Broadcasting & Cable articles from July 2007

Broadcasting & Cable archives from July 2007

BC Beat.(Endemol USA launching reality show "Queen Bees")(Federal Communications Commission and CBS Broadcasting Inc.)(Todd Bridges to act in "Jury Duty")
July 9, 2007... Edited by Joel Topcik Mean 'Queen' Joins Attack of the TV Bees Joel Topcik Primetime television is fairly abuzz with bees these days: Scripps National Spelling Bee on ABC, The Singing Bee on NBC, plugs for Jerry Seinfeld's Bee...

Cable Weathers Shifting Metrics.
July 9, 2007... By Marisa Guthrie Upfront take is up slightly over last year The brave new world of shifting metrics hasn't prevented cable networks from posting healthy CPM (cost-per-thousand-viewer) increases in the quickly concluding upfront...

Dunn Elected To Broadcasting Industry Board.(Larry Dunn, Broadcasters Foundation of America)(Brief article)
July 9, 2007... By Staff Larry Dunn, publisher of Broadcasting & Cable and Multichannel News , was elected to the Board of Directors for the Broadcasters Foundation of America. He joins Thomas Kane, president/chief executive officer of the CBS Owned...

WKRN's Web Woes.
July 9, 2007... By Michael Malone Nashville station contends with a new-media exodus The often fractious relationship between Old and New Media has been on display at WKRN Nashville, an ABC affiliate owned by Young Broadcasting. The station's efforts...

Fast Track.(media companies increasly using social-networking tools)(ad-sales increases at NBC Universal during "Sunday Night Football")(game show "Temptation" sold in 199 markets)
July 9, 2007... By Staff Networking Tools A Must for Media Jon Hemingway By Jon Hemingway Bolder use of technology is deemed essential in competitive market Savvy use of social-networking tools by media companies is no longer optional....

ABC Clears Card for 'Bingo Night'.(American Broadcasting Companies launching second run of "National Bingo Night")
July 9, 2007... By Ben Grossman Online bump helps resurrect ratings-challenged series A second run of National Bingo Night is in the cards for ABC. And what is increasingly a sign of the state of the television business, it was the show's online...

Air Wars Break Out Over Fairness Doctrine.
July 9, 2007... By John Eggerton Talk radio turns up volume against reinstating defunct regulation With a talk lineup that includes Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and Mark Levin, WMAL(AM) Washington was among the column of conservative talk-radio...

Where to be and what to watch….(Calendar)
July 9, 2007... By Michael Malone Monday, July 9 The good folks of the Michigan Association of Broadcasters have their Meeting & Leadership Retreat at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel in Grand Rapids. Today features a golf scramble at Watermark Country...

This Time, It's War.(Iraq war coverage can help news channels regain market share)
July 9, 2007... By J. Max Robins Quarterly Nielsen numbers for the Big Three flagship newscasts have ABC World News With Charles Gibson cementing its position as No. 1 and both NBC Nightly News With Brian Williams and CBS Evening News With Katie Couric...

The Passion of The Critics.
July 9, 2007... By Ben Grossman The B&C poll finds dramatic highs, reality lows, too few laughs Where would we be without TV critics? For starters, probably looking at a 2007-08 broadcast season without 30 Rock and Friday Night Lights on NBC. It was...

Triple Threats.(WFMY-TV, WGHP-TV and WXII-TV vie for supremacy)
July 9, 2007... By Michael Malone A trio of stations vie for supremacy in three-city DMA It's always tough for a newscast to overcome a well-heeled opponent in a ratings duel. But when three stations are owned by large, progressive media companies,...

Avoiding Violence to the Constitution.(regulating television violence)
July 9, 2007... By Laurence Tribe Violent television programming is speech protected by the First Amendment. At the most fundamental level, any attempt to regulate such protected speech will fail because it will be impossible to define 'impermissible'...

Oh Say, Can't We See?(New York Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting's rules on filming on public property)
July 9, 2007... By Staff First, the good news: You can still trip the light fantastic on the sidewalks of New York. Now the bad: You may have to get a permit and a million dollars of insurance if you want to film it. According to the New York Civil...

Fates & Fortunes.(Mark Lund appointed to NBC Universal Television Stations)(appointments at Comcast Houston)(Steve Kent appointed at Sony Pictures Television)(Brief article)
July 9, 2007... By Staff Broadcast TV Staff Randi Goldklank , director of sales, Sunbeam Television's WHDH/WLVI Boston, promoted to VP/general manager. Mark Lund , senior VP, sales, WNBC New York and NBC's East Coast stations, named...

Gurin's Wide World of Reality-and Beyond.(Phil Gurin)(reality television programs)(Biography)
July 9, 2007... By Jim Benson Independent producer turns simple ideas and international formats into a string of successful shows Phil Gurin is already a prolific importer and exporter of unscripted programming formats. Now he is hoping to go where no...

'The Insider' Takes Manhattan.("The Insider" show to get an east coast bias for this fall season)
July 9, 2007... By Ben Grossman O'Brien to head East in bid for N.Y. viewers CBS Television Distribution's The Insider will show an East Coast bias this fall when Los Angeles-based Pat O'Brien joins co-host Lara Spencer in a new Manhattan studio. The...

For All-Star Coverage, It's a 'Truck in a Box'.
July 9, 2007... By Glen Dickson Fox and MLB to produce pre-game Webcast with NewTek portable production system Fox will broadcast the Major League Baseball All-Star Game from San Francisco this week using the same type of high-definition production...

BC Beat.(NBC Universal prepares to provide equal airtime to other candidates if Fred Thompson runs for president)(Eric Byrnes and his dog in a kayak)(A&E Television Networks' advertisement for "The Sopranos")
July 16, 2007... Edited by Joel Topcik NBCU Ready for Thompson White House Run Joel Topcik If Fred Thompson decides to end months of speculation and enter the 2008 presidential contest, NBC Universal will be ready. Thompson, of course, is the...

Food's New Recipe For SUCCESS.(television chef Giada De Laurentiis on the Television Food Network)
July 16, 2007... By Anne Becker Betting products will drive profits In striving to become a household name, television chef Giada De Laurentiis has three crucial ingredients beyond sheer talent: charm, business savvy and a hot show on Food Network. ...

Deals.(broadcasting stations)(Statistical data)
July 16, 2007... By BIA Financial Networks TVs KNOE(TV) Monroe, La.; K18AB El Dorado, Ark. PRICE: $47 million BUYER: Hoak Media LLC (Eric Van den Branden, president) SELLER: Noe Corp. LLC (George Noe, president) FACILITIES: KNOE(TV):...

Twin City Turnabout.(WCCO-TV tops the May sweeps)
July 16, 2007... By Michael Malone Huge sweeps for CBS station narrows the gap Like the Minnesota Twins in the 1991 World Series, a scrappy challenger is poised to grab the crown in the Twin Cities news battle. With increases in share of revenue each...

Fast Track.(Fox Sports enhances video content on website)(NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution renews deal with Tribune Broadcasting Co. and Sinclair Broadcast Group Inc.)(Rockefeller TV-violence bill to be introduced before august recess in the Congress)
July 16, 2007... By Staff Fox Sports Streams Big-Ticket Events Ben Grossman By Ben Grossman Effort targets rabid fans with behind-scenes access With a big lineup of major sporting events due on its network in the coming months, Fox Sports...

Grouper Drops User-Generated Video.
July 16, 2007... By Jim Benson Rebranded Sony company to become streaming Web network Grouper, the second- largest video-sharing Website behind YouTube, has abandoned the user-generated-video (UGV) business. Nearly a year after Sony Pictures...

WTTW Dazzles in the Desert.(coverage of David Broza's concert in Israel)
July 16, 2007... By Michael Malone PBS station battles sand and scorpions to shoot 'Israel's Springsteen' Late last month, a crew from PBS station WTTW Chicago traveled to the Judean Desert, in southern Israel, to film a sunrise concert by Israeli...

A&E Slates New Music Show.(A&E Television Networks)
July 16, 2007... By Anne Becker Intimate 'Sessions' aimed at mainstream tastes In a bid to establish its mainstream-entertainment bona fides, A&E will launch Private Sessions , a weekend music show featuring contemporary acts. The hour-long show, set...

'Bo' Knows the Upfront Market.(Barbara 'Bo' Argentino)
July 16, 2007... By Marisa Guthrie The syndication upfront market is expected to finish with an increase over last year's $2.4 billion haul (up to 5%, according to some analysts). While the new C3 metric (average commercial ratings with three days of DVR)...

Political-Ad Rate Up in the Air.
July 16, 2007... By John Eggerton Broadcasters push FCC to rule on effect of online auctions With the first of the presidential primaries only six months away, broadcasters are urging the FCC to rule quickly on how online auctions of radio and TV ad...

Put a Cork in the Whine.(media personalities)
July 16, 2007... By J. Max Robins Ahh, the vintage whines of summer-so fun to sample-so easy to appreciate. First, there was Katie Couric and her pals in New York magazine complaining about everything from critics taking potshots during her rookie...

Where to be and what to watch-.(Calendar)
July 16, 2007... By Michael Malone Monday, July 16 Can new NBC Entertainment boss Ben Silverman win over a room of dyspeptic critics? Find out when he and fellow Co-Chairman Marc Graboff take the stage at the Television Critics Association (TCA)...

Strike a Deal.(Writers Guild of America)
July 16, 2007... By Staff The volume of rhetoric from Hollywood and its writers has been turned up to 11 on a scale of 10 as the Writers Guild of America (WGA) this week becomes the first of the three major entertainment unions (actors and directors follow...

BEST OF THE B&C BLOGS.(Amy Jacobson leaving WMAQ)(Sportsman Channel partners with Sportsmen Against Hunger to serve food to the homeless)
July 16, 2007... Staff Station to Station: WMAQ Swimmer Dunked July 11, 2007 This just in: WMAQ reporter Amy Jacobson, caught swimming in the pool of a man whose missing wife is a major news story in Chicago, can stay in Craig Stebic's pool for as...

Fates & Fortunes.(appointments and promotions in the broadcasting sector)
July 16, 2007... By Staff Broadcast TV Staff Thomas Grant , national sales manager, Grant Group's WFXR/WWCW Roanoke, Va., named national sales manager/assistant station manager for the group's WZDX/WAMY Huntsville, Ala. Jimmy O'Brien , new...

The Face of Gotham Politics.(Dominic Carter, NY1 News)(Biography)
July 16, 2007... By Michael Malone After a rough childhood in the Bronx, veteran NY1 correspondent Carter enjoys the view from City Hall Dominic Carter has covered New York City politics for more than two decades. As a political reporter for NY1 News...

'Scrubs' 2011?(Disney-ABC Domestic Television syndicating "Scrubs")
July 16, 2007... By Jim Benson Disney aims to extend sitcom's off-net run Only a year after Scrubs ' off-network syndication debut, Disney-ABC Domestic Television is back in the marketplace seeking to renew the fresh-out-of-med-school comedy on TV...

Seeing the light in HD.(High definition television)
July 16, 2007... By Larry Barrett Proper illumination brings the hi-def set to life In the race to deliver high-definition broadcasts, news directors say, fancy new sets mean nothing if you skimp on the lighting. The art of building and lighting an HD...

VOD's Growing Pains.(video-on-demand)
July 23, 2007... By Staff Companies struggle to find a financial model that works for a popular service. Come Together Can cable operators, programmers, advertisers design a VOD model that works? By Jon Hemingway When it comes to...

Call It Orlandough.(WFTV-TV)
July 23, 2007... By Michael Malone Booming market is much more than Mickey Mouse Kevin Harvick won this year's Daytona 500 by a fraction of a second, but the once photo-finish news race in the Orlando-Daytona Beach-Melbourne, Fla., market isn't nearly...

BC Beat.(Matt Groening's criticism of Fox News Channel)(LG and Samsung plan startegy to market analog to digital converters boxes)(A&E Television Networks' new reality show "The Two Coreys")
July 23, 2007... Edited By Joel Topcik FNC Laughs Off Groening's 'Urban Legend' Joel Topcik Fox 's The Simpsons has always been an equal-opportunity satire. And with The Simpsons Movie hitting theaters July 27, creator Matt Groening has once...

On CNN, Web Will Rock the Vote.(CNN and YouTube plan to include voters' questions during campaign debates)
July 23, 2007... By Marisa Guthrie Questions for candidates in debate culled through YouTube YouTube is trying to do something drastic to the presidential debates: Make them watchable, which would go a long way toward increasing their relevance to...

Fast Track.(John Wallace's plans for National Broadcasting Company)(Senate Commerce Committe approves bill to regulate 'fleeting profanities' on broadcast networks)(Primetime Emmy Awards telecast to go green)
July 23, 2007... By Staff New NBC Stations Boss Stresses Local Focus Michael Malone John Wallace, the new president of NBC's owned-and-operated stations, is urging his general managers to put as much of a local stamp on their product as possible....

The Simpsons Do America.(new campaigns to promote "The Simpsons" television show)
July 23, 2007... By Michael Malone Stations piggyback with Simpsons Movie Movie stars typically make the publicity rounds in advance of their film's release, but it's a bit different when that star is a bright yellow animated figure with a delightfully...

The Advertiser's Advocate.(Adonis Hoffman of the American Association of Advertising Agencies)(Interview)
July 23, 2007... By Staff Washington legislators are turning up the heat on advertisers over childhood obesity, drug ads and violent content, to name a few issues. Adonis Hoffman's job is to help explain why advertising should not be the government's...

Labor Talks May Go Off-Script.(Writers Guild of America and Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers)
July 23, 2007... By Jim Benson Amid clash over new media and residuals, WGA signals a tactical shift With negotiations between the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers (AMPTP) off to a rocky start, West...

NBCU Effort Aims To Keep 'Lights' On.(NBC Universal launches marketing campaign for "Friday Night Lights")
July 23, 2007... By Ben Grossman Marketing campaign targets women 35-49 to help save series NBC Universal is throwing a marketing Hail Mary to try to save its critically acclaimed but audience-starved drama Friday Night Lights . NBCU plans an...

GalleryPlayer Expands TV Art.(Brief article)
July 23, 2007... By Glen Dickson Hi-def stills are aimed at VOD platform GalleryPlayer, the Seattle-based company that provides high-definition still images of fine art and photography for flat-panel HDTV sets, is releasing 80 new half-hour blocks of...

Cable: They've Earned It.(cable companies win nominations for Emmy awards)
July 23, 2007... By Anne Becker Cable TV is due some respect. The latest indication of how much the industry deserves from critics and advertisers came last Thursday, courtesy of the television academy. In the Emmy nominations, cable networks-many of...

Where to be and what to watch-.(broadcasting industry)(Calendar)
July 23, 2007... By Michael Malone Monday, July 23 The 2007 Cable & Telecommunications Association for Marketing (CTAM ) Summit takes place in Washington this week. 'Power to the People' is the theme, and today features an interactive session on...

New Food Ads: One Small Step.
July 23, 2007... By Staff Major food manufacturers are trying to be more careful about their nutritional content and where their messages are seen. New guidelines that 10 major food companies will begin to follow aren't a solution to the problem of...

Best of the B&C Blogs.(fiance surprises KSAZ-TV's Andrea Robinson by proposing to her on set)(ESPN's bad coverage of Under-20 World Cup soccer match between US and Austria)(Brief article)
July 23, 2007... By Staff Station to Station: 'Arizona Morning' Goes Off Without a Hitch... Sort of July 19, 2007 KSAZ Phoenix reporter Andrea Robinson was in for a surprise Tuesday on Fox 10 Arizona Morning . Just as she began a report on...

Fates & Fortunes.(Tim Weaver joins Quincy Newspapers Inc.)(ABC News Investigative Unit appoints Rhonda Schwartz)(new appointments at Warner Bros. Domestic Cable Distribution)
July 23, 2007... By Staff Broadcast TV Staff Tim Weaver , general sales manager, KWWL Waterloo/Cedar Rapids, Iowa, named director, broadcast sales, Quincy Newspapers Inc., parent of KWWL, effective in mid August. David Fry , editor/producer,...

The Celebreality Duo.("The Surreal Life" creators Mark Cronin and Cris Abrego)
July 23, 2007... By Anne Becker The creators of The Surreal Life franchise keep on rocking the reality-TV world One is an Ivy League-educated former engineer; the other is a former college wrestler. If that sounds like a premise for a wacky reality...

Wilkos: I'm No 'Springer' Rip-Off.(Steve Wilkos on his new talk show)
July 23, 2007... By Ben Grossman New show to focus on law, not strippers As Steve Wilkos prepares to make his debut this September as host of his own syndicated show, the former Jerry Springer Show bouncer wants everyone to be clear on one thing: He's...

Game On!
July 30, 2007... By Michael Malone Televised gaming shoots for the big leagues A dozen high-definition cameras, an Emmy Award-winning sports producer, and a crew of 85 captured the action for DirecTV in Los Angeles. A booming voice introduced the teams...

Deals.(acquisitions of broadcasting stations)(Statistical data)
July 30, 2007... By BIA Financial Networks TVs WTWD(LP) Orlando, Fla. PRICE: $625,000 BUYER: Digital TV of Orlando LLC (John Salov, president) SELLER: Charles S. Namey FACILITIES: Ch. 38, 87 kW, ant. 60 ft. AFFILIATION: Ind. ...

Phoenix Rising-Fast.(hispanic television)
July 30, 2007... By Michael Malone As desert population booms, news competition flourishes Two things seem to be constants of late in Phoenix: New arrivals keep streaming in, and Gannett's NBC affiliate KPNX keeps winning late news. Not only is Phoenix...

BC Beat.(Paul Petersen criticizes CBS Broadcasting's reality series "Kid Nation " for violating child labor rules)(FCC Chairman Kevin Martin uses explicit words while responding to ruling on television indecency)(YouTube claims policing the site for copyright violations)
July 30, 2007... Edited by Joel Topcik Former Child Actor Slams CBS' 'Kid Nation' Joel Topcik Paul Petersen , best-known for playing Jeff Stone on The Donna Reed Show , has joined the growing chorus of outrage over CBS ' forthcoming reality...

Survey Scrutinizes Chicago News.
July 30, 2007... By Michael Malone Medill study raises questions about race and gender in newscasts Chicago stations do a good job of keeping viewers informed but are less successful at standing out from one another, a new study finds. And all could...

FCC Takes a Pass On Full-Court Profanity Appeal.('fleeting profanity' case against Fox Broadcasting Co.)
July 30, 2007... By John Eggerton Pending legislation may lead commission to forgo Supreme Court option The FCC has decided not to seek a full-court review of the Second Circuit Court of Appeal's ruling that its 'fleeting profanity' findings against...

B&C Names '07 Hall of Famers.(Brief article)
July 30, 2007... By Staff Broadcasting & Cable will induct 11 television giants and a legendary show into its class of 2007 at the 17th Annual Hall of Fame Awards Dinner at New York's Cipriani 42nd Street on Oct. 22. The new class takes its place alongside...

Cable Ratings Sizzle This Summer.(cable television)
July 30, 2007... By Anne Becker Audience share increases over broadcast Despite playing in the most crowded field ever, cable networks are having their best summer yet with new and returning original scripted series. Most shows are posting solid...

CTAM: 'Power to the People'.(Cable & Telecommunications Association for Marketing's annual summit)(Conference news)
July 30, 2007... By Anne Becker Cable marketers focus on new options for consumers Consumer control was the mantra at the Cable & Telecommunications Association for Marketing (CTAM) annual summit in Washington last week. Most panels focused on...

Fallon May Replace Conan.(Jimmy Fallon to replace Conan O'Brien at NBC)
July 30, 2007... By Ben Grossman NBC targets SNL alum for 12:35 a.m. show NBC has targeted Jimmy Fallon to replace Conan O'Brien in 2009, according to people familiar with the talks. Fallon is NBC's favorite to take over from O'Brien, who...

Fast Track.(Sony Pictures Television plans presence at the Consumer Electronics Show)(Hearst Entertainment signs up Gloria Allred for reality series)(Hallmark Channel to eliminate smoking from its original films)
July 30, 2007... By Staff Sony Pictures Plans Splash at CES By Ben Grossman Content will be touted next to parent's electronics Moving away from traditional sales customs, Sony Pictures Television (SPT) plans to be a major presence at the...

Where to be and what to watch….(Calendar)
July 30, 2007... By Michael Malone Monday, July 30 The Independent Show , assembling the coolest indie cable operators in the biz, takes place this week at the Monterey Conference Center in California. The day starts with the Christians in Cable...

Summer Madness.(Column)
July 30, 2007... By J. Max Robins If, while overhearing some recent conversation at a network headquarters or studio, you caught mentions of 'mad men,' 'damages' and 'saving grace,' you might well assume those deep in conversation were focused on three...

Best of the BnC Blogs.(Fox Broadcasting Co. palns social networking project FoxHilites)(New Vision Television to acquire television stations)(National Football League not to reconsider limit on online use of team press conferences)(Brief article)
July 30, 2007... By Staff Station to Station: Fox Social Network Prepares to Launch July 26, 2007 A social-networking project covering topics such as high school athletics and music should be launching on WFLD Chicago in the coming weeks, station...

Presidential Test Tube.
July 30, 2007... By Staff Fun, wasn't it? Last week's CNN/YouTube debate created memorable moments: a snowman asking about global warming, a lesbian couple wondering where the Democratic candidates stood on gay marriage. But the common complaint afterward...

Fates & Fortunes.(Craig Robinson joins KNBC-TV)(Lisa Hillary joins Comcast SportsNet)(new appointments at CBS News)
July 30, 2007... By Staff Broadcast TV Staff Craig Robinson , president/general manager, WCMH Columbus, Ohio, appointed executive VP, operations and digital strategy, KNBC Los Angeles, a newly created position. Jeffery MacDougall , formerly...

Obituary.(Pete Wilson)(Obituary)(Brief article)
July 30, 2007... By Staff Veteran anchor Pete Wilson , 62, died July 20 in Palo Alto, Calif., from a heart attack suffered during hip-replacement surgery. Wilson was co-anchor of ABC7 News at 6 p.m. at KGO San Francisco for 5½ years, having...

Slava Brings Art for the Masses.(Kris Slava of Ovation TV)(Biography)
July 30, 2007... By Caroline Palmer After a steady climb, the stars align for Ovation TV's new programming chief 'For me, art was always imposing and inaccessible,' he says. 'But I learned that, with a little effort, you can crack the code and find a...

Control Rooms on Auto-Pilot.
July 30, 2007... By Glen Dickson Software vendors promise more control, lower costs Computers haven't completely taken over the running of TV stations, but they're getting closer. With more and more stations moving their entire video-ingest,...

Why 'TMZ' Just Might Work.
July 30, 2007... By Ben Grossman Bottom-feeder swims into TV mainstream The first time I heard that Warner Bros. was planning to adapt AOL's celebrity-gossip Website, TMZ, into a syndicated daily television show, I nearly sprained my eyes from rolling...