Researcher Sues ABC for Wrongful Termination Veteran television researcher Andrew Fessel has filed a lawsuit against the ABC Television Network, its parent, The Walt Disney Company, and ABC Network President Alex Wallau. Mr. Fessel is suing for wrongful termination, breach…
CBS Says It’s Near Deal for EchoStar to Resume Carriage of Dropped Stations CBS Television Executive VP Marty Franks told federal lawmakers Wednesday that EchoStar Communications was “very close” to signing a deal that would clear the way for the…
EchoStar’s Ergen Apologizes for Dropping Viacom, Defends Company Position EchoStar Communications CEO Charlie Ergen on Tuesday apologized to his customers for dropping Viacom-owned television stations and cable networks from the satellite company’s DISH Network service, and vowed to get the…
This brand-new award is named for President Bush’s former treasury secretary, who was hard to translate when he was in the administration but who clearly dissed his former boss in his book “The Price of Loyalty: George W. Bush, the…
In the jungle that is the media and entertainment industry, The Walt Disney Co. has become the equivalent of a wounded animal stalked by predators. Thanks to a combination of shareholder outrage due to perceived intransigence on the part of…
The Wichita Falls-Lawton designated market area makes up a split-state market known as “Texoma.” Wichita Falls is in north Texas, a mere 15 miles from Lawton, Okla. All of the area TV stations and other local media came together with…
Advertising Amy Hanno to VP, affiliate sales, Mediapoint Network, Inter/Media Advertising, from marketing manager, Cornerstone Media Group. Broadcast Bert Contestabile to national sales manager, WVBT-TV, Norfolk, Va., from account executive, Blair Television, New York. Melanie Jones to senior VP, media…
Viacom Digs In for Retransmission Fight Viacom Chairman and CEO Sumner Redstone said Monday that he and his executive team are “prepared to hang tough” against EchoStar Communications in the retransmission fight that could result in the satellite operator removing…
The powerful new head of a key congressional committee that is already ramping up efforts against broadcast indecency is now turning his attention to the cable and satellite TV industries. Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, said last week he’s planning to…
Adding to The Walt Disney Co.’s problems, longtime promotional partner McDonald’s is seriously considering phasing out or ending its long-term promotional partnership under a contract that runs through 2006, according to a report by Advertising Age. McDonald’s is distressed over…