NBC today confirmed that Jimmy Fallon is taking over The Tonight Show from Jay Leno in 2014, ending months of rumors in a deal that was (according to Variety) brokered by Comcast exec and NBCUniversal president Steve Burke.

Leno will retire following a 22-year run, while Fallon's reign will begin, Variety hears, following the Sochi, Russia, Winter Olympics coverage on NBC and its sister TV networks.

A hint that a deal had been struck came earlier this week with the release of a video between the two late-night comics, which Leno and Fallon tweeted and NBC promoted online.Continue reading...

The Esquire Network says it's ready for prime time.

The new network, announced today, aims to “capture the essence of the magazine,” David Carey, president of Esquire publisher Hearst Magazines, told The New York Times. "This is not the magazine on TV; that would not work."

The male audience is an ever-sweet spot for brands, as evidenced by offerings that vary from Spike TV to Discovery's Velocity Channel. The Esquire Network will replace the Comcast-created G4 video gaming channel (which gave Esquire fave Olivia Munn her start as co-host on Attack of the Show) on April 22, and be available in 62 million homes with cable or satellite service.

The rebranded network is a strategic partnership between NBC Universal and Hearst Magazines. NBCUniversal cable executive Bonnie Hammer positioned it as "an upscale Bravo for men." She added, "If this was going to come under my portfolio, I’m a little brand crazy, so I said, let’s create a real brand, define a space, understand who we are programming for."Continue reading...

Here's to the many brands that have been stepping up in the wake of Hurricane Sandy's devastation on the U.S., providing everything from money to food to power and their employees, products and services to help disaster relief efforts. A partial list of charitable first-responders follows (and if we miss any, please let us know in the comments):

AT&T will extend late-payment windows for wireless and wireline customers, waive late payment fees and not disconnect services because of non-payment, and in an unprecedented open-network arrangement with T-Mobile, will enable roaming to customers of both companies in the impacted areas. AT&T wireless customers can make a $10 donation (up to $50) for Hurricane Sandy relief by texting to relief organizations. AT&T and T-Mobile also joined forces on a wireless roaming agreement, while Verizon Wireless is offering free charging for all cellphones.Continue reading...

Accenture expands Saudi business.

Groupon sees 1,500% growth.

NBCUniversal may sell "struggling" G4 network to UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship).

Oceana embraces mobile on World Oceans Day.

Quaker Oats hits the road with Nick Jonas for Quaker Chewy.

Starbucks expands alcohol sales.

Tesco CEO pitches hybrid online/offline retail experience.

THQ and adidas bring miCoach interactive training to video game consoles.

Weinergate woes continue: Anthony Weiner's wife is expecting.

Cablevision maintains subscriber base in wake of Fox standoff.

Chrysler seeks bank loans before possible stock sale in 2011.

DirecTV drops Comcast's G4 channel in latest tussle between media giants.

Discovery and Oprah Winfrey reveal programming details for OWN, Winfrey's cable channel debuting Jan. 1st.

Disney merges TV distribution and home entertainment units.

Gallup pollsters expect the Republican brand to win big in U.S. elections today, while Google helps voters with voting locator.

GM terminates 500 dealers, over politicians’ objections.Continue reading...

Google image search is dead. Long live Google image search. But first, a gallery for the art directors: "Awkward Stock Photos" (above)

A naked cowboy sees a naked cowgirl … no, this is not the beginning of a joke but a trademark suit. Continue reading...

Apple looks to small businesses for growth.

AT&T reports earnings, and 3.2 million iPhone activations in the second quarter.

CBS eyes daytime talk-show arena reportedly with The View-like replacement for musty As the World Turns.

Chrysler in the black again after last year’s near-death experience and acquisition by Fiat, with help from the U.S. government.

Comcast's G4 TV channel will become 4G for a week-long tie-in with Sprint.Continue reading...

TechCrunchTV has joined the online video mega-club. Producing and streaming original video programming seems to be a de rigueur move for smart brands in the digital space, as evidenced by recent other media brands including The New York Times, Reuters and The Wall Street Journal.

TechCrunchTV, which can be viewed at techcrunch.tv, is launching with six web shows, one daily and five weekly, featuring popular tech bloggers Sarah Lacy, MG Sielger, Jason Kincaid and TC founder Michael Arrington. With 40 minutes of daily live programming, is a 24/7 TCTV likely?Continue reading...