|
|
Article: CNN tackles Fox News head-on: but impending war brings special uncertainty to cable news upfronts. (TV Buyer).
- Article from:
- Broadcasting & Cable
- Article date:
- March 17, 2003
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. (US). This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
|
At a recent CNN ad-sales pitch, an on-screen logo proclaimed CNN as "News. Not Noise." It was a swat at rival Fox News Channel's talk-radio style, not a new on-air slogan. Still, it was an uncharacteristically aggressive message for CNN, once the king of cable news in viewers and ad dollars.
This year, not only is there a fierce battle between CNN and Fox News, but, with the upfront selling season approaching, the cable news category is saddled with a special uncertainty: the possibility of war, which would play havoc with ad schedules.
Sales executives are plotting both war contingency plans and their upfront strategy. The hope is that the two won't ...