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In Depth

NBC Beats ABC For 11th Week Victory

For the first time this season, ABC’s thunder was stolen in the weekly ratings race. NBC won the 11th week of the season, fueled by NFL football, “Heroes” and a strong performance from its newly formed Thursday night comedy block….

TV One General Counsel John Jones Dies

John Jones, general counsel of TV One, died Sunday night of an apparent heart attack. He was 38.“John played a critical role in TV One’s genesis, working tirelessly to see that TV One’s distribution and other legal agreements necessary to…

NBC Wins Monday, Though ‘Studio 60’ Hits Series Low

The holiday programming malaise continued Monday, with a rerun-soaked field easily dominated by NBC’s ongoing powerhouse combo of “Deal or No Deal” and “Heroes.” But NBC’s weakest link, “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip,” hit a season low. NBC led…

FCC’s McDowell Touts Free Markets to Analysts

The “twin cornerstones” of democracy are free markets and free reign for ideas, Federal Communications Commission member Robert McDowell said Tuesday to a room full of Wall Street analysts attending the annual Credit Suisse Media and Telecom Week conference. When…

Comcast Opens Subscriber Gaming Service

Comcast has opened its online gaming service Gameinvasion.net to anyone with Internet access as part of its efforts to make Comcast.net a competitive broadband portal. The site, designed for hardcore gaming enthusiasts, previously was available only to Comcast’s high-speed subscribers….

Sports, Movies Top Weekend Ratings

With many popular series in reruns, last weekend’s ratings were marked by unusual winners and losers, with networks powering through to the top spots with sports and movies. On Sunday, the tail end of Fox’s NFL coverage boosted its average…

Pediatricians’ TV Policy Statement Draws Praise

Monday’s policy statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics regarding limiting kids ads is drawing a call for action from a member of the Federal Communications Commission and for further investigation from a senator.“I look forward to working with America’s…

FCC Slates Ownership Hearing for Nashville

The Federal Communications Commission announced Monday that it would hold its second of six public hearings around the country on media ownership in Nashville Dec. 11.The city is the home of FCC commissioner Deborah Taylor Tate, who said she was…

Rene Syler to Depart ‘The Early Show’ This Month

Rene Syler will leave “The Early Show” at the end of the year to pursue other media opportunities. Her last on-air appearance is scheduled to be Dec. 22. There was no word on whether Ms. Syler will be replaced after…

Comedy Central Plans to Move Mobile Series On-Air

Comedy Central said it is migrating a mobile television series to the linear network next year, representing the first time original phone content has made that leap. The series, “Lil’ Bush: Resident of the United States,” has been running on…