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Today's Headlines
From across the Web  Powell Declares Victory in Clear Channel Settlement FMQB, Wednesday, 06/09/04 The FCC's $1.75 million "consent decree" with Clear Channel removes the indecency issue from possible discussion when the company's stations come up for license renewal. Clear Channel is Said to Settle Accusations of Indecency New York Times, Wednesday, 06/09/04 Clear Channel is expected to pay the FCC more than $1.7 million to settle indecency complaints and admit that it has broadcast content, including material by Howard Stern, that was indecent. Iger, Kellner Want Equality in Regulations Hollywood Reporter, Wednesday, 06/09/04 Disney exec Robert Iger says he thinks network and cable TV "should be regulated as one, or not regulated at all." Acme chief Jamie Kellner adds, "Our industry is being held back by [FCC] regulations." Family Group Backs Three New TV Shows USA Today, Wednesday, 06/09/04 The Family Friendly Programming Forum is bankrolling three new prime-time network shows, including ABC's "Savages," a comedy from "Passion of the Christ" producer Mel Gibson. Comcast Plans to Create 24-Hour Network for Toddlers Dow Jones/Excite, Wednesday, 06/09/04 Comcast is in talks with PBS, Sesame Street Workshop and HIT Entertainment to develop the first 24-hour network for preschool kids. The as-yet-unnamed network would carry no commercials. New Nickelodeon Brand Makes the Tween Scene New York Post, Wednesday, 06/09/04 Nickelodeon has launched everGirl, a "lifestyle brand" for kids between 8 and 13 that integrates a Web site, pop music and a customized line of apparel and accessories available at Kohl's. Support Signaled for a Center City Comcast Building Philadelphia Inquirer, Wednesday, 06/09/04 Comcast appears to have won Pennsylvania Senate support for tax breaks on its proposed new 60-story office tower. But the issue could still become entangled in budget wars. Tom's the Favorite New York Post, Wednesday, 06/09/04 Viacom chief Sumner Redstone's succession plan reportedly had MTV's Tom Freston as his sole top deputy when Mel Karmazin resigned -- until CBS' Les Moonves threatened to leave the company. Redstone Might Take Midway Private TheStreet.com, Wednesday, 06/09/04 Viacom's Sumner Redstone is said to be considering taking video game software firm Midway private. Analysts speculate that Redstone ultimately wants to roll the company into Viacom. Disney's Smoking Gun No One Will Ever See FoxNews.com, Tuesday, 06/09/04 Disney has buried "The Sweatbox," a documentary about the mishaps behind the making of the Disney film "The Emperor's New Groove," by not allowing its artwork to be used, writes Roger Friedman. Disney Pres Iger: ABC on Path to Profitability in '05 Dow Jones/Excite, Tuesday, 06/08/04 ABC needs more help in the ratings area, but can still reach profitability in 2005, says Disney exec Robert Iger. Also, Disney "would love" to stay in business with Pixar, which has ended talks with Disney. Promos Pushing It: NBC Universal's Synergy Drive Skirts Guild Rules CNN/Money, Wednesday, 06/09/04 During last week's "Friends" and "Will & Grace," NBC aired a promo for Universal's DVD of "Along Came Polly," which may have violated guild rules against running ad pitches during closing credits. Nielsen Names Panel to Oversee Ratings Accuracy Reuters, Tuesday, 06/08/04 Seeking to quell a controversy over its new system for measuring local TV audiences, Nielsen has named a panel of experts to oversee its ratings samples, especially in counting minorities. James Murdoch Reveals Plan for Free-Channel Sky Service Brand Republic, Wednesday, 06/09/04 U.K. satellite TV provider BSkyB is launching a free-to-air satellite package that will give viewers access to more than 100 TV channels without any subscription fees. TiVo Sets Sights on Net Content, Cuts Prices CNET News.com, Tuesday, 06/08/04 TiVo is developing new services to allow movies and music to be downloaded to its DVRs. But in the meantime, the company is cutting prices for its current services to boost subscriptions. In Hit to TiVo, DirecTV Sells Its 4% Stake Los Angeles Times, Wednesday, 06/09/04 TiVo saw its stock drop 14% on Tuesday after satellite TV provider DirecTV sold its stake in the company. DirecTV has been a major source of subscribers for the time-shifting TV service. Big Stakes Mean Big Bucks in Political Ads USA Today, Wednesday, 06/09/04 Candidates in the presidential, congressional, state and local races are forecast to spend $1.47 billion on TV ads this year. Local TV-station owner Hearst-Argyle is the "best positioned" to benefit. Blog-Rolling for Votes and Dollars Salon, Wednesday, 06/09/04 Political advertising on blogs is said to be booming. Jim Newberry, a Democrat who is trying to unseat House majority whip Roy Blunt, has flooded lefty political blogs with anti-Blunt ads. U.S. Public More Polarized in TV News Viewing Habits - Survey Dow Jones/Excite, Tuesday, 06/08/04 More than half of Fox News Channel viewers describe themselves as politically conservative (52%), up from 40% four years ago, says a survey by the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press. CNBC Financial Analyst Fired for Making Nazi Gestures During Wrestling Match South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Wednesday, 06/09/04 CNBC has fired John "Bradshaw" Layfield after reports that the network contributor goose-stepped around a wrestling ring in Munich, raising his arm in an Adolf Hitler salute. ABC News Ranks Tops in Video Stream Availability Direct Marketing News, Wednesday, 06/09/04 ABCNews.com won the top score for video stream availability in a study by Web performance measurement firm Keynote Systems. FoxNews.com recorded the fastest average startup times. The 'New' E & P: A Progress Report, After 5 Months Editor & Publisher, Tuesday, 06/08/04 Five months ago, the weekly Editor & Publisher switched its print frequency to monthly and urged readers to visit its Web site for breaking news. Online advertising now "far exceeds projections." Mag Demand Flowers in May, First Ad Page Expansion in Nearly a Year MediaPost, Wednesday, 06/09/04 After 10 consecutive months of ad page erosion, the major consumer magazines tracked by the Publishers Information Bureau recorded a gain in May -- rising 4.8% over May 2003. Networks Fear Burnout of 'Wall to Wall' Story Chicago Tribune, Wednesday, 06/09/04 Full-day ratings for the leading cable news channels have been up 20 to 30% since Ronald Reagan died, but some TV producers worry that, by Friday, the tendency to go "wall to wall" will cause burnout. Dan & Tom: Enough Reagan New York Post, Wednesday, 06/09/04 Coverage of Ronald Reagan's death has been excessive, Dan Rather and Tom Brokaw agree. "I think just about everything is over-covered these days," said Brokaw. "The spectrum is so crowded." Political Cartoonist Defends Anti-Reagan Web Tirade Washington Times, Wednesday, 06/09/04 Political cartoonist Ted Rall's remark that the late Ronald Reagan is now "turning crispy brown" provoked a reaction that crashed his Web site after it was posted on Drudge Report. Newspapers to Get New Life Starting in Fall Chicago Tribune, Wednesday, 06/09/04 Time Inc. is expected to announce distribution deals with Tribune, Knight Ridder, McClatchy and the New York Daily News to carry a reincarnated Life magazine every Friday beginning in October. 'Book' Smarts, Hef-Style Chicago Sun-Times, Wednesday, 06/09/04 Bill Zehme, a frequent contributor to Esquire and Vanity Fair, has collaborated with Hugh Hefner on "Hef's Little Black Book," described as part biography/part instruction manual. Fortune Ripped Me Off! New York Post, Wednesday, 06/09/04 Constance Hays, author of a book about Coca-Cola Co., is upset over a "similar" Fortune magazine cover story. Also: the creditors of bankrupt Worth magazine are said to be going after freelancers. Dow Jones Agrees to Mediate Contract New York Post, Wednesday, 06/09/04 Dow Jones has agreed to engage a mediator in an attempt to reach a settlement in ongoing negotiations with its largest union, the Independent Association of Publishing Employees. Lizzie's Angels New York Post, Wednesday, 06/09/04 "Power Girls," a new reality TV show based on New York "publicity princess" Lizzie Grubman, is in production at MTV. The series is described as "The Apprentice" meets "Sex & the City." 'Joey's' Neighbor Moving Out Hollywood Reporter, Wednesday, 06/09/04 The creators of NBC's "Friends" spinoff "Joey" are redeveloping the character of Joey's "sexy new neighbor," who didn't fare well with early audiences. Actress Ashley Scott will be recast. Judge Lets Celebrity Chef Enter Eatery AP/Yahoo! News, Wednesday, 06/09/04 The backers of Rocco's 22nd Street restaurant have sued to bar Rocco DiSpirito from entering. Meanwhile, China Grill has sued QVC, alleging DiSpirito had "diverted and stolen" $12,000 in food and beverages. Martha Stewart's Case for New Trial CNN/Money, Tuesday, 06/08/04 Martha Stewart will argue in her motion for a new trial that prosecutors should have known that a key expert wasn't telling the truth when he testified against her, says one of her lawyers. Recent Headlines Media news by category GO TO: MAGAZINES & NEWSPAPERS TELEVISION & RADIO INTERNET & DIGITAL MEDIA ADVERTISING & MARKETING MEDIA COMPANIES MAGAZINES & NEWSPAPERS Tribune Co. to Cut 200 Jobs Chicago Tribune, Tuesday, 06/08/04 The owner of the Chicago Tribune, the Los Angeles Times and 12 other dailies plans to cut jobs from its publishing group, citing soft ad revenue. Tribune's broadcasting operations will not be affected. Church Focuses on Needs of Humanity: Monitor Faces Possible Cuts Christian Science Monitor, Tuesday, 06/08/04 The Christian Science Monitor plans to cut costs, which could include reducing the staff size. The Monitor's print circulation stands at 69,000. But 1.7 million people log onto csmonitor.com each month. What Marketers Want from Media Brands M10 Alert, Friday, 06/04/04 Print media, while still important, is now "lower in the overall scheme of things" for advertising, says the head of marketing for one tech firm. Print is said to be not as "active" as the Web. What's Black & White, But Not Necessarily Read All Over: Mainstream Papers MediaPost, Tuesday, 06/08/04 Most readers of black newspapers do not read mainstream daily newspapers, according to a study by Amalgamated Publishers, which represents a nationwide network of black papers. The International Herald Tribune's Future Unfolds Financial Times, Tuesday, 06/08/04 Following research, the International Herald Tribune has concluded that growth for global newspapers lies not in business and finance, but in general interest. The general-interest reader is its new target. Le Monde Abandons Best-Seller Lawsuits Financial Times, Tuesday, 06/08/04 Le Monde is abandoning 10 lawsuits it had launched against the authors and publisher of a hard-hitting investigative book into alleged abuses of power at the leading French newspaper. Newsweek First with Russian Edition MediaGuardian.co.uk, Tuesday, 06/08/04 Newsweek will this week become the first major international news magazine to launch a Russian-language edition, in a joint venture with the German publisher Axel Springer. Read Between the Aisles Independent, Tuesday, 06/08/04 U.K. supermarkets are turning up the heat on women's magazines such as Good Housekeeping and Family Circle by offering their own in-house glossy lifestyle titles at checkout counters. Event Marketing Agency to Debut U.S. Magazine M10 Alert, Friday, 06/04/04 FW OmniMedia, a firm specializing in marketing to young adults aged 18 to 34, is bringing its FW magazine to U.S. newsstands. The lifestyle title has been published in Canada for the past 10 years. J.Lo Leaves Tabloid Star-Struck MSNBC News, Tuesday, 06/08/04 To avoid a lawsuit, Star magazine reportedly has an agreement with Jennifer Lopez to not publish anything about her without her approval. A Star spokesman flatly denies the story. The Economist and Camels: Don't Make Love, Don't Make War Media Industry Newsletter, Monday, 06/07/04 With its "camel covers," The Economist "has put itself 'over the hump,' so to speak, in going beyond its traditional, laissez-faire conservative advocacy," observes Steve Cohn. 2 Weeklies' Covers Separated by a Common Reagan Picture New York Times, Tuesday, 06/08/04 Time and Newsweek chose the same photo for their cover stories on Ronald Reagan. "This is not the first time this has happened, and it certainly won't be the last," says Time managing editor Jim Kelly. Reagan Books Boost New York Daily News, Tuesday, 06/08/04 American Media, the publisher of Star magazine, is releasing a special $5.95 magazine, "Ronald Reagan: His Legacy." Part of the proceeds will go to Alzheimer's research. Reagan Critics Decry Glowing Tributes Washington Times, Tuesday, 06/08/04 Christopher Hitchens, in a column for Slate, says Ronald Reagan was "dumb as a stump." Black Entertainment Television columnist Joe Davidson claims that Reagan "supported racism." J-Lo Reportedly Marries Singer Marc Anthony Reuters, Sunday, 06/06/04 Jennifer Lopez has married Marc Anthony, according to reports by Us Weekly and People. Us says it has photos from the ceremony. People reveals that Lopez walked down the aisle with a white umbrella. O.J. Simpson Says Media Convicted Him AP/Yahoo News, Saturday, 06/05/04 O.J. Simpson says he blames the media for convincing the public he is guilty of murder. "You can't watch the media now and not think that Michael Jackson, Scott Peterson and Kobe Bryant are guilty." Mags Try Making a Name with Merchandising New York Post, Sunday, 06/06/04 Time, Sports Illustrated, Working Mother, Men's Health and TV Guide are among the many magazines planning to hawk their names at the International Licensing Show in New York this week. Maxim Magazine Takes on Satellite Radio AP/Yahoo! News, Sunday, 06/06/04 Maxim's new channel on Sirius satellite radio will offer young men information that can be used as "social ammunition" -- conversation starters like items on pop culture, gossip and cool new gadgets. MRI Data Paints Surprising 'Who Reads What' Demographic Picture Advertising Age, Monday, 06/07/04 Readers of Town & Country make less money than the readers of Weight Watchers, according to new research. Such findings suggest a gap between the perception and reality of magazine audiences. Thomson Wants to Sell Magazine Unit TheStreet.com, Monday, 06/07/04 Thomson aims to sell its magazine division, which publishes such titles as American Banker and Investment Dealers' Digest, saying it doesn't fit in with the company's ambitions in electronic data. BBC Eyes Sale of Magazines MediaGuardian.co.uk, Monday, 06/07/04 The BBC may sell its magazine arm, Britain's third largest, as part of recognition that it may have to rein in some of its commercial activities. The BBC publishes more than 35 titles. Tribune Looking Into Times Mirror Crain's Chicago Business, Monday, 06/07/04 Tribune Co. execs chafe at the notion that their newspapers -- including the Chicago Tribune and Newsday -- need a makeover to match their Pulitzer Prize-winning Los Angeles Times. Trump's Tower Control About to be Total Chicago Tribune, Sunday, 06/06/04 Donald Trump is reportedly days away from buying out Hollinger International's half of a 90-story Trump Tower development in Chicago on the site of the Chicago Sun-Times building. Rancic Reaps Benefits of His 'Apprentice'-Ship Chicago Sun-Times, Saturday, 06/05/04 Bill Rancic, the winner of "The Apprentice" and the overseer of Donald Trump's demolition of the Chicago Sun-Times building, is writing a how-to business book, "You're Hired," due out this fall. Raines 'Fly'-ing High New York Post, Sunday, 06/06/04 The proposed memoir by Howell Raines, the former top editor of the New York Times, reportedly won't address his exit from the newspaper, but will "tell his story through his passion, flyfishing." Reporters: Do You Really Know What Anthrax Is? Radio World, Wednesday, 06/02/04 Reporters should be researching anthrax and other types of possible weapons terrorists could use, says FCC chairman Michael Powell. In media coverage of disasters "context matters enormously." Sixth Day of Wall Street Journal Back on Drawing Board New York Post, Friday, 06/04/04 The Wall Street Journal is said to be considering adding a sixth day of publication. Also: the owner of the New York Press is firing staffers and combining office functions with its gay title, the New York Blade. Texas Newspaper Demands Apology From Kerry KWTX, Friday, 06/04/04 The Corpus Christi Caller-Times wants John Kerry to apologize for what it says was the unauthorized use in a Kerry campaign commercial of photos copyrighted by the newspaper. Minor Restructuring at Primedia Folio:, Friday, 06/04/04 Following last week's surprise dismissal of Primedia Business Information CEO Marty Maleska, Primedia boss Kelly Conlin is continuing to restructure the special-interest magazine company. Maxim, FHM Claim Readership Momentum MediaPost, Friday, 06/04/04 The success of both Maxim and FHM proves that male readers want semi-naked photos of ex-actresses, bawdy humor and brief editorial. Even the venerable GQ has become more babe-oriented. GQ Gets Its Strut Back Crain's New York Business, Thursday, 06/03/04 Men's magazine GQ, which has been struggling lately, is now raising both its rate base (to 775,000 from 750,000) and cover price (to $3.95 from $3.50). New editor Jim Nelson is credited with the uptick. Dan Klores to Rep Reader's Digest for New Business Strategy PRWeek, Thursday, 06/03/04 Reader's Digest has hired Dan Klores to publicize a new business positioning. The magazine plans to get involved in events affiliated with the food, beauty, healthcare, and auto industries. Stalker-Shutterbugs at Large New York Post, Friday, 06/04/04 The war for readers among People, Star, Us Weekly and In Touch has created an unsafe atmosphere for celebrities, say publicists. People reportedly paid $85,000 for recent "stalkerazzi" shots. NY Post Loves a Parade on Sundays New York Post, Thursday, 06/03/04 Parade magazine will start appearing in the New York Post on Sundays. Meanwhile, Time Inc. is proceeding with plans to re-launch Life magazine as a weekly newspaper insert in the fall. NY Free Tabs Take Different Approaches Editor & Publisher, Wednesday, 06/02/04 While amNewYork focuses more on local coverage, Metro emphasizes national and international fare. In addition, amNewYork contains a classified section and has its own Web site, while Metro does not. Rising from the Ashes: 2 S.F. Monthly Magazines Survive Dot-Com Blowout San Francisco Chronicle, Thursday, 06/03/04 Ad revenues are growing at double-digit rates for Business 2.0 and Wired. But "the trend lines would cause me to lose sleep at night were I running them," says Industry Standard founder John Battelle. >> MORE TELEVISION & RADIO Easy as ABC New York Post, Tuesday, 06/08/04 When ABC News broke the news of Ronald Reagan's death Saturday afternoon, it sent its competitors into a frenzy. CNN newsman John King was said to be so upset that he threatened to quit. Bill's Book Blitz Gets Set to Make Radio Waves New York Post, Tuesday, 06/08/04 Regular programming will be pre-empted on Infinity radio stations June 25 so that Bill Clinton can "take calls from America" in a one-hour town hall broadcast about his memoir, "My Life." TVs and Mobiles 'Destroying Society' BBC News, Monday, 06/07/04 TVs and mobile phones should be turned off one day each week to help preserve society, says Ireland Catholic archbishop Sean Brady. People would improve their well-being without "constant noise." ESPN Goes Digital Electronic House, Monday, 06/07/04 ESPN, which is marking its 25th anniversary, cut the ribbon on its brand-new Digital Center studios on Monday, with the launch of its SportsCenter show in high-definition. MTV's Moon Shot New York Post, Tuesday, 06/08/04 MTV plans to edit out a shot of Eminem exposing his rear end to the audience at the 2004 Movie Awards when the show airs Thursday. The rapper dropped trou during taping Saturday night. Burnett Looking for a Real Rock Star Variety, Tuesday, 06/08/04 Reality-show king Mark Burnett plans to launch his own rock 'n' roll take on "American Idol" -- and has recruited David Goffin, one of the Fox show's top producers, to help him do it. Dialogue With Fox's Gail Berman Hollywood Reporter, Tuesday, 06/08/04 Fox's new year-round programming schedule is "a necessity to prevent audience erosion," says Fox entertainment head Gail Berman. "We can't let our audience find another place to go." NBC Scores 2.9B in Early Ad Sales New York Daily News, Tuesday, 06/08/04 NBC has raked in $2.9 billion in ad sales for the new season, close to last year's take, say network execs. But CBS is expected to outpace other networks, including NBC, when it comes to raising rates. Cable Grabs 'Upfront' Ad Sales from Broadcast Giants USA Today, Tuesday, 06/08/04 Cable networks will boost their upfront ad sales 17% to 20% to $6.6 billion vs. a 2.2% drop to $8.9 billion for the six broadcast networks, predicts analyst Jessica Reif Cohen of Merrill Lynch. TV Tries to Balance Reagan, Other Programs Baltimore Sun, Sunday, 06/06/04 The Fox network mandated that its affiliates carry coverage within minutes of Fox News Channel reporting Ronald Reagan's death. Fox News says it was the first of the news channels to have the story. Kerry Speaks on Indecency, Deregulation FMQB, Friday, 06/04/04 John Kerry says he supports the indecency crackdown in broadcast, but not cable. The Janet Jackson-Super Bowl incident was "in poor taste and wrong." Also, media deregulation is "dangerous." Why the FCC Should Die CNET News.com, Monday, 06/07/04 The FCC is trying to muzzle Howard Stern and force "broadcast flag" regulations on devices that receive digital TV signals, writes Declan McCullagh. "These signs warn of an agency that is overreaching." Move to Stiffen Decency Rules Losing Steam in Washington New York Times, Monday, 06/07/04 A measure banning indecent fare may not reach President Bush's desk before the November election. Senators must contend with the peril of investing too much political capital in a divisive issue. Tribune Joins War on Nielsen New York Post, Friday, 06/04/04 Tribune Co., which owns 26 TV stations, is joining the war against Nielsen's "people meters." Tribune calls the new plan "unsound" because it doesn't accurately count urban audiences. Fox, NBC to Air O.J. Simpson Interviews Reuters, Thursday, 06/03/04 O.J. Simpson hopes to star in a new TV reality show, he tells Greta Van Susteren of Fox News. A special "Dateline NBC" on Friday will feature its own Simpson interview with Katie Couric. Clinton Says Book Wasn't About Revenge Chicago Sun-Times, Friday, 06/04/04 The only media outlet getting an advance copy, so far, of former president Bill Clinton's memoirs is "60 Minutes." Clinton is to appear on Oprah Winfrey's show later this month. Rev. Sharpton Joining CNBC as Commentator AP/Yahoo! News, Thursday, 06/03/04 Rev. Al Sharpton is joining CNBC as a political commentator for its coverage of the Democratic and Republican national conventions. In December, he was guest host of "Saturday Night Live." TV News People 'Thank God' for Conservative-Bashing Author CNSNews.com, Friday, 06/04/04 Liberal activist David Brock, whose new book denounces conservative media outlets like Fox News, says network news personalities have privately told him, "Thank God you are doing this." China Censors CNN Over Tiananmen CNN.com, Friday, 06/04/04 China's government censors are blacking out CNN's coverage of the 15th anniversary of the bloody Tiananmen crackdown. All but one of CNN's reports have been censored since last Monday. CNN Sues State Over List of Felons Barred from Voting Daytona Beach News-Journal, Thursday, 06/03/04 Arguing the case involves "enormous public interest," CNN has filed a lawsuit seeking to force Florida to release a list of 47,000 possible felons who could be barred from voting this fall. Ten Years Later ... New York Post, Thursday, 06/03/04 Fox News Channel's Greta Van Susteren will interview O.J. Simpson for a full hour on June 7. The 10th anniversary of the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman is June 12. Political Opposites Costar in a TV Ratings Drama Los Angeles Times, Thursday, 06/03/04 CBS is joining News Corp. and several minority organizations in urging Nielsen to delay the rollout of its "people meter," which they claim will undercount black and Latino households. HBO Moves to Develop and Show New Situation Comedies New York Times, Thursday, 06/03/04 HBO, the network of "groundbreaking television," now wants to dig up a genre increasingly ignored by broadcasters: the sitcom. HBO produced "Everybody Loves Raymond," a hit for CBS. Redford Seeks Net Stake $ale New York Post, Thursday, 06/03/04 Robert Redford is said to be seeking to liquidate his 20% stake in the Sundance Channel. One of Redford's partners in the network, Viacom or NBC, is expected to take full control of the channel. >> MORE |
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INTERNET & DIGITAL MEDIA Wallpaper Launched Online Netimperative, Tuesday, 06/08/04 Wallpaper, the international lifestyle and design magazine, has launched a new Web site, aiming to provide an extension of the print version rather than a duplication of it, says the company. Knight Ridder, Lee Buy Control of Online Auction Firm CityXpress CP/Yahoo! News, Monday, 06/07/04 Knight Ridder and Lee Enterprises are making key investments in CityXpress, which runs online auctions for newspapers. The new financing is expected to help the firm expand. Cyber-Pitching Bill's Book New York Daily News, Monday, 06/07/04 Former president Bill Clinton has reportedly recorded audio and video promotional spots for his memoir that cyber-shoppers will be able to stream at Amazon.com, BN.com and other Web stores. And You May Ask Yourself, Well ... How Did I Get Here? Newspapers & Technology, 06/04 The new book "Digitizing the News" examines early online news efforts by newspapers. Knight Ridder alone reportedly lost some $50 million in its interactive videotex venture. Q&A;: Steve Outing, Senior Editor at the Poynter Institute dotJournalism, Thursday, 06/03/04 Online and wireless reading of news will become more common than print, predicts Steve Outing of the Poynter Institute. "Many of us will have a tablet device. It will replace print magazines for many people." Text Messaging Could Explode as Voice Systems Grow Boston Globe, Monday, 06/07/04 A start-up company plans to start selling speech-recognition software for cellphones that would let people compose and transmit short messages just by dictating them aloud and saying "send." Going Global: U.S. Media Companies Are Frequently Following Advertisers BtoB Media Business, 06/04 [PDF file, p. 10] A pay PDF version of Women's Wear Daily is posted on the Web at 12:01 a.m. ET, allowing readers in Paris and Milan to receive the publication ahead of print subscribers in New York. Amazon's Latest Offering: Hollywood's Inside Track Los Angeles Times, Friday, 06/04/04 Amazon.com, which already sells movies, now aims to help make them by offering research from its Internet Movie Database Pro subscription service to entertainment-industry insiders. 'Nerd Values' Help Propel Tiny Craigslist.org Into Classifieds Threat Online Journalism Review, Thursday, 06/03/04 The Craigslist community site has grown to encompass 45 cities, helping locals sell cars, get jobs and find mates. In the process, it has become a powerful alternative to newspaper classifieds. Newspapers Urged to Adapt to Digital AFP/Australian Financial Review, Thursday, 06/03/04 Donald Graham, chairman of the Washington Post, notes that while the circulation of his newspaper is down, readership is growing thanks to its Web site, which is receiving millions of hits. Reed Allows Academics Free Web Access MediaGuardian.co.uk, Thursday, 06/03/04 Reed Elsevier is allowing academics to put their accepted articles on the Internet. The move could make the 200,000 articles Reed publishes every year freely available. Friendster Taps Former TV Executive as New CEO Reuters, Thursday, 06/03/04 Former NBC Entertainment head Scott Sassa will take the reins at the popular social networking Web site Friendster. Sassa says he will be looking at targeted advertising as a revenue model. Executives See Swell of Net Offerings on Horizon USA Today, Thursday, 06/03/04 The Internet will provide 10,000 channels of TV programming, predicts Steve Jurvetson at a USA Today tech roundtable. Internet advertising is "a real phenomenon," says Marc Andreessen. Is the PDA Dead? CNET News.com, Wednesday, 06/02/04 The popularity of the personal digital assistant is being steadily eroded by smart phones, digital cameras, music players and other devices that can provide many PDA functions. Online Newspapers Tempt Readers BBC News, Tuesday, 06/01/04 The Web audience for newspapers has grown by 350% over the last five years, says the World Association of Newspapers. Printed newspapers are expected to experiment with new formats. Comcast to Offer Subscribers On-Demand Video Games Reuters, Wednesday, 06/02/04 Comcast, the largest U.S. cable TV operator, says it will offer subscribers to its high-speed data service a new bundle of on-demand video games for a separate monthly fee of $14.95. AOL Tries to Keep Surfers in its Net USA Today, Tuesday, 06/01/04 Time Warner is heavily promoting its AOL for Broadband, which gives users exclusive content from CNN, Fortune magazine and other TW properties. But critics are skeptical that AOL can reposition itself. >> MORE ADVERTISING & MARKETING Hailing 50 Years of Howard's Way New York Post, Tuesday, 06/08/04 Uber-public relations man Howard Rubenstein was feted for his 50 years in business last night, luring a who's who of New York politics and entertainment (Mayor Bloomberg, Jerry Seinfeld) to salute him. Ad Sales Increase Shows Slump May be Past USA Today, Friday, 06/04/04 Numbers out Thursday from TNS Media Intelligence/CMR show that Internet ad spending is up 28%. Cable TV is up 16%, national newspapers are up 14.6% and national network TV is up 11.5%. After Cable Nabs Prime-Time Ad Dollars, Networks See Action Los Angeles Times, Friday, 06/04/04 The bulk of TV ad dollars are still destined for broadcast networks. But the gap is narrowing due to cable's growing clout. Broadcast execs don't expect to match last year's record $9.3 billion haul. 'Absolut Hunk' Sues the Vodka Company Over Ad Advertising Age, Thursday, 06/03/04 Actor Jason Lewis, who posed as the "Absolut Hunk" in a fictitious ad that appeared in an episode of HBO's "Sex and the City," is suing Absolut for allegedly promoting the make-believe ad as genuine. Cable Ad Sales Near the Finish Line CNN/Money, Tuesday, 06/01/04 By Tuesday, heavyweights like Turner Broadcasting, MTV Networks and USA Networks had sold the bulk of their ad inventory for the coming fall season, says analyst Jack Myers. What's Around the Corner for Ring Around the Collar? New York Times, Sunday, 05/30/04 Thanks to TiVo, the TV commercial appears to be in trouble. The media that will vie for TV advertising's vacated spot could incorporate wireless and peer review ratings, says one marketing consultant. Junk Food Ads Will be Banned from TV Washington Times, Sunday, 05/30/04 Commercials for junk food are to be banned during children's TV programs in Britain in an attempt by the government to reduce obesity in the young. Ads for junk food are to continue during adult programs. U.S. TV Academy Cancels New Advertising Award Reuters, Friday, 05/28/04 The National Television Academy has canceled a new advertising award show planned as one highlight of the first-ever Advertising Week in New York this September due to a shortage of entries. Abercrombie Tones Down the 'Erotica' CNN/Money, Thursday, 05/27/04 Abercrombie & Fitch's sequel to its A&F; Quarterly is far tamer than its predecessor. But some advocacy groups argue the new publication is still too racy, with photos of young people "posing provocatively." When TV Viewers Also Read and Surf CBS.MarketWatch.com, Wednesday, 05/26/04 Advertisers need to be more aware that consumers often use more than one medium at a time, says a study by Bigresearch. During prime time, many TV viewers are also online or reading magazines. Ad Spending Up 7 Pct in First Quarter, Nielsen Says Reuters, Wednesday, 05/26/04 Advertising spending rose 7% in the first quarter to $24.2 billion, backing the view that an ad recovery is growing stronger. According to Nielsen, ad spending grew strongest for cable TV. >> MORE MEDIA COMPANIES NBC Could Join MGM Bidding Fray CBS.MarketWatch.com, Monday, 06/07/04 NBC Universal chief Bob Wright says he would be interested in acquiring film studio MGM should it come back on the open market. Sony has been in exclusive talks for several weeks with MGM. Liberty Spinoff Begins Trading on the Nasdaq Rocky Mountain News, Tuesday, 06/08/04 Liberty Media's international assets begin trading today as a separate company on the Nasdaq, a move that is expected to attract additional investors. Cable investor John Malone heads the new company. Redstone's Midway Foray Goes Beyond Personal Interest TheStreet.com, Monday, 06/07/04 Though Sumner Redstone denies it, analysts believe his takeover of Midway Games is an attempt to get Viacom into video-game software, which could spark a bidding war for other video-game makers. Can Redstone Boost Growth? BusinessWeek, Monday, 06/14/04 With Tom Freston and Leslie Moonves in charge at Viacom, "the creative types may be given free reign," write Tom Lowry and Ronald Grover. Judging by their records, "they'll be pushing the boundaries." Vivendi Probe Widens to Include Ex-Finance Chief Reuters, Monday, 06/07/04 Guillaume Hannezo, a former finance director at Vivendi, has been added to a probe by French financial investigators looking into past communications practices and share buybacks at the media firm. Martha Sentencing Delayed CNN/Money, Monday, 06/07/04 Martha Stewart's sentencing, slated for June 17, has been delayed until July 8. "The judge obviously realizes there is an issue" with the charges that a key witness lied at her trial, says one of Stewart's lawyers. Q&A; With Tom Freston Broadcasting & Cable, Monday, 06/07/04 Tom Freston, the new co-COO of Viacom, says he would like to become CEO after Sumner Redstone retires. Fellow co-COO Leslie Moonves is "not one of my close, original personal friends." Q&A; With Leslie Moonves Broadcasting & Cable, Monday, 06/07/04 Leslie Moonves says he considers Tom Freston to be "a legitimate friend," adding that neither he nor Freston see their new roles as "a stepping stone to Sumner's job." But, he says, "I like to win." Another Media Kingdom, Another Succession Battle New York Times, Sunday, 06/06/04 News Corp., like Viacom, has succession issues. The Murdoch sons, Lachlan and James, aren't ready to take over, say analysts. If president Peter Chernin were to leave "there would be anxiety." Right Wing Meets Left Wing and Feathers Are Ruffled New York Times, Saturday, 06/05/04 Lachlan Murdoch showed up for a $100-a-ticket performance of "Embedded," the political satire play by Tim Robbins. Just last year, Murdoch's New York Post urged readers to boycott Robbins' films. It's Good to Be the King TheDeal.com, Friday, 06/04/04 Mel Karmazin's exit from Viacom cast another light on how few execs are qualified to run the large media companies, writes Richard Morgan. It's because media CEOs "hang around beyond their shelf date." On the Record: Jeffrey Immelt San Francisco Chronicle, Sunday, 06/06/04 The media is dominated by good content, says Jeffrey Immelt, chief of NBC parent General Electric. "I've never picked up the phone personally and asked any news person to do a thing," he adds. The Split Between Disney and Miramax Gets a Little Wider New York Times, Monday, 06/07/04 Disney chief Michael Eisner is said to be willing to consider selling Miramax back to founders Harvey and Bob Weinstein. The dispute over the distribution of "Fahrenheit 9/11" contributed to the decision. Kerpow � Batgirl Creator Sues Time Warner Times of London, Monday, 06/07/04 Carmine Infantino, the 79-year-old creator of Batgirl, the Batmobile and a host of Batman villains, is suing Time Warner and the comic that once employed him for $4 million for breach of copyright. Cable Operators Outline Possible Adelphia Bids Reuters, Friday, 06/04/04 Comcast chief Brian Roberts says an asset-swap with Time Warner could be a way to get hold of the cable systems owned by Adelphia. The bankrupt Adelphia is selecting bankers to manage a sale. Hearst Deal Reached San Luis Obispo Tribune, Saturday, 06/05/04 Hearst has reached a tentative accord on conserving the 82,000-acre Hearst Ranch, which would be the largest conservation project ever in California. The deal involves $15 million in tax incentives. M&A; Activity Up Sharply BtoB Media Business, 06/04 [PDF file, p. 5] Media execs expect "moderate" to "strong" M&A; activity this year, especially in TV, radio, information publishing and b-to-b publications, according to reports by media investment banks. Sumner Redstone Supports Howard Stern Radio and Records, Friday, 06/04/04 Viacom's Sumner Redstone says he supports embattled shock jock Howard Stern: "Howard will be with [Viacom] as long as people listen to him. But if they stop listening to him, it's goodbye Howard." Viacom Looks to Sell Weak Radio Stations - Redstone Reuters, Thursday, 06/03/04 Viacom has begun identifying which underperforming radio stations to sell, but will not sell off its Infinity Broadcasting unit, says chief Sumner Redstone. Radio is "certainly not the business it was." They Can't Handle the Truth: Lies and the Lying Moguls Who Tell Them LA Weekly, 06/04-10/04 Viacom insists that the news of the exit of No. 2 exec Mel Karmazin was a surprise. But Karmazin later revealed that he made the decision to leave "a while ago" and informed a few board members on May 19. Karmazin's Not Ready to Retire, or Even Play Golf USA Today, Friday, 06/04/04 If Mel Karmazin can't find another media empire to run, he might try to build one of his own. Karmazin could find backing from private equity groups seeking to enter the media business, observers say. Disney's in Talks to Sell Retail Chain New York Daily News, Friday, 06/04/04 Kids apparel chain Children's Place is in talks to acquire Disney's struggling retail stores. Children's Place would keep the Disney stores running through a licensing arrangement. Ziff Davis Media Promotes Catalane to President BtoB, Thursday, 06/03/04 Ziff Davis Media is promoting Bart W. Catalane to president. He will retain the title of COO and continue to report to chairman-CEO Robert F. Callahan. Callahan previously held the president title. Martha Stewart Living Names Four Director Candidates TheStreet.com, Thursday, 06/03/04 Martha Stewart's namesake company is nominating four new board members, including Susan Lyne, the ex-president of ABC Entertainment; and Wenda Harris Millard, Yahoo!'s head of sales. Viacom President Resigns: Karmazin Says Move Sparked by Tension with Redstone Washington Post, Wednesday, 06/0204 Why is Mel Karmazin leaving Viacom? "I thought, maybe naively, that this issue of Mel-Sumner would go away," he says. Will he join Disney? "Anyone who knows me knows I don't like roller coasters." Eisner Book Faces Final Cut New York Post, Thursday, 06/03/04 Disney CEO Michael Eisner's memoir is on hold because it's "really boring." Also, Eisner plans to step down at the end of the summer and has handpicked Mel Karmazin as his successor, says Page Six. Viacom Entertainment Chairman Quits CBS MarketWatch.com, Wednesday, 06/02/04 Jonathan Dolgen, the chairman of Viacom Entertainment Group, which oversees Paramount Pictures, is resigning, "due to the recently announced changes in Viacom's management structure," he says. Does Viacom's Redstone Want a Time Warner Merger? FoxNews.com, Wednesday, 06/02/04 Mel Karmazin reportedly had disapproved of Sumner Redstone's idea to merge Viacom with Time Warner. Leading shareholders at Time Warner are said to favor a merger. >> MORE |
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