MUMBAI: Bob Costas, a 22-time Emmy Award-winning broadcaster, returns as the primetime host for US broadcaster NBC?s coverage of the 2012 London Olympic Games, which begin on 27 July.

For Costas, this marks his 10th Olympic broadcast assignment and his ninth as the primetime host (Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996, Sidney 2000, Salt Lake City, 2002, Athens 2004, Torino 2006, Beijing 2008, Vancouver 2010).

Al Michaels, who hosted daytime coverage at the Vancouver Olympic Winter Games, and Dan Patrick, making his Olympic hosting debut, will host NBC?s live weekday and weekend daytime coverage, and Mary Carillo will once again host the NBC late night show.

Additionally, Ryan Seacrest, tennis legend John McEnroe, gymnastics coach Bela Karolyi, and Carillo, broadcasting her 11th Olympic Games, will serve as Olympic correspondents during primetime coverage on NBC.

MUMBAI: US brocdaster NBC has unveiled premiere dates for three new and returning series for Summer 2012 that include the return of "Love in the Wild? on 7 June, the debut of ?Saving Hope? (working title) on the same day and the return of G4?s ?American Ninja Warrior? on 21 May.

Jenny McCarthy returns to her hosting roots as she joins NBC?s adventure-dating series ?Love in the Wild? as the host for the show?s second season that will feature even wilder adventures. McCarthy will head to the tropical paradise of the Dominican Republic to guide contestants through rigorous adventures as well as the choppy waters of relationships in their quest to find love.

The host, best-selling author and activist recently reprised her recurring role on "Two and a Half Men" and re-joined hosts Dick Clark and Ryan Seacrest in reporting live from Times Square on "Dick Clark?s New Year?s Rockin? Eve with Ryan Seacrest" this past New Year?s.

?Love in the Wild? aims to put relationships to the ultimate test with exhilarating and wild adventures that push participants to the limit, both physically and emotionally. Single men and single women, all looking for love, will experience a romantic quest unlike anything they could have ever imagined. These singles have tried it all -- speed-dating, blind-dating, Internet dating -- and now, they will journey to a tropical paradise to see if they can find that special someone. During elimination, all of the couples will come together to reveal whether a connection has been formed with their current partner -- or if they would like to switch and get to know someone else. At the end of every episode, heartbroken singles are sent home. The series culminates with just one couple left standing.

MUMBAI: US broadcaster NBC has announced that American radio personality, television host and author Howard Stern will serve as the new judge on the reality show ?America?s Got Talent?, produced by FremantleMedia North America and Simon Cowell?s Syco Television.

Stern will provide his feedback on the contestants who are currently auditioning in major cities around the country for the show?s upcoming seventh season.

Production of the live shows of ?America?s Got Talent? also will be moving to New York, where Stern will continue to helm his SiriusXM radio program.

NBC president, alternative and late night programming Paul Telegdy said, "Howard Stern?s larger-than-life personality will bring a thrilling new dynamic to ?America?s Got Talent? starting this summer. He?s a proven innovator and his track record in broadcasting is truly remarkable. Howard is very passionate about this show and is fully committed to its future success."

Stern helped to transform American radio and put syndicated satellite radio on the map on SiriusXM. As the outspoken, unedited and headline-grabbing host of ?The Howard Stern Show? radio program, Stern was nationally syndicated from 1986 to 2005 and became a pop-culture icon with a massive loyal fan base. Since 1987, he has hosted numerous television shows, record-breaking pay-per-view events and home video releases. He also embarked on a five-month political campaign for governor of New York in 1994.

MUMBAI: US media conglomerate NBCUniversal‘s channel, Universal Channel, has bolstered its portfolio of content in the UK with the acquisition of two new US dramas ‘Harry‘s Law? and ‘Law and Order: Los Angeles‘.

Harry‘s Law is the latest US hit from Emmy Award winner David E. Kelley, the writer and producer of Boston Legal and Ally McBeal, and stars Oscar winner Kathy Bates ‘Misery‘ in the eponymous lead role as Harriet ‘Harry? Korn.

Launched in the US on NBC in January 2011 with over 11 million viewers, Harry?s Law ranked as NBC?s most-watched scripted series of the 2010?11 broadcast season and was subsequently renewed for a second season in May.

 
Universal Channel has acquired the exclusive UK rights to both seasons of Harry?s Law from Warner Bros. International Television Distribution.

Law and Order; Los Angeles is the latest spin-off of Dick Wolf‘s successful Law and Order franchise, originated for NBC in the US. Universal Channel, which is already the UK premiere home of ‘Law and Order: Special Victims Unit‘, has licensed the exclusive basic television rights in the UK to the West Coast-based series from NBCUniversal International Television Distribution.

Universal Networks International UK MD Laurence Dawkin-Jones said, "Having moved higher up the EPG in February, our priority is to capitalise on Universal Channel‘s new prominence by bringing viewers first run, exclusive content they will not find elsewhere. Harry?s Law and ‘Law and Order: Los Angeles? are terrific, high-quality titles which we are thrilled to claim Universal Channel is UK home to"

‘Law & Order: Los Angeles‘ made its UK debut on Universal Channel on 12 September, while Harry‘s Law will launch on 10 October.

‘Harry?s Law‘ is a quirky, light-touch legal drama which follows Harriet Korn a curmudgeonly ex-patent lawyer who makes a fresh start after she is abruptly fired from her blue chip law firm. Setting up in the characteristically unconventional location of an abandoned shoe store, Harriet forms her own criminal law practice, Harry?s Law and Fine Shoes, with a team of unlikely kindred spirits. David E. Kelley
created the series and serves as executive producer with Bill D‘Elia.

Law & Order: Los Angeles sets the classic crime-then-punishment storytelling of the landmark original series against the distinctive backdrop of LA. The drama follows the progression of cases as they are investigated by the LAPD‘s elite Robbery Homicide Division and prosecuted by Deputy District Attorneys.