2012 in American television

! Event

|Regional sports networks MSG and MSG Plus go dark on Time Warner Cable systems in the New York City area and upstate New York after Time Warner and the networks' parent, MSG Media, fail to reach a new fee-for-carriage agreement.{{Cite web|last=Reynolds|first=Mike|date=December 31, 2011|title=MSG, MSG Plus Now Dark on Time Warner Cable Systems|url=https://www.multichannel.com/article/478408-MSG_MSG_Plus_Now_Dark_on_Time_Warner_Cable_Systems.php|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120122085130/https://www.multichannel.com/article/478408-MSG_MSG_Plus_Now_Dark_on_Time_Warner_Cable_Systems.php|archive-date=January 22, 2012|access-date=December 26, 2020|website=Multichannel News}} The two sides reached a resolution to restore the signals on February 17, a deal that also restores MSG-owned music channel Fuse TV to Time Warner systems (TWC had dropped Fuse in December 2011).{{Cite web|last=Reynolds|first=Mike|date=2012-02-17|title=MSG-Time Warner Cable End License Fee Dispute|url=http://www.multichannel.com/article/480737-MSG_Time_Warner_Cable_End_License_Fee_Dispute.php|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120219230751/http://www.multichannel.com/article/480737-MSG_Time_Warner_Cable_End_License_Fee_Dispute.php|archive-date=2012-02-19|access-date=2020-12-26|website=Multichannel News}}

|Versus rebrands as NBC Sports Network, reflecting the sports channel's common ownership and synergies with NBC Sports.{{Cite web|last=Reynolds|first=Mike|date=2011-08-01|title=Versus Will Fly NBC Sports Colors|url=http://www.multichannel.com/article/471750-Versus_Will_Fly_NBC_Sports_Colors.php|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120106112813/http://www.multichannel.com/article/471750-Versus_Will_Fly_NBC_Sports_Colors.php|archive-date=2012-01-06|access-date=2020-12-26|website=Multichannel News}}

|The Walt Disney Company and Comcast announce a 10-year distribution agreement to deliver content from Disney-owned networks and ABC owned-and-operated stations to Comcast's multiple Xfinity platforms, including TV, online, video on demand, smartphones, and tablet computers.[http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/2012/01/04/56462/disney-comcast-set-major-carriage-deal "Disney, Comcast Set Major Carriage Deal,"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240524091550/https://tvnewscheck.com/ |date=May 24, 2024 }} from TVNewsCheck, 1/4/2012

|Neal Tiles steps down from his position as president and CEO of G4 and is replaced by Adam Stotsky.[https://deadline.com/2012/01/g4-president-neal-tiles-steps-down-210409/ G4 President Neal Tiles Steps Down] Deadline January 5, 2012[https://deadline.com/2012/01/former-nbc-marketing-chief-adam-stotsky-named-general-manager-of-g4-210466/ Former NBC Marketing Chief Adam Stotsky Named General Manager Of G4] Deadline January 5, 2012

|CBS This Morning, the network's attempt at a unique news-and-analysis-intensive morning show, makes its debut, featuring a host team of Erica Hill, Gayle King, and Charlie Rose.[https://www.cbsnews.com/news/cbs-news-launching-all-new-morning-broadcast/ "CBS News launching all-new morning broadcast,"] from CBSNews.com, November 15, 2011

|A week-long commemoration of Today's 60th anniversary culminates in a gathering of past and current personalities from the NBC morning program.[https://web.archive.org/web/20120114134620/http://allday.today.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/01/13/10147682-today-marks-60th-with-an-anchor-homecoming "TODAY marks 60th with an anchor homecoming] from MSNBC.com, January 13, 2012

|Sunbeam Television's stations in Miami (WSVN) and Boston (WHDH-TV and WLVI) go dark on DirecTV after talks to increase the retransmission fees by a reported 300% failed.[http://www.thestreet.com/story/11376257/1/sunbeam-television-shuts-out-directv-nfl-fans-in-miami-in-attempt-to-extract-300-percent-pay-increase.html "Sunbeam Television shuts out DirecTV NFL fans in Miami in attempt to extract 300 percent pay increase] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120117200815/http://www.thestreet.com/story/11376257/1/sunbeam-television-shuts-out-directv-nfl-fans-in-miami-in-attempt-to-extract-300-percent-pay-increase.html |date=January 17, 2012 }} from The Street.com, January 14, 2012 The two sides reached an agreement on January 26 to restore the signals.[http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/479683-Sunbeam_and_DirecTV_Reach_Retrans_Agreement.php "Sunbeam and DirecTV Reach Retrans Agreement,"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116102735/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/479683-Sunbeam_and_DirecTV_Reach_Retrans_Agreement.php |date=January 16, 2013 }} from Broadcasting & Cable, January 26, 2012

|Lionsgate Entertainment and One Equity Partners announce that they will explore a sale of their TV Guide Network, whose conversion over the years from a listings guide to an entertainment channel has made it profitable enough for a sale by the two companies.[https://variety.com/2012/tv/news/tv-guide-network-sale-ramps-up-1118048725/ DailyHeadlines "TV Guide Network sale ramps up"] from Variety (January 16, 2012)

|Food Network personality Paula Deen, known for her high-calorie recipes, reveals on Today that she has Diabetes mellitus type 2, and was diagnosed with the condition in 2008 (choosing not to reveal her condition until now in part to avert health rumors).[https://www.latimes.com/health/boostershots/la-heb-paula-deen-diabetes-20120117,0,5638492.story?track=icymi "Paula Deen reveals she has Type 2 diabetes,"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120416191927/http://www.latimes.com/health/boostershots/la-heb-paula-deen-diabetes-20120117,0,5638492.story?track=icymi |date=April 16, 2012 }} from Los Angeles Times (January 17, 2012)

|NBC Sports reaches a four-year deal for exclusive rights (on NBC and NBC Sports Network) to the Breeders' Cup thoroughbred horse racing championships beginning with the November 3 event. The deal includes the first prime time staging of event's premiere race, the Breeders' Cup Classic.[https://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/24/sports/breeders-cup-moves-to-prime-time-on-nbc.html "Breeders' Cup Moves to Prime Time on NBC,"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151110130654/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/24/sports/breeders-cup-moves-to-prime-time-on-nbc.html |date=November 10, 2015 }} from The New York Times, January 23, 2012 The deal reunites the Breeders' Cup with NBC, which broadcast the first 21 editions of the event (with ESPN holding rights from 2006 to 2011).

|Bill Myers steps down from his position as president and CEO of Starz Entertainment after 10 years with the company.[https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/starz-entertainment-bill-myers-resigns-284981 "Starz Entertainment President Bill Myers Resigns,"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202182314/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/starz-entertainment-bill-myers-resigns-284981 |date=February 2, 2016 }} from The Hollywood Reporter, January 25, 2012

|Following the lead of Telemundo (who has done it in one form or another since 2003), Univision becomes the second Spanish-language network to provide English subtitles (appearing as closed captions on CC3) on its weeknight telenovelas, an effort to attract viewers who do not speak or are not fluent in the Spanish language.{{cite news |url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2012/01/univision-telenovelas-with-a-twist-english-subtitles-.html |title=Univision telenovelas with a twist: English subtitles |work=Los Angeles Times |date=January 24, 2012 |access-date=January 25, 2012 |archive-date=January 28, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120128094440/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2012/01/univision-telenovelas-with-a-twist-english-subtitles-.html |url-status=live }}

|A shakeup in the on-air makeup of Fox's The X Factor takes place: The network confirms on the 30th that host Steve Jones and judge Nicole Scherzinger will not return for the show's 2nd season in the fall. The next day, judge Paula Abdul confirms she will not return either.[http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/479920-Paula_Abdul_Confirms_Exit_from_X_Factor_.php "Paula Abdul Confirms Exit from 'X Factor,'"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240524091527/https://www.nexttv.com/ |date=May 24, 2024 }} from Broadcasting & Cable, January 31, 2012

! Event

|The FCC approves Time Warner Cable's $3 million purchase of Insight Communications, giving TWC access to Insight's 750,000 customers in Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio.[http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/480050-TWC_Cleared_to_Take_Over_Insight.php "TWC Cleared to Take Over Insight,"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240524091534/https://www.nexttv.com/ |date=May 24, 2024 }} from Broadcasting & Cable, February 2, 2012

|The FCC rules that television stations have the right to refuse to air ads under "reasonable access" provisions of the law pertaining to political candidates. The ruling comes after WMAQ-TV/Chicago rejected an anti-abortion ad that activist and presidential candidate Randall Terry wanted the NBC O&O to run during Super Bowl XLVI.{{cite web |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2012/02/fcc-tv-can-nix-abortion-ad-072430 |title=FCC Can Nix Super Bowl Ad |publisher=Politico |date=February 3, 2012 |access-date=February 3, 2012 |archive-date=February 4, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204123217/http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0212/72430.html |url-status=live }}

|NBC's broadcast of Super Bowl XLVI, in which the New York Giants defeat the New England Patriots, attracts 111.3 million viewers. This is the third straight year that the NFL's championship event sets the all-time record for total viewership.[https://news.yahoo.com/blogs/cutline/super-bowl-sets-records-111-3-million-tv-202205652.html "Super Bowl sets records..."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305024329/http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/cutline/super-bowl-sets-records-111-3-million-tv-202205652.html |date=March 5, 2016 }} from Yahoo! News, 2/6/2012

|Video distributor Netflix makes its original programming debut with the release of the comedy-drama series Lilyhammer.{{cite web|url=https://www.deadline.com/2011/10/netflix-adds-%E2%80%98lilyhammer%E2%80%99-to-tv-line-up/ |title=Netflix 'Lilyhammer' to tv lineup |website=Deadline |date=March 9, 2011 |access-date=October 25, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111019161732/http://www.deadline.com/2011/10/netflix-adds-%E2%80%98lilyhammer%E2%80%99-to-tv-line-up/ |archive-date=October 19, 2011 }}

|CNN suspends commentator Roland S. Martin after he posted homophobic messages on his Twitter and Facebook pages the night of the Super Bowl.[http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/480279-CNN_Suspends_Roland_Martin.php CNN Suspends Roland Martin] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120212191334/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/480279-CNN_Suspends_Roland_Martin.php |date=February 12, 2012 }} Broadcasting & Cable, February 8, 2012

|CBS' broadcast of the 54th Grammy Awards—an event marked by remembrances of Whitney Houston (who died the previous day) and six wins for Adele—attract 39 million viewers, the biggest audience for the Grammys since 1984.[https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/whitney-houston-death-jennifer-hudson-tribute-grammys-ratings-290031 "TV Ratings: Whitney Houston Tributes Push Grammys to Largest Audience Since 1984,"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191122051650/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/whitney-houston-death-jennifer-hudson-tribute-grammys-ratings-290031 |date=November 22, 2019 }} from The Hollywood Reporter, February 13, 2012

|MSNBC announces that it has parted ways with political commentator Pat Buchanan, who was suspended by the network in October 2011 after the publication of a book he had authored that drew controversy for its content.[http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/2012/02/17/57542/pat-buchanan-officially-out-at-msnbc "Pat Buchanan Officially Out At MSNBC,"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240524091608/https://tvnewscheck.com/ |date=May 24, 2024 }} from Associated Press via TVNewsCheck, February 17, 2012

|The 500th episode of The Simpsons, "At Long Last Leave", airs, marking the record for the highest number of episodes for a scripted television series.[http://insidetv.ew.com/2012/01/30/simpsons-wikileaks-julian-assange/?iid=rcfooter-tv-julian+assange+on+%27simpsons%27%3A+first+look "WikiLeaks' Julian Assange to guest on 'The Simpsons,'"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240524091558/https://www.dotdashmeredith.com/?iid=rcfooter-tv-julian+assange+on+%27simpsons%27%3A+first+look |date=May 24, 2024 }} from Entertainment Weekly, 1/30/2012

|Roberts Broadcasting announced it was exploring the possibility of selling one or all four of its television stations to raise enough cash to pay off its creditors.[https://www.stltoday.com/business/columns/lisa-brown/roberts-broadcasting-mulls-sale-of-tv-stations/article_cb921586-5bfe-11e1-a475-001a4bcf6878.html Roberts Broadcasting mulls sale of TV stations] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729005008/https://www.stltoday.com/business/columns/lisa-brown/roberts-broadcasting-mulls-sale-of-tv-stations/article_cb921586-5bfe-11e1-a475-001a4bcf6878.html |date=July 29, 2020 }}, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, February 20, 2012.

|Fulfilling a caveat in its 2011 purchase of NBCUniversal, Comcast announces it will launch four minority-owned networks on its cable systems within the next two years: the children-oriented BabyFirst Americas (which has planned April 2012 launch date); Aspire (summer 2012 launch), which will include positive, family-oriented programming; Revolt (2013 launch), a music- and artist-oriented channel; and El Rey (2014 launch), a general entertainment network.[https://archive.today/20130204205518/https://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/2012/02/21/57614/comcast-to-start-minorityowned-channels "Comcast To Start Minority-Owned Channels,"] from TVNewsCheck, February 21, 2012

|In a cost-saving move, the E.W. Scripps Company announces that they will drop certain syndicated programs from its television stations beginning in September in favor of in-house programming and expansion of local content.[http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/2012/02/24/57684/scripps-to-swap-syndie-fare-for-own-shows "Scripps To Swap Syndie Fare For Own Shows"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240524092236/https://tvnewscheck.com/ |date=May 24, 2024 }} from TV News Check (February 24, 2012)

|Thanks to the event's first ever postponement (due to rain), the Daytona 500 is run for the first time on a Monday night. Fox's broadcast of the race attracts 36 million viewers, the event's second biggest TV audience ever.[https://www.usatoday.com/sports/motor/nascar/story/2012-02-28/daytona-500-one-to-remember-thanks-to-fire-matt-kenseth/53294872/1 "Daytona 500 night to remember,"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309022517/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/motor/nascar/story/2012-02-28/daytona-500-one-to-remember-thanks-to-fire-matt-kenseth/53294872/1 |date=March 9, 2016 }} from USA Today, February 28, 2012

|Molly Solomon is named executive producer for Golf Channel, becoming the first woman to hold such a position on a national TV sports network.[http://www.multichannel.com/article/481213-Solomon_Tees_Off_as_Golf_Channel_Executive_Producer.php "Solomon Tees Off as Golf Channel Executive Producer,"] from Multichannel, February 29, 2012

! Event

|Nick Jr. Channel, Nickelodeon's 24-hour preschool-oriented cable channel, receives a brand new look produced by Gretel, Inc. and a new advertising campaign created by BBDO to coincide with the retirement of the network's former mascots, Moose A. Moose and Zee D. Bird.{{cite web |title=Univision launches all novela network |url=http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2012/03/07/parents-rip-nick-jr-for-firing-moose-and-zee/ |publisher=CBS Chicago |access-date=March 17, 2012 |date=March 7, 2012 |archive-date=March 11, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120311032001/http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2012/03/07/parents-rip-nick-jr-for-firing-moose-and-zee/ |url-status=live }}

|WNBC/New York City announces it has declined to renew the contract of Sue Simmons, who has anchored the news on NBC's flagship station since 1980.{{cite news |last=Huff |first=Richard |title=New York TV news mainstay Sue Simmons to say farewell to WNBC audiences in June |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/television/york-tv-news-mainstay-sue-simmons-farewell-wnbc-audiences-june-article-1.1034703?localLinksEnabled=false |newspaper=New York Daily News |access-date=March 7, 2012 |date=March 7, 2012 |archive-date=March 9, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309182830/http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/television/york-tv-news-mainstay-sue-simmons-farewell-wnbc-audiences-june-article-1.1034703?localLinksEnabled=false |url-status=live }} Simmons leaves the station on June 15.[http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/television/sue-simmons-signs-32-memorable-years-news-anchor-ch-4-york-article-1.1096814 "Sue Simmons signs off after 32 memorable years as news anchor on Ch. 4 in New York,"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120618062443/http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/television/sue-simmons-signs-32-memorable-years-news-anchor-ch-4-york-article-1.1096814 |date=June 18, 2012 }} from New York Daily News, June 16, 2012

|NBC Sports begins its relationship with Major League Soccer with an NBC Sports Network broadcast of a season-opening match between the New York Red Bulls and FC Dallas.[http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2012/01/05/nbc-networks-air-41-regular-season-matches-2012 "NBC networks to air 41 regular-season matches in 2012,"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120310152514/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2012/01/05/nbc-networks-air-41-regular-season-matches-2012 |date=March 10, 2012 }} from MLSsoccer.com, 1/5/2012

|Tony Cassara submits his resignation as CEO of TV-station owner Young Broadcasting.[https://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/2012/03/15/58114/young-ceo-tony-cassara-resigns "Young CEO Tony Cassara Resigns,"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240524092246/https://tvnewscheck.com/ |date=May 24, 2024 }} from TVNewsCheck, March 15, 2012

|In the wake of the deaths of three horses during production, HBO announces that all production of Luck will permanently cease.{{Cite web|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2012/03/14/hbo-ceases-all-future-production-on-luck-568014/20120314hbo02/|title=Breaking News - HBO Ceases All Future Production on "Luck"|date=March 14, 2012|website=The Futon Critic|access-date=March 15, 2012|archive-date=May 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240524092234/http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2012/03/14/hbo-ceases-all-future-production-on-luck-568014/20120314hbo02/|url-status=live}} The freshman series, set in the world of thoroughbred racing, had previously been renewed for a second season in 2013.{{Cite web|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2012/01/31/hbo-renews-luck-for-second-season-994300/20120131hbo01/|title=Breaking News - HBO Renews "Luck" for Second Season|date=January 31, 2012|website=The Futon Critic|access-date=March 15, 2012|archive-date=May 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240524092302/http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2012/01/31/hbo-renews-luck-for-second-season-994300/20120131hbo01/|url-status=live}}

|The CW announces the launch of a smartphone app that will offer next-morning streaming of CW primetime episodes (coinciding with a similar change in the timing of episode streaming on the network's website).{{cite web|url=https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/170269/cws-mobile-app-airs-lineup-next-day.html|title=CW's Mobile App Airs Lineup Next Day|work=Media Post|date=March 15, 2012|access-date=October 17, 2023|archive-date=November 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231111110348/https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/170269/cws-mobile-app-airs-lineup-next-day.html|url-status=live}}

|Fox Sports San Diego, the newest affiliate of Fox Sports Net, makes its debut. It serves as the exclusive local TV home of the San Diego Padres, which is also its minority owner.[https://www.nctimes.com/sports/baseball/professional/mlb/padres/padres-fox-sports-san-diego-ready-to-launch/article_243866d5-10fc-585e-82a1-bf42048df760.html PADRES: Fox Sports San Diego ready to launch] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120310233900/https://www.nctimes.com/sports/baseball/professional/mlb/padres/padres-fox-sports-san-diego-ready-to-launch/article_243866d5-10fc-585e-82a1-bf42048df760.html |date=March 10, 2012 }} North County Times, March 7, 2012[https://www.foxsportssandiego.com/pages/channelfinder/ Channel Finder] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314022824/https://www.foxsportssandiego.com/pages/channelfinder |date=March 14, 2012 }} FoxSportsSanDiego.com

|Disney Junior, Disney Channel's daytime children's programming block, becomes a standalone 24-hour cable channel. The channel replaces Soapnet, which remains available (in a limited, automated form) for some cable and satellite providers who have not yet finalized carriage deals for Disney Junior, as well for Cablevision and Verizon FiOS (both of them have kept Soapnet on the air and added Disney Junior to their lineups as an additional channel).{{cite web|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2012/01/09/disney-junior-a-24-hour-basic-cable-and-satellite-channel-for-kids-age-2-7-set-to-launch-friday-march-23-in-the-us-741415/20120109disney01/|title=Disney Junior, A 24-Hour Basic Cable and Satellite Channel for Kids Age 2-7, Set to Launch Friday, March 23 in the U.S.|date=January 9, 2012|website=The Futon Critic}}{{cite web|first=Tom|last=Jicha|url=https://blogs.sun-sentinel.com/tv/2012/01/soapnet-ends-march-23-disney-jr-takes-its-place.html|title=SoapNet ends March 23; Disney Jr. takes its place|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120113205742/https://blogs.sun-sentinel.com/tv/2012/01/soapnet-ends-march-23-disney-jr-takes-its-place.html|archive-date=January 13, 2012|work=Sun Sentinel|date=January 9, 2012}}

|Providence Equity Partners announced that it will put all of Newport Television's 56 stations on the selling block in an effort to pay off debt.[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-exclusive-providence-idUSBRE82M11X20120323 "Exclusive: Providence Equity shopping Newport Television"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404065240/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-exclusive-providence-idUSBRE82M11X20120323 |date=April 4, 2023 }} from Reuters (March 26, 2012)

|Current TV announces the firing of Keith Olbermann, with his Countdown immediately replaced on this date by Viewpoint with Eliot Spitzer.[https://deadline.com/2012/03/keith-olbermann-out-at-current-relationship-no-longer-reflected-values-network-says-251285/ "Keith Olbermann Out At Current; Relationship "No Longer Reflected" Values Network Says"] from Deadline.com (March 30, 2012) Olberman filed a wrongful termination suit against Current TV on April 5.[https://www.thewrap.com/media/column-post/keith-olbermann-sues-current-tv-accuses-network-disparagement-36833 "Keith Olberman Sues Current TV..."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190209141451/https://www.thewrap.com/media/column-post/keith-olbermann-sues-current-tv-accuses-network-disparagement-36833/ |date=February 9, 2019 }} from The Wrap, 4/5/2012

! Event

|Twenty-three broadcast stations owned by Tribune Broadcasting (notably stations in New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago) as well as WGN America disappear from DirecTV after the two companies fail to reach a carriage agreement before a midnight (ET) deadline.[http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/04/01/directv-and-tribune-fail-to-reach-deal/ "DirecTV and Tribune Fail to Reach Deal,"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120401204105/http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/04/01/directv-and-tribune-fail-to-reach-deal/ |date=April 1, 2012 }} from The New York Times, 4/1/2012 The stations and WGN America were restored on April 4, after a new carriage deal was reached.[http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2012/04/tribune-and-directv-make-a-deal.html "Tribune and DirecTV make a deal,"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240524092723/https://www.latimes.com/archives/blogs/company-town-blog/story/2012-04-04/tribune-and-directv-make-a-deal |date=May 24, 2024 }} from Los Angeles Times, April 4, 2012

|Four Arkansas NBC stations operated by Nexstar Broadcasting Group jointly launch a statewide noon newscast titled Arkansas Today. The newscast originates from KARK-TV/Little Rock and is simulcast on and utilizes the news divisions of KTAL-TV/Texarkana, KTVE/El Dorado, and KNWA-TV/Fayetteville (the latter station produces sports segments for the program).[http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/2012/04/02/58474/nexstar-launches-statewide-ark-newscast Nexstar Launches Statewide Ark. Newscast] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240524092732/https://tvnewscheck.com/ |date=May 24, 2024 }}, TVNewsCheck, April 2, 2012.

|The Univision Deportes Network commences programming. The Spanish language sports network owned by Univision Communications primarily features soccer from the Mexican Primera División.[http://futbol.univision.com/noticias/article/2012-02-28/univision-deportes-network-7-abril#axzz1plH92h2r Univision Deportes Network saldrá al aire el 7 de abril] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120323084643/http://futbol.univision.com/noticias/article/2012-02-28/univision-deportes-network-7-abril#axzz1plH92h2r |date=March 23, 2012 }}, February 28, 2012

|MLB Strike Zone, a commercial-free subscription cable and satellite network, launches as a companion service to MLB Network. The channel allows viewers to watch various Tuesday and Friday evening Major League Baseball regular season games and features up-to-the-minute highlights from around the league.{{cite web |title=MLB Network Strike Zone |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/network/promotions/strike_zone.jsp |work=mlb.com |publisher=MLB Advanced Media, L.P. |access-date=April 13, 2012 |archive-date=May 3, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120503152018/http://mlb.mlb.com/network/promotions/strike_zone.jsp |url-status=live }}

|ABC confirmed that it renewed its last soap opera General Hospital for an all-new season after 49 years and canceled its third lifestyle talk show The Revolution, which ended July 6, 2012, and was replaced permanently by Katie Couric's talk show Katie, which premiered September 10, 2012.

|A ruling by a judicial panel on the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit strikes down an FCC ban against political campaign and issue advertising on public television and radio stations, stating that the ban violates the First Amendment's free speech clause.[https://www.reuters.com/article/fcc-advertising-ban-idUSL2E8FCCZY20120412 "U.S. ban on political ads on public TV struck down,"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404175722/https://www.reuters.com/article/fcc-advertising-ban-idUSL2E8FCCZY20120412 |date=April 4, 2023 }} from Reuters, 4/12/2012

|ABC's Good Morning America ends the week with 31,000 more viewers than Today, topping the NBC morning show in weekly ratings for the first time since December 1995 (ending an unprecedented 852-week win streak for Today).{{cite news |title='GMA' Weeklong Win Over 'Today' Confirmed; First Win in 16 Years |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/emailstory/sns-rt-gma-good-morning-americamt1thewrap37130-20120419,0,3523646.story |work=Chicago Tribune |access-date=April 19, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120420063850/http://www.chicagotribune.com/emailstory/sns-rt-gma-good-morning-americamt1thewrap37130-20120419,0,3523646.story |archive-date=April 20, 2012 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}

|Fox begins a regular (April through December) block of live Saturday night sports programming, featuring broadcasts of NASCAR, UFC, Major League Baseball, and Pac-12 Conference football.[http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/482813-Exclusive_With_Sports_Play_Fox_Remakes_Saturday_Night_on_Broadcast.php "Exclusive: With Sports Play, Fox Remakes Saturday Night on Broadcast"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120411225048/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/482813-Exclusive_With_Sports_Play_Fox_Remakes_Saturday_Night_on_Broadcast.php |date=April 11, 2012 }} from Broadcasting & Cable (April 9, 2012)

|DirecTV and Starz Entertainment reach a new carriage agreement which will allow the satellite provider to carry the online versions of Starz and Encore, as well as the linear, online and on demand versions of MoviePlex, IndiePlex and RetroPlex for the first time.[http://www.marketwatch.com/story/directv-and-starz-entertainment-renew-distribution-agreement-add-authenticated-rights-for-future-online-access-to-movies-and-originals-on-directv-everywhere-2012-04-16 DIRECTV and Starz Entertainment Renew Distribution Agreement, Add Authenticated Rights for Future Online Access to Movies and Originals on DIRECTV Everywhere] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120422113843/http://www.marketwatch.com/story/directv-and-starz-entertainment-renew-distribution-agreement-add-authenticated-rights-for-future-online-access-to-movies-and-originals-on-directv-everywhere-2012-04-16 |date=April 22, 2012 }} DirecTV Press Release, April 16, 2012

|Cartoon Network announces plans to begin live streaming its linear television channel on its website and Apple mobile devices to customers of participating cable and satellite providers as part of parent company Time Warner's TV Everywhere initiative.[http://www.sunherald.com/2012/04/18/3890352/cartoon-network-announces-live.html Cartoon Network Announces Live Streaming Across Digital and Online Platforms]{{dead link|date=February 2013}}, Sun Herald, April 18, 2012.

|Fox commemorates its 25th anniversary of prime time programming with a two-hour retrospective special, preceded by re-airings of the first episodes to two of Fox's most noteworthy shows, Married... with Children (Fox's first prime time series) and The Simpsons (the longest-running scripted series).[http://www.fox.com/25th-anniversary/ "25th Anniversary" section] of Fox.com website {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120420010702/http://www.fox.com/25th-anniversary/ |date=April 20, 2012 }}

|CBS Television Distribution files a lawsuit against FamilyNet and its parent company ComStar, claiming that FamilyNet has aired CTD-owned shows without paying licensing fees (CTD claims FamilyNet's most recent payment was in June 2010).[https://www.thewrap.com/tv/article/cbs-sues-familynet-comstar-15m-over-happy-days-family-ties-and-others-37182 "CBS Sues FamilyNet, ComStar for $1.5M Over 'Happy Days,' 'Family Ties' and Others"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190624211124/https://www.thewrap.com/tv/article/cbs-sues-familynet-comstar-15m-over-happy-days-family-ties-and-others-37182/ |date=June 24, 2019 }} from The Wrap (April 23, 2012)

|Contestant Sharon Adams won the $100,000 top prize during the episode's bonus round on Wheel of Fortune after solving "Back in a Flash". This marked the second time an exact same puzzle which won the same top prize was reprised (Elyse Thomas on the May 15, 2006's episode also solved the same puzzle with $100,000 at stake).{{cite web |title=April 26, 2012 Game Recap & Discussion |url=https://buyavowel.boards.net/thread/3903/april-2012-game-recap-discussion |access-date=11 April 2021 |archive-date=April 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210411061026/https://buyavowel.boards.net/thread/3903/april-2012-game-recap-discussion |url-status=live }}

|A federal judge in Los Angeles rules that Dick Clark Productions acted properly when it negotiated a deal with NBC to produce the Golden Globe Awards broadcast for the network through 2018. The ruling is the outcome of a lawsuit against DCP by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the Globes' organizers, who argued that DCP acted without their approval.[https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/movies/la-fi-ct-globes-verdict-20120501,0,2613397.story "Dick Clark Productions wins Golden Globes case,"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120610142039/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/movies/la-fi-ct-globes-verdict-20120501,0,2613397.story |date=June 10, 2012 }} from Los Angeles Times, 5/1/2012

! Event

|Saban Capital Group subsidiary Kidsco Media Ventures LLC places a $10 million bid to acquire certain assets owned by 4Kids Entertainment, including the Yu-Gi-Oh! franchise and the CW4Kids program block.{{cite news |title=4Kids to Sell Yu-Gi-Oh! Assets to Kidsco for US$10 Million (Updated) |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-05-01/4kids-sells-yu-gi-oh-assets-to-kidsco-for-us$10-million |access-date=June 12, 2012 |newspaper=AnimeNewsNetwork |date=May 1, 2012 |archive-date=June 5, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120605112759/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-05-01/4kids-sells-yu-gi-oh-assets-to-kidsco-for-us$10-million |url-status=live }} 4Kids commences an auction between Kidsco and Konami subsidiary 4K Acquisition Corp. on June 5; 4K Acquisition places a bid to acquire 4Kids' entire assets on June 7, which was later adjourned so 4Kids, Kidsco, and 4K Acquisition could consider an alternative transaction.{{cite news|title=4Kids Entertainment Adjourns Section 363 Auction |url=http://www.4kidsentertainment.com/press-release/4kids-entertainment-adjourns-section-363-auction/ |access-date=June 12, 2012 |newspaper=4Kids Entertainment |date=June 8, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120623071031/http://www.4kidsentertainment.com/press-release/4kids-entertainment-adjourns-section-363-auction/ |archive-date=June 23, 2012 }}{{cite news |last=Daswani |first=Mansha |title=Konami, Saban Explore Deal to Divide Up 4Kids' Assets |url=http://www.worldscreen.com/articles/display/2012-06-08-4Kids-Konami-Saban-Kidsco |access-date=June 12, 2012 |newspaper=WorldScreen |date=June 8, 2012 |archive-date=June 15, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120615215823/http://www.worldscreen.com/articles/display/2012-06-08-4Kids-Konami-Saban-Kidsco |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |last=Whittock |first=Jesse |title=4Kids bidders tussle over assets |url=http://www.c21media.net/archives/82996 |access-date=June 12, 2012 |newspaper=C21Media |date=June 11, 2012 |archive-date=May 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240524092630/https://www.c21media.net/archives/82996 |url-status=live }} 4Kids files a notice on June 15 outlining a proposed deal in which its assets will be split amongst Kidsco and 4K Acquisition, with the latter gaining rights to the Yu-Gi-Oh! assets, which is expected to be assessed on June 20, 2012.[https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-06-16/konami-to-get-4kids-yu-gi-oh-assets-under-proposed-deal Konami to Get 4Kids' Yu-Gi-Oh! Assets Under Proposed Deal] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140711150037/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-06-16/konami-to-get-4kids-yu-gi-oh-assets-under-proposed-deal |date=July 11, 2014 }} Anime News Network, June 16, 2012

|Lifetime and sister channels Lifetime Movie Network and Lifetime Real Women rebrand with new logos and slogans.{{Cite web|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2012/05/02/lifetime-unveils-new-iconic-logo-and-tagline-to-tap-into-cultural-shift-among-women-35312/20120502lifetime01/|title=Breaking News - Lifetime Unveils New Iconic Logo and Tagline to Tap Into Cultural Shift Among Women | TheFutonCritic.com|website=The Futon Critic}}

|Time Warner Cable announces a carriage agreement with News Corporation that will allow the provider to add four channels owned by India's STAR TV (Star Plus, STAR Gold, Life OK and STAR News) to its systems in certain markets with a large Southern Asian/Indian population.{{cite news |url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/483997-Time_Warner_Cable_to_Carry_Four_STAR_TV_Channels.php |title=Time Warner Cable to Carry Four STAR TV Channels |last=Winslow |first=George |date=May 3, 2012 |work=Broadcasting & Cable |access-date=May 3, 2012 |archive-date=May 10, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120510150808/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/483997-Time_Warner_Cable_to_Carry_Four_STAR_TV_Channels.php |url-status=live }}

|Journal Communications files an application with the FCC to acquire, for $2 million, MyNetworkTV affiliate WACY/Appleton, which has been operated through Journal-owned NBC affiliate WGBA/Green Bay since 1994. Journal includes a "failed station" request to waive ownership limits that apply to the Green Bay/Appleton market, basing the request on WACY's condition prior to 1994 (the station had gone bankrupt under prior ownership and ceased operations in 1992).[https://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/2012/05/04/59209/journal-hopes-to-buy-wacy-for-2m "Journal Hopes To Buy WACY For $2M"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240524093638/https://tvnewscheck.com/ |date=May 24, 2024 }} from TV News Check (May 4, 2012)

|In CBS, married couple Rachel and Dave Brown Jr. won the twentieth series of The Amazing Race; at eight legs, they tied with Rovilson Fernandez & Marc Nelson (from The Amazing Race Asia 2) for winning the most legs in a single season, as well as the best-performing winning team in Race history.

|ABC News and Univision announce that they will partner on a new English-language news network that will cater to a Hispanic audience. The network, known as Fusion, has a target launch date of late summer 2013.[https://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/59240/abc-univision-teaming-on-news-network?ref=search "ABC, Univision Teaming On News Network,"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928060305/https://tvnewscheck.com/article/59240/abc-univision-teaming-on-news-network/?ref=search |date=September 28, 2020 }} from TVNewsCheck, 5/7/2012

|H3 Communications (owned by the adult children of Charles Harker, owner of local ABC affiliate WABG and NBC affiliate WNBD-LD through licensee Commonwealth Broadcasting Group) announces its intent to purchase CBS affiliate WXVT/Greenville, Mississippi, from Saga Communications for $3 million. If approved by the FCC, the Harker family will have control of all three major network affiliates in the Greenville-Greenwood market.{{cite news |url=http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/59281/wxvt-greenville-ms-sells-for-3-million |title=WXVT Greenville, MS, Sells For $3 Million |date=May 8, 2012 |publisher=TVNewsCheck |access-date=May 8, 2012 |archive-date=May 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240524093638/https://tvnewscheck.com/ |url-status=live }}

|ESPN extends its agreement with the Atlantic Coast Conference, expanding coverage of ACC athletic events through the 2026–2027 academic year in a deal reportedly worth $3.6 billion.[http://www.multichannel.com/article/484331-ESPN_Extends_ACC_Multimedia_Rights_Deal_through_2027.php ESPN Extends ACC Multimedia Rights Deal through 2027 – Expanded Pact Valued at $3.6 Billion: Report] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120725063136/http://www.multichannel.com/article/484331-ESPN_Extends_ACC_Multimedia_Rights_Deal_through_2027.php |date=July 25, 2012 }} Multichannel News, May 9, 2012

|After 10 seasons on air, CBS announced that they have canceled CSI: Miami, the first show in the CSI franchise to end.{{Cite web|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2012/05/13/cbs-cancels-csi-miami-unforgettable-505115/9781/|title=Breaking News - CBS Cancels "CSI: Miami," "Unforgettable" | TheFutonCritic.com|website=The Futon Critic|access-date=May 22, 2012|archive-date=June 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220611062526/http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2012/05/13/cbs-cancels-csi-miami-unforgettable-505115/9781/|url-status=live}}

|Charter Communications signs a carriage agreement with Liberman Broadcasting to carry its Spanish-language network Estrella TV on Charter systems in certain Latino/Hispanic markets.[http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/59442/charter-adds-estrella-tv-in-select-markets Charter Adds Estrella TV in Select Markets] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021013928/https://tvnewscheck.com/article/59442/charter-adds-estrella-tv-in-select-markets/ |date=October 21, 2020 }}, TVNewsCheck, May 14, 2012.

|Sinclair Broadcast Group and Fox extend an affiliation agreement with Sinclair's 19 Fox affiliates for five years through 2017. The deal includes an option, exercisable from July 2012 thru March 2013, for Sinclair to purchase Fox-owned MyNetworkTV affiliate WUTB/Baltimore, while also allowing Fox the option to purchase Sinclair-owned stations in three of four markets: Raleigh, Las Vegas, Cincinnati and Norfolk (all of which are either MNT standalones or CW/MNT duopolies).[http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/59463/sinclair-reups-with-fox-gets-wutb-option Sinclair Reups With Fox, Gets WUTB Option] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130509075210/http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/59463/sinclair-reups-with-fox-gets-wutb-option |date=May 9, 2013 }}, TVNewsCheck, May 15, 2012.

|Time Warner Cable and Viacom settle a lawsuit filed in April 2011 over carriage of Viacom-owned cable channels on TWC's in-home streaming app for tablets and computers. As part of the agreement, Time Warner Cable resumes carriage of Viacom channels made available on the app prior to the lawsuit such as MTV, CMT and Comedy Central, and also adds additional channels such as MTV Hits and MTV Jams and the high-definition versions of TV Land and BET.[https://www.thewrap.com/tv/article/viacom-and-time-warner-settle-dispute-over-ipad-content-access-40171 Viacom and Time Warner Settle Dispute Over iPad Content Access] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308044645/http://www.thewrap.com/tv/article/viacom-and-time-warner-settle-dispute-over-ipad-content-access-40171/ |date=March 8, 2016 }}, The Wrap, May 16, 2012.

|Intermountain West Communications Company announces two of its Idaho stations, KXTF/Twin Falls and KFXP/Pocatello (the latter is operated by Intermountain West through a management agreement with Compass Communications), will disaffiliate from Fox effective July 1, 2012, due to a retransmission consent dispute between Intermountain West and Fox citing demands for compensation payments that the company alleged exceeds both stations' current revenue. Intermountain West has announced it will seek primary affiliations with This TV (a joint venture between Weigel Broadcasting and MGM) for the two stations.[http://magicvalley.com/news/local/twin-falls/twin-falls-tv-station-kxtf-to-drop-fox-programming/article_3b1d58a0-a06c-11e1-aeb8-0019bb2963f4.html Twin Falls TV Station KXTF to Drop FOX Programming] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180107061252/http://magicvalley.com/news/local/twin-falls/twin-falls-tv-station-kxtf-to-drop-fox-programming/article_3b1d58a0-a06c-11e1-aeb8-0019bb2963f4.html |date=January 7, 2018 }}, Times-News, May 17, 2012.{{cite news |title=Eastern Idaho to Lose Fox Network Affiliate |url=http://www.kpvi.com/content/news/local/story/Eastern-Idaho-to-Lose-Fox-Network-Affiliate/e0InUYoEhUiV66G_heyl6g.cspx |access-date=May 21, 2012 |newspaper=KPVI News 6 |date=May 17, 2012}}{{dead link|date=October 2013}}

|Donald Driver wins the 14th season of Dancing with the Stars.[https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/dancing-with-the-stars-donald-driver-pulls-out-surprise-win/2012/05/23/gJQA9u8PlU_story.html 'Dancing With the Stars': Donald Driver pulls out surprise win] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160731020233/https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/dancing-with-the-stars-donald-driver-pulls-out-surprise-win/2012/05/23/gJQA9u8PlU_story.html |date=July 31, 2016 }} The Washington Post, May 23, 2012

|Dish Network files lawsuits against ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC in response to litigation threats by those networks regarding the recently unveiled AutoHop feature on its Hopper DVR device's "PrimeTime Anytime" service, which automatically skips commercials during pre-recorded programming. Dish's suit asks for a declaratory judgment that the AutoHop feature does not infringe copyrights. CBS, Fox and NBC countersue Dish alleging the feature violates copyright law and may compromise their advertising revenue.[https://www.thewrap.com/tv/article/fox-sues-dish-over-ad-skipping-auto-hop-41526 Dish and Networks Sue Each Other Over Ad-Skipping Auto Hop] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161202164541/http://www.thewrap.com/tv/article/fox-sues-dish-over-ad-skipping-auto-hop-41526/ |date=December 2, 2016 }}, The Wrap, May 24, 2012.

|Time Warner Cable reaches an agreement with Cordillera Communications, restoring four stations owned by the Evening Post Publishing Company subsidiary in TWC's Corpus Christi, Texas, service area (NBC affiliate KRIS-TV, KRIS' CW subchannel, Telemundo affiliate K68DJ, and independent station K47DF); the deal ends a five-month retransmission consent dispute between the two companies that resulted in the stations being pulled on December 12, 2011.[http://www.caller.com/news/2012/may/25/deal-reached-in-time-warner-cordillera-dispute/ Deal reached in Time Warner, Cordillera Communications dispute; channels to return by midnight] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120531030408/http://www.caller.com/news/2012/may/25/deal-reached-in-time-warner-cordillera-dispute/ |date=May 31, 2012 }}, Corpus Christi Caller-Times, May 25, 2012.

|Discovery Networks-owned Planet Green  — a channel that originally aired eco-centric programming before concentrating on archived Discovery Channel documentaries — is rebranded and revamped to Destination America, which features American-centric food, travel, history and adventure programming.{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/story/2012-04-03/discovery-destination-america/53982082/1 |title=Discovery Networks to launch Destination America |last=Levin |first=Gary |date=April 4, 2012 |work=USA Today |access-date=April 4, 2012 |archive-date=April 5, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120405225413/http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/story/2012-04-03/discovery-destination-america/53982082/1 |url-status=live }}

|New Orleans based regional sports network Cox Sports Television's coverage of the NBA's New Orleans Hornets ends after the channel decides not to renew its contract with the team.[http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2012/05/28/Media/Cox.aspx Is Cox changing sports strategy?] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120702124407/http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2012/05/28/Media/Cox.aspx |date=July 2, 2012 }} Sports Business Journal, May 28, 2012 As a result, Fox Sports Net picked up the rights to the team on June 25, and launched the new channel Fox Sports New Orleans on October 31.[http://www.nba.com/hornets/news/fox-sports-new-orleans-broadcast-75-regular-season-games-2012-13 FOX SPORTS NEW ORLEANS TO BROADCAST 75 REGULAR SEASON GAMES IN 2012–13] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012002832/http://www.nba.com/hornets/news/fox-sports-new-orleans-broadcast-75-regular-season-games-2012-13 |date=October 12, 2012 }}, New Orleans Hornets official site, August 22, 2012.

|Fox Television Stations signs an agreement with AccuWeather to provide on-air and online weather content in 11 out of 16 markets where Fox has an owned-and-operated station, which include providing meteorological data, online weather products and the addition of 24-hour weather services on digital multicast channels.[http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/59814/fox-tvs-accuweather-partner-up Fox TVs, AccuWeather Partner Up] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130509052401/http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/59814/fox-tvs-accuweather-partner-up |date=May 9, 2013 }}, TVNewsCheck, May 31, 2012.

|Buckeye CableSystem (owned by Block Communications) files a lawsuit against the owners of two Toledo television stations: Raycom Media, which owns CBS affiliate WTOL and American Spirit Media, owner of Fox affiliate WUPW (which has been operated under a shared services agreement with WTOL since April 20), alleging the station groups are demanding higher carriage fees to continue allowing the cable provider to broadcast WUPW.[https://www.toledoblade.com/Courts/2012/06/01/Buckeye-Cable-sues-WUPW-2-companies.html Buckeye Cable sues WUPW, 2 companies], Toledo Blade, June 1, 2012.

! Event

|Two Louisville stations owned by Block Communications (Fox affiliate WDRB and MyNetworkTV affiliate WMYO) disappear from Insight Communications systems within the market, the result of a dispute with Time Warner Cable, which purchased Insight in February 2012 and asked for a re-negotiation of their retransmission consent agreement with the stations.{{cite web |url=http://www.multichannel.com/article/485317-Louisville_Stations_Could_Go_Dark_on_TWC.php |title=Louisville Stations Could Go Dark on TWC; WDRB, WMYO Face Midnight Deadline |last=Farrell |first=Mike |date=May 31, 2012 |work=Multichannel News |access-date=June 1, 2012 |archive-date=June 1, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120601185909/http://www.multichannel.com/article/485317-Louisville_Stations_Could_Go_Dark_on_TWC.php |url-status=live }} The stations' signals were restored on June 6, after both companies reach a fee agreement.[http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/59956/wdrb-time-warner-cable-set-retrans-deal "WDRB, Time Warner Cable Set Retrans Deal,"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014120716/http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/59956/wdrb-time-warner-cable-set-retrans-deal |date=October 14, 2013 }} from TVNewsCheck, June 6, 2012

|Low-powered Fox affiliate KNPN-LD/St. Joseph, Missouri, is launched by locally based media firm News-Press & Gazette Company. Along with airing 22 hours of local newscasts weekly, it simulcasts two channels that were formerly cable-exclusive (local news and weather channel News-Press 3 NOW and CW Plus affiliate St. Joseph CW 6) on its second and third digital subchannels, and carries Telemundo on a fourth subchannel. It replaces WDAF/Kansas City as the default Fox affiliate for Suddenlink, Dish Network, and DirecTV subscribers (DirecTV will not add the station until July 1).[http://www.newspressnow.com/localnews/31076483/detail.html Fox station to debut on June 2], St. Joseph News-Press, May 17, 2012. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120519161909/http://www.newspressnow.com/localnews/31076483/detail.html |date=May 19, 2012 }}{{Cite web|url=http://www.newspressnow.com/knpn/fox_26_knpn_coverage_area.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151105015602/http://www.newspressnow.com/knpn/fox_26_knpn_coverage_area.html|url-status=dead|title=Fox 26 KNPN Coverage Area|archive-date=November 5, 2015}}

|Allegedly in response to an ad run during a June 3 episode of AMC's Mad Men asking customers to urge Dish Network to keep AMC Networks' channels on the satellite provider (both companies have been embroiled in a carriage dispute), Dish abruptly relocates AMC and sibling channels WE tv and IFC to higher channel positions (AMC from channel 130 to 9609 for SD and 9610 for HD, WEtv from 128 to 9608 and IFC from 393 to 9607), with HDNet, Style and Indieplex filling their former channel positions. Sibling network Sundance Channel had already been removed from Dish two weeks earlier on May 20.[https://deadline.com/2012/06/dish-network-kicks-amc-networks-channels-to-nosebleed-section-of-the-dial-281698/ Dish Network Kicks AMC Networks Channels To Nosebleed Section Of The Dial], Deadline Hollywood, June 4, 2012.

|The Walt Disney Company announces that, beginning in 2015, it will impose limits on advertising for food and beverage products across its kid-targeted media properties (TV, radio, and internet) to only accept ads for those that meet certain nutritional guidelines. The change affects Disney-owned commercial-free channels Disney Channel and Disney Junior (which limit traditional advertising to underwriter sponsorships) and children's programming on ad-supported channels including ABC Family and Disney XD (ABC's educational and informational programming syndication provider has not sold any child-targeted ads in that block since it took over).[https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-ct-disney-food-ads-20120606,0,5149776.story Disney bans junk-food advertising on programs for children] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120607223426/http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-ct-disney-food-ads-20120606,0,5149776.story |date=June 7, 2012 }}, Los Angeles Times, June 5, 2012.

|Hoak Media blocks access to 14 of its stations from Dish Network due to an unresolved carriage dispute in which Dish alleges that Hoak asked for a 200% rate increase for carriage of its stations and demanded that the satellite provider eliminate its controversial AutoHop commercial-skipping DVR feature.[https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/dish-network-ad-skipping-DVR-Hoak-Media-334331 Dish Network in Carriage Dispute Over Ad-Skipping DVR] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191008231057/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/dish-network-ad-skipping-dvr-hoak-media-334331 |date=October 8, 2019 }}, The Hollywood Reporter, June 6, 2012. Hoak's signals were restored on Dish by June 14.[https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-hoak-20120614,0,7790835.story "Dish Network and Hoak Media reach new deal,"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015205427/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-hoak-20120614,0,7790835.story |date=October 15, 2012 }} from Los Angeles Times, June 14, 2012

|Good Morning America host Robin Roberts reveals to viewers that she has a rare blood disease known as Myelodysplastic syndrome and that her sister, WWL-TV/New Orleans anchor Sally-Ann Roberts, will be her donor for a bone marrow transplant that will take place in the fall. She will continue in her role as the show's co-host during her treatments.[https://www.reuters.com/article/entertainment-us-roberts-idUSBRE85A0Z520120611 "Robin Roberts of TV's "Good Morning America" battling blood disorder"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404074759/https://www.reuters.com/article/entertainment-us-roberts-idUSBRE85A0Z520120611 |date=April 4, 2023 }} from Reuters (June 11, 2012)[http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/robin-roberts-mds-leukemia-bone-marrow-transplant-procedure_b132184 Following Bone Marrow Transplant Revelation, Robin Roberts Says 'Be a Donor'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120616032747/http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/robin-roberts-mds-leukemia-bone-marrow-transplant-procedure_b132184 |date=June 16, 2012 }}, TVNewser, June 11, 2012.

|21 years after ending its original run on CBS, the classic soap opera Dallas returns to television, this time on TNT, with several of its original cast members reprising their roles.[https://web.archive.org/web/20120318003653/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/03/15/tnt-announces-premiere-dates-for-the-closer-falling-skies-leverage-rizzoli-isles-franklin-bash-four-brand-new-series/124573/ TNT Announces 2012 Summer Premiere Dates] TV By The Numbers, March 15, 2012

| LM Communications, LLC (founded by Lynn Martin, owner of 12 radio stations in Kentucky, South Carolina and West Virginia) announces its intent to purchase CW affiliate WBKI-TV/Louisville, Kentucky, from Louisville TV Licenses, LLC.[http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/60153/lynn-martin-buying-wbki-louisville-ky Lynn Martin Buying WBKI Louisville, Ky.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402144631/http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/60153/lynn-martin-buying-wbki-louisville-ky |date=April 2, 2015 }}, TVNewsCheck, June 14, 2012. Block Communications (owners of Fox affiliate WDRB and MyNetworkTV affiliate WMYO) entered into a shared services agreement with WBKI on June 22.[http://www.wdrb.com/story/18856143/wdrb-wmyo-form-a-partnership-with-wbki WDRB, WMYO form a partnership with WBKI] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121116050347/http://www.wdrb.com/story/18856143/wdrb-wmyo-form-a-partnership-with-wbki |date=November 16, 2012 }}, WDRB, June 22, 2012.

|A U.S. District Court judge in Los Angeles turns down CBS' request to block the June 18 premiere of ABC's The Glass House. CBS has sued ABC for copyright infringement over The Glass House, claiming the reality competition closely resembles its Big Brother, where several Glass House staffers had previously worked.[https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/showtracker/la-cbs-big-brother-abc-glass-house-20120615,0,6003668.story "CBS loses bid to block ABC's 'Glass House' premiere,"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120708154812/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/showtracker/la-cbs-big-brother-abc-glass-house-20120615,0,6003668.story |date=July 8, 2012 }} from Los Angeles Times, June 15, 2012

|Just two years after they were replaced by a real band, Victorious Secrets (later renamed American Secrets), in a contest, FreeCreditScore.com brings back the "Original Band" for a series of new ads, due to popular demand and a "mistake" by the agency that decided to drop the fake band in 2010.[http://www.adweek.com/news/advertising-branding/ad-day-freecreditscorecom-141154 "Ad of the Day: FreeCreditScore.com: Two years after getting kicked to the curb, the original band is back"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120618023309/http://www.adweek.com/news/advertising-branding/ad-day-freecreditscorecom-141154 |date=June 18, 2012 }} By Tim Nudd, from AdWeek (June 15, 2012)

|Just one month after cancelling the series, CBS announces that it will bring Unforgettable back for a 13-episode 2nd season that will air in the Summer of 2013.[https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/unforgettable-poppy-montgomery-cbs-revival-340190 "'Unforgettable': CBS May Revive Poppy Montgomery Drama"] from The Hollywood Reporter (June 20, 2013)

|In a ruling favoring US broadcast networks, the United States Supreme Court determines that the FCC violated its due process in failing to give advance notice on policies concerning isolated instances of fleeting offensive words and nudity on television. However, the court declines to issue a much broader ruling (which the broadcasters had hoped would occur) that the FCC's indecency policies constituted a violation of the First Amendment, meaning that the FCC can continue to limit what can be said or broadcast on television.[https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/supreme-court-rules-fccs-indecency-338543 "Supreme Court Rules FCC's Indecency Policy 'Vague' but Allows Agency to Further Police Nudity and Language on TV"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008160921/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/supreme-court-rules-fccs-indecency-338543 |date=October 8, 2020 }} from The Hollywood Reporter (June 21, 2012)

|ESPN launches espnW, a live streaming website spun off from ESPN3 and dedicated to women's sports; the debut coincides with the 40th anniversary of Title IX, the federal law commonly regarded as the springboard for increased involvement of females in athletics.[http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/486055-ESPN3_to_Launch_espnW_Channel_on_Title_IX_Anniversary.php ESPN3 to Launch espnW Channel on Title IX Anniversary] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240524094142/https://www.nexttv.com/ |date=May 24, 2024 }} from Broadcasting & Cable (June 19, 2012)

|The University of Central Florida's board of trustees approves the school's purchase of WMFE-TV/Orlando from Community Communications. It's Community's 2nd attempt to sell WMFE (an earlier deal to sell to Daystar Television Network fell through in March), and, should the FCC approve the license transfer, would likely return PBS programming to WMFE, which dropped the network in July 2011 (since that time, UCF has programmed Brevard Community College-owned WBCC-DT1 with PBS programming through a time-lease agreement).{{cite news|url=http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment_tv_tvblog/2012/06/wmfe-to-sell-channel-24-license-equipment-to-ucf.html |title=WMFE to sell Channel 24 license, equipment to UCF |last=Boedecker |first=Hal |date=June 21, 2012w |work=Orlando Sentinel |access-date=June 21, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120624220414/http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment_tv_tvblog/2012/06/wmfe-to-sell-channel-24-license-equipment-to-ucf.html |archive-date=June 24, 2012 }}[http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment_tv_tvblog/2012/03/deal-to-sell-wmfe-tv-is-off.html "WMFE says deal to sell TV station is off, seeks better offer"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120928012906/http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment_tv_tvblog/2012/03/deal-to-sell-wmfe-tv-is-off.html |date=September 28, 2012 }} from Orlando Sentinel (March 16, 2012)

|Aspire, a digital cable and satellite network owned by a joint venture consisting of Comcast and Magic Johnson that airs programming geared towards African American families, makes its debut on Comcast.{{cite magazine |url=https://entertainment.time.com/2012/02/21/magic-johnson-sean-diddy-combs-toss-their-hats-into-the-cable-tv-ring/ |title=Magic Johnson, Sean 'Diddy' Combs Toss Their Hats Into the Cable TV Ring |access-date=February 24, 2012 |date=February 21, 2012 |magazine=Time |author=Gray, Madison |archive-date=May 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240524094142/https://entertainment.time.com/2012/02/21/magic-johnson-sean-diddy-combs-toss-their-hats-into-the-cable-tv-ring/ |url-status=live }}

|After days of speculation regarding her future on the program, Ann Curry bids an emotional farewell as co-host of NBC's Today, moving to a correspondent and anchor-at-large position for NBC News.[https://www.thewrap.com/media/column-post/ann-curry-says-goodbye-today-audience-breaks-tears-45911 "Ann Curry Says Goodbye to 'Today' Audience, Breaks Into Tears,"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191027091514/https://www.thewrap.com/media/column-post/ann-curry-says-goodbye-today-audience-breaks-tears-45911/ |date=October 27, 2019 }} from The Wrap, June 27, 2012 On June 29, the network announces that Savannah Guthrie, host of Today's third hour, will replace Curry effective July 9.[http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/60506/its-official-guthrie-in-for-curry-on-today "It's Official: Guthrie In For Curry on 'Today,'"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221225910/http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/60506/its-official-guthrie-in-for-curry-on-today |date=February 21, 2014 }} from Associated Press/TVNewsCheck, June 29, 2012

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|HDNet rebrands as AXS TV, beginning a refocus towards lifestyle and live event programming. The change is a result of the purchase of a share in the channel by a joint venture consisting of Ryan Seacrest, Anschutz Entertainment Group and Creative Artists Agency, a deal announced on January 18 (original co-owner/co-founder Mark Cuban retains a share).[https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/ryan-seacrest-tv-network-mark-cuban-283019 "Ryan Seacrest Launching TV Network With Mark Cuban, AEG, CAA,"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200613115017/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/ryan-seacrest-tv-network-mark-cuban-283019 |date=June 13, 2020 }} from The Hollywood Reporter, January 18, 2012[http://mmajunkie.com/news/29448/hdnet-relaunches-monday-as-axs-tv-promises-continued-mma-programming.mma HDNet relaunches Monday as AXS TV, promises continued MMA programming] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120702115209/http://mmajunkie.com/news/29448/hdnet-relaunches-monday-as-axs-tv-promises-continued-mma-programming.mma |date=July 2, 2012 }} MMA Junkie, June 29, 2012

|Dish Network subscribers within the Youngstown, Ohio, market lose access to NBC affiliate WFMJ-TV, the result of a breakdown in re-negotiations between the satellite provider and owner Vindicator Printing Company to renew the station's carriage agreement.{{cite web |url=http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/60620/wfmj-youngstown-dropped-from-dish |title=WFMJ Youngstown Dropped From Dish |date=July 6, 2012 |publisher=TVNewsCheck |access-date=July 6, 2012 |archive-date=October 14, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014120615/http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/60620/wfmj-youngstown-dropped-from-dish |url-status=live }}

|NBC and Telemundo replace their weekend morning Qubo children's program blocks with NBC Kids and MiTelemundo, both preschool-oriented lineups are programmed by PBS Kids Sprout (which NBC's parent company NBCUniversal jointly owns with Sesame Workshop, Apax Partners and PBS). Qubo will continue as a program block on Ion Television and as a 24-hour multicast channel on that network's stations (NBCUniversal will also continue to maintain an ownership stake in the channel).{{cite news |title=NBC Will Launch NBC Kids, a New Saturday Morning Preschool Block Programmed by Sprout®, Saturday, July 7 |url=http://www.sacbee.com/2012/03/28/4373692/nbc-will-launch-nbc-kids-a-new.html |access-date=April 2, 2011 |newspaper=Sacramento Bee |date=March 28, 2012}}{{dead link|date=February 2013}}

|ABC launches Good Afternoon America, an afternoon extension of Good Morning America, hosted by Josh Elliott and Lara Spencer. The show is a temporary placeholder (airing for a nine-week limited run) for ABC's 2{{nbsp}}p.m. (Eastern Time) slot, an hour where ABC would relocate General Hospital after it cedes the 3{{nbsp}}p.m. (ET) slot (GH's longtime home) to its affiliates on September 10.[https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2012/05/abc-news-announces-josh-elliott-and-lara-spencer-as-anchors-of-good-afternoon-america/ ABC News Announces Josh Elliott and Lara Spencer as Anchors of "Good Afternoon America"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125135156/https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2012/05/abc-news-announces-josh-elliott-and-lara-spencer-as-anchors-of-good-afternoon-america/ |date=January 25, 2021 }} from ABC.com (May 21, 2012) GMA would get their afternoon extension back six years later on September 10, 2018, as GMA Day.

|13 stations owned by Hearst Television are removed from Time Warner Cable, Bright House Networks and Insight Communications systems in Honolulu, Cincinnati, Plattsburgh, Boston, Manchester, Kansas City (two stations), Winston-Salem, Tampa, Orlando (two stations), Portland (Maine), Omaha, Louisville and Clarksburg (via Pittsburgh) after Hearst and TWC fail to reach a carriage agreement.[http://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/blog/morning_call/2012/07/wlky-time-warner-continue-negotiations.html?ana=RSS&s=article_search WLKY-TV, Time Warner fail to reach agreement] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610203721/http://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/blog/morning_call/2012/07/wlky-time-warner-continue-negotiations.html?ana=RSS&s=article_search |date=June 10, 2015 }}, Business First, July 10, 2012.[https://tv.yahoo.com/news/hearst-stations-dark-time-warner-cable-contract-dispute-183251541.html "Hearst Stations Go Dark On Time Warner Cable In Contract Dispute"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240524094149/https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/hearst-stations-dark-time-warner-cable-contract-dispute-183251541.html |date=May 24, 2024 }} from Deadline/Yahoo (July 10, 2012) Except for Honolulu (where only a message explaining the removal of the local Hearst-owned ABC affiliate is shown, which resulted in asking KHON and Hawaii News Now to simulcast their televised Honolulu Mayor's debate on July 11; its channel was later replaced with the Hallmark Movie Channel on July 13), the affected stations were replaced by out-of-market affiliates of their corresponding networks, including Nexstar-owned stations from Rochester, Wilkes-Barre and Terre Haute; the move prompted Nexstar to file legal action against TWC for using its stations as de facto affiliates in the affected markets without consent.[http://www.adweek.com/news/television/imported-signals-retrans-fight-raise-regulatory-questions-141798 "Imported Signals in Retrans Fight Raise Regulatory Questions Time Warner-Hearst standoff escalates over out-of-market programming"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120712184156/http://www.adweek.com/news/television/imported-signals-retrans-fight-raise-regulatory-questions-141798 |date=July 12, 2012 }} from Ad Week (July 10, 2012) Hearst's Milwaukee station, which was granted an exemption due to a technicality from a prior agreement with Charter Communications, was pulled from TWC on July 13.[http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/entertainment/162270435.html#!page=8&pageSize=10&sort=newestfirst "WISN-TV off Time Warner Cable 'until further notice,'"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120716222507/http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/entertainment/162270435.html#!page=8&pageSize=10&sort=newestfirst |date=July 16, 2012 }} from Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, July 13, 2012 Both Time Warner and Hearst reached a deal that restored the stations back on the systems on July 19.[http://www.wisn.com/news/south-east-wisconsin/WISN-News/WISN-to-return-to-Time-Warner-Cable/-/10447736/15613476/-/jkb8rkz/-/index.html "WISN to return to Time Warner Cable; Multi-year agreement reached between Hearst Television, Time Warner"] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130209111957/http://www.wisn.com/news/south-east-wisconsin/WISN-News/WISN-to-return-to-Time-Warner-Cable/-/10447736/15613476/-/jkb8rkz/-/index.html |date=February 9, 2013 }} from WISN (July 19, 2012)

|Two members of American Idol's judging panel, Steven Tyler (on the 12th) and Jennifer Lopez (on the 13th), announce their departures from the show after two seasons.[https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-ms-steven-tyler-departs-american-idol-20120712,0,344314.story Steven Tyler departs 'American Idol'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120714092521/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-ms-steven-tyler-departs-american-idol-20120712,0,344314.story |date=July 14, 2012 }} Los Angeles Times, July 12, 2012[https://web.archive.org/web/20120716054821/http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2012/07/jennifer-lopez-leaving-american-idol-the-time-has-come.html "Jennifer Lopez leaving 'American Idol': 'The time has come'"] from Zap2it (July 13, 2012)

|A Delaware bankruptcy court grants Tribune Company (owners of 23 television stations including WGN-TV/Chicago, KTLA/Los Angeles and WPIX/New York City, superstation WGN America, Antenna TV and 19 U.S. newspapers) approval of its reorganization plan for the company to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection (Tribune filed for Chapter 11 in 2008 after accruing $13 billion in unsustainable debt from Sam Zell's $8 billion buyout of the company the year before). The company's senior debt holders, investment groups Oaktree Capital Management, JPMorgan Chase and Angelo, Gordon & Co., will assume control of Tribune Company.[http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/60776/tribune-bankruptcyexit-plan-gets-ok Bankruptcy-Exit Plan Gets OK] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121211020530/http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/60776/tribune-bankruptcyexit-plan-gets-ok |date=December 11, 2012 }}, TVNewsCheck (via the Associated Press), July 13, 2012. Tribune's junior creditor Aurelius Capital Management and indenture trustees Law Debenture Trust Company and Deutsche Bank Trust Company appealed the July 23 confirmation decision in the case, with Aurelius asking presiding U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Kevin Carey to stay the consummation of the restructuring plan.[https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/breaking/chi-aurelius-appeals-judges-confirmation-of-tribune-bankruptcy-plan-20120724,0,2261095.story Aurelius, others appeal judge's confirmation of Tribune bankruptcy plan] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120824070902/http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/breaking/chi-aurelius-appeals-judges-confirmation-of-tribune-bankruptcy-plan-20120724,0,2261095.story |date=August 24, 2012 }}, Chicago Tribune, July 24, 2012. The junior creditors won a stay of the bankruptcy plan confirmation order on August 22 on the pretense the appealing parties pay a $1.5 billion bond by August 29.[https://www.reuters.com/article/tribune-bankruptcy-idUSL2E8JN04I20120823 Judge to stay Tribune plan pending $1.5 bln creditors bond] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404145822/https://www.reuters.com/article/tribune-bankruptcy-idUSL2E8JN04I20120823 |date=April 4, 2023 }}, Reuters, August 22, 2012.

|After 16 years since the inception of MSNBC, NBC News ends their partnership with Microsoft and rebrands their website as NBCNews.com. The decision was the result of issues regarding contract requirements that prevented Microsoft from using news content from other outlets on its co-owned websites, as well as NBC trying to distance its online news content from public perceptions of a slant towards a political ideology due to the MSNBC television channel's gradual programming shift to appeal to a liberal audience. NBC News plans to launch a new website for MSNBC by 2013.[http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/60786/msnbccom-gone-its-nbcnewscom-now MSNBC.com Gone; It's NBCNews.com Now] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240524094145/https://tvnewscheck.com/ |date=May 24, 2024 }}, TVNewsCheck (via the Associated Press), July 16, 2012.

|Scripps Networks Interactive strikes a new multi-year carriage agreement with Comcast that will result in on-demand program content from Scripps-owned cable networks (such as HGTV and Food Network) being made available to Comcast Xfinity subscribers through its linear television and online services as well as through mobile devices.[https://www.thewrap.com/tv/article/comcast-scripps-reach-multi-year-partnership-47986 Comcast, Scripps Reach Multi-Year Partnership] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190812035104/https://www.thewrap.com/tv/article/comcast-scripps-reach-multi-year-partnership-47986/ |date=August 12, 2019 }}, The Wrap, July 16, 2012.

|Suddenlink Communications accepts a buyout offer from BC Partners Ltd., several investment firms (including Goldman Sachs, Quadrangle Group and Oaktree Capital Management) and company management, led by chairman and CEO Jerry Kent to purchase the cable operator for $6.6 billion ($2 billion in cash, along with the assumption of $4.6 billion in debt).[http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-07-18/suddenlink-agrees-to-buyout-led-by-management-bc-cpp Suddenlink Agrees to Buyout Led by Management, BC, CPP] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120720035840/http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-07-18/suddenlink-agrees-to-buyout-led-by-management-bc-cpp |date=July 20, 2012 }}, Bloomberg BusinessWeek, July 18, 2012.[http://www.multichannel.com/article/487429-BC_Partners_Kent_to_Buy_Suddenlink_for_6_6_Billion.php BC Partners, Kent to Buy Suddenlink for $6.6 Billion] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120722020213/http://www.multichannel.com/article/487429-BC_Partners_Kent_to_Buy_Suddenlink_for_6_6_Billion.php |date=July 22, 2012 }}, Multichannel News, July 19, 2012.

|Newport Television announces the sale of 22 stations to three broadcasting firms: Nexstar Broadcasting Group will purchase 10 stations for $285 million (included are Little Rock duopoly KLRT/KASN, to be spun off to Mission Broadcasting (which is involved in several local marketing agreements with Nexstar in other markets) due to existing ownership of KARK and KARZ).[http://www.mediabistro.com/tvspy/nexstar-acquires-newport-stations-for-285m_b54940 Nexstar to Acquire Newport Stations for $285M] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120723130620/http://www.mediabistro.com/tvspy/nexstar-acquires-newport-stations-for-285m_b54940 |date=July 23, 2012 }}, TVSpy, July 19, 2012. Sinclair Broadcast Group will acquire six stations in San Antonio, Harrisburg, Cincinnati, Mobile and Wichita, along with local marketing agreements with stations in Harrisburg and Wichita. Cox Media Group will also purchase two duopolies: WAWS–WTEV/Jacksonville and KOKI–KMYT/Tulsa, all pending FCC approval (Cox later announced on July 20 that it will sell its television stations in El Paso, Johnstown, Steubenville and Reno [including an LMA with Reno's MyNetworkTV affiliate][http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/60905/cox-selling-4-tvs-in-wake-of-newport-buys Cox Selling 4 TVs In Wake Of Newport Buys] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130509072834/http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/60905/cox-selling-4-tvs-in-wake-of-newport-buys |date=May 9, 2013 }}, TVNewsCheck, July 20, 2012.). Newport will continue to seek buyers for stations in Bakersfield, Fresno, Rochester, Albany and Eugene that were not included in the pending deals.[http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/60876/newport-sells-22-stations-for-1-billion Newport Sells 22 Stations For $1 Billion] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130308212139/http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/60876/newport-sells-22-stations-for-1-billion |date=March 8, 2013 }}, TVNewsCheck, July 19, 2012.

|The Federal Communications Commission upholds a December 2011 ruling in a complaint case filed by The Tennis Channel, Inc. (owners of Tennis Channel) against Comcast, that alleged the cable provider discriminated against the channel by putting Comcast-owned sports channels (such as Golf Channel and NBC Sports Network) in digital basic programming tiers, while placing Tennis Channel on digital sports tiers that have fewer subscribers; the ruling required Comcast to move the Tennis Channel to the same tier as its co-owned networks. This is the first instance in which the FCC upheld a program carriage complaint by an independent company.[https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10000872396390443570904577547593581911900 FCC Upholds Tennis Channel Complaint Against Comcast] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404052324/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10000872396390443570904577547593581911900 |date=April 4, 2023 }}, The Wall Street Journal, July 24, 2012.

|News-Press & Gazette Company enters the Columbia–Jefferson City, Missouri, market with the purchase of ABC affiliate KMIZ (including its MyNetworkTV and MeTV affiliated subchannels) and Fox affiliate KQFX-LD from JW Broadcasting for $16 million.[http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/487756-JW_Sells_KMIZ_KQFX_Columbia_Mo_to_NP_G.php JW Sells KMIZ-KQFX Columbia (Mo.) to NP&G] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240524094646/https://www.nexttv.com/ |date=May 24, 2024 }} from Broadcasting & Cable (July 25, 2012)

|Google announces the launch of a fiber optic television service set to make its initial roll out in Kansas City in September (alongside a high speed internet service also set to be offered by Google). Neighborhoods that initially receive the TV and internet services will be selected through feedback from Kansas City area residents and online registration.[http://allthingsd.com/20120726/google-gets-into-the-cable-tv-business-for-real/ Google Gets Into the Cable TV Business, for Real] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120918140147/http://allthingsd.com/20120726/google-gets-into-the-cable-tv-business-for-real/ |date=September 18, 2012 }}, All Things Digital, July 26, 2012. Google Fiber TV (which will also provide live streams of program content to iPad and Android devices) debuts with the absence of cable networks owned by Time Warner, The Walt Disney Company, AMC Networks and News Corporation from its channel lineup due to Google being unable to sign carriage agreements with those companies.[https://www.theverge.com/2012/7/26/3188944/google-fiber-tv-channel-listing/in/2953031 HBO, AMC, ESPN missing from Google Fiber TV channel list (update: no Time Warner or Disney channels listed)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161007053225/http://www.theverge.com/2012/7/26/3188944/google-fiber-tv-channel-listing/in/2953031 |date=October 7, 2016 }}, The Verge, July 26, 2012.

|The 2012 Summer Olympics commence in London and continue through August 12, broadcasting domestically within the U.S. on NBC and certain other NBCUniversal-owned cable channels (including NBC Sports Network, Bravo, USA Network, Telemundo, MSNBC, and CNBC).{{cite news |last=Martzke |first=Rudy |title=NBC keeps rights for Olympic broadcasts through 2012 |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/2003-06-06-nbc_x.htm |access-date=April 2, 2011 |newspaper=USA Today |date=June 6, 2003 |archive-date=May 1, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110501191818/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/2003-06-06-nbc_x.htm |url-status=live }} The opening ceremonies for the London Games draw a record 40.7 million viewers stateside, beating the 39.7 million mark set during the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.{{cite news |last=Collins |first=Scott |title=Olympics 2012: NBC finds vindication in opening ceremony record |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/showtracker/la-et-st-nbc-olympic-2012-opening-ceremony-ratings-nielsen-20120728,0,2924357.story |access-date=August 12, 2012 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=July 28, 2012 |archive-date=July 30, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120730204915/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/showtracker/la-et-st-nbc-olympic-2012-opening-ceremony-ratings-nielsen-20120728,0,2924357.story |url-status=live }}

! Event

|Al Jazeera launches Bein Sport One and Bein Sport Dos, two new sports channels dedicated to soccer, the former in English and the latter in Spanish.[http://www.multichannel.com/article/484698-Al_Jazeera_to_Kick_Off_Pair_of_Soccer_Channels_in_U_S_this_August.php Al Jazeera to Kick Off Pair of Soccer Channels in U.S. this August] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120905014125/http://www.multichannel.com/article/484698-Al_Jazeera_to_Kick_Off_Pair_of_Soccer_Channels_in_U_S_this_August.php |date=September 5, 2012 }}, Multichannel News, May 17, 2012.

|American Spirit Media announces that it will acquire Fox affiliate WDBD/Jackson, Mississippi, and that it has donated MyNetworkTV affiliate WUFX/Vicksburg–Jackson, Mississippi, to Tougaloo College, to be operated by American Spirit Media through shared services and joint sales agreements with Raycom Media (owners of local NBC affiliate WLBT). The transactions, pending FCC approval, will take place at the end of the year.[http://rbr.com/tv-dealings-in-the-jackson-ms-market/ TV dealings in the Jackson MS market] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120804000012/http://rbr.com/tv-dealings-in-the-jackson-ms-market/ |date=August 4, 2012 }}, Radio Broadcasting Report, August 1, 2012.[http://www.clarionledger.com/viewart/20120802/NEWS/120802046/Tougaloo-College-acquire-Vicksburg-based-TV-station?odyssey=tab "Tougaloo College to acquire Vicksburg-based TV station"]{{dead link|date=February 2013}} from The Clarion-Ledger (August 2, 2012)

|The Buffalo-based syndicated movie series Off Beat Cinema airs its first episode on new flagship station WBBZ-TV, after 19 years airing from WKBW-TV.[https://web.archive.org/web/20120704101445/http://www.buffalonews.com/entertainment/article932015.ece John DiSciullo leaving Ch 7 News Director position to join WBBZ-TV as Executive Director of Production and Promotion.] WBBZ-TV press release. Retrieved July 2, 2012. As part of the change, the series begins taping before a live studio audience.Kwiatkowski, Jane (August 4, 2012). [https://web.archive.org/web/20120807204147/http://www.buffalonews.com/entertainment/gusto/television/article984827.ece Off the beaten path]. The Buffalo News. Retrieved August 4, 2012.

|Jason Vincent resigns as news director of Fox affiliate KQDS/Duluth amid controversy following a racially offensive comment that he had posted August 1 on Facebook, regarding a Native American man that he had discovered in his yard that evening, whom Vincent referred to in the post as a "drunk, homeless... animal".[http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/239198/ Duluth's Fox 21 news director resigns over Facebook flap]{{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130122000556/http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/239198/ |date=January 22, 2013 }}, Duluth News Tribune, August 7, 2012.

|Two stations in Milwaukee, both owned by Weigel Broadcasting, switch channel assignments. Independent station WMLW-CA moves to full-power UHF channel 49 to facilitate the station's upgrade to high definition broadcasts with a market-wide signal, while WBME-TV moves to the low-power channel 41 assignment of WMLW-CA, with an added relay on the DT2 subchannel of CBS-affiliated sister station WDJT-TV, due to WBME's main MeTV schedule broadcasting solely in standard definition and universal cable and near-full satellite carriage for both stations in the Milwaukee market negating the need for a full-power signal for WBME (the Bounce TV and Telemundo subchannels on channel 49 were unaffected). An official switch of call signs between the two stations occurred eleven days later.{{cite web |url=http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/61222/wmlwca-milwaukee-going-hd-on-aug-7 |title=WMLW-CA Milwaukee Going HD On Aug. 7 |author= report |date=August 2, 2012 |publisher=TVNewsCheck.com |access-date=August 8, 2012 |archive-date=October 14, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014120718/http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/61222/wmlwca-milwaukee-going-hd-on-aug-7 |url-status=live }}

|Liberty Media announces plans to spin off its Liberty Starz subsidiary (which operates premium movie channels Starz, Encore and MoviePlex) into its own publicly traded company. The spinoff is expected to be completed by the end of 2012.[http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/61350/liberty-media-plans-starz-spinoff Liberty Media Plans Starz Spinoff] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240524094650/https://tvnewscheck.com/ |date=May 24, 2024 }}, TVNewsCheck (via the Associatecd Press), August 8, 2012.

|CNN suspends Fareed Zakaria and his program Fareed Zakaria GPS after it was revealed that Zakaria had plagiarized an article featured in the August 20 issue of Time on gun control from an article that was originally written by columnist Jill Lepore for the April 23 issue of The New Yorker.[https://www.politico.com/blogs/media/2012/08/cnn-suspends-fareed-zakaria-for-plagiarism-131695 "CNN suspends Fareed Zakaria for plagiarism"] from Politico (August 9, 2012) Zakaria, who has since apologized for his actions, was also suspended from Time for one month.[https://www.politico.com/blogs/media/2012/08/time-magazine-suspends-fareed-zakaria-131682 "Time Magazine suspends Fareed Zakaria"] from Politico (August 9, 2012)

|Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, television station WWAZ-TV, a station owned by Pappas Telecasting Companies which has had a tenuous history of staying on the air since 2000 as a station unable to find a niche or popular network affiliation in either the Green Bay or Milwaukee markets, along with their parent company's financial struggles, returns to the air as WIWN, carrying programming as an affiliate of WeatherNation from a new tower in the Milwaukee tower site, with translator towers in the west part of their service area serving Columbus and Ripon.{{Cite web|url=http://www.northpine.com/|title=NorthPine.com|website=www.northpine.com|access-date=August 21, 2012|archive-date=December 1, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181201051631/https://www.northpine.com/|url-status=live}}

|MundoFox, which had an August 1 soft launch, makes its formal debut. The Spanish-language broadcast network is a partnership between Fox International Channels and Colombia's RCN TV.[https://archive.today/20120918020458/http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/2012/01/23/56926/fox-to-launch-us-hispanic-broadcast-net "Fox To Launch U.S. Hispanic Broadcast Net,"] from TVNewsCheck, January 23, 2012[http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/coming-soon-fox-news-en-espanol_b128985 Coming Soon: A New Spanish-Language Evening Newscast From Fox] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240524094651/https://www.mediabistro.com/ |date=May 24, 2024 }}, TVNewser, May 29, 2012.[http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/60996/mundofox-is-aiming-young-and-bilingual MundoFox Is Aiming Young And Bilingual] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807215631/https://tvnewscheck.com/article/60996/mundofox-is-aiming-young-and-bilingual/ |date=August 7, 2020 }}, TVNewsCheck, July 25, 2012.

|Avoiding a 12:01 a.m. (ET) August 16 deadline, Dish Network reaches a retransmission agreement with Sinclair Broadcast Group, covering 70 Sinclair-owned or -operated stations in 45 markets.[https://archive.today/20120818191101/http://www.multichannel.com/article/488547-Dish_And_Sinclair_Reach_11th_Hour_Retrans_Agreement.php "Dish And Sinclair Reach 11th-Hour Retrans Agreement,"] from Multichannel, August 16, 2012

|Cablevision signs an agreement with the National Football League to allow NFL Network and NFL Redzone to be carried on that company's systems for the first time (which further expands the reach of the two networks deeper into the New York City area as a result).[https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-08-16/nfl-reaches-deal-with-cablevision-to-show-nfl-network-redzone.html NFL Reaches Deal With Cablevision for NFL Network, RedZone] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120821061343/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-08-16/nfl-reaches-deal-with-cablevision-to-show-nfl-network-redzone.html |date=August 21, 2012 }}, Bloomberg, August 16, 2012. The channels will be available on Cablevision systems starting on August 17.[http://www.foxbusiness.com/news/2012/08/16/cablevision-signs-multiyear-deal-to-carry-nfl-network/ Cablevision Signs Multiyear Deal to Carry NFL Network], Fox Business Network (via Dow Jones Newswires), August 16, 2012. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120817233616/http://www.foxbusiness.com/news/2012/08/16/cablevision-signs-multiyear-deal-to-carry-nfl-network/ |date=August 17, 2012 }} The agreement leaves Time Warner Cable as the only major pay television provider that does not carry either network.

|Hours after the NFL Network deal was announced, Cablevision pulls four television stations owned by Tribune Broadcasting (WPIX/New York City, WCCT/Hartford, KWGN/Denver and WPHL/Philadelphia) from its systems in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Colorado. Cablevision accuses the broadcast group of demanding high retransmission consent fees for its stations due to its parent Tribune Company working to get out of bankruptcy and illegally bundling carriage agreements for WCCT's Fox-affiliated sister WTIC-TV to WPIX.[https://variety.com/2012/tv/news/tribune-stations-go-dark-on-cablevision-1118057970/ Tribune stations go dark on Cablevision], Variety, August 16, 2012. WGN America across Cablevision's service area and WTIC-TV in its Connecticut service area were originally unaffected by the dispute,{{cite news |url=http://www.multichannel.com/article/488589-Cablevision_Charges_Tribune_With_Illegally_Tying_Stations_Deals.php |title=Cablevision Charges Tribune With 'Illegally Tying' Stations Deals; Broadcaster Says Its Approach Is Lawful and Complies with FCC Good-Faith Rules |last=Spangler |first=Tom |date=August 17, 2012 |access-date=August 18, 2012 |archive-date=August 26, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120826181045/http://www.multichannel.com/article/488589-Cablevision_Charges_Tribune_With_Illegally_Tying_Stations_Deals.php |url-status=live }} though both were also pulled by Cablevision on August 25.{{cite news |url=http://www.courant.com/business/hc-cablevision-wtic-20120827,0,2372018.story |title=Cablevision Stops Transmitting WTIC-TV |date=August 27, 2012 |access-date=August 27, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120915232350/http://www.courant.com/business/hc-cablevision-wtic-20120827,0,2372018.story |archive-date=September 15, 2012 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }} The dispute lasted 10 weeks, ending on October 26, when the affected channels returned to Cablevision systems.[http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/tv/tv-zone-1.811968/the-cw-back-on-cablevision-1.4158847 The CW back on Cablevision], Newsday, October 26, 2012.

|New York City-based hedge fund Standard General files an application with the Federal Communications Commission to approve an increase of its ownership stake in the 11-station Young Broadcasting group (which emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2010) from 36.34% to a majority stake of 50.03%.[http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/61602/hedge-fund-taking-control-of-young-bcstg Hedge Fund Taking Control Of Young Bcstg.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130509073536/http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/61602/hedge-fund-taking-control-of-young-bcstg |date=May 9, 2013 }}, TVNewsCheck, August 20, 2012.

|ABC announces changes to its late night lineup that will take effect in January 2013: the network's long-running newsmagazine Nightline will leave the 11:35 p.m. (ET) timeslot that the program has held since it debuted in March 1980 (being bumped one hour later to 12:35 a.m. ET), while talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live! will move up 25 minutes to the 11:35 slot (which places it in direct competition with fellow late night talkers The Tonight Show, Late Show with David Letterman, The Colbert Report and Conan).[https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/tv-column/post/its-jimmy-kimmel-vs-leno-and-letterman-in-January-abc-moves-jimmy-kimmel-live-to-1135-nightline-to-1235/2012/08/21/31d89db6-ebb4-11e1-a80b-9f898562d010_blog.html It's Jimmy Kimmel vs. Leno and Letterman in January; ABC moves 'Jimmy Kimmel Live' to 11:35, 'Nightline' to 12:35] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200502123219/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/tv-column/post/its-jimmy-kimmel-vs-leno-and-letterman-in-january-abc-moves-jimmy-kimmel-live-to-1135-nightline-to-1235/2012/08/21/31d89db6-ebb4-11e1-a80b-9f898562d010_blog.html |date=May 2, 2020 }}, The Washington Post, August 21, 2012.

|Watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington files a petition to the Federal Communications Commission asking them to deny the pending license renewals of three stations owned by Fox Television Stations (the Washington, D.C., duopoly of WTTG–WDCA and Baltimore station WUTB) citing the phone hacking scandal involving British newspapers owned by FTS parent News Corporation.[https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-foxfcc-20120822,0,903821.story Fox's U.S. TV station licenses challenged] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120920150947/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-foxfcc-20120822,0,903821.story |date=September 20, 2012 }}, Los Angeles Times, August 22, 2012.

|Nexstar Broadcasting Group announces the sale of Fox affiliate KBTV-TV/Beaumont to Deerfield Media. Sinclair Broadcast Group (owners of CBS affiliate KFDM) will operate KBTV under a shared services agreement, identical to pending operational agreements between Sinclair and Deerfield (which will operate in a relatively similar capacity with Sinclair as Cunningham Broadcasting) in Mobile (two stations), Cincinnati and San Antonio.[http://blog.beaumontenterprise.com/bayou/2012/08/23/local-teevee-news-angel-san-kfdm/ Local TeeVee news: Angel San KFDM?] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120826005410/http://blog.beaumontenterprise.com/bayou/2012/08/23/local-teevee-news-angel-san-kfdm/ |date=August 26, 2012 }}, Beaumont Enterprise, August 23, 2012.

|NBC affiliate KSL-TV/Salt Lake City announced that it will not carry the sitcom The New Normal because of its premise involving a gay couple trying to have a family, which the station's parent company Bonneville International (which in turn is owned by the LDS Church, which opposes gay marriage) sees as being too controversial, offensive, and not reflecting the station's conservative program policies, with the GM stating that "For our brand, this program feels inappropriate on several dimensions, especially during family viewing time", the latter referring to the Tuesday night 8:30{{nbsp}}pm (MT) slot and its decision in 2011 to not carry The Playboy Club. As with some NBC programs that KSL refuses to air, the series will be seen on CW affiliate KUCW instead.[http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/lifestyle/54759750-80/ksl-nbc-normal-gay.html.csp "KSL won't air gay-themed NBC sitcom 'New Normal'"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120826112407/http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/lifestyle/54759750-80/ksl-nbc-normal-gay.html.csp |date=August 26, 2012 }} from Salt Lake Tribune (August 24, 2012)

|Saban Brands, via Kidsco Media Ventures, began programming The CW's children's programming block, Toonzai, which was relaunched under the name Vortexx.{{cite news |title='Power Rangers' Backer Saban to Reenter Kiddie TV |url=http://adage.com/article/media/power-rangers-backer-saban-reenter-kiddie-tv/235978/ |access-date=July 12, 2012 |newspaper=Advertising Age |date=July 12, 2012 |archive-date=June 30, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630085418/http://adage.com/article/media/power-rangers-backer-saban-reenter-kiddie-tv/235978/ |url-status=live }} Programming aired on the block includes Yu-Gi-Oh! and Power Rangers. The former Toonzai block ended its four-year run on The CW (dating back its existence under its former branding as TheCW4Kids) on August 18.{{cite news |title=Saban Brands Partners with The CW to Launch Five-Hour Kids Television Block |url=http://www.sabanbrands.com/pdfs/Saban_Network_Announcement.pdf |access-date=July 7, 2012 |newspaper=Saban |date=July 2, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130122211721/http://www.sabanbrands.com/pdfs/Saban_Network_Announcement.pdf |archive-date=January 22, 2013 |df=mdy-all }}

|ESPN renews its broadcast rights to Major League Baseball Spring training and Sunday, Monday and Wednesday evening regular season games for eight years through 2021 (as well as retaining highlight program Baseball Tonight). The $5.6 billion deal (averaging $700 million annually) is nearly double the $2.8 billion that ESPN paid under the previous contract and includes added rights to show games joined in progress, a 13% increase in the number of live games shown and the virtual elimination of home market blackouts for Monday and Wednesday games. Though rights to a single Wild Card game each season are included, all other playoff games are exempt from the deal (rights to the post-season games are held by Fox and TBS though the 2013 season).{{cite news |title=ESPN Signs New Deal With MLB Through '21 Worth An Average Of $700M Annually |url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2012/08/28/Media/MLB-ESPN.aspx |work=Sports Business Daily |date=August 28, 2012 |access-date=August 28, 2012 |archive-date=November 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191107144718/https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2012/08/28/Media/MLB-ESPN.aspx |url-status=live }}

|ABC affiliate WKDH/Houston, Mississippi (owned by Southern Broadcasting under a local marketing agreement with WTVA, Inc., owners of NBC affiliate WTVA/Tupelo) ceases operations after 11 years.{{cite news |title=WKDH to end broadcasting |url=https://www.wtva.com/news/local/story/WKDH-to-end-broadcasting/WfhwZhMkiEGpmKF5TSYu3w.cspx |work=WTVA |date=August 7, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120813054851/https://www.wtva.com/news/local/story/WKDH-to-end-broadcasting/WfhwZhMkiEGpmKF5TSYu3w.cspx |archive-date=August 13, 2012}} The ABC affiliation for the Tupelo-Columbus market moved to the second digital subchannel of WTVA on September 1, bumping MeTV programming seen on that channel to sister station WLOV-TV's second digital subchannel.[http://djournal.com/view/full_story/19957580/article-BIZ-BUZZ--WTVA-to-continue-ABC-programming?instance=home_news_2nd_left BIZ BUZZ: WTVA to continue ABC programming] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130121185814/http://djournal.com/view/full_story/19957580/article-BIZ-BUZZ--WTVA-to-continue-ABC-programming?instance=home_news_2nd_left |date=January 21, 2013 }}, Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, August 28, 2012.

! Event

|Dish Network pulls Dispatch Broadcast Group's two television stations, NBC affiliate WTHR/Indianapolis and CBS affiliate WBNS-TV/Columbus, due to a retransmission consent dispute with the satellite provider.[http://www.indystar.com/article/20120901/BUSINESS/120901004/WTHR-DISH-massive-price-increase-dispute-Big-Ten-Network-reaches-temporary-accord?odyssey=nav|head&nclick_check=1 WTHR says DISH's 'massive price increase' claim is false], The Indianapolis Star, September 1, 2012. The dispute ended on October 5, when Dispatch and Dish struck a new carriage agreement.[http://www.indystar.com/article/20121005/BUSINESS/210050345/DISH-beaming-WTHR-again-fee-agreement-reached DISH beaming WTHR again as fee agreement reached], The Indianapolis Star, October 5, 2012.

|One year after being shortened from 21{{frac|1|2}} to six hours, the MDA Labor Day Telethon is revamped again, paring down to three pre-recorded primetime hours and retitled MDA Show of Strength in an effort to move away from its 46-year heritage as a long-form telethon.[http://www.mda.org/news/120210RAClark.html "MDA NAMES R.A. CLARK AS EXECUTIVE PRODUCER OF 2012 SHOW"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120216120419/http://mda.org/news/120210RAClark.html |date=February 16, 2012 }} from MDA.org (February 10, 2012)[http://www.mda.org/showofstrength MDA Show of Strength] from MDA.org {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120706042643/http://www.mda.org/showofstrength |date=July 6, 2012 }}

|Gray Television launches two low-power network affiliates in Parkersburg, West Virginia (the first of four LPTV licenses that Gray acquired in March and April to sign on the air): WIYE-LD debuts as the area's CBS affiliate, while WOVA-LD assumes the Fox affiliation from the second digital subchannel of NBC-affiliated sister station WTAP-TV. WIYE-LD replaces WBNS/Columbus as the default CBS affiliate on cable and satellite providers within the market.[http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/60825/three-gray-stations-sign-cbs-affiliations Three Gray Stations Sign CBS Affiliations] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140116131734/http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/60825/three-gray-stations-sign-cbs-affiliations |date=January 16, 2014 }}, TVNewsCheck, July 17, 2012.New CBS Station, WTAP-TV, August 28, 2012.

|Journal Communications purchases CBS affiliate WTVF/Nashville from Landmark Media Enterprises for $215 million.{{cite news |title=Journal Communications to Acquire Landmark's WTVF NewsChannel5 |url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/489065-Journal_Communications_to_Acquire_Landmark_s_WTVF_NewsChannel_5.php |work=Broadcasting & Cable |date=September 4, 2012 |access-date=September 4, 2012 |archive-date=October 14, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014112305/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/489065-Journal_Communications_to_Acquire_Landmark_s_WTVF_NewsChannel_5.php |url-status=live }} Once the sale of the station is completed, it will leave fellow CBS station KLAS-TV/Las Vegas as the only remaining television station in Landmark's portfolio.

|CBS Corporation signs a retransmission consent agreement with Cablevision, allowing continued carriage of three CBS-owned television stations in the cable provider's New York, New Jersey and Colorado service areas (WCBS-TV/New York, KYW-TV/Philadelphia and KCNC-TV/Denver), as well as Showtime, Smithsonian Channel and CBS Sports Network.[https://archive.today/20130128145652/http://www.mediabistro.com/tvspy/cbs-and-cablevision-renew-carriage-agreement_b59412 CBS and Cablevision Renew Carriage Agreement], TVSpy, September 5, 2012.

|Google Fiber enters into a carriage agreement with the National Football League to carry the NFL Network and NFL RedZone upon the September 10 launch of the service in the Kansas City metropolitan area.[http://www.multichannel.com/article/489188-Google_Fiber_to_Carry_NFL_Network_RedZone.php Google Fiber to Carry NFL Network/RedZone]{{dead link|date=February 2013}}, Multichannel News, September 6, 2012.

|ESPN renews its agreement to broadcast college football, basketball and baseball games from the Big 12 Conference through the 2024–25 athletics season. The deal, which encompasses ESPN's cable channels and ABC, is reported to be worth an estimated $1.3 billion and increases the number of televised regular season games starting with the 2016 season.[https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-big12-20120907,0,6890491.story ESPN reaches new agreement with Big 12] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120922111807/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-big12-20120907,0,6890491.story |date=September 22, 2012 }}, Los Angeles Times, September 7, 2012.

|Deadly Affairs, a documentary television series, premieres on Investigation Discovery and is hosted by All My Children actress Susan Lucci.

|Nexstar Broadcasting Group renews affiliation contracts for nine of its 11 CBS-affiliated stations for six years. The agreement, which runs through 2018, exempts WTAJ-TV/Altoona (which will remain with CBS through at least June 2016) and Nexstar-operated WYOU/Scranton (which is owned by Mission Broadcasting, and will remain with CBS through at least June 2015) due to separate existing affiliation agreements.[http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/62054/nexstar-extends-cbs-affiliation-deals Nexstar Extends CBS Affiliation Deals] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140727180242/http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/62054/nexstar-extends-cbs-affiliation-deals |date=July 27, 2014 }}, TVNewsCheck, September 10, 2012.

|Today causes controversy after the NBC morning program continues on with an interview with Keeping Up with the Kardashians co-star Kris Jenner instead of airing the remembrance ceremonies for the September 11 attacks, when a moment of silence was conducted at 8:46 a.m. ET (the time that American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center) in memory of those who died in the attacks.{{cite news |title=Today show skips moment of silence, talks about breast implants with Kris Jenner |url=http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2012/09/11/today-interviews-kris-jenner-instead-observing-moment-silence-for-victims-11/ |access-date=September 11, 2012 |work=Fox News |date=September 11, 2012 |archive-date=September 11, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120911224211/http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2012/09/11/today-interviews-kris-jenner-instead-observing-moment-silence-for-victims-11/ |url-status=dead }} Though Today did not broadcast the tribute on NBC's national feed, WNBC/New York City interrupted the program to broadcast locally produced special coverage of the ceremonies.[http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/nbcs-today-skips-911-moment-of-silence-for-kardashian-interview_b145281 NBC's 'Today' Skips 9/11 Moment Of Silence For Kardashian Interview] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120911175152/http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/nbcs-today-skips-911-moment-of-silence-for-kardashian-interview_b145281 |date=September 11, 2012 }}, TVNewser, September 11, 2012. Though the network will not issue a public apology, NBC News president Steve Capus sent a memo on September 12 to managers at all of NBC's affiliates apologizing for criticism the stations have faced.[http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/09/12/after-today-criticism-nbc-news-chief-apologies-to-affiliates/ After 'Today' Criticism, NBC News Chief Apologies to Affiliates] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120913190002/http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/09/12/after-today-criticism-nbc-news-chief-apologies-to-affiliates/ |date=September 13, 2012 }}, The New York Times, September 12, 2012.

|Actress/singer Jennifer Lopez acquires a minority ownership interest in Nuvo TV. As part of the deal, Lopez's production company Nuyorican Productions will develop series for the channel, which is aimed at an English-speaking Latino-American audience.[http://adage.com/article/media/jennifer-lopez-minority-stake-cable-s-nuvo-tv/237139/ Jennifer Lopez to Take Minority Stake in Cable's Nuvo TV] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150530234548/http://adage.com/article/media/jennifer-lopez-minority-stake-cable-s-nuvo-tv/237139/ |date=May 30, 2015 }}, Advertising Age, September 12, 2012.

|Beef Products Inc. files a defamation lawsuit against ABC News (with ABC World News anchor Diane Sawyer and correspondents Jim Avila and David Kerley among those named as defendants), seeking $1.2 billion in damages for claims of roughly 200 "false, misleading and defamatory" statements. The suit alleges that the network's March 2012 investigation on ammonia-treated lean, textured ground beef trimmings misled consumers to believing that the product (nicknamed "pink slime") is unsafe for consumption, resulting in an impact to the company that forced the closure of three of its four U.S. processing plants and the layoffs of more than 650 employees.[http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/62161/abc-news-sued-over-pink-slime-reports ABC News Sued Over 'Pink Slime' Reports] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151006114731/http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/62161/abc-news-sued-over-pink-slime-reports |date=October 6, 2015 }}, TVNewsCheck (via the Associated Press), September 13, 2012.[https://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/apnewsbreak-bpi-sues-abc-news-defamation-17226115#.UFJDQFGz74Y BPI Sues ABC News for 'Pink Slime' Defamation], ABC News (via the Associated Press), September 13, 2012.

|Dish Network drops Big Ten Network from the satellite provider due to the two parties' inability to settle on a new carriage agreement (this after Dish and BTN reached a temporary extension of their previous agreement on September 1 to allow subscribers to view college football games during the first two weeks of the NCAA football season).[http://qctimes.com/sports/football/college/big-10/iowa/dish-network-drops-big-ten-network/article_caaef0ba-ff8e-11e1-998c-0019bb2963f4.html DISH Network drops Big Ten Network] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120919043341/http://qctimes.com/sports/football/college/big-10/iowa/dish-network-drops-big-ten-network/article_caaef0ba-ff8e-11e1-998c-0019bb2963f4.html|date=September 19, 2012}}, Quad Cities Times, September 22, 2012.[http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20120831/NEWS01/308310053/DISH-Big-Ten-Network-reach-short-term-deal DISH and Big Ten Network reach short-term deal]{{dead link|date=September 2016|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}, Lansing State-Journal, September 1, 2012. Dish reached a new long-term carriage agreement with the network one week later, restoring the channel on September 22.[https://www.espn.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/59380/btn-dish-network-reach-agreement-2 BTN, DISH Network reach agreement], ESPN, September 22, 2012.

|American Idol announces Nicki Minaj and Keith Urban are the two newest members of its judging panel.[http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/489324-Fox_Confirms_Nicki_Minaj_Keith_Urban_as_Idol_Judges.php Fox Confirms Nicki Minaj, Keith Urban as 'Idol' Judges] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120918192442/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/489324-Fox_Confirms_Nicki_Minaj_Keith_Urban_as_Idol_Judges.php |date=September 18, 2012 }}, Broadcasting & Cable, September 16, 2012. Minaj and Urban will join fellow new judge Mariah Carey, who joined the show on July 23,Molloy, Tim (July 23, 2012). [https://www.thewrap.com/tv/column-post/fox-mariah-carey-named-idol-judge-48876 Mariah Carey Named 'Idol' Judge; More Announcements Coming Soon] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307220403/http://www.thewrap.com/tv/column-post/fox-mariah-carey-named-idol-judge-48876/ |date=March 7, 2016 }}. TheWrap.com. Retrieved July 23, 2012. and Randy Jackson, who had announced his intentions to leave the panel on August 31[http://www.csmonitor.com/The-Culture/TV/2012/0831/Randy-Jackson-leaving-Time-for-major-American-Idol-makeover "Randy Jackson leaving: Time for major American Idol makeover?"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404181459/https://www.csmonitor.com/The-Culture/TV/2012/0831/Randy-Jackson-leaving-Time-for-major-American-Idol-makeover |date=April 4, 2023 }} from Christian Science Monitor (August 31, 2012) but will instead continue not only as judge but also add duties as contestant mentor.

|Fox Sports and TBS renew their broadcast contracts with Major League Baseball to continue broadcasting MLB games through 2021. Fox will pay approximately $500 million annually to broadcast MLB games, while TBS will pay around $300 million. The deal removes TBS' exclusivity for carriage of all first-round MLB playoff games, as Fox will obtain rights to some first-round games to air on its cable motorsports channel Speed, which is rumored to undergo a revamp of programming.[http://www.freep.com/usatoday/article/70000730&usatref=sportsmod?odyssey=mod {{!}}newswell{{!}}text{{!}}Sports{{!}}p MLB makes new TV deals with Fox/TBS] {{dead link|date=September 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}, Detroit Free Press, September 19, 2012.

|NRJ TV purchases family-oriented independent station WGCB-TV/Red Lion, Pennsylvania, for $9 million from Red Lion Television.[http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/62316/njr-tv-snags-wgcb-harrisburg-for-9m NJR TV Snags WGCB Harrisburg For $9M] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121208200643/http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/62316/njr-tv-snags-wgcb-harrisburg-for-9m |date=December 8, 2012 }}, TVNewsCheck, September 20, 2012.

|Time Warner Cable reaches an agreement with the National Football League to carry the NFL Network and NFL RedZone on its systems (as well as those owned by co-managed Bright House Networks). TWC was the largest cable television provider in the United States that did not carry either channel (and the last remaining major pay TV provider not to carry them as Cablevision reached an agreement with the network on August 16).[https://archive.today/20130119095226/http://www.chicagotribune.com/sns-rt-timewarnercable-nfl--update-1l1e8kl8ha-20120921,0,5325602.story UPDATE 1-Time Warner Cable in deal to carry NFL Network], Chicago Tribune, September 21, 2012.

|ABC hosts the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel. This event, which was telecast live in all time zones, also marked the first time in its 64-year history that the four major over-the-air broadcast networks did not receive any nominations in three of the five main categories: Outstanding Drama Series, Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series and Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series.[http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/entertainment-news-and-reviews/2012/jul/23/64th-annual-primetime-emmy-awards-not-just-network/ 64th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards! It's not just the networks anymore!] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120804214038/http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/entertainment-news-and-reviews/2012/jul/23/64th-annual-primetime-emmy-awards-not-just-network/ |date=August 4, 2012 }}, The Washington Times, July 23, 2012.

|Gray Television signs on low-power WECP-LD/Panama City, Florida, to serve as the CBS affiliate for the market. The station replaces WTVY/Dothan, Alabama, as the de facto affiliate for the Panama City area (a designation WTVY held due to that station's city-grade signal coverage in Panama City proper).[http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/60978/gray-sets-launch-dates-for-new-stations Gray Sets Launch Dates For New Stations] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402121536/http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/60978/gray-sets-launch-dates-for-new-stations |date=April 2, 2015 }}, TVNewsCheck, July 24, 2012.[http://www.newsherald.com/articles/city-105686-monday-new.html#ixzz27Ob5mGDs New CBS station on air Monday], Panama City News-Herald, September 22, 2012. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120926075243/http://www.newsherald.com/articles/city-105686-monday-new.html#ixzz27Ob5mGDs |date=September 26, 2012 }}

|Bayou City Broadcasting announces the sale of its eight stations (Fox affiliates KXVA/Abilene and KIDY/San Angelo, Texas, MyNetworkTV affiliate KIDZ-CD/Abilene and four other low-power stations) to London Broadcasting Company (the sale price was initially undisclosed). The sale marks a temporary exit from the broadcasting industry for the company's owner DuJuan McCoy, who plans on acquiring network-affiliated stations in mid-sized markets larger than San Angelo and Abilene.[http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/62479/temporary-exit-with-fox-duo-sale-by-mccoy Temporary Exit With Fox Duo Sale by McCoy] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014120028/http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/62479/temporary-exit-with-fox-duo-sale-by-mccoy |date=October 14, 2013 }}, TVNewsCheck, September 27, 2012.

|During coverage of a police pursuit that started with 33-year-old Jodon Romero carjacking a vehicle in Phoenix, ending near I-10 outside Salome, Arizona, Fox News Channel inadvertently broadcasts Romero's suicide from a handgun shot to the head. Studio B anchor Shepard Smith issued an on-air apology minutes later for the broadcast delay error made by FNC's master control that led to the suicide being shown live on-air (through a helicopter feed from Fox-owned Phoenix station KSAZ-TV).[http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2012/09/28/phoenix-carjacking-suspect-shot/70001358/1#.UGYkQ1GwX78 Fox airs Ariz. carjacker killing self after chase] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120929011740/http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2012/09/28/phoenix-carjacking-suspect-shot/70001358/1#.UGYkQ1GwX78 |date=September 29, 2012 }}, USA Today, September 28, 2012.[http://www.myfoxphoenix.com/story/19667956/2012/09/28/police-pursue-carjacking-suspect Carjacking suspect shoots self during police pursuit] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120930030020/http://www.myfoxphoenix.com/story/19667956/2012/09/28/police-pursue-carjacking-suspect |date=September 30, 2012 }}, KSAZ-TV, September 28, 2012.[http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/244986/group/News/ Police ID man who killed self on national TV after Arizona police chase]{{dead link|date=September 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, Duluth News Tribune (via the Associated Press), September 29, 2012.

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||Time Warner Cable launches two Los Angeles-based regional sports networks, TWC SportsNet and TWC Deportes. The networks serve as exclusive homes to the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers. TWC Deportes broadcasts in Spanish, the first RSN to do so.[http://nysportsjournalism.squarespace.com/why-time-warner-cable-loves-la/?SSScrollPosition=2166 Time Warner Cable Loves L.A., Launching SportsNet, Deportes In SoCal] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202182314/http://nysportsjournalism.squarespace.com/why-time-warner-cable-loves-la/?SSScrollPosition=2166 |date=February 2, 2016 }} NYSportsJournalism.com, May 11, 2012 Time Warner Cable SportsNet later announces that it will provide Korean language audio of Los Angeles Lakers games via secondary audio programming beginning with the 2012–13 regular season, becoming the first English-language television network to offer play-by-play of sporting events in an Asian dialect.[http://www.heraldonline.com/2012/10/26/4368582/time-warner-cable-sportsnet-to.html Time Warner Cable SportsNet to Launch Korean-Language Secondary Audio Programming for Lakers Games] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130125030510/http://www.heraldonline.com/2012/10/26/4368582/time-warner-cable-sportsnet-to.html |date=January 25, 2013 }}, The Herald, October 26, 2012.

|CBS affiliate WKBT/La Crosse, Wisconsin, makes headlines when morning news anchor Jennifer Livingston responds to an e-mail sent to her by a viewer about her weight, who she later criticizes on air after she perceived the e-mail as bullying and calls the viewer out for making the statement.[http://www.eonline.com/news/350822/viral-video-news-anchor-blasts-viewer-s-criticism-of-her-weight "Viral Video: News Anchor Blasts Viewer's Criticism of Her Weight"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121006011813/http://www.eonline.com/news/350822/viral-video-news-anchor-blasts-viewer-s-criticism-of-her-weight |date=October 6, 2012 }} E!, October 2, 2012 Livingston later received an apology from the viewer for the message.[http://www.news8000.com/news/Jennifer-Livingston-responds-to-Kenneth-Krause-apology/-/326/16875830/-/mbb2ra/-/index.html Jennifer Livingston Responds To Kenneth Krause Apology] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121007201215/http://www.news8000.com/news/Jennifer-Livingston-responds-to-Kenneth-Krause-apology/-/326/16875830/-/mbb2ra/-/index.html |date=October 7, 2012 }} from WKBT (October 5, 2012)

|Gray Television signs on low-power CBS affiliate WSVF-LD/Harrisonburg, Virginia. Harrisonburg was previously unserved by an in-market CBS affiliate with WUSA/Washington, D.C., available as a default affiliate on cable and satellite.

|Cablevision and The Walt Disney Company reach an agreement to continue distribution of Disney-owned cable channels across Cablevision system footprint and ABC stations WABC and WPVI in the respective New York City and Philadelphia markets. The deal includes carriage of the planned ABC News/Univision news channel (set to launch in 2013), online service ESPN3, 3DTV channel ESPN 3D, expanded video-on-demand offerings and the ability for customers to view live streams of ESPN, Disney Channel, Disney XD and Disney Junior programming online, on tablet computers and mobile devices through authentication apps (with apps for ABC and ABC Family forthcoming).[http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/62637/disney-cablevision-do-distribution-deal Disney, Cablevision Do Distribution Deal], TVNewsCheck, October 4, 2012.

|Narrowly averting a blackout, Gannett Company reaches a long-term carriage agreement with Dish Network for all 23 of its television stations to remain on the satellite provider. The deal was reached despite reported contentious demands made by Gannett for Dish to disable its controversial AutoHop ad-skipping feature (which is currently involved in a separate copyright infringement lawsuit) on its digital video recorders or pay a "massive penalty" of a 300% increase in carriage fees (claims that Gannett publicly denied).[https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/dish-gannett-retrans-deal-377050 Dish, Gannett Reach New Retrans Deal to Avoid Blackout], The Hollywood Reporter, October 8, 2012.

|Viacom strikes a deal to add programming from two additional networks to Hulu: the Hulu Plus subscription service adds current season episodes of Nickelodeon's original programming with the five most recent episodes available, and new episodes added 21 days after their original airdate (in addition to being the first U.S.-based children's network and Viacom's fifth cable channel whose program content is available on Hulu, it is Nickelodeon's second streaming deal as the channel's programming is available on Netflix).[http://family-room.ew.com/2012/10/09/nickelodeon-hulu-plus/ Nickelodeon shows now available to watch on Hulu Plus], Entertainment Weekly, October 9, 2012. Programming from Spanish-language network Tr3s will also become available on its Hulu Latino service.[http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57528803-93/cowabunga-nickelodeon-comes-to-hulu/ Cowabunga! Nickelodeon comes to Hulu], CNET, October 9, 2012.

|DirecTV announces the release of the Genie digital video recorder, which among its features allows the simultaneous recording of up to five TV shows on up to 8 connectable TV sets, client boxes, gaming or Blu-ray consoles from a single receiver (with recording storage of up to 200 hours of high definition and 800 hours of standard definition programs); recommends shows based on past TV viewing habits; timer-records shows up to two weeks in advance and the ability to view a show's 5 most recent episodes.[https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/directv-genie-five-shows-recorded-378324 New DirecTV DVR Records Five Shows at the Same Time], The Hollywood Reporter, October 11, 2012.

|After a 17-year run, Fox Sports announces that Speed will no longer air Formula One racing events after the 2012–13 season due to Speed being outbid for the U.S. broadcast rights. While no word has been made on where Formula One telecasts will land domestically, it is expected that the rights will migrate to NBC Sports Network in 2013, as they were the high bidder.[https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/motor/formula1/2012/10/12/speed-network-to-stop-airing-formula-one-races/1630479/ Speed network to stop airing Formula One races], USA Today, October 12, 2012.

|Providence Equity Partners divests its 10% ownership stake in the streaming website Hulu to site co-owners News Corporation, Comcast and The Walt Disney Company for $200 million.[http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/185134/providence-equity-sells-hulu-stake-for-200-mil.html Providence Equity Sells Hulu Stake For $200 Mil], MediaPost News, October 14, 2012.

|NASCAR and Fox Sports announce an eight-year multiplatform agreement that will retain Fox's broadcast rights to NASCAR racing events through 2022. The agreement will retains all existing event telecast rights, but gives Fox rights to live stream all races, as well as highlights and pre- and post-race coverage to customers of participating cable and satellite providers online and through mobile devices starting in 2013.[http://www.cbssports.com/nascar/blog/eye-on-nascar/20568227/nascar-fox-agree-to-new-tv-deal NASCAR, FOX agree to new TV deal], CBS Sports, October 15, 2012. {{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

|Candy Crowley of CNN moderates the second 2012 presidential debate at Hofstra University between President Obama and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney. Romney's line about "binders full of women" and Obama's "please proceed, Governor" garner significant attention.{{Cite web |last=Dickerson |first=John |date=2012-10-17 |title=The president's narrow victory - CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-presidents-narrow-victory/ |access-date=2024-06-26 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}

|With Dish Network's attempt to win their trial against AMC Networks over removal of the Voom HD Networks suite falling apart, Dish Network settles out of court with AMC for $700 million and video and data spectrum rights in several major markets, and signs a long-term carriage agreement with AMC Networks. AMC returns on the same day (in concert with the season three premiere a week before of The Walking Dead), with the remainder of AMC's networks to return November 1.{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2012/10/cablevision-amc-settle-suit-vs-dish-which-will-resume-carriage-of-networks-357298/ |title=AMC Channels To Return To Dish As Lawsuit Settled; Satcaster To Pay $700M |author= report |date=October 21, 2012 |website=Deadline |access-date=October 21, 2012}}

|The Federal Communications Commission denies a request filed by Oceanic Time Warner Cable and Hawaiian Telcom that would have declined My Family TV affiliate KLEI-TV/Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, carriage on both systems. The decision resulted from a must-carry complaint filed by Mauna Kea Broadcasting Company, Inc. (which purchased KLEI in 2011), after being rebuffed by both companies for carriage of the station.{{cite web |url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/490016-FCC_Upholds_Carriage_Complaint_Against_TWC_HTSC_in_Hawaii.php |title=FCC Upholds Carriage Complaint Against TWC, HTSC in Hawaii |author=Eggerton, John |date=October 22, 2012 |publisher=Broadcast & Cable |access-date=October 22, 2012}}

|CBS Television Distribution announces that it will rename its syndicated entertainment news program The Insider as omg! Insider in January 2013, through a partnership with Yahoo!'s celebrity news and gossip website omg!. The rebranded program will retain hosts Kevin Frazier and Brooke Anderson, but will also feature talent and entertainment columnists from Yahoo! as contributors.[https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/omg-cbs-closes-deal-invent-381961 OMG! CBS Closes Deal to Re-Invent 'The Insider'], The Hollywood Reporter, October 23, 2012.

|The CW signs its first video-on-demand carriage agreement with a pay television provider through a deal with Comcast. The deal allows customers to watch the four most-recent episodes of the network's primetime shows on Comcast's Xfinity On Demand service, with new episodes available the day after their original airdate. The CW On Demand, which is accessible to subscribers at no additional charge, debuted on Comcast systems nationwide on October 25.[https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/cw-inks-first-demand-deal-382290 The CW Inks First On Demand Deal With Comcast], The Hollywood Reporter, October 24, 2012.

|Ratings-challenged cable news channel Current TV, started in 2005 by Al Gore and Joel Hyatt, puts itself up for sale.[http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/gore_struggling_current_tv_on_the_lufEY78RWTMHhYtV5ljbSP Al Gore's struggling Current TV on the block], New York Post, October 25, 2012.

|Cablevision and Tribune Broadcasting agree to a new retransmission consent agreement over two months after stations in Cablevision's service area were pulled. WPIX's primetime news audience had fallen by nearly two-fifths due to the dispute.{{cite news |url=https://variety.com/2012/tv/news/cablevision-tribune-end-retrans-spat-1118061325/ |title=Cablevision, Tribune end retrans spat |last=Wallenstein |first=Andrew |date=October 26, 2012 |work=Variety |access-date=October 27, 2012}}{{cite web |url=https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/184390/wpix-news-ratings-fall-precipitously-during-blacko.html |title=WPIX News Ratings Fall Precipitously During Blackout |last=Goetzl |first=David |date=October 2, 2012 |publisher=MediaPost Publications |access-date=October 27, 2012}}

|NBCUniversal gains the U.S. broadcast rights to English Premier League in a three-year deal (lasting until 2016) that will cost $80 million per year to televise the soccer league's games on NBC, NBC Sports Network and possibly on some of the company's other cable outlets (such as Bravo and USA Network).[https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970204840504578085241603806084 Premier League Soccer to Move to NBC in $80 Million Deal], The Wall Street Journal, October 28, 2012.

|NBC announces that struggling sophomore sitcom Up All Night will transition from a single-camera to a multi-camera format filmed in front of a live studio audience. The show is expected to make the transition following a three-month production hiatus after filming of the second season's 11th episode, with episodes to air in the new format in Spring 2013.[https://insidetv.ew.com/2012/10/29/nbc-up-all-night/ 'Up All Night' gets live audience, more episodes] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141204000321/http://insidetv.ew.com/2012/10/29/nbc-up-all-night/ |date=December 4, 2014 }}, Entertainment Weekly, October 29, 2012.

|Fox Sports New Orleans, the newest affiliate of Fox Sports Net launches becoming the new exclusive home of the NBA's New Orleans Hornets.

! Event

|Luken Communications (in a joint venture with Jim Owens Entertainment) relaunched The Nashville Network as an over-the-air digital multicast network, resurrecting the brand and country music-oriented format of the old cable network that existed from 1983 to 2000 (a general entertainment channel now known as Spike).{{cite web|url=https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/105039/tnn-to-return-late-this-summer|title=TNN To Return Late This Summer|work=All Access|date=April 19, 2012}}

|NBC and a large number of its affiliate channels broadcast Hurricane Sandy: Coming Together, a telethon to benefit relief efforts in the wake of Superstorm Sandy.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/04/arts/music/songs-of-sympathy-at-hurricane-sandy-concert.html |title=Songs of Sympathy and Endurance, From Voices Touched by Hurricane |newspaper=The New York Times |date=November 3, 2012 |first=Jon |last=Pareles}}

|Nexstar Broadcasting Group acquires CBS affiliate KGPE/Fresno and the Bakersfield duopoly of NBC affiliate KGET and Telemundo affiliate KKEY-LP from Newport Television for $35.4 million (the deal is separate from its acquisition of 10 Newport-owned stations on July 19). Under a separate deal, Nexstar also acquires the Burlington, Vermont, virtual duopoly of Fox affiliate WFFF-TV and ABC affiliate WVNY from Smith Media for $17.1 million (Mission Broadcasting subsidiary will operate WVNY under a shared services agreement upon the sale's closure).{{cite news |url=http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/63307/nbcu-cablevision-sign-carriage-deal |title=NBCU, Cablevision Sign Carriage Deal |magazine=TVNewsCheck |date=November 5, 2012}}

|A preliminary injunction request filed by Fox against Dish Network's AutoHop digital video recorder is rejected in a Los Angeles U.S. District Court on grounds that Fox was unlikely to be able to prove that it suffered irreparable harm from the technology that allows subscribers to skip over commercial advertisements.{{cite news |url=http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/63395/judge-rejects-injunction-against-auto-hop |title=Judge Rejects Injunction Against Auto Hop |magazine=TVNewsCheck (via the Associated Press) |date=November 8, 2012}}

|Denali Media Holdings (a subsidiary of General Communication, Inc.) purchases three television stations in Alaska: CBS affiliate KTVA/Anchorage from Alaska Broadcasting Co./Media News Group, and NBC affiliate KATH-LD/Juneau and its Sitka translator KSCT-LP from North Star Broadcasting.{{cite web |url=http://kath.tv/?page=news&story=249 |title=GCI to purchase NBC for Southeast Alaska KATH-TV and KSCT-TV | Retrieved Nov. 9, 2012}}{{cite news |url=https://www.mediabistro.com/tvspy/denali-media-to-purchase-three-stations-in-alaska_b69009 |title=Denali Media to Purchase Three Stations in Alaska |magazine=TVSpy |date=November 12, 2012 |access-date=November 12, 2012 |archive-date=November 16, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121116083240/https://www.mediabistro.com/tvspy/denali-media-to-purchase-three-stations-in-alaska_b69009 |url-status=dead }}

|CBS Sports Network enters into a two-year broadcast rights agreement with the Arena Football League (assuming rights from the NFL Network), in which the channel will carry 19 regular season (including the league's Saturday night game of the week) and two playoff games starting with the AFL's 2013 season, and will allow sister broadcast network CBS to carry the ArenaBowl championship game.[http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/490379-CBS_Network_Acquires_AFL_Network_Rights.php CBS Network Acquires AFL Network Rights], Broadcasting & Cable (via Multichannel News), November 13, 2012.

|Actress Lisa Whelchel, who is currently competing in Survivor: Philippines, reveals that she has contracted the West Nile virus, although she did not reveal if it happened before appearing on or during the show.[http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/lisa-whelchel-has-west-nile-virus-20121511 "Lisa Whelchel Has West Nile Virus"] from Us Weekly (November 15, 2012)

|Disney Channel premiered the pilot film for the Disney Junior series Sofia the First, Once Upon a Princess,{{cite web|url=https://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/09/20/disney-presents-its-first-little-girl-princess-in-sofia-the-first-once-upon-a-princess-sunday-november-18-on-disney-channel/|work=TV by the Numbers|title=Disney Presents its First Little Girl Princess in 'Sofia The First: Once Upon a Princess' Sunday, November 18 on Disney Channel|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208093322/https://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/09/20/disney-presents-its-first-little-girl-princess-in-sofia-the-first-once-upon-a-princess-sunday-november-18-on-disney-channel/|archive-date=December 8, 2015|date=September 20, 2012|access-date=August 5, 2023}} which received 5.151 million viewers.{{cite web|url=https://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/11/20/sunday-cable-ratings-walking-dead-wins-night-breaking-amish-real-housewives-of-atlanta-dexter-sofia-the-first-more/158379/|title=Sunday Cable Ratings: 'Walking Dead' Wins Night + 'Breaking Amish', 'Real Housewives of Atlanta', 'Dexter', 'Sofia the First' & More|date=November 20, 2012|last=Kondolojy|first=Amanda|work=TV by the Numbers|access-date=August 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121122035510/https://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/11/20/sunday-cable-ratings-walking-dead-wins-night-breaking-amish-real-housewives-of-atlanta-dexter-sofia-the-first-more/158379/|archive-date=November 22, 2012}}

|Elmo puppeteer Kevin Clash resigns from Sesame Street amid allegations of sexually abusing underage boys.{{cite news |last=Moore |first=Frazier |title=Elmo puppeteer Kevin Clash accused of relationship with boy, 16, taking leave from 'Sesame Street' |work=The Toronto Star |date=November 12, 2012 |url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/television/article/1286384--elmo-puppeteer-kevin-clash-accused-of-relationship-with-boy-16-taking-leave-from-sesame-street |access-date=November 15, 2012}}

|After what he cites as a rocky relationship on and off the set with the production crew and staff, Chevy Chase has announced that he will leave Community before the end of the fourth season, appearing in only 11 of the shortened 13 episode order.[http://tv.msn.com/tv/article.aspx?news=776095&affid=100055 "Chevy Chase exiting 'Community'"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121127195813/http://tv.msn.com/tv/article.aspx?news=776095 |date=November 27, 2012 }} from MSN (November 21, 2012)

|Top 40/CHR WDCG/Raleigh-Durham (owned by Clear Channel Communications) issues an apology to the city of Raleigh, its mayor Nancy McFarlane, the Greater Raleigh Merchants Association and CBS affiliate WRAL after a float featuring an African American man dressed as an angel hanging from a Christmas tree sponsored by WDCG was featured in WRAL's telecast of their annual Christmas Parade on November 17. The float, which also featured WDCG morning stars Bob and the Showgram, was blasted by officials and parade goers as a depiction of a lynching, and as a result of this incident the producer of WDCG's morning show, who did not approve of the float's concept, was terminated. WRAL GM Jennifer Martin has been assured that WDCG will not allow any more displays that could be seen as racially offensive in future events sponsored by WRAL.[http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/11/22/2499420/g-105-apologizes-for-parade-float.html "G-105 apologizes for parade float that some called racist"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121127195919/http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/11/22/2499420/g-105-apologizes-for-parade-float.html |date=November 27, 2012 }} from Raleigh News and Observer (November 22, 2012)

|It is reported Fox Sports will rebrand Speed as Fox Sports 1 in August 2013 as a competitor to ESPN.[http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2012/11/26/Media/FoxSports1.aspx Pedigree part of pitch for Fox Sports 1] Sports Business Journal, November 26, 2012

|Former NBCUniversal CEO and Katie producer Jeff Zucker is named President/CEO at CNN, replacing Jim Walton, who left in January 2013.[https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-jeff-zucker-tapped-as-new-head-of-cnn-worldwide-20121129,0,3346346.story "Jeff Zucker tapped as new head of CNN Worldwide"] from Los Angeles Times (November 29, 2012)

| Avoiding a Midnight deadline, Gannett Company has reached a retransmission consent agreement with DirecTV to air its 23 television stations on its satellite carrier.[http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/490626-Gannett_DirecTV_Reach_Retrans_Renewal.php Gannett, DirecTV Reach Retrans Renewal] Broadcasting & Cable, December 1, 2012

! Event

|The TV Parental Guidelines (in use since January 1997) expand further onto the Internet as ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, Univision, Telemundo and Telefutura begin providing content rating information on all full-length programs, except for news, that are streamed online (content rating information is already provided during streaming program content from NBC, ABC, and Fox on their respective websites as well as Hulu and Netflix).[http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/60033/tv-nets-expand-content-ratings-to-web TV Nets Expand Content Ratings To Web], TVNewsCheck, June 11, 2012.

|Sinclair Broadcast Group announced it will acquire WHAM/Rochester, New York, from Newport Television for $54 million. This announcement comes after Sinclair, Nexstar and Cox completed the July acquisitions of the Newport stations.[http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/490649-Sinclair_Acquires_WHAM_Rochester_for_54_Million.php Sinclair Acquires WHAM Rochester for $54 Million] Broadcasting and Cable, December 3, 2012

|The 2012 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show is broadcast on CBS. 9.48 million people tune in.{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/12/05/tuesday-final-ratings-parenthood-victorias-scret-fashion-show-the-voice-hart-of-dixie-and-go-on-adjusted-down/160394/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121207230613/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/12/05/tuesday-final-ratings-parenthood-victorias-scret-fashion-show-the-voice-hart-of-dixie-and-go-on-adjusted-down/160394/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 7, 2012 |title=Tuesday Final Ratings: 'Parenthood', 'Victoria's Secret Fashion Show', 'The Voice', & 'Shark Tank' Adjusted Up; 'Hart of Dixie' and 'Go On' Adjusted Down |work=TV by the Numbers |date=December 5, 2012 |access-date=December 5, 2012}}{{cite web|url=http://vsallaccess.victoriassecret.com/fashionshow/|title=2017 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show|website=Victoria's Secret|access-date=August 25, 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://fashionetc.com/news/celebrity/7845-jessica-hart-victorias-secret-pink-football|title=Jessica Hart Talks Football, Fitness, and the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show - News - FashionEtc.com|first=Sonia|last=Evers|website=fashionetc.com|access-date=August 25, 2017}}

|The 2012 Spike Video Game Awards are aired on Spike TV.{{Cite web |last=Taormina |first=Anthony |date=2012-12-08 |title=2012 Spike Video Game Awards Winners List |url=https://gamerant.com/2012-spike-video-game-awards-vgas-winners/ |access-date=2025-04-11 |website=Game Rant |language=en}}

|The Fabulous Beekman Boys lead actors Josh Kilmer-Purcell and Brent Ridge won the 21st installment of The Amazing Race.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-amazing-race-finale-and-the-winners-are/|title="The Amazing Race" finale: And the winners are...|last=Derschowitz|first=Jessica|work=CBS News|date=2012-12-10|access-date=2012-12-10}} Prior to the season, The Fabulous Beekman Boys was announced to be renewed by Cooking Channel after its initial cancellation on April earlier this year.[http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/fabulous-beekman-boys-moves-to-planet-green-cooking-channel-308788 'The Fabulous Beekman Boys' Series Finds New Home at Cooking Channel (Exclusive)]

|Univision Communications signs an agreement to carry Bounce TV as a digital multicast channel on its stations in San Francisco, Boston, Tampa, Miami, Denver, Sacramento and Raleigh.[http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/64093/univision-to-air-bounce-tv-in-7-top-markets Univision To Air Bounce TV In 7 Top Markets], TVNewsCheck, December 10, 2012.

|In response to the death of Larry Hagman, the producers of Dallas announce that J.R. Ewing will be killed off in the revival's second season instead of replaced by a different actor.[http://www.hollywood.com/news/dallas_jr_funeral_planned_larry_hagman/45968923 Funeral Episode Set for Larry Hagman's J.R. on 'Dallas' Season Two] Hollywood.com, December 11, 2012

|The Viewability Rule, in effect since 2007 and which requires hybrid, analog-digital cable systems to offer viewers TV broadcast signals in an analog format so that viewers with old analog sets can continue to receive them under the "must-carry" guidelines, ends after failing to reach a vote on a three-month extension. Since the rule is gone, viewers with analog TV sets may need a set-top box to continue to receive the stations.[http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/60066/fcc-to-kill-viewability-rule-on-dec-12 "FCC To Kill Viewability Rule On December 12"] from TV Newscheck (June 12, 2012)

|The FCC begins enforcement of the Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation Act (or "CALM Act"), passed by Congress and signed into law by President Barack Obama in 2010, which requires broadcasters and cable operators to ensure the volume level of a commercial is consistent with that of the program it appears on.[http://broadcastengineering.com/regulation/loudness-law-goes-effect "Loudness law goes into effect,"] from Broadcast Engineering, December 13, 2012

|Due to the school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, Syfy pulls an episode of Haven scheduled to air that night because it involved a high school shooting.[https://www.ign.com/articles/2012/12/15/syfy-pulls-haven-school-violence-episode-in-wake-of-newtown-connecticuts-tragic-shooting Syfy Pulls Haven School Violence Episode in Wake of Newtown, Connecticut's Tragic Shooting] IGN Entertainment December 14, 2012 Fox also pulled that week's episodes of Family Guy and American Dad!, to "avoid potentially sensitive content".[http://insidetv.ew.com/2012/12/15/fox-pulls-new-episodes-of-family-guy-and-american-dad-after-shooting/ Fox pulls new episodes of 'Family Guy' and 'American Dad' after shooting] Entertainment Weekly, December 15, 2012 NBC also pulled the plug on a repeat of Blake Shelton's not so family Christmas due to a scene where Shelton and Larry The Cable Guy kills characters from Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, which Rival CBS aired that night (and won the Nielsen ratings), at the last minute and airs Home for the Holidays with Michael Bublé instead.

|The A.C. Nielsen Co. announces that they will acquire Arbitron, bringing together two of America's largest rating services. The deal, which has been approved by the boards of both companies, is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory review.[http://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/113530/nielsen-to-acquire-arbitron "Nielsen To Acquire Arbitron"] from All Access (December 18, 2012)

|NBCUniversal Television Distribution launches a new retro subchannel network called Cozi TV on NBC's owned-and-operated stations, replacing NBC Nonstop. The network will also be offered to other stations outside the NBC O&O group starting in 2013.[http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/489932-Report_NBC_Owned_Stations_Launching_Retro_Subchannel.php Report: NBC Owned Stations Launching Retro Subchannel], Broadcasting & Cable, October 17, 2012.

| The Washington Metropolitan Police Department announces that an investigation will be conducted into whether NBC News correspondent David Gregory violated Washington, D.C., gun laws when he displayed what he described as a 30-round magazine as part of a December 23 Meet the Press interview with National Rifle Association president Wayne LaPierre. Under D.C. law, possessing a large capacity ammunition device (such as a magazine) within the city is illegal if the device holds more than 10 rounds of ammunition and also specifies the large devices are illegal regardless of whether or not they're attached to a firearm. The reason behind this investigation is due to NBC having a news office and an O&O (WRC-TV) inside the D.C. city limits, which also houses the studios of Meet The Press.[http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/12/25/washington-d-c-police-investigating-whether-nbc-moderator-violated-law/ "Washington, D.C. police investigating whether NBC moderator violated law"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121226124558/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/12/25/washington-d-c-police-investigating-whether-nbc-moderator-violated-law/ |date=December 26, 2012 }} from CNN (December 25, 2012)

|Fox Sports Networks acquires SportsTime Ohio from Larry Dolan. The move gives Fox Sports Ohio the exclusive broadcast rights to Cleveland Indians baseball, Cleveland Browns football, Ohio High School Athletic Association football and basketball playoffs and championships, and Mid-American Conference events.[https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/fox-sports-acquires-sportstime-ohio-406741 "Fox Sports Acquires SportsTime Ohio"] from Hollywood Reporter (December 28, 2012)

|After four years, the Tribune Company, owners of WGN-TV/Chicago and WPIX/New York, among other media properties, emerges from chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.[https://www.reuters.com/article/tribune-bankruptcy-idUSL4N0A513T20121231 Publisher Tribune to emerge from bankruptcy on Dec. 31], Reuters, December 31, 2012.

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