Television in the United States

JJ Abrams looms large on the airwaves, including a major slot in NBC’s fall lineup

Agence France-PresseMay 12, 2013 11:45

After the serial "Revolution," which he launched last September, JJ Abrams will be back on NBC this fall with "Believe," a supernatural thriller series developed by Mexican director Alfonso Cuarón. Already tapped to executive produce "Person of Interest" for CBS and "Almost Human," an upcoming series on Fox, JJ Abrams is swelling his multi-network presence. His "Believe" project is one of the five series selected by NBC for the next fall season.

Fox signs up JJ Abrams, Chris Meloni and Seth MacFarlane for next season

Agence France-PresseMay 12, 2013 11:15

Ahead of its spring press conference scheduled for Monday May 13, the US network has already named nine promising series to boost its lineup for the 2013/2014 season. From among a host of pilots made for next season, Fox has selected four dramas, including "Almost Human" by JJ Abrams. The mastermind of "Lost" is teaming up with JH Wyman, showrunner, writer and producer of "Fringe", on a futuristic series about LA cops with humanoid partners.

Fox signs up JJ Abrams, Chris Meloni and Seth MacFarlane for next season

Agence France-PresseMay 12, 2013 11:00

Fox signs up JJ Abrams, Chris Meloni and Seth MacFarlane for next season

Agence France-PresseMay 12, 2013 11:00

Fox signs up JJ Abrams, Chris Meloni and Seth MacFarlane for next season

Agence France-PresseMay 12, 2013 10:46

U.S. broadcast TV ratings slide pressures ad rates at 'upfronts'

Thomson ReutersMay 12, 2013 10:30

By Lisa Richwine and Liana B. Baker (Reuters) - U.S. broadcast networks head into their biggest ad-selling season this week, competing with streaming services like Netflix, battling online players for ad dollars, and fending off hits starring zombies and duck hunters on cable. The increased competition will force ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC to settle for their lowest average rate hikes in three years during the "upfront" selling season, Wall Street analysts say.

NBC pulls plug on Brian Williams' newsmagazine 'Rock Center' after short, troubled life

The Canadian PressMay 10, 2013 18:16

NEW YORK, N.Y. - NBC is pulling the plug on Brian Williams' newsmagazine "Rock Center" after a short, troubled life where it failed to find a consistent home on the network's prime-time schedule. The network said Friday that the show would soon be ending. "Rock Center" premiered on Halloween 2011 and news executives preached patience then, saying it would take a while to get established. Bob Costas' interview with Jerry Sandusky about the Penn State child sexual abuse case was its biggest coup.

Cleveland suspect called himself 'predator' in note

Agence France-PresseMay 10, 2013 12:17

Found inside the house where Ariel Castro allegedly held three women captive for a decade was a note from 2004 in which he called himself "a sexual predator" in need of help, local media reported. Castro, 52, was arraigned Thursday for the rape and kidnapping of Amanda Berry, 27, Gina DeJesus, 23 and Michelle Knight, 32, who all emerged Monday from the unassuming Cleveland house owned by the former school bus driver.

Mark Feuerstein, Kate McKinnon, Julie White join Indie comedy 'Life Partners'

Thomson ReutersMay 8, 2013 16:42

By Jeff Sneider LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - Mark Feuerstein ("Royal Pains"), Kate McKinnon ("Saturday Night Live"), Greer Grammer ("Awkward") and Tony winner Julie White ("Transformers") have joined the cast of indie comedy "Life Partners," TheWrap has learned.

Lights, camera, sell: Small businesses cash in as they take the spotlight on reality shows

The Canadian PressMay 8, 2013 09:36

NEW YORK, N.Y. - There's no business like small business. Mix the high stakes of running a small business with a dash of family drama and throw in a camera crew and you get hit reality television shows such as "Pawn Stars," ''Welcome to Sweetie Pie's" and "Duck Dynasty."