TV News Roundup: Week of January 13, 2014

NFL adds new TV package, The Weather Channel is gone from DirectTV, Aereo will get it's day in court, and FOX is changing things up with pilots. This and much more on this week's TV News Roundup.

MONDAY:

• FOX announces premiere dates for 24 and more:
  The new limited run season of 24, plus SURVIVING JACK and GANG RELATED premiere dates were announced. [LINK]
• Discover and Scrips end merger talks:
  Looking for a way to merge the Discover networks and Scripps Networks into one company were abandoned.
• FOX abandons Pilot season:
  FOX is changing the way it produces and finds new shows. It was announced that the network will no longer do "Pilot Season" and  will now produce series year round.
• Charter Cable looks to buy Time Warner Cable:
  Charter has submitted a $61 billion, with a 'B', bid for TWC. However, TWC chief said the bid was way too low, instead thinks the company is worth 20% more. [LINK]
• NEWSROOM to get third and final season:
  HBO has renewed the drama NEWSROOM for a third season, but that will be it's last season.

TUESDAY:

• DirectTV drops The Weather Channel:
  in a carriage dispute between the provider and the network, The Weather Channel is off the air for DirectTV subscribers. In an age of phone and tablet apps that do the same thing, if not better, does a national weather TV network even need to exist?
• Netflix orders new series:
  Netflix has ordered nine episodes of a the new drama MARCO POLO. The series was originally to air on STARZ, but after 18 months, the premium cable network pulled out of the project.
• The Supreme Court will hear the Aereo case:
  The Supreme Court of the USA will hear the case of Aereo vs Broadcasters on weather the streaming service is a public performance, despite individual antennas, streaming login accounts and control. [LINK]

WEDNESDAY:

• NFL adds new package for 2014:
  The NFL is looking for a one season partner to split the Thursday night package with, in hopes to build awareness and demand for the mid-week games and help bolster and grow the NFL Network ratings. [LINK]
• FOX pushes for cross-platform ratings matrix:
  FOX believes the Nielsen system is outdated because it does not account ondeamnd, streaming, Hulu and other services viewers use to watch TV programs. The network is pushing for a system that accounts for all points of access for each program. [LINK]

THURSDAY:

• Bravo greenlights TOP CHEF EXTREME:
  TOP CHEF EXTREME will pit former TOP CHEF contestants against each other in one-on-one battles. The series is slated to premiere this summer.
• CBS to be the first to use new ratings company:
  CBS has signed a deal with Rentrak to supplement it's ratings data and will be used for the 2014-15 Upfront sales. [LINK]

FRIDAY:

• Aereo goes live in Cincy:
  Cincinnati, OH is the next market to go live with the Aereo Streaming service. Tuesday, January 21, is the go live date.
• FOX pickes up two dramas:
  Dramas RED BAND SOCIETY and RUNNER have been picked up by FOX, under the new development model. No premiere dates announced.