Renewed!!! Bravo!

Anderson Cooper's Daytime Talk Show Renewed

4:13 PM PST 11/9/2011 by Alex Ben Block


Anderson, the talk show launched in September by Anderson Cooper, has been renewed for a second year by the Fox stations, and elsewhere, including a key upgrade in the crucial New York City market..

The one-hour talk, news and lifestyle show has been airing on WPIX in New York, which is better known for its block of confrontational shows. Next fall it will move to WNYW, which is likely to be a better fit and provide a more suitable home for the show, which shoots in New York at Lincoln Center’s The Allen Room, overlooking Central Park.

New York City is a crucial market because of its size and because it is a media center, where the program is showcased for the broadcast and advertising world.

The show has done reasonably well in the ratings nationwide, scoring about a 1.4 rating in a recent week, but was not a blockbuster. However, stations have indicated they like the production values and guests, and now Warner Bros. has announced that it will be back for at least the 2012-2013 season, and possibly beyond.

“This is a terrific testament to these strong stations who, like us, see ‘Anderson’ as the next early-fringe syndication franchise,” said Ken Werner, president of Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution, who made the announcement Wednesday along with Rick Meril, executive vice president/general sales manager of Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution.

“Since its launch, the series has continued to grow and find its voice in a very competitive and fragmented landscape,” added Werner. “We have great faith in Anderson and with strong station partners, we believe we are well on the way to creating a valuable news lead-in.”

“The show is off to a good start and has the opportunity to grow organically into something unique,” said Hilary Estey McLoughlin, president of Telepictures Productions (a division of Warner Bros.). “Anderson brings a distinctive point of view, a real sense of empathy and the journalistic skills to tackle and elevate the diverse range of topics that the daytime audience is interested in. As our awareness grows and the audience finds the show, the bond will only grow stronger with him over time.”

“I am enjoying the daytime show tremendously,” said Cooper, “and am looking forward to what lies ahead.”

Cooper continues to do the daily talk show along with his show on CNN and other assignments.

The Fox stations on which Anderson has been renewed are in Los Angeles (KTTV-TV), Chicago (WFLD-TV), and Boston (WFXT-TV). In addition to WNYW, it will now also air on the Fox station in Minneapolis (KMSP-TV) and Tampa (WTVT-TV),

Anderson has also been renewed by LIN stations in Indianapolis (WISH-TV/WNDY-TV), Hartford (WCTX-TV/WTNH-TV), Norfolk (WAVY-TV), Austin (KXAN-TV/KNVA-TV), Buffalo (WIVB-TV), Providence (WPRI-TV/WNAC-TV), Dayton (WDTN-TV), Toledo (WUPW-TV) and Terre Haute (WTHI-TV).

It has also been set for a second year with Midwest Television in San Diego (KFMB-TV); as well as Meredith Broadcasting in Phoenix (KPHO-TV), Las Vegas (KVVU-TV) and Flint (WNEM-TV); and Gannett in Jacksonville (WTLV-TV/WJXX-TV):along with The Lilly Group in Erie, Pennsylvania (WSEE-TV/WICU-TV) and Sun Broadcasting in Ft. Myers (WINK-TV/WXCW).

Anderson is produced by StrongChild Productions in association with Telepictures Productions.