Timeline
Sept. 21, 1998: The WB 100+ Station Group, a division of The WB Network, launches its first broadcast, making television history with 80 stations signed on. The initial reach is into 2.8 million homes. Prior to its launch, it has…
In Depth
Early Oscars Early Ad Sellout
The earliest-ever Academy Awards presentation has led to the quickest-ever sellout of TV commercial time in the big annual event. Owing to a strong upfront TV ad market, ABC has virtually sold out its commercial inventory in “The 76th Annual…
‘Survivor’ Strong Among Early Bows
The new broadcast season doesn’t officially start until today, but most of the networks got a jump-start by launching a handful of new and returning series last week. CBS’s 90-minute premiere of “Survivor: Pearl Islands” crushed the competition last Thursday,…
Unlocking Secrets of Reach, Frequency
The marketing director’s question came at the end of a routine media presentation. “That’s all fine,” she said, “but how many people are going to see the ad? And how often are they going to see it?” In essence, the…
Gigs
Roles Cameron Diaz will guest star in Fox’s Ricky Blitt comedy pilot. Ms. Diaz will reunite with “There’s Something About Mary” directors Bobby and Peter Farrelly, who will executive produce and direct the project. The Farrelly Brothers co-wrote the project…
Twice Was Nice For Jamie Kellner
Jamie Kellner has lost 14 pounds in six months and his blood pressure is down. That is about how long it has been since he chose to end his tenure in a pressure-cooker post running Time Warner and Turner Broadcasting…
Adelphia on Path to Restore Credibility
From a distance, the marquee in the etching of the old Rigas Theatre appears to read “Shame.” But it’s an optical illusion. The marquee actually reads “Shane,” the title of the classic 1953 Western. But “Shame” would be a logical…
Guest Commentary: The Dangerous Reality of Reality Television
Most people have heard of the Stanford Prison Experiment, social psychology’s version of reality TV, which was conducted in the early ’70s. In this experiment, 12 paid volunteer students were “arrested” at their homes and driven by the Stanford University…
ABC Taking a Brave Step With ‘8 Simple Rules’
As if ABC didn’t have enough problems already, the untimely death of “8 Simple Rules” star John Ritter earlier this month presented the ratings-challenged network with yet another hurdle, casting doubt over the future of one of its more successful…
Resolution May Face Showdown
Proponents of a Senate resolution to overturn the Federal Communications Commission’s media ownership deregulation were threatening to force a vote in the House of Representatives on the issue last week-if House GOP leaders refuse to bring the measure to the…