TV News Roundup: April 22, 2014

ESPN gets its first ever NFL Playoff game. NBC Gets more Playoff games. ION acquires crime drama, and much more in today's TV News Roundup!


ESPN to Air NFL Playoff Game in 2014:
The NFL has done some moving around of the NFL Playoff broadcasts this season. ESPN will air one game during the wildcard weekend. This will be the networks first ever playoff game and the first time the NFL has not aired a playoff game on network TV.

NBC was given a third game for this year's playoffs. In addition to it's two wildcard games, NBC will also broadcast one of the Divisional playoff games, the following weekend. Both NBC and CBS were given the extra games as part of their contract extensions, which take effect this season.

The lost Divisional game by FOX/CBS will be alternated each year, between the two networks.

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ION Acquires Off-Network Rights to Crime Drama:
ROOKIE BLUE will soon join the ION crime drama rerun slate as the network purchased the rights to the series in a syndication deal. ROOKIE BLUE will join the ION schedule this fall.

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AT&T Looking at OTT Service:
AT&T is looking to commit over $500 million, in a joint venture With the Chernin Group, in a new Online video service.

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Ellen's new Series on HGTV:
Ellen Degeneres is heading to cable for her next series. ELLEN'S DESIGN CHALLENGE will get a 6 episode run, on HGTV, in 2015.