Jake's DTV Blog

FCC Report for 5/21/13

2013-05-21T12:04:00.003-05:00

DIGITAL TV APPLICATIONS FOR TRANSFER OF CONTROL ACCEPTED FOR FILING:

WTHI-TV, ch. 10, Terre Haute, Ind.; Indiana Broadcasting, LLC. Voluntary Transfer of Control from LIN TV Corp. to LIN Media LLC.

(The above transfer is part of a larger corporate maneuver and will not affect the operation and/or management of the station. -Ed.)

TUESDAY TIME MACHINE: In taking local news from "one big blur" to "all into focus," 1984's Eyewitness News made a difference

2013-05-21T11:51:00.003-05:00

Check out this early-1984 promo for WTVW's Eyewitness News - very cool in a mid-1980s sort of way, isn't it?

In the video, you'll note that, like today's Eyewitness News, back in '84, WTVW claimed that it could bring "one big blur" into focus - and that "it does make a difference." (Not too far from today's "See the difference" tagline, huh?)

(Video from YouTube user CaptainDevereaux)

RECAP: Direct from the networks, what's new for the '13-14 TV season

2013-05-21T11:37:00.002-05:00

Last week, the broadcast TV networks showed off their 2013-14 schedules to the advertisers, and I tried to bring you the info as I got it, but sometimes what's truly new can get lost in the shuffle. In order to make it simple, I've gone straight to the sources to get you their most complete information on the new and returning shows for fall.

By clicking each of the five logos below, you'll be able to see what each of the broadcast networks will be doing this year. Some have fancy presentations, some are simple press releases, but the goal is the same: To explain what they have to offer. I hope you'll find this useful.

Click the network logos below to see their respective releases and/or presentations:

I hope to be able, as I have in the past, to preview some of the new shows later this summer, and if that does happen, I'll of course tell you what I think of them ... so stay tuned!

Headlines for 5/21/13

2013-05-21T06:00:00.000-05:00

iBiquity Pens Letter to FCC Supporting Translators

A letter to the Commission, written by iBiquity general counsel Albert Shuldiner, supports the Tell City waiver (so named because it's for Tell City station WTCJ), which has been gathering dust at the FCC since November. Shuldiner writes, "I am writing to encourage the Commission to provide greater flexibility for AM stations that seek to obtain access to FM translators. This waiver request provides the Commission with an immediate opportunity to address the need of many AM broadcasters to find creative ways to enhance their ability to serve their listeners." [Radio Ink]

Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Accuses WSMV of ‘Irresponsible and Unprofessional Journalism’

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is criticizing Nashville NBC affiliate WSMV for “irresponsible and unprofessional journalism,” saying its reporting on the disappearance of Holly Bobo has been “harmful to the case.” [TVSpy]

107.7 The Eagle Is New #3 In Louisville Radio

The February/March/April numbers are in for the Louisville radio market. Clear Channel-owned sisters WHAS (840 AM) and WAMZ (97.5 FM) remain the top dogs, but there's a new #3 - SummitMedia's (formerly Cox's) WSFR (107.7). [Radio Online]

Telecom’s Big Players Hold Back the Future

Susan Crawford, a professor at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in New York, has written a book, “Captive Audience: The Telecom Industry and Monopoly Power in the New Gilded Age,” that offers a calm but chilling state-of-play on the information age in the United States. Ms. Crawford argues that the airwaves, the cable systems and even access to the Internet have been overtaken by monopolists who resist innovation and chronically overcharge consumers. [NY Times]

Turness named president of NBC News

2013-05-20T16:18:00.000-05:00

Former ITV News editor set to begin job in Aug.

Deborah Turness, former editor of ITV News, the United Kingdom’s most-watched commercial network news service, has been named president of NBC News. The announcement was made earlier today by Pat Fili-Krushel, chairman of the NBCUniversal News Group.

Turness, who replaces Steve Capus, will begin her new role on Aug. 5.

"It is quite simply the greatest imaginable honor to be named as the next president of NBC News," Turness said. "I am hugely excited by the opportunities that lie ahead and look forward to working with the talented journalists and technicians who make it one of the great global news operations."

“Deborah has built an outstanding reputation as both a journalist and business executive with a proven track record for innovation and collaboration,” said Fili-Krushel. “She is a leader with a global perspective, who is also very familiar with NBC News, having worked closely with us through our partnership with ITN. Her passion for the news business, combined with her creativity and vision, will be a tremendous asset to NBC News, and I’m very pleased to welcome her to the team.”

The CW honors WTVW with APEX Award

2013-05-20T13:55:00.002-05:00

When The CW unveiled its 2013-14 program lineup last week, the network also took some time to bestow special honors on its best affiliates during its annual affiliate meeting and dinner in New York City.

Those honors, which the network calls the APEX (Affiliate Partner Excellence) Awards, are given to affiliates which performed best in the following five categories:

TV NOW Fall Launch Campaign
Model Affiliate
Local Sales Success
Idea Share
Collaborative Partner

Among the honorees this year is The CW's new affiliate in Evansville, Local 7 CW-WTVW, which received the Collaborative Partner award for the fine work the station's team did in working with The CW to launch the new affiliation.

Congratulations to the folks at WTVW!

FCC Report for 5/20/13

2013-05-20T11:42:00.001-05:00

FM STATION APPLICATIONS FOR ASSIGNMENT OF LICENSE ACCEPTED FOR FILING:

WBGB, 91.3 FM, Scottsville, Ky.; Voluntary Assignment of License from Wildcat Educational Broadcasting, Inc. to Southern Wabash Communications of Middle Tennessee, Inc.

Headlines for 5/20/13

2013-05-20T08:01:00.001-05:00

McClanahan stepping down as WTWO/WAWV news director; will remain as anchor

Rick Gevers reports that Tom McClanahan, who has worn many hats at Terre Haute's NBC affiliate over the past 40+ years, is relinquishing the news director's chair. He will remain as anchor of WAWV's "Live at Five" newscast. [Rick's Weekly Newsletter]

‘The Voice’: Christina Aguilera, CeeLo Green Return for Fall

NBC is bringing back its original coach lineup for “The Voice” this fall, as Christina Aguilera and CeeLo Green join Adam Levine and Blake Shelton once again in the spinning chairs. [Variety]

Charlie Rose to Host a Show in Prime Time on PBS

Viewers can already wake up with Charlie Rose on “CBS This Morning,” and wind down their day with his late-night PBS newsmaker interview program. If that is not enough, Mr. Rose, who has been called “the hardest working man in television,” will soon be hosting a Friday night prime-time PBS show, as well. [NY Times]

How Much Will Sports Become All About Cable Money?

In sports, one person’s greed is another person’s sound business decision. So, while greed may ultimately determine how many top-tier sports events move to cable, making money generally is not a crime. [MediaPost]

Clear Channel Meets With FCC Over Future Of AM

FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai and his Chief of Staff, Matthew Berry met with a pair of Clear Channel executives last week to discuss proposals pertaining to the future of the AM band. Jeff Littlejohn, EVP/Engineering & Systems Integration and Jessica Marventano SVP/Government Affairs discussed multiple proposals, with a focus on four initiatives. [Radio Insight]

ICYMI — Week Ending 5/17/13

2013-05-17T11:59:00.002-05:00

In Case You Missed It, all of this week's news headlines can be found below for your convenience.

Be sure to follow me on Twitter and "Like" my Facebook page for more news and information as well as my thoughts on a host of different topics.

I'll see you right back here on Monday or earlier if news breaks ... Have a great weekend!


	BRIEF: Sinclair takeover of Fisher gets FTC OK Another one bites the dust: The U.S. Open Headlines for 5/17/13

	The CW, Clear Channel ink multi-year deal for iHeartRadio telecasts RightThisMinute adds 41 stations, weekend edition Headlines for 5/16/13

	QUOTABLE: The Upfronts FCC Report for 5/15/13 Gray announces that it's putting its stations signals — including WBKO — on mobile devices with Syncbak CBS unveils '13-14 schedule Headlines for 5/15/13 Sen. Rockefeller calls for GAO study of shared services agreements

	Tickets now available for third Kentucky Collectibles appraisal fair Doug Banks re-ups with AURN "BEAR CHOW" ... Shows that didn't make it through the '12-13 season BRIEF: PBS issues cause problems on the air at WNIN FCC Report for 5/14/13 Headlines for 5/14/13 A somber TUESDAY TIME MACHINE: Remembering the Carrollton bus crash, 25 years later

	2,500th episode of Maury set to air Friday 24: Live Another Day restarts the clock next summer on FOX KET and AIA Kentucky team up to celebrate and recognize influential architecture in Kentucky FCC Report for 5/13/13 Headlines #2 for 5/13/13: What's in and what's out at FOX, NBC and CBS for Fall '13 Headlines #1 for 5/13/13 Tribune Broadcasting taking over programming for This TV

	Trump trumped by NBC? Barbara Walters to retire in 2014

BRIEF: Sinclair takeover of Fisher gets FTC OK

2013-05-17T10:20:00.001-05:00

Sinclair Broadcast Group's pending takeover of Seattle-based Fisher Communications has received the all-clear from the Federal Trade Commission.

The deal, which was announced earlier this year, still needs the approval of the FCC and Fisher's shareholders; the FCC seems likely to grant its OK; as for the latter, one might say they're not completely on board.

Sinclair owns and/or operates several stations seen on the fringes of the Tri-State, including two in the Cape Girardeau/Paducah/Harrisburg market (KBSI and WDKA), one in St. Louis (KDNL), and three in Nashville (WZTV, WUXP and WNAB).

Another one bites the dust: The U.S. Open

2013-05-17T08:47:00.002-05:00

Tennis tournament has been on CBS since '68; will move to ESPN starting in 2015

The seemingly inexorable shift of sports from over-the-air TV to cable has claimed another one: The U.S. Open tennis tournament.

The Associated Press reports this morning that the Open, which CBS has aired since 1968, will move to ESPN, with the first one to be carried by the cable sports giant in 2015.

"We expect the audience for the U.S. Open to increase, not to decrease, with all the platforms that we have digitally," ESPN president John Skipper explained. "This sort of old canard that there's something to be lost by going from broadcast to cable, I would submit, has it wrong. It is just the opposite. Moving to ESPN allows the opportunity to reach more people across platforms, and that's what we believe will happen."

There's no word yet on the cost to ESPN to carry the Open and its associated events, but if past is prologue, however, consumers — i.e., YOU — will likely foot the bill through increased cable rates.

Headlines for 5/17/13

2013-05-17T06:00:00.000-05:00

10 Reasons Why The Auction Will End Broadcasting

“The International Broadcasting Network believes that going forward with the auction and repacking scheme will be chaotic, will result in the total destruction of the LPTV industry and will lead to the demise of the entire television broadcasting industry.” [TVNewsCheck's Playout]

2013 TV Upfronts: Media analyst on network presentations: 'Meh'

A sense of "meh." That's the takeaway of one top media analyst after sitting through programming presentations to advertisers from ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC this past week. "Our overwhelming impression is this: the more we see of the broadcast lineups, the more excited we get — about the cable lineups," said Todd Juenger of Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. [LA Times]

Imitation Is the Closest TV Rivals Get to Flattery

As the television upfronts week for the 2013-14 season concluded on Thursday, the broadcast networks and cable channels that have been presenting their wares to advertisers and agencies are signaling a willingness to try borrowing what works from one another. [NY Times]

The CW, Clear Channel ink multi-year deal for iHeartRadio telecasts

2013-05-16T10:57:00.003-05:00

The CW and Clear Channel Media and Entertainment on Thursday announced a multi-year partnership making The CW the exclusive television broadcaster of the two-day, star-studded iHeartRadio Music Festival. The CW will also be the exclusive broadcast home of iHeartRadio's holiday Jingle Ball concert, the iHeartRadio Ultimate Pool Party, album release parties and other concert specials. The agreement also gives the CW exclusive streaming rights to the television specials on CWTV.com following the broadcasts.

These programs will air on area CW affiliates Local 7 CW WTVW (Evansville), WQWQ/WQTV/KFVS 12.2 (Cape Girardeau/Paducah/Murray), KPLR11 (St. Louis), Indiana's 4 WTTV (Indianapolis), WBKI-TV (Louisville), WBKO-CW (Bowling Green) and WNAB-CW58 (Nashville).

"The CW is synonymous with what's now and what's next, and that includes music," said the network's president, Mark Pedowitz. "We have always been known for using the hottest, most of-the-moment music, both on our shows and in our marketing campaigns. Partnering with Clear Channel to present the biggest concert events of the year for our viewers is a natural fit for us, and also gives us more original event programming throughout the year."

"This is an ideal opportunity to take the original content that we create at Clear Channel to new platforms and audiences," added Clear Channel Entertainment Enterprises president John Sykes. "We chose The CW as our partner because we share the same powerful connection to a highly influential young demographic."

The CW will broadcast:

The iHeartRadio Ultimate Pool Party, Monday, July 15. The iHeartRadio Ultimate Pool party is a two-day musical weekend event at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach, June 28-29, 2013, as part of the Fontainebleau's BleauLive concert series, and will feature performances by popular recording artists Pitbull, Ke$ha, Afrojack, Icona Pop and Krewella.
The iHeartRadio Music Festival, the two-day, star-studded music event returning to MGM Grand in Las Vegas on September 20 and 21, 2013. Artist lineup and a broadcast date will be announced in July.
iHeartRadio's Jingle Ball, Clear Channel's long-standing holiday concert franchise featuring the biggest names of the year in music with surprise superstar guests. Artist line-up and a broadcast date will be announced in the Fall.
iHeartRadio album release parties, Clear Channel's new, breakout live music series featuring superstar artists performing their new music in front of a live audience and sharing behind-the-scenes stories on the eve of their album releases, and other concert events throughout the year.

RightThisMinute adds 41 stations, weekend edition

2013-05-16T10:22:00.001-05:00

WFIE, KFVS and WAVE air show in our region

RightThisMinute, a syndicated strip from MGM Television reporting on viral videos which debuted nearly two years ago, has added 41 stations in 38 new markets (18 of the top 20), including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta and Boston.

In addition to the expansion currently underway, RightThisMinute has added a weekend version of the show. Premiering in most markets on Sept. 16, the new weekend edition will feature “best of” segments highlighting the hottest videos of the week, as well as freshly-produced content.

New markets or stations for the weekend or weekday strip include New York (WNBC), Los Angeles, (KABC), Chicago (WCIU-WCUU), Boston (WLVI), Washington (WUSA) Atlanta (WSB), Houston (KPRC), Minneapolis (KARE), Miami (WPLG), Sacramento (KXTV), St. Louis (KDSK) Milwaukee (WJDT-WMLW), Charlotte (WSOC), Las Vegas (KLAS), Oklahoma City (KFOR/KAUT), Austin (KEYE), Buffalo (WKBW), Dayton (WHIO), Portland, Maine (WCSH), among others.

The new stations represent some of the largest groups in broadcasting, including: NBC, ABC, Gannett, Post-Newsweek, Sunbeam, Sinclair, Granite, Hubbard and Journal.

RightThisMinute is syndicated by MGM Television and produced by MagicDust Television, in partnership with Cox Media Group, Raycom Media and E.W. Scripps. The program is seen by about a million daily viewers.

Other markets where the show currently airs include: Detroit, Seattle, Phoenix, Tampa, Denver, Cleveland, Orlando, Indianapolis, Baltimore, San Diego, Kansas City, Cincinnati, West Palm Beach, Birmingham, Ala., and Richmond, Va.; it's also seen in and around the Tri-State on 14WFIE's 14Xtra channel (14.2) in Evansville, WQWQ/WQTV/KFVS 12.2 in the Cape Girardeau/Paducah market, and WAVE 3 in Louisville.

Last fall, RightThisMinute.com launched a digital feature, “My Channel,” which invites viewers to work virtually alongside RightThisMinute’s 24-hour news staff to submit videos they’ve captured, produced personally or discovered online. Additionally, people around the globe can visit RightThisMinute.com or download the RightThisMinute app to discover the latest videos and view the tens of thousands of videos that aren’t seen on the show.

Headlines for 5/16/13

2013-05-16T10:03:00.000-05:00

CW 2013-14 Schedule: ‘Hart Of Dixie’ & ‘Beauty And The Beast’ Move To Monday, ‘Supernatural’ To Tuesday, ‘Carrie Diaries’ To Friday, ‘Reign’ To Follow ‘Vampire Diaries’

Like last fall, the CW is introducing three new series this fall — The Vampire Diaries spinoff The Originals, costume drama Reign and sci-fi drama The Tomorrow People — with three more series — dramas The 100; Star-Crossed; and reality show Famous In 12, from the TMZ team — on tap for midseason. For a second year in a row, the CW will hold its fall launches until October to avoid the blitz of new shows and allow for more uninterrupted originals. [Deadline]

NBC's $800M Ad Haul for 2014 Winter Games Might not Include A-B InBev

NBC Universal is projecting an $800 million-plus advertising haul for the 2014 Winter Olympics, said Seth Winter, exec VP-sales and marketing for NBC Sports Group. But that record projection for winter games coverage might have to count out traditional sponsor Anheuser-Busch InBev, which has indicated it can better connect with consumers through non-traditional means. [Ad Age]

Shakira Leaves 'The Voice,' Xtina Set to Return

Out with the new! After one season, Shakira is reportedly leaving The Voice, and will be replaced by former judge Christina Aguilera. [ET]

Expect To See 1,000 Sports Stations

Just over 25 years ago WFAN in New York was the only Sports Talk radio station in the United States. Today there over 700 carrying the format, five national sports networks and many other regional sports networks. Cumulus has 73 stations carrying sports. Working together Cumulus and CBS now have 280 affiliates taking programming from the CBS Radio Sports Network that launched less than six months ago. Cumulus CEO Lew Dickey says "I wish I had a sports station in every market." He says we're going to see more and more stations going sports. "It would not surprise me to see 1,000 stations programming sports and we're going to see more sports stations moving to the FM. [Radio Ink]

Univision, Telemundo Tout Gains

With the broadcast network season close to ending, many mid- and smaller-sized networks -- on traditional over-the-air TV stations and/or local TV digital sub-channels -- will tout some gains. [MediaPost]

Google Launches All Access Music Streaming Service

Google has launched a subscription-based music streaming service in the U.S. called "All Access." The service costs $9.99 a month and offers new users a 30-day free trial. It made its debut on Wednesday in U.S., with plans to expand to others countries. The move puts Google in direct competition with Pandora and Spotify. c|net reports that it could also compete with Apple, which has been moving in that direction, reaching an iRadio deal with Universal Music last week. [Radio Online]

QUOTABLE: The Upfronts

2013-05-15T18:58:00.001-05:00

The broadcast networks have been showing off their "wares" for the '13-14 TV season. Here are some of the more memorable quotes of the week:

“We don’t think the bill has any momentum.”

- ESPN president John Skipper on Sen. John McCain's latest bill that would require cable companies to give viewers only the channels they want

“Then we have CBS, those smug mother------s. Les Moonves told CNBC that jokes about CBS skewing old are ‘over’. Sorry Les, but those jokes aren’t over til my grandma throws away her Mentalist hemorrhoid donut.”

- Jimmy Kimmel at ABC's upfront presentation

“NBC is really continuing to double down. They need to be pushing a lot of product to find winners. You can’t run a network on two shows and the Olympics.”

- Noah Everist, associate director of media investments at Compass Point Media

"If you're a little child who wants to be transported to the land of make-believe, there's Fox News."

- Robin Williams, commenting about how different the TV landscape is compared to when he starred in Mork & Mindy

FCC Report for 5/15/13

2013-05-15T12:05:00.003-05:00

FM TRANSLATOR APPLICATIONS FOR ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION PERMIT GRANTED:

W225BQ, 92.9 FM, French Lick, Ind.; The Trustees of Indiana University. CP New Station.

Gray announces that it's putting its stations signals — including WBKO — on mobile devices with Syncbak

2013-05-15T10:00:00.000-05:00

Gray Television announced today that all 41 of its television stations — including Bowling Green, Ky. ABC/FOX/CW affiliate WBKO — will be carried on the Internet TV platform owned by Syncbak, bringing the total number of stations deploying Syncbak's technology to almost 200.

Syncbak's Internet TV platform uses location-based authentication technology to enable local television stations to stream their signal to in-market consumers. By partnering with Syncbak, Gray is able to replicate its existing national, local and affiliate partnerships on the internet and mobile devices.

Gray has been testing Syncbak's system at four of its stations for the past several months. After careful evaluation of those initiatives, Gray has decided to launch all of our television stations commercially on Syncbak's platform. Consequently, in the coming weeks, WBKO and its sister stations will stream on Syncbak all programs within their schedules that have been cleared for streaming to the local viewers within each station's market.

"We are thrilled with Gray Television's vote of confidence," says Jack Perry, Syncbak's founder and CEO. "We look forward to helping them deliver great programming to viewers wherever they are, on whatever device they decide to use."

"Gray Television was one of the very first broadcasters to launch mobile DTV service," noted Bob Prather, Gray's President and Chief Operating Officer. "Over the past few months, Syncbak has proven that they can provide another critical route to reach our local viewers. We are therefore excited to be able to improve our local products by adding all of our stations to the Syncbak platform."

Gray Television is one of 40 broadcast groups testing Syncbak's platform. Syncbak's technology is being tested in more than 150 television stations in 98 markets representing all major networks, including CBS, ABC, FOX, NBC and The CW.

CBS unveils '13-14 schedule

2013-05-15T09:08:00.002-05:00

Five new comedies and three new dramas - featuring big-name stars like Robin Williams - set to debut on #1 network next season

CBS unveiled today its new 2013-14 schedule, featuring eight new series – five comedies and three dramas – to build on the strength of America’s top-rated network. Five of the new series will premiere in the fall and three at mid-season.

CBS will finish the current season as the top-rated network in viewers for the 10th time in 11 seasons, #1 in the adults 25-54 demographic and #1 in adults 18-49 for the first time since the 1991-1992 season.

For next fall, the network is increasing its comedy lineup with four new comedies, expanding its comedy block on Thursdays to two hours and creating an encore hour for comedy broadcasts on Saturdays.

The new comedies are The Crazy Ones, a single-camera comedy from executive producer David E. Kelley starring Robin Williams and Sarah Michelle Gellar; The Millers, a multi-generational family comedy from executive producer Greg Garcia starring Will Arnett, Margo Martindale, Beau Bridges and JB Smoove; Mom, an edgy family comedy from executive producer Chuck Lorre starring Anna Faris and Allison Janney; and We Are Men, an ensemble single-camera comedy starring Tony Shalhoub, Kal Penn, Chris Smith and Jerry O’Connell.

Two new dramas have been scheduled for Mondays at 10:00 PM. Hostages, the serialized suspense thriller from executive producer Jerry Bruckheimer starring Toni Collette and Dylan McDermott, premieres in the fall, building to a season finale in January. Soon after, Intelligence, a high-octane action drama starring Josh Holloway, Marg Helgenberger and Meghan Ory, moves into the time period for the remainder of the season.

The freshman series will be joined by 20 returning shows including NCIS, the season’s most watched show; The Big Bang Theory, the season’s #1 comedy in viewers and demos; 60 Minutes, the season’s #1 news magazine; and Elementary, the season’s #1 new drama.

The other returning series include: How I Met Your Mother, 2 Broke Girls, NCIS: Los Angeles, Person Of Interest, Survivor, Criminal Minds, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Two and a Half Men, Undercover Boss, Hawaii Five-0, Blue Bloods, 48 Hours, The Amazing Race, The Good Wife and The Mentalist.

In addition, the proven hit returning comedy Mike & Molly, starring Academy Award nominee Melissa McCarthy and Billy Gardell; the new steamy legal drama Reckless; and the new romantic comedy Friends With Better Lives are set for mid-season.

Read more about the '13-14 schedule and the new shows from CBS after the jump.

(EDITOR'S NOTE: ALL TIMES LISTED BELOW IN CBS' PRESS RELEASE ARE EASTERN. SUBTRACT ONE HOUR FOR CENTRAL TIME.)

On Monday, the veteran comedy HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER begins its climatic final season at 8:00 PM, providing a strong lead-in for the new single-camera ensemble comedy WE ARE MEN at 8:30 PM. The top-rated comedy of the night, 2 BROKE GIRLS, is at 9:00 PM, seamlessly leading into the new Chuck Lorre comedy MOM at 9:30 PM. At 10:00 PM, HOSTAGES will launch in the fall, building to a season finale in January. Soon after, INTELLIGENCE will take over the time period for the season.

On Tuesdays, CBS makes a key scheduling move at 10:00 PM, creating a powerhouse lineup in which the three top-rated dramas on television now air on the same night. The most-watched series on television, NCIS, returns at 8:00 PM, followed by the #2-rated drama NCIS: LOS ANGELES at 9:00 PM. The #3-rated drama and fastest-growing series, PERSON OF INTEREST, caps the night at 10:00 PM.

On Wednesday, CBS’s strong lineup returns with the popular reality series SURVIVOR kicking off the night at 8:00 PM. The highest-rated drama of the night, CRIMINAL MINDS, returns at 9:00 PM, followed by the time-period-winning CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION at 10:00 PM.

On Thursday, CBS is expanding its comedy lineup from 8:00-10:00 PM. The #1-rated comedy, THE BIG BANG THEORY, returns at 8:00 PM, giving a powerful lead-in to the new Will Arnett comedy THE MILLERS. THE CRAZY ONES, featuring the return to series television of the legendary Robin Williams, opens the new comedy hour at 9:00 PM, followed by the return of the #2-rated comedy on TV, TWO AND A HALF MEN, at 9:30 PM. The #1-rated new drama, ELEMENTARY, caps the night at 10:00 PM.

On Friday, CBS moves an established drama to the middle of the lineup to strengthen a winning night. At 8:00 PM, the Emmy Award-winning and time period leader UNDERCOVER BOSS returns. The popular drama HAWAII FIVE-0 establishes a new beachhead at 9:00 PM, leading perfectly into BLUE BLOODS, the top-rated series of the night, at 10:00 PM.

On Saturdays, CBS has another hour of comedy. COMEDYTIME will feature encore broadcasts of the Network’s hit comedies at 8:00 PM, followed by the popular CRIMETIME programming at 9:00 PM, and the night’s top-rated broadcast 48 HOURS at 10:00 PM.

On Sunday, CBS’s critically acclaimed lineup returns intact with the top-rated, award-winning news magazine 60 MINUTES at 7:00 PM, followed by Emmy Award winner THE AMAZING RACE at 8:00 PM, the critical favorite THE GOOD WIFE at 9:00 PM and THE MENTALIST at 10:00 PM.

The Comedies:

WE ARE MEN is a single-camera comedy about four single guys living in a short-term apartment complex who unexpectedly find camaraderie over their many missteps in love. Carter (Chris Smith), the youngest and most recent addition to the group, moved in after being ditched at the altar mid-ceremony, and is now eager to re-enter the dating scene and get on with his life with some guidance from his “band of brothers”: Frank Russo (Golden Globe and multiple Emmy Award winner Tony Shalhoub), a successful middle-aged clothing manufacturer and four-time divorcée who still fancies himself a ladies man; Gil Bartis (Kal Penn), a small business owner who was caught having the world’s worst affair; and Stuart Strickland (Jerry O’Connell), a speedo-wearing OB/GYN who’s hiding his assets until his second divorce is settled. Jill (Rebecca Breeds) is Frank’s charming and attractive daughter, who stands as the one positive remnant from his failed relationships. Armed with a hot tub, pool-side barbeque and plenty of questionable advice, these losers in the marriage department take Carter under their wing to impart their own brand of wisdom about the opposite sex. Emmy Award winner Rob Greenberg, Eric Tannenbaum and Kim Tannenbaum are executive producers for CBS Television Studios. Rob Greenberg directed the pilot.

MOM is a comedy from executive producer Chuck Lorre starring Anna Faris as a newly sober single mom raising two children in a world full of temptations and pitfalls, and multiple Emmy Award winner Allison Janney as her critical, estranged mother. Christy (Faris) is a waitress at a posh Napa Valley establishment who is four months clean and doing her best to be a good mom and overcome a history of questionable choices. Her sobriety is tested when Bonnie (Janney), her recovering alcoholic mom, reappears chock-full of passive-aggressive insights into Christy’s many mistakes. Bonnie joins Christy’s already complicated circle of relationships: her handsome, married boss – and lover – Gabriel (Nate Corddry); the restaurant’s hot-tempered chef, Rudy (French Stewart); her pretty, 16-going-on-25-year-old daughter, Violet (Sadie Calvano); her sweet but overly honest son, Roscoe (Blake Garrett Rosenthal); her irresponsible ex-husband and Roscoe’s father, Baxter (Matt Jones); and Violet’s clueless boyfriend, Luke (Spencer Daniels). Christy tries to remain positive as she pursues her new path in life, but she faces an uphill battle, surrounded by a dubious support system – and a copious amount of dysfunction. Chuck Lorre and Eddie Gorodetsky (“Two and a Half Men” and “The Big Bang Theory”) are executive producers for Chuck Lorre Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television. Pamela Fryman directed the pilot. Gemma Baker co-wrote the pilot with Lorre and Gorodetsky.

THE MILLERS stars Will Arnett as Nathan Miller, a recently divorced local roving news reporter looking forward to living the singles’ life until his parents’ marital problems unexpectedly derail his plans. After Nathan finally breaks the news of his divorce to his parents, Carol (Emmy Award winner Margo Martindale) and Tom (Emmy Award winner Beau Bridges), his father is inspired to follow suit and stuns the family when he leaves his wife of 43 years. Already in shock, Jack is even more aghast when his meddlesome mom decides to move in with him. Meanwhile, his absent-minded dad imposes upon Nathan’s sister, Debbie, her husband Adam and their daughter Mykayla (Eve Moon). Nathan’s best friend and news cameraman, Ray (JB Smoove), was excited to be Nathan’s wingman in the dating scene, but Carol manages to even cramp his style. Now, as Nathan and his sister settle in with their truly impossible parents, they both wonder just how long the aggravating adjustment period is going to last. Greg Garcia (“Raising Hope” and “My Name is Earl”) is the executive producer of THE MILLERS for CBS Television Studios. Emmy Award winner James Burrows directed the pilot.

Academy Award winner Robin Williams returns to series television in THE CRAZY ONES, a single-camera workplace comedy about a larger-than-life advertising genius whose unorthodox methods and unpredictable behavior would get him fired… if he weren’t the boss. Simon Roberts (Williams) is the head of a powerful agency, with the biggest clients and brands in the world, but even more important to him is that his daughter Sydney (Sarah Michelle Gellar) is by his side. As his partner, Sydney is Simon’s exact opposite – focused, organized and eager to make a name for herself, but also too busy parenting her father, which she’d resent if he wasn’t so brilliant at what he does. Joining them in the firm are the dashing and talented Zach (James Wolk); art director Andrew (Hamish Linklater), who’s as hard-working as he is neurotic; and the beautiful and deceptively smart assistant Lauren (Amanda Setton). With his team and his daughter behind him, Simon continues to set the advertising world on fire, and it looks like they are definitely buying what these crazy ones are selling. Emmy and Golden Globe Award winner David E. Kelley (“Ally McBeal” and “The Practice”), Bill D’Elia, Emmy Award winner Jason Winer (“Modern Family”), Dean Lorey, John Montgomery and Mark Teitelbaum are executive producers for Twentieth Century Fox Television. Jason Winer directed the pilot.

The Drama:

HOSTAGES, from executive producer Jerry Bruckheimer, is a high-octane suspense drama starring Emmy Award winner Toni Collette as a premiere surgeon thrust into a chilling political conspiracy when her family is taken hostage by rogue FBI Agent Duncan Carlisle (Dylan McDermott). Dr. Ellen Sanders (Collette) and her family are held captive in their home by Carlisle, a desperate man doing the wrong thing for the right reasons, who orders her to assassinate the President (James Naughton) when she operates on him. His highly skilled accomplices include his brother-in-law Kramer (Rhys Coiro), whose loyalty to Carlisle will be tested; quick-tempered and intimidating Archer (Billy Brown),an ex-military man with a razor-sharp tongue;and the only woman involved, Sandrine (Sandrine Holt), a mysterious last-minute replacement to the team. With her family’s life in peril, Ellen faces an incomprehensible moral dilemma in order to save her overbearing husband Brian (Tate Donovan), her secretive daughter Morgan (Quinn Shephard) and her not-so-innocent son Jake (Mateus Ward). In this high-stakes standoff between Ellen and Carlisle, fraught with tremendous national and personal consequences, the choices between right and wrong become even more blurred. Jerry Bruckheimer, Jonathan Littman, Jeffrey Nachmanoff, Rick Eid, Omri Givon, Rotem Shamir and Chayim Sharir are executive producers for Jerry Bruckheimer Television in association with Warner Bros. Television.

Mid-Season:

INTELLIGENCE is a dramatic thriller starring Josh Holloway as a high-tech intelligence operative enhanced with a super-computer microchip in his brain. With this implant, Gabriel (Holloway) is the first human ever to be connected directly into the worldwide information grid and have complete access to Internet, WiFi, telephone and satellite data. He can hack into any data center and access key intel in the fight to protect the United States from its enemies. Leading the elite government cyber-security agency created to support him is Director Lillian Strand (Marg Helgenberger), a straightforward and efficient boss who oversees the unit’s missions. Strand assigns Riley Neal (Meghan Ory), a Secret Service agent, to protect Gabriel from outside threats, as well as from his appetite for reckless, unpredictable behavior and disregard for protocol. Other skilled members of the Cybercom team include Chris Jameson (Michael Rady) and Gonzalo “Gonzo” Rodriguez (James Martinez), two resourceful federal investigators. The brains behind the design of the chip is Dr. Shenendoah Cassidy (John Billingsley), whose son, Nelson (PJ Byrne), is jealous of Gabriel’s prominent place in his father’s life. As the first supercomputer with a beating heart, Gabriel is the most valuable piece of technology the country has ever created and is the U.S.’s secret weapon. Michael Seitzman, René Echevarria, Tripp Vinson, and David Semel (for pilot) are executive producers for ABC Television Studios in association with CBS Television Studios.

RECKLESS is a sultry legal drama set in Charleston, S.C., where a gorgeous Yankee litigator and a charming Southern attorney must hide their intense mutual attraction as a police sex scandal threatens to tear the city apart. Jamie Sawyer (Anna Wood) is enviously cool, confident and armed with south-side-of-Chicago street-smarts as she takes on the good ol’ boys in the South. Her handsome courtroom rival, Roy Rayder (Cam Gigandet), a divorced father of two, embodies the Old South and is the newly minted City Attorney, thanks to his influential former father-in-law, Dec Fortnum (Gregory Harrison). When disgraced cop Lee Anne Marcus (Georgina Haig) hires Jamie to represent her in a lawsuit against the police department, Jamie and Roy discover that Lee Anne is at the epicenter of a sinister case with dire implications for the members of the Charleston P.D. Heading that department is Deputy Chief Holland Knox (Michael Gladis), a family man who radiates integrity. Working under him are Terry McCandless (Shawn Hatosy), a cocky and corrupt detective, and Preston Cruz (Adam Rodriguez), Jamie’s well-respected boyfriend who might not be all that he appears. Helping Jamie is her confidante and paralegal, Vi (Kim Wayans), an expert at digging up case-winning information. As Jamie and Roy spar in and out of the courtroom, dark secrets simmer behind every door and threaten to tarnish the genteel facade of seductive Charleston. Ian Sander, Kim Moses, Dana Stevens, Corey Miller and Catherine Hardwicke are executive producers for CBS Television Studios. Catherine Hardwicke (“Twilight”) directed the pilot.

FRIENDS WITH BETTER LIVES is a romantic comedy about six friends at different stages in their lives – married, divorced, newly engaged and single – who are outwardly happy, but secretly questioning if their friends have it better. Andi (Majandra Delfino) and Bobby (Kevin Connolly) are happily married with two kids but at times long for the days they had less responsibility and more fun; Will (James Van Der Beek) is newly single and preaching the bachelor lifestyle, but still pining for his ex-wife; Jules (Brooklyn Decker) and Lowell (Rick Donald) are high on their passionate new relationship; and Kate (Zoe Lister Jones) has a successful career but may take a swan dive into the L.A. River when she finds out her last remaining single friend, Jules, just got engaged. When it comes to relationships, these six friends are finding it a challenge to look at each other without wondering… who really has the better life? Dana Klein and Aaron Kaplan are executive producers for Twentieth Century Fox Television. Emmy Award winner James Burrows directed the pilot.

CBS TELEVISION NETWORK 2013-2014 PRIME TIME SCHEDULE

(N=New, NT=New Time, all times ET/PT)

MONDAY

8:00-8:30 PM HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER

8:30-9:00 PM WE ARE MEN (N)

9:00-9:30 PM 2 BROKE GIRLS

9:30-10:00 PM MOM (N)

10:00-11:00 PM HOSTAGES (N)

INTELLIGENCE (Mid-Season) (N)

TUESDAY

8:00-9:00 PM NCIS

9:00-10:00 PM NCIS: LOS ANGELES

10:00-11:00 PM PERSON OF INTEREST (NT)

WEDNESDAY

8:00-9:00 PM SURVIVOR

9:00-10:00 PM CRIMINAL MINDS

10:00-11:00 PM CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION

THURSDAY

8:00-8:30 PM THE BIG BANG THEORY

8:30-9:00 PM THE MILLERS (N)

9:00-9:30 PM THE CRAZY ONES (N)

9:30-10:00 PM TWO AND A HALF MEN (NT)

10:00-11:00 PM ELEMENTARY

FRIDAY

8:00-9:00 PM UNDERCOVER BOSS

9:00-10:00 PM HAWAII FIVE-0 (NT)

10:00-11:00 PM BLUE BLOODS

SATURDAY

8:00-8:30 PM COMEDYTIME SATURDAY (N)

8:30-9:00 PM COMEDYTIME SATURDAY (N)

9:00-10:00 PM CRIMETIME SATURDAY

10:00-11:00 PM 48 HOURS

SUNDAY

7:00-8:00 PM 60 MINUTES

8:00-9:00 PM THE AMAZING RACE

9:00-10:00 PM THE GOOD WIFE

10:00-11:00 PM THE MENTALIST

Headlines for 5/15/13

2013-05-15T08:52:00.000-05:00

NBC, Affils Join Rush To TV Everywhere

Following an affiliates meeting in New York, NBC announces that next year its O&Os and affiliates will begin streaming their broadcast signals so they can be received by authenticated cable subscribers on their mobile devices. [TVNewsCheck]

ABC To Test Nielsen Mobile TV Ad Ratings

Nielsen Online Campaign Ratings will provide demographic data for tablet and smartphone media. ABC will be able to measure audience demographics and understand the reach and frequency of online campaigns across ABC content on the Web and in mobile apps. [TVNewsCheck]

Bungled Bundle Bill? McCain Introduces the "Television Consumer Freedom Act"

True to his reputation as a maverick, Arizona Senator John McCain has authored a bill seemingly designed to please nobody, while arguably disserving just about everybody. [CommLawBlog]

AM/FM scores high as a must-have feature

Forget smartphone integration, the must-have dashboard feature remains FM/AM for radio users. That’s according to a RAB-Presslaff Interactive survey, which found 82% of Americans say broadcast radio is a must-have feature in any car they buy or lease. The report shows it was especially true for seniors, but it was also a big deal for 18-24 and 55-64 year olds. [Inside Radio]

Sen. Rockefeller calls for GAO study of shared services agreements

2013-05-15T00:00:00.000-05:00

SEN. JAY ROCKEFELLER
Wants GAO study of joint sales and
shared services agreements between
TV stations

Says there are both pitfalls and benefits in SSAs and JSAs

Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W. Virginia) has written a letter to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to request that the office study joint sales agreements (JSAs) and shared services agreements (SSAs) between TV stations.

TVNewsCheck reports that the senator, who is chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, is concerned that consumers may be adversely affected by such agreements (an example of which is Nexstar's ownership of Evansville ABC affiliate WEHT and management of CW affiliate WTVW, and soon to be WEVV as well, pending FCC OK) through higher retransmission consent fees for cable companies, which of course tend to lead to higher bills for consumers.

"Some stakeholders have voiced concerns that SSAs have become a tool that broadcast ownership groups use to skirt the FCC's existing ownership rules to the detriment of consumers," Rockefeller wrote. "These groups suggests that SSAs, along with other formal and informal business arrangements between stations in a market ... give one station effective control over the operations and business activities of another station in the same market without assuming formal ownership or control of the station's license."

Rockefeller does admit that some see SSAs as having benefits; some "argue that leveraging operational efficiencies can allow stations to devote more resources to newsgathering or local TV program production."

For its part, the American Cable Association, which represents pay-TV companies like WOW!, welcomes Sen. Rockefeller's interest. "ACA looks forward to providing the GAO with evidence we have been collecting for several years showing that Big 4 TV stations that are separately owned are coordinating their retransmission consent negotiations in at least 20% of local TV markets," the ACA wrote. "ACA has documented 48 instances in 43 different markets where Big 4 stations have opted to collude on retransmission consent in an effort to deny consumers competitively determined rates."

We'll see where it goes from here.

Tickets now available for third Kentucky Collectibles appraisal fair

2013-05-14T17:21:00.003-05:00

Second season of popular new show will be based on June 22 fair

Production of the second season of Kentucky Collectibles begins with the third-annual Kentucky Collectibles appraisal fair on Saturday, June 22. For a donation of $100, individuals will receive a ticket good for an appraisal of two items by a qualified regional expert and the opportunity to be part of the series’ second season.

Tickets are available by calling (800) 866-0366 or going online to ww2.ket.org/donate/gifts/kentucky-collectibles/.

Hosted by Dave Shuffett and Amy Hess, Kentucky Collectibles tells Kentucky stories through the prized items brought by guests for appraisal. Last season was full of surprises and gems:

One man’s father bought him a 1946 Martin guitar in Lexington in the late 1940s. It has its original case and all of its original parts and was appraised for $8,000.
One individual brought in what was determined by an appraiser to be some of the rarest marbles in the world. The collection appraised for $20,000-$30,000 on the program.
Another person brought in a well-preserved Harpers Ferry Model 1805 firearm that has been traced back to the War of 1812 in the Battle of the Thames where Tecumseh was killed. The current owner bought it from the Scott County family who originally owned it. It was appraised for $15,000-$20,000.

All episodes of the first season of Kentucky Collectibles are available to watch online at www.ket.org/kentucky/kentucky-collectibles.htm.

This year’s group of appraisers and experts includes Cowan’s Auctions of Cincinnati, owned by Wesley Cowan and famous for its appraisals on Antiques Roadshow; Antique and Modern Firearms; Clark Art and Antiques; Cross Gate Gallery; Farmer's Jewelry; Garth’s Auctions; Heritage Antiques; J. Sampson Books and Antiques; Mike’s Music; Nussbaum Antiques; Richard Mook; St. John and Myers; and 2020 20th Century Furnishings.

Doug Banks re-ups with AURN

2013-05-14T16:47:00.001-05:00

Show heard on WEOA will remain on air for two more years

Radio host Doug Banks has signed a new two-year contract with the American Urban Radio Network (AURN), the network announced Tuesday afternoon.

Banks' self-titled radio program airs locally on Magic 98.5 / 1400 AM WEOA in Evansville each weekday from 2-6 p.m. CT.

AURN picked up the show nearly three years ago, and is satisfied with its performance during that time. "We've seen significant advertiser support and audience growth since that time,” AURN president of sales Howard Eisen says. "Doug and [co-host] DeDe [McGuire] are great pitch spokespersons and our clients love them.”

"BEAR CHOW" ... Shows that didn't make it through the '12-13 season

2013-05-14T11:20:00.002-05:00

TV by the Numbers' Cancellation Bear
Made a meal of a good many network shows this year

TV by the Numbers has the master list

If you follow me on Facebook (and if you're not, you should be!), you've probably seen that I've shared various posts from TV by the Numbers, a website whose "Cancellation Bear" has been making predictions for some time now about which network shows would make it ... and which ones he'd "eat."

The ol' boy got a pretty fair-sized meal this season, with a good many shows (including a few I thought would make it) becoming "bear chow."

Indeed, the bear did really well with his own predictions, with a major flub of just one - The CW's The Carrie Diaries, which will be back next year despite Bear's hunger pangs for it.

Check out the full list of what's not coming back next fall ... and what is.

BRIEF: PBS issues cause problems on the air at WNIN

2013-05-14T10:55:00.004-05:00

If you were watching WNIN Create (ch. 9.2) or Sid the Science Kid on WNIN 9.1 this morning, you may have experienced some problems. WNIN reports via Facebook that the problem was on the PBS end of things:

Things should be back to normal now.