This film and The Truman Show (1998) were aware of each other during pre-production. Edtv was not that concerned because their film would be a comedy, and they didn't think audiences would turn out in large numbers to see Jim Carrey doing a drama. When The Truman Show (1998) turned into a big hit, Universal insisted that the promotions for this film make it look like more of a broad slapstick comedy than it actually was, contributing to its failure at the box-office. Coincidentally, Dennis Hopper was originally cast in the role Ed Harris portrayed in The Truman Show.
The ads at the bottom of Edtv get bigger and more national as the show's popularity grows.
The Pepsi machine in Ray's (Woody Harrelson's) house is empty (all the red lights are on).
In the scene where Ed first awakens to the cameramen at the foot of his bed, a sign can be seen above his bed that reads, "Longview - 12 miles." Matthew McConaughey's hometown is Longview, Texas.