Broadcasting & Cable articles from October 2004

Broadcasting & Cable archives from October 2004

A new way to sell soup.(Cover Story)
October 4, 2004... The second the mercury dips below 30[degrees] this winter, a funny thing will happen on the Weather Channel: Spots for Campbell Soup Co.'s V8 Vegetable Juice will magically switch to commercials for a steaming bowl of the company's classic...

50 licenses in jeopardy.(Breaking ...)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... WASHINGTON -- License renewals for 50 TV stations in Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and Washington, D.C. are stalled until the FCC resolves petitions to revoke the licenses and outstanding complaints, primarily for indecency. 0nly...

Novak breaks hip.(Robert Novak)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... MIAMI -- Just when it's getting fun, Robert Novak, 73, the veteran columnist and one of the hosts of CNN's Crossfire, is going to be hobbling. At 5:30 a.m. on Oct. 1, the day after the first presidential debate in Coral Gables, Fla., Novak...

Sony ad sales shakeup.(Breaking ...)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... CULVER CITY, CALIF -- Amy Carney, senior vice president, advertiser sales, for Sony Pictures Television (SPT) will take over the advertiser-sales operation, and Barbara "Be" Argentino will direct "a new initiative" for the company, SPT...

Falling into place: CBS triumphs, ABC scores, NBC holds its own in the new season.(ABC Entertainment Television Group)
October 4, 2004... ABC Entertainment President Steve McPherson is jazzed about his network's thriller drama Lost, a clear hit after two weeks, and strong showings by reality shows Wife Swap and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. Early returns are strong: Buttressed...

WB elects Jack & Bobby.(television programs )
October 4, 2004... THE WB has made its first fall pickup, committing to a full 22 episodes of young-skewing drama Jack & Bobby, which is produced by co-owned WARNER BROS. One of the deciding factors was the show's popularity with an upscale audience. According to...

Just say no to deregulation.(Fast Track)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... Academics and researchers dueled over the issue of media concentration last week. The venue was a SENATE COMMERCE COMMITTEE bearing, where committee Chairman JOHN MCCAIN concluded that the NAB would "probably prevail here again"--meaning, no...

Pauley demoted in two markets.(The Jane Pauley Show)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... NBC UNIVERSAL's The Jane Pauley Show has been moved out of key news lead-in time periods in two more markets. PARAMOUNT's Judge Judy is switching places with Pauley at 4 p.m. on HEARST's KDSU New Orleans. BUENA VISTA's Who Wants To Be a...

TBS delivers hot promo.(Fast Track)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... To plug its first doubleheader since acquiring rights to the Big 12 and PAC-10 college football games in 2002, TBS is teaming up with Mangia Media. They plan to deliver 250,000 TBS football-branded pizza boxes to major-market munchers in L.A.,...

DTV compromise passes.(Fast Track)(Digital Television)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... A compromise spectrum-reclamation amendment passed the Senate last week. It would require broadcasters occupying channels 62-69 to give up their analog spectrum by Dec. 31, 2007, earlier than other broadcasters. One caveat: It allows them to...

Better ad returns.(Fast Track)(advertising)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... ARBITRON, NIELSEN parent VNU and ad client giant P&G are testing portable people meters to gauge return on ad dollars. The new national marketing service would pay volunteers to carry Arbitron's portable, pager-like meters. Data would measure...

New script for Bunim-Murray.(Fast Track)(Bunim/Murray Productions)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... The creator of Real World is going to start creating imaginary ones, too. Reality producer BUNIM-MURRAY PRODUCTIONS is teaming with GREGORY BONANN's TOWER 18 to produce Point Dune, a one-hour scripted drama set in Southern California. It's...

WCBS: adios, Anastos.(Station Break)(Fox O&O WNYW apoints Ernie Anastos as anchor)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... NEW YORK -- Just as things were beginning to settle down at CBS flagship WCBS came last week's stunning word that lead anchor Ernie Anastos is jumping ship. Anastos is headed for Fox O&O WNYW, where he will likely pair up with Rosanna Scotto at...

To the rescue.(Station Break)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... WAVY Yorktown, Va.'s Chopper 10 found and rescued a missing 24-year-old woman suffering a diabetic seizure. A fire department rescue team conducted a five-hour ground search for Suzanne Moore after she called 911 on Sept. 22 to say she was...

And then there's Dan.(Station Break)(Dan Rather scandal)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... ORLANDO, FLA. -- CBS affiliates continue to be flooded with letters, calls and e-mails by viewers outraged over the Dan Rather scandal. The CBS affiliates board was scheduled to meet to discuss the matter on Oct. 5. Several news directors and...

Hoosier help.(WTVW, is spearheading a station campaign)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... EVANSVILLE, IND. -- The trucks are loaded and ready to roll. Bob Waiters, news director of Nexstar-owned Fox affiliate WTVW, is spearheading a station campaign to collect food, clothing and cleaning supplies for residents of tiny Brewton, Ala.,...

Cash and cable: Comcast and Time Warner may bid jointly for Adelphia.(Adelphia Communications Corp.)
October 4, 2004... Comcast Corp. and Time Warner Inc.'s joint interest in bankrupt operator Adelphia Communications Corp. have sparked several new theories on Wall Street about how the pieces will be divided. Top executives from both companies, speaking at an...

What the debates cost the networks.(In The Loop)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... Democracy is expensive. Just ask the networks. Whoever won the first presidential debate, the big losers were the Big Four, to the tune of $61.4 million. Last week's Bush-Kerry exchange aired Thursday night from 9 to 11 p.m., an ad-revenue...

Field of screams.(In The Loop)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... When William Shatner and Spike TV set out to spoof a small town, they didn't count on the sharp residents of Riverside, Iowa. The crew traveled there in September to shoot sci-fi flick Invasion Iowa. In fact, it was a setup for an eight-episode...

Barton bullies TV news.(In The Loop)(Joe Barton)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... Broadcast news has sunk to an "instantaneous gratification, reality-TV scenario," complains Rep. Joe Barton, who oversees the broadcast industry as chairman of the House Commerce Committee. He's so angry he's threatening to hold hearings on Dan...

Stranger in a cable land: Hollywood vet Campbell puts his mark on Discovery.(The B&C Profile)(Biography)
October 4, 2004... DAYS AFTER A BUSINESS TRIP TO AFRICA, Billy Campbell flips through his photo album as if it were a family vacation. In one shot, he's whitewater rafting down the Nile River. In another, he talks to Ugandan schoolkids in crisp, blue uniforms....

Hard-hit stations assess damage: devastated by hurricanes, Florida broadcasters slowly recover.
October 4, 2004... When four hurricanes slammed Florida and the East Coast in six weeks, stations were devastated. Millions were lost in ad revenue, and markets are only now beginning to recover. Six stations in West Palm Beach, one of the hardest-hit areas,...

Brokaw keynotes RTNDA's Murrow awards.(Radio-Television News Directors Association)
October 4, 2004... Tom Brokaw, the NBC Nightly News anchor who will step down at the end of November, is, aptly, the featured speaker at the Radio-Television News Directors Association Awards dinner Oct. 4 at the Grand Hyatt New York. Among the highlights of...

Right-hand man: George Ross, who counsels Donald Trump on The Apprentice, wants a raise.(Programming)(Interview)
October 4, 2004... He's the quiet, steady presence in the boardroom, The Donald's right-hand man. George Ross, 76, flanks Donald Trump each week on NBC'S Thursday-night hit The Apprentice, offering counsel to the mogul-turned- TV-star he has known for 30 years....

Ratings: Sept. 13-19.(television programs rankings)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... RATINGS | Sept. 13-19 Nielsen Media Research Top 25 Shows Households RANK PROGRAM AA GAA 1 Jeopardy! 8.5 NA 2 Wheel of Fortune 8.4 NA...

On the road.(Syndication Watch)(Ambush Makeover)
October 4, 2004... Taking the show on the road is giving Twentieth's Ambush Makeover a lift. At the end of August, Twentieth put the Ambush Makeover team in a colorful bus that's crisscrossing the country, giving makeovers to anyone who volunteers. Affiliate...

Pauley gets downgraded.(The Jane Pauley Show)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... Just a few weeks after its launch, NBC Universal's The Jane Pauley Show is being downgraded in major markets. KXAS Dallas, an NBC O&O station, has moved it to noon from 3 p.m., returning Warner Bros.' The Ellen DeGeneres Show to the timeslot....

Insider is top rookie.(Syndie Insider)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... Paramount's new access magazine, The Insider, was syndication's highest-rated national launch at 2.4, leading the seven nationally rated rookies by a decent margin. Syndication premiere week ended Sept. 19, with most shows debuting Sept. 13....

Tyra Banks signs with Warner.(Syndie Insider)(Tyra Banks deal with Warner Bros.)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... Supermodel Tyra Banks has completed a deal with Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution to do a syndicated talk strip starting in fall 2005. "What sold us were her appearances on Oprah," says WBDTD President Dick Robertson. "When she...

Nielsen ratings: Sept. 20-26.(Illustration)
October 4, 2004... NIELSEN RATINGS Sept. 20-26 Week 1 abc Monday 9.6/15@ 8:00 72. The Benefactor 3.4/6 8:30 9:00 5....

The prime time race.(Illustration)
October 4, 2004... THE PRIME TIME RACE Top 10 Basic Cable Shows Sept. 20-26 Total Households (in millions) PROGRAM DATE NET HHS 1. NFL: Buccan'rs/Raiders 9/26 ESPN 7.0 2. Nextel Racing:...

Green and growing.(Market focus: Greenville-Spartanburg)
October 4, 2004... The Greenville-Spartanburg, S.C.-Asheville, N.C. market has morphed from a textile-based economy into a diverse business center. "Industry is moving here, so we're in a better position to grow," says Mike Hayes, general manager at...

At a glances.(Market focus: Greenville-Spartanburg)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
October 4, 2004... AT A GLANCES The Market DMA rank 35 Population 2,014,000 TV homes 807,000 Income per capita $16,336 TV revenue rank ...

The demos.(Market focus: Greenville-Spartanburg)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
October 4, 2004... THE DEMOS Slightly older and less affluent than the national urban average, residents of this Southern market take advantage of the nearby Blue Ridge mountains to hike, hunt and fish. Despite the presence of a big BMW plant, most...

The reality match game: for product-placement deals, ad execs want series where brands are a natural fit.(Product Placement Watch)(advertising executives)
October 4, 2004... The trick to effective product placement on a reality series is to make it seem like the brand just belongs there. That is often easier said than done. "When you walk into someone's house, brands are going to be present," says Laura...

Static over bandwidth: will allowing wireless devices on a market's unused channels interfere with stations' signals?(Washington)
October 4, 2004... For almost 50 years, TV stations have had a valuable slice of the airwaves almost entirely to themselves. Soon, however, their gated community could become considerably less exclusive. To accommodate the explosion of wireless products and...

FCC "Kids' Zone" too violent?(Federal Communications Commission)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... Broadcasters may need to shuffle their prime time schedules if the FCC decides to restrict violent programming when children are likely to be watching. The commission might want to take a look in its own backyard before chastising big media...

Five-minute warning on indecency.(Capital Watch)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... TV stations are on notice to begin delaying live programs long enough to edit out any possibly indecent footage, say communications lawyers. In the wake of the FCC's Sept. 22 proposed $550,000 fine against CBS for airing Janet Jackson's breast...

Adelstein gets a few more weeks on the job.(Jonathan Adelstein)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... Thanks to the crush of budget bills and other legislation, FCC Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein is assured of keeping his post at least a few weeks after the Nov. 2 election. Adelstein's term ended June 2003, but government rules allow him to...

FEC chief's ouster from Swift Boat case sought.(Federal Election Commission)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... Three campaign-finance advocacy groups are calling on the Federal Election Commission to disqualify agency Chairman Bradley Smith from participating in the commission's review of complaints about Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, the organization...

Gem of a deal.(Gemstar-TV Guide International Inc. partners with ICTV Inc.)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... Gemstar-TV Guide's interactive programming guide has been integrated into ICTV's HeadendWare, a broadband-based platform for content delivery. The new partnership follows successful testing on Motorola DCT2000 set-top boxes, according to...

New path.(Pathfire lights news organizations with Digital Media Gateway News Connect system)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... IP video-over-satellite service provider Pathfire is lighting up news organizations with its Digital Media Gateway News Connect system. The first version of the software integrates Pathfire functionality with the Avid iNews newsroom computer...

Tracking TV content.(technology usage of Television broadcasting industry)
October 4, 2004... The ABC Television Network will electronically track the U.S. airings of its TV promotions, and Buena Vista will track its content with the help of a digital watermarking system from Teletrax. The technology provides a persistent digital...

Listen up.(CBS Inc. CBS News tapped Trilogy Broadcast )(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... CBS News has tapped Trilogy Broadcast to provide intercom/talkback and signal monitoring for its new European and Middle East base in London. Trilogy's Commander audio communications system will help link the facility and reporters with CBS New...

A better look.(Weather Channel Inc. to purchase two Accom Dveous/MX universal-format digital video effects units)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... The Weather Channel is looking to improve its on-air look by purchasing two Accom Dveous/MX universal-format digital video effects units (DVEs). The DVEs will be located in separate production-control rooms in Atlanta, replacing older Accom...

ABC News takes next digital step: newsroom system increases reporting efficiency and accuracy.(Technology)
October 4, 2004... ABC News is in expansion mode. Avid's iNews newsroom system, which is used in the radio division and Nightline, has spread to the rest of network news. Approximately 820 iNews seats (or workstations) will be rolled out by early next year as ABC...

Playing for keeps: Comcast, Fox Sports Net answer the high-def call.(Technology)
October 4, 2004... Last week, Comcast unveiled two new regional HD sports networks: Comcast SportsNet Chicago HD and Comcast SportsNet West. In 2005, the regional Fox Sports Net stations will add some 250 HD events. The network also hopes to get DirecTV carriage...

The HD/DTV guide: new Web site aims to clear up consumers' confusion.(High definition television)(Interview)
October 4, 2004... Over the years, both consumer-electronics and broadcast industries have tried to educate the public about HDTV and DTE. Too often, their efforts only added to the confusion. That changes Oct. 4, when Web site www.checkhd.com goes live. Launched...

TVs.(broadcasting industry mergers)(Tiger Eye Broadcasting Corp.)(South Seas Broadcasting Inc.)(Brady Broadcasting.)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... WHOA(LP) Raleigh, N.C. PRICE: $461,558 BUYER: ZGS Broadcast Holdings Inc. (Ronald Gordon, president) SELLER: Tiger Eye Broadcasting Corp. (John N Kyle II, president/CEO) FACILITIES: Ch. 44, 15 kW, ant. 395 ft. W48DD Blue...

Combos.(broadcasting industry acquisitions. )(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... KELO(AM), KWSN(AM), KELO(FM), KRRO(FM) and KTWB(FM) Sioux Falls, S.D. PRICE: Undisclosed BUYER: Backyard Broadcasting (Barry Drake, president/CEO); owns 22 other stations, none in this market. SELLER: Midcontinent Media Inc....

FMs.(Horizon Christian acquires St Joseph Inc)(Educational Media Foundation acquries Broadcasting for the Challenged Inc)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... KWLL(FM)(CP) Texarkana, Ark. PRICE: $125,000 BUYER: Educational Media Foundation (Richard Jenkins, president); owns 109 other stations, including KLMZ(FM) Texarkana, Texas SELLER: Broadcasting for the Challenged Inc. (George S....

AMs.(New Radio System Inc acquries K-FINA Results Inc.)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... KXPL(AM) El Paso, Texas PRICE: Undisclosed BUYER: New Radio System Inc. (Paul Gregg, president/ director); owns no other stations SELLER: K-FINA Results Inc. (Roberto Corral, president) FACILITIES: 1060 kHz, 10 kW FORMAT:...

Programmed to win: Goodwyn spearheads Discovery's growth and technology.(The Fifth Estater)(Bill Goodwyn, Discovery Networks US.)
October 4, 2004... Bill Goodwyn wanted to buy a car after his junior year in college, so he hit the pavement in Lee County, Ark., selling condensed encyclopedias door to door. After a summer of seven-day weeks, he proudly drove his new Fiat home to North...

Fort Wayne/South Bend.(Cable TV)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... ANDY DIX, local sales manager, Comcast Spotlight, Fort Wayne, Ind., promoted to director, sales, Fort Wayne/South Bend.

Cox Communications.(Cable TV)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... AMY COHN, director, public affairs, Cox Communications, Atlanta, promoted to executive director.

Insight Interactive, Insight Communications.(Cable TV)(appointment)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... CHARLIE BARNES, general manager, Insight Interactive (formerly SourceSuite), Dallas, promoted to VP, product development, Insight Interactive, Insight Communications, Dallas.

Comcast Cable.(Greg Pucci, Bill Smart )(Comcast Cable Communications Inc)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... At Comcast Cable, Philadelphia: GREG PUCCI, VP, information services, promoted to senior VP; BILL SMART, VP, purchasing, promoted to senior VP.

Turner Ad Group.(appoints Patrick Ivers)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... PATRICK IVERS, VP/general manager, Comcast Spotlight, Colorado/Wyoming, named president, Turner Ad Group, Denver.

GSN.(appointments Jan Hatcher)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... JAN HATCHER, senior VP, national distribution, Lifetime, Los Angeles, named senior VP, distribution, GSN, Santa Monica, Calif.

King World Productions.(appoints Steve Hackett, John Holdridge)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... Promoted to senior VP/regional sales manager at King World Productions, Santa Monica, Calif.: STEVE HACKETT, VP/regional sales manager; JOHN HOLDRIDGE, VP, southeast sales.

Court TV.(Courtroom Television Network Incorporation)(appointment)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... SCOTT MACPHERSON, senior VP, public and government affairs, Court TV, New York, promoted to executive VP.

Twentieth Century Fox Television.(Programming)(appointment)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... GINA BROGI, director, worldwide pay television distribution, Twentieth Century Fox Television, Los Angeles, promoted to VP.

Asia, Sony Pictures Television International.(Programming)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... ROSS POLLACK, senior VP, business development, Asia, Sony Pictures Television International, Hong Kong, promoted to senior VP, distribution, Asia.

WUSA Washington.(Journalism)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... RRETT HABER, host, Brett Haber in the Morning, WWZZ Braddock Heights, Md./WWVZ Waldorf, Md., named sports director, WUSA Washington.

KPHO Phoenix.(Journalism)(Kent Dana)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... KENT DANA, anchor, KPNX Mesa, Ariz., joins KPHO Phoenix in the same capacity.

CNN en Espanol.(Journalism)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... INES FERRE, reporter, Telemundo, WNJU Linden, N.J., named correspondent, CNN en Espanol, New York.

CNN.(Journalism)(Cable News Network)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... RICK SANCHEZ, host/managing editor, The Rick Sanchez Show, WTVJ Miami, joins CNN, Atlanta, as anchor.

WCBS.(Journalism)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... CHRIS SCAGLIONE. 11 p.m. weekday sports producer, WNBC New York, named executive producer, sports, WCBS New York.

ABC.(Journalism)(American Broadcasting Companies Incorporation)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... RON CORNING, anchor/host, The Daily Buzz, KREN Reno, Nev., named co-anchor, World News Now, ABC, New York.

WPLG Miami.(Journalism)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... MATT LORCH, weekend anchor, WPLG Miami, promoted to anchor, 5:30 p.m. broadcast.

KTBC.(Mike Warren joins KTBC Austin)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... MIKE WARREN, fill-in anchor/ reporter, KNXV Phoenix, joins KTBC Austin, Texas, as reporter/anchor, main newscasts.

KDAF Dallas.(Journalism)(appointment)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... BOB GOOSMAN, chief meteorologist, KDVR Denver, returns to KDAF Dallas in the same capacity.

Ken Lindner & Associates Inc.(Advertising/Marketing/PR)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... RICK RAMAGE, VP, Ken Lindner & Associates Inc., Los Angeles, promoted to executive VP.

PHD USA.(Advertising/Marketing/PR)(appointment)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... MATT SEILER, executive VP, Omnicom Group Inc., New York, joins PHD USA, New York, as president.

Schramm Sports and Entertainment Inc.(Advertising/Marketing/PR)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... RAFAEL ELI, VP, client services and operations/COO, Schramm Sports and Entertainment Inc., New York, named partner.

The Lippin Group.(Advertising/Marketing/PR)(appointment)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... JONATHAN TAYLOR, editor, television, home entertainment and radio, Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, joins The Lippin Group, Los Angeles, as senior VP.

IAG Research.(Advertising/Marketing/PR)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... At IAG Research: ALFA O'NEILL, executive VP/general manager, McCann-Erickson Entertainment, New York, named executive VP, entertainment research, New York; LOIS MILLER, VP, advertising and marketing, Hearst Magazines Corporate Division, Los...

Hail to the coverage.(Editorial)
October 4, 2004... Despite the Bush and Kerry campaigns' best efforts, something approaching a debate broke out last week in the middle of what could simply have been scripted dual press conferences. Props to Fox, which handled the pool feed, and the other...

Tonight without a fight.(The Tonight Show)(Editorial)
October 4, 2004... What a disappointment. After the carnival of clawing ambition, ham-fisted negotiations and bitter grudge-holding that erupted the last time the job of hosting The Tonight Show went up for grabs, we expected something more entertaining than...

Two cents.(opinions)
October 4, 2004... "There's a thing we have to worry about in television called headroom... Because of Kerry's height within the frame, his picture was necessarily bigger... And the result was you had more lectern and less Bush, and Kerry's shot, the other way...

The restoration of Dan Rather.
October 4, 2004... "Back to the wall, shirttails on fire." That's how Dan Rather described Al Gore on Election Night 2000. These days, his words apply to the CBS News anchor himself as the hot, swirling sands of notoriety shift beneath his feet and...

They got more MTV: Toffler, Graden broaden their corporate kingdoms.(Top of the Week)
October 11, 2004... As top executives at MTV, Van Toffler and Brian Graden had two of the best jobs in television. Those jobs just got better. Recently anointed MTV Networks (MTVN) Chairman Judy McGrath tapped To filer to essentially fill her old slot, upping...

B&C picks 10 for Hall of Fame.(Top of the Week)(Brief Article)
October 11, 2004... The 14th Annual Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame awards dinner on Monday Nov. 8 honors 10 of the brightest lights in the business--and salutes SportsCenter, the influential ESPN sportscast in its 25th anniversary year. Says B&C Group...

A thirst for synergy: believe it or not, Viacom had no corporate game plan until now.(Money Talks)(Viacom Inc.)
October 11, 2004... Les Moonves calls synergy an overused word. But he wishes Viacom had used it a little more. Moonves and his co-president and co-COO at Viacom, Tom Freston, took the new Los & Tom Show (or is it the Tom & Les Show?) to the Goldman Sachs...