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Special Reports

  • NAB 2012: Everything you need to know about broadcasting's biggest tech event of the year.
  • Gearing Up For NAB 2012: The top tech trends and issues.
  • FCC Watch: 18 Topics In 244 Words Or Less: Get briefed on what's happening at broadcasting's favorite regulatory agency by top Washington communications attorneys David Oxenford and Brendan Holland.
  • 2011—Year In Review: Revisit the year’s top developments in business, programming, journalism, technology, regulation and more.
  • Audience Measurement: The state of ratings is examined in three parts: an interview with the head of the Media Ratings Council; the growing presence of Rentrak; and the search for a better local ratings currency.
  • Traffic Reporting: This four-part TVNewsCheck Special Report focuses on what it takes to stay on top of the growing commuter gridlock across the country.
  • Remembering 9/11: TVNewsCheck looks back 10 years after the attacks with a series of five articles.
  • TOP 30 TV STATION GROUPS: Fox Television Stations is No. 1 in the revenue-based rankings, followed by the groups of the other major broadcast networks: CBS, NBC and ABC, with Tribune rounding out the top five.

Industry Calendar

May 2012
Mo
28
Memorial Day
Holiday
June 2012
Mo
11
NAB Education Foundation
Celebration of Service to America Awards
Washington, DC
Tu
Th
12-14
PromaxBDA
The Conference 2012
Los Angeles, CA
Th
Su
14-17
Investigative Reporters & Editors
IRE 2012
Boston, MA
Sa
23
NATAS
Daytime Emmy Awards
Los Angeles, CA

Station Directory

Net Essentials

AP Breaking News

Our Advertisers

Jim Parriott To Run New ABC Drama ‘Nashville’
Deadline, May 24, 2012, 7:54 AM EDT
ABC Fires Back At CBS Reality Show Suit
Hollywood Reporter, May 24, 2012, 6:07 AM EDT
"Even CBS must realize it cannot copyright the idea of 14 contestants living in a house rigged with cameras," the ABC court papers argue. Link | Add comment
'GMA' Getting An Afternoon Spinoff
MediaPost, May 22, 2012, 6:27 AM EDT
With the recent success of Good Morning America, ABC is launching a p.m. spinoff as a summer experiment. The hour-long Good Afternoon America is scheduled for a nine-week run starting July 9. Link | Add comment
ABC Will Use Delay For Niagara Falls Wire Walk
New York Times, May 18, 2012, 3:21 PM EDT
upfronts commentary
Taking A Closer Look: ABC Upfront Analysis
Hollywood Reporter, May 16, 2012, 6:01 AM EDT
ABC is one of those networks you look at and think, "Hey, they’re doing great." Lots of people talking about their shows, old and new. Then the ratings rise up to disappoint. Link | Add comment
upfronts
ABC Moves 'Revenge,' Creates TGIF Block
Hollywood Reporter, May 15, 2012, 11:18 AM EDT
With 10 new series, the female-skewing network is reinventing its soapy Sunday night and giving a new comedy the post-Modern Family slot. Link | Add comment
upfronts
ABC Renews 'Happy Endings' For Season 3
TV Line, May 11, 2012, 4:59 PM EDT
The sitcom gets a 22-episode pickup for next season. Link | Add comment
CBS Makes Good On Threat, Sues ABC Over Show
New York Times, May 11, 2012, 3:27 PM EDT
ABC Airing Tightrope Walk Over Niagara Falls
Associated Press, May 11, 2012, 3:02 PM EDT
The network said today it will devote its entire primetime schedule to a three-hour special on June 15 with the daredevil Nik Wallenda's attempt. Part of the show will be an examination of the greatest stunts of all time. Full Story | Add comment
ABC Tries Social Network Test With 'Revenge'
Associated Press, May 11, 2012, 5:57 AM EDT
People who download and click onto the "Into Now" smartphone and tablet application during the May 16 and 23 showings of Revenge become eligible for a free summer trip to New York's Hamptons beach area, where the drama's story is based. ABC and Yahoo are trying to take advantage of the growing trend of multiscreen use, or people who spend time on their phones or iPads while the TV is on. Yahoo's "Into Now" app tries to make all of that easier. Full Story | Add comment
upfronts
ABC Renews ‘Shark Tank’ And ‘Dancing’
Deadline, May 10, 2012, 10:11 PM EDT
After ABC renewed the obvious suspects on the scripted side, it is their reality counterparts' turn. The network has picked up for next season veteran Dancing With The Stars as well as rising star Shark Tank. Link | Add comment
upfronts
ABC Renews 'Modern Family,' 'Grey's, 5 More
The Wrap, May 10, 2012, 9:52 PM EDT
ABC has renewed seven series, including comedies Modern Family and The Middle, as well as its popular dramas Grey's Anatomy and Castle. Link | Add comment
upfront preview
ABC's Challenge: Replacing Its Aging Hits
Media Life, May 7, 2012, 3:04 PM EDT
Though ABC is in fourth place this season, it's still had a relatively decent year. Its average is flat to last year among adults 18-49, and after years of struggling to launch successful new shows, it has a handful of first-year dramas and comedies with potential. But its main problem remains the same as last year. Its top shows are aging and need to be replaced or rejuvenated.
Link | Add comment
ABC's 'Cougar Town' May Relocate To TBS
Deadline, May 7, 2012, 6:34 AM EDT
Cougar Town is very much on the bubble but a possible cancellation by ABC would not necessarily spell the end of the underrated comedy about a group of wine-loving friends. TBS has been in talks with Cougar Town producer ABC Studios about potentially picking up the series starring Courteney Cox if ABC ends up canceling it. Link | Add comment
upfronts 2012
ABC Player Downloads Top 5 Million
MediaPost, May 7, 2012, 6:14 AM EDT
Looking to generate advertiser interest prior to the upfront, ABC said its full-episode app for Apple devices has passed the 5 million mark in downloads. That’s up from the 3 million that ABC told MediaPost it had surpassed less than six months ago. Link | Add comment
CBS Warns ABC To Stop New 'Glass House'
Deadline, May 4, 2012, 3:40 PM EDT
The striking similarities between ABC's recently announced summer reality series Glass House and CBS' veteran Big Brother were not lost on CBS brass. Four days after ABC's Glass House announcement, CBS has fired off a letter to ABC warning it that proceeding with the show will likely result in legal action. Link | Comments (1)
ABC's 'Modern Family' Honored By Catholic Group
The Wrap, May 3, 2012, 7:56 AM EDT
ABC Eyes 13-Ep Final Season Of ‘Private Practice’
Deadline, May 1, 2012, 8:16 AM EDT
ABC Orders 'Glass House' Competition Series
Hollywood Reporter, May 1, 2012, 6:26 AM EDT
In the vein of CBS's Big Brother, the summer competition series launches June 18. Link | Add comment
Big Bounce For The NBA's Regular Season
Media Life, Apr 24, 2012, 11:57 AM EDT
The NBA lockout delayed the opening of the playoffs by a few weeks, but that may be the only lingering effect of the five-month work stoppage. With the postseason beginning Saturday, the three NBA playoff carriers seem poised for very strong ratings after yet another record-setting season. Link | Add comment
Vaughn, Danza Team For ABC Comedy Project
Deadline, Apr 24, 2012, 7:41 AM EDT
ABC's 'Bachelor' Accused Of Racial Bias
Reuters, Apr 19, 2012, 6:15 AM EDT
Two black men who said they were "lookin' for love" and auditioned last summer for the popular ABC reality television show The Bachelor sued the network on Wednesday, saying they were rejected because of their race. Link | Comments (1)
Live from NAB
CBS, ABC Step Up Mobile DTV Commitment
TVNewsCheck, Apr 16, 2012, 5:35 PM EDT
CBS commits to simulcasting the Dyle mobile DTV service at four of its O&Os and has given permission to five affiliates  to get on board.  ABC has given the go-ahead to its affiliates in Dallas and Orlando. In addition, NBC has given its affiliate in Austin, Texas, permission to air its signal on the condition that it uses Dyle’s conditional access. For all that’s going on at NAB 2012, click here. Full Story | Comments (2)
ABC Renews 'Hospital,' Whacks 'Revolution'
New York Times, Apr 12, 2012, 6:48 AM EDT
The soap opera is set to have its 50th anniversary next April. However, the network announced that the daytime talk show The Revolution was being canceled. Link | Add comment
'Today' Tops Couric, 'GMA' With Narrow Win
Hollywood Reporter, Apr 10, 2012, 6:05 AM EDT
April's morning showdown concludes with Good Morning America shrinking the gap and the final tally standing in Today's favor, with four days of victories among total viewers and a sweep with adults 25-54. Link | Add comment
ABC Sets Its Summer Schedule Debuts
Hollywood Reporter, Apr 5, 2012, 2:35 PM EDT
The network's freshman singing competition Duets will launch Thursday, May 24, with a two-hour premiere. Link | Add comment
Briga Heelan Joins ABC’s ‘Counter Culture’
Deadline, Apr 5, 2012, 7:54 AM EDT
ABC To Try Out 'GCB' At 9 P.M. Sunday
Deadline, Mar 30, 2012, 7:37 AM EDT
It was hailed as a potential successor to Desperate Housewives and was launched behind the departing veteran dramedy. Now ABC’s midseason dramedy GCB will test drive Housewives‘ Sunday 9 p.m. time slot. Link | Add comment
Quddus To Host ABC’s Reality Series ‘Duets’
Deadline, Mar 29, 2012, 3:09 PM EDT
Couric To Co-Host 'Good Morning America'
New York Times, Mar 29, 2012, 7:56 AM EDT
It's a one-week role for the former co-host of Today, the main rival to GMA in morning television. Couric will be filling in for Robin Roberts, who has the week off. Link | Add comment
Ken Howard Joins ABC Pilot 'Counter Culture'
The Wrap, Mar 28, 2012, 8:10 AM EDT
Jimmy Kimmel To Host Primetime Emmys
TVNewsCheck, Mar 26, 2012, 10:59 AM EDT
Don Mischer will serve as executive producer of the 64th annual telecast slotted for Sept. 23, 2012 on ABC. Full Story | Add comment
ABC Preps Early Renewals For 9 Shows
TV Line, Mar 23, 2012, 2:50 PM EDT
ABC is on the verge of issuing formal early renewals to a batch of scripted series, including freshman hits Once Upon a Time and Revenge and established players Modern Family, Castle and Grey’s Anatomy. Link | Comments (1)
Alyssa Milano To Star In ABC’s ‘Mistresses’
Deadline, Mar 23, 2012, 6:12 AM EDT
ABC Tests Ad Packages With On Demand
Advertising Age, Mar 22, 2012, 2:54 PM EDT
In a sign of how this year's broadcast upfront conversations may shape up, Walt Disney's ABC has begun talking to media buyers about purchasing ads in programs such as Modern Family both when they air live and wherever they're available on demand — including the full-episode player on ABC's website, cable systems' video-on-demand channels and iPad and iPhone apps. Link | Add comment
'Housewives' Jury To Hear Final Arguements
Associated Press, Mar 14, 2012, 6:02 AM EDT
Wednesday's arguements will be crucial to framing nine days of conflicting testimony for the jury, which has heard from Nicollette Sheridan, Marc Cherry, actor James Denton and a host of writers, producers and others affiliated with the ABC series. Full Story | Add comment
'Housewives' Worker Talks About 'Cover-Up'
Associated Press, Mar 13, 2012, 2:55 PM EDT
Chad Michael Murray Male Lead in ABC's 'Scruples'
Hollywood Reporter, Mar 13, 2012, 5:55 AM EDT
ABC Announces May Finale Schedule
TV Line, Mar 12, 2012, 2:46 PM EDT
ABC is the second network (following The CW) to let loose with its May finale schedule, and among the dates is the day Desperate Housewives will wrap up its eighth and final season. Link | Add comment
Susan Lucci To Co-Star In ABC Pilot 'Devious Maids'
The Wrap, Mar 12, 2012, 6:40 AM EDT
Gingrich Says ABC Show 'GCB' Is Anti-Christian
Associated Press, Mar 12, 2012, 6:04 AM EDT
ABC Orders Singing Competition 'Duets'
Hollywood Reporter, Mar 8, 2012, 2:42 PM EST
The summer series will have American Idol season one alum Kelly Clarkson as well as Jennifer Nettles, Lionel Richie and Robin Thicke combing the country in search of undiscovered talent to mentor. Link | Add comment
ABC's ‘Mistresses’ Casts 2 Of Its Leads
Deadline, Mar 8, 2012, 7:14 AM EST
Anthony Edwards To Topline ABC's ‘Zero Hour’
Deadline, Mar 7, 2012, 2:58 PM EST
John Barrowman To Star In Rhimes' ABC Pilot
Hollywood Reporter, Mar 7, 2012, 5:57 AM EST
Connie Britton To Star In ABC Drama 'Nashville'
Hollywood Reporter, Mar 6, 2012, 2:43 PM EST
Eric Close To C0-Star In ABC's 'Nashville' Pilot
Deadline, Mar 6, 2012, 7:55 AM EST
Season Recap: ABC In A Primetime Rut
Adweek, Mar 6, 2012, 6:00 AM EST
With a dozen weeks to go before the 2011-12 broadcast season wheezes to a halt, ABC is suspended in a nearly airless equipoise between triumph and futility. For every new series that has landed on the network's primetime schedule like a stunned carp, there's been an equal number of easy, breezy hits. Will the four new shows the network has on deck be enough to pull it out of its rut? Link | Add comment
ABC Casts Ruth Bradley in 'Beauty And The Beast'
TV Line, Mar 2, 2012, 2:56 PM EST
Leah Remini Joins ABC Comedy Pilot
Hollywood Reporter, Mar 2, 2012, 5:50 AM EST
Hayden Panettiere To Star In ABC Pilot ‘Nashville’
Deadline, Mar 1, 2012, 7:47 AM EST
David Arquette Joins ABC's 'Smart One' Pilot
TV Line, Mar 1, 2012, 6:41 AM EST
Tiffany Hines Cast In ABC's 'Americana' Pilot
Hollywood Reporter, Mar 1, 2012, 6:12 AM EST
Doris Roberts Joins ABC's 'Counter Culture'
Hollywood Reporter, Feb 27, 2012, 5:59 AM EST
Lily Tomlin To Co-Star In ABC's Reba McEntire Pilot
Hollywood Reporter, Feb 24, 2012, 5:57 AM EST
Ken Olin Joins ABC Drama Pilot 'Americana'
Hollywood Reporter, Feb 22, 2012, 6:17 AM EST
Brian O'Byrne To Star In ABC Pilot 'Gilded Lilys'
Deadline, Feb 20, 2012, 7:32 AM EST
Mary McCormack Lands Lead In ABC Comedy Pilot
TV Line, Feb 20, 2012, 6:30 AM EST
Anthony LaPaglia Tapped For ABC's 'Americana'
Hollywood Reporter, Feb 20, 2012, 5:58 AM EST
Jean Smart Joins ABC’s ‘Smart One’ Pilot
Deadline, Feb 17, 2012, 8:12 AM EST
Kal Penn Joins ABC's 'Prairie Dogs' Pilot
TV Line, Feb 16, 2012, 6:33 AM EST
Mimi Kennedy Joins Judy Greer's ABC Comedy
Hollywood Reporter, Feb 16, 2012, 6:11 AM EST
J.K. Simmons Joins ABC's 'White Van Man' Pilot
Deadline, Feb 14, 2012, 8:09 AM EST
ABC Sells Out Academy Awards Broadcast
Los Angeles Times, Feb 8, 2012, 6:41 AM EST
Walt Disney Co. Chief Executive Bob Iger said Tuesday that the ABC network last week sold the remainder of its available advertising time — several weeks earlier than usual. ABC fetched an average of $1.7 million per 30-second spot for the 84th annual Academy Awards to be broadcast on Feb. 26, a slight uptick from last year's rate. Link | Add comment
ABC Adds Comedy Pilot From Mandy Moore
Hollywood Reporter, Feb 8, 2012, 5:58 AM EST
ABC Greenlights Thriller Drama 'Mistresses'
Hollywood Reporter, Feb 8, 2012, 5:55 AM EST
ABC Adds Reba McEntire, '70s Show' Duo Pilots
Hollywood Reporter, Feb 2, 2012, 5:57 AM EST
ABC Hands Out 4 More Drama Pilot Orders
Deadline, Feb 1, 2012, 7:41 AM EST
ABC Picks Up Judy Greer Comedy Pilot
Deadline, Jan 31, 2012, 3:23 PM EST
ABC OKs 'Scruples' Pilot From Portman, Krantz
Hollywood Reporter, Jan 31, 2012, 5:59 AM EST
Passat No Drive By In ABC's 'The Middle'
Associated Press, Jan 30, 2012, 3:06 PM EST
Frankie Heck settled into the driver's seat of a new Volkswagen on a recent episode of ABC's The Middle, caressing the steering wheel as celestial music played. Her face was a mask of such pure pleasure that you almost wanted to avert your eyes. Welcome to the world of product "integration" on prime-time television. Advertising within programs has gone beyond the mere placement of soda bottles on the table in front of American Idol judges. The Passat didn't just pass by on the street during The Middle, it was a key part of the comedy's story line. Full Story | Add comment
Disney Back to 'Beauty And Beast' With ABC Pilot
The Wrap, Jan 25, 2012, 6:13 AM EST
NATPE 2012
Multicasters: Stations Leave Millions Behind
TVNewsCheck, Jan 24, 2012, 7:02 AM EST
Even in small markets, broadcasters are generating up to $1 million in annual revenue with a single subchannel, according to panelists at a NATPE session on multicasting.  Full Story | Comments (10)
ABC, 'The Help' Top NAACP Image Awards Noms
Hollywood Reporter, Jan 19, 2012, 3:06 PM EST
rumor mill
Could General Hospital Move To Primetime?
TV Guide, Jan 19, 2012, 6:07 AM EST
There may be life after daytime for ABC's last remaining soap opera, General Hospital, which is likely to get the ax later this year to make room for Katie Couric's new syndicated talk show. One scenario being discussed has the drama continuing as a short-run primetime summer series, similar to Spanish-language networks' telenovelas, says an ABC insider. Link | Add comment
'Modern Family' Toddler's Cuss Word Draws Ire
Associated Press, Jan 18, 2012, 5:56 AM EST
pilot season
How Many Pilots Will Five Nets Order?
Deadline.com, Jan 17, 2012, 7:45 AM EST
The official pilot pickup season kicked off in the past two weeks with orders at the CW, Fox NBC and ABC, with CBS as usual late to the party. Link | Add comment
ABC Retires New Sitcom 'Work It'
Associated Press, Jan 16, 2012, 5:49 AM EST
The network said Saturday that the sitcom about two men who dress as women to look for work is off the schedule after only two episodes aired. Full Story | Comments (2)
ABC Orders 2 More Episodes of 'Last Man Standing'
Hollywood Reporter, Jan 13, 2012, 5:56 AM EST
Disney To Preview ABC Shows In Theaters
Bloomberg Businessweek, Jan 11, 2012, 10:41 AM EST
Walt Disney Co.-owned ABC will promote its new series The River by showing two full episodes in movie theaters in a bid to lift ratings for the second-place network. Link | Add comment
Beta Research study
Cable TV, ABC, CBS Ad Spend Seen Rising
MediaPost, Jan 11, 2012, 6:09 AM EST
Syosset, N.Y.-based media research company Beta Research says in the next 12 months many media and marketing executives plan to increase advertising spending on ESPN, Discovery Channel, HGTV, Food Network, History, TBS and TNT. But they are not alone. Among broadcast networks, more money will be heading the way of ABC and CBS. Link | Add comment
TCA Press Tour
'Cougar Town' Likely To Return In March
Holywood Reporter, Jan 10, 2012, 2:43 PM EST
Cougar Town is likely to return in the March, said ABC Entertainment president Paul Lee. The news comes as Cougar Town showrunner Bill Lawrence — having been excluded from the network's TCA day — hosted his own party for television reporters at the Langham Huntington Hotel in Pasadena on Monday night. Link | Add comment
Martin Campbell To Helm Shawn Ryan's ABC Pilot
Hollywood Reporter, Jan 5, 2012, 5:55 AM EST
Executive Change At ABC's 'This Week'
Associated Press, Dec 30, 2011, 3:12 PM EST
Jon Banner will replace Rick Kaplan as the Sunday talk show's executive producer. Full Story | Add comment
ABC, Endemol Settle 'Wipeout' Copyright Lawsuit
Hollywood Reporter, Dec 27, 2011, 5:59 AM EST
Lawsuit Claiming 'Wipeout' A Copycat Show Settles
Associated Press, Dec 21, 2011, 2:47 PM EST
ABC Kills 'Extreme Makeover: Home Edition'
Hollywood Reporter, Dec 16, 2011, 5:58 AM EST
The network will air four specials but end the weekly series after it completes its current ninth season. Link | Add comment
AFTRA, Networks Agree On TV Deal
The Wrap, Dec 12, 2011, 6:38 AM EST
The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists announced Friday night that it has reached a tentative agreement with the Big Four broadcast networks on a new network TV contract, ocvering all network programming except scripted primetime shows.. Link | Add comment
ABC News' GOP Debate Most-Watched So Far
Hollywood Reporter, Dec 12, 2011, 6:02 AM EST
Saturday's Your Voice, Your Vote special, moderated by ABC News' Diane Sawyer and George Stephanopoulos, averaged 7.6 million total viewers from 9 to 11 p.m. ET. That made it the most-watched program of the night among viewers. Link | Add comment
'Man Up' Yanked From ABC Schedule
The Wrap, Dec 9, 2011, 7:13 AM EST
The network has pulled the freshman comedy from its schedule. Repeats of Last Man Standing, which has been preceding the show, will now occupy the 8:30 p.m. Tuesday timeslot. Link | Add comment
ABC Extends Episode Order For 'Castle'
Hollywood Reporter, Dec 9, 2011, 5:53 AM EST
The network has picked up an additional hour of the Nathan Fillion-Stana Katic crime procedural. Link | Add comment
ABC Offers Full Seasons of 'Revenge,' 'Once' Online
Hollywood Reporter, Dec 8, 2011, 5:58 AM EST
ABC OKs Dan Fogelman’s Alien Family Comedy
Deadline.com, Dec 6, 2011, 3:16 PM EST
ABC Catches 10,000 Cabs
TVNewsCheck, Dec 1, 2011, 8:22 AM EST
The network signs a deal with Creative Mobile Technologies for content and ad sales In 10,000 taxicabs in major media markets. Full Story | Comments (1)
ABC Sets January Premiere For 'The Revolution'
Hollywood Reporter, Nov 28, 2011, 2:42 PM EST
overnights
ABC's Thanksgiving Turkey: 'Little Faith'
Media Life, Nov 28, 2011, 12:39 PM EST
Three days after Thanksgiving, ABC found a turkey on its schedule. The network's Hallmark Hall of Fame movie, Have a Little Faith, bombed last night against soft competition to close out the holiday weekend. Faith averaged a mere 1.1 adults 18-49 rating from 9 to 11 p.m., despite getting strong lead-in support from Once Upon a Time, the night's top non-sports show with a 3.4 rating at 8 p.m. Link | Add comment
Journal Renews Four ABC Affiliations
TVNewsCheck, Nov 28, 2011, 11:53 AM EST
The broadcaster reups with ABC in Boise Idaho; Las Vegas; Twin Falls, Idaho; and Tucson, Ariz. Full Story | Add comment
Two Comedies Land At ABC And NBC
Deadline.com, Nov 28, 2011, 7:48 AM EST
‘Hallmark Hall Of Fame’ Gets New Home On ABC
Kansas City Star, Nov 28, 2011, 7:10 AM EST
New Life, Surprisingly, For ABC's Primetime
New York Times, Nov 28, 2011, 6:43 AM EST
The overachieving network has surprised critics who expected its season to be dominated by the demise of venerable shows like Desperate Housewives. Link | Add comment
overnights
'American Music Awards' Draws Big Crowd
Media Life, Nov 21, 2011, 12:40 PM EST
ABC's American Music Awards drew solid numbers last night opposite NBC's Sunday Night Football.  The Music Awards averaged a 4.3 adults 18-49 rating from 8 to 11 p.m., even to last year and boosting the network to No. 2 for the night behind NBC. Link | Add comment
‘Cougar Town’ Order Cut To 15 Episodes
Deadline.com, Nov 21, 2011, 8:13 AM EST
ABC Midseason Lineup Includes 'GCB,' 'River'
Hollywood Reporter, Nov 18, 2011, 8:25 PM EST
Cross-dressing comedy Work It will take the place of fellow rookie comedy Man Up starting Jan. 3. The comedy starring Christopher Moynihan will end its initial 13-episode run, effectively canceleing the series. In addition, the network has scheduled its Leslie Bibb-Kristin Chenoweth drama GCB and mystery thriller The River. Link | Add comment
ABC: Fall Season's Most Surprising Network
MediaPost, Nov 18, 2011, 2:10 PM EST
Who would have thought as recently as three months ago that once the 2011-12 television season got under way, ABC would deliver the fall’s one true night of Must-See TV? I’m talking about its Wednesday lineup, which consists of sitcoms The Middle, Suburgatory, Modern Family and Happy Endings, topped off by Revenge. In this era of time-shifting and alternate viewing platforms, it is exciting to know that with the right combination of shows a broadcast network can still entice an audience for an entire evening. Link | Add comment
Recapping Big 4 Nets' Development Season
Hollywood Reporter, Nov 17, 2011, 6:05 AM EST
Every hit show starts with an exec saying yes to a pitch, and during the past few months, networks and studios have bought hundreds of promising projects, from original ideas like "mechanical-human dramas" to remakes of classics like The Munsters and The Rifleman. THR parses the loglines and pilot commitments to analyze what the networks are buying. Link | Add comment
ABC Seeks $1.6M to $1.7M For Oscars Ads
Ad Age, Nov 15, 2011, 6:05 AM EST
ABC is asking between $1.6 million and $1.7 million for a 30-second spot on its 2012 Oscars telecast. The recent contretemps over replacing former event producer Brett Ratner and show host Eddie Murphy has little to do with the prices, which would have been established weeks ago. Link | Add comment
WB, ABC Ink Online Deal For Current Shows
Hollywood Reporter, Nov 15, 2011, 6:03 AM EST
Surburgatory and The Middle are among the offerings that will be on Hulu and ABC.com. Link | Add comment
overnights
'Grey's,' 'Practice' Grow On Night Of Declines
Hollywood Reporter, Nov 11, 2011, 12:19 PM EST
ABC's Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice were the only primetime offerings to improve in the ratings on Thursday, when the majority of broadcast telecasts saw dips. Even so, Fox ended up winning the night with the steadiness of The X Factor  and Bones. Link | Add comment
overnights
ABC's 'CMAs' See A Bump To Win Wednesday
Media Life, Nov 10, 2011, 1:18 PM EST
The 45th annual Country Music Awards on ABC saw slightly jazzier ratings than last year. The three-hour program lifted the network to an easy win last night, averaging a 4.8 adults 18-49 rating from 8 to 11 p.m., up 2% from a 4.7 last year. CMA peaked with a 5.0 rating at 9:30 p.m. and boosted ABC to its best nightly rating so far this season. Link | Add comment
ABC To Make English-Language 'Soy Tu Duena'
Deadline.com, Nov 7, 2011, 3:28 PM EST
sunday overnights
'Time' Stays Hot, Not So Other New Shows
Media Life, Nov 7, 2011, 12:45 PM EST
It was a mixed night for new shows on Sunday. ABC's Once Upon a Time continued to post strong numbers, tying Fox's The Simpsons as the No. 1 non-sports series of the evening. But Fox's Allen Gregory and ABC's Pan Am once again put up disappointing ratings. Time averaged a 3.7 adults 18-49 rating at 8 p.m., down 5% from last week but still finishing second in the timeslot behind NBC's dominant Sunday Night Football. Link | Add comment
AFTRA to Start Network TV Code Talks Nov. 7
The Wrap, Nov 4, 2011, 7:48 AM EDT
AFTRA has set a Nov. 7 start date for negotiations with ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox on a new Network Television Code contract. It's the biggest contract the American Federation of TV and Radio Artist has, covering $250 million a year in employee earnings. Link | Add comment
Lady Gaga, Katie Couric In Thanksgiving Special
TV Guide, Nov 4, 2011, 7:26 AM EDT
ABC Ups Episode Orders For Four Shows
Hollywood Reporter, Nov 4, 2011, 6:01 AM EDT
ABC has given full season orders to Once Upon a Time and Last Man Standing. Additionally, the network has extended the episode count for Happy Endings to 22 and has ordered five more scripts for the 1960s-set aviation drama Pan Am. Link | Add comment
ABC Renews Netflix Deal, Adds Amazon
AllThingsDigital, Nov 1, 2011, 6:46 AM EDT
Disney has re-upped a two-year-old deal with Netflix to stream older shows that aired on ABC, ABC Family and the Disney Channel. And it announced what is essentially the same deal with Amazon, which will make the shows available via its Amazon Prime streaming service. Link | Add comment
Thank 'Modern Family' For Sitcom's Revival
Los Angeles Times, Oct 31, 2011, 7:32 AM EDT
A few years ago, sitcoms got little love in the ratings. Then along came the Emmy-winning ABC series. Its success has helped spawn a renaissance in comedy on TV. Link | Add comment
Netflix Extends ABC Streaming Deal
Reuters, Oct 31, 2011, 6:51 AM EDT
With the extension of the existing license agreement, Netflix will also add new TV show episodes from ABC Studios, Disney Channel and the ABC Family to its existing library. Link | Add comment
ABC Lands Lisa Ling's Culture Clash Comedy
Hollywood Reporter, Oct 28, 2011, 2:23 PM EDT
ABC Buys Silvio Horta, Will Gluck Dramedy
Deadline.com, Oct 28, 2011, 7:31 AM EDT
Will New Couric Talker Kill 'General Hospital?'
Hollywood Reporter, Oct 27, 2011, 2:53 PM EDT
ABC has cleared the way for Katie to air in more than 60% of U.S. homes, sparking rumors that the longtime soap may be pulled from the lineup. Link | Add comment
overnights
Even With A Rerun, 'Modern Family' Is Tops
Media Life, Oct 27, 2011, 12:14 PM EDT
How hot is Modern Family this season? Even a rerun can finish as the night's top show, albeit against limited competition on the other networks. On a night littered with repeats, ABC's mostly original lineup saw gains, but it was a repeat of Family's instant-classic Halloween episode from last year that led the way. Family averaged a 4.4 adults 18-49 rating at 9 p.m., its best-ever number for a repeat. Link | Add comment
Marta Kauffman Sets Up Two Projects At ABC
Deadline.com, Oct 26, 2011, 3:17 PM EDT
ABC Buys Tracy McMillan Comedy With Penalty
Deadline.com, Oct 25, 2011, 7:36 AM EDT
sunday overnights
Strong Debut For ABC's 'Once Upon A Time'
Media Life, Oct 24, 2011, 12:03 PM EDT
For the first time in years, ABC has a new No. 1 show on Sunday night. The series premiere of the new fantasy drama Once Upon a Time became the first ABC program to outrate the network's longtime hit Desperate Housewives since Grey's Anatomy six years ago. Time averaged a 3.9 adults 18-49 rating at 8 p.m., 30% ahead of lead-out Housewives, which averaged a 3.0 at 9 p.m. Link | Add comment
Leah Remini Signs Talent Deal With ABC
Deadline.com, Oct 21, 2011, 3:36 PM EDT
Shonda Rhimes Sells Soapy Thriller to ABC
Hollywood Reporter, Oct 21, 2011, 6:06 AM EDT
'Entertainment Weekly,' ABC Get Social
Adweek, Oct 20, 2011, 10:25 AM EDT
Users of Entertainment Weekly's Must List app will be able to click on an ad for ABC-TV's Once Upon a Time to read the show's pilot script from within the app. The show premieres Sunday, and the ad will be on the app until Oct. 31.The ad is seizing on the social TV trend, which combines viewing and social interaction as viewers try to deepen their engagement with shows. Link | Add comment
overnights
'Last Man Standing' Falls In Second Week
Media Life, Oct 19, 2011, 12:17 PM EDT
Tim Allen's new ABC sitcom Last Man Standing didn't match last week's lofty premiere but the show held up decently in week two. Standing averaged a 3.0 adults 18-49 rating at 8 p.m., down 14% from last week's hour-long premiere, which averaged a 3.5 rating. Standing was still well ahead of last year's timeslot occupant on ABC, No Ordinary Family, and it helped lead-out Man Up! to a so-so 2.4 in its debut episode at 8:30 p.m. Link | Add comment
ABC To Adapt Italian Mafia Drama Series
Deadline.com, Oct 19, 2011, 7:51 AM EDT
ABC Gives Put Pilot To Mandy Moore Comedy
Deadline.com, Oct 19, 2011, 7:48 AM EDT
ABC Says 'Goodbye Angels'
Entertainment Weekly, Oct 14, 2011, 2:54 PM EDT
Some classics — even the cheesiest ones — are better left in the past, and Charlie’s Angels, it seems, is no exception: ABC is shutting down production the reboot from Smallville scribes Al Gough and Miles Millar. Link | Comments (7)
ABC Slots Afternoon Game To Replace NBA
Deadline.com, Oct 14, 2011, 7:48 AM EDT
ABC’s game show Million Dollar Mind Game (formerly The Six) is finally getting its day in the sun after almost a year on the shelf. But there is a twist — ABC is scheduling the series, originally developed and ordered for primetime, on Sunday afternoon. Million Dollar Mind Game will premiere Oct. 23 and air at 4-5 p.m. Sunday. The highly unusual move was made in light of NBA’s recent decision to cancel the first two weeks of the basketball season, leaving ABC with a hole to fill. Link | Comments (1)
ABC Buys Tisdale Sitcom From Warren Littlefield
Deadline.com, Oct 13, 2011, 2:56 PM EDT
'Cougar Town' Cast Gets Cameos On Other Shows
TV Line, Oct 13, 2011, 6:17 AM EDT
overnights
A Strong Return For Tim Allen On ABC
Media Life, Oct 12, 2011, 12:28 PM EDT
Tim Allen's Last Man Standing, the comedian's first TV venture since the wildly successful Home Improvement in the 1990s, got off to a good start in the 8 p.m. Tuesday timeslot where ABC has struggled the past few years. Man averaged a 3.5 adults 18-49 rating for its one-hour debut at 8 p.m., bettering the launch of last year's timeslot occupant, No Ordinary Family, by 9%. The show finished second in its timeslot to CBS's NCIS and also averaged 13 million total viewers. Link | Add comment
ABC's 'Apartment 23' Restores Original Bitchy Title
Entertainment Weekly, Oct 11, 2011, 7:24 AM EDT
TV Sports Director Joe Aceti Dies At 76
New York Times, Oct 11, 2011, 6:34 AM EDT
Fox News Turns Its Guns On Broadcast Nets
The Wrap, Oct 11, 2011, 6:18 AM EDT
Friday marked the 15th anniversary of the Fox News Channel, and after 10 years as the most watched network in cable news, what's left? Having beat the original cable news channel, CNN, at its bread and butter of breaking news,  Roger Ailes and his boys are going after Diane Sawyer, Brian Williams and Scott Pelley. “To be honest, we’re looking up to try to get to CBS or one of the networks at 6:30 during my timeslot,” Bret Baier, host of Fox's Special Report, says. Link | Add comment
Rhea Perlman Joining Kirstie Alley’s ABC Pilot
Deadline.com, Oct 11, 2011, 6:07 AM EDT
ABC Gets Shana Goldberg-JoAnna Garcia Comedy
Deadline.com, Oct 5, 2011, 7:38 AM EDT
sunday OVERNIGHTS
ABC's 'Pan Am' Dips In Second Outing
Media Life, Oct 3, 2011, 1:33 PM EDT
ABC's new stewardess drama Pan Am took a hit in its second week. The new show, which had a solid debut last Sunday, fell 19% among adults 18-49 in its second episode and lost more than 3 million viewers. Pan Am averaged a 2.5 18-49 rating last night at 10 p.m., off from a 3.1 for last week's debut against stronger competition on cable from the baseball playoffs. Link | Add comment
ABC Nabs Drama From 'CSI' Creator
The Hollywood Reporter, Sep 29, 2011, 6:14 AM EDT
Steven Bochco Sets Legal Drama at ABC
Hollywood Reporter, Sep 23, 2011, 2:22 PM EDT
ABC Studios Sells Drama 'Murder Season' To ABC
The Wrap, Sep 21, 2011, 7:50 AM EDT
ABC Lands Noah Hawley, Mark Gordon Drama
Hollywood Reporter, Sep 20, 2011, 2:51 PM EDT
ABC Developing ‘Jekyll & Hyde’ From Mark Gordon
Deadline.com, Sep 16, 2011, 3:32 PM EDT
Nets In Bidding War For Gormican, Kasdan Comedy
Deadline.com, Sep 14, 2011, 3:21 PM EDT
ABC Nabs Wilson/Raphael ‘Walk Of Shame’ Comedy
Deadline.com, Sep 14, 2011, 7:41 AM EDT
ABC Buys Jenna Bans/Shonda Rhimes Drama
Deadline.com, Sep 12, 2011, 3:09 PM EDT
ABC Nabs Reba McEntire Multicamera Comedy
Hollywood Reporter, Sep 9, 2011, 2:38 PM EDT
ABC's 'Rookie Blue' Collars William Shatner
TV Line, Sep 8, 2011, 6:21 AM EDT
ABC Buys Action Drama From Seitzman, Gordon
Deadline.com, Sep 7, 2011, 7:56 AM EDT
Susan Lucci Unloads On ABC's Soap-Killer
New York Post, Sep 6, 2011, 7:59 AM EDT
Claudia Lonow Lands Pilot Deal With ABC
The Wrap, Sep 2, 2011, 7:59 AM EDT
ABC Airing New Jackie Kennedy Interviews
Associated Press, Sep 1, 2011, 5:55 AM EDT
In the two-hour special on Sept. 13, viewers will hear the former first lady speak with historian Arthur Schlesinger Jr. about life in the White House and with her husband, President John F. Kennedy. The recordings were made months after the president's 1963 assassination and sealed until now. Full Story | Add comment
ABC Attacked by 'DWTS' Fans Over Bono Casting
The Wrap, Aug 31, 2011, 3:04 PM EDT
ABC Hopes 'The Chew' Is A Daytime Winner
Associated Press, Aug 31, 2011, 7:37 AM EDT
Iron Chef or Martha Stewart this isn't. Nor will the five co-hosts take on top news of the day like their cousins over at The View once the show premieres live on Sept. 26 in place of All My Children and One Life to Live. Full Story | Comments (2)
ABC Buys Western From Ron Moore
Deadline.com, Aug 30, 2011, 7:41 AM EDT
Nancy Grace, Ricki Lake Among 'DWTS' Contestants
Associated Press, Aug 30, 2011, 6:15 AM EDT
Apple Pulls TV Rentals From iTunes
The Wrap, Aug 29, 2011, 7:54 AM EDT
On Friday, Apple dropped the TV rental service from its popular online store. The company unveiled the 99-cent service last October for a six-month trial, using only ABC and Fox programming. The trial period lasted a bit longer than expected. Link | Add comment
ABC Bans Spot For 'Our Idiot Brother'
MediaPost, Aug 26, 2011, 6:23 AM EDT
The network refuses to air the trailer for the new Weinstein Co. film starring Paul Rudd, saying scenes involving drugs and using a juice box to "depict urination ... violated our long-established ad guidelines." The trailer has been airing on other broadcast and cable networks. Link | Add comment
ABC Show Asked to Leave Town Due to Disruptions
Hollywood Reporter, Aug 25, 2011, 5:53 AM EDT
'GMA' Narrows Ratings Gap With 'Today'
Hollywood Reporter, Aug 25, 2011, 5:50 AM EDT
The NBC show, which saw Ann Curry replace Meredith Vieira two months ago, still leads ABC but only by about 500,000 total viewers. Link | Add comment
ABC 'Pan Am' Promotion Set For Liftoff
MediaPost, Aug 24, 2011, 5:59 AM EDT
ABC will let fly an experiential-marketing stunt to give its drama Pan Am some wind at its back in advance of its Sept. 25 launch. The network is taking a model of one of the airline's first-class cabins on a mall tour starting this week. Link | Add comment
Fox Starts Web Pullback, ABC Set To Follow
All Things Digital, Aug 17, 2011, 7:47 AM EDT
On Monday, Fox followed through with its previously announced plans to keep its new shows off the Web for eight days, except for Hulu Plus and Dish Network subscribers. Disney's ABC is now set to do the same thing, according to people familiar with the company's plans. Link | Comments (1)
'Curb' Star Jeff Garlin Developing Comedy At ABC
Hollywood Reporter, Aug 12, 2011, 5:54 AM EDT
Gordon, Bruckheimer Land Projects at ABC, CBS
Hollywood Reporter, Aug 11, 2011, 6:16 AM EDT
TCA Summer Press Tour
ABC Pushes Nostalgia To Lure Fall Viewers
MediaPost, Aug 8, 2011, 6:12 AM EDT
Recognizable brand names like Pan Am and Charlie's Angels return, as does the new sitcom Last Man Standing, starring Tim Allen. All hope to propel ABC out of its past season third-place post.New nostalgia-themed broadcast TV will appear more on ABC than any other network this fall. And after next season, ABC fans — especially fans of Desperate Housewives — will be feeling more reminiscent. Link | Add comment
'Housewives' Shutting Down in May 2012
The Wrap, Aug 5, 2011, 4:57 PM EDT
Desperate Housewives will wrap up its run after eight seasons, according to an individual with knowledge of the situation. The end of the chronicle of suburban back-stabbing, intrigue and scandal had been expected to make it nine seasons, making ABC's decision something of a surprise. Link | Add comment
ABC Apologizes For Wardrobe Malfunction
Reuters, Aug 5, 2011, 2:42 PM EDT
ABC on Friday apologized to its viewers for Nicki Minaj's wardrobe slip up that exposed the singer's bare breast during her summer concert performance on morning news show Good Morning America. Link | Comments (2)
ABC To Order Comedy Pilot With Kirstie Alley
Deadline.com, Aug 3, 2011, 3:19 PM EDT
Laila Ali To Co-Host New ABC Tweens Series
TVNewsCheck, Jul 21, 2011, 6:23 AM EDT
Katie Couric To Co-Host ABC's 'The View' On Aug. 3
Associated Press, Jul 21, 2011, 6:04 AM EDT
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KMBC Turns Moviegoers Into A Focus Group
Kansas City Star, Jul 18, 2011, 7:34 AM EDT
Vogel Replaces Lotan In ABC's 'Pan Am'
Hollywood Reporter, Jul 18, 2011, 5:55 AM EDT
ABC Renews 'Rookie Blue' For Third Season
Hollywood Reporter, Jul 13, 2011, 2:55 PM EDT
'Hallmark Hall Of Fame' Moves To ABC
Hollywood Reporter, Jul 7, 2011, 2:18 PM EDT
Hallmark announces a multi-year deal to premiere Hallmark Hall of Fame movies exclusively on the ABC, with encore broadcasts  — four airings over the course of a week — a week later on the Hallmark Channel. Link | Add comment
Beloved Soap Operas To Migrate Online
New York Post, Jul 7, 2011, 6:30 AM EDT
All My Children and One Life to Live will live on — on the Web.Disney's ABC has sold the online rights to the two long-running soaps, which are scheduled to go off the air in September, as part of a deal with TV, film and music company Prospect Park, sources say. Link | Add comment
TVNewsCheck Focus on Syndication
Up For Grabs: Syndies Scramble Toward 2012
TVNewsCheck, Jul 6, 2011, 7:38 AM EDT
Disney-ABC’s talker with Katie Couric has grabbed the headlines in the wake of Oprah Winfrey’s departure from afternoon syndicated lineups. But she’s far from alone in the race for station slots starting in fall 2012. As things now stand, Couric could be battling against talk shows featuring a defrocked priest (from Debmar-Mercury), one of those Real Housewives (from Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution), the host of Survivor (from CBS Television Distribution) and the now-42 year-old Ricki Lake on a comeback bid (from Twentieth Television).. Full Story | Add comment
'All My Children' Finale Set For Sept. 23
Hollywood Reporter, Jun 30, 2011, 2:37 PM EDT
The final episodes will celebrate “the stories of the families that fans have grown to know and love over the years,” according to ABC. Link | Comments (1)
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Nexstar Drops Fox For ABC In Terre Haute
TVNewsCheck, Jun 28, 2011, 4:30 PM EDT
Nexstar’s former Fox affil WFXW Terre Haute, Ind., will join ABC and change its calls to WAWV on Sept. 1. In addition, the group owner signs a new agreement extending its affiliations for the nine ABC affiliates it owns or operates. Full Story | Comments (14)
ABC Announces 2011-12 Premiere Dates
Hollywood Reporter, Jun 27, 2011, 2:36 PM EDT
ABC announced premiere dates for the 2011-12 season that includes super-sized premieres for multiple series. Wednesday comedies The Middle and Modern Family will both get special one-hour premieres on Sept. 21 leading into new drama Revenge. The rest of ABC’s Wednesday night comedy lineup — Suburgatory and Happy Endings will bow the following Wednesday in their regular time slots. Link | Add comment
overnights
Solid Debut For 'Expedition Impossible'
Media Life, Jun 24, 2011, 12:23 PM EDT
ABC is now the network to beat on Thursday night. With a solid premiere for the new show Expedition Impossible, the network earned an easy victory over No. 2 Fox last night, averaging a 2.1 adults 18-49 rating and 6 share in primetime. Impossible averaged a 2.3 at 9 p.m., tying with lead-in Wipeout as the night's top show. And the new adventure program from Mark Burnett held 100% of Wipeout's lead-in, always a good sign for a debut. Link | Add comment
'Nightline' Gets Summer Primetime Platform
Associated Press, Jun 22, 2011, 6:39 AM EDT
ABC's latenight show begins a summertime series at 10 p.m.tonight, covering topics such as satanic possession, religious miracles, psychics and out-of-body experiences. Full Story | Add comment
ABC Renews 'Wipeout' For Season 5
Hollywood Reporter, Jun 17, 2011, 5:53 AM EDT
upfronts 2011
ABC Wraps Up Its Upfront Sales
Hollywood Reporter, Jun 9, 2011, 2:53 PM EDT
The network averaged 11% to 12% price increases for $2.3 billion to $2.4 billion in commitments, according to industry estimates. Link | Add comment
NBA On Pace For Best Finals Since 2004
Media Life, Jun 9, 2011, 11:46 AM EDT
With close games and popular players, this year's Miami Heat-Dallas Mavericks NBA finals on ABC are on pace to be the highest rated since 2004, outpacing even last year's Los Angeles Lakers-Boston Celtics matchup. Through four games, the series is averaging 15.54 million total viewers, according to Nielsen, up 20,000 over last year. Among adults 18-49, the series is averaging a 6.4 rating, up 0.1 from last year. Link | Add comment
overnights
ABC Scores Again With NBA finals
Media Life, Jun 6, 2011, 12:50 PM EDT
Another close game between the Miami Heat and Dallas Mavericks boosted ABC to No. 1 in primetime. The Heat took a 2-1 series lead with last night's 88-86 victory, which produced the second-best game three ratings in the past seven years. The contest averaged an 11.1 household rating, according to Nielsen metered-market ratings, trailing last year's game three between the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics by 0.4 ratings points. Link | Add comment
ABC To Announce Couric Syndie Deal Today
New York Times, Jun 6, 2011, 6:16 AM EDT
Katie Couric is set to announce today that she will sign with ABC for a syndicated talk show. The details of Couric’s impending deal with ABC have not been disclosed, but as co-owner of the show she will claim a share of the profits. Link | Add comment
Couric ABC Move Said Likely On Monday
The Wrap, Jun 3, 2011, 4:44 PM EDT
Katie Couric could announce as early as Monday a move to ABC that would include a syndicated daytime talk show and contributions to ABC News, a person familiar with the negotiations says. Though the deal is not complete, it is close, and should be announced at some point next week if not Monday. Link | Add comment
upfront 2011
Analyst Lowers ABC, NBC Upfront Estimates
Hollywood Reporter, Jun 3, 2011, 2:42 PM EDT
With Fox having finished its primetime upfront advertising sales, Miller Tabak analyst David Joyce on Friday slightly lowered his predictions for the kind of upfront sales price increases that ABC and NBC will fetch. Link | Add comment
overnights
Strong Game Two For ABC's NBA Finals
Media Life, Jun 3, 2011, 12:04 PM EDT
The Dallas Mavericks tied up the NBA finals 1-1 last night after a dramatic rally from 15 points down in the fourth quarter, boosting ABC to an easy Thursday night victory. The game averaged a 10.5 metered-market household rating, down from a 10.9 for last year's game two between the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers. But it was the second-highest-rated game two in the past seven years, behind only last year's contest. Link | Add comment
upfronts 2011
ABC Upfront Registers 9% CPM Gains
MediaPost, Jun 2, 2011, 6:03 AM EDT
ABC and CW have been active in making some media agency upfront deals -- following Fox's move, now nearly completing its TV upfront market sales process. ABC, running on the heels of broadcast leader Fox, has been making media agreements with CPM increases in the 9% to 10% range, according to media agency executives. Link | Add comment
overnights
Solid Debut For 'Makeover: Weight Loss'
Media Life, May 31, 2011, 12:24 PM EDT
The summer’s new shows have begun to debut, and it looks as though ABC already has a mild hit in Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition. The latest in the long-running franchise averaged a 2.3 adults 18-49 rating in the 10 p.m. timeslot in its premiere last night, becoming ABC’s best new summer debut since August 2009. Weight was the No. 1 show on broadcast last night, and it even grew from its lead-in, the long-established reality show The Bachelorette, which averaged a 2.1 from 8 to 10 p.m. Link | Comments (2)
upfronts 2011
Upfront In Motion, Networks Could Get $9.2B
MediaPost, May 31, 2011, 8:14 AM EDT
Two networks — Fox and ABC — were interested in moving the upfront market late this week, according to media-buying executives. The major networks have been putting in long nights over the last several days to firm up their pricing. Media buyers say Fox is initially asking 14% increases on the cost-per-thousand viewers. That comes with the understanding of Fox's goal: to get at least 11% to 12% closing price increases. Link | Add comment
Behind The Scenes Of Couric's ABC Deal
The Daily Beast, May 26, 2011, 8:17 AM EDT
When Katie Couric started looking for a new job, ABC was put ABC on the back burner because its executives were offering her a daytime talk show that would be owned by the network and air only on its stations. But in mid-March, under the direction of Disney CEO Robert Iger, ABC switched gears. The company pitched a syndicated package that catapulted it into contention. Under the multi-year proposal now on the table, Couric would have almost total ownership of the venture — giving her the potential to make far more than her $15 million-a-year anchor salary. Link | Add comment
Updated
Litton To Supply Kids Block For ABC Stations
TVNewsCheck, May 25, 2011, 8:32 AM EDT
The three-hour ABC Weekend Adventure will make its debut on Sept. 3. The weekend block of six half-hour E/I shows will air on most ABC O&Os and affiliates. Full Story | Comments (5)
PTC Attacks 'Billboard Music Awards'
Deadline.com, May 24, 2011, 3:41 PM EDT
overnights
ABC Cha-Chas To A Win With 'Dancing'
Media Life, May 24, 2011, 12:13 PM EDT
Part one of the two-part season finale of ABC's reality show Dancing with the Stars drew strong ratings last night, though not quite as strong as the comparable show last fall. Stars averaged a 4.6 adults 18-49 rating at 8 p.m., easily the highest-rated show of the night. It was down 6% from a 4.9 last fall, not bad considering that show had controversy magnet Bristol Palin. Link | Add comment
overnights
ABC Wins Sunday With 'Billboard' Special
Media Life, May 23, 2011, 12:28 PM EDT
The Billboard Music Awards drew solid ratings last night, strong enough to lift ABC to No. 1 past other networks airing season finales. Billboard averaged a 2.9 adults 18-49 rating from 8 to 11 p.m., boosting ABC to a 2.6 rating and 7 share for the night, 18% ahead of second-place Fox's 2.2/6. The Billboard awards hadn't aired on broadcast since a 2006 showing on Fox, and they were up a bit, 7%, over that most recent showing. Link | Add comment
overnights
'Dancing' Gives ABC Another Easy Win
Media Life, May 17, 2011, 1:10 PM EDT
Dancing with the Stars' ratings heated up for last night's semifinal performance as a number of broadcast shows saw their numbers climb on an evening full of season finales. Dancing was the night's top-rated show with a 4.4 adults 18-49 rating from 8 to 10 p.m., up from a 4.2 last week and leading ABC to an easy victory on the night, 52% ahead of No. 2 Fox. Link | Add comment
upfronts 2011
ABC Rolls Out A Major Primetime Revamp
Media Life, May 17, 2011, 10:34 AM EDT
After a disappointing season in which the majority of its new shows flopped and many aging ones saw ratings declines, ABC has made sweeping changes for this fall. The network will use established hits to launch new shows and shake up all but two nights, with Monday the only weeknight returning intact. Link | Comments (3)
rumor mill
Get Ready For Katie Vs. 'Today'
New York Post, May 17, 2011, 6:29 AM EDT
Today co-hosts Matt Lauer and Ann Curry could soon find themselves at war for morning ratings against their former colleague, Katie Couric, when she lands at ABC.As part of a deal being negotiated between Couric and ABC for a daytime syndicated talk show, she'll also be making "strategic guest appearances" on Good Morning America that will put her in a direct rivalry with Lauer, sources say. Link | Comments (1)
quarterly report
Disney TV Revenue Up, Earnings Down
B&C, May 10, 2011, 7:08 PM EDT
Operating income at Disney's media networks, including ESPN and ABC, rose 17% to $1.5 billion; revenues rose 12% to $4.3 billion. At the cable networks, operating income rose 15% to $1.357 billion as revenues rose 17% to $2.8 billion. At its broadcasting operations, operating income rose 36% to $167 million as revenues rose 4% to $1.5 billion. Link | Add comment
Couric On The Verge Of $20 Million ABC Deal
TMZ, May 6, 2011, 8:26 AM EDT
Katie Couric and ABC are on the verge of signing a $20 million deal, which would give Couric her own talk show, as well as significant involvement in ABC News — and the big casualty could be General Hospital. Link | Comments (5)
Short Last Season Likely For 'Brothers & Sisters'
The Wrap, May 6, 2011, 7:24 AM EDT
Is Couric ABC-Bound Or Is CBS Bluffing?
Deadline.com, May 5, 2011, 6:17 AM EDT
After possible suitors had been whittled to two — CBS and ABC — CBS TV Distribution pulled its offer for a syndicated daytime talk show with her over a week ago, before Couric officially announced her exit from CBS Evening News last Tuesday. Meanwhile, talks between Couric and ABC, which was the last major player to enter the fray, are ongoing as ABC is finalizing its offer. Link | Comments (1)
Networks, Emmys Reach 8-Year, $66M Deal
Associated Press, May 5, 2011, 5:52 AM EDT
After protracted negotiations, the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences' board of governors approved the deal Wednesday night with ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC. Full Story | Add comment
ABC Orders 'Celebrity Wife Swap' Series
Deadline.com, May 4, 2011, 8:05 AM EDT
Judge Clears 'Housewives' Firing Lawsuit For Trial
Associated Press, May 4, 2011, 5:48 AM EDT
overnights
ABC's 'Happy Endings' Stumbles
Media Life, Apr 21, 2011, 12:29 PM EDT
Without a cushy lead-in from Modern Family, Happy Endings slid to some sadder numbers last night. The new ABC sitcom aired back-to-back episodes at 10 p.m. that averaged a 1.8 and 1.6 adults 18-49 rating respectively. That was down from last week, when Endings averaged a 2.7 and 2.3 at 9:30 and 10, though it did mark an improvement over recent ratings for timeslot occupant Off the Map on ABC. Link | Add comment
Furious Soap Fans Protest ABC Cancellations
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Apr 21, 2011, 7:12 AM EDT
Cliff Curtis To Star In ABC Series 'Missing'
Deadline.com, Apr 20, 2011, 7:12 AM EDT
Hoover Yanks Ads From Killed ABC Soaps
Hollywood Reporter, Apr 19, 2011, 5:56 AM EDT
Following the network's cancellation of All My Children and One Life to Live, the vacuum maker says it's starting a campaign to get ABC to reverse its decision. Link | Add comment
Handicapping The Network Upfronts
Advertising Age, Apr 18, 2011, 8:18 AM EDT
How much will ABC dance away with this spring? Can CBS ride the Hawaii 5-0 wave? Can the new bosses turn around NBC? Here's a handy guide to what the big names in TV have going for them, and what baggage they carry. Link | Add comment
Nets Discuss Safety Of Freelance Journalists
TVNewser, Apr 15, 2011, 5:56 AM EDT
ABC, CNN and CBS news executives headed to NBC’s 30 Rockefeller Center headquarters in New York to discuss the safety and well-being of freelance journalists who increasingly serve the network news divisions worldwide. Link | Add comment
Unions Slam Cancellation Of ABC Soaps
Hollywood Reporter, Apr 15, 2011, 5:49 AM EDT
WGAE says it's "deeply disappointed" that All My Children and One Life to Live will go dark, while AFTRA says it’s a “devastating loss” for its members. Link | Comments (3)
ABC Cancels 'Children,' 'One Life To Live'
TV Line, Apr 14, 2011, 2:48 PM EDT
ABC is confirming that All My Children and One Life to Live will end their storied runs in September 2011 and January 2012, respectively. The long-running soaps will be replaced by a pair of talk shows, the food-themed The Chew and the makeover-centric The Revolution. Link | Add comment
overnights
Decent Debut For ABC's 'Happy Endings'
Media Life, Apr 14, 2011, 12:20 PM EDT
The new ABC sitcom Happy Endings got pretty decent reviews, and it had a pretty decent debut as well, thanks mostly to lead-in Modern Family. Endings averaged a 2.7 adults 18-49 rating at 9:30 p.m. last night, holding 71% of Family's 3.8 at 9 p.m. Link | Add comment
ABC, FNC Set Royal Wedding Coverage Plans
Deadline.com, Apr 12, 2011, 8:01 AM EDT
Sean Bean To Co-Star In ABC Series 'Missing'
Deadline.com, Apr 8, 2011, 7:44 AM EDT
overnights
ABC's 'Body of Proof' Falls In Week Two
Media Life, Apr 6, 2011, 12:00 PM EDT
ABC's new drama Body of Proof fell in its second week, but it still dominated its 10 p.m. timeslot against second-year shows on NBC and CBS. Proof averaged a 2.4 adults 18-49 rating at 10 p.m. last night, down 20% from last week's 3.0 for its premiere. Link | Add comment
overnights
'Dancing' Dips Against NCAA Title Game
Media Life, Apr 5, 2011, 12:26 PM EDT
Airing opposite the NCAA men's basketball title game on CBS, ABC's Dancing with the Stars slid 12% in its third week to a 4.6 adults 18-49 rating. That's still a strong rating, putting it second behind the game for the night. And Stars actually pulled its biggest audience ever against the annual CBS broadcast, 21.4 million viewers, though that was down more than a million from last week. Link | Add comment
overnights
'Grey's Anatomy' Hits A Sweet Ratings Note
Media Life, Apr 1, 2011, 12:55 PM EDT
The much-hyped musical episode of Grey's Anatomy gave the long-running ABC show a ratings boost, even against a good premiere for the new Fox show Mobbed.  Grey's averaged a 4.8 adults 18-49 rating in the 9 p.m. timeslot last night, up 33% over last week's rating, when the show faced NCAA basketball games. Link | Add comment
Rumor Mill
Josh Elliott Replacing Juju Chang On 'GMA'
New York Post, Mar 30, 2011, 7:00 AM EDT
Nancy Travis Joins Tim Allen Pilot On ABC
Hollywood Reporter, Mar 30, 2011, 6:18 AM EDT
Reality TV Takes Entrepreneurial Turn
New York Times, Mar 28, 2011, 6:51 AM EDT
If reality television could be considered an economic indicator, perhaps the recovery is under way. Two networks are betting on shows based on entrepreneurs competing for seed money. Link | Add comment
Assessing Nets' Strong, Weak Points
USA Today, Mar 25, 2011, 7:45 AM EDT
ABC, WOI Team For Rep. Debate
Mar 24, 2011, 4:37 PM EDT
Gerber Takes On VP Stripes At ABC
TVNewsCheck, Mar 24, 2011, 2:16 PM EDT
Adam Gerber will lead a team supporting ABC's sales organization, focused on positioning the network as a quality opportunity. He'll also create ad solutions for marketers across all of ABC's platforms. Full Story | Comments (1)
Monday overnights
Big Crowd Tunes In For 'Dancing' Debut
Media Life, Mar 22, 2011, 12:33 PM EDT
Dancing With the Stars returned strong for its 12th season last night against much weaker competition on CBS. The ABC reality show notched its third-best premiere ever in total viewers as stars including Kirstie Alley, Ralph Macchio and Kendra Wilkinson performed for the first time. Link | Add comment
ABC May Be Ready To Trim Daytime Lineup
Deadline Hollywood, Mar 21, 2011, 8:45 AM EDT
ABC seems ready to join CBS and NBC in cutting the number of its daytime dramas. All My Children appears to be the most vulnerable for cancellation, and there is speculation that it may be replaced by a a talk show in the fall. Link | Comments (2)
Benjamin Bratt Joining 'Private Practice'
The Hollywood Reporter, Mar 21, 2011, 6:44 AM EDT
'Nightline' Remains No. 1 In Late Night
TVNewser, Mar 18, 2011, 7:21 AM EDT
ABC Adds '101 Ways' For Summer
Hollywood Reporter, Mar 18, 2011, 6:03 AM EDT
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ABC Affiliation For WLNE Not Guaranteed
WPRI.com, Mar 17, 2011, 2:42 PM EDT
ABC has warned potential buyers of WLNE Providence, R.I., that the station does not come with a guaranteed affiliation contract. “The consent of ABC is required before anyone may operate the station as an ABC affiliate after March 31," the network said in a court filing. The warning has "effectively chilled the sale process," said current owner Kevin O'Brien in another filing.   Link | Comments (3)
Focus on new media
Stations' Mobile Apps Showing Promise
TVNewsCheck, Mar 16, 2011, 6:18 AM EDT
TV stations are rolling out apps for smart phones and tablets with the support of technology and software vendors, hoping that the apps will eventually provide a substantial, new source of advertising revenue. Although advertising is the most common way of monetizing apps, some are also experimenting with modest monthly subscription fees. Full Story | Comments (2)
overnights
Whopper Of A Finale For 'Bachelor'
Media Life, Mar 15, 2011, 1:23 PM EDT
Brad Womack picked Emily Maynard as his future bride, and ABC picked up a win last night with the season finale of The Bachelor. The 15th edition of the ABC reality show averaged a season-high 4.5 adults 18-49 rating from 8 to 10 p.m., dwarfing its previous season high of 3.4 earlier this month. Link | Add comment
Leslie Hope To Star In ABC's 'The River' Pilot
Deadline.com, Mar 15, 2011, 7:54 AM EDT
Cybill Shepherd In ABC Pilot 'My Freakin' Family'
Deadline.com, Mar 15, 2011, 7:53 AM EDT
Chenoweth Joins ABC's ‘Christian Bitches’ Pilot
Hollywood Reporter, Mar 15, 2011, 5:56 AM EDT
Jordana Spiro Expected to Star in ABC Pilot
TVLine, Mar 10, 2011, 2:43 PM EST
'House's Jennifer Morrison To Star In ABC Pilot
TVLine, Mar 10, 2011, 6:20 AM EST
Donal Logue Joins ABC's 'Hallelujah'
TVLine, Mar 10, 2011, 6:19 AM EST
PTC Targets ABC's 'Good Christian Bitches'
Hollywood Reporter, Mar 10, 2011, 6:03 AM EST
The group is urging members to sign a petition protesting the title of the pilot which it says is "an affront to women" and "attacks the world’s largest faith." Link | Comments (4)
'Tudors' Actress Natalie Dormer Joins ABC's 'Poe'
Hollywood Reporter, Mar 9, 2011, 6:10 AM EST
Arielle Kebbel Joins ABC's 'Hallelujah' Pilot
Hollywood Reporter, Mar 9, 2011, 6:04 AM EST
overnights
Strong Debut For ABC's 'Secret Millionaire'
Media Life, Mar 7, 2011, 12:17 PM EST
Perhaps all Secret Millionaire needed was a change of scenery. The show, which had a short, modestly rated run on Fox a couple years ago, returned on a new network last night with solid ratings. Millionaire, which follows undercover millionaires in much the same way as Undercover Boss, averaged a 3.3 adults 18-49 rating in its 8 p.m. premiere. The show was No. 2 for the night behind lead-out Desperate Housewives (3.4). And it bettered usual timeslot occupant Extreme Makeover: Home Edition's average by a full point.
 Link | Add comment
Jeff Perry Joins Shonda Rhimes Drama Pilot
Hollywood Reporter, Mar 4, 2011, 6:03 AM EST
Ginnifer Goodwin Stars In ABC's 'Once Upon A Time'
Hollywood Reporter, Mar 3, 2011, 2:54 PM EST
Angela Bassett To Star In ABC Pilot 'Identity'
Deadline.com, Mar 3, 2011, 7:20 AM EST
Leslie Bibb to Star In 'Good Christian Bitches' Pilot
Hollywood Reporter, Mar 2, 2011, 5:57 AM EST
'Dancing With the Stars' Cast Revealed
Hollywood Reporter, Mar 1, 2011, 6:04 AM EST
overnights
ABC's Oscars Take A Dip From Last Year
Media Life, Feb 28, 2011, 12:14 PM EST
Last night's Oscars telecast slid a bit in the ratings compared to last year, but it was still well ahead of the 2009 and 2008 ceremonies, based on early ratings from Nielsen. From 8:30 to 11:30 p.m., the ceremony averaged a 24.6 household rating and 37 share on ABC, down 7% from a 26.5/40 last year. But it was up nicely over 2009, when the ceremony averaged a 23.3 rating, and 2008, when it managed just an all-time-low 21.9. Link | Comments (1)
ABC Catches Melissa Leo Oscars F-Bomb
TVNewsCheck, Feb 28, 2011, 8:47 AM EST
ABC and its affiliates could relax the morning after The 83rd Annual Academy Awards. In accepting her prize for the Best Supporting Actress, Melissa Leo (The Fighter) got carried away. "When I watched Kate [Winslet] two years ago it looked so f***ing easy," she said, immediately covering her mouth in horror that she'd just dropped the f-bomb on live TV. Fortunately, the producers were able to zap the gaff. Airing such language has brought heavy FCC fines in the past.
| Comments (2)
Big 4 Nets Close To Eight-Year Emmy Deal
Deadline.com, Feb 28, 2011, 6:34 AM EST
The Primetime Emmy Awards will continue to air on the four major broadcast networks with a new deal between the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox . The new pact, expected to close in about two weeks, is said to mirror tne TV Academy's most recent agreement with the four networks. Link | Add comment
Outbursts Trumped Big Ratings In 'Men' Move
Wall Street Journal, Feb 28, 2011, 6:10 AM EST
By halting production on the eighth season of Two and a Half Men, CBS Corp. and   Warner Bros. are turning away from a proven hit with both viewers and advertisers. Link | Add comment
James Goldston Named Senior EP of 'GMA'
Hollywood Reporter, Feb 25, 2011, 2:57 PM EST
ABC Signs To Carry Oscars Through 2020
Wall Street Journal, Feb 25, 2011, 6:21 AM EST
ABC and the organizers of the Academy Awards struck a deal Thursday that will keep the movie-industry telecast on the Walt Disney Co. broadcast network through 2020. The deal, approved at a meeting of the Academy's board of governors, extends ABC's existing contract to air the show in the U.S., which was last renewed in 2005 and set to expire in 2014. Link | Add comment
EP Jim Murphy Leaving 'GMA' For 'Anderson'
Associated Press, Feb 24, 2011, 5:54 AM EST
Jenna Elfman Close To Starring In ABC Pilot
Deadline.com, Feb 23, 2011, 2:51 PM EST
Executive Session with Emily Barr and Peggy Allen
ABC's Multicast Play: All's Well With Live Well
TVNewsCheck, Feb 22, 2011, 8:48 AM EST
Emily Barr (left) and Peggy Allen are the ABC execs charged with developing the programming and expanding the distribution of the O&Os' Live Well multicast channel. The diginet featuring  lifestyle programming aimed at women and produced mostly by the stations is now shopping for additional affiliates with the goal of reaching 50-60% of TV homes by the end of the year. The two outline their strategies and goals as they compete for a valuable — and increasingly in demand — chunk of stations’ spectrum. Full Story | Comments (3)
Vinita Nair Leaves 'World News Now'
New York Daily News, Feb 21, 2011, 7:26 AM EST
Ashley Judd Goes 'Missing' For ABC
TVLine, Feb 21, 2011, 6:37 AM EST
Kathy Griffin, Loretta Divine To Guest Star on 'Glee'
TV Guide, Feb 21, 2011, 6:18 AM EST
Eric Roberts Lands Role In ABC Dance Pilot
Hollywood Reporter, Feb 18, 2011, 5:57 AM EST
ABC To Revive Annual 'Billboard Music Awards'
Associated Press, Feb 17, 2011, 3:05 PM EST
Jesse Martin To Star In Marc Cherry's ABC Pilot
Deadline.com, Feb 14, 2011, 3:31 PM EST
ABC Sells Out Oscars At Near-Record Prices
Los Angeles Times, Feb 11, 2011, 6:41 AM EST
The network confirmed Thursday that it has sold out its available inventory in the glittery Feb. 27 award show. The network is fetching about $1.7 million per 30-second spot — a haul that could help the network achieve revenue of more than $80 million for Hollywood's biggest night of the year, according to advertising insiders. Link | Comments (3)
NBC, CBS Drop Ad Insertion Fees
MediaPost, Feb 10, 2011, 3:12 PM EST
Association of National Advertisers chief Bob Liodice claimed a certain level of victory with the organization's efforts to eliminate the decades-old fees ABC, CBS and NBC had charged for the physical work of inserting ads in the system before they run. Liodice said Thursday that CBS and NBC have dropped the so-called network-integration fees, while ABC still charges "on occasion." Link | Comments (2)
Kerry Washington Gets Lead In Rhimes' ABC Pilot
Deadline.com, Feb 9, 2011, 8:21 AM EST
Jamie Oliver Reality Show Dumped From LA Schools
Associated Press, Feb 7, 2011, 11:51 AM EST
'Grey's Anatomy' Syncs App, Lexus Sponsors
MediaPost, Feb 2, 2011, 8:19 AM EST
ABC's first effort to deploy a new Nielsen app that allows a real-time, two-screen experience with an iPad and TV went belly-up last fall. But a second go-round starting this week could actually be more beneficial for the network now that a sponsor is attached. The app allows a viewer watching the broadcast of a show to simultaneously interact with related content on the iPad. Link | Add comment
ABC Sets March 21 As Season 12 Debut Of 'DWTS'
UPI, Feb 2, 2011, 8:13 AM EST
'Georgetown' Drama Pilot Goes To ABC
Hollywood Reporter, Feb 2, 2011, 6:02 AM EST
ABC To Relaunch iPad App With TV Sync
LostRemote, Jan 31, 2011, 7:43 AM EST
Lucy Lawless To Guest On 'No Ordinary Family'
TVLine, Jan 28, 2011, 9:42 AM EST
ABC Picks Up Drama 'Missing' For Summer
Hollywood Reporter, Jan 28, 2011, 5:58 AM EST
ABC Picks Up Reich/Cohen Comedy Pilot
Deadline.com, Jan 25, 2011, 3:15 PM EST
Dan Abrams In Talks To Join 'GMA' As Legal Analyst
TVNewser, Jan 24, 2011, 3:19 PM EST
'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' Gets Midnight Slot
Associated Press, Jan 20, 2011, 7:29 PM EST
Jimmy Kimmel Live! will move back from 12:05 a.m. to midnight ET as of Feb. 4, ABC said Thursday. That will cut Nightline, which had been airing from 11:35 p.m. to 12:05 a.m., to 25 minutes instead of a half-hour. Full Story | Add comment
ABC's 'Charlie's Angels' Casts First Angel
Deadline.com, Jan 20, 2011, 7:34 AM EST
ABC's Sawyer Lands First Mark Kelly Interview
Associated Press, Jan 17, 2011, 5:58 AM EST
Miss America Pageant Returns To Network TV
PopEater, Jan 14, 2011, 2:50 PM EST
'Desperate Housewives' Stars Want Raises
Hollywood Reporter, Jan 14, 2011, 2:17 PM EST
ABC Picks Up Pilots 'Partners' And 'Grace'
Hollywood Reporter, Jan 14, 2011, 6:01 AM EST
ABC Orders New ‘Charlie’s Angels’ Pilot
Hollywood Reporter, Jan 13, 2011, 3:09 PM EST
'Family,' 'Boardwalk' Top DGA TV Nominees
The Wrap, Jan 11, 2011, 3:02 PM EST
ABC's Modern Family and HBO's Boardwalk Empire were among the television shows nominated for the Directors Guild of America's top honors, the DGA announced today. Link | Add comment
ABC About To Pick Up Provocatively Titled Comedy
Hollywood Reporter, Jan 11, 2011, 6:16 AM EST
winter press tour
ABC Picks Six Shows For Early Renewal
Hollywood Reporter, Jan 10, 2011, 2:55 PM EST
The network today that it has renewed Modern Family, Grey's Anatomy, Castle, Cougar Town, The Middle and Private Practice for the 2011-12 TV season. Link | Add comment
Salma Hayek, ABC Developing 'Wicked' Miniseries
Hollywood Reporter, Jan 10, 2011, 6:07 AM EST
ABC Picks Up Two Comedy Pilots
Deadline.com, Jan 7, 2011, 3:18 PM EST
ABC Orders Canadian Drama For Next Summer
Deadline.com, Jan 6, 2011, 8:09 AM EST
Crossover Planned For 'Children,' 'Hot In Cleveland'
TVLine, Jan 5, 2011, 2:49 PM EST
Appeals Court Tosses 'NYPD Blue' Fine
Reuters, Jan 4, 2011, 1:10 PM EST
A federal appeals court threw out a $1.21 million penalty against 44 ABC television stations for violating broadcast indecency standards by showing a 2003 NYPD Blue episode that depicted a woman's nude buttocks. Link | Comments (5)
NBA Scores Largest Christmas Day Audience
Hollywood Reporter, Dec 28, 2010, 6:00 AM EST
ABC's double-header averaged a 5.5 Nielsen fast national rating, and ESPN's three telecasts averaged a 1.8 household rating, the highest averages for either network when airing multiple NBA games on Christmas Day. Compared to last year's slate of five games, household ratings were up 45 percent on ABC (5.5 vs. 3.8) and 20 percent on ESPN (1.8 vs. 1.5). Link | Add comment
No Appeal For Disney of $319M Verdict
Hollywood Reporter, Dec 22, 2010, 6:08 AM EST
A federal judge issues a ruling that upholds the July verdict that Disney and its ABC and Buena Vista Television subsidiaries cheated producer Celador International out of millions by cutting sweetheart deals to bring Who Wants to Be a Millionaire to America. Link | Add comment
ABC OKs Rhimes Pilot On Crisis Management
Deadline.com, Dec 20, 2010, 8:00 AM EST
Two Comedy Projects Land At NBC, ABC
Deadline.com, Dec 14, 2010, 8:20 AM EST
Jimmy Kimmel Extends Run On ABC
New York Times, Dec 14, 2010, 6:25 AM EST
After a turbulent year in late-night television, at least at NBC, stability will reign at ABC, where Jimmy Kimmel has agreed to extend his contract for at least  two more years. Link | Add comment
ABC's 'Secret Millionaire' To Launch March 6
Deadline.com, Dec 10, 2010, 3:22 PM EST
'Twilight' Producer Hill Inks Overall Deal At ABC
Deadline.com, Dec 10, 2010, 7:50 AM EST
Big 4 Nets Top List Of Must-See Programming
Television Broadcast, Dec 8, 2010, 6:40 AM EST
Give us the Big Four before we cut the cord, 300 people told a Needham & Co. survey. "We found that if folks listed one broadcaster, they generally listed them all," said Needham's Laura Martin. "They think of the four broadcasters as a monolith. Link | Add comment
ABC Creates Three-Hour Comedy Block
Hollywood Reporter, Dec 7, 2010, 6:00 AM EST
ABC is firming up its midseason plans, scheduling Matthew Perry's new comedy Mr. Sunshine and Elisha Cuthbert's sitcom Happy Endings. Link | Add comment
ABC Pulls 'Whole Truth' From Schedule
Hollywood Reporter, Dec 6, 2010, 2:50 PM EST
ABC finally euthanized The Whole Truth, pulling the canceled legal drama from its schedule. The network has decided to not air the seven remaining episodes of the legal drama — at least not anytime soon. Link | Add comment
NFL, 'MNF' Icon Don Meredith Dies At 72
Associated Press, Dec 6, 2010, 12:02 PM EST
Don Meredith, NFL star and an original member of ABC's Monday Night Football broadcast team died Sunday in Santa Fe, N.M., after suffering a brain hemorrhage. Full Story | Comments (1)
ABC's Reverse Inventory Looks Like A Hit
B&C, Dec 3, 2010, 2:42 PM EST
After two rounds of ABC affiliates buying extra spots from the network, the reverse exchange — ABC buying ad units during stations' slow periods in early January — has the early earmarks of a sweeping success, too. Link | Add comment
CBS, ABC To Air On-Going News Specials
TVNewser, Dec 2, 2010, 7:28 AM EST
CBS launched its new series "Tough Choices" Wednesday night on the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric and ABC News is starting an on-going special of its own titled “Afghanistan: Can We Win?” that will air across all ABC platforms starting Monday. Link | Add comment
ABC's 'Body Of Proof' To Premiere March 29
Hollywood Reporter, Nov 30, 2010, 2:48 PM EST
Longoria, Morris Team For Soap At ABC
Deadline.com, Nov 29, 2010, 7:48 AM EST
ABC Admits To Voting Issues on 'Dancing'
Hollywood Reporter, Nov 24, 2010, 12:10 PM EST
Dancing With the Stars producers said Tuesday the contestants received a "record amount of activity," which overloaded its online and phone voting system after Monday's final competition show. The network has been denying voting issues all season in light of Bristol Palin's longevity on the show. Link | Add comment
ABC, Affils Launch Reverse Spot Exchange
B&C, Nov 22, 2010, 11:01 AM EST
Almost two months after ABC announced its landmark Inventory Exchange System, which makes batches of network spots available for purchase by the affiliates, the affiliates are now making their own spots available for purchase by the network. Link | Add comment
ABC's 'Stars' Going Out With A Bang
Media Life, Nov 22, 2010, 8:13 AM EST
ABC's Dancing with the Stars has weathered its share of controversies over the previous 10 seasons. But this year may have produced the biggest controversy of all — Bristol Palin's triumph over Brandy — heading into tonight's final performance episode, beginning tonight at 8 p.m., and leading into tomorrow's finale, set for 9. Link | Add comment
'This Week" Producer Ian Cameron Quitting
Associated Press, Nov 19, 2010, 2:44 PM EST
Angela Bassett Joins ABC Drama Project
Deadline.com, Nov 18, 2010, 7:34 AM EST
Prince William Proposes, Networks Say 'Yes'
New York Daily News, Nov 17, 2010, 6:45 AM EST
CBS, ABC and NBC race to England to cover Prince William and Kate Middleton's engagement. Link | Add comment
Barbara Walters To Interview Obamas Next Week
Associated Press, Nov 16, 2010, 10:51 AM EST
Rentrak Study Tracks Viewer Loyalty
TVNewsCheck, Nov 16, 2010, 8:21 AM EST
Results from the company's first Factfinder report finds that regular viewers of Lost and 24 were more likely than the average viewing households to watch ABC and Fox programming; proving, it says, that despite a multitude of consumer viewing options, there is still viewer loyalty to networks. Full Story | Add comment
ABC Works On Shows With Spelling, Lewis, Boome
Los Angeles Times, Nov 12, 2010, 1:31 PM EST
ABC Picks Up Two More Episodes Of 'Castle'
Hollywood Reporter, Nov 12, 2010, 5:59 AM EST
TV Networks Seek To Stop FilmOn
Reuters, Nov 9, 2010, 3:02 PM EST
ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC have asked a federal court to stop the Internet video service FilmOn.com from offering TV channels over the web and on Apple Inc.'s iPad for free. Link | Add comment
Tim Allen In Talks to Star in ABC's ‘Man Up’ Pilot
Hollywood Reporter, Nov 9, 2010, 6:04 AM EST
ABC Orders 'Indiana Jones'-Style Reality Show
Hollywood Reporter, Nov 4, 2010, 2:51 PM EDT
ABC Wins War For Blog-Based 'Dealbreaker'
Deadline.com, Nov 2, 2010, 7:46 AM EDT
ABC And Mark Gordon Develop TV Cop Drama
Deadline.com, Nov 2, 2010, 7:44 AM EDT
Google's Goal: Make YouTube A TV Network
New York Post, Oct 29, 2010, 6:44 AM EDT
YouTube wants to be the boob tube. Google is pitching YouTube not only as a popular Web destination, but as a content channel to have a place in the living room alongside TV networks like ABC, CBS and NBC. As Google targets the TV set, it is also making a play for TV-sized ad buys rather than smaller online budgets. Link | Add comment

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Symbol Last Change (%)
Nasdaq 2839.38 -10.74 (-0.38%)
NYSE 7552.36 +11.46 (+0.15%)
S&P 500 1320.68 +1.82 (+0.14%)
Updated 05/24 5:24p ET Quotes delayed at least 20 mins.
Source: Financial Content

Ratings

Overnights, adults 18-49 for May 23, 2012
  • 1.
    6.1/18
  • 2.
    2.6/7
  • 3.
    2.0/6
  • 4.
    1.5/4
  • 5.
    1.4/4
  • 6.
    0.4/1
Source: Nielsen
Reviews
Opinions
Features
  • David Wiegand

    Fans of Sex and the City have finally gotten their wish: Their beloved sex-focused sitcom is back on the air ... sort of. The four women have become four men, of course, and the writing isn't as good. Oh, and the laugh track so annoying, it's offensive. And did I mention that the costumes would be considered fashionable if you were holding a yard sale? Men at Work on TBS is almost quaint, it's so old fashioned. If it had any meat on its bones, you'd be tempted to say it's the sadly ignoble epitome of TV's long-festering emasculated-men syndrome. But it's so much of a big, forgettable, innocuous shrug, it's not even worth any actual vitriol.

  • Mike Hale

    The USA Network's motto is "Characters Welcome." Apparently they're especially welcome if they resemble Oscar Madison and Felix Unger. Already stocked with Odd Couple knockoffs in Psych and White Collar, USA adds to its inventory Common Law, another comic crime-fighting show about mismatched partners. But this latest entry exhibits very little of that kind of spark as it tries to wring laughs from the juxtaposition of counseling and police work. It looks too flat and schematically plotted to succeed as the type of lightweight summer fun we’ve come to expect from USA.

  • Joanne Ostrow

    Johnny Carson: Fantastic entertainer, miserable human being. That's the lasting message of Johnny Carson: King of Late Night, the new PBS American Masters film, a rich history of a rare product of television who dominated the small screen for decades. Unprecedented access to personal archives plus all existing episodes of The Tonight Show (1962-92), distinguishes this film by Peter Jones. Telling interviews with family and colleagues, including second wife Joanne Carson, former Tonight Show executive producer Peter Lassally and a number of biographers sharpen the picture. The clips are carefully selected to illustrate specific personality traits, the performance highlights are given context and meaning beyond funny lines and memorable moments.

  • Hank Stuever

    AMC's The Pitch is a sharply-made if slightly off-putting reality series that follows different advertising agencies each week as they compete for new accounts. The inspiration for the show — made clear by its own ad campaign — is to harness some of the verve generated by the network's acclaimed Mad Men. The Pitch has a way of making the ad world seem like a real downer — a repugnant exercise in egotism laced with depressing bouts of creative compromise.

  • Tim Goodman

    HBO's Veep stars Julia Louis-Dreyfus as former Sen. Selina Meyer, who accepts the vice presidential duty and regrets it almost immediately: She has no real power and gets muscled by the Senate, Congress and the (so-far-unseen) president, who delegates all the truly crappy jobs to her. Louis-Dreyfus has found perhaps her best post-Seinfeld role and takes to it with such fervor — the constant swearing, the barely veiled desire to become president, the unhappy give-and-take with other politicians and a delightful disdain for average citizens — that you can't help but applaud what is clearly an Emmy-worthy effort. Her work alone makes Veep a gem, but there's even more to like.

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