TV News Roundup: Week of November 18, 2013

SEINFELD generates billions, Comcast to sell movies and TV episodes, Mid season plans announced by FOX and ABC, and HBO GO adds chrome casting to its app.

MONDAY:

• SEINFELD generated $3 billion:
  The classic hit sitcom SEINFELD is going into it's fifth cycle run of syndication and the series has produced over $3 billion to date. The new deals are curly representative of 90% clearance.
• ABC back in singing competition:
  ABC has ordered 10 episodes of RISING STAR, a new singing competition series, for summer 2014.
• FLASH on his own:
  The CW has decided to do a stand alone pilot for its FLASH series, instead of a backdoor pilot in an episode of ARROW.

TUESDAY:

• ABC announces mid-season plans:
  Two new comedies for Wednesdays, REVENGE is on the move, SCANDAL gets a rest and THE TASTE returns. [LINK]
• THE STRAIN coming to FOX:
  FOX has picked up 13 episodes of a new drama from Guillermo del Toro, titled THE STRAIN. A July 2014 premiere is scheduled.
• USA cancels drama:
  Third year drama NECESSARY ROUGHNESS is axed by USA network.

WEDNESDAY:

• Buy a movie from Comcast:
  Comcast has launched the Xfinity TV sptore, where you will be able to purchase from the web or your set top box.
• TALENT remains the same:
  All the judges from 2013 will return for the 2014 edition of AMERICA'S GOT TALENT. 

THURSDAY:

• Sony to shift from movies to TV:
  The huge conglomerite will shift a lot of its resources from the movie studios to the TV productions. This shift is more than a USA focus, but is an international TV initiative. 
• More for Chromecast:
  HBO GO is the latest app service that can stream via Chromecast, natively. This is the 7th streaming service to add Chromecasting to its app. Already available is Netflix, Hulu, Pandora, youTube and Google TV & Movie and Google Play Music. [The $35 Chromecast]
• FOX announces mid-season slate:
  Coming in 2014 is the return of AMERICAN IDOL and THE FOLLOWING. GLEE is moving to a new night. A new drama will take the Thursday 9 p.m. spot. [LINK]

FRIDAY:

• New regular for H5O:
  Chi McBride is now a cast regular for the crime drama
• Two freshmen series get second season:
  Both WITCHES OF EAST END on Lifetime, and INSTANT MOM on Nick at Night, each received 2nd season pick ups from their respective networks