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Volume 24, Issue 246, Jim Carnegie, Editor & Publisher
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Wednesday Morning December 19th, 2007
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| WGA Strike Central: Day 45 |
Directors to share negotiation data with WGA
Officials from the Writers Guild of America and the Directors Guild of America said they will meet to compare notes on key issues as they both attempt to negotiate contracts with Hollywood studios. They'll review research compiled by the DGA in advance of its negotiations with the major Hollywood studios. DGA, whose contract expires 6/30, is expected to negotiations with AMPTP in January.
 Writers in talks to launch
web start-ups
A group of striking writers are working on plans to produce programming for the Internet independent of Hollywood studios/AMPTP. They're turning to venture capitalists, looking to circumvent Hollywood and reach viewers directly online, reported The LA Times. "At least seven groups are planning to form Internet-based businesses that, if successful, could create an alternative economic model to the one at the heart of the walkout," said the story. Some high-profile writers and technologists are trying to create a collaborative studio they hope would be officially sanctioned by WGA. They want to build on the popularity of strike-related videos on the guild-inspired blog UnitedHollywood, YouTube and elsewhere. Three of the groups are working on ventures that would function much like United Artists, the production company created 80 years ago by Charlie Chaplin and other top stars who wanted to break free from the studios. A handful of sites have already received venture backing, including FunnyorDie.com, co-founded Will Ferrell, and MyDamnChannel.com, launched by former MTV executive Rob Barnett. MyDamnChannel pays for the production of original content by a handful of artists and splits ad revenue with them.
WGA rejects waiver requests for Golden Globes, Oscars
The WGA has rejected waiver requests from the Golden Globes and the Oscars. Golden Globes had sought permission to allow writers to prep material for the event airing 1/13 on NBC. Oscars was denied use of video clips on the show. The announcement came during Monday night's WGA membership meeting that included 2,000 striking writers in attendance. Globes producer Dick Clark Productions released a statement: "The Golden Globe Awards, which has a long and friendly relationship with the Writers Guild of America, is obviously disappointed that the WGA denied its request for a waiver. However, we are encouraged by the fact that the WGA has announced that it plans to negotiate agreements with independent production companies. Therefore, we will attempt to reach some type of agreement with them on behalf of the 65th Annual Golden Globe Awards, which will recognize and honor outstanding achievements in both movies and television programming made before the strike." The Broadcast Film Critics show is not affected by the strike. WGA also granted a waiver the SAG Awards show.
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TV News ®
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 FCC approves top-20 crossownership
FCC Chairman Kevin Martin got his 3-2 party-line vote to eliminate the crossownership ban in the top 20 Nielsen DMAs. A newspaper owner will be allowed to own a television station outside the market's top four, or a radio station, as long as eight independent voices remain and as long as the cross-owned entities maintain separate news operations. Additionally, the waiver rules were tightened over what had previously been announced. The acquired entity must be in dire straits, and the acquiring entity must commit to a net increase of local news in the market, with an acquired broadcast facility required to air seven hours a week. The Democratic commissioners found the act appalling. Michael Copps said that the public hearings and expert testimony were for show, and Jonathan Adelstein called the vote a "brazen defiance of Congress." They also accused Martin of shoving the measure through without regard for due process.
But the Republicans argued that study has been thorough, that most citizen comments were not about crossownership, and that the public's wishes on many issues such as preventing further deregulation of radio and television ownership caps, were in fact honored. Deborah Taylor Tate noted new sources of competition; Robert McDowell noted that areas of innovation seem to be those areas hampered by less regulation and the current congressional mandate toward deregulation; and Martin said it wasn't process, it was the heat of the issue that his Democratic colleagues were truly worked up over, noting occasions when their own actions failed to allow for lengthy debate and public input (in particular, the AT&T/Bell South merger). A key addition to the measure was the grant of ongoing waivers for six new and 36 grandfathered cross-owned combinations. Democrats felt the last minute blanket grant was improper; the Republicans thought it was fair to allow waivers deemed in the public interest already under a stricter blanket prohibition against cross-ownership.
TVBR observation: Now we wait to see how long it will take for a legislative response, and how loud it will be. Elsewhere, the volume knob is already turning up toward the maximum level. Presidential candidate Barack Obama (D-IL) has already condemned the move; Jesse Jackson Sr. condemned the anticipated minority action in advance; and watchdogs are already threatening legal action. Meanwhile, broadcasters are steamed about the potential imposition of new and onerous regulation and the Newspaper Association of America is already complaining about the restrictive nature of the loosened rule.
 FCC taking a close look at localism
The Commission earlier moved to impose localism requirements on television stations, requiring submission of a standardized form quarterly detailing various elements of local programming. It is now looking at extending these requirements to radio. Other items mentioned in a notice of proposed rulemaking include processing guidelines for broadcast renewal applications; asking broadcasters to establish consumer advisory boards; using leased access to provide increased opportunities for local programming; allowing AM stations to use FM translators to increase local service; further facilitation of LPFM and assisting would be LPFM operators to find available spectrum for LPFM; upgrading certain LPTVs to Class A status; review the adequacy of sponsorship identification requirements, particularly concerning embedded and placed advertising; and in deference to concerned about access to airwaves of local musicians, it seeks commentary how playlists are compiled and possible guidelines on playing local artists. The Democratic commissioners liked this proceeding, but thought it should have been placed ahead of the crossownership item and expressed doubts that there would be any meaningful follow-up. Robert McDowell, on the other hand, said that the item goes entirely in the wrong direction, and that local competition, not government mandate, is the driver of superior local content. The Commission also agreed to cap national MPVD service providers to no more than 30% of total subscribers.
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FCC moves to increase minority/female ownership
And at issue is whether or not that will be the effect of yesterday's action, all hinging on the definition of businesses which will benefit from a number of measures put in place or put out for further consideration. One of the latter measures is an improved definition. The definition put into use is a small business definition according the Small Business Administration revenue-based standards. The Democratic commissioners said this was not specific enough and rendered the effort useless in many regards. Both Michael Copps and Jonathan Adelstein dissented against all definition-dependent planks, while supporting others. objected to, modification of attribution standards to facilitate investment in SBAs; modification of distress sale policies; allowing the transfer of grandfathered clusters to any buyer if buyer sells excess to eligible SBA within 12 months; barring discrimination in advertising buys (prohibiting so-called no Urban/no Spanish dictates); prohibits ownership fraud and fast tracks complaints; encouraged local banks to cooperate with SBAs; extends divestiture deadlines where SBAs are involved; and focuses on investment banks for financing. It seeks comment on constructing a better definition of eligible companies, and looks for ways to upgrade the FCC's ownership data. On the issue of the definition, Robert McDowell reminded everybody of the difficulty of threading the needle through Supreme Court casework, pointing out that whatever they come up with must be legally sustainable. Chairman Kevin Martin said that regardless, the current SBA definition and immediate action was better than doing nothing, contrary to the opinion of watchdogs and the Democratic commissioners that no action was preferable to action with the SBA definition in place.
 TV outlook worsens for Gannett
A month ago Gannett said its TV pacings pointed to Q4 being down in the high teens, but now the company has expanded that to a decline "in the very high teens to the very low twenties." November TV revenues were down 20.4% against last year's politically-inflated tally. Pro forma broadcast revenues for November, including the Captivate elevator video service, were off 19.2% to 70 million bucks. Television alone was off 20.2%, as noted, with local off 11.2% and national down 36.8%. Excluding political, though, Gannett said TV time sales were up 6.4%. Also, online TV revenues shot up 16.2%. Gannett noted that its broadcast division is working against tough comps, with 58 million in political advertising recorded in Q4 of 2006. Newspaper ad revenues, meanwhile, were down 3.9% in November to 420.4 million. Local was up 1.6%, with national down 3.5% and classified off 11.2%.
TV revenues fall 18.9% at Media General
That was all due to the lack of political revenues, with local and national both up double digits in November, excluding political. Meanwhile, newspaper ad revenues were also down double digits, and that wasn't related to the election cycle. Saying the company was "heavily impacted by an 11.8 million reduction in political revenues from last year," Media General reported November 2007 total revenues of 80.3 million, a decrease of 12.5%. Broadcast division revenues declined 19.9% to 33.3 million, with gross time sales down 18.3%. Excluding political, local rose 11.7% and national 14.3%. "The near 12 million decrease in Political revenues at our television stations, partially offset by double-digit increases in Local and National time sales, was the primary cause of our November revenues decline," said Marshall N. Morton, president and chief executive officer. "With the addition of four new NBC stations in 2006, we generated 13.2 million in Political advertising last November compared with 1.4 million this year, which was generated by spending from Presidential campaigns in South Carolina and Florida, state and local government races in a majority of our markets, and issue spending in a number of states," he noted. Publishing Division revenues decreased 8.9% to 44.6 million, with classified suffering the most. Interactive Media Division revenues rose 34.8% to 3.0 million.
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| Wall Street Business Report TM |
Another non-media investment for Sinclair
Sinclair Broadcast Group has made another investment in real estate, putting 3.1 million into two apartment complexes. Sinclair now has a 9.75% stake in the two developments: Preston Hills Apartments in Atlanta and Lakeshore Apartments in Indianapolis. The two apartment complexes are managed by Harbor Group International. Sinclair also announced an initial three million investment in Patriot Capital II, a fund that provides structure debt and mezzanine financing to small businesses. Sinclair's eventual investment will total 20 million.
Moody's cuts Tribune ratings
Moody's Investors Service has cut its debt ratings for Tribune Company, in light of the expected closing of a buyout of public shareholders by Sam Zell and a new ESOP which will dramatically increase the company's leverage. Moody's downgraded Tribune's Corporate Family and Probability of Default ratings to B3 from B1. "The increase in leverage is occurring at a time of pressure on Tribune's advertising revenue and operating margins from online and cross media competition and a cyclical downturn in the residential real estate market. The rating actions assume the Zell-ESOP transaction closes in 2007 as expected," Moody's noted.
 Clear Channel begins
cash tender for bonds
While Wall Street traders continue to worry about the private equity buyout of Clear Channel going to closing, the company and its buyers to be are pressing ahead. CCU has begun a cash tender and consent solicitation for nearly 1.4 billion in senior notes. The tender offers in connection with its plan to be taken private by Bain Capital, Thomas H. Lee Partners and the Mays family are tentatively scheduled to close on January 14th. Clear Channel is offering to buy back 750 million of its Clear Channel Communications 7.65% senior notes due 2010 and 644.86 million of AMFM Operating Inc. 8% senior notes due 2008. The applicable spread for the CCU notes is currently estimated to be 350 basis points above par and 75 basis points for the AMFM notes, based on the value of US Treasuries with similar expiration dates. Holders who tender by the consent deadline, currently set for December 31st, will also receive a consent payment of 30 bucks for each 1,000 in face value.
TVBR observation: Clear Channel's stock rose more than 3% yesterday on this news. But despite all of the indications that the private equity players are preparing to fork over their cash and close on CCU, the stock is still well below the 39.20 buyout price. It seems unlikely that this deal will crater, but some on Wall Street are still nervous.
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Ad Business Report TM
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KHCW-TV launches ad-supported
mobile phone cam service
KHCW-TV channel 39, the local CW network affiliate in Houston, is launching a new ad-supported service targeting the more than 2,000,000 daily commuters in the region. Commuters will now be able to view traffic tie-ups on their mobile devices before leaving their home, office or school, to help them plan the quickest and safest route. The service relies on more than 600 traffic cameras operated by Houston TranStar, a collaboration between four government agencies responsible for providing transportation management and emergency management services to the greater Houston area.Cameras are mounted along freeways, tollways and some major county arterials in the region. 3rd Dimension, a NY-based mobile marketing and application company developed the system technology. "Cell phones are incredibly useful and personal," said Bruce Laskin, 3rd Dimension COO. "We hope that we have added to that utility with an application providing individualized video information whenever it is needed." The KHCW application is compatible with data enabled phones on the Sprint, Verizon Wireless, AT&T and T-Mobile networks, and including popular smart phones such as the BlackBerry, Palm Treo and the Motorola Q.
 Domino's launches
"You Got 30 Minutes"
Domino's Pizza is launching a rebranding effort, "You Got 30 Minutes," via Crispin Porter + Bogusky. The campaign builds on the company's 30-minute delivery heritage by highlighting the value of what pizza delivery really does for consumers-gives them free time (this time around, there's no guarantee of delivery within 30 minutes as there was in the past). Spots will begin airing in some local markets 12/24. Network prime and cable net, including Comedy Central, ESPN and MTV, will air the spots beginning 12/31. Various 15- and 30-second spots present humorous scenarios showing what people can do with their extra time, from spending time with a sweetheart, to hanging with friends or working out to a 30-minute abs video. Plans are in the works to offer consumers who place an order online the ability to unlock access to 30-minute content they can enjoy while waiting for the pizza to be delivered. Domino's will also be introducing new "You Got 30 Minutes" boxes featuring shipping-style delivery designations, but with attitude. Domino's is also working with CP+B on an "invertising" program that revitalizes the brand internally. Domino's is also preparing an aggressive recruiting campaign to hire service-oriented in-store team members and safe delivery experts to meet the anticipated consumer demand sparked by the new campaign.
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| Media Business Report TM |
Campaign settling into the top slot
With the first serious tallies of the 2008 campaign looming large on the horizon, it's going to take a major cataclysm to oust campaign coverage from the top slot on the Project for Excellence in Journalism's news coverage chart, at least until the primary process reveals the top-ticket nominees for each party. The campaign easily dominated coverage during the week of 12/9/07-12/14/07. The report from former Sen. George Mitchell on steroid use in by professional baseball players, which netted a major alleged miscreant in the person of pitching star Roger Clemens, propelled sports to an unusually high spot on the chart (indeed, any spot on the chart). The shooting tragedy in Colorado replaced the earlier one in Omaha NE, and another weather story made the list. Overall, it was an unusually tight list, with only 16 items bearing witness to general agreement among the different media categories as to what the top stories were.
| Top ten lists here |
 TouchTunes launches campaign
for Absolut Vodka
TouchTunes Corporation, an on-location interactive entertainment and marketing network, announced it will be featuring an ad campaign for Absolut Pears Vodka. The campaign will run from 12/20 1/4/08, on 10,000 TouchTunes music systems nationwide. Creative will include two alternating Absolut Pears billboards that will be interspersed throughout the user experience. Additionally, the campaign will have a special interactive element which will encourage users to participate in a branded survey.
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| Washington Business Report TM |
The prank's on the station
When a KHTB-FM personality called the Utah Poison Control Center, the intention was to both play a little joke, as well as to gather some genuine information about the dangers of ingesting pepper spray. The Provo UT station, licensed to 3 Point Media and serving the Salt Lake City area, was actually giving away a can of pepper spray as part of its promotional activities. The personality called UPCC, played the joke, taped it, and aired it. But at no time was the UPCC or the person who answered the phone there informed that the call was going to be played over the air. 3 Point Media denied any foreknowledge of the prank, said it only aired once, and noted that such pranks are "specifically violative of long-standing station policy." But of course, that wasn't enough to allow the station to duck out of a 4K fine.
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| Media Markets & Money TM |
Texas DIY sold
Lee W. Shubert, working as a court-appointed receiver, has found a buyer for KUQI-TV CP in Corpus Christi, and the watchdog community may be glad to know the station will stay out of the hands of the white male segment of society. The CP, licensed to Minority Media TV 38 LLC, is going to High Maintenance Broadcasting LLC, headed by Lauryn Hoffman, Deidre Gillis and Vanisha Mallory. We do not know the minority status of the buyer's principals, but we would be very surprised indeed to learn that they are anything other than females. The price of the transaction is listed at 6.6M in documentation filed with the FCC.
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| Entertainment Business Report TM |
Lifetime gets "Wife Swap"
Lifetime Television announced what it says is its first-ever major off-net reality acquisition - a deal for the exclusive off-network rights to the ABC series "Wife Swap." The deal with Disney-ABC Domestic Television gives Lifetime the cable rights beginning in October 2008. "In so many ways, 'Wife Swap' embodies the contemporary and enlightening program that is the core of our fresh new reality programming direction. The series' heartfelt insights into the many aspects of the daily challenges faced by modern women will be a perfect complement to our schedule," said Susanne Daniels, President, Entertainment, Lifetime Networks. Entering its fourth season on ABC, "Wife Swap" is an RDF USA production. It was created by Stephen Lambert and is executive-produced by Stef Wagstaffe and Stephen Lambert of RDF Media and Michael Davies of Embassy Row. Mitchell Rosenbaum, Stephanie Schwam Adams and Mike Gamson are the co-executive producers.
 More soccer for Univision
The Univision Networks announced that they will be the exclusive Spanish-language telecasters in the United States for the annual CONCACAF Champions League, a region-wide championship for premier soccer clubs, beginning with the inaugural 2008-09 season. The competition will feature 24 of the highest-ranked or reigning champion clubs from the Mexican Primera Division, Major League Soccer, the Costa Rican Primera Division, the Honduran Primera Division, the Guatemalan Primera Division, Salvadoran Liga Mayor, and other prominent leagues throughout CONCACAF. They will participate in the annual championship to determine the single best team in our continent. The format of the CONCACAF Champions League calls for qualifying round matches, round-robin group play and a knockout or elimination round. Play begins each year in August and concludes with the finals series the following April. Univision plans to televise 52 primetime matches in total each year, primarily on its TeleFutura and Galavision Networks.
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| Ratings & Research |
Original fare wins the week for CBS
"First-run programming on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday carried CBS to its most dominating victory of the season, placing first in all key measures for the second consecutive week," CBS declared in its PR assessment of the most recent ratings week. In HH ratings, the Eye net had eight of the top nine shows, interrupted only by "NBC Sunday Night Football" at #3. For the week, CBS scored an HH rating of 7.0 and a 12 share, with NBC at 5.5/9, Fox 4.7/8, ABC 4.2/7, CW 1.8/3, Univision 1.7/3, MyNetworkTV 1.0/2, Telemundo 0.5/1, Ion and TeleFutura 0.4/1, and Azteca America 0.1/0. For the key 18-49 demo, it was CBS, a tie by Fox and NBC, ABC, Univision, CW, a tie by Telemundo and MyNetworkTV, TeleFutura, and a tie by Ion and Azteca America.
| Here are the week's top 20 shows |
 One in five men haven't started holiday shopping
No matter which way you choose to look at it, procrastinators abound this holiday season, but the biggest holiday dawdlers this year are men, according to NRF's 2007 Holiday Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, conducted by BIGresearch. The survey found that nearly one in five men (19.4%) had yet to begin their holiday shopping, more than women (13.7%) or young adults 18-24 (17.6%). An impressive 25 million consumers (11.7%) have completely finished their holiday shopping, but more than 35 million shoppers (16.5%) admit they haven't even started. Thusfar, the average person has completed about half (52.6%) of his or her shopping, compared to 53.1% at this time last year.
According to the survey, department stores are expected to be the destination of choice the week before Christmas, as 42.4% of shoppers plan to visit those stores to finish up holiday shopping. Other destinations will include discount stores (38.9%), the internet (34.9%), and specialty stores (29.9%). Clothing and accessories have been the most popular gifts this holiday season, with 44.4% of consumers (and 49.8% of women) purchasing at least one item this year. Books, CDs, and DVDs (41.9%) have also been popular choices, as are toys (35.4%). While less than a third of consumers (30.2%) have already purchased a gift card, sales of the cards are expected to jump this week as procrastinators find themselves running out of time.
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| Stock Talk |
A day of modest gains
Efforts by central banks to ease the credit crisis were somewhat reassuring to Wall Street traders, but worries about the economic future remain. The Dow Industrials managed to move up 65 points, or 0.5%, to 13,232.
TV stocks were similarly higher. Nexstar led the advance, up 7.8%. Entravision and LIN were each up 5.5%.
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| Stocks |
Here's how stocks fared on Tuesday
| Company |
Symbol |
Close |
Change |
Company |
Symbol |
Close |
Change |
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Acme
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ACME
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2.47
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+0.08
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Lincoln Natl.
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LNC
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57.08
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+0.92
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Belo
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BLC
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16.42
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+0.37
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LIN TV
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TVL
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12.44
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+0.65
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| CBS CI. B |
CBS |
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26.07
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-0.07
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McGraw-Hill
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MHP
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45.52
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+0.88
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| CBS CI. A |
CBSa |
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25.87
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-0.23
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Media General
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MEG
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21.35
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+0.44
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Clear Channel
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CCU
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35.95
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+1.20
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Meredith
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MDP
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55.85
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+0.19
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Disney
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DIS
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33.02
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+0.03
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News Corp.
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NWS
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21.01
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+0.19
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Emmis
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EMMS
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4.28
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-0.26
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Nexstar
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NXST
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8.98
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+0.65
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Entravision
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EVC
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7.65
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+0.40
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Ion Media
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ION
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1.25
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-0.04
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| Equity Media |
EMDA |
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2.94 |
+0.10 |
Saga Commun.
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SGA
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6.40
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+0.05
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Fisher
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FSCI
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35.41
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-0.49
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SBS
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SBSA
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1.84
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+0.02
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Gannett
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GCI
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36.54
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+0.35
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Scripps
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SSP
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43.51
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+0.56
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Gen. Electric
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GE
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36.80
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+0.32
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Sinclair
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SBGI
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9.06
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-0.07
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| Google |
GOOG |
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673.35
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+4.12
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SWMX
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SWMX
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0.01
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unch
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Gray
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GTN
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8.63
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+0.63
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Time Warner
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TWX
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16.65
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+0.15
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Gray, C1. A
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GTNa
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8.86
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+0.26
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Tribune
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TRB
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33.31
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+1.02
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Hearst-Argyle
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HTV
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21.60
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-0.08
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Wash. Post
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WPO
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769.00
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+10.95
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Journal Comm.
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JRN
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8.82
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+0.38
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Young
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YBTVA
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1.00
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-0.05
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Bounceback
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 We want to
hear from you.
This is your column, so send your comments and
a photo to tvnews@rbr.com
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Below the Fold
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Wall Street Business Report
Another non-media investment
Sinclair Broadcast Group putting 3.1 million in 1 apartment complexes...
Ad Business Report
"You Got 30 Minutes"
Domino's is launching a rebranding effort...
Media Markets & Money
Texas DIY sold
Found a buyer for KUQI-TV CP in Corpus Christi, & watchdog is glad...
Ratings & Research
Original fare
Wins the week for CBS...
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Stations for Sale
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 Market your Stations For Sale
in our daily epapers.
Contact
Jim Carnegie
jcarnegie@rbr.com
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TV Station Auction
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WTVE-TV 51 / DTV25
Philadelphia DMA
Full-Power Commercial Independent. Licensed to Reading, PA. Carried on nearly 2 million households
The auction of WTVE will take place at 9:30 AM EST on January 3, 2008 in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, 900 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103.
Qualified bids are due on December 21, 2007. The minimum bid price is $12 million and a refundable deposit of $200,000 is due on that date. A copy of the Sale Motion, Bidding Procedures and/or Bidding Procedures Order may be obtained by written request:
J. Scott Victor
Senior Managing Director
(610) 940-5802
jscott.victor@nationalcity.com
Michael J. Gorman, Associate
(610) 940-3615
michael.gorman@nationalcity.com
Ryan C. Cole, Analyst
(610) 940-2619
ryan.cole@nationalcity.com
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TV Media Moves
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Upped at LIN
LIN Television has promoted Dan Donohue to Vice President Human Resources. Donohue previously held the position of Director of Human Resources for LIN, and is responsible for HR policies and programs for the Company's corporate offices, as well as its 29 television stations in 17 markets nationwide.
KC promotion
Len Randazzo has been named General Sales Manager of Equity Media's KUKC-TV (Ch. 48, Univision) Kansas City. He had been an Account Executive for the station.
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More News Headlines
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Tribune ends distribution unit
Tribune Entertainment has shut down its distribution unit, shuttering the remains of what once was a major player in the syndicated TV field, but which of late has handled only a few shows. In all, the final shutdown required only three pink slips to employees in Chicago. Tribune Entertainment still has its larger operation for advertising sales, including the off-network advertising rights to "South Park" and "American Idol."
Strike-bound NBC
turns to cable
With limited first-run scripted material available due to the WGA strike, NBC announced that it repurpose the USA Network hits "Monk" and "Psych." New episodes will be shown first on USA in January 2008 and then again on Sunday nights on NBC, beginning in March 2008.
Jetcast partners with Spacial Audio
JetCast now has a turn-key solution for all affiliates; combining Spacial Audio's SAM Broadcaster and StreamAds into one package. The ability to let first level users share bandwidth, which helps feed additional users, is a major reason why JetCast broadcast customers hold bandwidth costs down. Spacial Audio CEO Bryan Payne explains: "Being able to stream programming at a lower cost is required if you want to grow an internet station's audience. We see the advantages of Jetcast, and know that broadcasters will too. They add a strong image to our growing list of Spacial software resellers." Spacial software brings improvement in two areas for JetCast users. Internet broadcasters will find the simplicity of Spacial StreamAds software (bundled within the JetCast radio package) ideally suited to frame their ad sales program. By offering SAM Broadcaster and StreamAds to its affiliates, Jetcast is expanding the availability of Spacial Audio's broadcast and internet software.
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TVBR Radar 2007
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Television News you won't read any where else. TVBR--First, Accurate, and Independently Owned.
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WGA Strike Central, Day 44
Leno and Conan to return
January 2nd
After two months of repeats, "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" and "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" will resume broadcasting all-new episodes beginning Wednesday, January 2, 2008.
12/18/07 TVBR #245
TVBR expands; Kaufman on board
RBR/TVBR publisher Jim Carnegie announces that Dave Kaufman has joined the RBR/TVBR staff in our Sales/Marketing department. Kaufman, a 36-year front line broadcast executive, most recently spent the past five years as VP of Affiliate Relations for ABC Radio Networks and, prior to ABC, seven years with Westwood One as VP/GM and VP Affiliate Relations Metro Networks/Shadow Broadcast Services. His experience also includes 25 years on the station rep side, 23 of which were with Major Market Radio Sales, a rep firm of Interep.
TVBR note: For many of you that know Dave Kaufman, he can be reached at DKaufman@rbr.com or at 973-839-8151.
12/18/07 TVBR #245
Don't fire until you see the whites...
Oh, go ahead and fire
Byron Dorgan (D-ND) is not waiting around to see what FCC Chairman Kevin Martin has up his sleeve before going public against it. In fact, he's rounded up a 24-member bipartisan posse of senators, including four Republicans and one independent, informing Martin that if he goes ahead with his plan to remove cross-ownership restrictions in the top 20 markets, they will "immediately move legislation that will revoke and nullify the proposed rule.
TVBR observation: Ok if you were waiting for something interesting out of DC then now you have it. TVBR will keep a close on FCC boss Martin as the - you know what hits the fan.
12/18/07 TVBR #245
WGA Strike Central, Day 43
WGA files unfair labor practices complaint
The Writers Guild of America has filed an unfair labor practices complaint with the National Labor Relations Board claiming studios violated federal law by breaking off negotiations. The WGA demanded in a statement Thursday that AMPTP return to the bargaining so the six-week strike can be ended.
12/17/07 TVBR #244
Latest details on WGA strike
impact on programming
Carat Programming announced it would also like to see both parties get back to the negotiating table and work out a fair and equitable agreement as soon as possible. From a recent newsletter: "Our main goal is to deliver the GRPs we purchased in the upfront. We continue to pay close attention to maintaining the integrity of our clients' delivery as it pertains to overall strength of schedules.
12/17/07 TVBR #244
Broadcasters, associations strike back at micromanaging from DC
No one knows yet what will be in the Proposed Rulemaking on Broadcasting Localism that FCC Chairman Kevin Martin will unveil at tomorrow's meeting, but based on what's been leaking from the Commission into press reports, broadcasters are worried that Martin wants to bring back the bad old days of excessive regulation and micromanaging by Washington bureaucrats.
TVBR observation: If the rumors about what Chairman Martin has up his sleeve are true, he is seriously disconnected from reality. Rather than enhancing "localism," some of the proposals would serve to force many of the remaining "mom & pop" owners to consider selling out of the business. Read More in this report page of TVBR.
12/17/07 TVBR #244
WGA Strike Central, Day 40
DGA won't negotiate until
after the New Year
Some good news for the WGA. The Directors Guild of America (DGA) issued two statements saying they have chosen to wait to negotiate with AMPTP to give WGA and the AMPTP more time to return to the negotiating table to conclude an agreement.
TVBR note: Read the full DGA statements here in TVBR
12/14/07 TVBR #243
LIN in retrans battles
LIN Television says it has reached an impasse in retransmission negotiations with Cable One and expects the MSO to stop carrying KASA-TV (Ch. 2, Fox) Albuquerque in New Mexico come tomorrow (12/15), when the current retrans agreement expires. LIN has also filed an FCC complaint against Atlantic Broadband for continuing to carry WIVB-TV (Ch. 4, CBS) Buffalo on systems in New York and Pennsylvania even though it has no retrans agreement with LIN. Since the complaint was filed this week, LIN told TVBR that Atlantic Broadband has removed WIVB from its systems in the Erie, PA DMA, where there is another CBS affiliate as well, but that the station remains on without LIN's consent in the Buffalo DMA. There is more to this Retrans Battle in TVBR
TVBR observation: In the course of 2007 various TV group owners began to report substantial retransmission consent revenues in their quarterly conference calls. This has become an important new revenue stream - and one worth fighting for. Most MSOs seem to have accepted the fact that they now have to pay for the major broadcast networks (and the valuable news product of their local affiliates), but there will no doubt continue to be occasional retrans battles.
12/14/07 TVBR #243
WGA Strike Central, Day 39
Nets looking to scrap the upfront?
Along with being the first to pull out of the now-cancelled Winter Television Critics Association tour, NBC may be the first net to officially scrap upfront events due to the WGA strike. Execs at each of the other big three confirmed the strike was driving the movement toward a mid-May week without any circus-like upfront events.
12/13/07 TVBR #242
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