The syndicated entertainment news show, Hollywood Today Live! has been cancelled. BiteSizeTV owner, Nexstar Media Group, decided to end the low-rated TV series, to concentrate on local programming. The Hollywood Today Live! TV series finale will air on April 28, 2017.
A one-hour news magazine show currently in its second season, Hollywood Today Live! kicked off on Fox-owned television stations in July 2014. Garcelle Beauvais, Ross Mathews, and Tanner Thomason co-host. Amanda Salas serves as red carpet correspondent.
Checkout the Nexstar Media Group press release for more details.
Nexstar Media Group to Align BiteSizeTV Strategy with Organization-Wide Commitment to Local Programming and Content Production
April 7, 2017
“HOLLYWOOD TODAY LIVE!” TO END PRODUCTION
LOS ANGELES, California and IRVING, Texas – Nexstar Media Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: NXST) (“Nexstar” or “The Company”) announced today that plans are underway to bring the strategy for BiteSizeTV in alignment with the Company’s organization-wide commitment to local programming and content production. As a result, its wholly-owned subsidiary, Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. (“Nexstar Broadcasting”) and FOX Television Stations, Inc. (“FOX”) will end Hollywood Today LIVE!, a one-hour, nationally syndicated daily entertainment news and talk variety show produced by BiteSizeTV. The final telecast of Hollywood Today LIVE! will air on April 28, 2017.
Commenting on the announcement, Perry A. Sook, Chairman, President and CEO of Nexstar Media Group, Inc. stated, “Nexstar is in the local media business and we remain focused on extending our legacy of local programming and content leadership by supporting the evolving needs and interests of our local viewers, hometown businesses and community organizations that we proudly serve each day. We are now evaluating other opportunities where we can create value from BiteSizeTV to generate positive results. Nexstar looks forward to continuing our relationship with FOX Television Stations and our partners at FOX Television.”
Nexstar obtained BiteSizeTV as part of its acquisition of Media General Inc. earlier this year. Hollywood Today LIVE! began as a pilot program on FOX-owned television stations in July 2014. Following its initial debut, Media General and FOX launched Season 1 of the nationally syndicated show across their respective broadcast platforms in September 2015 and Season 2 began airing in September 2016. FOX Television and Nexstar conducted a thorough analysis of Hollywood Today LIVE! and were unable to find a sufficient audience to support continued national syndication.
About Nexstar Media Group, Inc.
Nexstar Media Group is a leading diversified media company that leverages localism to bring new services and value to consumers and advertisers through its traditional media, digital and mobile media platforms. Nexstar owns, operates, programs or provides sales and other services to 170 television stations and related digital multicast signals reaching 100 markets or approximately 39% of all U.S. television households. Nexstar’s portfolio includes primary affiliates of NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX, MyNetworkTV and The CW. Nexstar’s community portal websites offer additional hyper-local content and verticals for consumers and advertisers, allowing audiences to choose where, when and how they access content while creating new revenue opportunities. For more information please visit www.nexstar.tv.
What do you think? Do you watch the Hollywood Today Live! TV show? Should it have been cancelled or renewed for season three?
I miss Ross and the entire crew. WHY was it cancelled so abruptly? Upsetting!
BRING IT BACK, I say. BRING IT BACK. Ross Matthews, I LOVE YOU, I have followed you from late night to daytime. Ross and the crew at least, deserve a second chance in daytime. Maybe it was the time slot? But I would watch HTL no matter what time it came on air. Please, BRING IT BACK,