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Too niche and violent or just uninspiring, the new shows underwhelm buyers as local shows are "taking back power," says one expert, threatening Hollywood's $3 billion lifeline.

All signs are pointing to Khloe Kardashian as the new host of The X Factor, newly made-over by creator Simon Cowell with Britney Spears and Demi Lovato at the judges' table. So says TMZ, which reported Friday that Kardashian -- known as the funny one among her reality-famous siblings -- is the frontrunner to get the gig following a successful screen test. If Cowell, who apparently considers her a magnet for young viewers along with Spears and Lovato, hires the E! star for his Fox talent competition, then she would basicaly have to start right away. The second-season reboot of X Factor premieres Sept. 12 and 13.

Nicely done, America. Nicely done. The voters on "America's Got Talent" put the two best semifinalists from Tuesday night's show through to next week's finals (which, possibly just to confuse us, will take place Wednesday at 9 p.m./8 p.m. Central). They also lined up two worthy contenders for the third and final slot, with the judges making the call as to which went through.

The MTV Video Music Awards were quick and easy this year: no stage-crashers except for the audience. No drama from Chris Brown, Drake, Rihanna or their crews. Peace and love between artists abounded, from Young Money repping for each other, to Rihanna and Katy Perry hanging out to (most of the) "Twilight" crew presenting for one last time. No drama also means the show had is slow and vanilla moments, including some from One Direction, Alicia Keys, Kevin Hart and others.

The Federal Communications Commission will propose on Friday a plan to auction off television airwaves to wireless carriers that will use them to create faster and more reliable networks, according to an official familiar with the plans.

NFL vs. Clinton — Clinton wins. By the time the dust settled, the NFL’s season kickoff game Wednesday between the New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys had fumbled away about 3 million viewers compared with last year’s season starter.

Fox News Channel’s 10 to 11-ish p.m. coverage of Clint Eastwood’s debate with a chair — followed by Mitt Romney’s acceptance speech — was the country’s second-most-watched TV program last week. Romney, Eastwood & Chair finished the week trailing only Howard Stern & “America’s Got Talent” on NBC; the telecasts averaged 9.1 million viewers and 9.9 million viewers, respectively.

Opening night of the Democratic National Convention, featuring remarks by Michelle Obama, was watched by more than 26 million people... Last week, Romney and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie kicked off the Republican National Convention and attracted 22.3 million viewers to their first-night speeches.

Dick Clark Productions, which produces TV programs including "New Year's Rockin' Eve" and the Golden Globe Awards, is being sold to a group including investment firm Guggenheim Partners.

"The Biggest Loser" will return in January with the weight-loss show's first young teen participants and trainer Jillian Michaels back on duty. The show's 14th season will take on a new "mission" against the national increase in childhood obesity, NBC said Tuesday. Youths between the ages of 13 and 17 will join teams trying to shed pounds and get fit.