TV Guide Magazine

Mondo Times editors    Boulder Colorado USA

Posted at 3:16pm on Monday, November 9th, 2009

On November 9, 2009, TV Land and TV Guide Network announced that they would jointly acquire basic cable rights to "Curb Your Enthusiasm," the award-winning HBO comedy series produced by and starring "Seinfeld" co-creator Larry David.

One of the most groundbreaking shows on television, "Curb Your Enthusiasm" has never before been seen on basic cable television and for the first time ever, this irreverent comedy series will be delivered to millions of new viewers by TV Guide Network and TV Land. In addition, both networks will acquire certain broadband, wireless and video-on-demand rights, bringing "Curb Your Enthusiasm" to multiple screens for fans to enjoy.

"Curb Your Enthusiasm" has recently garnered tremendous buzz and fan-following during its current season which features a long-awaited "Seinfeld" reunion 11 years after the show's finale. Airing now on HBO, the seventh season of "Curb Your Enthusiasm" stars members of the famed "Seinfeld" cast, who recreate their sitcom characters and also play themselves during the show.

"Acquiring a series of this caliber truly underscores our commitment to defining TV Guide Network as a destination for some of the best shows on television," said Ryan O'Hara, President of TV Guide Network and TVGuide.com. "'Curb Your Enthusiasm' is our second major acquisition this year and it will become another key building block in our programming line-up for 2010 and beyond."

For more information:
http://www.tvland.com/

Mondo Times editors    Boulder, Colorado USA

Posted at 10:55pm on Tuesday, September 22nd, 2009

TV Guide is cutting circulation by 30 percent, the New York Post reported on September 13, 2009:

"In a move expected to be announced as soon as tomorrow, TV Guide, starting next month, will drop from its current rate base of 2.9 million down to 2 million, a drop of more than 30 percent. It follows the January lowering of the rate base from 3.2 million to 2.9, which in turn followed a massive cut in October 2005 -- when it collapsed from nine million down to 3.2 million."

The full story:
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/tv_guide_gets_haircut_6kBDf51BZ9dIh7CJLRtkFP

Mondo Times editors    Boulder, Colorado USA

Posted at 3:46pm on Sunday, July 26th, 2009

In a move to bolster its programming and attract new viewers, TV Guide Network announced on July 22, 2009 that it has entered into an agreement with Disney-ABC Domestic Television to acquire the exclusive basic cable off-network rights to ABC Studios' award-winning television series "Ugly Betty."

It is TV Guide Network's first scripted series acquisition and part of a programming strategy to evolve the network as an entertainment destination. Lionsgate, a film and video producer, acquired the TV Guide Network and TV Guide's online business on February 28, 2009, and the company announced that One Equity Partners and Allen Shapiro had become a 49% financial partner on May 28, 2009.

The deal includes access to existing and future episodes of "Ugly Betty" which will begin airing as a weekly strip on TV Guide Network in fall 2010. As part of the agreement, TVGuide.com will have rights to stream up to five "Ugly Betty" episodes at a time online. In addition, the deal includes repurpose rights for the new season of "Ugly Betty" premiering in October 2009 on ABC. The repeat telecast of the new episodes will air on TV Guide Network within two weeks of their premiere on ABC.

"We are thrilled to be the exclusive cable and satellite home for a show as popular as 'Ugly Betty,' which will become a cornerstone of TV Guide Network's schedule," said Ryan O'Hara, President, TV Guide Network and TVGuide.com. "'Ugly Betty' is a show that both fans and critics love, and one we believe will attract new viewers and advertisers to our network and web site. This acquisition is the first step of a larger, ongoing plan to strengthen our programming schedule and redefine TV Guide Network as a place to watch great television."

Mondo Times editors    Boulder Colorado USA

Posted at 1:21pm on Saturday, June 6th, 2009

The CEO of TV Guide magazine has resigned, and not in a happy way, the New York Post reported on June 3, 2009:

"Scott Crystal, the TV Guide CEO who resigned over the weekend after weeks of mounting tension with the magazine's new owners, has fired off an e-mail to his former colleagues claiming the current owners are engaged in a "self-enrichment" scheme that will siphon away millions from the money-losing magazine.

And he's threatening to carry his dispute into court.

The e-mail, which one insider described as "a nuclear bomb," provides his version of the events that led to his sudden departure and accuses investment firm Open Gate of paying itself advisory fees that could amount to millions of dollars a year.

Crystal, who had been with the magazine for six years through three different owners, resigned late Friday."

The full story:
http://www.nypost.com/seven/06032009/business/ex_tv_guide_chief_launches_nuclear_missi_172274.htm