Top Stories

NEW YORK: Bravo Media has bolstered its programming team with the promotion of Deirdre Bianchi to the newly created role of VP of program planning and acquisitions. Bianchi will oversee the schedule of all Bravo programming as well as off-network and motion picture acquisitions. She will liaise with NBCUniversal’s cross-platform …

NEW YORK: Krista Sonne, who was formerly the VP of program planning and scheduling for AMC, has been named the VP of scheduling at Lifetime Networks. In her new role, Sonne will develop and implement all original and acquired program scheduling strategies for Lifetime, LMN and Lifetime Real Women. She …

LAS VEGAS: DIRECTV customers will soon have the ability to watch live broadcast TV and recorded content from a compatible DVR on Samsung’s new line of Smart TVs without the need for an additional set-top box. The new feature will provide an experience similar to that of a DIRECTV DVR …

NEW YORK: Oxygen Media has named former OWN exec Rod Aissa as the senior VP of original programming and development. In his new role, Aissa will have strategic oversight for all development and production of Oxygen’s original programming. He will also be responsible for a slate of new titles, all …

LOS ANGELES: Hulu is planning to spend an additional $500 million on content this year, after ending 2011 with some $420 million in revenue. Hulu CEO Jason Kilar revealed in a blog post that the company grew its business 60 percent from 2010 to 2011. "We exceeded our plan despite …

BURBANK: The CW has ordered a new ten-episode game show, Oh Sit!, which is billed as high-stakes, high-octane musical chairs. The show is created and executive produced by Phil Gurin (The Singing Bee, Shark Tank, The Weakest Link), Richard Joel and Deena Dill. From The Gurin Company and 405 Productions, …

SANTA MONICA: Lionsgate has made the move to acquire Summit Entertainment, behind the hit Twilight movie franchise, for a combination of cash and stock valued at $412.5 million.   The transaction broadens Lionsgate’s 13,000 title filmed entertainment library to include The Twilight Saga, The Locker, Red and many others. Summit’s …

LOS ANGELES: Irv Holender has re-launched Multicom Entertainment Group, a distribution outfit originally formed in 1995.  Multicom will make its formal debut at NATPE. The company will focus on the global TV marketplace, as well as digital platforms, including pay-per-view, the Internet and mobile channels. Holender is also looking to …

LOS ANGELES: Hulu has unveiled an original programming slate that features the show Battleground, which marks the service’s foray into original scripted series.  Battleground, launching February 14, is executive produced by JD Walsh, Hagai Shaham and Marc Webb. Battleground is set in the world of political campaigns in the battleground …

LOS ANGELES: A number of first-season shows were honored at last night’s Golden Globes, including Homeland, which picked up the award for best TV drama.  The psychological thriller Homeland won for best drama, while its lead, Claire Danes, won for best actress. Kelsey Grammer won in the actor category for …