Broadcasting & Cable articles from September 2004

Broadcasting & Cable archives from September 2004

The ABCs of change: Steve McPherson shares his passion, vision and plans to shake up the network.(Top of the Week)(Interview)
September 6, 2004... Steve McPherson inherited a network in April that has been in trouble for years. But since he took the reins, there has been buzz that the new chief of ABC Entertainment may have the shows to finally turn things around. High-concept dramas such...

PTC goes after licenses.(Breaking ...)(Parents Television Council)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... WASHINGTON -- The Parents Television Council has petitioned the FCC to deny license renewals for two D.C. stations over indecency concerns. PTC has 37 outstanding complaints against NBC's WRC (16) and Fox's WTTG (21) and has decided to force...

Pride of NBC.(Breaking ...)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... BURBANK, CALIF. -- Despite endless promotion during the Olympics, NBC's first batch of fall premieres last week had mixed results. New CGI comedy Father of the Pride, dissed by many TV critics, debuted Aug. 31 to a night-winning 5.4 rating in...

C-SPAN, phone home.(Breaking ...)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... WASHINGTON -- C-SPAN plans to make its content available on MobiTV, a subscription service delivering live TV to Sprint PCS mobile phones. Users will be able watch C-SPAN and C-SPAN2 coverage of Congress, news conferences, and briefings on...

Station licenses in Peril?(Fast Track)
September 6, 2004... Two media activist groups have filed a petition with the FCC to deny license renewals to two Washington, D.C., TV stations for "failure to serve the educational needs of children." PAXSON'S WPXW and FOX-owned UPN affiliate WDCA are the first to...

Fore play.(Fast Track)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... When the Masters golf tournament returns April 4-10, so will the spots. Four minutes of commercials will air in each hour. In addition, the Augusta National Golf Club is allowing 90 more minutes of TV coverage. The broadcasts on CBS and...

Solomon exits Fine Living.(Fast Track)(people)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... FINE LIVING President KEN SOLOMON is leaving the network he helped launch two years ago. JOHN MACDONALD, senior vice president of business operations and acquisitions for the network, takes over as acting general manager. He'll work closely...

NAB taps Mago.(Fast Track)(Jane Mago appointed at National Association of Broadcasters)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... FCC veteran JANE MAGO is replacing JACK GOODMAN as senior vice president and general counsel of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BROADCASTERS. Mago, general counsel of the FCC from 2001 to 2003, was most recently head of the commission's Office of...

Another swing at The Champ.(Fast Track)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... FOX won its legal showdown with NBC over boxing reality show The Next Great Champ. But now an independent producer is suing the show, alleging its producers stole the idea from her. LEIGH ANN BURTON, a 33-year-old TV producer, filed a complaint...

Correction.(Correction Notice)
September 6, 2004... The Initiative report on the new fall broadcast season (Advertising, 8/30, page 14) was prepared by sister company Magma Global USA.

B & C indices.(Week of Aug. 26-Sept. 2)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
September 6, 2004... WEEK OF AUG. 26-SEPT.2 B&C INDICES THE B&C 10 WEEK YTD -1.4% -13.2% BROADCAST TV GROUPS WEEK YTD -0.4% 12-9% CABLE TV MSO'S ...

Russert: old school rules: Meet the Press moderator discusses his show's long stay at the top.(Campaign 2004)(Interview)
September 6, 2004... Tim Russert is managing editor and moderator of NBC's Meet the Press, the dominant Sunday news talk show and longest-running program in TV history. He is also NBC News' Washington bureau chief having joined NBC News in 1984 after serving five...

Fox, flags and Al-Jazeera: a report from the GOP fest in New York.(Campaign 2004)(Grand Old Party)
September 6, 2004... The folks at Fox News howl when critics call them Republican-friendly. But the Republicans are certainly friendly to them. When every network turned to cover the convention, Fox News beat not just the other cable news networks but every single...

Dueling egos.(In The Loop)(politicians, views)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... Our favorite unscripted moment of Republican Convention coverage was Sen. Zell Miller's (D-Ga.) meltdown on MSNBC's Hardball. Host Chris Matthews drilled Miller about his dig at freedom of the press in his convention speech. "You wanted to get...

Ladies' night.(In The Loop)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... HBO's wild comedy Entourage isn't just good, it's tame. During its first few episodes, skit] was a no-show amid the hot parties and one-night stands. And we're not the only ones who noticed. "Here is a show about four twentysomethings living...

Jennings in Jeopardy?(In The Loop)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... Ken Jennings, the million-dollar Mormon, returns to Jeopardy for the new season, kicking off Sept. 6. A source familiar with the show says he extends his winning streak through October. Jennings, who amassed $1.3 million in his 38 consecutive...

Wants a bigger slice.(food[SM] network)
September 6, 2004... On Food Network's 30 Minute Meals, perky 36-year-old chef Rachel Ray slices each ingredient with the same slender silver knife but never mentions the brand. When curious viewers bombarded the network's New York offices with inquiries about...

The prime time race.(Programming)(Illustration)
September 6, 2004... THE PRIME TIME RACE Top 10 Basic Cable Shows Aug. 23-29 Total Households (in millions) PROGRAM DATE NET HHS 1. 2004 Vid Music Awards 8/29 MTV 6.8 2. Sharpie 500...

Nielsen ratings: Aug. 23-29.(Programming)(Illustration)
September 6, 2004... NIELSEN | Aug. 23-29 | RATINGS MONDAY abc CBS Week 49 5.0/8 5.8/9 8:00 25. Still Standing...

Ratings / Aug. 16-22.(Syndication Watch)(Illustration)
September 6, 2004... RATINGS | Aug. 16-22 Nielsen Media Research Top 25 Shows Adults 18-34 RANK PROGRAM AA GAA 1 Friends 3.7 4.3 1 Seinfeld ...

Name brands.(Syndication Watch)
September 6, 2004... The fall season is just under way, but syndicators are already placing their bets for 2005 and beyond, gambling big money on fashion and style gurus. Noted designers Isaac Mizrahi and Vera Wang have secured development deals. With Martha...

Olympics fell talk shows.(Syndie Insider)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... With the Olympics in full swing, most nationally syndicated shows did poorly for the week ended Aug. 22. Ratings were sharply lower for most daytime strips, although most of syndication was in reruns. Many shows on NBC stations were preempted...

See Jane drop.(Syndie Insider)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... It's early, everyone keeps pointing out, but NBC Universal's The Jane Pauley Show got off to a mixed start. Day one's 2.4 rating/7 share in the metered markets (primary-run only) gave the show a 4% boost over the year-ago period but dropped 8%...

The inside story: ESPN2 gives viewers behind-the-scenes drama.(Technology)
September 6, 2004... Bob Bonnell is at home behind the camera. So when the ESPN college-football producer took center stage, it was a kick. The occasion: the CBA College Football Kickoff Classic between USC and Virginia Tech. Twenty-one cameras captured ESPN's team...

Small space, big results: ABC News now thrives in its boutique control room.(Technology)
September 6, 2004... ABC News Now, the 24/7 news service delivered via broadband, broadcast and cellular phones, has a permanent home at ABC's Manhattan headquarters. "Our previous facility was adequate, but if ABC News Now was going to be enhanced, we needed to...

A look back: NBC's Mazza reflects on Olympics 2004.(Tech Q & A)(NBC Olympics' Dave Mazza)(Interview)
September 6, 2004... On Sept. 17, Dave Mazza, NBC Olympics senior vice president of engineering, will head home from Athens for a few weeks of vacation. Then he begins work on his next big project: getting ready for the 2006 Winter Games in Turino, Italy, in HD....

Total control of the news: the new workflow can be managed from the desktop.(News technology: newsroom automation)
September 6, 2004... News directors hear about it when reporters don't like the way their stories are edited. But, with changes ill the newsroom environment, the reporters increasingly have the tools to craft their own stories from start to finish, even down to the...

Changing hands.(Business)(television stations)
September 6, 2004... TVs WBXD-CA Detroit PRICE: $1.25 million BUYER: Equity Broadcasting Corp. (Greg W. Fess, executive VP) SELLER: The Box Worldwide LLC (Amy Brown) FACILITIES: Ch. 23, 50 kW, ant. 686 ft. AFFILIATION: Ind. Combos...

Analyze this: Ray Katz's media reports impact life on the Street.(The Fifth Estater)
September 6, 2004... Ray Katz has never been good at job hunting. A victim of an ax-swinging Larry Tisch after he took control of CBS in 1986, Katz scrounged for months for a new financial gig. After an afternoon interview at Chase Manhattan Bank, he took advantage...

See/Saw Communications.(Broadcast TV)(appointments at KSCI Los Angeles)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... MARNA GRANTHAM, president, See/Saw Communications, Los Angeles, named president/general manager, KSCI Los Angeles.

KMID Midland/Odessa.(Broadcast TV)(appointments)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... CHRIS PRUIT, interim general manager, appointed VP/general manager, KMID Midland/Odessa, Texas.

KBHK.(Broadcast TV)(appointments)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... DAN ACKERMAN, national sales manager, KBHK San Francisco, named director, sales.

Cox Communications Inc.(Cable TV)(appointments)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... BOB NOCERA, president, digital television marketing, Philips Electronics, Atlanta, to director, marketing, new video services, Cox Communications Inc., Atlanta.

Comcast.(Cable TV)(executive promotions)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... PHILLIP MCRAE, VP, sales operations and business services, Comcast, Philadelphia, promoted to senior VP.

Court TV.(Programming)(appointments)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... MARC JURIS, president, FUSE, New York, named general manager, Court TV, New York, effective Oct. 4.

BET.(Programming)(appointments)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... DONOVAN GORDON, senior VP, sales/affiliate marketing/sports and event programming and commercial accounts, Showtime, New York, named senior VP, affiliate sales and marketing, BET, Washington.

CNN Newsource.(Programming)(appointments)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... MITCHELL FAGER, noon newscast producer/writer, WFLD Chicago, named director, sales and affiliate relations, CNN Newsource sales, Atlanta.

ABC News.(Journalism)(appointments)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... At ABC News: BOB WOODRUFF, co-anchor, World News Tonight Saturday, New York, named anchor; TERRY MORAN, chief White House correspondent, Washington, adds anchor, World News Tonight Sunday.

Fox Sports Net.(Journalism)(appointments)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... At Fox Sports Net, New England, Burlington, Mass.: KEVIN MILLER, producer, Mohegan Sun New England Tailgate, named producer, Mohegan Sun's New England Sports Tonight, JASON LEVINE, associate producer, Boston Celtics telecasts, named on-air...

WCBS.(Journalism)(appointments)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... At WCBS New York: JERRY ANDREWS, producer, 11 p.m. news, promoted to senior producer; EMAD ASGHAR, producer, 5 p.m. news, promoted to senior producer.

Fox Sports Net Southwest.(Journalism)(appointments)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... EMILY JONES, sports director, KCBD Lubbock, Texas, has joined Fox Sports Net Southwest, Dallas, as weekend anchor/weekday reporter, Southwest Sports Report.

WPBF.(Journalism)(appointments)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... At WPBF Tequesta, Fla.: BRYCE DANIELS, reporter, named morning anchor; COREY SABAN, reporter/ fill-in anchor, WJXT Jacksonville, Fla., named weekend anchor.

Clear Channel Radio Sales.(Radio)(appointments)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... GREG SCHOENBAUM, media and entertainment marketing consultant, Center Stage TV/Rendezvous Entertainment, Newport Beach, Calif., named senior VP, business development and event marketing, Clear Channel Radio Sales, Los Angeles.

Goodman Media International.(Advertising/Marketing/PR)(appointments)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... LUIS MOCETE, public relations manager, Proskauer Rose LLP, New York, appointed communications specialist, Bryan Cave LLP (Goodman Media International), New York.

Anaheim Angels.(Advertising/Marketing/PR)(appointments)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... ELLIE EVANS, senior account executive, Gannett Television media sales team, Blair Television, Los Angeles, named group sales manager, Anaheim Angels sales.

A.F. Associations Inc.(Technology)(appointments)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... At A.F. Associates Inc., Northvale, N.J.: PAT FRANGIONE, manager, systems fabrication, promoted to director, East Coast operations; TERRY CARBLAN, manager, Sony Systems Integration Center, promoted to director, West Coast operations.

Media Rights Technologies.(Technology)(appointments)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... Appointed senior strategic advisors at Media Rights Technologies, Santa Cruz, Calif.: KELLI RICHARDS, president/CEO, The All Access Group, Saratoga, Calif.; GERD LEONHARD, CEO, ThinkAndLink, San Francisco.

Artifact Design.(Technology)(appointments)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... KEN EDGE, freelance designer, named senior designer, Artifact Design, Atlanta.

Nielsen Monitor-Plus.(Allied Fields)(appointments)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... BRIAN J. LANE, VP, network, agency syndicator service, Nielsen Media Research, New York, joins Nielsen Monitor-Plus, as senior VP, client strategy and product management.

Scripps Networks.(Allied Fields)(appointments)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... JOHN LANSING, executive VP, Scripps Networks, Cincinnati, will succeed retiring Ed Spray as president, effective January 2005.

American National Standards Institute.(Allied Fields)(appointments)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... ROBIN FENTON, standards administrator, standards department, Society of Telecommunications Engineers, Exton, Pa., named to board of standards review, American National Standards Institute, New York.

Obituary.(Top of the Week)(Brief Article)(Obituary)
September 6, 2004... CHUCK LEONARD, radio personality on WABC New York, died Aug. 12. He was 67. Born Charles Wesley Leonard in Chicago, during the Top 40 heyday, Leonard was a member of the WABC "All-Americans" who catapulted the station to No. 1 in the...

Date book.(Top of the Week)(Calendar)
September 6, 2004... This Week Sept. 8-10 National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters 28th Annual Fall Broadcast Management Conference. Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, Washington. Contact: Michelle A. Pascal 646-424-9750. Sept. 9-12 National...

Major meetings.(Top of the Week)(Brief Article)(Calendar)
September 6, 2004... Sept. 13 National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences News & Documentary Emmy Awards, New York. Contact: www.emmyonline.org Oct. 4-6 Mid-America Cable Telecommunications Association The Mid-America Show. Hyatt Regency Crown...

The GOP should get off this pulpit.(Editorials)(Grand Old Party)(Editorial)
September 6, 2004... Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.), who headed the Republican Platform Committee, said last week that its lengthy document "represents what the American vision is" and celebrates "the diversity of ideas." We sincerely doubt both claims...

Let's not go to the videotape.(Federal Communications Commission)
September 6, 2004... The FCC is proposing to require broadcasters to record and archive everything they air, to make it easier for the offended to complain. Frankly, it's a horrible idea. As it is, an overzealous FCC has already driven radio and TV stations and...

Tolerance level.(Open Mike)(Letter to the Editor)
September 6, 2004... Editor: Curiously, Fast Track finds it newsworthy that News Corp. President [Peter] Chernin is endorsing John Kerry ["Chernin for Kerry," Aug. 9, page 6], and that liberals scorn the Fox News Channel as "world-class liberal-bashers." Perhaps...

Two cents.(Letter to the Editor)
September 6, 2004... "If Father of the Pride were a live-action series, it would feel even more tired and flat. On the other hand, if it were a live-action series, it would have watchdog groups and the Federal Communications Commission in, pardon the expression, an...

Ask a stupid question ... and you can get your own TV show.(Television interviews)
September 6, 2004... "Do you want honest appraisal from people around you?" Which famous TV interviewer asked Democratic presidential hopeful John Kerry that, uh, probing question? You probably can guess. But if not, the answer will be revealed shortly. ...

Sports tackle high-def: as HD coverage expands, networks face technical and financial challenges.(Top of the Week)(High definition television)
September 6, 2004... The National Football League better be ready for its close-up. When the regular season kicks off Sept. 9, the four networks that carry pro football--ABC, Fox, CBS and ESPN--will air games in high definition, the crystal-clear digital...

Letter to our readers.(cable broadcasting)(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... Dear Reader: This IP Solutions supplement to Broadcasting & Cable, CED and Multichannel News magazines examines the growing influence of Internet Protocol technology on all facets of broadband communications: voice, video and data. ...

VoIP's star rising once again: with operational issues buttoned up, MSOs turn from trials to deployments.(Voice-over-Internet Protocol)(multiple system operators)
September 6, 2004... In the year 2000, VoIP (Voice-over-Internet Protocol) took center stage as one of the cable industry's rising stars, with the promise of a leading role in the triple play of services-video, voice and data. Using IP-enabled technology,...

Building new business opportunities by protecting digital content in and beyond the home.(Secure Video Processor, media and techonology association)
September 6, 2004... Digital technology has turned the vision of on-demand content into a reality and now by moving high quality content across consumer devices it is set to enable the ultimate vision of "any content, anytime, anywhere". As long as consumers can...

Exploring the converged network: integration, bandwidth management and support systems are critical pieces.
September 6, 2004... The operational efficiencies, scalability and reduced maintenance costs inherent in an all-digital, IP converged network are prompting more broadband service providers to explore the benefits of a fully converged network. The concept of an...

Contemplate the possibilities of an all-digital on-demand world.(cable networks)(High Frequency Communication )(Brief Article)
September 6, 2004... The possibilities are virtually unlimited. With its ability to efficiently deliver more of what the customer wants, when they want it, an IP-based all-digital on-demand network has the potential to revolutionize the cable experience. This will...

Protecting content in the digital era: conditional access and digital rights management take center stage.(copyright)
September 6, 2004... Growing concern over content protection and its possible impact on the cable industry and supporting businesses is now a top of mind issue for the triumvirate of content providers, cable operators and device manufacturers. Conditional...

Making the triple play real: IP-enabled networks promise the ultimate package of voice, video and data.(Internet Protocal)
September 6, 2004... Turning the triple play of services--video, voice and data--into a free-flowing revenue stream is the ultimate prize for the cable industry and its collection of supporting business partners, and it's the IP factor that is completing the play....

Heading in the best direction: billions of dollars beckon in SOHO, medium-sized business, enterprise sectors.(Small Office Home Office)
September 6, 2004... IP technology's influence on the cable industry's gradual penetration into the commercial market's "sweet spot"--small to mid-size businesses-is growing, and driving more operators into this potentially lucrative space. Nearing no brainer...

IP marketing enters a brave new world: new marketing mantra: 'speed positively affects your life'.(internet protocol)
September 6, 2004... In the brave new world of cable marketing, the emergence of IP technology and the services it enable has helped create a new message for customers: It's not the bundle of speed, price and always-on status, it's how they affect your daily life....

Never say never: cable and satellite companies are racing to lure the 20 million Americans who neither watch nor pay for TV.(Cover Story)
September 13, 2004... When burglars broke into lane Ferrall's Manhattan home in 1998, she hardly noticed that the robbers took the TV--her family hadn't turned it on in two years. The Ferrall kids spent too much time in front of it and too little time playing, she...

Rather defends memos, but ...(Breaking ...)(Brief Article)
September 13, 2004... NEW YORK -- Dan Rather said late last week that he believes documents used In a controversial 60 Minutes story were "authentic" but did open the door to the possibility he'd been duped. The memos allege a young George W, Bush received...

Joey holds his own.(Breaking ...)(Brief Article)
September 13, 2004... Burbank, Calif. -- It wasn't Friends, but NBC's Joey got a 7.2 rating in adults 18-49 and 17.9 million total viewers for its Sept. 9 premiere, according to fast affiliate Nielsen ratings. In recent seasons, Friends averaged around 25 million...

Fear Factor soars on FX: its reality is that there is life after network run.(Top of the Week)
September 13, 2004... Chugging a shake made from flies and maggots might be a turn-off to some viewers--but FX is proving that gross-out reality series Fear Factor can be a bit even in reruns. Since the cable network started airing the syndicated hit series...

B&C indices.(Week of Sept. 3-9)(Illustration)
September 13, 2004... WEEK OF SEPT. 3-9 B&C INDICES THE B&C 10 WEEK YTD 0.5% -12.8% BROADCAST TV GROUPS WEEK YTD -0.4% -13.2% CABLE TV MSO'S WEEK YTD 0.0% -10.8% RADIO WEEK YTD...

Edgy fare drives FX: Nip/Tuck, Rescue Me boost ratings but alienate some advertisers.
September 13, 2004... A Plastic surgeon on Nip/Tuck has graphic sex with an anatomically correct latex doll. A fireman on Rescue Me has a Viagra- and handcuff-laced menage a trois. In both scenes, the camera lingers before cutting away. It's not HBO, it's FX....

Eisner eyes a graceful exit: plan also gives the Disney chief more control over the succession.(Top of the Week)(Walt Disney Co's Michael Eisner)
September 13, 2004... In setting his retirement date for September 2006, Walt Disney Co. CEO Michael Eisner says he's giving the board a comfortable transition period to find a new leader. But the move may actually give him more power over his exit and influence on...

The usual suspects: B&C handicaps the most talked-about candidates.(Top of the Week)(Brief Article)
September 13, 2004... BOB IGER Eisner's boy. Longtime ABC/Cap Cities exec, but, in a company whose operations were harshly criticized, Iger was the COO. JEFF BEWKES Highly respected. He has been approached in the past, but he has a great shot at...

Jackson, King back people meters.(Fast Track)(Brief Article)
September 13, 2004... NIELSEN has found some high-profile people-meter allies: REV. JESSE JACKSON, president of the RAINBOW/PUSH coalition, and MARTIN KING, chairman of the organization, in a letter to Rainbow/PUSH members, the pair not only support the meters,...

TVB's spot forecast.(Fast Track)(Cable ad revenues)(Brief Article)
September 13, 2004... According to the TELEVISION BUREAU OF ADVERTISING's two-year ad forecast, spot revenues will be down to flat in 2005 but will rebound strongly in 2006, up 7%-9%. The trend reflects the two-year Olympic Games/election cycle, which pumps up the...

DirecTV plans HD blitz.(Fast Track)(Brief Article)
September 13, 2004... DBS company DIRECTV will launch four satellites by 2007, which will allow it to blanket the country with national and local HDTV channels. The first two satellites, to be launched in April 2005, will deliver 500 local HD channels. The next two,...

The Apprentice does Yahoo!(Fast Track)(Mark Burnett Productions)(Brief Article)
September 13, 2004... YAHOO! is teaming with MARK BURNETT PRODUCTIONS on an official Web site for seasons two and three of NBC hit The Apprentice, as well as future reality offerings. Yahoo! would not disclose the price, but a rep said it sold out the second-season...

A&E ups channel chiefs.(Fast Track)(Brief Article)
September 13, 2004... A&E is giving its official stamp of approval to the executive switch it pulled two years ago. A&E TELEVISION NETWORKS is promoting ABBE RAVEN to president of A&E and DAN DAVIDS to president of THE HISTORY CHANNEL. Both have been EVP/GM of their...

ESPN kicking off college network.(Fast Track)(Brief Article)
September 13, 2004... ESPN plans to launch a 24-hour college sports network, ESPNU, which--will debut in 2005. The new channel will run content from the all--sports network empire, including ESPN.COM, ESPN RADIO and ESPN: THE MAGAZINE. During its first year, ESPNU...

Norman Knight's night.(Fast Track)(Brief Article)
September 13, 2004... NORMAN KNIGHT, the radio and television veteran who founded Knight Quality Stations in 1959, will receive the BROADCASTERS' FOUNDATION Chairman's Award Sept. 14. The foundation gives money and aid to former broadcasters who have fallen on hard...