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</