TV News Roundup: Week of December 16, 2013

Verizon may jump in as national provider, DIrectTV drops national channels, FCC to drop 40 year old rule and HIMYM has a firm end date.

MONDAY:

• Netflix gets BREAKING BAD spin-off:
  Netflix has scores the exclusive streaming rights to the BREAKING BAD spin-off series BETTER CALL SAUL. The first season will begin streaming on the service after the season finale, on AMC.
• Verizon on verge to purchase Intel's TV service:
  Verizon Communications is close to purchasing Intel's pay-TV service OnCue. If successful, Verizon could be a major player in the "cable TV industry" with this over the internet service.
• DirectTV ready to drop channels:
  As a cost cutting measure, Direct TV will drop cable networks, with small viewership, out of it's offering if it can't get better carriage fee deals.

TUESDAY:

• WWE properties may find new homes:
  Starting in January, all the major WWE properties are up for renewal. NBCU has exclusivity of negotiations until February 15, 2014. If WWE and NBCU coan't come to an agreement, Bids from other networks will be accepted. Also, the WWE is moving forward to have their own network, so one or more of the properties could wind up on on that new channel.
• THE BIBLE, Part II:
  NBC has official ordered the sequel to THE BIBLE , titled A.D., for the spring of 2015.
• More Chromecast native apps:
  Google announced ten more apps that will allow Chromecast to work natively within their apps. The new apps are Plex, Avia, RealPlayer Cloud, RedBull.TV, Songza, Vevo, Viki, Revision3, BeyondPod and the Washington Post/Post TV.
• THE VOICE spring premiere and judges announced:
  The spring edition of THE VOICE will premiere on February 24-25, with judges Adam Levine, Blake Shelton, Usher and ShaKira.

WEDNESDAY:

• FCC eliminates sports blackout rule:
  The FCC has voted to eliminate the sports black out rule. This would allow local sports events to be televised, over the air broadcast, even if the event is not sold out. Of course. it is still up to the local sports leagues and teams to implement it into their policies.
• Roku adds YouTube:
  Roku is one of the big players of providing set top boxes for streaming services, like Netflix and Amazon Prime. But for years, it has never had YouTube... until now. The biggest video service has just been added to Roku. Now, you can watch cat videos on your 63" TV.
• New USA reality comedy series:
  USA Network has greenlit the sitcom CHRISLEY KNOWS BEST, to premiere on March 11, 2014. The series will follow the self made millionaire Todd Chrisley, his wife Julie and their five kids. This sounds like it could be a White collar version of DUCK DYNASTY.

THURSDAY:

• CBS sets HIMYM finale:
  In a somewhat surprising move, CBS announced that the series finale of the hit sitcom HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER would air on March 31, 2014, as a one hour episode. Afterwards, third year sitcom 2 BROKE GIRLS will move to the 8 p.m. slot and new comedy FRIENDS WITH BETTER LIVES will take the 8:30 p.m. slot. The new sitcom will have it's series premiere right after the HIMYM finale, at 9 p.m.
• FOX renews reality series:
  MASTERCHEF JUNIOR received a second season order from FOX, making this the fifth series featuring chef Gordon Ramsey. Casting starts in January 2014, but a premiere date has not been set.
• Disney cancels KATIE:
  After two seasons, ABC has canceled the day time talk show KATIE, starring Katie Couric. Couric has recently signed on to YAHOO! to start their news division as Global News Anchor.

FRIDAY:

• VIKINGS season two premiere set:
  History's scripted series VIKINGS will have it's second season premiere on February 27, 2014.