The devaluation of 9/11
Criticism of the Republican Party for trying to raise cash with a photo of George W. Bush allegedly hard at work on the 9/11 crisis has apparently subsided in favor of criticism of George W. Bush for failing to share…
In Depth
Things looking up for News Corp., Fox
News Corp. and its Fox Entertainment last week offered a far-better-than-expected quarterly performance and an improved financial outlook for the remainder of their fiscal year, while conceding that the health of the companies’ TV-related operations largely hinge on an advertising…
Buyers seeking that warm, fuzzy feeling
Warmer, more honest ads are what’s working on the creative side in the Fort Myers-Naples, Fla., market, said Julene Wolf, president and owner of The Ad Agency in Fort Myers, which produces ads and buys time.“People are getting into doing…
Warner Bros. eyes digital distribution
Warner Bros. is breaking ground for a digital distribution system that could transform the way the entertainment giant delivers the vast majority of its material to customers.Shipping CDs, sending videotapes and arranging satellite feeds to distribute content may become relics…
Talent moves
Jimmy Kimmel will host a late-night talk show on ABC. The half-hour program is set to make its debut in January. … Faith Hill and Tim McGraw each signed on for prime-time specials on NBC in the fall. John Beug…
Art of the media deal
Allen & Co. partner Nancy Peretsman’s deal-making advice has led to some of the biggest media transactions of the past decade. The deals she has consulted on include Westinghouse’s $5.4 billion purchase of CBS, the $2.5 billion sale of King…
Twice not so nice for ‘Charmed’ ads
The WB thought it a charming-and necessary-idea: repurpose a broadcast network TV show later in the week on cable, keeping the same commercials during both airings.One problem: It didn’t work.So said Jamie Kellner and Jed Petrick, the top executives at…
Not your mother’s business model
Since Sony Corp. of America Chairman Howard Stringer challenged the television industry to devise a profitable programming paradigm last year, content and distribution players have wrestled with new economic models, some of which are boldly evident in the new prime-time…
Profile: John Baisley
Title: President of Panasonic Broadcast & Television Systems Co., a unit of Panasonic System Sales Co.Background: Mr. Baisley assumed the helm of Panasonic Broadcast in early April after most recently serving as general manager of planning for Panasonic System Sales…
Product spotlight: Stars II+
What it is: Stars II +, an integrated traffic, sales and automation system from VCI in Springfield, Mass.What it does: The system, introduced in 1998, manages and automates commercial spots for on-air systems. It books the orders, schedules the spots,…