So I hopped off the plane at LAX, with a dream and my cardigan … OK, so maybe my life isn’t exactly a Miley Cyrus song. But, as someone on the television industry, despite my roots in Connecticut, it’s hard to not feel the SoCal buzz as soon as you step off the plane. Heck, [...]
About Liz Tobias
Do I Really Miss Food Network?
As a self-proclaimed TV junkie and foodie, I think my heart skipped a beat when, last week, I attempted to tune into Paula Deen and, instead, was confronted with a chipper voice reading aloud Cablevision’s statement against Scripps network for choosing to pull Food Network and HGTV from its lineup. After self-medicating in a half-gallon [...]
Oh Shoot!
Last week, I found myself in the fortunate position of being able to travel “on location” to a television show shoot. Not only did I get to casually throw around cool television terms such as “on location,” I got to drive an SUV packed full of equipment 15 hours across the country, memorize two days [...]
My Oasis in the Summer Programming Desert
It’s summer, which means that it’s the doldrums of the television universe. Much like a heat wave, television programming these last couple of months is flat, stifling, and well, makes it a little hard to breathe. I’ve compiled a list of my favorite (and well, not-so-favorite) summer programs. But I’d love to hear from YOU [...]
Developing a Show for US Cable
Editors Note: This popular post was originally published as a free part of CableU 101, a supplemental section of CableU’s normal subscription-based monthly research report and analysis service, designed to aid and educate industry professionals on industry standards and best practices. It is produced again here for our CableU Confidential readers along with all our [...]
From Science Nerd to Prom Queen?
To me, the US cable marketplace is kind of like high school. As freshman, you’re pigeon-holed into a stereotype. Maybe you’re an artist (Ovation), or a jock (ESPN.) Maybe you’re the nice girl with a lot of pretty friends (HGTV, and her BFF Food Network), or part of the overachievers (I heard Discovery got a [...]
Top 10 Tips for Pitching Me
A few weeks ago, I had the good fortune to attend two great conventions for the US cable markets – NATPE in Las Vegas and Realscreen in Washington, DC. Although my shoe choice wasn’t always best, I had the chance to meet with dozens and dozens of producers to discuss their show concepts and trailers, [...]
Dear Diary: NATPE Notes, Day #2
A day at NATPE is definitely not an average day at the office. What happens in a NATPE day can change a course of a business deal, bring in a new perspective, create new networks of potential friends, business partners, and clients. But what’s it really like to spend a full day on the NATPE [...]
Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something … TRUE??
If you’re within a 1000-mile radius of me, you probably know I’m getting married. And maybe it’s just that I’ve never noticed before, or maybe it really is a new, influx of programs, but there sure are a heck of a lot of wedding-related programs out there in TV land! The appeal of a wedding [...]
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After These Messages, We’ll Be Right Back … With More Messages
Over the weekend, I found it amusing that Lady Gaga (and Beyonce’s) song, Telephone was on three different radio stations at the same time. Less amusing is the fact that when I watch TV, it seems that commercials are airing on Every. Single. Channel. At the same time. Yes. I think I remain one of the final [...]