Stephen Battaglio and Michael Schneider

Next Season's Big Trends

• May 25, 2012 07:00 AM ET


• by Stephen Battaglio and Michael Schneider

Kevin Bacon

Get those season passes ready. The networks have announced 39 new series for 2012-2013, spanning virtually every kind of drama (procedurals, serials, thrillers) and comedy (family, workplace, romantic). And while new X Factor judges Britney Spears and Demi Lovato threaten to dominate the media's attention this fall, even they may be no match for Dr. Zaius, the monkey M.D. on NBC's Animal Practice, or the drippy aliens on ABC's The Neighbors. Here's a look at what viewers will encounter next season... read more

Who Earns What: TV's Biggest Salaries

• Aug 9, 2011 07:00 AM ET


• by Stephen Battaglio and Michael Schneider

Ashton Kutcher

A lot of people think TV is better than movies these days. For many actors, it certainly pays better. Unless you're able to play a superhero, it's tough to get super-rich from big-screen work, so more actors are moving to series TV. The expanded talent pool has given networks and studios extra leverage in negotiating salaries. "There are so few gigantic stars in features and the rest are not making any money," says one industry executive familiar with this year's deal-making. "That's helpful."

The general rule across the TV business is to keep lead performers on new network prime-time series to $125,000 an episode. (Cable networks are going as high as $150,000.) That's not Charlie Sheen money, but it's not bad. "Times that by 22, [and] you can maintain a pretty good lifestyle based on what you were making in features but now you're not," the executive says.

There are always exceptions read more

The Season: What Popped and Flopped

• Jun 1, 2011 07:00 AM ET


• by Stephen Battaglio and Michael Schneider

Jennifer Lopez, Charlie Sheen

Despite suffering through a lethargic fall, the networks had reason to be upbeat as the TV season came to a close on May 25. Reality veterans American Idol and Dancing With the Stars staged healthy comebacks, while plenty of scripted series still showed some legs. Here's a roundup of prime time's hits and misses from 2010-2011.

WINNERS

American Idol Some thought TV's No. 1 show would be doomed without its signature judge Simon Cowell, but that turned out to be wishful thinking on the part of Fox's competitors. Idol was up 5 percent for the season, with an average of 25 million viewers. The producers delivered on a promise of younger and more authentic contestants. Another big help: two finalists who performed country music, which does well... read more

Special Report: TV's Top Innovators

• May 10, 2011 07:05 AM ET


• by Stephen Battaglio and Michael Schneider

Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon

Jimmy Fallon and Jimmy Kimmel
Hosts, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Late Night With Jimmy Fallon viewers were in for a treat last November when Bruce Springsteen stepped on stage, dressed as he looked in 1975, to duet with Neil Young (OK, it was Fallon doing a spot-on impression) on an acoustic cover of Willow Smith's "Whip My Hair." By the next morning, the clip had gone viral — just the latest overnight sensation for... read more