A haircut, a shave and a cell
This amusing photo hit the Internet not long after Saddam Hussein was captured by U.S. forces in Iraq. The artist, who used a computer program to combine the cast of the hit show “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy” with…
In Depth
USA Launching Movie Night
USA Network is planning to introduce a hosted-movie franchise on Thursday nights.Hosted movies, such as TBS’s “Dinner and a Movie,” are attractive to programmers because they reinforce the network’s brand, and to advertisers because they create opportunities for product placement…
Newsmags Lost Amid Youthful Fare
The most important news story of the year was the war in Iraq.But the year’s battle royal in the news business was over the “big gets.” The contests to land high-profile interviews resumed when journalistic troops came home to the…
Cable Put VOD, HD, DVR in the 2003 Mix
The biggest advances in television technology in 2003 came in the form of cable operators’ mix of new services-video-on-demand, high-definition TV and digital video recorders. VOD made the transition from a visionary technology to a bona fide business; the burst…
The Insider
If you’re among those who’ve been trying to get a line on the most likely successors to Mitch Stern as chairman and CEO of Fox’s 35-station group and Twentieth Television, relax. If you’ve assumed News Corp. Deputy Chief Operating Officer…
Researchers Examine Holes in Nielsen Ratings Methods
After weeks of finger-pointing and countless news stories about the decline in viewing this season among young adult men, the core issue apparently is not simply the missing men but the notion that they may represent the canaries in the…
Syndies Score in the Double Digits
Although network prime-time viewing suffered a loss of 492,000 households during the recent November sweeps, syndicators were flush with success. Syndicated shows were up an average of 619,000 households, according to Nielsen Media Research.
The Ratings Wizard
Monday, Dec. 1, 2003-Sunday, Dec. 7, 2003
Washington Notes
The National Rifle Association last week confirmed that it is considering acquiring radio and TV stations as part of an effort to beef up its influence over political contests. “We want to have as many opportunities as possible … [to…
Weather Channel Moves to Localize Reports, Ad Sales
The Weather Channel is spending millions of dollars to put new high-tech equipment in cable operator headends that will enable it to deliver more relevant forecast information to viewers.