Broadcasting & Cable articles from September 2003

Broadcasting & Cable archives from September 2003

FCC mulls $27K fine for WNEW sex stunt.
September 1, 2003... The FCC staff believes that the penance for having sex in a cathedral should be between $7,000 and $27,500, although that is likely to be too little for some commissioners. According to commission sources, the enforcement bureau is...

Demo woes all around.(changes in ratings for different demographics for broadcast and cable networks)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
September 1, 2003... Broadcast nets were flat or down for the summer in most demos, but so were same large cable networks BROADCAST P18-34 P18-49 P25-54 ABC -6% 0% 4% CBS 0% 0% 3% NBC -11...

Sunburned: cable, broadcast each had summers that hurt.(Programming)(a discussion of television ratings for the summer)
September 1, 2003... Broadcast networks' load of first-run reality programming failed to stop b the typical summertime drain of audience to cable, leaving networks with the consolation prize of suffering less damage than in recent years. But not all fire cable...

No Labor Day break for VUE bidders: NBC is relaxed, and Bronfman's getting anxious over Vivendi deal.(Top of the Week)(Vivendi continues to take a slow pace in its divestitutre of Vivendi Universal Entertainment)
September 1, 2003... The Labor Day weekend was shaping up to be a lot more laborious than NBC and General Electric executives had anticipated, as the slow pace of the company's chase for Vivendi Universal Entertainment abruptly shifted gears. Early last week,...

U.S. ad market growing, especially cable.(Top of the Week)(the U.S. advertising market reports $61.6 billion in ad expenditures for the first half of 2003)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... The U.S. advertising market continues to exhibit strong growth this year, with $61.6 billion in ad expenditures for the first half of 2003, an increase of 6.8% over first half 2002. Overall, broadcast rose 4.7% to $31.3 billion, and print was...

FCC advances LPFM applications?(Breaking ...)(the FCC speeds plans to approve low-power FM stations in order to build localism)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... WASHINGTON -- The FCC last week took the first steps toward following through on Chairman Michael Powell's pledge to speed the approval of low-power FM stations as part of his localism initiative. Those steps include helping station seekers...

Kissy Madonna upstages MTV Awards.(Breaking ...)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... NEW YORK -- Wins by lappers Missy Elliot and 50 Cent couldn't outbuzz Madonna's performance at Thursday's Video Music Awards. In a four-way medley of her "Like a Virgin" and more recent "Hollywood," Madonna planted long, open-mouthed kisses on...

Date set for spectrum sale.(Breaking ...)(the FCC will auction spectrum slated for a terrestrial-based competitor to DBS and cable on 1/14/03)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... WASHINGTON -- Jan. 14 is the new date for an FCC auction of spectrum slated for a terrestrial-based competitor to DBS and cable. Primary applicants for the frequencies, on the same band as DBS, are Northpoint Technology and MDS America....

Fear to be a factor through '05: NBC reality show is also likely for syndication in 2004.(Top of the Week)(NBC signs a deal with Endemol USA for a fifth season of 'Fear Factor' with options for more)
September 1, 2003... NBC's Fear Factor is on its way to being the first prime-time reality show to hit syndication. Last week, the network picked up from Endemol USA a fifth season of the gross-out reality show, taking it through 2004-05, and also grabbed options...

Philly court holds fate of dereg.(legal)(federal appeals court judges in Philadelphia will rule on whether or not new broadcast-ownership rules will take effect this week)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Whether new broadcast-ownership rules will take effect this week depends on what federal appeals court judges in Philadelphia rule on Wednesday. The federal appeals court will hear oral arguments and rule on requests to stay the FCC's new...

Nielsen hikes household estimate.(Fast Track)(Nielsen Media Research estimates that there are 108.4 million U.S. TV households)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... NIELSEN MEDIA RESEARCH has increased its estimate for the total number of U.S. TV households to 108.4 million. Effective the TV week starting today, each national rating point will represent 1%, or 1.08 million TV homes. Last season, there were...

Now the news.(Fast Track)(television industry news briefs)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... KTVU(TV) Oakland-San Francisco said that Gov. GRAY DAVIS will attend its televised California gubernatorial candidates forum Race to the Recall Wednesday in Walnut Creek. The debate, co-sponsored by the Contra Costa Times, is to be carried...

The O.C. catches on.(youthquake)(Fox gains viewers for its drama 'The O.C.')(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Fox's new The O.C. started slow but bag picked up a head of steam. Last Tuesday, the soapy show easily won virtually all young-demo Nielsen categories. It gets a breather when Fox interrupts its prime time programming for the baseball playoffs,...

Reality patrol.(Fast Track)(CBS is extending 'Big Brother 4' by two episodes, while FOX decides to not bring back 'American Juniors' this fall)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... CBS is extending the run of Big Brother 4 by two episodes, taking the show's final two episodes into the middle of premiere week. The first new episode airs Friday, Sept. 19 at 8 p.m. ET; the final installment, on Wednesday, Sept. 24 at 9 p.m....

New at NATPE.(Fast Track)(the National Association of Television Program Executives names six television executives to its board)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF TELEVISION PROGRAM EXECUTIVES named six TV executives to its board: IGNACIO BARRERA, senior VP of TEPUY; ANDY HEYWARD, chairman and CEO of DIC ENTERTAINMENT; PAUL JACKSON, director of international production for...

Peacock promo.(Syndication)(NBC Enterprises is providing a preview episode of its new daytime reality show 'Starting Over')(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... To encourage stations to promote new daytime reality show Starting Over, NBC Enterprises is giving them an hour preview episode and letting them keep all 14 minutes of ad time. The show will introduce the cast of women and the two "life...

Jerry tops Tiger.(Programming)(ABC stations struggle with conflicts between the PGA's Deutsche Bank Championship and the Jerry Lewis Telethon)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... By today's end, the Deutsche Bank Championship--a new PGA tournament to benefit the Tiger Woods Foundation--will have a winner, and the Muscular Dystrophy Association will have raised millions via its annual Labor Day telethon, hosted by Jerry...

Bonzo goes to the bank.(Programming)(a chimp will be featured on 'Pepsi's Play for a Billion' contest)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Kendall, a 4 year-old chimp, has been tapped by the WB to pick the numbers that could make Pepsi's Play for a Billion contestant a billion bucks. Word has it, the chimp (at right with Jamie Kennedy, left, and Drew Carey) is being used to...

Plug-and-play teed up.(Regulation)(FCC Chairman Michael Powell will focus on technical standards for 'plug-and-play' cable-ready DTV sets)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... FCC Chairman Michael Powell aims to set technical standards for "plug-and-play" cable ready DTV sets at the commission's Sept. 10 meeting. Cable and consumer-electronics industry officials are optimistic the commissioners will approve their"...

Stock picks.(Finance)(a ranking of the top 10 media companies)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Institutional investors vote for their favorite companies by buying their stock. But to get a clear idea of how public companies rate, Brendan Wood International surveys 3,000 such investors on their confidence in 550 companies. Topping the...

Surprise!(Legal)
September 1, 2003... Court watchers love to predict the outcome of lawsuits before proceedings begin based on the leanings of judges assigned. Such prognostication isn't possible, though, for motions to stay the FCC's new broadcast-ownership rules, which will be...

Another setback in ENG backhaul take-back.(In The Loop)(the government will likely once again delay taking back part of broadcasters' backhaul spectrum)
September 1, 2003... A government plan to take back a portion of broadcasters' backhaul spectrum, half a decade in the making and repeatedly delayed, is likely to be delayed once again. Broadcast- and satellite-industry sources expect the FCC to extend this...

KFMB-TV photographer missing.(Station Break)(KFMB-TV photographer Sean O'Kane is missing)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... SAN DIEGO -- The Coast Guard and other law-enforcement agencies conducted a scaled-down search late last week for KFMB-TV photographer Sean O'Kane, missing since Monday morning, Aug. 25. Authorities began their search efforts as a "rescue,"...

Job seekers?(on the hunt)(Rose Tibayan writes 'The Job-Hunting Handbook for Television Journalists')(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Former WPVI-TV reporter Rose Tibayan returned to Philadelphia for a party at the World Fusion Restaurant celebrating the book she left the station to write. Tibayan reports that more than 100 people showed up to see early copies of Resume...

Brief bragging rights.(Station Break)(WVTV brags that it is the only 9:00 PM newscast while its competitor carries football)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... MILWAUKEE -- For two weeks last month, promos for Milwaukee's newest nightly newscast boasted that it was the city's only 9 p.m. newscast. Well, yes and no. On two successive Thursdays, Fox-owned WITI(TV) carried network-programmed...

Peacock picks WRC-TV ND.(Station Break)(Vicki Burns becomes vice president of news for WRC-TV)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... CHICAGO -- WMAQ-TV News Director Vicki Burns has been named to succeed Bob Long as vice president of news for Washington-market leader WRC-TV. Long took over news at KNBC(TV) Los Angeles. All three stations are owned by NBC. Burns has been...

People meters are coming.(First Beantown, Now L.A.)(Nielsen Media Research will launch local people meters in Los Angeles)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... With three of the four major networks on board, the launch of local people meters in Los Angeles by Nielsen Media Research, expected next month, will almost certainly be less contentious than last year's Boston launch. The bulk of Los...

Raycom waits out FCC backlog.(First Beantown, Now L.A.)(Raycom Media agrees to buy Waitt Broadcasting for $25.7 million)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Sales of TV stations have been few and far between this year, even though the FCC relaxed many of its ownership restrictions in June. But Raycom Media last week became the first Top 25 TV-station group to cut a deal in the post-dereg world,...

Ellen in a different world: DeGeneres says past turmoil toughened her for daily talk-show grind.(Programming)(Warner Bros. Domestic Television launches the 'Ellen DeGeneres Show')
September 1, 2003... In 1997, the ABC sitcom Ellen set off a sociological time bomb when Ellen DeGeneres became the first television character to come out as a lesbian. Advertisers balked, and so did some viewers, and the show left the air. It seems like a...

ABC uses theme park for promo.(Programming)(ABC is promoting its new season at Disney's California Adventure)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... For the second year in a row, ABC is promoting its fall season with a weekend theme-park event. Seventy of the network's prime time stars will be featured at Disney's California Adventure in Anaheim during the weekend of Sept. 6-7. "The...

Hot network upfront rotten for local: weak economies translate into weak TV-station advertising sales.(TV Buyer)(a ranking of the top advertisers on local television stations)(Illustration)
September 1, 2003... Local TV stations are continuing to choke on the dust left by their national network parents, with most affiliates struggling to squeeze out even tiny bits of growth for the rest of the year. The weak economy continues to overwhelm local...

Network scatter an expensive buy.(EBB & Flow)(predictions for television advertising in the fourth-quarter)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... There will be less money spent for fourth-quarter scatter, according to some buyers, and, due to tight availability, pricing will be ahead of the record-breaking upfront. "I expect to see 20% increases, at least," one agency buyer said....

TVs.(Changing Hands)(television station deals)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... KDTN-TV Denton, Texas PRICE: $20 million BUYER: Daystar Television Network (Marcus Lamb, president/ CEO) SELLER: North Texas Public Broadcasting Inc. (Gary Ferrell, president/CEO) FACILITIES: Ch. 2, 100 kW, ant. 1,352 ft. ...

Combos.(Changing Hands)(radio station deals)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... KBOR-AM and KQXX(AM) Brownsville, KMAZ-FM Mercedes, and KQXX-FM Mission (McAllen-Brownsville-Harlingen), Texas PRICE: $6.5 million BUYER: Clear Channel Communications (John Hogan, CEO, Radio); owns 1,206 other stations, including...

FMs.(Changing Hands)(radio station deals)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... KBPS-FM Portland, Ore. PRICE: $5.5 million BUYER: KBPS Public Radio Foundation; owns one other station, not in this market SELLER: Multnomah County School District #1 (Lynn Ward, deputy clerk) FACILITIES: 89.9 MHz, 4 kW, ant....

Doing more with less: it's easier than ever to tie different systems together.(Special Report)(a discussion of the developments of equipment for television newsrooms)
September 1, 2003... With nearly every corporation in the industry consumed with cutting costs and headcounts, it comes as little surprise that automation technologies continue to gain presence in local, network and cable TV newsrooms. Given the very nature of...

Less tape, more fulfilling: automation manufacturers see tapeless facilities as the future.(Special Report)(TV stations are likely to move to tapeless acquisition formats soon)
September 1, 2003... With tapeless acquisition formats from Sony and Panasonic on the way, today's TV stations could find themselves going tapeless sooner rather than later. The formats hold the potential of greatly shortening the time it takes to get content to...

Protocols, standards drive development.(Newsroom automation: moving to digital)(a discussion of the newsroom automation)
September 1, 2003... When it comes to newsroom automation, acronyms MOS, MXF and AAF are basic vocabulary. For most manufacturers (and broadcasters), they are the standards and protocols that enable newsroom automation to go from concept to reality. ...

Managing change in the TV-ratings biz: whiting has helped grow new business at Nielsen.(The Fifth Estater)(a discussion of the career of Nielsen Media Research president and CEO Susan Whiting )(Biography)
September 1, 2003... Conventional wisdom has it that you have to move along to ,get ahead in the corporate world. But don't tell that to Susan Whiting president and CEO of Nielsen Media Research She has been with Nielsen her entire career, starting in the company's...

Associated Press.(Broadcast TV)(names Peter S. Walker to its advisory board)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... PETER S. WALKER, senior VP, Tribune Television, Chicago, named to the advisory board of The Associated Press, Washington.

WETA-TV.(Broadcast TV)(hires Katherine Benson and Barbara Johanson)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... At WETA-TV Washington: KATHERINE BENSON, VP, national advertising sales, Bravo, New York, joins as VP, Eastern sales; BARBARA JOHANSON, VP, Central sales, MTV Networks, Chicago, joins in the same capacity.

KNBC-TV.(Broadcast TV)(hires Ginger Zumaeta as VP, creative services)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... GINGER ZUMAETA, VP, advertising and promotion, WMAQ-TV and WSNS(TV) Chicago, joins KNBC-TV Los Angeles, as VP, creative services.

Comcast Cable.(Cable TV)(hires Robert K. Faught as senior VP)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... ROBERT K. FAUGHT, CEO, Universal Wireless, Atlanta, joins Comcast Cable, Philadelphia, as senior VP, retail and commercial online sales.

Anderson, Ind.(Cable TV)(Sean Hogue is promoted)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... SEAN HOGUE, director, operations, Northeast district, Anderson, Ind., promoted to district VP.

Time Warner Cable Ad Sales.(Cable TV)(hires Chuck Gordon)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... CHUCK GORDON, general sales manager, WXIX-TV Cincinnati, joins Time Warner Cable Ad Sales, Kansas City, Mo., in the same capacity.

Game Show Network.(Programming)(promotes Michael Sakin to senior VP of sales and distribution)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... MICHAEL SAKIN, senior VP, advertising sales, Game Show Network, Santa Monica, Calif., promoted to senior VP, sales and distribution.

Paramount Domestic Television.(Programming)(hires Dawn Abel as senior VP)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... DAWN ABEL, senior VP, research, Carsey-Werner-Mandabach, Los Angeles, rejoins Paramount Domestic Television, Los Angeles, in the same capacity.

MTV Networks.(Programming)(announces several personnel moves)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... At MTV Networks: HARRIETT BRAND, VP, talent and music, MTVN Europe, London, promoted to senior VP; BILL FLANAGAN, senior VP/editorial director, MTVN Music Group, New York, adds MTVN International to his roster; CRISTIAN JOFRE, VP/marketing and...

Gemstar-TV Guide International.(Programming)(hires Danila Koverman)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... DANILA KOVERMAN, executive producer, La Cenicienta, Galan Entertainment, Los Angeles, joins Gemstar-TV Guide International, as senior VP, programming and production, TV Guide Television Group, Los Angeles.

Sony Pictures Television International.(Programming)(hires Todd Miller as a senior VP)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... TODD MILLER, managing director, AXN Asia, Singapore, named senior VP, international networks, Asia, Sony Pictures Television International, Singapore.

NFL Network.(Programming)(hires Brian Decker as VP of the West Coast)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... BRIAN DECKER, VP, affiliate sales, Western region, Superstation WGN, Chicago, joins NFL Network, New York, as VP, West Coast.

Premiere Radio Networks.(Radio)(promotes Julie Talbott executive vice president of marketing)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... JULIE TALBOTT, senior VP, integrated marketing solutions, Premiere Radio Networks, Los Angeles, promoted to executive VP, affiliate marketing.

WMAL(AM).(Radio)(hires Randall Bloomquist as operations director)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... RANDALL BLOOMQUIST, AM operations director, Clear Channel, Richmond, Va., joins WMAL(AM) Washington, as operations director.

WLVI-TV.(Journalism)(hires Paul Mueller as weekend anchor/reporter)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... PAUL MUELLER, reporter, WLNE(TV) Providence, R.I., joins WLVI-TV Boston, weekend anchor/reporter 10 p.m. newscast.

Sirius.(Satellite)(hires Ron Rodrigues as senior director, PR)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... RON RODRIGUES, editor-in-chief, Radio & Records, Los Angeles, joins Sirius, New York, as senior director, PR.

ICTV.(Technology)(hires Mike McGrail as president and CEO)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... MIKE MCGRAIL, president/chairman, DST Innovis, San Francisco, joins ICTV, Los Gatos, Calif., as president/CEO.

OmniBus Systems.(Technology)(hires Mark Neary as Northeast region sales manager)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... MARK NEARY, director, East Coast sales and support, Pinnacle Broadcast Products, New York, joins OmniBus Systems, Stamford, Conn., as Northeast region sales manager.

CBS News.(Correction)(hires Kim Dozier)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... KIM DOZIER, chief correspondent, Middle East bureau, WCBS-TV New York, joins CBS News, as correspondent, Tel Aviv, Israel.

Date book.(upcoming broadcasting industry events)(Calendar)
September 1, 2003... This Week Sept. 2-5 The Advertises Festival New York Hotel and Convention Centre at Disneyland Resort, Paris. Contact: 00 44 (0) 845-644-1750. Sept. 2-5 DSL Forum Hilton Toronto. Toronto. Contact: 510-608-5905. Sept. 3-5...

Rivals call WKMG-TV show a ratings ploy.(Top of the Week)(station airs a 20-minute weathercast)
September 1, 2003... In a way, WKMG-TV Orlando, Fla., is leaving it up to God. The Post-Newsweek-owned CBS affiliate last week began airing a 20-minute weathercast titled Big-Picture Weather at 11:10 p.m. but plans to air it only on Wednesdays. Why? Local...

FCC on the offensive.(Editorials: broadcasting & cable committed to the first amendment)(Brief Article)(Editorial)
September 1, 2003... We understand that Infinity will be fined, and more than the token amount, for indecency by the FCC for the Opie & Anthony stunt, in which WNEW-FM New York listeners were encouraged to have sex in public places and talk about it on air. One of...

French disconnection.(Editorials)(Vivendi continues to take its time deciding who will win its merger auction)(Brief Article)(Editorial)
September 1, 2003... A stroll along the Seine, the play of light through beech trees sheltering a sidewalk cafe, the throw of spray at the Palais Royal fountain. Perhaps the enjoyment of such simple pleasures and the general pace of European summers are behind...

A broader view of broadcasting.(Airtime: guest commentary)(the FCC's media-ownership order is not expected to hold up to the First Amendment)(Column)
September 1, 2003... The FCC's recent media-ownership order offers an extremely narrow view of the commission's First Amendment duties. Namely, that it is not "necessarily healthy for public debate to pretend as though all sides are of equal value or entitled to...

Two cents.(Letters)
September 1, 2003... "When Norman Rockwell was painting, the bats were wood, the uniforms were wool and there wasn't any cable television. Not to be flippant, but these kids today grew up on SportsCenter and the Internet. No one puts baseball cards in their bicycle...

He retorts. We deride. How Al Franken went from satirist to monotonous.(an evaluation of satirist Al Franken)(Column)
September 1, 2003... They say--as a matter of fact, I heard it again just about a week ago on National Public Radio's On the Media--that, as Lenny Bruce began being prosecuted for obscenity, his nightclub act became the occasion for him to spout rambling legal...

Everybody comes back on Raymond.(Top of the Week)(CBS reaches an agreement with Brad Garrett to secure his return to 'Everybody Loves Raymond')
September 1, 2003... CBS's Everybody Loves Raymond got back to work last week, with hold-out Brad Garrett securing a pay raise and a small percentage of the show's syndication profits, retroactive through the show's first season. Garrett's new deal increased...

Court slams brakes on ownership dereg.('The Stay Is A Killer')
September 8, 2003... Federal judges last week put on ice, probably for at least a year, the deal-making bonanza expected as a result of the FCC's recent loosening of broadcast-ownership rules. A three-judge panel of the federal appeals court in Philadelphia...

With Vue, NBC sees big picture: Peacock to rise in Media Pecking Order.(Brief Article)
September 8, 2003... NBC's proposed $14 billion takeover of Vivendi Universal Entertainment takes away one asterisk: Now, just like all the other the rival network giants, NBC, too, will own its own studio. More important, though, the deal gives GE-owned NBC...

The big 5.(Brief Article)(Illustration)
September 8, 2003... THE BIG 5 Estimated 2003 revenues of TV's major content providers AOL TIME WARNER $42.8B Despite size, still shows why synergy on paper can be a disaster in reality VIACON $26.8B ...

Nielsen adds weight to U.S. sample: the goal is more-accurate reflection of the viewing universe.(Top of the Week)
September 8, 2003... After years of planning and some delay, Nielsen Media Research for the first time last week started weighting its national ratings sample to mirror more accurately the overall U.S. viewing universe. Specifically, weight controls are now in...

Rethink rule changes, FCC asked.(Breaking ...)(Brief Article)
September 8, 2003... WASHINGTON--More than 25 petitions demanding the FCC rethink its new, though currently stayed, broadcast-ownership roles were filed at the commission last week. The petitions will be considered independently of the court challenges to the new...

Tagliabue knocks ESPN's playmakers.(Breaking ...)(NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue criticizes ESPN show 'Playmakers')(Brief Article)
September 8, 2003... WASHINGTON--NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue lashed out at broadcast partner ESPN's new fictional pro-football drama Playmakers. "Everyone feels that it's a rather gross mischaracterization of oar sport," he told CNN last Thursday. The league...

CNN's Harris Heads to WJLA-TV.(Station Break)(Leon Harris)(Brief Article)
September 8, 2003... WASHINGTON--Longtime CNN anchor Leon Harris will leave the cable news net and join WJLA- TV Washington, anchoring the station's 5, 6 and 11 p.m. newscasts with Maureen Bunyan and Kathleen Matthews. Station President and General Manager chris...

The Bear Web project.(Station Break)(University of Maine football, hockey teams to play on Internet)(Brief Article)
September 8, 2003... BANGOR, ME.--The Black Bear's of Maine have been caught in the Web. WABI-TV plans to put its live coverage of University of Maine football and later hockey on the Internet. Through a partnership with Norwalk, Calif.-based Web-site developer...

WCBS-TV adds political program.(Station Break)('Kirtzman & Co.')(Brief Article)
September 8, 2003... NEW York-WCBS-TV on Sunday debuts a political-affairs program hosted by veteran political reporter Andrew Kirtzman. Kirtzman & Co. will feature interviews and roundtable discussion with local pols and reporters. The show will alternate on...

Up-market move.(Station Break)(WBAL-TV hires news director Michelle Butt)(Brief Article)
September 8, 2003... BALTIMORE--WXII-TV Greenville, N.C., News Director Michelle Butt will be moving up in markets to Hearst-Argyle Baltimore sister station WBAL-TV. Current WBAL-TV News Director Margaret Cronan resigned earlier this summer to move to Philadelphia...

WFOR-TV adds news.(Station Break)(Brief Article)
September 8, 2003... MIAMI-WFOR-TV launches a weekend morning newscast this Saturday. The hour-long 8 a.m. broadcast will be co-anchored by Jason Wheeler, who has been with the station since 2002, and Susan Barnett, who will join WFOR-TV from Viacom sister station...

WBBM-TV keeps A.M. news.(Station Break)(Brief Article)
September 8, 2003... CHICAGO -- WBBM-TV's fall lineup still features an 11 a.m. newscast while adding one at 4 p.m. The late-morning news has been the subject of speculation and could still be replaced by syndicated programming but only if the station decided to...

California crowd.(facetime)(Brief Article)
September 8, 2003... Six of California's leading gubernatorial candidates--but not Arnold Schwarzenegger--participated in a debate last week sponsored by KTVU(TV) San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose and the newspaper The Contra Costa Times On the panel (l-r): Democrat...

Mending economy may miss local TV ad sales.(Top of the Week)
September 8, 2003... The economy may or may not be on the mend, depending on whom you believe. Either way, if you're in the local TV ad-sales business, you have some serious issues to deal with in 2004, including a potentially smaller campaign-spending pie than had...

California freeze out?(Fast Track)(campaign alliance asks radion stations for time)(Brief Article)
September 8, 2003... The ALLIANCE FOR BETTER CAMPAIGNS last week asked the nations two largest radio groups to allow California's gubernatorial candidates to advertise on their radio stations in that state. "It is not clear whether CLEAR CHANNEL and INFINITY are...

Tearful KPNX(TV) Phoenix anchors told the story of the death late Wednesday of Arizona TV icon C.E. "PEP" COONEY, who spent 18 years as the station's colorful president and general manager.(Naming Names)(Brief Article)(Obituary)
September 8, 2003... Tearful KPNX(TV) Phoenix anchors told the story of the death late Wednesday of Arizona TV icon C.E. "PEP" COONEY, who spent 18 years as the station's colorful president and general manager. Cooney, 70, suffered an aortic embolism Aug. 25 and,...

Two former Continental Cablevision executives, David Keefe and Edward Holleran Jr., are acquiring cable systems from ailing Charter Communications for $765 million.(Naming Names)(Brief Article)
September 8, 2003... Two former Continental Cablevision executives, DAVID KEEFE and EDWARD HOLLERAN JR., are acquiring cable systems from ailing CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS for $765 million. ATLANTIC BROADBAND, the new company they run with backing from private equity...

Scripps.(Naming Names)(names Jeff Sagansky to its board)(Brief Article)
September 8, 2003... Former Paxson President and CEO JEFF SAGANSKY has been named to the board of SCRIPPS, becoming the board's 12th member. Scripps owns 10 TV stations, four cable networks, a home-shopping network and 21 newspapers.