country will continue to receive network television stations owned by Hearst after the two companies reached a new deal over the fees that the satellite-TV provider pays the broadcasting firm to carry stations on its lineup. Comcast's E!, Style Face Dish Network Blackout Deadline Comcast's E! and Style networks are issuing a statement warning viewers that they may go dark on Dish Network: "We are trying to reach a fair agreement, however, it is our belief they will turn their backs on their subscribers by holding E! and Style fans hostage." Time Warner Cable, Sinclair Fail to Reach Deal Reuters Time Warner Cable and Sinclair Broadcast Group on Thursday failed to reach a deal to renew a carriage agreement ahead of an end-of-year deadline. But the second largest cable operator is agreeing to carry Sinclair's four free-to-air channels despite the dispute. Time Warner Cable May Lose Sinclair Stations Bloomberg Time Warner Cable, locked in a dispute over fees with Sinclair Broadcast Group, is rejecting a proposal by the TV-station operator, leading to a possible blackout after Dec. 31. A blackout would affect 33 stations reaching more than 5 million cable customers. CBS Remains Season Champ During Holidays Associated Press CBS stayed on top with viewers in prime time again last week, according to Nielsen figures. The network maintained its winning ways, beating second-place Fox by nearly 2 million viewers. CBS has won every week but one in the current television season. Univision Telenovela Rivals Prime-Time Shows Los Angeles Times Univision is becoming a potent rival to English-language networks, which have long dominated prime time. The Spanish-language television broadcaster's "Soy Tu Duena" often pulls in bigger audiences than programs airing on such networks as Fox and NBC. Oprah TV Network May See Two Years of Losses Barron's Oprah's new network on the Discovery Channel will spend more on programming and marketing for the next several months than it brings in in advertising revenue, says Caris & Company analyst David Miller. Miller expects the network to break even by mid-2013. CBS, CNET May Face Countersuit by FilmOn Founder Multichannel News FilmOn says it plans to sue CBS and its CNET tech website for "illegal distribution of digital rights management removal software." The countersuit would be a response to a copyright infringement suit by CBS for streaming TV-station signals online for $9.95 a month. CBS Eyed Again in Appeals Court Over 'Nipplegate' Broadcasting & Cable A U.S. appeals court is reviewing an earlier decision that CBS' $550,000 fine for Janet Jackson's exposed breast during the 2004 Super Bowl was arbitrary and capricious. If CBS had knowledge of the "reveal," criminal or civil recklessness standards could apply. CNBC, Bloomberg TV Are Primed for Hefty Gains New York Post CNBC, Bloomberg TV and Fox Business Network are each projected to post even higher double-digit gains in advertising revenue this year, according to SNL Kagan. Analyst projections have Fox Business slated to show a 51% uptick in ad revenue. Oprah Lowers Expectations as TV Launch Nears Wall Street Journal Oprah Winfrey's new cable-television network will face a stiff challenge when it launches on Saturday: meeting high expectations. "This will be trial and error," Winfrey says. "It's going to be a process. It's not going to happen immediately." CW Entertainment Chief Ostroff Set to Step Down Deadline CW entertainment boss Dawn Ostroff is expected to leave the network at the end of her contract in June to relocate to New York with her family. Ostroff, the longest-running sitting broadcast entertainment president, also ran entertainment at CW predecessor UPN. NBC 'Today' Star Lauer May Seek Salary Increase New York Post While Katie Couric may settle for a pay cut at CBS News, "Today" fixture Matt Lauer could flex his star power with NBC when he renegotiates his contract in 2012. But an NBC insider says: "This is completely untrue. Matt Lauer is not in contract negotiations." MTV Seeks Middle East Growth with Studio Financial Times MTV is opening a Comedy Central studio in Abu Dhabi with the emirate's TwoFour54 media zone, hoping to capitalize on the "unstructured but vibrant" regional comedy scene. "The Middle East is the last frontier," says MTV exec Bhavneet Singh. CBS, Couric Discuss Pay Cut as CNN Waits Bloomberg CBS is said to be beginning talks on a new contract for Katie Couric, looking to cut the evening-news anchor's $15 million salary and possibly expand her role amid falling viewership. Another five-year contract "is unlikely." CNN is also expressing interest in Couric. ESPN Brings ScoreCenter Mobile App to TV Adweek ESPN is exporting its popular mobile app ScoreCenter to television. The media giant is launching ScoreCenter on the new line of Samsung Internet-enabled TVs. Samsung is one of a slew of TV manufacturers prepping to release a variety of Web-enabled TVs. Oprah Network to Run on Channels Above 200 Los Angeles Times OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network, launching on Jan. 1, will mostly reside on channels above 200, taking over the position of the Discovery Health Channel. The channel location is a handicap — the higher the number, the less likely viewers will stumble across it. Mobile Digital TV to Begin Rolling Out in 2011 Chicago Tribune The Mobile Content Venture, a group of 12 major broadcasters, will upgrade stations next year to start delivering mobile DTV in 20 markets covering more than 40% of the U.S. population. Viewers are scheduled to receive at least two free channels by late 2011. DirecTV to Tailored Ads to Each Household Wall Street Journal After years of false starts, TV commercials targeted at individual homes may finally be ready for prime time. DirecTV is planning the biggest rollout yet of "addressable ads," allowing advertisers to reach millions of homes with ads tailored to each household. Fox's 'American Idol' Seen Vulnerable by Rivals MarketWatch Heading into "American Idol's" most vulnerable season, CBS, ABC and NBC hope that a conservative lineup of returning hits and traditionally oriented newcomers can topple television's reality juggernaut. The show's downward trend "is likely to continue." NFL TV Ratings Boosted by Fantasy Leagues Los Angeles Times Fantasy football is broadening the game's appeal to include people who previously followed football little or not at all. The 29 million Americans -- including women -- who play in fantasy football leagues are helping the NFL's TV ratings achieve a record year. Turner Relaunches NCAA.com for Live Streams Broadcasting & Cable Turner Sports is relaunching NCAA.com as part of a 14-year digital partnership with the National Collegiate Athletic Association and is looking to build up the website into a major year-round portal for college sports fans. Mobile efforts will also be revamped. Google TV Faces Delays Amid Poor Reviews New York Times Google is asking television makers to delay their introductions of the Internet giant's new software for TV sets, which adds web video and other computer smarts to conventional TVs. The software is said to have received a lukewarm reception so far. Fox News Misinforms Viewers, Study Suggests AOL News Fox News Channel viewers are "significantly more likely" to believe factually incorrect information than viewers who watch other television news outlets, says a study from the University of Maryland. Such incorrect data covers the U.S. economy and climate change. CNN, Tea Party Express to Sponsor Debate Politico CNN, which heavily promotes its nonpartisan brand, is jumping into the 2012 GOP primary debate fray by teaming up with the Tea Party Express. The debate will be held during Labor Day week next year in Tampa, the site of the 2012 Republican National Convention. CNN's Exiting King Mulls Seacrest Venture Bloomberg Larry King, who once dominated prime-time cable news, is ending his 25-year run at CNN. Ryan Seacrest, who hosts "American Idol," was a guest on King's final show. Seacrest says that he and King are discussing a joint venture about which he didn't elaborate. CBS News Bests ABC, Fox in Online Traffic Beet.TV CBSNews.com registered more than 19 million unique visitors in November, besting ABC News and Fox News in traffic in the United States, according to comScore. Dan Farber, editor-in-chief of CBSNews.com, says that Twitter has been a powerful tool. MSNBC: Olbermann Drops Twitter Account Business Insider MSNBC host Keith Olbermann suspended his Twitter account after receiving an onslaught of angry tweets. Some viewers believed that Olbermann and guest filmmaker Michael Moore were too flippant in a discussion about WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange's rape charges. Hulu to See $260 Million Revenue This Year CNBC Hulu, the online video service owned by NBC, News Corp. and Disney, will generate $260 million in revenue this year, according to CEO Jason Kilar. While Hulu faces more rivals than ever, it is the only place where users can find current season content, he says. Tribune Media Services to Acquire CastTV Broadcasting & Cable Tribune Media Services is acquiring CastTV, a provider of video search, indexing and data technologies for discovering TV shows, movies and other online video content. The deal is designed to enhance the TMS's entertainment information databases. CBS Anchor Couric Eyed for Daytime Talk Broadcasting & Cable As Katie Couric's contract with CBS News nears its end, multiple syndicators are said to be approaching her about daytime possibilities. Couric, whose $15 million annual contract with CBS News expires in May, is seen as an ideal candidate for daytime talk. ABC Flagship in Weather Gal 'Rape Lie' Flap New York Post WABC, the ABC network's New York flagship station, is suspending weather reporter Heidi Jones after her claim that she had nearly been raped while jogging in Central Park turned out to be a falsehood. Jones is "deeply unhappy, personally and professionally." Fox News Criticized on Climate Change Email Washington Post Fox News Channel's top Washington editor ordered the network's reporters to couple any mention of global climate change with skepticism about the data underlying such a scientific conclusion, according to an e-mail released by a liberal media-watchdog group. CNN: Biggest Ratings Decline of Any Network Mediaite CNN is distributing a press release saying that it has "10 million more viewers than Fox News." Nonetheless, for the year to date, CNN's ratings among viewers aged 25 to 54 cratered in 2010, plummeting 34% in primetime -- the biggest decline of any network. CNN's 'American Morning' Loses Roberts Associated Press Troubled CNN is looking to give a facelift to its morning news show, seeking a more "upbeat" mix of stories and leaving anchor John Roberts behind in the process. Roberts, a former CBS News anchor, is leaving the show. Executive producer Jamie Kraft is also exiting. Fox's 'Glee' Leads Nods for Golden Globe Associated Press The Golden Globe nominations in television categories this year have a familiar feel. Fox's "Glee," which won best comedy or musical in its freshman year, topped all other shows with five nominations and could win best show honors for its sophomore season, too. CNN Releases 'Immersive' Apple iPad App CNN CNN is releasing a free news app for the iPad, promising what execs say will be an "immersive and visual news experience." CNN's iPhone app, which previously sold for $1.99, is also now free. The new app offers the ability to share content via social media. Americans Spend Equal Time With Online, TV PCWorld For the first time, U.S. residents are devoting as much time to online activities as they are to watching television, says a new Forrester Research study. "Where is all this available time coming from? Some is being drawn from the decreased use of print media." NBC Imports Show to Take On 'American Idol' Bloomberg NBC will bring a new singing competition called "The Voice of America" to the United States next year to challenge Fox's "American Idol," the most-watched prime-time program on television. The new show is modeled after "The Voice of Holland." CNBC to Launch Subscription Trading Service USA Today CNBC is launching CNBC Pro, a subscription news and data service for traders who want to play the markets, costing $24.99 for each of the first six months or $269.99 for an annual subscription. CNBC Pro will work with BlackBerry phones with more devices to come. Sirius XM Radio Avoids Static with Stern Deal Los Angeles Times Sirius XM's new five-year deal with talk-show host Howard Stern gives Wall Street a strong signal that the satellite radio company will remain competitive. Sirius XM now trails only Comcast among the largest subscription media businesses in the United States. NBC's Fallon Seen as Next Big Late-Night Star New York Post NBC insiders are said to be buzzing that Jimmy Fallon is being positioned to be the network's next big late-night star. After the NBC-Comcast merger, the succession plan in the event Jay Leno leaves is reportedly built on Fallon. "Jimmy is the future." MTV to Scan Social Media Sites for Rising Stars Bloomberg MTV is starting MTV Music Meter, a service that will scan social networks for bands generating an increasing number of comments. The new service aims to fend off the likes of Vevo and MySpace. "We want to re-associate the MTV brand with music." CBS News Writers See Pay Rise in New Deal Los Angeles Times Members of the Writers Guild of America are ratifying a new three-year contract that provides 2% annual increase in pay to CBS News writers working in TV and radio on local and national levels in New York, Chicago, Washington and Los Angeles. Hearst, DirecTV In Battle Over Carriage Fees TVPredictions Hearst is warning that DirecTV will lose the right to carry roughly 30 local stations on Jan. 1 if the two companies don't reach a new programming pact. The announcement is the latest salvo in the battle between programmers and TV providers over carriage fees. CBS Top Shareholder Cuts Stake in Company Reuters Investment firm AllianceBernstein, CBS's top outside shareholder, is selling off most of its holdings in the broadcast television and radio company. The firm declines to comment on the move. CBS shares are up almost 28% amid a rebound in advertising. Oprah TV Network Faces Risks, Fee Backlash Bloomberg Businessweek Some cable operators are resisting demands by Oprah Winfrey Network partner Discovery for fees triple what they pay for Discovery Health, the channel converting to OWN. "No one has ever created a channel with original programming from scratch." Sirius XM: Stern Taking $100 Million Pay Cut New York Post Howard Stern, who had said there was no way he was going to re-sign with Sirius XM for less money, appears to have done just that. Analysts peg the value of his new contract with the satellite radio company as about $100 million less than his previous deal. Comedy Central's New Logo Looks Familiar Deadline Comedy Central is unveiling its first major makeover in a decade. To some observers, the Viacom network's new logo appears to resemble the copyright logo. Others may think the new "C" logo looks like the logo used by the nonprofit Center for Communication. Sirius XM: Howard Stern Re-Ups for Five Years New York Post Howard Stern is announcing on his Sirius XM Radio show that he has signed a five-year deal to remain with the satellite radio broadcaster. Terms of the contract are yet to be disclosed. Stern says there were no "heavy discussions" with Apple to move to iTunes. CBS Interactive President to Step Down in 2011 AllThingsD Neil Ashe, president of CBS Interactive, is stepping down from his post. "We were at the end of a successful transition and integration with CBS," he says of CBS's $1.8 billion purchase of CNET in 2008. "And so it was time for a breath of fresh air for me." NBC Universal's Zucker Eyeing Private Equity Wall Street Journal Jeff Zucker is said to have received several offers to move into private equity. But NBC Universal's exiting boss says he hasn't decided what he will do next in his career, adding that he is interested in journalism, producing, sports and digital media. "I'm available." Time Warner Cable Rolls Out Premium Service Financial Times Time Warner Cable is launching a $199 a month premium service with unusual perks for gadget-loving affluent customers, as it begins to segment its users according to how much money they are willing to pay and what level of service they demand. FCC Eyes Bigger Role in Cable, Satellite Fights Los Angeles Times Tired of the rising frequency of public disputes between programming networks and local cable operators and satellite broadcasters that leave consumers in the lurch, the FCC says it will propose new rules that would give it more clout to play referee. MTV to Drop 'Jersey Shore' Star in Times Square Associated Press MTV plans to put "Jersey Shore" star Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi inside a ball that drops in New York's Times Square to ring in 2011. Other stars from the hit reality show will lead the crowd in a collective fist pump in hopes of breaking the Guinness world record. NBC: 'SNL's' Meyers to Host White House Dinner Politico Seth Meyers, head writer and cast member of NBC's "Saturday Night Live," is slated to host the 2011 White House Correspondents' Association Dinner in April. Past headliners have included Jay Leno, Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, Wanda Sykes and Drew Carey. Oprah Addresses Gay Rumors in ABC Special ABC News Oprah Winfrey, in an interview with ABC's Barbara Walters, opens up on her long-time personal relationship with pal Gayle King. "I'm not a lesbian," Winfrey says, addressing rumors that the two are gay. "I'm not even kind of a lesbian. Why would you want to hide it?" CBS Chief Moonves Wary of Google TV, Hulu Mediaweek CBS CEO Les Moonves says Google TV is not going to get his content "for zero dollars" and his plan is to approach the product cautiously. "I'm not sure what it is." Also, CBS has famously stayed away from Hulu: "Who knows what the future of Hulu is?" Oprah Network Seeking Subscription Fees Wall Street Journal Oprah Winfrey's new cable network is set to launch in a few weeks. But it still faces a longer-term hurdle: Getting cable and satellite operators to pay for it. "We're now in the marketplace, pushing for subscriber fees," says David Zaslav, CEO of partner Discovery. Sirius XM: Howard Stern Dismisses Pay Talk Chicago Tribune Howard Stern, speaking on his Sirius XM radio show: "I understand why Obama won't give me the Kennedy Center Honors. But the company that I've built from 600,000 subscribers ... why would the CFO come out and say Howard Stern might need to take a pay cut?" Netflix CFO Exits for 'Broader Opportunities' San Jose Business Netflix CFO Barry McCarthy, who has held the position since 1999, is leaving in search of "broader professional opportunities." Some are reading that as an indication that McCarthy would like to be CEO of a company, something that is unlikely at Netflix. Comcast: No Broadband Usage-Based Pricing Dow Jones Comcast says it has no plans to start charging broadband subscribers by their level of bandwidth consumption. Usage-based broadband billing is viewed as a potential hedge for cable companies against the possibility that online video could replace cable TV. Fox May Relax 'American Idol' Twitter Rules Hollywood Reporter Fox and "American Idol" producers are planning more changes for the upcoming season. Finalists could end up living in a house together in the Hollywood Hills. Also, rules regarding use of Twitter could be relaxed to allow finalists to chat with fans. Sirius XM: Howard Stern May Face a Pay Cut Hollywood Reporter Howard Stern could broadcast live on Sirius XM for the last time on Dec. 16, when his contract to due to expire. Sirius XM CFO David Frear hints that if Stern stays it could be for less money. "He could decide that he doesn't want to get up that early in the morning." Citadel Rejects Cumulus Media Takeover Offers New York Times Citadel Broadcasting, the third-largest U.S. radio station operator, has rejected two offers from the No. 2 player, Cumulus Media, saying they were not good deals for shareholders. Citadel emerged from bankruptcy in June as a privately held company. ESPN to Launch Sports Website for Women Business Insider Do women need their own place on the web to follow sports? ESPN is going to find out as it launches espnW.com, a sports site aiming to carve out a place for women. "There isn't a place devoted to perspective of females," says Laura Gentile VP of espnW. Sirius Rumor: Howard Stern Eyes iTunes Move San Jose Business Rumors are starting to surface about shock jock Howard Stern as his contract with Sirius XM satellite radio nears its end. One that started on Twitter claims that Stern is close to a three-year, $600 million deal with Apple to host a show on iTunes. TV Commercial Volume Poised for a Turn Down New York Times Congress has passed an act mandating lower volumes for commercials that sound louder than programs. "There may be a self-serving reason why the television industry is lowering the volume: They fear that more people are skipping the commercials altogether." ESPN Says Study Shows Little Effort to Cut Cable New York Times Seeking to understand the cutting of cable cords, ESPN has waded into the Nielsen's audience sample and concluded that the cancellations are currently a "very minor" phenomenon. Cord-cutting has happened in 0.28% of U.S. households in the last three months. ABC Names News Chief Amid Rumors of Merger New York Times ABC has named Ben Sherwood, former executive producer of "Good Morning America," as president of its news division, succeeding David Westin. The appointment comes amid widespread speculation about a possible tie-up of ABC News and Bloomberg News. MSNBC Host Abrams to Launch More Websites New York Times Dan Abrams, the MSNBC personality and budding Internet entrepreneur, plans to launch three more websites to join his Mediaite, Gossip Cop and other offerings. The new sites will report on business personalities, tech news for women and media job postings. Oprah Winfrey Channel Gears Up for Its Debut New York Times OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network is only one month away from its debut. A new one-minute ad in movie theaters includes an original song by Black Eyed Peas frontman will.i.am plugging the new cable channel. The ad will be adapted for television. Tribune Plans Launch of Antenna TV Classics RBR Tribune is launching a new television network on New Year's Day, called Antenna TV, featuring classic TV programming. Antenna TV will make its debut on Tribune owned-and-operated stations and others covering more than 50 million U.S. TV households. MTV Faces Lawsuit from Gossip Columnists Deadline George Rush and Joanna Molloy, former gossip columnists for the New York Daily News, are filing a $30,000 breach-of-contract lawsuit against Viacom and MTV. Rush and Molloy claim to have pitched an MTV reality series, which later became "Downtown Girls." Netflix Offers $100,000 for Current TV Episodes New York Post Netflix CEO Reed Hastings is offering studios up to $100,000 for current episodes of popular television shows such as "Glee" to bolster his rapidly growing web streaming service. The company's current offerings are mostly episodes from previous seasons. Oprah Network Denies Talks with CBS Exec New York Times Oprah Winfrey's cable venture is denying a report that it is in talks to hire Terry Wood, a television guru who groomed Phil McGraw, Rachael Ray and other stars of syndication. "Absolutely not true," says OWN chief exec Christina Norman. CBS Fires Top Exec Amid Box Office Flops New York With three movies under its belt and no box-office successes, CBS Films is replacing COO Bruce Tobey in a move that could signal changes in production. Tobey is being replaced by Wolfgang Hammer, a production exec at Lionsgate. Fox's 'Glee' Signs Up Couric for Cameo Role New York Post Katie Couric is entering a deal to appear on Fox's "Glee." The "CBS Evening News" anchor will make a guest appearance as herself on the hit Fox musical comedy series. Her cameo is expected to be in the much-hyped post-Super Bowl episode. MTV: We Didn't Ban Jared Leto Music Video MTV Contrary to reports, MTV did not ban the risqué new music video "Hurricane" by 30 Seconds to Mars. A blog post by the band's frontman, Jared Leto, was misunderstood, the network says. "The video is available on MTV.com and will return to on-air rotation." BBC to Introduce iPlayer Globally as iPad App Financial Times The BBC plans to introduce an international version of its iPlayer video-on-demand service as an Apple iPad app. The United States is likely to be the first market in which the app will be available. A pilot service is due to launch early next year. CBS Ousts Anchors in Morning Show Overhaul Associated Press CBS News is completely overhauling "The Early Show." Co-anchors Harry Smith and Maggie Rodriguez are out, along with weather forecaster Dave Price. "The Early Show" runs third behind NBC's "Today" and ABC's "Good Morning America." CNN's 'Parker Spitzer' Show Sees Feud, Walkout New York Post Washington Post columnist Kathleen Parker is said to have stormed off the set of CNN's "Parker Spitzer" show during a pre-taping, furious that show co-host Eliot Spitzer is continually allowed upstage her. "Someone could soon be shown the door." NBC: 99 Cent TV Show Rentals Coming to iTunes 9to5 Mac Although NBC was rumored to be included in Apple's new 99 cent television show initiative, the network ended up dropping out. Now it appears that Apple and NBC may have reached agreement and 99 cent NBC show rentals will be coming to iTunes. Sirius XM: Howard Stern Has 'Plan for the Future' FMQB With no news on the renewal of his Sirius XM contract, which expires Dec. 17, shock jock Howard Stern hints to a caller on his show that he "has a plan for the future." Rapidly evolving technology pertaining to radio will "blow your mind," Stern says. Netflix Partner: Comcast Threatens Online Video New York Times Level 3 Communications, a central partner in the Netflix online movie service, is accusing Comcast of charging a new fee that puts Internet video companies at a competitive disadvantage. Comcast's new tollbooth "threatens the open Internet." Comcast-NBC Opposed by Internet Companies Philadelphia Business NetCoalition, a group that represents Internet companies and nonprofits, says it has joined a group that opposes Comcast's bid to acquire control of NBC Universal. The group's members include Amazon, eBay, Google, Wikipedia and Yahoo. Clear Channel in $60 Million Deal with Seacrest New York Times Clear Channel is expected to sign Ryan Seacrest to an expanded radio deal worth $60 million. Seacrest will also create a joint venture with the company to explore the creation of other ventures, including a record label and a concert series. ABC Eyes Young Viewers with Oscarcast Hosts CNBC Actors Anne Hathaway and James Franco are being chosen host the 2011 Academy Awards show, airing on ABC. While neither Hathaway nor Franco are comedians like most prior hosts, their combined age -- 60 -- is five years less than Steve Martin's. Fox Stations Nab Anderson Cooper Talk Show Variety Newsman Anderson Cooper's new daytime talk show is being picked up by Fox-owned stations in three of the top U.S. markets, including outlets in Los Angeles, Chicago and Boston. Cooper is best known as the host of CNN's signature nightly newscast. NBC Seeks Twitter Tastemakers in Local Markets Broadcasting & Cable NBC will target 20 of the "most influential" Twitter users in each of the ten markets where it owns local television stations and invite them to discuss trending local topics, such as politics, sports and culture. The initiative will be featured in on-air segments. Comcast, NBC Argue Against Internet TV Sharing Washington Post Comcast and NBC Universal are urging the Federal Communications Commission against merger conditions that would require the new company to provide shows and movies to Internet video distributors, which lack an "established business model." Sirius XM Bringing 'Dr Laura' to Satellite Radio Associated Press Sirius XM is entering a multiyear deal with Laura Schlessinger to bring her "Dr. Laura" advice program to satellite radio in January. Schlessinger quit her syndicated radio program after she apologized for using the N-word on the air 11 times. Fox to Use Hulu Inventory for Ad 'Make-Goods' Advertising Age Fox is securing agreements with about a dozen advertisers to supply them with inventory from online-video site Hulu to make up for ratings shortfalls on its broadcast network. According to one ad exec: "This is what television is going to be." NBC 'Tonight Show' Says It Will Credit Blogger New York Times NBC says it will acknowledge the work of blogger Rich Juzwiak after "The Tonight Show" aired a video clip of country star Taylor Swift similar to a web video he had produced. Media companies that cross bloggers do so at their own peril, Juzwiak says. Broadcast Networks Halt Streaming Website Los Angeles Times A federal judge is issuing a temporary restraining order against FilmOn.com, a website that streams the signals of television stations online without permission. Broadcast networks Fox, CBS, ABC and NBC took FilmOn to court to stop the streams. Time Warner to Offer Cable Guy Appointments Bloomberg Time Warner Cable is set to try a new pitch for customers: No more waiting for the cable guy. The cable operator will set a specific service appointment time for customers who pay $189.95 a month for its new premium "Signature Home" package. Comcast May Have Broken Law, Senator Says Reuters Senator Al Franken, a critic of Comcast's proposed takeover of NBC Universal, wants the Justice Department to investigate whether the cable giant engaged in "illegal collaboration." Franken is a former performer on NBC's "Saturday Night Live." CBS Sitcom Star Sheen Sues Adult-Film Actress RadarOnline Charlie Sheen, star of CBS' "Two and a Half Men," is filing a lawsuit for extortion and two other counts against the adult-film actress who claims he tried to choke her in a New York hotel last month. Sheen alleges that she demanded $1 million to keep quiet. Comcast's NBC Announcement Irks Regulators New York Times Comcast's announcement of its planned management lineup for the post-merger NBC Universal is said to be displeasing U.S. regulators. "For a deal this large, and one that hasn't been approved, Comcast's behavior is presumptuous and arrogant." TiVo Reports Record Losses as Sales Slump Digital Trends TiVo's spiraling losses continue, as the DVR service reports an 11% revenue fall this quarter. This equates to a loss of $20.6 million, more than three times the company's loss last year. Observers are questioning how TiVo plans to turn itself around. Sirius XM Radio: Clock Ticking on Howard Stern FMQB Howard Stern's final live show on Sirius XM Radio is scheduled for Dec. 17, per his current contract. "Howard is negotiating, but we've never gone this far before," says Gary Dell'Abate, the shock jock's producer. "Everybody is nervous, including me." Google TV Now Blocked by Viacom Properties GTVHub Viacom is said to be blocking Google TV devices from streaming full episodes across the company's properties, including Comedy Central, MTV, VH1, and Nickelodeon. Given Viacom's rocky history with Google's YouTube, the move is not surprising. Viacom: Traditional TV Viewing at All-Time High Bloomberg Traditional TV watching is retaining its popularity even as the options for online and on-demand content delivery multiply. For now, the absence of a mass exodus from living room TV sets to devices like Apple's iPad is encouraging to broadcasters. Hearst: Local TV to Have Big Future in Mobile Broadcasting & Cable Hearst CEO Frank Bennack, speaking about the oft-predicted death of local television, says he doesn't agree with the notion that TV stations are toast. "If it's toast, it's very nourishing toast." Bennack adds: TV "is going to have a major future in mobile." Broadcasters Team Up to Offer Live Mobile TV PC World NBC, Fox and about 10 other television broadcasters are joining together on plans for free, live mobile TV, promising service in 20 metro areas by late next year. The group says it will telecast news, entertainment and sports programming in each market. Fox Offers Web Streams for On-Air Make Goods Adweek Fox Broadcasting, desperate to provide advertising time to compensate sponsors for ratings shortfalls this season, is floating a digital solution: Ads in shows streamed online. The proposal could save Fox from having to return cash to clients. ABC Sunday Producer Quits Amanpour Show Associated Press Ian Cameron, the top producer of ABC's "This Week" with Christiane Amanpour, is quitting. Cameron says the weekend work has been tough on his family. The show for Washington insiders has struggled in the ratings since Amanpour took over. MSNBC Suspends Another Host for Donations Politico Joe Scarborough, co-host of MSNBC's "Morning Joe," is being suspended for two days after he admitted making political contributions. The move echoes the news channel's recent disciplinary move with Keith Olbermann for violating NBC policy. NBC 'Office' Social Media Spoof Makes Money Forbes On the latest episode of NBC's "The Office," temp Ryan founds his own social-media startup, called WUPHF -- pronounced "woof," the sitcom's version of a tweet. A WUPHF website, launched as a tie-in with the episode, sells T-shirts for $25. Comcast Taps 'Smart' Execs for NBC Universal New York Times Comcast is officially unveiling the management of the post-merger NBC Universal. As expected, Bob Greenblatt will run NBC Entertainment. "We've developed a structure that organizes the company in the smartest way possible," says new boss Steve Burke. NBC Universal CEO: Online Video Is 'Big Issue' Hollywood Reporter NBC Universal and Comcast are "in the end game" of the regulatory review of their planned combination, according to outgoing NBC boss Jeff Zucker. The key conditions of the deal, he says, are likely be related to "the future of online video." Time Warner Cable Cuts ESPN from 'Essentials' Los Angeles Times Time Warner Cable is testing a package, called "TV Essentials," carrying about 50 channels at a discount rate for customers seeking to save money. Among the channels not being offered: ESPN, TNT, Comedy Central, Fox News and MSNBC. Cox Cable to Provide Wireless Phone Service USA Today Cox is becoming the first U.S. cable company to sell its own wireless phone service, taking on AT&T, Verizon Wireless, Sprint and T-Mobile. Customers want a wireless service packaged with its TV, broadband and wire-line offerings, Cox says. ESPN, University Open Research Lab for Tech Hollywood Reporter ESPN and Full Sail University, an Orlando, Fla., school that specializes in entertainment, are collaborating on a research and development lab for new technologies. The lab will work with ESPN lab that helped develop the sports channel's use of 3D. CBS '60 Minutes' App Offers Exclusive Content Wall Street Journal CBS' new "60 Minutes" iPad app, available for $4.99, features video and articles from the television show and website along with content exclusive to the app. This includes access to archived video reportage from previous episodes of "60 Minutes." Sirius XM: No News on Howard Stern Contract TheStreet Howard Stern is likely to make the announcement as to whether he will renew his contract with Sirius XM Radio on his show. When asked by a reporter about Stern's future, CFO David Frear responded: "You should listen to the show. He'll tell you." MTV Faces Legal Action Over 'Jersey Shore' New York Daily News MTV may have itself a "Situation": The Viacom cable network faces legal action from writer-producer Christopher Gambale, who alleges MTV stole the idea for the hit reality series "Jersey Shore" from his proposal, "Guidos: A Reality Series." Fox: 'American Idol' Candidates to Make Videos TV Guide A new judges panel isn't the only change coming to "American Idol." The finalists will face new challenges, including contests to make the best music video, to promote themselves, and to work with a band and dancers for an awards show-style performance. SNL Kagan: Viewers Cutting Cord on Cable TV Financial Times The number of people subscribing to U.S. cable television services is suffering its biggest decline in 30 years as younger, tech-savvy viewers lead an exodus to web-based operations, such as Hulu and Netflix, according to SNL Kagan. Fox News, MSNBC Slammed by U.S. Senator Los Angeles Times Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) says that instead of a watchdog media, "we have endless barking of a 24-hour news cycle." He adds that he wouldn't mind if the Federal Communications Commission could make Fox News and MSNBC "go away." Martha to Re-Team with Hallmark Channel Hollywood Reporter After lackluster ratings for its Martha Stewart programming forced Hallmark Channel to whittle down the domestic diva's hours on the channel, Stewart will get a new chance to prove herself with several new series set to debut in January, including "Martha Bakes." TVGuide.com Adds Social-Networking Tools Bloomberg TVGuide.com, the television listings website, is adding social-networking features as it tries to get fans to promote shows through sites such as Facebook. The site, which split from TV Guide magazine in 2008, will let users share lists of favorite shows. Comcast, Regulator Talks Heat Up on NBC Reuters Talks are intensifying in recent days between U.S. regulators and reps with Comcast over the cable giant's bid to take control of NBC Universal. The three areas of contention are said to be online video, program access and program carriage. Fox News Chief: Obama Unlike Most Americans Daily Beast President Obama "has a different belief system than most Americans," says Fox News Channel chief Roger Ailes. "He's making it harder for the press to make him look good." Also, controversial host Glenn Beck is "intelligent and basically sensitive." CBS Former Newsman Rather to Write Memoir Associated Press Dan Rather, the former CBS anchor and reporter, will write a memoir, "Summing Up," for Hachette's Grand Central Publishing. The book is due out in 2012. "I can give readers an honest perspective on the future of news," Rather says. Sirius XM Tries to Upstage Apple's Beatles News CNET Not to be outdone by Apple's news that the Beatles are coming to iTunes, Sirius XM says that ex-Beatle Paul McCartney will perform at a concert held by the satellite radio service. The show celebrates Sirius XM reaching 20 million subscribers. Nielsen: TV Web Viewers Are 'Cord Keepers' Hollywood Reporter A new study by Nielsen argues that most people who watch at least some content from the web on their TV sets are "cord keepers" rather than "cord cutters." New technologies are "supplementing viewing of regularly scheduled TV, not replacing it." Comcast Rolls Out TV App for Apple's iPad MarketWatch Comcast plans to unveil an app for the Apple iPad allowing its digital subscribers to watch movies and TV shows on the tablet device, starting next month. Users will be able to use Xfinity TV to share viewing choices with others via social networks. NBC Universal's Gaspin to Exit with Zucker Variety NBC Universal TV entertainment chief Jeff Gaspin says he will leave the company after 19 years following a transitional period similar to the timetable for CEO Jeff Zucker's exit. Soon-to-be owner Comcast "wants to move in a different direction." CNN Taps Mediaite Staffer for Piers Morgan The Cutline Media-industry website Mediaite's TV reporter/editor Steve Krakauer is being named the new digital producer of the soon-to-launch CNN interview show "Piers Morgan Tonight." Krakauer is described as "a leading voice in the digital world." Comedy Central's 'South Park' In Video Suit Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Milwaukee's Brownmark Films, which produced a 2007 music video that went viral on the Internet, is suing Viacom and Comedy Central for copyright infringement over the song's "nearly frame-by-frame recreation" in an episode of "South Park." NBC to Create All-Comedy Thursday Night Bloomberg NBC, the No. 4 broadcast network, is shuffling its prime-time lineup and moving the Emmy-winning "30 Rock" to 10 p.m. Thursdays to create an all-comedy night and further close the gap with third-place ABC. "Outsourced" will move to 10:30 p.m. TLC Sets Ratings Record with 'Sarah Palin' Wall Street Journal Nearly 5 million people watched the Sunday-night premiere of TLC's new reality-TV show "Sarah Palin's Alaska," making it the most-watched program debut in the history of the Discovery network. The show is produced by reality-show veteran Mark Burnett. E! Host Handler Gets Hachette Book Imprint Deadline E! "Chelsea Lately" host and best-selling author Chelsea Handler is getting her own imprint by her publisher, the Hachette Book Group USA division Grand Central Publishing. The imprint, Borderline Amazing, will start with a three-book deal. NBC: 'Biggest Loser' Set Picketed by Crew Los Angeles Times The latest effort by Hollywood trade unions to gain a stronger foothold in the reality-TV business is erupting in protest as more than 100 crew members and labor officials picket the California ranch where the show "The Biggest Loser" is filmed. Discovery Buys Out International Venture New York Times Discovery Communications is stepping up its expansion plans, buying out the BBC's 50% stake in their international joint venture. The venture operates the Animal Planet channel in Europe, Asia and Latin America and the Liv network in Latin America. Clear Channel Taps Media Veteran as Adviser New York Times Bob Pittman, a former top exec with Time Warner and MTV, is joining Clear Channel in the new role of chairman of media and entertainment platforms. Pittman will help Clear Channel develop its digital strategy as radio stations face new Internet rivals. Comcast Hires Two Veteran Execs for NBC Los Angeles Times Comcast COO Steve Burke is putting the finishing touches on his management team to take over NBC Universal and has tapped Robert Greenblatt and Ted Harbert to lead the NBC broadcast network. An announcement is expected this week. Time Warner, Sinclair In TV-Station Standoff Columbus Dispatch Sinclair is threatening to pull several of local TV stations off Time Warner Cable if a new retransmission deal isn't reached by the end of the year. This kind of conflict could escalate as broadcasters look to recoup some of the cost of the recent switch to digital. TV Execs: Social Media Influence 'Anecdotal' PC World While the television industry now considers social media involvement a necessity, the benefits of a presence on Twitter, Facebook and other services haven't been shown to include improved ratings, according to a panel of TV marketing execs. Apple iPad Users More Likely to Drop Cable TV Fast Company Apple iPad users are more likely than regular adult broadband users to downgrade or cancel their pay-TV services, according to a study from the Diffusion Group. A third of iPad owners are "likely" to cancel their pay-TV service in the next six months. Fox's 'Simpsons' Renewed for 23rd Season USA Today Fox is renewing the Emmy-winning animated comedy "The Simpsons" for a 23rd season starting in fall 2011, extending the record for a prime-time scripted series. It will bring the show to 515 episodes, including a milestone 500th to air in early 2012. NBC Universal Chief Makes a Visit to AOL Forbes NBC Universal chief Jeff Zucker is returning to the job market, so any visits he makes to other media companies are bound to attract attention. Zucker's appearance at AOL's headquarters, where he was spotted with CEO Tim Armstrong, did not go unnoticed. Fox Business to Hire Ex-CNN Anchor Dobbs Los Angeles Times Lou Dobbs, the outspoken cable news host who left CNN a year ago after clashing with management over illegal immigration, is returning to television on the Fox Business Network. Fox Business has been flirting with Dobbs practically since his CNN exit. MSNBC Scores Big With Olbermann Return Washington Post Keith Olbermann's first return show attracted 1.5 million viewers -- about 50% more than usually come to his prime-time show. The cable-news host had been suspended for two days over political contributions he made during this year's election. QVC, HSN: TV Shopping Boosted by Internet Wall Street Journal TV shopping is thriving at a time when, by many accounts, it should have died under a crush of new online competition. The Internet has actually helped make consumers more willing to buy merchandise without first seeing or touching it in a store. Fox Joins Broadcasters in Blocking Google TV CNET NBC, CBS and ABC have already said no to Google TV, and now Fox is making it unanimous. Fox is the last of the broadcast networks to block episodes of its shows from appearing on Google's video platform. Google's "footprint was too small." CBS, ABC Aim to Stop Online TV Site FilmOn Reuters CBS, ABC, NBC and Fox are asking a federal court to stop the Internet video service FilmOn from offering TV channels over the web and on Apple's iPad for free. "I'm not a thief," says founder Alki David. "We're a bona fide business. We're not pirates." ABC's 'Dancing' Attracts Tea Party Viewers Bloomberg Bristol Palin is surviving another elimination round on ABC's "Dancing With the Stars," television's most-watched show this season. Tea Party supporters are mustering enough votes to overcome low scores from the talent show's judges, "for political reasons." NBC News Wins Ratings Boost from Midterms Associated Press Midterm election week increased the audiences for all three network evening newscasts, but none so much as the genre's current dominant force, Brian Williams and NBC's "Nightly News." The broadcast averaged nearly 9 million viewers last week. MTV Taps Two Execs to Overhaul Programming Los Angeles Times With under-30 viewers turning away from reality shows with their emphasis on self-indulgent young lives, MTV is naming Chris Linn and David Janollari to develop more scripted shows for the network. "We are placing big bets on our scripted franchises." TBS: Conan Surpasses Rivals via Social Media Fast Company Bolstered by his almost 2 million Twitter followers, a first-of-its-kind social media strategy and an innovative digital team, Conan O'Brien soared on the late-night scene with huge ratings, besting both David Letterman and arch-nemesis Jay Leno, with 4.2 million viewers. Scripps Channels Return to AT&T's U-Verse Chicago Tribune After almost three days off the air, AT&T U-verse is restoring Food Network, HGTV and other Scripps Networks channels to millions of customers as the companies reached a new distribution agreement. "Everyone regrets that the viewers were caught in the middle." MTV Back In the Business of Music Videos New York A funny thing happened since music videos stopped airing on MTV: They became popular again -- on the Internet. Now, the Viacom network hopes to bring back the ambitious music video. And since record companies don't pay for them anymore, MTV will finance them itself. NBC: Olbermann Suspension Ends Tuesday MSNBC The suspension of MSNBC "Countdown" host Keith Olbermann for violating NBC News rules about political donations will end Tuesday, the network says. Olbermann's brief suspension was "appropriate punishment," according to network head Phil Griffin. TBS: High Hopes for Conan O'Brien's Debut New York Times When he made his debut as host of "The Tonight Show" on NBC in 2009, Conan O'Brien attracted a spectacular audience of more than 6 million viewers. Debuting tonight on cable on TBS, O'Brien is likely to bring in an audience of about 1 million viewers. YouTube Stars Surpass Cable TV In Viewers Adweek The dirty secret of cable television is audience numbers are often pitifully small, with many programs drawing under 100,000 viewers. That is not the case for a select group of YouTube stars. Some are raking in six-figure ad revenue deals from Google. Time Warner Cable Targeting Hulu, Netflix Reuters Time Warner Cable is launching a service called Look Back, which will allow subscribers to watch some of their favorite shows three days after they originally air, as the company aims to stay ahead of the growing threat of web video services like Netflix and Hulu. Comcast to Unveil NBC Universal Structure Deadline NBC Universal insiders say they expect a fresh "organizational structure" to be announced by new owner Comcast as soon as next week and before Thanksgiving. Final negotiations are said to be taking place to bring in a top TV veteran exec from outside. Viacom, Disney In TV War for Preschoolers Wall Street Journal Disney is positioning itself as an alternative to Nickelodeon's Nick Jr. channel, emphasizing storytelling over learning. In February, Disney will launch Disney Junior, a 10-hour block of daytime programming on the Disney Channel aimed at preschoolers. 'Oprah' Passenger Plane Unveiled by United Chicago Tribune United Airlines is unveiling a newly painted plane commemorating the 25th and final season of "The Oprah Winfrey Show." The Boeing 757's tail features Winfrey's signature, with the words "Farewell Season" on the fuselage. The "Oprah" plane will fly through May. CBS No Longer Solely Reliant on Advertising CNBC After being bashed for being too dependent on advertising, CBS is now benefiting from its share of the ad market, according to its latest quarterly report. And now CBS is no longer reliant on advertising -- its retransmission revenue is strong and growing. Cablevision Downplays Cost of Fox Dispute Long Island Business While Cablevision isn't indicating how many subscribers it lost due to its recent fight with Fox over carriage fees, the company is downplaying the costs from the dispute and standing by its decisions. "Suffice it to say, we think we did the rational thing." Comedy Central: Stewart Beat Letterman, Leno Bloomberg Comedy Central's Jon Stewart is overtaking David Letterman and Jay Leno as the king of late-night U.S. television, the cable network says. "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart" in October won more viewers than NBC's "Jay Leno" and CBS's "David Letterman." Sirius XM Still Seeking Deal With Howard Stern Bloomberg Sirius XM Radio is continuing to negotiate a new contract with talk-show host Howard Stern less than two months before his current five-year, $500 million deal expires. Talks are "going down to the wire," which creates "lingering uncertainty for investors." TBS 'Conan' Episodes to Be Available Online Hollywood Reporter Conan O'Brien fans without cable-TV service will be pleased with the news that full episodes of TBS' "Conan" will be available online the day after each show. Full episodes will only be viewable in the United States. Clips will be available worldwide. MTV Mulls Web Versions of Former TV Shows Bloomberg MTV is considering producing new Internet versions of "120 Minutes" and other TV shows from the network's past after testing the idea with "Unplugged." The Internet "is providing us with a similar opportunity to what happened at MTV in its early days." Bravo, CBS Encourage Viewers to Go Online BusinessWeek Bravo, CBS, MTV and other networks are trying to profit from dual-screen viewers, who simultaneously engage with shows online and on their smartphones and tablets. The "two-screen consumer" may help counter the threat of DVRs, Hulu and Netflix. Disney to Sell TV Stations Amid ABC Rumors Broadcasting & Cable Disney plans to sell ABC television stations WJRT in Flint, Mich., and WTVG in Toledo, Ohio, back to former owner SJL Broadcasting. The company says it has "no plans" to sell any more stations. Speculation continues that Disney might spin off ABC. Time Warner Cable Loses More TV Subscribers Associated Press Time Warner Cable lost more cable-TV subscribers in the latest quarter than it ever has before, keeping the question alive of whether Internet video is starting to cut into the cable business. Cable execs continue to dismiss the notion of cord-cutting. NBC News Anchor Stirs White House Complaint New York Post The White House is said to have called NBC's Brian Williams to complain after he questioned last week's terrorist scare from bombs on cargo planes: "We would never put the president out there saying it was serious unless that was the case." Fox News Tramples Rivals for Midterm Election New York Times As a Republican wave swept across the United States on Tuesday, Fox News Channel drew the biggest midterm election audience in its history. Fox News had an average of 6.96 million viewers -- more than double the audience for CNN, at 2.42 million. Sirius XM Radio to Benefit from 'Sternonomics' Hollywood Reporter If Howard Stern stays on Sirius XM at his current salary, or if he leaves and takes 1 million subscribers with him, it's a wash, financially speaking, analysts say. And if Stern and Sirius XM drag out negotiations, it's "free marketing for both." CBS Sees Benefit from Charlie Sheen Scandal Los Angeles Times Charlie Sheen's personal woes aren't deterring fans from watching "Two and a Half Men." At 13. 6 million viewers this week, the sitcom's ratings are up 7% among viewers ages 18 to 49. Sheen's bosses are likely to "continue to look the other way." Fox's World Series Audience Is Second Lowest Bloomberg The San Francisco Giants' five-game World Series victory over the Texas Rangers attracted an average of 14.3 million television viewers a night to the Fox network, the second lowest on record after the 2008 matchup, according to figures from Nielsen. ESPN 3D Future Is Questioned by Network Exec Yahoo News ESPN launched a dedicated 3D channel over the summer. But the sports network is already making noises about the future of the effort. ESPN tech exec Jonathan Pannaman admits that there is "very little indication" whether the channel will continue. TBS: Conan Previews Late-Night Show Online Vanity Fair Conan O'Brien is offering fans a sneak peek of "Conan," which premieres Nov. 8 on TBS. O'Brien's "Show Zero" is a four-minute mini-episode that includes a one-joke monologue and a celebrity interview. The clip is sponsored by Diet Coke. ABC News Cuts Ties with Blogger for Election Yahoo News Andrew Breitbart, the conservative online publisher and provocateur, was not a part of ABC News' election coverage on Tuesday night. The two sides "are still unable to agree on [his] role," according to ABC News digital exec Andrew Morse. YouTube, CBS Team to Stream Election News WebProNews CBS News partnered with YouTube to live stream Tuesday's election results and highlight election trends. "Examining web trends is a model that news organizations can use for any major event or milestone," says YouTube exec Ramya Raghavan. ABC, CBS Take Midterm Election News Online Associated Press ABC, CBS and PBS will each stream part of their midterm election coverage on the web on Tuesday. NBC and ABC plan six hours of results lasting into Wednesday morning. The networks will use Google, Facebook, YouTube and Yahoo in their news delivery. Oprah Unveils Program Lineup for TV Network USA Today The Oprah Winfrey Network premieres at noon ET/PT on New Year's Day with a weekend lineup of sneak previews celebrity interviews and advice programs. Two series will reunite actors Ryan and Tatum O'Neal and country singers Naomi and Wynonna Judd. CNN Hires Ex-CNBC Exec to Produce Morgan Associated Press Former CNBC and NBC executive Jonathan Wald is CNN's choice to be the backstage man in charge of the news network's new Piers Morgan talk show. Wald left as senior VP of CNBC last year after five years running the business network's news operation. MTV Passes Bravo as Top Brand on Foursquare MediaPost MTV is overtaking Bravo as the most popular brand on Foursquare, based on followers. The Viacom network has made a concerted effort to amass followers on the location-based check-in service. "The approaches we've taken are resonating with our audience." Cablevision: We Agree to 'Unfair Price' for Fox New York Daily News After a two-week blackout fueled by a bitter contract dispute, Fox returned to the air Saturday night for 3 million Cablevision customers. Cablevision released a statement dripping with derision: "Cablevision has agreed to pay Fox an unfair price." Comedy Central Stars Lure Thousands to Rally USA Today Tens of thousands of people gathered in Washington, D.C., for the "Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear," organized by Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert. The three-hour event mixed comedy and music with a message that was non-partisan, yet deeply political. Comcast Outsources Dying Woman's Phone Call South Florida Sun Sentinel Comcast says the phone operator who couldn't find the address of a dying Florida grandmother who called for help wasn't an employee with the cable company. The operator was employed by a private firm hired by Comcast to provide operator services. CNN May Dismantle Low-Rated Morning Show New York Post Since CNN ex-head Jon Klein recently rebuilt the prime-time lineup, insiders say his replacement, Ken Jautz, will focus on daytime, and his first step will be to dismantle "American Morning," the lowest-rated cable morning show. CNN insists no changes are coming. MSNBC.com Wins Top Web News Group Award AFP The Online News Association is handing out awards for excellence in web journalism, with MSNBC.com winning the top honor for large sites. The New York Times, CNN, ESPN, Salon, Toronto Star and Mother Jones are among the sites recognized. Fox Blackout Poised to Spread to Dish Network Bloomberg Dish Network customers in some cities may face their own Fox blackout next week, as the satellite company feuds with News Corp. over programming fees ahead of a Halloween contract deadline. Fox has already cut off programming to Cablevision. Cablevision Wants to Air World Series on Internet CNBC Cablevision, still blocked from carrying the Fox network in a retransmission fee dispute, is calling upon government entities and non-profits to consider copyright exemption to allow the cable company to retransmit the World Series for free over the Internet. CBS-CNN Merger Prospects Don't 'Look Good' Broadcasting & Cable Don't expect a CBS News-CNN merger anytime soon, according to CBS chief Les Moonves. "Right now, it doesn't look good. It's no secret we've had conversations. It's a tough nut to crack. It's hard to make a joint venture with a division of the company." Comedy Central's Obama Interview a Web Hit New York Post Jon Stewart's interview with President Obama is raking in viewers -- on the Internet. Comedy Central officials are reporting that online views of the episode have more than tripled in number compared to streams of a typical episode of "The Daily Show." TBS Courting Web-Savvy Audience for Conan BusinessWeek In a marketing push to reignite interest in Conan O'Brien's imminent migration to TBS, the cable network is targeting viewers who frequent Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. O'Brien, who is in his 40s, is "competing against guys in their 60s." Oprah Sued for Plagiarism Over Book Readings Hollywood Reporter Oprah Winfrey is being sued by the author of political booklet, "How America Elects Her Presidents." Winfrey allegedly read aloud text from the book on her talk show. Author Charles Harris sees the readings as plagiarism and copyright infringement. Cablevision's Latest Offer Rejected by Fox Los Angeles Times Fox is rejecting the latest offer from Cablevision, meaning that 3 million homes in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut will continue to be without the broadcaster's signals. The rejection shows that "News Corp. is operating in bad faith," Cablevision says. Fox's Reign at Risk as Young Viewers Flee Bloomberg News Corp.'s Fox network has lost almost 17% of its young-adult viewers just weeks into the new season, a drop that threatens to dethrone the broadcast ratings leader after six years. The decline has hit some of Fox's top shows, including "The Simpsons." CBS Shrugs at Mishaps of Sitcom Star Sheen Los Angeles Times Charlie Sheen is unlikely to be in hot water with CBS brass over his mishap at New York's Plaza Hotel. So far, no advertisers have pulled out of Sheen's "Two and a Half Men." Also, the character he plays is "a thinly veiled surrogate for Sheen himself." Viacom Comedy Star Lands Obama Interview New York Times President Obama on Wednesday became the first sitting president to appear on "The Daily Show," the news satire show on Viacom's Comedy Central. Obama was also a guest on the Jon Stewart-hosted program during his run for the White House in 2008. NBC Universal In First-Look Deal with Trump Deadline Donald Trump, a fixture on NBC with "The Apprentice," is expanding his relationship with the network with a first-look deal with NBC Universal. Trump's production outfit will create and executive produce projects for broadcast, cable and syndication. Oprah: No 'Bitches' Allowed on OWN Network New York Post Oprah Winfrey is making one promise about her new cable channel -- it won't call anyone "bitches." The talk-show queen says that OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network will be "fun and entertaining without tearing people down and calling them bitches. Imagine that. Imagine." Comcast Upbeat on Tablet Devices for TV ZD Net Comcast CEO Brian Roberts is decidedly upbeat about tablets such as Apple's iPad and how it can drive demand for the cable giant's online video efforts. The iPad "gives us a chance to start from scratch" on the television interface, without a set-top box. Viacom Stars Stewart, Colbert Open Web Store Christian Science Monitor This weekend's Jon Stewart-Stephen Colbert "Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear" is opening an online store to sell official merchandise, including T-shirts and bumper stickers. For parent Viacom, the website is "another way" to generate brand loyalty. CBS Star Sheen In Psych Care After Fracas New York Post Charlie Sheen, star of CBS' "Two and a Half Men," U.S. television's No. 1 sitcom, is being hospitalized for psychiatric evaluation after reportedly trashing his room in New York's Plaza Hotel. Sheen's rep is blaming an allergic reaction to medication. Fox Starts Website to 'Help' Cablevision Viewers Bloomberg As part of the ongoing Fox-Cablevision fee fisticuffs, Fox is setting up a website to encourage Cablevision customers to switch their television service. The site helps people find pay-TV alternatives, including DirecTV, Dish Network and Verizon FiOS. ABC, CBS: Fair Payment Is Key Industry Issue Reuters The entertainment chiefs of five major U.S. television networks, at an industry gathering, say they need to be fairly compensated if their shows are retransmitted on cable or Google TV. "Every one of these businesses is building these services out on our product." NPR Gets Bomb Threat After Firing of Analyst Washington Post NPR received a bomb threat just days after the news organization's decision to fire news analyst Juan Williams sparked a hugely negative reaction. NPR is not publicly disclosing details of the threat, on the advice of law enforcement officials. Fox News Retains Top Anchor Through 2013 New York Times Shepard Smith will remain the chief news anchor at Fox News through the end of 2013, in a new multi-year contract. His previous deal would have been up at the end of this year. "I'm really proud of the journalism that comes out of our place," he says. Time Warner Cable Puts ESPN Channels Online WebProNews Time Warner Cable customers who have ESPN and have Internet service with the cable company will be able to watch ESPN online starting with "Monday Night Football." Access will include enabled devices such as mobile phones and tablets. Comcast Rolls Out Xfinity Online Video Service Reuters Comcast is rolling out a service that allows its cable subscribers to watch an array of television shows and movies on a personal computer or laptop. The service, which falls under the Xfinity brand, has been in a wide test program for customers since last year. Viacom to Build New Times Square TV Studio New York Observer Viacom its renewing the lease on its television studio space on the second floor of 1515 Broadway in Times Square, used for MTV. Viacom plans to build a new studio and aims to remain "one of the most visible and exciting elements of Times Square." CBS News Anchor Couric Seen Likely to Re-Up Daily Beast Insiders say there is a good chance that evening-news anchor Katie Couric will sign a new deal with CBS that carries her at least through the 2012 elections. She is said to understand that her stratospheric salary would have to come down to earth. Univision Set to Become Top U.S. Broadcaster Adweek As the demographic balance of the United States tilts away from an Anglo majority, the largest television network in the country will soon be Hispanic. "It's totally conceivable that in three to five years Univision be will the No. 1 broadcast network." Fox-Cablevision Eyed by Feds Over Good Faith Los Angeles Times The U.S. Federal Communications Commission wants to know whether Fox and Cablevision are negotiating in good faith or are spending all their time running attack ads. Fox and Cablevision are nowhere near reaching a deal over programming fees. Comcast-NBC Deal Targeted Over Online Video New York Post As Comcast's deal for NBC Universal nears a finish, U.S. regulators are focused on how the cable giant's ownership of the network will give it added muscle with online video, sources say. Issues like viewer access to online video lack a "clear road map." PBS Making Digital Push With New Website Hollywood Reporter PBS is beta-launching a new website, which will include local content from member stations. The public broadcaster also is launching PBS for the Apple iPad. The digital push comes as PBS focuses on making itself into a multimedia provider. Online Video, DVRs Hit Thursday 'Must-See TV' Wall Street Journal Fewer people are watching U.S. prime-time television on Thursdays this fall, Nielsen says. Thursday nights typically showcase high-profile programs -- and the priciest commercials. Online videos and DVRs are believed to be impacting viewership. Broadcasters Try to Curb Free TV Shows Online Associated Press Recent actions by Fox, ABC, NBC and CBS suggest that after a few years of experimenting with free, ad-supported viewing, broadcasters believe they can make more money from cable TV providers if they hold back some programming online. Oprah to Join Streep, Bullock In Universal Film Deadline Universal Pictures is acquiring a comedy that will be written and directed by Michael Patrick King, the creative force behind "Sex and the City," and star Meryl Streep, Sandra Bullock and Oprah Winfrey. The film is set in the world of a Home Shopping-type network. FCC: Mobile Push Means TV Stations May Share Bloomberg Television broadcasters may share their digital channels to make room for mobile high-speed Internet service, according to Federal Communications Commission head Julius Genachowski. The agency plans to discuss new rules at its meeting next month. NBC to Roll Out More 'Nonstop' Local Channels Broadcasting & Cable NBC is rolling out more nonstop multicast channels to markets including Chicago, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. The channels offer both local programming and franchise shows such as "Talk Stoop." "It's a real effort to increase local programming." CBS Eyes Full-Season Order for All New Shows New York CBS is informing the producers of all of its new fall series, including "Hawaii Five-0" and "$#*! My Dad Says," that they will stay in production for the rest of the season -- the first time since fall 2000 that the network has been so generous to its freshman class. Fox News Signs Up Ousted NPR News Analyst Los Angeles Times As NPR faced criticism for firing Juan Williams for his comments about Muslims, Fox News moved to turn the controversy to its advantage by expanding the news analyst's role at the cable news network, in a deal valued at about $2 million. Liberty Supports Starz CEO After GQ Interview New York Post Liberty Media CEO Greg Maffei is standing by Chris Albrecht, the CEO of the company's Starz unit, after the exec gave an interview to GQ in which he talks about his problems with women and alcohol. "We are pleased with Chris' performance." MTV 'Jersey Shore' Cast Up for Fourth Season Associated Press The tanned misfits of "Jersey Shore" are down for a potential fourth season of their hit MTV series. "There's been talk about doing another season," says Paul "Pauly D" Del Vecchio. "If it happens, I'd love to do it." The castmates are yet to sign up. Vevo to Turn Up Heat on MTV In Online Videos Advertising Age Vevo, the music video website, will turn up the heat on Viacom's MTV by launching an iPad app and versions of its service around the world. But the bigger tweak to MTV will arrive in the form of versions of Vevo for net-connected TV sets and set-top boxes. Google TV Blocked by Major Broadcast Networks Wall Street Journal ABC, CBS and NBC are blocking TV programming on their websites from being viewable on Google's new Web-TV service, exposing a rift between the tech giant and some of the media companies it wants to supply content for its new products. YouTube, iTunes May Lead to Cable Bill Boost New York Post A new report suggests that cable companies will have to double charges for Internet service if "cord cutting" catches on. According to Morgan Stanley, a plethora of Internet viewing options are making it easier for consumers to cancel cable services. MTV's 'Jersey Shore' Team Eyeing Internet FoxNews MTV programming president Tony DiSanto and senior VP Liz Gateley are leaving the network to form their own production company. Working with Ben Silverman's Electus studio, it appears the partners are planning to create programming for the Internet. TBS Offers Conan 24-Hour Streaming Online TheStreet Conan O'Brien is launching the Coco Cam online, kicking off a 24-hour live stream from "Team CoCo Headquarters" on TeamCoco.com and a YouTube channel. The event is a promotional effort to tout the debut of O'Brien's show on Nov. 8 on TBS. CBS, NBC Evening Newscasts Making Shifts Associated Press CBS boss Les Moonves recently predicted a change in the format for the evening news. He may not have noticed the changes they have already made. In general, the newscasts have cut back on the number of stories in favor of treating some with more depth. Fox News Foe Soros Donates $1M to Group Politico Billionaire George Soros is donating $1 million to Media Matters, a nonprofit liberal media watchdog group. "Media Matters is one of the few groups that attempts to hold Fox News accountable for the false and misleading information they broadcast." NPR Ends Analysts' Contract After Remarks NPR NPR News is terminating the contract of longtime news analyst Juan Williams after remarks he made on Fox News. Williams, in an appearance on "The O'Reilly Factor," said that he gets "nervous" when he sees Muslims on an airplane. Fox Acquires Sports Blog Network Yardbarker ClickZ Fox Sports Interactive is acquiring Yardbarker, a network of more than 800 sports blogs that claims 16 million monthly users and 100% growth over the past 12 months. The sale follows a two-year content-sharing deal between the two companies. Fox-Cablevision Dispute Arouses Ire of FCC Los Angeles Times Julius Genachowski, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, is blasting Fox and Cablevision for spending more time fighting with each other than trying to resolve their contract dispute: "The time for petty gamesmanship is over." FCC Offers Sports Commentary via Twitter Wall Street Journal The Federal Communications Commission is wading into the Fox-Cablevision dispute by posting Major League Baseball game updates on its official Twitter feed. The fee dispute has left about 3 million viewers without access to baseball games. ESPN Accused of Seeking Timeouts for Ads Hollywood Reporter The National Football League is investigating charges that coaches during "Monday Night Football" were asked to call timeouts so that ESPN could squeeze in more commercials. NFL purists are outraged that a game could be influenced by broadcasters. NBC, Other Broadcasters Struggling at Night Associated Press NBC may have been on to something in scheduling Jay Leno at 10 p.m. last year. The network averaged 6% fewer viewers during the 10 p.m. hour each weekday last week. Both ABC and CBS were down 8% at that hour last week as well. Cablevision, Fox Unable to Reach Agreement New York Post Talks between Fox and Cablevision broke down again on Monday after the two failed to reach a deal to get the broadcast network back on the air. Some 3 million Cablevision customers in New York and Philadelphia remain without Fox programming. Univision, Vevo Strike Content, Ad Partnership Mediaweek Vevo, the music video site, is looking to widen its footprint in the Hispanic market by adding Univision to its content distribution and advertising network. Univision plans to feature videos from various Latino artists on several of its websites. Sirius XM CEO Plans for Life Without Stern Bloomberg Sirius XM Radio is exploring alternatives in case it isn't able to agree on a new contract with show host Howard Stern, says CEO Mel Karmazin. Without Stern, Sirius XM would "save $100 million a year" and use the money to find new on-air talent. Cablevision: 'Mad Men' on AMC Not Yet Renewed New York Times Cablevision's AMC aired the Season 4 finale of "Mad Men" Sunday night. The acclaimed series has not officially been renewed for Season 5, says creator Matthew Weiner. "I'm assuming we will be. We have a gigantic audience, no matter what is said." Disney's ESPN to Make Pay TV Online Gatekeeper Bloomberg ESPN will start streaming its sports channels online to Time Warner Cable customers, as part of the pay-TV industry's strategy to fend off Internet rivals. Time Warner Cable customers with ESPN will be able to watch on computers with web access. Fox, Cablevision 'Far Apart' on Subscription Fees New York Post Cablevision customers missed out on the Giants and Phillies -- and Dr. House could be next. The blackout of Fox programs, which began Saturday, continues Monday as the cable giant and Fox remain unable to reach a deal on fees paid for its stations. Hulu Gets Caught In Fox-Cablevision Fee Fracas AllThingsD News Corp. this weekend temporarily cut off Cablevision subscribers' access to its shows on Hulu, the video website joint venture, as well as on its own Fox.com, in its fight over fees. "We were put in [this] position in order to remain neutral," says a Hulu rep. CNBC's Kneale Expected to Jump to Fox Business TVNewser CNBC reporter Dennis Kneale is expected to leave the news channel to join Fox Business Network in an on-air role covering media and advertising. Kneale's role at CNBC diminished over the summer when he was pulled off the mid-day show "Power Lunch." CBS Buys Another Blog TV Show from Kutcher Hollywood Reporter CBS is buying a series concept from Ashton Kutcher's Katalyst Productions and the Schiff Co. based on the blog and Twitter feed Dear Girls Above Me, written by a guy who is driven to distraction by the ditzy roommates living in the condo above him. CBS Closes NY Store, Grows Online Presence MediaPost The CBS Store in New York, adjacent to the "Late Show with David Letterman" theater, is closing after an apparent failure to agree on new lease terms. CBS plans to focus efforts on growing its store online "to reach a greater number of customers." Fox News Hits Ratings High with Miner Story Deadline Some 7.1 million viewers tuned into Fox News to watch the last trapped Chilean miner making it safely to the surface. That was not only the cable news channel's largest audience in the hour this year but its biggest viewership since election night 2008. ABC 'View' Hosts Walk Off After O'Reilly Remark Associated Press Joy Behar and Whoopi Goldberg walked off the stage of ABC's "The View" during an argument with Bill O'Reilly. The women objected to the Fox News Channel host saying that "Muslims killed us on 9/11." O'Reilly later apologized for his remark. ABC Looks In-House to Replace News President New York Post Disney/ABC Television head Anne Sweeney is casting a wide net to replace David Westin, who stepped down as president of ABC News last month. The search so far is reportedly being spearheaded in-house, but a front-runner is yet to emerge. Cablevision Seeks Arbitration In Fox Dispute Reuters Cablevision says it would agree to arbitration to avoid losing some of its customers' favorite shows, in a programing fee dispute with Fox Networks. But Fox declines Cablevision's offer, saying arbitration would bring "more unnecessary disputes." MTV: Obama Criticizes Twitter at Youth Forum MTV The Internet and Twitter "are very powerful," says President Obama, speaking at a live youth forum on Viacom's MTV Networks and streamed online. But they can help spin up political rhetoric, resulting in people "just calling each other names." NBC Expects Record Ratings for Live '30 Rock' Washington Post When Tina Fey goes live with her NBC comedy series "30 Rock" Thursday night, the show is expected to attract one of its biggest crowds of this season. Back in 1997, NBC's "ER" season debut was performed live and won 42.7 million viewers. Fox News Launches Bilingual Website for Latinos New York Post Fox News is targeting a growing audience with the debut of its newest website, Fox News Latino. Launched weeks before the midterm elections, the bilingual site spans topics including news, entertainment and lifestyle, with a focus on Latino interest. Sirius XM Radio on Fire - But What If Stern Leaves? CNNMoney Shares of Sirius XM are up about 135% this year and hit a new 52-week high on Wednesday. The satellite radio company says it added more than 334,000 net subscribers in the third quarter. Still, there is one big question: What is Howard Stern's next move? Fox, Cablevision Battle Heats Up Over Fees New York Post Viewers in New York and Philadelphia could lose the Fox network -- including Major League Baseball playoffs -- if talks with Cablevision over a new contract aren't resolved this week. Fox believes pay-TV companies should pay for carriage of its stations. CBS Wins First Three Weeks of Fall TV Season Associated Press CBS is extending its winning streak, becoming the first network to win the first three weeks of a fall season in viewers, adults 18-49 and adults 25-54, since NBC accomplished that feat nearly a decade ago. CBS' top news series include "(Bleep) My Dad Says." CNN Plunges to Worst Ratings In Over 10 Years Los Angeles Times CNN on Monday dipped to its worst nightly prime-time average in more than 10 years -- an average of 327,000 total viewers, according to Nielsen. The network is being hurt by the new "Parker Spitzer," which is generated some of its lowest-ever ratings. Hearst TV Eyes Expansion In Mobile, Websites Broadcasting & Cable Hearst Television is partnering with mobile media and marketing company LSN Mobile to expand its local news and weather content onto websites, mobile platforms and online portal partners. Hearst describes its mobile websites as a "critical element." Apple Apps Rivaling Reach of Prime Time TV Information Age Social gaming apps on the Apple iPhone have garnered an audience that rivals hit shows on broadcast television, says mobile analytics firm Flurry. The apps are merely "4 million viewers shy from beating" TV's No. 1 show, "American Idol," on Fox. CNN Piers Morgan Show Eyes Former CNBCer Broadcasting & Cable Former CNBC exec Jonathan Wald is in talks to become executive producer of Piers Morgan's upcoming CNN program. Morgan's show, which will replace "Larry King Live" in January, is a high priority for CNN as the network attempts to reverse its ratings slide. ESPN Producer Charged with Peeping Exits Associated Press ESPN producer Neil Goldberg, who was charged with public indecency after a peeping Tom complaint at a Connecticut apartment complex, is leaving the network. Goldberg had been the coordinating producer of motorsports coverage for the sports network. Comcast Sets Up WiFi Hotspots In Philadelphia Philadelphia Business Comcast is allowing its Internet customers to access thousands of WiFi hotspots for free. The Philadelphia-based cable-television, Internet, phone and media company is setting up the hotspots in its home town and neighboring communities. CNN: 'Parker Spitzer' Is Cornerstone of Network Dow Jones "Parker Spitzer," Eliot Spitzer's debut on CNN, has been greeted by tepid viewing. But the network plans to give the show time to build. "Parker Spitzer" is a cornerstone of the Time Warner network's effort to rebuild its lineup and boost its declining audience. CBS, 'Hawaii Five-O' See Revival of Fortunes New York Times CBS not only has avoided any duds in its new fall programming slate, it is almost always first or second in all 22 hours that make up prime time. The re-do of "Hawaii Five-0," which is being sold to international TV outlets, could become "a billion-dollar property." Hallmark Ousts Exec as Martha Fails to Deliver Los Angeles Times / HR Hallmark Channels, reeling over the lackluster ratings of its new Martha Stewart programming block, is ousting top programming exec Laura Sillars. Also: Hallmark is substituting "Little House on the Prairie" reruns after Stewart's weak ratings start. Martha Mulls Opening Freestanding Retail Stores WWD Martha Stewart: magazine publisher, book author, merchandiser, television host and, soon, retailer? Freestanding stores could become a reality, she says. Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia also has talked to hotel chains about redesigning their rooms. 'Mad Men' Factor: AMC Show Boosts Ad Industry Boston Business AMC's hit show "Mad Men" is helping to popularize the advertising industry despite characters' boozing and womanizing, according to top ad execs. Don Draper has "inspired young people." Interns are "disappointed when they realize it's not like that." MTV Teams With Stan Lee for New Digital Comic Associated Press MTV is joining forces with comics legend Stan Lee to create a new digital comic series called "The Seekers." The Viacom network will hold a contest to find a writer and artist to work on the series, which will be available on the new MTV Geek website. Univision Launches Music Website Música Mediaweek Univision, the U.S. Spanish-language broadcaster, is launching an all-music website, Música, serving as a challenger to Hulu, which has limited content targeting that audience. The new site, offering 145,000 songs, also lets users listen to Univision radio. Hulu Prepares $2 Billion IPO Amid Netflix Battle Reuters Hulu is said to be prepared to raise up to $300 million in an initial public offering valuing the company at around $2 billion. The online video service is girding for battle against fast-moving rival Netflix, as well as the better-financed Google and Amazon. CNN Courts Couric as 'News Anchor Era' Ends New York Post Friends of Katie Couric are saying the chances of the evening news anchor remaining at CBS are getting slimmer. Meanwhile, CNN has the money "to pay for some of the biggest talent in TV news," according to Time Warner CEO Jeff Bewkes. Seacrest In Talks to Launch a Cable Network Hollywood Reporter "American Idol" host Ryan Seacrest is in early talks with talent agency CAA and entertainment firm AEG about launching a pop-culture cable network. Unlike Oprah Winfrey's OWN cable channel, Seacrest is unlikely to serve as the face of the channel. Current TV Seeks Ads With Scripted Series Crain's New York Current TV, Al Gore's cable television venture that tried to create a new programming model based on short, user-generated documentaries, is launching its first scripted series. The tentatively titled "Bar Karma" will seek viewers' participation in the storyline. MSNBC News Website May Change Its Name New York Times NBC Universal and Microsoft are holding talks about changing the name of MSNBC.com, the third most popular U.S. news website. MSNBC.com, an objective news site, is widely confused with MSNBC, the cable news channel that has taken on a liberal voice. ABC, Gates Foundation Plans Health Effort Associated Press ABC News is announcing a $4.5 million, yearlong project to focus attention on the diseases and health conditions that afflict the world's poorest people. Backed by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the multiplatform effort will include a dedicated website. ABC, Facebook Team for Election Coverage Huffington Post ABC News will partner with Facebook to cover the midterm elections. On election night, ABC will feature reports from Facebook's headquarters. The network's election coverage will also be streamed live on Facebook, as well as on ABC's website and iPad app. NBC Local Websites See Big Audience Gains Broadcasting & Cable NBC Local Media's city websites are delivering double-digit audience growth versus one year ago. The network re-launched its 10 local sites less than two years ago. Traffic from Facebook and Twitter referrals is up from under 2% to over 8% in the past year. Hulu to Air Reality-TV Show From Ford Motor Detroit Free Press Ford Motor Co. is hiring the producers of CBS' "The Amazing Race" to develop a reality-TV show to air on Hulu, the video website, to promote the new Ford Focus compact car. "Focus: Rally America" will have teams compete in a race for a $100,000 prize. Viacom's MTV, BET to Host Obama Town Hall Associated Press President Obama will participate in a youth town hall meeting Oct. 14, produced by MTV and BET. The one-hour program also will be online at MTV.com, BET.com and CMT.com. Viewers will be able to submit questions to Obama via Twitter. Broadcasters Sue Billionaire Over TV Website Hollywood Reporter CBS, NBC, ABC and Fox are filing a copyright infringement lawsuit against FilmOn.com, which offers subscribers access to live high-def TV online. Says billionaire founder Alki David: "People need to stop being afraid of opening up doors to digital technology." Comcast: Tennis Channel Gets FCC Hearing Bloomberg Tennis Channel is being granted a hearing into its complaint that Comcast unfairly carries the network on a sports tier rather than as part of a more broadly viewed programming package. Comcast-owned Versus and Golf are available for no added cost. Sirius XM: Will Howard Stern Renew Contract? TheStreet Radio personalities Opie and Anthony are said to have renewed their contracts with Sirius XM. However, the fate of one of the satellite radio company's biggest stars remains unknown. Howard Stern is in the final months of his five-year, $500 million deal. Oprah: Magazine 'Spirit' Will Inspire Network WWD Oprah Winfrey, discussing her upcoming Oprah Winfrey Network, advises those curious to check out O The Oprah magazine, published with Hearst. Winfrey says that her team is using the "quality and spirit of what we do in the magazine to create a network." CNN's 'Spitzer' Fizzles In Talk Show Debut Variety Eliot Spitzer might want to reconsider politics. The former New York governor's CNN show "Parker Spitzer" opened Monday with only 454,000 viewers, trailing the 3.1 million for Fox News' "O'Reilly Factor" and 1.1 million for MSNBC's "Countdown." News Corp's FX Buys 'The Social Network' Hollywood Reporter FX is acquiring the broadcast television premiere rights to the Facebook movie, "The Social Network." In addition, the cable network is also buying the rights to Oliver Stone's "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps." Both films are slated to air in early 2013. CBS: Our Viewers Have Six-Figure Salaries Los Angeles Times CBS is bragging that in the first week of the new television season it had the most upscale audience of all the broadcast networks among adults 25-54. In a news release, the network says it had 14 of the top 25 shows in that demographic making more than six figures. Televisa to Pay $1.2B for Stake In Univision Bloomberg Grupo Televisa, the world's largest Spanish-language broadcaster, plans to invest $1.2 billion to buy as much as 35% of Univision Communications to expand its programming in the United States. The deal may enable Televisa to add viewers for its telenovelas. NBC: Ex-Showtime Boss Eyed to Run Network Hollywood Reporter Robert Greenblatt is not running NBC -- yet -- but the prospect of the former Showtime entertainment president taking command of the network has the creative community buzzing with anticipation. One talent agency insider dubs him "the opposite of Jeff Zucker." ABC Finalizing Deal With IAC's Electus Studio Deadline ABC is finalizing a deal for a comedy based on the Spanish series "Aquí No Hay Quien Viva," with Ben Silverman as executive producer. The adaptation marks the first broadcast scripted project for Silverman's IAC-based Electus, which he launched after leaving NBC. Discovery, Hasbro Eyed for Product Placement Los Angeles Times The Hub, the new kids channel launching Sunday from Discovery and toy-maker Hasbro, is stirring fears that its programming will amount to mostly plugs for Hasbro products. Looking to ease an outcry, the Hub plans to carry six minutes of ads per hour, well below federal limits. Fox: 90% of Ads Sold for Baseball's Playoffs Bloomberg Rates for commercial spots during Major League Baseball's postseason on Fox are up 8% from last year, with about 90% of the ads sold before the first pitch, the network says. Fox is nearly 30% ahead of ad sales in 2008, and double where it stood a year ago. TV Industry Show Hails Smartphones, Facebook AFP Internet-based TV viewing, the Apple iPad and the rise of smartphones are set to ring in a new era of connected entertainment, industry experts predict. TV execs are flocking to the French Riviera to brainstorm and at this year's MIPCOM show, kicking off Monday. Discovery, Scripps Seeking Tie Up With BBC Reuters Discovery Communications and Scripps Networks are said to be vying to become BBC Worldwide's new partner in UKTV, the broadcaster behind digital channels Dave, Watch and Gold. BBC Worldwide owns 50% of UKTV, and aims to buy the remaining stake from Virgin Media. Dish Network: Fox Is Blocking 19 TV Channels Reuters Dish Network says News Corp.'s Fox Networks is demanding a transmission rate hike of more than 50% and blocking its access to 19 regional sports networks. "Our customers should not be held hostage in order to finance Fox's irresponsible acquisition of sports rights." ABC's 'My Generation' Dies After Two Episodes Los Angeles Times ABC is pulling the plug on "My Generation," its drama about a group of high-school buddies 10 years after graduation, after airing just two episodes. The hour-long show, which was in the highly competitive Thursday 8 p.m. time slot, attracted just 3.9 million viewers last week. CBS Veteran Reporter Arrested on Drug Charges Washington Post Howard Arenstein, a veteran CBS Radio News correspondent, is being arrested on drug charges after police searched his Washington, D.C., area home, and found marijuana plants growing in his yard. His Twitter account appears to be no longer functional. MSNBC Mulls Acquisition of Huffington Post New York Fox News, CNN and MSNBC are engaged in a "loud, cartoonish blood sport," says New York magazine's cover story this week. MSNBC, aiming to boost its left-of-center focus, recently attempted to buy the liberal-leaning Huffington Post, but chief Ken Lerer rejected the offer. CNN: Sanchez Out After Controversial Remarks CNN CNN anchor Rick Sanchez is abruptly leaving the network after making controversial comments on an XM Sirius satellite radio show. Sanchez called "The Daily Show's" Jon Stewart "a bigot," adding that the comedian was bigoted against "everybody else who's not like him." ESPN Aims for Female Audience with ESPNW USA Today ESPN plans to make espnW into a new "sub-brand" targeting women that will begin as a blog and could end up being its own television channel. The new espnW will show sports, as well as talk to women "about working out, being healthy and connecting to other women." Playboy: 'TV for 2' Will Attract Female Viewers Wall Street Journal Playboy plans to launch a block of "couples programming" dubbed "TV for 2" to its pay-TV channel, aiming to attract more female viewers. One reality show in production is a young-couples take on the "Real Housewives," but with cameras in the bedroom. Clear Channel Adds Live Nation Boss to Board New York Times Clear Channel is naming Irving Azoff, executive chairman of concert-promotion giant Live Nation, to its board of directors. Azoff, who also serves as personal manager of acts such as Christina Aguilera, is considered among the music industry's most powerful players. Sirius XM to Hit All-Time High In Subscribers Fox Business Sirius XM Radio says it expects to hit the 20.1 million subscriber mark, an all-time high, by the end of the year. The satellite radio company's raised guidance means it expects its subscriber growth for fiscal 2010 to be about 1.3 million, ahead of its August prediction of 1.1 million. Viacom's BET Website Signs Accord With Vevo Bloomberg Viacom's BET website is said to have reached an agreement to use music videos from Vevo -- including artists that sister network MTV.com lost in August. The deal gives Vevo a new outlet for videos from labels including Def Jam and artists such as Rihanna. ESPN, Bravo Among 25 Most Valuable Cable Nets Daily Beast As the broadcast networks crumble, cable — with shows like "Mad Men" and "Jersey Shore" — has become the cash cow they once were. Bravo's value in the past eight years has nearly tripled, to $3.2 billion, according to researcher SNL Kagan, while sibling NBC has declined. Fox to Air World Series Earlier to Attract Youth Bloomberg The start of Game 3 of the World Series will be moved up one hour from a year ago, giving Major League Baseball its earliest beginning to a championship contest since 1987. The change is intended to help "increase viewership including more young fans." CNN's Anderson Cooper Gets Daytime Talk Show Reuters CNN news anchor Anderson Cooper is entering a deal to host a syndicated daytime television talk show in fall 2011, while keeping his job as host of CNN's "Anderson Cooper 360." Warner Bros. and Telepictures Productions say the show will cover social issues and pop culture. Sirius XM: Howard Stern Complains of Bedbugs WENN Howard Stern says he has become the latest victim of the bedbug outbreak in New York City, noting his workspace is now "100% bedbug-free." Still, "I'm scratching every minute. I just wish our contract [with this office space] was done and we could get out of here." ABC Attempts to Change the Network TV Model Los Angeles Times ABC plans to roll out a new Inventory Exchange System. Billed as a way to make more money through advertising sales, the exchange is designed to allow the network and stations to swap ad time during periods of high demand, such as during political campaign seasons. CBS' Katie Couric Mulls Return to NBC 'Today' New York Post Katie Couric might end up back on the "Today" show when her CBS "Evening News" contract expires in May. A spot will be open because Meredith Vieira is expected to leave "Today" to spend more time with her family. Still, Couric might stay with CBS, but with a smaller paycheck. CNN's Anderson Cooper Eyes Daytime Talk Show Hollywood Reporter CNN anchor Anderson Cooper is close to a deal for a syndicated daytime talk show. The "Anderson Cooper 360" host is in talks with Telepictures Productions and Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution for a program to be pitched to stations within weeks. Fox News Star Glenn Beck 'Toxic for Ad Sales' New York Times Glenn Beck, the subject of a cover profile in this Sunday's New York Times Magazine, is said to be feeling tension at Fox News. The pundit's show "is known in the TV sales world as 'empty calories,' meaning he draws great ratings but is toxic for ad sales." Oprah Agrees to Up Presence on OWN Network Fortune Oprah Winfrey, under pressure from partner Discovery CEO David Zaslav, is agreeing to increase her presence on the forthcoming OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network to 70 hours annually, from 35, and will host a globetrotting interview show. Winfrey is Fortune's new cover girl. TiVo Loss Balloons to $15M, Deficit Hits $724M San Francisco Business TiVo's accumulated deficit is closing in on three-quarters of a billion dollars, the television recording business says. TiVo lost $15.3 million in the second quarter, more than five times what it lost a year earlier. CEO Tom Rogers is focusing on the company's "growth plans." Clear Channel Radio Digital Guru Steps Down Mediaweek Clear Channel Radio's digital guru, Evan Harrison, is leaving the company at the end of the year to pursue other opportunities. Harrison helped shape the radio giant's digital strategy for the past six years. Clear Channel is kicking off a search to replace him. Fox News Star Garrett Joins National Journal Mediaite Fox News Channel chief White House correspondent Major Garrett is leaving the network to return to his roots in print. Garrett says he is entering "an exciting new phase" of his career by joining Atlantic Media's National Journal. Garrett previously worked for the Washington Times. ABC: Walters Preps Male Version of 'The View' New York Daily News Barbara Walters and Bill Geddie, who created the hit ABC women's talk show "The View," are said to be developing a "unisex" spinoff that will attempt to provide a male perspective. The show would be geared for the time slots that Oprah Winfrey's show is relinquishing. MTV Slasher Pic Gets Social Media Campaign Hollywood Reporter MTV is working with digital marketer Eventful on a social media campaign for its forthcoming indie slasher film "Savage County," which it originally planned to release as a Web series. If enough people "demand" to see the movie, then the film will air on MTV2. Paley Center Eyes Rival Show to Emmy Awards New York Post The Emmy Awards could be up for some stiff competition soon. A small group of television execs is moving ahead with plans for a rival TV awards show to be sponsored by the Paley Center for Media. A committee is eyeing a 2012 launch date for the awards ceremony. ABC: Calif Preacher Can Sue for Defamation Associated Press A federal appeals court is reinstating televangelist Frederick Price's defamation lawsuit claiming ABC's "20/20" used a fictionalized sermon portraying himself as a wealthy braggart out of context. ABC had aired a clip in which the preacher portrayed a fictional character. ESPN Blocks Reporter as Beer Spokeswoman Milwaukee Business ESPN is prohibiting Jenn Brown, who serves as a reporter for the network, from serving as spokeswoman for MillerCoors' Icehouse brand. ESPN, which is said to have initially approved the deal, usually allows its on-air employees to enter into such agreements. CBS Evening News Ratings Tie 20-Year Low New York Times Last week "CBS Evening News” recorded its lowest total viewer rating in nearly 20 years. The show averaged 4.89 million viewers for the week; two of those days featured anchor Katie Couric's reports from Afghanistan. The CBS newscast is mired in third place behind NBC and ABC. NBC to Incorporate Twitter in Emmy Awards Associated Press Jimmy Fallon wants tweets to be part of this year's Emmy Awards. The host of the Aug. 29 ceremony says the public will be able to submit an introduction through Twitter for about half of the Emmy presenters. Fallon will read the best tweet as each star comes on stage. Tribune TV Station Dumps Anchors for 'NewsFix' Houston Business KIAH, a CW affiliate station in Houston, will test the concept of airing the news without traditional anchors this fall. Newscasts will be retitled "NewsFix," featuring "storytelling" by those who "are" the story. The concept may expand to other Tribune-owned stations. Broadcasters May Take Ad Hit From New Media Reuters ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox are heading into the fall television season armed with billions of dollars in advertising commitments. But analysts warn that advertiser confidence could slip if the networks fail to deliver hits. New media like Facebook also pose threats. Pay-TV Industry Suffers First Subscriber Decline Dow Jones The subscription television industry -- including cable and satellite -- suffered its first-ever drop in subscribers in the second quarter, according to SNL Kagan. The stumble comes as new options for online video entertainment are proliferating, offering potentially cheaper alternatives. Apple's iTV Set to 'Destroy' Cable, Satellite TV San Jose Business Apple reportedly is set to launch a new version of Apple TV it will call iTV next month. Digg founder Kevin Rose reports on his blog that Apple will integrate iAds in the product, which he says will "eventually destroy the television side of the cable and satellite industry." HBO: Backstage Drama at 'Nikki Finke' TV Show Entertainment Weekly The future of "Tilda," the HBO project loosely based on Deadline blogger Nikki Finke, is said to be in doubt after showrunner Cynthia Mort was removed during a tense pilot shoot in which she clashed with top producer Bill Condon and got into scuffles with star Diane Keaton. Dish Network to Launch Online Video Portal New York Times Dish Network this week will begin offering a video portal called DishOnline.com, becoming the latest distributor to provide online benefits to paying subscribers. Dish customers will be able to view shows online from several cable networks, including MTV and HGTV. TiVo to Track Consumer Viewing of Web, TV New York Post Next month TiVo will begin tracking how much time users spend watching Web content on their television sets alongside regular TV shows, giving advertisers a clearer picture of consumer viewing habits. TiVo's data is likely to reverberate through the TV ad business. Comcast-NBC Deal In Hands of Regulators UPI Comcast's bid to acquire control of NBC Universal is in the hands of U.S. regulators now that the public comment period for the transaction has ended. Comcast exec David Cohen says in a blog post that rivals are seeking conditions on the deal in an effort to "hamper us." Time Warner Cable Set to Drop ESPN, ABC Orange County Register ABC and ESPN could disappear from Time Warner Cable on Sept. 2 if the organizations fail to reach an agreement on the rates the cable provider will pay to carry the programming offered on those networks. Both sides are continuing to try to influence public opinion. NBC Universal Mulls Takeover of UK's ITV Bloomberg NBC Universal is interested in a takeover of ITV, the U.K.'s biggest commercial broadcaster, according to a report citing speculation by unidentified dealers. A spokeswoman for NBC says company policy is to never comment on reports about mergers and acquisitions. CBS: '48 Hours' Veteran Newsman Dow Dies CBS News Longtime CBS News correspondent Harold Dow died suddenly Saturday morning. Dow had been a correspondent for "48 Hours" since 1990 after serving as a contributor to the broadcast since its premiere in 1988. "CBS News is deeply saddened," says boss Sean McManus. CNN Asks King to Postpone His Final Show New York Post CNN is said to be asking Larry King to postpone his final show until the end of the year. British journalist Piers Morgan, who is widely thought to be King's replacement, is reportedly having trouble obtaining a special work visa. King "jumped at the chance to extend his stay." ESPN Figure in Domestic Disturbance Arrest Los Angeles Times ESPN personality Jay Mariotti was arrested Friday night by Los Angeles police. Mariotti allegedly got into a "domestic disturbance" with his girlfriend at a club in Santa Monica. Mariotti, a well-known sports commentator, also writes for the sports site Fanhouse.com. Discovery, Turner Cable Nets See Ad Boost New York Post TNT, TBS, USA, and Discovery cable networks are nearly sold out of airtime in the third quarter, thanks in large part to the return of big-spending automotive and financial advertisers. Conan O'Brien's new late-night show on TBS is seeing a "huge demand." Fox Signs Aerosmith Lead for 'American Idol' E! Online Steven Tyler, the lead singer of Aerosmith, is said to have finalized a deal late last week to become a judge on "American Idol." Fox officially says it has no comment. Also, Jennifer Lopez is still in the running to become a judge, but Fox continues to talk to other big names. MTV Makes Swift 'Mine' in Cross-Platform Push Nashville Business MTV Networks will debut Taylor Swift's new music video, "Mine," in a cross-platform, cross-channel global deal described as unprecedented for a country music artist. The debut will reach 160 countries on MTV, VH1 and CMT, as well as MTV websites and mobile platforms. PBS Station Sells 'Nightly Business Report' New York Times "Nightly Business Report" on PBS, by some measures the nation's most-watched business newscast, is being acquired from its owner, the public station WPBT-TV in Miami, by a private company headed by Mykalai Kontilai, a former manager of mixed martial artists. Endemol: Reality TV Facing Financial Crisis Daily Beast Goldman Sachs is said to be working with John de Mol, the billionaire founder of reality-television producer Endemol, on a financial restructuring proposal designed to rescue the company whose global hits include "Big Brother," "Fear Factor" and "Deal or No Deal." Hulu Trashed by ABC 'Modern Family' Boss Forbes Steve Levitan, co-creator of ABC's "Modern Family," is turning to Twitter to trash reports that the video site Hulu is preparing a $2 billion IPO: "Some estimate Hulu IPO could bring in $2Bil. What will the content providers get? Zero. What is Hulu without content? An empty jukebox." NBC's iVillage to Launch User-Gen Section Mediaweek NBC Universal's iVillage website is kicking off a quest to identify 10 opinionated, outspoken and well-informed women. These users will be tasked with regularly producing blog posts and video clips for Voices From iVillage. "This is going to be a franchise for us." CBS, Reliance to Launch Channels In India Times of India CBS and Reliance Broadcast Network plan to launch television channels in India. Three English channels will start broadcasting in October and the venture will have programming rights across India, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, the Maldives and Pakistan. Dr Laura to Leave Radio Show ... for Internet CNN Dr. Laura Schlessinger, under fire for using the N-word repeatedly during an on-air chat with a caller, has decided "not to do radio anymore" after 30 years, saying she wants to regain her "First Amendment rights." She adds that she plans to grow her Internet presence. FM Radio Mandatory In Future Cell Phones? Ars Technica Music labels and radio broadcasters want Congress to mandate FM radio receivers to be built into mobile phones and other portable devices. The Consumer Electronics Association, however, sees the request as "the height of absurdity" from "buggy-whip industries." Google TV Plan Causes Jitters in Hollywood Los Angeles Times Google is touting an ambitious new technology, called Google TV, which will marry the Internet with traditional television. But the prospect of Google entering TV frightens many in Hollywood. Some say the Internet giant's moves will "destroy the legacy business model." Comcast Poll: TV Time Shifting on the Rise Associated Press Some 62% of U.S. viewers say they use time-shifting technology such as digital video recorders, says a poll conducted for cable giant Comcast. Six in 10 people say they own a DVR. "I just don't have the time to figure out what shows are on at what time," one viewer says. ABC: We Won't Drop 'Charlie Brown' Specials Associated Press The "Peanuts" holiday specials, including "A Charlie Brown Christmas" and "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving," will continue running on ABC under a new five-year deal with Iconix Brand Group. Iconix bought the licensing rights to "Peanuts" from Scripps earlier this year. Fox Television Studios Taps Madden as Head Los Angeles Times David Madden, the top creative exec at Fox Television Studios -- the News Corp. production outfit behind some of cable's highest-rated dramas -- is being named president of the unit. He succeeds Emiliano Calemzuk, who resigned last week to lead the U.S. arm of Shine. NBC Universal Promotes Digital Guru Death Variety Cameron Death, who helped launch NBC Universal's Digital Studio, is being upped to senior VP and general manager. Death, the exec behind NBCU's advertiser-supported digital shorts, will be charged with integrating digital productions with entertainment properties. NBCSports.com Relaunching as Traffic Grows Sports Business Journal NBC Sports is using the success of ProFootballTalk.com as a template for its digital business, with a redesign for NBCSports.com set to launch around Labor Day. The PFT model, featuring a blog-based effort as an entry point, will be replicated for other major sports. ABC, CBS Audiences Aging Faster Than Ever AP / NYT The median age of viewers at ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC is now 51. The broadcasters' audience has aged at twice the rate of the general population during the past two decades, according to a new report from Baseline. Also: The big cable channels keep getting bigger. Universal, MTV Call Truce Over Web Videos Advertising Age MTV.com lost its rights to stream videos from Universal Music artists after the two companies couldn't agree on digital-advertising terms. Now, Universal is allowing the site to post its artists' videos strictly for the purpose of the Video Music Awards, coming Sept. 21. Hulu Online Video Hub Seen Ready for IPO New York Times Hulu execs are said to be talking to investment banks about pursuing an initial public offering that could value the company at more than $2 billion. The video hub, founded as a joint venture of News Corp., Disney and NBC Universal, could go public as soon as this fall. Oprah Network Sued for MS Discrimination TMZ A former employee of the forthcoming Oprah Winfrey Network claims in lawsuit that she was subjected to a "hostile work environment" because she suffers from Multiple Sclerosis. Catherine Dunn says that her MS symptoms were exacerbated due to workplace stress. NBC Pulls 'Man Men' Spoof After Complaints Hollywood Reporter NBC, which will air the Emmy Awards on Aug. 29, pulled its promo spots for the show after other networks complained about its joking "Mad Men"-themed promo ad for the telecast. "They're running basically ads for 'Mad Men' in middle of the voting," says one rival. MTV 'Jersey Shore' Breaks Another Record Examiner Last week's episode of "Jersey Shore" ranks as the highest rated show in the series' history, attracting 5.5 million viewers. Among viewers ages 12 to 34, the episode was watched by more than 5.3 million fans, making it the highest rated show on television on Thursday. NBC Universal Names Revenue Exec for CNBC Broadcasting & Cable Former WNBC general manager Tom O'Brien is being named chief revenue officer at CNBC, a new position. The cable channel says it aims to derive "the full value for CNBC's brand" across all platforms. "As the media landscape evolves, our strategy needs to do the same." Viacom's MTV Sees Competition for Arab Youth New York Times The Cairo-based 4Shbab channel broadcasts music videos and reality shows aimed at young people without the sexual content found on Viacom's MTV Arabia, which mostly runs Western videos. Launched just last year, 4Shbab claims to reach 60% of Arab youth. MTV UK Launches First Internet-Only Drama Telegraph MTV U.K. is announcing the launch of its first web-only drama, "Being Victor," and says more programming exclusive to digital will follow. The new series, about a Scottish teen blogger, will run in 20 five-to eight minute shorts. "Viewing habits are evolving," the network says. Allbritton Objects to Comcast-NBC Merger Los Angeles Times Allbritton, the parent of Politico and television operations in Washington, D.C., is running advertisements warning of potential pitfalls of a Comcast-NBC Universal merger. The union, Allbritton fears, could allow Comcast-NBC properties to benefit unfairly in the D.C. market. Fox: Lopez Out as Judge on 'American Idol' People Jennifer Lopez won't be a judge on "American Idol" after all, sources say. The singer-actress had been closing a deal to become a judge on the show for its upcoming 10th season but the talks fell apart. "Her demands got out of hand. Fox had just had enough." CNN Due to Announce Morgan as King Heir TheWrap An official announcement on Piers Morgan is taking over as Larry King's replacement is expected early next week at the latest. The "America's Got Talent" judge will take over weeknights at 9 p.m. on CNN. "That quite a big job to do," Morgan is quoted as saying. AMC's 'Mad Men' Offers Charity Walk-On Role Reuters "Mad Men" is offering a walk-on role in the AMC 1960s advertising drama in a charity auction that will partly benefit the lung cancer program at southern California's City of Hope hospital. Other items up for auction include dresses worn by characters Betty Draper and Joan Harris. Oprah, Sheen Lead List of TV's Top Earners TV Guide Oprah Winfrey, Charlie Sheen, Matt Lauer and Ryan Seacrest are among television's highest-paid performers in various categories, according to a newly released breakdown of salaries. The broadcast networks are said to be cutting star pay as revenues decline. Tiger Woods Making TV Networks 'Nervous' Bloomberg Ratings for two golf events on CBS have dropped nearly 70% from the events held the same weeks a year ago, when Tiger Woods won them both. Woods, who is searching for his first golf victory since a five-month break from the sport, is making networks "nervous." ESPN, Gas Station TV Expand Deal for Ads Mediaweek Gas Station TV is expanding its agreement with ESPN, which has provided content to the out-of-home network at the gas pump since 2007. In the new deal, the two companies now offer advertisers the opportunity to embed advertising within ESPN Sports News. Apple TV to Run Apps, Rebrand as 'iOffering' Engadget Apple's TV project is said to be preparing to be renamed iTV and will run apps, much like the company's iPhone and iPad. Cross-pollination between the iPad, iPhone and other Apple "iofferings" is unclear. In addition, the new iTV, expected out this fall, will cost just $100. Cox to Offer Video-on-Demand Through TiVo Associated Press Cox Communications's video-on-demand library will become accessible on TiVo's latest digital video recorder, the TiVo Premiere, in Cox's major markets. The deal aims to allow customers to use TiVo's interface and search function to access Cox's on-demand videos. Time Warner Cable Plans Apple iPad App NewTeeVee Time Warner Cable is developing an Apple iPad app that will allow subscribers to navigate through content with an interactive programming guide. Time Warner plans to tie its TV Everywhere streaming content into the device, enabling subscribers to view on-demand service. CBS Leads Broadcast Networks' Aging Viewers Hollywood Reporter The audiences of the four major U.S. broadcast networks are older than ever, according to Nielsen data. CBS' median viewership aged one year last season -- to 55. The oldest-skewing broadcast shows include CBS' "The Good Wife" (58) and the "NCIS" franchise (57). Comcast Spends Multimillions on NBC Takeover Philadelphia Inquirer Comcast is spending tens of millions of dollars on lawyers, accountants, lobbyists and bankers to gain approval of its $30 billion takeover of NBC Universal. The uncertainty surround the deal is taking a toll, as the cable giant returns modest gains to shareholders. CKX Founder Preps Cash Bid for 'American Idol' Bloomberg Robert F.X. Sillerman, the former CEO of CKX, says he is preparing a cash offer of $5.50 to $5.75 a share for a controlling stake in the owner of the "American Idol" television show. The proposal calls for Sillerman to return to the company as executive chairman. NBC: Fallon is Web's Top Late-Night TV Host Forbes NBC's Jimmy Fallon is No. 1 on the list of the top late-night television show hosts on the web, based on the size of their digital footprint, according to PeekScore. Fallon boasts an active Twitter feed with 2.7 million followers and a highly-trafficked stream of web content. Fox News Host to Open Ground Zero Gay Bar Mediaite Fox News Channel "Red Eye" host Greg Gutfeld says he is talking to investors about building an Islamic gay bar next door to the controversial so-called Ground Zero mosque. Gutfeld, a former editor of Maxim magazine, claims the establishment would reduce Muslim homophobia. MTV Selects Its First-Ever Twitter Jockey Associated Press MTV is naming 23-year-old blogger Gabi Gregg its first "Twitter Jockey." Gregg won the position after a nationwide vote. The TJ position is the updated version of the network's VJ job. Gregg will report on pop culture news using Twitter, Facebook and blogs. MTV Loses Web Videos from Universal Music CNET Viacom's MTV, once the king of music videos, has failed to reach an agreement with music portal Vevo for the rights to online music videos from Universal Music, home of such artists as U2 and Lady Gaga. Most of MTV's Internet properties will lose access to Universal's videos. CNN Surpasses Fox News on the Internet Mediaweek FoxNews.com trails cable-news rival CNN.com by many millions of visitors. The numbers are leading some to wonder whether Fox News's lack of success in the arena could eventually undermine its influence in American news, as more audiences migrate to digital sources. Fox Sees Mommy Bloggers as Fertile Demo Variety News Corp.'s 20th Century Fox home entertainment unit is among the sponsors of this year's BlogHer conference, now wrapping up in New York. Fox execs see mommy bloggers as "the most fertile marketing demo to come along since comic-book geeks." NBC Reality Star at Center of HP Scandal New York The woman involved in the scandal that brought about Hewlett-Packard CEO Mark Hurd's resignation is identified as actress Jodie Fisher. Fisher appeared on the NBC reality show "Age of Love," in which a group of women competed for the affection of a tennis star. MSNBC's Olbermann Punted by 'Football' New York Post MSNBC news commentator Keith Olbermann is reportedly being yanked off NBC's "Sunday Night Football" this year. Olbermann's MSNBC bosses are said to be behind the move, complaining that the show is distracting him from his job on the cable news network. My Damn Channel Web Videos Win Backing New York Times Money is trickling back into professional web videos, helped by branded entertainment deals and venture capital firms. My Damn Channel, the distributor of Illeana Douglas's Ikea-backed "Easy to Assemble," is announcing a $4.4 million infusion of financing. Tribune Anchorless TV News Plan 'Flawed' New York Daily News Houston's KIAH is considering anchorless news as the Tribune local TV station looks for a new strategy to boost its low ratings. But some local insiders insist that the idea is flawed, saying TV news audiences want an "intimate" and "familiar" bond with anchors. Fox: 'American Idol' Eyed David Geffen for Judge Deadline A few months ago, "American Idol" producer Simon Fuller reportedly approached Hollywood titan David Geffen, the founder of both Asylum Records and Geffen Records, to take the judging gig left vacant by Simon Cowell. The multibillionaire responded: "Why should I do this?" CBS 'ET's' Mary Hart Accepts 50% Salary Cut Hollywood Reporter "Entertainment Tonight" anchor Mary Hart is said to have accepted a 50% pay cut in her 29th and final year at the entertainment news show -- a reflection of the declining fortunes of television's syndication business. Hart reportedly had been raking in $5 million a year. Oprah Network Signs Rosie for Daytime Show Bloomberg OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network is signing Rosie O'Donnell as host of a daily program scheduled to begin airing in 2011. The one-hour daytime show, part of a program slate for the new pay-television channel, will be produced by O'Donnell and based in New York. CBS 'Entertainment Tonight' Host Hart to Quit New York Post Mary Hart, the co-anchor of "Entertainment Tonight" for the past 28 years, is said to be planning to step down from the CBS syndicated show after next season, when "ET" will celebrate its 30th anniversary. "She hasn't decided what she'll do next," says an insider. Sirius XM Eyes Renewal of Shock Jock Stern Hollywood Reporter Sirius XM Satellite Radio hopes to have an update on the future of shock jock Howard Stern, whose contract is up at the end of this year, within the next few months, says CEO Mel Karmazin. More than 1 million subscribers are said to have signed up with Sirius based on Stern's hire. Fox's 'American Idol' to Add Iovine as Mentor Los Angeles Times Jimmy Iovine, the legendary record producer, is expected to have a significant role on "American Idol" next year. Iovine, who has worked with the likes of Bruce Springsteen and U2, is unlikely to be a judge on the show. He is expected to serve as "a mentor of sorts." Comcast-NBC Merger Threatens 11 Markets The Hill The proposed Comcast-NBC Universal merger poses a particular threat to 11 U.S. markets, says the Coalition for Competition in Media. The markets: Boston; Chicago; Denver; Fresno; Hartford; Houston; Miami; Philadelphia; Tucson; San Francisco; and Washington, D.C. CBS Combines TV, Radio Station Websites MediaPost CBS is rolling up all of the websites for its New York City broadcast properties, including television and radio stations, into a single mega-site, CBS New York. The move is expected to be the first of many such mergers of CBS local station sites across the country. NBC Rolls Out 'Daily Connection' to Stations New York Daily News The latest phase in NBC's attempt to spread content across its stations arrives Monday when WNBC in New York launches the "Daily Connection." The show compiles segments culled from NBC's various properties -- CNBC, MSNBC, LX.TV, "Access Hollywood." CBS to Sell TV Stations, Launch Websites RBR CBS boss Les Moonves says he is interested in selling some of the company's smaller-market radio and television stations. Meanwhile, CBS plans to boost its local media business online, launching destination websites that will "leverage the power" of company assets. Discovery Near Budget Limit on Oprah Network New York Post Discovery Communications says it has already spent $75 million out of the $100 million it set aside to launch Oprah Winfrey's OWN cable network in January. The network has completed production on only two to three nights worth of programming and will have to rely on reruns. Fox 'American Idol' Judges May Be Weeks Away Associated Press "American Idol" host Ryan Seacrest says it could be weeks before the show's new judges are announced. Two openings have been created by the departures of Simon Cowell and Ellen DeGeneres; Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez are said to be front-runners for the chairs. Sony Music Label Dumped by 'American Idol' CNET Fox's "American Idol" is signing a new distribution and marketing deal with Universal Music, which calls for the record giant to promote and distribute albums globally from the talent show's finalists and contestants. The deal ends a longtime partnership with Sony Music. Comcast Enters 10-Year Deal to Carry CBS Dow Jones Comcast is signing a 10-year agreement that provides for CBS stations to have retransmission consent, a deal providing the cable giant with expanded on-demand access. Comcast will greatly expand access to CBS and Showtime content via its cable and online platforms. CBS in Talks to Bring TV Shows to Hulu Reuters CBS is in talks to bring some of its television shows to the Hulu Plus subscription online video service, says CEO Les Moonves. CBS is the only major broadcaster whose shows are not available on Hulu. "Our goal is to get paid in different ways without hurting the mother ship." Broadcast TV Viewers Get Older Every Year New York Post The median age of viewers of all U.S. broadcast networks except the CW is over 45, says a study by Magna Global. Young people are more likely to go online. No new big hits means audiences are getting older every year. The median age of CBS' "CSI" is 56. MTV Kicks Off Global Music Performances Media Week MTV Networks will kick off a series of events, "MTV Crashes ..." in Glasgow next month, with a performance by rapper Sean Diddy Combs. The "MTV Crashes ..." events will feature exclusive music performances hosted by MTV and broadcast in 161 countries. ABC Family Creates 'Chatterbox' iPad App Mediaweek ABC Family is unveiling the ABC Family Chatterbox app for the Apple iPad, allowing fans of hit shows such as "Pretty Little Liars" to weigh in on which characters are being particularly wicked that week --- as the show airs. Users can connect with fellow fans via the app. CBS: '$#*! My Dad Says' Faces a Boycott EW.com The Parents Television Council is again warning advertisers against CBS' new show "$#*! My Dad Says." Sitcom co-creator Max Mutchnick responds: "As a parent, it is my opinion that the Parents Television Council has more important s---t to focus on." CBS: 'Men' Unaffected by Sheen Plea Deal Los Angeles Times The coming season of CBS' No. 1 sitcom "Two and a Half Men," set to debut Sept. 20, is no longer jeopardized by Charlie Sheen's legal woes. The star has reached a deal with prosecutors in his assault case that will involve a speedy stay in rehab plus probation. News Corp Eyes Bids for Texas Sports Teams Dallas Morning News News Corp. is said to be interested in bidding on the Texas Rangers baseball team. The media giant also is among the bidders for the Texas Stars hockey team. Most Stars games are seen on Fox Sports Southwest. Fox Sports "would like control over the product." Viacom Kills 'Anchorman' Over Foreign Forces Wall Street Journal Viacom's Paramount Pictures canceled the planned sequel to the hit 2004 film "Anchorman," fearing the comedy's uniquely American brand of humor wouldn't play internationally. "The economics of the business have changed," says "Anchorman" director Adam McKay. Time Warner's Turner to Open Office in Dubai National Turner Broadcasting System, parent of CNN and Cartoon Network, plans to open an office in Dubai this year and may start a production center as it aims to boost production of Arabic-language content. The company also will launch a Cartoon Network Arabic channel. Disney's ABC Family Guy 'Super-Unprepared' USA Today Paul Lee, head of the ABC Family cable network, is being named programming chief for ABC. The former BBC exec takes over for Steve McPherson, who exited last week. Lee says he is "super-unprepared" to discuss strategy, but has no plans for immediate changes. NBC Chief Hopeful as Comcast Buyout Nears Wall Street Journal Comcast is rumored to be considering replacing NBC Universal CEO Jeff Zucker when it wins U.S. approval to take over the media company. "Nobody is entitled to any job," Zucker admits. However, he believes that "things are going incredibly well, and I'm excited to continue." Fox: No 'American Idol' Announcement Monday Hollywood Reporter Fox says there will be no news about "American Idol" at its Television Critics Association panel on Monday. However, last year Simon Cowell signed his "X Factor" deal minutes before taking the TCA stage. Jennifer Lopez's deal to become a judge "is holding things up." CNN: Morgan Beats Out Couric to Replace King New York Times Piers Morgan and Katie Couric were the two people considered for the coveted slot at CNN to replace Larry King. But unwinding Couric from her CBS deal this year would be "severely complicated." Morgan and CNN are now in talks; his hiring could be announced this week. ABC: Obama Visit Sets Record for 'The View' Baltimore Sun President Obama's visit to ABC's "The View" set a ratings record for the daytime talk show, with an audience of 6.59 million viewers. The previous high was 6.17 million viewers on the morning after the 2008 presidential election that brought Obama into office. MTV 'Jersey Shore' Premiere Ratings Up 300% Star-Ledger MTV's "Jersey Shore" season 2 premiere, with an audience of 5.3 million, is the top cable telecast of the year so far among young viewers. The telecast ranks as the Viacom network's best season premiere since the season 2 start of "The Osbournes" in 2002. Fox News Gets Front Row White House Seat Yahoo News The White House Correspondents Association is moving Fox News up to the front row in the briefing room. The WHCA's unanimous decision was "persuaded by Fox's length of service and commitment." However, Fox News will not be taking Helen Thomas's former center seat. CBS Staffer Alleges Abuse by Chief Redstone Daily Beast Karen O'Rourke Zatorski, CBS VP of corporate relations, claims that chief Sumner Redstone verbally abused her and displayed a violent temper. Though Zatorski has not yet filed a lawsuit, she has lodged a complaint with CBS, which is investigating the matter. ABC: Emails Focus of Exec McPherson Probe Hollywood Reporter The story behind ABC entertainment chief Steve McPherson's departure from his job apparently is more dramatic than previously believed. While McPherson was on vacation, Disney reviewed e-mails as part of a probe triggered by a complaint from a female exec. ABC: Obama Explains 'The View' Appearance Washington Post Why did President Obama do "The View"? Obama says he wanted to be on a show his wife "actually watched." According to the White House, Obama appeared on the daytime talk show due to "the difficulty of reaching people in this hyperactive media environment." Fox: DeGeneres Out as 'American Idol' Judge Los Angeles Times Ellen DeGeneres' tenure as the fourth judge on Fox juggernaut "American Idol" is sputtering to an end after just one season, with the show in the midst of a massive overhaul. DeGeneres says she told the producers that the show "didn't feel like the right fit for me." MTV 'Laguna' Series Triggers a Crime Wave AOL News Crime appeared to rise in Laguna Beach after MTV filmed its hit reality series "Laguna Beach" there, according to a study from Occidental College. The series lured tourists to the region, resulting in an increase in burglaries and rapes. The rise is "statistically significant." CBS Boss Moonves is Fodder for 'The Talk' Entertainment Weekly Julie Chen, wife of CBS boss Les Moonves, will star on three CBS shows: hosting "Big Brother," anchoring "The Early Show" and now co-hosting "The Talk." Chen is expected to chat about her relationship with Moonves on the new "The View"-like daytime talk show. ABC Exec Departs Amid 'Gossip, Innuendo' Hollywood Reporter Steve McPherson is said to have resigned as ABC's top entertainment exec as the network conducted an internal sexual harassment investigation of him. McPherson's attorney says: "It is not uncommon for high level execs to be the subject of gossip and innuendo." Showtime Urged to Dump Oliver Stone Series Bloomberg Billionaire media investor Haim Saban is calling on CBS' Showtime to cancel Oliver Stone's planned "Secret History of America" documentary series after the filmmaker made remarks criticized as anti-Semitic. CBS Radio fired host Don Imus in 2007 over racial epithets. DirecTV Signs Up for 'Undercover Boss' Show Reuters Will DirecTV CEO Mike White be installing satellite-TV dishes on the sly for a reality television series? CBS is announcing that top execs from DirecTV, NASCAR, Chiquita and Great Wolf Resorts will take part its reality TV hit "Undercover Boss" for the coming season. CBS Adds More Gay Characters to TV Shows Hollywood Reporter CBS says it will add gay characters to "$#*! My Dad Says," "Rules of Engagement" and "The Good Wife" following a report by the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation that gave the network a failing grade for two years in a row. "We're not happy with ourselves." ESPN Pulls LeBron James Story from Website New York Observer ESPN yanked a story from its website about a night basketball star LeBron James spent at a nightclub in Las Vegas. "The draft was inadvertently put on the server," says a spokeswoman. ESPN has faced criticism for "ceding control" to James in exchange for exclusives. CNN: Piers Morgan 'Can't Talk' About Job Offer USA Today Piers Morgan is giving no hints during an appearance on NBC's "Tonight Show with Jay Leno" about the rumor that he will take over Larry King's post on CNN. "I can't actually talk about that at the moment. All I can say is I have just signed a new deal with 'America's Got Talent.' " Fox to Debut TV Show in Vanity Fair Magazine New York Times A new Fox television series will be seen by Vanity Fair readers and Apple iPad owners before its network premiere. Vanity Fair will insert DVDs of "Lone Star" in copies of the magazine and stream it through its iPad app. Fox is also buying print ads in VF's October issue. Oprah TV Show Hits All-Time Ratings Low Broadcasting & Cable In the week ending July 18, CBS Television Distribution's "The Oprah Winfrey Show" sunk to an all-time ratings low for the third time in five weeks -- almost moving Oprah out of syndication's Top 10. Compared to last year at this time, Oprah is down 20%. Cable, Games Seen as Sure Bets for Media Biz Los Angeles Times Jeff Sagansky, a veteran of "old media" companies including NBC, CBS and Sony, is now an investor in new media. Internet entertainment is still an "evolving business," he admits. What are the best businesses today? "Cable and games are the two leaders." ABC Programming Chief Resigns After Clashes Los Angeles Times Steve McPherson, president of ABC Entertainment, is stepping down after repeated clashes with his bosses that reached a climax in the last few days after he got wind that a replacement was in the wings. McPherson is to be succeeded by ABC Family chief Paul Lee. Comcast Profit Slips on NBC Universal Costs Reuters Comcast is reporting a nearly 9% decline in quarterly profit as it absorbs expenses related to its highly anticipated acquisition of NBC Universal. The No. 1 U.S. cable operator hopes to close the deal for a majority stake in NBC Universal by late this year. CBS is Most-Viewed Network for Fifth Week Associated Press Episodic reruns and reality shows are handing CBS a decisive win in the ratings. For the fifth consecutive week, CBS is dominating in total prime-time audience, averaging 5.9 million viewers. ABC and NBC are virtually tied with 4.99 million and 4.96 million, respectively. CNN Ratings Woes Not Limited to Larry King Los Angeles Times While CNN is spending much of its time focusing on jump starting its 8 and 9 p.m. hours, it might want to start paying a little more attention to the 7 and 10 p.m. hours as well. At 7, John King's show is off 42% in viewers; Anderson Cooper's 10 p.m. show is down 56%. MTV 'Jersey' Crew Opens NY Stock Exchange Associated Press The cast of MTV's "Jersey Shore" skipped the beach for a day to ring the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange on Tuesday. Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi gave a thumbs up to stock brokers before ringing the bell. The second season of the hit show debuts Thursday. Univision Settles Payola Suit for $1 Million Wall Street Journal The U.S. government is settling charges against Spanish-language media firm Univision over allegations that some of its radio stations accepted payment to play some songs more frequently. Univision did not admit to any legal violations as part of $1 million settlement. NBC Won't Shutter 'Office' After Carell Exit Associated Press NBC is acknowledging that Steve Carell, star of "The Office," is leaving after this coming season when his seven-year contract expires. The sitcom, a linchpin of NBC's schedule, will continue. "We have tremendous faith in the writers and actors to keep it alive," NBC says. Fox Eyes Elton, Timberlake for 'Idol' Role Hollywood Reporter Elton John and Justin Timberlake are being added to the list of potential replacements for Simon Cowell on Fox's "American Idol." The two pop stars are on "Idol" producer Simon Fuller's wish list. Rumors are circulating that Fox is mulling dumping the entire judges panel. AMC: Viewers Mad for Return of 'Mad Men' New York Post "Mad Men" got off to a strong start Sunday night. The fourth-season premiere averaged 2.9 million viewers on AMC -- the biggest season opener in the show's history. Sunday's season opener is also up 5% in viewers and 10% in households over last year's season premiere. MTV's 'Jersey' Gets Facebook Game, App Mashable To help promote the second season of "Jersey Shore," MTV is releasing a Facebook game and Apple iPhone app that will feature the hit show's personalities in cartoon form. The Facebook game allows players to battle each other in a suntan lotion throwing contest. Hulu Viewers Decline Sharply in New Data Los Angeles Times Hulu, frequently touted as among the most popular video websites, is said to have seen its viewership shrivel to 24 million in June, from 43.5 million in May, under new methodology by comScore. The new figure underscores inconsistency in measuring online audiences. ABC: Obama to Visit 'The View' Thursday Associated Press President Obama will appear on ABC's "The View" on Thursday, marking the first time a sitting U.S. president has visited a daytime talk show, according to executive producers Barbara Walters and Bill Geddie. Obama's appearance is scheduled to tape on Wednesday. Oprah Offers Fergie Her Own TV Talk Show Daily Mail Oprah Winfrey is said to have offered the cash-strapped Duchess of York her own prime-time talk show. Winfrey is launching her own cable channel in January, and last week reportedly called Sarah Ferguson to offer her a deal. For Fergie, "the offer is a ray of light." AMC Screens 'Mad Men' Ahead of Cable TV New York Times AMC is screening the fourth-season premiere of "Mad Men" in Duffy Square (Times Square) in advance of the Sunday debut of the acclaimed series on cable television. The event includes the attendance of Elisabeth Moss, an Emmy Award-nominated star of the series. Viacom Chief's Girl-Band is a Go at MTV Hollywood Reporter An MTV reality show about an aspiring girl band favored by Viacom chief Sumner Redstone remains in development despite objections by some at the network. Redstone associates admit that his voice-mail flap makes them wonder if the 87-year-old mogul is "losing his grip." YouTube, ABC Affil Team for Citizen News WebProNews YouTube is experimenting with citizen reporting in San Francisco, teaming up with local ABC station KGO-TV to launch ABC7 uReport. YouTube and KGO are encouraging residents to submit news videos, and the ones that are deemed newsworthy will go on the air. NBC Universal Creates Its Own Ad Network Mediaweek NBC Universal is creating its answer to an online advertising network, though one comprised solely of its own websites. Called Universal Audience Platform, the group will sell display inventory across 21 sites on an audience basis, including NBC.com and iVillage. ABC's 'Smart, Original' Bashir Jumps to NBC Associated Press ABC News' Martin Bashir is leaving his post at "Nightline" to host a daily afternoon program on MSNBC and report for "Dateline NBC." MSNBC president Phil Griffin says the London-born Bashir "fits in with what MSNBC wants to be: He's smart, original and thoughtful." MTV Recognized for Gay Inclusion on Shows Reuters "The Real World" helped MTV became the first network to win an "excellent" rating for its portrayal of gay, lesbian and transgender people on television from the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. Fox was slammed for offensive stereotypes on "Family Guy." CNN Launches Free International News App Journalism.co.uk CNN is launching an international news app for the iPhone and iPod Touch, in a move described by company execs as "revolutionary." CNN launched a U.S.-only, paid news app last year but the international version will be free to users outside of the United States. Comcast May Be Forced to Sell NBC Stations Bloomberg Comcast may have to sell some NBC television stations or agree to have independent arbitration settle pricing disputes to get U.S. government approval for buying NBC Universal, analysts say. Comcast's power in key markets is "absolutely going to be a major concern." DirecTV Not Worried About Comcast-NBC Los Angeles Times Mike White, the new CEO of DirecTV, says he is not too concerned about a possible merger of Comcast and NBC Universal. "By the time they get done with the Federal Communications Commission, whatever they might have liked to do, they won't be able to do anyway." CBS Discusses Ending Couric 'Experiment' New York CBS is said to have considered buying out the remainder of Katie Couric's contract as anchor of the network's troubled evening-news broadcast and putting in someone new this fall. NBC CEO Jeff Zucker reportedly would "welcome Couric's return when she is available." Fox News Shutdown Sought by 'Journolists' Daily Caller A group of so-called liberal journalists using the now-defunct listserv Journolist are said to have debated the merits of whether the U.S. government should forcibly shut down Fox News: "Is there any reason why the FCC couldn't simply pull their broadcasting permit?" ESPN Internal Watchdog Slams LeBron Special Wall Street Journal Don Ohlmeyer, ESPN's internal journalism watchdog, is sharply criticizing the cable-sports network for what he says were ethical missteps in its recent broadcast of a television program devoted to basketball star LeBron James. "ESPN made some major mistakes." Comedy Central's 'South Park' Foe Arrested Smoking Gun Zachary Chesser, the 20-year-old Virginia man who this year threatened the creators of "South Park" over an episode featuring the Prophet Muhammad, is being arrested on federal charges after speaking openly to authorities of his ties to an overseas terrorist group. Comcast-NBC to Be Fourth Largest in Media New York Post Comcast, General Electric and NBC Universal claim in a filing with the Federal Communications Commission that their new joint venture entity won't dominate the television market, saying it will rank fourth among media companies in terms of advertising and affiliate revenue. ABC News for iPad Features Interactive Globe MacWorld The new ABC News app for the Apple iPad eschews the typical menu of headlines for a giant, interactive globe. A 3D globe covered with images from news headlines fills the iPad screen. Users manipulate the globe with the touch screen to access articles and videos. CBS to Launch Daytime Show Like 'The View' Associated Press After the soap opera "As the World Turns" concludes its 54-year run in September, CBS will replace it with an daily talk show hosted by six celebrity women, an echo of ABC's "The View." The new show's hosts include Julie Chen, the wife of CBS boss Les Moonves. ABC to Air Interviews with Facebook Founder Hollywood Reporter Diane Sawyer's interview on Wednesday with Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg will also be extended to "Nightline" after a first part runs on "World News Tonight." ABC is considering using further material from the interview Thursday on "Good Morning America." NBC Covers Viacom Boss Redstone Phone Flap Los Angeles Times Viacom chief Sumner Redstone's voice mail message to Daily Beast reporter Peter Lauria trying to persuade him to give up a source is now fodder for the morning shows. NBC's "Today" is having Lauria on to discuss his story about the Redstone message. NBC: Conan Writer Stirs Twitter War Over Emmy Washington Post After Conan O'Brien's "Tonight Show" was nominated for an Emmy Award for best variety, music or comedy series, one of Conan's writers discovered the show's nod for best writing would not be part of the ceremony broadcast, triggering a Team Coco "ecstasy of outrage." Comcast, NBC Owner Boost Lobbying Spending Bloomberg Both Comcast and NBC parent General Electric are boosting spending on political donations and lobbying as they seek approval to merge Comcast and NBC. "We've come to a period in which money talks with particular force," says an opponent of the big-media merger. DirecTV Saves FX's 'Damages' from Cancellation New York Daily News DirecTV is saving FX's "Damages" from a near-fatal blow. After the show's dismal third-season ratings, DirecTV says it has inked a deal with Sony Pictures Television to take over the critically acclaimed drama. Last year, DirecTV salvaged "Friday Night Lights." MTV Signs 'Jersey Shorers' for Another Season Los Angeles Times Seven members of the "Jersey Shore" cast will be back this weekend to begin production on the third season of the MTV breakout show. The "Jersey" cast shot the first season for $5,000 per episode each; for season three their pay is close to $30,000 an episode. Fox Talks With Isaak to Replace 'Idol's' Cowell Hollywood Reporter Replacing Simon Cowell on Fox's top-rated "American Idol" is the network's No. 1 priority. Singer Chris Isaak has met twice with the network. Another affable crooner, Harry Connick Jr., also has been considered. Even Donald Trump has quietly lobbied for the job. CNN Pays Less to Hire Spitzer for New Show New York Post Eliot Spitzer is said to have accepted a contract from CNN for closer to $500,000 than $1 million, as is his new 8 p.m. show co-host, Kathleen Parker. Insiders say CNN isn't spending a lot on talent for the 8 p.m. show because its chances for success are slim. CNN Seeks NBC Permission for Piers Morgan Bloomberg CNN is said to be seeking permission from NBC to talk to "America's Got Talent" judge Piers Morgan about taking over for talk-show host Larry King. NBC's assent is necessary before CNN can hold direct negotiations with Morgan. King plans to step down later this year. MSNBC Olbermann Website Acquired by Rival New York Post Keith Olbermann "is despised at MSNBC," says rival cable news pundit Tucker Carlson. "He's the most disliked person in the building." Carlson bought the website KeithOlbermann.com just to drive him crazier. The site redirects to Carlson's site, DailyCaller.com. CBS '$#*! Dad Says' Leads Racier Primetime Hollywood Reporter CBS's "$#*! My Dad Says" and NBC's "Friends With Benefits" are among the new broadcast television shows poised to raise the risque quotient this fall. The U.S. Federal Communications Commission's "unconstitutionally vague" indecency rules are being struck down. Comcast-NBC Merger Faces Doubts at FCC Philadelphia Inquirer Michael Copps, a commissioner with the Federal Communications Commission, is skeptical of the proposed merger of Comcast and NBC Universal. More media giants will pursue their own mergers if Comcast and NBC are given a green light, he warns. Clear Channel: Internet Outdates FCC Rules Ars Technica Internet-based audio services are now "robust competitors to terrestrial radio stations," according to radio-station giant Clear Channel. These new rivals "axiomatically reduces radio broadcasters' share of the market," making U.S. ownership restrictions outdated. MTV Networks Buys Game Firm Social Express Associated Press MTV Networks is acquiring Social Express, a developer of online social games, marking its first entry into this increasingly popular space. MTV will integrate Social Express into Nickelodeon Digital, and create games based on Nickelodeon and other MTV Networks brands. E! Co-Founder Launches Celebrity Website Hollywood Reporter E! co-founder Alan Mruvka is launching a celebrity-focused online network, The Look, in the hope of establishing a new brand in the entertainment programming space. The site aims to blend fashion and celebrity programming with e-commerce. Turner, Sports Illustrated to Battle ESPN.com Bloomberg Time Warner is consolidating the online operations of its Turner Sports and Sports Illustrated magazine to challenge top sports site ESPN.com. SI will continue to create all editorial, and Turner Sports will handle the technical operations and advertising sales for SI.com. BBC U.S. News Website to Rival Newspapers Reuters British state broadcaster BBC plans to roll out a U.S.-focused news website, which will see it go into direct competition with local broadcasters and newspapers for advertising. The BBC has come under fierce attack from its U.K. commercial rivals. China Launches Global English TV Channel BBC News China's state news agency Xinhua is launching CNC World, a 24-hour global news channel in English. The launch is seen as an attempt by China to counter foreign media views. Beijing keeps close control over media in the country and often accuses Western media of bias. Comcast-NBC Makes Promises to Latinos Los Angeles Times Comcast says it will add a Latino to its board and create Telemundo spin-off channels after it closes on its deal to merge with NBC Universal. The move aims to ease concerns among the Latino community about the merger's possible effects on media diversity. Oprah Losing a Quarter of Her TV Viewers New York Post Last week was the lowest rated in the 24-year history of "The Oprah Winfrey Show," Nielsen says. While Oprah's influence may be at an all-time high, her impact on TV is "starting to fade." Viewers may be disconnecting in anticipation of her departure from five-days-a-week TV. Tribune to 'Bust' Local TV Station Clichés Chicago Tribune Tribune Broadcasting is naming Carrie King and John Zeigler regional VPs for "innovation and imagination," in a prelude to overhauling the on-air "feel" of the company's television stations. "We're out to bust the TV clichés," says Lee Abrams, Tribune chief innovation officer. CNN's Larry King to Leave 'On His Terms' CNN Larry King, the iconic television interviewer, says he plans to step aside from hosting his prime-time CNN show this fall. King will end his 25-year run "on his own terms," according to CNN U.S. chief Jon Klein. King will continue to contribute to CNN in periodic specials. Clear Channel: Seacrest Hints of Departure Radio-Info Ryan Seacrest, who is in year three of his three-year deal with Clear Channel, says he doesn't think he will renew his contract with the radio station giant. The popular on-air host says he is mulling "different things." Seacrest is rumored as a replacement for Larry King. Sirius XM Eyes Brand as 'New Howard Stern' Sun Russell Brand, the British comedian and star of the film "Get Him to the Greek," is reportedly being courted by Sirius XM Radio to host a show for the satellite broadcaster. Sirius XM is "giving him the hard sell" about how it "could make him the new Howard Stern." Univision Sets Record for World Cup Game Associated Press While many eyes were focused on the United States' World Cup match against Ghana last weekend, the contest between Mexico and Argentina became the most-watched program ever for Univision, the U.S. Spanish-language network, attracting 9.4 million viewers. NBC Execs Face Tense Wait on Their Future New York Post Jeff Zucker and Dick Ebersol and other NBC Universal senior staff are awaiting word of who gets to stay with the company as Comcast pushes for a possible November close on its purchase of the media giant. A new organizational structure is expected in September. MSNBC Hires WaPo Former Blogger Weigel Mediaite Dave Weigel, a blogger for the Washington Post until the publication of his private emails forced his resignation last week, is joining MSNBC as a paid contributor. Weigel's new assignment was announced on MSNBC's "Countdown with Keith Olbermann" on Monday night. CBS' Showtime Names Programming Boss Los Angeles Times Showtime is poised for a makeover as the CBS premium channel confirms that programming chief Robert Greenblatt, known for darker shows like "Dexter," is leaving the network. His successor, David Nevins, has developed more heartwarming fare, such as "Parenthood." Rosie, NBC in Negotiations for Talk Show Gossip Cop Rosie O'Donnell is said to be negotiating with NBC to host a new talk show on the network's owned and operated stations. The show is looking to launch in fall 2011. But there is one sticking point: "NBC wants an out if she implodes like she did on 'The View.'" Oprah Tops Forbes List of 'Most Powerful' Forbes Oprah Winfrey, after being ousted by Angelina Jolie on last year's Forbes list of the World's Most Powerful Celebrities, is taking back her crown. The Queen of all Media earned $315 million over the past 12 months and "garnered more media attention" than any other celeb. Tyra, Demand Media to Create Digital Brand AllThingsD Modeling star Tyra Banks is entering a partnership with Demand Media to create a digital brand focused on fashion and beauty. The deal between Banks' company and the online content maker will include the development of a website, online video offerings and mobile apps. Disney to Revive Radio Serials via Mobiles Associated Press Radio Disney, aimed at kids and young teenagers, is launching a 20-episode series that follows a 14-year-old girl as she tries to become a singer and songwriter. Listeners who miss the daily 90-second episode can hear it later on the station's website or via mobile phone. CNN, CBS in Talks Over Couric, Cost-Sharing New York Post CNN and CBS execs are said to have met again just last week to restart negotiations over a cost-sharing deal. Also, news anchor Katie Couric is in serious talks to stay at CBS after she informed CNN that she was not interested in taking over Larry King's spot. ABC News' Sawyer Forges 'Advocacy' Program Washington Post By pushing reporters to investigate e-mails from viewers and complain about official intransigence, news anchor Diane Sawyer is forging what one ABC exec calls an "advocacy" program. Says Sawyer: "It's become a real conversation. It gives us some freedom to be ourselves." Bloomberg Says Comcast Must Sell CNBC Philadelphia Inquirer According to Bloomberg L.P., if Comcast succeeds in acquiring NBC Universal, the cable giant will have the incentive to keep the currently unrated Bloomberg TV buried in its cable-TV channel lineup, permanently sealing CNBC's position as the No. 1 business-news channel. MSNBC.com Says Web Banner Ads Are Dead Mediaweek MSNBC.com is rolling out a sweeping redesign that aims to encapsulate "a major rethinking of what a news site is." As part of the redesign, MSNBC.com will no longer serve banner ads. "The banner is dead," says publisher Charlie Tillinghast. "They've become too commoditized." ABC/ESPN Airs Most-Watched Soccer Match Bloomberg The U.S.'s 2-1 loss to Ghana in the World Cup on Saturday was the most watched men's soccer match in American history, according to ESPN. The game, which was shown on Disney sibling ABC, averaged an 8.2 rating, 9.455 million households and 14.9 million viewers. Fox Unveils 'Mobile Hulu Lookalike' BitBop NewTeeVee News Corp.'s Fox Mobile is officially rolling out its mobile video service BitBop, offering television shows via Blackberry phones for $9.99 a month. The service, described as a "mobile Hulu lookalike," features programming from networks including CBS, Fox and NBC. Al Gore Sought Current TV Sale to Google Hollywood Reporter Al Gore's Current TV is bringing in MTV veterans to help overhaul the struggling cable channel, jettisoning its user-generated video clips in favor of more traditional full-length fare. The shakeup comes after Gore and his partners tried to sell the channel to Google. Showtime President May Jump to NBC Los Angeles Times Showtime president Bob Greenblatt plans to step down after seven years, after informing his bosses at owner CBS that he was prepared "for a new challenge." Greenblatt is said to be on the short list to run NBC Entertainment after Comcast takes over NBC Universal. Comcast-NBC: FCC Stops Clock of Review Wall Street Journal The Federal Communications Commission is stopping the clock on its review of Comcast's deal to acquire control of NBC Universal, citing deficiencies in the companies' responses to requests for information. Comcast says the holdup is due to mere "technical issues." NBC Star Al Franken Fights Comcast Merger RBR Former "Saturday Night Live" star Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., opposes the pending merger between Comcast and NBC Universal: "Approval of this deal poses a grave threat to the public interest, threatening to set off a dangerous trend of further media consolidation." CNN: Eliot Spitzer to Co-Host News Program CNN Former New York governor Eliot Spitzer and Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Kathleen Parker will co-host a new CNN prime-time news program starting in the fall as the nation prepares for the 2010 midterm election. "I am grateful to CNN for the opportunity," Spitzer says. ESPN Says 99 Million Have Viewed World Cup TheWrap ESPN is estimating 99.2 million people have "consumed" World Cup content across all of its platforms during the first 10 days of the tournament. Of those who have consumed content on ESPN and ABC, 97% watched on TV, 27% used the Internet and 6% used mobile. MSNBC Preps Cautious Move Onto the iPad AllThingsD MSNBC is preparing its own entry into the Apple iPad app world. But the cable network is moving cautiously: Its free app will feature programming from just one of its shows, which it is yet to identify. Many programmers are yet to figure out what the iPad means for them. Disney, Dish Battle Over High-Def Channels Dow Jones Subscribers to Dish Network's satellite television service are losing access to four Disney high-def channels as the two companies reach an impasse in talks over carriage fees. The channels are ESPNews HD, Disney Channel HD, Disney XD HD and ABC Family HD. Clear Channel CEO Mark Mays Steps Down Financial Times CC Media Holdings CEO Mark Mays is to step down by the end of 2010, ending the founding Mays family's executive control of the largest U.S. radio company. Mays says the decision was made "amicably." The radio business was hit hard in 2009 during the recession. CBS Seeks Big Bucks for 'Oprah' Sendoff Broadcasting & Cable CBS Television Distribution is said to be seeking big price hikes for commercials in "The Oprah Winfrey Show" for its last season in syndication. "Crazy numbers" for spots in her final episode range from $500,000 up to $1 million. "Oprah's a legend," says a CBS rep. CNN Ends Use of AP Content as Talks Stall Associated Press CNN will no longer use the Associated Press after the two sides failed to agree on a contract extension. The news network says that the terms the news wire was offering "did not fit our business model." CNN has a new arrangement with Reuters to supplement its news. Comcast-NBC Universal Merger Draws Critics Los Angeles Times The proposed Comcast-NBC Universal merger is being heavily criticized by media rivals Bloomberg, DirecTV and Dish Network, as well as some consumer advocacy groups. The groups are filing comments with the Federal Communications Commission to block the deal. ABC/ESPN, Univision Win World Cup for Web Mediaweek ABC, ESPN and Univision are seeing big ratings for through the first 14 matches of the World Cup. The tournament is also drawing a sizable live audience to the Internet. Live games on ESPN3.com are "off to a flying start. Univision is setting "new records each day" online. NBC Hiring Writers for Web-Only Episodes Variety NBC's digital division is assigning writers to pen web-only episodes to complement existing shows like "Parks and Recreation" and "The Office." "Fans are getting savvier and demand more for their entertainment time. You can't just air your show anymore." CNN to Air Telethon to Aid Gulf Oil Spill Victims Associated Press Time Warner's CNN and Larry King are presenting a telethon Monday to benefit victims of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. Celebrities on the special will include Justin Bieber and Cameron Diaz. Ryan Seacrest will host an online effort for users of social media like Facebook. CBS, Reliance to Launch Indian TV Channels Times of India CBS plans to enter a joint venture with India's Reliance Broadcast Network to launch television channels in India. The venture will initially broadcast English language entertainment channels and will explore Hindi and regional language channels in the next phase. NBC Affiliates to Support Sale to Comcast Wall Street Journal Independent NBC stations expect to support Comcast's proposed takeover of NBC Universal after the cable giant agrees to measures intended to protect their interests. Conditions include not to bypass local stations by taking the NBC signal straight to cable. MTV Unveils Microsoft-Powered Dance Game Los Angeles Times MTV is unveiling a new game called "Dance Central," which represents the first non-"Rock Band" game produced by the Viacom cable network and Harmonix. "Dance Central," due out in November, uses Microsoft's new Kinect interface to track players' body movements. NBC-Comcast: FCC Denies Bloomberg Appeal Philadelphia Inquirer With a Monday deadline approaching, the Federal Communications Commission is denying a request from Bloomberg LP to extend the public comment period over the proposed Comcast-NBC Universal merger. Bloomberg says it needs more time to formulate its position. CNN to 'Phase Out' Larry King for Piers New York Post Piers Morgan will start his takeover of Larry King's CNN show in October, sources say. The British journalist is entering a deal to host an hourlong interview program starting four days a week as CNN "phases out" King. CNN says: "We don't comment on speculation." MSNBC, CNBC Websites See Record Traffic Mediaweek Two NBC Universal digital properties are both enjoying record traffic surges, driven in part by interest in the BP oil spill and the volatile stock market. MSNBC.com delivered a record 154 million total video streams in May, a healthy surge a 59% versus last year. CBS 'Free' Internet Series to Integrate Ads Advertising Age CBS Interactive is rolling out a web series whose entire narrative will depend on the two most hard-to-find attributes in digital entertainment: sponsors and active fans. "Around the World for Free" will feature integrated sponsorships by AT&T and American Airlines. NBCU Preps Web Series with Bonnie Fuller World Screen "Dial Star," a new web series starring "90210's" AnnaLynne McCord, will debut later this month from NBC Universal Digital. Sponsor AT&T will incorporate its devices into the series. Bonnie Fuller's HollywoodLife.com will serve as an integrated marketing partner. ABC Yanks Ads from Perez Hilton Website Los Angeles Times Has celebrity blogger Perez Hilton gone too far with a link to an alleged "upskirt" photo of 17-year-old Miley Cyrus? If you're ABC, the answer is apparently yes. In the wake of the photo scandal, the Disney network is said to be pulling its spots for "The View" off the site. Sony Web TVs Let Buyers Create Channels Bloomberg Sony plans to introduce a new generation of web-connected televisions that will stream movies, TV shows and music. The idea is to make it easier for consumers to bypass cable and effectively create their own TV channels -- and allow Sony to pursue advertising dollars. Cable TV Channels Shake Up Programming USA Today Chefs on the sci-fi channel Syfy? Boxer Mike Tyson on Animal Planet? Cable channel consolidation among big media companies is transforming programming. In the clamor for viewers and advertisers, owners "have come to realize that some channels have built-in limits." EPIX Begins Rollout of New Online Platform Deadline Upstart movie channel EPIX is branching into online, hatching a service that will allow subscribers to watch on their computers through a subscriber authentication system. EPIX is a joint venture between Viacom, its Paramount Pictures unit, MGM and Lionsgate. Disney CEO Emails Used in 'Millionaire' Trial Bloomberg Ex-Disney CEO Michael Eisner's emails are being presented as evidence by Celador International, the creator of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire," in a trial accusing Disney of cheating it out of profits. Current CEO Bob Iger says in testimony that he is "less excitable" than Eisner. DirecTV: Malone Steps Down as Chairman Denver Business Media mogul John Malone is stepping down as chairman at DirecTV and slashing his control over the company in a previously announced stock swap meant to satisfy the Federal Communications Commission. Associates Greg Maffei and Paul Gould also are leaving DirecTV's board. CBS Boss Les Moonves Has Digital Fears Hollywood Reporter The advertising market is back, but it is still not where it was, says CBS boss Les Moonves. His biggest fear, he adds, is that viewers will watch the hit show "CSI" online without the firm getting fully paid for it. Also: "We are not looking for any major acquisitions." DirecTV to Sell Local Ads for First Time Associated Press DirecTV is joining forces with NCC Media, an advertising sales firm owned by its cable rivals, to sell local ad spots coast-to-coast for the first time. NCC is owned by Comcast, Time Warner Cable and Cox Communications. "On the advertising sales level, this makes sense." MSNBC: Lawrence O'Donnell to Get Show Associated Press MSNBC is developing a show for the 10 p.m. ET hour featuring Lawrence O'Donnell, a longtime political analyst for the news network. O'Donnell once worked for U.S. Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan of New York, for whom the late Tim Russert of NBC News had also worked. ESPN Fans Watch World Cup on Mobiles Reuters "Second and third screens" like mobile devices and home computers are creating a bigger audience for ESPN's sports content, says president George Bodenheimer. Nearly 10% of ESPN's audience that has viewed World Cup content has done so on a device other than a television. Gannett Sets Up Local Sites in 10 Markets Associated Press Gannett's broadcasting arm is launching local websites in 10 of its markets. The new sites will be integrated with the websites of its television stations and carry community news contributed by the sites' visitors along with content produced by its own staff. TiVo Brings Facebook, Twitter to TV Sets San Francisco Business TiVo is starting a service called FrameChannel, allowing broadband-connected users to post news, photos and updates from Twitter or Facebook on their television sets. The TV-recording firm likens the service to "a constantly updating slideshow of information." ABC, ESPN Rake In Viewers for World Cup Bloomberg Disney's ESPN and ABC have averaged 4.94 million viewers through five games of the World Cup, more than double the figures for the corresponding fixtures in the 2006 tournament. The U.S. match against England had the most viewers since the U.S. played Brazil in 1994. CBS to Sell Local TV Station in Virginia Dow Jones CBS plans to sell WGNT, a CW station in Norfolk, Va., to a broadcast holding company owned by a group that includes private-equity firm Oak Hill Capital Partners. CBS has seen revenue increase of late, though the company plans to continue cost cutting and paying down debt. CNN Says Larry King Reports Are Untrue Yahoo News CNN is shooting down reports that former British tabloid editor Piers Morgan is near a deal to replace Larry King on the news network. King "will continue to be part of the CNN family into the future," says a CNN spokesperson. "Larry is a beloved member of the team." MTV Looking to Hire First 'Twitter Jockey' Associated Press MTV is searching for a social media maven who will engage with its audience and serve as a liaison between viewers and network honchos. While the new "Twitter Jockey" won't appear on television like a VJ, says MTV exec Dave Sirulnik, he or she "will always be on." Al-Jazeera Eyes U.S. Entry via Social Media Associated Press Frustrated by its continuing inability to crack the U.S. television market, Al-Jazeera English's new strategy is to make itself available for free on every other possible screen -- iPad app, smart phones, and content distribution through Facebook, YouTube and Twitter. Microsoft's Xbox Live to Air ESPN3 Shows Bloomberg Disney will make its ESPN3 online sports channel available on Microsoft's Xbox video game console, extending the programming to users' televisions. "Our fan base wants to be on all these screens, not just one," says Disney-ESPN exec Matthew Murphy. World Cup to Break Global Viewing Records Brand Republic The 2010 World Cup is expected to achieve record global viewership, with an audience increase of at least 5% over the 2006 tournament, according to research by IPG's Initiative. The sports event "can be described as the largest shared experience in the world." Univision Bests ESPN in World Cup Opener Broadcasting & Cable Univision attracted 5.4 million U.S. viewers for the opening World Cup match between Mexico and South Africa on Friday. Given the high Mexican-American audience composition, Univision not surprisingly bested ESPN's opening match coverage of 2.6 million viewers. MTV Bets on Scripts After 'Jersey' Success Wall Street Journal MTV is betting on scripted comedies and dramas as it looks to sustain an uptick in its audience after two years of quarterly declines. "Reality shows tend to burn bright and then burn out," says MTV programming exec Tony DiSanto. "Scripted shows tend to have more legs." Discovery, MTV Seeing Ad Rates Heat Up Wall Street Journal Some cable networks are seeing bigger increases in advertising rates than broadcast networks as advertisers move quickly to lock in commercial time. MTV is seeing rate increases "comparable to broadcast," while Discovery is earning 8% rate increases over last year. Oprah, Jenny McCarthy Eye 'Possibilities' New York Post Jenny McCarthy, the actress and former model who became an activist and author after her son was diagnosed with autism, is entering a development deal with Oprah Winfrey's Harpo Productions. Harpo says they are "exploring possibilities across a number of platforms." CNN to Let Larry King's Contract Expire New York Post / Telegraph CNN host Larry King's contract for his 9 p.m. nightly show is said to be up next May, and network bosses reportedly plan to let it expire. Also: Piers Morgan is said to be on the verge of signing a four-year, multi-million dollar deal to take over King's show. Sirius XM CEO Wants Howard Stern to Stay TheStreet CEO Mel Karmazin says "shock jock" Howard Stern has been a great partner and he believes that Sirius XM is still the best place for him to be. "I'd love to have Howard stay. It's been a great relationship," Ultimately, of course, he adds, the decision is Stern's. Cablevision to Buy Bresnan for $1.36 Billion Bloomberg Cablevision is said to be entering a deal to buy Bresnan Communications for $1.36 billion. The acquisition will give Cablevision a bigger slice of the burgeoning market for high-speed Internet services. Bresnan provides broadband- communication services in four states. CNN, Foursquare Team Up for World Cup CNN CNN is partnering with the location based social network Foursquare on a project for World Cup fans in the 32 competing nations. Fans will be eligible for a "South Africa Explorer" Foursquare badge, as well as a "Super Fan" Foursquare badge for those watching from bars. NBC Sells $2.5B in Ads Before Fall Season Bloomberg NBC is said to have sold about $2.5 billion in advertising ahead of the fall television season. The network sold ads across all day-parts including prime-time, late-night, news and Sunday Night Football. NBC raised prices for prime-time ads by about 7% on average. CBS: Ryan Seacrest Rumored for Talk Show LARadio "American Idol" host Ryan Seacrest, whose radio-show contract with Clear Channel's KIIS ends in November, is rumored to be mulling a jump to CBS. "The move would be predicated on CBS' interest in Seacrest hosting an afternoon Oprah-type show for the 2011 season." Oprah to Hire MTV Exec, 'Queer Eye' Guy Hollywood Reporter Oprah Winfrey's upcoming OWN network is making executive changes and developing shows. Former MTV Networks programming exec John MacDonald is joining as COO. Also, OWN is working on shows with celebrity chef Cat Cora and fashion expert Carson Kressley. CNN Wooing Piers Morgan for Prime Time New York Post CNN is said to be talking to snarky British journalist Piers Morgan about hosting a panel show in the news network's troubled prime-time lineup. Morgan, a judge on NBC's "America's Got Talent" and a winner of "Celebrity Apprentice," is a former editor of Britain's Daily Mirror. ESPN Worker in Phillips Affair Sues Network Associated Press ESPN production assistant Brooke Hundley, whose affair with broadcaster Steve Phillips led to their firings, has filed a lawsuit against the network. Hundley, who is seeking $15,000 in damages, says ESPN defamed her by firing her based on false statements by Phillips. CBS Seeks Concessions from Cable Players New York Post