Broadcasting & Cable articles from April 2002

Broadcasting & Cable archives from April 2002

Blind ambition. (Programming).(FCC regulated T.V. audio services for the blind to begin)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... FCC-mandated video descriptions for the blind start this week on some broadcast and cable networks, even though industry trade groups are challenging the rule. Fox, Lifetime and USA will offer descriptors on some shows via secondary audio...

You've got (cool) mail. (Technology).(Thomson Multimedia Broadcast Solutions' Viper FilmStream)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Thomson Multimedia Broadcast Solutions is sending postcards (electronic and paper) touting the company's hottest introduction at the NAB show next week. Known as the Viper FilmStream camera, it can best be described as a true electronic version...

History lesson. (B&C Eye).(Trent Lott plans to block possible nomination of Jonathan Adelstein to FCC)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Senate Minority Leader Trent Lott (R-Miss.) says he'll still block the nomination of Jonathan Adelstein to the FCC, should the White House ever send the name up to the Senate. But in some FCC cases, it's an empty threat. Despite noise from Sen....

Full disclosure? (Business).(Adelphia Communications Corp.'s finances)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... The Adelphia mystery is solved, in an Enron-esque sort of way. For years, the family of Chairman John Rigas has bought stock in Adelphia, jumping on every common stock or debt issue. That kept new investors from diluting the family's control....

Educating data. (B&C Eye).(agreement between PBS and Triveni Digital)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... PBS and Triveni Digital have been working on datacasting experiments, and the relationship is about to get cozier. At NAB, Triveni Digital will be given "preferred provider status" by PBS for products related to educational datacasting. That...

Benedek couldn't hang on: Parent files Chapter 11; Gray Communications nears $500M deal to buy it. (Top of the Week).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... It has been a wild ride for Benedek Broadcasting. First, just as the economy shows signs of reviving, Benedek's parent company filed for bankruptcy protection after protracted negotiations with bondholders failed to come up with a plan to pay...

A glimmer of prosperity ahead: at TVB confab, something unusual; Optimism about the advertising climate. (Top of the Week).(TVB conference at National Association of Broadcasters conference)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... What's this? Optimism about the economy? Signs are still mixed, but people in the TV business are starting to get the sense that a recovery may be near. Just how near is uncertain, but, at a New York confab last week, the consensus was that the...

Audino joins B&C. (Top of the Week).(Paul Audino, new head salesman and marketer at Broadcasting and Cable)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... BROADCASTING & CABLE has a new top salesman and marketer. Paul Audino, named publishing director, joins the magazine from Multichannel News, where he was associate publisher/broadband sales. "Paul brings a wealth of industry knowledge to the...

Is the FCC letter in the mail? Commission starts asking questions of stations lagging on DTV conversion. (Top of the Week).(direct broadcast satellite television services)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... For at least a dozen or so station groups, the FCC's E-Z waiver for delaying digital television might not be so easy after all. Last week, the FCC asked some owners seeking permission to postpone their May 1 deadline for inaugurating DTV...

A bow to tech leaders. (Top of the Week).(Broadcasting and Cable's Technology leadership awards)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Broadcasting & Cable will give its annual Technology leadership awards at a reception to be held April 8 during the National Association of Broadcasters show in Las Vegas. This year's honorees: * Tim Thorsteinson, recently appointed CEO of...

Peabody: Morale boost for ABC; After Koppel flap, Nightline is lauded, as is network's 9/11 coverage. (Top of the Week).(Peabody Awards)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... It was ABC's coverage of the Sept. 11 attacks and their immediate aftermath that stood out from among many TV news networks in the eyes of Peabody Award judges. On radio, National Public Radio was the big winner, cited for 9/11 coverage "that...

Cablevision's tricky 'offer' to yes. (The Week that was).(battle with New York Yankees)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Cablevision Systems' fight with the New York Yankees is going extra innings after the team's new regional sports network rejected the operator's difficult offer to carry the channel. The Yankees are slated to open the season this week on...

Wall Street Week With Louis Rukeyser. (News from all Over).(media news briefs)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Just because PBS is tired of having old guys do old shows doesn't mean that cable nets--such as CNBC and CNN--feel the same way. Both cable news networks are in talks with 69-year-old Louis Rukeyser after Maryland Public Television threw him...

Viacom won't have to honor a standing FCC order. (News from all Over).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Viacom won't have to honor a standing FCC order to sell enough stations to get below the 35% cap on TV-household reach, the agency said, because the fate of the cap was cast in doubt in February when a federal appeals court ordered the FCC to...

Discovery Kids will re-edit its popular Walking With Dinosaurs and sequel Walking With Prehistoric Beasts. (News from all Over).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Discovery Kids will re-edit its popular Walking With Dinosaurs and sequel Walking With Prehistoric Beasts for kids as part of its Saturday-morning programming deal with NBC, which starts Oct. 5. All meet the FCC requirements for children's...

XM Satellite and Sirius Satellite Radio added another car manufacturer to their lists. (News from all Over).(Nissan and Infiniti models)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... XM Satellite and Sirius Satellite Radio added another car manufacturer to their lists, with Infiniti and Nissan offering a choice of the two providers in some 2003 models. Infiniti will offer XM and Sirius in the Q45, G35 and I35; Nissan will...

News Corp. (News from all Over).(Andrew Setos was named president of engineering)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... News Corp.'s Andrew Setos was named president of engineering for the company, giving him authority over all of Fox's engineering divisions. Previously, he was senior vice president of broadcast operations and engineering for Fox Television and...

Throwing the Elephant: Zen and the Art of Managing Up. (News from all Over).(new book about managing your boss)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Fortune columnist Stanley Bing, whom many of us know by his real name (Gil Schwartz) and his day job (CBS executive vice president, communications) would like all of you to buy his latest book Throwing the Elephant: Zen and the Art of Managing...

Shapiro's new Family ties: ABC Daytime chief takes over at the network's new cable channel. (Top of the Week).(Angele Shapira to head ABC Family)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Just three weeks before she'll have to make its inaugural upfront pitch, Walt Disney Co. named ABC Daytime President Angela Shapiro head of ABC Family. Before schmoozing with media buyers and the press on April 30 in New York, she's going to...

Yanks, others get in the game: Some baseball teams think they can make more money with their own cable networks; games continue to migrate from broadcast to cable. (Cover Story: Base Ball).(Industry Overview)
April 1, 2002... THE 2002 BASEBALL SEASON OPENS this week, but it won't be business as usual when it comes to television. Baseball's wealthiest (and arguably most successful) team--the New York Yankees--is launching its own cable sports network this season, and...

Court rules against Fox on Zahn. (In Brief).(Fox News Channel's lawsuit against agent Richard Leibner who contacted Paula Zahn)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... A New York trial judge Last week threw out Fox News Channel's Lawsuit alleging that N.S. Bienstock superagent Richard Leibner acted unethically and in violation of Paula Zahn's contract with Fox. CNN courted Zahn, then hosting a prime time show...

Oscar boost for ABC. (In Brief).(Academy Awards show aids ABC viewship ratings for the week of March 18-24, 2002)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
April 1, 2002... Driven by the Academy Awards show, ABC won the week of March 18-24 in total viewers (13 million) and adults 18-49 (4.5 rating/12 share), according to Nielsen. CBS and NBC tied for second among adults 18-49; CBS was second (11.7 million) in...

Maybe there isn't a Seinfeld jinx. (In Brief).(Nielsen ratings for Watching Ellie, starring former Seinfeld star Julia Louis-Dreyfuss, improve)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
April 1, 2002... Nielsen ratings for Watching Ellie, starring former Seinfeld star Julia Louis-Dreyfuss, bounced back. After a strong start five weeks ago, the sitcom declined dramatically. Last Tuesday, it rebounded 17% among adults 18-49, to a 4.2/11, edging...

Mohr Sports: the talk of ESPN; By getting away from games, the channel hopes to broaden its audience base. (Programming).(sports variety show)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... With reality shows the flavor of last year, it's late-night variety acts that have programmers buzzing. ABC is reeling from its failed play for David Letterman; Fox attempted to lure Conan O'Brien to its air. CBS, of course, still has...

Broadcast watch. (Programming).(March 18-24, 2002 television broadcast network prime time ratings)(Statistical Data Included)
April 1, 2002... Programming BroadcastWatch MAR. 18-24 Broadcast network prime time ratings according to Nielsen Media Research Week 26 abc CBS MONDAY 4.5/7 ...

Syndication watch. (Programming).(March 11-17 syndicated television program ratings)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
April 1, 2002... SyndicationWatch MARCH 11-17 Syndicated programming ratings according to Nielsen Media Research TOP 25 SHOWS HH HH Rank Program AA GAA 1 Wheel of...

Rethinking daytime. (Programming).(Viacom hopes to improve daytime television)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... John Nogawski, named president of Paramount Domestic Television last week, hopes his Viacom unit can turn some heads in daytime television and turn a profit at the same time. "We are all trying to find the next format that is going to...

WSBK-TV cancels 7 p.m. newscast. (Station Break).(Boston television station)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... CBS duopoly station WSBK-TV Boston is dropping its 7 p.m. newscast and will launch a 10 p.m. edition. Boston already has two UHF newscasts at 10 p.m., but WSBK-TV/WBZ-TV General Manager Ed Goldman says station research shows that the 10 p.m....

Meredith gains a duopoly, drops a GM. (Station Break).(has two television stations in Oregon market, names Teresa Burgess as general manager)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Shortly after the announcement of the long-awaited station swap by the Fox and Meredith station groups, Meredith's new boss Kevin O'Brien replaced Tony Thompson, general manager at Fox affiliate KPDX Portland, Ore., with Teresa Burgess, who has...

Finnish but not finished. (Station Break).(Finland Calling! television show has played for 40 years in Michigan's Upper Peninsula)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Finland Calling!, or Suomi Kutsuu! as they call it in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, celebrates its 40th anniversary this month on WLUC-TV Marquette, Mich. Hosted all this time by longtime local anchor Carl Pellonpaa, now semi-retired, the program...

I know what you're thinking. (Station Break).(psychic medium Vicki Monroe to host series of TV shows)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Perhaps Miss Cleo needs better representation. Portland, Maine.-area psychic medium Vicki Monroe will host a series of TV shows on WPME(TV) there. Monroe, also described as a doctor of natural medicine, says she can communicate with people's...

Getting fit in Florida. (Programming).
April 1, 2002... Fitness evangelist Richard Simmons (r) sweated to the oldies at a health fair sponsored by WPBF(TV) West Palm Beach, Fla. Here, he and News Director Joe Coscia (in dark shirt) work out with a group of participants.

Viewers few and far between. (Programming).
April 1, 2002... In December 2000, when a tower crew was pouring cement for the new transmission facilities that Diversified Communications-owned CBS affiliate WABI-TV Bangor, Maine, shares with Maine Public Broadcasting's WMEB-TV, the Maine winter seemed to...

Focus bangor. (Programming).(market, television stations, cable subscribers)(Brief Article)(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
April 1, 2002... FocusBangor THE MARKET DMA rank 158 Population 337,000 TV homes 129,000 Income per capita $13,885 TV revenue rank 157 TV revenue $15,100,000 COMMERCIAL TV...

TVs. (Changing Hands).(Meredith Corp., Fox Television Stations Inc.)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... WOGX-TV Ocala and WOFL-TV Orlando, Fla. Price: Swap Buyer: Fox Television Stations Inc. (Mitch Stern, chairman/CEO); No. 1 television group owns 42 stations in 28 markets, including WRBW(TV) Orlando. Seller: Meredith Corp. (Kevin...

FMs. (Changing Hands).(3 Points Media L.L.C. buys KKLD-FM Prescott Valley)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... KKLD-FM Prescott Valley (Flagstaff-Prescott), Ariz. Price: $8 million Buyer: 3 Points Media LLC (Bruce Buzil, manager); owns two other stations, none in this market Seller: W. Grant Hafley Facilities: 98.3 MHz, 880 W, ant....

AMs. (Changing Hands).(radio station acquisitions)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... KDKO(AM) Littleton (Denver-Boulder), Colo. Price: $2.7 million Buyer: Newspaper Radio Corp., (Tim Brown, chairman/CEO); no other broadcast interests Seller: Peoples Wireless Inc. (Jim Walker, owner) Facilities: 1510 kHz, 10 kW...

The Charlottesville question: FCC takes big step toward deciding how much radio concentration is too much. (Washington).(Clear Channel Communications seeks to buy Charlottesville, VA, radio station from Air Virginia)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Six years ago, the FCC abolished its expensive and time-consuming practice of doling out broadcast licenses by holding endless rounds of expensive hearings in front of an agency judge. Washington media attorneys might have a sense of deja...

Copeland's Virginia spring: FCC takes $8.75m license from Winstar, gives it to competitor.(Robert Copeland)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Financially beleaguered Winstar Broadcasting last week lost its right to build TV ch. 21 in Virginia Beach, Va., because it failed to make good its $8.75 million bid in a 1999 FCC auction. Instead, the FCC said, next-highest bidder Robert...

FCC cable-modem ruling goes to court. (In Brief).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Public-advocacy groups and ISP Earthlink asked the federal appeals court in Washington to strike down an FCC policy allowing cable franchises to keep competing Internet providers off their broadband networks. Separately, Verizon also asked the...

Comsat loses bid for fee exemption. (In Brief).(bid to escape FCC regulatory fees)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Comsat's legal bid to escape FCC regulatory fees was rejected by federal appeals judges. The FCC removed Comsat's longstanding exemption after Congress enacted the Open Market Reorganization for the Betterment of International...

The new newsroom: Digital technology ties news system closer together. (Road to NAB & Specialreport).
April 1, 2002... It has taken a while, but the digital newsroom appears to be ready for NAB, and not just as an impressive technology demonstration. "Last year, we estimated, based on industry reports, that only 3% to 5% of all newsrooms had transitioned...

Emmis shares hub: Orlando facility handles master control for four stations. (Technology).(Emmiss Communications facility controls broadcast stream for four television stations)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... It's share and share alike at Emmis Communications. The company recently put the finishing touches on a new centralcasting hub at WKCF(TV) Orlando, Fla., which will send broadcast streams via DS3 cable to four Emmis stations: WKCF, WVUE(TV) New...

Now the games count: Rookie YES Network leaves spring training behind. (Technology).(YES Network begins broadcasting on cable)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... They've spent the past few weeks getting ready for the season and even had a couple of minor spring-training setbacks, but now it's time to play games that count. This afternoon, the YES Network takes to the air (or, in this case, cable) with...

Storage no longer skin deep: InPhase holographic system can store 100 GB of content per $50 write-once disk. (Technology).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Holographic technology is heading to the broadcast industry next year, and, if InPhase Technologies, the company behind the development, is to believed, it's going to go a long way toward changing the way video is archived and stored. ...

Broadcast TV. (People).
April 1, 2002... Ralph Toddre, executive VP, Sunbelt Communications Co., Las Vegas, named president/COO. Frank Biancuzzo, president, marketing and promotion, Hearst-Argyle Television, New York, named president/GM, WISN-TV Milwaukee. Frank Batavick,...

Cable TV. (People).(Time Warner Cable and Comcast executive appoinments)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Mark A. Harrad, VP, public relations, Turner Broadcasting Sales Inc., New York, joins Time Warner Cable, Stamford, Conn., as VP, corporate communications. Kelly A. Jara, production manager, Comcast, Baltimore, named regional manager,...

Programming. (People).
April 1, 2002... David Sternberg, VP/GM, Fox Sports International, Los Angeles, promoted to senior VP/GM, network operations and business development, Fox Sports World and Fox Sports World Espanol. Jim Greiner, senior VP, operations, business development...

Journalism. (People).
April 1, 2002... Randal Stanley, news director, WGRZ-TV Buffalo, N.Y., joins WKYC-TV Cleveland in the same capacity. Appointments at NBC News, New York: Dr. Ian Smith, medical correspondent, WNBC(TV) New York, named health and medical correspondent;...

Satellite. (People).(DirecTV Latin America, Antonio B. Barreto appointment; WorldSpace Corp., Andy Ras-Work appointment)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Antonio B. Barreto, senior VP/GM, ESPN International, Coral Gables, Fla., named senior VP, programming and marketing, DirecTV Latin America, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Andy Ras-Work, president/CEO, Semantix Inc., Washington, joins WorldSpace...

Advertising/Marketing/PR. (People).(executive appointments at Premiere Marketing & Distribution group and Nielsen Media Research)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Stephen C. Rockabrand, senior VP, programming, new-business development and distribution, TVN Entertainment, Burbank, Calif., joins The Premiere Marketing & Distribution Group, Los Angeles, as executive VP, television and ancillary...

Obituary.(Joseph E. McNaughton, former owner of WCRA-AM/WCRC-FM Effingham, Il)(Brief Article)(Obituary)
April 1, 2002... Joseph E. McNaughton, former owner of WCRA(AM)/WCRC(FM) Effingham, Ill., ended his own life on March 5 after battling terminal kidney cancer. He was 82. When a deal to buy Effingham's local paper fell through, McNaughton helped to start up...

Game shows' big Wheel: Friedman has helped keep Wheel and Jeopardy on top for years. (The Fifth Estater).(Harry Friedman, executive producer of Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Harry Friedman knows a thing or two about game shows, having worked on more than 30. As executive producer of both Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy, he has helped those shows stay atop the ratings with innovations that keep viewers tuning in. ...

Sales and service. (Editorials).(Brief Article)(Editorial)
April 1, 2002... From the beginning, we thought TVB had a great idea: a convention of TV-station executives in New York in the same building as the New York Auto Show. Here was an opportunity for broadcasters to meet old friends, compare notes and rub hubcaps...

The higher cost of ignorance. (Editorials).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... A month ago (Feb. 25), we ran a story pointing out that about $1.4 billion in TV ad revenue was in jeopardy. Concerned that the advertising of prescription drugs is contributing to soaring health-care costs, we reported, Washington policymakers...

Mourning miltie.(Milton Berle)(Brief Article)(Obituary)
April 1, 2002... Legendary television comic Milton Berle, 93, died on March 27. The famed host of NBC'S Texaco Star Theater in television's infancy helped popularize the medium itself and inspired millions to buy television sets to watch his show. Here's how he...

Shakin' in S.F. (Local News).(NBC expected to change management at KNTV-San Jose)(Brief Article)
April 8, 2002... When NBC takes over Granite Broadcasting's KNTV(TV) San Francisco (San Jose) it's Likely to bring in a new management team. Sources say GM Bob Franklin (above) will be out, and so might VP of News Scott Diener and News Director Bob Goldberger....

Digital ticker. (Eye).(New digital TV stations)(Brief Article)
April 8, 2002... DIGITAL TICKER COMPILED BY DECISIONMARK Newest digital stations: KLVX-DT Las Vegas (PBS) WKAS-DT Ashland, Ky. (PBS) WVEC-DT Hampton Va. (ABC) WTTW-DT Chicago (PBS) KIDK-DT Idaho...

Virtually broke. (Technology).(Princeton Video)(Brief Article)
April 8, 2002... Virtual ads proved too illusionary for Princeton Video. It's scrambling after its auditors and then PricewaterhouseCoopers cautioned that negative cash foxy and capital-spending needs "raise substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a...

Tower Island? (Eye).(Brief Article)
April 8, 2002... When New York TV stations began Looking for a p Lace to rebuild the shared broadcast tower Lost on Sept. 11, an obvious option seemed the federally owned Governors Island, just off the southern tip of Manhattan. But the 1997...

Changing tastes. (Eye).(The reversal of cable news fortunes)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
April 8, 2002... CHANGING TASTES 1998 2002 1st Q 1st Q CNBC 25% 12% Fox News 5% 30% HLN 11% 7% MSNBC 9% 11% CNN 50% 40% The reversal of cable news fortunes is clear from...

Digital TV: The Powell doctrine; Proposed plan would involve broadcasters, cable, DBS and TV-set manufacturers. (Top of the Week).(FCC Chairman Michael Powell)(Brief Article)
April 8, 2002... FCC Chairman Michael Powell gave the DTV transition the regulatory equivalent of a kick in the pants, floating a plan that would obligate broadcasters, cable, DBS and set manufacturers to provide specific levels of digital service. ...

Duopportunity knocks: Court ruling could open door to small-market combos. (Top of the Week).
April 8, 2002... TV operators in some small markets may soon be able to add a second station, bringing them the same one-two ad punch and back-office efficiencies major metro owners have enjoyed for three years. Last week, the federal appeals court in...

Where the Rigases went wrong: It's not Enron redux, but Adelphia's self-dealing scheme leaves investors shaky. (Top of the Week).(Adelphia Communications)(Brief Article)
April 8, 2002... When you think of the crisis facing Adelphia Communications, don't think Enron. Think Worldcom. At Enron, the emergence of debt hidden off the energy company's balance sheet was so enormous that it pulled the company under. The $2 billion...

WJXT and CBS part company: Frustrated by negotiations, the Jacksonville, Fla., affil opts out, after 53 strong years. (Top of the Week).(Brief Article)
April 8, 2002... CBS is in discussions with Clear Channel Communications about affiliating with the network in Jacksonville, Fla. The network's current affiliate, Post-Newsweek's WJXT(TV), and CBS are breaking off their 53-year relationship. After failing...

Don't forget where things stand. (Top of the Week).(Brief Article)
April 8, 2002... Where Things Stand, concise and timely updates on TV and radio issues before the Federal Communications Commission and Congress, returns to BROADCASTING & CABLE's Web site on Wednesday. Go to www.broadcastingcable.com and scroll to "Features."...

Correspondents under fire: News crews in West Bank are stunned by Israeli Army threats and bullets. (Top of the Week).(Brief Article)
April 8, 2002... That the West Bank is a dangerous place is no surprise. With the rash of suicide bombings over the Passover holiday, no one from a diner in a cafe to world-famous newsman Dan Rather can be safe. But, although it was a nearby terrorist...

Looking for a new Gumbel. (The Week That Was).(Brief Article)
April 8, 2002... Among the list of candidates to replace Bryant Gumbel at The Early Show are four who have substituted for him: CBS News' John Roberts and current Saturday Early Show host Russ Mitchell, CBS Sports' Jim Nantz, and Tom Bergeron, the host of...

All over the place. (The Week That Was).(Brief Article)
April 8, 2002... Oprah Winfrey is dosing Oprah's Book Club. "It has become harder and harder to find books on a monthly basis that I feel absolutely compelled to share," said Winfrey in a statement. Translation: She's as tired of novels about struggling women...

The business. (The Week That Was).(Brief Article)
April 8, 2002... On a per-channel basis, cable rates increased 1.5% for the year ended July 1, 2001, according to the FCC. Against an inflation rate of 2.7% for that period, the price of cable actually decreased, however. Without value-added extra channels...

What on Earth? It's Sci Fi: Network's plans to get its head out of the clouds and into 'alternative' reality. (Top of the Week).(Brief Article)
April 8, 2002... Sci Fi Channel wants to quit being so alien. "We're trying to make the channel relatable, Earth-based with a twist of Sci Fi, whether it's scripted drama or alternative reality," President Bonnie Hammer said at an upfront presentation in New...

The NAB streams both ways: Radio wants cheaper copyright fees; TV wants protection. (Top of the Week).(National Association of Broadcasters)(Brief Article)
April 8, 2002... The NAB's radio and television boards have determined a position on Internet streaming that sends radio broadcasters in one direction and television broadcasters in another. The full board of directors last week held two conference calls to...

MSNBC's new Donahue factor: This summer, it will be liberal Phil vs. Fox News Channel's right-wing Bill O'Reilly. (Top of the Week).(Brief Article)
April 8, 2002... While Fox News widens its ratings margin over CNN, third-place MSNBC is trying to claw back. The NBC- and Microsoft-owned net last week lured veteran talk-show host Phil Donahue out of retirement, pitting the fiercely liberal Donahue against...

Good buzz for NAB '02: Pickup in ad market gives late boost in registrations. (Top of the Week).(Brief Article)
April 8, 2002... New opportunities for TV duopolies and the ongoing challenges of DTV conversion will dominate the official sessions during the NAB convention this week in Las Vegas. The buzz on the exhibit floors and in corporate suites, however, is likely to...

RTNDA's second chance. (Top of the Week).(Radio-Television News Directors Association's convention is rescheduled)(Brief Article)
April 8, 2002... The tragedy that canceled the Radio-Television News Directors Association's convention in Nashville last September has become the theme of the rescheduled conference this week in Las Vegas. In addition to the general session--in which the...

On a roll: NAB's Eddie Fritts expects to keep on winning and prove the critics wrong. (Cover Story).(National Association of Broadcasters head)
April 8, 2002... After 20 years at the helm of the National Association of Broadcasters, Eddie Fritts can point to a long list of legislative and regulatory victories that have helped keep most TV and radio stations thriving, even in these tough economic times....

Mighty good Food: Cable net's ratings up 50%, and it's not just a steady diet of Emeril anymore. (Programming).(the Food Network)(Brief Article)
April 8, 2002... Turns out the Food Network didn't need to ride the coattails of star chef Emeril Lagasse to build a following. Food stepped out of the kitchen two years ago, mixing how-to shows with prime time entertainment, and ratings are solidly on the...

Liquor industry will push for standards. (In Brief).(Distilled Spirits Council of the United States)(Brief Article)
April 8, 2002... Distilled Spirits Council President Peter Cressy says his group will work with "third-party advocacy groups" to encourage the beer and wine industries to accept higher ad standards that could be applied to beer, wine and liquor. The goat is to...

NCAA boosts CBS. (In Brief).(Nielsen Media Research Inc. ratings)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
April 8, 2002... CBS, NBC and Fox all claimed prime time victories in week 27 of the Nielsen-ratings race. CBS said it won in household and men 25-54 and 18-49, with a big boost from NCAA Basketball. NBC won in adults 18-49 for the seventh time in eight weeks...

BroadcastWatch. (Programming).(MARCH 25-31 television network prime time ratings)(Statistical Data Included)
April 8, 2002... BroadcastWatch COMPILED BY KENNETH RAY MARCH 25-31 Broadcast network prime time ratings according to Nielsen Media Research Week 27 abc CBS MONDAY 5.9/9 ...

Recycling first-runs. (Programming).(airing programs after first run syndication)(Brief Article)
April 8, 2002... The program-repurposing trend is catching on in first-run syndication. The Hallmark Channel has just picked up the rights to the Paramount-distributed Life Moment, which bows in first-run this fall. Under the terms of the deal, Hallmark will...

Publish and perish. (Station Break).(WPVI, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Television), Rose Tibayan)(Brief Article)
April 8, 2002... WPVI-TV Philadelphia reporter Rose Tibayan remained off the air last week, suspended over her refusal to stop working on a book in possible violation of her contract. As of last week, she had hired entertainment lawyer Lloyd Remmick to...

Show and tell. (Station Break).(Emmis told to sell on of its two Honolulu television stations)(Brief Article)
April 8, 2002... Dan Trigoboff The FCC gave the Emmis TV-station group three more months to sell one of its two Honolulu stations but only 30 days to detail its efforts so far to sell the station. Emmis had requested a one-year extension to divest either...

Hold the phone. (Station Break).(KTVK, Phoenix, Arizona (Television) request for tape of 911 call)(Brief Article)
April 8, 2002... An Arizona appeals court denied a KTVK(TV) Phoenix request for the tape of a 911 call made after a 16-month-old child fell from his crib. The call was made by a woman later arrested in the incident. Applying an "alternative means" test, the...