News Corp. took an $8.4 billion charge against earnings as the declining economy continues to take big bites out of media company valuations. As a result of the pre-tax, non-cash, impairment charge related to goodwill, News Corp. reported a second-quarter…
The FCC has outlined new rules pertaining to the DTV switch in light of the approved delay to June 12, TelevisionWeek reports. Those stations that wish to proceed with the analog shutoff on Feb. 17 must let the FCC know…
CBS Films has tapped Daniel Barnz to direct and write the upcoming “Beastly” picture, the Hollywood Reporter says. The film, based on the young-adult novel, will focus on a popular high schooler who is turned into a werewolf by a…
The Caucus for Producers, Writers & Directors and the National Association of Television Program Executives will host a breakfast panel discussion about long-form programming entitled ““The Changing Face of the M.O.W.” on Feb. 25 at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Panel…
A state tax credit that brought television production in New York City to a record high last year has run out of money, threatening jobs in the one sector of the city’s economy that had been expected to thrive during…
Kraft will continue its increased marketing spending despite the ailing economy, Advertising Age reports. The company’s 2008 earnings were down 72%, which the company attributes to taxes, costs in restructuring and commodity hedges, even though sales were strong in the…
Belo Corp. saw an 8.8% drop in revenue for the fourth quarter of 2008 compared to the year before, TVNewsday says. Although the station group saw some growth from political advertising, it wasn’t enough to offset the drops in local…
Nielsen Co. has tapped Manish Bhatia as president of advanced digital services, MediaPost reports. Bhatia will be in charge of developing viewer information and analytics using new digital data streams, such as set-top boxes, the site says. Bhatia most recently…
CBS, Fox, NBC, Telemundo and ABC have all agreed to keep both analog and digital signals airing for their owned and operated stations through the new June 12 date set for the DTV transition. Acting Federal Communications Commission Chairman Michael…
Nickelodeon is launching a series of iPhone and iTouch applications based on its popular shows “SpongeBob SquarePants,” “Dora the Explorer” and “iCarly.” Users will be challenged to match shapes, count numbers and practice the alphabet through a “Dora the Explorer”…