The TV Guide Channel is signaling change in direction under its new ownership with the downgrading of three existing series and the layoffs of 38 staffers.
The weekly talk show "TV Watercooler" is going off the air starting June 22.
Daily entertainment newsmagazine "Hollywood 411" will become a weekly show starting June 26. And the weekly TV-centric series "Infanity" will continue as specials starting June 26.
All of the 38 layoffs are in in-house production, most of them tied to the three scaled-back programs.
They include two on-air talent, John Fugelsang and Teresa Strasser of "TV Watercooler," 15 full-time staffers, 15 full-time temps and six open unfilled position. No executives are affected.
The move comes four months after Lionsgate acquired the TV Guide Channel from Macrovision for $255 million. Two weeks ago, Lionsgate sold a 49% stake in the channel to JPMorgan Chase's One Equity Partners for $123 million.
"This is a shift in programming resources and priorities," a Lionsgate rep said.
The weekly talk show "TV Watercooler" is going off the air starting June 22.
Daily entertainment newsmagazine "Hollywood 411" will become a weekly show starting June 26. And the weekly TV-centric series "Infanity" will continue as specials starting June 26.
All of the 38 layoffs are in in-house production, most of them tied to the three scaled-back programs.
They include two on-air talent, John Fugelsang and Teresa Strasser of "TV Watercooler," 15 full-time staffers, 15 full-time temps and six open unfilled position. No executives are affected.
The move comes four months after Lionsgate acquired the TV Guide Channel from Macrovision for $255 million. Two weeks ago, Lionsgate sold a 49% stake in the channel to JPMorgan Chase's One Equity Partners for $123 million.
"This is a shift in programming resources and priorities," a Lionsgate rep said.
- 6/12/2009
- by By Nellie Andreeva
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Cuts are part of a move to position the channel as a competitor to E! and Entertainment Tonight.
By Lucas Shaw
Five months after purchasing TV Guide Network, Lionsgate Entertainment has cut the struggling channel’s work force by 38 positions -- about 11 percent of its staff.
Let go Thursday were 15 full-time staffers in program production, 15 full-time temporary employees and two on-air talents, John Fugelsang and Teresa Strasser of the talk show "TV Watercooler." In addition, six open positions will not be filled. Most of the cuts were in Los Angeles.
Three shows are being affected: "TV Watercooler" is being dropped, the daily...
By Lucas Shaw
Five months after purchasing TV Guide Network, Lionsgate Entertainment has cut the struggling channel’s work force by 38 positions -- about 11 percent of its staff.
Let go Thursday were 15 full-time staffers in program production, 15 full-time temporary employees and two on-air talents, John Fugelsang and Teresa Strasser of the talk show "TV Watercooler." In addition, six open positions will not be filled. Most of the cuts were in Los Angeles.
Three shows are being affected: "TV Watercooler" is being dropped, the daily...
- 6/12/2009
- by admin
- The Wrap
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