You are viewing the archive: “ABC Entertainment Group”

Is Warner Bros And ABC’s New TV Rights Agreement “A Turning Point” For Digital And Syndication Deals?

By DAVID LIEBERMAN, Executive Editor | Monday November 14, 2011 @ 5:46pm PSTTags: ABC, ABC Entertainment Group, Netflix, Suburgatory, The Middle, Warner Bros TV Distribution, Work It

It gets a bit technical, but Warner Bros Television Group and ABC may have cracked the code to resolve one of the TV industry’s more vexing problems: How should program producers and networks split the rights to air TV shows as digital platforms become a bigger part of the distribution mix? They announced today a two-year deal that gives ABC broader and clearer opportunities to run WBTVG shows while they’re hot: ABC can include the shows in a TV Everywhere, subscription-based online feed of the network which the companies say is “currently under development.” The network also has right to make up to five recently aired episodes of current WBTVG programs — including The Middle, Work It, and Suburgatory – available via VOD as soon as the day after they first appear on TV. They can run on the network’s main Web sites, abc.com and Hulu, as well as an ABC-branded VOD service carried by traditional pay TV distributors. In return, WBTVG can begin syndicating series earlier than previous deals allowed: It can license serialized shows such as Gossip Girls that work well on subscription VOD services like Netflix at the end of the broadcast year in which the episodes first air. The studio also can begin syndicating sitcoms and procedural dramas to TV stations and cable networks after three years, down from four. Since WBTV is the largest independent TV producer, “this is kind of a turning point,” says EVP Craig Hunegs. “I don’t think there’s any turning back from this.” He adds that WBTVG is close to completing a similar, but longer, deal with a second network.

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ABC Marketing Co-Head Steps Down

By NELLIE ANDREEVA | Friday September 10, 2010 @ 1:12pm PDTTags: ABC Entertainment Group, Mike Benson, Paul Lee, Paul Lee ABC Entertainment
Nellie Andreeva

New ABC Entertainment Group president Paul Lee has made his first executive move. EVP marketing Mike Benson is stepping down, leaving fellow EVP Marla Provencio as the sole head of the network’s marketing department. Lee is said to be looking to go in a new direction with the network’s marketing … Read More »

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TCA: Steve Levitan On McPherson’s Ouster, Nathan Lane Joining ‘Modern Family’, & Chances He’ll Do A Show At Fox Again

By NELLIE ANDREEVA | Sunday August 1, 2010 @ 6:16pm PDTTags: ABC Entertainment Group, Modern Family, Nathan Lane, Steve Levitan, Steve McPherson, Steve McPherson ABC, Steve McPherson Resignation, TCA
Nellie Andreeva

Family Man: Showrunner Series Q&A Steve Levitan

During a coffee break at TCA today, Modern Family co-creator/executive producer Steve Levitan dived straight in about Steve McPherson’s sudden exit from ABC Entertainment. “My genuine reaction was this … Read More »

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TCA: No ‘Idol’ Judge News On Monday

By NELLIE ANDREEVA | Friday July 30, 2010 @ 5:24pm PDTTags: ABC Entertainment Group, American Idol, American Idol Judges, American Idol Rumors, Fox American Idol, Paul Lee ABC Entertainment, TCA
Nellie Andreeva

Despite speculation about the new judges on American Idol reaching fever pitch, word is that Fox will not make any announcements at its TCA presentation Monday as previously anticipated. On the other hand, new ABC Entertainment Group president Paul Lee, who had been a question mark for ABC’s TCA session … Read More »

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Steve McPherson’s Lawyer Goes On Record About “Rumors Of Internal Situations Easily Misinterpreted Or Misrepresented” At ABC

By NIKKI FINKE AND NELLIE ANDREEVA | Wednesday July 28, 2010 @ 5:57pm PDTTags: ABC Entertainment Group, Steve Carell, Steve McPherson, Steve McPherson ABC, Steve McPherson Resignation, Steve McPherson Rumors

Ever since Deadline broke the news that Steve McPherson was resigning as ABC Entertainment Group President yesterday, emails have been sent to media outlets filled with rumors about his personal and/or professional behavior. Disney wouldn’t respond to Deadline’s requests … Read More »

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ABC Family’s Paul Lee Taking Over ABC Entertainment Group After President Steve McPherson Resigns

By NIKKI FINKE AND NELLIE ANDREEVA | Tuesday July 27, 2010 @ 6:02pm PDTTags: ABC Entertainment Group, ABC Family, ABC Studios, Cable TV, Disney/ABC, Paul Lee, Paul Lee ABC Entertainment, Steve McPherson

4TH UPDATE 6:30 PM: We’ve just confirmed that ABC Family President Paul Lee will take over as president of ABC Entertainment Group. Just like Steve McPherson, Lee will manage both ABC Entertainment and ABC Studios. “Paul Lee has had incredible success … Read More »

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Lynn Barrie and Stephanie Leifer In Talks To Head Current At ABC & ABC Studios

By NELLIE ANDREEVA | Wednesday July 21, 2010 @ 6:49pm PDTTags: ABC Entertainment Group, Current Programming, Lynn Barrie, NBC Vernon Sanders
Nellie Andreeva

EXCLUSIVE: I hear ABC’s plan to restore the current departments on the network and studio side is moving full steam ahead, and Lynn Barrie and Stephanie Leifer are in negotiations to head the current teams on the ABC and ABC Studios side, respectively. ABC folded current into the drama and … Read More »

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