As part of an effort to make it easier for telephone companies to launch TV operations, the Federal Communications Commission launched proceedings Thursday to determine steps the agency can take to ensure that state and local governmental authorities don’t abuse…
The U.S. Senate voted 69-30 Thursday afternoon to reject an amendment by Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., that would have forced broadcasters to switch to digital TV by April 7, 2008. Legislation pending on the Senate floor sets the transition date…
Satellite operator DirecTV reported Thursday that it swung to a third-quarter profit, buoyed by strong subscriber gains and the company’s ongoing efforts to cut costs. However, the company continued to be dogged by a high rate of customer losses, known…
CBS said Thursday it will pay $325 million to acquire CSTV Networks, a company with cable and Internet assets devoted to college sports.The move comes two days after Viacom co-President and co-Chief Operating Officer Leslie Moonves, who also serves as…
Hoping to limit the number of U.S. households stranded without the ability to receive over-the-air television signals after the industry transition to digital TV, the Federal Communications Commission adopted rules Thursday requiring manufacturers to include digital tuners by March 1,…
Cable giant Comcast reported flat third-quarter profits as a gain in revenue was offset by higher expenses associated with the deployment of advanced set-top boxes and telephony services.The company reported a profit of $222 million for the quarter, compared with…
MTV Networks has hired Bob Flood as senior VP of integrated media platforms for its music and comedy ad sales group, the company said Thursday.Mr. Flood, who was executive VP and director of electronic media at Optimedia International, will report…
In a week when nearly all veteran court and talk strips saw declines, the three debuting nationally rated strips were down in households.For the week ended Oct. 23, Twentieth’s court strip “Judge Alex” scored new series low with a 1.9…
Two months after the departure of two key programming executives, Lifetime is close to a deal to bring aboard former WB executive Maria Grasso, sources said. Ms. Grasso was senior VP of drama development at The WB and previously headed…
Former Buena Vista business affairs executive Robert Mendez has been appointed to the newly created position of senior VP of diversity for the Disney-ABC Television Group.Mr. Mendez, a past president of the Hispanic National Bar Association and current board member…