Divney’s Divine Comedy
If you’re going to make a sizable purchase-oh, let’s say to the tune of a billion two-you need to be damn sure you are comfortable with the product. A large part of the reason Viacom President and Chief Operating Officer…
In Depth
Hispanic Market Maintains its Momentum
Hispanic media, which gained so much steam from the 2000 Census that Spanish-language TV became the fastest-growing television advertising category in 2002, is poised for another winning year. The Census prompted a historic shift in attitudes toward Hispanic media, as…
A&E to Get a Little Less Stuffy
A&E Network will attempt to revive itself as a lighter arts-and-entertainment network. Since last fall, the 20-year-old cable network has experienced a 10% to 15% decline in ratings and key demographics. To counter that, it will launch a marketing campaign…
ESPN2 Gets Its Friday Night ‘Block Party’ On
ESPN2 is throwing a nine-week-long Friday night Block Party this summer and fashion, film and music advertisers looking to target the hip young urban audience are welcome to attend.Block Party is the promotable umbrella title for a weekly four-hour programming…
Is Jack Osbourne a victim of fleeting fame?
We were saddened to hear last week that 17-year-old Jack Osbourne checked himself into Las Encinas Hospital in Pasadena, Calif., for rehab from drugs and alcohol. It certainly wasn’t the most surprising news. Viewers of the MTV reality show The…
Guest Commentary: Propa-News and Media
Now that the war part of the war is over a new media war is heating up as more diverse perspectives emerge within a news business many felt acted as publicists for the well-branded “Iraqi Freedom” campaign.With adrenaline no longer…
Less War, More Gabbing
Although HUT levels slipped as a result of daylight savings time, syndicated series were bolstered by declines in cable news channels. As a result, eight of the 13 talk shows gained ground, as did weekly hours, according to Nielsen Media…
Mugging for the camera
If you blinked, you might have missed it, but Rene Balcer, executive producer of Law & Order: Criminal Intent, was expected to make a “mug shot” debut on the NBC drama Sunday night. The episode, appropriately titled Blink, revolved around…
Making Room for `All of Us’
Last year, UPN Entertainment President Dawn Ostroff said the network’s goal was to be in business with A-list talent.Put movie stars Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith at the top of that list. The husband-and-wife team are two of the executive…
Moving Data More Quickly
The broadcast technology business is poised for a long-awaited breakthrough. The emerging MXF file format is about to make the leap from the closely watched design and development stage to operational standard. Its expected use could significantly impact broadcast operations…