LATEST NEWS

August 21, 2017

Netflix has again led all networks at the second annual Critics Choice Real TV Awards, and its series Cheer and Queer Eye topped the winners, each taking home two awards...

August 21, 2017

 The After-Show, that lively talker breaking down the just-concluded episode of a hit show, is picking up in popularity, with more set to launch in the coming weeks...

July 07, 2016

Talent relations executive Melissa Durliat is joining satellite radio SiriusXM as vice president and general manager of entertainment programming, Variety has learned. Durliat previously managed all entertainment bookings — including the summer concert series — at NBC’s “Today” from 2005 to 2013. At Sirius, she’ll be putting her rolodex to use, overseeing the broadcaster’s entertainment talk programming across channels that include “STARS,” “Today Show Radio,” “Entertainment Weekly Radio” and “Radio Andy” with Andy Cohen...

September 07, 2013

In her eight years at NBC's "Today," Melissa Lonner has built the show's concert series into a year-round event, and the prestige music booking for morning TV. Lonner–who also helmed NBC's broadcast of the opening ceremonies for the London Olympics...

August 20, 2013

This month wraps not just another year of tremendous “Today” bookings for senior producer Melissa Lonner, it marks the end of her eight-year run at NBC News after she elected not to renew her contract. A trailblazer who revolutionized live music on “Today” and, by extension, the realm of morning show entertainment, Lonner launched the now-vaunted Summer Concert Series...

November 29, 2012

In the proverbial dance of chicken and egg, NBC news and sports senior producer Melissa Lonner is a master choreographer. The longtime music producer of NBC's "Today," Lonner not only excels in spotting talent early but also finessing the power of morning TV to catapult careers into the mainstream. In March, Brit boy band One Direction drew an unprecedented 15,000-plus people to the show's plaza before the group's debut album even hit in the United States...

January 01, 2012

When Melissa Lonner, senior entertainment producer for NBC's "Today," booked Brit pop quintet One Direction in January, she scheduled the group for a routine in-studio performance. But once news broke that the boyish five some would be at 30 Rock...

January 07, 2012

When 18,000 of Christ Brown's fans showed up on July morning for a four-song performance at the "Today" Summer Concert Series, the huge turnout was an indication of the significant viewing audience...

October 07, 2010

In her role as senior entertainment producer for NBC News, Melissa Lonner is constantly seeking new ways to use music in programming. NBC's "Today" draws an average daily audience of 5.3 million and its Friday Summer Concert series, reinvented by Lonner...

October 03, 2009

Sitting, from left: "Today" hosts Matt Later, Kathie Lee Gifford, Hoda Kotb and All Roker. Standing are "Today" senior producer Melissa Lonner (left) and host Ann Curry...

April 03, 2010

A slot on NBC's "Today" is one of the biggest promotional opportunities for an artist, providing a big sales boost for many acts, not to mention a valuable launching pad for new releases...

October 10, 2009

In the four years since NBC "Today" senior producer Melissa longer took over the morning show's entertainment coverage, she's pretty much booked every big-name artist around...

April 21, 2007

Those watching daytime TV shows from the comfort of their homes may take these live performances for granted, but they shouldn't. There's more to it than meets the eye–much more...

July 21, 2007

When it comes to synch licenses, James Blunt is no slouch. Nearly every song from his debut album, "Back to Bediam," has been featured–more than once–in TV shows, films, promo/trailer spots and ad campaigns...