January 2006
- January 31, 2006
- 6:59 PM
- Comment
FTC Approves Time Warner Acquisition of Adelphia
The Federal Trade Commission Tuesday approved the $17.6 billion acquisition of Adelphia Communications by Comcast and Time Warner Cable.
The acquisition is still under review at the Federal Communications Commission, where industry competitors of Comcast and Time Warner are seeking regulatory conditions to check the cable companies' power.
- January 31, 2006
- 6:55 PM
- Comment
'Flight 93' Breaks A&E Records
A&E's 9/11 movie "Flight 93" broke network ratings records Sunday night to become the most-watched program in the channel's history.
According to Nielsen Media Research, the movie was seen by 5.9 million viewers (2.7 million, adults 18 to 49).
The previous record-holder was 2004's "Ike Countdown to D-Day" starring Tom Selleck, which was seen by 5.5 million viewers.
- January 31, 2006
- 5:53 PM
- Comment
ICM Chairman Denies Endeavor Takeover Rumors
In an internal e-mail sent to all of the company's agents, International Creative Management Chairman and CEO Jeff Berg told his colleagues the Beverly Hills-based agency was not buying another agency.
"Many of you may have been hearing rumors that ICM has closed a deal to acquire another talent agency or that such a deal is imminent," Mr. Berg wrote in a Jan. 30 e-mail. "While we have a policy of not commenting on rumors in the press, I want to let each of you know that these rumors are untrue."
At the end of last week and the beginning of this week rumors were flying across Hollywood and on several entertainment Web sites that ICM was about to purchase rival agency Endeavor. The rumor of a major purchase has been swirling ever since ICM announced in November it had completed a recapitalization with the help of Rizvi Traverse Management and Merrill Lynch's Asset Based Finance Group to pursue plans for expansion.
"We will continue to explore ways for ICM to grow and offer new services to our clients," Mr. Berg added in his e-mail. "If and when there is news to announce, I will notify you first. In the meantime, it's business as usual."
- January 31, 2006
- 4:00 PM
- Comment
Fox Wins Week in Adults 18-49; CBS Takes Total Viewers
Powered by "American Idol," Fox easily won the week ended Jan. 29 in the adults 18 to 49 demographic, while CBS edged out Fox to take the week in total viewers.
The Tuesday edition of "Idol" was the top show in both demos, scoring a 15.1 rating in adults 18 to 49 and garnering 34.9 million viewers, according to Nielsen Media Research. The ratings include live-plus-same-day DVR viewing.
The No. 2 show in both categories was "Idol" Wednesday, which scored a 13.0 rating in the demo and 32.4 million viewers. CBS's "CSI" was third with an 8.3 rating in adults 18 to 49 (tying ABC's "Grey's Anatomy") and third in total viewers with 25.8 million.
Fox was tops for the week in the demo with a 5.6, followed by a distant second CBS (3.9), ABC (3.7), NBC (2.8), The WB (1.4) and UPN (1.0).
In total viewers CBS took the lead with 13.3 million, followed by Fox (13 million), ABC (10.8 million), NBC (8.1 million), The WB (3.3 million) and UPN (2.6 million).
- January 31, 2006
- 4:00 PM
- Comment
Injured ABC Newsman Woodruff Returning to U.S.
ABC "World News Tonight" co-anchor Bob Woodruff and cameraman Doug Vogt are en route to the United States and are expected to arrive early Tuesday evening at Bethesda Naval Hospital to continue treatment for the shrapnel wounds they received Sunday in a roadside bomb attack in Iraq.
Mr. Woodruff's brother David appeared on "Good Morning America" Tuesday and said that while the doctors continue to be encouraged by Mr. Woodruff's progress, "At this point it would be too early to say what the end situation will be with him," since he continues to be heavily sedated.
In addition to broken bones and head injuries Mr. Woodruff suffered facial wounds, which his brother David said are "pretty tough to look at." Still, he said, "Those things, frankly, for us, are minor compared to just making sure he's going to return from the injury to his head."
Mr. Vogt was described as alert and able to sit and speak in a report Jim Sciutto filed Tuesday from Landstuhl, Germany, where the producer and anchor were treated at a U.S. military hospital after being flown out of Iraq.
Both the anchor and producer were wearing body armor, helmets and ballistic glasses Sunday as they traveled with the 4th Infantry Division and a convoy of Iraqi security forces. They were standing up in the back hatch of an Iraqi vehicle when the explosion occurred.
David Woodruff said on "GMA" Tuesday that his brother slumped down into the hatch and was picked up by the lapels by ABC producer Vinny Malhotra. "Am I alive?," Mr. Woodruff asked the producer, who responded "Yes." After saying, "This hurts a lot," Mr. Woodruff fell into unconsciousness, his brother said.
- January 31, 2006
- 4:00 PM
- Comment
E! Red Carpet Bounces Back With SAG Coverage
E!'s new red carpet team led by Ryan Seacrest scored a ratings victory Sunday night with its coverage of the Screen Actors Guild Awards, up 99 percent in households from last year with a 1.37 national rating, according to Nielsen Media research.
The network was also up 132 percent among adults 18 to 49, suggesting the new team may be starting to click with viewers. The numbers are a significant increase compared to the relatively flat ratings garnered by Mr. Seacrest's debut earlier this month, when the new team covered the Golden Globe Awards.
- January 31, 2006
- 3:48 PM
- Comment
Paul Promoted to Exec VP at Warner Bros. Television
Brett Paul has been promoted to executive VP of business affairs, operations and finance for Warner Bros. Television, replacing recently promoted Warner Bros. Television Group Executive VP Craig Hunegs. The announcement was made Monday by Peter Roth, president of Warner Bros. Television.
Mr. Paul adds the day-to-day responsibility for legal affairs, financial affairs and administration to his current oversight of business affairs. He joined the company in 1995 as VP of business affairs. Prior to joining Warner Bros., Mr. Paul was a corporate/securities lawyer at law firms in New York and Los Angeles, followed by a stint as VP of business and legal affairs at All American Communications.
- January 31, 2006
- 3:13 PM
- Comment
NBCU Announces Promotions in Corporate Communications
NBC Universal announced Tuesday that it has made a number of promotions in its communications department, including naming two VPs.
The media company said that Liz Fischer and Hilary Smith each were promoted to VP of corporate communications and media relations. Other promotions include Courtney Davis to manager of executive projects and Chris Steib to manager of executive communications.
Ms. Fischer will continue to manage media relations for the company's television stations and network advertising sales while also adding standards and practices, research and affiliate relations. She will continue to report to Kathy Kelly-Brown, senior VP of corporate communications and media relations.
Ms. Smith will handle media relations for corporate communications, overseeing high-profile communications projects across all divisions of NBCU. She, too, will continue to report to Ms. Kelly-Brown.
Reporting to Tracy Guerra, director of executive projects, Ms. Davis will continue to manage NBCU's corporate philanthropy, serving as a liaison between the company and recipient organizations. She will also work with corporate community affairs and NBCU executives to identify philanthropic opportunities. She previously was a publicist at the company.
Mr. Steib will continue to draft internal and external communications on behalf of NBCU's executives and serve as a link between them and publicity leaders throughout the company. He will also manage certain executive communications efforts and work with internal communications, community affairs and NBCU parent General Electric's corporate communications team.
- January 31, 2006
- 3:12 PM
- Comment
The WB Sets Final Spring Schedule
A week after its corporate parent announced The WB will cease to exist come fall, the network has set its final spring schedule.
The comedic drama "Pepper Dennis," starring Rebecca Romijn, will premiere Tuesday, April 4 at 9 p.m. (ET) in the post-"Gilmore Girls" time slot. Current time period holder "Supernatural" will transition to Thursdays at 9 p.m. starting March 16, replacing the latest cycle of the soon-to-be-completed reality series "Beauty and The Geek." Lead-in "Smallville" will remain at 8 p.m.
"Everwood" will return with a two-hour episode Monday, March 20, before settling into its old post-"7th Heaven" 9 p.m. slot.
College drama "The Bedford Diaries" will debut at 9 p.m. Wednesday, March 22, replacing "Beauty" encores. "One Tree Hill" will remain in the 8 p.m. Wednesday time slot.
- January 31, 2006
- 3:00 PM
- Comment
'Blade' Gets Full-Season Order From Spike TV
As has been long expected, Spike TV has ordered a full season of "Blade," its upcoming televised version of the comic-book series made popular by a trio of feature films starring Wesley Snipes.
The "network for men" has ordered 11 one-hour episodes to follow its previously announced two-hour pilot, which premieres in June. Kirk "Sticky" Jones ("Over There") will assume the title role as the immortal vampire slayer in black leather.
"We're extremely pleased with the pilot for 'Blade,' which delivers a thrilling action-adventure for its built-in fan base as well as a character-driven drama filled with heart-pounding tension and suspense," said Pancho Mansfield, executive VP of original programming for Spike TV. "The series will be the first of our scripted fare as we embark on creating a greater mix of original programming for our viewers."
