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Burlington Covers Tracks for Stunt: Marketers still haven't recovered from the failure of Cartoon Network's 2007 Boston stunt, which infamously prompted the city to brace for a terrorist attack and included such fallout as network exec's resignation and a $1 million fine. In hopes of avoiding a similar stir when planting 500 unattended messenger bags around New York City last week, Burlington Coat Factory coordinated the stunt with local police to make sure nobody was caught off guard. They also made a concerted effort to keep all of the bags—each containing a gift card to the retailer's new "store in a store," the Factory—on pre-approved private property and monitored by event staff. Planners reportedly interviewed bloggers who covered the Boston incident to find out how to stay on the right track. [NYP]

Most-Watched Emmys Since 2006: Producer Don Mischer and host Neil Patrick Harris received most of the credit this week for a positively reviewed Emmy presentation and a highly watched telecast. Ratings were up to 13.3 million viewers for Sunday's show, a 1 million gain from last year's highly criticized outing. The 2009 show marks the biggest audience the Emmys have drawn since 2006, and many think the quicker pace of grouped awards—by comedy, reality, long-form, variety, and drama—made for a more accessible broadcast. [Variety] MORE >>

Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, CBS, Emmys, Neil Patrick Harris, Burlington Coat Factory, Cartoon Network, Paranormal Activity, Paramount

EVENT REPORT 08.24.09 2:58 PM

CW Launches Melrose Place With Saturday-Night Street Party in the Shopping District

The CW's Melrose Place launch party
Photo: Line 8 Photography

When the CW hosted a party to launch the new incarnation of the Melrose Place TV series, the venue of choice for the party was a no-brainer: Melrose Place, of course. On Saturday night, the network took over a stretch of street in the famed shopping district. CBS Television's vice president of talent relations and special events, Ian Metrose, oversaw the event, tapping Poko Event Productions to produce it. (It was the same team that worked on the network's party for the new 90210 this time last summer, speaking of 1990s TV revivals.)

"We wanted people to feel comfortable, with a little wow factor," said Metrose. "We chose the same place where the first launch party for the first series was, but we went in a totally different direction." MORE >>

Melrose Place, The CW, CBS, AT&T

NEWS 08.12.09 4:37 PM

Another Change in Emmy Plans: All Awards Will Be Broadcast Live

Last month, Primetime Emmy awards executive producer Don Mischer suggested—and the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences board of governors approved—shifting the time of eight awards this year, part of an effort to boost the show's lagging ratings, which hit record lows last year. The eight categories—including prizes for miniseries, drama series writing, and variety directing—would be shown as taped segments instead of as part of the live presentation.

But the move was highly criticized by an array of guilds and networks, and now CBS is retreating from its plan, according to The Hollywood Reporter. All 28 categories will be awarded live at the September 20 broadcast—which CBS and the TV academy moved back from September 13 to avoid conflict with the MTV Video Music Awards. —Alesandra Dubin

Emmys, Award Season, CBS, Academy of Television Arts & Sciences

EVENT REPORT 08.07.09 4:03 PM

T.C.A. Press Tour Brings Croquet, Ice Bars, and Iron Chef to Town

Fox's T.C.A. event
Photo: Courtesy of Dan Scott

The Television Critics Association, which represents more than 220 journalists in the U.S. and Canada, brought its twice yearly press tour to town, a chance for the group to have face-to-face contact with network execs, producers, and talent. The exhaustive presentations and programming officially began at the Langham hotel in Pasadena on July 28 with related events at nearby venues; the tour wraps on August 8.

Among the programming was a July 30 event for the Food Network at a private residence in Pasadena. Kristi Foley and Joey Forster of Bounce produced the event celebrating the announcement of the network’s new shows, What Would Brian Boitano Make? and the upcoming season of The Next Iron Chef. Food Network senior vice president of programming and production Bob Tuschman introduced Boitano, and Alton Brown presented the 10 finalists of this season's Next Iron Chef. MORE >>

Television Critics Association, Fox, CBS, Food Network, The CW, Showtime

NEWS 06.18.09 11:52 AM

Emmys Move Back to September 20 to Avoid Conflict With MTV VMAs

Just a few weeks after announcing a date change to September 13 to avoid broadcast competition with the NFL, CBS and the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences have backed down on their move, opting to go with the original plan of a September 20 ceremony for the 2009 Emmy Awards. The partners cite a conflict with MTV's Video Music Awards as the reason for switching back.

"After we announced plans for September 13, MTV informed us they were locked into the same day for the Video Music Awards, with venue and sponsorship agreements in place," CBS executive vice president of specials, music, and live events Jack Sussman told Variety. "We had the flexibility to move; they didn't. It's best for the industry and the audience that these events not compete against each other."

CBS and MTV are corporate cousins of a sort; although CBS is no longer owned by Viacom, MTV's parent, both are controlled by Sumner Redstone. MORE >>

Emmys, CBS, MTV, MTV Networks, MTV Video Music Awards, Viacom, Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, HBO, Comedy Central

NEWS 04.30.09 3:14 PM

Upfront Update: Who's Doing What During the TV Networks' Big Sales Week

The 2008 Fox upfront party
Photo: Jessica Torossian for BizBash

FROM NEW YORK Cable upfront presentations have been under way since mid-March, but May heralds the arrival of the network presentations, with their heavy delegations of out-of-town media buyers and—when it suits them—some fairly elaborate parties. Upfront Week itself is little more than two weeks off, starting with Fox on Monday, May 18, and concluding Thursday, May 21, with the CW. Although events look to be subdued once again, they’re looking up from 2008.

Last year NBC sent the already W.G.A. strike-addled upfront schedule into a tizzy by abandoning its long-established Monday presentation and opting for a series of meetings in early April. Sort of sticking to its guns, the network is still meeting with buyers early, but not as early as last year. After a small pitch at this year’s Super Bowl, NBC’s big sell takes place next week in its 30 Rockefeller headquarters, with a series of meetings and conference calls on May 4. MORE >>

Upfronts, Upfront Week, ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, The CW, ESPN, Turner Entertianment, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim

NEWS 03.18.09 11:26 AM

Recording Academy Calls Earliest-Ever Grammy Date "Open Minded"—But Will the Move Make the Awards Stale?

The Recording Academy announced last week that next year's Grammy awards will hit the Staples Center on January 31, 2010—the earliest date in history, and the first appearance in January in their more than 50-year history. Typically held in February, the show has moved as late as the spring months; up to now, February 8 was the earliest show date. The 52nd annual awards will air live on CBS, and the eligibility period for submissions will be shortened by one month.

The Los Angeles Times suggested that the move will make the show appear dated, because the eligibility period will be so much earlier. "Such a move will have a noticeable effect on the telecast," proposed The Times' music blog, Pop & Hiss. "The music industry tends to release some of its biggest albums during the holiday season, and in 2008, a number of major artists released albums too late to be represented on the Grammy telecast." MORE >>

Grammys, Recording Academy, Award Season, CBS

NEWS 01.30.09 12:09 PM

This Year's Upfront Week Falls Into Place, Starts at Super Bowl

The 2008 Fox upfront party
Photo: Jessica Torossian for BizBash

FROM NEW YORK The economy and the television industry may not be in the most stable position at the start of 2009, but The Hollywood Reporter noted that this year's upfront sales pitches—slated for May 18 through 21 in New York—won't look much different from the pared down, more businesslike presentations seen during the 2008 Upfront Week.

NBC still plans to forgo its old presentation at Radio City Music Hall for intimate "in-front" meetings with advertisers in April, and there definitely won’t be a return of last year’s carnival-like “NBC Experience” at Rockefeller Plaza.

The network actually plans to get an early jump on advertiser wooing at this Sunday’s Super Bowl. "They would never show you programming," a media buyer told The Hollywood Reporter, referring to past sporting events where networks entertained buyers. "I think the NBC plan is smart because they have a larger percentage of clients at the Super Bowl than they would at the upfront." MORE >>

Upfront Week, Upfronts, CBS, NBC, The CW, ABC, Super Bowl

NEWS 11.04.08 1:33 PM

Networks Bank on Big Election Night With Outdoor Broadcasts

FROM NEW YORK Over the past two decades, election coverage on the major television networks has gradually moved from the newsroom to street-side studios and open-air stages. This year proves to be a culmination of sorts, with ABC, Fox News, and NBC all making a big push to incorporate the streets and people of New York into their national broadcasts.

ABC News takes over Good Morning America’s Times Square headquarters this evening, with reporters stationed outside, interacting with the public. In addition to using its own marquee screen above the studio, the network rented electronic signs from Reuters, Nasdaq, and the Hard Rock Cafe to broadcast live feeds of its coverage. MORE >>

Election '08, Barack Obama, John McCain, ABC, ABC News, NBC, CBS, CBS News, Fox, Fox News

NEWS 10.16.08 5:39 PM

Recording Academy Announces New Grammy Nomination Concert for TV

The Recording Academy announced today that, for the first time, nominations for the annual Grammy awards will be announced live on primetime TV. "The Grammy Nominations Concert Live—Countdown to Music's Biggest Night" will announce noms, feature performances by past winners, and try to get viewers amped for the 51st annual awards on February 8, 2009.

The one-hour special will be broadcast live from the Nokia Theatre on December 3 on CBS, and also will celebrate the grand opening of the Grammy Museum at L.A. Live. Tickets to the live event will be available for sale to the public, with proceeds benefitting the museum. The academy plans to announce a list of presenters and performers soon. —Alesandra Dubin

Grammys, Recording Academy, CBS

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