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Today's Headlines
From across the Web  TV Guide on a Slide Variety, Friday, 08/06/04 Despite a $20 million redesign last year and recent editorial changes, TV Guide is still losing readers. It is also hunting for a new editor-in-chief since Michael Lafavore resigned in May. Folio: and Other Primedia Biz Mags for Sale PaidContent.org, Thursday, 08/05/04 Primedia will evaluate strategic partnerships for three business properties: Folio:, Circulation Management and American Demographics, says an internal e-mail from company execs. Time Inc. Has New Find! New York Post, Friday, 08/06/04 Time Inc.'s four major magazine launches this year -- Suede, All You, the weekly Life, and Cottage Living -- will be joined by a one-shot title called Find!, based on the antiques show on PBS. Star Power: Bonnie Fuller and the Feminist Case for Celebrity Journalism The Economist, Thursday, 08/05/04 Circulation is "rising fast" at Star magazine. Star's success reflects a growing self-confidence among women, says chief Bonnie Fuller. Women now "find humor in the vain pursuit of perfection." Beckhams' PR Guru Left Out in the Cold MediaGuardian.co.uk, Friday, 08/06/04 Caroline "the rottweiler" McAteer has been ousted as David and Victoria Beckham's longtime PR chief, after a drawn-out battle to control the media image of Britain's hottest celebrity couple. Grove Elevates Gossip-Writing CBS.MarketWatch.com, Friday, 08/06/04 The New York Post's Page Six gossip column has a formidable competitor in the New York Daily News's Lowdown column by Lloyd Grove, writes Jon Friedman. "Grove makes his point with a dry wit." Dallas Morning News Overstated Circulation - Belo Reuters, Thursday, 08/05/04 Belo admits it overstated the circulation of its Dallas Morning News and says the paper's VP of circulation has resigned. Tribune and Hollinger have also disclosed inflated circulation numbers. Hollinger Canadian Says Parent May Take It Private Reuters, Thursday, 08/05/04 Hollinger International is interested in buying the 13% of Hollinger Canadian Newspapers it doesn't already own. Such an offer would trigger an independent valuation under Canadian laws. Satirical Weekly Plants Self in Twin Cities Chicago Tribune, Friday, 08/06/04 The Onion publishes local editions in New York, Chicago and other cities. The satirical newspaper plans to expand into other markets, putting the heat on local alternative weeklies. Fark Sells Out Wired News, Friday, 08/06/04 Are blogs messing with traditional publishing principles? Popular blog Fark.com is accused of "selling out" for selling preferential placement of story links without informing its readers. PBS Reads Up on Wall Street Journal Variety, Friday, 08/06/04 Having lost their spot on CNBC last year, the Wall Street Journal's conservative editorial-page chieftains have found a new home for their public affairs roundtable on PBS, starting Sept. 17. 'Oprah' Extends Through 2010-11 Zap2it.com, Thursday, 08/05/04 Oprah Winfrey has agreed to a three-year contract extension with King World to take "The Oprah Winfrey Show" -- the most popular talk show in syndication -- through its 25th season. Ship Mates: HBO, O'Donnell Hollywood Reporter, Friday, 08/06/04 Rosie O'Donnell is setting sail with HBO with a documentary about a gay family cruise to air next year. O'Donnell's cruise hosted 500 same-sex families to Key West and the Bahamas. Opie & Anthony Land at XM FMQB, Thursday, 08/05/04 Shock jocks Opie & Anthony, who were fired for their "Sex in St. Patrick's" stunt in 2002, are joining unregulated XM Satellite Radio. "We get our freedom back to do [an] edgy show," says Opie. Granite Broadcasting Delisted from Nasdaq Crain's New York Business, Thursday, 08/05/04 Granite Broadcasting was quietly delisted from the Nasdaq SmallCap Market on Thursday. Granite has been suffering under a heavy debt load, compounded by cash-flow difficulties. Disney's Bob Iger Hopes for CEO Job Reuters, Thursday, 08/05/04 Bob Iger, the No. 2 exec at Disney, says he would welcome a shot to succeed Michael Eisner as chief executive, but has not actively campaigned for the job. Eisner's contract ends in 2006. Case Reduces His Stake in Time Warner Bloomberg/Los Angeles Times, Friday, 08/06/04 Steve Case is trimming his $250-million stake in Time Warner, marking the first time he has sold shares since resigning as chairman. Case remains on the board at the company. Kerry: I'll Keep Cross-Ownership Rules Editor & Publisher, Thursday, 08/05/04 John Kerry says he would renew the ban on same-city ownership of TV stations by daily newspapers: "I don't know how many of you have seen 'Outfoxed'... But look at the conventions ...” On ABC, CBS and Fox, a Whole Lotta Cross-Pollination Going On Washington Post, Friday, 08/06/04 ABC and CBS will devote portions of their Friday newsmagazines to infomercials for products in which the networks hold financial stakes. Fox will run a half-hour infomercial for a 20th Century Fox movie. DirecTV Customer Count Soars as It Picks Up Cable's Slack Los Angeles Times, Friday, 08/06/04 The cable industry's loss seems to be DirecTV's gain. The satellite TV giant is seeing major growth in pay TV subscribers, while leading cable operators are reporting large customer losses. Olympic Spirit Dampens Among World's Advertisers Reuters, Thursday, 08/05/04 Australia, Brazil and Italy give a top rank of 5 on a 1-to-5 scale rating the importance of the Olympics with respect to advertising in their markets. Korea and Switzerland give only a 1. Brand Icons Stump for Sept AWINYC Ad Celebration Advertising Age, Thursday, 08/05/04 Tony the Tiger, Mr. Clean and Miss Chiquita showed up at a press conference Thursday to promote New York's Advertising Week. "Our industry is not as attractive as it used to be," admits one exec. Recent Headlines Media news by sector GO TO: MAGAZINES & NEWSPAPERS TELEVISION & RADIO INTERNET & DIGITAL MEDIA ADVERTISING & MARKETING MEDIA COMPANIES MAGAZINES & NEWSPAPERS Outlook for Magazines Expected to Brighten, Eventually MediaPost, Thursday, 08/05/04 While the magazine industry should enjoy modest and much-needed growth this year, better news remains years away, according to a new forecast by Veronis Suhler Stevenson. Art Magazine Aims to Turn Consumers Into Connoisseurs New York Times, Thursday, 08/05/04 James Truman, the editorial director of Conde Nast, will be the editor of a new glossy fine arts magazine. The magazine has no name yet, no business plan and no publication schedule. Metro International 'World's Most-Read Newspaper' UK Media Week, Wednesday, 08/04/04 Free newspaper publisher Metro International says it is seeing a 50% increase in sales. Metro, which recently launched an edition in New York, claims to have a core readership of 25 to 34 year olds. Bring in Big Guns for Circ Defense New York Daily News, Thursday, 08/05/04 Two figures named in Newsday's circulation mess have each retained high-powered defense attorneys. Robert Brennan and Louis Sito are defendants in a civil lawsuit filed by advertisers. Daily News Plans L.I. Edition Newsday, Thursday, 08/05/04 As Newsday attempts to make peace with advertisers angry over its circulation scandal, the New York Daily News is beefing up its staff as it prepares to roll out a Long Island edition. Meredith Sets Record for Yearly Earnings Des Moines Register, Wednesday, 08/04/04 Meredith says it is outperforming other magazine publishers in terms of advertising and is enjoying the best year in its 102-year history. Its American Baby Group has "been a home run." Martha's Appeals Miss with Ad Buyers Chicago Tribune, Wednesday, 08/04/04 Advertisers continue to abandon Martha Stewart. The more she fights her prison sentence, the more of an expensive headache she becomes, say the execs who now run her company. The New Yorker Hits New Benchmark Crain's New York Business, Tuesday, 08/03/04 The New Yorker's circulation has topped 1 million for the first time in the magazine's 79 years. The title is benefiting from a growing 35- to 54-year-old demo and more demand from the West Coast. Voice Veteran Goldstein Ousted New York Sun, Tuesday, 08/03/04 Longtime Village Voice staffer Richard Goldstein has been let go from the alternative weekly on the heels of other layoffs, reshufflings and rumblings of a possible sale of the paper. New York Magazine to Publish a Daily During GOP Confab MediaPost, Wednesday, 08/04/04 New York Magazine will publish four daily issues during the Republican National Convention in New York City. Maer Roshan of Radar Magazine will serve as a special consultant. At Long Last, Justice New York Post, Wednesday, 08/04/04 London entrepreneur Magnus Greaves is planning a number of new magazine launches, including Justice, covering true crime stories, and Trader Monthly, a men's lifestyle title for Wall Streeters. Liberty Group Publishing Petitions Buyers Dow Jones/Excite, Wednesday, 08/04/04 Liberty Group Publishing, a newspaper chain that operates about 300 small publications in 15 states, has begun soliciting buyers in a sale that could be valued at more than $500 million. Mayor Daley Unloads on Tribune Co. Chicago Sun-Times, Wednesday, 08/04/04 Chicago mayor Richard Daley is criticizing Tribune for making repairs to "potentially hazardous" pedestrian and bleacher ramps at Wrigley Field without building permits. "It's a disgrace." Island Uprising New York Post, Wednesday, 08/04/04 Car dealers whose ads have been banned from Newsday are exploring launching their own weekly paper to reach the Long Island market or moving their ads to existing publications. Volume of Help-Wanted Ads Slides Slightly Business & Legal Reports, Tuesday, 08/03/04 Employers placed fewer help-wanted ads in the nation's newspapers in June, according to the Conference Board's help-wanted index, which fell one point to 38 from the previous month. Report Says Students Are Reading Newspapers Centre Daily Times, Tuesday, 08/03/04 Students at Penn State use student IDs to access national newspapers in boxes on campus, which will make them "more likely to become lifelong newspaper readers," says a university spokesman. Court Won’t Block Newsday Rebate Talks Newsday, Tuesday, 08/03/04 A federal judge has denied a motion seeking to bar Newsday and Hoy from offering rebates to advertisers hurt by the inflated circulation at the two Tribune newspapers. New, Souped-Up Family Magazine to Debut New York Post, Tuesday, 08/03/04 American Magazine, which shut down in early 2004, is combining with the "Chicken Soup for the Soul" books to become a new magazine, Chicken Soup for the American Soul. Conde Nast's Lucky Boosts Circulation to 1 Mln Reuters, Monday, 08/02/04 Conde Nast says it will boost the guaranteed circulation of its shopping magazine Lucky to 1 million, just as rival Hearst prepares to launch its own glossy shopping title, Shop Etc. With Shopping Magazines Thriving, Who Needs Articles? New York Times, Monday, 08/02/04 Publishers view "magalogs" as a low-risk, cheaper endeavor. Hearst's new Shop Etc. has just 20 staffers and does not require photo shoots with A-list models and high-fee photographers. Time Inc. Launches Magazine for Wal-Mart Customers Advertising Age, Monday, 08/02/04 Wal-Mart cashiers will sport pink buttons touting the Aug. 13 on-sale date of the new All You magazine, and spots supporting the title will run on Wal-Mart's in-store TV and radio networks. Grown-Men Mags' Ads Up New York Post, Monday, 08/02/04 Just when the lads at magazines like Maxim thought they had knocked out their older brothers at Esquire and GQ, the old standbys are making a comeback. Ad pages at those titles are up. Think of It as 'Survivor' Meets 'Miss America' New York Times, Monday, 08/02/04 The Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue will be spotlighted with a six-week prime-time reality series on NBC. Casting for models for "Sports Illustrated's Fresh Faces Competition" starts today. A Race to the Bottom: How Much Are You Willing to Pay for Celebrity Gossip? Forbes, Monday, 08/16/04 Celebrity magazine In Touch Weekly recently lowered its price, for one issue, to 25 cents. The low-end strategy may be catching on, much to the unhappiness of magazine owners. Why Gossip Is Losing Its Hold as a Media Staple Advertising Age, Monday, 08/02/04 "Once fearsome, today's would-be Winchells are filling their space with warmed-over press releases," writes Randall Rothenberg. "Now that everyone's a Drudge, gossip is mere sludge." Pop! Go the Game Shows: Pax Takes on Celeb Culture New York Daily News, Saturday, 07/31/04 "On the Cover," a new game show on Pax TV for younger audiences, has contestants pitted against each other in a trivia contest based on the cover images of magazines, CDs and DVDs. Will the Teresa Heinz Kerry 'Cookie Campaign' in Family Circle Crumble? Media Industry Newsletter, Monday, 08/02/04 Cookie recipes by Laura Bush and Teresa Heinz Kerry are competing for readers' affections in Family Circle magazine. Winning the recipe has proved the portent to winning the presidency. Oops! Newspaper Carpets Moore for Headline Snafu AFP/Yahoo! News, Friday, 07/30/04 The Pantagraph newspaper in Bloomington, Ill., wants an apology and $1 in damages from filmmaker Michael Moore for the "misleading" use of one of its headlines in "Fahrenheit 9/11." Washington Post Co. Profit Boosted by Kaplan Washington Post, Saturday, 07/31/04 The Washington Post Co.'s 2Q profits were fueled by Kaplan, its education unit. While the Post newspaper's circulation continued to decline, its Web site is expected to turn a profit for the first time. Hollinger Ready to Press On with Pursuit of Black Telegraph, Saturday, 07/31/04 Hollinger International may push ahead with a $1.25 billion lawsuit against former chief Conrad Black and his associates. The company alleges Black used Hollinger as a "cow to be milked" of money. FT Strikes Australian Content Deal MediaGuardian.co.uk, Monday, 08/02/04 The Financial Times will have a daily branded page in Australia's only national newspaper, The Australian. The Rupert Murdoch-owned paper will carry a daily page of FT business news. Newsday Does an Ad Flip-Flop New York Post, Saturday, 07/31/04 Newsday is refusing to run an ad from Time Warner Cable that gives the media giant's side of a contract dispute with Cablevision. Cablevision has run $1 million in ads in Newsday in recent months. Telegraph Sale to Barclay Brothers Completed Telegraph, Friday, 07/30/04 Hollinger International closed Friday on the sale of London's Daily Telegraph to the Barclay brothers. Late Thursday, a judge rejected a motion by Conrad Black to hold up the deal. Chicago Sun-Times Count Off by 23% Chicago Tribune, Friday, 07/30/04 The Chicago Sun-Times, stung by a circulation scandal, is reducing its single-copy circulation numbers 23%, which amounts to roughly 72,000 daily copies of the tabloid paper. Boston Herald Investors Glad They Picked Up Paper Boston Herald, Friday, 07/30/04 Herald Media has refinanced its capital structure, in what Patrick J. Purcell, publisher of the Boston Herald, describes as a vote of confidence by bankers in the company's viability. Conde Considers Culture New York Post, Friday, 07/30/04 Conde Nast is considering developing a "cultural magazine"; Village Voice "Press Clips" columnist Cynthia Cotts is resigning; Jane Pratt claims Star magazine is ripping off Jane. New Mag a Freebie at Wal-Mart New York Post, Friday, 07/30/04 Time Inc. has produced a free "sample issue" of All You, available at Wal-Mart stores today. The publisher says it is designed to build market share in advance of the first issue, due Aug. 13. Fast Company Contest: How Can This Brand Be Better? Fast Company, 08/04 Fast Company magazine is asking readers to submit their ideas on how to reinvent several successful and struggling brands, including Martha Stewart -- and Fast Company. Meximerica, Dow Jones Form Content Relationship for Spanish Newspaper San Antonio Business Journal, Thursday, 07/29/04 Meximerica Media, a new network of U.S. Spanish-language dailies, has reached an agreement with Dow Jones & Co. to publish a weekly section with news content from the Wall Street Journal. Bobby Gillespie Wins Libel Case BBC Radio 1 News, Thursday, 07/29/04 Primal Scream lead singer Bobby Gillespie has won an undisclosed amount from Rupert Murdoch's British tabloid News of the World over an article that suggested he had an affair with Kate Moss. Young Blood Needed for Local News dotJournalism, Thursday, 07/29/04 Local newspapers need to do more to take on new media and attract younger staffers, says the head of Britain's Newspaper Society. Local news can seem "parochial" in comparison to Web publications. Newsday Halts Ads from Auto Dealers in Suit New York Daily News, Thursday, 07/29/04 Newsday has banned all advertising from the 48 car dealers who filed a lawsuit against the paper amid its circulation scandal. The dealers reportedly spent $500,000 a week in Newsday. Hef Looks Inside for Playboy Editor Crain's Chicago Business, Wednesday, 07/28/04 Christopher Napolitano, the new editorial director of Playboy, "has his work cut out for him," as magazine aims to compete with FHM and Maxim. Napolitano is a 16-year veteran of Playboy. >> MORE TELEVISION & RADIO Univision's Earnings More Than Double Los Angeles Times, Thursday, 08/05/04 Univision's 2Q profit more than doubled, as advertising sales climbed. Ad sales are said to be growing faster at Spanish-language radio stations than at their English-language rivals. Disney to Launch ABC1 Channel on UK's Freeview Reuters, Wednesday, 08/04/04 Disney will launch a version of its ABC television network in the U.K. next month, bringing U.S. shows like soap opera "General Hospital" and offbeat comedy "Sports Night" to Britain. Investigators Concluded Shelby Leaked Message Washington Post, Thursday, 08/05/04 Fox News chief political correspondent Carl Cameron has confirmed to the FBI that Sen. Richard C. Shelby (R-Ala.) divulged classified information to him during an interview in June 2002. GOP Wants Keyes Chicago Tribune, Thursday, 08/05/04 Illinois Republican leaders want conservative talk-show host Alan Keyes to be their candidate for the U.S. Senate, but Keyes says that he will take until Sunday to decide whether to run. Radio Hosts to 'Sacrifice' GOP Waffler Washington Times, Thursday, 08/05/04 The hosts of "The John & Ken Show" on KFI-AM in Los Angeles are asking their audience to target for defeat a local Republican congressman they deem soft on issues such as border security. WPP Group Unit Forms 50:50 JV With VNU Dow Jones/Excite, Thursday, 08/05/04 VNU's Nielsen Media Research International is forming a joint venture with WPP's AGB Group to offer TV ratings in 30 countries across the Americas, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. FCC Commish Copps Talks Homeland Security FMQB, Wednesday, 08/04/04 Addressing issues raised in the 9/11 Commission Report, FCC commissioner Michael J. Copps admits that a reliable emergency alert system "just doesn't exist today, but it can and it should." TiVo Gets Nod for Users to Share Digital Shows Reuters, Wednesday, 08/04/04 TiVo has received FCC approval for TiVo To Go, which will permit users to share online copies of digital broadcast shows. Movie studios fear a "Napsterization" of movies and TV programs. Family Group Picks 'Joan of Arcadia' Best TV Show Local6.com, Tuesday, 08/03/04 The Parents Television Council, which pushes for "family-oriented television," names the WB's "Everwood" as the worst show on TV because of its "irresponsible treatment of sexual issues." Yankee Panky! New York Post, Tuesday, 08/03/04 The New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox are exploring a plan to merge their two regional sports cable networks, YES and NESN, creating a super regional sports channel. Granite Broadcasting to be Delisted CBS.MarketWatch.com, Tuesday, 08/03/04 Granite Broadcasting will be delisted from the Nasdaq SmallCap Market on Thursday. Granite's plans to sell TV stations, to offset debt, have been stymied by the FCC's "frozen" ownership rules. Mancow Drops $3 Million Suit Chicago Tribune, Wednesday, 08/04/04 Radio host Mancow Muller has dropped his lawsuit against a Chicago man who lodged 60 indecency complaints against him in part because he is in contract talks with his employer, Emmis. Opie & Anthony Announcement Imminent? FMQB, Tuesday, 08/03/04 Fired "indecent" shock jocks Opie & Anthony on Thursday are expected to make a "huge announcement concerning their future." Are they jumping to Sirius or XM satellite radio? XM, Starbucks in Music Marketing Deal Reuters, Wednesday, 08/04/04 XM Satellite Radio will provide Starbucks Coffee's "Starbucks Hear Music" channel to its 2 million subscribers. Currently, Starbucks sells about 100 CD compilations in its coffee shops. Al Franken Radio Show to Be on Cable TV AP/Yahoo! News, Monday, 08/02/04 Al Franken's radio show on Air America is starting a TV edition for the Sundance Channel, beginning Sept. 7 and running through the November election and maybe beyond. Theaters Get 'Outfoxed': DVD to Get Theatrical Release Variety, Monday, 08/02/04 "Outfoxed," the anti-Fox News Channel film released on DVD July 13, will receive a domestic theatrical release Aug. 6, opening in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. DirecTV to Buy Pegasus Satellite Assets Reuters, Monday, 08/02/04 Rupert Murdoch's DirecTV is buying the satellite TV assets of Pegasus Communications, which will give the No. 1 U.S. satellite TV provider access to more customers in rural areas. Gay Media: Heading Toward the Mainstream Newsday, Monday, 08/02/04 And Baby magazine, aimed at gay parents, plans to expand into radio and TV. The publisher of gay magazine Out is in talks about incorporating content into MTV's new Logo gay channel. The Heavyweight on Latin Airwaves BusinessWeek, Monday, 08/09/04 Ex-boxing promoter Jerry Perenchio runs a gold-mine media franchise -- Spanish TV giant Univision, which draws more young viewers in prime time than MTV and more men than ESPN. NBC's Marathon of Coverage BusinessWeek, Monday, 08/09/04 NBC Universal will air an unprecedented 1,200 hours of coverage of the Athens Olympics, spread over seven channels. With the flood of programming, how does NBC hope to turn a profit? Going for Network Gold in Athens BusinessWeek, Monday, 08/09/04 New technology will contribute to the ubiquity of the Olympics, says NBC exec Randy Falco. "In the future people are going to watch MSNBC on their cell phones in the morning on their trains to work." Must-Flee TV New York Post, Sunday, 08/01/04 With Microsoft in talks to sell online magazine Slate, analysts say the software giant may be looking to shed another of its last remaining media assets -- MSNBC, the third-ranked cable news network. Accent on Higher TV Ratings Washington Post, Monday, 08/02/04 Spanish-language network Telemundo is employing on-set dialogue coaches to "neutralize" the many accents of the network's actors. Accent-neutral Spanish "is the sound of a coming media culture." 'Friends' Rather than Family MediaPost, Monday, 08/02/04 NBC's "Friends" destroyed TV's family hour, says an exec with Magna Global USA. Back in 1994, NBC began airing adult-themed "Friends" at 8 p.m., the time slot reserved for family programs. Fired FX Exec Kept Listening In on Network Brass, D.A. Says Los Angeles Times, Saturday, 07/31/04 Publicity exec Randolph Steven Webster was arrested Friday for illegally wiretapping confidential senior-level staff meetings at the FX cable channel that had earlier fired him. Man Busted in Stalk of Radio Host New York Post, Sunday, 08/01/04 Ronald Martin, 40, was arrested Saturday for allegedly stalking Monica Crowley, a host on WABC and political analyst for Fox News Channel. Martin sent Crowley 460 e-mails in the past 15 months. Knight Moves: Questions for Harold Evans New York Times Magazine, Sunday, 08/01/04 The newly knighted Sir Harold Evans says it has not been difficult to be known as "Mr. Tina Brown." But, "I don't know if she will have me on" her CNBC talk show, he admits. Liberals Want Their Own Network Wired News, Friday, 07/30/04 Inspired by the success "Fahrenheit 9/11" and the promise of Air America, a group of progressive reporters and online publishers is planning a TV network to take on Fox News and CNN. Boston Party Not Great TV Time Washington Times, Friday, 07/30/04 When Fox News' Bill O'Reilly interviewed filmmaker Michael Moore Tuesday night, 3 million watched; the number dropped to 1.8 million when Teresa Heinz Kerry spoke two hours later. Convention's Great Divide: Cable & B'cast Are of 2 Minds New York Daily News, Friday, 07/30/04 The broadcast networks nabbed higher ratings for reruns of shows like "Fear Factor" rather than covering the convention. But, in the long run, they drove millions of viewers to cable. Glitch Broadcasts Convention Snafu on CNN AP/Yahoo! News, Friday, 07/30/04 Unhappy with the pace of the balloon drop at the Democratic convention, producer Don Mischer used a profanity to rebuke his staffers. Unknown to him, CNN broadcast his voice. Media is Different in Britain Naples Daily News, Friday, 07/30/04 The TV news anchors in Britain don't have the "star power" of their U.S. counterparts, writes Dave Taylor. The talking heads are "kept to a minimum." It's "rather refreshing." Looking Inside INdTV: Al Gore's Cable News Channel SF Weekly, Wednesday, 07/28/04 Al Gore and Joel Hyatt's as-yet-unnamed news and information cable channel for younger viewers, slated to launch next April, will be "bold," "irreverent" and use a "comedic format." Sarcasm Central: Behind the Scenes at 'The Daily Show,' Where News is Just the Start Chicago Tribune RedEye, Thursday, 07/29/04 At the Democratic convention four years ago in Philadelphia, "The Daily Show" was just starting to take off. Then, "maybe 10%" of those attending knew who the comedians were. "Now, it's more like 90%." Are Conventions Worth Watching? Cable TV and Network News Have Different Answers Media Nation, Thursday, 07/29/04 Is convention coverage a big turn-off? For the convention's first night, the audience numbers were down for ABC, CBS and NBC. But the all-news cable networks are seeing robust increases. A Power Lunch; a Sisters' Brunch Boston Globe, Thursday, 07/29/04 CNBC talk-show host Tina Brown held a lunch for Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton in Boston Wednesday, attracting the likes of Bob Wright, Sharon Patrick, Larry David and Michael Moore. Former NPR Host Bob Edwards To Be XM's New Morning Star Washington Post, Thursday, 07/29/04 Bob Edwards, who was unceremoniously dumped as anchor of National Public Radio's "Morning Edition" in March, will host his own morning show on XM Satellite Radio. Big Cable Companies See Next Challenge Around the Corner New York Times, Thursday, 07/29/04 The cable industry, which controls most residential broadband connections, is facing competition from the regional Bells, which are teaming up with satellite providers to offer TV services. >> MORE |
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INTERNET & DIGITAL MEDIA Dear Bloggers: Media Discover Promotional Potential of Blogosphere Online Journalism Review, Thursday, 08/05/04 The Wall Street Journal Online is promoting one story per day outside its subscription wall to bloggers. Media companies are starting to work with -- instead of against -- the blogosphere. Sprucing Up AOL New York Post, Thursday, 08/05/04 Time Warner is ramping up investment in struggling America Online while it mulls the unit's fate. Yesterday, AOL bought antispam firm Mailblocks, which joins another recent buy, Advertising.com. New Search Tool Gets Billionaire Cuban's Backing CNET News.com, Wednesday, 08/04/04 Mark Cuban, the founder of Broadcast.com and star of "The Benefactor," is backing a new Internet search start-up, IceRocket, which taps into rival search engines. Primedia's Wireless Push Crain's New York Business, Wednesday, 08/04/04 Users of cell phones and other handheld devices will be able to download content from Primedia's many enthusiast magazines, which include Surfer, Snowboarder, Skateboarder and Bike. Magazines Tinker with Right Online Recipe Reuters, Wednesday, 08/04/04 As readers move from print to the Web, magazine publishers are offering more interactive features on their sites, such as Esquire's mixed-drinks database and Glamour's virtual changing room. News Sites, Where the Men Are Wired News, Wednesday, 08/04/04 The number of men reading online news is 8% to 13% higher than women, studies say. Online publishers say this tells advertisers that they have captured the elusive 18-to-34-year-old male. What, Me Register? Wired News, Wednesday, 08/04/04 News sites that require registration annoy their readers, so many users submit bogus data. Web publishers should set up a one-stop registration for everybody, writes Adam L. Penenberg. Virgin Mobile UK Launches Mobile Magazine Digital Media Europe, Wednesday, 08/04/04 Virgin Mobile is launching a mobile "magazine," called Virgin Mobile Bites, described as a cross between a celebrity gossip magazine and an infotainment service on the phone. Yahoo Unveils Local Search Engine AP/Yahoo! News, Tuesday, 08/03/04 Yahoo is unveiling a new search site focusing on local information. Several online search firms are zeroing in on local search, hoping to cash in on small business advertising. Terra to Sell Lycos Unit for $95M Boston Globe, Tuesday, 08/03/04 South Korea's top Web site operator, Daum Communications, is buying Lycos, which runs a news site affiliated with Wired magazine. The company derives half its revenues from advertising fees. Forbes.com Puts Advertiser Links in News Stories Direct Marketing News, Monday, 08/02/04 Forbes.com has begun to embed advertiser links in its news articles, making it the largest and most prominent Web news publisher to experiment with mixing ad units within editorial content. How Do I Love Craig? Let Me List the Ways U.S. News & World Report, Monday, 08/09/04 Employers in San Francisco pay to post want ads on Craigslist. That policy will extend to New York City and Los Angeles this week. Does Craigslist spell the end of newspaper classifieds? Ad Strategy Makes Google a Powerhouse San Jose Mercury News, Sunday, 08/01/04 Google, which makes about 95% of its sales from advertising, is now experimenting with placing ads in e-mails and newsgroups. The search site is gearing up to try to lure more local advertisers. Book Review: 'Big Media' May Lose to Readers' Reporting San Jose Mercury News, Sunday, 08/01/04 The lines will blur between news producers and consumers, writes Dan Gillmor in "We the Media." "Greater participation in the national conversation will mean an alteration of electoral politics." Viacom Agrees to Buy SportsLine.com Dow Jones/Excite, Monday, 08/02/04 Sportsline.com, which has been on the block since mid-May, has reached a definitive agreement to be bought out by minority shareholder Viacom, with the deal set to close by year-end. Does Orrin Hatch Have iPod, TiVo, Google and Legos in His Sights? Salt Lake Tribune, Thursday, 07/29/04 Sen. Orrin Hatch is sponsoring copyright protection legislation that could endanger the iPod, TiVo, Google and even the underlying architecture of the Internet, say bloggers and tech activists. AOL's Jonathan Miller iMedia Connection, Thursday, 07/29/04 The online industry is beginning to see real share shift of advertising dollars, says America Online chief Jonathan Miller. People spend about 12% of their media time online, he says. Hollywood Chases Young Men Online Wired News, Thursday, 07/29/04 The film industry is spending more its marketing resources online. One-third of all adults now prefer to get movie reviews and listings online over newspapers, TV, magazines and radio. The Hottest Job iMedia Connection, Wednesday, 07/28/04 Producer Mark Burnett is teaming with Yahoo! HotJobs to recruit contestants for "The Apprentice." HotJobs branding will appear on the taxis in which fired "Apprentice" contestants exit the show. Microsoft to Launch Google News Rival CNET News.com, Monday, 07/26/04 Microsoft is testing a new online news aggregator, Newsbot, which draws news headlines from more than 4,800 other sites. The service will be operated in conjunction with its own MSNBC news site. AP Looks Into Enhanced Online Search Tool AP/Yahoo! News, Monday, 07/26/04 The Associated Press is taking steps on behalf of its member newspapers and broadcasters to explore the development of a tool that would search online news content, past and present. AOL to Debut WB TV Show Over High-Speed Lines Reuters, Monday, 07/26/04 America Online will air a sneak preview of a new TV series, "Jack & Bobby," over its high-speed service, marking the first time a media company debuts a new show over the Internet. Blog Rolling iMedia Connection, Monday, 07/26/04 Blogging isn't a business yet, but it's on the verge, says one speaker at the BlogOn conference -- who adds that Craigslist has taken away 13% of the San Francisco Chronicle's classified business. Slate Online Magazine for Sale Washington Post, Friday, 07/23/04 Eight years after Microsoft launched Slate, the online magazine may be sold. The potential buyers are said to include the New York Times and the Washington Post. Internet is Only Way Ahead for U.S. Media Legend Times of London, Friday, 07/23/04 The Internet will transform entertainment products and systems, says Barry Diller, who hints that he may expand his InterActiveCorp into online financial services, film and video games. The Print Media's Malaise Runs Deep Barron's, Thursday, 07/22/04 The long decline of print media may soon pick up speed, while the Internet has continued to make huge strides and will increasingly occupy the high ground, writes Howard R. Gold. >> MORE ADVERTISING & MARKETING PricewaterhouseCoopers Presents Bullish Advertising Outlook BtoB, Tuesday, 08/03/04 U.S. advertising will grow from $156 billion in 2003 to $206 billion by 2008, says a new report by PricewaterhouseCoopers. The Internet is expected to be the fastest-growing media segment. Fastest-Growing Ad Medium? Hint: It's Digital, But It's Not Online or on the Tube MediaPost, Wednesday, 08/04/04 The fastest-growing ad-supported media is cinema advertising, says a new report by Veronis Suhler Stevenson. Cinema advertising should enjoy organic from increased movie attendance. Ruling Could Put Alcohol Ads Back in College Newspapers Philadelphia Inquirer, Wednesday, 08/04/04 A federal court has overturned a Pennsylvania law that barred paid alcohol ads in student newspapers. Student papers are awaited the chance to draw on a lucrative revenue source. Sponsors in Tough Spot Los Angeles Times, Wednesday, 08/04/04 Advertisers seek the viewers of hot shows like "Nip/Tuck," but edgy content can spur customer complaints. Advertisers admit that just a handful of complaints can cause them to pull their ads. Driver Fined for Sponsor Cover Up SportsBusiness, Wednesday, 08/04/04 Nascar driver Jimmie Johnson has been fined $10,000 for using a sign to hide the name of a sports drink made by Nascar sponsor Coca-Cola because he has his own deal with rival Pepsi. WPP Chief Martin Sorrell: Reasons to be Cheerful Independent, Tuesday, 08/03/04 Newspapers and magazines are facing "greater and greater" challenges, says Martin Sorrell, head of global advertising giant WPP, who admits that he gets most of his news online. Young People 'No Longer Believe TV Ads' MediaGuardian.co.uk, Monday, 08/02/04 Younger audiences no longer believe commercials and are likely to find Internet chat rooms more credible, says a marketing exec with Procter & Gamble. "Today's generation is much more media savvy." The Lost Boys: The 18-34 Male is Reinventing Advertising Wired, 08/04 When it comes to media, men 18 to 34 like things fresh, unpredictable and uncensored. "I resent commercials," says one young ad exec. "They make me push three buttons on my TiVo." Search for Tomorrow: The Next Generation of Online Ads Fast Company, 08/04 Contextual ads online don't seem to target consumers as effectively as search ads. "We're definitely not seeing the traffic from newspaper sites that we see with search engines," says one marketer. And Now, Kids, a Web Game from Our Sponsor Boston Globe, Friday, 07/30/04 Consumer product companies are posting online "advergames" for kids, such as a "connect the dots" game on the M&Ms; Web site. Critics say they're blurring the line between play and marketing. Madison Avenue Takes Cues from Reality TV Shows New York Times, Friday, 07/30/04 "Real people" are appearing in advertising as a way to grab the attention of consumers. "People are so media savvy now," says one creative director. They won't "buy manufactured truth any more." Breaking the 30-Second Barrier New York Times, Wednesday, 07/28/04 Despite the "impending demise" of the 30-second commercial, some marketers are starting to run 90-second ad spots. So far, deviating from the 30-second template remains unusual. Now a Message From a Sponsor of the Subway? New York Times, Tuesday, 07/27/04 Facing possible budget gaps of $1 billion in the coming years, New York's transit agency may sell corporate sponsorships to the city's subway stations, bus lines, bridges and tunnels. Kerry Campaign to 'Go Dark' to Save Money Financial Times, Tuesday, 07/27/04 John Kerry's election team will suspend advertising during August. Kerry has opted to "go dark" after the convention to conserve limited federal funds for the weeks just before the election. Net Threat to Other Ad Media Can Only Get Bigger Sydney Morning Herald, Thursday, 07/22/04 An ad buy made by Ford on Yahoo!, MSN and AOL delivered 40% of all U.S. men aged 25 to 54 in one day. The ad blitz was 10 times more cost-effective than network TV to reach the same numbers. Advertiser Charged in Massive Database Theft Washington Post, Thursday, 07/22/04 Authorities have charged the owner of Snipermail, an online advertiser, with tapping into the computer system of a database marketer and stealing "vast amounts" of personal data. Hubcap Ads Put New Spin on Marketing USA Today, Monday, 07/19/04 Marketers are shifting some of their ad dollars from traditional mass media to wearable and drivable outdoor ads. Hubcap covers and T-shirts with video are the latest ad platforms. >> MORE MEDIA COMPANIES The Media Monotony Slate, Wednesday, 08/04/04 Despite the "dangers" cited in the book "The New Media Monopoly," the "Big Five" media giants don't own any of the agenda-setting newspapers, such as the New York Times, says Jack Shafer. News Corp. President Endorses Kerry Broadcasting & Cable, Wednesday, 08/04/04 According to the Kerry for President campaign, News Corp. president and COO Peter Chernin has endorsed the Democratic presidential candidate. News Corp. owns Fox News Channel. Disney Ready to Introduce Mickey Mouse PC Inquirer, Thursday, 08/05/04 Disney's new Mickey Mouse personal computer for children comes complete with a pair of Mickey Mouse ears with built-in speakers. The PC will include built-in Internet-filtering software. Viacom, News Corp. Bet on Digital TV for China's 'Vast' Needs Bloomberg, Thursday, 08/05/04 The spread of digital TV in China is boosting demand for programming from international media companies. China is among the world's top five TV markets, and second in Asia after Japan. Mogul Markdown New York Daily News, Thursday, 08/05/04 [Third item] Two big media names are taking a major drubbing. Investors are selling off shares in companies run by Barry Diller and Rupert Murdoch's son James following release of their quarterly results. Hearst Castle Sees Worst July on Record in Attendance San Luis Obispo Tribune, Thursday, 08/05/04 Higher ticket prices and slumping tourism are blamed for the worst attendance in the past 20 Julys at Hearst Castle. The onetime estate of William Randolph Hearst is run by the state of California. Martha Stewart Living Sees More Job Cuts This Year Reuters, Tuesday, 08/03/04 Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia expects to reduce its head count by about 25 positions by the end of the year, citing its decision to shut down its Internet direct commerce business. Stewart Firm Plans Martha-Free Show CNN/Money, Tuesday, 08/03/04 Martha Stewart's namesake company is producing a new PBS TV show, "Everyday Food." The company is also reporting a wide 2Q loss blamed on fallout from Stewart's legal problems. Time Warner to Launch Pentagon Channel Multichannel News, Monday, 08/02/04 Time Warner Cable will begin rolling out the Pentagon Channel later this month. The Defense Department’s news network for the military will be available to digital-cable subscribers. Springer - A Different Media Giant Jerusalem Post, Tuesday, 08/03/04 Journalists who are "anti-American and anti-Israel" shouldn't work for Axel Springer, Europe's largest publisher, says Springer chief Mathias Doepfner. "I don't want people like that in this company." Consumer is King of U.S. Media Financial Times, Monday, 08/02/04 Consumer spending last year overtook advertising as the primary revenue source for the U.S. media industry, reflecting the growing popularity of pay-TV, DVDs and the Internet, says Veronis Suhler Stevenson. Multimedia? That's Just the Consumers Financial Times, Monday, 08/02/04 Consumers are increasingly media multi-tasking. However, "people are not tolerating as much ad-supported media in their daily life,” says Veronis Suhler Stevenson chief James Rutherfurd. New York City's Mets Fans Doomed by Deadlock? Newsday, Monday, 08/02/04 Time Warner Cable dropped New York sports channels Fox Sports New York and MSG this weekend. Time Warner had balked at the rates sought by Cablevision as being too high. Cox Family Seeks Cable Buyout TheDeal.com, Monday, 08/02/04 Further consolidation in the cable industry looms, as the family that controls a majority of Cox Communications is offering to take the U.S. No. 4 cable TV provider private. Stop Them Before They Shop Again Broadcasting & Cable, Monday, 08/02/04 Viacom, Comcast and Time Warner would be far better off if they had never engaged in their recent merger activity, says a study by one analyst. In many cases, they "destroyed" value. Steve Jobs Has Surgery for Cancer CNET News.com, Sunday, 08/01/04 Apple Computer CEO Steve Jobs had surgery this weekend to remove a tumor in his pancreas. He e-mailed staffers that the surgery was successful and that he expects to be back at work next month. Peter Chernin Re-Ups With News Corp. Los Angeles Times, Friday, 07/30/04 News Corp. president and COO Peter Chernin has signed a new five-year contract, ending speculation that he might leave the Rupert Murdoch-controlled media giant to run Disney. Viacom's Top Ranks Reorganized Los Angeles Times, Friday, 07/30/04 Viacom boss Tom Freston has elevated Bob Bakish, MTV's head of ad sales and strategy, to the new role of executive VP for all of Viacom, while exec Tom McGrath resigned. FCC: Why No a La Carte Cable? Wired News, Friday, 07/30/04 FCC staffers grilled cable industry reps Thursday about their opposition to letting viewers pick their channels individually, expressing skepticism that it would destroy industry economics. Veronis Suhler Sees B2B Media Growth; Hires Penton's Kemp Dow Jones Newswires/Excite, Friday, 07/30/04 Media buyout specialist Veronis Suhler Stevenson says it sees business-to-business media picking up steam and has added Penton Media ex-chief Thomas Kemp as a managing director. FCC Asks for Comment on TV-Violence Regulation Bloomberg News, Wednesday, 07/28/04 The FCC, which has been clamping down on broadcast indecency, has opened a proceeding that could result in the regulation of violent TV shows. The move is at the request of Congress. FCC to Sample TV a la Carte Wired News, Thursday, 07/29/04 The FCC is holding a symposium Thursday to debate whether TV viewers should be able to pick their cable channels on an a la carte basis. The agency's report is due to Congress Nov. 18. Sony, BMG Combination Gets U.S. Antitrust Approval Reuters, Wednesday, 07/28/04 The FTC has approved the merger of record companies Sony Music and BMG. FTC commissioner Mozelle Thompson admits that he is "concerned about the impact of media mergers." Papers, Cable TV to Bolster News Corp Q4 Earnings Reuters, Thursday, 07/29/04 News Corp. is poised for a 21% jump in quarterly earnings. The media giant wants to move its HQ from Australia to the United States where it earns more than three-quarters of its revenues. Time Warner Auditing AOL: Media Giant Says Restatement Possible Washington Post, Thursday, 07/29/04 Time Warner has launched an internal probe to determine whether America Online improperly accounted for losses at its European division before and after the AOL-Time Warner merger. Martha's Still Calling the Shots for Now New York Post, Thursday, 07/29/04 Despite Martha Stewart's conviction, the U.S. Attorney's office doesn't have the authority to prohibit her from making decisions about her company, such as Tuesday's board revamp. >> MORE |
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