NBC – News Stories About NBC - Page 26

Dec 16, 2007 5:36 AM CST

Scribe Strike May Shake Up TV Biz

Bigwigs have long wanted to cut costs, stagger show debuts

(Newser) - TV bigwigs are looking on the bright side of the scribe strike, they say, vowing to finally make overdue changes to boost the bottom line. Slashing costs, staggering show debuts, and making network TV look and act more like cable are notions that have been kicked around for years. Now...

Writers' Strike Deals Strong Dose of Reality

Dec 9, 2007 2:46 PM CST

Writers' Strike Deals Strong Dose of Reality

If no deal comes soon, expect more dancing, survivors, idols on TV

(Newser) - Reality will likely strike primetime TV with a vengeance if stalled talks between screen scribes and networks don't kick into gear, the New York Times reports. With most popular dramas on hiatus for lack of scripts, reality shows are about to explode onto the airwaves—and they may well stick...

Writers Pitch New Deal at Talks

Dec 5, 2007 3:35 AM CST

Writers Pitch New Deal at Talks

WGA seeks $150M share of web revenue

(Newser) - Striking Hollywood writers presented a new contract proposal at talks yesterday that would cost studios some $150 million over three years, Bloomberg reports. If accepted, the deal would give writers a percentage share of revenue from internet and digital media. It's a potential starting point for fresh negotiations to seek...

NBC Keeps on Truckin' With Innovative Reality Package

Dec 3, 2007 4:40 AM CST

NBC Keeps on Truckin' With Innovative Reality Package

Network buys prime time block of action shows - with no staff writers

(Newser) - Writers? Who needs writers? NBC is about to buy a two- or three-hour block of prime time programming featuring unscripted documentary style action shows from the producers of “Ice Road Truckers" and the "Deadliest Catch." The programs don't need staff writers, cost a fraction of standard television...

Daly Defies Writers' Strike

Nov 28, 2007 3:48 AM CST

Daly Defies Writers' Strike

'Last Call' host is first late-night star to resume production

(Newser) - NBC late-night talk show host Carson Daly will defy striking writers by becoming the first to resume taping new episodes since the union action pushed the network night programs into re-runs. Daly's decision comes after NBC threatened to lay off all non-writing staff, reports E! News. There's no sign that...

NBC Looks to TiVo to Help Sell Clients

Nov 27, 2007 12:22 PM CST

NBC Looks to TiVo to Help Sell Clients

Network is hoping to corral ad zappers by tapping DVR data

(Newser) - NBC Universal will begin using viewership data gleaned from TiVo digital video recorders beginning in January, making it the first of the major networks to have access to second-by-second ratings of programming and commercials from TiVo, reports the Wall Street Journal. The network hopes TiVo will help it develop effective...

NBC picks up 'quarterlife'

Nov 19, 2007 12:42 AM CST

NBC picks up 'quarterlife'

Creators will retain creative control

(Newser) - The made-for-Internet show "quarterlife," created and largely financed by the brains behind "My So-Called Life" and "thirtysomething," will be appearing on TV thanks to a deal with NBC signed this week. The show will most likely hit old-media screens early next year, after all 36...

NBC Prez Will Party for His Right to Fight

Nov 17, 2007 3:07 PM CST

NBC Prez Will Party for His Right to Fight

Fixing the network is Ben Silverman's day—and night—job

(Newser) - Whether it's his tendency to casually insult other executives, his "totally sick" parties, or his precocious ascension from independent producer to network boss, NBC President Ben Silverman has acquired a devoted posse of friends—and an ample group of enemies. Esquire profiles the brash 37-year-old, self-styled the "luckiest...

Letterman Opens Wallet for Staff

Nov 15, 2007 6:24 PM CST

Letterman Opens Wallet for Staff

Non-writers get help from boss as strike continues

(Newser) - David Letterman will open his own pocketbook to pay non-writer employees of two late-night shows his company produces, Deadline Hollywood Daily reports. With Letterman's own show and another hosted by Craig Ferguson idled by the writers' strike, Worldwide Pants confirmed today it will cover all or part of staff salaries...

Products, Not People, to Star in NBC Drama

Nov 9, 2007 9:06 PM CST

Products, Not People, to Star in NBC Drama

Marketers could buy key storyline slots under 'DVR-proof' ad strategy

(Newser) - TiVo-weary advertisers might be able to buy their brands starring roles in an NBC drama, Advertising Age reports. A show based on Matt Beaumont’s novel E centers on a fictional ad firm’s work with two real-life companies. The real-life-company slots, estimated near $500,000 each, will buy some...

NBC: Leno Still Out in 2009

Oct 30, 2007 1:50 PM CDT

NBC: Leno Still Out in 2009

Second thoughts or no, NBC sticks to the plan

(Newser) - Reports of Jay Leno's cold feet notwithstanding, "Conan O'Brien will take over 'The Tonight Show' in 2009," NBC chief Jeff Zucker said yesterday. Reports that Leno was reconsidering retirement from the late-night throne sparked speculation that the network might keep the comedian onboard. Nope, said the exec, adding,...

Online Video Site Hulu Launches

Oct 29, 2007 8:39 AM CDT

Online Video Site Hulu Launches

NBC and News Corp. child will stream mainstream TV and movies

(Newser) - The beta version of Hulu, a new online video venture between NBC and News Corp., launches this week. Challenging YouTube, the service allows users to embed and share existing video, but won’t support user-generated content. Instead, Hulu will focus on distributing ad-supported versions of movies and 90 NBC and...

Leno's 2nd Thoughts Bug NBC

Oct 15, 2007 10:50 AM CDT

Leno's 2nd Thoughts Bug NBC

Late night star unhappy with 2009 departure, NBC mulls options

(Newser) - Jay Leno isn't laughing about his Tonight Show departure, and neither are his bosses. The late-night king is scheduled to step aside in 2009 to make way for Conan O'Brien, but he's having second thoughts, and NBC worries he'll Jaywalk to another network, the LA Times reports. “It’s...

Regis Picked for New 'Password'

Oct 11, 2007 6:08 PM CDT

Regis Picked for New 'Password'

Morning maven chosen for remake of classic 'Password'

(Newser) - Regis Philbin will return to the game show format with a remake of the classic “Password” called “Million Dollar Password.” CBS has ordered six hour-long episodes to be aired later this season, Variety reports; a channel exec was excited to score the “ever-enthusiastic” host, who helped...

Peacock Flies Burbank Coop

Oct 11, 2007 4:03 AM CDT

Peacock Flies Burbank Coop

NBC is moving operations to new studios near Universal

(Newser) - NBC Universal is pulling up stakes at its legendary Burbank studio home of 50 years and moving to new facilities across from Universal Studios in Hollywood. The company will switch operations to a massive new complex in 2011. The center will have a street-side studio modeled after the "Today"...

NBC Dumps iTunes to Ink Amazon TV Deal

Sep 5, 2007 4:09 AM CDT

NBC Dumps iTunes to Ink Amazon TV Deal

Programs will now be available on Unbox

(Newser) - NBC announced yesterday that its shows will be available for downloading on Amazon after a disagreement over pricing led to the collapse of a deal with iTunes. Apple accused NBC of wanting to double its prices, but the network insisted it simply sought more flexibility. Shows will be available on...

NBC Content Will Disappear From iTunes

Aug 31, 2007 3:23 PM CDT

NBC Content Will Disappear From iTunes

Standoff over pricing, piracy leaves TV fans caught in the middle

(Newser) - In a move that could hurt both companies, NBC Universal has decided to pull its popular digital videos from Apple’s iTunes store. NBC, Apple’s top supplier of digital video, said it wanted more control over the pricing of its products and greater piracy protection, echoing complaints from other...

Candidate or DA: Thompson Can't Be Both

Aug 13, 2007 3:30 PM CDT

Candidate or DA: Thompson Can't Be Both

If he runs, NBC will pull 'Law & Order' episodes

(Newser) - NBC will pull “Law & Order” reruns featuring DA Arthur Branch if the man who portrays him runs for president, the New York Times reported today. The self-imposed ban on those 115 episodes in which Fred Thompson appears would avoid the obligation to give other candidates comparable air time...

Late-Night Icon Tom Snyder Dead at 71

Jul 30, 2007 12:24 PM CDT

Late-Night Icon Tom Snyder Dead at 71

'Tomorrow Show' host's conversational style enchanted insomniacs

(Newser) - Talk show host Tom Snyder, known for his interviews with celebrities like John Lennon and Johnny Rotten, died yesterday after battling leukemia for 2 years, the AP reports. The man who paved the way for David Letterman and Conan O'Brien as the host of NBC's "Tomorrow Show" and gained...

NBC Angles to Keep Leno
After Tonight

Jul 23, 2007 6:32 AM CDT

NBC Angles to Keep Leno After Tonight

Execs brainstorm projects for 2009, when Conan takes chair

(Newser) - As Jay Leno nears his final Tonight Show in 2009, NBC is scrambling to keep the late night king at the network and away from rivals ABC and Fox. Peacock execs have pitched a prime time variety show, miscellaneous work on NBC's cable channels, and a showcase of Jay-on-demand through...