Martha Stewart TV Show taken off

MUMUMBAI: Emmy-award winning home decorating and cooking show Martha Stewart Living Television would be placed on hiatus as Stewart contends with a criminal conviction, informed Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia (MSO).

The show was distributed by King World Productions to 52 percent of local U.S. television markets.

Stewart was convicted in March of lying to investigators about a personal stock sale and resigned as an officer and a member of the company’s board. She is scheduled to be sentenced on June 17 and legal experts believe she will serve prison time.

MSO says it expects to take a second-quarter charge of up to $2 million as it restructures its television business. The company said it would continue production of its “Petkeeping” show with Marc Morrone and step up development of special programs and new shows, such as “Everyday Food.”

The Martha Stewart Living television program had already been dropped from Viacom’s CBS television stations, reducing license fees and advertising revenues. MSO also plans to downplay Stewart’s name on its flagship magazine.