Broadcasting & Cable back issues from December 2003:
How about the fat chance channel? New cable networks face tough road.(new cable networks are facing difficulties)
Dec 01, 2003; ... Jokevision President Stephen Cunningham heard a good one the other day. "What's the difference between launching a cable network and touching the moon?" a cable executive asked wryly. The answer: "Nothing." For the more than 20 new of almost new networks chasing carriage--from ...
Station-cap roulette now lands on 39%.(the Bush Administration reaches a compromise over media deregulation by agreeing to permanently set the national TV-station-ownership cap at 39%)
Dec 01, 2003; ... Like comedian Jack Benny, who never admitted to turning 40, the national cap on TV ownership could be perpetually stuck at 39. At 39% of TV homes, that is. Last week, the Bush White House brokered a surprise compromise over media deregulation by agreeing to permanently set the ...
Six TV talents tapped for Tartikoff awards: NATPE, B&C inaugurate honor in name of the legendary NBC exec.(Top of the Week)
Dec 01, 2003 ... A half dozen distinguished media professionals will become the recipients of the First Annual Brandon Tartikoff Legacy Awards, an honor sponsored by NATPE, BROADCASTING & CABLE, Multichannel News and Variety. The award, recognizing individuals who have a unique passion and ...
NAB proposes must-carry plan.(Breaking ...)(Brief Article)
Dec 01, 2003 ... WASHINGTON -- After vainly trying to persuade the FCC to order dual cable carriage of TV stations' analog and digital channels, broadcasters last week unveiled a must-carry plan that would carry them through the transition to all-digital signals. An NAB/MSTV plan would require cable ...
Night moves at MSNBC.(Breaking ...)(MSNBC is dumping 'Buchanan & Press' and replacing it with 'The Abrams Report')(Brief Article)
Dec 01, 2003 ... SECAUCUS, N.J. -- MSNBC is dumping talk show Buchanan & Press, hosted by Pat Buchanan and Bill Press, and giving its 6 p.m. ET time slot to The Abrams Report, ...
Nexstar's IPO underwhelms.(Breaking ...)(Nexstar Broadcasting's initial-public-offering )(Brief Article)
Dec 01, 2003 ... IRVING, TEXAS -- Investors were unimpressed by Nexstar Broadcasting's initial-public-offering price last week, but at least the deal got out the door. Nexstar priced ...
Azteca adds newscasts.(Hispanic)(Azteca America)(Brief Article)
Dec 01, 2003 ... Azteca America is adding two home-grown national newscasts, its first, starting today. Both will be produced out of a studio in Washington and replace the general-interest news imported from parent TV Azteca's two Mexican TV channels. A "current events news/ talk" half-hour, Polemica y ...
PBS plans holiday HD loop.(Technology)(PBS is adding more content to its HD service)(Brief Article)
Dec 01, 2003 ... For HDTV owners, the PBS HD loop of programming is both a blessing and a curse. The nearly continuous offering produced by PBS member stations provides the only over-the-air signal that has HD content 24 hours a day, making it ideal for HD demos or for the need to gel an HD fix at 3:30 ...
CNN: the cello & news network.(Cable)(Paula Zahn plays the cello on her CNN program)(Brief Article)
Dec 01, 2003 ... So, can Bill O'Reilly play the oboe or something? Last Thursday night, sometime after 8 p.m. ET on CNN's Paula Zahn Now, while most of us were probably dozing off after Thanksgiving dinner, the anchor made Zahn CNN debut as a cellist, joining Ana Aznavoorian of the International Sejong ...
IRTS mirthmakers.(Advertising)(the International Radio and Television Society holds a holiday luncheon)(Brief Article)
Dec 01, 2003 ... The Dec. 11 holiday luncheon sponsored annually by the International Radio and Television Society has a silly twist this year. Top ad buyers and sellers will form an ensemble for a holiday revue. The "ad-actors" are Discovery's Joe Abruzzese, MediaVest's Mel Berning, MagnaGlobal USAs Larry ...
Stars come out for NATPE parties.(Syndication)(Brief Article)
Dec 01, 2003 ... It's unlikely NATPE will ever return to its former excess, but several syndicators are gearing up to throw some lavish parties for the upcoming gathering. Both Sony Pictures Television and King World are hosting private dinners. Comedian Jerry Seinfeld will perform at Sony's shindig, while ...
Deposed DeWitt sues SNTA, wants $1.25m.(In The Loop)(former Syndicated Network Television Association president Gene DeWitt sues his former employer)
Dec 01, 2003; ... Gene DeWitt, who was terminated as president of the Syndicated Network Television Association this summer, has taken his former employer to court. In a complaint filed at New York State Supreme Court in Manhattan, DeWitt sued SNTA for breach of what was supposed to have been a three-year ...
Broadcasters rearm for '04.(Top of the Week)(television networks are revamping their networks)
Dec 01, 2003; ... Hoping to bolster their sagging prime time ratings, Fox, NBC, ABC and The WB are revamping their schedules with a mix of old and new. Fox has ordered a full season of the critically acclaimed Arrested Development, although the sitcom's title also describes its so-so ratings. The ...
November sweeps limp to close.(Bright Lights, Dim Results)(CBS is the only network to thrive during the November sweeps)(Illustration)
Dec 01, 2003; ... Fox Entertainment President Gail Berman said it best when she kicked off Fox's sweeps call to reporters last week by congratulating CBS on its November sweeps performance and then musing, "For the rest of the networks, the last four weeks haven't been quite as pleasant." CBS ...
CBS's Secret flies on WB.(Top of the Week)(in Arkansas, CBS' 'The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show' airs on another station)
Dec 01, 2003; ... All those Victoria's Secret models needed their wings in Little RockPine Bluff, Ark., given the journey the CBS special took in that market. The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, which, in keeping with the finest lingerie traditions, features more skin than cloth, aired Nov. 19 ...
Staying ahead of the game: Time Warner's Glenn Britt says cable's challenge is answering the question "What's next?".(Q & A With Glenn Britt)(Interview)
Dec 01, 2003 ... Glenn Britt knows the perils of new technology. A shelf in the Time Warner Cable chairman's Stamford, Conn., office holds a set-top box from the company's "full-service network" launched in 1994 in Orlando, Fla. The device was hugely expensive: $5,000 for each of the 4,000 homes that ever ...
Court TV grows a news division: Jacko, Kobe, Martha give it a reason to be.(Programming)(Company Profile)
Dec 01, 2003; ... Court TV is enjoying its own November sweeps this year. Viewers are fixated on high profile legal stories, from Michael Jackson's legal woes--a story Court TV broke--to celebrity defendants like Kobe Bryant, Martha Stewart, Robert Blake and Phil Spector, The cable net's daytime news ...
SVU gives USA a ratings boost.(USA Network adds 'Law & Order: Special Victims Unit' to its schedule)(Brief Article)
Dec 01, 2003; ... USA Network is getting a positive ratings jolt in prime with new off-net star Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. The network added the hit Dick Wolf drama to its daily lineup in September and saw an immediate Nielsen bump up. At 8 p.m. ET on USA, SVU is averaging a 2.0 rating in ...
Ratings: Nov. 3-9.(Syndication Watch)(top television shows)(Illustration)
Dec 01, 2003 ... <Pre> RATINGS | Nov. 3-9 Nielsen Media Research Top 25 Shows Households RANK PROGRAM AAGAA1Wheel of Fortune9.6NA 2Jeopardy7.2NA 3ESPN/NFL6.8NA ...
That '70s success.(off-net)(Carsey-Werner-Mandabach has success with the syndication of 'That '70s Show')
Dec 01, 2003; ... When Carsey-Werner-Mandabach began selling That '70s Show in syndication back in 2000, the company gave each station the option of taking a second run of the show on a barter-only basis. "It was a bit of a gamble, but the bottom line is, we exceeded stations' expectations with ...
Paramount marketing ace to ABC.(Syndie Insider)(ABC named Michael Mellon senior VP of research for the ABC Television Network)(Brief Article)
Dec 01, 2003 ... ABC has named Michael Mellon senior VP of research for the ABC Television Network. Mellon is leaving his job as executive VP in charge of research for Paramount Worldwide TV Distribution to go to ABC. He replaces Andy Fessel, who left the post in August. The job is a sort of ...
Temple bumped up at CF Entertainment.(Syndie Insider)(Andrew Temple has been promoted to executive VP)(Brief Article)
Dec 01, 2003 ... Andrew Temple has been promoted to executive VP of Byron Allen's CF Entertainment. Temple, who has been with the syndicator for six years, had been VP of southeastern marketing and sales. In his new job, he will continue to oversee clearances, renewals and upgrades for ...
New co-host for The View.(Syndie Insider)(Brief Article)
Dec 01, 2003 ... Survivor finalist Elisabeth Filarski Hasselbeck has been chosen as the fifth co-host on ABC's daytime talk show The View. Since her appearance on Survivor: The Australian Outback, Hasselbeck has gone on to host The Style Channel's The Look for Less, as well as programs on MTV. She appeared ...
The prime time race.(Programming)(television ratings, week of November 17-23, 2003)(Illustration)
Dec 01, 2003 ... <Pre> THE PRIME TIME RACE Top 10 Basic Cable Shows Nov. 17-23 Total Households (in millions) PROGRAM DATENETHHS 1. NFL: Redskis/Dolphins 11/23 ESPN 7.1 2. NFL Prime Time11/23 ESPN 3.5 3. WWE 10p ...
Nielsen ratings: Nov. 17-23.(Programming)(Illustration)
Dec 01, 2003; ... <Pre> NIELSEN RATINGS | Nov. 17-23 Week 9abc MONDAY 9.0/14 8:00 86. Britney Spears: In 8:30 the Zone 4.2/7 9:00 12. Monday Night Foot- 9:30 ball--San Francisco# 10:00 ...
Moonves knocked by showtime exec.(Programming)(CBS president Leslie Moonves criticized by Robert Greenblatt for not understanding content of television program 'The Reagans')(Brief Article)
Dec 01, 2003; ... Defending the controversial TV movie The Reagans, which Showtime inherited from Viacom sister CBS, the pay service's Entertainment President Robert Greenblatt last week started another mini-brouhaha when he chided CBS chief Leslie Moonves for not knowing what was in the movie. ...
GM town in flux.(Next: Pittsburgh)(Flint, Michigan market analysis)(Illustration)
Dec 01, 2003 ... Filmmaker Michael Moore's 1989 documentary Roger & Me focused attention on Flint, Mich., as a town abandoned by its biggest industry, General Motors. Although GM is still this market's largest employer, the 20,000 or so jobs represent only a fraction of the area's former glory. ...
Nielsen: we just got better: says broadcast's fall-off in young male viewers is due to improved methods.(TV Buyer)(Industry Overview)
Dec 01, 2003; ... Why are the broadcast networks losing young male viewers? Simple, says Nielsen. It's doing a better job measuring TV audiences. According to a white paper issued by the rating company last week, at least 40% of the decline is attributable to "the net effects of a number of methodological ...
Quieter, softer network scatter.(EBB & Flow)(advertising revenues)(Brief Article)(Industry Overview)
Dec 01, 2003; ... The fourth-quarter scatter market is down double digits, perhaps as much as 35%, largely because advertisers spent the money in this year's upfront market, hoping to avoid the steep price increases the networks achieved the previous two years. "The dam hasn't broken," notes Andy ...
SF Station War II: KRON-TV owner Young opposes NBC transmitter plan.(Washington)(San Francisco, California station owner Young Broadcasting)
Dec 01, 2003; ... NBC and Young Broadcasting are still battling in San Francisco--four years after Young outbid NBC for KRON-TV and NBC retaliated by buying a station in nearby San Jose and yanking KRON-TV's affiliation. Now NBC is trying to move the transmitter for KNTV(TV) San Jose closer to ...
Sachs: multicast carriage threatens 'dumbed-down' TV.(Capital Watch)(Brief Article)
Dec 01, 2003 ... As the battle of cable carriage of digital broadcast stations heats up, top cable lobbyist Robert Sachs said broadcasters have put forth no viable business plans for multicasting, save infomercials and home shopping. "We don't want cable lineups dumbed down" with that type of programming, ...
FCC grants renewal extension.(Capital Watch)(Brief Article)
Dec 01, 2003 ... The Dec. 1 deadline for submitting renewal applications for radio stations in Alabama and Georgia was postponed to Dec. 8 after a bad software upgrade bogged down the FCC's electronic application system. Since Oct. 24, the system that TV and radio operators use to apply for construction ...
ATSC promotes Whitaker.(Capital Watch)(Jerry Whitaker named vice president of standards development for the Advanced Television Systems Committee)(Brief Article)
Dec 01, 2003 ... Jerry Whitaker has been named vice president of standards development for the Advanced Television Systems Committee, the industry group that sets standards for digital television. He has been secretary of ATSC's technology group on distribution. Whitaker joined ATSC in 2000 to coordinate ...
Administration plans spectrum-management hearings.(Capital Watch)(Brief Article)
Dec 01, 2003 ... NTIA, the agency overseeing White House telecom policy, plans a series of public meetings on spectrum management. NTIA will host the first, on ...
NCTA's new lobbyist.(Capital Watch)(Steven Berry named lobbyist for National Cable & Telecommunications Association )(Brief Article)
Dec 01, 2003 ... Steven Berry was picked last week to run the National Cable & Telecommunications Association's Capitol Hill and White House lobbying team. Berry, 51, takes his post Jan. 2. He joins NCTA from the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association, where he led ...
Changing hands.(broadcasting industry acquisitions, divestments)
Dec 01, 2003 ... TVs K34FI Bozeman, Mont. PRICE: $27,000 BUYER: Eagle Communications Inc (Keith Sommer, VP/general manager) SELLER: Wireless Access LLC FACILITIES: Ch. 34, 0.255 kW K36GG Cloverdale, Calif. PRICE: $25,000 ...
Leitch taps Thorsteinson: former head of Grass Valley Group looks to expand his new company's product line.(Technology)(Tim Thorsteinson named president)
Dec 01, 2003; ... Tim Thorsteinson, who delivered the Grass Valley Group out of financial jeopardy and into security as part of Thomson Broadcast, is now at the helm of another major industry manufacturer as president and CEO of Leitch. "If you look at the players in the industry, there are a few ...
It's video now for WorldNow.(Technology)
Dec 01, 2003; ... WorldNow, which has made its name helping TV stations establish a more effective presence on the Internet, has created The Video Producer, a broadband video streaming system that the company says will help stations and networks incorporate video into their sites. Video is the ...
Andrew and Channel Master.(Cutting Edge)(Andrew Corp. acquires Channel Master L.L.C.)(Brief Article)
Dec 01, 2003 ... Andrew Corp. has acquired selected assets of Channel Master LLC and certain of its subsidiaries for approximately $18 million in cash. Channel Master is a privately held designer and manufacturer of antennas and related products for ...
Xtend extends Cox spectrum.(Cutting Edge)(Cox Communications)(Brief Article)
Dec 01, 2003 ... Cox Communications is using Xtend Networks' Block Division Multiplexing (BDM) technology to provide an additional 2 GHz of spectrum on its coaxial plants. The system will serve commercial customers of Cox ...
New VTR available.(Cutting Edge)(Brief Article)
Dec 01, 2003 ... The AJ-SD755 DVCPRO studio editing VTR with jog/shuttle control and a Firewire/IEEE 1394 digital interface for computer-based editing is available from Panasonic for $11,450. According to Stuart English, vice president, marketing, Panasonic Broadcast & Television Systems, incorporating ...
Quantel ties into P2.(Cutting Edge)(product compatibility partnership with Panasonic)(Brief Article)
Dec 01, 2003 ... Quantel will be working with Panasonic in the coming months to ensure that its editing systems and video servers will be compatible with the P2 solid-state memory product lineup. According to Quantel Executive Chairman Richard ...
WRAL-DT tests datacast video-on-demand.(Technology)(digital television station)
Dec 01, 2003; ... Video-on-demand is moving to the over-the-air TV signal with the help of Decisionmark's QuickCast application and a datacast stream sent out through a station's DTV broadcast signal. A trial of the system by WRAL-DT Raleigh, N.C., came to an end this past weekend. Sam Matheny, ...
For the big fish, the water's fine: after a tough three years, the top networks show strong growth, up 11% as a group from a year ago.(Special Report)(Illustration)(Industry Overview)
Dec 01, 2003; ... The recession may not be over for all Americans, but it's largely over for TV networks. That's the conclusion of BROADCASTING & CABLE'S annual ranking of the top 25 television networks. After three years in which the sour economy sliced revenues for at least some of the big players, all ...
2003 top 25 TV networks.(Special Report)
Dec 01, 2003 ... [1] NBC 2003 REVENUE: $4.46 billion OWNER: General Electric TOP EXECUTIVE: Robert Wright, chairman and CEO PROGRAMMING: General entertainment TYPE: Broadcast TV HOMES REACHED: 108.0M VIEWERSHIP: 12.2M ...
A politician wannabe turned policy wonk: Tramont helps keep the FCC chief's initiatives on track.(The Fifth Estater)(Bryan Tramont, Michael Powell)
Dec 01, 2003; ... Public policy has been a passion of Bryan Tramont's ever since the fifth grade. The new chief of staff for FCC Chairman Michael Powell caught the politics bug when he successfully petitioned his principal to end a ban on talking in the lunch-room. Gabbing during meal-time could lead ...
WPVI-TV.(Broadcast TV)(promoted Rebecca S. Campbell to president and general manager)(Brief Article)
Dec 01, 2003 ... REBECCA S. CAMPBELL, VP, programming, WPVI-TV ...
KDEB-TV/KOLR-TV.(Broadcast TV)(named Mark Gordon vice president/general manager)(Brief Article)
Dec 01, 2003 ... MARK GORDON, general sales manager, KDEB-TV/KOLR-TV ...
WNET(TV).(Broadcast TV)(named Dr. Deborah Cross Macfarlane director of development and membership)(Brief Article)
Dec 01, 2003 ... DR. DEBORAH CROSS MACFARLANE, president/CEO, Per Scholas Inc., Bronx, N.Y., ...
WHP-TV/WLYH-TV.(Broadcast TV)(named Lou Castriota Sr. director, operations and programming)(Brief Article)
Dec 01, 2003 ... LOU CASTRIOTA SR., director, programming, WPMT-TV York, Pa., named ...
WATL-TV.(Broadcast TV)(appointed Benjamin Oldham general sales manager)(Brief Article)
Dec 01, 2003 ... BENJAMIN OLDHAM, national sales manager, ...
KGPE-TV.(Broadcast TV)(promoted Patrice Coulter and Rick Turner)(Brief Article)
Dec 01, 2003 ... At KGPE-TV, Fresno, Calif.: PATRICE COULTER, national sales manager, promoted to ...
WYFF(TV).(Broadcast TV)(named Michael J. Hayes president/GM)(Brief Article)
Dec 01, 2003 ... MICHAEL J. HAYES, general sales manager, WLWT(TV) Cincinnati, named ...
KTVE(TV) El Dorado, Ark./KARD(TV), West Monroe, La.(Broadcast TV)(named Tony Taglavore news director)(Brief Article)
Dec 01, 2003 ... TONY TAGLAVORE, news director, KAVU-TV/KVCT(TV) Victoria, Texas, joins ...
KFAA(TV)/KPOM-TV.(Broadcast TV)(appointed Mike Vaughn general sales manager)(Brief Article)
Dec 01, 2003 ... MIKE VAUGHN, local sales manager, KDEB-TV/KOLR-TV Springfield, Mo., ...
WGAL (TV).(Broadcast TV)(promoted Nancy Tulli to general sales manager)(Brief Article)
Dec 01, 2003 ... NANCY TULLI, local sales manager, WGAL (TV) Lancaster, ...
Mediacom Communications.(Cable TV)(announces promotions of Brian M. Walsh, Mark E. Stephan and John G. Pascarelli)(Brief Article)
Dec 01, 2003 ... At Mediacom Communications, Middletown, N.Y.: BRIAN M. WALSH, VP, finance/assistant to the chairman and CEO, promoted to senior VP, financial operations; MARK E. STEPHAN, senior VP/chief ...
Customer First.(Cable TV)(Ellen Rosson named VP, Customer First, Comcast, Southern division)(Brief Article)
Dec 01, 2003 ... ELLEN ROSSON, VP/GM, Comcast, Knoxville/East ...
The Walt Disney Co.(Programming)(named Andy Bird president, Walt Disney International)(Brief Article)
Dec 01, 2003 ... ANDY BIRD, president, TBS International, London, joins The Walt Disney Co. as ...
Warner Bros.(Programming)(named Andrew Goldman senior VP/general sales manager)(Brief Article)
Dec 01, 2003 ... ANDREW GOLDMAN, senior VP/general sales manager, Warner Bros. domestic ...
Rainbow Media Holdings LLC.(Programming)(named Jim Weiss senior VP, marketing and communications)(Brief Article)
Dec 01, 2003 ... JIM WEISS, senior VP, corporate communications and media relations, Turner Broadcasting System Inc., ...
Discovery Networks.(Programming)(Emilio Pardo named senior VP, special projects, Discovery Networks U.S.)(Brief Article)
Dec 01, 2003 ... EMILIO PARDO, CEO, CityNet Telecommunications Inc., Silver Spring, Md., ...
MTV Networks.(Programming)(named Jason Hirschhorn senior VP, digital music and media, music and comedy group)(Brief Article)
Dec 01, 2003 ... JASON HIRSCHHORN, GM, VH1/ senior VP, CMT.com, named senior VP, ...
Madison Square Garden.(Programming)(Brief Article)
Dec 01, 2003 ... HANK RATNER, vice chairman, Cablevision, Bethpage, ...
Sesame Workshop, New York.(Programming)(promoted Bill Burke to assistant VP, marketing; appointed Natasha Fishman director, retail business development)(Brief Article)
Dec 01, 2003 ... At Sesame Workshop, New York: BILL BURKE, director, marketing, promoted to assistant VP, marketing; NATASHA ...