TV News Roundup: Week of August 12, 2013

Renewals, upfront sales and TV broadcast wars make up this week's TV Roundup for the week of July 28, 2013.

MONDAY:

• More networks vs video providers:
  Time Warner Cable vs CBS is not the only battle of network looking for more money from video distributors. FOX Sports1 is fighting DirecTV, TWC and Dish to pick up the new sports network. The PAC-12 Network is getting aggressive against DirecTV for increase in fees. And DISH is ready to drop ALL Disney owned networks (ABC, ESPN included) to stop even higher sub fees from the conglomerate.

TUESDAY:

• Lifetime renews freshman series:
  DEVIOUS MAIDS will have a second season on Lifetime, thanks to a huge surge in the ratings for the series, after a less than stellar series premiere.
• The channel that is NBC Sports Network is rebranding, again:
  Once known as the Outdoor Life Network, then Versus, then NBC SPORTS NETWORK  will be known as NBCSN, starting August 17, 2013.
• Bounce-TV gets into scripted programming:
  The network has begun production on MY CRAZY ROOMMATE, and it will premiere on October 15.

WEDNESDAY:

• GSN order 40 episodes of new game show:
  The game show MIND OF MEN gets a 40 episode order from GSN. The series will premiere later in 2013. 
• TOTAL DIVAS get six more:
  E! has ordered six more episodes of its reality series TOTAL DIVAS, which will premiereon Sunday, November 17, 2013.
• Univision finish Upfromt sales:
  The #1 Spanish language network saw a 5 to 6 percent gain over last year, but sold 17% more inventory than in 2012. It is estimated that $2.2 billion in ad sales are going to the Spanish language networks.

THURSDAY:

• Ed Helms sells sitcom:
  ABC has picked up the untitled single camera sitcom from THE OFFICE's Ed Helms. 
• TNT renews dramas:
  In a no-brainer move, TNT renewed hit dramas RIZZOLI & ISLES, MAJOR CRIMES and PERCEPTION.
• USA Fall premiere dates announced:
  Original dramas WHITE COLLAR and COVERT AFFAIRS returns October 17. Syndicated reruns of NCIS: LA start September 23. MODERN FAMILY reruns begin on September 24th.

FRIDAY:

• FOX Sports 1 clears the way:
  The new sports network finalized deals with the remaining major cable and satellite providers for launch on Saturday.