The Insider
A court show you can’t refuseGoing to court is always traumatic, but how would you feel if the real-life version of Vito Corleone or Tony Soprano was serving as judge, jury and executioner? Pretty scary, huh? Well, that’s what a…
In Depth
Measure would reward telcos
Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., introduced legislation last week that would give major tax breaks to broadcasters and other owners of telecommunications facilities who sell their properties to women, minorities and other small business entrepreneurs.Under the measure, the Telecommunications Ownership Diversification…
Hollywood Notes
ABC has issued a full-season order for sophomore sitcom “George Lopez.” “Lopez,” which airs at 8:30 p.m. (ET) Wednesdays, earned a nine-episode back order to carry it to a full season’s complement of 22 episodes. Last week’s telecast of “Lopez”…
Stations: Budgeting for the future
Budget season is in full swing at TV stations across the country, which are deciding how best to allocate their resources for the coming year. Unknowns abound, such as whether the economy is truly in recovery mode and whether newscasts…
Briefly Noted
ABC Television affiliates have approved a new network-affiliate plan for the next two years in an effort to strengthen the company’s distribution system. The agreement covers a range of issues, including continued financial support from affiliates for “Monday Night Football,”…
Democracy on TV: Don’t blink
Here’s a story you probably won’t see on the evening news. A new study by the Lear Center Local News Archive backs up what anyone who watches TV newscasts already knew: Election coverage is scarce on the local news.The study,…
At Press Time
Los Angeles-Regal CineMedia, the country’s largest theater owner, sealed a deal with NBC in which the network will provide short-form programming content for Regal’s proposed in-theater Digital Content Network. Regal is aiming to revolutionize cinema advertising by linking with entertainment…
Product Spotlight: Cuda 1200
What it is: Cuda 12000 from ADC, a cable modem termination system that also supports IP telephony. AT&T Broadband has selected the product to replace its proprietary non-DOCSIS equipment as part of its network upgrade. ADC began shipping to the…
Guarantees dropped in scatter
Guarantees have all but disappeared from broadcast scatter this year, but that doesn’t mean they can’t reappear suddenly, perhaps at one network, as a ploy to gain tactical advantage.“I think that all things being equal, assuming that everyone’s writing business…
Quick Takes
“In local TV news I’m encouraged by the fact that RTNDA surveys show about one-third of all news directors are women. Women far outnumber men in journalism schools, so it’s just a matter of time before sheer numbers prevail.”Terry Anzur,…