Multichannel News articles from February 2011

Multichannel News archives from February 2011

Aiming High Pays off for DirecTV: While Ergen's Dish Struggles to Add 'Economic' Subs
February 28, 2011... DIRECTV AND DISH NETWORK HAVE LONG operated at opposite ends of the pay TV spectrum, with DirecTV focusing on higher-end satellite homes and Dish on lower-end, price-conscious customers. Given the fourth-quarter results issued last week by both...

Cable presses hard for real retrans reform: despite intense lobbying, FCC unlikely to order standstills or arbitration.(NEWS & ANALYSIS)(Federal Communications Commission)
February 28, 2011... WASHINGTON -- Cable operators almost certainly will not get their wish list of interim carriage and arbitration orders when the Federal Communications Commission votes this week on proposals for clearer on retransmission-consent rules. ...

Playing the name game on McSlarrow's successor.(THROUGH The Wire)(Kyle McSlarrow)
February 28, 2011... As National Cable & Telecommunications Association president Kyle McSlarrow's planned spring exit approaches (see Special Report, page 12)--the Wire hears the NCTA board met in Punxatawney, Pa., on Feb. 2 and hopefully predicted at least six...

Mining social media for corporate gain is Gottesman's goal.(NEWS & ANALYSIS)(Patricia Gottesman)(Crimson Hexagon)(Brief article)
February 28, 2011... Patricia Gottesman, who served Cablevision Systems for 28 years in a variety of executive roles before leaving in 2008, is now the CEO of a technology start-up called Crimson Hexagon. The four-year-old firm uses technology developed at (and...

Honest Knology: candid CEO takes rap for sub dip.(NEWS & ANALYSIS)(Financial report)(Brief article)
February 28, 2011... The Wire loves it when CEOs admit a mistake, even if company shareholders suffer some short-term pain as a result. Triple-play provider Knology fell into that category last week. Chairman and CEO Rodger Johnson, breaking down fourth-quarter...

Twas deja vu all over again, one more time.(NEWS & ANALYSIS)(Brief article)
February 28, 2011... Broadcasters and newspapers and the Federal Communications Commission were back in court arguing over media ownership rules last week in Philadelphia. It was a healthy dose of deja vu for those who were around for the last 3rd U.S. Circuit...

Cable's spring season.(ORIGINAL PROGRAMMING)
February 28, 2011... The following is a list of upcoming original cable programming from Feb. 28 through April 30, 2011. "Original programming" is defined as brand new premieres, not acquired shows or content available via broadcast TV, home video or in movie...

British invasion: why U.S. audiences are chuffed to bits for U.K. imports.
February 28, 2011... THE BRITISH ARE COMING. In January alone, three scripted series based on hit shows from the United Kingdom premiered to respectable ratings and big buzz on American U.S. channels. In its first week, 3.6 million viewers tuned in to...

Coming to America.
February 28, 2011... "IT WAS A MISERABLE EXPERIENCE-AN UTTER DISASTER," SAID Beryl Vertue, the grand dame of British TV on her attempt to bring sitcom Coupling to NBC in 2003. The high-profile failure followed another letdown at the same network, which had tried...

Cable's peacekeeper: as Kyle McSlarrow prepares to leave the NCTA's Helm, colleagues and competitors alike praise his quiet, effective leadership.(TRIBUTE TO KYLE McSLARROW)
February 28, 2011... IN THE MONTH LEADING UP TO his new gig as president and CEO of the National Cable & Telecommunications Association in 2005, Kyle McSlarrow boned up on the cable industry, of which he knew next to nothing. He intended to spend the first...

The Internet shall set them free: faith-based programmers preach virtues of new distribution media.(RELIGIOUS PROGRAMMING)
February 28, 2011... PAUL CROUCH JR. IS A man on a mission. The longtime religious programmer and vice president/chief of staff at Trinity Broadcasting Network is busy overseeing a digital archive project that will make decades of TBN content available to viewers...

Animal planet 'takes on' sports: Tyson reality series and 'Hillbilly Handfishin" aim to help critter-friendly network broaden its audience.(Discovery Communications Inc. Animal Planet)
February 28, 2011... ANIMAL PLANET IS STEPPING INTO THE sports arena with the launch of two new reality series, but network officials say the new genre play won't sideline its core animal-loving viewers. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Once known for light, family...

Breakout Kings.(Television program review)
February 28, 2011... BREAKOUT KINGS (A&E Network, Sunday, March 6, 10 p.m.) **** 1/2 A&E's new scripted series Breakout Kings looks to break from the mold of traditional crime drama by featuring a unique and eclectic group of crime fighters tracking...

Bravo.(PEOPLE)(appointment of Lisa Hsia )(Brief article)
February 28, 2011... Bravo Digital Media has elevated Lisa Hsia to executive vice president, a new post. She had been senior VP, Bravo Digital Media.

Breaking News PR.(PEOPLE)(A&E/Lifetime Networks)(Brief article)
February 28, 2011... Josh Sabarra has launched Breaking News PR, a full-service public-relations firm based in Beverly Hills, Calif., and New York. He comes from A&E/Lifetime Networks, where he was senior VP, corporate communications. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Charter.(PEOPLE)(Charter Communications Inc. appoints John Birrer )(Brief article)
February 28, 2011... John Birrer has joined Charter Communications as senior vice president, customer experience. He had been senior VP, customer loyalty at T-Mobile USA. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Comcast Spotlight.(PEOPLE)(promotions of Chris Ellis and Dennis Marshall )(Brief article)
February 28, 2011... Chris Ellis was promoted to senior director, communications at Comcast Spotlight. He had been director, communications. Also, Dennis Marshall was promoted to senior manager, promotional and integrated marketing.

GMC.(PEOPLE)(Gospel Music Channel L.L.C. appoints Greg Madsen )(Brief article)
February 28, 2011... Atlanta-based GMC has advanced Greg Madsen to vice president, affiliate sales. He was director, affiliate sales. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

IMT.(PEOPLE)(Integrated Microwave Technologies appoints James Hyman )(Brief article)
February 28, 2011... Integrated Microwave Technologies has named James Hyman as vice president, North America Broadcast Sales and IMT Sales Support. He had been client operations manager at Helinet Aviation Services and technical operations manager at WNYW-TV in New...

Jones/NCTI.(PEOPLE)(appointment of Pete Collegio )(Brief article)
February 28, 2011... Cable-industry training and education firm Jones/NCTI has named Pete Collegio its chief learning officer. He comes from DeVry University, Denver, where he was dean of the electronics technology program.

MTV.(PEOPLE)(MTV Networks Inc. appoints Garrett English )(Brief article)
February 28, 2011... Garrett English advanced to senior vice president, executive in charge, music production at MTV. He was VP, production, executive in charge, MTV Music, Specials and Events. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] DID YOU KNOW? Garrett English was executive...

RLTV.(PEOPLE)(Retirement Living TV appoints Jonathan Lee)(Brief article)
February 28, 2011... Jonathan Lee has been elevated to vice president, operations, at Retirement Living TV. He had been senior director, finance operations.

Simulmedia.(PEOPLE)(appointment of Brian Weiser )(Brief article)
February 28, 2011... New York-based set-top data research firm Simulmedia has added Brian Weiser as chief marketing officer, responsible for marketing and strategy. He comes from MagnaGlobal, where he was head of global forecasting.

Si TV.(PEOPLE)(appointments)(Brief article)
February 28, 2011... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Marlene Braga has joined Si TV as vice president, programming and development. She comes from Woman on the Verge Productions, where she was principal and executive producer. Also, Sara Auspitz has joined Si TV as...

TLC.(PEOPLE)(appointment of Laura Staro )(Brief article)
February 28, 2011... Laura Staro was elevated to senior vice president, research at TLC. She had formerly served as VP, research for the network.

Travel Channel.(PEOPLE)(appointments)(Brief article)
February 28, 2011... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Shannon O'Neill was named chief financial officer at Travel Channel. He was senior vice president, general manager of Golf Channel's new media business. Also, Brigitte McCray was named vice president, programming,...

YuMe.(PEOPLE)(appointment of Bryan Everett and Ed Haslam )(Brief article)
February 28, 2011... Redwood, Calif.-based video advertising-technology company YuMe has added Bryan Everett as executive vice president, business development. He had formerly worked as executive VP, business development at Kontera. Also, Ed Haslam was named...

Calendar.(Calendar)
February 28, 2011... For more listings, visit multichannel.com/event. FEB. 28-MARCH 1 National Cable Television Cooperative, Winter Educational Conference & Technology Showcase, Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort, Clearwater, Fla. Contact: Lisa Miller, (913)...

Privacy: trust but verify: NTIA's strickling on how government, business can collaborate.(Q&A)(National Telecommunications and Information Administration)(Lawrence Strickling)(Interview)
February 28, 2011... As adminstrator of the Commerce Department's National Telecommunications & Information Administration, Lawrence Strickling is the Obama administration's chief telecom policy adviser, and he has plenty to say about the issue of protecting...

U.S. judge says Ivi is no 'cable system'.(RULES)
February 28, 2011... WASHINGTON -- A federal judge said Ivi TV must stop streaming TV station signals without consent or making retransmission payments, though the company said it would appeal the preliminary injunction. Major broadcast groups sought the...

HSN rings up improved sales: 'appointments to view' help book fourth-quarter business.(FINANCE)(Financial report)
February 28, 2011... A STRONG SHOWING IN CONSUMER ELECTRONICS helped push revenue at HSN Inc. northward in the fourth quarter, as traditional categories like fashion and wellness continued their momentum. Total revenue at HSN was up 9%, to $915.2 million in the...

Knology to buy Cobridge systems.(QUICK HITS)(Cobridge Broadband )(Brief article)
February 28, 2011... WEST POINT, GA. -- Knology said last Tuesday that it has agreed to purchase Cobridge Broadband systems in Fort Gordon, Ga., and Troy, Ala., for $30 million, adding that the acquisitions will play a role in future growth. Knology already has...

Ex-Disney assistant sentenced in trading scheme.(QUICK HITS)(Walt Disney Co.)(Brief article)
February 28, 2011... NEW YORK -- Former The Walt Disney Co. assistant Bonnie Hoxie was sentenced to four months of house confinement in relation to an attempt last year to sell the media giant's earnings information before it became public. According to reports,...

ShopNBC parent registers shares.(QUICK HITS)(ValueVision International Inc. ShopNBC Div.)(Brief article)
February 28, 2011... EDEN PRAIRIE, MINN. -- ValueVision Media, parent of home shopping channel ShopNBC, is planning to offer shares of its common stock worth about $75 million. No price has yet been set for the shares, which the company said it may issue from...

In 3d's Lead Pack: DirecTV's Chang: 'You've Got to Start Someplace'
February 28, 2011... DirecTV now offers a trifecta of 24-hour 3D television networks. But is anyone watching them? On Feb. 13, the satellite-TV operator was the sole affiliate for the debut of 3net--the network owned by Discovery Communications, Sony and...

'It's a platform,' he kept saying.(TRANSLATION PLEASE)
February 28, 2011... LAST WEEK, OVER A SPAN OF TWO BRIEFINGS and four interviews, one word came up over and over and over. Twenty-eight times, to be specific. Maybe this one's popping up with unsettling regularity in your world, too: Platform. Conversationally,...

A&E stunt hopes to capture eyeballs: 'Breakout Kings' promo lets viewers hunt down virtual convicts.(NEWS & ANALYSIS)(A&E Television Networks)
February 28, 2011... A&E NETWORK IS TURNING TO THE CRIMINAL element for help promoting its original scripted drama, Breakout Kings. Bowing March 6 at 10 p.m. (ET/PT), Breakout Kings, from Matt Olmstead and Nick Santora, the writers/producers of Fox's Prison...

ESPN3D snags NBA, golf events.(NEWS & ANALYSIS)
February 28, 2011... ESPN 3D WILL CAP ITS ROOKIE SEASON BY TELEVISING THE NATIONAL BASKETBALL Association Finals in June. The network will show all of the games in the best-of-seven series, which is scheduled to tip off on June 2 at 9 p.m (ET) and conclude on...

Parker leaving CNN's 'Parker/Spitzer'.(BEST OF MULTICHANNEL.COM)(Cable News Network)(Kathleen Parker)(Brief article)
February 28, 2011... NEW YORK -- Kathleen Parker is leaving her spot as co-host of Parker/Spitzer, CNN executive vice president Ken Jautz announced Friday. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Parker/Spitzer will be recast as an ensemble format with several guests and...

Reps. see red over reports of Google data collection from kids.(BEST OF MULTICHANNEL.COM)(Brief article)
February 28, 2011... WASHINGTON -- Reps. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and Joe Barton (R-Tex.), co-chairs of the House Privacy Caucus, said Thursday in a joint statement that they were "deeply disturbed" by reports that the "Doodle 4 Google" contest included collecting social...

CBS signs Netflix streaming library deal.(BEST OF MULTICHANNEL.COM)(Brief article)
February 28, 2011... NEW YORK -- CBS has signed a two-year deal allowing Netflix to stream some TV shows from its library, beginning in April. Included in the deal are episodes of recent series such as Medium and Flashpoint, as well as full seasons of classic...

Veteran publicist Nancy Carr dies at 50.(BEST OF MULTICHANNEL.COM)(Obituary)(Brief article)
February 28, 2011... LOS ANGELES -- Longtime television corporate communications and PR executive Nancy Carr died Feb. 18 in a Los Angeles-area hospital, according to a statement from Hallmark Channels. She was 50. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Carr, who had been...

Fox News Channel renews with Cablevision.(BEST OF MULTICHANNEL.COM)(Brief article)
February 28, 2011... NEW YORK -- Fox News Channel said it has renewed its carriage agreement with Cablevision Systems, part of an October retransmission consent deal with the MSO. "We are pleased to have worked with Cablevision to reach a fair agreement that...

CTHRA schedules forum May 11 in Philly.(Cable and Telecommunications Human Resources Association)(Conference news)(Brief article)
February 28, 2011... NAPERVILLE, ILL. -- The Cable and Telecommunications Human Resources Association's Annual HR Symposium has been scheduled for May 11 in Philadelphia with the theme "Changes, Challenges and Transformations!" The one-day event will deliver...

WICT looks for Accolade nominations.(Women in Cable Telecommunications )(Brief article)
February 28, 2011... CHANTILLY, VA. -- Women in Cable Telecommunications issued a call for nominations for the 2011 Signature Accolades, the organization's most prestigious award for original cable programming. The deadline for nominations is Friday, April 15, at 5...

Information, please.(CAPITAL LETTERS)
February 28, 2011... THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION is going to need to make a decision, and soon, on how it will treat over-the-top services in the "brave new world" of broadband video delivery (and, yes, we understand the irony in that phrase). The FCC...

Retransmission review's time is due.(ACCESS)
February 28, 2011... The following is a Feb. 23 letter from Full Channel TV VP Levi Maaia to Federal Communications Commission chairman Julius Genachowski: FULL CHANNEL STRONGLY AGREES THAT THE time has come for the commission to review retransmission-consent...

'Melo and the 'Double Nickel' Feb, 25.(VOICES)
February 28, 2011... Carmelo Anthony's debut as a New York Knick was an opening-night success personally, professionally and for Madison Square Garden Network. After months of trade talks and various permutations thereof, Knicks owner and Cablevision president...

MCN'S most read.(COMMUNITY)
February 28, 2011... 1. Cartoon Network Taps Sports Stars to Appear in Awards Telecast 2. TNT Dunks Best-Ever Ratings With NBA All-Star Saturday Night 3. Redbox's Streaming Service to Rival Netflix Still In the Works 4. TNT Eyes Audience Advance With 2011...

26%.(Numbers)
February 28, 2011... Percentage of surveyed iPhone owners who claim to be "addicted" to their smartphone, compared with 13% of BlackBerry owners. SOURCE: CrowdScience JustAsk! Research Study, Feb. 24

This week on broadcastingcable.com.(COMMUNITY)
February 28, 2011... Piers-ing Commentary In a candid interview, CNN's bombastic Brit, Piers Morgan, takes on his critics, his ratings and--of course--Fox News. History Woos Media Buyers With Data On Modern Men Series like Pawn Stars and American Pickers...

What's in a name when honoring women?(TALKBACK)
February 28, 2011... (Via e-mail): "Throughout my career in CATV, I have worked with many talented women executives. And I must say that I find the term 'Wonder Women' patronizing at the very least. Would you consider senior male executives Wonder Men?... I doubt...

When service problems are policy issues.(TALKBACK)
February 28, 2011... (RE: "TV Crush: Wrangling With Comcast," Feb. 22): "I'm not clear just what it is that you're suggesting. "Are you saying that a $25 installation fee is somehow unfair, and a customer service problem, in itself? If so, I certainly can't...

Keeping within their budget.(TALKBACK)
February 28, 2011... (RE: "TV Crush: Wrangling With Comcast," Feb. 22): "Well, you know, they have to save up the $$$ for the other 49% of NBC [Universal]." Quizz

Not nice to those who play on ice.(TALKBACK)
February 28, 2011... (RE: "Cartoon Network Taps Sports Stars To Appear in Awards Telecast," Feb. 21): "No NHL players? "Why no hockey players but you have that loud mouth Terrell Owens on your awards show? That is someone I do not want my kids looking up to! ...

Tuned in.(COMMUNITY)(Cartoon)
February 28, 2011... British-Based SHOWS IT MAY SOUND "SHAMELESS," BUT WHEN WE ASKED FOR IDEAS AROUND "THE OFFICE," ALL WE CAME UP WITH WERE BRITISH COPIES. "BEING HUMAN," WE RAN WITH TEM AND THEY SAVED OUR "SKINS." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Fast start for Disney Junior: 'Jake' series debut sets preschool block on path to 24-hour channel.(NEWS & ANALYSIS)(Walt Disney Co. Walt Disney Studios)
February 21, 2011... With last week's successful ratings launch of the Disney Junior kids brand during the Disney Channel morning block behind them, Disney Junior executives are focused on the 2012 launch of the kids' brand's 24-hour channel. Disney Junior, which...

Battle of the 3D Titans: Comcast's Xfinity 3D Channel to Counter DirecTV
February 21, 2011... The number of 3DTV sets in U.S. homes is barely a blip at somewhere around 1 million, but the two biggest pay TV providers--Comcast and DirecTV--are slugging it out for bragging rights on the new frontier. Comcast, looking to keep pace with...

TWC's lakers deal changes game: MSO sweeps up local rights for new RSNs in opportunistic play.(NEWS & ANALYSIS)(Time Warner Cable Inc.)(regional sports networks)
February 21, 2011... Time Warner Cable's successful pursuit of television rights for the Los Angeles Lakers, which will anchor two new regional sports networks, came together quicker than a fast break. Through a 20-year deal that could be worth $3 billion or more...

Outside TV helps produce ford ads.(NEWS & ANALYSIS)(TELEVISION)(advertising)
February 21, 2011... OUTSIDE TELEVISION IS exploring a multiplatform content and marketing partnership with Ford. The Westport, Conn.-based active lifestyle service has reached an agreement with the automaker to serve as its primary media and production partner...

Through the wire: that guy from 'Jurassic Park' wants you to put your trust in Cox business services.(NEWS & ANALYSIS)(Cox Communications Inc.)
February 21, 2011... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Cox Communications has been in the biz services game since 1993--but it's not afraid of being associated with dinosaurs. The MSO, to raise the profile of its billion-dollar business services division, earlier this...

'Family game night' on hub opening up to more families.(NEWS & ANALYSIS)(Brief article)
February 21, 2011... Margaret Loesch figured "family game night" was a great idea--otherwise she wouldn't have borrowed it from WalMart and Hasbro. Loesch, CEO of The Hub, the kids' network joint venture of Hasbro and Discovery Communications, noticed the game...

Latino or Hispanic? either term works, but avoid 'Hispania'.(NEWS & ANALYSIS)(Brief article)
February 21, 2011... Latino or Hispanic: What is the preferred nomenclature when referring to the fastest-growing segment of the U.S. population, now totaling about 50 million people? Telemundo chief operating officer Jacqueline Hernandez addressed the issue last...

Busy Yara Martinez offers proof Latinas are hot (and cool).(NEWS & ANALYSIS)(Brief article)
February 21, 2011... A&E Network's new drama series Breakout Kings features one of the busiest actresses in cable television today, Yara Martinez. The Puerto Rico-born actress plays the wife of Breakout Kings' star Laz Alonso, who leads a unique U.S....

Addressability's great. But interactivitv is here now: 2011 will be year of the ITV ad, panelists say.(ADVANCED ADVERTISING 3.0: THE NEXT BIG THING)(Broadcasting & Cable)
February 21, 2011... New YORK -- While the "holy grail" of advertising--targeted, addressable ads--might be years away from the mainstream, it seems 2011 is going to be the year of the interactive ad. That was the consensus of executives from a range of...

By the numbers.(NEWS & ANALYSIS)(Brief article)
February 21, 2011... 18 million: Number of digital-cable households Canoe Ventures has enabled for interactive-TV ads to date. $14 billion: Incremental revenue advanced TV advertising could generate by 2015 (Bank of America Merrill Lynch). 6%: Opt-out rate in...

Online video competition could speed ad technology upgrades.(NEWS & ANALYSIS)
February 21, 2011... New YORK -- Surging over-the-top video services could serve as an increasingly attractive opportunity for targeted, interactive advertising--and cause pay TV providers to move faster on initiatives like dynamic ad insertion for video-on-demand....

Agency duo: push addressable ads.(NEWS & ANALYSIS)(Brief article)
February 21, 2011... New YORK -- Likening the industry push to the space race of the 1950s and 1960s, SMGx executives are urging a major acceleration of targeted, addressable advertising by decade's end. Just as President John F. Kennedy marshaled the nation's...

Privacy, please: will the government's effort to protect personal data hurt profits?
February 21, 2011... Washington -- The issue of privacy is about to get a whole lot of attention. As more and more of our personal information and consumer habits flow through the Internet and cable boxes, marketers have been tempted with a rich stockpile of...

Golf and NBC play partners: peacock, cable channel pair for promo, production.(CONTENT)(Golf Channel)(National Broadcasting Company Inc. NBC Sports)
February 21, 2011... While the players go head to head at the World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championships in Marana, Ariz., this week, Golf Channel and NBC Sports will be working side by side. The networks, now paired under NBC Sports Group as...

Taking On Tyson.(Television program review)
February 21, 2011... Taking On Tyson (Animal Planet, Sunday, March 6, 10 p.m.) [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ***1/2 Animal Planet brings the world of boxing and pigeons together in its new original series Taking on Tyson. The series neatly intersperses former...

Comcast commitment issue? FCC's McDowell questions net-neutrality proviso in NBCU deal.(RULES)(Robert McDowell)(Federal Communications Commission)(NBC Universal )
February 21, 2011... WASHINGTON -- Republican Federal Communications Commission member Robert McDowell last week said that Comcast agreed to voluntarily abide by the agency's network-neutrality rules whether or not they hold up in court because it was desperate to...

The cable value index.(RULES)
February 21, 2011... The Federal Communications Commission said the price of expanded basic-video service (basic cable, plus the most popular tiers, excluding taxes and fees) increased 134% between Jan. 1, 1995 and Jan. 1, 2009, according to its just-released...

Genachowski: net neutrality rules don't apply to peering.(RULES)(Julius Genachowski)
February 21, 2011... WASHINGTON -- The National Cable & Telecommunications Association and AT&T joined forces last week to ask the Federal Communications Commission to clarify that its new network neutrality rules do not apply to peering arrangements and...

Enjoying "Friday Nights at the de Young Museum".(FREEZE FRAME)
February 21, 2011... Enjoying "Friday Nights at the de Young Museum" in San Francisco (l. to r.): Greg Bunch, Ovation; Laurie Giammona and San Rodriguez, Comcast; Nancy Rodriguez, San Francisco mayor's offi ce; Ellen Schned, Ovation; and Ingrid Nelson, Comcast...

GMC.(FREEZE FRAME)(Gospel Music Channel L.L.C.)(Brief article)
February 21, 2011... GMC president and CEO Charley Humbard (r.) receives the Parents' Television Council Seal of Approval for 2010 from that organization's president, Tim Winter. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Toasting last month's launch of OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network.(FREEZE FRAME)
February 21, 2011... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Toasting last month's launch of OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network (l. to r.): OWN CEO Christina OWN chairman Oprah Winfrey and Discovery Communications CEO David Zaslav.

Accepting Great American Country and High Five Productions' Midsouth Emmy Award for their 2010 telethon for Nashville flood victims.(FREEZE FRAME)
February 21, 2011... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Accepting Great American Country and High Five Productions' Midsouth Emmy Award for their 2010 telethon for Nashville flood victims (l. to r.): Edie Lynn Hoback and Mar tin Fischer, High Five, and Sarah Trahern, SVP...

DirecTV/Sundance Channel.(FREEZE FRAME)
February 21, 2011... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The cast of My Idiot Brother gathered at the DirecTV/Sundance Channel dinner at the Sundance F ilm Festival (l. to r.): director Jesse Peretz and actors Elizabeth Banks, Paul Rudd, Emily Mortimer and Rashida Jones.

Art Ventura and Dan Ronayne, MSG Networks; former NFL player Zak Keasey; Nicole Andrews, Martin Retail Group; and Davey Johnson, former New York Mets manager.(FREEZE FRAME)
February 21, 2011... Art Ventura and Dan Ronayne, MSG Networks; former NFL player Zak Keasey; Nicole Andrews, Martin Retail Group; and Davey Johnson, former New York Mets manager, at the launch party for MSGN's Summer of '86: The Rise and Fall of the World Champion...

Disney Junior.(FREEZE FRAME)
February 21, 2011... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Launching Disney Junior on Valentine's in New York (l. r.): Minnie Mouse; Madison Pettis, who voices Izzy in Jake and Neverland Pirates; and Mickey Mouse.

At Current TV's upfront at New Paley Center for Media.(FREEZE FRAME)
February 21, 2011... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] At Current TV's upfront at New Paley Center for Media (l. to r.): Joel Hyatt, executive vice chairman and co-founder; Al Gore, chairman and co-founder; and Mark Rosenthal, CEO.

Comedy Central.(FREEZE FRAME)
February 21, 2011... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] At the party marking spot on the Hollywood of Fame at Les Deux in Hollywood (l. to r.): Ben Garrett of Comedy Central's RENO 911!, Langley and Tom Lennon of

Honoring the winners of the Time Warner Cable short film contest, in association with IFC, in Park City, Utah.(FREEZE FRAME)(Independent Film Channel)(Brief article)
February 21, 2011... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Honoring the winners of the Time Warner Cable short film contest, in association with IFC, in Park City, Utah (l. to r.): winners Johnollie Nelson and Allison Esker; IFC and Sundance Channel president Evan Shapiro; and...