Tomorrow Will Be Televised

Looks like we’re a month away from YouTube announcing as many as 30 new vertical channels, each one produced/programmed by a different entity. Lots of big-name producers and production companies connected to this effort, which YouTube and parent Google anticipate spending about $150 million on. The two TV questions to keep front of mind: Will Continue Reading →

No one was more in view last week in the TV world than Michael Powell, president/chief executive officer of the National Cable Television Association. As things turned out, no one was more in view last week in the TV world more quotable, ultimately more welcomed, than Powell. Six months after assuming both NCTA roles from Continue Reading →

Of the big four annual award specials, the Grammys is the most entertaining most people watch (because of the music performances and willingness to experiment with unique star pairings or collaborations), the Tony is the most entertaining few people watch (because Broadway theater is not nationally accessible the same way other art forms are, so Continue Reading →

Several studies released by a number of television unions and advocacy groups the last three weeks all share a disturbing conclusion. As diversity in these United States rises (more than half of the population women; nearly 40 percent of the population people of color), far too few women and people of color produce, write and Continue Reading →

NBC has two big sports events to make hay from in 2012: the Super Bowl and the Summer Olympics from London. My big question: will NBC make 3D hay out of one or both? Television set makers and other 3D advocates, getting attacked from many sides for the slow 3D adoption among the public, could Continue Reading →

Limb-stepping time, in terms of winning choices for this year’s Emmy Awards. Here’s my roundup of how the major categories will go down. Love hearing whether you agree or disagree, so feel free to comment below. Fox will televise the Emmy Awards Sunday, Sept. 18. Comedy Series: Modern Family No sophomore slump here. The best Continue Reading →

Google TV’s chances for a second coming, showcased a few months ago in this column, may have turned brighter. If so, you can thank a $12.5 billion bet in of all things, hardware. The hardware bet is Google’s acquisition of Motorola Mobility, the side of Motorola normally associated with mobile phones and smartphones. Naturally, most Continue Reading →

Observation one: A double-dose of diversity in latenight talk/variety programs was launched two years ago almost to the week, when TBS announced Lopez Tonight and BET greenlighted a weeknight excursion headlined by Oscar-winning actress/comedian/specials host Monique. Last week, Lopez Tonight signed off for good at TBS, and the final Monique Show episode surfaces before Labor Continue Reading →

Latinos wishing to watch the Summer Olympics from Beijing in Spanish three years ago couldn’t do so in primetime, just like the rest of America. Or during the daytime hours. They had to wake up at 4 a.m.(Eastern time) in the morning, every morning events were presented, and be as glued to the action as Continue Reading →

Oprah Winfrey feels your pain, media critics and fans who see the seven-month-old television channel bearing her name falling short. That’s why she starts this month as chief executive officer of OWN, plunging herself and her Harpo Studios crew into turning the fortunes of this channel around this fall and beyond. She’s acknowledged a few Continue Reading →