Big Brother 10 contestant Sophia Brown dies, aged 30

Big Brother 10 contestant Sophia Brown dies, aged 30

Big Brother 10's Sophia Brown has reportedly died at the age of 30.

The news emerged after a number of her fellow 2009 housemates left tributes on social networking sites.

Lisa Elizabeth Wallace posted on Facebook: "Would like to offer my condolences to Sophia brown from bb10s family and friends in their very sad loss. Sophia was a ray of sunshine. I am so glad to of had the pleasure of spending time with her in the bb house.

"Sophia, you were an angel on earth, who always could make me laugh. I know that God would have made you an angel in heaven too. You're expressions and wit will always be something that I will remember forever. The laughs we had I will treasure always. RIP angel. x x x x x never forgotten x x x"

Karly Ashworth wrote on Twitter: "#RIP to Sophia Brown who was also on my series of Big Brother. Such sad news. My thoughts are with her family and friends. X"

Sophie Reade said: "Devastated to hear the news about sophia, such an amazing lady and a pleasure to known her. Cant believe it #RIP"

Victor Ebuwa, who took part in Big Brother 5, commented: "R.I.P. Sophia Brown (Big Brother 10) I only met you a few times but i could tell u were a lovely & wonderful person. You will be missed....."

Big Brother announcer Marcus Bentley added: "Such very sad news about BB 10 housemate Sophia Brown - god bless Sophia xx"

Though her cause of death is currently unknown, the 4ft 11in reality show contestant suffered from Lupus - a disease affecting the immune system - since she was a young child.

London-born Brown - who worked as a bank assistant - was evicted from the Big Brother house on the ninth day following a heated row with Saffia Corden.

Shortly before entering the Big Brother house, Brown said that scoring an A* in GCSE English was the proudest achievement in her life.

CW Plans New Way of Measuring Viewers, Choose-Your-Own Adventure-Style Online Programming

CW Plans New Way of Measuring Viewers, Choose-Your-Own Adventure-Style Online Programming

The CW has complained for years that Nielsen ratings don't adequately gauge its young audience, and now the network is doing something about it -- by developing its own measurement system.

At its upfront presentation to advertisers Thursday, CW also detailed plans for a new digital studio called CWD, which will be an online source of game shows, comedies, animation and personality-driven shows. One of its features will allow viewers to choose the outcome of a situation, choose-your-own adventure style. Viewers might decide whether a character kisses someone or storms out of the room, for example.

Also read: CW Redeveloping 'Hunger Games'-Like 'The Selection'; 'Deadman' Not Dead

Talking to reporters after the upfront presentation, CW president Mark Pedowitz was secretive about details of the new measurement system, which will measure online views as well as how many people watch TV shows in real time.

He said the CW, which was born five years ago from a union of Warner Bros.' WB and CBS's UPN networks, was not working with any other networks on the system. The network targets viewers 18 to 34, a younger audience than the 18-to-49-year-olds sought by the four biggest broadcasters.

Asked it he hoped the new system would become an industry standard, Pedowitz said, "I think everybody has to make their own choice. I have no idea. ... We may just be a very different network from everyone else."

As its ratings slipped this season, the CW noted that its audience is as comfortable with computer and tablet screens as television ones, and watches much of its programming online. It says that at any time 7 percent of its viewers watch shows on its website, CWTV.com.

It has also made streaming deals with Netflix and Hulu that have added to the network's financial stability and made it less reliant on ratings. The Netflix deal alone is expected to earn the CW up to $1 billion, providing a fresh revenue source beyond advertising.

Here are the projects planned for CWD, as described by the CW:

*   “Gallery Girl,” a digital animated comedy series showcasing a savvy, cool and acerbic gallerina who gleefully takes down the celebrities who are brave enough to enter her SoHo art gallery.  Armed with her deep knowledge of art and an equally deep reserve of sarcastic attitude towards her patrons, Gallery Girl is fearless towards whomever enters her wake. Executive produced by Brad Roth and Mark Feldstein of Stun Creative, an LA-based advertising agency/production company whose previous digital credits include The Single Life (DBG/Dentyne Ice), Jen & Barb Mom Life (Specific Media), The Writers Room (Crackle/Sony) and Obamourage (Atom).

*   “Fandemonium,” a combination of a traditional game show and a competition show, where The CW’s 50 million Facebook fans can compete for the title of The CW’s #1 fan, using social media platforms including Pinterest, GetGlue and Klout.

*   Untitled Justine Ezarik Project, starring YouTube sensation Justine Ezarik (“iJustine”), who dispenses advice on her vlog to her followers that she can’t quite seem to get right for herself. Executive Producers are The Tannenbaum Co., Eric Tannenbaum, Kim Tannenbaum, The Collective and Richie Keen.

*   “Stupid Hype" is a live-action series created by and starring “Hart of Dixie” star Wilson Bethel. Earlier this year Bethel wrote and produced Rachel "Thug Lite" Bilson’s online rap debut, “Call Me Doctor,” which went viral almost instantly after posting on Funny or Die. “Stupid Hype,” chronicles the (mis)adventures of a former breakdancer turned rising rap star in 1990. The series will feature original music from Bethel and his super-producer brother Charlie Bethel, aka Chuck Wild, and will be directed by Dugan O’Neal, twisted creative guru behind “Call Me Doctor.”

The CW's 2012-13 Lineup: The Complete List

The CW's 2012-13 Lineup: The Complete List

The CW announced its 2012-13 schedule Thursday. For some analysis, click here. For the schedule and show descriptions, read on.

THE CW’s 2012-2013 PRIMETIME SCHEDULE

MONDAY

8:00-9:00 PM            90210 (New Night)

9:00-10:00 PM         GOSSIP GIRL (New Time)
                                 (THE CARRIE DIARIES premieres January, 2013)

TUESDAY

8:00-9:00 PM            HART OF DIXIE (New Night)

9:00-10:00 PM          EMILY OWENS, M.D. (New Series)

WEDNESDAY

8:00-9:00 PM            ARROW (New Series)

9:00-10:00 PM          SUPERNATURAL (New Night)

THURSDAY

8:00-9:00 PM            THE VAMPIRE DIARIES

9:00-10:00 PM          BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (New Series)

FRIDAY

8:00-9:00 PM            AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL (New Night)

9:00-10:00 PM          NIKITA (New Time)

CW Redeveloping 'Hunger Games'-Like 'Selection'; 'Deadman' Not Dead

CW Redeveloping 'Hunger Games'-Like 'Selection'; 'Deadman' Not Dead

The CW is redeveloping "The Selection," a "Hunger Games"-like series that it passed on for the 2012-13 season -- and the network continues to develop a series about the D.C. comics hero Deadman, network president Mark Pedowitz said Thursday.

Pedowitz spoke to reporters after the network unveiled its 2012-13 lineup to advertisers, including another drama based on a D.C. comics hero, the gritty "Arrow." He said he planned to meet with the producers of "The Selection," based on the book by Kiera Cass, to discuss it. He said it was too soon to say whether the show will be recast. "Friday Night Lights" star Aimee Teegarden had been cast in the lead.

Like "The Hunger Games," is about a young girl in a futuristic, war-torn nation who is chosen by lottery to compete for fame and fortune against a backdrop of hunger and carnage. Unlike the "Hunger Games"' Katniss Everdeen, the girl at the center of "The Selection" is competing for the affections of a prince, not killing other teenagers.

"Supernatural" creator Eric Kripke, who also created NBC's upcoming "Revolution," is developing the Deadman series.

Ratings: ABC Hits Lows; Fox Wins Night With 'American Idol'

Ratings: ABC Hits Lows; Fox Wins Night With 'American Idol'

The season finale for CBS' 'Criminal Minds' enjoyed a considerable boost Wednesday night, while ABC suffered a series of lows and Fox took a decisive if predictable win with "American Idol," according to preliminary numbers.

Fox easily took first place in ratings and total viewers with an average 4.8 rating/14 share in the advertiser-coveted 18-49 demographic and 17.3 million total viewers. The network ran "American Idol" from 8 to 10, which rose 7 percent from last week's episode.

CBS took second place in ratings and total viewers with an average 2.7/8 in the demo and 10.4 million total viewers. The network ran repeats with the exception of the "Criminal Minds" season finale at 9, which grew 21 percent in the demo for a 3.5/10 and drew 13.5 million total viewers.

ABC came in third in ratings and total viewers with an average 2.3/6 in the demo and 6.6 million total viewers. The network saw declines across the board, save for "The Middle" at 8, which nonetheless tied for a series low in the demo with a 1.9/6, and took 6.5 million total viewers.

The "Suburgatory" finale at 8:30 dropped 14 percent in the demo from last week for a 1.8/6 -- its lowest demo performance to date -- and received 5.4 million total viewers. "Modern Family" at 9 dipped 11 percent in the demo to a season low of 3.9/11, and drew 9.3 million total viewers.

"Don't Trust the B---- in Apt. 23" at 9:30 was also down, dropping 13 percent in the demo to tie a low of 2.3/6, with 4.8 million total viewers. "Revenge" at 10 dropped 9 percent in the demo for its lowest showing to date, a 2.0/5, and received 6.8 million total viewers.

Univision took fourth place in ratings and fifth in total viewers with an average 1.5/4 in the demo and 3.8 million. "Una Familia Con Suerte" at 8 drew a 1.5/5 in the demo and 3.6 million total viewers, while "Abismo de Pasion" the following hour posted a 1.5/4 in the demo and 3.7 million total viewers. "La Que No Podia Amar" at 10 received a 1.6/4 in the demo and 4 million total viewers.

NBC came in fifth in the demo and fourth in total viewers with an average 1.3/4 and 4.5 million. "Betty White's Off Their Rockers" at 8 posted a 1.4/5 in the demo and 5.1 million total viewers, while a second episode at 8:30 drew a 1.5/5 and 5.4 million total viewers. Following a "Law & Order: SVU" repeat at 9, an original airing of the series drew a 1.7/5 and 5.5 million total viewers.

Fox's 2012-13 Lineup: The Complete List

Fox's 2012-13 Lineup: The Complete List

Fox has released it's full 2012-13 schedule.

MONDAY

8:00-9:00 PM                          BONES   

9:00-10:00 PM                        THE MOB DOCTOR (new)

THE FOLLOWING (new) joins in midseason.   

TUESDAY

8:00-8:30 PM                          RAISING HOPE

8:30-9:00 PM                          BEN AND KATE (new)

9:00-9:30 PM                          NEW GIRL

9:30-10:00 PM                        THE MINDY PROJECT (new)

THE GOODWIN GAMES (new) joins in midseason.

WEDNESDAY

8:00-10:00 PM                        THE X FACTOR (fall) / AMERICAN IDOL (midseason)                 

THURSDAY

8:00-9:00 PM                          THE X FACTOR Results (fall) / AMERICAN IDOL Results (midseason)

9:00-10:00 PM                        GLEE                  

FRIDAY

8:00-9:00 PM                          TOUCH

9:00-10:00 PM                        FRINGE (fall)

HELL’S KITCHEN returns in midseason. 

SATURDAY

7:00-10:30 PM                        FOX SPORTS SATURDAY (fall)

COPS returns in midseason.

ANIMATION DOMINATION HIGH-DEF (new) will join late-prime in 2013.

SUNDAY

7:00-7:30 PM                          NFL Game (fall) / ANIMATION DOMINATION (encores)

7:30-8:00 PM                          THE OT (fall) / THE CLEVELAND SHOW

8:00-8:30 PM                          THE SIMPSONS

8:30-9:00 PM                          BOB’S BURGERS

9:00-9:30 PM                          FAMILY GUY

9:30-10:00 PM                        AMERICAN DAD

Exclusive: Ryan Murphy Tells Us Who’s Staying on Glee

Exclusive: Ryan Murphy Tells Us Who’s Staying on Glee

Who's graduating up and out of Glee? To hear the Internet tell it, nearly everyone.

Jane Lynch said she got emotional filming her last scene with Dianna Agron, whose character Quinn is Yale-bound, because "it was like saying goodbye" to the actress. Amber Riley tweeted that she had just closed a chapter in her life, "the only thing I've known for three years. I'm going to miss the whole Glee family ... " Meanwhile, Mark Salling's Puck wants to clean pools in California and Naya Rivera's Santana looks headed for Kentucky on a cheerleading scholarship — and yet, we already know the show will take place in New York and Lima, Ohio.

Are all McKinley seniors not named Rachel, Kurt, or Finn off the show? Series boss Ryan Murphy says absolutely not.

"A lot of people have been writing Dianna's off the show, Amber's off the show — they're not off the show," Murphy told Vulture. "I think Amber was talking about that bittersweet feeling of, 'I'll never be in the choir room with that exact group of people.' At least that's what she told me ... When I read that [tweet,] I said, 'I think people will misconstrue that.' She's excited about where her character is going. They all are. I wanted to do the right thing by all of them."

"We had a meeting, and you know we've become like a family, and I said to them, 'Anybody who wants to stay on the show will stay on the show,'" he said. To be clear, that includes McKinley staff played by Matthew Morrison, Jane Lynch, and Jayma Mays. "They're all coming back," Murphy continued. "Anyone who is a regular is coming back. Everyone said yes."

At the same time, Murphy isn't specifying how long "coming back" means for certain characters. "It doesn't mean everyone will be doing 22 episodes, but everyone wants to stay in our family and our world,'" he said. "I wanted to make sure those actors know that if they want to have a home, they have a home. If they want to explore new and different things while also having a home, that is also an option."

Tuesday's season finale will probably explain how some of these characters will stay in the picture after getting their diplomas, and Murphy says the cast has been very into what he's revealed so far. "When I told them all what the next season was, I think they all liked it because they all get to grow and be back to struggling. 'Where is my place in the world?' ... For the most part, I've had really good talks with all the actors, and what I want to do they have loved. Cory Monteith was like, 'I love that Finn gets to do that. That's awesome.'"