Daily Variety articles from March 2010

Daily Variety archives from March 2010

Scribe sets helmer gig.
March 31, 2010... Sheldon Turner, who landed a majority of the top screenwriting awards for co-penning "Up in the Air," will make his directorial debut on "By Virtue Fall," a thriller that Nicolas Chartier will finance and produce as his follow-up to "The Hurt...

TV fuels lit hits: book biz gets boost from small screen.
March 31, 2010... Now that HBO has greenlighted the new series "Game of Thrones," it's not just TV execs who ate hoping for the next "True Blood." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Also keeping their fingers crossed ate the folks at Bantam Spectra Books, the Random...

Spooky scuffle.(Paranormal Activity 2)
March 31, 2010... Paramount is committed to meeting the Oct. 22 release date for "Paranormal Activity 2," which pits the sequel directly against "Saw VII 3D." Move sets the stage for one of the biggest Halloween B.O. battles in recent times. "Saw VII" has...

'Wives' alum lands at NBC.
March 31, 2010... Longtime "Desperate Housewives" resident Alexandra Cunningham is leaving the ABC cul-de-sac for the Peacock. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Scribe Cunningham has sealed a seven-figure overall deal with NBC's Universal Media Studios to develop new...

TV should fool around more.
March 31, 2010... AT THE RISK OF PROVIDING unsolicited advice, primetime programmers appear to be missing a significant opportunity to capitalize on society's persistent fascination with infidelity. Men's adulterous ways (and it's mostly men) are filling the...

The Last Song.(Movie review)
March 31, 2010... A Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures release of a Touchstone Pictures presentation of an Offspring Entertainment production. Produced by Adam Shankman, Jennifer Gibgot. Executive producer, Tish Cyrus. Co-producer, Dara Weintraub. Directed by...

Stewart gets a life in 'Theater'.
March 31, 2010... Patrick Stewart will topline the upcoming Broadway production of David Mamet's 1977 play "'A Life in the Theater.'" Stewart, last on the Rialto in 2008 in Rupert Goold's revival of "Macbeth," returns to Gotham after appearing in last year's...

Chi speaks 'Chinglish'.(Brief article)
March 31, 2010... David Henry Hwang's latest play "Chinglish" will close the 2010-11 season at Chicago's Goodman Theater. Show is produced in association with Off Broadway's Public Theater--which makes it seem like a sure bet for the Public's 2011-12 season,...

'Gods' recruits Dorff.(Stephen Dorff in War of the Gods)(Brief article)
March 31, 2010... Stephen Dorff has rounded out the cast of Relativity Media's Greek mythology clash "War of the Gods," set to begin shooting in early April in Montreal. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Kellan Lutz, Henry Cavill, Mickey Rourke and Freida Pinto also...

Amber's 'Bad' turn: Ordesky's shingle taps Ellis to helm pic.(Mark Ordesky's Amber Entertainment to start Bad Luck)(Brief article)
March 31, 2010... Former New Line exec Mark Ordesky is throwing the dice with thriller "Bad Luck,'" starting production in the fall for his new shingle Amber Entertainment. Amber is partnering with Entertainment 7 for the pic, which will be helmed by "The...

Quebec laffer bows.
March 31, 2010... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Film Movement has acquired coming-of-age comedy "1981" for a limited U.S. theatrical run dais summer along with video-on-demand release. The French-language film from Canadian director Ricardo Trogi centers on an...

IFP launches Distrib'n Lab.(Independent Feature Project)(Brief article)
March 31, 2010... Thirty-year-old Gotham nonprofit IFP has added a Distribution Lab to its lineup of programs devoted to helping filmmakers complete, market and distribute their first film. The lab is offered in collaboration with producer Ted Hope, cofounder...

Duo circles Woody's Paris shoot.(Rachel McAdams and Marion Cotillard to star in Woody Allen's next movie)(Brief article)
March 31, 2010... Marion Cotillard and Rachel McAdams are in final negotiations to star in Woody Allen's still-untitled pic that rolls this summer in Paris. With Cotillard ("Nine") and McAdams ("Sherlock Holmes") on board, the pieces are falling into place for...

Eye's ahead in race: hoops reality give web edge over Fox.(Statistical data)
March 31, 2010... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In a tight battle between the season's top two-rated networks, college basketball and the Sunday combo of "The Amazing Race" and "Undercover Boss" proved just enough for CBS to edge out "American Idol"-powered Fox for...

WeTV turns up heat with 'Downsized'.
March 31, 2010... WeTV showed off its revamped slate of reality skeins to advertisers and media buyers at the cabler's upfront Tuesday. During its presentation at Park Avenue steakhouse BLT Prime, the Rainbow Media-owned cabler put special emphasis on...

USA slips but still No. 1 in cable.
March 31, 2010... Despite losing 12% of its young-adult audience compared with the previous year, USA reigned as the top-rated cable network for the first three months of 2010--its 15th consecutive quarterly victory. According to Nielsen, USA averaged 3.1...

'Castle' fortifies ABC.
March 31, 2010... ABC can now check a few more items off its wish list, thanks to Monday night drama "Castle." The ABC Studios drama, which was just renewed for a third season, has given the Alphabet a new 10 p.m. player--a crucial timeslot for affils, and one...

Correction.(Correction notice)
March 31, 2010... Actor Jon Bernthal was misidentified in a photo in Tuesday's paper.

Sony alum tapped as Hill adviser.
March 31, 2010... Former Sony Pictures exec Benjamin Feingold is joining Hill & Knowlton as a senior adviser. He will provide counsel to the communication firm's corporate, entertainment and technology clients on issues ranging from digital media to consumer...

Report sees robust Brit TV ad market.(World News)
March 31, 2010... Following a dire 2009, the U.K. TV advertising market is heading for a "robust recovery" this year, with local terrestrial giant ITV set for impressive gains in the first half, according to a report from forecaster Screen Digest. "Trading...

Marathon sales run.
March 31, 2010... Firming up its role as one of Europe's leading toon providers to the U.S. TV market, Paris-based Marathon Media has closed a rail of sales with Cartoon Network. The deal, handled by Zodiak Entertainment, includes flagship toon "Totally Spies"...

Silvio poll position: his control reaches showbiz hub Rome.(World News)(Silvio Berlusconi)(Brief article)
March 31, 2010... Italian prime minister and media mogul Silvio Berlusconi has emerged victorious at key regional elections that critics charge were marred by a ban on political TV talkshows that might have been critical of his regime. Final results on Tuesday...

Constantin re-ups for TV.(ProSiebenSat.1 and Constantin Film)(Brief article)
March 31, 2010... German commercial broadcaster ProSiebenSat.1 and the territory's leading producer-distrib Constantin Film have extended their licensing pact through 2011. The deal covers a slew of local pics and international co-productions, including...

Shrine fest to be broadcast in 3D.(Sanja Festival of Asakusa Shrine)(Brief article)
March 31, 2010... Japan's first live 3D TV broadcast will cover Tokyo's Sanja Festival of Asakusa Shrine, a colorful religious festival, on May 16. Talent shop Amuse, whose roster includes some of the biggest names in the local biz, will use three 3D cameras...

Nielsen primetime ratings report.(Statistical table)
March 31, 2010... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] TOP SNOWS IN 18-49 1. American Idol-Tue. (Fox) 8.4/23 2. American Idol-Wed. (Fox) 7.2/20 3. Dancing With the Stars (ABC) 6.4/17 4. The Big Bang Theory (CBS) 5.2/13 5....

Primetime scoreboard.(Statistical table)
March 31, 2010... PRIMETIME SCOREBOARD WEEK 27 Viewers A18-49 A25-54 A18-34 abc 8.19 (-13%) 2.5/7 (-14%) 3.0/8 (-12%) 1.9/6 (-17%) CBS 11.11 (-2%) 3.2/10 (-3%) 4.0/11 (-2%) 2.4/8 (Even) NBC 6.12...

Fresh.(Movie review)
March 31, 2010... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] (Docu) A Ripple Effect presentation. Produce& directed by Ana Sofia Joanes. Camera (color), Valery "Lali" Lyman; editor, Mona Davis: music, David Majzlin; sound designer, Eric Milano: re-recording mixer, Tom...

Birdemic: Shock and Terror.(Movie review)
March 31, 2010... A Severin Films release of a Moviehead Pictures production. Produced, directed, written by James; Nguyen. Camera (color. DV), Daniel Mai: editor, Kim Chow: music, Andrew Seger; sound, Erick Jolley; sound designer, John Cregan; visual effects,...

Miami Medical.(Television program review)
March 31, 2010... (Series; CBS, Fri. April 2. 10 p.m.) Filmed in Los Angeles by Jerry Bruckheimer Television and Skim Milk Prods. in association with Warner Bros. Television. Executive producers, Jerry Bruckheimer, Jonathan Littman, Jeffrey Lieber, Steve...

American Grindhouse.(Movie review)
March 31, 2010... (Docu) A Gravitas Ventures release of a Lux Digital Pictures production. Produced by Elijah Drenner. Executive producer, Jeff Broadstreet, Ingo Jucht. Directed by Elijah Drenner. Written by Drenner, Calum Waddell, Camera (color/ B&W....

Fugitive Chronicles.(Television program review)
March 31, 2010... (Series; A&E. Thurs. April 1. 10 p.m.) Produced by RAW TV/RDF USA. Executive producers, Dimitri Doganis, Bart Layton, Charles Tremayne, Chris Coelen: series producer, Mary-Jane Robinson; Director, Ben Chanan; camera, Paul Kirsop: editor,...

Fonda boards 'banker'.(Peter Fonda to appear in 'Banker to the Poor')(Brief article)
March 31, 2010... Peter Fonda is set to appear in "Banker to the Poor" about Muhammad Yunus, who won a Nobel prize in 2006 for inventing the groundbreaking microcredit loans that empowered the poor in third world countries. Indian thesp Irrfan Khan ("Slumdog...

'Dragon' breadth: no wiggle room for 3D screens.(How to Train Your Dragon)
March 30, 2010... After a more modest-than-expected opening for Paramount's 3D toon, the question facing DreamWorks Animation is whether "How to Train Your Dragon" will be able to hold onto screens long enough to build a blockbuster-caliber audience. While...

Off to see the lizard.
March 30, 2010... Durable special effects juggernaut "Godzilla" will return to the bigscreen in 2012, with Legendary Pictures producing. Legendary will co-produce with Warner Bros., which is co-financing, The "Godzilla" project's been something of an open...

Creative move for WBTV exec.
March 30, 2010... It's a big development for a long-serving Warner Bros. TV exec: Susan Rovner has been promoted to exec veep of development for Warner Bros. TV, where she'll be one of prexy Peter Roth's top lieutenants. Rovner will oversee the studio's...

Zombies 'Dead' ahead for AMC.(The Walking Dead)(Brief article)
March 30, 2010... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] AMC has given a series greenlight to "The Walking Dead," the Frank Darabont-helmed adaptation of the Image Comics series by Robert Kirkman. AMC prexy and g.m. Charlie Collier noted that "Dead" marks AMC's first foray...

Her 'potions' make the scene.(Tegan Taylor)
March 30, 2010... Most people don't think of makeup as a cutting-edge discipline, but in the aftermath of "Avatar" it has gained recognition as a critical component of performance-capture technology. Lots of attention has been lavished on the film's...

Bookings & signings.(Brief article)
March 30, 2010... Innovative Artists bookings: costume designers Sanja Hays on Justin Lin's "Fast Five," Alysia Raycraft on Ryan Page and Christopher Pomerenke's "Queens of Country," Frank Helmer on CW pilot "Nomads" and Marissa Borsetto on ABC pilot "Southern...

Co-founder led CAA lit.
March 30, 2010... Michael Rosenfeld Sr., a founding partner at Creative Artists Agency who started its lit department, died Thursday of respiratory failure in Kenwood, Calif. He was 75. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Rosenfeld was one of five William Morris...

Thesp's life inspired 'Gypsy'.
March 30, 2010... June Havoc, the actress-writer whose childhood as vaudeville performer Baby June was immortalized in the musical "Gypsy," died of natural causes Sunday in Stamford, Conn. She was 97. As an adult, Havoc was a successful actress on stage and...

Norah Jones.(Concert review)
March 30, 2010... (Theater at Madison Square Garden; 3,600 seats: $128 top) Presented by Live Nation. Band: Norah Jones Smokey Hormel, Joey Waronker, Sasha Dobson, Gus Seyffert. Opened March 27, 2010. Closed and reviewed March 28, 2010. Plenty of artists...

Weinstein alum turns eye to Gotham.
March 30, 2010... Former Weinstein Co. exec Eric Robinson has joined the Gotham Group as exec VP of production and development to oversee Gotham's first-look deal with Sony Pictures Animation. Robinson most recently was senior VP of production and development...

Website liable for piracy.
March 30, 2010... The High Court in London handed a victory to Hollywood studios on Monday alter it ruled that website Newzbin is liable for copyright infringement because it carries links to pirated movies. Justice David Kitchin wrote that Newzbin "engaged in...

L.A. next stop for 'Normal'.(Next to Normal)(Brief article)
March 30, 2010... The national tour of Broadway tuner "Next to Normal" will launch in November at Los Angeles' Ahmanson Theater. A musical about a woman struggling with bipolar disorder, "Normal" is more challenging material than most tuner fare and seems a...

3D goal for DirecTV: Satcaster to pump format with sports.
March 30, 2010... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] From nature documentaries to the Major League Baseball All-Star game. DirecTV is diving head first into the 3D television market. The satcaster plans to roll out its 3D content in June, including pay-per-view,...

Music to tykes' ears.
March 30, 2010... Disney Channel has given a third season pickup to music-filled preschool comedy "Imagination Movers." Show, which centers on the antics of a rock band that uses music to solve problems (consider it a tyke-oriented version of "The Monkees"),...

Heder heads out of sitcom.
March 30, 2010... Jon Heder has dropped out of his Comedy Central sitcom just two days before the show was to begin production on its 10-episode order. In a briefly statement, the thesp said he didn't approve of his character's direction in the show from Will...

Nick rides kudo karma: Kids' Choice telecast hits near-record aud.(Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Awards)(Brief article)
March 30, 2010... A great year for live event television apparently extends to kid-friendly kudocasts. Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Awards telecast Saturday drew its second largest aud to date--7.6 million--including 3.7 million kids under 12, according to...

ABC Family sets pair for summer run.
March 30, 2010... ABC Family has given premiere dates to its two upcoming summer dramas--both inspired by Alloy Entertainment books--launching "Pretty Little Liars" on June 8 and Winnie Holzman-developed "Huge" on June 28. Each show was officially greenlit in...

E1 has a new Hero.(E1 Entertainment and Dark Hero Studios)(Brief article)
March 30, 2010... Dark Hero Studios has inked a two-year TV production deal with Toronto-based E1 Entertainment, starting with the sci-fi series "Push." E1 gets first look at all TV projects--including network, cable and syndication scripted shows--developed...

Publisher ventures into 'Happy' town.
March 30, 2010... Publisher Hannover House's film and vid division has picked up all North American distrib rights to thesp Josh Radnor's feature directorial debut and 2010 Sundance Audience Award winner "Happythankyoumoreplease." Hannover appeared as a new...

'Freakonomics' ends fest.
March 30, 2010... Documentary "Freakonomics" has been chosen as the closing-night film for the Tribeca Film Festival. Gala bow on April 30 marks the film's world premiere. Docu is based on the best-selling tome by Steven Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner, and was...

Abramoff pic to Metropolitan.
March 30, 2010... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Political biopic "Casino Jack," starring Kevin Spacey has been acquired for domestic distribution by Metropolitan, which plans a fall opening. Metropolitan, led by James Schramm, made the announcement Monday while...

Weekend at the B.O.
March 30, 2010... Weekend at the B.O. $128.7 million March 26-28, 2010 vs. last weekend 1.7% vs. last year -12.2% Screen scene The weekend's top 10 engagements: Theater, city (circuit) Gross 1 ...

Film box office wrap: for the weekend of March 26-28.
March 30, 2010... Film Box Office Wrap FOR THE WEEKEND OF MARCH 26-28 Ranking Reported This last weekend Week Week Title (Disturb/Financier) box...

Manitoba's 30% solution.(CANADA)(Manitoba's tax credit program for the movie industry)(Brief article)
March 30, 2010... Manitoba has raised the stakes within its film tax credit program, making it the highest all-spend tax credit in Canada. The province's new deal will allow foreign and domestic producers to apply for a 30% all-spend credit on eligible local...

Reed to travel for 'Red Shirley'.(SWITZERLAND)(Lou Reed)(Brief article)
March 30, 2010... Stager-songwriter Lou Reed will be at the 16th Visions du Reel documentary film festival in Nyon, Switzerland, for the world proem of his debut film, "Red Shirley," about his centenarian cousin, Shirley Novick. Born in Germany, Novick...

Sony sells most of its HBO stake.(LATIN AMERICA)
March 30, 2010... Sony Pictures Entertainment has trimmed its stake in HBO Latin America from 29% to 8%, Sony said Monday. The stake, worth $217 million, was acquired by an affiliate of Time Warner. Sony will continue to supply content to cabler HBO Latin...

Brand new exec.(Olivier Gers as the executive of newly created division of Endemol)(Brief article)
March 30, 2010... Endemol is setting up a worldwide brands division to be led by ex-Fremantle Media and IMG topper Olivier Gers. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Unit will focus on extending properties across multiple platforms. In his new role, Gers, who has 17...

Shingle ready to grow.(Intandem Films)(Brief article)
March 30, 2010... International film sales and financing group Intandem Films has restructured its finances to repay loans and fund expansion. The company, headed by Gary Smith, has raised 500,000 [pounds sterling] ($748,000) through a share placement on...

Disney XD hits a home run.(Disney XD's 'Batboy')(Brief article)
March 30, 2010... Disney XD is commemorating Opening Day of the upcoming baseball season with a half-hour reality special, "Batboy," which will air at 7 p.m. April 5. Major League Baseball's production arm is behind the broadcast, which offers a...

Crying With Laughter.(Movie review)
March 30, 2010... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] (U.K.) A FilmBuff (in U.S.) release of a Scottish Screen/EM Media presentation of a Synchronicity Films/Wellington Films production in association with BBC Scotland. Produced by Claire Mundell, Rachel Robey, Alastair...

'Idol' owner for sale.(CKX)(Brief article)
March 30, 2010... CKX, the company that now owns the rights to "American Idol" and the Elvis Presley brand, is in conversations with at least one suitor. The company stopped short of confirming a Wall Street Journal report that One Equity Partners--the private...

Goldwyn takes 'Mao'.(Samuel Goldwyn Films acquires 'Mao's Last Dancer')(Brief article)
March 30, 2010... Samuel Goldwyn Films has acquired U.S. rights to Bruce Beresford's "Mao's Last Dancer" and will open the biopic on Aug. 6. Film is based on the autobiograpby of dancer Li Cunxin and follows his journey from poverty in China to international...

Humanitas Prize calls for entries.(Brief article)
March 30, 2010... Thursday is the deadline for submissions for the 36th annual Humanitas Prize kudos. The awards, which include a cash stipend, are bestowed on writers whose work sheds light on social issues and the human condition. The Humanitas org has...

The Harimaya Bridge.(Movie review)
March 30, 2010... (U.S. Japan) An Eleven Arts (in U.S.) release of an Eleven Arts (U.S.)/Laterna (Japan) production, in association with SSD. Produced by Ko Mori. Aaron Woolfolk. Executive producers, Danny Glover, Naoshi Yoda, John Kim. Co-producers, Tatsuya...

Birdemic: Shock and Terror.(Movie review)
March 30, 2010... A Severin Films release of a Moviehead Pictures production. Produced, directed, written by, James Nguyen. Camera (color, DV), Daniel Mai; editor, Kim Chow; music, Andrew Seger; sound, Erick Jolley; sound designer, John Cregan; visual effects,...

Bourne to have a ball.(V)(Matt Damon)(Brief article)
March 30, 2010... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Matt Damon's pals lined up to "'fete him as he's never been feted before" as Don Cheadle deadpanned at the American Cinematheque's gala...

Miley's smiley 'Song'.(V)(Miley Cyrus' new movie 'The Last Song')(Brief article)
March 30, 2010... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] There was no audition necessary for Miley Cyrus when it came to her latest film, "The Last Song." At Disney's premiere Thursday producer Adam Shankman explained how Nicholas Sparks wrote the part just for her. ...

Co-stars Pierce Brosnan, Carey Mulligan and Johnny Simmons convene at "The Greatest" premiere after-party Thursday at the Linwood Dunn theater in Hollywood.(V)
March 30, 2010... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Co-stars Pierce Brosnan, Carey Mulligan and Johnny Simmons convene at "The Greatest" premiere after-party Thursday at the Linwood Dunn theater in Hollywood; right: pic's helmer-scribe Shana Feste and Paladin prexy Mark...

Steve Carell and Tina Fey give a thumbs up after getting slimed at Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice awards at UCLA's Pauley Pavilion.(V)
March 30, 2010... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Steve Carell and Tina Fey give a thumbs up after getting slimed at Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice awards at UCLA's Pauley Pavilion on Saturday in L.A.

'Train'ing daze: will 'Dragon' tale have legs?(How to Train Your Dragon)(Statistical data)
March 29, 2010... Paramount and DreamWorks Animation's 3D toon "How to Train Your Dragon" saw healthy returns over the weekend at the domestic B.O., but with an estimated $43.3 million at 4,055 playdates, failed to set the frame ablaze. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]...

Cannes hot on H'wood.
March 29, 2010... With the selection of Universal's Ridley Scott-helmed "Robin Hood" as opening night film and Tim Burton heading the jury, the Cannes Film Fest is looking heavy on Hollywood. Starring Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett, "Robin Hood" will play...

Cities throw hat in ring.(World Wrestling Entertainment's )
March 29, 2010... WrestleMania won't eclipse the Olympics or the Super Bowl anytime soon, but World Wrestling Entertainment's annual show case of its top stars is creating a bidding frenzy among cities that want to host the event. Fourteen cities are competing...

Second chance.
March 29, 2010... Jack Bauer lives. "24's" clock has officially been stopped, but the franchise is far from over. Not only is a movie in the works, with Kiefer Sutherland reprising his role as the federal agent who's had a few rough days, but 20th Century...

Sutherland soldiers on.(Interview)
March 29, 2010... With the cancellation of "24" at the end of its eighth season, Kiefer Sutherland agreed to answer questions about his experiences playing federal agent Jack Bauer in a show that helped usher in Fox's surge in ratings. Tell me how you, the...

3D debate pops to the fore.
March 29, 2010... LET THE ARGUMENTS BEGIN. "Avatar" is a phenomenon. Alice in Wonderland" is a blockbuster and "How to Train Your Dragon" looks like it's a sure thing. So all over town folks are debating: Should most movies be in 3D? Which are right for 3D?...

Clash of the Titans.(Movie review)
March 29, 2010... A Warner Bros. release presented in association with Legendary Pictures of a Thunder Road Film/Zanuck Co. production. Produced by Basil Iwanyk, Kevin De La Noy. Executive producers, Richard D. Zanuck, Thomas Tull, Jon Jashni, William Fay. ...

Williams exits SAG national board.(Screen Actors Guild's JoBeth Williams)(Brief article)
March 29, 2010... JoBeth Williams--among the top vote-getters in recent Screen Actors Guild elections--has resigned from SAG's national board after five years. Williams has indicated she's ankling due to time constraints from serving as president of the SAG...

Healthy ratings bite: Oliver gives big Friday portion to ABC.
March 29, 2010... It's big news these days when any network can make some noise on Friday, but ABC was really cooking last week. Friday's premiere of "Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution" produced what's believed to be the top demo rating for any entertainment...

ABC Milano laffer gets slot.
March 29, 2010... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Nearly a year after ABC greenlit the series, Alyssa Milano starrer "Romantically Challenged" finally has an official premiere date confirmed by the network: April 12 at 9:30 p.m., following "Dancing With the Stars." ...

Layoffs at TV Guide Net due to shift.
March 29, 2010... TV Guide Network has laid off about two dozen staff members as part of the broader overhaul of the cabler by its new owners. Several staffers at the cabler's master control operations in Tulsa, Okla., were let go a few weeks ago as the cabler...

Sinclair to pay ABC.
March 29, 2010... Sinclair Broadcast Group has cut a new affiliation deal with ABC that reflects the changing economics of the broadcasting biz and the drive for greater retransmission consent coin. Sinclair disclosed Friday that the new affiliation pact,...

Lionsgate pushes pill: shareholders to vote May 4 in Toronto.
March 29, 2010... Lionsgate is urging its shareholders to enact a poison pill provision that would make it far more difficult for Carl Icahn's hostile takeover to succeed. The mini-major announced Friday that it has set a vote on the measure at a special...