The Kardashians' television neighbourhood is getting a refurbishing.
The E! Entertainment network has expansion plans that include a new music series from American Idol producer Nigel Lythgoe, a reality series with the oldest member of the Jonas Brothers and a talk show starring Whitney Cummings.
E! is also sticking with what works, announcing last week a new three-year deal to keep the Kardashian reality TV empire in-house for three more years.
E! is part of the NBC Universal group of cable networks, which have been enormously profitable for parent Comcast Corp. While E! is growing, it's not at the level of fellow NBC Universal networks like USA and Bravo. USA is averaging 2.33 million viewers so far this television season, Bravo has 992,000 and E! stands at 649,000, according to the Nielsen company.
The most high-profile attempt to broaden E!'s offerings comes on July 9 with the premiere of Lythgoe's Opening Act. Each week producers will pick an unknown musical act that has posted work online, surprising the artist with the chance to open a concert for acts like Rod Stewart, Brad Paisley and Nicki Minaj. The series, which features Mary J. Blige, follows the acts as they prepare and execute the potential career-changing gigs.
In August, E! premieres Married to Jonas, featuring Nick Jonas and Danielle Deleasa, a hairstylist in training who met the musician while they were both vacationing in the Bahamas two years ago. The series depicts the couple juggling work and family and is being produced by Ryan Seacrest.
In an attempt to attract more men, E! is also focusing on topical programming like The Soup, and Cummings' new series will follow The Soup on Wednesday nights.
Meanwhile, a rep for Khloe Kardashian refuted reports the show Khloe and Lamar had been cancelled.
The show "has not been canceled", a rep for Khloe told People TV Watch. "It's just on hold now while schedules are figured out. It will depend on their schedules, as Lamar's basketball schedule is a priority."
The E! Entertainment network has expansion plans that include a new music series from American Idol producer Nigel Lythgoe, a reality series with the oldest member of the Jonas Brothers and a talk show starring Whitney Cummings.
E! is also sticking with what works, announcing last week a new three-year deal to keep the Kardashian reality TV empire in-house for three more years.
E! is part of the NBC Universal group of cable networks, which have been enormously profitable for parent Comcast Corp. While E! is growing, it's not at the level of fellow NBC Universal networks like USA and Bravo. USA is averaging 2.33 million viewers so far this television season, Bravo has 992,000 and E! stands at 649,000, according to the Nielsen company.
The most high-profile attempt to broaden E!'s offerings comes on July 9 with the premiere of Lythgoe's Opening Act. Each week producers will pick an unknown musical act that has posted work online, surprising the artist with the chance to open a concert for acts like Rod Stewart, Brad Paisley and Nicki Minaj. The series, which features Mary J. Blige, follows the acts as they prepare and execute the potential career-changing gigs.
In August, E! premieres Married to Jonas, featuring Nick Jonas and Danielle Deleasa, a hairstylist in training who met the musician while they were both vacationing in the Bahamas two years ago. The series depicts the couple juggling work and family and is being produced by Ryan Seacrest.
In an attempt to attract more men, E! is also focusing on topical programming like The Soup, and Cummings' new series will follow The Soup on Wednesday nights.
Meanwhile, a rep for Khloe Kardashian refuted reports the show Khloe and Lamar had been cancelled.
The show "has not been canceled", a rep for Khloe told People TV Watch. "It's just on hold now while schedules are figured out. It will depend on their schedules, as Lamar's basketball schedule is a priority."
