Just short of its 30th birthday, Boston’s independent rock station WFNX (described as "iconic," "legendary" and "progressive" across the press) has been sold to radio giant/clearinghouse Clear Channel Communications. As the New York Times describes it, The deal for WFNX, which broadcasts at 101.7 FM, is pending approval from the Federal Communications Commission.
It is unlikely that new management will keep the old format, as 17 of 21 employees were immediately let go, as RadioInk reports. Three full-timers and one part-timer will keep WFNX on air until the sale completes. As WFNX Program Director Paul Driscoll told New England Cable News, "I think of it as a two month Irish wake, so we're going to send this legendary station off the right way."
Stephen M. Mindich, the chairman and chief executive of the station’s owner, the Phoenix Media/Communications Group, announced the sale Wednesday morning in a memo to employees, which was posted by the Boston Phoenix newspaper (another Phoenix Media property).
“We introduced Nirvana and Pearl Jam to wider audiences in 1991,” claimed Mindich. “Together with the Boston Phoenix we staged the notorious Green Day concert at the Hatch Shell in 1994…for years we broadcast One In Ten, the only program on a commercial radio station in the nation dedicated to the issues and lifestyles of the GLBT community…Here comes the catch....Despite its celebrated history, its cutting edge programming , its tradition of breaking new music, its ardent fans among listeners and advertisers, for some time it has been difficult to sustain the station -- especially since the start of the Great Recession.”
In other words: “Thanks for the memories and you’re fired,” as RadioINK described the notice.
Clear Channel owns 840 stations across the United States, including four in the Boston area: The Top 40 WXKS-FM; WJMN-FM, which plays hip-hop; and two AM stations, the talk WXKS and the “Spanish hits” WKOX.
As the Times observes, rock stations have been on the decline for much of the last decade, leaving independent stations particularly vulnerable. Last year, Emmis Communications sold WRXP in New York to Merlin Media to a former top Clear Channel executive who converted it to a talk format.
DirecTV Strikes Video, Internet Agreements To Reach Rural US
DirecTV customers will be able to bundle their video and high-speed Internet services, no matter where they live in the United States, through new agreements with satellite broadband providers ViaSat and Hughes.
DirecTV will offer Excede by ViaSat and Hughes' HughesNet Gen4 next-generation satellite broadband services, with speeds of over 10 Mbps to customers living in mostly unserved and rural areas later this year. This new offering, coupled with already available triple-play bundles with Verizon, AT&T, Century Link and other telco providers, means that any DirecTV customer in the U.S. will now be able to get bundled pricing.
Customers who sign up for satellite broadband through DirecTV will be able to take advantage of certain special offers beginning later this year. More details on the offers and marketing plans will be made available closer to launch.
"We look forward to offering every single DirecTV customer access to fast, affordable broadband options through DirecTV, no matter where they live," said Oswin Eleonora, senior vice president, Emerging Markets, DirecTV. "With greatly improved capacity and speeds, satellite broadband services provided by ViaSat and Hughes will fully support our customers' connected home experience, enabling them to access a host of features like YouTube, Pandora, social TV apps, and more than 7,000 VOD titles."
Viacom: Social TV Must Offer Content, Communication, Comments
Viacom has unveiled the results of a new study exploring the social TV phenomenon through the lens of the viewer. While fairly nascent, social TV and co-viewing trends represent a shift in TV viewing from what Viacom calls a “lean-back” to a “lean-forward” experience. If there is a takeaway for advertisers, it is that those “behind the scenes” streams, additional scenes and blooper reels that networks run on their websites are pretty valuable ad real estate.
Viacom finds that viewers engage in an average of seven different types of social TV activities – online or offline – on at least a weekly basis. The most common activities include watching TV with others (85%), searching for supplemental content (61%) and viewing TV show clips on social networks (58%). The new research reveals that consumers engaging in social TV activities "C's the moment" primarily by communicating, consuming content and checking comments.
The two-phase study involved 24 ethnographies in Boston and San Diego with VMN viewers aged 13-52 that engage in social TV activities on at least a weekly basis. National online surveys were conducted with over 1,500 VMN viewers aged 13-54. When asked what social TV means to them, the most commonly reported words were "interactive," "friends" and "Facebook "or "Twitter." The leading source of discovery of social TV services is through search (38%), followed by social networks (26%) and ads run on shows (22%).
"One of the main goals of this research was to understand how to inspire social TV activity among our audiences," said Colleen Fahey Rush, Executive Vice President and Chief Research Officer, Viacom Media Networks.
Content
Content is king for social TV users. Viewers want something special from their social TV services rather than commoditized content that can be found through online searches. The number one request for content is full-length episodes (88%), followed by sneak peeks of new episodes (75%), and behind-the-scenes extras (71%) and highlight clips (71%).
The majority of TV socializers are interested in rewards with real value, like free merchandise or signed cast photos. When putting aside the material aspect, virtual rewards offer an emotional pay-off, described as being similar to the feeling when 'liked' on Facebook. Trivia and casual games related to a show are of greater interest if they offer some kind of reward. Real fans want to have their knowledge and skills tested, and expect the game to be challenging.
Communication
Communicating is a top priority for social TV users. Many respondents described cobbling together unique communication systems to interact with different social circles while watching a show. "When I'm watching Jersey Shore, I have Facebook chats with 10 friends and I'm texting a dozen people, and I can be on the phone to my best friend," said one participant.
There is no one-size-fits-all in terms of chat options. Of those interested in chat features, 56% prefer communicating through the social TV app/service, 53% through Facebook, 50% through individual or group texts and 38% through Skype or Apple FaceTime. For those that use check-in services, 71% check in to a show to let their friends know and 64% check in to let other fans of the show know. Check-in services are a unique way of communicating viewing activities while simultaneously encouraging others to tune-in and join a shared experience.
Smartphones dominate the use of social TV apps at 82%, trailed by tablets at 18%. For services that are delivered via HTML websites and associated apps, 52% of usage occurs on smartphones or tablets, followed closely by desktop or laptops at 48%.
Comments
Social TV users check comments about their favorite shows for a variety of reasons. Comments provide a different point of view, can pick up on something a viewer may have missed on their own and most importantly, create a direct connection between fan and show. "I love reading Daniel Tosh's tweets while watching Tosh.0. It gives the show a whole other dimension," said one survey respondent.
Not all sources of comments are equally valued. The number one source viewers want to hear from is a show's cast and crew, followed by the people they know. Audiences are sensitive to the quality of comments from a show's cast and crew – they look for authenticity and prefer the star(s) to be in character.
Social TV Users "C's the Moment" During Live Viewing
"Viewers C's the Moment" reveals that live TV show viewing unlocks the real value of social TV services and co-viewing activities. Features relating to communication, content and comments are twice as likely to be used during live than time-shifted viewing. Social TV enthusiasts reported feeling "left out" of the conversation if they missed a live airing.
One respondent said, "I'm most likely to engage with Social TV networking when it's live. So when a new show comes on, I'm very likely to check-in just before the show, see comments from other people, [and] make my own comments during the show as well."
Social TV activities also increase directly after a live show, when viewers can access exclusive content like sneak peeks without interrupting the live viewing experience. "I go to the website and watch the director's cut…after it airs as I like the extra scenes. I like to feel that I am getting something extra and it extends the show," said a participant.
Social TV can also help foster show discovery. Features like check-ins, viewer comments and shared video clips help viewers discover shows, incentivize them to watch and encourage them to join the live conversations.
LA Times Kills Sunday Magazine, Will Launch Luxury Quarterly
“We are not immune to the challenges” that the magazine industry has faced, wrote Los Angeles Times President Kathy K. Thomson in yesterday’s paper. So the paper has “made the decision that LA, Los Angeles Times Magazine [LATM] will publish its final issue on June 3rd.
FishbowlLA spoke with the mag’s editor, Nancie Clare, who said “It’s fair to say there were revenue issues…I don’t think they got rid of us because they don’t like us.” The mangazine’s lean staff of seven will be let go, with little likelihood they will be absorbed by the newspaper proper. Clare observed “They’re contracting in the newsroom too. There’s nowhere to absorb us.”
The magazine has struggled for years, for both readership and identity. As Folio described its transition, LATM was once a weekly produced by and distributed with the paper, then transitioned to a monthly in June 2008, then switched shifted to an editorial model separate from the paper and with its own editorial staff. Thus far in 2012, LATM has suffered a 21.3% drop in ad pages compared to 2011, and 2011 saw a 6% decline from 2010.
Thomson called the LATM the “definitive handbook for life in Southern California,” sort of a “New Yorker” for SoCal. But in its place, the Times is developing a quarterly product focused on luxury, design, fashion and style. The Times promises “digital and mobile iterations intended to further enhance our feature coverage and deepen our connection with our members and advertising partners.”
It is an ironic move that a cash-strapped newspaper will launch a luxury title, but likely a wise one. Luxury titles like Boating and Architectural Digest are weathering the economic storm far better than their consumer counterparts, and Forbes and Time Magazine have both launched luxury titles this year.
ESPN Upfront: Heavy on Digital, Authentication, New Films, Advertiser Value
ESPN presented its annual upfront yesterday, with a heavy emphasis on authentication, apps and delivering advertiser value. While the networks struggle to create social TV experience, CNN will likely be the first to make it a norm.
At the same time, ESPN Films announced that it will resurrect its 2010 hit series of sports-oriented films 30 for 30.
As Ad Age reports, Eric Johnson, ESPN's exec VP-multimedia sales, promised advertisers more targeted reach through its digital properties including the espnW platform for female sports fans; a new ESPN radio app for both the iPhone and iPad; ESPNFC, a global soccer destination; and a partnership with Twitter that will start with the NBA Finals.
Johnson claimed as well that with the Watch ESPN authenticated TV Everywhere app (introduced last year), ESPN now reaches 40 million homes, a number it expects to double before 2013.
Of course, few networks have the budget of ESPN, and "Modern Family" fans are hardly as rabid as NBA fans. But ESPN sets the bar for cross-media convergence.
30 for 30 Vol. II
ESPN Films has announced the return of the Emmy-nominated and Peabody Award-winning 30 for 30 film series. As with the first series, which included collaborations with acclaimed filmmakers such as Peter Berg (“Kings Ransom”), Barry Levinson (“The Band That Wouldn’t Die”), Ice Cube (“Straight Outta L.A.”) and Academy Award-winner Barbara Koppel (“The House of Steinbrenner”), ESPN Films will once again partner with a wide array of filmmakers to tell inspirational sports stories. 30 for 30 Vol. II is scheduled to premiere in October.
“30 for 30 was conceived as a finite collection and when the original series ended in December of 2010 with ‘Pony Excess,’ we had underestimated the strength of the connection fans had made between sports documentaries and the 30 for 30 brand,” said Connor Schell, vice president of ESPN Films. “We’re proud to have created a brand that has become synonymous with quality sports storytelling and we see value in bringing back a second collection of 30 films.”
In addition to a second slate of 30 feature-length documentaries, ESPN Films will broaden its scope to support a whole new crop of stories with the creation of 30 for 30 Shorts – a 30-part digital short film series. 30 for 30 Shorts will be similar to the feature-length films in that each piece will represent a specific point of view of the filmmaker and will be a reflection of how they blend the narrative with their own visual style. Beginning in September, a new short film will debut monthly on Bill Simmons’ Grantland.com. A 30 for 30 Short entitled “Here Now” about Pete Rose is currently online as preview of the series.
Volume II of 30 for 30 will have a much more defined multimedia component through closer integration with Grantland.com by featuring filmmaker podcasts with Bill Simmons, topical oral histories, in-depth features and more. Each feature-length film and digital short will be complemented with a long-form written piece on Grantland.com that deepens the experience with additional context.
Films scheduled to air as part of 30 for 30 Vol. II include:
- “Benji” about 17-year-old NBA prospect Ben Wilson whose life was tragically cut short;
- “Broke,” a documentary about pro athletes sucked into bad investments, stalked by freeloaders, saddled with medical problems;
- “Bo Knows,” another documentary about the marketing of pro athletes like legendary sports figure Bo Jackson;
- “The Season of Their Lives,” about the 1982-83 North Carolina State Wolfpack basketball team.
Social TV Via Twitter
ESPN announced a strategic collaboration with Twitter that it believes offers fans and advertisers unique, interactive programs around major sporting events, beginning with the upcoming NBA Finals. The effort will be promoted across Twitter, ESPN networks, ABC and ESPN’s broad array of digital assets, including ESPN.com and ESPN Mobile.
Each program will be co-created by ESPN and Twitter, beginning with GameFace – the first effort, which will be focused on the NBA Finals. GameFace will be seamlessly integrated throughout the live ABC broadcasts and ESPN’s NBA Tonight programming with a dedicated Twitter hashtag #GameFace.
Fans will be encouraged to tweet photographs of their “game face” throughout the finals. At the conclusion of each game, NBA Tonight analysts will highlight the competition and reveal the best photographs on-air. The best photos will also be featured in a photo gallery on ESPN.com/NBA.
“Working together, ESPN and Twitter are giving marketers a clear and powerful way to link on-air and online social conversations around sports,” said Joel Lunenfeld, Twitter’s Vice President of Global Brand Strategy. “It’s the first time advertisers can engage the audience around ESPN’s premier content across screens and where the conversation is happening on Twitter.”
Added Ed Erhardt, president, ESPN Global Customer Marketing and Sales, “Advertisers and marketers have been asking for meaningful opportunities that tap into the power of social media. We know fans use ESPN and Twitter as their main source for content and connectivity. By taking that scale and combining it with the passion of sports fans, this program answers the value equation of social media while providing a new way for fans to engage with ESPN.”
On Twitter, #GameFace will be supported through Twitter’s Promoted Products suite (including a Promoted Trend during the Finals), and the experience will be plugged on the @NBAonESPN Twitter handle.
ESPN Radio
The latest version of the ESPN Radio app for iPhone, iPad and iTouch provides both live and on demand content, and includes a new feature that allows fans to build their own sports stations. Versions for Android and Windows 7 smartphones are slated to launch later this summer.
“This latest version of the ESPN Radio App builds on our promise to deliver the best sports audio content across any device,” said Marc Horine, Vice President, ESPN Digital and Print Media. “With this update, fans now have complete control over their listening experience as the app provides the functionality to customize specifically by sports, teams and athletes they care most about.”
Beginning today (May 16), fans can download the premium version of the app at no cost for a limited time. After that, for a one-time fee of $4.99, fans can access the full experience of the app, complete with the new personalization features and enhancements. The premium app will continue to give millions of ESPN Radio listeners access to live radio streams from more than 35 ESPN Radio stations, fan favorite shows like “Mike & Mike in the Morning,” “The Herd” with Colin Cowherd, “Waddle & Silvy” (Chicago) and “The Michael Kay Show” (New York), plus select play-by-play broadcasts, live scores and text messaging.
ESPN Radio launched its first app in September 2009 and has since been one of the top paid sports apps in the marketplace. Additionally, it was named Best Radio App by Radio Ink Magazine at the Digital Convergence Awards in May 2011. The ESPN Radio App is available from the App Store on iPhone, iPad and iPod touch or at www.itunes.com/appstore.
ABC Upfront: Heavy on Comedy and Schedule Shakeups
ABC is “building on its momentum from the 2011-2012” season which included the No. 1 comedy (“Modern Family”), No. 1 drama (“Grey’s Anatomy”) and No. 1 freshman drama (“Once Upon A Time”) this season in the key Adult 18-49 demographic. But it also included the flagging “Dancing with the Stars” and the wishy-washy “Happy Endings” and “Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23.” So the Falls schedule shows some tinkering.
Like NBC and Fox, ABC is going “long on comedy”, reports Broadcasting & Cable, with four new comedies over three nights, and a dedicated family comedy block on Fridays. “The Neighbors,” about a family that moves to New Jersey to find that its neighbors are space aliens, will air after the flagship “Modern Family” at 9:30 P.M. in the fall. So “Happy Endings” and “Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23,” which took turns in that slot, will be back-to-back on Tuesday at 9 P.M. opposite Fox's “New Girl” and the much-anticipated “The Mindy Project.”
On Fridays beginning November, the network will offer a one-hour family comedy block, with “Last Man Standing” and “Malibu Country,” with Reba McIntyre.
The network will try to goose its flagging reality franchise “Dancing With the Stars,” describes the New York Times, by trying an “all-star version,” with “fan favorites” from earlier seasons in midseason.
A solid mix of promising new series and returning hits is what drove ABC to strong results in the 2011-12 Season. Season to date among Adults 18-49, ABC claims TV’s No. 1 comedy/scripted series (“Modern Family”), the No. 1 drama (“Grey’s Anatomy”) and the No. 1 freshman drama (“Once Upon A Time”). Led by Emmy-winning “Modern Family,” ABC’s 2-hour Wednesday night comedy block continues to connect with audiences, posting its 2nd straight year of growth with viewers (+3%) and young adults (+6%). In addition, ABC is the only network up during the 10 o’clock hour on Monday-Friday as lead-in to affiliates’ late-local newscasts with Total Viewers (+8%) and Adults 25-54 (+7%).
Fall premiere dates will be announced at a later time.
ABC’s fall primetime schedule is as follows (all times listed are Eastern); new shows are in capitals:
MONDAY:
8:00 P.M. “Dancing with the Stars”
10:00 P.M. “Castle”
In January:
8:00 P.M. “The Bachelor”
10:00 P.M. “Castle”
TUESDAY:
8:00 P.M. “Dancing with the Stars the Results Show”
9:00 P.M. “Happy Endings”
9:30 P.M. “Don’t Trust The B—- in Apartment 23”
10:00 P.M. “Private Practice”
In January:
8:00 P.M. “HOW TO LIVE WITH YOUR PARENTS (FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE)”
8:30 P.M. “THE FAMILY TOOLS”
WEDNESDAY:
8:00 P.M. “The Middle”
8:30 P.M. “Suburgatory”
9:00 P.M. “Modern Family”
9:30 P.M. “THE NEIGHBORS”
10:00 P.M. “NASHVILLE”
THURSDAY:
8:00 P.M. “LAST RESORT”
9:00 P.M. “Grey’s Anatomy”
10:00 P.M. “Scandal”
FRIDAY:
8:00 P.M. “Shark Tank”
9:00 P.M. “Primetime: What Would You Do?”
10:00 P.M. “20/20”
In November:
8:00 P.M. “Last Man Standing”
8:30 P.M. “MALIBU COUNTRY”
9:00 P.M. “Shark Tank”
10:00 P.M. “Primetime: What Would You Do?”
SATURDAY:
8:00 P.M. “Saturday Night College Football”
SUNDAY:
7:00 P.M. “America’s Funniest Home Videos”
8:00 P.M. “Once Upon A Time”
9:00 P.M. “Revenge”
10:00 P.M. “666 PARK AVENUE”
NEW FALL AND MIDSEASON SERIES
DRAMA
“666 PARK AVENUE.” At the ominous address of 666 Park Avenue, anything you desire can be yours. Everyone has needs, desires and ambition. For the residents of The Drake, these will all be met, courtesy of the building’s mysterious owner, Gavin Doran (Terry O’Quinn). But every Faustian contract comes with a price. When Jane Van Veen (Rachael Taylor) and Henry Martin (Dave Annable), an idealistic young couple from the Midwest, are offered the opportunity to manage the historic building, they not only fall prey to the machinations of Doran and his mysterious wife, Olivia (Vanessa Williams), but unwittingly begin to experience the shadowy, supernatural forces within the building that imprison and endanger the lives of the residents inside. Sexy, seductive and inviting, The Drake maintains a dark hold over all of its residents, tempting them through their ambitions and desires, in this chilling new drama that’s home to an epic struggle of good versus evil.
“666 Park Avenue” stars Rachael Taylor (“Charlie’s Angels,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” Transformers) as Jane Van Veen, Dave Annable (“Brothers & Sisters,” “Reunion”) as Henry Martin, Robert Buckley (“One Tree Hill,” “Lipstick Jungle”) as Brian Leonard, Mercedes Masöhn (“The Finder,” “Chuck,” “Three Rivers”) as Louise Leonard, Helena Mattsson (“Iron Man 2,” “Nikita,” “Desperate Housewives”) as Alexis Blume, Samantha Logan as Nona Clark, with Vanessa Williams (“Desperate Housewives,” “Ugly Betty,” “Shaft,” “Soul Food”) as Olivia Doran and Terry O’Quinn (“Lost,” “Millennium,” “Hawaii Five-0,” “Alias,” “The West Wing,” “Jag”) as Gavin Doran.
“LAST RESORT.” 500 feet beneath the ocean’s surface, the U.S. ballistic missile submarine Colorado receive their orders. Over a radio channel, designed only to be used if their Homeland has been wiped out, they’re told to fire nuclear weapons at Pakistan.
Captain Marcus Chaplin (Andre Braugher) demands confirmation of the orders only to be unceremoniously relieved of duty by the White House. XO Sam Kendal (Scott Speedman) finds himself suddenly in charge of the submarine and facing the same difficult decision. When he also refuses to fire without confirmation of the orders, the Colorado is targeted, fired upon, and hit. The submarine and its crew find themselves crippled on the ocean floor, declared rogue enemies of their own country. Now, with nowhere left to turn, Chaplin and Kendal take the sub on the run and bring the men and women of the Colorado to an exotic island. Here they will find refuge, romance and a chance at a new life, even as they try to clear their names and get home.
“Last Resort” stars Andre Braugher (“Men of a Certain Age”) as Captain Marcus Chaplin, Scott Speedman (“The Vow”) as XO Sam Kendal, Daisy Betts (“Sea Patrol”) as Lieutenant Grace Shepard, Dichen Lachman (“Being Human”) as Tani Tumrenjack, Daniel Lissing (“Crownies”) as SEAL Officer James King, Sahr Ngaujah (“House of Payne”) as Mayor Julian Serrat, Camille de Pazzis as Sophie Gerard, Autumn Reeser (“Hawaii Five-O,” “No Ordinary Family”) as Kylie Sinclair, Jessy Schram (“Falling Skies,” “Once Upon A Time”) as Christine Kendal.
“MISTRESSES.” Welcome to a provocative and thrilling drama about the scandalous lives of a sexy and sassy group of four girlfriends, each on her own path to self-discovery, as they brave the turbulent journey together.
Meet Savi (Alyssa Milano), a successful career woman working toward the next phase in her life — both professional and personal — simultaneously bucking for partner at her law firm while she and her husband, Harry (Brett Tucker), try to start a family of their own. Savi’s free-spirited and capricious baby sister, Josselyn (Jes Macallan), couldn’t be more different – living single, serial dating and partying, and regularly leaning on her big sister along the way. Their common best friend, April (Rochelle Aytes), a recent widow and mother of two, is rebuilding her life after tragedy and learning to move forward, with the support and guidance of her closest girlfriends. And friend Karen (Yunjin Kim), a successful therapist with her own practice, reconnects with the girls after her involvement in a complicated relationship with a patient goes far too deep.
“Mistresses” is a salacious new drama about a group of friends caught in storms of excitement and self-discovery, secrecy and betrayal, and bound by the complex relationships they’ve created.
“Mistresses” stars Alyssa Milano (“New Years Eve,” “Romantically Challenged,” “Hall Pass,” “My Name Is Earl,” “Charmed,” “Melrose Place”) as Savannah, Yunjin Kim (“Lost”) as Karen, Rochelle Aytes (“Work It,” “White Collar,” “Detroit 1-8-7,” “Desperate Housewives”) as April, Jes Macallan (“Kiss Me,” “NCIS: Los Angeles,” “Crash and Burn,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Shameless”) as Josslyn, Jason George (“Grey’s Anatomy,” “The Closer,” “Against the Wall,” “Castle,” “Off The Map,” “Eastwick”) as Dominic, Brett Tucker (“Castle,” “Spartacus: Vengeance,” “Rizzoli & Isles,” “NCIS,” “Neighbours”) as Harry, Erik Stocklin (“Grey Sheep,” “Sick Day,” “Let’s Big Happy”) as Sam.
“NASHVILLE.” Chart-topping Rayna James (Connie Britton) is a country legend who’s had a career any singer would envy, though lately her popularity is starting to wane. Fans still line up to get her autograph, but she’s not packing the arenas like she used to. Rayna’s record label thinks a concert tour, opening for up-and-comer Juliette Barnes (Hayden Panettiere), the young and sexy future of country music, is just what Rayna needs. But scheming Juliette can’t wait to steal Rayna’s spotlight. Sharing a stage with that disrespectful, untalented, little vixen is the last thing Rayna wants to do, which sets up a power struggle for popularity. Could the undiscovered songwriting talent of Scarlett O’Connor (Clare Bowen) be the key to helping Rayna resurrect her career?
Complicating matters, Rayna’s wealthy but estranged father, Lamar Hampton (Powers Boothe), is a powerful force in business, Tennessee politics, and the lives of his two grown daughters. His drive for power results in a scheme to back Rayna’s handsome husband, Teddy, in a run for Mayor of Nashville, against Rayna’s wishes.
“Nashville” stars Connie Britton (“Friday Night Lights,” “American Horror Story”) as Rayna, Hayden Panettiere (“Heroes”) as Juliette, Powers Boothe (“MacGruber,” “24”) as Lamar, Charles Esten (“Enlightened,” “Big Love”) as Deacon, Eric Close (“Chaos,” “Without a Trace”) as Teddy, Clare Bowen as Scarlett, Jonathan Jackson (“General Hospital”) as Avery, Sam Palladio as Gunnar and Robert Wisdom as Coleman.
“Nashville” was written by Callie Khouri (“Thelma & Louise”) who is an executive producer along with R.J. Cutler (“The September Issue,” “The War Room,” “Flip That House,” “A Perfect Candidate”) and Steve Buchanan. The pilot for “Nashville” was directed by R.J. Cutler. The series is produced by Lionsgate, ABC Studios and Gaylord Entertainment.
“RED WIDOW.” When Marta Walraven’s (Radha Mitchell) husband is brutally murdered, her first instinct is to protect her three young children. Her husband’s business partners – Irwin Petrova (Wil Traval), Marta’s scheming and untrustworthy brother, and Mike Tomlin (Lee Tergesen) — were involved in an illegal drug business deal with rival gangsters, and Marta’s husband paid the ultimate price. She already knows the violent world of organized crime; her father, Andrei Petrova (Rade Sherbedzija), and loyal bodyguard Luther (Luke Goss) are gangsters too. She and her sister Kat (Jaime Ray Newman) had always wished for a safer life without bloodshed and fear. For a while Marta lived happily as a stay at home housewife in San Marta’s cooperation, FBI Agent James Ramos (Mido Hamada) now promises justice.
Marta discovers a tenacity she never knew she had, and takes on the gangsters and the FBI to unveil the truth about her husband’s death. As she digs into this dark underworld, she’ll test her own strength, relying on her resourcefulness, determination and family ties like never before. To get out of this mob, she needs to beat the bad guys at their own deadly game.
“Red Widow” stars Radha Mitchell (“Melinda and Melinda,” “Silent Hill,” “Rogue,” “Henry Poll Is Here,” “The Children of Huang Shi,” “The Waiting City”) as Marta Walraven, Wil Traval (“Rescue Special Ops,” “Underbelly,” “All Saints”) as Irwin Petrova, Erin Moriarty (“One Life To Live”) as Natalie Walraven, Sterling Beaumon (“Arthur Newman, Golf Pro, “Clue”) as Gabriel Walraven, Lee Tergesen (“Army Wives”) as Mike Tomlin, Jakob Salvati as Boris Walraven, Mido Hamada as FBI Agent James Ramos, Luke Goss as Luther, Jaime Ray Newman (“Drop Dead Diva”) as Kat Petrova, Suleka Mathew (“Hawthorne”) as Dina Tomlin and Rade Serbedzija (“24”) as Andrei Petrova.
“ZERO HOUR.” As the publisher of a paranormal enthusiast magazine, Modern Skeptic, Hank Galliston has spent his career following clues, debunking myths and solving conspiracies. A confessed paranormal junkie, his motto is “logic is the compass.” But when his beautiful wife, Laila (Jacinda Barrett), is abducted from her antique clock shop, Hank gets pulled into one of the most compelling mysteries in human history, stretching around the world and back centuries.
Contained in one of his wife’s clocks is a treasure map, and what it leads to could be cataclysmic. Now it’s up to Hank to decipher the symbols and unlock the secrets of the map, while ensuring the answers don’t fall into the wrong hands – a man they call White Vincent (Michael Nyqvist). With his two young associates, Rachel (Addison Timlin) and Arron (Scott Michael Foster), in tow, along with Becca Riley, a sexy FBI agent (Carmen Ejogo), Hank will lead them on a breathless race against the clock to find his wife and save humanity.
“Zero Hour” stars Anthony Edwards (“Big Sur,” “Flipped,” “ER”) as Hank, Carmen Ejogo (“Sparkle,” “Chaos,” “Away We Go”) as Beck, Scott Michael Foster (“Californication,” “The River”) as Aaron, Addison Timlin (“Californication”) as Rachel, Jacinda Barrett (“Matching Jack,” “Middle Men,” “New York, I Love You”) as Laila and Michael Nyqvist (“Mission: Impossible – Ghost Patrol”) as White Vincent.
COMEDY
“HOW TO LIVE WITH YOUR PARENTS (FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE).” Polly (Sarah Chalke) is a single mom who’s been divorced for almost a year. The transition wasn’t easy for her, especially in this economy. So, like a lot of young people living in this new reality, she and her daughter, Natalie (Rachel Eggleston), have moved back home with her eccentric parents, Elaine (Elizabeth Perkins) and Max (Brad Garrett). But Polly and her parents look at life through two different lenses. Polly’s too uptight. Her parents are too laid back. Polly’s conservative when it comes to dating (no action, whatsoever), while her parents are still sexually adventurous. They think Polly turned out okay, so what’s the big deal? Well, they say it takes a village to raise a child…and in Polly’s case, this village is on fire. But with help from her best friend Gregg (Orlando Jones), her lovable yet irresponsible ex-husband Julian (Jon Dore) and her cool and fun assistant Jenn (Rebecca Delgado Smith) Polly takes her first steps toward getting a life, starting with a social one.
“How to Live with Your Parents (For the Rest of Your Life)” stars Sarah Chalke (“Mad Love,” “Scrubs”) as Polly, Jon Dore as Julian, Rachel Eggleston as Natalie, Brad Garrett (“Everybody Loves Raymond,” “‘Til Death”) as Max, Orlando Jones (“Rules of Engagement”) as Gregg, Elizabeth Perkins (“Weeds”) as Elaine, Rebecca Delgado Smith as Jenn.
“MALIBU COUNTRY.” When Reba Gallagher (Reba) discovers that her husband, Bobby, (Jeffrey Nordling) a country music legend, has a cheatin’ heart, her world is turned upside down. Reba dreamt of becoming a country star herself, but put her career on hold to raise a family. Now she’s questioning all of that, big-time. With the ink on her divorce barely dry, Reba packs up her sharp-tongued mother, Lillie May (Lily Tomlin), her two kids and the U-Haul and heads for sunny California to begin a new chapter. Leaving Nashville in the rear view, they start over at their Malibu residence — the last remaining asset they have. Reba gets to know her new open and loving neighbor Kim (Sara Rue) and her son, Sage, but also discovers that relocation to Southern California is going to be quite an adjustment for a traditional southern belle: the West Coast seems like the polar opposite of Music City, and Reba feels like an outsider. Still, with the support of her family she sets about finding her voice, jump-starting her music career with the help of her new music agent, Geoffrey (Jai Rodriguez), and embracing this chance to begin again.
“Malibu Country” stars country music superstar Reba (“Reba,” “Tremors”) as Reba, Sara Rue (“Rules of Engagement,” “Less Than Perfect”) as Kim, Justin Prentice as Cash, Juliette Angelo as June, Jai Rodriguez (“Bones,” “How I Met Your Mother,” one of the original hosts of “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy”) as Geoffrey and Lily Tomlin (“Eastbound and Down,” “Damages,” “Desperate Housewives,” “West Wing,” “Nine to Five,” “All of Me,” “Nashville”) as Lillie May.
“THE NEIGHBORS.” How well do you know your neighbors? Meet the Weavers, Debbie (Jami Gertz) and Marty (Lenny Venito). Marty, in hopes of providing a better life for his wife and three kids, recently bought a home in Hidden Hills, a gated New Jersey townhome community with its own golf course. Hidden Hills is so exclusive that a house hasn’t come on the market in 10 years. But one finally did and the Weavers got it!
It’s clear from day one that the residents of Hidden Hills are a little different. For starters, their new neighbors all have pro-athlete names like Reggie Jackson (Tim Jo), Jackie Joyner-Kersee (Toks Olagundoye), Dick Butkis (Ian Patrick) and Larry Bird (Simon Templeman). Over dinner, Marty and his family discover that their neighbors receive nourishment through their eyes by reading books, rather than eating. The Weavers soon learn that the entire community is comprised of aliens from Zabvron, where the men bear children and everyone cries green goo from their ears.
The Zabvronians have been stationed on Earth for the past 10 years, disguised as humans, awaiting instructions from home, and the Weavers are the first humans they’ve had the opportunity to know. As it turns out, the pressures of marriage and Parenthood are not exclusive to planet Earth. Two worlds will collide with hilarious consequences as everyone discovers they can “totally relate” and learn a lot from each other.
“The Neighbors” stars Jami Gertz (“Entourage,” “Modern Family,” “Still Standing,” “Ally McBeal”) as Debbie Weaver, Lenny Venito (“Bored to Death,” “Men in Black III,” “Person Of Interest,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm”) as Marty Weaver, Simon Templeman as Larry Bird, Toks Olagundoye as Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Clara Mamet as Amber Weaver, Tim Jo (“Glory Daze”) as Reggie Jackson, Ian Patrick (“Wanderlust”) as Dick Butkis, Max Charles (“The Three Stooges,” “The Amazing Spider-Man”) as Max Weaver, Isabella Cramp as Abby Weaver.
“THE FAMILY TOOLS.” Mixing family with business is never easy, and Jack Shea (Kyle Bornheimer) is about to learn that lesson the hard way. When Jack’s father, Tony (J.K. Simmons), has a heart attack and is forced to hand over the keys to his beloved handyman business, Jack is eager to finally step up and make his father proud. Unfortunately Jack’s past career efforts have been less than stellar, so everyone seems to be waiting for him to fail. His new job isn’t made any easier by Tony’s rebellious, troublemaker assistant, Darren (Edi Gathegi), and Darren’s flirtatious sister, Liz (Danielle Nicolet), who works at the local hardware store. Yet with the support of his Aunt Terry (Leah Remini) and his oddball yet endearing cousin Mason (Johnny Pemberton), Jack Shea may just find his true calling right at home.
“The Family Tools” stars Kyle Bornheimer (“Bachelorette,” “Romantically Challenged,” “Perfect Couples”) as Jack Shea, J.K. Simmons (“Ultimate Spiderman,” “Generator Rex,” “The Closer”) as Tony Shea, Edi Gathegi (“X Men: First Class”) as Darren, Johnny Pemberton (“21 Jump Street,” “Aim High”) as Mason, Danielle Nicolet (“X Men TV Series”) as Liz and Leah Remini (“In the Motherhood,” “King of Queens”) as Terry.
Telemundo Upfront: 40% More Original Spanish-Language Content
Telemundo Media (an NBCUniversal property), which is the fastest growing broadcast network in primetime among adults 18-49 according to Nielsen data, has announced its 2012-2013 programming lineup, with more than 800 hours of original content. That increases the network’s original programming slate by nearly 40%.
That is good news for advertisers hoping to reach the Hispanic demo. According to Kantar Media, Spanish language TV ad spending surged 19.1% in fourth quarter, paced by higher sell-out levels at over-the-air networks. For all of 2011, the segment increased 8.3%.
The network’s new programming increase includes six telenovelas, two daytime shows and a reality competition. New original telenovelas include “El Rostro de la Venganza” (The Face of Revenge), “El Señor de los Cielos” (The Lord of the Heavens), “La Patrona” (The Patron), “Pasión Prohibida” (Forbidden Passion), “Nace un Idolo” (An Idol is Born) and “Fina Estampa” (Fine Pedigree); as well as daytime programs “Cuauhtemoc” and “Virgen Morena” (The Virgin of Guadalupe), and reality competition “Yo Me Llamo” (My Name is). Telemundo also announced the launch of its new branding campaign for the fall and unveiled a new logo capturing the essence of the Hispanic experience in the U.S. Additionally, Telemundo expanded its family of mobile apps with the launch of the Telemundo Entertainment App, giving audiences access to Telemundo content wherever and whenever they want it.
“This season we are presenting our most ambitious original programming slate ever, a testament to our commitment to produce the most relevant Spanish-language content for the largest Hispanic audience possible,” said Emilio Romano, President, Telemundo Media. “Fueled by our record-breaking performance and the support of Comcast and NBCUniversal, together with a leading team of executives, our mission is to become the number one Hispanic media company in the U.S. and the leading producer of Spanish-language content in the world.”
Telemundo Media enters this year’s Upfront with an increase of four share points in the first half of the broadcast season, the only major Spanish-language network to grow its share. The network also recently delivered its highest-rated quarter ever in network history with total viewers, up 10% vs. Q1 2011. In addition, Telemundo’s cable youth channel, mun2, is the number one Hispanic cable network among Hispanics in the coveted 18-34 demographic. In March, Telemundo.com was the #1 Spanish-language website for engagement, delivering six times more minutes per viewer and 15 million more total minutes than its competition.
Last year, Telemundo and mun2 recorded their best Upfront season ever, adding more than 50 new advertisers, delivering 20% growth in national ad revenue, more than any other Spanish-language broadcast network. An estimated $88MM of new business came to Spanish-language television with Telemundo commanding more than half (55%) of that new business. And in the first quarter of 2012, Telemundo added 12 new advertisers, with increases in the automotive and pharmaceutical categories.
Telemundo announced it will launch its rebranding campaign complete with a new logo, tagline and on-air identity this fall. The network’s new positioning platform aims to capture the duality of Telemundo’s audience, balancing the strong connection to their Latin roots with their contemporary mindset of living in the U.S.
The network’s original programming will embody the brand attributes of modern, original, creative, pioneering and passionate, all aimed at speaking to the hearts and minds and the unique perspective of its audience.
“Hispanics living in the U.S. often transcend two worlds — roots in their home country and their lives here today,” said Jacqueline Hernández, Chief Operating Officer, Telemundo Media. “Our new positioning platform reflects our audience’s duality of being in America and being Latino.”
Additionally, Telemundo Digital announced the launch of its Entertainment App. The Telemundo Entertainment App features bilingual content, marking the first time Telemundo and mun2 partner on a mobile app. The bilingual app features content from Telemundo’s popular CrossOver channel on www.Telemundo.com and provides users with the most up-to-date entertainment news through breaking news alerts. Users can access Telemundo’s full programming schedule and add calendar reminders to their phone about program air dates and times and mark particular programs and sections as “favorites.” In addition to commenting on and rating the app’s articles, photos and videos, a new social media integration enables users to share content from the app directly with friends and followers, as well as follow, tweet and re-tweet favorite Telemundo programs, talent and celebrities.
Following is a list of the Telemundo Media series:
TELENOVELAS
“El Rostro de la Venganza” (The Face of Revenge)
After spending most of his life in jail paying for a crime he has no memory of committing, 30 year-old Diego Mercader Carrasco is released and adopts a different identity to begin a new life and protect himself from his past. With the help of his psychiatrist Antonia Villarroel and Ezequiel Alvarado, who becomes his benefactor and a father figure, Diego gets a second chance as he will now be known as Martin Mendez.
Antonia and Martin (Diego) become romantically involved, and she teaches him about life and love. As her love for Martin grows, Antonia digs deeper into Diego’s case, trying to find out what really happened 20 years earlier. Determined to prove his innocence, Antonia gets involved more than she should and will pay a very high price for her investigation. Meanwhile, Martin must uncover the past and piece together clues and memories of the tragedy that unfolded 20 years ago to reveal…what really happened that day?
“El Señor de los Cielos” (The Lord of the Heavens)
Damian Torres is a man of humble beginnings who dreamed of having it all. Through relentless will and fearless determination, Damian transforms himself from a poor peasant into one of the world’s richest men and a powerful drug trafficker, wanted by the DEA. Damian embodies the entire spectrum of what the human soul is capable of, from the virtuous to the unthinkable, all fueled by his immeasurable desire for power and wealth. Damian's life turns into a quest for survival when his numerous enemies start hunting him down and the DEA closes in. He realizes that his only way out is to start a new life as literally a new man, so he decides to undergo facial reconstruction. Damian will discover that on the dangerous path to riches he chose to take, there is no turning back.
“La Patrona” (The Patron)
Adriana Ordoñez’s life has led her to endure unexpected hardships, but because of her immeasurable strength, she will ultimately experience the greatest of transformations, both physically and emotionally, in a quest for redemption. After her parents died in an accident, Adriana is taken in by Mari Cruz Perez, the distinguished Beltran family’s chef. Mari becomes Adriana’s foster mother giving her the love and affection she craved. Adriana’s misfortune comes as a result of falling in love with Alejandro, the fiancé of one of the Beltran family’s daughters, which makes Adriana a target for many in the family. Her enemies conspire and have her locked up in an asylum, but a terrible fire destroys the facility. Adriana narrowly escapes with her life; however everyone believes she is dead. While she is recovering, Adriana learns that she inherited her father’s valuable lands. Adriana vows to take advantage of the opportunity and change her life forever. Transforming herself into a powerful and wealthy woman, Adriana hides her true identity to take revenge upon those who wronged her. But will her plans for revenge eclipse the only true love she has ever known?
“Pasión Prohibida” (Forbidden Passion)
Mariana is driven by hatred against Deborah, her mother, whom she blames for the death of her father. Mariana marries Juan Pablo, an older, wealthy widower, whom Deborah has set her eyes on, seeking his fortune. Despite Juan Pablo’s kindness and love towards her, in reality, Mariana does not genuinely love him. When Mariana discovers a hidden truth and realizes her vengeance is unfounded, she tries to find happiness alongside Juan Pablo. However, Mariana never imagined that she would find the passion and true love she was seeking in Bruno, her husband’s nephew. For his part, Bruno has an internal struggle because of the passion he feels for Mariana and the loyalty he owes to Juan Pablo, a man whom he considers his adoptive father. Ultimately, Mariana and Bruno will live a love that is passionate but forbidden and which will turn Mariana into a victim of her own game.
“Nace un Idolo” (An Idol is Born)
The serialized biography is based on the real-life story of José Sosa Ortiz – better known as José José, “El Príncipe de la Canción” (The Prince of Song), a Mexican musical icon adored by millions around the world. His story embodies a man’s journey to reach the status of an idol – including fame and fortune – and the high price he had to pay to achieve his dreams.
“Nace un Idolo” highlights the passion and excitement that a superstar artist feels for his craft and the adoration of his fans. It also displays the frailty of the man coping with his addiction and its damaging effects. His is a story of hope and new beginnings and the success to regain all that he almost lost — his family, his voice, his life.
“Fina Estampa” (Fine Pedigree)
After her husband apparently disappears at sea, Griselda is determined to do anything to provide for her family, even if it means taking on the job of a “handyman,” an unusual profession for a woman. Hard-working and humble, Griselda is proud of her job because it allows her to prove that someone can have a decent, happy life without compromising one’s values. One of her sons is getting engaged to the daughter of Teresa Cristina, a wealthy, elegant and superficial woman. Teresa Cristina is horrified at the prospect of being related to a woman from a lower class so she continuously humiliates Griselda, even though her husband, Rene, reproaches her for her actions.
After many years playing the same lottery numbers, Griselda wins $25 million dollars, and her life suddenly changes, but not her nature. Her fortune doesn’t just bring Griselda a better life; it also “resurrects” her husband who had supposedly been dead for years, leading to a series of unexpected complications for Griselda and her family. Despite having more money than she ever imagined, Griselda learns that life is never easy; but for someone with integrity, anything is possible — even finding true love.
“La Reina del Sur 2” (Queen of the South 2)
Telemundo also announced today it has acquired the rights to the sequel of “La Reina del Sur,” the blockbuster hit that captivated viewers night after night, making it the highest-rated novela in the company’s history. Production and air dates to be announced.
DAYTIME
“Cuauhtemoc"
The daytime talk show stars Carlos Cuauhtémoc Sánchez, a bestselling author and international motivational speaker, as the host of this program where couples and families will overcome their personal issues and struggles.
“Virgen Morena” (The Virgin of Guadalupe)
“Virgen Morena” is a dramatic series featuring self-contained episodes that highlight moving stories inspired by true events where people facing a life struggle look to Our Lady of Guadalupe (affectionately known in Mexico as “La Virgen Morena”) for a miraculous resolution to their problem. The series marks the first time in the industry a daytime novela is produced exclusively for U.S. Hispanics.
REALITY COMPETITION
“Yo Me Llamo” (My Name is)
“Yo Me Llamo,” an international hit, is a talent competition where the country’s most talented amateur singers/performers compete to win a grand prize by transforming themselves into their favorite musical icon.
Upfront TV: NBC’s Pirate Drama | Spears + Lovato = Factor | A Groupon Sitcom?!
- NBC joins the pirate craze. The network has picked up “Crossbones” from the successful producing team of Walter Parkes and Laurie MacDonald (“Gladiator,” “Men in Black,” “The Ring”). Ten episodes of the action/adventure series have been ordered and production will begin in the fall. The premise: It’s 1715 on the Bahamian island of New Providence, the first functioning democracy in the Americas, where the diabolical pirate Edward Teach (aka Blackbeard) reigns over a rogue nation of thieves, outlaws and miscreant sailors. Part shantytown, part marauder’s paradise, this is a place like no other on earth – and a mounting threat to international commerce. But who are the greater villains—the cutthroats or the British? Interestingly, but for Disney’s “Pirates of the Caribbean” films with Johnny Depp, pirate films and TV have been legendary duds since the 1940s. Four films in the last 30 years (“Swashbuckler” with Rober Shaw, “Nate & Hayes” with Tommy Lee Jones, “Pirates” directed by Roman Polanski and “Cutthroat Island” with Geena Davis) have all tanked.
- “It’s official,” writes Hollywood Reporter. Britney Spears will join Fox’s “The X Factor” as one of its new judges (a spot Janet Jackson declined), alongside popstar Demi Lovato, for a reported $15 million. The Wall Street Journal described the 2011-2012 season as a “disappointing debut year” for X Factor.
- CNN is planning to launch a feature film banner called CNN Films, reports TVNewser, to create non-fiction films for TV and theatrical release. CNN Films will pursue well-known, distinguished documentarians and filmmakers to produce the features. The films will air on CNN, and in limited theatrical release and at film festivals. The first features are expected to debut sometime in 2013. CNN will continue to produce and acquire long-form programming under the “CNN Presents” and “In America” banners, separately from CNN Films.
- Katy Perry will debut a new song, “Wide Awake,” in an exclusive performance on the “2012 Billboard Music Awards,” airing live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, May 20 (8:00-11:00 P.M. ET) on the ABC Television Network. “Wide Awake” was written for her upcoming film, “Katy Perry: Part of Me,” which will be released on July 5. Katy Perry’s two albums have generated a string of No. 1 hit singles and multi-platinum sales over the past four years. The special edition “Teenage Dream: The Complete Confection,” available now, features three new songs, including “Part of Me,” her 7th Hot 100 No. 1 hit, and “Wide Awake,” written for the forthcoming 3D “Katy Perry: Part of Me” film.
- Groupon is the focus of a new sitcom, reports Vanity Fair (although Groupon is not directly involved). CBS has just ordered a sitcom about two friends who moved to Los Angeles to work at Groupon. The series is called “Friend Me” (which muddies the waters with Facebook). The show will star Christopher Mintz-Plasse, from "Superbad," and Nicholas Braun, from "Red State." One of the pair is an online poker addict, while the other tries to drag his friend out into the real Los Angeles. Groupon has denied any involvement with the series.
CEA: Consumers Use HDTV Like An iPad
As video consumption increases and viewing devices vary, consumers are still using televisions most often to watch video, according to The Evolving Video Landscape study released by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA). So should ad buyers take back those digital dollars they robbed from TV budgets? Not necessarily. Consumers are increasingly using televisions like iPads, for social media, music and web browsing.
Consumers are watching more video than they have in the past, across a variety of platforms. One-third of U.S. adults online (34%) say they watch more video content today than they did a year ago. Viewing of television video programming is up 28%, with consumers citing convenience and the appeal/variety of programming as the top factors for increased viewing. Viewing of content on portable devices has also increased, with 40% watching more on those devices today than a year ago.
Many consumers (66%) who are watching video content on television are simultaneously using other consumer electronics (CE) devices. This behavior is more prevalent among younger consumers, as 85% of 18- to 24-year-olds and 70% of 25- to 34-year-olds multitask with another device while watching video on a television. U.S. adults online report watching some type of video content an average of 3.2 hours a day, five days per week.
Televisions continue to be the most commonly used device for watching video but other devices are gaining in popularity. HDTVs are the most prevalent devices used for video viewing, used by two-thirds (66 percent) of U.S. adults online. Computers are also commonly used to watch video, with 62 percent using a laptop to watch video and 55% using a desktop. One-third (33%) of consumers are using their smartphones to watch video content, and 17% are using their tablets.
“Consumers are watching more video than they have in years past and they are seeking devices and technologies that deliver a quality video and audio experience,” said Shawn DuBravac, CEA’s chief economist and director of research. “However, younger consumers accustomed to multitasking are defining new video behaviors as they watch video content across multiple platforms, on their own schedule, all while interacting socially on their devices with their friends.”
Televisions have also emerged as a device that can do more than just play video. Among consumers using televisions to watch video content, nearly half (47%) also use their sets for other purposes. One in three (34%) consumers who use a television to watch video also use their set to listen to music, and one in five (21%) uses a television to listen to audio. Usage also varies by age and the type of display owned. Younger consumers, those under age 25, rely on their TVs more for music, social media, going on the Web and communicating. Consumers with Internet-enabled TVs use their displays in a number of ways as well: 47% listen to music, 28% use social media, 26% surf the Web and 23% view photos.
Future television purchases will be based on better picture quality and larger screen sizes as consumers will continue to seek the latest innovations in the market. Almost half (48%) of consumers planning to purchase a TV in the next 12 months will be replacing an aging, obsolete or broken set. However, half (51%) desire improved picture quality in a new display and half (50%) want a larger screen size. One in four (24%) consumers with intentions to purchase a TV over the next year expect to purchase a 3DTV; 21% plan to purchase an OLED display; and a quarter of consumers (25%) plan to purchase an Internet-enabled TV. While stated purchase intentions do not always translate to transactions, the study clearly shows many consumers have their eyes fixed on newer TV technologies.
“Easy access to the Web makes TVs more versatile, allowing us to stay connected, informed and entertained,” said DuBravac. “In the future, new technologies, like OLED and 3D, will continue to improve the viewer experience, and Internet-enabled sets will fulfill consumers’ desires to be connected.”
The Evolving Video Landscape Study (April 2012) was conducted between February 22 and March 2, 2012. It was designed and formulated by CEA Market Research, the most comprehensive source of sales data, forecasts, consumer research and historical trends for the consumer electronics industry. Please cite any information to the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)®. The complete study is available free to CEA member companies at members.CE.org. Non-members may purchase the study at the CEA Store.
Fox Upfront: Kevin Bacon Drama, a Mob Doctor, No “Alcatraz” Or “Finder”
Fox has announced its 2012-13 primetime lineup, which brings Kevin Bacon to broadcast TV in “The Following,” as an ex-FBI agent tracking a serial killer (and a cult of copycats). Also in the lineup, “Mob Doctor,” following a young thoracic surgeon (Jordana Spiro) who juggles career and mob debt, as a Reuters story describes.
"Alcatraz" and "The Finder," both of which debuted in January as midseason replacements, will not have sophomore seasons.
FOX 2012-2013 PRIMETIME SCHEDULE (All Times ET/PT)
MONDAY
8:00-9:00 P.M. “Bones”
9:00-10:00 P.M. “THE MOB DOCTOR”
“THE FOLLOWING” joins in midseason.
TUESDAY
8:00-8:30 P.M. “Raising Hope”
8:30-9:00 P.M. “BEN AND KATE”
9:00-9:30 P.M. “New Girl”
9:30-10:00 P.M. “THE MINDY PROJECT” (new)
“THE GOODWIN GAMES” joins in midseason.
WEDNESDAY
8:00-10:00 P.M. “The X-Factor”(fall) / “American Idol” (midseason)
THURSDAY
8:00-9:00 P.M. “The X-Factor Results” (fall) / “American Idol Results” (midseason)
9:00-10:00 P.M. “Glee”
FRIDAY
8:00-9:00 P.M. “Touch”
9:00-10:00 P.M. “Fringe” (Fall)
“Hell’s Kitchen” (returns midseason)
SATURDAY
7:00-10:30 P.M. “Fox Sports Saturday” (fall)
“Cops” (returns midseason)
“ANIMATION DOMINATION HIGH-DEF” (new) will join late-prime in 2013.
SUNDAY
7:00-7:30 P.M. NFL Game (fall) / “ANIMATION DOMINATION” (encores)
7:30-8:00 P.M. “The OT” (fall) / “The Cleveland Show”
8:00-8:30 P.M. “The Simpsons”
8:30-9:00 P.M. “Bob’s Burgers”
9:00-9:30 P.M. “Family Guy”
9:30-10:00 P.M. “American Dad”
NEW SERIES SYNOPSES
COMEDIES
“Ben and Kate” – What happens when an exuberant, irresponsible dreamer who always says “yes” moves in with his overly responsible little sister to help raise her five-year-old daughter? BEN AND KATE, a new single-camera young ensemble comedy, follows these odd-couple siblings as they push each other out of their comfort zones and into real life. KATE FOX (Dakota Johnson, “The Social Network”) followed the rules all her life…until she got pregnant in college and dropped out just shy of graduation. After the birth of her daughter, MADDIE (Maggie Jones, “We Bought a Zoo,” “Footloose”), Kate put her twenties on hold. Now working as a bar manager to make ends meet and maximize her time with five-year-old Maddie, she’s uber-prepared for every possible catastrophe – except for the arrival of her older brother, BEN FOX (Nat Faxon, “Bad Teacher”). Ben likes trouble a lot more than his sister does. His infectious energy makes you want to follow him into any number of bad ideas. He’ll totally screw up your life, but somehow, you’ll feel good about it. Where Kate is all about planning and preparing, Ben is big on spontaneity and out-of-the-box ideas. But don’t let the Velcro wallet fool you – he’ll probably be a millionaire someday. When Ben comes to crash on Kate’s couch for a few days, he finds a sad state of affairs. Kate’s surviving, but not living. Ben realizes that for the first time in their lives, Kate needs his help and he’s determined to bring some much-needed chaos into her overly stable world. He starts by offering to help look after Maddie so Kate can get back to experiencing her mid-twenties and making mistakes, since the one real “mistake” she’s made turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to her. Always there to help with Ben’s crazy schemes is his partner-in-crime, TOMMY (newcomer Echo Kellum), who worships Ben like a hero and nurses a serious crush on Kate. Kate’s British best friend, BJ (Lucy Punch, “Bad Teacher”), is a cocktail waitress at the bar that Kate manages and an all-around hot mess who would do anything for Kate, even if her advice is often questionable and occasionally illegal. From writer/executive producer Dana Fox (NEW GIRL, “What Happens in Vegas”) and executive producer/director Jake Kasdan (NEW GIRL, “Bad Teacher”), BEN AND KATE is a heartwarming story of deeply mismatched siblings: a sister who needs to go for her dreams and a brother who needs to get his head out of the clouds.
“The Mindy Project” is a new single-camera comedy from Emmy Award-nominated writer/producer and New York Times best-selling author Mindy Kaling (“The Office”) that follows a woman who, despite having a successful career, desperately needs to break bad habits in her personal life. After all, how many doctors make inappropriate toasts at their ex-boyfriend’s wedding, nearly drown at the bottom of a stranger’s pool and get arrested for disorderly conduct just moments before having to deliver a baby? Funny, impatient and politically incorrect, MINDY LAHIRI (Kaling) can quote every romantic comedy starring Meg Ryan that exists. She loves the good ones and the bad ones, because the girl always gets the guy. Mindy is determined to be more punctual, spend less money, lose weight and read more books – all in pursuit of becoming a well-rounded perfect woman…who can meet and date the perfect guy. Mindy is a skilled OB/GYN and shares a practice with a few other doctors, none of whom make life any easier for her. JEREMY REED (British writer/comedian Ed Weeks) is the walking definition of total bad news. He not only shares a practice with Mindy, but sometimes her bed as well – despite her best efforts to resist. He is funny, self-absorbed and super sexy. In contrast, DANNY CASTELLANO (Chris Messina, “Damages”) is a hothead and guys’ guy who has a habit of stealing Mindy’s patients. Danny criticizes her for everything, including her struggling love life and her lack of professionalism – even though it’s obvious to everyone except Mindy that he secretly admires her work. His blue-collar childhood gives him a big chip on his shoulder, but he is a dedicated physician, which Mindy can’t stand to admit because he’s always getting on her case. Rounding out the office staff are the receptionists – BETSY PUTCH (Zoe Jarman, “Huge”), young, earnest and easily excitable, who thinks the world of Mindy and is always trying to impress her; and SHAUNA DICANIO (newcomer Dana DeLorenzo), a self-assured Jersey Girl who is indifferent to Mindy, always knows where the cool party is and carries a poorly concealed torch for Danny. Mindy is in constant communication with her beloved best friend from college, GWEN GRANDY (Anna Camp, “The Good Wife”), who also happens to be the governor’s daughter. Gwen is a hilarious, sometimes too-blunt friend, and secretly a former carefree party girl (which only Mindy seems to remember). Although Gwen is now happily married to a financial analyst, with a six-year-old daughter, this lawyer-turned-Pilates mom remains squarely in Mindy’s corner. As Mindy attempts to get her career off the ground and meet a guy who passes her red flag test (no drug habits, no skinny jeans and no secret families, among others), only time will tell if she gets her romantic comedy ending.
DRAMAS
“The Mob Doctor” – For most physicians, the Hippocratic oath is sacred. But for one Chicago doctor, who is indebted to the mafia, saving lives isn’t her only concern. THE MOB DOCTOR is a fast-paced medical drama featuring a brilliant young female cardiothoracic surgeon who is split between two distinct worlds as she juggles her promising medical career with her lifelong debt as a doctor to Chicago’s Southside mob. DR. GRACE DEVLIN (Jordana Spiro, “My Boys”) is a top resident at Chicago’s Roosevelt Medical Center. Smart and self-assured, she’s heralded as one of the country’s most promising young surgeons. But family ties keep her glued to her Southside roots. To pay off her brother’s life-threatening gambling debt, she makes a deal with the devil and agrees to work “off book” for the mafia men she once despised. During the day, Grace must deal with the emotionally compelling cases at Roosevelt Medical – a toddler in need of a heart transplant, an elderly man desperate to donate a lung to his sick wife, the mass chaos in the wake of a two-train collision on the ‘L.’ But in her other vastly different world, she must juggle an onslaught of mob-related demands, including operating in mob-sanctioned locations, removing bullets from dead bodies to hide incriminating evidence, saving a juiced-up race horse and covertly helping an aging mobster with his erectile dysfunction. All the while, Grace must keep her dual life a secret from everyone: her protective best friend, NURSE ROBERTA “RO” ANGELI (Floriana Lima, “Glory Daze”); her handsome, blue-blooded boyfriend, DR. BRETT ROBINSON (Zach Gilford, “Off The Map,” “Friday Night Lights”); her boss at Roosevelt Medical and Chief of Surgery, DR. STAFFORD WHITE (Zeljko Ivanek, “The Event,” “Damages”); her rival, DR. OLIVIA WATSON (Jaime Lee Kirchner, “Necessary Roughness,” “Mercy”); even her well-meaning screw-up brother, NATE (Jesse Lee Soffer, “As the World Turns”), and her overly dramatic mother, DANIELLA (Wendy Makkena, “NCIS”). The only one who knows the true scope of Grace’s activities is the man to whom Grace owes her debt: the charming and diabolical Southside mob boss CONSTANTINE ALEXANDER (William Forsythe, “Boardwalk Empire”), an oddly compassionate killer whose relationship with Grace is more than it seems. Recently released from prison, the former head of the Chicago mob looks to reclaim his place in the organization, with the help of his right-hand associate – and Grace’s ex-boyfriend – FRANCO (James Carpinello, “The Good Wife”). As Grace tries to heed the demands of these two conflicting worlds – not to mention the needs of her own slightly dysfunctional family – her moral center comes into direct conflict with the very immoral things she’s asked to do. But with nerves of steel and a tough-as-nails exterior, she somehow manages to make it all work – at least for now.
NEW DRAMAS DEBUTING MIDSEASON
“The Following” – The FBI estimates there are currently over 300 active serial killers in the United States. What would happen if these killers had a way of communicating and connecting with each other? What if they were able to work together and form alliances across the country? What if one brilliant psychotic serial killer was able to bring them all together and activate a following? Welcome to THE FOLLOWING, the terrifying new thriller from creator/executive producer Kevin Williamson (“The Vampire Diaries,” “Dawson’s Creek,” the “Scream” franchise). When notorious serial killer JOE CARROLL (James Purefoy, “Rome”) escapes from death row and embarks on a new killing spree, the FBI calls former agent RYAN HARDY (Emmy-nominated actor Kevin Bacon, “X-Men: First Class”) to consult on the case. Having since withdrawn from the public eye, Hardy was responsible for Carroll’s capture nine years ago, after Carroll murdered 14 female students on the Virginia college campus where he taught literature. Hardy is a walking textbook of all-things Carroll. He knows him better than anyone; he is perhaps Carroll’s only psychological and intellectual match. But the Ryan Hardy who broke the Carroll case years ago isn’t the same man today. Wounded both physically and mentally by his previous pursuit of this serial killer, it’s been a long time since Hardy has been in the field. This investigation is his redemption, his call to action. In contrast to nine years ago, Hardy isn’t calling the shots on this case. He works closely with an FBI team, which includes all-business and tough-as-nails JENNIFER MASON (Jeananne Goossen, “The Vow,” ALCATRAZ) and young, razor-sharp MIKE WESTON (Shawn Ashmore, “X-Men”).
“The Goodwin Games” – Where there’s a will, there’s a way. And when that will’s worth more than 20 million dollars, you can bet someone’s going to find a way to get the cash. From the executive producers of “How I Met Your Mother,” THE GOODWIN GAMES is a single-camera comedy that tells the story of three grown siblings who return home after their father’s death, and unexpectedly find themselves poised to inherit a vast fortune – if they adhere to their late father’s wishes. If any of the Goodwin kids feel like they deserve the money, then it’s HENRY (Scott Foley, “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Felicity”), the eldest child and an overachieving surgeon. He sees himself as a role model for his less successful siblings – and reminds them every chance he gets. Returning home will force Henry to question the choices he’s made, especially as he reconnects with his first love and true soulmate, LUCINDA (Felisha Terrell, “Days of Our Lives”). Middle sibling CHLOE (Becki Newton, “Ugly Betty”) was a child prodigy in math, and her unofficial role as “the smart one” of the family still sends Henry into fits of jealousy. But long ago, Chloe gave up academics in favor of being the popular girl. Now, through a series of hidden messages, her late father will lead Chloe back to her old love of numbers – and back to the person she’s meant to be. Of the three siblings, the youngest, JIMMY (Jake Lacy, “Better With You”), could use the inheritance the most. A small-time ex-con and dull-witted guitarist who’s deep in debt to a loan shark, Jimmy may be the family screw-up, but he has more heart than anyone. Like his siblings,