Broadcasting & Cable articles from April 2005

Broadcasting & Cable archives from April 2005

Where to be and what to watch ...(B&C Week)(Calendar)
April 4, 2005... Monday, April 4 Yes, the 17,000 people attending the National Cable & Telecommunications Association convention at the Moscone Center in San Francisco are fascinated by panel discussions such as today's "Attack of the Empowered Customer:...

Ailes entertains.(The Robins Report; Roger Ailes )
April 4, 2005... If anybody wonders why Fox News Channel so dominates the cable news wars, that question was handily put to rest by Roger Ailes last week. Appearing prosperous, playful and pugnacious, the Fox News chairman was interviewed on Thursday by New...

Broadcast-flag foes defend suit.(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... Public Knowledge, the American Library Association and other petitioners have made their case for standing in their challenge to the FCC's decision approving the broadcast flag, which would embed a code in digital broadcasts to prevent them...

Ex-Cartoon head heads to Lifetime.(appointment)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... In a surprise return to the network business, former Cartoon Network President Betty Cohen has been tapped as the new chief of Lifetime. Cohen will replace Carol Black as president and CEO of Lifetime Entertainment Services. Cohen...

Cable vet goes to Tennis net.(appointment)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... Veteran cable and broadcast distribution and programming exec Ken Solomon has been named chairman and CEO of The Tennis Channel, effective April 1. He replaces network co-founder David Meister, who is exiting the post he has held since the...

MGM deal could close by mid April.(Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc.)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... A Sony Corp.-led consortium that includes content-hungry cable giant Comcast Corp. has gotten the European Commission's OK to buy Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc., likely clearing its final hurdle to purchasing the company and its library of 4,000-plus...

Koppel: will work for integrity: Nightline steward has big plans for his future in TV news.(Ted Koppel)
April 4, 2005... Ted Koppel, who for 25 years has anchored ABC's Nightline, is looking for a new job and a new network. The driving force behind one of television's most respected news programs surprised Nightline staffers last week by announcing that he...

USA network tries a novel wrestling move.(Flash!)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... Will the possibility of 'Vince McMahon: The Ride" help USA Network land a TV deal with World Wrestling Entertainment? The network is laying out plenty of inducements--including an affiliation with parent company NBC Universal's theme parks--in...

Tom Harkin's food fetish.(federal regulation of kid-oriented junk-food commercials)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... Sen. Tom Harkin, enemy of childhood obesity and scourge of marketers who target children with junk-food commercials, is likely to make a few folks squirm on Tuesday in Washington. He's addressing a regulatory conference that includes the...

Flash!back.(Flash!)(The 2005 National Cable & Telecommunications Association convention)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... The 2005 National Cable & Telecommunications Association convention this week is no doubt teeming with industry movers and shakers making fearless predictions about the television business--fearless, as in not particularly worried that anyone a...

From Darth Vader to yoda: John Malone on his career, the fate of his company, and the future of the TV industry.(Interview)
April 4, 2005... John Malone never fails to surprise. The cable pioneer whose tough tactics earned him the nickname Darth Vader shocked Wall Street seven years ago when he sold TCI to AT&T for more than $50 billion. Last week, without warning, he spun off...

Cable braces for telco invasion into TV: are the phone companies for real this time?(NCTA Preview)(telecommunication companies improve high speed internet products)
April 4, 2005... The telcos are coming! The telcos are coming! First heard a decade ago, that cry has become almost deafening in recent months as the three giant telephone companies tout plans to spend tens of billions of dollars upgrading their plant,...

Ratings 3/14-20/05.(Syndication)(of television programs)(Illustration)
April 4, 2005... RATINGS 3/14-20/05 Nielsen Media Research Top 25 Shows ADULTS 18-34 PROGRAM AA GAA 1 Seinfeld 3.7 4.6 2 Friends 3.5 4.4...

'Matthews' holds steady: group approach works for NBC weekend show.(Syndication)(Chris Matthews Show)(National Broadcasting Company (US radio and TV network) )
April 4, 2005... In its third season, the 30-minute NBC News-produced Chris Matthews Show is holding its own among seasoned news rivals, such as NBC's Meet the Press, CBS' Face the Nation, and The McLaughlin Group, which airs on PBS in many markets. ...

Springer does radio.(In Focus)(Jerry Springer debuted in radio channels)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... Trashy syndication talker Jerry Springer is prospering in a second career: host of a daily liberal radio talk show. Springer on the Radio debuted in January on WCKY(AM) Cincinnati, then expanded to other Clear Channel Radio stations in...

Starting a third season.(In Focus)(audiance ratings of NBC Universal Inc.'s television program)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... Starting Over is an official go for a third season, having cleared 92% of the U.S., says NBC Universal. It's a reality show set in a group home where troubled women get a second chance. This season, it has pulled a 1.0 rating among women 18-49,...

NCAA games impact talk shows.(In Focus)(National Collegiate Athletic Association's game show and Oprah Winfrey Show's market share)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... March Madness took a bite out of syndication ratings as NCAA basketball accounted for 36 hours of preemptions on CBS affiliates in the week ended March 20. Even the biggest talk shows suffered: The Oprah Winfrey Show's household rating was down...

Start of an affair.(In Focus)(Twentieth Television's A Current Affair market share)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... In its first full week on air, Twentieth TV's A Current Affair pulled a 3.3 HH rating/6 share weighted average for primary runs in 26 markets. KUSI San Diego is now running the show, which has been picked up for fall in Syracuse, N.Y.; Green...

Local 'Most Wanted' proves successful.(Station To Station)(KTTV Los Angeles reporter Tony Valdez's services for the televison program)
April 4, 2005... Since the mid 1980s, KTTV Los Angeles reporter Tony Valdez has been helping city authorities chase down suspects and fugitives. He profiles crime cases every Saturday night on the Fox-owned station's 10 p.m. news. Viewers call in with tips that...

RTNDA's 2005 agenda: reporting and technology addressed at annual confab.(News & Comment)(Radio-Television News Directors Association)
April 4, 2005... Las Vegas, home to show girls and slot machines, will become local-news central this month when execs arrive for the annual Radio Television News Directors Association event. For the fourth year, the RTNDA, slated for April 18-20, is being held...

At a glance.(Market Eye)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... AT A GLANCE The Market DMA Rank 18 Population 3,661,000 TV homes 1,402,000 Income Per Capita 21,841 TV Revenue Rank 14 TV Revenue ...

Determined Denver: KUSA leads, KCNC goes on-demand.(Market Eye)(market share and revenue data of cable television broadcasting industry)
April 4, 2005... Denver may be the No. 18 TV market in size, but it's ranked No. 14 in revenue. Stations took in $332.3 million in gross revenue in 2004, according to BIA Financial, up from $308.3 million in 2003. And the city is as sophisticated as it is...

Hola, Denver.(Market Eye)(Denver TV and McGraw-Hill Broadcasting Co.'s services)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... The Denver TV scene has a new Spanish-language player. In early March, McGraw-Hill Broadcasting switched on three low-power stations as Azteca America affiliates, a Mexican broadcaster competing with Univision and Telemundo. McGraw-Hill...

The demos.(Market Eye)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... THE DEMOS SHARE OF WHO POPULATION INDEX * White 93% 113 Black 3% 27 Asian 2% ...

Good news ahead: Supreme Court seems to favor cable in open-access fight.(NCTA Preview)( Federal Communications Commission's regulations on the use of broadband lines)
April 4, 2005... Cable-industry lawyers say that they have a good shot at keeping rival Internet service providers (ISPs) away from their broadband subscribers. That prediction came last week during oral arguments in a case that could dictate how cable...

High Court in Quandary over Grokster.(Washington Watch)(case of peer-to-peer network use)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... The Supreme Court appears to be struggling over how to prevent Grokster and similar file-sharing networks from promoting illegal copying of movies, music and TV shows while preserving the peer-to-peer (P2P) networks' potential for legitimate...

ABC's Westin rejects Wal-Mart foes.(Washington Watch)(David Westin)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... ABC News President David Westin last week shot back a blunt "no" to 21 members of Congress who demanded he drop Wal-Mart as a sponsor for the "Only in America" segment on Good Morning America. The lawmakers complained that Wal-Mart's...

Terror plan puts pressure on TV.(Washington Watch)(Federal Communications Commission's emergency communications systems plan)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... A new FCC plan to build an emergency-communications system robust enough to let local police and fire departments talk to the FBI and other federal officials has TV stations under more pressure than ever to exit their old analog channels. ...

Local deals in doubt: FCC looks to curb joint sales agreements.(News & Comment)(Federal Communications Commission's regulations on WKPT)
April 4, 2005... The first settlers along the mountainous Tennessee-Virginia border eked out a hardscrabble existence among the flinty peaks and isolated hollows. Life today doesn't seem any easier tot WKPT, the ABC affiliate in Johnson City, Tenn. ...

What they're thinking about: guide to the network development season.(Pilot Season)(forecasts and trends of television programs)
April 4, 2005... Studios are rushing to crank out more than 120 pilots for the broadcast networks. Deadlines are tight: Fall schedules are announced the week of May 16. Fewer than half of these projects will ever make it to prime time. In making their...

Cable programming roundup: new shows, new networks: reality draws more celebs, Comcast targets kids and ABC Family gets dramatic.(NCTA Preview)(American Broadcasting Companies Inc., television networks introduced)
April 4, 2005... In its long battle with broadcast networks, cable television recently won a few more skirmishes. It beat the seven broadcast networks in household share, according to Nielsen Media Research, for the third consecutive first quarter: 51.9 vs....

For cable, high-def is a question of time and space: not to mention, spending the money to make the switch.(HDTV 2005)(forecasts and trends of high definition television)
April 4, 2005... The Consumer Electronics Association maintains that, by the end of 2007, half of all U.S. homes will have HDTV--and cable networks are getting ready for this change. But as of now, there are still only about 13 million HD-ready households, and...

A guide to high-def highs: the big picture is getting better and better.
April 4, 2005... It is starting to get crowded at the HD Inn. Regional sports networks are getting into the game, and some cable networks, like ESPN, are even launching second HD networks. The bad news facing all of them: getting carriage. Cable bandwidth is...

NMT unveils truck for sports broadcasters: visiting announcers get production vehicle of their own.( National Mobile Television )
April 4, 2005... Later this month, National Mobile Television (NMT) will roll out a new concept in digital sports production: the SBS, or side-by-side, vehicle, a 30-foot truck that gives visitors their own production facility. The smaller truck ties...

Turner goes interactive: Mercedes gets new online campaign.(Tech Q&A)
April 4, 2005... Turner Media Group, which operates the Dish Network's home-shopping networks and is the third-party representative for Dish Network ad sales, recently completed an interactive-style campaign for Mercedes-Benz. It lets viewers click on-screen...

Cable converges with VoIP: operators see potential revenue growth and an effective counter to telco threats.(NCTA preview: VoIP)(voice over internet protocol)
April 4, 2005... This week, a host of VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) equipment manufacturers plan to introduce products at the NCTA National Show to help cable operators expand their VoIP-services business. Cedar-Point, Net2Phone, Camiant and Longboard,...

RGB attacks all-digital dilemma: new product makes better use of cable bandwidth.(Technology)(RGB Networks' Simulcast Edge Processor )
April 4, 2005... RGB Networks heads to NCTA's National Show this week with a new product it says will make it easier for cable operators to address one of their top technical concerns: moving to an all-digital cable plant. Cable operators are feeling the...

Road to NAB, part 2: station operations: vendors make HD too tempting to pass on.(Special Report)(National Association of Broadcasters' trade show, high density )
April 4, 2005... The halls of NAB will give station and network executives a chance to peruse a virtual shopping mall of HD wares. And they will find more reasons than ever to buy. Nearly every vendor this year wants to give its customers maximum flexibility...

The mark of excellence: NCTA's Vanguard Awards mark the pinnacle of achievement in the cable business.(2005 Vanguard Awards)(National Cable and Telecommunications Association)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... More than any other media business, the cable industry, even in an era of mega-giants and consolidation, has a family feel. That's because cable is a relatively young business, so hundreds or thousands of cable pros went through its growing...

When storm clouds grew: former NCTA chief Anstrom pulled cable through tough times.(2005 Vanguard Awards)(Decker Anstrom of National Cable Television Association's achievements and awards)
April 4, 2005... Shortly after Decker Anstrom became president of the National Cable Television Association in 1994, he gave a speech in which he confessed that, as a child in North Dakota, he and a friend deliberately set his neighbor's home on fire. The...

A history of success: new A&E Networks chief gets credit for expanding her channel's appeal.(2005 Vanguard Awards)(Abbe Raven of A and E Television Networks)
April 4, 2005... When cable legend Nick Davatzes announced he would step down as president and CEO of A&E Television Networks after 21 years with the company, there was no doubt whom he wanted to choose as a successor. Abbe Raven, a veteran of the company...

The son also advances: Steve Miron worked his way toward the top of the family business.(2005 Vanguard Awards)(Bright House Networks L.L.C.)
April 4, 2005... When he was just 16, Steve Miron recalls, "I did installs and worked on construction projects. When I worked in the business growing up, it was a family business," For him, of course, it still is. His father, Robert Miron, is chairman and...

The go-to guy: ESPN's Bodenheimer expands his sports-channel empire.(2005 Vanguard Awards)(George Bodenheimer of Entertainment and Sports Programming Network's achivements and awards)
April 4, 2005... In ancient times, it was a dangerous business being avant-garde, at the front of an army or fleet heading into battle. These days, being at the vanguard is still risk;, but George Bodenheimer believes taking those chances are essential for...

He likes a challenge: TV One is a labor of love for entrepreneurial Johnathan Rodgers.(2005 Vanguard Awards)(achievements and awards)
April 4, 2005... Of all the roles he has played as a television executive, Johnathan Rodgers is partial to one: "'network builder." It is a part he has played for about the hast decade in the world of cable television. Three years ago, Rodgers walked away...

A manual labor of love: Ellis helps decipher the technical language of the cable business.(2005 Vanguard Awards)(Leslie Ellis of Multichannel News International's achievements and awards)
April 4, 2005... When Leslie Ellis was notified of her upcoming Vanguard Award for Associates and Affiliates, she was stunned. "Someone out there does understand what I do," she says, "which is great because, to tell you the truth, half the time I don't know...

There from the beginning: Hildenbrand's Cablevision career is filled with little and giant achievements.(2005 Vanguard Awards)(Wilt Hildenbrand of Cablevision Systems Corp.'s achievements and awards)
April 4, 2005... While technologies can fundamentally transform entire industries, their revolutionary impact is often based on the patient work of engineers who may spend years using technology to develop innovative solutions to practical problems. That...

Raising Arizona: Rizley grows Cox's cable subs by bringing an ad-sales mentality to the job.(2005 Vanguard Awards)(Steve Rizley's achievements and awards)
April 4, 2005... When the voice over the telephone informed Steve Rizley he had been selected as a 2005 Vanguard Award winner, the Cox Communications Arizona VP/GM waited patiently for a punch line that never came. "I reacted neutrally because I thought the...

Millions served daily: Time Warner's Roseblum makes running the New York system seem almost possible.(2005 Vanguard Awards)(Barry Rosenblum's achievements and management)
April 4, 2005... Like most people who do business in New York, Barry Rosenblum endures the quirks of an unpredictable city" traffic jams, red tape and a wide variety of people. But as a longtime Time Warner Cable executive--and native New Yorker--Rosenblum has...

Comcast's Jack of all trades: Cohen heads cable giant's government-affairs office, but that's just for starters.(2005 Vanguard Awards)(David L. Cohen's achievements and management)
April 4, 2005... Although the varied and substantial challenges facing the cable industry on the legislative, regulatory and judicial fronts sometimes overwhelm individuals who have a toe in one of those camps, for Comcast's David L. Cohen, who has a foot in...

The discovery process: in a world of choices, McFarling's challenge is to get viewers to her networks.(2005 Vanguard Awards)(Lori McFarling of Discovery Communications Inc. Discovery Networks International)
April 4, 2005... It didn't take Lori McFarling long to earn the nickname "McMarketing" after she started at public-affairs cable network C-SPAN in 1986. "Early on, we referred to her as our secret weapon," says Kate Hampford, who hired McFarling at C-SPAN...

Here's to the winners: recipients of Vanguard Awards through the years.(2005 Vanguard Awards)(Illustration)
April 4, 2005... Here's to the Winners Recipients of Vanguard Awards through the years DISTINGUISHED LEADERSHIP (MEN) 2004 MICHAEL WILLNER 2003 NICKOLAS DAVATZES 2002 CHARLES F. DOLAN 2001 GERALD M. LEVIN 2000 JOHN J. RIGAS 1999...

TVS.(Deals)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... K24EP AND K28FF PRESCOTT, ARIZ.; WXAX(LP) CLEARWATER, FLA.; WTNO(LP) NEW ORLEANS; K22HE AND WIRP(LP) ABILENE, KTXD(LP) AMARILLO, K22GS AND K39GJ SWEETWATER, TEXAS PRICE: $4.2 million BUYER: Azteca Broadcasting Corp. (Rolando Collantes,...

Combos.(Deals)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... WCZZ(AM) AND WZSN(FM) GREENWOOD, S.C, PRICE: $1.03 million BUYER: Broomfield Broadcasting LLC (John Broomfield, president); owns no other stations SELLER: Keene of South Carolina Inc. (John E. Haas, Chapter 11 Trustee) ...

FMS.(Deals)
April 4, 2005... WTPT(FM) FOREST CITY (GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG), N.C.; WROQ(FM) ANDERSON AND WGVC(FM) SIMPSONVILLE (GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG), S.C. PRICE: $45 million BUYER: Entercom (David J. Field, president/CEO); owns 103 other stations, including...

AMS.(Deals)
April 4, 2005... KMYL(AM) TOLLESON (PHOENIX), ARIZ. PRICE: $3.75 million BUYER: New Radio Venture LLC (Mafia Elena Llansa, member); owns no other stations SELLER: Interstate Broadcasting (Paul Toberty, president) FACILITIES: 1190 kHz, 5 kW...

The prime time race.(Illustration)
April 4, 2005... THE PRIME TIME RACE Top 10 Basic Cable Shows Total Households (in millions) March 21-27 PROGRAM DATE NET HHS 1. WWE Raw 10p 3/21 SPIK 3.5 2. WWE Raw 9p ...

Nielsen ratings march 21-27.(cable television)(Illustration)
April 4, 2005... NIELSEN RATINGS MARCH 21-27 Week 27 MONDAY abc 4.5/7# 8:00 71. Extreme Home Makeover: How'd They Do That? 4.1/6 8:30...

Majoras plays key role in TV: FTC chairman champions high-profile campaigns to protect public.(Fifth Estater)(Deborah Majoras)
April 4, 2005... When Deborah Majoras was majoring in social work during the '80s, she received some fortuitous advice. If she really wanted to help people, a trusted professor told her, she should work toward a position of power. Majoras took the counsel to...

KGO.(Broadcast TV)(appointments)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... At KGO San Francisco: DAVID PIECHOWSKI, freelance Web writer, San Francisco, joins as Web producer; ERIK ROSALES, anchor/ reporter, KGPE Fresno, Calif., named general assignment reporter, South Bay Bureau, San Jose, Calif.

Jeff Holub.(Broadcast TV)(appointments at KTVU)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... JEFF HOLUB, creative services director, marketing, KICU San Jose, Calif., named director, KTVU San Jose, Calif. and KICU Oakland, Calif.; Joon Hee Lim, writer/producer/editor, KICU San Jose, Calif., promoted to senior writer/producer/editor.

Time Warner Cable.(Cable TV)
April 4, 2005... FRED FOUSE, SVR Qwest, Denver, named VP/GM, digital phone, national division, Time Warner Cable, Englewood, Colo.

Cox Media.(Cable TV)(Sandy Mencher, Cathy Ferguson appointed)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... At Cox Media: SANDY MENCHER, VP, business operations, Gulf Coast system, promoted to executive director, financial planning and analysis, Atlanta; CATHY FERGUSON, marketing coordinator and corporate event planner, Shenandoah Life Insurance,...

Comcast Cable.(Cable TV)(Marge Jackson appointed)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... MARGE JACKSON, area director, marketing, Eatontown, N.J., named senior director, marketing, Comcast Cable, Northern New Jersey.

Fox Filmed Entertainment.(Programming)(Glotzer Matthew appointed)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... MATTHEW GLOTZER, VP, VOD and business development, Fox Filmed Entertainment, Los Angeles, appointed VP, digital media.

INdTV.(Programming)(Corey Silverman appointed)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... COREY SILVERMAN, SVP, advertising sales, Fuse network, New York, appointed SVP, advertising sales, INdTV New York.

Fine Living.(Programming)(Fine Living network)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... At Fine Living network, Los Angeles: SUSIE ROMANO, director, marketing, promoted to VP; NICOLE RADFDRD, manager, post production and creative services, promoted to director, creative services.

Concrete Pictures.(Programming)(Mchele Toti appointed)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... MCHELE TOTI, director, marketing and promotions, The John Walsh Show, NBC Enterprises, named executive producer, Concrete Pictures, Los Angeles.

HGTV.(Programming)(annette Lindstrom promoted)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... ANNETTE LINDSTROM, director, marketing, HGTV, Knoxville, Tenn., promoted to VP, marketing.

Court TV.(Programming)(appointments at Courtroom Television Network Inc.)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... At Court TV, New York: ANDREW SIEGEL promoted from director, research to senior director, programming research; EMIL FREUND promoted from VP to senior VP, information technology; DANIEL SZE upped from senior director to VP, information...

Life & Times.(Journalism)(KCET appoints Linda Burns)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... LINDA BURNS, line producer, Life & Times, KCET Los Angeles, promoted to supervising producer.

WSVN.(Journalism)(Phil Ferro appointed)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... PHIL FERRO, morning and noon meteorologist, Telemundo 51, Miami, named chief meteorologist, WSVN Miami.

CN8.(Journalism)(appointments)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... At CN8, The Comcast network: STEVE KATSOULIS, producer, Minnesota Sports Tonight, Fox Sports One and Fox Sports Headline News Service, Fox Sports, Los Angeles, named senior producer, Sports Pulse; SARA EDWARDS, entertainment reporter and film...

NPR.(Radio)(Andi Sporkin appointed)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... ANDI SPORKIN, communications and marketing consultant, named VP, communications, NPR, Washington.

Jeffrey Boden.(Radio)(appointed GM of WJZW(FM) and WRQX(FM))(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... JEFFREY BODEN, director, sales, WJZW(FM) and WRQX(FM) Washington, named president/GM of the stations.

WXTU.(Radio)(Natalie Conner appointed)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... NATALIE CONNER, VP/director, sales, WXTU(FM) and WRDW(FM) Philadelphia, appointed GM, WXTU.

MediaCom.(Advertising/Marketing/PR)(Tom Kuhn appointed)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... TOM KUHN, senior VP, account supervisor, Gianettino & Meredith Advertising Inc., Short Hills, N.J., joins Media-Com, New York, as SVP/ group planning director, VW/Audi account.

Network Video Technologies.(Technology)(George Wojtan appointed)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... GEORGE WOJTAN, formerly a partner, Cabling Technology Sales Inc., Mt. Prospect, Ill., becomes datacom and telecom sales manager, Western region, Network Video Technologies, Menlo Park, Calif.

RGB.(Technology)(RGB Networks appoints Matthew Gregory)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... At RGB: MATTHEW GREGORY, director, sales, Terayon Communications, Santa Clara, Calif., joins as director, sales.

Bader Rutter & Associates.(Technology)(Joel Patrick Kennedy promoted)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... JOEL PATRICK KENNEDY, writer, Bader Rutter & Associates, Milwaukee, promoted to account executive.

National Cable Television Cooperative.(Allied Fields)(Alan Tschirner promoted)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... ALAN TSCHIRNER, director, engineering, National Cable Television Cooperative, Lenexa, Kan., promoted to VP, hardware.

Spotlight.(People)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... The promotion of Dan Smith from director to VP of production at Playboy Entertainment Group must have his former colleagues at ABC Family watching his rise at the company with more interest than ever. Since joining PEGI in 2002, Smith has been...

Deadwood lives on.(Fast Track)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... HBO will saddle up for a third season of Emmy and Golden Globe-winning Western series Deadwood. The critically acclaimed show, which began its second season March 6, is created and executive-produced by David Milch. Shooting on 12 new...

TV plugs into product placement big time.(market research of television equipment industry)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... Thanks in part to all of those American Idol Cokes and Extreme Makeover Sears appliances, TV plugs were a $1.87 billion business in 2004, up 46.5% from the year before. TV accounted for over half of all product placements. Overall,...

White House VNR policy mixed.(Fast Track)(Video new releases)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... President George W. Bush may be defending video news releases (VNRs), but that doesn't hold for everybody in the Executive Office of the President. The White House's Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) says it will no longer use...