UK's ITV Picks Up Season 3 Of The Hit Nickelodeon Comedy Series "Victorious" And Season Three Of The Popular Nickelodeon Sitcom "Big Time Rush"

While Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) and the UK commercial broadcaster ITV announced that ITV has acquired the free-to-air (FTA) television broadcast rights for Nickelodeon's "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles", which will debut on ITV1 and CITV in Spring 2013, at MIPCOM 2012, VIMN and ITV also confirmed the Nickelodeon News that ITV has also acquired the FTA broadcast rights for season three of the hit Nickelodeon comedy series "Big Time Rush" and for the third season of the popular Nickelodeon sitcom "Victorious". From The Hollywood Reporter:

ITV and VIMN also confirmed season three pick-ups of Nick's live action series, Big Time Rush and Victorious. As is usual with such deals, no financial details were released.

Also, from Variety's TV News column on the official Variety website, Variety.com:

Brit dramas nab sales as Mipcom ends

'Parade's End,' 'Restless' among hot titles

High-end British drama series attracted buyers at Cannes TV mart Mipcom, which wrapped Thursday.

Brit period miniseries "Parade's End," starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Rebecca Hall, has been sold by BBC Worldwide to Australia's Network Nine, HBO's Pan-Central and Eastern Europe webs, Slovenia's RTV, Latvia's LTV, Estonia's ETV and STV in Slovakia.

The show, produced by Mammoth Screen, is scripted by Tom Stoppard, based on Ford Madox Ford's novels. It is co-produced by HBO and France's Arte.

ProSiebenSat.1 has taken German rights to the adaptation of William Boyd's spy novel "Restless." The WWII drama centers on a young Russian recruited to infiltrate the corridors of power in Washington, D.C.

Starring Hayley Atwell, Rufus Sewell and Michelle Dockery, it was penned by Boyd, helmed by Edward Hall and produced by Hilary Bevan Jones of Endor Prods.

The BBC and the Sundance Channel greenlit the show, which is repped by Red Arrow Intl.

ITV Studios has secured a raft of deals for British drama skeins "Mr Selfridge," "Falcon" and "Endeavour."

"Mr Selfridge" has pre-sold to Ireland's TV3, Norwegian pubcaster NRK and Finnish pubcaster YLE.

The drama was previously acquired by PBS's Masterpiece in the U.S., the Seven Network in Australia, Swedish pubcaster SVT and Israel's YES DBS Satellite Services.

Crime drama "Falcon," based on Robert Wilson's novels, has been pre-sold to HBO Latin America, Sweden's SVT and HOT in Israel. These deals follow a pre-sale to BBC Worldwide Channels in Australia.

"Falcon" is a Mammoth Screen production for the U.K.'s BSkyB, Canal Plus in Spain and Germany's ZDF.

"Inspector Morse" prequel "Endeavour" was acquired by Pramer's Film & Arts channel in Latin America, Sweden's SVT, Norway's NRK, Danish pubcaster DR, Croatia's HRT and Lietuvos Ryto Televizija in Lithuania.

The detective drama was previously picked up by WGBH in the U.S., Seven Network in Australia, TVNZ in New Zealand, Belgian pubcaster VRT and the Netherlands' NPO. It is a Mammoth Screen production.

Among other deals at Mipcom, the U.K.'s Channel 4 commissioned cookery series "Simon Hopkinson Cooks," which is produced by Ricochet, and "16 Kids and Counting," looking at the lives of Britain's biggest families, produced by Lion Television. It also commissioned a docu about TV chef Fanny Cradock, "Fanny and Friends," produced by Boundless/Talkback.

U.K. broadcaster ITV has nabbed season one and two of Nickelodeon's "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles." The skein will simulcast on ITV1 and CITV, starting in spring.

Other pre-sale deals for "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" include TVI/Televisao Independente in Portugal, RTL Klub in Hungary, Radio e Televisao Bandeirantes in Brazil, S&E Media Project/STB QTV in Ukraine, ABS-CBN Corp. in Philippines and Televisora Nicaraguaense in Nicaragua.

ITV also confirmed season three pick-ups of Nickelodeon's live-action series "Big Time Rush" and "Victorious."

Fox Intl. Channels has taken rights in India to the U.S. version of cooking competition show "The Taste," which features celebrity chefs Anthony Bourdain and Nigella Lawson.

The show will air next year on Fox Traveller.

Nine Network took Australian rights to the show, which is repped by Red Arrow Intl., earlier this week.

The skein is produced by Kinetic Content, Red Arrow's U.S. production company, and airs in the U.S. on ABC.

Jules Borkent, SVP Of Global Acquisitions And International Programming For Nickelodeon And VIMN, To Be A Member Of The 'Shaw Rocket Fund 2012' Jury

From Kidscreen:

Shaw Rocket noms announced

MIP Junior kicked off on Saturday with the announcement of Canada's Shaw Rocket Fund 2012 finalists for this year’s US$50,000 prize.

A jury comprising of a who's who of kids broadcasters named Guru Studio's Justin Time (produced by Amy Robson), La Fête Productions’ Là Est La Question (produced by Chantal Lafleur), Fresh TV's My Babysitter’s a Vampire season one (produced by Brian Irving), Radical Sheep Productions' Stella and Sam (produced by John Leitch), and DHX Media's That” So Weird That's So Weird season three (produced by DHX Media) as this year's finalists.

Each year since 2010, Canadian kids have been invited to vote for their favorite of the finalists, which are then tallied to declare the winner of the best in Canadian kids programming. The announcement will be made on November 27 in Ottawa. This year's jury members include Sprout's SVP of programming Andrew Beecham, France 3′s general secretary of programs Julien Borde, Nickelodeon and VIMN's SVP [Senior Vice President] of global acquisitions and international programming Jules Borkent, Turner International Asia Pacific director of programming, acquisitions and development Layla Lewis, and Larry Schwarz and His Band CEO, Larry Schwarz. Last year's award went to Temple Street Production's Wingin’ It season two, produced by Ivan Schneeberg, David Fortier, and Frank van Keeken.

Tags: Shaw Rocket Prize

Nickelodeon USA To Premiere "Nick News With Linda Ellerbee" Special "Kids Pick the President: The Candidates" On Monday 15th October 2012 At 8pm (ET/PT)

Below is a Nickelodeon Press Release from PRNewswire:

Nick News With Linda Ellerbee "Kids Pick the President: The Candidates" Special Premieres Oct. 15, At 8P.M. (ET/PT)

"The Candidates" Special Kicks Off Nickelodeon Bellwether Poll Where Kids Nationwide Pick Their Choice for President

2012 "Kids' Vote" Results to be Announced Monday, Oct. 22 on Nickelodeon
NEW YORK, Oct. 8, 2012 /Nickelodeon Press Release via PRNewswire/ -- Every four years, Nickelodeon provides kids with the rare opportunity to have the U.S. presidential candidates answer their questions in the Nick News with Linda Ellerbee special, "Kids Pick the President: The Candidates," premiering Monday, Oct. 15, at 8:00 p.m. (ET/PT). Following the special, kids have the opportunity to vote for the man they think should be the next president. The "Kids' Vote" is a bellwether poll because in five of the last six presidential elections, kids have correctly picked the winner several weeks before the adults have voted.

Nick News traveled around the country videotaping kids asking the candidates questions. This year's special features President Barack Obama who sat down with Nick News at the White House to answer kids' questions. After numerous attempts by Nick News to get former Governor Mitt Romney to participate in the special, his camp declined saying he was unable to fit it into his schedule. The special features previously taped video clips of Romney addressing some of the issues raised in the questions as well as bios of both candidates.

In the special, Obama answers questions about gun control, jobs, illegal immigration, same-sex marriage, outsourcing, bullying and obesity. He also responds to more light-hearted questions like if he'd ever had his heart broken or what was his most embarrassing moment.

On heartbreak: "That happened to me," says Obama. "I think the main thing you learn is that life goes on..."

On his most embarrassing moment: "Running into the wall is par for the course for me," says the president. "I'm running into doors and desks all the time."
"By answering kids' questions directly, candidates show respect for kids," says Linda Ellerbee. "We are disappointed that Mitt Romney wouldn't take the time to answer the questions, but are thrilled that President Obama participated in the special."

Following the special, hosted by Ellerbee, kids will be able to vote for the person they think is most qualified to lead America. Kids can log on to www.nick.com/kpp from Oct. 15 to Oct. 22 to cast their votes online, as well as to get more information about each candidate and his position on the issues. Nickelodeon will announce the results on-air on Monday, Oct. 22. Both the special and the "Kids' Vote" are the culmination of Nickelodeon's Kids Pick the President initiative to build young citizens' awareness of the election process, the candidates and the issues.

Nick News, produced by Lucky Duck Productions, is now in its 21st year and is the longest-running kids' news show in television history. It has built its reputation on the respectful and direct way it speaks to kids about the important issues of the day. Over the years, Nick News has received more than 21 Emmy nominations and recently won its ninth Emmy Award for Under the Influence: Kids of Alcoholics in the category of Outstanding Children's Nonfiction Program. Additional Emmy wins for outstanding children's programming include: The Face of Courage: Kids Living with Cancer (2010); Coming Home: When Parents Return from War (2009); The Untouchable Kids of India (2008); Private Worlds: Kids and Autism (2007); Never Again: From the Holocaust to the Sudan (2005); Faces of Hope: The Kids of Afghanistan (2002) and What Are You Staring At? (1998). In addition, in 1995, the entire series won the Emmy. In 2009, Nick News was honored with the Edward R. Murrow Award for best Network News Documentary for Coming Home: When Parents Return from War — the first-ever kids' television program to receive this prestigious award. Nick News has also received three Peabody Awards, including a personal award given to Ellerbee for explaining the impeachment of President Clinton to kids, as well as a Columbia duPont Award and more than a dozen Parents' Choice Awards.

Nickelodeon, now in its 33rd year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books and feature films. Nickelodeon's U.S. television network is seen in more than 100 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for 17 consecutive years. For more information or artwork, visit http://www.nickpress.com. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIA.B).

SOURCE Nickelodeon

RELATED LINKS
http://www.nick.com.

Also, from The Hollywood Reporter:

Mitt Romney Declines Nickelodeon's Invitation for 'Kids Pick the President' Special

The Republican candidate said he was unable to fit the taping into his schedule, though President Barack Obama sat down with Nick News at the White House.

One spot Mitt Romney won't be hitting on the campaign trail: the Nickelodeon studios.

The Republican presidential candidate declined an invitation from the children's network to participate in its special "Kids Pick the President: The Candidates." According to a release from Nickelodeon, Romney's camp said he was unable to fit the taping into his schedule after multiple attempts from the network.

The special, part of Nick News With Linda Ellerbee, gives kids across the country the opportunity to ask questions of each candidate. It premieres at 8 p.m. Oct. 15. On Oct. 22, Nickelodeon will reveal the results of its Kids' Vote poll, which has correctly predicted the winner of five of the past six presidential elections.

President Barack Obama sat down for a taping in the White House, where he answered questions regarding gun control, jobs, immigration, same-sex marriage, outsourcing, bullying and obesity, as well as light-hearted questions including his most embarrassing moment. ("Running into the wall is par for the course for me," he says. "I'm running into doors and desks all the time.")

Romney still will be featured in the special, with producers selecting previously taped clips from the campaign trail in which Romney addresses various issues raised in the kids' questions.

"By answering kids' questions directly, candidates show respect for kids," says Linda Ellerbee in a statement. "We are disappointed that Mitt Romney wouldn't take the time to answer the questions but are thrilled that President Obama participated in the special."

Now in its 21st year, Nick News -- produced by Lucky Duck Productions -- is the longest-running kids news program in television history.

Also, from the San Francisco Examiner:

[Mitt] Romney also made a fateful decision when he opted out of Nickelodeon’s “Kids Pick The President” special, which his opponent will be attending. Maybe it’s because children are part of the 47 percent?

Viacom And Hulu Expand Content Partnership To Bring Nickelodeon Programming To The 'Hulu Plus' Service, Including Nickelodeon's Brand New "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" Animated Television Series

Below is a Viacom Inc. Press Release from PRNewswire:

Hulu and Viacom Expand Content Partnership

Nickelodeon Joins BET, COMEDY CENTRAL, MTV, SPIKE, TV Land and VH1 on Hulu Plus

LOS ANGELES and NEW YORK, Oct. 9, 2012 /Viacom Press Release via PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Hulu and Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA and VIAB) today announced an expansion of their content partnership that will bring Nickelodeon programming to the Hulu Plus service and its more than 2 million subscribers for the first time. Beginning October 9, 2012, Hulu Plus subscribers can access five recent episodes of currently airing Nickelodeon live action and animated series, including "iCarly," "Big Time Rush," "VICTORiOUS," "How to Rock," "Supah Ninjas," "SpongeBob Squarepants," "Kung Fu Panda," "Penguins of Madagascar," "Winx Club," "Robot & Monster," "The Legend of Korra," "T.U.F.F. Puppy," and the new season of "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" (coming soon), 21 days after the episodes air on television. Subscribers can catch up on these and many other current series at a new Nickelodeon destination on Hulu Plus, which will feature tune-in information and promotional elements to drive viewership of Nickelodeon's on-air lineup.

(Download image - Viacom Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110811/NY51392LOGO )

Additionally, over the next few months, content from Viacom's bilingual network, Tr3s, will broaden the Hulu Latino selection of youth-focused content on Hulu Plus. Series include, but are not limited to, "Ninas Mal," "Quiero Mis Quinces," "Quiero Mi Boda and "Quiero Mi Baby."

Under the agreement, Hulu and Viacom will also continue to make current and full episodes, and clips of "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" and "The Colbert Report" available on the free ad-supported Hulu.com service and Hulu Plus. Hulu Plus subscribers will continue to enjoy programming from BET, COMEDY CENTRAL, MTV, SPIKE, TV Land and VH1, including a selection of current shows 21 days after they air and more than 1,500 episodes of archive programming. The availability of Viacom content on Hulu Plus varies on a show-by-show basis.

Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

About Viacom

Viacom is home to the world's premier entertainment brands that connect with audiences through compelling content across television, motion picture, online and mobile platforms in over 160 countries and territories. With more than 160 media networks reaching approximately 700 million global subscribers, Viacom's leading brands include MTV, VH1, CMT, Logo, BET, CENTRIC, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., TeenNick, Nicktoons, Nick at Nite, COMEDY CENTRAL, TV Land, SPIKE and Tr3s. Paramount Pictures, celebrating its 100th year in 2012 and creator of many of the most beloved motion pictures, continues today as a major global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment. Viacom operates a large portfolio of branded digital media experiences, including many of the world's most popular properties for entertainment, community and casual online gaming.

For more information about Viacom and its businesses, visit www.viacom.com. Keep up with Viacom news by following Viacom's blog at blog.viacom.com and Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/Viacom.

About Hulu

Hulu is an online TV service whose mission is to help people find and enjoy the world's premium content when, where and how they want it. As we pursue this mission, we aspire to create a service that users, advertisers and content owners unabashedly love. (www.hulu.com).

SOURCE Viacom Inc.

RELATED LINKS
http://www.viacom.com.

Also, from C21Media:

Hulu agrees Nickelodeon pact

MIPCOM: US on-demand platform Hulu is expanding its agreement with Viacom by making Nickelodeon content available on its subscription service Hulu Plus for the first time.

From today, Hulu Plus subscribers will be able to access the five most recent episodes of Nick’s current live-action and animated series 21 days after they air on TV.

Shows covered by the agreement include iCarly, Big Time Rush, SpongeBob SquarePants and Kung Fu Panda.

In the next few months Viacom will also make content from its bilingual network Tr3s available on Hulu Latino, the Spanish-language section of the site, including Ninas Mal, Quiero Mis Quinces and Quiero Mi Baby.

Announcing the new Viacom agreement during his keynote speech at Mipcom today, Hulu CEO Jason Kilar also announced a fresh coproduction deal with BBC Worldwide Americas. This is its second with the US division of the BBC’s commercial arm, after the two teamed up on season four of political comedy The Thick of It in July – Hulu’s first international copro.

The latest copro is for another comedy series, The Wrong Mans, about two lowly office workers who become caught up in a deadly criminal conspiracy. The show will star UK actors James Corden and Mathew Baynton and is being directed and produced by Jim Field Smith (Episodes). Exec production duties fall to head of BBC in-house comedy Mark Freeland and Hulu’s Charlotte Koh.

The show is already at the pilot stage and will appear on Hulu next year, said Kilar.

Kilar used BBC3 comedy Misfits as an example of a UK show that was able to find a strong audience on Hulu after debuting on the service, having never been aired on US broadcast TV.

Discussing the growth of Hulu since its launch in 2007, Kilar said: “This year we’re averaging around 30 million monthly users on the Hulu service. Our Hulu Plus subscription service exceeded two million subscribers in March of this year – the fastest ramp to two million paid subscribers of any video service in US history, whether online or offline.”

Kilar said the service was growing “unusually fast” and is already licensing more than 55,000 episodes. He urged producers to contact him directly, Hulu’s US-based senior VP of content Andy Forssell or SVP of International Johannes Larcher. “We’re just getting started,” he said.

Prior to today’s extended Viacom deal, the firm was already making full episodes and clips of The Daily Show With Jon Stewart and The Colbert Report available on free ad-supported Hulu.com. Content from BET, Comedy Central, MTV, Spike, TV Land and VH1 are already available on Hulu Plus.

Andrew McDonald
09-10-2012
©C21Media

TAGS: digital, Online, vod
GENRES: Children's, Comedy
SHOWS: Big Time Rush, iCarly, Kung Fu Panda, SpongeBob SquarePants, The Wrong Mans
PEOPLE: Charlotte Koh., James Corden, Jason Kilar, Mark Freeland, Mathew Baynton Jim Field Smith
COMPANIES: BBC Worldwide Americas, Hulu, Nickelodeon, Tr3s, Viacom
SECTIONS: FutureMedia
COUNTRIES: US

Also, from VentureBeat:

Hulu renews Viacom deal, adds lots of Nickelodeon shows

Hulu has announced a new deal that will keep current Viacom TV shows parked on the streaming video service and even add some new ones.

Per the new agreement, Hulu users will have access to a backlog of shows from kid-friendly cable channel Nickelodeon, including SpongeBob SquarePants, iCarly, The Legend of Korra, the new cowabunga-less Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and lots more. And of course, you'll still be able to watch popular shows like The Daily Show, South Park, and The Colbert Report.

All new episodes of Viacom shows will be available the day after they premiere on television to all Hulu users, and not just those who subscribe to the Hulu Plus premium service.

Hulu is also getting shows from Viacom’s bilingual network Tr3s, which should give a nice boost to Hulu’s Latino-focused content library. The Tr3s programming will roll out over the next few months.

Both the Latino and children’s content deals from Viacom should prove useful for Hulu against rival streaming video service Netflix, which is also focusing on improving those two areas to grab new subscribers.

The Viacom deal coincides with a keynote speech Hulu CEO Jason Killar gave today at the MIPCOM media industry event, in which he highlighted the company’s progress over the last few years. Hulu currently brings in 30 million monthly users and over 2 million paying Hulu Plus subscribers. (We’ve embedded Kilar’s keynote talk video below.)

Also, from the Media Decoder blog on the official The New York Times website, NYTimes.com:

‘SpongeBob’ and Others Come to Hulu

Nickelodeon shows like “SpongeBob SquarePants” and “iCarly” are coming to Hulu, the streaming TV Web site, for the first time.

In a pact announced Tuesday by Nickelodeon’s owner, Viacom, episodes of selected shows will be accessible to subscribers of Hulu’s paid service, Hulu Plus. The episodes will show up online three weeks after they first appear on television.

The Nickelodeon shows are an addition to a pre-existing distribution deal between Viacom and Hulu. The deal, announced early last year, instituted the same three-week delay for shows like MTV’s “Jersey Shore” and TV Land’s “Hot in Cleveland.” Since then, though, some shows have been removed from Hulu Plus completely. Searches for “Jersey Shore,” for instance, now refer users to MTV’s own site, where episodes are still available.

In making their announcement on Tuesday, the two companies acknowledged the changes by saying, “The availability of Viacom content on Hulu Plus varies on a show-by-show basis.”

“The Daily Show With Jon Stewart” and “The Colbert Report” remain the two shows that are available on Hulu free the day after their premieres on television.

Viacom said the streaming Nickelodeon shows will include, along with “SpongeBob” and “iCarly,” “Big Time Rush,” “Victorious,” “How to Rock” and “Supah Ninjas.” Five episodes of each will be available to Hulu Plus subscribers on a delayed basis.

Nickelodeon has suffered some TV ratings weakness in the past years. Some Viacom analysts have wondered whether the weakness was attributable, in part, to the online availability of Nickelodeon shows. But Viacom executives (and other analysts) have played down that possibility.

Online streams, when delayed by three weeks, might instead be a promotional platform for the TV premieres, thus increasing ratings: Viacom and Hulu said Tuesday that the new Nickelodeon page on Hulu Plus would “feature tune-in information and promotional elements to drive viewership of Nickelodeon’s on-air lineup.”

The Nickelodeon episodes are available on Hulu Plus right away. Down the road the service will also add episodes of shows from Viacom’s bilingual cable channel for Latinos, Tr3s. The two companies declined to comment on the financial terms of the pact.

Also, from Broadband TV News:

Hulu signs pacts with Viacom and BBC

MIPCOM 2012 – Cannes. Hulu and Viacom have announced an expansion of their content partnership that will bring Nickelodeon programming to the Hulu Plus service.

Programmes will be available 21 days after the episodes air on television. Subscribers can catch up on these and many other current series at a new Nickelodeon destination on Hulu Plus, which will feature tune-in information and promotional elements to drive viewership of Nickelodeon’s on-air lineup.

The expanded agreement will also bring content from Viacom’s bilingual network, Tr3s, and broaden the Hulu Latino selection of youth-focused content on Hulu Plus.

Under the agreement, Hulu and Viacom will also continue to make current and full episodes and clips of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and The Colbert Report available on the free ad-supported Hulu.com service and Hulu Plus.

Viacom continues to make content available from its other networks, BET, Comedy Central, MTV, Spike, TV Land and VH1.

Hulu has also announced that it is co-producing The Wrong Mans in partnership with BBC Worldwide Americas. This is Hulu's second co-production with BBC. Hulu came on board at the script stage and is working closely with actor and writer James Corden, co-writer/actor Mathew Baynton and director/producer Jim Field Smith on the creative vision for this new show.

The Wrong Mans will be on Hulu, Hulu Plus and BBC in the UK in 2013.

Hulu has also said its Hulu Plus service has more than two million subscribers for the first time.

Also, from Varietys Technology News column on the official Variety website, Variety.com:

Hulu also announced at MIPCOM an expansion of a pre-existing agreement with Viacom that will add series from Nickelodeon to a trove of content already on the subscription component of the service, Hulu Plus. Programming from the conglom's channels including Comedy Central, BET and MTV will stay on Hulu Plus with a 21-day delay from their premiere airdate. Hulu Plus is the only SVOD service to have in-season Nickelodeon content.

Also, from a Reed MIDEM Press Release from PRNewswire:

MIPCOM Wows Global Entertainment Industry

With Top Industry Executives, Talent, Buyers and More Screenings Than Ever at Vibrant Market

[...]

Digital players seek content

"Companies such as Netflix, Google/YouTube or Hulu have been attending MIPCOM for several years, but mostly as buyers," commented Laurine Garaude, Director of Reed MIDEM's Television Division, which organises MIPCOM. "Today, they are very much involved in developing great content."

As for Google/YouTube, Robert Kyncl, Google/YouTube's Vice President, Global Head of Content, grabbed MIPCOM headlines by announcing the company is to launch 60 new channels in the UK, Germany and France, with original content coming from such TV heavyweights as FremantleMedia, BBC Worldwide, Endemol and All3Media. He urged the content production community to embrace YouTube.

Jason Kilar, CEO of online TV service Hulu told MIPCOM delegates that his company has spent $500 million on content this year. He stressed that Hulu is working closely with traditional broadcasting heavyweights, bringing the BBC's 'Misfits' to US audiences and Nickelodeon content to Hulu for the first time, thanks to a deal with Viacom.

[...]

Also, below is a Zacks Investment Research, Inc. Press Release from PRNewswire:

The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: AT&T, Viacom, Verizon Communications, Sprint Nextel and Bristol-Myers Squibb

CHICAGO, Oct. 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T), Viacom Inc. (Nasdaq: VIA), Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ), Sprint Nextel Corp. (NYSE: S) and Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE: BMY).

(Download image - Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101027/ZIRLOGO)

Get the most recent insight from Zacks Equity Research with the free Profit from the Pros newsletter: http://at.zacks.com/?id=5513

Here are highlights from Tuesday's Analyst Blog:

AT&T Bolsters U-Verse Offerings

The second-largest U.S. mobile service provider AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) has inked a deal with Viacom Inc. (Nasdaq: VIA) to add several Viacom channels to its U-verse TV online offerings.

With the AT&T U-verse ID, AT&T customers will now get to view the full-length episodes from BET, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Spike and VH1 on demand through Viacom's network-based websites like www.mtv.tve. Also, customers will soon get the access to these services on their mobile devices including smartphones and tablets.

This is the first "TV Everywhere" offering from AT&T and Viacom. AT&T's U-verse service offerings are a huge success and gaining strong momentum in the market. Healthy growth from its U-verse video (U-verse TV and bundled satellite) services is helping AT&T to counter increasing competition in the business from its major rivals – Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ) and Sprint Nextel Corp. (NYSE: S). The U-verse services coupled with support from business revenue, in particular strategic services, are driving the growth in the wireline business.

Revenue from residential customers edged up 1.7% year over year (maximum growth in more than four years) to $5.5 billion in the second quarter, driven by AT&T U-verse services. AT&T's total video subscribers, which include U-verse TV and bundled satellite customers, touched 5.8 million at the end of the second quarter. Total U-verse TV subscribers reached 4.1 million with the net addition of 155,000 customers on continued high-speed Internet attach rates. Strategic business services such as Ethernet, Virtual Private Networks, hosting, IP conferencing and application services, spiked 13.5% year over year.

We believe the expansion of U-verse services will continue to boost data revenue and ARPU (average monthly revenue per user) in the wireline segment.

We are maintaining our long-term Neutral recommendation on AT&T. The company retains the Zacks #3 (Hold) Rank for the short term (1–3 months).

[...]

About Zacks

Zacks.com is a property of Zacks Investment Research, Inc., which was formed in 1978 by Leon Zacks. As a PhD from MIT Len knew he could find patterns in stock market data that would lead to superior investment results. Amongst his many accomplishments was the formation of his proprietary stock picking system; the Zacks Rank, which continues to outperform the market by nearly a 3 to 1 margin. The best way to unlock the profitable stock recommendations and market insights of Zacks Investment Research is through our free daily email newsletter; Profit from the Pros. In short, it's your steady flow of Profitable ideas GUARANTEED to be worth your time! Register for your free subscription to Profit from the Pros at http://at.zacks.com/?id=5518.

Visit http://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.

Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/zacksresearch

Join us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Zacks-Investment-Research/57553657748?ref=ts

Disclaimer: Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investors should always research companies and securities before making any investments. Nothing herein should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any security.

Media Contact

Zacks Investment Research

800-767-3771 ext. 9339

support@zacks.com

http://www.zacks.com

SOURCE Zacks Investment Research, Inc.

Also, from Variety:

Andy Forssell, senior VP of content, Hulu
Dealmakers Impact Report 2012: Disrupters

Hulu is closing out 2012 on a high note, thanks to Forssell's multi-year licensing deal with CBS to bring its TV library to the Hulu Plus subscription service starting in January. "This is in addition to the more than 400 other content partners from whom we offer current and classic TV programming on Hulu and Hulu Plus," says Forssell, who has amped up the number of such relationships from just two in 2007 -- and led the charge into original programming with content such as Kevin Smith's "Spoilers" and the travel show "Up to Speed." He's also brought exclusives from overseas, such as Israel's "Prisoners of War," upon which "Homeland" is based; the U.K.'s "Rev"; and BBC co-prod "The Thick of It." In October, Forssell expanded Hulu's partnership with Viacom by wrapping a deal for Nickelodeon's current programming on Hulu Plus without advertising 21 days after air and broadened Hulu Latino to include content from Viacom's Tr3s.

Outside the office: Hiking, traveling and spending time with his three kids.

Top cause: Save the Children

Nickelodeon And "Big Time Rush" Stars Logan Henderson And Kendall Schmidt To Perform Live At "Who Came To Party For Operation Smile?!" Event At The Los Angeles Sports Arena In California, USA On Sunday 21st October 2012; To Give Away Two Fender Guitars In Contest

Below is a All-Access Hall Pass Live Press Release from PRNewswire:

All-Access Hall Pass Live And Big Bad Entertainment Are Proud To Support Operation Smile

WHO CAME TO PARTY FOR OPERATION SMILE?!

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- All-Access Hall Pass Live, Big Bad Entertainment, Steve Nguyen & Associates (SNA) and Pure Marketing Group proudly present Who Came To Party For Operation Smile?! starring Sky Blu of LMFAO. Joining the all-star fundraising event is Disney's Shake It Up star Zendaya, Kendall & Logan from Nickelodeon's Big Time Rush, rapper Mac Miller, BQ Girls, Poreotics, and Jersey Shore breakout star, DJ Pauly D. The party, hosted by KIISFM's Manny Streetz, kicks off at the All-Access Hall Pass Live stage on October 21, 2012 at the Los Angeles Sports Arena in Los Angeles, California. This concert promises to deliver an unforgettable experience while allowing fans to embrace and enjoy the non-stop party and high-energy music made popular worldwide by these artists.

(Download image - Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121008/LA88566)

All-Access Hall Pass is proud to support international children's medical charity, Operation Smile, an organization that heals smiles and transforms the lives of children born with cleft lips and cleft palates around the world. Every three minutes a child is born with a cleft, making it difficult to eat, speak, socialize, or smile. Operation Smile works in over 60 countries to provide free, safe surgery and related care for those children whose parents can't afford the surgery that will change their lives forever. Through dedicated medical volunteers and generous supporters, Operation Smile has provided over 3.5 million comprehensive healthcare evaluations and performed more than 200,000 surgeries for children and young adults born with clefts and other facial deformities.

With two chart-topping albums, almost a billion YouTube views and over 22 million Facebook followers, Sky Blu of LMFAO and his Big Bad crew are sure to turn the party out; championing this worthy cause for Operation Smile. In addition, Disney's mega-hit television series Shake It Up star Zendaya is ready to get the crowds pumpin' and audiences jumpin' with her performance on the All-Access Hall Pass Live to the Los Angeles Sports Arena. Mac Miller has joined the party. His album "Blue Slide Park" debuted at #1 on the Billboard Hot 200. Gracing us with a live performance are Logan Henderson and Kendall Schmidt, from Nickelodeon's Big Time Rush are giving away two Fender guitars to two lucky winners. Recently seen on the Teen Choice Awards 2012 as the resident DJ, going on tour with Britney Spears and best known for being on MTV's hit reality show Jersey Shore, DJ Pauly D will be hitting our stage. With a special guest performance from four past Beauty Queens from Donald Trump's Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants, BQ Girls. America's Best Dance Crew Season 5 champions, Poreotics will give a special performance. With surprise celebrity presenters from Twilight, Pretty Little Liars, Glee, High School Musical and more.

Tickets go on general sale on Friday, October 5, 2012 10AM PDT at: http://www.ticketmaster.com/search?tm_link=tm_header_search&user_input=operation+smile&q=operation+smile&search.x=0&search.y=0

To make donations to Operation Smile please visit http://www.operationsmile.org/allaccesshallpass

SOURCE All-Access Hall Pass Live

RELATED LINKS
http://www.operationsmile.org/allaccesshallpass.