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Monthly Archives : May 2008

DirecTV Finds Blacked-Out Games

DirecTV is launching GameSearch, a new receiver feature that searches for local blacked-out games, Multichannel News reports. GameSearch will automatically search to see if a game is being broadcast on another channel and will alert the viewer if the receiver…

Time Warner Interactive Ads Return

Time Warner Cable’s Navic Networks interactive TV platform for advanced advertising will relaunch in Los Angeles, Multichannel News reports. The timeline for the relaunch has not been set yet, the newspaper says. —Vlada Gelman

NBC Revamps Fall Plans, Delays Series Launches

NBC has apparently decided against using the Olympics as a launching pad for its new fall lineup. The Peacock network Friday announced a revised fourth quarter schedule and premiere dates, and contrary to previous published speculation, most of the network’s…

TV Writer Zekial Marko Dies

TV and film writer Zekial Marko died from complications related to emphysema on May 9, http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117986356.html?categoryid=14&cs=1 says. Marko wrote episodes of “The Rockford Files,” “Kolchak: The Night Stalker” and “Toma.” He was 74. —Vlada Gelman

Cable News Neglects China Earthquake

The Pew Research Center for the People & the Press found that the cable news channels have devoted more coverage to the ongoing political campaign than to the earthquake in China despite viewer interest in the natural disaster, the Hollywood…

FCC’s Martin Supports Renewable DTV Coupons

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin is in support of letting consumers reapply for $40 coupons toward the purchase of a DTV converter box, Broadcasting & Cable reports. The first coupons sent out by the National Telecommunications & Information Administration,…

Redstone Nixed CBS-Viacom Reunion

CBS Corp. chairman Sumner Redstone rejected the possibility of a CBS-Viacom reunion, the Hollywood Reporter says. Redstone approved of CBS’ proposed acquisition of CNET despite the economy’s downturn and declining stock prices, the newspaper says. Viacom and CBS split in…

CBS Agrees to Discuss Ad Integration Costs With Task Force

Of the Big Three networks, only CBS has accepted an offer to speak with a task force formed to address the $125 million in integration fees paid by advertisers. ABC declined to address the task force, formed by the American…

CBS, Fontainbleau to Host ‘Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show’

The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show will hit the catwalk on CBS again this year. The annual “holiday infused lingerie” event will take place at Miami Beach’s Fontainebleau resort, which will be unveiled after a $1 billion renovation. The show will…

Rumors of Time Warner-NBCU Merger

A merger between Time Warner and NBC Universal is being considered, CNBC‘s Julia Boorstin reports. Time Warner’s divestment of Time Warner Cable will provide the company with the monetary means to purchase NBC Universal, the Web site says. NBC Universal…