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TV News ®
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 Kellner sees radio and non-pol TV
in same boat
According to ACME Communications CEO , there are haves and have-nots in this year's advertising environment. The haves are the big four TV network affiliate groups, who are cashing in big on political spending with their news-intensive stations - - plus a bonus if they happen to also have NBC affiliates who are getting Olympics dollars this month. The have-nots are companies like his whose TV stations are not news leaders. Kellner says they are in the same boat with the radio industry. "We're still waiting and have no idea when it's going to turn around," Kellner said of the ad environment in his quarterly conference call with analysts. "There's one little thing that stands out in my mind, which is if you look at the radio business, which also relies more upon local and national spot than network to drive its revenue, it's in a similar kind of soft position. And when you're not in the news business to take advantage of the political cycle, or if you don't have the Olympics where a lot of money is being sucked up by NBC affiliates, it make it that much more difficult when you're now in a weakened advertising marketplace." On the other hand, Kellner noted, 2005 is looking to be pretty good for his company and its WB affiliates, while the TV companies who are soaring this year will be facing tough comps.
Jamie KellnerTVBR observation: Finally someone has said it for TV; they are in the same boat going up stream with only one paddle. Kellner speaks the words of Regent's Bill Stakelin last week of local - local - local. Now heed the words from Ed Christian, in todays RBR Morning Epaper, on local for all radio and TV PD's: First example is 'How many program directors are members of the Chamber of Commerce?'
Sign up for a free 60 day trial to Radio Business Report.
August pacing soft at ACME
With the Olympics on NBC gobbling up so much ad spending this month, August is in negative territory for ACME Communications, whose stations are almost all WB affiliates. But even with such softness this month, President Doug Gealy is expecting Q3 to finish with a gain of 5%. "July finished up 5.4%, August is currently pacing at minus 1.8% and September is pacing at plus 12.7% for a quarter pace of plus 5%. October is pacing plus 40%. It's early, but we're optimistic that September through November will provide some strong revenue growth for the company," Gealy told analysts. About that August softness and the Olympics impact: "NBC allegedly has $50 million worth of inventory left out there, which has created a softness on the national side. It'll probably end up discounting it somewhat. Some of those dollars may come out of spot. The NBC stations in our markets, for the most part, still have inventory in the Olympics. I think that there hasn't been a lot of carved-out Olympic dollars, as there had been in the past, where major corporations would step up to buy spots - - create a separate budget. Most of the Olympic dollars are coming out of the regular spot dollars in the marketplace," Gealy said.
 Huffing and puffing against Buffy rebuffed
The fact that "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" was not in the buff seems to have played into a decision by the FCC to deny a complaint of indecency filed by the Parents Television Council. Also getting off: Will and Grace (see related story). According to the FCC, here's what happened in an episode aired 11/20/01. The episode in question contained a scene "depicting Buffy kissing and straddling Spike shortly after fighting with him." The FCC said "...we did not find that it is sufficiently graphic or explicit to be deemed indecent. Given the non-explicit nature of the scene, we cannot conclude that it was calculated to pander to, titillate or shock the audience." The FCC also specifically noted a lack of nudity. PTC brought the charges against WDCA-TV Channel 20, which carries the show in the Washington DC market, and against other stations affiliated with the show's network, UPN. Those looking at the 11/20/01 date may well accuse the FCC of foot-dragging on this one. However, such a charge would appear to be inaccurate. According to the FCC release, PTC didn't get around to filing the complaint until 4/22/03.
TVBR observation: We must assume that the scene was indeed a mild one, based on the fact the Commissioner Michael Copps signed of on the denial. He's been PTC's best friend on indecency matters. If Copps didn't want to go after it, it's pretty safe to assume there was nothing to go after. Come one get real with tax money and just look at the on-air date - 11/20/01. Almost three years ago and Buffy is already in reruns and DVD's. FCC is faster than a speeding snail.
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Women on Will and Grace get over the hump
An organization called Americans for Decency sent in a formal complaint the FCC concerning an episode of "Will and Grace" which was aired on KSAZ-TV Phoenix 3/31/03. The FCC denied the complaint. The episode in question featured a scene in which "...a woman photographer passionately kissed [a] woman author and them humped her (what she called a 'dry hump')." The FCC concluded that the incident, in which the characters were fully clothed, was "...not sufficiently explicit of graphic to be indecent." This despite an FCC footnote which reads, "Though not specifically defined in the complaint, 'dry humping' is commonly understood to consist of two people rubbing their clothed bodies together for sexual stimulation." As in the Buffy case (see preceding story), even anti-indecency crusader Michael Copps signed off on the denial.
TVBR observation: First, we want to wipe our brow, get a breath of fresh air and thank the FCC for its scintillating definition of dry humping. Then we wish to note a certain lack of concentration on the part of Americans for Decency. Despite the fact that "Will and Grace" is an NBC show, AFD didn't try to rope in any other NBC affiliates. Nor is KSAZ an NBC affiliate - - it's a Fox station. Stunningly, KSAZ carries only syndicated rerun episodes of "Will and Grace." There's no telling, from the material supplied by the FCC, when this episode actually ran for the first time. To AFD we say: C'mon guys - - if you can't get it when it's assaulting your sensibilities fresh off the satellite, then leave it alone. All of which makes this a word to the wise to all broadcasters. Everything is fair game to the indecency posses out there - - even reruns. Everything you air from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM is in play. Something to keep in mind.
 TiVo selling $99 DVRs
Faced with tough competition and price-cutting in the marketplace for digital video recorders (DVRs), industry pioneer TiVo has launched a new DVR with a price after rebate of $99 to shore up its market share. No longer an item just for upscale electronics stores, the new TiVo model is being hawked at such mass retailers as Sam's Club, Costco and Target.com. "TiVo is committed to offering consumers the best home entertainment experience by providing them with unmatched service features that are so easy, everyone in the home will use it," said Susan Cashen, TiVo's Vice President of Marketing. "Combined with our $99 offer and new retail partners, we're making TiVo boxes accessible to many more consumers." Still to be seen is the return for investors from the down-market expansion. TiVo's stock has lately been around $4.50 after trading above $70 back in 2000.
Belo will compensate shortchanged advertisers
Belo saw its stock price stabilize yesterday after suffering a 7% plunge on Friday as the company became the latest newspaper publisher to be hit by a scandal for overstating circulation figures. While Tribune Company has already taken a charge of $35 million on its books to settle with shortchanged advertisers at two of its newspapers - - Newsday on Long Island and Hoy, its Spanish daily in New York (7/16/04 TVBR Daily Epaper #138) - - Belo CEO Robert Decherd said the company had not yet put a dollar figure on what it will cost the company to get right with overcharged advertisers. However, he insisted that the company will not have to restate its earnings for any previous quarter and that the problem with over-inflating circulation claims was limited to The Dallas Morning News. Belo has already reported its Q2 results (7/26/04 TVBR Daily Epaper #144). Although newspaper revenues had been up 5.1% for the quarter, The Dallas Morning News was a drag on the division, with revenues up only 3.8%. TV, of course, had a stronger quarter, with revenues up 6%.
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Conference Calls, Q2 2004
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ACME met expectations in Q2
It hasn't been a great year for the WB network, but its number two affiliate group, ACME Communications, posted revenue gains for Q2 and met Wall Street's expectations. Net revenues rose 6% to $12.2 million and broadcast cash flow was $1.1 million, nearly triple its $434,000 in cash flow from a year earlier. The company also celebrated the fact that it posted its first-ever quarter of positive EBITDA - - $203,000 vs. a loss of $535,000 a year ago. "We're not pleased with where the performance is," Chairman and CEO Jamie Kellner told analysts. "We're in the middle of the pack, which we don't like to be." He attributed the soft performance in part to programming problems with the network. The good news, he said, is that two recently launched summer series are producing good numbers - - "Blue Collar," starring Jeff Foxworthy, Bill Engvall and Larry the Cable Guy, and "Summerland," which has already been picked up for the new fall season. President Doug Gealy provided the month-by-month breakdown for the past quarter, with April +7.9%, May +1.1%, June +5.8%. As you might expect, automotive was a big factor, with the category up 7%. Gealy noted that spending by the domestic carmakers was up 15% and spending by the import companies soared 31%, but that spending by local dealers was down 5%.
 Revenues up 8.3% at Fisher
Fisher Communications reports that its broadcasting revenues were up 8.3% in Q2 to $39.5 million. The company attributed that to higher political advertising, as well as "generally higher local advertising." Including the company's Fisher Plaza operation in Seattle, total revenues were up 7.8% for the quarter to $40.4 million. The net loss for Q2 was $1.4 million - - an improvement over the net loss of $4.3 million a year ago. Fisher owns 27 radio stations and 10 TV stations in the Northwest. The company doesn't conduct quarterly conference calls with analysts.
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 Steve Grubbs: Challenges and opportunities in media abound
In this three-part series expanded beyond our August print issue, we speak with Steve Grubbs, CEO of Omnicom's PHD. He's responsible for $4.5B in global billings and seven US offices. Clients include DaimlerChrysler, Gap/Old Navy, Ralston Purina, J&J, Goodyear, Reebok, Gap, Enterprise Rent-a-Car, Discovery Networks, Schwab and Energizer. Prior to joining PHD, Steve was CEO of OMD USA, Omnicom's other global media services network. Before that, Steve was EVP/Director of National TV Buying and Program Development at BBDO New York, where he served for 22 years. Steve's also a former Chairman of the AAAA's Network TV committee and currently serves on the board of directors of Advertising Information Services and E-sync Networks. Here, Steve gives an insightful take on holding the keys to innumerable, constantly-evolving media vehicles. | More... |
Chevy won't rock on anymore
Don't expect to hear the long-established phrase "Like a Rock" in the new series of ads that Chevrolet is rolling out for its truck line during NBC's Olympics coverage, beginning this week. "An American Revolution," a new ad line that Chevy began using late last year, is now the only slogan being used. The old Bob Seger song, "Like a Rock," featured since 1991, won't be heard - - unless you just happen to be listening to an oldies radio station (and even then, not in a Chevy truck ad). "We still have the rights to use it, but we have no plans to," Kim Kosak, Chevy's General Director for Advertising and Sales Promotion, told the Detroit News. General Motors will be the biggest advertiser for NBC's Olympics coverage, with some 400 spots scheduled 8/13-29, primarily for Chevrolet. Kosak told the Detroit News that an additional 170 spots will air on NBC-owned Telemundo, which has the US Spanish rights for the Olympics.
BMW helps drive NBC through Olympics
BMW hopes to draw parallels between its cars and Olympic athletes with a trio of spots designed to run during the Olympics. The parallel qualities are "precision engineering, grace under pressure and the ability to go the distance." The spots will kick off during Opening Ceremonies, then will go into rotation on a number of broadcast and cable outlets, including "The Today Show," and basic services Bravo, USA and CNBC.
Full motion digital displays try for a bite of the pie
According to research from Arbitron's New Ventures, full motion digital display advertising is proving to be a valuable addition to the arsenal of point-of-purchase marketing tools available to retailers. Moving messages, supported with quality audio, can more than double shopper recall of an advertising message over more traditional displays, and their proximity to the sale help drive business. They are also flexible and easily changed to take advantage of changing conditions, like product sell-outs, foul weather, etc.
 Chrysler launches "Discover Your Ride"
on Infinity stations
Infinity Broadcasting says more than 125 of its stations are participating in a radio and online cross-promotion for the Dodge, Chrysler and Jeep brands called "Discover Your Ride." The promotion features customized radio announcements, VHost-driven online rich media advertising units, and a mini-site that uses artificially intelligent agents to match customers with Dodge, Chrysler or Jeep automobiles. The site enables visitors to choose from one of four VHost characters, and then take a four-question quiz to help determine their ride. The quiz asks people interesting questions ranging from their weekend activities to their attitudes toward traffic. Using a scoring system, the quiz instantly determines the three Dodge, Chrysler or Jeep models that best suit the user. Immediately, the site offers the visitor direct links to a virtual tour of the automobile, as well as links to build and price a model. "We worked with DaimlerChrysler to create a marketing idea anchored by the power of radio - - an idea that would leverage the popularity of Infinity DJs by encouraging their loyal listeners to check out an innovative way to shop for a new car," said Richard Lobel, Executive Vice President, Infinity Solutions and Beyond.
TVBR observation: Just like ACME's Jamie Kellner said above it is - Local. If you didn't get it then take a look see at that rich media and internet action is all about. "Discover Your Ride," also means discover the marketing, sales, programming and local interaction.
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Washington Beat
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 Another LA Democrat goes Republican
Few members of the House of Representatives have had as much impact on broadcaster as a Democrat-turned-Republican from Louisiana by the name of Billy Tauzin. As he prepares to retire from Capitol Hill, another Rep is attempting to successfully pull off the same party switch. Rodney Alexander, who has been holding down Louisiana's Fifth District seat for the Democrats, waited just about until the last possible moment to make the switch, drawing the wrath of Democrats including Sen. Mary Landrieu, who labeled him a coward. Waiting until the last moment prevented the Democrats from finding a strong candidate to go up against him, but it could also trigger a backlash from voters, especially since the Republicans did find a popular candidate. Under the Louisiana system, Alexander is now in a three-way race against one candidate from each party. Alexander does not share Tauzin's focus on broadcasting. He currently sits on the Agriculture and Armed Services committees as a Democrat. Naturally, all bets are off on where he'll be assigned if he successfully rides an elephant back into Washington.
BCFM takes on localism
It is not clear just what the FCC has in mind as it proceeds with an inquiry into promoting localism in broadcasting. But it certainly has a lot of folks thinking and commenting. Add to that list the Broadcast Cable Financial Management Association, which will take on the topic during its seminar. The August Distance Learning Seminar, which will be held from 3:00 to 4:15 PM Eastern on Thursday, August 19, will feature Robert H. Ratcliffe, Deputy Chief of FCC's Mass Media Bureau and Co-Chair of its Localism Task Force. Roy R. Russo, Managing Partner of the Washington DC law firm Cohn and Marks LLP, will moderate. BCFM President/CEO Mary M. Collins said, "Localism has been a cornerstone of broadcast regulation for decades and the FCC's latest inquiry addresses issues of particular interest to our members, including differing opinions on the relationship between media consolidation and localism."
FCC seeks OK to implement radio ownership rules
The Federal Communications Commission has asked the federal appeals court in Philadelphia to let it go ahead and implement the new radio ownership limits that the FCC approved last year, arguing that the court’s ruling that blocked other media ownership rules shouldn’t block the radio changes as well. The FCC's proposed change in its radio rules was the only case in which it tightened ownership limits in a massive rule review that otherwise would have loosened restrictions. If the FCC is permitted to implement the new radio rules, local markets will be defined by Arbitron market boundaries, reducing the number of stations that a single company can own in most markets.
"There are no sound reasons for maintaining the stay of the local ownership rules," the FCC argued in its court filing
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Ratings
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Jennings streak continues Jeopardy streak
You can bet that the folks at Jeopardy can't wait for the Fall season to begin, with all-time ace Ken Jennings returning to attempt to continue his record winning streak. To no one's surprise, Jennings put Jeopardy on top of the syndicated ratings again as his trivia talents took him to his 38th straight victory and total winnings of $1,321,660.
Here are the top 10 syndicated shows for the week of 7/19-25:
1. "Jeopardy," KingWorld, 9.6 rating.
2. "Wheel of Fortune," KingWorld, 8.5.
3. "Oprah Winfrey Show," KingWorld, 6.1.
4. "Everybody Loves Raymond," KingWorld, 5.8.
5. "Seinfeld," Sony Pictures, 5.6.
6. "Friends," Warner Bros., 5.0.
7. "Seinfeld" Weekend, Sony Pictures, 4.6.
8. "Judge Judy," Paramount, 4.5.
9. "Entertainment Tonight," Paramount, 4.4.
10. "Wheel of Fortune" Weekend, KingWorld, 4.2.
Source: Nielsen Media Research
 Re-found young men
draw more fire on Nielsen
One of the big media stories last year was the sudden disappearance of young men in the coveted 18-34 demo from Nielsen results. Numerous factors were cited in an attempt to explain the sudden exodus, starting with the seemingly obvious, like unappealing T V program offerings, DVDs, video games and web surfing, and moving on to the seemingly far-fetched, like an 18-34 home-buying spree and service in Iraq. Now, as suddenly as they disappeared, they're back. The New York Times has taken notice, and gave a forum yesterday to numerous network execs who said that obviously, the demo never left - - they just went uncounted for some reason. As ABC's Alan Wurtzel noted, the boys aren't back from Iraq yet in any appreciable numbers. Most on the programming side think the problem was Nielsen methodology, and that they should simply admit there was a mistake and move on. More importantly, they should avoid such mistakes in the future - - as Wurtzel pointed out, the sharp drop in viewership numbers caused an equally sharp drop in what they could charge advertisers. Watchdog Don't Count Us Out took advantage of the article to jump on Nielsen, saying, "The erratic shifts in viewing patterns documented by the New York Times, along with recent evidence of undercounting minorities shows that the unregulated Nielsen monopoly is failing to meet minimum standards of fairness and accuracy and that Congressional oversight is needed to protect American viewers."
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Stock Talk
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Stock markets remain cautious
Stock prices were little changed on Monday as traders waited to see what the Federal Reserve will do about interest rates at today's meeting. The Dow Industrials finished up three points at 9,819.
TV stocks were softer, with most in negative territory. Entravision and Paxson retreated 3.8%, Fisher 3.7% and Emmis and Sinclair 3.2%.
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TV Stocks
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Here's how stocks fared on Monday
| Company |
Symbol |
Close |
Change |
Company |
Symbol |
Close |
Change |
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Acme
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ACME
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$6.24
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+$0.14
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McGraw-Hill
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MHP
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$73.50
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unch
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Belo
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BLC
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$21.62
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+$0.07
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Media General
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MEG
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$57.76
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-$0.26
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Clear Channel
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CCU
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$35.83
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-$0.56
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Meredith
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MDP
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$50.02
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-$0.38
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Disney
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DIS
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$21.94
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-$0.05
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News Corp.
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NWS
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$32.35 |
+$0.06
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Emmis
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EMMS
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$19.06
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-$0.63
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Nexstar
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NXST
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$8.59
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+$0.08
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Entravision
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EVC
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$7.77
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-$0.31
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NY Times
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NYT
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$40.96
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+$0.14
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Fisher
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FSCI
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$45.02
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-$1.73
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Paxson
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PAX
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$2.53
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-$0.10
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Fox
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FOX
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$25.39
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-$0.33
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Saga Commun.
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SGA
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$17.40
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+$0.08
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Gannett
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GCI
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$81.12
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+$0.26
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Scripps
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SSP
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$100.95
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-$0.37
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Gen. Electric
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GE
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$31.85
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+$0.33
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Sinclair
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SBGI
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$7.89
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-$0.26
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Granite
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GBTVK
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$0.69
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+$0.17
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Time Warner
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TWX
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$15.93
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-$0.40
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Gray
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GTN
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$11.47
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-$0.04
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Tribune
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TRB
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$40.93
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-$0.02
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Gray, C1. A
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GTNa
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$10.90
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+$0.06
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Univision
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UVN
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$34.48
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+$0.32
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Hearst-Argyle
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HTV
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$23.22
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-$0.32
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Viacom, Cl. A
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VIA
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$33.44
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-$0.28
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Jeff-Pilot
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JP
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$48.30
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+$0.23
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Viacom, Cl. B
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VIAb
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$32.93
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-$0.18
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Journal Comm.
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JRN
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$15.97
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-$0.19
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Wash. Post
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WPO
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$859.50
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+$2.25
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Liberty Corp
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LC
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$40.99
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-$0.41
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Young
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YBTVA
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$9.52
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-$0.18 |
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LIN TV
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TVL
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$18.80
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-$0.35
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Have a news story you'd like to share? tvnews@rbr.com
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TVBR Audiocast
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08/10 - Get the feel of what you are scrolling down and reading... Listen to this morning's AudioCast and
Hold On To Your Hair!
 Listen Now
with Bob DeCarlo'
"In Da Morning"
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Bounceback
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We want to hear from you.
This is your column, so send your comments to tvnews@rbr.com
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July Digital Magazine
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Complimentary Report
Sports - Summer NFL training camp, Baseball, NBA draft just hit and what you need to succeed:
Programming - Sells with NTR - What works and what doesn't
Read RBR in 2 simple steps:
1.Create a simple account with Zinio and download the free Zinio Reader.
2. You can then download the free July Issue of RBR
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TVBR Radar 2004
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Click on these issues for TV News you won't read any where else. TVBR--First, Accurate, and Independently Owned.
Powering up the DTV plant
Stations operating a DTV station along side their traditional analog station have been thus far allowed to operate at reduced power. The time for that to change is now upon us. Here, straight from the FCC.
Editor's note: Best print this out as your rule book because if you ask your FCC Lawyer it will cost you but our observations are free.
08/09/04 TVBR #154
Senators step up to the
plate for Adelstein
A bipartisan group of Senate Commerce Committee members are making a third attempt to shake the proposed nomination of FCC Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein out of the White House cubby hole wherein it is entrenched, and get it to the floor for a vote. 17 members of the committee signed a letter asking that President George W. Bush submit his name. TVBR observation: A piece of history as RBR has the letter, dated (8/5/04), showing the who's who inside the beltway. Here's the letter. 08/09/04 TVBR #154
A choice proposition on DTV
Most television broadcasters are currently operating on two channels, with one broadcast going out in analog and the other in digital. The time is rapidly approaching when final decisions must which channel - - perhaps one the two already occupied or perhaps a third option - - will become the permanent home when the station is digital-only. Here, straight from the FCC, are the channel election parameters.
08/06/04 TVBR #153
TVBR economic snapshot
The economic recovery continues to caterpillar forth, with each new day providing a freshly mixed bag of signs for the tea-leaf rewders to ponder. This time, while jobless claims were down, so were retail sales. But there is something which may be going up - - interest rates. Various prediction is Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan is going to put another quarter of a percent onto the prime ! rate, moving it from 1.25% to 1.5%. This is because for all the sluggishness, there are also positive signs, such as renewed consumer confidence and a jump in auto sales. Editor's note: Best have your business model in place after November 2nd. For whom the bell tolls rings 01/01/05.
08/06/04 TVBR #153
Nexstar CEO Sook says
JSA NPRM is a long shot
Major issue facing TV broadcasters addressed by Perry Sook is - The FCC's Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on TV station JSAs. We feel this is the start of a process. And with changes in the Commissioner ranks at the FCC, we think regardless of the outcome of the election we think this process will take a substantial amount of time to play out-perhaps years.
08/05/04 TVBR #152
TVB: cable penetration drops, satellite rises
Nielsen figures showing a nine-year low in cable penetration thanks to the growth of alternative delivery systems (ADS), which are mostly, satellite DBS. See the list.
08/05/04 TVBR #152
FCC puts the cattle-prod
to DTV process
The FCC has taken several steps toward bringing the conversion to digital television to a conclusion. All of them are aimed squarely at broadcasters. 08/05/04 TVBR #152
TV/DTV allotment requests on ice
The FCC is putting a freeze on all requests to make allotment and/or service area changes to existing analog and/or digital television stations. It goes into effect immediately and will stay in effect until further notice. The action is being taken to further the DTV transition. TVBR observation: Annoyed? Wanna comment? Forget it. The FCC explains that, too, saying that "...this freeze is procedural in nature and therefore the freeze is not subject to the notice and comment and effective date requirements..." most such dictates require.
08/04/04 TVBR #151
Another FCC light bulb idea
May see light as the commission is thinking of dimming the light on Joint Sales Rules (JSA) on the TV side. Big area of concern here but few years away. TVBR observation: When was the last time - first time - any FCC commissioner hit the streets at 8:30am and sold a spot in any competitive environment? Answer? Idle hands in an election year - you know the saying. 08/04/04 TVBR #151
RBR Closer Look
The Number two radio group in size
Cumulus Media and their CEO Lew Dickey went under the RBR microscope from - Survived "the perfect storm" - - Confluence of disparate events, all of which conspired to inflict particular damage on the radio image. - Not part of the spot clutter problem and welcomed Clear Channel's upcoming spot diet, - Somewhat-embattled ratings giant Arbitron a vote of confidence.
RBR observation: See the total report. 08/04/04 RBR #151
TVBR Closer Look
Winds of Naples, FL
Bending the Palm Trees
Hurricane season doesn't officially end until Nov. 30th. but they are coming; just wait. Key forecaster Bob Coen from Universal-McCann media revenue forecast sees these storms for the balance of 2004. This is just the short term picture. We have heard many new buzz words and phrases hanging around: Spot Load Diet, Forward Guidance ending, Weekly Pacing canned, Reality Show is charted to pace your individual station(s) by to hit your budget compliance. 08/03/04 TVBR #150
Veronis Suhler takes stock of communications
Has dusted off its crystal ball, and sees a turnaround in communications and advertising businesses which should carry forth into 2008. TVBR observation: Does this mean we can all just sit back, try not to screw up and watch the money roll in?
08/03/04 TVBR #150
Veronis Suhler Stevenson
sees radio growth returning
Defend and remain convinced that radio is going to return to its normal pattern of 6%+ growth. The question is when? At this point, it appears that the VSS forecast out today of 6.7% growth for 2004 is extremely bullish. TVBR observation: Again, no forward pacing so for your guidance we suggest you print the chart attached inside. 08/02/04 TVBR #149
Concentrating on men
Reaching men included a great chart ranking programming elements of both radio and television side-by-side in terms of their ability to find high concentrations of men, without wasting impressions on women, if that is germane to your particular advertising campaign. In general, a number of radio formats do a better job than any television format in delivering a high concentration of men. TVBR observation: When viewing the TV list this is a place for cross marketing and if radio markets on TV then it seems logical to buy that 15 or 30 second promo spot for your morning drive on Leno or Letterman plus don't forget cable and guys like Dennis Miller etc. View this as a good research programming tool. 08/02/04 TVBR #149
Who gets the FCC FINE?
Well, the 'F' word slipped out plus others choice phrases from the mouth of DNC Don Misher when all was happy except the balloons didn't fall as planned. Misher caught on-air by CNN saying: We need balloons... I want all balloons, 'God---' no balloons. Then the slip of that great 'Fudge' word - just over a few crummy balloons. TVBR observation: Who does FCC fine? The balloon maker, the balloon blower upper, the balloon cord puller, Misher, the DNC, John Kerry since those balloons were for him, or CNN? Na on CNN that is cable. Ah, what the 'Fudge', nobody cares. It was a slip of the, ahhh, tongue. 07/30/04 TVBR #148
Radio Look see - Local gains lead to modest June increase
The radio industry picked up the pace with local advertising in June, bringing in 5% more cash than in the same month in 2003. National business, on the other hand, was an anchor that slipped out of the boat, dragging the total business increase to a gain of 3%. But at least it was a gain! RBR observation: Most of the mid-level radio group dog and pony shows have featured reports of a more robust Q2 and YTD. Some one must be having problems!
07/30/04 RBR #148
DTV transition:
Fritts offers an olive branch
Acting on the advice of Rep. Billy Tauzin (R-LA), has fired off a letter to his opposite number at the NCTA, Robert Sachs, proposing that representative of the broadcast and cable businesses sit down soon to hash out details of the DTV transition. TVBR observation: Tauzin is absolutely right - - to begin with, legislators are not experts in broadcasting or cable. They do not necessarily know when they are monkeying with a trifle or with a cornerstone of either business. To top it off, their broadcast vote may be little more than a bargaining chip - - something to trade in return for a vote to get a new cloverleaf built in their district! If the broadcasting and cable industries want a resolution that is businesslike, they will be much better off doing it themselves. 07/28/04 TVBR #146
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TV editor
Do you know the business of television? While other trade publications are cutting back, we're growing. Television Business Report (TVBR) is the hottest new electronic daily, backed by over 21 years of success at Radio Business Report. If you know who's who and what's what in TV & Cable, send resumes to CJCarnegie@rbr.com |
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