CBS Earnings Beat Forecasts
CBS reported a profit of $244.3 million, or 36 cents per share, for the quarter ended March 31, up 14% from $213.5 million, or 28 cents per share, in the first quarter of 2007. A reduction in production expenses during…
In Depth
Broadcasters Tell FCC Regulation Won’t Boost Local Content
Broadcasters are warning the Federal Communications Commission against requiring additional local broadcast content or more evidence of local public service during license renewal. Responding to suggestions from consumer groups and some legislators that local content and “public interest” are casualties…
The WB, Kids’ WB Live Again Online
Warner Bros. Television Group will resurrect its former broadcast network, The WB, as a new ad-supported Web video-based interactive site, TheWB.com. The site will feature some of the studio’s most popular shows from its library targeted to the 16- to…
Republicans Want CNN, MSNBC to Pull New Anti-McCain Ad
The Republican National Committee is calling on CNN and MSNBC to pull down a new ad from the Democratic National Committee about Sen. John McCain’s Iraq statements. The RNC said the ad is a “gross distortion” and demonstrates illegal coordination…
Brown to Anchor ‘Wide Angle’
Former CNN anchor Aaron Brown will occupy a prime-time national anchor chair once again this summer as the host of “Wide Angle.” The public broadcasting series, focused on international issues and foreign policy, is produced by New York station WNET-TV….
Transpera to Power AP’s Mobile News Network
The Associated Press has signed a deal with mobile video services provider Transpera to power the mobile content distribution of the AP’s Mobile News Network. Mobile News Network, scheduled to launch later this quarter, is the first product of the…
End of the iTunes (TV) Era
Sure, iTunes was instrumental in singlehandedly unleashing the digital video revolution in 2005 when Disney inked the deal with Apple. For the first time, TV shows really were freed from the TV set. But consider the numbers since then. Two…
New Features Boost Traffic to TVGuide.com
TVGuide.com has seen record traffic on its Web site after a year of major renovations. TV Guide Online, a division of Gemstar-TV Guide International, estimates 12 million unique visitors monthly to its flagship site, representing a 40% annual increase in…
KCET Picks Up ‘BBC World News’ Distribution From WLIW
KCET-TV, the Los Angeles-based public television station, will become the new U.S. partner making “BBC World News” newscasts available to broadcast audiences in this country. The deal is set to take effect after the current agreement with Long Island public…
Spike Launching Original ‘Factory’
Spike plans to launch its first original comedy, “Factory,” on June 29. The series is directed, produced and stars Mitch Rouse, who co-created “Strangers with Candy” for Comedy Central. It follows the story of four workers in a small town…