NBC expects quick payback from – Abercrombie swimw

01.08.2010 at 9:31 pm · Saved under Seven

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – NBC executives said on Friday the network had learned from its past mistakes, spent big to fund 12 new scripted prime-time TV shows, and hoped to see a fast payback in a "robust" economy for broadcasting.

Looking back to the short-lived Leno experiment, Gaspin said the network "made too many changes, too quickly, from a position of weakness."

NBC declined to give development costs for its seven new dramas and five new comedies. But Gaspin said he "expects the payback to be greater and sooner than we would have expected" in terms of bigger audiences, advertising revenue and international sales.

Comcast is in the process of buying a majority stake in NBC Universal. The deal is under federal review, with approval expected by the end of this year.

"On the broadcast business and advertising side and international side, in volume and content, (the economy) is coming back incredibly robust,Abercrombie swimwear," he said. "I hope it is just not a bubble but right now there is some real hope in the broadcasting business."

Gaspin said NBC also was prepared to take scheduling risks in the new season, including putting new law drama series "Outlaw" starring Jimmy Smits in the Friday evening slot previously regarded as a dead zone for viewers.

"We believe we have a lot more stability at the network than we have had for some time," he told reporters gathered here for the annual TV critics presentations.

(Editing by Bob Tourtellotte and Richard Chang)

But NBC has restocked its shelves for the upcoming 2010-11 TV season which starts in September, buying big-budget action thrillers from established hitmakers like producers Jerry Bruckheimer, J.J. Abrams, and a new legal drama from David E. Kelley.

"We are taking a swing there to see if we can get audiences back on Friday night. We have taken too few chances in past years. We don't want to make that mistake again," he said.

Asked about the takeover, Gaspin said: "I don't know what the future will hold, so it is hard for me to speculate. But I am excited about the prospects. Having other executives who are actually in the media space, to have conversations about what is going on and how to approach the future, is going to be valuable."

"We are trying to rebuild. We recognize some of the mistakes we have made over the past couple of years. We put a lot more money into development this year. We feel very good about the progress we have made over the past year," Gaspin said.

Jeff Gaspin,Boss, chairman of NBC Universal Entertainment, also told TV journalists that he was excited to work with cable TV operator Comcast Corp, after expected federal approval of its acquisition of a controlling stake in the network from NBC Universal parent General Electric Co.

NBC ended at the bottom of the four major U.S. TV networks in viewership this past season after a disastrous experiment with "The Jay Leno Show" in prime-time hours, five days a week.

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Wussler, CNN co-founder and CBS exec, die – Baby P

13.06.2010 at 9:59 am · Saved under Ralph Lauren

In 1978, Wussler formed his own production company called Pyramid Enterprises. It created syndicated programming for the international marketplace, specializing in Japan, France and the former Soviet Union.

Wussler started his 21-year career at CBS working in the mailroom. He eventually became executive producer of CBS News,Baby Phat, where he oversaw special projects including man’s landing on the moon.

Spokesman Arthur Sando says Wussler died June 5 at his home in Westport, Conn.,Abercrombie swimwear, after a long illness.

NEW YORK – Robert J. Wussler, a CNN co-founder who became the youngest president of the CBS television network when he took over at age 36, has died. He was 73.

Wussler won seven Emmy awards.

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