BSkyB to launch standalone VOD service

LONDON -- The uber competitive BSkyB is to launch its own on-demand service as it attempts to head off competition with Netflix and impending U.K. smart TV service YouView. Announcing the move as it revealed six monthly figures that showed a slowdown in the number of new pay TV subscribers, the paybox's CEO Jeremy Darroch claimed the initiative would offer "a distinctive" new choice to the 13 million U.K. households that do not buy pay TV. He added: "This new product launch will build on our early leadership in multi-platform distribution. "It will allow us to make our expertise and investment in content and technology work even harder, extending our options for continued growth." BSkyB's on demand offer will bow in the first half of the year. Sky Movies will be available from the start, with sport and entertainment added later in the year. Consumers will be able to choose from a variety of pricing options, including unlimited monthly pay-as-you-go access. This marks a significant departure from BSkyB's traditional subscription-based business model. Darroch said: "Alongside the continued growth of our satellite platform, this will be a new way for us to reach out to consumers, but may not want the full Sky service." Netflix has got off to a strong start in the U.K. and the much-delayed YouView, whose backers include the BBC and BT, is expected to bow late in the spring. BSkyB's six-monthly figures showed that the satcaster added 40,000 new TV customers in the second quarter to Dec. 31 -- missing analysts' forecasts of 58,000 and down on the 140,000 net additions in the same period in 2010. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Pilot Season: ABC Accumulates Two Dramas

ABC logo design ABC has acquired two one-hour drama aircraft pilots, Americana and Nashville.Americana is really a cleaning soap set around popular designer, his family and the business. Michael Seitzman is writing and executive-creating for ABC Galleries together with Mark Gordon (Grey's Anatomy) and Nicholas Pepper.Nashville, additionally a family cleaning soap, follows two music artists, one who's already a star and also the other who's increasing. Callie Khouri (Thelma & Louise) will write and executive-produce with RJ Cutler mounted on direct and executive-produce.

Jum Michele Remembers Peoples Choice Award Win With Pasta & Pajamas

First Released: The month of january 12, 2012 10:13 AM EST Credit: Getty Images Caption Jum Michele poses with Favorite TV Comedy Actress Award for Glee within the press room throughout the 2012 Peoples Choice Honours at Nokia Theatre L.A. Reside in La on The month of january 11, 2012LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Jum Michele required home the Peoples Choice Award for Favorite TV Comedy Actress, beating out Courteney Cox, Kaley Cuoco, Tina Fey and co-star Jane Lynch, something she was very impressed by. Just before her large win, AccessHollywood.coms Laura Saltman talked using the Glee star around the red-colored carpet, where she stunned inside a whitened Marchesa gown. Listen, Im within the same category as Jane Lynch and so i got absolutely no way but Im just really pleased to be around, a humble Jum stated. Throughout her speech she thanked her co-stars, saying, I wish to dedicate this to my amazing cast, my Glee club. You're my loved ones and my close friends. Im an only child and today I've 11 other brothers and sisters. And just how did she celebrate her new Peoples Choice Award? This kind of incredible evening! Im so so grateful and happy:) Back in your own home now honoring in PJs eating pasta with my cousin watching movies!, the actress Tweeted following a ceremony. Copyright 2012 by NBC Universal, Corporation. All privileges reserved. These components might not be released, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Emma Stone, Andy Samberg and Nick Cannon Turning up on 30 Rock

Emma Stone Emma Stone, Andy Samberg and Nick Cannon will guest-star on 30 Rock, Tina Fey notifies Entertainment Weekly.The trio look inside the Jan. 26 episode, through which Jenna (Jane Krakowski) stars in the movie referred to as Martin Luther King Day - "within the producers of Valentine's and New Year's Eve," Fey states.Have a look at photos from 30 Rock"If only to put claim they can that bit before anybody can get it," she notifies playboy. "It's a movie that has everyone in the world within it.InchRock, Samberg and Cannon will probably be noticed in a clip for your imaginary (but totally should be real) film.Season 6 of 30 Rock premieres Thursday at 8/7c on NBC.

Kaczmarek is 'Good People'

KaczmarekJane Kaczmarek will topline free air travel Coast preem of "Good People," the David Lindsay-Abaire play that bowed on Broadway last season. Kaczmarek ("Malcolm within the centreInch) plays South Boston native Margie, the role created by Frances McDormand round the Rialto. Production within the Geffen Playhouse will probably be helmed by Matt Shakman ("It Definitely Is Sunny in Philadelphia"), the a.d. of L.A.'s Black Dahlia Theater. Kaczmarek formerly came out on Broadway in "Lost in Yonkers." Her West Coast stage credits include "In Mother Words" within the Geffen additionally to area stagings of "Dinner with Pals," "Awake and Sing," "Dying from the Sales rep" and "Elevated in Captivity." Follow Lindsay-Abaire ("Rabbit Hole," "Shrek the Musical") follows Margie as she reconnects by getting a classic flame wishing of landing a completely new job. "Good People" is an element from the Geffen season including the arrival world preem of Jesse Henley's "The Jacksonian," starring Erection dysfunction Harris, Bill Pullman and Amy Madigan. Further casting for "Good People" remains being set. Show begins previews April 3 before an April 11 opening within the Geffen. Contact Gordon Cox at gordon.cox@variety.com