In this May 29, 2014, file photo, actor Neil Patrick Harris speaks at Book Expo America in New York. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File)
NEW YORK (AP) --
NBC is bringing Neil Patrick Harris back to series television as host of a comedy-variety series.
The new show is based on the successful British TV format "Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway." NBC didn't announce an official title or premiere date for its adaptation, which will air for 10 episodes.
The series will feature comedy sketches, musical numbers, mini game shows and appearances by A-list stars, NBC said. It will film in front of a live audience.
Harris has previously served as host of both the Emmys and Tony Awards. He was recently announced as host of the 2015 Academy Awards.
The versatile performer starred for nine seasons in the CBS comedy "How I Met Your Mother." He is currently co-starring in the suspense film "Gone Girl."
Dish Network satellite dishes are shown at an apartment complex in Palo Alto, Calif., Feb. 23, 2011. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, File)
DirecTV is calling off its planned acquisition of rival Dish after the offer was rejected by bond holders at that company.
The deal was reliant on Dish bond holders agreeing to trade in the debt they held for debt in the new company, a swap that would have cost them about $1.6 billion, collectively.
The retreat by DirecTV this week may end a years-long effort by the company to acquire both Dish and Sling after it announced the bid in September.
DirecTV was looking to acquire Dish TV and Sling TV from its owner EchoStar in a debt exchange transaction that included a payment of $1, plus the assumption of approximately $9.8 billion in debt. The deal was contingent on several factors, including regulatory approvals and bondholders writing off debt related to Dish.
"While we believed a combination of DirecTV and Dish would have benefited all stakeholders, we have terminated the transaction because the proposed exchange terms were necessary to protect DirecTV's balance sheet and our operational flexibility," DirecTV CEO Bill Morrow said in a statement.
The prospect of a DirecTV-Dish combo has long been rumored, and reported talks resurfaced over the years. And the two almost merged more than two decades ago — but the Federal Communications Commission blocked the deal valued at the time at $18.5 billion deal, citing antitrust concerns.
The pay-for-TV market has shifted significantly since. As more and more consumers tune into online streaming platforms, demand for more traditional satellite entertainment continues to shrink.
DirecTV says that it will continue to invest in next-generation streaming platforms and offer new packaging options while integrating content from live TV alongside direct-to-consumer... Read More
