Quick Takes
“The most important TV event of this year was the extensive news coverage by the broadcast networks and local TV stations of the war in Iraq. In many ways the concept and practice of embedding journalists with our troops had…
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Retired Exec Back in Producing Game
When Andy Friendly retired two years ago as president of programming and production of King World Productions, he had four goals: to teach at his alma matter (University of Southern California), do some consulting, do some pro bono work and…
Searching for the Right Route
A number of TelevisionWeek’s Media Planner columns have touched on the fact that consumer insights are emerging as one of the most important elements of media planning. The supposition is that it’s no longer sufficient for advertisers and agencies to…
As Ike Warned: Keep Watch on Big Business
When President Dwight D. Eisenhower delivered his legendary speech about the dangers of the U.S. military and industrial complex as he left office in January 1961, he warned about the power of big business to use its clout to overwhelm…
Success Story: Stations Get Mileage out of Promotion
How far can one get on a tank of gas? Just ask the general manager of NBC affiliates KOBI-TV, Medford, Ore., and KOTI-TV in nearby Klamath Falls, Ore.The California Oregon Broadcasting-owned stations partnered with the Automobile Association of Oregon for…
Threats to Advertising Didn’t Impact Deals
In spite of advertiser concern about the growing threat of commercial-skipping technology and about shrinking broadcast network ratings, television advertiser deals generally had a business-as-usual tone in 2003.Even as ratings were leaving broadcast TV and going to cable or other…
Guest Commentary: News Format Is 50, but Gets the Job Done
There it is again. Another person said it. Probably on C-SPAN-a panel, with a title like “Striking a Happy Media.” Some academics. A retired editor. A reporter who wrote a book. And one of them says:“Young people today will no…
Is `Punk’d’ Being Punked?
Are the media about to get “Punk’d,” or has Ashton Kutcher’s hit MTV series simply made industry executives paranoid? Last week, Ashton Kutcher abruptly canceled plans for a third season of the celebrity prank show, despite strong ratings. Mr. Kutcher,…
Mergers Make for Fewer Top TV Jobs
Heading into 2004, fewer top jobs are open in the television industry than have been in recent years.That’s due at least in part to consolidation, which continued to march through the industry in 2003, said one television business staffing expert.“There…
Analyzing Murdoch’s Methods
According to Washington insiders, News Corp.’s acquisition of DirecTV has been a slam-dunk from the start-at least for Republicans-because it didn’t present clear antitrust concerns and offered the possibility of beefing up the competitive threat that satellite TV presents to…