• by Wayne Friedman , December 19, 2007

TV Guide Network's name will expand--for the first time--into radio with a daily entertainment report.

Debut Broadcasting Corp., a radio broadcast/syndication company, will create the show, fronted by former "American Idol" finalist Kimberly Caldwell. Caldwell already hosts two TV Guide Network shows-"Reality Chat" and "Idol Tonight," an "American Idol" pre-show.

The show will be primarily original entertainment reporting. Some content on her TV shows will be re-purposed for the radio show, which begins airing in late December.

Debut will syndicate the effort to radio stations via its Impact Radio Networks unit. The 9-year-old radio company works with 1,000 radio station affiliates in the United States and Canada, reaching over 40 million listeners nationwide each week.

This month, technology company Macrovision Corporation agreed to acquire Gemstar-TV Guide International, owner of TV Guide Network, for a combination of cash and stock worth approximately $2.8 billion.

Separately, Debut's Impact Radio Networks has signed a new service agreement with GAP West Broadcasting for 2008, which strengthens IRN's presence in the top 10 radio markets.