Cablevision to Add Disney’s WATCH Anywhere Service, ESPN 3D and ABC News/Univision
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Cablevision (NYSE: CVC) and The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS) today announced a comprehensive distribution agreement to deliver Disney’s robust lineup of top quality sports, news and entertainment content to Cablevision TV customers across television, internet, tablets and handheld devices. The new agreement enhances the multichannel business model and supports the companies’ mutual goal to deliver the best video content to customers across multiple platforms.
As part of the new multi-year agreement, Cablevision will launch several new services, including the full suite of authenticated WATCH products, ESPN3 and ESPN 3D, as well as the upcoming ABC News/Univision Joint Venture, a 24/7 news, information and lifestyle multi-platform network for English-dominant and bilingual Hispanics, the youngest and fastest-growing demographic in the U.S. In total, approximately 70 services are covered by the broad scope of this agreement including: ABC, ABC Family, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney XD, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN Deportes, ESPNEWS, ESPN Classic, ESPN Goal Line, ESPN Buzzer Beater, ESPN 3D, ESPN GamePlan, ESPN FullCourt, ESPN3 and Longhorn Network; retransmission consent for WABC-TV and WPVI-TV, as well as more than 10 high-definition networks.
Cablevision customers will receive broad access to existing authenticated products like WATCH Disney Channel, WATCH Disney XD and WATCH Disney Junior, the to-be-launched WATCH ABC and WATCH ABC Family services and WatchESPN (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNU, ESPN Goal Line and ESPN Buzzer Beater). These products will give Cablevision customers more opportunities to access live and video on demand content, both in-home and out-of-home, on their computers, smartphones, tablets and gaming consoles.
Cablevision will also provide its TV customers with broad access to expanded On Demand content through Disney’s comprehensive TV+ initiative.
“This significant agreement ensures that our customers will continue to have access to dozens of ABC, Disney and ESPN networks for years to come and, for the first time, they will be able to enjoy Disney and ESPN programming outside the home,” said James L. Dolan, Cablevision’s president and CEO. “It includes the launch of new services, like ESPN3, and expanded availability of high-quality On Demand content, which is a key element of our video strategy and value proposition to customers.”
“With our robust and ever-growing multi-platform content offerings, we’re pleased to be able to expand our relationship with Cablevision,” said Anne Sweeney, co-chair of Disney Media Networks and president of Disney/ABC Television Group. “We look forward to working together to deliver our viewers and their customers better access to our broad portfolio of high-quality programming.”
Added John Skipper, President, ESPN, Inc., “Working with Cablevision, we’re able to strengthen the value of the multichannel subscription by delivering 24/7 live access to our content, which is at the core of our collective commitment to sports fans.”
The extensive and expanded rights package for Cablevision TV customers includes rights across multiple platforms for:
- ABC On Demand, ABC’s fast-forward-disabled On Demand service, which currently features a selection of top-rated primetime entertainment programming, including episodes of such popular current ABC shows as “Castle,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Once Upon A Time,” “Private Practice” and “Revenge.” Full current seasons will be made available on a number of shows. Additionally, Cablevision customers will have access to a variety of ABC News programming as well as some local ABC owned-station content.
- ABC Family On Demand, which features a variety of top-rated full episodes, refreshed monthly, from such popular millennial favorites as “The Secret Life of the American Teenager,” “Switched at Birth,” Baby Daddy” and “Melissa & Joey.” Full current seasons will be made available on a number of shows. ABC Family original movies like “12 Dates of Christmas” will also be available.
- Disney-branded On Demand offerings, including Disney Channel On Demand, Disney Junior On Demand, and Disney XD On Demand. Refreshed each month, the Disney Channel On Demand offering will include episodes from such series as “Handy Manny,” “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse,” and “Jake and the Never Land Pirates” for preschoolers, as well as variety of episodes from “A.N.T. Farm,” “Good Luck Charlie,” “Jessie,” and other popular series for older kids. Select episodes featured on Disney Channel On Demand will be available in innovative new offerings, such as playlists and monthly programming blocks, in addition to a number of episodes available in multiple languages. A variety of Disney Channel Original Movies will also be available. Disney XD On Demand features a selection of episodes from such series as the Emmy Award-winning animated hit “Phineas and Ferb,” “Pair of Kings” and “Kickin’ It.”
- Expanded on demand content from ESPN, including content from ESPN Deportes and ESPN’s award-winning original content from ESPN Films.
- The subscription On Demand service “Disney Family Movies,” which features a selection of classic and contemporary feature films and animated shorts from The Walt Disney Studios.
Categories: Business, Television Tags: ABC, Cable, Cablevision, DATG, On Demand, television
ABC Receives 48 Emmy Nominations
ABC received 48 nominations for the 64th Primetime Emmy® Awards, covering the eligibility period of June 1, 2011 through May 31, 2012. The nominations were announced today by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences from the Leonard H. Goldenson Theatre in the NoHo Arts District, California. Television Academy Chairman and CEO Bruce Rosenblum presided over the nominations along with Kerry Washington from the ABC drama “Scandal” and Jimmy Kimmel, host of ABC’s late night show “Jimmy Kimmel Live.”
Among ABC’s nominations were 14 for “Modern Family,” which received nods for Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Supporting Actress for Julie Bowen and Sofia Vergara, and Outstanding Supporting Actor for Ed O’Neill, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Ty Burrell and Eric Stonestreet. “Dancing with the Stars” received two nominations, for Outstanding Reality – Competition Program and Tom Bergeron for Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality-Competition Program. “Jimmy Kimmel Live” received a nod for Outstanding Variety Series, Ashley Judd received a nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie for “Missing,” and “Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution” and “Shark Tank” were both nominated for Outstanding Reality Program.
Jimmy Kimmel, will host the 64th Primetime Emmy® Awards, broadcast live coast to coast, Sunday, September 23, 2012 exclusively on ABC. The festivities begin with “Emmy’s Red Carpet Live” from 7:00-8:00 p.m., ET/4:00-5:00 p.m., PT, immediately followed by the award ceremonies, live from 8:00-11:00 p.m., ET/5:00-8:00 p.m., PT. This will be Kimmel’s first time hosting the Primetime Emmy telecast. Renowned director/producer Don Mischer will serve as executive producer for a record 12th time.
Following are ABC’s 48 Emmy Award nominations:
84th Annual Academy Awards
OUTSTANDING ART DIRECTION FOR VARIETY OR NONFICTION PROGRAMMING
OUTSTANDING DIRECTING FOR A VARIETY SPECIAL
OUTSTANDING LIGHTING DESIGN/LIGHTING DIRECTION FOR A VARIETY SPECIAL
OUTSTANDING PICTURE EDITING FOR SHORT-FORM SEGMENTS AND VARIETY SPECIALS
OUTSTANDING SPECIAL CLASS PROGRAMS
OUTSTANDING SOUND MIXING FOR A VARIETY SERIES OR SPECIAL
OUTSTANDING TECHNICAL DIRECTION, CAMERAWORK, VIDEO CONTROL FOR A MINISERIES,
MOVIE OR A SPECIAL
OUTSTANDING WRITING FOR A VARIETY SPECIAL
Dancing With the Stars
OUTSTANDING REALITY – COMPETITION PROGRAM
OUTSTANDING HOST FOR A REALITY OR REALITY-COMPETITION PROGRAM – Tom Bergeron
OUTSTANDING CHOREOGRAPHY
OUTSTANDING LIGHTING DESIGN/LIGHTING DIRECTION FOR A VARIETY SERIES
OUTSTANDING HAIRSTYLING FOR A MULTI-CAMERA SERIES OR SPECIAL
OUTSTANDING MAKEUP FOR A MULTI-CAMERA SERIES OR SPECIAL (NON-PROSTHETIC)
OUTSTANDING TECHNICAL DIRECTION, CAMERAWORK, VIDEO CONTROL FOR A SERIES
Desperate Housewives
OUTSTANDING VOICE-OVER PERFORMANCE – Brenda Strong
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES – The late Kathryn Joosten
Disney Prep & Landing: Naughty Vs. Nice
OUTSTANDING VOICE-OVER PERFORMANCE – Rob Riggle
OUTSTANDING MUSIC COMPOSITION FOR A MINISERIES, MOVIE OR A SPECIAL (ORIGINAL
DRAMATIC SCORE)
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition – Rise And Honor A Veterans Day Special
OUTSTANDING PICTURE EDITING FOR SHORT-FORM SEGMENTS AND VARIETY SPECIALS
Grey’s Anatomy
OUTSTANDING GUEST ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES – Loretta Devine
Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution
OUTSTANDING REALITY PROGRAM
Jimmy Kimmel Live
OUTSTANDING VARIETY SERIES
The Middle
OUTSTANDING MAKEUP FOR A SINGLE-CAMERA SERIES (NON-PROSTHETIC)
Missing
OUTSTANDING MUSIC COMPOSITION FOR A MINISERIES, MOVIE OR A SPECIAL (ORIGINAL
DRAMATIC SCORE)
OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS IN A MINISERIES OR A MOVIE – Ashley Judd
Modern Family
OUTSTANDING COMEDY SERIES
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES – Julie Bowen
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES – Sofia Vergara
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES – Ed O’Neill
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES – Jesse Tyler Ferguson
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES – Ty Burrell
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES – Eric Stonestreet
OUTSTANDING GUEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES – Greg Kinnear
OUTSTANDING CASTING FOR A COMEDY SERIES
OUTSTANDING DIRECTING FOR A COMEDY SERIES
OUTSTANDING DIRECTING FOR A COMEDY SERIES
OUTSTANDING SINGLE-CAMERA PICTURE EDITING FOR A COMEDY SERIES
OUTSTANDING SINGLE-CAMERA PICTURE EDITING FOR A COMEDY SERIES
OUTSTANDING SOUND MIXING FOR A COMEDY OR DRAMA SERIES (HALF-HOUR) AND ANIMATION
Once Upon A Time
OUTSTANDING COSTUMES FOR A SERIES
OUTSTANDING SPECIAL VISUAL EFFECTS
OUTSTANDING PROSTHETIC MAKEUP FOR A SERIES, MINISERIES, MOVIE OR A SPECIAL
Pan Am
OUTSTANDING CINEMATOGRAPHY FOR A SINGLE-CAMERA SERIES
OUTSTANDING SPECIAL VISUAL EFFECTS
OUTSTANDING MUSIC COMPOSITION FOR A SERIES (ORIGINAL DRAMATIC SCORE)
The River
OUTSTANDING SOUND EDITING FOR A MINISERIES, MOVIE OR A SPECIAL
Shark Tank
OUTSTANDING REALITY PROGRAM
Categories: Television Tags: ABC, Awards, DATG, Emmy, Nominations
Disney/ABC Television Garners 68 Daytime Emmy Nominations
The Disney/ABC Television Group received 68 nominations for the 39th Annual Daytime Entertainment Emmy® Awards announced today in New York City. “General Hospital” is the most honored show with 23 nominations, including a nod for Outstanding Drama Series. Executive producer of “The View” and “The Barbara Walters Specials” Bill Geddie will receive the 39th Annual Daytime Entertainment Emmy Awards Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions as writer, producer and director over his more than 30-year television career. “The View” received its 13th nomination for Outstanding Talk Show/Entertainment. ABC News’ “Good Morning America” received its sixth consecutive nomination for Outstanding Morning Program; “GMA” has won the award in three out of five years since the category was created.
The 39th Annual Daytime Entertainment Emmy Awards Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Bill Geddie, executive producer of “The View.” Mr. Geddie, along with Barbara Walters, serves as executive producer of “The View,” ABC’s critically acclaimed live talk and entertainment program produced by ABC and Ms. Walters’ Barwall Productions. Mr. Geddie has also partnered with Ms. Walters for the past 25 years as executive producer of “The Barbara Walters Specials” and “The 10 Most Fascinating People,” which he also co-writes and directs. He and Ms. Walters joined creative forces over 15 years ago for “The View” and have watched their original idea of women of different ages, experiences and backgrounds discussing the most exciting events of the day evolve into one of Daytime’s most popular and talked-about programs.
Disney-ABC Domestic Television receives a total of four nominations. “LIVE! with Regis and Kelly” is honored with two nods, including in the Outstanding Talk Show/Entertainment category, as well as Outstanding Talk Show Host for Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa, which marks the 21th nomination for both the show and its hosts. “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire” receives two nominations, including Outstanding Game/Audience Participation Show and Outstanding Game Show Host for Meredith Vieira, who has won in this category twice before, in 2005 and 2009.
Joining “General Hospital” with a nod for Outstanding Drama Series is “All My Children” with its final nomination in the category. The Lead Actress and Actor categories comprise a distinguished list of previous winners. Emmy winner Debbi Morgan (Angie Hubbard on “All My Children”), six-time winner Erika Slezak (Viki Lord on “One Life to Live”) and last year’s winner, Laura Wright (Carly Corinthos on “General Hospital”), are each honored with nominations in the Lead Actress category. Emmy winner Maurice Benard (Michael ‘Sonny” Corinthos, Jr. on “General Hospital”), six-time winner Anthony Geary (Luke Spencer on “General Hospital”), two-time winner Darnell Williams (Jesse Hubbard on “All My Children”) and Emmy winner Robert S. Woods (Bo Buchanan on “One Life to Live”) each receive nominations in the Lead Actor category.
Emmy winner Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis Davis on “General Hospital”) receives a nod in the Outstanding Supporting Actress category, along with previous nominees Rebecca Herbst (Elizabeth Webber on “General Hospital”) and Melissa Claire Egan for her role as Annie Chandler on “All My Children.” Four-time Emmy winner Jonathan Jackson (Lucky Spencer on “General Hospital”) receives a nomination in the Supporting Actor category, along with third-time nominee Bradford Anderson (Damien Spinelli on “General Hospital”), Sean Blakemore (Shawn Butler, “General Hospital”) and second-time nominee Jason Thompson (Patrick Drake on “General Hospital”).
Chad Duell (Michael Corinthos on “General Hospital”) receives his second consecutive nomination in the Outstanding Younger Actor category, along with first-time nominees Nathan Parsons (Ethan Lovett on “General Hospital”) and Eddie Alderson (Matthew Buchanan on “One Life to Live”).
ABC receives three nominations for the “Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade” for Outstanding Achievement in Sound Mixing – Live Action, Outstanding Special Class Directing and Outstanding Achievement in Technical Direction/Electronic Camera/Video Control.
Disney Channel receives six nominations, including four for its Disney Junior programming: “3rd & Bird!” – Outstanding Pre-school Children’s Series and Outstanding Writing in a Children’s Series; “Jake and the Never Land Pirates” – Outstanding Casting for an Animated Series or Special; and “A Poem Is…” – Outstanding Special Class Short Format Daytime Program. Also nominated in the Outstanding Special Class Short Format Daytime Program category is Disney Channel’s “The Time I…(Dyslexia)” and “The Time I…(Shoes).”
Disney XD is honored with two nominations in the Outstanding Promotional Announcement – Episodic category for “I’m in the Band Flipbook” and “Pair of Kings Flipbook.”
The complete list of Disney/ABC Television Group nominees includes:
OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES
ALL MY CHILDREN – ABC
GENERAL HOSPITAL — ABC
OUTSTANDING CHILDREN’S SERIES
BORN TO EXPLORE – ABC
OUTSTANDING GAME/AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION SHOW
WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE — SYN
OUTSTANDING MORNING PROGRAM
GOOD MORNING AMERICA – ABC
OUTSTANDING PRE-SCHOOL CHILDREN’S SERIES
3RD & BIRD! – DISNEY CHANNEL
OUTSTANDING PROMOTIONAL ANNOUNCEMENT – EPISODIC
DISNEY XD: I’M IN THE BAND FLIPBOOK – DISNEY XD
DISNEY XD: PAIR OF KINGS FLIPBOOK – DISNEY XD
GENERAL HOSPITAL: “BRENDA WEDDING & KIDNAPPING” – ABC
OUTSTANDING TALK SHOW/ENTERTAINMENT
LIVE! WITH REGIS AND KELLY – SYN
THE VIEW — ABC
OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES
DEBBI MORGAN, AS ANGIE HUBBARD ON ALL MY CHILDREN – ABC
ERIKA SLEZAK, AS VIKI LORD ON ONE LIFE TO LIVE — ABC
LAURA WRIGHT, AS CARLY CORINTHOS JACKS ON GENERAL HOSPITAL — ABC
OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
MAURICE BENARD, AS MICHAEL “SONNY “CORINTHOS, JR. ON GENERAL HOSPITAL – ABC
ANTHONY GEARY, AS LUKE SPENCER ON GENERAL HOSPITAL – ABC
DARNELL WILLIAMS, AS JESSE HUBBARD ON ALL MY CHILDREN – ABC
ROBERT S. WOODS, AS BO BUCHANAN ON ONE LIFE TO LIVE – ABC
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES
MELISSA CLAIRE EGAN, AS ANNIE CHANDLER ON ALL MY CHILDREN – ABC
NANCY LEE GRAHN, AS ALEXIS DAVIS ON GENERAL HOSITAL — ABC
REBECCA HERBST, AS ELIZABETH WEBBER ON GENERAL HOSPITAL — ABC
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
BRADFORD ANDERSON, AS DAMIEN SPINELLI ON GENERAL HOSPITAL – ABC
SEAN BLAKEMORE, AS SHAWN BUTLER ON GENERAL HOSPITAL — ABC
JONATHAN JACKSON, AS LUCKY SPENCER ON GENERAL HOSPITAL — ABC
JASON THOMPSON, AS PATRICK DRAKE ON GENERAL HOSPITAL — ABC
OUTSTANDING YOUNGER ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
EDDIE ALDERSON, AS MATTHEW BUCHANAN ON ONE LIFE TO LIVE — ABC
CHAD DUELL, AS MICHAEL CORINTHOS ON GENERAL HOSPITAL – ABC
NATHAN PARSONS, AS ETHAN LOVETT ON GENERAL HOSPITAL — ABC
OUTSTANDING GAME SHOW HOST
MEREDITH VIEIRA, WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE – SYN
OUTSTANDING TALK SHOW HOST
REGIS PHILBIN AND KELLY RIPA, LIVE! WITH REGIS AND KELLY — SYN
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN ART DIRECTION/SET DECORATION/SCENIC DESIGN FOR A DRAMA SERIES
ALL MY CHILDREN — ABC
GENERAL HOSPITAL – ABC
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT FOR A CASTING DIRECTOR FOR A DRAMA SERIES
GENERAL HOSPITAL – ABC
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN COSTUME DESIGN FOR A DRAMA SERIES
ALL MY CHILDREN — ABC
GENERAL HOSPITAL – ABC
ONE LIFE TO LIVE — ABC
OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES DIRECTING TEAM
GENERAL HOSPITAL – ABC
ONE LIFE TO LIVE – ABC
OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES WRITING TEAM
ALL MY CHILDREN — ABC
GENERAL HOSPITAL – ABC
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN HAIRSTYLING FOR A DRAMA SERIES
GENERAL HOSPITAL – ABC
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN LIGHTING DIRECTION FOR A DRAMA SERIES
ONE LIFE TO LIVE — ABC
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN LIVE & DIRECT-TO-TAPE SOUND MIXING FOR A DRAMA SERIES
ALL MY CHILDREN — ABC
ONE LIFE TO LIVE — ABC
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN MAKEUP FOR A DRAMA SERIES
GENERAL HOSPITAL – ABC
ONE LIFE TO LIVE — ABC
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN MULTIPLE CAMERA EDITING FOR A DRAMA SERIES
ALL MY CHILDREN — ABC
ONE LIFE TO LIVE — ABC
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN MUSIC DIRECTION AND COMPOSITION FOR A
DRAMA SERIES
ALL MY CHILDREN — ABC
ONE LIFE TO LIVE — ABC
OUTSTANDING ORIGINAL SONG FOR A DRAMA SERIES
GENERAL HOSPITAL “DUST” — ABC
ONE LIFE TO LIVE “ONE LIFE”– ABC
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN TECHNICAL DIRECTION/ELECTRONIC CAMERA/VIDEO CONTROL FOR A DRAMA SERIES
ALL MY CHILDREN — ABC
GENERAL HOSPITAL — ABC
OUTSTANDING DIRECTING IN A TALK SHOW/MORNING
THE VIEW — ABC
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN LIGHTING DIRECTION
THE VIEW — ABC
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN LIVE & DIRECT TO TAPE SOUND MIXING
THE VIEW — ABC
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN MAKEUP
THE VIEW – ABC
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND MIXING – LIVE ACTION
DISNEY PARKS CHRISTMAS DAY PARADE — ABC
OUTSTANDING SPECIAL CLASS DIRECTING
DISNEY PARKS CHRISTMAS DAY PARADE — ABC
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN TECHNICAL DIRECTION/ELECTRONIC CAMERA/VIDEO CONTROL
DISNEY PARKS CHRISTMAS DAY PARADE — ABC
THE VIEW – ABC
OUTSTANDING WRITING IN A CHILDREN’S SERIES
3RD & BIRD! – DISNEY CHANNEL
OUTSTANDING SPECIAL CLASS SHORT FORMAT DAYTIME
A POEM IS… – DISNEY CHANNEL
THE TIME I…(DYSLEXIA) – DISNEY CHANNEL
THE TIME I…(SHOES) – DISNEY CHANNEL
OUTSTANDING STUNT COORDINATION
GENERAL HOSPITAL — ABC
OUTSTANDING CASTING FOR AN ANIMATED SERIES OR SPECIAL
JAKE AND THE NEVER LAND PIRATES – DISNEY CHANNEL
The Daytime Emmy Awards presentation will be held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Saturday, June 23, 2012 in Beverly Hills, CA. The Daytime Creative Arts Emmy® Awards presentation will return to the Westin Bonaventure Hotel in Los Angeles on Sunday, June 17, 2012. Nominations were announced by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS).
Categories: Television Tags: ABC, Awards, DATG, DC, Disney Channel, Emmys
‘Times Square Studios’ Division Announced by Disney/ABC Television Group
The Disney/ABC Television Group today announced the formation of Times Square Studios, an integrated current entertainment programming and development division, following the announcement that Brian Frons, president, Daytime, Disney/ABC Television Group, will depart the Company at the end of his contract in January 2012. Through that date Mr. Frons will assist in transitioning to the new structure and will be available to provide counsel to the management team.
The new integrated Times Square Studios division will have oversight of current entertainment programming and the development of new programming focused primarily in the areas of non-scripted lifestyle and health for Daytime and Syndication. The current programming that will be part of this structure going forward includes “The View,” “General Hospital,” “The Chew,” “The Revolution,” “Katie” and “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire.” “LIVE! with Kelly” remains part of the ABC Owned Television Stations Group division.
Vicki Dummer, senior vice president, Current Series & Specials, ABC Entertainment Group, will be promoted to executive vice president, Times Square Studios, Current Series & Specials, adding oversight of this new programming and development area to her existing programming responsibilities. She will continue to report to Paul Lee, president, ABC Entertainment Group, who, with this announcement, adds Times Square Studios to his portfolio.
Abra Potkin, respected former CBS News and entertainment development executive, has been hired as senior vice president, East Coast Programming & Development, Times Square Studios; and ABC Daytime veteran Ann Lewis Roberts has been named senior vice president, West Coast Current Programming & Development, Times Square Studios. Both will report to Ms. Dummer.
In commenting on the announcement, Anne Sweeney, co-chair, Disney Media Networks and president, Disney/ABC Television Group, said: “Brian Frons has been the driving force in our successful Daytime division since joining us in 2002, and while we understand his decision to leave at the end of his contract, we’re sad to see him go.” She continued, “We took this opportunity to rethink our business, and the result was the creation of Times Square Studios. Having it be part of the ABC Entertainment Group, under the supervision of proven executives Vicki Dummer and Paul Lee, provides us the opportunity to bring greater creative resources, development strength and operational flexibility to this key area of our business.”
Mr. Frons said: “While my decision to try something new was not arrived at easily, nine years is a long time in television terms. I’m proud of the performance of ABC Daytime over that time, and of all of the accomplishments that our team achieved along the way. I’m especially pleased by the early results for ‘The Chew’ and excited for the launch of ‘The Revolution,’ which will be one more positive step in transforming ABC Daytime for our viewers. I’ll miss my colleagues and the wonderful talent that makes our shows, but know they are in very capable hands with Vicki going forward.”
“I am honored, humbled and thrilled to have been entrusted with this new opportunity,” Ms. Dummer stated. “Brian built an amazing team, and I’m looking forward to jumping into this new role and working with Abra, Ann and everyone in the group to make Times Square Studios a vibrant addition to our division.”
Mr. Lee added, “I’m really excited by the possibilities of Times Square Studios, and I think Vicki’s broad experience across reality and scripted makes her the perfect person to lead the charge.”
Brian Scott Frons was named president, Daytime, Disney/ABC Television Group in May 2006, where he oversaw the creation, production and delivery of all programming on ABC Daytime, SOAPnet and ABC Media Productions. He joined the Company in 2002 as president, ABC Daytime. Prior to that, he worked for the London-based SBS Broadcasting, S.A., where he most recently served as senior vice president of Programming, overseeing all programming, promotion and research operations for 12 SBS-owned and operated channels reaching about 125 million European viewers. Earlier in his career he was president, Creative Affairs, for New World Entertainment in Hollywood, where he directed program development and production for network, first-run syndication and international co-production. Mr. Frons has also been vice president, Creative Affairs, for NBC Productions.
In the Daytime Programming field, Mr. Frons has held various executive positions, including vice president, Daytime Programming, for NBC Entertainment, and director, Daytime Programming, for CBS Entertainment. In addition to developing, promoting or overseeing numerous series, Mr. Frons was also instrumental to the launch of The Soap Opera Digest Awards.
Mr. Frons began his television career in 1978 as one of three program management trainees chosen during a national search by CBS Entertainment. He holds a Master of Science degree in communications from Syracuse University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from the State University of New York at Fredonia.
Vicki Dummer was named senior vice president, Current Series & Specials, ABC Entertainment, in June 2011. In this role Ms. Dummer oversees all current series and special programming for ABC’s primetime block. She reports to Paul Lee, president, ABC Entertainment Group.
Previously Ms. Dummer was senior vice president, Alternative Series, Specials & Late-Night, ABC Entertainment, since June 2009. In that position she was responsible for the development and oversight of numerous programs, including “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” “Supernanny”,” “Secret Millionaire” and “Wipeout.” Prior to joining the Alternative Series & Specials department, she honed her skills in the arts and entertainment industry.
Ms. Dummer began her career at ABC in October 1996 in the Comedy Series Programming department. She worked on several of ABC’s most popular series, including “8 Simple Rules,” “According to Jim,” “Dharma & Greg,” “The Drew Carey Show,” “Less Than Perfect,” “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” and “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire.”
Prior to joining ABC, she was a senior program specialist at the National Endowment for the Arts in Washington, DC. She has also held posts as executive director of a statewide service organization for dancers and performance artists, and was manager of a modern dance company.
Ms. Dummer received a Bachelor of Arts in arts administration from Ohio State University.
Abra Potkin joins Times Square Studios as senior vice president, East Coast Programming & Development, from CBS Television Distribution, where she served as senior vice president, Talent, Development & Programming since 2006. During her tenure there, she worked on such shows as “Dr. Phil,” “Entertainment Tonight” and “The Insider.” Prior to that, Ms. Potkin spent eight years as director of production, West Coast Bureau, for CBS News / “48 Hours.”
From 1995-1999, she served as a producer for CBS News / “Before Your Eyes,” a division created to develop two-hour real-life stories, called “news-movies,” that would air as movies of the week. She was one of the key people responsible for turning the division into an award-winning, highly rated and critically acclaimed franchise.
She began her career at CBS News / “48 Hours” as an associate producer, where she produced hundreds of hours of television.
Ms. Potkin is the recipient of three Edward R. Murrow Awards, three Emmy Gabriel Awards, a Nancy Susan Reynolds Award and a “Women in TV” Award. She received a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from New York University.
Categories: Business, Television Tags: DATG
Disney/ABC TV Group to Launch ABC Spark Channel in Canada
Disney/ABC Television Group (DATG) and Corus Entertainment today announced that they have entered into an expansive licensing agreement to launch ABC Spark, a dedicated millennial-focused channel and multi-platform offering, in Canada in Spring 2012. The channel will build on the foundation that DATG has created with ABC Family, its incredibly successful millennial brand in the U.S. This deal marks the first time in history that these two companies have entered into this type of licensing agreement for a 24-hour channel.
ABC Spark will be a destination for Canada’s young adult millennial viewers, telling stories that matter most to this audience while utilizing the technology millennials rely on to connect to their world in a corresponding multi-platform offering. The agreement was brokered by Disney-ABC Domestic Television with Corus Entertainment.
“We are very pleased to work with Corus in bringing ABC Family’s well-known, popular programming into the Canadian marketplace,” commented Janice Marinelli, president, Disney-ABC Domestic Television.
“We are thrilled to partner with Disney/ABC Television Group and to announce the launch of ABC Spark in Canada, a network with values and attributes that align with our own,” said Doug Murphy, president, Corus Television. “Bridging the gap between our kids and women’s networks, ABC Spark will be a national service with compelling programming directed at the fast-expanding millennial generation.”
ABC Family is a top performing destination for millennials in the U.S., delivering seven consecutive years of stellar growth. ABC Family has also become an emerging global brand though the successful sale of many of its key programs to more than 200 territories around the world. Its newest series, “Switched at Birth,” launched as the network’s No. 1 series debut of all time in key demos this past summer, and ranked as the top rated new series across all basic cable in those demos as well. Other groundbreaking original programming included in the deal are “The Secret Life of the American Teenager,” “Make It or Break It,” “Melissa & Joey” and upcoming series “Jane By Design.”
Michael Riley, president, ABC Family, added: “As the leader in millennial programming, we’re thrilled to join Corus in bringing our successful series and resonant millennial brand to Canada. We’re confident that Canadian viewers will respond passionately to shows like ‘Switched at Birth,’ ‘The Lying Game’ and ‘Secret Life of the American Teenager’ in this new branded environment, just as viewers have in the U.S. and around the world.”
Comprising more than 1.7 billion consumers worldwide, millennials are an optimistic and goal-oriented generation. They represent the largest demographic bubble in both U.S. and Canadian history. Millennials constitute over 85 million 15 to 34 year-olds in the U.S. In Canada there are nearly 10 million millennials, constituting more than 30% of the current population.
Categories: Television Tags: ABC Family, ABC Spark, DATG
Gary Marsh Named as Lightcap’s Successor as President, Disney Channels Worldwide
The Disney/ABC Television Group today announced that Gary Marsh has been promoted to president, Disney Channels Worldwide. He will also continue in his role as the Channel’s Chief Creative Officer. This announcement follows the decision by Carolina Lightcap to step down as president, Disney Channels Worldwide.
In this new position, Mr. Marsh will have full creative oversight and leadership responsibility for Disney’s successful and burgeoning global kids TV business, comprising more than 100 kid-driven, family inclusive entertainment channels and feeds which are available in 169 countries and 35 languages. The portfolio spans Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney XD, Disney Cinemagic and Hungama brands; the Radio Disney broadcast and satellite radio network and station group; as well as subscription video-on-demand and the content-rich broadband websites DisneyChannel.com, DisneyJunior.com, DisneyXD.com and RadioDisney.com. Previously, Mr. Marsh had been president, Entertainment and Chief Creative Officer, Disney Channels Worldwide.
In commenting on Mr. Marsh and his promotion, Anne Sweeney, co-chair, Disney Media Networks and president, Disney/ABC Television Group said, “Gary Marsh has been the driving creative force behind Disney Channels remarkable growth for the past 15 plus years, responsible for some of the most iconic and successful franchises in our history, including ‘Hannah Montana,’ ‘Wizards of Waverly Place,’ ‘High School Musical,’ ‘Phineas and Ferb,’ ‘That’s So Raven,’ ‘Shake It Up’ and many others.” She continued, “The evolution and growth of our Disney Channels business will come from the alignment of this great creative with strong distribution, in all its myriad forms. There is no one better suited to manage this than Gary. He not only understands the zeitgeist of kids’ culture, he helped create it. Our business couldn’t be in better hands.”
Said Mr. Marsh: “The strength of Disney Channels Worldwide – and its heart – has always been the dynamic and dedicated people who make the magic and put it into the homes and hands of kids and families around the world. These talented people who share my passion for creative excellence are the reason I’ve loved working here. And it’s also why I’m excited by this expanded opportunity to lead this team in creating and delivering content, globally, which entertains, uplifts and inspires.”
As president, Entertainment, and Chief Creative Officer, Disney Channels Worldwide, Mr. Marsh managed the worldwide Programming Strategy, Planning and Acquisitions teams, Original Movies, Original Series, Casting, Talent Relations and Production for Disney Channel U.S. and Disney XD, overseeing the development and production of a slate of original programming for Disney Channels Worldwide – both live action and animated – with original programming teams based in Burbank, London and Japan. In addition, he oversaw the development and production arms of Disney Television Animation.
His track record in developing cultural phenomena like “High School Musical,” “Hannah Montana,” “Phineas and Ferb” and “Lizzie McGuire” has been a hallmark of his success. In addition to spearheading these blockbuster Disney Channel Original Movie and Original Series franchises, he has also overseen Disney Junior programming, which includes break-out hits “Jake and the Never Land Pirates,” “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse” and “Handy Manny.”
Throughout his tenure at Disney Channel, Mr. Marsh has developed projects that have garnered the highest industry and critical acclaim, including multiple Emmys and Humanitas Prizes, plus Peabody, NAMIC, Gabriel, Women in Film, Parents’ Choice and New York International Film and Television Festival Awards. He is the co-creator and co-chair of City of Hope’s annual Concert for Hope, and was also a 2005 Honoree of Girls Incorporated, which recognizes industry leaders who are excellent role models for girls and young women.
Prior to joining Disney Channel, Mr. Marsh was director of Movies and Miniseries at Columbia Pictures Television. He was previously vice president, the Garth Group, a consulting firm in New York City, where he specialized in creating media for political campaigns.
Categories: Business, Television Tags: DATG, DC, Disney Channel
Disney/ABC Group President Anne Sweeney Named MIPCOM Personality of the Year
Reed MIDEM has named Anne Sweeney, Disney/ABC Television Group (DATG) President and Disney Media Networks Co-chair, MIPCOM 2011 Personality of the Year, making her the first woman ever to receive the accolade. She will accept the award on Wednesday, 5 October, during a gala dinner for industry executives. The 27th annual MIPCOM, the world’s entertainment content market, will be held on 3-6 October, 2011 at the Palais des Festivals, in Cannes, France.
Ms. Sweeney will give a keynote address on Wednesday, 5 October, as part of MIPCOM’s Media Mastermind series of presentations.
Named the Most Powerful Woman in Entertainment by The Hollywood Reporter, one of the 50 Most Powerful Women in Business by Fortune and one of The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women by Forbes, Ms. Sweeney is responsible for The Walt Disney Company’s entertainment and news television properties globally.
“We are extremely pleased to honor Anne Sweeney as our MIPCOM 2011 Personality of the Year in recognition of her unparalleled contributions to the global entertainment industry,” said Paul Zilk, Chief Executive of Reed MIDEM. “Of special note is her contribution to the expansion of Disney’s portfolio of channels, brands and programming worldwide, as well as her visionary leadership in fostering content on emerging digital platforms.”
“I am so very honored to be the recipient of MIPCOM’s 2011 Personality of the Year,” said Ms. Sweeney. “However the accomplishments which have led to this honor are not mine alone. They are the result of the tireless efforts of so very many talented colleagues. This event will allow me to acknowledge and celebrate everyone on the Disney/ABC Television Group and Disney Media Distribution teams, who not only create some of the most acclaimed and popular programming around the globe, but also continually develop new, innovative distribution methods that meet the ever-evolving needs of consumers.”
In 2005, Ms. Sweeney led the industry into the digital era when the Disney/ABC Television Group became the first media company to put television content on new platforms. The Group was the first to leverage iTunes, the first to introduce an ad-supported full episode player online and the first to deliver a network video application for the revolutionary iPad. Internationally, the division was responsible in recent years for groundbreaking, advertising-supported VOD deals for network series with a variety of distributors. All were first-ever deals of their kind in their respective markets and helped establish DATG as a leading innovator in the global distribution marketplace.
Ms. Sweeney joined the Walt Disney Company in February 1996 as President of Disney Channel and Executive Vice President of Disney/ABC Cable Networks. Previously, she was Chairman and CEO of FX Networks since 1993. Before joining Fox, she spent 12 years at Nickelodeon/Nick at Nite, in various executive positions.
Ms. Sweeney is active in organizations both within and outside the television industry, and is a board member of A&E Television Networks, the Paley Center for Media, the American Institute and the Special Olympics.
Founded in 1963, Reed MIDEM is a leading organiser of professional, international tradeshows. Reed MIDEM events have established themselves as key dates in professional diaries. The company hosts MIPTV, MIPDOC, MIPCOM, and MIPJUNIOR for the television and digital content industries, MIDEM for music professionals, MIPIM, MIPIM Asia and MAPIC for the property and retail real estate sectors.
Categories: Television Tags: Anne Sweeney, Awards, DATG
Disney/ABC Television Garners 45 Primetime Emmy Nominations
The Disney/ABC Television Group (DATG) captured 45 Primetime Emmy nominations, it was announced today by the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. This total reflects nominations for ABC Television Network, ABC Studios, ABC.com, Disney Channel and Disney XD programming.
The ABC Television Network collected 42 nominations, including 17 nominations for “Modern Family,” topping all comedies. Nods for the sophomore series include categories of Outstanding Comedy Series, Supporting Actor/Actress, Guest Actor (Nathan Lane), Writing, Art Direction, Casting, Directing, Picture Editing and Sound Mixing.
“Dancing with the Stars” received 7 nominations in the categories of Reality-Competition (for the sixth consecutive time), Host Tom Bergeron (fourth consecutive), Choreography, Hairstyling, Lighting, Makeup, and Technical Direction, Camerawork, Video Control.
The “83rd Annual Academy Awards scored 9 nominations, including the category of Special Class, and “Jimmy Kimmel Live” was recognized with 2 nominations in Short-Form Picture Editing and Lighting Design/Lighting Direction.
Disney Channel collected two nominations for “Wizards of Waverly Place” in the categories of Children’s Program and Cinematography, while Disney XD received a nomination for “Pair of Kings,” also in Cinematography.
Other nominations included Loretta Devine’s first Emmy nomination for Guest Actress in a Drama Series for her role on “Grey’s Anatomy” and the holiday special “Disney Prep & Landing: Operation Secret Santa” for Short-format Animated Program. Additionally, ABC.com is recognized with two nominations for Creative Achievement in Interactive Media.
The 63rd Annual Primetime Emmy ceremony will be telecast on Fox on Sunday, September 18.
The Disney/ABC Television Group is composed of The Walt Disney Company’s (NYSE: DIS) global entertainment and news television properties, including the ABC Television Network, ABC Studios, Disney Channels Worldwide, ABC Family and SOAPnet, as well as Disney/ABC Domestic Television and Disney Media Distribution. The Radio Disney Network, Hyperion publishing, and the Company’s equity interest in A&E Television Networks round out the Group’s portfolio of media businesses.
Categories: Television Tags: ABC, Awards, DATG, Disney Channel, Disney XD, Emmy, Wizards of Waverly Place, WOWP
ABC News Receives Edward R. Murrow Award for Toyota Investigation
ABC News Chief Investigative Correspondent Brian Ross and the ABC News Investigative Team have been awarded the 2011 National Edward R. Murrow Award for Video Continuing Coverage for their exclusive investigation that revealed how Toyota had for years ignored complaints from hundreds of its owners about cars suddenly accelerating out of control. The reports aired first on “ABC World News with Diane Sawyer,” “Good Morning America” and “Nightline.”
The ground-breaking ABC News reports exposed the automaker’s slow reaction over the years to serious safety problems and helped prompt the company to acknowledge defects, shut down sales and manufacturing, recall almost nine million cars and apologize to its customers.
In addition, several ABC News affiliates were honored in both the Large Market and Small Market categories. In the Large Market television category, KMGH-TV in Denver was recognized for Video Continuing Coverage for its “Fatal Errors: Death at the State Hospital” reports, and WFAA-TV in Dallas was honored with the award for Video Reporting: Hard News for its “Fallen Heroes” reporting and for Video Investigative Reporting for its “Bitter Lessons” report. In the Small Market television category, WMTW-TV in Auburn, Maine was honored for Video Newscast for its local 6:00 p.m. newscast “News 8 at Six.”
Categories: Television Tags: ABC, ABC News, Awards, DATG
Katie Couric Joins Disney/ABC TV Group in Multi-Platform Deal
Disney/ABC Television Group (DATG) has signed a multi-year, multi-platform agreement with Katie Couric, award-winning journalist, best-selling author and popular TV personality, to host and produce her own nationally syndicated talk show and to join the ABC News team, it was announced today by Anne Sweeney, president, Disney/ABC Television Group and co-chair, Disney Media Networks. The program will be distributed by Disney/ABC Domestic Television and will premiere in September 2012.
Couric, the former “Today” co-anchor who was most recently anchor and managing editor of the “CBS Evening News with Katie Couric,” a “60 Minutes” correspondent and host of the weekly online interview series, @katiecouric, will be reunited with Jeff Zucker, who will be an executive producer with Couric on the yet-to-be-named syndicated series, which will be based in New York and produced in conjunction with Disney/ABC.
In addition to hosting the new syndicated program, Couric will join the ABC News team, contributing to all programs and platforms. Beginning this summer, Couric, winner of the distinguished duPont, Murrow and Cronkite Awards and numerous Emmys, will anchor specials, contribute interviews, participate in special events coverage and bring her many talents to bear on some of the most important and interesting stories of the day.
In making the announcement, Ms. Sweeney stated: “Katie Couric is one of television’s iconic figures and we are thrilled to have forged such an exciting partnership with her. We look forward to having Katie join the best News team in the business, and to working with her to create a dynamic and successful talk show franchise.”
Ms. Couric added: “I’m very happy to be returning to the network where I began my career as a desk assistant in 1979. It is tremendously exciting to have the creative freedom to develop my own show with Anne Sweeney, the Disney/ABC TV Group and Jeff, and to contribute to such a vibrant, innovative news division. I can’t wait to be part of this incredibly talented, visionary team.”
“It was a blast working with Katie at ‘Today’ and I’m excited to do it again,” said Zucker. “And besides, it should be more fun spending time with Katie at 3 or 4 in the afternoon than at 3 or 4 in the morning.”
The eight ABC Owned stations in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Houston, Raleigh/Durham and Fresno, which represent nearly 23% of the nation’s TV households, have already cleared the new show in the 3:00 p.m. time slot. As part of the announcement, the network is set to return the last hour of its Daytime network block to affiliates no earlier than September 2012, but continues to support “General Hospital,” and the plans to launch “The Chew” in September of this year and “The Revolution” in January 2012.
Katie Couric is an award-winning journalist, veteran TV personality and New York Times best-selling author. Prior to joining the Disney/ABC Television Group, she was anchor and managing editor of the “CBS Evening News with Katie Couric,” a “60 Minutes” correspondent, a “CBS Sunday Morning” contributor and anchor of CBS News primetime specials. When the “CBS Evening News with Katie Couric” debuted on September 5, 2006, Couric became the first female solo anchor of a weekday network evening news broadcast. She also writes a monthly column for Glamour magazine, which features an interview with a dynamic female role model every month, and is active on Twitter, @katiecouric.
Categories: Television Tags: ABC, ABC News, DATG, Katie Couric
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