Latest in Big Deals TV

Earlier this month, Toronto-based media conglomerate Entertainment One rejected a takeover approach from UK broadcaster ITV. The British company today says it is withdrawing its bid altogether. Its proposal valued the global film and TV indie at about £1B ($1.3B) and eOne at the time said the offer "fundamentally…

NBC’s head of alternative Paul Telegdy and his top lieutenant Meredith Ahr have extended their contracts. They have gotten new titles — Telegdy has been named President, Alternative and Reality Group, NBC Entertainment; Ahr — President of Universal Television Alternative Studio — as the two will focus on the building…

As part of the TV networks’ increasing push for program ownership, AMC Networks is the latest cable company to beef up its in-house production unit into a full-fledged studio. The production operations, which had been part of the purview of original programming chief Joel Stillerman, will now be put under their own…

EXCLUSIVE: To Live And Die In L.A., the cult 1985 MGM movie written and directed by William Friedkin, is headed to the small screen. In a competitive situation, WGN America has landed a drama series adaptation of the action thriller, with Oscar winner Friedkin directing and executive producing. Friedkin has created…

AMC is continuing its push in straight-to-series orders with a pickup of Broke (working title), from former Dexter and Nurse Jackie showrunner Clyde Phillips. AMC Studios and Lionsgate, where Phillips is under an overall deal, will co-produce. The project, which Phillips will executive produce, has received a…

UPDATE, 9:55 AM: The GOP White House hopeful says influence from the government of our southern neighbor is the real reason Univision dropped the Miss USA pageant today. Donald Trump's office just released a statement on the network's decision to break their deal with the Miss Universe Organization – and he's not…

As Season 2 of Transparent is starting production, Amazon has greenlit a third season of the critically praised comedy series starring Jeffrey Tambor to be released in 2016. Additionally, series creator Jill Soloway has signed an overall deal with Amazon Studios to exclusively develop television projects for Amazon…

EXCLUSIVE: In his first foray into television, writer Sam Esmail wrote a spec for a brooding hacker drama, which was picked up by USA Network. It went to pilot and series, which was just renewed for a second season ahead of its series premiere tonight. In a rare feat, Esmail, a complete novice in TV, was entrusted…

EXCLUSIVE: The Weinstein Company is close to winning an auction for a series of 16 bestselling novels by Andy McNab. The intention is to turn the books into a series revolving around former British Army regiment SAS agent Nick Stone. Already, Antoine Fuqua is in early discussions to direct the pilot and be an…

Greg Berlanti has recruited one of his go-to writer-producers as showrunner of the new CW series DC’s Legends Of Tomorrow. Phil Klemmer, who has worked on three other Berlanti Prods. series (The Tomorrow People, Golden Boy and Political Animals)  is joining Legends Of Tomorrow as executive producer/showrunner. He will…

After five years at 20th Century Fox TV, Peter Chernin's TV operation is moving to NBCUniversal with a new two-year overall deal. Under the rich deal, Chernin Television will develop and produce projects for NBC though Universal Television, working with the studio’s roster of writers. The pact, which is essentially a…

CBS has finalized its succession plan put in motion last month when the network’s long-time head of comedy, EVP Wendi Trilling, announced she would be leaving after a CBS tenure that spanned almost quarter of a century. As expected, Trilling will be succeeded by her No.2, SVP Julie Pernworth, who has been promoted…