Access Hollywood (1996- )

Access Hollywood Live is a weekday television entertainment news program covering events and celebrities in the entertainment industry. It was created by former Entertainment Tonight executive producer Jim Van Messel, and is currently produced by Robert Silverstein and directed by Richard Plotkin. In previous years, Doug Dougherty, Christopher A. Berry and Kim Anastasia directed the program. Access Hollywood Live primarily focuses on news in the music, television, and film industries. Access Hollywood Live has been nationally syndicated in the United States since September 9, 1996. It was previously produced by NBC Studios and has changed distributors over the years, first with New World Television, then 20th Television (after News Corporation bought New World), followed by Warner Bros. Television Distribution, and then to NBC Enterprises when the network started up its own syndication division. Today, NBC Universal Television Distribution, in association with NBC's owned-and-operated station KNBC has been solely responsible for its production and distribution since 2004. Warner Bros. continues its involvement with the program, now being responsible for barter ad sales for Access Hollywood Live. On September 7, 2010, Access Hollywood began broadcasting in high definition. On May 1, 2012, NBC Universal Television Distribution announced it would renew Access Hollywood for three additional years through the 2014-15 season.