In the business of media, 2003 might best be described as a year ruled by simplicity and consolidation.A slowly recovering economy and the war in Iraq proved no match for a handful of companies interested in either getting bigger or…
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…
After his last broadcast as entertainment editor of KCBS-TV in Los Angeles two weeks ago, David Sheehan had little time to contemplate a key turning point in his landmark 33-year career as one of the premier entertainment reporters and reviewers…
Sportscasting veteran Ahmad Rashad is joining NBA TV’s lineup with a talk show designed to attract actors, musicians and other celebrities as the fledgling network broadens its programming sphere beyond the basketball court.During the half-hour show guests will talk about…
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…
“American Idol,” “The Bachelor,” “Joe Millionaire,” “Average Joe,” “The Simple Life” and “Survivor” were the most talked-about broadcast television hits of the year, proving that reality programming is no longer the ugly stepsister of scripted programming on the networks. At…
ROLESMena Suvari, above, (“American Beauty”) has signed to appear in six episodes of HBO’s “Six Feet Under.” Ms. Suvari will play a student attending art school with Claire Fisher, played by Lauren Ambrose. Production of the fourth season of “Six…
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…
The big syndication experiment of this fall will get another go-round.NBC Enterprises has renewed reality strip “Starting Over,” which follows a group of women who move in together as they restart their lives, for a second season on the NBC…
Former Petry Television programming executive Dick Kurlander is heading an effort by the AARP to launch television projects targeted at baby boomers.Mr. Kurlander has been named head of program development for AARP, the Washington-based nonprofit organization that provides information and…