Beverly Hills, Calif. — David Nevins, president, Showtime Networks, countered comments FX Networks head John Landgraf’s made last week about a saturation of programing in the market, saying during his executive session at TCA Tuesday (August 11), “There is never enough great TV.” .
“There may be too much good TV,” he said. “But I can’t imagine anyone saying there is too much great TV. There is a lot of stupid money going in a lot of directions. “
Showtime programming growth is clearly not slowing down as the pay cabler announced the renewals of Masters of Sex and Ray Donovan and picked up a slew of new series.
“We are in expansion mode but at a rate to [create] great, meaningful television,” he said.
Nevins was also peppered with questions about the highly-anticipated Twin Peaks reboot, specifically the Twitter conflict with director David Lynch last April where he proclaimed he left the project due to a financial dispute.
“I never had any doubt I would get him back,” Nevins said.
Nevins said the series – which begins shooting in Sept. -- looks in “great shape,” as it became clear that it would now be more than nine episodes, likening it to “one long movie.”
“I will let [Lynch] cut as many episodes as he feels comfortable,” Nevins said.
Lynch will be the sole director on the project, and Nevins wouldn’t comment on further casting other than previously-announced Kyle MacLachlan, who starred in the original.
But, he teased: “You should be optimistic about the people you want to be there … and there will be surprises. It’s not fully cast but it’s fairly clear where it’s going.”
The Showtime topper briefly touched on its new OTT service – Showtime – which launched in July, noting that the pay cabler’s subscription MVPD business is 23 million-plus.
“We have a lot of room for expansion and the early demand is encouraging,” he said.
Read more at bradcastingcable.com.
