TV News Page 2

Dish and TV Networks are battling over the former's new AutoHop service, which allows consumers to skip television ads. On Thursday, May 24, FOX, NBCUniversal and CBS have separately sued the satellite broadcaster over the program, citing copyright infringement.

In a statement, FOX claimed Dish's service will be "destroying the fundamental underpinnings of the broadcast television ecosystem." It added, "Their wrongheaded decision requires us to take swift action in order to aggressively defend the future of free, over-the-air television."

Demi Lovato has apparently become Simon Cowell's chief antagonist as soon as she started her judging stint on "The X Factor (US)". During the first day of auditions in Austin, Texas, the "Give Your Heart a Break" singer was reportedly not afraid of taking a jab at the show's creator.

"Demi has really been brave with Simon, constantly reminding him how young she is and how old he is," said a source at the auditions. "Within a few minutes of judging starting, Demi called Simon 'grandpa' because he's seemingly decided to play the role of Cupid for her."

A day after "American Idol" wrapped up its eleventh season, another singing competition show "Duets" has kicked off its first season. The premiere episode airing Thursday, May 24 opened with mentors/judges Kelly Clarkson, John Legend, Robin Thicke and Jennifer Nettles performing "Let Me Entertain You".

They later roamed across the United States to find two people each whom they'd like to have a duet with. Clarkson picked Jordan Meredith and Jason Farol, Nettles chose J Rome and John Glosson, Legend nabbed Johnny Gray and Bridget Carrington, while Thicke recruited Alexis Foster and Olivia Chisholm.

Daytime Emmy Awards has found a new home on HLN. The cable will air the 39th annual ceremony live from Beverly Hills on Saturday, June 23. As the cable has covered the show in the past, HLN Executive Vice President and General Manager Scot Safon said in a statement, "This year, we're very excited to also be carrying the event itself."

The upcoming telecast will mark the first time the awards ceremony, which is held by National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS), airing on a cable. The show was broadcast by CBS in the past two years, but it struggled to find a network home following the rating and popularity decline of soap operas.

Phillip Phillips has opened up about his hard road before he was crowned the winner of "American Idol" season 11 on Wednesday, May 23. After his father revealed that he underwent not less than eight surgeries during his time on the show, the 21-year-old guy admitted that his kidney stone issues almost forced him to quit the singing competition.

"It was rough at times and there were a couple of times I thought about going ahead and getting out and getting the surgery done... I came close to almost dropping out to get the surgery done," so the son of a pawn shop's owner shared. "But I had a lot of great doctors and a lot of great people who helped me out through it. I'm blessed to have that."

Lifetime has found the other half of titular couple in its original movie "Liz & Dick". After casting Lindsay Lohan as Elizabeth Taylor, the biopic has tapped former "True Blood" actor Grant Bowler to portray Welsh actor Richard Burton.

Talking about Bowler's casting, producer Larry Thompson told E! Online, "We had seen him [Bowler] on tape and liked him but wanted to confirm the chemistry between the two. But this morning we had Lindsay and Grant come into a room at Lifetime and the chemistry exploded."

Britney Spears started her judging stint for "The X Factor (US)" on Thursday, May 24 and she has been reported leaving the set earlier than the other judges. The 30-year-old mother of two was escorted backstage during the auditions in Texas, leaving four last hopefuls singing in front of the remaining three judges.

Rumors soon began to swirl that the "Womanizer" hitmaker walked off the set because she was upset after a contestant butchered her song "Hold It Against Me". However, the "Crossroads" star herself has denied the report by writing on her Twitter page, "#Britneywalksoff??? LOL was just taking a little break people. I am having the BEST time!!!"

Britney Spears and Demi Lovato have made their first official "The X Factor (US)" walk. The first promo of the talent show featuring the two new judges has been released, including head judge Simon Cowell saying "What was I thinking?" about hiring the girls.

The first promo was debuted on Wednesday, May 23 night on "American Idol" finale where Phillip Phillips was crowned winner. Spears and Lovato had actually been introduced before this, during FOX upfront presentation in New York earlier this month.

Phillip Phillips is still coming to term with his win on "American Idol" season 11. Asked about how he felt after the Wednesday, May 23 final result show, the 21-year-old singer admitted he is "still a little numb from the whole situation." He added, "I don't really feel anything... It hasn't sunk in yet."

Calling it "crazy" and "unreal", Phillip claimed that he didn't think he was going to win. He continued sharing, "It's such a blessing to have, I'm kinda ready to try and comprehend it all. After I won, I wasn't thinking about anything... I wasn't wanting to sing or anything. I just started thinking about the journey and how far all of us have come and how far we made it, it's so overwhelming."

HBO has released another promo for "True Blood" season 5 to hype up the show's return. The video shares some new scenes from the upcoming chapter, including the one which sees Christopher Meloni's Roman ready to stab Bill in the chest. Kneeling next to the King of Louisiana is Eric, who seems unfazed by the Vampire Authority leader's action.

In another scene, Eric is seen saying, "We come to finish what we started," hinting that he is going to fix the mess he created. Sookie screams at Lafayette who is stabbing something unseen, while Jessica is having a fight with the recently turned Rev. Steve Newlin.

"The Walking Dead" has introduced Michonne in its second season finale, but it's not until now that the face of the samurai-wielding heroine is uncovered. Entertainment Weekly gets it hand on the first photo of the new character as portrayed by Danai Gurira.

Creator Robert Kirkman says that on the TV series, "the essence of the character - her personality, her motives, everything that makes Michonne Michonne - remains intact from the comics." He, however, adds, "...like a lot of things on the show, there will be little tweaks and differences here and there."

After teaming up with estranged husband Marc Anthony on "Q'Viva! The Chosen", Jennifer Lopez will be starring alongside her current boy-toy Casper Smart on a new reality show. Reports said the 42-year-old singer/actress has sold the unscripted series to Oxygen, but the network has not released any comment on the news.

According to the New York Post, the new reality show will follow 24-year-old Smart as "he whips her other backup dancers into shape for the tour," which will kick off July 14 in Montreal, Canada. The show will reportedly focus solely on the couple's professional relationship instead of highlighting their romance.

"American Idol" season 11 came to a close by declaring Phillip Phillips as the winner on Wednesday, May 23. The 21-year-old singer beat out Jessica Sanchez after earning a standing ovation from the judges with his performance of winner's song "Home" on the Tuesday final performance show.

Last season's winner Scotty McCreery was on hand to present the microphone trophy to Phillip. Looking overwhelmed, the Georgia boy broke into tears as he repeated his performance of "Home" under the confetti.

NBC is lining up "Saving Hope" this summer and offers a look at it by debuting a new sneak peek. The preview gives a glimpse of a car accident that puts Michael Shanks' Charlie Harris, a charismatic Chief of Surgery, in a comatose state.

His fiancee Alex Reid, played by "Smallville" alumna Erica Durance, races to save his life with the help of newly-arrived star surgeon, Daniel Gillies' Joel Goran, who happened to have a tumultuous relationship with Reid in the past. Meanwhile, Harris finds out that he can roam the hospital in spirit form.

"True Blood" has found Alan Ball's successor for the possible season 6. Co-executive producer Mark Hudis has signed an overall deal with HBO, which will see him being upped to executive producer/showrunner if the vampire-themed series is ordered for another new season, a spokesperson for the network has confirmed.

Ball, who created the hit vampire series, announced in February this year that he would step down as the day-to-day showrunner by the end of season 5. He, however, will still be involved with the show in a supervisory capacity.