Tiger Woods Scandal Cost Shareholders of Companies He Endorsed $5 Billion to $12 Billion

The Tiger Woods scandal cost the shareholders of companies he endorsed between $5 billion and $12 billion dollars, according to a study by two University of California economics professors.

According to a Reuters story, the professors, from UC Davis, wrote in their report that they "looked at stock market returns for the 13 trading days after November 27, the date of the car incident that ignited the Woods scandal. They compared returns for Woods' sponsors during this period to those of both the total stock market and of each sponsor's closest competitor. They also reviewed returns for four years before the car accident to build up a comparative picture of the sponsors' market performance."

In addition, the Reuters story said that the economics professors "called the results statistically significant and said the overall pattern of losses at the parent companies was unlikely to stem from ordinary day-to-day variation in their stock prices."

The professors also said that "Our findings speak to a larger question of general interest in the business and academic communities: Does celebrity sponsorship have any impact on a firm's bottom line?"

To read the actual study as published by the University of California professors, click here.

--Chuck Ross

Wow! Report Says DirecTV Will Launch The First U.S. 3-D Hi-Def Channel Early in 2010

DirecTV will debut the nation's first 3-D HDTV channel in early 2010, according to a report by HDGuru.

The reports says that last night, Dec. 28, a program satellite launched by DirecTV will be the one to carry the new 3-D channel, and that that channel could be operational as soon as March. DirecTV will make an announcement about the new channel at the 2010 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas on Jan. 7th, the report says.

According to the article, the new channel "will feature an assortment of movies, sports and programs in 3D. All programs are in HD 3D and meet the new 3D standards the major TV manufacturers support, according to sources.

"Sources tell HD Guru DirecTV’s current HDTV boxes will receive a firmware upgrade to allow its existing subscriber base to receive HD 3D programming. The shows will then be compatible with the new 3D capable HDTVs expected to debut at CES by Panasonic, Sony, Samsung, LG and other TV makers, as well as existing Mitsubishi DLP models that are accompanied by a forthcoming 3D converter box. Viewers will need one of these new 3D HDTVs to view DirecTV 3D programming, along with compatible 3D glasses."

--Chuck Ross

A Basic Truth: Why Charlie Sheen Will Get a Pass While Tiger Gets Crucified

TVWeek Open Mic blogger Chuck Ross addresses a basic truth about the media, advertising and ourselves: Why Charlie Sheen will get a pass for his latest alleged bad behavior while Tiger Woods gets crucified. Click here to read.

Tyra Banks Ending Her Talk Show

Tyra Banks has told People magazine that this will be the final season of her syndicated talk show that is produced by Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution. This is the show's fifth season. Both Warner Bros. and People are owned by Time Warner.

Says the People article, "Banks will focus on the launch of Bankable Studios, a N.Y.-based film production company currently reviewing possible projects. Sticking to her mission, Banks aims to bring 'positive images of women to the big screen,' says an industry insider. 

'My next huge steps will allow me to reach more women and young girls to help us all feel as fierce as we truly are,' Banks says.' "

 Her "America's Next Top Model" will continue with new episodes on the CW, as will her ABC show "True Beauty." 

--Chuck Ross

Producer Accused of Trying to Blackmail Letterman Reportedly Willing to Serve One Year in Prison if Plea Deal is Struck

The CBS producer who is accused of trying to blackmail David Letterman may have proposed a plea deal, the New York Post reports.

Citing unnamed sources, The Post claims that Robert Halderman has offered to plead guilty in exchange for serving one year in prison. Halderman’s lawyer, Gerald Shargel, denied that there have been any plea negotiations.

Any plea discussions won’t be entertained until after a new Manhattan DA takes office in January, The Post says.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Guess Which Cable Network Won the Primetime Viewing Race in 2009 (Hint: Not ESPN nor TNT)

Drum roll please. Here are the top 5 viewed cable networks in primetime in 2009, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Coming in at No. 5 was Fox News. Number 4 was TNT. Three was ESPN. In second place was the Disney Channel.

Number one in primetime was NBC Universal’s USA Network. With 3.2 million average viewers, USA was up 15% compared to its primetime numbers in 2008. USA was also No. 1 among all cable networks in primetime among viewers 18 to 49.

--Elizabeth Jensen

MSNBC Criticized for Ignoring Plane Terror Story on Christmas Day

MSNBC executives wouldn’t discuss why the network devoted little attention Friday to the attempted terror attack on a U.S.-bound airplane, the Associated Press reports.

CNN and Fox News Channel both covered the story while MSNBC remained with taped programs, the AP said.

Mediaite blogger Rachel Sklar wrote: "If you're going to call yourself a news network, then cover the news.”

The AP report says, "For its part, MSNBC has noted that its long-form taped programming have been successful in the ratings during weekends."

--Elizabeth Jensen

TVs in Cars Projected to More than Double by 2015

About 17.6 million car television systems worldwide are projected to be shipped in 2015, more than double the 6.2 million this year, according to an iSuppli forecast, Multichannel News reports.

The forecast includes TVs in portable navigation devices. Numerous technical obstacles also must be overcome by the market, says iSuppli analyst Richard Robinson, including how to make the picture delivery in moving vehicles uninterrupted.

--Elizabeth Jensen

NBC News Accused of Unethical 'Checkbook Journalism' by Society of Professional Journalists

The Society of Professional Journalists is "appalled" that NBC News gave a ride to the U.S. from Brazil to David Goldman, and his son, who have been involved in a high-profile custody battle.

In a statement, SPJ Ethics Committee Chairman Andy Schotz said, "The public could rightly assume that NBC News bought exclusive interviews and images, as well as the family's loyalty, with an extravagant gift." 

NBC taped the first exclusive interview with Goldman during the flight, for the Monday “Today” show.

NBC claimed it didn't pay for the interview, noting, "The Goldmans were invited on a jet NBC News chartered to fly home to the U.S. on Thursday, Dec. 24," and adding, "NBC News has followed this story since the Goldman's story first ran on Dateline nearly one year ago -- David Goldman since has appeared on Today seventeen times." The NBC statement was printed by B&C.

 "Mixing financial and promotional motives with an impartial search for truth stains honest, ethical reporting," Schotz said in the SPJ statement. "Checkbook journalism has no place in the news business."

--Elizabeth Jensen and Chuck Ross

Ripa, Consuelos to Return to ‘All My Children’

Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos, the husband and wife who are alums of "All My Children," are returning to the ABC daytime soap next Monday and Tuesday, Jan. 4th and 5th,  which is the show’s 40th anniversary, as well as the start of its production move to L.A. from New York, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

Other show veterans, including La Rue, Julia Barr, Laurence Lau, Taylor Miller, James Mitchell, Leven Rambin and Eden Riegel will take part in the two anniversary episodes as well.

--Elizabeth Jensen