Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2006

Overnights
A strong start for college bowl games
ABC's first two games up more than 5 percent over last year, signaling an end to the controversy-fueled slide in BCS's ratings

Television
ABC's new Monday strategy: Laughter
It will use Sunday shows to promote sitcoms, aiming to lure the young women who have made 'Housewives' and 'Lost' such hits

Television
Good night, Peter Jennings. So long.
Saluting the media notables who died in 2005, from ABC's long- time anchor to late night's Johnny Carson to Hunter S. Thompson

Popcult
At last, a jolly good time at the Bijou
Holiday movie ticket sales soared by 30 percent, thanks to the spectacles 'Narnia' and 'Kong,' capping an otherwise sorry year

Out of Home
Your client on the slopes of America
Meeting and greeting skiers where they play. Sponsored events and sampling that reach beyond signage, with a personal touch

TV This Week
Final BCS showdown: Texas vs. USC
Two undefeateds meet for all the roses as Southern Cal and its Heisman winners vie for a third-straight national championship

News shorts
Study: More beer ads = more underage drinking
Report: ABC putts away PGA Tour coverage
Eh? Canadian Sirius won't be airing Stern show
Disney expands video iPod offerings to sports
Gonzo journalism: Hunter's widow's new magazine

Web shorts
Google denies rumors of cheapo computer option
Starz site becomes an on-demand movie hub
It's radio for your cell: Motorola's music venture
Sir iPod? Apple designer Ive gets queen's honor

People
Peter Kosann rises to CEO of Westwood One
Richard F. Zannino named CEO of Dow Jones & Company
Jim Schiekofer named director of corporate sales at Future US
Anthony Ruotolo rises to associate publisher of Hachettes Photo Books
Jeremy Philips rises to head of online strategy at News Corp.
Gary Stein joins BuzzMetrics client services department
Simon Green named CEO North America at Setanta Sports
Felipe Luciano named VP of news at Air America Radio
Adam Stewart named VP of national sales at Screenvision
'American Idol's' Ryan Seacrest finalizes E! deal
Bid nipped: The Donald wont run for NY governor
Stripper and '50s pinup Candy Barr dies at age 70
TV researcher George Gerbner dies at age 86

Thursday, Jan. 5, 2006

Overnights
Promising start for NBC's new 'Deal'
Game show wins timeslot in 18-49s with a 3.9 rating, growing 26 percent in its second half hour. But don't call it a 'Millionaire' yet.

Cable
Study: A la carte is a pretty dumb idea
Consumers would pay the same for a lot less choosing their cable channels piecemeal, with prices increasing to $5 or $10 apiece

Cable
Cartoons, seen through one kid's eyes
Talking with Christopher Hart, 15, teen expert on what goes into a good cartoon. He should know. He watches 10 to 20 each day.

New media
Big bump in online holiday shopping
Up 23 percent through Dec. 16, to $16 billion. Web savvy spend more than a quarter of their holiday budgets with online retailers.

TV This Week
On 'Nip/Tuck,' the carver is unmasked
Hah! Was it Ava, the boy-loving transsexual? Sean perhaps? Bigger mystery is whether show will be back after next season.

News shorts
Fox: 'Idol' will go to Thursdays, at least three times
Nielsen adds Univision to national ratings listings
Icahn: The AOL-Google deal is not a good idea
Downsizing: WB shows pop up on cell phones
Spears sues Us over s#ex video story 

Web shorts
House sets 2009 analog signoff deadline
Microsoft squeezes out Explorer for Macs
Driven by iTunes, Apple sees big monthly gains
New: Record and download TV for video iPod

People
Washington Examiner editor in chief John Wilpers resigns
Lynn Picard rises to EVP of interactive entertainment at Lifetime
Louise Henry Bryson rises to president of distribution at Lifetime
Aaron Neal joins Northlight Advertising as web site designer
David Sauter joins Backpacker as Detroit sales representative
Anthony Rallo named Stuff consumer electronics and spirits director
Dan Harrison rises to SVP of emerging networks at NBC Universal
David Kerley named general assignment correspondent at ABC News
Stephen Spinella and Jayne Atkinson join Foxs 24
American Idol runner-up Bo Bice rushed to hospital
Jay Severin returns to Bostons WTKK-FM and CBS Radio
President of Howard Sterns accounting firm charged with insider trading
Presidential candidate Al Sharpton agrees to pay FEC $100,000

Friday, Jan. 6, 2006

Overnights
NBC's 'Office' gets nifty kick from 'Earl'
Averages season-best 4.5 on its new night, retaining 87 percent of 'Earl's' very solid lead-in. Also last night: ABC's 'Stars' strut it.

Media Economy
Expect 2006 to be a better year after all
Forecasters actually see robust ad spending, even if media folks remain pessimistic following the slowdown in third-quarter 2005

Research
Broadcast's own worst enemy: reruns
They're up dramatically, driving viewers away from networks to cable and other media, reports Magna. Up even during sweeps.

Dayparts update
Unexpected resurgence for CBS News
Ratings up for 'Evening News' and 'Nation,' by 4 percent and 7 percent, but why is a puzzler. Perhaps the fading of Memogate

Rachel speaks!
Rachel, when might I get promoted?
The skinny on climbing up the media ladder. When you can expect a bump from assistant to planner with what sort of raise.

TV This Week
Best tube bets this weekend
Friday: NBC's 'Daniel;' Saturday: NFL wild card playoff games; Sunday: 'The L Word' third-season premiere on Showtime

News shorts
Coming to Google, downloads from NBA & CBS
Fox-DirecTV deal makes shows available early
Oscars tab 'Daily's' Stewart, but will he jab back?
Sirius payday: Satellite stock nets Stern $219M
Programming notes: HBO lassos more 'Deadwood'

Web shorts
Wal-Mart: Sorry for racially offensive referrals
Total ecommerce sales rise 25 percent in 2005
Study: Increasing cell phone use hurts family life
Visits to Turin Olympics page spike as start nears

People
Pat Robertson: Israels Ariel Sharon is suffering Gods wrath
Earl Butch Graves Jr. named CEO of Black Enterprise magazine
Peter Haeffner named publisher of TV Guide
Savannah Ashour named associate editor at Tango
Melinda Bickerstaff named Discovery SVP of learning and development
John Cuddihy named EVP at Lightworks Program Distribution
Matt Turner becomes Music Choice senior director of ad sales
Steve Kmetko becomes anchor for Q Television Network
Keith Cunningham joins radio consultant Jacobs Media
Alison Lee appointed head of business affairs at Granada International
Cartoonist Nick Anderson leaves Louisville Courier-Journal
Michael Jackson lawsuit thrown out of court
Florida kids TV host Skipper Chuck dies at age 80

Monday, Jan. 9. 2006

Overnights
The returning 'West Wing' sinks anew
Despite attention over Spencer's death, hits season low of 1.9 in in 18-49s, down 17 percent, for a fourth-place finish for the night

Overnights
Much show, little go, for NBC's 'Daniel'
Finishes third in Friday timeslot, despite stink and boycott threats over drama about a minister who talks to Jesus. Viewers yawn.

Magazines
Penthouse swipes Playboy's publisher
Diane Silberstein joins reviving men's title after two years at the Hefner magazine. New owner's aim: Make it a competitor again.

Sports TV
Kwan's quandary may be a blessing
Winter Olympics dearly need a buzz infusion, and hand-wringing over whether she makes it to Turin to skate may just provide it

Popcult
Stunner: Soap opera docs are fakes
British study rips lid off miracle recoveries, revealing in real life far fewer patients ever revive from comas. Even fewer fully recover.

Out of Home
Your client on interactive jukeboxes
Connect with young swells on the town for a night with ads that link back to web sites for the product, offering games and give-aways

News shorts
Howard's first day: The f-bomb and phone se#x
Local broadcast revenues dip 12 percent in Q3
MPA takes another look at Abramoff ties
NFL punts ad partnership with ED companies
Programming notes: Four tribes for new 'Survivor'

Web shorts
Study: Gramps and gram using web to get news
Yahoo offers customized portal via cell phone
Clear Channel launches on-demand music videos
Some 80M Chinese embrace instant messaging

People
Researcher Betsy Frank leaving Viacom
Court nixes Martha Stewarts conviction appeal
Matthew Rodriguez rises to Twentieth Television SVP of marketing
Elizabeth Sheppard named Meredith director of licensing sales
Terri M. Santisi appointed CFO at Interpublic Media
Lynn A. Lehmkuhl named SVP of sales for Newspaper National Network
Three personnel moves at TeshMedia Group
Janet Annino named executive producer of Rachael Ray talk show
Will Toale playing Aquaman for the WB
Simon Cowell producing Duets for Fox
Losts Naveen Andrews admits fathering illegitimate child
Former New York Times reporter David E. Rosenbaum dies at 63
Former Newsweek ad executive Douglas Painton Jeppe dies at 74

Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2006

 Overnights
ABC's Monday comedy lineup sputters
Its new post-football roster tumbles 23 percent in 18-49s. Big not for debuting 'Emily's Reasons Why Not.' 'Bachelor' takes a hit.

Television
Expect 'American Idol' to score again
Media people predict another winning season for the Fox reality warbler, doing as well as last year. See no signs of age wrinkles.

TV Reviews
'Crumbs,' pass the meds, if you will
Jane Curtin needs a cocktail of tranquilizers, or her overacting will surely doom ABC's otherwise promising new Thursday sitcom

New media
Rupert: MySpace is going to be big
News Corp. chief envisions a rival to portals Yahoo and MSN in attracting advertising after boosting content to attract new users

Magazines
City Magazine, beyond pretty spaces
Exquisite photos and design pull in the reader of this very eclectic guide to the best and coolest of the world's great metropolises

TV This Week
The world's great cheaters on GSN
On the premiere of 'Anything to Win,' Rosie Ruiz scams her way to a victory in the 1980 Boston Marathon, aided by the subway

News shorts
Last year's top news story: Hurricane Katrina
Super Bowl ad prices up 4 percent to $2.5 million
Programming notes: New Rosie outlook for Logo
Puzzler: Sudoku craze goes from page to screen
Fox's Giant fumble: All-time low wild card game

Web shorts
ABC News online offering daily BBC news feed
Amid box office slump, web ticket sales on rise
Xbox 360 supply dries up as more launches loom
Live from iTunes, it's 'Saturday Night' downloads

People
Todays Alex Wallace rises to VP at NBC News
Richard J. Bressler joins Thomas H. Lee Partners
Jean Chatzky named contributing editor at Travel + Leisure
Buzz Knight rises to VP of program development at Greater Media
Frank Vitale rises to House & Garden associate publisher of marketing
Rick Tarvin appointed corporate manager at Viamedia
Marta Whrle named VP of digital media at Hachette Filipacchi Media
David Leepson named VP of development at Fox Sports Net
Luis Remis named sales and marketing director for Castalia Communications
Dawn Lee Williamson rises to VP of ad sales at Cartoon Network
Greg Neal becomes Food Network VP of creative services
Susan Kolar named EVP at Sesame Workshop
Alan Brittain named VP of Fox Station Sales

Wednesday, Jan 11, 2006

Overnights
Fox trot: Guest pumps 'Boston Legal'
Ex-'Spin City' star plays cancer patient, pushing up 18-49 ratings 14 percent. A welcome adrenaline shot for fading legal drama.

Magazines
Magazines finish 2005 on a flat note
Ad pages up just 0.7 percent after strong start, hurt by declines among the business and newsmagazine titles. Not a good sign.

Sports TV
NBC's Olympics coverage: Wall to wall
Winter record of 416 hours across six networks, including three cable and two in HD. New on USA: A nightly skating program.

Television
A 'Star' turn for ABC's dance contest
Sweet payoff for midseason return of hit, up 29 percent in total viewers and giving network a cushion against returning 'Survivor'

Cable
Rumble in space: 'Battlestar Galactica'
Premiere of critics' favorite down 16 percent in adults 18-49 and 25-54, to Sci Fi's woe. Blame long layoff and a tougher timeslot.

TV This Week
Got your shoes? Let's walk the Bible.
Tracing the steps of Abraham and Moses in the three-part PBS series 'Walking the Bible,' continuing tonight at 8. Paths to faith.

News shorts
And Cox makes three: Another family cable tier
Dirty Desmond's struggling OK! takes a price cut
No goof: Disney ex Eisner hosting CNBC talker
Lifetime dishes on Echostar in NY Times ad
Duo's debut gooses ABC News ... or does i

Web shorts
Yet another study links aggressiveness to gaming
E! latest cable network to launch broadband site
Get iPod fashionable: Levi's new joystick jeans
Frey the fibber? Smoking Gun debunks 'Pieces'

People
Barry Lowenthal named The Media Kitchen president and managing partner
Paul Familetti and Ivy Quejado join Fader Magazine
Carlette Peters becomes ABC Radio Networks account executive
Eric Gruseke name associate publisher of advertising at Country Living
Eric Wold named director of Octagon Speakers
Eric Zinczenko name group publisher of Field & Stream and Outdoor Life
Michael Castello named VP of ad sales at AIM Tell-A-Vision
Stephen Gilula and Nancy Utley rise to COOs at Fox Searchlight Pictures
ABC's Tom Evans chairing Network Radio Research Council
Paul Reiser writing comedy pilot for CBS
Ann Coulters cream pie assassin pleads guilty
Britney Spears tops Mr. Blackwells worst-dressed list
Former Des Moines Register publisher David S. Kruidenier dies at 84

Thursday, Jan 12, 2006

Overnights
A wet blanket debut for 'South Beach'
UPN's young-skewing heart-throbber eats sand, pulling a 1.0 in adults 18-49, no better than the recent reruns in the timeslot

Research
As NBC sags, viewers are also aging
Steep declines in viewers 12 to 34 years old with loss of winning comedies like 'Friends,' even with success of 'My Name is Earl'

Television
What NBC has riding on 'Four Kings'
It's the promise of attracting younger men, viewers it desperately needs. Never mind the sitcom's weak debut and savage reviews.

Magazines
For the very rich, it's not all glamorous
Not as Wealth Management Survey sees it. New Brit title offers sage advice on picking a private banker and penning a prenup.

Dayparts update
With court shows, think in Spanish
The tradition shows are lagging this season but the two Hispanic judge shows are up. Which is why two more will debut in the fall.

TV This Week
On the Ice: Picking Olympic skaters
The men's and women's short programs air on ESPN2, leading into the U.S. Figure Skating Championships over the weekend

News shorts
Coming from Martha, Blueprint for a better life
Golf Channel steps up to the tee for PGA coverage
ErinMedia sues Nielsen again: Claims false advertising
Memo: Expect a long slog for Inc. and Fast Co.
Programming notes: Rash of pilots for next season 

Web shorts
More holiday shoppers let Google do their walking
Forecast: Cell phones sales headed for a slowdown
AOL nearly doubling the video clips in its index
Now, watching TV on international flights

People
NBC shakeup: Katherine Pope becomes EVP of entertainment
Jonathan Dahl named editor in chief of SmartMoney
Ed Hecht becomes advertising director at Rolling Stone
Francesca Reyes rises to editor in chief of Official Xbox Magazine
Michael Hirschorn rises to EVP of original programming at VH1
Sandra Bernhard in a deal with Q Television Network
Michael Goldfine named VP of production and programming for Network LIVE
PBS's Pat Mitchell becoming head of the Museum of Television & Radio
Alicia Keys signs a development deal with UPN
ABC News's Michel Martin will host new show on NPR
Lovelorn: Dr. Phil gives dating tips on Match.com
Revealed: Big Disney bucks for Michael Eisner and Robert Iger
John Hegeman becomes COO of Fox Filmed Entertainment



Friday, Jan 14, 2006

Overnights
NBC bops back to win Thursday night
Entire lineup gains, pushing network to a 5.6 in adults 18-49 and leaving rerun-laden CBS in the dust with a 4.1. ABC sputters.

Sports TV
GoDaddy's Super Bowl beef with ABC
Founder Bob Parsons on network ad censors and his struggle to gain their approval for a spot created for this year's big game

London
Yet sorrier news at the Financial Times
New report says British readership has sunk dramatically in the past year, just as a new editor takes over to correct its course

Younger viewers
Irksome dip for ABC Family's 'Wildfire'
Heart-throbber off 39 percent in target 18-34s in second outing after record season debut. It will come back, but by how much?

Rachel speaks!
Rachel, how should I ask for a bonus?
A media person who brings in new business to the agency thinks extra compensation is in order. The advice: Tread ever so gently.

TV This Week
Best tube bets this weekend
Friday: 'Monk' returns on USA; Saturday: 'NFL Football' on CBS, Patriots versus the Broncos; Sunday: On Fox, two hours of '24'

News shorts
Lifetime widens its Dish attack to five more markets
DeLay threats kill ad campaign on Houston TV stations
Hardly retired: Koppel will opine for Times and NPR
Chicago Tribune trims stocks, citing web and costs
Spielberg and Sci Fi pair up for 'Nine Lives' miniseries

Web shorts
Google pairing with BlackBerry for instant messaging
FCC: It's time to offer web access on domestic flights
Microsoft: Consider Media Player for Macs history
Dell considers cheaper computers running on AMD

People
Marc Graboff becomes West Coast president of NBC Universal Television
Nora O'Brien rises to VP of original programming at Sci Fi Channel
Chuck Saftler rises to EVP of FX Networks
Dave Marash becomes news anchor for Al Jazeera International
Rich Ambrose becomes VP of national sales at Time Warner Cable
Rudi Bakhtiar joins Fox News Channel as general correspondent
Mather Zickel cast as lead in USAs Underfunded
Author Amy Tan becomes literary editor for LA Times Sunday magazine
Frank J. Keegan becomes editor of the Baltimore Examiner
Candace Bushnell lands NBC comedy pilot
Dara Altman becomes EVP of business affairs at XM Satellite Radio
Terence Smith retires as 'NewsHour' media correspondent
Losts Cynthia Watros pleads guilty to drunk driving

Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2006

Overnights
Golden Globes climb out of the cellar
Pulls 18.7 million total viewers, up 13 percent from last year, when it aired on Sunday against 'Housewives.' But still way off from '04.

Television
ABC's gold: 'Lost' and 'Housewives'
Golden Globe wins for drama and comedy. Best comedy actors: 'Weed's' Mary-Louise Parker and 'The Offices' Steve Carrell.

Television
Syndie's latest new thing: Hispanics
Target viewers for three of seven new shows set to roll out at NATPE in Las Vegas, including the novela-style series 'Desire.'

Popcult
Real price of divorce: Enduring pain
New study reveals people never really recover from the breakup of a marriage, contrary to how television portrays life afterwards

Out of Home
Your client's message in video games
Reaching young gamers in the midst of their play with interactive ads that fit into the action. Make a buy across a range of games.

TV This Week
Once again, 'American Idol' on Fox
All signs point to yet another strong showing for the reality series, which debuts tonight. But it's not likely to win the season for Fox.

News shorts
Boosted by football, '24's' Sunday debut soars
EchoStar signs Oxygen in tit-for-tat with Lifetime
Iran lifts ban after CNN apologizes for misquotes
Cement shoes: Creator says no more 'Sopranos'
Quick kill for ABC's 'Emily Reasons Why Not' 

Web shorts
Study: Web's first impressions are lasting impressions
Big Mac out to advance the quality of web advertising
For the iPod challenged, a course on the gizmo
In Bangladesh, big stink over free wee-hour calls

People
Barbara Bo Argentino becomes SVP of ad and media sales at NBC Universal
Michael Schneider joining Worth as VP and publisher
Radio talker Glenn Beck joins CNN Headline News
Steve Margosian becomes VP of OLN Marketing Solutions and Comcast Networks
Bad boy Jerry Springer reups with NBC Universal
Julian Posada rising to general manager of Hoy Chicago
David Leitner becomes VP of sales and marketing at CAB
Dave Navarro and Brooke Burke return to CBSs Rock Star
Walter Cronkite: It's time for the U.S. to quit Iraq
X-Files creator Chris Carter sues Fox
Book of Daniel writer Jack Kenny calls AFA un-American
Santa Monica radio host Chris Douridas arrested for attempted kidnapping
Former Houston Chronicle publisher Richard J. V. Johnson dies at 75

Alternative media
Imagine a sea of sails festooned with ads
Mobile kiosks: Standing tall on three wheels
For the WB, actors playing in character
Ring-a-ding. Putting ads on cell phones.

Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2006

Overnights
Record debut for Fox's 'American Idol'
Up 9 percent in 18-49s over last year's debut, to a 15.2 rating, drawing 35.4 million total viewers, 2 million more than a year ago

Television
Tired, now retired: 'Malcolm' and '70s'
Fox dumps oldies, buoyed by newer shows that are pulling solid ratings, such as 'House' and 'Prison Break,' also 'Family Guy.'

Television
For ABC, Monday's no laughing matter
New comedy strategy takes a hit with axing of 'Emilys Reasons Why Not' after just one outing. Now the big question: What next?

Magazines
Din of silence about the new TV Guide
Media people are under-wowed by redesign intended to kick off its new life as a contender in the celeb arena. Where's the buzz?

New media
The next era in ecommerce: Sell, sell
Going from displaying to pushing product by narrowing selection to customer's preferences. One expert: We'll see it this year.

TV This Week
Thump. Bump. Skating with celebs.
Fox's takeoff of ABC's 'Dancing with the Stars,' debuting after 'American Idol,' ought to get a healthy tune-in, as well as laughs

News shorts
Playboy poaches Primedia's Mohn as publisher
New Balance joins the stampede to on-demand
Google goes from testing magazine ads to radio
Clear Channel launches Spanish radio network
Al-Jazeera tape's chilling ultimatum for Carroll

Web shorts
Disney woos wee ones to online magic kingdom
Last year's hottest holiday buys: Jewelry & music
Biggest cell phone users? Blacks and Hispanics
Get your office email via phone from Cingular

People
Oliver Maletz joins Horizon as SVP and brand strategy managing director
Heidi Anderson rises to advertising director of Health magazine
Leslie Picard becomes SVP of sales for Time Inc.
Donald Perry rises to president and CEO of Clear Channel TV
Laura Lancaster rises to SVP of drama and cable programming at NBCU
Cynthia Hudson-Fernandez becomes EVP of Spanish Broadcasting System
Michael Strober becomes sales manager for Turner Entertainment
Gary Carter becomes chief creative officer at Fremantle Media
James Hitchcock rises to SVP of creative and marketing at CMT
Christopher Ottinger becomes EVP at Fox World
On the up & up: Four promotions at E! Networks
Too hot? P#orn star Kim Holland pulled off Dutch TV
Sam Donaldson testifies in murder trial

Thursday, Jan 19, 2006

Overnights
Huge 'Idol' boosts Fox's celeb skaters
Reality warbler pulls a 13 rating in 18-49s, versus last year's 11.1, with 31 million viewers, pushing ice romp to a 7.2, up 33 percent

Media Economy
Forecast: TV's global reach will widen
Taking a rising share of consumer spending versus other forms of home entertainment, such as music, as digital television spreads

Television
A shrinking mandate for 'Commander'
First-year ABC drama hits a series low of 2.4 in adults 18-49, down 38 percent from its season average, with the return of 'Idol'

Cable
Close but no cigar: 'Shield' takes a hit
Make that no Close but almost a cigar. FX debut off 12 percent without last year's guest star, but that's actually a decent showing.

TV This Week
The improbable revival of 'The Office'
NBC's British remake was all but dead until the hit 'My Name is Earl' became its lead-in. Tonight, Michael and Jim go to Hooters.

News shorts
DirecTV in a family way with new network tier
Honey smacked: Nick sued over cereal ads
McManus: New CBS anchor will be going solo
Post-Cowell licking, Clarkson grants 'Idol' wish
It's a rap for The Source's Mays and Scott 

Web shorts
Survey: More than half bought some gifts online
With iPod hits, Disney eyes more on-demand
Million-dollar headache: Student's site attacked
Space invader? Casino buys Shatner's stone

People
Cole Hartman becomes VP of business development at Horizon
Thomas Beusse becomes president of Time4 Media
Edwin Batson becomes Scarborough Research VP of custom research
Raymond Hennessey becomes editor of SmartMoney.com
John Norman becomes Granada International SVP of international sales
Anne Drake named VP of InfoSys sales and marketing at TNS
Amy Wigler becomes director of integrated marketing for Logo
Michele Megan Dix becomes SVP of music and talent at VH1
Brenda Freeman becomes Nickelodeon SVP of promotions marketing
Maury Povich launches entertainment marketing agency
Gerald T. Griffin rises to ABC Regional Sports Sales VP
Bill Maher hosting new Amazon Fishbowl e-talk show
Chrysler marketing head Julie Roehm jumps to Wal-Mart

Friday, Jan 20, 2006

Overnights
Kick-up for ABC's 'Dancing With Stars'
Up 16 percent vs. last week in 18-49s, to a season-best 5.2 rating and 18.2 million total viewers, as NBC fumbles its gains

Magazines
Murdoch's new Love It! for UK women
First of a series of magazines that will launch, this one with true- life inspirational stories with working-class appeal, in Feburary.

TV Reviews
'Courting Alex,' returning to romance
New CBS sitcom steps beyond stale formulas. Jenna Elfman as a lawyer looking for love. (Nary a chubby, needy male in sight.)

Dayparts update
Syndie surprise: The Tyra connection
All the talk last fall was about Martha Stewart but it's the ex-super model who has turned out to be the great communicator of chat

Rachel speaks!
Rachel, am I being underpaid in S.F.?
A planner hears of others with fatter salaries. It may be so, but likely not. People exaggerate, and salary gauges are often high.

TV This Week
Best tube bets this weekend
Friday: NBA on ESPN; Saturday: Dennis Miller on HBO; Sunday: Super Bowl matchup set with the AFC and NFC championships

News shorts
Fluff huff: Reporter took bucks for puff stories
Role reversal: Stern's big complaint to the FCC
Senators: New family tiers lack sports appeal
Post ombudsman's Abramoff blog sparks outcry
Programming notes: UPN getting into 'Sync'

Web shorts
Google to Bushies: We'll keep our records secret
Stern's satellite defection boosts traffic to XM too
Study: 14 percent of online audience visits iTunes
Once and for all, cells don't cause brain tumors

People
Life & Style publisher Rosanna Giacalone ousted
Michelle Guglielmelli becomes senior partner and HR director for Mediaedge:cia
Kenneth Warun becomes VP of comedy promotion at ABC Entertainment
Jacqueline Graziano rises to AARP Publications sales development director
Dan Uslan rises to SVP of sales at Morris Visitor Publications
Former GE CEO Jack Welch becomes BusinessWeek columnist
Sandi Hemmerlein rises to senior director of marketing for Razor & Tie
Kirk Kelley and Jan Johnson rise at LAIKA/house
Luis Estrada and Alain Jourdier join REVShare
Emmis Radio SVP and market manager Barry Mayo exits
Seven new hires and promotions at VH1
Chris Rock and Will Smith go behind the camera for UPN
Former Washington Post obituary editor J.Y. Smith dies at 74

Monday, Jan. 23, 2006

Overnights
Bummer: NFC game nosedives on Fox
Down by 63 percent from last year, to a 10.7 in 18-49s. Buzzless Seahawks-Panthers matchup does not bode well for Super Bowl.

Television
NBC cancels long-ailing 'West Wing'
A May finale for once top Emmy-winning series. Also 'Apprentice' moves to Monday and 'Las Vegas' to Friday. 'L&O' to air earlier.

Sports TV
Boding well: The bad boy NBC needs
Blessed by fuss over downhill skier Bode Miller and his drinking, the network is assured a big curiosity tune-in for the Games

Popcult
Sussing out writers who spin the truth
It's become fine literary sport to bust them, if not a sub-industry with James Freys 'A Million Little Pieces.' But it's a curious one.

Out of Home
Your client in front of Super Bowl fans
Street teams cruise the crowds on game day in Detroit and other markets, adorned with screens on their bodies and on Segways

TV This Week
Loving words: John & Abigail Adams
On PBS, a reading of their letters spanning their many years of marriage when they were separated. An American experience.

News shorts
ABC wins with best Friday in almost two years
EchoStall? Lifetime rejects latest Dish offer
Red, now dead: The liberal News-Leader
Report: Sirius mulling censorship plan
ABC defends 'Emily's' unexpected demise

Web shorts
Report: Digital music sales hit $1.1B
E-shopping up by a third already this year
AtomFilms offering online-only content
U.S. fell behind in 2005 PC buying frenzy 

People
Sean Moran becomes head of MTV ad sales
Wayne Luciano becomes vice president of strategic planning at J. Brown Agency
Jeremy Miller named president and CEO of The Source magazine
Scott Jagow becomes host of Marketplace Morning Report
James S. Bandera becomes advertising director at Boston magazine
Tim Overmyer becomes southeastern region division manager at Twentieth Television
Former NY Times film critic Elvis Mitchell hosting BETs Black
Former Hollywood attorneys start entertainment agency
Warner Bros. renewing Tyra Banks for second season
Bob Keane leaves as VP of production at Newsday
Animal lover Jack Hanna back on syndicated TV
Designer Christopher Lowell hosting new show
James Carville and Luke Russert hosting XM Radio sports show

Alternative media
For lost souls, help is just fingers away
On a roll: Ads on hubcaps of taxi cabs
Where the boys are (place your ad here)
Whopper of a play: Ads on cell phones

Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2006

Television
WB and UPN networks are merging
Combined network will debut in the fall as CW, ending decade-long rivalry. It will be jointly owned by Warner Bros. and CBS.

Overnights
Repeats revive ABC's Monday night
Up 15 percent in 18-49s with 'Bachelor' rerun, topping night two weeks ago when now-canceled 'Emily' debuted. Finishes third.

Sports TV
For ABC's Monday, a history lesson
Nearly four decades ago it was in the toilet, then an idea began to form: What about putting sports on Monday night, maybe football?

Radio
Payout: Clear Channel's ratings are up
With credit to Less is More ad reduction plan. Buyers say tighter inventory is leading to price increases. Now others are following.

New media
Seeing is believing with mobile TV
Two new studies find consumers actually like it once they see how it actually works, never mind that many analysts have dismissed it

TV This Week
On 'Queer Eye,' a night of star-gazing
Onetime Bravo hit does over a star's brother, Michael Bacon, as Kevin watches, in yet another effort to reverse show's decline

News shorts
Football fizzle for NFL's title games
PBS names NYC fund-raiser Kerger president
Gender bender: GLAAD steams at 'Idol'
Programming notes: Fox re-enters late night
In Wisconsin, readers vote on front-page story

Web shorts
Supreme Court won't hear Blackberry case
AOL aims for businesses with IBM deal
Penthouse: Read it for the articles online
Happy birthday: The first PC virus turns 20

People
David Poltrack becomes president of CBS Vision
Abbie Schiller becomes VP of media relations at ABC Daytime
Interep president of sales Jeff Dashev exits after 36 years
Otto Padrn rises to Univision SVP of programming and promotions
Alan Chu joins Smithsonian Publishing as general manager
Colette Shelton rises to VP of reality programming at Lifetime
Eric Stanger rises to director of talk programming at ABC Radio
Michael Starkenburg and Steve Shannon rise at Gemstar-TV Guide
John Sears joins CNN as Gulf Coast bureau chief
Leslie Mull joins Revolution Media as account director
Janet Roll becomes VP and GM of AOL womens and lifestyle programming
Survivor Richard Hatch testifies in tax evasion trial
Chris Bevilacqua becomes president of CSTV Regional Networks


Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2006

Overnights
'American Idol' soars in second week
Fox's reality warbler pulls a 15 in 18-49s, up 25 percent over last year's second Tuesday episode, averaging 34.8 million viewers

Television
What WB/UPN will mean for media
The surprise merger cannot please buyers, who see any and all consolidation as a path to reduced options and higher prices

Television
How clever: An NBC 'Friends' reunion
Rumored deal would be a sure ratings-booster, but it would also make a statement to media buyers about the network's revival

Television
On the brink for CBS's 'Love Monkey'
Meager premiere of 8.6 million total viewers bodes ill for show with so many expectations. A further dip could mean the end.

Cable
For CMT, a so lovely 'Miss America'
Country music channel's most-watched show ever with 3.1M viewers, though off the 9.8M it averaged its last year on ABC

TV This Week
NBC's 'Idol' threat: Jamie Foxx sings
'Ray's' Oscar winner returns to his TV roots with a concert special, airing opposite Fox's reality hit and putting 'E-Ring' on hold

News shorts
Lifetime's latest salvo: EchoStar supports p#orn
Jury deliberates 'Survivor' nudie Hatch's fate
Sharpton a-lather over 'Boondocks' n-word
On Rolling Stone, West's crown of thorns
Programming notes: NBC dropping 'Daniel'

Web shorts
Google agrees to censor Chinese searches
New coalition promises to out web's fraudsters 
SmartVideo offers music videos via cell phone
'Family Guy' tot Stewie hosting web talk show

People
Village Voice publisher Judy Miszner gets booted
Michael Becker rejoins ABC as VP of integrated marketing and promotion
Craig Tomashoff rises to West Coast bureau chief at TV Guide
Leslie Furuta becomes VP of communications at TV Guide Channel
Catherine Mullen becomes EVP and GM of fuse network
Stephen Madden rises to VP and editor-in-chief of Bicycling
Jeremy Steinberg becomes VP of digital media at Fox News Channel
Kimberly Connaghan rises to associate publisher of National Geographic Traveler
Lisa Weinstein rises to regional sales manager at Fox Sports en Espanol
Dara Cohen becomes VP of scripted programming at Court TV
Tom Poulos becomes EVP and GM of Regional Market Radio
Jill Meenaghan joins Conde Nast Traveler as director of creative services
Actor Chris Penn, Seans brother, found dead at 40


Thursday, Jan. 26, 2006

Overnights
Limp debut for 'Bones' following 'Idol'
Loses 64 percent of lead-in in Wednesday slot, despite another huge night for Fox's reality hit, which averaged a 12.9 in 18-49s

Television
Survey: Fox could well win the season
Nearly half of readers think network can do it, despite its weaker start this midseason and the absence of Super Bowl in February

London
Coming soon to Brit TV, Eat Cinema
Channel's aim: Get folks to devour movies. Thus the clever name. Think of it as extended infomercial for the nation's film industry.

Dayparts update
A winter's chill descends on 'Nightline'
ABC news show is down 15 percent in 18-49s versus last year, when Ted Koppel was still anchoring, and that does not bode well

TV This Week
The big 'Smallville' death: Who is it?
Jonathan? Chloe? The suspense is killing. It happens on the 100th episode of the WB show, and the internet's abuzz over it.

News shorts
Study: PPM discerns larger radio audience
Chinese shutter weekly over rebellion story
Programming notes: ‘Boondocks’ will be back
Primetime politicos: PMs judge reality show
From winner to sinner: Hatch convicted

Web shorts
MTV Networks split elevates new media
In time for Valentine's, the Kama Sutra worm
Wal-Mart rolls into online music videos
Study: The isolated internet geek is a myth

People
Fallon Worldwide creative director Paul Silburn booted
Sean McFadden Sympson becomes Initiative SVP and global account director
Paul Jowdy becomes VP and publisher of Bon Appetit
Chris Mitchell rejoins Details as VP and publisher
Carole Johnson joins Staples as EVP of marketing
Roby Wiener named EVP and CMO of Westwood One
Phiderika Foust joins Scripps Networks as VP of business development
Former Secretary of Education William J. Bennett joins CNN
Thom Brennaman will call BCS Championship game on Fox
Richard L. Berke becomes NY Times assistant managing editor for news
Glenn Kramon and Susan Edgerley rise to assistant managing editors at NY Times
Dan Henson becomes CMO of GE
Wayne Goldstein rises to VP of new media research at Sony Pictures Television

Friday, Jan. 27, 2006

Overnights
A royal tumble for NBC's 'Four Kings'
Off 13 percent in 18-49s to 3.1, a series low for the much-dissed sitcom, after surprisingly strong start. 'Survivor' looms next week.

Television
Frey splayed: Oprah rips up faux writer
Emotional apology to fans for pumping ex-junkie memoir 'Million Little Pieces,' after first defending her book-club pick. Mea culpa.

New media
Behind the steady fall in search prices
And yes, they are down by a full 16 percent from last year, thanks to smarter buying. Talking with Fathom Online's Dean DeBiase.

Younger viewers
Tween throbber: 'High School Musical'
Disney original movie takes the place of 'Idol' as the week's No. 1 show among 6-11s while setting network record in households

Rachel speaks!
Rachel, I need to promote my assistant
But my out-of-touch boss is dragging his feet. How do I push him on this? Advice: Make clear the risks of losing her, even to a rival.

TV This Week
Best tube bets this weekend
Friday: ABC's 'Stars' results show; Saturday: College hoops on ESPN2; Sunday: TNT & TBS' SAG awards starring Heath Ledger

News shorts
No stampede for satellite despite Stern's move
GSD&M: CW may not trigger upfront shakeout
Study: Young people watch Bowl for ads
NBC's blast to the past: Perry & Sorkin
Study: Ad time in Super Bowl is on the rise 

Web shorts
European web advertising grows 38 percent
Study: Video games = major family bonding
iFunny: Comedy Central shows join iTunes
E-study: Many still burn for an old flame

People
Tricia McNamara rises to director of sales at CBS Radio Sales
Former Universal chair Michael Jackson becomes head of programming at IAC
Beth Mayall becomes SVP of creative development at Channel One
Joe Sexton becomes metropolitan editor of The New York Times
Andy Sonnenberg becomes publisher of Investment Advisor magazine
Cheryl Brink becomes VP of interactive research at Scripps Networks
John Rieber becomes SVP of production at G4
Three new hires at Bauer Entertainment Group
Trent Dilfer, Torry Holt and Ray Lewis join NFL Network
Ron Rifkin joins the cast of ABCs Brothers & Sisters
Keir Gilchrist cast in Fox pilot Becoming Glen
Court TV founder Steven Brill goes to bat for Yale
Ex-SNLer Tracy Morgan pleads not guilty to drunk driving

Monday, Jan. 30, 2006

Overnights
Sinking 'Jordan:' NBC show in a fade
Suffering opposite ABC's surging 'Grey's,' down 27 percent from last year to a 3.3 in adults 18-49. The question: Will it return?

Television
ABC's big worry: Woodruff's injuries
No saying when the co-anchor might return after his wounding in Iraq yesterday. Network: We're not even thinking about that yet.

Overnights
Most starry night for ABC's 'Dancing'
Results show boosts network 17 percent on Friday with 18-49s, with 3.5 average. Also tops among total viewers with 14 million.

Sports TV
For Super Bowl, the score's the thing
Ratings will be way up if it's a close matchup, never mind that the teams are not biggies. Unlike baseball, it's all about the game.

Popcult
Monk's tale: The picture story as art
Geez, we may think of them as comic books but graphic novels are a lot more. Sales soar with bookstores now carrying them.

Out of Home
Your client doing good by Super Bowl
Building local ties through community outreach by sponsoring NFL-related events through the week leading up to the game

News shorts
Moonves: CBS looking for some good deals
Finally some actual football for NFL Network
Programming notes: ABC bumping 'Chief'
Canadians cite Imus over Palestine slurs
Almost famous? Faux-star wins 'Celebrity'

Web shorts
Google set for showdown over users' records
Shocker: Record company battles the RIAA
Cool for school: Apple endows new iTunes U
LA files suit over Grand Theft Auto naughties

People
Gerry Frascione becomes CEO of BBDO North America
Stephen M. Lacy becomes president and CEO of Meredith Corp.
Jennifer Matthews becomes publisher of Western Interiors and Design
Michael Anderson rises to VP of project development at Razor & Tie
Doug Turner rises to associate publisher at Stuff magazine
Debbie Yu joins ABC Radio as account director
Charlie Holmes rises to VP and director of sales at NCC
Matthew Lillard joins Fox’s pilot ‘13 Graves’
Elfyn Morris named head of international sales at DLT Entertainment
America Ferrera cast as ABC’s ‘Ugly Betty’
Kyle Chandler joins the cast of NBC's ‘Friday Night Lights’
Columnist Beth Fallon dies at age 64
’60 Minutes’ co-founder Arthur Bloom dies at 63

Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2006

Overnights
So way way cool: 'Skating with celebs'
New Fox reality show up 183 percent in timeslot, winning period against 'Wife Swap' and CBS. Adios 'Arrested Development.'

Television
ABC's big Oscar bummer: 'Brokeback'
Expect low viewer turnout for the awards show with gay cowboy movie leading in nominations for best picture, announced today

Magazines
Chop, chop: Time Inc. lops more jobs
More than 100 positions are eliminated in what the company says is a shift away from print toward other media, led by the internet

New media
Dead Body Guy: The artist as corpse
He wanted to land that movie part to die for, literally, playing stiffs in the flicks. So he turned to viral marketing to promote his career.

TV This Week
Big Ten showdown: Illini vs. Badgers
Illinois travels to suddenly shaky Wisconsin for a matchup of two of the conference's best, both with something to prove on ESPN

News shorts
Kidnapped journalist surfaces in new video
Study: Two thirds want to leave their jobs
ABC's Woodruff & Vogt show improvement
Fox's new magazine: For Hispanic sports fans
Maxim exposure: Actress angered by photos

Web shorts
AOL teams with reality grandfather Burnett 
Brotherly hub: Earthlink sends Philly wireless 
Spanish police unplug pedophile chatrooms
Online survey: Alba is the ideal girlfriend

People
Joe Maggio rises to VP and national sales manager at ABC Regional Sports Sales
Ex-Viacom CEO Frank J. Biondi Jr. joining Time Warner board?
Rick Sands becomes COO of MGM
Three personnel moves at Buena Vista
Angela Moore becomes consumer editor at MarketWatch
Maria Shollenbarger joins Travel + Leisure as senior editor
Thom Kennon becomes client services director at iCrossing
Bill Harper becomes publisher of Yoga Journal
Don Macleod becomes senior marketing executive at Greater Media
Dave Chappelle's big TV return will be with Oprah
Victoria Quoss rises to VP of programming at OLN
Patrick Schult becomes managing director of Fremantle Productions Asia
Longtime Ohio broadcaster Richard Klaus dies at age 86  

Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2006

Overnights
Slight bump for the State of the Union
Bush's speech draws 27 million total viewers, up 4 percent over last year. 'Idol' spillover puts Fox at No. 1 for chat and the night.

Research
Time-wise, internet is now TV's equal
Way ahead of other media at 14 hours a week on average, with many online users saying they spend less time with the others

Television
Big beef: Super Bowl ads ignore mom
Yet women make up nearly half the audience. Talking with Maria Bailey, CEO of Marketing to Moms, on how to better target them.

Television
Que bueno, 'Bailando por un Sueno'
Univision's dance show beats NBC and CBS in adults 18-34 by combining two potent standbys of reality TV: Stars and tears

Cable
Truthiness factor: 'Colbert' kicks up
Best week ever for Comedy Central spinoff of the 'Daily Show,' averaging 1.2 million viewers, a 38 percent boost for the timeslot

TV This Week
TV Land asks: Wither black television?
Three-part series on African American culture begins tonight with a look at black TV, a timely topic with UPN's fate tick-tocking.

News shorts
Report: Gibson & Sawyer filling in for ABC
Record crowd for A&E 9/11 film 'Flight 93'
Boston bummer: Papers reveal credit info
Psst! A place to see Super Bowl's outlaw ads
The WB spices up midseason with 'Pepper' 

Web shorts
Google: Nope, we're not acquiring Napster
Newspaper group protesting search engines
iTunes via cell, take II: Motorola tries again
'Brokeback' leads nominees in web queries

People
Michelle Guglielmelli becomes senior partner of Mediaedge:cia
Sheila F. Kirby rises to president of strategic sales at Interep
'Will & Grace's' big get: New momma Britney Spears
Connie Nielsen steps in for 'SVU's' pregnant Mariska Hargitay
Amy A. Simmons becomes associate publisher of Jane magazine
Donna Sapolin rises to VP of Hachette Filipacchi Media
Cathy E. Smith becomes marketing director of Metropolitan Home
Samantha Voisin becomes VP of media solutions at comScore
Thomas A. Stevens rises to SVP of regional sales at Turner Broadcasting
Eric V. Romero becomes southeast region manager at ABC Radio
Jeff Mayzurk and Frank Albano rise at E! Networks
Three promotions and three new hires at CSTV
Kelly Butler rises to head of programming at Setanta Sports

Thursday, Feb 2, 2006

Overnights
Hanging by a limb: WB's 'One Tree'
Pulls a 1.5 in target 18-34s, down 12 percent from its average, hurting its chances to scramble onto the lineup of the new CW

Television
Echostar to Lifetime: You're a turn-on
Two abruptly settle their bitter pricing squabble, allowing women's network to return to the satellite service under a new carriage deal

London
Hollywood's hurt: DVD boom is ending
Sales are down in Europe and slowing in the U.S., as well as in Japan, and that could prove a real revenue pain for media outlets

Research
Buyers: We're taking a pass on DVRs
Say new data is too sketchy to put a price on. Still don't know how many watching recorded shows skip through ads. Let's talk later.

Dayparts update
ABC News: Yes, it's Gibson & Sawyer
'GMA' duo will sub while Woodruff recovers, alternating as co-anchors of 'World News' with Vargas. Two seasoned pros at bat.

TV This Week
A chillier February for CBS's 'Survivor'
Reality show will take the first night of sweeps, starting tonight, but going forth it doesn't look so good. Credit tougher competition.

News shorts
ABC's spring strategy: Back to reality
CBS veteran Roberts jumps to CNN
Post doodle sparks ire of Joint Chiefs
Kentucky Fried Derby? Its new sponsor
Truckers: Coke Super Bowl ad too flip

Web shorts
Kama Sutra worm gets ready to wriggle
Amazon connects authors with readers
CBS starts selling 'Survivor' downloads
Adios Aibo! Sony puts down robot dog

People
James Sullivan becomes president of CBS TV national sales
Joan FitzGerald rises to VP of PPM sales at Arbitron
Greg Harrigan rises to SVP of ad sales at Outdoor Channel
Keith Fletcher becomes CIO at CurtCo Media
Marybeth Strobel and Michael Connors named CNN digital sales manager
Liz Fischer rises to VP of media relations at NBC Universal
Madeleine Brand joins NPR as co-host of ‘Day to Day’
Kathy Davidov becomes VP of series at National Geographic
Margaret Cronan rises to VP and GM of TV at Traffic.com
Steve Turney becomes director of sales for Fox TV Distribution Europe
Scott Rowe becomes SVP of corporate communications at Warner Bros.
Mark Kang rises to VP of affiliate relations at Court TV
‘Shield’ baddie Anthony Anderson signs a deal with Fox

Overnights
Mixed message for returning 'Survivor'
Season debut averages a 7 rating in 18-49s, up from last fall, but ABC's 'Dancing With the Stars' is on its heels in total viewers

Sports TV
Rising doubts over Super Bowl's value
Larger share of readers say ads are too pricey, responding to a survey about Sunday's big game. They're picking the Steelers.

Sports TV
Making the most of Super Bowl buys
What's the best placement, the riskiest? Is it worth all that money? Talking with Ray Warren, head of Carat Media Group Americas.

Younger viewers
Youthful turn for 'Dancing with Stars'
Teen viewership is up 9 percent this season for the ABC reality show, thanks to the addition of younger celebs to the competition

Rachel speaks!
Rachel, help me find health insurance
What options are available to freelancers? A media director who works part-time needs to find a plan for when her Cobra expires.

TV This Week
Best tube bets this weekend
Friday: Dave Chappelle on 'Oprah;' Saturday: Steve Martin hosts 'SNL;' Sunday: Pittsburgh versus Seattle in the Super Bowl

News shorts
ABC Super Bowl ad sales head into overtime
Go daddy! Web company finally gets ad OK
Lawsuit: Martha's daughter is aping my show
'W&G' crucifixion pun angers Christian group
Programming notes: Cowell's Vegas talent show

Web shorts
ComScore: Budweiser is most anticipated ad
Police investigate alleged MySpace assaults
iPod earache: Man files suit against Apple
Mobile ESPN puts scores at your ringtertips

People
Maclean Jackson rises to executive editor of Mass Appeal magazine
Jacqui Hartnett becomes COO of Starmark International
‘That ‘70s Show’ producer Gregg Mettler joins NBCU TV
Heather Locklear files for divorce from Richie Sambora
'Elf's' Jon Favreau directing comedy pilot for ABC
Jessica Samet becomes SVP of reality programming at Lifetime
Donald Trump pumping 'Apprentice' on ‘Deal or No Deal’
Jody Fennell becomes VP of broadband at Weather Channel
Amorette Jones becomes EVP of marketing at IDT Entertainment
Jim Axelrod becomes CBS News’ chief White House correspondent
Jeff Pryor becomes EVP of corporate communications at MGM
Dean Sicoli becomes executive producer of CNN’s 'Nancy Grace'
Lynn Pitts becomes executive producer of NBC’s weekend 'Today'

Monday, Feb. 6, 2006

Overnights
Snooze ratings for snooze Super Bowl
Dull game averages a 42.1 household rating, down 3 percent from last year. But post-game ABC's 'Grey's Anatomy' does well.

Overnights
CBS jumps to an early lead in sweeps
Powered by its Thursday and Saturday lineups, network ranks No. 1 in 18-49s with a 4.5 for first three days of February faceoff

Television
Readers: New CW will be largely white
See lineup skewing to WB's young females, with far fewer shows for UPN's blacks when networks merge. They'll be off to cable.

Sports TV
Hip and hipper: The Winter X Games
ESPN sees yet more audience gains this year, especially among young men, and at a time when the Olympic Games are in decline

Popcult
Selling America: Why we are unhappy
We were once citizens. We're now customers of government, the churches and universities. Rather than lead, they seek to please.

Out of Home
Your client playing the best courses
Reaching affluent duffers where their hearts are with promotions, signage and branded feats of skill. Logos on balls and towels.

News shorts
Ad Bowl 2006: Bud leads a funnier bunch
Mick nicked: ABC censors Stones' lyrics
Confused comedian Chappelle on his pain
Word according to Weld: Editing the Times
Study: Satellite listeners eye big-ticket items

Web shorts
Craigslist charging for prime real estate
For a fee, keep your message out of e-filters
Bravo launching gay-themed broadband net
French police dumping Explorer for Firefox 

People
'Saturday Night's' Rachel Dratch joins Tina Fey's NBC comedy
Adam Bonnett rises to SVP of original series at Disney Channel
Jeff Brustrom named VP of live-action series at Disney Channel
Lansdale Franklin rises to editorial director of Chicken Soup for the Soul
Serena French becomes fashion editor at the New York Post
Emily Yoffe takes over 'Dear Prudence' column for Slate
Boyzell Hosey becomes director of photography at St. Pete Times
Attorney Robert M. McDowell fills FCC vacancy
Amanda Peet joins the cast of NBC's 'Studio 60'
Ray Liotta joins CBS for the drama 'Smith'
Jay Mohr and 'Las Vegas's' Nikki Cox getting hitched
'The Munsters' Al Lewis dies at age 95
Former Chicago Tribune reporter Richard B. Philbrick dies at age 85

Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2006

Overnights
An early slog for CBS's 'Courting Alex'
Ratings deflate to 4.4 in 18-49s in third outing, below what 'Out
of Practice' had been fetching in the timeslot. Not a good sign.

Sports TV
Super Bowl improves with final ratings
Most-watched in 10 years with 90.7 million, up 5 percent from last year, with 41.6 household rating. Early reports had game down.

Sports TV
Super Bowl's surprise ad winner: Dove
Unconventional spot about girls' self-esteem speaks to women, standing out in year of comedy. Bud also tops. GoDaddy flops.

Television
'Grey's Anatomy,' the top of its game
Gives ABC its best 18-49 rating in nine years, averaging a 16.6, while drawing 38.1 million total viewers. Steamy opener helped.

New media
Make it a holiday: Super Bowl Monday
Web movement rallies for day of chilling out after stressful night of munching and watching football. Do we sense a groundswell?

New media
Laugh lines: Humor in viral marketing
It's the best way to get a message passed on, and users don't mind if it comes with an ad message. Talking with Kathy Sharpe.

News shorts
Poll: Confidence in news media rises
Game's top advertiser: Anheuser-Busch
Domestic furor over Inquirer's Islam cartoon
Iran paper offers Holocaust comic contest
Coming to America: 'Office' taps Gervais

Web shorts
Gallup: Blog readership finally gaining
Stalled out? Google banishes BMW.de
Study: Super Bowl ads still slight search
What a girl wants: Valentine's comfort

People
Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger shaves beard on 'The Late Show'
Joanna G. Havlin becomes associate director at Mediaedge:cia
Martha Pease becomes EVP of marketing at Lifetime Entertainment
Claudia Simmons becomes account manager at Food & Wine
Jane Krakowski joins CBS's pilot 'Sex, Power, Love & Politics'
Fred Willard promises to 'Play Nice' in CBS pilot
Cole Hauser and Norman Reedus cast for Fox pilots
Lucy Lawless joins Sci Fi Channel's 'Battlestar Galactica'
Weight loss: Dylan McDermott drops out of CBS's' 3 Lbs'
Linda Abrams rises to SVP of marketing at Warner Bros. Cable
Tanya Haider rises to SVP of Nickelodeon Consumer Products
New York ad legend Jo Foxworth dies at age 87
Former NBC News president Reuven Frank dies at age 85

Alternative media
Men in red: For the women they love
Get the message in London's Tube
Surf's up: Taste of Honolulu in Detroit
Redux: Super Bowl ads by cell phone

Wednesday, Feb .8, 2006

Overnights
Huge bump up for 'House' after 'Idol'
From hit to super hit, pulling an 8.8 in 18-49s its first night back with hit reality show as its lead-in, up 54 percent over its fall debut

Media economy
New Orleans is better off than it looks
Ad spending is rebounding as region rebuilds, even as parts of the city struggle. Demand is about where it was before flood.

New media
GoDaddy's really got some webutation
Super Bowl traffic soars, all dissing aside. Maligned ad did the trick, so to speak. Doubles last year. Other winner: Careerbuilder.

Television
For 'Supernatural,' a boost from Bush
Best ratings ever opposite State of the Union for WB's spooky drama, finishing No. 2 in timeslot with a 2.6 among adults 18-49

Cable
Reviving Showtime's sagging 'L Word'
Third season is up 29 percent in total viewers, earning renewal, as its creator returns to humor and dramatic style of its first year

TV This Week
CBS's big Grammy hope: Star wattage
Mariah Carey, Madonna and Kanye West perform on tonight's telecast, airing opposite 'Idol.' Last year's ratings were the worst.

News shorts
PPM edges closer to MRC accreditation
Icahn's Time Warner plan: Four easy pieces
Concern for ailing Woodruff boosts ABC News
If Univision sells, who'll come a-bidding?
Programming notes: WB reworks Fridays

Web shorts
iTunes goes to pot with Showtime offerings
Microsoft launching Windows protection
Study: Spam will dip but emarketing will rise
Harper Collins books on new web readers

People
Marketers: Michelle Kwan is Winter Games golden girl
Scarlett Johansson and Keira Knightley take it off for Vanity Fair cover
Four New York Press editors quit over cartoon controversy
Tonya Dalhaus becomes sales team leader at My TV
Brad Feldman joins Runner'ss World as sales development director
Chris Ficarra rises to VP of integrated marketing at VH1
Rob Bennett becomes GM of entertainment and video services at MSN
Actress Andrea Anders jumps off NBC'ss sinking 'Joey'
Suzanne Ross becomes executive producer of 'E! True Hollywood Story'
Jack Black hosting Kids' Choice Awards for Nickelodeon
Rapper Ludacris guesting on NBC's 'Law & Order: SVU'
Country singer Joe Don Rooney becomes Playboy.com photographer
'Simple Life's' Paris Hilton slapped with a restraining order

Thursday, Feb. 9, 2006

Overnights
CBS takes a hit with Grammy Awards
Down 11 percent in 18-49s, whacked by 'Idol' after moving from Sundays, where last year it hit all-time low against 'Housewives'

Magazines
Bumpy start for consumer magazines
January ad pages off 1.8 percent after flat '05. More categories down than up. Business titles and newsweeklies are still in pain.

Sports TV
As Games open, NBC nearly sold out
Buyers report heavy demand for ad inventory, contrary to many reports leading up to tomorrow's ceremonies. Local sales brisk.

Television
For Ms. Vieira, Daytime Emmy kisses
Up for two awards amid talk she'll join 'Today,' replacing Couric if she jumps to CBS's evening news. 'Restless' tops with 18 noms.

Dayparts update
Oprah's Frey roast just a ho-hummer
Face-off with fibbing author averages a 7.5 household rating, well below last year's couch-hopping episode with manic Tom Cruise

TV This Week
On 'ER,' it's welcome back Carter
Noah Wyle returns for first of four episodes, flying high in a helicopter as he aids Africa's needy. NBC show could use a lift.

News shorts
Michaels officially ditches ESPN for NBC
ABC: Woodruff's condition remains serious
Player hater? Bryant's Nike ad finally debuts
Late billionaire's two travel magazines fold
Programming notes: Less love for 'Monkey'

Web shorts
Danish sites hacked after cartoon furor
FTC cracks down on phone record sites
IFC opens site to aspiring indie directors
Study: Office amor no longer so secret\

People
Jeff Piper becomes director of direct response sales at Tribune
More Viacom turmoil: Nickelodeon Networks Group COO Jeff Dunn leaving
Nicole Zussman becomes VP of human resources at YES Network
Two people promoted at TV Guide Publishing Group
Two promotions at Starz Entertainment Group
Sarah Trahern becomes SVP of programming at Great American Country
Bill Marimow becomes VP of news at National Public Radio
Marc Horine becomes GM of new media for ESPN Radio
Chris Caldwell becomes VP of client marketing at Fox Sports
Charles G. McCurdy becomes CEO of Canon Communications
Warren Shoulberg rejoins HFN magazine as editor in chief
John Enghauser becomes sales manager at Vendare Media
'Idol' creator Simon Fuller promoting Honda F1 Racing

Friday, Feb. 10, 2006

Overnights
ABC's 'Stars' waltzes past 'Survivor'
Tops 19.1M total viewers versus 18.9M for CBS series, though trailing in 18-49s with 5 rating to reality show's 6.6. Cha-cha-cha.

Cable
A la carte's back, and hard to swallow
TV industry balks at FCC cable pricing plan to allow consumers to select and pay for only those channels they actually wanted

Sports TV
What NBC can expect for the Olympics
Ratings for the buzzless Winter Games will be off but still strong. Talking with Neal Pilson, Shawn Bradley and Steve Sternberg.

Younger viewers
A soggy beach blanket for Fox's 'O.C.'
Sob! Teen soap is down 27 percent this season among its target audience of 12-17 year olds, a victim of far tougher competition.

Rachel speaks!
Rachel, help me get promoted to buyer
Advice: First you need to learn the right skills, and then you must master the subtle art of selling yourself and your achievements

TV This Week
Best tube bets this weekend
Fox: 'Arrested Development' finale on Fox; Saturday: ABC's college basketball; Sunday: Olympics on NBC with Bode Miller

News shorts
Oprah conquers another outlet, XM Radio
A hunny bunny of a deal for Al Michaels
Study: VOD doesn't squeeze traditional TV
Kids! Now catch Disney Channel shows online
Treasure hunt: The word on Office Pirates 

Web shorts
Blackberry users, chill: Service may stay
Study: Online trumps classifieds for hiring
Web searches skyrocket by half in December
Trump's next 'Apprentice' may be Olympian

People
SVP of programming Michael Pack leaves Corporation for Public Broadcasting
Mona Tropeano becomes SVP of ad sales at A&E Networks
Nancy Bennett becomes VP of creative services for Logo
Lauren Kinnucan and Jeffrey Cohen join Winstar Interactive
Julia Pistor rises to EVP of Nickelodeon Movies
Chris Low becomes director of marketing and PR at Setanta Sports
Mike Mettler becomes VP and editor in chief of Sound & Vision
Pat Jones becomes VP and director of account services at Carat Entertainment
Six staff members on the rise at Court TV
Sara Davis Greenwood becomes group publisher of Luxury SpaFinder Magazine
Dissed! Kelly Clarkson fails to thank ‘American Idol’ at the Grammys
Comedian Chelsea Handler lands her own show on E!

Monday, Feb. 13, 2006

Overnights
'Grey's Anatomy' trashes the Olympics
Well out ahead in total viewers, 25.3 million to 21.2 million, and also outpulls in adults 18-49 by 56 percent, with an 11.2 to a 7.2

Sports TV
Games' opening night takes a plunge
Friday audience half that of 2002 first night, drawing 22.8 million total viewers versus Salt Lake's 45.6 million. Earns 6.6 in 18-49s.

Popcult
Here's a life lesson: Greed is not good
Study: Once you hit $45,000, you've peaked in your happiness. Thereafter, it's what money can't buy. On the hedonic treadmill. 

Magazines
The growing table of food magazines
Whole trend is toward fast, simple and healthy, with a slew of new titles, and not just from Martha and Rachael. It's all about eating.

TV This Week
Aces in pairs: Russians and Chinese
In the figure skating finals world champs Maxim Marinin and Tatyana Totmiyanina face off with Shen Xue and Zhao Hongbo

News shorts
NBC draws 23.6M for Saturday's Games
Kwan declines NBC offer to call Games
Dirty Des: Sir Sorrell owes me $5.5M for OK!
Coming soon perhaps, Maxim Steakhouse
Study: Oprah tops for peddling products

Web shorts
Microsoft backs email-enabled cell phones 
Bill Gates: The Apple iPod isn't perfect
Playing catchup, Google merges IM & email
NBC dials up more cell offerings for Games 

People
Lee Ravdin becomes president of 4Kids Entertainment
John Nicol takes over as head of MSN web portal
Chicago Tribune public editor Don Wycliff jumps to Notre Dame
Susan Froetschel becomes assistant editor at YaleGlobal Online
Carey Witmer rises to associate publisher at Better Homes and Gardens
Kevin O'Grady rises to VP of sales for Canon Communications
Jay Freshwater becomes sales director of Weather Channel Interactive
Mark Austin Thomas becomes co-host of Marketplace Morning Report'
Kurt Semtner rises to VP of affiliate sales and marketing at QVC
Skeet Ulrich starring in CBS drama pilot 'Jericho'
Two 'Hot Properties' stars land pilot roles
ABC News anchor Elizabeth Vargas expecting second baby
Miami Herald columnist Ana Veciana-Suarez fined for contempt

Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2006

Overnights
Even skating fails to boost Olympics
Early numbers for Monday night are lowest yet, despite buzz over pairs competition, with a 6.5 in 18-49s for 8-11 p.m. time period

Sports TV
For NBC, day three was the real killer
Three of its best storylines abruptly ran out with Kwan, Miller and Ohno, and ratings tumbled, falling 25 percent from Salt Lake

Television
Looking ahead, it doesn't look good
Olympics will still give NBC a sweeps victory but Games' poor ratings will likely earn it a fourth place finish for the full season

New media
A far wider reach for web advertising
Eighty percent of companies now use the web to connect with customers, says a study. Talking with Chuck Richard of Outsell.

New media
OLL: SWAK and AML, you SexC thing
You guessed it, this story is about online love. We reveal startling facts as to how big it has become and teach you new phrases.

TV This Week
'Stella,' a woman's fairy tale come true
BET's sweet valentine pairs Angela Bassett with yummy Taye Diggs. Never mind the real-life version's very unhappy ending.

News shorts
Heir beware: Sumner's son sues dad
Hallmark: One card outshines 'em all today
Ready, aim: Media take shots at Cheney
Programming notes: Logo gets animated
Kwan-dry: Whither skater's Olympic ads?

Web shorts
New AOL site targets Chinese-Americans
In the U.K., web sales rival department stores
Island amor: 'Lost' is TiVo users' Valentine
A new look at Gonzo a year after his death

People
MTV Networks ad sales president Larry Divney stepping down
Mark Oltarsh becomes associate publisher of Bauer Entertainment Group
Josh Weinberg becomes director of communications for Discovery Channel
Four sales managers upped at CBS Paramount Domestic Television
David K. Norton becomes SVP of human resources at the New York Times
One new hire and five promotions at Bravo
Bruce Littman becomes VP of affiliate sales for Fox News Channel
Mike Reid rises to SVP and director of national sales at Univision
Linda Shiner rises to editor of Air & Space/Smithsonian magazine
Joanna Massey becomes SVP of communications for CBS Corp.
Robert Hertzberg becomes first editor of FinancialWeek magazine
Paul McGuire becomes SVP of communications for The CW
Former Eagle Terrell Owens shopping reality fitness series

Alternative media
Oops! Girlie billboard comes down.
On the streets with Adidas' GigaRides
Bounding giants across tall buildings
Breathing life into window mannequins

Wednesday, Feb .15, 2006

Overnights
Fox's 'Idol' trounces Olympics on NBC
Drawing 26.3 million to 16.1 million for Games. In 18-49s, reality show clocks an 11.1 rating to 4.1 for lagging sports spectacle.

Magazines
With no buyer, Budget Living closes
Not so sweet Valentine: this magazine is done. Founder pulls plug on lifestyle title, blaming a weak ad market and me-toos

London
The mobizine: Think mobile magazine
New technology allows for downloading titles, or miniversions of them, far more conveniently and at far less cost than web phones

Television
A major ratings tumble for ABC's 'Jim'
Fifth-year sitcom down 33 percent from last year to a 2.6 adults 18-49 average. Blame age, a new timeslot, and Fox's killer 'Idol.'

Cable
Wee Romeo: VH1's most odd 'Flavor'
Ex-rapper Flav's 'Bachelor' spoof is hot stuff, especially among 18-49s, where it's up 58 percent since its debut. 'Flavor of Love.'

TV This Week
Eyes on March: UNC vs. Georgia Tech
Two mid-level ACC teams hoping for berths in NCAA tournament play, last year's college basketball champs and 2004's runners-up

News shorts
TomKat splat? Couple denies breakup
Ad time way up for Opening Ceremonies
No laughing matter: Another comic flap
College kids join Nielsen ratings sample
Programming notes: Fox taps 'Unan1mous'

Web shorts
BBC silences controversial cricket board
Video game sales still lagging in U.S.
Hitwise: Romance is alive on the web
E-buys save Valentine's procrastinators

People
EchoStar president and COO Michael Neuman steps down
James Keplesky becomes VP of interactive sales for Hachette's M.E.N.
Anne Woodward becomes VP of technical operations at CNN Worldwide
Andy Sareyan becomes president of Better Homes and Gardens
Steve Fisher becomes VP of custom publishing at CurtCo
Gary Stone rises to president and COO of Univision Radio
Betsy Reed rises to executive editor of The Nation
Debbie Harmsen becomes associate editor at Fodor's Travel Publications
Allison Page rises to VP of primetime programming at Food Network
Wayne Goldstein rises to VP of new media research at Sony Pictures Television
Anne Heche joins ABC's drama pilot 'Men in Trees'
'90210' bad girl Shannen Doherty injured in car crash
Jeff Goldblum joins NBC drama pilot 'Seeing Red'

Thursday, Feb. 16, 2006

Overnights
Fox and ABC up against the Olympics
Top last Wednesday's ratings in adults 18-49, before Games began. 'Idol' gains 4 percent. 'Lost' holds its audience in demo.

Television
NBC's new big worry: Losing sweeps
Nearly halfway through, it trails behind ABC, with abysmal ratings for the Games. And going forward the race will only get tougher.

Television
Death knell: 'Joey' in the suicide lane
NBC returns sitcom to Tuesdays to face 'Idol,' ensuring flight of what remains of its younger viewers to Fox hit. Flag of surrender.

London
Coming to America, the pub landlord
Fox show about a guy with little nice to say, all of it very politically incorrect, starring a leading British standup comic. Bunker wit.

Dayparts update
Down but not out for an aging 'Montel'
Daytime talker falls 13 percent in households, and even more with women. Yet the show may still have several more years left in it.

TV This Week
UPN's 'Eve,' living a life on the bubble
Show facing cancellation with the fall merger that will create the new CW network. Tonight, 'Idol' winner Ruben Studdard drops by.

News shorts
Telefutura joins English-language ratings
Fox News' big get: Cheney mea culpa
CBS benches tired Wednesday sitcoms
Mexico: We staged TV kidnapping drama
Note to readers: Disregard that story on egg ads

Web shorts
China cracks down on illegal file trading
MSN lures search users with big prizes
Nokia and Motorola explore wireless VoIP
Pew: More people going online just for fun

People
Randall Mays becomes president of Clear Channel Communications
Lisa Nolan rises to VP and sales manager for Univision and TeleFutura
Jeffrey Shapiro becomes VP of retail marketing at 20th Century Fox TV
Lewis Fenton becomes head of production at Juma Entertainment
Craig E. Engler rises to SVP of SciFi.com and Sci Fi Magazine
Barry Nugent becomes SVP of talent development and casting at E!
Olsen twins appearing in ad campaign for Badgley Mischka
Sports reporter Armen Keteyian moving to CBS News
Teri Polo joins CBS comedy pilot 'Welcome to the Jungle Gym'
Daryl Sabara lands lead role in TBS  pilot 'Boy's Life''
Connie Britton cast in NBC drama pilot 'Friday Night Lights'
'Cold Case' star Danny Pino and wife welcome their first child
Sir Elton John settles with London's Daily Mail in libel case

Friday, Feb. 17, 2006

 Overnights
'Stars' and 'Survivor' beat NBC Games
Top sagging Games in viewers and in 18-49s in 8 p.m. timeslot. 'CSI' rerun on CBS ties at 9, though NBC revives to win the night 

Sports TV
Fact: This Olympics is the worst ever
Viewer levels have now fallen below Sydney, hitting all-time low of 17.9M Wednesday. Says a media person: Things must change.

Cable
The best argument for cable a la carte
Consumers would benefit with more choices at less cost, argues
a group of performers and writers. Talking with Jonathan Rintels.

Younger viewers
Island aloha: Teens return to 'Survivor'
Veteran CBS reality show up 39 percent over last fall for best teen ratings in years, helped by 'The O.C.'s' move to 9 p.m.

Rachel speaks!
Rachel, help me find a kids conference
Some can be worth it, but others are a waste. Ask colleagues for recommendations. Seek references too. Know what you want.

TV This Week
Best tube bets this weekend
Friday: ABC's 'Dancing With the Stars;' Saturday: Fox's 'MADtv;' Sunday: NBA All-Star Game on TNT pitting East vs. West

News shorts
Icahn abandons grand Time Warner plans
China thaws on Freezing Point suspension
Court upholds governor's ban on Sun scribes
Fox News draws 2.1M for Cheney's 'I'm sorry'
Programming notes: UPN quiets 'Party' 

Web shorts
Coming soon, social networking on the go
Flaming hoax: Fear not the Olympic Torch
New virus targets Mac operating systems
Amazon eyes Apple-like digital music move

People
Pierce J. Roberts steps down as XM Satellite Radio board member
Jill A. Greenthal joins Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia board
Howard J. Adler becomes SVP of advertising at the New York Post
Andy Kubitz rises to VP of program planning and scheduling at CBS
Christian Blaya and Marylin Guzman join marketing company Interep
Kate Rodler becomes publisher of Edutopia magazine
Bouker Pool becomes director of sports marketing for Rodale
Comedian Russell Peters starring in comedy project on Fox
Christopher Weis becomes regional sales manager at Spark Network Services
Alec Baldwin joining Tina Feys untitled NBC comedy project
Skater Michelle Kwan lands a deal with Disney
Jean Prewitt named chair of FilmL.As board of directors
Anatomys Patrick Dempsey revs team for the Indianapolis 500

Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2006

Overnights
A rare night of Olympic glory for NBC
Network wins Monday with ice-dance competition, pulling 6.5 in 18-49s against Fox's '24'and special airing of Tuesday 'House'

Magazines
Finally, celebrity magazines cool off
Circulation gains are easing after huge growth, with the top titles seeing declines in pace of subscriber and newsstand increases

Sports TV
NBC's got one Olympic victory: Cable
CNBC and MSNBC are seeing huge ratings gains, even as the mother network sets records for the worst-ever viewing levels

Popcult
News-wise, women are often ignored
They're featured in stories far less than men, accounting for 21 percent of mentions globally. It's not that much better in the U.S.

Out of Home
Your client's afternoon with the family
Putting up ad messages at entertainment centers to reach kids and their parents as they play together. The latest thing: Bowling.

TV This Week
Sasha's night: All eyes look to Cohen
The U.S.'s reigning champion will perform last in tonight's short program, following Russia's Irina Slutskaya, the heavy favorite

News shorts
Ebersol: Games won't result in makegoods
Martha & The Donald, still at odds over NBC flop
Times-Picayune leads Polk Award winners
Color bind: Limbaugh flubs in senate race rant
NBC freezes wildfire spread of 'Lazy Sunday' 

Web shorts
AOL launches instant messenger for business
Torino ratings are down but web views are up
Earthlink bundling with satellite TV services
PlayStation patience: Console may be delayed

People
Hall of Fame sportscaster Curt Gowdy dies at age 86
Ray Chelstowski becomes acting publisher of Rolling Stone
Bruce Morton steps down as national correspondent for CNN
Wendy Riches rises to EVP of Meredith Publishing Group
Dan Rivers becomes CNN' Bangkok correspondent
Retired running back Jerome Bettis joins NBC as football analyst
'Street Signs' Ron Insana becomes senior analyst for CNBC
Arrest made in Howard Stern hate mail case
Ving Rhames swims to CW for Aquaman pilot
;Traffic's'Erika Christensen joins ABC's pilot 'Six Degrees'
Gina Gershon starring in NBC's pilot 'Lipstick Jungle'
Timm Sharp takes the male lead in CBS's 'Play Nice'
'Godfather' actor Richard Bright dies in bus accident


Wednesday, Feb .22, 2006

Overnights
Sweet bump for NBC's Winter Games
Best ratings to date from ladies figure skating, averaging 24.6 million viewers, trailing 'Idol's' 29.9 million. You go, Sasha girl.

Magazines
Making rate base is a tougher struggle
Seven top consumer titles missed their numbers for the second half of 2005, led by Playboy, as fight for new readers gets harder

Television
NBC's biggest hurt is the competition
Why's the network suffering so this Olympics? Simple. Fox and ABC are way up from 2002, with 'Idol,' 'Stars' and 'Housewives'

New media
Without a name, just call her Faceless
And do listen in to this most-hot Brit podcaster as she chatters on about the most intimate things. Is this the medium's real future?

TV This Week
Revisiting the ever-great flying circus
PBS six-parter on the British comedy troupe, Monty Python's Flying Circus, picks the funniest moments of '70s BBC series

News shorts
Trump tells Stewart: 'Your show was terrible'
Study: DVR & VOD users have high satisfaction
Emmys shake up rules to liven up competition
Freedom of 'Conviction,' now on iTunes
Vroom! NBC's Daytona 500 hits new high mark.

Web shorts
Judge: Google infringed on adult site's rights
AOL jacks up dial-up price to boost broadband
Study: College students go online for job hunt
Second Mac virus begins its slow spread

People
Rick Haskins becomes EVP of marketing and brand strategy for The CW
Economist editor Bill Emmott steps down
John Cucci becomes COO of Comedy Central, Spike TV and TV Land
Colette Chestnut becomes EVP and CFO of MTV Networks
Fitness magazine editor in chief Emily Listfield booted
Dorothy Eckert rises to associate director of direct response at Horizon
Sam Zoda rises to EVP of Granada America
Bernice Chu becomes VP of business development at National Geographic Ventures
Nicholas Read becomes CFO of the Americas at JWT
Laura Checkoway rises to senior editor at Vibe
Cat Deeley hosting second season of Fox's 'So You Think You Can Dance?'
'24's' Kim Raver starring in new drama pilot for ABC
Ashley Jensen joins ABC's comedy pilot 'Ugly Betty'

Thursday, Feb. 23, 2006

Overnights
Major Olympics ice spill against 'Idol'
Pulls just half the audience of Fox's reality hit for the worst night of the Games so far and quite likely an all-time low in adults 18-49

Television
Media buyers question My Network TV
Reacting to News Corp. plans for new network, they see no need to add a sixth just when the struggling WB and UPN are merging

New media
The less than glamorous MP3 user set
Forget the hype. They're much like all of us in their tastes, even though they're younger, better educated and make more money.

Television
For ABC, the rare stinker in 'In Justice'
A new cop show with everything going for it, including network's strong backing, save for what matters most: Interested viewers.

Cable
Going for a gold: USA's 'Olympic Ice'
Strong ratings for nightly figure skating show, bettering timeslot average by 14 percent. Outdraws curling. Hint of things to come.

TV This Week
One last tango for 'Dancing With Stars'
First of a two-part finale for ABC's reality hit has Stacy Keibler, Drew Lachey and Jerry Rice in the final dance sets. Cha-cha-cha.

News shorts
Trump: Martha's a liar. Martha: He's a meanie.
Oh, uh, crud. FCC pondering expletive ban.
WSJ merges print and online under Crovitz
China: No mixing actors & animation on TV
'Samurai Love God,' an animated cell-com 

Web shorts
Avast! Time's Office Pirates makes web debut
South Korean gamers steal 220K identities
S^xual heeling: Kid Rock tape won't go online yet
Torino Games set Olympics site page view record

People
The WB's Mitch Nedick and Michael Ross join the CW
Lance Mald becomes VP and creative director for Time Inc. Corporate Sales
Blaire Rzempoluch rises to ad director at Traditional Home
John Honeycutt rises to EVP of media technology at Discovery
Dan Shapiro rises to executive director of licensing at Twentieth Century Fox
Scott Shapiro becomes lead producer of 'Mike & Mike in the Morning'
Scott Basilotta becomes East Coast distribution director for AIM TV
David de Beauchamp becomes director of operations for LFP Broadcasting
Carol Dittbrenner rises to deputy features director at TV Guide
Polly Cohen rises to EVP of production for Warner Bros. Pictures
Dr. Henry Lee joins Court TV as analyst and editorial consultant
Texas TV anchor Kevin Steele quits amid drug investigation
Howard Stern starts his own film festival

Friday, Feb. 24, 2006

Overnights
It was a heck of a night for network TV
Four networks combine for 70.4M viewers at 8 p.m., 63 percent better than their season average. Tops with 23.1M, Fox's 'Idol.'

Sports TV
Readers hand NBC an F for the Games
Say network blew it on its Olympics coverage. Fault announcers and presentation. Another top complaint: Big events air too late.

Newspapers
Tabloid format is hardly the big cure
Study: Circulation gains evaporate over time, yet papers that switch over see other gains that more than make up for the cost

Dayparts update
This just in: 'Geraldo at Large' is a dud
Flat ratings for 'Current Affair' replacement, with no big breaks on stories, yet don't expect to see the show disappear like 'Affair'

Rachel speaks!
Rachel, help me line up freelance work
Advice to a buyer on how to find new clients and sell them on a part-time, long-distance relationship. Anticipate their concerns.

TV This Week
Best tube bets this weekend
Friday: IFC's 'Dinner for Five;' Saturday: NBC's penultimate night of Olympics; Sunday: ABC's 'Dancing With the Stars' finale

News shorts
Sweeps update: With eight days left, ABC leads
Injured ABC cameraman Vogt leaves hospital
Strong undertow? Gore's Current faces lawsuits.
Irate Stewarts give Trump a good tongue-lashing
Study: Howard's dirty mouth is getting filthier 

Web shorts
Microsoft posts confidential info in EC spat
Police nab 12 suspects in Dutch spam scam
Canadian college nixes WiFi over health risk
Firearm flap: Teen arrested for My Space photos

People
CNN founder Ted Turner leaving Time Warner board
Stephen Gatfield becoming CEO of Lowe Worldwide
Steve Sidel rises to president of Discovery Education
Charles Valan becomes media director at Group LIH
Jim Houran becomes Eastern region ad director for Parade magazine
Bernard Ohanian becomes editorial director of AARP Publications
Paul Condolora rises to SVP and GM of Cartoon Network New Media
NASCAR commentator Darrell Waltrip re-signs with Fox Sports
Jason Jordhamo becomes executive director of daypart marketing at ABC
Robert Pini becomes SVP of corporate communications for New Line Cinema
Rachel Griffiths and Calista Flockhart cast in ABC's Brothers & Sisters
James Van Der Beek joins CBS comedy pilot S^x, Power, Love & Politics
Joe Pantoliano and Swoosie Kurtz join casts for CBS pilots

Monday, Feb. 27, 2006

Overnights
Monster mash: 'Dancing' finale kicks
Draws a series-high 27.1 million total viewers, double Olympics closing ceremonies in second hour. Well over summer's ender.

Sports TV
Olympic squeaker: NBC just makes it
Finishes slightly ahead of rating guarantees with a 12.3 average in households. Worst-ever Games in 18-49s and total viewers.

Sports TV
Knut job: ESPN's new 'Knight School'
Bball coach's reality show debuts with a thud. Competition was tough, but prospects are iffy even so. Same old bad boy antics.

Popcult
Imagine being awake 22 hours a day
Drugs are coming that promise us just that, giving us far more time to do more things. But will we be happier? Ponder with us.

Out of Home
Your client chilling on spring break
Putting ad messages in hotels where the kids stay, from card keys to bed pillows and shower curtains and even elevator doors

TV This Week
For Howie Mandel, more games to play
'Deal or No Deal' returns for its second week but whether it stands much chance of boosting NBC for sweeps seems doubtful

News shorts
NBC rules a slow weekend with Olympics
Lachey lassos top spot on ABC's 'Dancing'
Attention parents! TV won't rot Junior's mind.
Heir unapparent: Ms. Smith goes to Washington
With 'Ray' spinoff snuffed, Garrett talks to Fox 

Web shorts
Judge delays injunction ruling in Blackberry case
Study: Rural folks' broadband use nearly triples
Apple celebrates big after 1 billionth iTune sale
Yahoo reluctantly relents on allah email address

People
Former WB CEO Jordan Levin launching new production company
Diane Malloy becomes associate publisher of Prevention magazine
SI Presents editor Sandy Rosenbush leaving Sports Illustrated
Mike Kessler becomes articles editor for 5280 magazine
Former U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson joins ABC News Radio
Mackenzie Gaffney becomes editor in chief of The Chicago Style Magazine
Madeleine Stowe cast for Fox drama 'Southern Comfory'
Jonathan Silverman cast in ABC pilot 'In Case of Emergency'
Regina King cast in ABC drama pilot Women in Law'
Tia Mowry joins new CW network’s comedy pilot 'The Game'
'Andy Griffith' actor Don Knotts dies at age 81
'Night Stalker' actor Darren McGavin dies at age 83
'Ed Sullivan Show' ventriloquist Rickie Layne dies at age 81

Tuesday, Feb .28, 2006

Overnights
Trumped: The Donald in a dizzying fall
'Apprentice' debut finishes fourth in timeslot with a 4.0 in 18-49s, down 13 percent from last season's premiere. Martha who?

Newspapers
S' long, Otis Chandler, newspaperman
As publisher of the LA Times, he had a vision. It was to put out a great paper. He pursued it in Los Angeles and then other cities.

New media
Yes, it's here. The web finally plateaus.
And sooner than many expected, quite frankly. A surprisingly large number of Americans are not online and don't intend to be.

TV Reviews
Reviving ABC's 'Commander in Chief'
Here's what must be done to save this show: Give Bochco the boot and bring back Rod Lurie, its creator, and his original vision

New media
Thieves: Conning the cons of Nigeria
Writer peeks into the netherworld of scammers who each day blast the globe with email pitches promising GREAT WEALTH

TV This Week
Search for the missing on 'L&O: SVU'
NBC's No. 3 show returns after the Olympics with a sweeps stunt: The rarely appearing Susan Saint James as a guest. It could help.

News shorts
Senate reconsiders satellite and cable smut
NBC lathers up with new English telenovelas
Study: TV still dominates news consumption
TiVo on the cheapo: CEO Rogers floats freebies
Top term out of Hollywood in 2005: Brokeback

Web shorts
Pothole: Street.com hit by SEC subpoena
Woman busted for alleged $50 million web scam
Don't Ask Jeeves: New owner boots butler
Study: Consumer e-shopping satisfaction rises

People
Tom Storms become international publishing director at American Express Publishing
Timothy R. Kennedy becomes president, publisher and CEO of The Morning Call
Dotty Ewing becomes SVP of marketing at HorseTV Channel
Tony Reed and Carlin West rise at 4Kids Entertainment
Lloyd Fan becomes interim president of Q Television Network
Ned Newhouse and Steve Alessi join American Greetings Interactive
Danny Fishman becomes president of Broadband Enterprises
Kristin Wilcha becomes VP of HYPR communications consultancy
Tour de France star Lance Armstrong hosting the ESPY Awards
'All My Children's Abigail Spencer joins 'Emily's Eyes' on Lifetime
Michael Douglas sues Florida companies over advertising images
'West Wing's' Bradley Whitford joins cast of NBC's 'Studio 60'
Gunsmoke's actor Dennis Weaver dies of cancer at age 81


Alternative media
Sky high: Infomercials on inflight TV
Contemplate this: Ads on yoga mats
Stripe tease: Ads on parking lot strips
In the Loop: Turnstile ads in Chicago


Wednesday, March 1, 2006

Overnights
Less than amazing premiere for 'Race'
Off 9 percent in 18-49s from last year's debut and well down from previous seasons. 'Idol' whipping. Hangover from family edition?

New media
Web advertising rose 30 percent in '05
Far ahead of the rosiest spending forecasts, reaching $12.5 billion, with strongest gains in the fourth quarter, reports the IAB

London
At last, Financial Times turns around
A better ad economy raises the newspaper into the black, and parent Pearson sees more gains in 2006, after years of losses

Television
Strong return for Fox's now aging '24'
Fifth-season spooker is up 16 percent in 18-49s, defying fate so common to older shows. Credit smart debut and weaker timeslot.

Cable
Fallen Angel: MTV's hot comeback kid
Big gains for 'There & Back' reality series about a has-been ex-boy-bander's struggles. Formula of music, reality and angst. 

TV This Week
'Oh, please, do tell. Tell all about me.'
A&E's 'Spying on Myself' delivers all the dish, disguising folks so they can get their friends to say what they really think of them

News shorts
Getting Sirius: CBS sues Howard Stern
The final numbers: Olympics were way down
FCC fines dip well below record 2004 levels
Ted Turner: Time Warner has gotten too stale
Group says BBC's ignorance of gays is no joke

Web shorts
MSN debuts online classifieds and new maps
Study: Podcasts will reach 50 million by 2010
Three plead guilty to pirating pre-released album
Gartner: Cell phone sales topped 800M last year

People
Timothy Ward rises to SVP and CFO of Univision Radio
After contentious exit, original ‘West Wing-er’ Rob Lowe returns for finale
Rob McGovern becomes sales manager at Turner Entertainment
Keith Luttkus becomes VP of sales at AnswersMedia
David Weier becomes VP of music and talent relations for fuse TV
Chris Gilbert and Bernard Stolar join Adscape Media
Dana M. Harris rises to VP of communications and PR at Napster
Jerry Miko and Mitch Turner join Studio One Networks
Christy Lefebvre, Marc Condon and Michael Collins move at BURST! Media
Franklin Foer rises to editor of The New Republic
Mary Jo White defending Warner Books against Donald Trump suit
'Friends' star Courteney Cox joins new FX drama 'Dirt''
'Cheers' star Ted Danson joins ABC sitcom pilot 'Help Me Help You'

Thursday, March 2, 2006

Overnights
A cushy ride for new post-'Idol' sitcom
Fox's 'Free Ride' averages 6.3 rating in 18-49s, as the season's second-best comedy debut. Wins final sweeps night for network.

Television
Nielsen nixes Portable People Meters
Says it will focus solely on TV measurement rather than joint venture with Arbitron on multi-media device, after years of study

Television
Most humiliating sweeps ever for NBC
Stands to finish third behind ABC and Fox for the February rating period, after dismal Olympics. And spring doesn't look so good.

Radio
Rating slide for former Stern stations
Early data signals big tune-out for wannabe Howards after the King of All Media quit CBS. Can they recover? Good question.

Dayparts update
And a ho-hum to Gibson and Sawyer
Ratings slide for ABC's 'World News Tonight' with the two sitting in for injured anchor Bob Woodruff. Were they the best choice?

TV This Week
A far more real world on 'College Hill'
BET's reality show about black college life returns for its third season with a promise of a ratings surge among young viewers

News shorts
Atlantic taps NY Times reporter Bennet as editor
Martin: Family tiers are nice but a la carte's better
Viacom eyes venture into MySpace-like territory
Chappelle slaps at Comedy Central once again
Programming notes: Bonds goes to bat for ESPN 

Web shorts
Search and destroy: MSN targets Google
AOL says fee-based email system still a go
Board raising fees for some dot.com names
Study: Online gambling revenue rises to $10.9B

People
Alanna Fincke becomes editor of Body + Soul
Ernie Cox rises to chief creative officer at Starmark International
Lloyd Siegel rises to VP of news partnerships at NBC
Eric Neuhaus becomes director of primetime talent for Court TV
NBC Universal EVP of communications Anna Perez exiting
St. Louis meteorologist Reynolds Wolf joins CNN
Patrick Tillieux becomes COO of SBS Broadcasting
Darion Melito rises to director of affiliate relations for 'The Sean Hannity Show'
Gregory B. Maffei rises to president and CEO of Liberty Media Corporation
Curt Schwarzkopf becomes associate publisher of Investment Advisor magazine
Comedian Dane Cook signs new deal with HBO
'One Tree Hill's' Sophia Bush: I want my brief marriage annulled
Jesse Bradford joins ABC drama pilot 'Twenty Questions' 


Friday, March 3, 2006

Overnights
'Deal' breaker: 'Idol' sinks NBC's gamer
Howie Mandel show hits series-low 2.9 rating in 18-49s, down 22 percent from its week-long average. Fox sweeps the entire night.

TV Reviews
'Conviction,' Wolf in sheep's clothing
Master of cop procedurals stumbles badly in this new, character- driven NBC series about the personal lives of assistant DAs

Younger viewers
For young Hispanics, night of musica
A hot one, too, for the annual awards special on Univision, behind only Fox in 2-11s last Thursday, sweeps' most contested night

Rachel speaks!
Rachel, help me get a raise in Virginia
A senior media planner/buyer wants to know what sort of raise to ask for at salary review time, after taking a cut to take the job

TV This Week
Best tube bets this weekend
Friday: NBC's 'Las Vegas' in a new timeslot; Saturday: Duke faces UNC on ESPN; Sunday: Jon Stewart hosts ABC's Oscars

News shorts
Final sweeps numbers: It's ABC, Fox, then NBC
Voice writer admits faking it for pick-up story
Finger sticking: ABC rejects 'subliminal' KFC ad
PTC: Kids' programming is, like, so violent
Correction: Media Life blew it on ABC story

Web shorts
TiVo lets parents monitor kids with new tool
At My ABC, download a favorite show for free
Feds looking into e-music gouging allegations
MySpace: We're bettering our member screening

People
Coming soon from ABC, a chance to smell like Teri Hatcher
Universal McCann's Jean Pool calls for a la carte cable
Mark Lukasiewicz rises to vice president of digital media for NBC News
Phil Alongi rises to executive producer of NBC News specials
Christopher Said becomes coordinator of new media content at KPI
Stuart Marcus rises to SVP of local ad sales at WorldNow
Robert Sher becomes chairman of the board of advisors for ConsumerBase
Diana M. Wood becomes head of internet media staffing at O'Hare + Associates
Sam Shepard cast for ESPN's original movie 'Ruffian'
Carol Burnett to guest on ABC’s ‘Desperate Housewives’
David Arquette joins the cast of ABC comedy pilot 'In Case of Emergency'
Actor-filmmaker Tyler Perry launching the comedy 'House of Payne'
Former teen star Jack Wild dies at age 53

Monday, March 13, 2006

Overnights
Mob hit? ABC's 'Housewives' tumbles.
Down 11 percent in 18-49s against 'Sopranos' premiere on HBO, pulling an 8.8 rating, a season low. Fox's 'Free Ride' in a free fall.

Newspapers
Gobble: McClatchy gets Knight Ridder
No. 8 newspaper chain merges with No. 2. Latter under pressure over its weak performance. The word: Deal won't boost ad rates.

Television
Readers: 'The Sopranos' is the berries
Forget the hype. The HBO show is an original, they believe, and many think it's the best on television. They see a stellar season.

Popcult
Novel in a suitcase, a life remembered
It was the last thing Irene Nemirovsky wrote before her death in a concentration camp. It was years before her daughters read it.

Out of Home
Your client running in college papers
Reach thousands of students with just one buy spanning campus publications in all 50 states. Or target by region or student profile.

TV This Week
'Augusta, Gone,' a mother's anguish
Lifetime displays its clout among women with Monday movies, and this runaway teen tale looks to be aiming for young viewers

News shorts
NBC's new 'Conviction' way off in second outing
Study: Large metro papers face most trouble
Italian prosecutors eye media baron Berlusconi 
Report: NY Times moving stock pages onto web 
Make J.R. happy: Film 'Dallas' in Dallas, city begs 


Web shorts
Datran settles with Spitzer in spamming case
The Writely stuff: Google targeting Word with buy?
Singapore files very first criminal piracy charges
Discovery launches new homework help site


People
Rumor central: Charles Gibson will get ABCs open anchor spot
Mark Mazzetti joins The New York Times Washington bureau
Patricia Brown becomes VP of Midwest ad sales for NBCU Domestic TV
Robert Rifkin becomes director of non-traditional sales at Razor & Tie
Bradley Fazzari becomes director of licensing for CBS Consumer Products
Ralph Modugno becomes VP of finance for National Geographic Channel
Wendi Thomas becomes metro columnist for the Baltimore Sun
Former House leader Newt Gingrich gets a radio commentary series
Miss Matchs Alicia Silverstone joins ABC comedy pilot Pink Collar
Elizabeth McGovern joins ABC Familys Three Moons Over Milford
Jennifer Coolidge joins Foxs comedy pilot If You Lived Here
Harry Roselmack named first black anchor on Francess TF1
Cabletelevision Advertising Bureau founder Bob Alter dies at age 77

Tuesday,  March 14, 2006

Overnights
Promising premiere for 'Old Christine'
CBS sitcom is up 7 percent for the timeslot, averaging a 4.4 in 18-49s for two airings. Is the Seinfeld curse finally lifted? Maybe.

Magazines
Big chill: Men's titles in a major ad sag
Lad leader Maxim sinks 39 percent in pages through February. FHM off 44 percent. What gives? But biz and newsweeklies gain.

Sports TV
The deeper scandal in baseball doping
Barry Bonds is a bad boy, a doper most likely. But the real blame rests with MLB and Bud Selig for not banning steroids years ago.

New media
Learning to market to the Y of Gen Y
They're so very different from their parents in their brand loyalty and how they relate to media. Talking with Bill Engel of Simmons.

New media
Now, the Blooker Prize, for best blook
Blook, you say? That's a book from a blog, and now there's even
a literary award for best fiction, best non-fiction and best comics.

TV This Week
'Nashville Star,' up for the competition
It's returning with Wynonna and Cowboy Troy, plus a few tweaks, with hopes of reviving its ratings as the show enters season four

News shorts
McClatchy: We'll dump 12 Knight Ridder papers
Arbitron starts official PPM rollout this summer
Stern to Letterman: You work for a big jerk
It's official: NY Times bumps stocks to the web
Village Voice boots managing editor Simmons 


Web shorts
Google asks big publishers to offer books online
TiVo adds educational TV options for parents
comScore: Oscar sites see no noticeable lift
Study: Mobile gaming market will double by 2008


People
Scientologist Isaac Hayes quits 'South Park' over religious satire
Sheila Mahony becomes director of brand strategy at Cottage Living
John Harvey becomes VP of sales development at Bankrate
Carol Hinnant rises to president of Q Television Network
Stephen Barr becomes advertising director for Backpacker magazine
Jason Brown rises to EVP of advertising sales at Screenvision
Debbie Paitchel rises to director of legal and business affairs at Court TV
Heather Baldino rises to SVP of network marketing at Turner
Rob Magdlen rises to VP of program planning for E! Networks
Peter Horton rises to executive producer of ABC's 'Grey's Anatomy'
Mark Williams becomes on-air creative director at Sundance Channel
Brendan Walsh becomes director of sales for Charter Media
'Press Your Luck' host Peter Tomarken dies at age 62

Wednesday, March 15, 2006

Overnights
No luv lost: ABC's 'Sons & Daughters'
New sitcom tumbles 40 percent from premiere last week among 18-49s, to a 1.9, airing up against 'American Idol' and 'The Unit.'

Television
Mike Wallace: My '60 Minutes' are up
Longtime television newsman hangs it up at 87 but he says he'll be around if needed, just in case. Present at the creation. Gotcha.

Cable
Mob hit? 'Sopranos' whacked by molls
Returning HBO hit drops fourth of its audience, earning 5.3 rating in households facing ABC's 'Housewives.' Most painful absence.

TV Reviews
'The Loop,' at last, a smart Fox sitcom
For a change, characters who're actually likable in this new Gen Y comedy, never mind the reviewer pans. Escape from sitcom hell.

Television
Whither 'Las Vegas?' Good question.
NBC glam show is holding up on Friday night, down from what it earned on Mondays but not disastrously so. But it's still early yet.

TV This Week
Revisiting the Duggars, all 17 of them
Soon to be 18, for one large Arkansas family, and a particularly fascinating one for Discovery Health Channel. Faith and chores.

News shorts
'Sopranos' actors want more dough from HBO
AFA reinstates Ford boycott over gay advertising
Lame Games still steal from syndie in sweeps
NBC debuts new show 'Heist' via MSN Video
CBS offers March Madness downloads on iTunes

Web shorts
Cops bust up large web child p*ornography ring
Microsoft sues eBayers peddling pirated software
House eyes bill restricting offshore e-gambling
Whoosh! Clooney blows down Huff Post blog.

People
Steven Larson becomes account executive for Parade magazine
Chris Wright and Geoffrey Gagnon join Boston magazine
Jack Sussman rises to EVP of specials for CBS Entertainment
Tara Greeley and Jonathan Penn join Revenue Science
Philippe Maigret becomes SVP of distribution strategy at Buena Vista
Marsha E. Williams rises to SVP of research and planning at Nickelodeon
Actor Stanley Tucci joins CBS'S untitled Peter Ocko drama pilot
Actor John Amos joins ABC'S Men in Trees'
Marla Sokoloff playing the bride in ABC'S 'A Day in the Life'
Brittany Daniel joins the cast of NBC pilot 'Community Service'
'Desperate Housewife' Nicollette Sheridan and singer Michael Bolton engaged
'Young and Restless' actress Lauralee Bell starring in Lifetime's 'Past Sins'
Iraqi news magazine editor Muhsin Khudhair killed in Baghdad

Thursday, March 16, 2006

Overnights
Scoop on 'The Loop:' A hot first night
New Fox comedy pulls a 6.5 rating in 18-49s, keeping more than half 'Idol's' audience. Worry: Move to Thursday could be a chiller.

Magazines
Atlantic up for eight magazine awards
Just behind at six: Virginia Quarterly Review, or about one per 1,000 subscribers. Other nominees: New Yorker, GQ, Wired.

Sports TV
The dreadful price of March Madness
Figure $3.8 billion in lost productivity at work as basketball fans surf the web for the latest updates. Talking with John Challenger.

Dayparts update
Howard's midnight belly flop on 'Dave'
Just a slight uptick in viewing for Stern visit, despite all the rancor and headlines over CBS suit. Is the King of all Media no more?

TV This Week
Among the critters on 'Get Out There'
Animal Planet travels with a family to a national park to meet
and greet the beasts, in a return to its past as a family network

News shorts
FCC levies record $3.6M fine against 'Trace'
NCTA: Actually, a la carte will be more expensive
CW: Weighing six pilots and keeping its name
President Bush becomes must-see TV in Pakistan
'Sopranos' actors want more dough from HBO

Web shorts
CBS: Day one NCAA downloads reach 1.2 million
Google delays buying AOL stake until June
Xbox 360 users getting exclusive music videos
Apple ear? NIH ponders hearing loss from MP3s.


People
John Ritter's family settles wrongful death lawsuit with hospital
Lewis Libby's lawyers subpoena Judith Miller and New York Times
Discover magazine editor in chief Steve Petranek exiting
Hilary Black becomes editor in chief of Tango magazine
John R. Rizzotti becomes senior publicist at E! Entertainment
Gregg Liebman rises to SVP at CNN ad sales research
Brian Napack becomes president of Holtzbrinck Publishers
Mike Epps playing an 'Unsuccessful Thug' in HBO sitcom
Jessy Schram joins the cast of CW's 'Split Decision'
Barry Bostwick joins Fox's upcoming comedy 'The 12th Man'
Televangelist Joel Osteen signs big-bucks deal with Free Press
Jessica Simpson to President Bush: Let's meet another time
'What I Like About You''s Jennie Garth expecting her third child

Friday, March 17, 2006

Overnights Novel idea: ABC's 'American Inventor' Sockeroo debut wins the night for the network, earning a 5.4 in 18-49s and beating CBS basketball and NBC sitcoms. Wacky. Newspapers Big hurt: Washington Post's struggle Job cuts speak to a larger worry: Circulation. Weekdays it's down 17 percent in the past decade, with little hope that it will reverse. Television As Fox gains, season win looks likely 'Idol' momentum pushes it closer to No. 1 ABC and a second win in 18-49s. Media people: It will slip past or at worst tie for first. Younger viewers The 'Emperor's' return as a schoolboy So-so movie finds kiddie viewers on ABC Kids as an animated series. Kuzco must finish school before he can rise to the throne. Rachel speaks! Rachel, help me set my freelance fees What works best, an hourly rate or a flat fee? How much should I charge? Our career columnist weighs in on this delicate matter. TV This Week Best tube bets this weekend Friday: WB's premiere of 'Modern Men;' Saturday: NCAAs continue on CBS; Sunday: Meet the new cast of VH1's 'Surreal' News shorts Study: 17 percent of consumers want a la carte NBC plumps fall schedule with drama 'Kidnapped' ABC co-anchor Woodruff moves to rehab facility China drops case against NY Times researcher 'Office' work: New webisodes over slow summer Web shorts CBS: Day one NCAA downloads reach 1.2 million Google delays buying AOL stake until June  Xbox 360 users getting exclusive music videos Apple ear? NIH ponders hearing loss from MP3s. People Daily Mail to Francesca Annis: Sorry about the bum quotes Thomas Masterson becomes SVP of consumer marketing at Hachette Filipacchi Tom Davis rises to group publisher of Meredith's men's brands Former Financial Times editor Andrew Gowers joins Lehman Brothers Blender advertising director Junny Ann Hibbert exits for School Sports Sherijo Damico and Shawn Gannon rise to regional VPs at Playboy TV Toni Egger becomes VP of development at the Science and Military Channels Sonya Crawford becomes ABC News network correspondent Jason O'Mara lands the lead role in ABC's drama pilot 'Drift' Actor Bruno Campos jumps from ABC pilot to Fox pilot Actress Charlotte Ross exits ABC's drama pilot 'Ugly Betty' Megyn Price joins the cast of new CBS comedy project Former President Bill Clinton talks sports on XM Satellite Radio Monday, March 20, 2006 Overnights Basketball pumps CBS's '60 Minutes' Newsmagazine up 61 percent from spillover from NCAA tourney play, to 3.7 rating in 18-49s. (Corrected from earlier version.) Sports TV Readers: Yo to CBS's b'ball downloads Best new idea in coverage of March Madness. Nearly half of poll- takers say they will use the free service to watch NCAA games. Magazines Wondertime, in the wonder of children New Disney title aims to offer a loftier view of child-rearing, less nutsy-boltsy, more of the whys and wherefores. Zen mindfulness. Popcult Coming, an oldies summer at the Bijou The big-buck productions are mostly remakes, led by 'Mission: Impossible III' starring Tom Cruise. Don't expect many risk-takers. Out of Home Your client gets a buff at the nail salon The latest thing: Ad messages in four color on emery boards are among the give-aways customers can take home. Very femme. TV This Week 'Prison Break,' and a likely one for Fox Its return tonight will give the network a boost in its push to move past ABC in the race to win the season in 18-49s News shorts Despite wrestling's return, NBC still last Saturday Cinderella teams score strong ratings for CBS In 'toon: Fox reups 'Simpsons' and 'King of the Hill' NY Times duped by former Abu Ghraib prisoner A so-long to retired Washington Post editor Bill Brady Web shorts Judge: Google must turn over sites, not searches Amazon tweaks search engine after complaints Study: Many won't pay for multimedia cell service Prime real estate: Bridgeville back for bid on eBay People Atlantic Monthly's Cullen Murphy and William Langewiesche jump to Vanity Fair Elias E. Lucero becomes director of promotions at Lopez Negrete Communications Matthew Chiavelli rises to multimedia director of Scifi.com Tonia O'Connor rises to EVP of distribution for Gemstar-TV Guide Alvin Bowles becomes publisher of AOL Black Voices John Montgomery becomes global CEO of MindShare Interaction 'Idol' chatter: Tony Cowell says brother Simon is quite the ladies' man Ronald Martin convicted of harassing MSNBC's Monica Crowley Rena Sofer cast for ABC's comedy pilot 'Mr. Nice Guy' Catherine Bell and Gary Cole join the cast of CBS drama pilot 'Company Town' Mercedes Ruehl co-starring in Paul Reiser'ss untitled CBS comedy pilot Former 'AM America' host Bill Beutel dies at age 75 It's official: Nick Lachey joins CW's comedy pilot 'He Said/She Said' Tuesday,  March 21, 2006 Overnights Sweet bump for CBS's 'Old Christine' Second outing up 8 percent in 18-49s over debut, retaining 95 percent of 'Two and a Half Men's' audience. Breaking the curse. TV Reviews 'The Evidence,' grounds for dismissal Umpteenth cop procedural as the genre is fading and with nothing to recommend it. From ABC, nifty threads, slick chatter, snores. Magazines Bob Guccione Jr. on Bob Guccione Jr. And Discover Magazine, our love of science, the end of the lads craze, which are the best magazines today, which are the worst New media One amazing life: Srinivasa Ramanujan He wore no shoes until arriving at Cambridge, but his wizardry in math became the underpinnings of the internet. Soon, the movie. Television Smart money: CBS pairs with Verizon Retransmission deal will mean more revenue but it will also give Moonves more clout with cable companies in the tussle over fees TV This Week 'Hope & Faith,' and say your prayers The sagging ABC comedy looks for a boost moving from Fridays to air tonight leading out of 'According to Jim,' its fate on the line News shorts Longtime NFL commissioner Tagliabue retiring Stern bump: Sirius surpasses 4M subscribers Michigan public radio workers busted for payola Programming notes: Lifetime hots up HS politics Bloody subtitles: BBC cited for f-word faux pas Web shorts Seven percent of web users get March Madness China bans VoIP plans for at least two more years For TV fanatics, a place to buy stuff like the stars Google launches financial news & services site People Hearst EVP John Loughlin overseeing new digital media unit Leigh Buchanan becomes editor-at-large at Inc. magazine Jorge A. Plasencia becomes VP of AM stations for Univision Bob Shavelson becomes SVP of program partnerships at Studio One Jan Studin becomes publisher of Better Homes and Gardens Steven Fisher becomes VP of communications at Logo Alfred Russo becomes finance manager and controller at Lightworks Enterprises Chris Merrifield becomes VP of on-air creative at Turner Classic Movies Former Wonkette Ana Marie Cox becomes columnist for Time and Time.com Lauren Rogers and Sonya Crawford leaving ABC's NewsOne Daily Shows host John Stewart to host the Peabody awards Its a baby boy named Barron for Donald Trump and wife Melania Actress Joely Fisher joins Fox comedy pilot Til Death Wednesday, March 22, 2006 Overnights Whacked: 'Idol' does number on 'Unit' Decline of 14 percent for hit CBS terror drama, to a 4.2 in 18-49s, against supersized reality talent show. 'NCIS' rerun lead-in hurts. Research Media as kids' looming s*x super peer Experts find exposure boosts activity levels of teens and may well undermine traditional influences, such as parents and the schools TV Reviews 'Heist,' clever crime caper that delivers New NBC show is an amusing, refreshing romp, never mind that it steals everything but the silverware. It takes all the right chances. Television A so-long to 'Invasion,' likely for good ABC's alien spooker never won over viewers, despite leading out of the hit 'Lost,' and now it's off for a rest. Attack of the wannabes. Cable Aging 'Monk,' but no sign of wrinkles Finale of the fourth season is up 17 percent over third, despite the ticky dick facing tougher lineups. USA's most welcome character. TV This Week Star power: The Pistons face the Heat Faceoff of the NBA's best teams in the East, airing on ESPN, and the latest of what could lead to seven games and gripping ratings News shorts Time Inc. settles in subscription renewal inquiry Lifetime upfront: Improv, pets & of course movies Major flame-up in CNN Headline News offices Ratings roundup: Less sizzle for HBO's 'Big Love' Canadians nix rude beer reference in Aussie ad Web shorts Microsoft: We're delaying new operating system Xbox 360 shortage may finally be on the mend Apple: New French copy protection bill is rotten What is online? Answer: A 'Jeopardy' tryout spot.  People Gerald Marzorati rises to assistant managing editor of The New York Times Magazine Bob Raidt becomes a publishing director at Wicks Business Information Eileen Diskin becomes VP of marketing at PBS Kids Sprout Paul J. Conley becomes VP of digital media at American Greetings Properties Allyson Terry-Goldsby rises to VP of marketing at Sony Pictures Television Truthiness on paper: Stephen Colbert signs book deal with Warner Books Longtime Vermont Associated Press writer Christopher Graff bounced Rita Street becomes VP of development at Mike Young Productions Margaret Magnarelli becomes editor at Money magazine Orlando DJ Carlos 'Blackbean' Navarro charged with battery Rosa Blasi added to the cast of untitled NBC comedy project 'Desperate Housewives's' Eva Longoria sets the record straight on her love life Sara Gilbert joins the cast of ABC's pilot 'Girls on the Bus' Thursday, March 23, 2006 Overnights Debut sinks for stick-up drama 'Heist' NBC show pulls a 3.0 in 18-49s, finishing third, down 21 percent in old 'Law & Order' timeslot. 'L&O' also sags in new 9 p.m. hour. Research Upfront debate: Rethinking TV ratings More buyers are looking to pay only for the ads, not the shows that air around them, while sellers argue for DVR audiences Research Report: TV ads are fast losing their zip On eve of upfront, marketers raise new beefs. Three fourths say they're looking for alternatives to 30-second spot as DVRs gain. Cable Spike anew: Calling all men of action Shift in strategy toward more manly pursuits of the butt-kicking sort for the weekend he-man. Newest tagline: 'Get More Action.' Dayparts update For 'Tony Danza,' the talk gets darker Syndie talker seems a goner, despite ratings, which are so-so. One big problem: Loss of Philadelphia and New York outlets. TV This Week Meet Natella, Latrina and Keisha Marie They're from South London's 'Bromwell High,' and the animated characters are being brought to America by the BBC. Dirty talk. News shorts Study: Internet becoming a hub for news See steamy 'Bedford' scenes on the web, not TV On PPV, calling John Lennon from the beyond Chef's goose gets cooked on 'South Park' debut Play it again: 'Idol' warblers on Cingular ringtones Web shorts Ring, ring! Yahoo PC-to-phone calling on the line. Coming from PayPal, a chance to shop on the go  China brings gamers into the open with new rule Match.com's celebrity singleton: Joan Rivers People Kathy Benjamin and David Gilison promoted to VPs at Nielsen Entertainment Michael Weber rises to VP of ad sales for Discovery Networks Thomas Scott rises to president and CEO of Sky Angel Jim Noonan rises to SVP of promotions at Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Gretchen Beidl becomes EVP of affiliate sales at Sundance Channel iCrossing president Jeffrey Pruitt re-elected to SEMPO board William J. Macdonald becomes an advisor for Network Foundation Technologies 'The View's' Star Jones Reynolds recovering from surgery 'Scrubs' writers Neil Goldman and Garrett Donovan sign deal with NBC CNN's 'American Morning' executive producer Kim Bondy leaving Alan Thicke and Sandra Lee hosting NBC's 'Celebrity Cooking Showdown' Tennis Week magazine founder Gene Scott dies at age 68 'Crumbs's actor Fred Savage and wife Jennifer expecting their first child Friday, March 24, 2006 Overnights A strong return for 'American Inventor' New ABC reality series pulls a 5.1 in 18-49s, winning timeslot against CBS's tourney and NBC's 'Earl.' Rises in latter half hour. Magazines New editor is named for the Economist John Micklethwait rises from U.S. editor, stepping in for exiting Bill Emmott, during a period of rapid growth for the U.S. edition Younger viewers For the wee ones, 'Ben 10,' multitasker He's 10, and he's found the powerful Omnitrix, allowing him great powers to do good, as well as be invisible and sneak into movies Rachel speaks! Rachel, when is it okay to talk salary? If with colleagues, when no one's listening. Many agencies forbid it. But it's the best way to learn your ranking on the money ladder. TV This Week Best tube bets this weekend Friday: Finale of the WB's 'What I Like About You;' Saturday: NCAA b-ball on CBS; Sunday: ABC's 'Desperate Housewives' News shorts Forecast: By 2010, global DVR use will triple Study: Media consumption hits nine hours per day DirecTV sues Lifetime over refusal to Dish up 'South Park' cooks up best premiere since 2002 Programming notes: Fox bringing back 'Bones' Web shorts Spitzer sues Gratis for alleged email sale scam Tick, tick: Yahoo winds up a webbie '60 Minutes' Nintendo tries classical approach for new gamer China busts more pirates in latest crackdown People Barry Bonds threatens suit against San Francisco Chronicle reporters Time Inc.'ss No. 2, corporate editor Isolde Motley, leaving the company Emily Kelton becomes beauty and consumer products manager at Self Danielle Yuen rises to creative services director at Self Elizabeth Hazard becomes assistant managing editor at Shape 'Everybody Loves Raymond's' Patricia Heaton chatting about a talk show Moksha Fitzgibbons and Edgar Hernandez join Complex magazine Les Tolchin joins The Media Audit as a consultant Karen Miller rises to SVP of TV creative services at Warner Bros. 'Star Trek' veteran Jeri Ryan cast in CBS's drama pilot 'Shark' Illeana Douglas joins ABC's comedy pilot 'Women of a Certain Age' Former 'Love Monkey' Tom Cavanagh joins CBS comedy pilot 'My Ex-Life' Rapper Ludacris playing Ice T's nephew on NBC's 'Law & Order: SVU' Monday, March 27, 2006 Overnights 'Dateline' in a surge revisiting Schiavo NBC newsmagazine jumps by 23 percent, to 9.5 million viewers, when Terri's husband appears to push book about her final years Magazines Hints of recovery for the newsweeklies Critical advertising categories are returning after pulling back last year, leading to a slight edging up in ad pages through February TV Reviews 'Teachers,' oh, pity the school children This NBC sitcom is a dreadful waste of time. It tries too hard to be hip and edgy. What's missing is a plotline, wit and originality. Popcult Movie therapy, for what ails our souls Depressed? Feeling unloved? Take in a flick. Psychotherapists are employing them to delve into their patients' deepest feelings. Out of Home Your client dancing all across the floor Adding sound to ads projected on public spaces. Interactivity lets passersby, especially kids, to step into the creative and change it. TV This Week For 'Everwood,' one last chance to live Returning with two episodes after a hiatus, and back on Monday night with hopes of showing it deserves a slot on the new CW News shorts NBC's 'Deal or No Deal' hits new Friday high Time Warner Cable's Big Four on-demand plan Study: Interactive ads are engaging for viewers Brits launching weekly newspaper for wee ones Glam gaming: Wisteria Lane ladies coming to PCs Web shorts Police bust suspects using MySpace.com profiles Lycos & Jajah enter growing online phone field Study: More British teens use cell phones to cheat Judge fines WiFi freeloader in first Illinois case People Greg Brock becomes senior editor at The New York Times Washingtonpost.com blogger Ben Domenech quits amid plagiarism accusations David A. Valdez becomes VP of national sales at Wild Blue Yonder Richard Rosenblatt becomes chairman of iCrossing Barbara Devaney becomes national sales rep for City Business Journals Airikuh Anderson rises to business development manager at CBS Radio Sales The rumor: NBC developing new daytime talk show with Access host Tony Potts David Vasile becomes president of home video at Somerset Entertainment Charmeds Kaley Cuoco joins untitled comedy project at ABC Oliver Hudson cast in CBSs comedy pilot The Weekend Alta Vista developer Paul A Flaherty dies at age 42 Happy Days mom Marion Ross joins NBCs Community Service Hee-Haws star Buck Owens dies at age 76 Alternative media Chasing skirts: The sensual mouse pad The ultimate floating, portable billboard High in the sky: Ads towing kitesurfers Breaking the myth about spring break Tuesday,  March 28, 2006 Overnights Breakout: Fox reclaims Monday night Easily takes No. 1, bounding up 41 percent over season average with returning 'Prison Break' and '24' duo. Scores a 5.2 in 18-49s. Magazines Say so-long to Cargo, men's shopper Conde Nast is folding fading spinoff of Lucky after two years, amid continuing doubts over basic premise: Men like to shop. Television Fox eases past CBS, gaining on ABC Fast heading for an early win for the season, led by 'American Idol.' Network is now just one tenth of a point out of first place. TV Reviews 'Thief,' first-rate drama and classic FX Propelled apace by strong, disciplined writing, show achieves what other crime-capers can only aspire to. Hot Andre Braugher. New media Explosion in social networking sites MySpace is the largest but there's now a sea of newer players, many growing rapidly. How many will make it is another matter. TV This Week 'Dark Kingdom:' Prince and his sword On Sci Fi, German Nibelungen saga of Siegfried, a blacksmith with a mission to fight evil. Two-parter could set a network record. News shorts Former 'Today' producer Friedman rejoins CBS 'MNF' first: Debut on ESPN will be a doubleheader Politics of anger: Baldwin & Hannity row on WABC Programming notes: 'Arrested's' Hurwitz exiting Cablevision testing DVR technology sans the box Web shorts FEC: Only some political e-ads will be regulated Study: E-music will rise but offline still dominates New on the web at the Fed, money matters for kids Love hurts: Man sues eHarmony over rejection People Debra Birnbaum becomes editor in chief of Life & Style Len Costa and Stuart Keating join Best Life magazine Danny Seo becomes style editor at large for Country Home magazine Don Scales becomes chief operating officer at iCrossing Fired San Francisco radio host Larry Krueger settles with former station Joel Schwartzberg and Karin Kamp join 'Now On PBS' New order in the court: Judge Lynn Toler presiding over 'Divorce Court' 'Frasier's' Peri Gilpin joins the cast of ABC's 'Women of a Certain Age' Gillian Vigman cast in the CBS comedy pilot 'My Ex-Life' Connie Stevens co-starring in Fox's comedy pilot 'The Wedding Album' 'Boston Legal's' David E. Kelley bringing pilot 'Life on Mars' to ABC Supremes: Anthrax 'person of interest' Steven J. Hatfill can sue The New York Times 'The Winds of War' TV producer Dan Curtis dies at age 78 Wednesday, March 29, 2006 Overnights A gentleman's C for 'Teachers' on NBC Improves timeslot 10 percent, despite drubbing by critics, earning a 3.3 rating in 18-49s against Fox's 'House' and CBS's 'The Unit' London New for British bettors, the Sportsman Launches as a daily paper, first in 20 years, to serve patrons of UK's exploding gambling industry. From nags to soccer to poker. TV Reviews 'Bedford Diaries,' wearing horns of old Oh, sweet nostalgia: The WB salutes its past in a s@x-drenched steamer about a dozen college hotties. Dreadful stuff, of course. Cable 'Black. White.,' and way down all over Huge tumble in ratings for FX series on race, from nearly 4 million total viewers to 1.45 million. Too PBS-like? Or too sensational? Television For 'Scrubs,' sixth season looks likely NBC may have little choice but to renew the sitcom, even with low ratings. (Better the devil you know than the devil you don't know.) TV This Week All there's to know about the number 1 PBS revisits the earliest days of the numeral in tonight's 'Story of 1.' Monty Python's Terry Jones narrates. Meet the Ishango bone. News shorts Study: Nearly a third of Stern listeners eye Sirius Chomp! Meredith enters the quickie food category. Court TV upfront: Action and shades of mystery Survey: In job happiness, media people rank high   Programming notes: Fox wants a second 'Break' Web shorts IAB: U.K. web advertising passes radio & outdoor Study: Google's search share rises as rivals sink Local reach: Google teams with SuperPages.com Sprint Nextel offers download deal for music lovers People Richard Beaven becomes CEO of Initiative North America Frank Babbitt and Eva Woo become VPs at Adscape Media Bill Foltz becomes CEO of Sports Business Ventures Geoff Brenna becomes marketing director at Heavybag Media Tana Nugent Jamieson becomes SVP of drama programming at A&E Stephen Reverand becomes SVP of National Geographic Television & Film Frank Hagan becomes GM and program director at Q Television Network Chris Kager becomes president of Turner Advertising Group Alex Ignon rises to VP of marketing at King World Productions Laureen Lane, Maria Murrow and Carla Carey join NBCU Cable ad sales In a 'Family' way: 'Dancing' star John O'Hurley becomes host of 'Family Feud' Bo Derek joins My Network TV's 'Secret Obsessions' DDB Worldwide president and CEO Ken Kaess dies at age 51 Thursday, March 30. 2006 Overnights NBC's Wednesday strategy turns sour New drama 'Heist' down 17 percent in second week and 'Law & Order' is tanking in new timeslot. Expect a rescue attempt soon. Newspapers Free at last: Jill Carroll released in Iraq Christian Science Monitor reporter, held 82 days, was treated well. Doesn't know why she was let go. CSM: 'An exciting day.' Television 'Commander in Chief,' back into battle And most certain death airing on Thursdays at 10, long a suicide lane for ABC shows. Once-hot new series botched by Bochco. Sports TV George Mason, the impossible dream This no-name Virginia team is the shocker of March Madness, but will overall tourney viewing be up or down? Good question. Dayparts update CBS morning news puzzle: Now what? Founding producer returns to 'The Early Show' to jazz things up. The timing is perfect. Just what can be done is the quandary. TV This Week Best of the rest: Michigan's final shot Wolverines play South Carolina's Gamecocks in the final game of the National Invitation Tournament, airing on ESPN. Swish. News shorts Comcast & NBC reach on-demand agreement ESPN leads Sports Emmy nominations with 42 A mousy premiere for 'Conversations with Eisner' MSNBC's 'Countdown' passes CNN's 'Paula Zahn' Rumor: Loose cannon Roth is out at CBS Radio  Web shorts Touchstone and NBC load 'Scrubs' onto iTunes Study: Actually, South Korea isn't so connected Microsoft testing desktop application for email Apple offers new software to cap iPod volume People Melissa Walters becomes account executive at McKee Wallwork Cleveland Aiden Colie becomes VP of internet technology at Time Inc. Interactive Joanna Valentine, Bruce Klein and Jana Cosgrove rise at Interep West Louis Muckle rises to Eastern manager at Complex Adam Jones becomes VP and CFO of NBC News Boston magazine editor Jon Marcus stepping down Thomas Hjelm becomes senior director of online content for NBCU TV Worcester Telegram & Gazette publisher Bruce Bennett retiring 'Home Edition' producer Tom Forman joins CBS Paramount Network TV Jocelyn Egan rises to VP of Discovery Solutions and branded entertainment Bill Burton rises to EVP of digital media for ABC Owned Television Stations 'The Office' producer Larry Wilmore starring in a sitcom for CBS Paula Abdul signs on for three more years of 'American Idol' Friday, March 31, 2006 Overnights Poof! 'American Inventor' up in smoke. Returning 'CSI' blows a hole in ABC reality hit, sinking show 30 percent in 18-49s, to a 3.7 rating and a third-place finish at 9 p.m. Magazines Creating the future for Fast Company Back from death but a bigger issue now looms: Can this former New Economy title find its way in a world so radically changed? Television The hot pre-upfront buzz: 'Studio 60' It's the show media people are talking about, and it's NBC's big hope for fall, from 'West Wing's' Aaron Sorkin. A look at others. Younger viewers The not so secret life of Miley Stewart At night the teen becomes 'Hannah Montana,' pop star, and last Friday night she became Disney Channel's newest tween star Rachel speaks! Rachel, help me, I'm swimming in data A media planner is unhappy with her new job, which is crunching numbers at a much larger shop. She misses the human contact. TV This Week Best tube bets this weekend Friday: Premiere of the WB's 'Survival of the Richest;' Saturday: Final Four games on CBS; Sunday: 'Huff' on Showtime News shorts Senate to Supremes: Get ready for your closeup TV Watch: Viewers want to self-regulate indecency Meet Assy McGee, Adult Swim's latest 'toon star Daily News: Post circ pumping via paper dumping Programming notes: Quick hook for 'Alex' and 'Out' Web shorts MySpace spikes potentially problematic profiles ISPs receive subpoenas in federal investigation Study: It's harder for kids to buy M-rated games Hitwise: Google Finance grows through first week People Court tosses class action lawsuits by Belo shareholders Chet Fenster heading Mediaedge:cia's MEC Entertainment Charles Dubow named director of new products for BW online Kris Slava becomes VP of digital content and acquisitions for Bravo Liz Gateley rises to SVP of series development and animation at MTV More than OK!: Celebrity magazine editor Sarah Ivens gets a contract extension Joseph Hockenjos becomes VP of sports sales at NCC Carey Davis named multicultural sales VP for ABC Radio Networks Diane Rappoport will executive produce 'Dr. Keith Ablow' ABC ‘World News’ co-anchor Bob Woodruff receives David Bloom award 'Arrested's Jeffrey Tambor joins NBC pilot 'Twenty Good Years' 'Joey's Matt LeBlanc and wife Melissa divorcing after three years You're out! Pitcher Kris Benson and outspoken wife Anna call it quits

Monday, April 3, 2006

Overnights
Free fall for Fox's 'Free Ride' comedy
Drops to new low of 2.2 in 18-49s, off 39 percent from 'American Dad' timeslot average, after initial ratings bump from 'Idol' lead-in

Newspapers
New this week, the Baltimore Examiner
Philip Anschutz rolls out his latest challenge, a free daily starting Wednesday. If it can work in this port city, it can work anywhere.

Sports TV
Yo, Martha Burk, Augusta calls to you
Yes, it's Masters times again, if you didn't know. But how could you with all the talk about Barry Bonds. A discourse on ruination.

Popcult
At last, alas, true love 'twixt the stacks
You know of speed dating. This is read dating. You show up at the library with your favorite book on your nametag. Then it gets wild.

Out of Home
Your client a star at G.I. movie theaters
Reaching military people when they're off duty with on-screen ads and promotions in lobbies on bases and posts around the country

TV This Week
A likely snorer: UCLA takes on Florida
Bruins were one heck of a team--30 years ago. These days they are buzzless, meaning low ratings for tonight's final NCAA game.

News shorts
'Deal' delivers best Friday numbers in three years
ABC suspends 'GMA' producer over Bush-bashing
Rumor: Settlement possible in radio payola probe
Stern grumbles over fans' failure to get Sirius
Programming notes: NBC bumps 'L&O' back again

Web shorts
Movie sites begin selling films on DVD release day
Small-screen start: Japan initiates TV via cell
Bid for concert tickets and help Katrina musicians
A new video game helping young cancer patients

People
 Report: Katie Couric and CBS reach a deal for anchor job
Russell A. Kern heads MaximOnline business development
Dave Murphy heading up advertising at the LA Times
Manuel Fuentes becomes advertising director for Stuff magazine
Edward R. Leon becomes head of programming at Si TV
Detroit TV anchor Frank Turner files complaint against his station
'Related's Jennifer Esposito joins Fox's 'More, Patience'
'Housewives' Roger Bart joins CBS's 'My Ex-Life'
Lindsay Sloane joins the cast of CW's 'He Said/She Said'
'24's' Sean Astin starring in ABC comedy pilot 'The Guys'
Emmy winner Cloris Leachman joins new NBC comedy
CBS Radio's David Lee Roth stays on the air, for now
Former 'General Hospital's' executive producer Gloria Monty dies at age 84

Tuesday,  April 4, 2006

Overnights
Air balls: NCAA final a big ratings dud
UCLA-Florida game may sink to all-time low, down 33 percent in 18-49s from last year on CBS, based on early fast national data

Magazine Review
Words and thoughts from the Atlantic
Snippets of pieces up for the Magazine Awards, from among the eight nominations it received for reporting, fiction and criticism

TV Reviews
'Pepper Dennis,' one full hour too long
WB sitcom runs out of sizzle early and often, an obvious burnoff as the network nears its end. Plotless, not funny, bereft of talent.

New media
How we love our cells the way we do
Folks have real feelings about their phones, thus the popularity of ring tones and other statements. Talking with Pew's Lee Rainie.

New media
In Europe, women surfers are gaining
By next year they will spend more hours online than men as they advance to more sophisticated uses. Busy young moms lead.

TV This Week
Boston showdown: Duke vs. Maryland
It's the big game in NCAA women's basketball, and each is up for its first national championship. Who's got the edge? Duke.

News shorts
Former Tribune VP Sito facing circ scandal charges
Food Network upfront: Cooking much of the same
Local radio $ still slumping as total revenue dips
Runway expose: India in an uproar over flashes
Me encanta la musica: MTV's new Latino network


Web shorts
Study: Newspaper e-visitors up 21 percent in 2005
McDonalds goes online to cast new ad campaign
Google effect? Yahoo Finance gets some tweaks
Samsung delays first launch of Blu-Ray DVD player


People
Joe Burton becomes COO of McCann Worldgroup San Francisco
Scott Sorokin becomes president of Carat Fusion
Bob Scarpelli and Chuck Brymer rise at DDB Worldwide
Steve Smith becomes managing director of Playboy TV International
Judith Slater rises to VP and controller of Fox News Channel
Stella Min rises to Court TV Online senior creative director 
Rick Beispel becomes VH1 SVP of national advertising sales
Alan Perris becomes Television Academy COO
Eric Smith becomes Sony Pictures Television Western region VP
Rachel Lusted becomes licensing director at Al Ovadia & Associates
Doug Lindquist becomes Penthouse MG managing director 
Russ Mitchell becomes 'Evening News' Sunday anchor
Have mercy: John 'Uncle Jesse' Stamos joins NBC's 'ER'

Wednesday, April 5, 2006

Overnights
Yawner of a debut for 'Pepper Dennis'
WB burnoff loses 38 percent of 'Gilmore' lead-in in target 18-34s, averaging a 1.3 rating against tough competition. Bland comedy.

Television
Katie Couric to viewers: I'm outta here
NBC's morning star makes her departure official early today on 'Today' show. And, yes, she's off to join CBS as evening anchor

Television
For 'Everwood,' a moment of sunshine
Ratings pick up with its return to Monday night, bettering its odds of landing on the CW. Now the question is: Will there be room?

Cable
Reality may bite for 'Real Housewives'
Second outing on Bravo takes steep tumble, despite lots of pre- debut chatter over 'Desperate Housewives' copycat. Boob jobs.

TV This Week
Cozier berth for CBS's 'Amazing Race'
And hopefully a goose for its sagging ratings, as the reality show slips into family-friendlier 8 p.m. timeslot, where sitcoms tanked

News shorts
Like, see ya: Elle Girl shuttered after five years
The short life and death of AMI's Celebrity Living
FCC's Martin: Let's relax paper ownership caps
Programming notes: Second season for 'Sleeper'
Hef to Alba: Sorry babycakes, we meant no harm

Web shorts
Netflix suing Blockbuster over patent infringement
Verizon settles class action suit over blocked email
Sony's ebook reading device gets mixed reviews
Calling China? Hang up if you're dialing via VoIP

People
Joel Rodriguez becomes group creative director at Fallon Minneapolis
Michael Rooney rises to EVP of multimedia sales for ESPN ABC Sports
David Reid becomes Turner's GameTap VP of marketing
Thanda Belker rises to pay TV SVP at Sony Pictures Television
Pamela Harris heading Larry Harmon Pictures licensing
Charges against CBS cameraman Abdul Ameer Hussein dismissed
Jeff Maulden joins the ad sales team at REVShare
Actor Jonathan Sadowski joins CBS's 'My Ex-Life'
Parker Posey guesting on ABC drama 'Boston Legal'
Howard Stern: A homeless man spit on my girlfriend
Foul ball: Kris and FHM girl Anna Benson not divorcing after all
Chad Michael Murray proposes to 'One Tree Hill' extra
Cameron Diaz wins damages in suit over topless photos

Thursday, April 6. 2006

Overnights
Amazing flop: CBS's 'Race' collapses
Wednesday move sinks reality show 23 percent in 18-49s, to a 3.0, after Tuesday switcheroo. Not a good sign for globe romper.

Television
Meredith: I'm scooting over to 'Today'
Vieira breaks news to viewers of 'The View,' just ahead of NBC press chat naming her to replace Couric as morning show host

Television
Readers: Katie won't boost CBS news
Think Couric is the wrong choice to anchor 'Evening News' and won't pull it out of third place. 'Today' show will do fine without her.

 Television
And to 'South Park,' a rudeness award
Comedy Central show wins Peabody for snark, and only weeks following brouhaha over Scientology jabs. Cruising for a bruising. 

Dayparts update
For 'Starting Over,' it may well be over
Syndicated show up for another tough renewal, and its big worry may be new 'Megan Mullally' fall talker. Musical chairs for slots.

TV This Week
Spike Thursday fights, for manly men
'Ultimate Fighter' premiere ushers in a block the network calls Full Contact. Also on the card: 'UFC: Unleashed' and 'TNA: iMPACT!'

News shorts
Viewer poll: Please Katie, stay in the a.m.
Study: Too often PR videos are disguised as news
Adieu to Mandisa, 'Idol's' latest surprise bootee
Drink and jive: Bacardi launching radio station
No home run for ESPN2's new 'Bonds on Bonds'


Web shorts
Hitwise: ESPN gets big boost from NCAA tourney
New study: 32.6M homes will have VoIP by 2010
Google & Earthlink take Wi-Fi to San Francisco
Sweet! Blackberry begins offering Yahoo services.


People
Jaime Belden and Lorena Cavazos rise at Lopez Negrete Communications
David Hansfield rises to PIC-TV SVP of business development
Shawn Miller becomes art director at McKee Wallwork Cleveland
Michael Roberts becomes the CW's EVP of current programming
Deborah Burns becomes VP and publisher of Metropolitan Home
Susan Sullivan rises to VP of news daytime programming at MSNBC
Chris McGurk becomes senior advisor at IDT Entertainment
Dan Jbara becomes 'Greg Behrendt Show' executive producer
Gill Pritchard rises to BBC America SVP of business development
Mark Melvin becomes Music Choice director of advertising sales
Whoopi Goldberg guest-starring on 'Law & Order: Criminal Intent'
'Joey's' Paulo Costanzo joins untitled CBS comedy pilot
Former Storer Communications president Ken Bagwell dies at age 77

Friday, April 7, 2006

Overnights
A weakening 'CSI' on a tougher night
CBS crime-solver drama declines by 14 percent, feeling effects of 'Earl' and 'American Inventor' and its sagging lead-in 'Survivor'

Television
Now who joins the crew of 'The View?'
With Vieira leaving, names are flying about to replace her on the ABC chat show, led by Elizabeth Vargas. It could turn quite catty.

New media
A better picture on cell phone content
A study looks at what people want to watch, and it's not what they can see on their home TVs. Heralding era of made-for-mobile.

Younger viewers
Most multimedia 'Kids Choice Awards'
Leveraging television, the web and cell phones, Nick sees surges in text-message voting and viewing among key younger demos

Rachel speaks!
Rachel, can I take vacation as I leave?
No, no. You owe the agency two weeks' notice, and that means
two full weeks. Play fast and loose, and it may come back on you.

TV This Week
Best tube bets this weekend
Friday: NBA on ESPN; Saturday: Nick's 'Josh & Drake' finale; Sunday: Goodbye to John Spencer's Leo on NBC's 'West Wing'

News shorts
Discovery upfront: Get ready for Koppel's return
That's a wrap! Fox lands Spielberg for reality show
Coverup: New Indonesian Playboy sparks protests
Post gossip hound being investigated for extortion
Women's NCAA tourney scores best-ever ratings

Web shorts
Home run: At-work traffic to MLB.com in a surge
MySpace and Cingular team up to offer ringtones
Free press group criticizes Singapore web rules
Meet the world's first wireless country: Macedonia 


People
Larry Orell and Amanda Ploughman rise at Initiative Worldwide
Recovering ABC co-anchor Bob Woodruff returns home
Betsy Frank becomes Time Inc. chief research and insights officer
Danny Goldberg becomes vice chairman of Air America 
Brian Gruseke rises to associate publisher of Parents 
John Zelenka becomes Tribune director of business development
Heather Faust rises to Parade VP of partnerships and retail
Paul Severini becomes ad director of Travel + Leisure Family
Andy Serwer rises to senior editor at large at Fortune
Ron Johnson rises to CIO at Scripps Networks 
Ghen Maynard becomes CBS EVP of alternative programming
Sue Geramian becomes Bookspan SVP of corporate communications 
Martha Stewart launching new line of products at Macy's

Monday, April 10, 2006

Overnights
An election-eve surge for 'West Wing'
Aging NBC show up 20 percent as Santos wins the presidency but loses his running mate, earning a 2.4 in 18-49s. Good omen.

Newspapers
Rupe-a-dupe: NY Post takes a beating
Fury grows over Page Six extortion scandal. Paper faces huge task in keeping it from spreading beyond the suspended reporter.

Television
Readers: Many clients are media dolts
Think advertisers favor TV over other media and are irrational in their fears over DVRs. Media people perceive far less a threat.

Popcult
Live by the thigh, now die by the thigh
Sharon Stone returns, her parts again revealed in 'Basic Instinct 2.' But in a time when p^rn is all about, the flick is a box office dud.

Out of Home
Your client as a wall mural in the nabe
Creative use of graffiti art to reach the innner city. A look at how a GlaxcoSmithKline campaign for Nicorette employed local artists.

TV This Week
Update on the 'Ten Commandments'
First of an ABC two-parter leading into Easter, with a rawer edge, ahead of annual showing of DeMille's classic. Needing a miracle.

News shorts
CBS wins Friday with big numbers for 'Numb3rs'
ABC will air hit shows for free on the web
Study: World Cup will generate $1 billion in ads
News Corp. launches MySpace campaign on Fox
Programming notes: An early exit for NBC's 'Heist'

Web shorts
The horror! Sony & Comcast launch scare network
Time Warner settles ad-inflation shareholder suit
BlogBurst syndicates e-material for newspapers
New on your cell: Dial up Robbie Williams tunes

People
Marc Berger becomes associate publisher of Details
Caroline Clouse becomes editorial manager at Turner
Carl Kravetz heading Association of Hispanic Advertising Agencies
Former Emap executive Shaun Gregory joins Macquarie
Mike Donovan becomes WWE director of affiliate sales
Jacob Braude becomes Ryan TrueHealth management supervisor
Jill Leiderman becomes executive producer of 'Kimmel'
Kiefer Sutherland in for three more long days at Fox
Johnny Galecki cast in CBS's pilot 'The Big Bang Theory'
Smith Cho joins the CW's comedy pilot 'She Said/He Said'
Deren Leroy joins ABC comedy pilot 'Him and Us'
Danielle Savre joins CBS comedy 'You've Reached'
Edward Kerr joins the cast of ABC's 'Girls on the Bus'

Tuesday,  April 11, 2006

Overnights
Holy smokes: 'Commandments' scores
Part one of Passover miniseries averages a 4.6 18-49 rating, up 28 percent over ABC's usual Monday fare, despite horrid reviews

Sports TV
No Tiger, but no less a Masters player
Mickelson's Augusta win tops his 2004 victory, up 23 percent in households for final round. Off 13 percent from Woods' '05 win.

TV Reviews
What ails NBC's 'L&O: Criminal Intent'
Wolf's once-powerful Sunday drama is sagging, the result of a fix that's had the effect of creating two shows--with half the appeal

New media
On the coming rise in blog advertising
As well as a look at ads on podcasts and RSS. Where we'll see the strongest growth. Talking with Patrick Quinn of PQ Media.

New media
Move over, radio, let the internet pass
Web could well become fourth-largest medium globally, behind only TV, newspapers and magazines, in the coming few years

TV This Week
Rite of spring: Leadup to the NFL draft
ESPN's 'SportsCenter' specials look at the players and the teams and where they need to improve. Pondering Reggie Bush's fate.

News shorts
Page Six's Stern: I'm a victim in the tabloid wars
PIB numbers delayed by new collecting wrinkle
Nielsen resuming New Orleans measuring in '07
Time Warner Cable eyeing an Adsense model
Programming notes: NBC's summer of reality

Web shorts
And now the Emmy for best nontraditional TV show
Think you're funny? Let Comedy Central decide
A cell phone first: Planet Funk's mobile-only launch
ESPN launches podcast site with all its big name

People
'Today' and tomorrow: Matt Lauer extends NBC contract
Rebecca Roth and Alain Begun join Better Homes and Gardens
Lori Openden becomes CW's SVP of talent and casting
Belia Jimenez rises to ABC Radio director of multicultural research
Bill Lonergan becomes CFO of BlueLithium
Gay Bryant becomes editor in chief of Success magazine
Susanna Tully rises to Sharpe Partners associate director of client strategy
Lewis Williams becomes chief creative officer at Burrell
David Zaccaria becomes Telepictures VP and creative director
Tara Ruben-Ciscone becomes WGN account executive
Richard A. Boehne and Joseph G. NeCastro rise at Scripps
Rhona Murphy rises to Newsweek International publisher
Model Kate Moss signs a new deal with Calvin Klein

Wednesday, April 12, 2006

Overnights
Glory be for the 'Ten Commandments'
Part two betters timeslot average by 77 percent with a 3.9 rating
in 18-49s, though down good bit from part one on Monday night

London
Bang: New price war in media delivery
Offer of free broadband as part of phone deal is latest in battle for Britain with phone, TV and web triple-plays. New thing: Four play.

New media
'Hmmm. I wonder why they're staring.'
Wonderbra site is up for a Webby for homepage of ogling eyes, one of 300 nominated for awards this year. Try one on for size.

Cable
Steam heating: 'Big Love' looks lasting
Polygamy drama is building from a slow start, working the themes HBO mastered in 'Six Feet Under.' Yet some 'Sopranos' shades.

Television
For 'Bernie Mac,' this could well be it
Critic and network fave is way off this season. If it does escape the axe, it will be because Fox has nothing better to replace it.

TV This Week
Last laugh for 'Freddie,' maybe for real
Struggling ABC comedy is sitting on the bubble, its season finale tonight. Its best hope: The network has nothing else in the can.

News shorts
Pondering what comes next in Page $ix scandal
TNT upfront: High-profile talent behind the scenes 
TBS upfront: 'SATC'-style hijinks in 'My Boys'
Naked rage: Indonesian Playboy offices attacked
'Survivor' Hatch requests special protective custody

Web shorts
MySpace taps safety guru to soothe parents' fears
Study finds text-message bullying surprisingly high
China Mobile severs some cell lines over fraud
Funny money: Voting for state quarter suspended 

People
Steve Soldano becomes global managing partner at Universal McCann
Patrick Mullen becomes VP and GM of Fox Chicago stations
Eric Sherman becomes GM of MTV's MHD network
Jerry Petry rises to administration EVP at NBC Universal Television Group
Muhammad Ali sells marketing rights for $50 million
Kathleen Fleming becomes beauty director at Teen People
Hala Gorani becomes co-host of CNN International's 'World'
Frances Herzog rises to CurtCo Media associate publisher
Susan Collins becomes director of client services at Respond2
San Francisco talk host John London fired after offensive comments
Singer Jessica Simpson sued by jeans company Tarrant Apparel
Chris Rovtar becomes Mobile Streams business development SVP
Robert Wagner guesting on 'Boston Legal' season finale

Thursday, April 13. 2006

Overnights
Fox's 'Unan1mous' losing its animus
Whack-the-pot reality series sinks to a 5.4 in 18-49s, down 23 percent from debut to new low, despite cushy post-'Idol' timeslot

Magazines
Daring coverup: Less ogle for the lads
British supermarket chain: So little is too much. Orders modesty covers for hot-hot men's magazines, after parents complained.

Television
ABC at the upfront: Lots of holes to fill
It's got the hits but its sitcoms are all duds. It needs laughs. It has to come up with a Monday lineup. It needs to leverage its winners.

Dayparts update
For CBS, its 'Late, Late' is better better
Current host Craig Ferguson is gaining on Conan O'Brien, up 7 percent in total viewers this season. Gentler wit. Talks the talk.

Rachel speaks!
Rachel, are women in media paid less?
No, in a word. Salary equality is the rule, and more so than in so many other fields. They're also just as likely to earn promotions.

TV This Week
Best tube bets this weekend
Thursday: NBA on TNT; Friday: The N's 'Degrassi;' Saturday: Heston's 'Ten Commandments' on ABC; Sunday: golf on CBS

News shorts
Neverending story: Day seven of Page $ix scandal 
SEC: Journalist subpoenas are now a last resort
ABC Family upfront: The supernatural & small towns
Indonesian police want next Playboy issue delayed
Swedish court rules ads violate TV movies' integrity


Web shorts
Google launches web calendar for the whole family
Sirius leapfrogs XM Radio, at least on the internet
New GPS cell helps mom and dad track the kids  
Soda, candy & iPods: The new vending machines


People
Dave Chappelle to Esquire: White people own everything
Corey Powell rises to executive editor of Discover magazine
Lucia Cottone becomes VP of series development at Lifetime
Jeffrey J. Ditmire heads Palm Beach Media magazine development
David A. Sendler becomes editor of Gulfshore Life
Jorge Ferreiro becomes SVP of creative resources for HIT Entertainment
David Bishop becomes Sony Pictures Home Entertainment president
Stacey Cohen becomes GreenStone Media affiliate relations VP
Dennis Ciapura rises to Salem broadcast development SVP
Bill Hess rises to operations manager for Clear Channel
Matt Kunitz jumps from NBC to Endemol USA
Flavor Flav returning to VH1 for another season of 'Love'
Marti Noxon signs two-year deal with Touchstone TV

Monday, April 17, 2006

Overnights
America dozes off as it watches 'Brian'
New drama drops 15 percent in its second half, losing big chunk of 'Housewives' lead-in. Averages not-so-hot 5.6 in adults 18-49.

Television
Networks to FCC: $%^ indecency rules
File massive court challenge over FCC fines, arguing its rulings on foul language and nudity are both arbitrary and unconstitutional

TV Reviews
'What About Brian.' Funny you'd ask.
Answer: Not much. Snoozer from J.J. Abrams about a guy looking for love. Seven characters in search of a plotline. Fluff the pillows.

Popcult
Coming, a Big Mac attack, super-sized
Book and a movie version of 'Fast Food Nation' treat junk food as an increasingly political issue, no longer one solely of calories

Out of Home
Your client writ large on a tall billboard
Actually, you can think of it as handwritten jottings, aimed at folks who are stuck in gridlock, with messages that make them laugh

TV This Week
New 'Deal?' Celebs do it in the kitchen.
NBC cooks up 'Celebrity Cooking Showdown,' along the lines of 'Deal or No Deal' and airing over five nights, featuring D list sorts

News shorts
Cruising to a bruising: No bump for 'Primetime'
New York Times ends cable venture with Discovery
ABC's returning 'Commander' falls to series low
History Channel upfront: Spotlight on the ancients
King World & Sony launching new game shows


Web shorts
Fox follows ABC in offering rebroadcasts via net
Chinese do-over: AOL tries another new venture
Beatlejuiced: Finally, their tunes available online 
USA brings video game tournaments to the masses 


People
Sumner Redstone: CBS will triumph over Howard Stern
Better Homes and Gardens editor Karol DeWulf Nickell exits
Nora Sheehan becomes creative director at Travel + Leisure
Kent Rees, Mike Walton & Tara Gordon rise at Rainbow
Ted Stafford becomes GQ European market director
Katie O'Connell becomes NBC SVP of drama development
Sarah Gold becomes associate editor at Concierge.com
Theresa O'Rourke becomes executive editor of Shop Etc.
Jill Glassman becomes director of sales and marketing at WeatherBug
Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, starts shopping a reality show
Greg Frazier becomes MPAA SVP of international trade policy
MSNBC talking head Tucker Carlson tosses trademark bowtie
Former St. Louis Post-Dispatch editor Bill Woo dies at age 69

Tuesday,  April 18, 2006

Overnights
Culinary celebs: NBC cooker crumbles
Loses 34 percent of its 'Deal or No Deal' lead-in, averaging a 2.9 in adults 18-49 and finishing fourth. 'Deal' wannabe not gunnabe.

Television
NBC at the upfront: On a big rebound
Network has the most going for it next season, with 'Sunday Night Football' and 'Studio 60.' But it needs to rebuild three key nights.

Magazines
Passages from the Virginia Quarterly
Snippets of pieces up for the Magazine Awards, of the half dozen nominated this year: An essay, a short story, and a book review

New media
Few people grasp how searches work
Many assume results are the largest companies, rather than the most relevant to their query. More users only look at first page.

Newspapers
Pulitzers for Katrina and D.C. intrigue
New Orleans and Biloxi papers win for storm coverage while NY Times and Washington Post win for their Washington exposes

TV This Week
'Real World' in the path of a real storm
Caught on camera: Cast and crew fleeing Rita as she disrupted filming of 'Key West' series. Intriguing look back on the hurricane.

News shorts
Voice staffers protest Pulitzer Prize winner's firing
Fresh controversy: Opus Dei's Muhammed cartoon
WSJ Europe editor Narisetti exits for Indian paper
Ugly and famous: The Phoenix list of uns*xy men
Programming notes: NBC's 'Deal' wraps in June

Web shorts
PBS mulls offering TV shows as web downloads
TurboTax goes dark as last-minute filers converge
Dough on the go: Introducing new PayPal Mobile
Kill time waiting for the film with 'Da Vinci' puzzles

People
Michael Eisner joins the board of startup Veoh Networks
Andy Singer rises to VP of original programming at HGTV
Hallmark Channel EVP and CMO Chris Moseley exits
Bedi A. Singh becomes EVP and CFO of Gemstar-TV Guide
Peter S. Krieger becomes Smithsonian Magazine Publishing publisher
Allison Wolfe Reckson rises at Palm Beach Media Group
Author Scott Turow writing NY Times Magazine Sunday serial
Christy Ezelle rises to Working Mother sales development director
Kris Oser becomes eMarketer strategic communications director
Jonathan Gage becomes strategy+business magazine publisher
Amanda Walsh joins CBS comedy pilot 'The Big Bang Theory'
Steven Spielberg working on Beijing 2008 Olympic ceremonies
Time Out Chicago editor Mark A. Sinclair dies at age 34

Wednesday, April 19, 2006

 Overnights
NBC's culinary celebs: Fried to a crisp
Averages an appalling 1.1 rating in adults 18-49 for its second night, julienned by Fox's 'American Idol,' minced by CBS's 'NCIS'

Magazines
A brisk spring for weekend magazines
Actually, it's been a bright several years of accelerating growth. Up 12 percent through March, though overall pages are flat. 

Television
To win the season, ABC needs a kick
Fox is about to rise to No. 1, powered by 'Idol.' To regain its lead, ABC is banking on a last-minute surge. Buyers sees it as close.

Cable
The dope: 'Bonds on Bonds' pops out
ESPN's reality show is running flat in the ratings, doing no better than timeslot average, despite ado over slugger's alleged juicing

Research
Media-wise, women are quite different
They use it to calm themselves when angry, while men will opt for media that sustains their anger, concludes a new research study

TV This Week
For ABC's 'Alias,' one final grand turn
Spooker returns with a two-hour special episode heading into its series finale. Characters from earlier seasons begin reappearing.

News shorts
Marie Claire boots editor Seymour after five years
Rosie's gay old deal: Logo picks up variety show
Filmmakers protest Smithsonian pact with Showtime 
CBS's Schieffer: I may stick around for commentary
Fore! LPGA major swings from broadcast to cable.


Web shorts
When pondering big decisions, many use the web
Study: Phones become more popular for browsing
EBay oddity: Elvis Presley's pre-'Heartbreak' home
Man charged with e-threatening to kill the president


People
Bill Bradley becomes senior partner at Mediaedge:cia
Brian Lewis rises to Fox corporate communications EVP
James Fraguela becomes Hachette Filipacchi Home Group publisher
Marketer Piers Stobbs joins comScore Europe
Frederick M. R. Smith joins Ion Media Networks board of directors
Scott Reich rises to VP of multiplatform programming at VH1
Sean Cohan rises to digital media VP at A&E International 
'Lost's' Cynthia Watros guest starring on CBS's 'Ex-Life'
Peggy Jo Abraham rises to E! News executive producer
'Star Trek's' Mr. Sulu lends a hand to gay activists
The TomKitten has arrived: Katie Holmes has a girl
'The Shield' producer Scott Brazil dies at age 50
TV blogger Don Fitzpatrick found dead at age 56

Thursday, April 20. 2006

Overnights
Swamped: 'Invasion' sinks in the mire
Returning ABC spooker averages 2.5 in 18-49s, off 22 percent from recent average without 'Lost' as its lead-in. Likely a goner.

Media economy
Web ad spending up 30 percent in '05
IAB: Full-year growth reaches record $12.5 billion, while fourth quarter rose by 34 percent. Share of all media rose to 5 percent.

Media economy
Local '05 web ad dollars up 79 percent
This year top sites will pass top radio stations in revenue in most markets, with newspaper sites still dominant but TV sites gaining

Magazines
Words and thoughts from Harper's
Snippets of pieces up for Magazine Awards, of five nominated this year: A report on Appalachia, two essays and a book review

Dayparts update
No laughing matter: 'SNL' it girl isn't
Teen temptress Lindsay Lohan sinks as host of NBC late night comedy show, pulling a 5.1 household rating in metered markets.

TV This Week
Night of sweet nostalgia on 'The O.C.'
Old faces return to rekindle bygone themes. Seth runs into Anna, feels the old tugs, and wonders if Summer is truly the one (sniff).

News shorts
Denver Post slashing 25 jobs in voluntary buyouts
Roth rolled: CBS replacing him with XM shock jocks
Sun: Actually, Hatcher didn't have a VW s#x romp
FCC investigates pay-for-play at four radio biggies
Corrections on weekend magazines & Marie Claire

Web shorts
NBC teams with affiliates for broadband video offer
New technology could prevent commercial skipping
Yahoo accused of helping China imprison dissident
So hot: Paris introduces new line of mobile games

People
Natalie Morales becomes 'Today' national correspondent
Michael Reisman becomes Northlight Advertising PR director
Karen Duke rises to VP of affiliate operations at ABC Radio Networks
Laurissa Ryan rises to CMT music and talent development director
John Hutchins becomes VNU music and literary group VP
Pat Younge becomes business manager for Discovery Travel Media
Ian Mahoney becomes VP of advertising sales at Court TV
Greg Gatlin rises to business editor at the Boston Herald
Matt Cooper rises to political editor of Time.com
Paula Peden rises to VP of sales for Univision
Andrew Lovasz and Smita Kapur join Enlighten
Daily Telegraph columnist Tom Utley joins The Daily Mail
David A. Glenn rises to president of engineering for Ion Media Networks


Friday, April 21. 2006

Overnights
Swan flop: 'Commander in Chief' sinks
Series low for Geena Davis White House drama, with 2.1 in 18-49s, off 13 percent from last week, its first back after overhaul

Cable
Milestone: Cable widens lead in 18-49s
First season win ever seems all but assured over the broadcast networks, based on its edge through late March, at 42 percent

Younger viewers
Way hot: Talking trash on 'Yo Momma'
Big ratings for MTV's insult-slinging reality show in early weeks, with kid celeb Wilmer Valderrama, in spirit of Kutcher's 'Punk'd'

Rachel speaks!
Rachel, help me be a schedule planner
Advice to a media person who wants to jump to work at a large TV station, after 10 years in planning and buying. Interview tips.

TV This Week
Best tube bets this weekend
Friday: NBC's 'Miss USA;' Saturday: HBO's 'Elizabeth I;' Sunday: First-round NBA game between the Grizzlies and Mavs on TNT

News shorts
Study: 2006 political spots could outspend 2004 
Daily News: Post axes four Page $ix freelancers
Commercial coverup: Sweden banning sexist ads?
Gilmore Girls' creator scoots in contract dispute
Programming notes: NBC yanks 'Cooking' celebs


Web shorts
Study: Web is No. 2 local news source behind TV 
LA Times suspends blogger over false-name posts
ESPN goes 'Full Circle' for Bulls-Heat playoff game
On eBay, the first (and only?) Indonesian Playboy


People
Scott Mowbray and Sheryl Hilliard Tucker become Time Inc. executive editors
Former 'Friends' assistant Amaani Lyle loses harassment suit
Diana Lung heading Zephyr Media's Phoenix office
Josie Glausiusz rises to senior editor at Discover
James L. Motrinec becomes ProCirc senior account executive
Olivier Griot becomes Hachette Filipacchi mobile managing director
Marci Rinker becomes managing director at the Golf Channel
Douglas Wiley becomes NAB EVP of government relations
Betsy McGowen becomes SVP and GM of CW's Kids WB!
Ben Harper guesting for an entire week of NBC's 'Last Call'
Paula Abdul in talks for new syndicated project
NFL Network courts Bryant Gumbel and Cris Collinsworth
Newsday veteran columnist Dennis Duggan dies at age 78 People
Scott Mowbray and Sheryl Hilliard Tucker become Time Inc. executive editors
Former 'Friends' assistant Amaani Lyle loses harassment suit
Diana Lung heading Zephyr Media's Phoenix office
Josie Glausiusz rises to senior editor at Discover
James L. Motrinec becomes ProCirc senior account executive
Olivier Griot becomes Hachette Filipacchi mobile managing director
Marci Rinker becomes managing director at the Golf Channel
Douglas Wiley becomes NAB EVP of government relations
Betsy McGowen becomes SVP and GM of CW's Kids WB!
Ben Harper guesting for an entire week of NBC's 'Last Call'
Paula Abdul in talks for new syndicated project
NFL Network courts Bryant Gumbel and Cris Collinsworth
Newsday veteran columnist Dennis Duggan dies at age 78

Monday, May 1, 2006

Overnights
Sockeroo Sunday for 'Grey's Anatomy'
First original episode in a month averages a 9.7 in 18-49s, up 10 percent over its season average and again topping 'Housewives 

Popcult
In praise of boredom, sweet boredom
A researcher believes it can be good for us, as a brief if restless spell in which we recharge. Counsel to parents: Let them mope.

Out of Home
Your client snapping photos at events
Guests are invited to visit a site for downloads of their pictures standing with celebs or in front of event logos, along with promos

TV This Week
At the poker table, Annie Duke dealing
Card coach to the stars, herself a great player, she'll deal in four amateurs each week on the Game Show Network. Will it play?

News shorts
Friday's Daytime Emmys sink to new low on ABC
Shocker: Orman tops Stewart and Ray for service host
'Commander's' fictional fire-up ignites real-life anger
Limbaugh avoids jail in deal with Florida prosecutors
Programming notes: NBC renews three dramas


Web shorts
Yahoo debuts tech info site with all original content
FX puts mini-'Rescue Me' on cells and broadband
Wireless in Providence: Rhode Island going WiFi
Chinese man e-buys jet plane to park at his office


People
LA Times discontinues columnist Michael A. Hiltzik's blog
'Desperate Housewives' producer Tom Spezialy huffs off
Joe Eldridge rises to Agency.com chief operating officer
Erik Valk Peterson rises to Agency.com managing partner
Christopher S. Lee becomes CMOR director of government affairs and counsel 
David Pastore becomes ImpreMedia national ad sales director 
Melody Goede and Don Rohrer rise at Wexler Video
Coleman Feeney named Cornerstone lifestyle coordinator 
Christy Flynn becomes Lotus Entravision Reps new business development VP 
Former education secretary William J. Bennett joining Sirius
Oscar-winner Marlee Matlin joins Showtime's 'L Word'
'Vice'-man Don Johnson and wife have a baby boy
Rosie O'Donnell's 'View' salary: Only $2 million



Tuesday,  May 2, 2006