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BET Networks plans to launch 16 new original series, including its first-ever attempt at scripted shows, writes Mediaweek. Two years ago, BET chairman and CEO Debra Lee made programming original series a priority for the Viacom Network. Since then, the budget has been significantly boosted.
Shows in the works include Somebodies, a single-camera scripted comedy about a group of post-collegiate slackers based on a film by the same name, and Wifey, a scripted drama that focuses on a widow who takes over her husband’s hip-hop record label.
The network grew its total prime time audience 11 percent in 2006 and upped its 18-49s by 11 percent, but it lost 13 percent in prime during the first quarter of this year. Some of that can be chalked up to an worse-than-expected reaction to the network’s high-profile acquisition of HBO’s The Wire.
While Bet loses only 5 percent of its audience during commercial breaks, the network is experimenting with “pod-busting” techniques similar to those in the works by sister networks MTV, VH1 and Spike TV.
Radio stations in the U.K. reacted with outrage when they learned of a report by researchers from the University of the West of England which accused them of promoting excessive drinking.
The study looked at 1,200 hours of radio output,…
General Motors posted sales of 308,817 vehicles in August. That’s a drop of 20 percent from August of last year - but 31 percent better than July.
In order to boost sales as much as possible during a time when…
A new digital out-of-home network to reach golfers is launching to 100 retail locations in the next two months. The network will be available in Dunham’s Sporting Goods, Golf Etc., Golf USA, Pro Golf, and ParMasters, among others.
Fox says that viewers’ attention to commercials is higher when fewer commercials are aired. The revelation comes as a result of testing the network has done for its freshman thriller, Fringe, which will premiere Sept. 9 with limited commercials and shorter…
Worldwide sales of mobile phones will reach 1.28 billion units in 2008 - up from 1.15 billion units in 2007 - an 11 percent increase from last year, according to Gartner, Inc - (via MarketingCharts).
While the mobile phone market is poised for…
Consumers in all income segments are cutting back spending, and doing so to a greater extent recently than at the beginning of the second quarter, according to a comScore study examining changes in consumer attitudes and perceptions about the U.S. economy…
