TelevisionWeek back issues from November 2004:
Free Airtime Plan Criticized; Big Broadcast Group Pappas Insists Giveaway Is a Legal 'In-Kind Contribution'.(TV Currents)(Pappas Telecasting Co.)
Nov 01, 2004; ... Byline: Michele Greppi An extremely contentious political campaign season is staying that way to the end. On Oct. 27, three California lawmakers complained to the Federal Communications Commission and Rep. John Dingell, R-Mich., about contributions by Pappas ...
'IRON JAWED ANGELS'.(Special Report: WICT/Benita Mosley)(Movie Review)
Nov 01, 2004 ... Network: HBO Production company: An HBO Films presentation of a Spring Creek Production Premiere date: Feb. 15, 2004 Starring: Hilary Swank, Frances O'Connor, Julia Ormond, Anjelica Huston, Molly Parker, Patrick Dempsey, Vera Farmiga, Lois Smith, Brooke ...
Keenan Keeps Them Satisfied; WICT Woman to Watch Accolade Recipient Excels at Putting Comcast's Customers First.(Special Report: WICT/Benita Mosley)
Nov 01, 2004; ... Byline: Robert Pietranton Special to TelevisionWeek When Comcast Corp. completed its purchase of AT&T Broadband in 2002 and became the largest cable operator in the United States, the responsibility for keeping the company's nearly 22 million subscribers satisfied in the face ...
SUZANNE KEENAN.(Special Report: WICT/Benita Mosley)(Women In Cable and Telecommunications )(Brief Article)
Nov 01, 2004 ... Title: Senior VP, customer service, Comcast Cable How long in current position: Five years Year of birth: 1964 Place of birth: Santa Monica, ...
PAR Gives Credit Where Credit Is Due.(Special Report: WICT/Benita Mosley)(Women in Cable and Telecommunications)
Nov 01, 2004; ... Byline: Eric Estrin When Women in Cable & Telecommunications presents its prestigious Forerunner Accolades at its 20th annual benefit gala this week, the awards that go to the two companies deemed Best Operator and Best Programmer for women in cable will have been determined not ...
A 'Nation' Matchless Moment Was Indelible TV; Interview With Shultz Was Stunningly Frank.(Newspro)(George Shultz)
Nov 01, 2004; ... Byline: Chuck Ross Once in a great while we see something on television that is just so startling that we have to immediately call a friend or relative and say, "Reality check. Did you just see what I just saw?'' These moments are usually burned in one's memory for all time. And ...
Biz Briefs; Viacom Announces Q3 Loss, $8 Billion Stock Buyback Plan.(Briefs)
Nov 01, 2004; ... Byline: JAY SHERMAN Viacom last week reported a third-quarter loss of $487.6 million, compared with a year-earlier profit of $699.6 million. The quarter included a charge of $1.5 billion related to Viacom's unloading its 80 percent-plus stake in Blockbuster. Revenue rose 4 ...
Cable Giants Add High-Speed Subs; Comcast, Cox Beat Projections for Data Business; Basic Video Stagnates.(Deals)
Nov 01, 2004; ... Byline: Jay Sherman Cable is back ... sort of. After posting weaker-than-expected subscriber numbers in the second quarter, two of the country's largest cable operators reported subscriber gains that beat many analysts' projections-but they were in the ...
Satire Minus The Sting.(End Page)
Nov 01, 2004 ... Byline: Tom Shales There were pundits. There were funsters. Then something horrible happened. There were fundits. A fundit neither a pundit nor a funster is. We've got some weird new 21st century combination of the two. And from the looks (and sounds) of things, they're useless ....
O'Reilly Scandal Won't Go Quietly; Lawsuit Principals Aren't Talking, but Everyone Else Is.(TV Currents)
Nov 01, 2004 ... Byline: Michele Greppi The confidential settlement of sexual harassment charges lodged by former Fox News producer Andrea Mackris may end the immediate danger to Bill O'Reilly's career, but it also makes him a big man walking on thin ice and an easy punch line for at least one ...
MOSLEY LISTENS, THEN STRATEGIZES FOR PAR.(Special Report: WICT/Benita Mosley)(Brief Article)
Nov 01, 2004 ... Byline: Decker Anstrom Special to TelevisionWeek Benita and I worked together on the PAR Initiative, which focuses on improving pay, advancement and resources for women in our industry. Watching her work on crafting that initiative, I came away with an appreciation for her ...
GROUP FOUNDED TO BATTLE INEQUITY; Women in Cable Put Emphasis on Change.(Special Report: WICT/Benita Mosley)
Nov 01, 2004 ... Byline: Sheree R. Curry Special to TelevisionWeek The year was 1979. The sitcom "Benson'' premiered on ABC, ESPN launched on cable and a group of women at the Western Cable Show in Anaheim, Calif., founded an association that would allow them to better network in an industry ...
The Gala: Its History, Significance; Fete Began as Local Affair but Has Become Notable National Event.(Special Report: WICT/Benita Mosley)(Women in Cable & Telecommunications Foundation Benefit Gala)
Nov 01, 2004; ... Byline: Sheree R. Curry Special to TelevisionWeek If you're planning to attend the Women in Cable & Telecommunications Foundation Benefit Gala Nov. 3 in Washington, don't forget to wear something red. Every year, attendees are encouraged to showcase their own power through that ...
FACTS & FAVORITES.(Special Report: WICT/Benita Mosley)(Women In Cable and Telecommunications)(Brief Article)
Nov 01, 2004; ... Byline: BETTY GOODWIN * Ms. Mosley's mother was one of four black teachers to integrate the Prince William, Va., County schools in 1964 when she taught at an all-white school. A year later Benita became the first black student at the school where her mother taught. * ...
Fast Track to Success; Commemorating the 25th Anniversary of Women in Cable & Telecommunications.(Special Report: WICT/Benita Mosley)(Brief Article)
Nov 01, 2004 ... TelevisionWeek's Cable Television Executive of The Year has helped raise the profile of Women in Cable & Telecommunications and broadened the organization's mandate. An Olympic champion with a background in engineering and sports management, Ms. Mosley was instrumental in refocusing the ...
A Giant of the Industry Looks for Laughs.(Blink)(Michael Clarke Duncan)(Brief Article)
Nov 01, 2004; ... Byline: JAMES HIBBERD One of the biggest movie stars in the world has entered into a development deal to do his first-ever sitcom. How big is Michael Clarke Duncan? About 6 feet 5 inches and built like a man mountain, as you may recall from his roles in such films as "The Green ...
Station Groups Report Mixed Quarterly Results.(Deals)(Brief Article)
Nov 01, 2004; ... Byline: Jay Sherman Four station groups reported a mixed bag of third-quarter financial results last week that was largely attributed to the amount of political advertising garnered in the period. The biggest beneficiary of the political advertising spending appeared ...
BENITA FITZGERALD MOSLEY.(Special Report: WICT/Benita Mosley)(Women In Cable and Telecommunications)(Brief Article)
Nov 01, 2004 ... Title: President and CEO, Women in Cable & Telecommunications Big break: Being hired by the USOC to be the first director of a new Olympic training center. "I managed 45 employees, a 152-acre facility and thousands of athletes. I'd never managed a facility or a large staff ...
Studying a Quest for Education; Showtime Program About Girls in India Earns WICT Honor.(Special Report: WICT/Benita Mosley)
Nov 01, 2004 ... Byline: Brad Pomerance Special to TelevisionWeek Each year, Women in Cable & Telecommunications awards Tribute Accolades to original cable productions that best portray women as strong role models. This year's winner in the documentary category, "What's Going On? Girls' ...
Helping Women Reach for Gold; WICT President, CEO Applies the Lessons of Olympic Competition to Business, Life.(Special Report: WICT/Benita Mosley)
Nov 01, 2004 ... Byline: Betty Goodwin Special to TelevisionWeek "Going for the gold'' is one of Benita Fitzgerald Mosley's favorite sayings. It's a sports metaphor she doesn't use lightly. Long before Ms. Mosley, 43, became president and CEO of Women in Cable & Telecommunications, she won a ...
What's Going On? Girls' Education in India.(Special Report: WICT/Benita Mosley)(Women In Cable and Telecommunications)(Brief Article)
Nov 01, 2004 ... Network: Showtime Production company: RCN Entertainment Premiere date: Jan. 19, 2003 ...
Tech Briefs; TW Jump-Starts Retail HD Promo.(Media & Technology)
Nov 01, 2004 ... Byline: DAISY WHITNEY Time Warner Cable plans to kick off an aggressive high-definition programming promotion this week in partnership with Discovery HD Theater and Circuit City. With the backdrop of cable operators retrenching from subscriber defections to satellite, the ...
Editorial: Coverage of Serious News Must Continue.(Press Room)
Nov 01, 2004 ... Barring a repeat of the election night fiasco of 2000, the television industry should be able to breathe a sigh of relief this week as a grueling presidential election season finally draws to a close. At best the industry had a mixed record in this campaign, marred by ...
MTV's 'Keeper of the Tone'; Network Chief Judy McGrath to Receive WICT's Accolade for Woman of the Year.(Special Report: WICT/Benita Mosley)
Nov 01, 2004 ... Byline: Adam Sandler Special to TelevisionWeek A steady stream of well-wishers approached Judy McGrath recently at supermarket mogul Ron Burkle's Beverly Hills estate to offer their congratulations. Though the 1,200 entertainment industry players had gathered to celebrate MTV ...
JUDY McGRATH.(Special Report: WICT/Benita Mosley)(Women In Cable and Telecommunications )(Brief Article)
Nov 01, 2004 ... Title: Chairwoman and CEO, MTV Networks How long in current position: Since July 2004; started at MTV in 1981 Year of birth: ...
`Nation' Episode Led To Marcos' Departure.(Newspro)(Brief Article)
Nov 01, 2004 ... Byline: Sen. Richard Lugar President Ronald Reagan asked me to co-chair a large election observation delegation to the Philippines after President Ferdinand Marcos had challenged Americans to watch him win the Feb. 7, 1986, contest against Corazon Aquino. This experience led to ...
Asking the Right Questions Is Key; Multiple Factors Come Into Play While Wading Through the Promised Wonders of Nontraditional Media.(Media Planner)
Nov 01, 2004; ... Byline: Roger Baron Although the great majority of national media dollars are spent on traditional television commercials, advertisers are constantly on the lookout for new ways to reach their customers. Product placement is today's hot button, but its usefulness is limited by ...
WICT HAD LUCKY STRIKE IN MOSLEY.(Special Report: WICT/Benita Mosley)(Women in Cable and Telecommunications)(Column)
Nov 01, 2004; ... Byline: Robin Sangston Special to TelevisionWeek Several years ago, WICT was going through a major strategic planning process and reorganization, and we decided to bring in a new president who could be a great spokesperson for us and who could meet comfortably with CEOs of all ...
KUDOS FOR MOSLEY'S OUTREACH.(Special Report: WICT/Benita Mosley)(Brief Article)
Nov 01, 2004 ... Byline: Mark Bauman Special to TelevisionWeek I was on the WICT Foundation board with Benita when she first came into the organization. She brought a lot of what made her an Olympian to her position. She was very dedicated, she was a hard worker and she was very passionate about ...
Series Short, Sweet for Fox; Boston's 4-0 Sweep Brings Abrupt Ending to Playoff Bonanza.(TV Currents)(Fox Broadcasting Co.)
Nov 01, 2004; ... Byline: Jon Lafayette The Boston Red Sox' first World Series celebration in 86 years came too early for Fox. Despite ending in a sweep, the Series drew the highest ratings in five years. But with only four games played, Fox lost an opportunity to cash in on those ...
News Briefs; Meredith Stock Falls Following O'Brien Firing.(Briefs)(Meredith Corp.)(Kevin O'Brien)
Nov 01, 2004 ... Shares in Meredith Corp. fell as much as 5 percent last Friday after the company announced it had fired its top broadcast executive. News that the company late Thursday had dismissed Kevin O'Brien, president of Meredith Broadcasting Group, for allegedly violating the company's equal ...
The Insider; When Pilots Collide.(TV Currents)("Desperate Housewives" and "Clubhouse" depict the parent wayward teenager role.)
Nov 01, 2004 ... Byline: Michele Greppi During the week of Oct. 18, ABC's monster hit "Desperate Housewives'' and CBS's modest "Clubhouse'' showed very different parents resorting to an identical ploy in dealing with their respective rebellious teenagers: They removed the door to the teens' ...
Previews; Election-Night Fever.(TV Currents)(Brief Article)
Nov 01, 2004 ... The 2004 national election will take over the airwaves Tuesday, Nov. 2, disrupting most networks' original nightly programming. By many accounts, election coverage this year could last all night due to projections of a close race and TV news execs' concerns with reporting the right winner ...
CNNfn to Bow Out in December; Scanty Distribution Leads to Business Niche Channel's Demise.(TV Currents)(Brief Article)
Nov 01, 2004 ... Byline: Michele Greppi In the face of growing competition in the television marketplace, CNNfn, the attempt to parlay the CNN brand into a free-standing business-news channel, will be shut down in mid-December. The cable network will sign off on the eve of the ninth ...
WICT'S SEVEN TOUCHSTONES GUIDE LEADERSHIP INITIATIVES.(Special Report: WICT/Benita Mosley)(Women In Cable and Telecommunications)(Brief Article)
Nov 01, 2004 ... The following Touchstones of Leadership form the foundation for all of WICT's initiatives, most notably professional development. They also serve as criteria for WICT's Accolade awards, which will be handed out at the Nov. 3 benefit gala dinner. * Know yourself. Know what you ...
'04 Election Has Local Roots; Individual Stations' Contributions to Be Higher Than in Prior Years.(TV Currents)
Nov 01, 2004; ... Byline: Daisy Whitney Election night coverage has traditionally been network-centric, but this year's coverage will include more contributions from local stations than ever, particularly in contested states. That's because the 2000 election demonstrated that the story ...
Guest Commentary: Campaign Coverage Moves to New Venues.(Press Room)(Column)
Nov 01, 2004; ... Byline: David Bohrman The beginning of the end was in July 1984. Or was it in August 1948? Perhaps it was in 2000, or maybe it was this year. We're talking about television coverage of political conventions, about politics and mass media. We're talking about the ...
TV Guide Turns On Originals; Cable Network Signs John Henson, Greenlights Series, Specials That Help Viewers Make Choices.(TV Currents)
Nov 01, 2004; ... Byline: James Hibberd TV Guide Channel has greenlighted a dozen new series and specials that combine E!-style clip shows with a program-guide slant. The strategy is part of an effort to establish the channel as an original programming destination while maintaining its brand as a ...
GSN RAISES ITS GAMING SERIES ANTE; Poker, Billiards in Store.(TV Currents)
Nov 01, 2004; ... Byline: James Hibberd Continuing its gaming-related programming efforts, GSN has greenlighted a new poker series, picked up a pilot for a competitive pool series and given a 13-episode renewal to "World Series of Blackjack.'' Starting in January, the blackjack and ...
What Price Youth for A&E? Execs Wonder Whether Networks Diluted Images in Quest for Younger Viewers.(TV Currents)
Nov 01, 2004 ... Byline: Wayne Friedman With new high-rated younger-skewing programs, A&E Networks is reaping rewards from young-skewing advertisers. Longer term, media executives' question where this will leave A&E's traditional high-arts brand name with its viewers and sponsors. ...
Court TV Woos Movie Business; Cable Network Touts Its Film-Friendly Audience.(TV Currents)
Nov 01, 2004 ... Byline: Jon Lafayette Court TV is rolling out the red carpet for movie marketing executives. The carpets are in the mail to about 300 people at the studios and ad agency personnel who work on the studios' accounts, as is a message about how the channel can help ...
Xerox's Foundation Built on New Media; Visit to Mediaedge:cia Sparked Commitment to Emerging Outlets.(Media & Technology)
Nov 01, 2004 ... Byline: Daisy Whitney Xerox's advertising director believes new media platforms will "rock'' the advertising world over the next two to four years. That's why the company made a decision to get its marketing message into as many emerging media forms as possible, including the ...
WICT Timeline.(Special Report: WICT/Benita Mosley)
Nov 01, 2004 ... 1979 Women in Cable is founded at the Western Cable Show in Anaheim, Calif., by a group of women building a networking base in an industry dominated by men. 1981 WIC holds its first Accolades Breakfast to honor companies within the industry that address ...
Schieffer Sum of The 'Nation' Experience.(Newspro)(Television Program Review)
Nov 01, 2004; ... Byline: Rep. Dick Gephardt Being on "Face the Nation'' was always a good experience. It's a very thoughtful program. The thing you really like about the show is Bob Schieffer. They've had other hosts in their 50 years-Howard K. Smith, Lesley Stahl, Martin Agronsky ...
Relevance, Quality Hallmarks of 'Face'.(Newspro)(Brief Article)
Nov 01, 2004 ... Byline: Sen. Joseph Biden In a medium where success is measured by weeks, and a three-year run constitutes longevity, there are two simple reasons why "Face the Nation'' has stood the test of time and today is celebrating a half-century of achievement. First, the program is ...
PAR 2003: TOP PROGRAMMERS AND OPERATORS.(Special Report: WICT/Benita Mosley)(Brief Article)
Nov 01, 2004 ... Companies are listed in alphabetical order. 2004 PAR Initiative results will be announced Nov. 1. Best Operators for Women in Cable * Cable One * Comcast Communications * Cox Communications (Winner of the 2003 WICT Forerunner Accolade) ...
Quick Takes: Are your buying decisions influenced by product placement on television?(Press Room)(Kandoo Films)(Brief Article)
Nov 01, 2004; ... Byline: Naomie Worrell "Product placement has a direct impact on consumer behavior ... both good and bad. If a brand is integrated in an organic fashion, where it is not intrusive to the story line or viewer, the placement leaves a positive impression. Unfortunately, there are ...
Ballot Cast for Voting Rights Film; HBO Original Movie Earns Drama Tribute Accolade From WICT.(Special Report: WICT/Benita Mosley)
Nov 01, 2004 ... Byline: Robert Pietranton Special to TelevisionWeek Home Box Office adds another prize to its collection this week as Women in Cable & Telecommunications awards its Tribute Accolade for drama, music, variety or comedy programming to the premium cable channel's original motion ...
'Face the Nation' Marks 50 Years of 'Big Gets'; Venerable Newsmakers Show Premiered with McCarthy.(Newspro)
Nov 01, 2004 ... Byline: Lee Alan Hill Special to TelevisionWeek It began by creating national headlines. "Face The Nation,'' CBS News' venerable Sunday newsmakers series, premiered Nov. 7, 1954, with Red-baiting Republican Sen. Joseph McCarthy of Wisconsin as guest on the eve of his hearing for ...
Martha Stewart Firm's Loss Widens.(Deals)(Brief Article)
Nov 01, 2004; ... Byline: Jay Sherman Living Omnimedia last week reported a widened third-quarter loss as the lifestyle company continued to suffer from the legal troubles of founder Martha Stewart, who started her five-month federal prison term last month. MSO reported a third-quarter loss of ...
NBA TV Has Big Plans for Season; More HD Games, Stats Crawl Enhance Network This Fall.(TV Currents)
Nov 01, 2004; ... Byline: Jon Lafayette On NBA TV, Adidas is sponsoring an on-screen close that ticks off the seconds until the regular season begins this week. In addition to the games on rights holders TNT, ESPN and ABC, the NBA broadcasts games on NBA TV four nights a week. NBA TV ...
Callender Takes Over Miniseries; HBO Films President Guided 'Angels'.(TV Currents)(Brief Article)
Nov 01, 2004; ... Byline: Jon Lafayette HBO Films President Colin Callender, who helped guide "Angels in America'' to 11 Emmys, has been named to oversee miniseries at the premium network. Adding miniseries to Mr. Callender's plate "is a natural fit,'' an HBO spokesman said. "Angels ...
BLOOM DISCLAIMS ROLE IN HARASSMENT CASE.(TV Currents)(Lisa Bloom)(Interview)
Nov 01, 2004; ... Byline: Michele Greppi Court TV anchor Lisa Bloom's background in sexual harassment cases and her energetic defense of the legal position of Andrea Mackris, the producer who charged Fox News Channel star Bill O'Reilly with sexual harassment, made her a popular TV guest during ...
News Ethics.(Blink)(Brief Article)
Nov 01, 2004 ... Byline: Juliana Shallcross While the news business has been rocked by controversy recently-from CBS's Memogate to Sinclair's Kerry "news special''-one group has been teaching local news directors to make ethical decisions not just in an election season but year-round. The ...
Happy Hardballing.(Blink)(Brief Article)
Nov 01, 2004; ... Byline: CHRISTOPHER LISOTTA NBC Universal's syndicated weekend news program "The Chris Matthews Show'' has benefited from viewers' increased interest in politics thanks to the presidential election. "Matthews'' scored a 2.4 for the week ended Oct. 17-up 14 percent from the ...
Eminem raps the prez.(Blink)(Brief Article)
Nov 01, 2004 ... Byline: JAMES HIBBERD and DOUG HALONEN The video for the new Eminem single "Mosh" is such a scathing indictment of the Bush presidency that online magazine Salon.com declared, "'Mosh' makes 'Fahrenheit 9/11' look like a GOP campaign spot. ... now we just have to see if MTV has ...
WICT Leader Sets the Curve; Benita Mosley's Initiative, Smarts Make Her TVWeek's Cable TV Executive of the Year.(Special Report: WICT/Benita Mosley)(Women In Cable and Telecommunications)(Interview)
Nov 01, 2004; ... Byline: Alex Ben Block Benita Mosley, president and CEO of Women in Cable & Telecommunications, was interviewed by telephone by TVWeek Editor Alex Ben Block. TelevisionWeek: Congratulations on being named cable TV executive of the year. Benita Mosley: ...
Mile markers on the track of her life.(Special Report: WICT/Benita Mosley)(Brief Article)(Calendar)
Nov 01, 2004 ... 1. Future Olympic champion Benita Fitzgerald, at age 3, stands on her parents' doorstep in Manassas Park, Va., in 1964. 2. Her parents, Rodger Fitzgerald, a high school guidance counselor, and Fannie Fitzgerald, a teacher, shown in a 1974 family portrait, encouraged their ...
The Ratings Wizard.(Performance Tracker)(Brief Article)
Nov 01, 2004; ... Byline: Naomie Worrell Monday, Oct. 18, 2004-Sunday, Oct. 24, 2004 TV Season Week No. 5 With strong ratings for the MLB playoffs and World Series, Fox won the week in adults 18 to 49 with an 8.3 rating/22 share, and in total viewers with 23 million. ...
Schieffer's populist demeanor rates high; 'Nation' Host Relishes Politicians on the Grill.(Newspro)
Nov 01, 2004 ... Byline: Michele Greppi No one ever sees Bob Schieffer sweat. The 67-year-old moderator of "Face the Nation," CBS's 50-year-old Sunday newsmaker show, has shown that it is never too late to give chase to the leader. After a season of seesawing in the ratings with ABC's "This ...
Syndicated Newsmags Rise.(TV Currents)(Entertainment Tonight is top performer in this genre)(Brief Article)
Nov 01, 2004 ... Byline: Christopher Lisotta With viewer interest in actor Christopher Reeve's death and Fox News host Bill O'Reilly's involvement in a sexual harassment lawsuit, the syndicated newsmagazines saw increases in their national ratings for the week of Oct. 11-17. Paramount's ...
Discovering All the News That Fits TV.(Blink)(Brief Article)
Nov 08, 2004; ... Byline: ALEX BEN BLOCK On Nov. 2, for the first time in its 153-year history, The New York Times allowed reporters covering the 2004 vote count, including Todd Purdum, to be interviewed on TV during the evening for a series of three-minute reports called "Page One.'' The reports ...
Previews: GOOD MEDICINE.(News)
Nov 08, 2004 ... Activist singer Jon Bon Jovi and his band will be presented with an Award of Merit during the "32nd Annual American Music Awards'' and will perform on the show, which airs live Nov. 14 on ABC. Jimmy Kimmel hosts; other performers include Jessica Simpson, Rod Stewart, Snoop Dogg and Josh ...
Success Story: 'PIMP' KNOCKOFF PAYS OFF.(Advertising)(WAFB-TV)(Brief Article)
Nov 08, 2004 ... Byline: SHEREE R. CURRY Given that the median age in the Baton Rouge, La., designated market area is 32 and the population is 50 percent male, local TV stations are eager to find creative ways to deliver the 18- to 34-year-old male demo to their advertisers. WAFB-TV, ...
The Insider: FROSTING ON WERNER'S CAKE.(TV Currents)
Nov 08, 2004; ... Byline: Michele Greppi What do you get the man who has everything? If he's Tom Werner and his Boston Red Sox have just won the World Series, you get him a meticulously decorated, chocolate-mousse-filled cake and champagne and sing him a rousing chorus of "Take Me Out to the ...