TVSquad

NBC Universal has issued a press release touting the successes of the Sci Fi Channel over the summer. According to the numbers, the lineup of original programming led to the most watched summer the network has ever enjoyed. Among the highlights are Eureka, with 3.4 million viewers, which is the best performance for the show since it premiered in 2006. Ghost Hunters International checked in with 2.4 million. Scare Tactics and the Saturday original movies both impressed with averages of 2 million viewers.

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?

OK, so this is just really cool. In an effort to drum up some buzz for their numerous Emmy nominated programs, NBC Universal is offering up free Emmy campaign buttons at their 2008 nomination website.

All you have to do is plug in your full name, street address, and e-mail and just like that, you got free buttons! 15 in all to be exact since you're allowed to check off as many as you want. Most of them have pretty funny campaign-esque sayings on them, similar to the 30 Rock button pictured at right.

Perhaps you like House (airs on FOX, but NBCU distributes it)? Then "Thank Hugh!" Or maybe you like The Office? Then get ready to "Believe in Steve." For those than can't wait for Sylar's return, don't forget to "Support our Heroes."

The only one I don't like? The Law & Order: Criminal Intent button. "D'Onofrio/Noth - Vote Both." Vote... both?? What? Does that even rhyme?

That was one of the many insights that NBC head Jeff Zucker had on Charlie Rose last night.

Charlie wanted to know what the top five shows in the ratings were, and while Zucker mentioned shows like Grey's Anatomy, Desperate Housewives, and House, he also included Heroes in that bunch. He named Heroes and four other shows and said "those are the top five." Now, I love Heroes as much as the next person, but I don't really remember it being in the top five that much (if at all). Top ten or twenty? Sometimes I guess, but not top five.

I'll have the NBC upfront info later today, but I had to post some news about the upfront from NBC Univeral-owned network Telemundo. They announced their new schedule today too, and one of the new shows is titled Sin Tetas No Hay Paraiso. We've reported on this show before. The English translation is Without Breasts There Is No Paradise.

That's right, Telemundo is going to have a TV show about breasts. This gives the term "upfront" a whole new meaning.

When this show was first announced last year, I thought it was something that Ben Silverman grabbed to air on NBC itself, but it doesn't look like that's the case.

If Telemundo really wants a hit on their hands, they should come up with a companion show to go along with this one. Maybe call it Without Beer There Is No Heaven. Really get the young guy demographic. And old guy demographic too. Judging from the photo above, it's not only about breasts but also cell phones and skirts.

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."

This Monday, NBC Universal and other companies are starting an online auction where fans can win actual props and other items from their favorite shows on the network.

Items up for bid include three paintings from Heroes done by Tim Sale, a jersey, megaphone, and signed football from Friday Night Lights, and even the Timex watch and shirt that Steve Carell wore in the "Convention" episode of The Office. There's also a signed jacket from Las Vegas and a poker set used by the cast of 30 Rock.

Hey, maybe if you get enough items from a show, you can perform episodes from the show in your living room while this strike is going on.

[via TV Tattle]

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]