TVSquad

So, I'm watching a new episode of Law & Order: Criminal Intent on USA Network this past Sunday and, like all upstanding Americans do, I was flipping through the channels during a commercial break. As I passed by these channels at the speed of light my eye caught something on Bravo. It was another episode of Law & Order: Criminal Intent. Not a new episode, mind you, just a repeat of a repeat of a repeat that Bravo airs during their Sunday night block.

Now, you're probably saying to yourself 'So what? Cable channels are allowed to air whatever they damn well please.' Well, after lecturing you about your tone of voice I would mention that you had a point. But, thanks to the wonderful world of corporate synergy, your argument would not meet the mustard. You see, Bravo is under the huge umbrella known as NBC Universal, which is the same company that owns USA Network, which is currently airing new episodes of Law & Order: CI on Sunday nights. With all of this information at hand the following question comes to mind:

Who the hell is programming these networks?

Advertising is everywhere on TV and online, and not merely in the form of traditional commercials. Most of us are used to viewing ads before watching online videos, and product placement can even be humorous if done properly (30 Rock does it particularly well). Can the partnership between advertising and entertainment go too far, though?

NBC Universal is joining forces with an advertising agency on a new venture: product-centered programming. The network's Digital Studio will work with the Omnicom Group to create several series that focus on the products of participating sponsors. These programs will air on NBC's "digital properties" (websites, for example.).

The takeover of Oxygen by NBC Universal has now lead to 25% of Oxygen's employees being let go, per this Variety article. "We have consolidated functions and operations, resulting in job impact," said J.B. Perrette, president of distribution for NBCU. Can't you just see Jack Donaghy (Alec Baldwin) delivering that line. "Job Impact." I love wordspin. Not "We just told 65 people that come the New Year they'll be on the streets looking for work" but "We told 65 people that their jobs have been impacted."

Now, before all of you rush into the comments section below and jump down my throat with cries of "Bob, House is a FOX show! Will you get your facts straight?!", please note that even though it's on FOX, the show is actually produced by a subsidiary of NBC Universal. Oh the wacky world of television!

The high-rated Hugh Laurie drama has become the latest victim of the NBC Universal/iTunes battle. Most other NBC shows were pulled off Apple's music network several weeks ago after the two parties couldn't come to terms (Chuck and Journeyman are still available, because they aren't produced by NBC Universal). Amazon's Unbox now carries NBC shows.

[via TV Tattle]

You've probably seen those half-hour long informercials for The Best of the Dean Martin Show DVDs. They were on the weekends so many times over the past few years that they seemed more like a weekly TV show themselves and not an informercial. Well, I hope you ordered the DVDs already and got them, because they're not available anymore.

NBC Universal has sued Guthy-Renker Corporation, Greg Garrison Productions, Ronald L. Horse, Black Horse Television Enterprises, and Barrump-Bump Publishing Company.

Early next year NBC Universal will launch Didja.com, a YouTube-like video site made just for advertisers. The site will feature TV spots both old and new, movie trailers and other brand-related stuff. Advertisers will also include special offers and promotions to coincide with their specific channel.

The idea was concocted by executives at the NBC Universal-owned USA cable network, so expect lots of ads for that particular network when the site launches. Eventually, other NBC Universal properties will show up on the site, as well.

We've been telling you about NBC Universal and News Corp's new YouTube-esque video service for awhile now, and today The Hollywood Reporter has news that the service has added the following channels to its lineup:

• Fuel TV
• Sundance Channel
• Oxygen
• Speed

On the heels of the firing of her executive producer Rob Dauber comes word that NBC Universal has granted Martha a third season.

Oddly enough, the show is actually down 24% from the same time last season, which seems like a big number to me, but the article points out that it recently got the best ratings since May and the numbers in larger cities are going up as well. As for Rachael Ray and her new show, the ratings are very impressive. Maybe the 2007-08 season will be the ultimate Martha vs. Rachael battle. I'd like to see each of them on each other's shows. That would be worth watching.

I'm kinda glad that the show was renewed. It's not a show I watch every single day, but a world in which Martha Stewart doesn't have a TV show would be a weird world indeed.

[via TV Tattle]

Things are not going well for NBC Universal these days. Studio 60 and Friday Night Lights are doing poorly in the ratings, the highly touted Kidnapped was canceled and pushed out to the dead zone known as Saturday nights, and even some of their established shows, like Law & Order, are slipping a bit. Now, it looks like the news division is about to take a direct hit as well.

According to TV Week, NBCU plans to eliminate 700 jobs, about 5 percent of their workforce, in order to slash $750 million off of their administrative and operating costs. The reductions will comprise of buyouts, offers of early retirement and attrition. The biggest department to be affected will be the NBC News, which will go through an extensive streamlining process in order to prepare themselves for the oncoming digital revolution (which is already in full swing, but why quibble.). According to News President Steve Capus, the changes being announced will allow the network to re-invest in new growth areas.