Sundance Channel announces new series
By Gail Schiller
April 2, 2008
NEW YORK - Sundance Channel Wednesday announced a new talk show hosted by Elvis Costello and executive produced by Elton John as well as seven new shows in development for 2009, but declined to confirm or deny reports that the channel is up for sale.
"NBCU and CBS are the fourth mommy and daddy we've had since this network was founded 12 years ago," Sundance president and CEO Larry Aidem said at a pre-upfront breakfast with reporters in New York. "It's the fifth if you count the split of Viacom 2-1/2 years ago. We are used to changes in ownership. It's happened before and rumors of changes in ownership have happened before . But one constant has been Robert Redford. He's been there from the beginning. He's deeply involved in the creative part of our business. We're not missing a beat. If something happens it happens."
Sundance said it would begin airing 13 episodes of "Spectacle: Elvis Costello with ..." later this year. Produced in conjunction with Elton John's Rocket Pictures, the series will air on CTV in Canada and Channel 4 in the UK. FremantleMedia Enterprises will handle sales of the show to the rest of the world.
The series will feature everything from intimate one-on-ones with legendary performers and notable newcomers to thematic panel discussions, with a variety of performance elements, Sundance said.
Redford was not at Wednesday's presentation but is scheduled to appear at small upfront presentations for advertisers in Los Angeles, Chicago and New York on April 29, April 30 and May 1.
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