Wedneday, Jan. 2, 2008

Overnights
So sweet: Fox is tops with Sugar Bowl
Averages a 4.7 rating in adults 18-49, by early numbers, beating out NBC's lineup of original shows, as Georgia blows out Hawaii

Sports TV
Patriots' Giants win pulls huge ratings
Last regular-season game draws 34.5 million viewers, best in 12 years and boding well for the 16-0 team and the NFL postseason

Commentary
So long, Steve Florio, you'll be missed
Saluting the media notables who died in 2007, from the former Condé Nast executive to prize-winning writer David Halberstam

Popcult
Tall tales: The rise of the urban legend
Credit the internet with the explosion of whoppers that fly about with no basis in fact. Did you know Barack Obama is a Muslim?

Out of Home
Your client creating a scene in Vegas
Super-size ads that invite visitors to interact with the wave of a hand are a big thing these days in the resort and convention city

TV This Week
Mostly off the cuff, late night goes live
All eyes will be on 'Letterman' and 'Ferguson,' the only shows returning with guild writers, with a big bump a win for the strikers

News shorts
In the writers' strike, lots of sniping signifying nothing
Out with the old: Northeast NY Times nixes TV listings
Study: Germans' time in front of the tube waned in '07
Cincinnati's afternoon Post folds after 126 years
Looking for Generation Y? Find them at the library.

Web shorts
ComScore: Holiday etail spending jumps 19 percent
Click! Vonage no longer hung up on patent disputes.
FCC: Stations may end analog service before 2009
AOL poll: Tabloid girl Lohan was year's worst actress

People
Kris Magel joins Initiative USA as SVP and director of national broadcast
KerryAnn Brennan becomes advertising services director at Wenner Media
Longtime Essence editor Susan L. Taylor leaving the magazine
Good Health Advertising hires four new employees
Vincent Framularo becomes account executive at Power Marketing Partners
Bobby Lawrence becomes CEO at Local TV
Horizon Media hires eight new L.A. and New York employees
Chris Sanagustin joins, Erik Storey and Tony Optican rise at Sci Fi
NBC Agency East Coast announces new hires and promotions
As Iowa looms, Mike Huckabee drops by NBC's 'Tonight Show'
Michael Jackson Pepsi ad mastermind Philip B. Dusenberry dies at age 71
'Without a Trace's' Roselyn Sanchez engaged to Eric Winter
Chicago Tribune columnist Terry Armour dies unexpectedly at age 46

Thursday, Jan. 3, 2008

Overnights
Old is gold: Stronger debut for 'L&O'
NBC cops and court drama averages a 3.8 in 18-49s, up by 6 percent over last year's fall debut. Eighteen years and counting.

Television
The really big story: The writers' strike
Media buyers see it as the No. 1 issue of 2007, and they worry it will dominate 2008 as well. It's by far the single looming concern.

Television
With the new year, a cold snap is due
The networks are about to take a slide in ratings, their stockpiles of fresh episodes now all but depleted. The one exception: Fox.

Cable
On TBS, a 'Christmas Story' to top all
The annual 24-hour loop of the 1983 movie peaked on Christmas eve, outdrawing everything on broadcast and cable in 18-34s

New media
Right decent holidays for online retail
Pace of growth has slowed this season, to 19 percent from 26 percent, reflecting the larger base, but dollars spent is well up

TV This Week
Trump card: One more for 'Apprentice'
The strike may be the best thing to happen to the fading NBC reality show, easing the competition for this celebrity edition

News shorts
Strike update: Talkers return amidst WGA picketing
New from Netflix, movies that zip from PC to television
The word: Web spending will pass TV in Britain in '09 
Great outdoors? Special NHL game draws big rating.
Programming notes: 'Idol' pumping new Fox shows

Web shorts
There she is: TLC viewers help choose Miss America
Saudi blogger imprisoned for criticizing government
Study: Cell phone chatters are clogging the freeways
Wikia Search, a more democratic way to find things

People
Will Funk rises to SVP of sports sponsorships at Turner Sports
Ron Wessels, Jedd Davis and Don Bruns join Avenue A | Razorfish
Joe Kahn and Ian Fisher become foreign deputies at NY Times
Joe Koufman becomes VP of business development at Spunlogic
Sonia Borris rises to SVP of marketing at Warner Bros. Worldwide Television Marketing
Overstock.com COO Jason Lindsey resigning
Clear Channel Television CEO Donald D. Perry stepping down
Curtis Pace and Shelby Mason rise at Disney-ABC Domestic Television
Holly Miller rises at Comcast Network Advertising Sales to VP of advertising sales
Gary Bembridge becomes VP of national advertising sales at CBS Television Stations
Terry O'Reilly becomes EVP and GM at ReelzChannel
Insight Communications CTO and SVP Charlie Dietz retiring
Jake Whitman, Greig Todd and Josh Eure join 'World News Now'

Friday, Jan. 4, 2008

Overnights
Trump trumps as 'Apprentice' jumps
Returning NBC reality show pulls a 4.5 in 18-49s, up 9 percent over last season's premiere, lifted by 'Deal or No Deal' special

Dayparts update
Late night TV returns with a hefty roar
But writer-less Leno sees the biggest gains, the NBC show up 66 percent over its season average, besting fully staffed Letterman

Research
Revealed: The way hot trends of 2008
Trend-weary? This new list will revive you, as compiled by JWT. Try these: Eco-fatigue, mobulimia, Facebook suicide, de-teching.

TV Preview
'The Wire,' painting a face on the pain
This new season is a must-watch for media people, revealing the real costs of cutbacks at newspaper newsrooms across America

Rachel speaks!
Rachel, what belongs on my resume?
The writer is a media newbie looking to move on. Rachel advises: Keep it real simple, leaving out all but the essential information.

TV This Week
Best tube bets this weekend
Friday: TLC's 'Miss America Reality Check;' Saturday: NBC's AFC wild card game; Sunday: ABC's 'Cashmere Mafia' debut

News shorts
Pull out the gloves: Leno and WGA battle over rules
Fox sees slight ratings dip after BCS game blowouts
In 2007, ABC had the most-watched evening news
Chinese government cracks down on video sharing
Radical artists' nuclear TV prank mushrooms into trial

Web shorts
Hitwise: Obama is a winner in Iowa and on the web
J.P. Morgan: Could be a banner year for display ads
CD sales tumble again as digital music also slows
S#% doesn't excel in China's most-searched-for terms

People
BusinessWeek assistant managing editor Paul Barrett leaving for WSJ
San Jose Mercury News executive editor Carole Leigh Hutton stepping down
Mark Hollinger becomes COO at Discovery Communications
RJ Palmer promotes seven to associate media director
Richard Fisher joins PRN Worldwide as president
Nick Purdy rejoins and Jay Sweet rises at Paste magazine
Chris McCumber rises to EVP of marketing at USA
Bob D'Addario rises to head sales division at SOLO
Molly Hop becomes group media director at Critical Mass
Steven Vincent rises to VP of music and soundtracks at Disney Channel
Elisabeth Hasselbeck returning to 'The View' Monday
Dan Patrick signing with XM Satellite Radio
Mark Schroeder joins CBS Outernet as VP of Western region sales

Monday, Jan. 7, 2008

Overnights
Huge debut for 'American Gladiators'
NBC reality show averages a 5.9 rating in 18-49s for two-hour special, despite facing ABC's last original 'Housewives' episode

Television
Zucker punch: Golden Globes dangler
NBC chief scrambles to save next Sunday's airing of the awards show in what could be the nastiest showdown in the writers' strike

Magazines
For magazines, new year of challenges
Last year was a tough one, and 2008 will be too as publishers experiment with new ways to appeal to advertisers and readers

Popcult
Hallelujah, the hot January diet crazes
Turn to Genesis 1:29 for the secret to good health, and then of course you'll want to detox with a cocktail of algae and seaweed

Out of Home
Your client pumping at the health club
The opportunity to sponsor health-related events as Americans return to their workouts to burn off those extra holiday party inches

TV This Week
Uncertain crown: LSU and Ohio State
They play to determine the best college football team but the champion title could go elsewhere if they don't do a bangup job

News shorts
Weekend overnights: Huge turnout for NBC's game
Comcast's upcoming innovation: The portable DVR
After a frustrating fall, CW tinkers with its schedule
CBS 'Early Show' introduces yet another makeover
Finally, some first-months numbers for Fox Business

Web shorts
CES TV intel: ABC and Disney shows coming to Xbox
Microsoft lets viewers pick the schedule for Olympics
New from Napster, downloadable, sharable MP3 files 
LA Times' tech show coverage goes high-tech itself

People
Chicago Sun-Times cutting 35 union newsroom positions
David Butler becomes editor at the San Jose Mercury News
Patricia Yakesch, Ashley Peden, Jason Richoux and Greg Spratley join Moroch Partners
With actor guests scarce, Jay Leno and Jimmy Kimmel swap shows
HBO's Bill Maher returning to the air without writers
Tabitha Coffey working with Bravo on pilot 'Tabitha's Takeover'
Dr. Phil: Britney Spears released from hospital but needs my help
Austin Nichols pleads guilty to impaired driving
Simone Smalls founds Simone Smalls PR
Alton Brown extends contract with Food Network
'Without a Trace's' Poppy Montgomery welcomes first child
Johnny Fairplay heading up new 'Survivor: Fans vs. Favorites'
Fine Living Network picks up Brad Lamb's 'Big City Broker'

Tuesday, Jan.8, 2008

Overnights
NBC's 'Gladiators' comes back strong
New strongman reality series pulls a 4.8 in 18-49s its second outing, down 18 percent but still grows against Fox's BCS finale

Television
Strike puts dimmer on Golden Globes
NBC settles for a news conference naming winners, in a victory for WGA. Big issue: What's this mean for the Academy Awards?

Television
In syndication, it looks like a full boat
Unlike in past years, few shows face cancellation heading into NATPE. Ratings are holding for older shows and some new ones.

New media
For the web, a year to crank it way up
The internet will transform in the coming year, becoming much more sophisticated in terms of advertising and range of content

New media
More and more, the web is for giving
More charities are doing good by doing well online, often with clever fund-raising devices where advertisers do the real giving

TV This Week
On 'One Tree Hill,' a look back in time
In an original twist, teen angst series leaps ahead four years, relating the characters' college years in a series of flashbacks

News shorts
Clinton and Romney lead New Hampshire (in TV ads)
Stewart and Colbert return to laughs and WGA arrows
Coming from Comcast, a wider range of on-demand
Ooh-la-London: A&F relaunching its racy catalogue
Programming notes: 'Dexter' cuts into CBS schedule

Web shorts
Actually, game time doesn't limit TV or movie watching
United against News Corp.? NYT & CNBC's big deal.
Study: Young people prefer MySpace to television
Final numbers: Etailers take in $29.2B over holidays

People
David Etherington rises to SVP and worldwide marketing director at Titan Worldwide
Peter J. Lazarus becomes EVP of network sales at Univision Communications
Janet Abbazia becomes VP of event marketing at Turner Sports
Karen Elyse rises to executive director of events and sports marketing at Golf Digest
Matt Ginella and Christian Iooss rise at Golf Digest
Shant Tutunjian becomes integrated marketing manager at Stardoll
Joe LaSala becomes SEVP and general counsel at Discovery Communications
Roddy Boyd joins Fortune as a writer
Heath Rudduck joins Digitas as executive creative director
Condé Nast names three new senior vice presidents
Saatchi & Saatchi X hires and promotes seven employees
Deborah Heisz named editor in chief at Success magazine
CBS 'Late Show' host David Letterman loses the beard on the air

Wedneday, Jan. 9, 2008

Overnights
Teen steam: Solid debut for 'One Tree'
Earns the CW its best Tuesday so far this season, pulling a 2.1 in target 18-34 viewers, second behind NBC in the demographic

Television
January surprise: NBC shoots to No. 1
Lagging network pulls its best ratings in years with its new reality-heavy schedule, defying slew of predictions that it would tumble

Cable
The top cable network in 2007: Disney
Ad-free kid-friendly network beats out the big boys like USA in primetime viewership, thanks largely to 'High School Musical'

Cable
On Lifetime, reasons to feel real good
'How to Look Good Naked' is about self-esteem for women, and it's about huge ratings for the network, its best reality debut ever

Newspapers
Big 2008 newspaper story: Integration
Papers may be hurting, but they still make money, lots of it. Their major push will be the internet. Talking with analyst John Morton.

TV This Week
Unto the breach: NBC debut 'L&O: CI'
Airing reruns of top copper from sister network USA, where they ran last fall, leading move of shows from cable as strike drags on

News shorts
Business Week parent McGraw Hill laying off 611
Mitchell's steroid report shows muscle on NY radio
Globes fallout: NBC offering advertisers money back 
Hot and bothered: OK! sues Heat over Spears tidbits
PDF, RIP: Telegraph nixes weekday afternoon edition

Web shorts
Comcast investigating Comcast web use complaints
Bush in the blogosphere: Chronicling the president
Violinist follows Radiohead e-model for latest release
Digital divide: Sony BMG removes copy protections

People
Thomas Beusse becomes president and CEO at Westwood One
Joe Levy joins Blender as editor in chief
Adam Poulter becomes executive commercial director at Red Bee Media
Matt Turner joins Gospel Music Channel as VP of Eastern region ad sales
Eugene M. Kuerner and Cheryl Scott join Medio Systems
Gary Krakow becomes senior technology correspondent at TheStreet.com
Naamua Delaney joins CNN.com's online anchor team
Janet Tipton becomes corporate sales director at Time
Lisa Ocker and Sandra Bienkowski join Success
Brenda Freeman becomes CMO for Turner
RPA Media promotes four in media communications group
Samantha Maltin rises to SVP of integrated marketing for Nickelodeon
Former New Republic publisher Gilbert A. Harrison dies at age 92


Thursday, Jan. 10, 2008

Overnights
Sweetest deal: NBC takes Wednesday
Network averages a 3.1 in 18-49s, nose ahead of ABC and CBS at 3.0 each, led by 'Deal or No Deal.' 'L&O' slips from last week.

Television
On the endangered list: ABC's Oscars
The WGA has every reason to kibosh the telecast as a means of raising the price of the strike, now in its third month. Expect it to.

TV Preview
'Sarah Connor Chronicles,' butt-kicker
New Fox series has a lot working for it beyond the 'Terminator' franchise, including positive reviews and not much competition

Television
In TV, a year of disruption and change
How the writers' strike plays out will be a major story in 2008 but one among many. Talking with John Rash and Steve Sternberg.

Dayparts update
These days, it's Sundays with George
Stephanopoulos's 'This Week' on ABC skips past CBS's 'Face the Nation,' and it narrows the gap with NBC's 'Meet the Press'

TV This Week
For 'Grey's Anatomy,' time to sew it up
Last remaining original episode airs at 9 p.m., and some plotlines will likely be resolved as the hit ABC doc show goes into reruns

News shorts
Write on: CBS and WGA make news writers deal
Study: Americans don't find media all that believable
Golf Channel suspends announcer for lynching joke
In France, perhaps a farewell to public TV advertising
2007: The year magazines really embraced the web?

Web shorts
Pew: Number of online video viewers is shooting up
LA prosecutors hope to make MySpace fraud = crime
Apple takes bite out of British iTunes download prices
P*^% through your PC: The new HD movie service

People
Cynthia Chu becomes VP and CFO at Oxygen Media
Sean M. Giancola rises at and Ron Mulliken joins American Express Publishing
Jay Meyer becomes associate publisher at Food & Wine
Erik Moeller named deputy director at the Wikimedia Foundation
Ann Lewis Roberts becomes SVP at Buena Vista and SOAPnet
John Buchanan and Sarah Handley join EA Casual Entertainment
Norris Scott becomes managing director of partnership marketing for NASCAR
Lee Kamlet rejoins ABC's 'World News' as head writer
Lisa S. Parker rises to regional sales manager at Cox Media Hampton Roads
Carrie Welch rises at Food Network to VP of public relations
Jonathan M. Bernard rises to director of automotive advertising sales at Comcast Spotlight
Brian Owens joins Fox Broadcasting as VP of marketing strategy and analytics
Tony Rock launching TV One standup series 'The Funny Spot'

Thursday, Jan. 11, 2008

Overnights
'Apprentice' wilts on a tougher night
The NBC reality show averages a 3.5 in 18-49s for its second outing, off 22 percent from debut against fresh 'Grey's' and 'CSI'

Research
Nearly all ads are seen in DVR homes
Study finds three fourths are seen in live broadcasts, and viewers actually watch the great bulk of the ads in shows they've recorded

Radio
For radio, expect a year of unknowns
Though a struggling medium, change is all about, and the forces of change promise to have a huge impact over the coming year

Younger viewers
'Zoey 101' soars with star's pregnancy
Finale special doubles Nick show's season average, drawing hordes over reports 16-year-old tab temptress has baby coming

Rachel speaks!
Rachel, I want to know how I'm doing
The writer has been on the job for seven months and wonders why she's not been given her six-month review. Is this a bad sign?

TV This Week
Best tube bets this weekend
Friday: 'Monk' returns on USA; Saturday: more NFL playoffs on CBS and Fox; Sunday: PBS's 'Masterpiece Classic' debut

News shorts
Strike update: Big names urge sides back to table
At Martha Stewart, a bit of post-holiday redecorating
CNN tops primetime on New Hampshire primary night
OSU-LSU punts one-fifth of last year's BCS viewers
Move afoot in Russia to smoke out tobacco advertising

Web shorts
Coors offers Super Bowl tickets to best video upload
MySpace Celebrity, for getting closer to the stars
Company accused of ransoming web domain names
Women baring breasts for a good cause at Rethink

People
Teen Vogue drops 'Hills' stars Lauren Conrad and Whitney Port
Gannett newspaper division president Sue Clark-Johnson retiring
Christos J. P. Moschovitis becomes CIO at Summit Business Media
Craig Carman becomes SVP of national sales at Private Label Radio
Brent Diggins, Mike James and Aaron Froehlich join Mindspace
Marcien Jenckes becomes CEO at Voxant
Chris Richards joins The Fader as executive editor
Natalie Allen joins The Weather Channel as an anchor
Randy Abramson rises to senior product development manager at Discovery Communications
Richard Beeston, Roland Watson, Keith Blackmore and Ben Preston rise at London Times
Jim Safka succeeds Jim Lanzone as CEO of Ask.com
'Sopranos' star James Gandolfini engaged to Deborah Lin
Photography journalist Herbert Keppler dies at age 82

Monday, Jan. 14, 2008

Overnights
Socko debut for Fox's 'Sarah Connor'
Nifty bump from Giants-Cowboys playoff game pushes new sci-fi Terminator drama to best premiere of the season, a 7.6 in 18-49s

Television
Globes: Cable 10, NBC 1. Critics: Ugh.
What finally aired was a faux news conference, with nary an actor or drink in sight, and open to all news organizations, not just NBC

Television
Media buyer primer on 'American Idol'
A few fundamentals on the hit Fox reality series, which returns tomorrow. Looks like another killer season, despite sag lines.

Popcult
Return of the family doctor, for a price
New services offering very personal medical care are arising, in part in a revolt against HMO medicine. Got an ache? Come on in.

Out of Home
Your client's special night at the Bijou
Sponsoring major events telecast to local theaters, such as concerts. Build some positive buzz with the arts and culture set.

TV This Week
Big East dukeout: Hoyas and Panthers
Georgetown would seem to have the advantage when it meets Pitt on ESPN in a rematch of last year's big game. Don't bet on it.

News shorts
Weekend overnights: Patriots push CBS to No. 1
A gust of Raines: Axed Times editor takes up column
Strike update: ABC Studios terminates writers' deals
Steamy debut for Univision's 'Housewives' adaptation
Victoria's Secret: She's advertising on Super Bowl

Web shorts
Netflix dropping time restrictions on movie streaming
China Mobile hangs up on deal for Apple's iPhone
Online holiday spending soars in France and the UK
Study: 78 million see advertising on their cell phones

People
Gene George joins Starz Media as EVP of worldwide distribution
Holly Carter joins People Stylewatch as beauty director
Jeff Burnton becomes acting GM of AZ-TV
Patrick Mahoney joins Entertainment Studios as VP of digital media
Alex Baskin rises to VP of development at Evolution Media
Hellin Kay becomes West Coast fashion editor at WWD
Alexis Collado rises to publicity manager at Parade
O.J. Simpson jailed for alleged bail violation in robbery case
Nicole Richie welcomes daughter Harlow Winter Kate Madden
'Jim's' Courtney Thorne-Smith gives birth to baby boy
Jason Kennedy hosting ABC's 'Dance Machine'
Magazine Antiques editor Allison Eckardt Ledes dies at age 53
East Village Other founder and publisher Walter Bowart dies at age 68

Alternative media
Geico's gecko, serving a worthy cause
Wolves' return, told on phone poles
Riding the be-kind-to-your-behind bus
Bras in the air, and a message to tell

Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2008

Overnights
Fox's 'Sarah Connor' returns to earth
Second airing of sci fi series averages a 4.2 in 18-49s, down 45 percent from post-Giants-Cowboys debut but still No. 2 in timeslot

Television
Strike-outs: Awards shows bomb big
NBC's Golden Globes telecast off by 71 percent, and People's Choice down nearly as much. Next up: Grammys and the Oscars.

Research
The midseason may not be all that bad
Study predicts ratings will be off 5 percent this month and next because of the writers' strike, falling far less than many predicted

New media
For the young, this is a web campaign
The internet is now the top source for news of the candidates among 18- to 29-year-olds, far more so than for the over-30 set

Television
What makes 'American Idol' such a hit
A big part of it is that it's a show that families can watch, offering something for everyone. Talking with Shari Anne Brill of Carat.

TV This Week
With the new 'Idol,' a few new wrinkles
For the very first time, contestants can play instruments, and this season viewers will get a deeper look into their personal lives

News shorts
Directors and producers inching toward a new deal
Strike update: Major writer cuts continue at studios
Harris: Ellen bumps Oprah as the top TV personality
Career shrinker: Tribune chops job classified section
Programming notes: NBC orders more 'Gladiators'

Web shorts
MySpace: We promise to improve age verifications
It's TV a la cart: Microsoft's new in-store ad network
This year's MacWorld innovation: Itty bitty notebook
J. Timberlake returning to Super Bowl with Amazon

People
Vinnie O'Toole becomes EVP and CFO at Horizon Media
John F. Solomon becomes executive editor at The Washington Times
Lesley Jane Seymour becomes editor in chief at More
Lisa McCarthy joins Univision as EVP of client development
California Newspapers Partnership chief executive George Riggs resigns
Rino Ferrari becomes president of ICOM Global Network of Independent Agencies
Chris Saridakis becomes CDO at Gannett
Wendy Mazzoni joins Glam Media as VP of ad operations
Richard Klosa becomes CTO at Yangaroo
Michelle Meyercord becomes VP and director of Rodale International
Florian Bachleda, George Pitts and Letisha Marrero join Latina Media Ventures
Karen Roberts joins Entertainment Studios as SVP of acquisitions
Keija Minor becomes editor in chief at Uptow

Wedneday, Jan. 16, 2008

Overnights
A huge return for Fox's 'American Idol'
Hit reality show averages 33.2 million total viewers, off 11 percent from last year's record debut but still the No. 1 show of the season

Cable
Soon, Oprah, Oprah all over the place
Life values chatter gets her own network in deal with Discovery, with the aim of creating programming appealing to entire families 

Television
'Moon' glow: CBS's big movie score
'Lonesome Dove' prequel debut becomes the most-watched TV film in two years, averaging 16 million total viewers. Strike relief.

Cable
High as a kite: VH1's 'Celebrity Rehab'
Thursday debut hits No. 1 in 18-49s on basic cable, becoming network's latest smart twist on the lives of once and nearly famous

TV Preview
'Breaking Bad,' all the right chemistry
New AMC original series has the requisite quirkiness and the best credentials. But it could take a while for viewers to hook in.

TV This Week
Bad people doing stupid things, truly
'Most Shocking' most reflects the new identity of TruTV, formerly known as Court TV, in its hunt for the elusive young male viewer

News shorts
Strike update: WGA would deny Oscar waiver request
Will Diane Keaton's dirty mouth get ABC in trouble?
Uproar erupts after Ms. refuses to run an Israel ad
At Conde Nast, the high-level shakeups continue
Politician kicks off his term by booting photographer

Web shorts
Apple's iTunes adding new movie rental capabilities
Nielsen: Patriots are tops on the field and on the web
Sweet music: Yamaha's new online-enabled piano
Hitwise: NBC's 'Deal or No Deal' is top television show

People
Rachael Ray editors Maile Carpenter and Tracy Saelinger exit
Dan Colarusso becomes Portfolio.com editor
Robert A. Sauerberg Jr. becomes group president at Condé Nast
Tim G. Smith becomes director of events for Future US
Donna Foti and Keith Grossman join Wired
Kelly Edwards joins Radio Disney as director of music
Bart Feder and Scott Matthews join CNN U.S.
Turner Entertainment Group president Mark Lazarus stepping down
Bob Bel Bruno becomes VP of advertising sales at AMC
Sue Kroll becomes president of worldwide marketing at Warner Bros.
Jennifer Nicholas Salke overseeing drama and comedy at 20th Century Fox TV
Vince Cellini rejoins the Golf Channel as anchor
'High School Musical' star Zac Efron recovering from surgery

Thursday, Jan. 17, 2008

Overnights
'Idol' scores big its second night back
Draws 30.3 million total viewers and a 12.6 rating in 18-49s, off from last year but still easily beats Big Four networks combined

Magazines
Consumer magazines finish 2007 flat
Ad pages dip by nearly 1 percent in what was a tough year, marked by closings of titles and further incursions by the internet

Research
For media buyers, perception matters
Client dollars flow to networks with clear identities they can relate to, a study finds. Talking with Andrew Klein of Beta Research.

Dayparts update
Media mogul: Oprah by the numbers
Winfrey is already the richest woman in America, if not the most influential. Here's a look at the expanse of her media holdings.

New media
The web's all ears for super advocates
On social networking sites, they are listened to. The challenge for marketers is to win them over as advocates, without offending.

TV This Week
Boys with pricey toys that go va-room
'American Chopper' returns for its fifth season as TV's No. 1 show for product placement, though no longer Discovery's top show

News shorts
Sun editor: Rupe keeps his nose out of my decisions
New year, same story: Paper cuts continue to climb
Dobbs for president? Group trying to draft CNN host.
Strike update: Oscar alternatives and a DGA deal
Guys tell Spike: We'd vote for Obama for wingman

Web shorts
Not so Scrabulous? Mattel goes after Facebook game. 
Study: Actually, online safety concerns back on rise
Wizzard sees huge growth in podcast downloading 
Nielsen: More than 46 million use mobile searches

People
Tamara Crawford joins Olson's new San Francisco office
David Howe becomes president at Sci Fi Channel
Marc Mondry joins MSG Media as senior coordinating producer
Steven J. Schupak rises to SVP of content enterprises at Maryland Public Television
Luca Bentivoglio joins LATV as VP of programming
Theresa Chillianis joins Fuse as SVP of strategy
Kirk Acevedo and Tomas Arana cast in Fox's 'Fringe'
Stephen Colbert portrait hung in presidential hall at Smithsonian
Rachel Zoe stepping up in Bravo's 'The Rachel Zoe Project'
Rebecca Budig, Darnell Williams and Debbi Morgan return to 'All My Children'
Survey says: Britney should get to see her kids
Marion Jones to Oprah: I haven't told my son I'm going to jail
Syndication veteran Leland A. Jackoway dies at age 78

Friday, Jan. 18, 2008

Overnights
'Apprentice' rebounds against reruns
Trump celebrity edition rises 11 percent from last week, to a 3.9 in 18-49s, with 'Grey's' and 'CSI' back in reruns. Fox wins night.

Television
Fox jumps to No. 1 with 'Idol' premiere
Takes season lead on the power show's two airings this week, earlier than in past years, even though show's ratings were down

Television
Strike deal: Now comes the tricky part
The studios have come to terms with the directors. Will the writers fall in line? Will the WGA reject it? Or will it split apart over it?

Younger viewers
By George, that jungle swinger of yore
Cartoon brings back 'George of the Jungle' from the '60s, made over for the times, and with a certain parent appeal beyond kid

Rachel speaks!
Rachel, geez, this woman needs help
The writer works with someone who is a slob in the grooming department. Should she talk to her directly or go to her bosses?

TV This Week
Best tube bets this weekend
Friday: CBS's last fresh 'Moonlight;' Saturday: North Carolina vs. Maryland on ABC; Sunday: the NFC Championship on Fox

News shorts
Report: BBC will reveal yet more viewer fraud cases
Study: Switch to digital still won't eliminate rabbit ears
Even without writers, 'Tonight Show' maintains lead
Matter of taste: Golfweek's controversial noose cover
Programming notes: USA's 'Star' is reborn on NBC

Web shorts
NPD Group: It was a record year for video games
Turner scores oversight of NBA's digital properties
Time Warner tries out pay-as-you-download service
Hallelujah! Digital hymnbook for at-home worshippers.

People
Carrie Frolich, Patrick Cartmel and Jeanne Clark rise at MEC Interaction
VH1 programming EVP Michael Hirschorn resigning
Jeff Olde rises to EVP of original programming and production at VH1
Pappas Telecasting EVP Peter C. Pappas resigning
David Hillman rises to VP of reality programming at Lifetime Networks
Sandra Endo joins CNN Newsource as correspondent for D.C. bureau
Men's Enthusiast Network's Nick Matarazzo adds marketing oversight to duties
Todd Anderman joins Hachette Filipacchi as SVP of digital media
Thomas S. Warner joins Litton Entertainment as VP of regional sales
ABC central division sales SVP and GM Edward Wollock retiring
Elli Hakami becomes VP of program development at Discovery
Charlie Rose returning to '60 Minutes' as contributor
David Milch producing HBO pilot project 'Last of the Ninth'

Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2008

Overnights
NBC sweeps with new Monday lineup
Averages a 4.0 in adults 18-49, well ahead of No. 2 Fox at a 3.3 with 'Gladiators,' Deal' and 'Medium' all winning their timeslots

Television
Oscar noms are in. Will the show air?
There's new hope as writers and studios resume talks. Nods go to Cate Blanchett, Johnny Depp, 'Michael Clayton' and 'Juno.'

Newspapers
At the L.A. Times, another messy exit
Editor James O'Shea gets the boot for refusing deeper staff cuts, amid a growing belief many papers have already cut too deeply

Popcult
Exposed: Welfare for the working rich
'Free Lunch' reveals how many millions of taxpayer dollars are funneled to wealthy, connected folks adept at working the system

Out of Home
Your client scoring at the golf course
Putting ads on leaderboards that tally rankings of players in golf matches, as snowbirds head south and west for warmer weather

TV This Week
Secret lives: The worry of teens online
PBS's 'Frontline' confirms parents are in the dark about what their kids are doing online and looks at how concerned they should be

News shorts
Giants' OT victory boots Fox to best game since 1996
Strike update: Talks could resume as soon as today
Weekend overnights: CBS and Fox split in 18-49s
Golfweek editor axed over inflammatory noose cover
Fit to be Thai: Flight attendants protest racy hit soap

Web shorts
Reports: Yahoo joins newspapers in making job cuts
HBO putting shows and movies online for subscribers
Now Democrats living abroad can e-vote in primaries
Lucky 'Rat:' Pixar film rates tops with Rotten Tomatoes

People
Peggy Green becomes vice chairman at Zenith Media USA
David Margolick becomes contributing editor at Conde Nast Portfolio
Julien McNab becomes executive editor and producer at Blender.com
Ed O'Callaghan and April Langus join KM&A
Adam Lowenberg joins Primary Wave Music Publishing as CMO
Joe Noonan joins Viamedia as chief operating officer
Lacy O'Toole becomes L.A. bureau chief at CNBC
Luke Perry and JoAnna Garcia starring in Lifetime movie 'Bride'
Selma Blair joins 'Kath & Kim' cast for NBC
'24' star Kiefer Sutherland released from jail after 48 days
Mr. Big's delivery: 'Sex and the City's' Chris Noth welcomes first child
'Bob Newhart Show's' Suzanne Pleshette dies at age 70
'Brady Bunch' actor Allan Melvin dies at age 84

Alternative media
Men at work, flying way up in the sky
Elevator doors that tell a moving story
Shrink rap: Get-thin message in a dryer
Now, ads in security baskets at airports

Wedneday, Jan. 23, 2008

Overnights
'Idol' returns strong its second week
Pulls an 11.7 in 18-49s, off 7 percent from last year's third airing, but still whacking other four networks combined by 67 percent

Sports TV
Stunner: NFC game attracts 54 million
Largest non-Super Bowl TV audience in a decade as Giants top Packers. Most-watched conference championship since 1995.

Sports TV
A media buyer's primer on Super Bowl
Media Life separates the hype from the truth about the annual blowout sports event, which airs in less than two weeks on Fox

TV Preview
'Moment of Truth,' hour of poor taste
The new Fox reality show is a romp in titillation, and it's got a great timeslot, but it's hardly a sure bet that it will excite viewers

New media
With so much free, is cable in danger?
Will users drop their service for free downloads from the web? Analysts see no big trend in that direction, and not anytime soon.

TV This Week
For 'Cashmere Mafia,' a rubout's likely
Disappointing ratings and reviews spell trouble for the new ABC show, and in the wings is NBC's better-reviewed 'Lipstick Jungle'

News shorts
Strike update: Writers and producers agree to meet
NBCU: We're getting out of pilot production business
CNN's Democratic debate breaks primary records
Study: As multitasking grows, TV's influence shrinks
Upstart, Mansueto's new venture for entrepreneurs

Web shorts
MPAA: Actually, college piracy wasn't all that costly
Kiss and yell: Couple sues subway over YouTube post
Now available online, DNA testing for the sum of $999
Gawker sacked her: Yet more turnover at Wonkette

People
Actor Heath Ledger found dead in his NYC apartment
Jim Price joins Empower MediaMarketing board of directors
Denny Wilkinson becomes CEO at etc.tv
Danielle Yuen becomes marketing director at The Week
Monica Talan joins Univision as vice president of corporate communications
Tim Gillingham joins Olson as creative director
Tom Prince joins Reader's Digest as executive editor
Randi Subarsky becomes VP of development at CNN Worldwide
Erica Hill joins CNN's 'Anderson Cooper 360' as correspondent
Zachary Hooper rises to SVP at The Rosen Group
Kevin O'Grady and John Bethune rise at Canon Communications
Dawn Abel rises to EVP of research at CBS Television Distribution
Former Viacom president Terrence Elkes dies at age 73

Thursday, Jan. 24, 2008

Overnights
'Idol' threat: Hot night for Fox's 'Truth'
New reality show debuts after top talent show with huge numbers, averaging a10.2 in 18-49s and retaining 94 percent of audience

Research
A rising unrest over the writers' strike
Viewers say they're watching less television, even though ratings are holding, and researchers read it as a sign of trouble to come

Television
At last, NBC breaks the curse of 'Idol'
'Loser' and 'Deal' reality series hold up against the Fox hit, pulling some of the network's best ratings for those timeslots in years

Cable
On the hustings, a cable news circus
News personalities are as much a part of the story as the actual races, and the ratings are up smartly. Chris Matthews neutered?

Dayparts update
At this point, it's still a cable election
Networks will hold off on stepping up coverage for some months. CBS stands to benefit when they do. Talking with Andrew Tyndall.

TV This Week
Night of pom-poms: Fox's '5th Grader'
Two-hour special featuring the Dallas cheerleaders aims to build on last week's first Thursday night win for the network since 1992

News shorts
Strike update: NBC says this year's pilots still a go
Study: Viewers plan to up spending for Super Bowl
Best week ever: Football boosts Fox to record levels
Afghan court sentences 23-year-old reporter to death
ESPN anchor strikes out with off-color Irish diatribe

Web shorts
At Last, free songs from the major labels on your PC
MySpaceTV folds BBC into growing video offerings
Broader band: AT&T adds free wi-fi hotspot access 
Bustier bust: Chinese police shut down live p*^% site 

People
Report: Metro U.S. boots editor in chief Jon Auerbach amid cutbacks
San Francisco Chronicle editor Phil Bronstein stepping down
Joanna Lisanti becomes VP of marketing at qubo
Renee Ifill becomes associate publisher for marketing at Woman's Day
Charlie Echeverry joins Univision Online as SVP of digital sales
Adina Pitt becomes VP of content acquisitions for Cartoon Network and Boomerang
Steve Rosenberg moves to CEO of Prime Visibility Media Group
Patty Gillette and Michelle Spinale rise at Turner Entertainment Promotions
Brad Grant becomes director of VOD at Turner Network Sales
Geoff Keighley makes talent and development deal with MTV Networks
Movie critic Roger Ebert returns to the hospital for surgery
Stephen Colbert raises more than $170,000 for 'wrist awareness'
Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Gloria Ruben and Jane Kaczmarek starring in TNT drama

Friday, Jan. 25, 2008

Overnights
'5th Grader' leads Fox to Thursday win
Slips ahead of NBC with a 3.2 in 18-49s for its second straight Thursday win since 1992 but NBC has top show in 'Apprentice'

Dayparts update
'Price is Right' falls off with new host
Longtime hit game show declines 9 percent in total viewers, after an initial sampling, following an overall trend affecting daytime TV

Dayparts update
Death in the afternoon? A likely story.
An exaggeration, perhaps, but it doesn't look good for network soap operas, with scripts by longtime writers about to run out

Magazines
In men's magazines, a question of size
Britain's FHM will introduce a smaller travel edition this spring, borrowing a page from women's titles. Target: Readers on the go.

Rachel speaks!
Rachel, does online media pay better?
Generally, yes, but lots depends on one's experience. For more senior types, likely not. The real question: Is it what you want?

TV This Week
Best tube bets this weekend
Friday: CMT's 'Gone Country;' Saturday: 'Miss America' on TLC; Sunday: Screen Actors Guild Awards air on both TNT and TBS

News shorts
Actually, Rupe won't tear down that wall at WSJ.com
Study: Moms worry Super Bowl ads aren't kid-friendly
Mindshare: More people going online as strike lingers
Imus' latest woe: He's being sued by a book publisher
Strike update: ABC becomes latest to cut script order

Web shorts
Nielsen begins measuring video-on-demand patterns
NAA: Web newspaper visitors rose 6 percent in 2007
Charter accidentally zaps 14,000 customer emails
'Moment,' a provocative online soap with a message

People
Glenn O'Brien and Fabien Baron become joint editorial directors at Interview
'Martha Stewart' renewed for fourth season in syndication
National Public Radio SVP of programming Jay Kernis exiting
Scott Landsman rises at Comedy Central to VP of original programming and development
Bruce Haymes joins Nielsen Digital Media Manager as SVP and product leader
Jason Zegel becomes VP of special projects and operations at Rainbow Media
Chris Wong becomes president and CEO at PathConnect
Marc Fein rises to EVP of programming at Versus
Chris Jansing becomes correspondent for NBC News
Jerry Passaro rises at MSG Media to SVP of network operations and distribution
Scott Garner joins Lifetime Networks as SVP of planning
Golf Channel's Kelly Tilghman returns after suspension
Dan Renaldo becomes EVP for television production at NBC Universal

Monday, Jan. 28, 2008

Overnights
ABC wins Sunday on night of specials
Averages a 3.7 in 18-49s, led by 'Home Edition,' ahead of No. 2 Fox by 32 percent as CBS's movie and NBC's 'Guinness' fall flat

Sports TV
The odds favor a Super Bowl to top all
Giants-Patriots game ought to better the 94.1 million total viewers for the 1996 Cowboys-Steelers game, in a major victory for Fox

Sports TV
And Super Bowl's top advertiser: Fox
The network will set aside roughly a fifth or more of the game's ads to tout its own shows, and it stands to get an invaluable boost

Popcult
John Wayne: His most puzzling legacy
He could ride a horse okay, and he rode quite a few, but by no means was he a great actor. Yet he ranks in the top 10 each year.

Out of Home
Your client with seats at the big game
Cup-holder ads will get exposure during Super Bowl, and at far less cost than those much-touted million-dollar spots on television

TV This Week
From Bush, a timely talk to the nation
Viewership should be up for his State of the Union, topping last year's 45.5 million, as Americans confront new economic worries

News shorts
Weekend overnights: All-original shows boost NBC
Bummer: FCC fines ABC $1.4M for buttocks scene
SAG boost: A red carpet respite from writers' strike
Spot-on: Fox approves Go Daddy's Super Bowl ad
Programming notes: NBC shuffles 'Quarterlife' debut

Web shorts
Woman arrested for seeking a hit man on Craigslist
Introducing Qtrax, home of the totally free download
Borrell: Political spending won't really flow to the web
Playing the odds: Hubdub bets on real-life events

People
Publisher Judith Regan settles defamation lawsuit against News Corp.
Ward Bushee becomes editor of The San Francisco Chronicle
Editor Pat Yack and managing editor Michael Richey leaving Times-Union
EVP and GM Darryl Brown leaving ABC Radio Networks
Twenty-seven people getting the boot at Metro publications
Kerry Tucker becomes VP of strategic sales at CBS Radio
Jay Kernis joins CNN as managing editor
Christina Wayne rises to SVP for scripted series at AMC
Moroch Partners hires seven new employees
Bill Trotter joins Connection III Entertainment Corp. as NSM
Meggan Kimberly rises at and Adam Wright joins Regent Worldwide Sales
Ami Cadugan joins Davis Advertising as media buyer
Amy Prenner joins Crocmedia America as VP of communications for the West Coast


Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2008

Overnights
Modest tune-in for State of the Union
President's speech draws 24.6 million viewers, off from last year, with ABC and NBC leading on broadcast with 7.1 million each

New media
Cheery outlook for world ad spending
New forecast has it rising nearly 7 percent, and that's so even as financial markets dip and sway, in good part because of the web

Cable
Hefty bounces for Stewart and Colbert
Ratings are up for their two Comedy Central shows, even as they work without writers, relying on their wits in this political season

Sports TV
Hot Super Bowl trend: Interactive ads
User-generated commercials of last year give way to messages that invite viewers to interact with the advertiser in some fashion

Sports TV
Why Super Bowl ads rely so on humor
It's a festive day. That's a big part of it. But they're also insurance against a boring game. Talking with Walter Guarino of Seton Hall.

TV This Week
On the couch, in search of its next hit
Might HBO find it in the new drama 'In Treatment?' Pay channel is airing episodes on the web first with the aim of building buzz.

News shorts
Strike update: WGA grants Grammys script waiver
Pediatricians protest vaccine idea in ABC's 'Stone'
News Corp. envisions a WSJ far from Wall Street
Programming notes: A new 'Crash' lands on Starz 
NATPE mashup: 'Baywatch' floats onto Ion this March

Web shorts
Free ride stalls: New download site didn't have deals
Study: Smart eBay shoppers save themselves billions
Washington Post slates a new black web magazine 
Nielsen: 875 million people have bought things online

People
Mark Stewart and Scott Hagedorn rise at OMD
Jill Nickerson joins Horizon Media as VP and director of out of home group
Tina Gaudoin joins WSJ as editor of lifestyle quarterly
Luis Alfredo De Varona becomes director of business development at Billups Worldwide
Jennifer Dobbeck and Kate Stoodley join Entrepreneur as sales managers
Mark Zieman becomes interim publisher at Kansas City Star
Janine Picchione and Eric Coronado rise at Jones MediaAmerica
Kate Dimmock becomes fashion director at Town & Country magazine
Sharyn Alfonsi joins ABC News as a correspondent
Frances Berwick rises to GM at Bravo Media
John Wood and Jennifer Danska rise at Comcast Entertainment Group
Syndicated hit 'Judge Judy' re-ups through 2012
Missy Elliot making 3-D music video with Disney


Wedneday, Jan. 30, 2008

Overnights
'House' and 'Idol' sweep night for Fox
Network earns a 9.8 in 18-49s, 31 percent over other networks' combined 7.5 rating, boding well for Sunday's post-game 'House'

Cable
Cable's play: Escape from Super Bowl
The networks are reaching out to non-football fans with a slew of specials airing on Sunday night against the Giants-Patriots game

Television
And after Super Bowl, a piece of cake
Fox is airing an episode of 'House' following the game, but how well it does in that cushiest of slots will depend on how soon after

Research
A downside to funny Super Bowl ads
Consumers often forget the advertiser behind them, or credit a competitor. Talking to University of Tampa's Stephen Blessing.

Magazines
Worldwide, magazines are holding up
Forecast of 3.4 percent ad spending growth to 2010, with newer markets leading as the middle class gains in size and affluence

TV This Week
Hot as Hades: Univision's newest soap
'Al Diablo con los Guapos' debut has the largest audience ever for a telenovela in the 8 p.m. timeslot. It even challenges 'Idol.'

News shorts
Nielsen: Advertisers target blacks through local radio
With a little bit of TLC, Miss America tune-in climbs
Zucker: NBCU will change its program development
Bush's SOTU viewership falls 18 percent from 2007
Radio gaga: Volunteer accused of torching station

Web shorts
NY bill cracks down on sex offenders' online activities
Yahoo cutting jobs after disappointing fourth quarter
Man accused of selling stolen documents on eBay
European court: Downloaders can keep anonymity

People
'Face the Nation' anchor Bob Schieffer retiring next year
'PTI' host Mike Wilbon in hospital after minor heart attack
'60 Minutes' correspondent Mike Wallace undergoes triple bypass surgery
Donald Trump returning for more 'Celebrity Apprentice'
Stephanie Mehta becomes global editor at Fortune magazine
David Schmidt rises to VP of product at Ecast
Regan Murphy rejoins Parenting Group as digital and custom content sales director
Skip Fredricks joins Wizzard Media as SVP of content programming
David Walton and Kimberly Norris join Dogmatic as VPs
Rose Helen Perez joins TVN Entertainment as general counsel
Nora O'Brien joins Universal Media Studios as VP of drama programming
Neal Bangerter becomes VP of production management at Reactrix Systems

Thursday, Jan. 31, 2008

Overnights
'Lost' finale recap pulls solid numbers
Two-hour special averages a 3.3 in 18-49s, knocking out an original 'L&O' its final hour and setting up tonight's season debut

Sports TV
What Super Bowl ads are getting buzz
The hype is intense. Will Michael Jackson do a Pepsi cameo? Where's smart money? Talking with SpotBowl's David Shoffner.

TV Preview
'Eli Stone,' quirky lite but decent odds
ABC drama about a lawyer who thinks he's a prophet stands a better chance because of the strike and the lighter competition

Dayparts update
Big syndie thing, 'Wizard's First Rule'
The new weekend series will premiere this fall on Tribune stations, and it could well revive fantasy as staple of syndication

TV This Week
For ABC's 'Lost,' finding its way again
It returns on a new night and with renewed energy, hoping to bring back the fans who fell away when the fantasy series lost direction

News shorts
February sweeps: Fox will win but ratings will be down
Academy president: Show will go on even with strike
Programming notes: 'Montel' signs off after 17 years
Oops! Couple in happy marriage story actually died.
Nipping at Nielsen? TNS and DirecTV's data deal.

Web shorts
Report says broadband access goals have been met
'Hannah Montana' movie sets web ticket sales record
Study: Tweens frequent illegal music download site
In Miami, a meeting of minds to pump up mobile p#$%

People
Ron Bernstein becomes SVP of online sales and marketing at U.S. News & World Report
Scott Collins becomes SVP of national advertising sales for WE tv
Scott Zamost joins CNN investigative team
Heather Dougherty joins Hitwise as director of research
Kevin Flanagan joins Golf World as account manager
Laura Lipson rises to VP of marketing and promotion at TV One
Veronique Kessler, Kul Takanao Wadhwa and Jay Walsh join Wikimedia
Kathleen Berzon becomes eDiets.com director of public relations
Kirk McDonald becomes chief revenue officer at Fortune|Money Group
Chris Raleigh becomes SVP and general sales manager for Weather Channel Media
Brian Surowitz rises at Katz Radio Group's Eastman Radio
Eric Coleman joins Walt Disney Television Animation as SVP of development
Radio and television rep Harlan G. Oakes dies at age 97

Friday, Feb. 1, 2008

Overnights
ABC hit 'Lost' returns with a big bang
Fourth-season debut averages a 6.7 in 18-49s, its best numbers in more than a year, giving network a win for first night of sweep 

Sports TV
Buyers: We expect a super Super Bowl
See a record audience and an easy win for the Patriots over the
Giants. Budweiser leads for the most anticipated commercials.

Research
With sweeps, ratings are about to fall
Forecast: 20 percent drop in viewership as the networks run out of original episodes and load up on reality shows and repeats

Younger viewers
Kids group: End Super Bowl beer ads
Budweiser spots are hugely popular with fans, but an advocacy group complains they'll also be seen by 17 million young people

Rachel speaks!
Rachel, tell me about clientside work
The writer wonders if it's time to jump over. Rachel responds: Yes, it can be a better life, but there are a few downsides to consider.

TV This Week
Best tube bets this weekend
Friday: IFC's 'Dinner for Five;' Saturday: Super Bowls past on ESPN2; Sunday: the big game is on Fox, followed by 'House'

News shorts
Microsoft offers to buy Yahoo in $44.6 billion deal
Forty-eight hours to kickoff and the game's sold out
On a wing and a player: KFC's guerilla game tactic
IMMI: There's a wide divide in 13-24s' media habits
Programming notes: A 'Star' is shorn on new truTV

Web shorts
ComScore: This will be one very wired Super Bowl
Sea unworthy: Snapped cables slow internet in India
Hitwise: 'Lost' surges to No. 2 TV site on eve of debut
Airline passengers can take gripes to new TSA blog

People
Garen van de Beek rises to SVP of on-air promotion at CBS
Traci Wallack becomes account manager for Golf for Women
Erwin-Penland appoints four new group creative directors
Rob Silvershein becomes regional VP for Western sales at Linkstorm
Scott Taylor rises to SVP of operations for Katz Radio Group
Curt Northrup joins GRB Entertainment as SVP of development
Tom Grasty becomes head of development for Blaze TV
Mark Bracco rises at ABC to VP of alternative series and specials
Eric Shain rises to VP of production finance at Disney ABC Cable
Robert T. Reed Jr. joins TrafficLand as president and COO
New Jersey Monthly editor David Chmiel leaves for Time Content Solutions
Rafer Weigel joins Headline News' 'Morning Express' as sports anchor
DeAnna Pappas selected as next season's 'Bachelorette'

 

Monday, Feb. 4, 2008

Overnights
Super Bowl draws 97.5 million viewers
Sets new record, topping '96 game by 3.4 million, as Giants snap last minute victory from the Patriots. Second only to 'Mash' finale.

Sports TV
A killer Super Bowl for a killer season
Giants' stunning last-minute victory over the Patriots defied the odds-makers and is likely the most-watched game in NFL history

TV Preview
'Welcome to The Captain,' adrift at sea
New CBS comedy is airing in a solid timeslot, and it's got a name cast, but there just may not be enough substance to keep it afloat

Popcult
The insufferables: They pay the piper
They write out checks for their credit card bills as soon as they come in, and they're inclined to brag loudly about being superior

Out of Home
Your message on a network of screens
Digital displays in coffee shops and bookstores and other local venues allow advertisers to reach consumers through their day

TV This Week
For 'Old Christine,' a new life, perhaps
The fading CBS sitcom returns with fresh episodes, which could give it a hefty boost as it competes amid the current sea of reruns

News shorts
Strike update: A deal may be done in a matter of days
Super Bowl's big ad winners: Clydesdales and Coke
Friday overnights: Originals lift NBC to a tie for first
Saturday overnights: Fox's reality lineup rules 18-49s
Not up for debate: Clinton-Obama draws 8.3 million

Web shorts
Super Bowl web traffic spikes during second quarter
Canadians ordered to kick the Crackberry addiction
Study: Cells don't cause cancer. We're pretty sure.
Yahoo disconnecting its subscription music service

People
Jen Collins joins tbd advertising as account supervisor
Patrick Murray and Matt Couture join Marketing Management Analytics
Patrick Moorhead rises to central region director of marketing solutions at Avenue A | Razorfish
Ed Wilson becomes president and CEO of Tribune broadcast group
Eddie Brannan and Julie Ragolia join CITY Magazine
Former NBC CEO Bob Wright becomes senior advisor to Lee Equity Partners
Joanne Molina becomes editor at The Curated Object
Robb Riedel becomes assistant managing editor at Family Circle
Janice Dickinson and Abbey Clancy coming to Oxygen
Constance Zimmer and more join NBC's 'Man of Your Dreams'
Meredith Goldblatt becomes director of PR at Details
Dorothea Herrey and Ellen Desmarais rise at Dow Jones Ventures
Walt Disney president and CEO Robert A. Iger renews contract

Alternative media
Achoo! to you: A poster that sneezes
Glass cage: A drunk's cautionary tale
Mobile messenger: Taxicab from hell 
A sun visor that relates the full story


Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2008

Television
A perfect time to end the writers' strike
Ratings will suffer until fresh episodes return, likely in April. But a deal, expected any day now, would prevent serious damage.

Sports TV
This year, fourth-quarter spots scored
Viewing peaked in the final minutes of Super Bowl, delivering huge payouts for advertisers who bet on the cheaper ad time

Sports TV
Which ads worked, which ones didn't
Tide and Coke get viewers' votes, as does CareerBuilder. Pepsi and Victoria's Secret fall flat. Talking to AdBowl's Steve McKee.

Magazines
Dare, a women's title daring to be free
British title switches to free circulation, a first for a women's magazine, and it could set off a trend. Provided it can pull it off.

TV This Week
On cable news, it's a day of reckoning
And there's every expectation of super duper ratings as the networks compete in their live coverage of primaries in 22 states

Overnights
Super Bowl draws 97.5 million viewers
Sets new record, topping '96 game by 3.4 million, as Giants snap last minute victory from the Patriots. Second only to 'Mash' finale.

News shorts
Nielsen Online poll gives SalesGenie failing marks
If McCain wins, would Limbaugh support the Dems?
'House' improvement: Postgame show hits series best
Harris Poll: Pro football is Americans' favorite sport
Chicago's embattled Sun-Times goes on the block

Web shorts
Washington Post loads webcams for Super Tuesday
Reprise: Pepsi did the best job integrating ad via net
Northwestern online study: 'Ironman' is game's top ad
Nudie pictures of Hong Kong star surface on the web

People
Steve Greenberger rises to president at SLG advertising
Bruce Evans rises to SVP of current series at NBC Entertainment
Don Geronimo of 'Don and Mike' quitting the show
Amy Odell becomes editor of New York magazine blog The Cut
Tiffany Cave becomes New York account manager at Golf Digest
Kiumarse Zamanian joins Glam Media as VP of advertising
Kevin Sullivan joins YES Network as web site managing editor
Cheryl Idell joins The Nielsen Company as EVP of media product leadership
Christine Bragan rises to VP of marketing and communications at Rainbow Media
Richard McCarthy becomes director of consumer marketing at Future US
Neal Bangerter and Chris Betts join Reactrix Systems as vice presidents
Former 'General Hospital' actress Shell Kepler dies at age 49
Justin Chambers checks into the hospital for sleep disorder



Wedneday, Feb. 6, 2008

Overnights
'House' rises from Super Bowl boost
Hit Fox medical drama pulls a 9.0 in 18-49s, up 5 percent from last week following series high reached after Sunday's big game

Television
Expect a speedy vote ending the strike
TV and film writers meet Saturday with union leaders to hear terms of the latest contract offer, and approval looks pretty likely

Television
Soaring Fox nabs a quick sweeps win
Propelled ahead by 'Idol' and record-setting Super Bowl, network averages a 12.9 in 18-49s for first week, its best-ever showing

Cable
For truTV, the message hits the target
Ratings soar for rebranded high-adventure network as it takes another major step away from its past as a network of live trials

New media
Fact is, paid content's doing just fine
Never mind all the talk of free, ad-supported content taking over. People will still pay for exclusive info. Murdoch's new WSJ.com.

Overnights
Nielsen snafu stalls overnight ratings
Monday night ratings data has yet to be released. The ratings service cites 'issue loading necessary reference data updates.'

News shorts
Disappearing act: Salesgenie yanks Super Bowl ad
A Super surge for election coverage on cable news
Recycling: Organic Style relaunches as online-only
Programming notes: Flav's latest series is scripted
Study: Free TV shows streamed on web rising in UK

Web shorts
Hitwise: Obama wins the popular vote on the internet
Sour note: Music labels taking piracy fight to China
Rejected game ad drives traffic to GoDaddy web site
Supremacist nabbed under rarely used web hate rule

People
Nielsen chief information officer Jack Loftus retiring
Gene Turner, Star Exton and Oury Tamboura rise at Horizon Media
John Brueckner and Frank DiGraci rise at the YES Network
Allen Krauskopf becomes VP of internet services at Faith & Values Media
Tony Cardinale becomes SVP of research at Bravo and Oxygen Media
Lynne Costantini becomes EVP of affiliate sales and marketing at Scripps Networks
Luke Hayman and Kate Elazegui join Radar
Wonya Lucas becomes CMO at Discovery Communications
Lisa Sherman becomes EVP and GM at MTV Networks' Logo
Maryanne Culpepper rises to EVP of editorial at National Geographic Television
DISH Network president Carl Vogel stepping down
Salil Mehta rises to president of business operations at NBC Universal
'The Fugitive' TV actor Barry Morse dies at age 89

Thursday, Feb. 7, 2008

Overnights
Whack job: 'Cashmere Mafia' takes hit
New ABC series ties a series low with a 2.0 in 18-49s, finishing fourth in its timeslot and boding ill for NBC's new 'Lipstick Jungle'

Dayparts update
Morning jump: 'Today' widens its lead
NBC show sees its audience grow in the new year ahead of 'GMA,' likely reflecting end of viewer sampling after host changes

TV Preview
'Lipstick Jungle,' not having any of it
NBC series treads where many have been before, and not well: New York career women wanting to have it all and not getting it

Magazines
Things aren't so bad at the newsstand
For all the shakeout talk, celeb titles are holding up in terms of sales. Talking with John Harrington, editor of New Single Copy.

New media
Ring-ad-ding: Free phoning at a price
Britain's Blyk claims huge response rates for advertisers on its ad-supported free mobile phone service for 16- to 24-year-olds

TV This Week
A new 'Survivor,' yet another plot twist
Rabid fans face off with favorites from past shows in 'Survivor: Micronesia,' and prospects look decent for the aging CBS series

News shorts
CNN pulls away with a tight Super Tuesday victory
Zell of a quote: The buzz over Tribune owner's curse
TiVo users: Our love lives resemble 'Biggest Loser'
Poll: O'Reilly is favorite and least-favorite newsman
Strike out: FX shortens two dramas' second seasons

Web shorts
Bewkes: Time Warner planning to split up AOL units
Get Loopt: New CBS mobile spots target by location
Web users heavily imbibed Super Bowl beverage ads
Court: Yahoo message board bully won't be unmasked

People
Jessica Sibley becomes worldwide publisher at BusinessWeek
Nielsen ad business communications director Laura Czaja leaving
Eleo Hensleigh joins Ion Media Networks as CMO
Terry Kinninger becomes CFO at Imagine Communications
Jack Brown rises to VP of network sales at Telemundo
Matt Farber becomes EVP of programming at Fuse
Barbara O'Dair becomes Reader's Digest executive editor
Heather Linn, Mette Hornung Rankin and Laura Williams join Sockeye Creative
David Cone rejoins YES Network as Yankees analyst
Marv Albert re-signs with Turner Sports as play-by-play announcer
Cat Deeley hosting Lifetime game show pilot 'The Big Match'
K-Fed scraps single dad-hood reality show plans
Former ABC News correspondent John McWethy dies at age 61

Friday, Feb. 8, 2008

Overnights
Ho-hum premiere for 'Lipstick Jungle'
NBC's 'SATC' wannabe averages a 2.9 in 18-49s, placing No. 2 in its timeslot, yet betters this week's 'Cashmere Mafia' on ABC

Media economy
Now election spending kicks into high
Clinton and Obama will be pumping big dollars into television ads in key states as they duke it out to be the Democratic nominee

Younger viewers
The new kids thing: Asian characters
Meet Kai-lan. She's Chinese. Learn Chinese words. She follows Dora and Diego in introducing America's young to different faces.

Rachel speaks!
Rachel, a new person is making more
How come this worker comes in at higher pay when the writer's been there for two years? Rachel explains why and what to do.

Survey
Help us rate the midseason TV shows
Which do you think will be duds? Winners? How far will ratings fall from the strike? Will the writers vote to end it this weekend?

TV This Week
Best tube bets this weekend
Friday: NBC's 'Friday Night Lights;' Saturday: Fox's Budweiser Shootout; Sunday: the 50th annual Grammy Awards on CBS

News shorts
With WGA meetings looming, is strike all but done?
Nielsen: Victoria's Secret had most-watched game ad
WWE smackdown: Wrestling ends 10-year CW run
Touched by a scandal? FBI probing at Bauer title.
Wisconsin paper using web focus to up circulation

Web shorts
Forrester: Recession won't hurt social networking $
Facebook, se habla espanol? Yes, finally, it does.
Next step in online banking: Scanning check deposits
Microsoft: We found some $900M in pirated software

People
Jerry Ferrara becomes VP and national advertising sales director at IBD
Katharine Weymouth rises to publisher of The Washington Post
MTV president Christina Norman leaving the network
Kathleen Kayse joins Discovery Communications as EVP of digital media sales
Tina Barseghian becomes editor in chief at Craft
Sheila Buckley rises to VP of national ad sales at The Weather Channel
Terry Mackin joins Univision Communications as president of TV station group
Roy Bank joins Merv Griffin Entertainment as president of television
Neil Goldstein joins Maxim as associate publisher
Joseph Esposito becomes promotion manager at Wenner Media
Geoffrey Morrison joins Home Entertainment as editor in chief
Joshua Jackson starring in Fox's sci fi pilot 'Fringe'
ABC orders up Mike Judge animated show 'Goode Family'

Monday, Feb. 11, 2008

Overnights
'Grammys' hits a sour note in ratings
Yearly awards show averages a 6.9 in 18-49s, off 17 percent from last year's 8.3. Blame viewer fatigue as strike nears end?

Television
'Strike's over, so let us now move on'
All the talk today is about getting back to work. The real test for the networks will be in just how well their new reality slates fare.

Research
Coming at you real fast, time-shifting
Talked about for so long, it's now happening in a big way among television watchers. Talking with Solutions Research's Kaan Yigit.

Popcult
At the movies, 3D's hot all over again
Features like 'Hannah Montana' are the big new hope for studios looking for ways to drag consumers away from their TVs and PCs

Out of Home
Your client offering skiers helpful tips
Signage at winter resorts featuring instruction from top skiers and snowboarders at ski lifts and in lodges, along with ad messages

TV This Week
Love so sweet it has its very own Flav
The wacky dating show has been a huge hit for VH1, and now 'Flavor of Love' returns for its third season with a few new twists

News shorts
Weekend overnights: NBC takes a slow Friday night
Clinton rips MSNBC over Shuster's 'pimping' comment
Women still lagging in radio management positions
Study: British men would forgo s#% for a bigger TV
With Grammys, Hollywood puts the strike behind it

Web shorts
Microhoo may not happen, but how about YahAOL?
ComScore: Writers' strike sparks online video boom
Tuned in: Third of Chinese cell owners listen to music
Auction site offers to buy back hot historical papers

People
John Day becomes U.S. online sales director at The Financial Times
Jackie Leo joins iAmplify.com as business development consultant
Bill Foltz joins Gorilla Nation as CFO
Stephanie Burton becomes editor in chief at CollegeOTR.com
Ivan Oransky joins Scientific American as managing editor online
Marianne Coppock joins Des Moines Radio Group as senior marketing manager
Susan Freeman joins Beasley Broadcast Group as communications manager
NPR's Jane Wales becomes VP of philanthropy and society at Aspen Institute
'Fox News Watch's' Eric Burns and panelist Neal Gabler out
St. Louis DJ J.C. Corcoran suspended after shooting rampage remarks
'The Insider's' Pat O'Brien checks into rehab
'Jaws' actor Roy Scheider dies at age 75
'Top Model's' Jael Strauss settles invasion-of-privacy lawsuit

Alternative media
A sign of the times, from Greenpeace
Take note, tiger crossing just ahead
Notes on a wire, and music to the eyes
An 'American Idol' welcome, writ large



Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2008

Overnights
NBC stays well ahead Monday nights
Supersized 'Deal' and 'Gladiators' average 4.0 in 18-49s, ahead of Fox by 18 percent, as 'Gladiators' heads into its season final

Television
ABC declares itself primed for the fall
Deft timing: Renews nine shows for the coming season, just as the writers vote on a new contract ending their three-month strike

Magazines
Celeb titles settle in for the long race
Some show circulation gains, while others are off, but the much- talked-about shakeout isn't evident. Big gainer: UK import Ok!

New media
The streaming of TV shows is so now
More users are doing it as the networks make it easier, and their numbers are growing, despite the belief that it's still years away

Cable
Taste this: Campaigning to save '4400'
Fans of the USA show send in sunflower seeds as they rally for a return of the canceled sci-fi series. Just call it the 'Jericho' effect.

TV This Week
For 'Jericho,' a much darkened skyline
Fans waged an impressive campaign to bring it back, but once back it must prove itself to CBS, competing in a tough timeslot

News shorts
Martha makes blueprint for new oversized magazine
So who won the writers' strike? Very possibly no one.
Arbitron: Super Bowl gives radio listening a big kick
Programming notes: A&E orders rare scripted drama
Two CBS News journalists feared kidnapped in Iraq

Web shorts
BlackBerry sours: Outage knocks out device service
Following protests, eBay backpedals on raising fees
Video on demand: The new web way to look for a job
Now at Starbucks, cheaper wifi with pricey drinks

People
Glenn Rosenbloom becomes president at Alpha Media
Dan Renaldo becomes EVP of television production at NBC Universal
'Ugly Betty' producers Marco Pennette and James Hayman leave show
Asha Olivia becomes national director of new business development at SBS
Jim Berra becomes SVP and GM at Rodale Online
Stephen Hillwig joins Titan Worldwide as SVP and NA operations director
Lynn Kadri rises to VP of special events marketing at ESPN
Scott Perkins joins TV One as VP of creative services
Lori Conkling becomes EVP of distribution at Lifetime Networks
Clark Bunting rises to president of Discovery Emerging Networks
Tribune Interactive president Tim Landon replaced by Mark Sotir
Timothy Russell joins TV Guide Network as VP of national advertising sales
Don Scotti and Joe Takats found marketing agency Sweet Spot Productions


Wedneday, Feb. 13, 2008

Overnights
Ho-hum of a return for CBS's 'Jericho'
Revived drama averages a 2.5 rating in 18-49s, off 11 percent from last season's average, despite big fan push to bring it back

Television
It's for real: Writers vote to end strike
Networks now rush to get shows back into production and scripts readied to present to media buyers in spring for the coming fall

Television
As the strike ends, ratings take a slide
The Big Five tumble 22 percent in adults 18-49 from a year ago as viewers grow weary of reruns and midseason replacements

Television
For readers, the outlook's looking iffy
They don't see ratings taking a tumble through March but they have some real doubts about how the networks will fare this fall

Cable
On Super Tuesday, CNN shines again
Wins the critical primary night with the three top shows, walking past long-dominant Fox, as it muscles up its campaign coverage

TV This Week
Finding the roots of Morgan Freeman
PBS's 'African American Lives' traces the blood lines of the actor as part of an ongoing series on blacks and American culture

News shorts
Papers re-running controversial Muhammad cartoons
Kidnapped CBS News employees will be freed today
Super Bowl boost? Pro Bowl hits a seven-year high.
Goodbye, CSTV. Hello, CBS College Sports Network.
The word: Murdoch's WSJ getting a dose of culture

Web shorts
Emailers beware: Happy Valentine's, here's a virus
Survey: The average blogger is a white Libertarian
NYC backs plan to ban offenders from social networks
This V-Day, Match wants to hook up with Facebook

People
Marcy Greenberger and Andrea Slodowicz rise at SMG Multicultural
Tom Dunning and Ray Witter join Travel Ad Network
Tom O'Sullivan rises to VP of diary market development at Arbitron
Barry Blyn joins ESPN as VP of consumer insights
Monica Lozano becomes SVP of newspapers at ImpreMedia
Pamela Parker rises to SVP of business affairs at Sony Pictures Television International
John Taylor joins Erwin-Penland as group account director
Marilyn Thompson becomes Washington accountability editor at Washington Post
Randy Rieland rises to SVP of interactive media for Discovery Channel
'24' executive producer Joel Surnow leaving the show
Steven Spielberg dropping out as Beijing Olympics artistic adviser
'Live From Lincoln Center' director Kirk Browning dies at age 86
Kathryn Darienzo and Penelope Scott join Medizine

Thursday, Feb.14, 2008

Overnights
Nip of frostbite for CBS's 'Big Brother'
Reality show averages a 2.1 in 18-49s, down 16 percent from the previous night's debut, in the series' first run during the winter

Research
Big kick for late-game Super Bowl ads
Advertisers with fourth-quarter spots score big, drawing more viewers than the game itself. Victoria's Secret nets 103.8 million.

Dayparts update
'Now, a word from our (only) sponsor'
Single sponsorships are increasingly common, especially on the nightly news, as yet another strategy for getting around ad clutter

Younger viewers
From those Brits: 'In the Night Garden'
Hit BBC toddler series from 'Teletubbies' creators is heading to the U.S., likely soon. Takes wee ones on a soothing trip to sleep.

TV Preview
'Dexter,' a killer drama strikingly done
But the top Showtime series may face a tough time finding an audience on CBS after deep editing to make it fit for broadcast

TV This Week
'And let these hearts not be torn apart'
Love's wonderful but what really matters is money, and CNBC's 'Til Debt Do Us Part' offers couples sage advice on managing it

News shorts
Programming notes: 'Quarterlife' debuting on MTV
Zell-outs: The Tribune Co. plans to axe up to 500 jobs
Laid bare: Naked Cowboy's beef with M&M billboard
With strike over, networks rushing shows back on air
Mensa president ranks the smartest shows of all time

Web shorts
In hopes of dodging Microsoft, Yahoo looks to Rupe
For Valentine's, a phone to rate your lover's sincerity
Paternity puzzle: Woman wins babe e-daddy suit
Scientists perfecting fabric that can recharge a phone

People
Paul Hindle becomes managing partner of Optimedia Inside New York
Stephanie Pater becomes Tribune Company director of real estate
Dan Frechtling and Ross Johnston join Doster
Lynn Brindell rises to EVP of strategic marketing for The Weather Channel
Kristen Kern and Kim Cohen rise at Hallmark magazine
Oliver Downs joins Mindset Media as chief scientist
John Gee joins Navic Networks as VP of advertising sales
Kathryn Kerrigan joins MSG Media as SVP of sales planning and analysis
Paul Fagan and Burrad Marsh join Alchemy Television Group
Dave Barber rises to EVP at Parade
Matthew Heimer rises to deputy editor at SmartMoney Magazine
ABC picks up drama 'Middleman' with Natalie Morales
'Happy Days' actor Henry Winkler testifies in John Ritter lawsuit

Friday, Feb. 15, 2008

Overnights
ABC dips but holds its Thursday lead
Averages a 3.5 in 18-49s, down 15 percent from last week as 'Lost' and 'Eli Stone' hit new lows. NBC and CBS tie for No. 2.

Media economy
Upfront's looking decent, despite it all
Advertiser demand is brisk, even with all the talk of recession, and network inventory's tighter than ever after the writers' strike

Television
'My Dad is Better,' better than nothing
The new NBC reality show is clearly strike fodder, and critics are trashing it mightily, but it could just catch with families and kids

Younger viewers
For teens, Grammys are about dipping
The sinking awards show is sinking a lot faster among 12-17s, and one reason is that they're going online for what interests them

Rachel speaks!
Rachel, I'm being pushed to the side
She's being given administrative assistant tasks after being hired into a job she really liked. She's unhappy. What should she do?

TV This Week
Best tube bets this weekend
Friday: Lifetime's 'Naked' finale; Saturday: TNT's NBA All-Star festivities; Sunday: NBC's 'American Gladiators' season finale

News shorts
Stanton becomes the latest Los Angeles Times editor
Black days for the Gray Lady: Times laying off 100
Programming notes: A fond farewell to 'Girlfriends'
Writers' strike didn't kill upfront presentations after all
Jane pain: Actress drops a real dirty word on 'Today'

Web shorts
Four score? Papers band together to sell web ads.
Nielsen: DVRs up the time spent watching television
Salutation slowdown at many Valentine greeting sites 
Gender divide: Men & women's varying video habits

People
Margaret Lewis joins MediaCom as chief strategy officer
Ken Dhouti joins Avenue A | Razorfish as client partner
Francisco Lozano becomes director of sales development at impreMedia
Angelica Colantuoni, Jessica Trzyna and Meghan Weber rise at Stanton Communications
Temple Williams becomes SVP of production at MTV Networks
Diana Wilkin joins CBS Television as president of affiliate relations
Kristine Welker becomes VP of sales and marketing at CosmoGirl
Laura McEwen becomes publisher at Teen Vogue
New England Cable News founder and president Phil Balboni exits
Elizabeth Williamson becomes regulation reporter at The Wall Street Journal
Suspended MSNBC correspondent David Shuster will return in one week
'Lost's' Bai Ling arrested on shoplifting accusation
'Rhoda' actor David Groh dies at age 68

Monday, Feb. 11, 2008

Overnights
'Grammys' hits a sour note in ratings
Yearly awards show averages a 6.9 in 18-49s, off 17 percent from last year's 8.3. Blame viewer fatigue as strike nears end?

Television
'Strike's over, so let us now move on'
All the talk today is about getting back to work. The real test for the networks will be in just how well their new reality slates fare.

Research
Coming at you real fast, time-shifting
Talked about for so long, it's now happening in a big way among television watchers. Talking with Solutions Research's Kaan Yigit.

Popcult
At the movies, 3D's hot all over again
Features like 'Hannah Montana' are the big new hope for studios looking for ways to drag consumers away from their TVs and PCs

Out of Home
Your client offering skiers helpful tips
Signage at winter resorts featuring instruction from top skiers and snowboarders at ski lifts and in lodges, along with ad messages

TV This Week
Love so sweet it has its very own Flav
The wacky dating show has been a huge hit for VH1, and now 'Flavor of Love' returns for its third season with a few new twists

News shorts
Weekend overnights: NBC takes a slow Friday night
Clinton rips MSNBC over Shuster's 'pimping' comment
Women still lagging in radio management positions
Study: British men would forgo s#% for a bigger TV
With Grammys, Hollywood puts the strike behind it

Web shorts
Microhoo may not happen, but how about YahAOL?
ComScore: Writers' strike sparks online video boom
Tuned in: Third of Chinese cell owners listen to music
Auction site offers to buy back hot historical papers

People
John Day becomes U.S. online sales director at The Financial Times
Jackie Leo joins iAmplify.com as business development consultant
Bill Foltz joins Gorilla Nation as CFO
Stephanie Burton becomes editor in chief at CollegeOTR.com
Ivan Oransky joins Scientific American as managing editor online
Marianne Coppock joins Des Moines Radio Group as senior marketing manager
Susan Freeman joins Beasley Broadcast Group as communications manager
NPR's Jane Wales becomes VP of philanthropy and society at Aspen Institute
'Fox News Watch's' Eric Burns and panelist Neal Gabler out
St. Louis DJ J.C. Corcoran suspended after shooting rampage remarks
'The Insider's' Pat O'Brien checks into rehab
'Jaws' actor Roy Scheider dies at age 75
'Top Model's' Jael Strauss settles invasion-of-privacy lawsuit

Alternative media
A sign of the times, from Greenpeace
Take note, tiger crossing just ahead
Notes on a wire, and music to the eyes
An 'American Idol' welcome, writ large



Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2008

Overnights
NBC stays well ahead Monday nights
Supersized 'Deal' and 'Gladiators' average 4.0 in 18-49s, ahead of Fox by 18 percent, as 'Gladiators' heads into its season final

Television
ABC declares itself primed for the fall
Deft timing: Renews nine shows for the coming season, just as the writers vote on a new contract ending their three-month strike

Magazines
Celeb titles settle in for the long race
Some show circulation gains, while others are off, but the much- talked-about shakeout isn't evident. Big gainer: UK import Ok!

New media
The streaming of TV shows is so now
More users are doing it as the networks make it easier, and their numbers are growing, despite the belief that it's still years away

Cable
Taste this: Campaigning to save '4400'
Fans of the USA show send in sunflower seeds as they rally for a return of the canceled sci-fi series. Just call it the 'Jericho' effect.

TV This Week
For 'Jericho,' a much darkened skyline
Fans waged an impressive campaign to bring it back, but once back it must prove itself to CBS, competing in a tough timeslot

News shorts
Martha makes blueprint for new oversized magazine
So who won the writers' strike? Very possibly no one.
Arbitron: Super Bowl gives radio listening a big kick
Programming notes: A&E orders rare scripted drama
Two CBS News journalists feared kidnapped in Iraq

Web shorts
BlackBerry sours: Outage knocks out device service
Following protests, eBay backpedals on raising fees
Video on demand: The new web way to look for a job
Now at Starbucks, cheaper wifi with pricey drinks

People
Glenn Rosenbloom becomes president at Alpha Media
Dan Renaldo becomes EVP of television production at NBC Universal
'Ugly Betty' producers Marco Pennette and James Hayman leave show
Asha Olivia becomes national director of new business development at SBS
Jim Berra becomes SVP and GM at Rodale Online
Stephen Hillwig joins Titan Worldwide as SVP and NA operations director
Lynn Kadri rises to VP of special events marketing at ESPN
Scott Perkins joins TV One as VP of creative services
Lori Conkling becomes EVP of distribution at Lifetime Networks
Clark Bunting rises to president of Discovery Emerging Networks
Tribune Interactive president Tim Landon replaced by Mark Sotir
Timothy Russell joins TV Guide Network as VP of national advertising sales
Don Scotti and Joe Takats found marketing agency Sweet Spot Productions


Wedneday, Feb. 13, 2008

Overnights
Ho-hum of a return for CBS's 'Jericho'
Revived drama averages a 2.5 rating in 18-49s, off 11 percent from last season's average, despite big fan push to bring it back

Television
It's for real: Writers vote to end strike
Networks now rush to get shows back into production and scripts readied to present to media buyers in spring for the coming fall

Television
As the strike ends, ratings take a slide
The Big Five tumble 22 percent in adults 18-49 from a year ago as viewers grow weary of reruns and midseason replacements

Television
For readers, the outlook's looking iffy
They don't see ratings taking a tumble through March but they have some real doubts about how the networks will fare this fall

Cable
On Super Tuesday, CNN shines again
Wins the critical primary night with the three top shows, walking past long-dominant Fox, as it muscles up its campaign coverage

TV This Week
Finding the roots of Morgan Freeman
PBS's 'African American Lives' traces the blood lines of the actor as part of an ongoing series on blacks and American culture

News shorts
Papers re-running controversial Muhammad cartoons
Kidnapped CBS News employees will be freed today
Super Bowl boost? Pro Bowl hits a seven-year high.
Goodbye, CSTV. Hello, CBS College Sports Network.
The word: Murdoch's WSJ getting a dose of culture

Web shorts
Emailers beware: Happy Valentine's, here's a virus
Survey: The average blogger is a white Libertarian
NYC backs plan to ban offenders from social networks
This V-Day, Match wants to hook up with Facebook

People
Marcy Greenberger and Andrea Slodowicz rise at SMG Multicultural
Tom Dunning and Ray Witter join Travel Ad Network
Tom O'Sullivan rises to VP of diary market development at Arbitron
Barry Blyn joins ESPN as VP of consumer insights
Monica Lozano becomes SVP of newspapers at ImpreMedia
Pamela Parker rises to SVP of business affairs at Sony Pictures Television International
John Taylor joins Erwin-Penland as group account director
Marilyn Thompson becomes Washington accountability editor at Washington Post
Randy Rieland rises to SVP of interactive media for Discovery Channel
'24' executive producer Joel Surnow leaving the show
Steven Spielberg dropping out as Beijing Olympics artistic adviser
'Live From Lincoln Center' director Kirk Browning dies at age 86
Kathryn Darienzo and Penelope Scott join Medizine

Thursday, Feb.14, 2008

Overnights
Nip of frostbite for CBS's 'Big Brother'
Reality show averages a 2.1 in 18-49s, down 16 percent from the previous night's debut, in the series' first run during the winter

Research
Big kick for late-game Super Bowl ads
Advertisers with fourth-quarter spots score big, drawing more viewers than the game itself. Victoria's Secret nets 103.8 million.

Dayparts update
'Now, a word from our (only) sponsor'
Single sponsorships are increasingly common, especially on the nightly news, as yet another strategy for getting around ad clutter

Younger viewers
From those Brits: 'In the Night Garden'
Hit BBC toddler series from 'Teletubbies' creators is heading to the U.S., likely soon. Takes wee ones on a soothing trip to sleep.

TV Preview
'Dexter,' a killer drama strikingly done
But the top Showtime series may face a tough time finding an audience on CBS after deep editing to make it fit for broadcast

TV This Week
'And let these hearts not be torn apart'
Love's wonderful but what really matters is money, and CNBC's 'Til Debt Do Us Part' offers couples sage advice on managing it

News shorts
Programming notes: 'Quarterlife' debuting on MTV
Zell-outs: The Tribune Co. plans to axe up to 500 jobs
Laid bare: Naked Cowboy's beef with M&M billboard
With strike over, networks rushing shows back on air
Mensa president ranks the smartest shows of all time

Web shorts
In hopes of dodging Microsoft, Yahoo looks to Rupe
For Valentine's, a phone to rate your lover's sincerity
Paternity puzzle: Woman wins babe e-daddy suit
Scientists perfecting fabric that can recharge a phone

People
Paul Hindle becomes managing partner of Optimedia Inside New York
Stephanie Pater becomes Tribune Company director of real estate
Dan Frechtling and Ross Johnston join Doster
Lynn Brindell rises to EVP of strategic marketing for The Weather Channel
Kristen Kern and Kim Cohen rise at Hallmark magazine
Oliver Downs joins Mindset Media as chief scientist
John Gee joins Navic Networks as VP of advertising sales
Kathryn Kerrigan joins MSG Media as SVP of sales planning and analysis
Paul Fagan and Burrad Marsh join Alchemy Television Group
Dave Barber rises to EVP at Parade
Matthew Heimer rises to deputy editor at SmartMoney Magazine
ABC picks up drama 'Middleman' with Natalie Morales
'Happy Days' actor Henry Winkler testifies in John Ritter lawsuit

Friday, Feb. 15, 2008

Overnights
ABC dips but holds its Thursday lead
Averages a 3.5 in 18-49s, down 15 percent from last week as 'Lost' and 'Eli Stone' hit new lows. NBC and CBS tie for No. 2.

Media economy
Upfront's looking decent, despite it all
Advertiser demand is brisk, even with all the talk of recession, and network inventory's tighter than ever after the writers' strike

Television
'My Dad is Better,' better than nothing
The new NBC reality show is clearly strike fodder, and critics are trashing it mightily, but it could just catch with families and kids

Younger viewers
For teens, Grammys are about dipping
The sinking awards show is sinking a lot faster among 12-17s, and one reason is that they're going online for what interests them

Rachel speaks!
Rachel, I'm being pushed to the side
She's being given administrative assistant tasks after being hired into a job she really liked. She's unhappy. What should she do?

TV This Week
Best tube bets this weekend
Friday: Lifetime's 'Naked' finale; Saturday: TNT's NBA All-Star festivities; Sunday: NBC's 'American Gladiators' season finale

News shorts
Stanton becomes the latest Los Angeles Times editor
Black days for the Gray Lady: Times laying off 100
Programming notes: A fond farewell to 'Girlfriends'
Writers' strike didn't kill upfront presentations after all
Jane pain: Actress drops a real dirty word on 'Today'

Web shorts
Four score? Papers band together to sell web ads.
Nielsen: DVRs up the time spent watching television
Salutation slowdown at many Valentine greeting sites 
Gender divide: Men & women's varying video habits

People
Margaret Lewis joins MediaCom as chief strategy officer
Ken Dhouti joins Avenue A | Razorfish as client partner
Francisco Lozano becomes director of sales development at impreMedia
Angelica Colantuoni, Jessica Trzyna and Meghan Weber rise at Stanton Communications
Temple Williams becomes SVP of production at MTV Networks
Diana Wilkin joins CBS Television as president of affiliate relations
Kristine Welker becomes VP of sales and marketing at CosmoGirl
Laura McEwen becomes publisher at Teen Vogue
New England Cable News founder and president Phil Balboni exits
Elizabeth Williamson becomes regulation reporter at The Wall Street Journal
Suspended MSNBC correspondent David Shuster will return in one week
'Lost's' Bai Ling arrested on shoplifting accusation
'Rhoda' actor David Groh dies at age 68

Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2008

Overnights
Right decent debut for NBC's 'My Dad'
Reality show averages a 3.5 in 18-49s following the best outing of top-rated 'Deal or No Deal' in a year. Network wins sixth Monday.

Overnights
Quite a gallop for NBC's 'Knight Rider'
The Sunday TV movie pulls a hefty 5.0 in 18-49s, as a backdoor pilot that now will most likely lead to the '80s series being revived

Newspapers
The story Chauncey Bailey never filed
An Oakland editor, he knew he was onto something big. So did they. They killed him. Now he's received a George Polk Award.

Popcult
Sam's club: Journalism to churnalism
It's what's happened to the news business in this age of budget slashing: More stories from press releases, less real reporting

Out of Home
Your client going out to the Hamptons
Summer at the beach is a lot closer than you think, and one way to reach the beach set is colorful bags of samples on bus seats

TV This Week
For 'American Idol,' a sag to a bounce
Fox's top primetime show picks up in the ratings entering the semifinals, unlike in past years. Could it be the sweeter Simon?

News shorts
Friday overnights: 'House' reruns lift Fox to first place
Oscars on deck: Ad prices up 8 percent over 2007
Autism advocates rap CBS over 'Brother' statements
Fox flags 1 percent Daytona 500 viewership bump
Programming notes: NBC getting out of 'The Loop'

Web shorts
Hit 'em where it hurts: Nerve's unique Post boycott
Study suggests online predators have unexpected MO
Report: 37 dailies hit 70 percent penetration with web
Orman's 'Oprah' freebie generates 1.1M downloads

People
Priscilla Presley, Kristi Yamaguchi and Adam Carolla join ABC's 'Stars'
L.A. Times features managing editor John Montorio out
NY Observer publisher Jared Kushner launching Politicker.com
Jonathan Oleisky becomes associate publisher at Science News magazine
Adrian Lacey joins Tacoda as managing director
NBC EVP of entertainment Teri Weinberg overseeing program development
Davina Kent joins Comcast Spotlight as director of strategic alliances
Amber J. Lawson joins maniaTV.com as executive producer
Allie Lewis Clapp becomes head of food at Real Simple
James Patrick Herman becomes West Coast editor at Glamour
Maria Padova becomes publisher at Life & Style
People may pay $6 million for Jennifer Lopez baby photos
'Will & Grace's' David Kohan and Max Mutchnick get ABC pilot order


Wedneday, Feb. 20, 2008

Overnights
Dive bomber: CBS's 'Jericho' tumbles
Fan-revived doomsday drama averages a 2.0 in 18-49s for its second outing, off 23 percent from last week. Not a good sign.

Television
NBC: We're going to a full-year season
It's also scrapping the traditional May upfront razzmatazz for April presentations to advertisers to get a jump on the other networks

Research
Why Oscars are a hit with advertisers
There's the huge audience but also less clutter, which is why so many return. Talking with Jon Swallen of TNS Media Intelligence

New media
First came Monkey, now comes Gizmo
Dennis is about to launch its second e-zine for men, this one focusing on boy toys. Media buyers think it could well pull it off.

TV This Week
Bankable: 'America's Next Top Model'
In a sea of reality, the CW show should stand out again as its No. 1 show as Tyra Banks paces her models through their challenges

News shorts
MSNBC: Whoops, that's not Obama, that's Osama
Medical journal: Wrestling and risky behavior linked?
Programming notes: Fox sets its post-strike schedule
Sun tab rises: Amid layoffs, Tribune launches freebie
Martha cooks up a deal to acquire Emeril's assets

Web shorts
The word: MySpace eyeing deal for free web music
'Idol,' already tops on TV, is now the top show site
Judge plugs Wikileaks by closing controversial site
BBC teams with iTunes in first UK broadcaster deal

People
Taymoor Arshi becomes SVP and CTO at Arbitron
Arbitron VP Rich Tunkel becomes radio station services regional manager
Jo Johnson becomes editor of Financial Times Lex column
Blair Baxter, Elmer Sotto and Jay Howard join JumpTV
John McCarthy joins Rodale as VP of Rodale Direct
Sherrie Hentschel joins Impact Advertising Group as president
Wenda Harris Millard joins ContextWeb board of directors
Mark Livingston and Cary Miller join Reactrix Media Network
Brett Goodman rises to SVP of strategic partnerships at NBC Universal Sports
Melanie Brown joins 'Access Hollywood' as guest correspondent
Kimora Lee Simmons returning to Style's 'Life in the Fab Lane'
Duane 'Dog' Chapman returning to TV after three months
Tony Shalhoub returning for season seven of 'Monk'

 

Thursday, Feb.21, 2008

Overnights
Tyra on fira: 'Top Model' shoots back
Season 10 debut averages a 2.5 in CW's target 18-34s, which boosts network to No. 3 for the night. Best night since December

Television
Scratch off the imported cable shows
Call them strike fodder: 'Dexter' and 'L&O: CI.' They're not doing well, with ratings lower than those of reruns of network shows.

Cable
NBA rebounds with hot All-Star Game
Brighter season on TNT after a down year, especially with young men, capped by last weekend, as the league regains its juice

Magazines
For the woman within, Psychologies
Not the usual women's title, yet it's caught on in the UK, and the French import is expanding globally, with a beachhead in the U.S.

Television
The inside skinny on the Oscar races
Julie Christie could well win best actress for 'Away' but Marion Cotillard is gaining. Talking with eFilmCritic.com's Erik Childress.

TV This Week
As the Oscars loom, 'The Incredibles'
The 2004 winner for best animated film, the movie airs on ABC Family against other past winners. Creator Brad Bird is up again.

News shorts
Tribe members suing New York Post over editorials
Fox slips past CBS for season lead in total viewers
FCC holds up ABC fines over 'Blue' moon indecency
Programming notes: ABC sets post-strike schedule
Out of print: Scripps shuttering Albuquerque Tribune

Web shorts
Google jumps onto video with new AdSense program
Ooh-la-Lohan: Lindsay pictures crash NY mag site
Coming soon, a video game that reads brainwaves
Berry annoying: Outages sideline PDAs yet again

People
Peter Granath becomes associate publisher at The Week
CNET editor in chief Jai Singh stepping down
Jonathan Miller joins OpenX as chairman
Spencer Hunt becomes VP of game production at Sony Pictures Television
David Jones becomes interim managing editor at The Washington Times
Six promotions and new hires at Moroch Partners
Stacy Alexander, Leah Horwitz, Trevor Rose and Denise Bishop rise at VH1
Jim Impoco becomes contributing editor at NY Times Magazine
Chris Wragge becomes co-anchor on Saturday's 'The Early Show'
Steven Bulzoni becomes president of domestic entertainment at York Entertainment
Kyle Nelson suing ABC News over 2006 'Primetime' abuse tape
'Law & Order: CI's' Vincent D'Onofrio welcomes baby boy Luca
Jesse L. Martin leaving 'Law & Order' as Anthony Anderson steps in

Friday, Feb. 22, 2008

Overnights
First Thursday 'Idol' a winner for Fox
Network carries the night with 6.6 in 18-49s, almost double No. 2 ABC's 3.4, while whacking into 'Survivor,' which hits a season low

Television
Buyers high on NBC's 12-month plan
Say year-round programming makes good sense for advertisers and viewers. Their big concern: Will NBC make the commitment?

Dayparts update
Flash! Ferguson tops O'Brien. Or not.
CBS claims first win for the late-night chatter over his rival, but NBC yells foul, noting CBS tallies only four of the five weeknights

TV Preview
'Amne$ia,' easily forgettable, actually
Newest NBC game show asks personal questions of contestants, but the real question is whether viewers will care. It's a tough call.

Rachel speaks!
Rachel, I'd like to move from clientside
The writer, a media planner looking to join an agency, wonders just how difficult it will be to make the job switch. Rachel explains.

TV This Week
Best tube bets this weekend
Friday: 'Monk' season finale on USA; Saturday: Tennessee vs. Memphis on ESPN; Sunday: Oscars on ABC with Jon Stewart

News shorts
Parsing the peaks and valleys of Oscar viewership
Study: TV spots losing effectiveness, marketers say
Bottom line: ABC appealing FCC's 'NYPD Blue' fine
'Friday Night' fight: NBC weighs options for next year
Times kerfuffle: Debating the ethics of McCain story

Web shorts
Online Oscars buzz: Depp wins hearts if not ballots
About Facebook: UK social networking craze slows
McAfee: Hackers refining their product via want ads
The new web rage: Networks airing classic TV shows

People
Kellie Watt joins and Michael Brennock Jr. rises at DJG Marketing
Philip Manwaring joins Gospel Music Channel as VP of digital media
Dean Valentine launches Comedy.com
Tracy Raiser and Chris Sanders becomes VPs of sales at About.com
John Heffron joins Ion Media Networks as SVP of networks distribution
Staci Hayes becomes director of creative affairs at CBS Films
Brian J. Fays rises to EVP of direct response ad sales at MTV Networks
Susan Fortin joins Red Tettemer as account director
Josh Dickey rises to deputy West Coast entertainment editor at Associated Press
'Sopranos'' Edie Falco cast in new untitled Showtime pilot
Rufus Sewell cast in 'Eleventh Hour' pilot for CBS
The word: Jennifer Lopez gives birth to boy-girl twins
Si TV SVP of ad sales Steve Levin dies of cancer at age 59

Monday, Feb. 25, 2008

Overnights
Early numbers show an Oscars tumble
ABC awards show averages a 21.9 household rating in metered markets, off by 21 percent from last year. Not a good sign at all.

Media economy
In media, the new mantra of dialogue
Buyers be warned: Era of pushing ads is fast ending, says one researcher. New model connects the advertiser with consumers.

Television
Readers peg it: Stewart shines as host
It was the one performance that has folks talking, and it was what media buyers had expected in a Media Life poll posted last week

Popcult
Youthful glow for London's West End
Ticket sales are up for musicals as young folks flock to the theater district. Credit reality shows created to find singers for the shows.

Out of Home
Your client appealing to church-goers
Advertisers can deliver messages to congregations with posters and postcards, even targeting by zip code and by denomination

TV This Week
Broadway's best, 'A Raisin in the Sun'
ABC airs a three-hour television movie of the stage hit, with much of the original cast, ironically a side benefit of the writers' strike

News shorts
Failure to launch: Nielsen and Arbitron nixing Apollo
Weekend overnights: A decent debut for 'Amne$ia'
Coming soon in USA Today, a new lifestyle magazine
Flashback: FCC fines Fox over long-gone 'Married'
Study: Super ads generate loads of pregame stories

Web shorts
Pakistan sends YouTube offline over offensive video
Sarkozy: As approval level dips, web video hits soar
Splish splash, SI swimsuit issue blazes a new path
Listen up: Booming growth for web radio last year

People
DDB Chicago managing director for creative Paul Tilley dies at 40
Charlie Kireker replacing Stephen L. Green as chairman at Air America
Vince Manze moves to president at NBC Universal Creative Services
John-David Currey, Larry Hart and Ron Hayes rise at NBC Agency
Anna Harvey and Carol Cornuau rise at Condé Nast International
Jim Sammartino becomes associate publisher at Blender
Emmy Hooker and Brittany Pierce rise to marketing managers at Great!
Eric Levitan rises to COO at Argo Systems
David Hoxley joins Vanity Fair as executive assistant 
Dan Uslan becomes publisher at Michigan Avenue
Ashley Baker becomes deputy editor at The Daily Fashion Mini
Phil's daughter Lily Collins becomes Nick entertainment correspondent
New Jersey newspaper columnist Jonathan Maslow dies at age 59

Alternative media
'Oops! Huh? Did I back into that bike?' 
Just the ticket: Parked car as airline ad
Hockey fans cheering for Topvar beer 
Dog names in the snow, with a point


Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2008

Overnights
'Raisin in the Sun' wins night for ABC
Original movie averages a 3.6 in 18-49s, breaking NBC's six-week Monday winning streak and sinking competing new shows

Television
For the Oscars, it was a stacked deck
A number of forces conspired to make it the worst ever in ratings, from the dour themes of the leading movies to the writers' strike

TV Preview
'Quarterlife,' a little show with big eyes
NBC drama comes to broadcast from the internet, and while it's not likely to pull in big ratings, how it does will be watched closely

Research
Mobile TV's looking like a big turnoff
Lots of people are trying it, but even more are quitting over cost and reliability of the service. Talking with M:Metrics' Paul Goode.

New media
From the FT, a lush invite to network
Financial Times creates a social networking site for media and tech executives, with lots of perks. But it's not cheap at $3,400.

TV This Week
Peeps: A spycam on life's real dramas
ABC 'Primetime' cameras capture folks' reactions to disturbing events. No-lose bid for viewers during script-thin post-strike days.

News shorts
Hmm: Maxim gives unseen, unheard album 2.5 stars
New tricks at age six: 'Monk' finale sets a series high
Conspiracy theory: What happened to '60 Minutes?'
Cox, ABC and affiliates introducing TiVo-proof VOD
Sporting chance: British tabs get a laddie makeover

Web shorts
IAB: Internet ad spending hit record $21B last year
Behind the Face-off: Why social network traffic slid
Piece of the pie: Super surge for online pizza orders
Behind the where, why and when of video viewing

People
Ex-publisher Daniel Magnus sues Metro New York over severance
David Botero becomes director of media at andCulture
Liza Bychkov becomes director at Shadow PR
Randel McDowell joins Media Two as VP and advertising director
Independent video site Heavy.com hires six new employees
Allan Infeld joins Fuse as SVP of advertising sales
Robin Burchill joins Fluid as editor
Lou Kirchen and Dale R. Woods become regional VPs at Local TV
Four rise at NBC Universal in TV Networks Distribution
Catherine Mullen becomes SVP of strategy at Discovery Networks International
Robert Ivins joins Comcast Spotlight as VP of data development
Katherine Skiba becomes nation and world writer at U.S. News & World Report
Leah Wyar becomes deputy beauty director at Self Magazine

Wednesday, Feb.27, 2008

Overnights
A bum premiere for NBC's 'quarterlife'
Web-to-TV drama averages a 1.6 in 18-49s, losing over half of
its hefty 'Biggest Loser' lead-in. Will the network stand behind it?

Research
The strike over, the real hurt settles in
Ratings tumble by a quarter as reruns take over, and they're likely to stay down until new episodes return. But will viewers return?

Television
Smackdown! WWE's moving to MNTV.
Network's wrestling deal is a major bid to build a male audience, much as UPN did, as it moves toward a lineup heavy on reality

Cable
'Envelope, Please: Gary Busey for . . .'
E! network gets all the post-Oscar buzz for a video of the has-been actor planting an of-the-moment smooch on Jennifer Garner

TV This Week
For 'Back to You,' sweet kiss of 'Idol'
Once-promising sitcom returns, airing after the Fox hit, and the boost could well revive its chances for winning a second season

News shorts
Appeals court flags Comcast for NFL Network switch
Recession indicator? Big stink over Google click #s.
Programming notes: Ashton Kutcher is everywhere
Strike struck: WGA members approve new contract
Study: Oscar viewers actually hadn't seen nominees

Web shorts
It's all about engagement: Microsoft's new ad plan
Pakistan ends brief YouTube ban over Quran trailer
Microsoft's Hotmail accounts go cold after tech glitch
No door Matt: Kimmel's Affleck revenge video a hit

People
John Montgomery rises to COO at GroupM Interaction
Evan Richheimer rises to New York sales manager at Titan Worldwide
Oscars producer Gil Cates apologizes to Whoopi Goldberg for exclusion
Vicki Wellington becomes publisher at CosmoGirl! magazine
Amy Chernoff becomes VP and publisher of American Profile
John Ko joins qubo as affiliate marketing director
Francois Martin joins Dimension Films as SVP of marketing
Todd Carville rises to SVP of sales at NetShelter Technology Media
Laura Frasca rises to VP of development at Atlas Media
Kurt Garbe joins SolutionSet as CEO
Todd Ackley joins Ion Media Networks as VP of national long form sales
Chico White rises to VP of traffic at Comcast Network Advertising Sales
Christina Glorioso joins MTV Networks as VP of sales and marketing partnerships

Thursday, Feb. 28, 2008

Overnights
ABC's 'Men in Trees' falls on its return
Second-year show averages a 1.7 in 18-49s in its new timeslot, night's lowest rated on the Big Four, dimming hopes for renewal

Research
Buyers: TV still works as ad medium
Disagree with marketers that it's become less effective. They're high on magazines but many think the web is being over-hyped.

Magazines
Booster shot for free Brit men's titles
ShortList and Sport are now the largest magazines for males, new ABC data reveals, and buyers say they've revitalized the field

Dayparts update
Hottest return for 'Saturday Night Live'
NBC late-nighter sees best ratings in two years after four-month strike hiatus, and it should hold much of that into the elections

Magazines
Long, sweet good-bye to Bill Buckley
His rumpled presence was a fixture of American media over many decades, as was his wit and intelligence. He'll be missed.

TV This Week
All-Star afterglow: Spurs versus Mavs
NBA ratings are up following the big game, and they should hold when top-ranked San Antonio and Dallas take to the court on TNT

News shorts
Philly Newspapers makes latest round of paper cuts
Coming soon to magazine stands, Girls Gone mild
Place your bets: Where will Leno land after 2009?
Harsh rhetoric, high ratings: MSNBC debate soars
Going green for green: British papers chase readers

Web shorts
Hard liners: EU socks Microsoft with $1.3 billion fine
Time Inc. dominates MPA's web magazine awards
Sixteen-year-old tracks down mugger via MySpace
Bill Gates gets LinkedIn: He likes tennis and bridge

People
About.com head Scott Meyer leaving
Robert J. Dickey becoming president of Gannett newspaper division
Steven Stein rises at Tacoda to Northwest director of ad sales
Gerry Byrne heading up new entertainment division at Nielsen Business Media
Evan Kroft and Laurissa Ryan rise to senior directors at CMT Music
Matt Kluft and Terry Houston rise to VP at Katz Radio
Dana DeSanto rises to director of consumer and affiliate marketing for Versus
Laurie Orlando joins ESPN as SVP of talent development
Nielsen Company forms national Hispanic/Latino Advisory Council
Charles Barkley staying with Turner Sports
'American Hot Rod' star Boyd Coddington dies at age 63
Steelers radio announcer Myron Cope dies at age 79
Ontario Review founder Raymond Smith dies at age 77


Friday, Feb. 29, 2008

Overnights
A worrisome melody for ABC's 'Lost'
Fox's 'Lyrics' pulls up just behind island drama, boosted by 'Idol,' with a series-high 5.2 in 18-49s and placing first in total viewers

Television
Stinker February sweeps, save for Fox
CBS falls 41 percent in 18-49s, while ABC sinks 31 percent and NBC by 17 percent. Fox dips 6 percent, Super Bowl excluded.

TV Preview
'Unhitched,' bad boys acting way bad
New Fox Sunday night sitcom aims to be outrageous--meaning gross--and a big plus is the might of the shows that lead into it

Younger viewers
Among kids, reality rules on broadcast
And often it's shows that are turnoffs with adults. The latest is 'My Dad is Better,' which ranks just after 'American Idol' with 2-11s.

Rachel speaks!
Rachel, should I ask for a career plan?
Is it something an agency ought to provide? A young planner is curious. Rachel responds: Don't expect it. Create your own plan.

TV This Week
Best tube bets this weekend
Friday: History's 'Battle 360;' Saturday: American Cup on NBC; Sunday: premiere of 'Oprah's' Big Give' on ABC and FX's 'Dirt'

News shorts
Veteran NBC sitcom scrubbing in over at rival ABC?
Zell strikes again: Cuts 120 more jobs at Newsday.
Zogby: Two-thirds say journalists are not up to snuff
NBC quashes 'quarterlife,' booting web show to Bravo
Calif. paper: We won't tolerate kitten strangling jokes

Web shorts
NPD Group: Internet music sales up by half in 2007
Brit businesses just aren't that into social networking
Facebook teams with Harvard Law to fight predators
Study: Many employees canned for internet abuse

People
'Family Guy' creator Seth MacFarlane writing new spinoff?
Dana Michaelis, Jake Kovacik and Kerry Andrews rise at Prime Point Media
Mark MacQuarrie and Mary Goodell join Mediasmith
Lee Ettinger joins York Entertainment as VP of business development
Charlotte Hays joins In Character as editor
Terri Johnson Murray and Julie Rose McCully found Grapevine Multimedia
Emil Wilbekin joins Giant as editor in chief
Barbara Fedida rises to VP of talent at CBS News
Jason Fine and Eric Bates rise at Rolling Stone
Luci Scott becomes senior director of project development at Parade
Billy Ray Cyrus hosting 'Nashville Star'
Rossi Morreale hosting 'Can You Duet'
'One Day's' Valerie Bertinelli hosting her own talk show

Monday, March 3, 2008

Overnights
'Oprah's Big Give' gives back big time
The daytime queen's new show does a 5.3 in 18-49s, making it the top show of the night and helping ABC tie with Fox for No. 1

Commentary
They're back, the snake oil sales folks
Over-hyping of the internet as the killer medium is back in full force. In reality, traditional media has far less to fear these days.

Cable
Broadcast's loss becomes cable's gain
February turns into a hot month for the networks as viewers flee reruns on broadcast, with nine of the 10 largest up over last year

Popcult
'I've got MAI (minor ailment initialitis)'
ED. RLS. CHP. How frightening they do sound. That's the idea. They lend authority to drug ads on TV, and a sense of knowledge.

Out of Home
Your client's spot on NYC bus shelters
Video screens are capable of airing 30-second ads, and paired with illuminated signs, they're seen by bus riders and passersby

TV This Week
For wee ones, short end of the shtick
'Little People, Big World,' which captures the hard life of a dwarf family, returns on TLC, where it led to a dramatic ratings bump

News shorts
Weekend overnights: CBS takes Friday with 'Price'
MRC says N-O to NY and Philly PPM accreditation
'Early' exit: Ross may be bounced after six months
Nielsen: J.C. Penney had Oscars' highest-rated ad
White House aide admits to plagiarizing columns

Web shorts
Virginia higher court upholds spammer's jail sentence
More arrests in Hong Kong star's nude pics scandal
Lost in translation: Users put Facebook in German
Plugged in: Wikileaks reboots over bank's objections

People
Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton makes 'SNL' appearance
NBC Universal integrated media boss Beth Comstock switching jobs?
Danielle Coppola becomes VP of client relations at Carlsen Resources
Brandii Toby-Leon and Peter Moore rise at DIY Network
Frank Donaldson joins V-me as SVP and director of sales
Jeff Hamstad rises to VP of human resources at Comcast Spotlight
Beth Burke joins Food Network as director of programming
Drew Tappon joins 495 Productions as head of development
Daryl Bowman becomes advertising director at Condé Nast Traveler
Pamela Norwood joins Travel + Leisure as VP and associate publisher
Honor Brodie rises at InStyle to assistant managing editor
Mary Haskin joins Time Inc. sales and marketing as VP of marketing
WBLI-FM co-host Randy Spears suspended for trailer trash joke

Alternative media
Look hair, see the man's head moving
Most clever plug for conserving water
Newest bar thing: Seat-saver coasters
'Watch Spot jump! And look how high!'



Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Overnights
Royal flush: Walters special tops night
ABC's look at queen and kin averages 3.7 in 18-49s, edging out Fox's 'Sarah Connor' finale and helping the network tie for No. 1

New media
Forecast: Web will halt global ad slide
Tougher years are ahead with the looming recession but internet spending will keep soaring, reaching a 21 percent share in U.S.

Cable
Cable news soars on the Obama effect
Stealing away broadcast viewers covering the hot race for the Democratic nomination. CNN up 113 percent over last February.

TV Preview
'New Amsterdam,' Manhattan muddle
Cop, nearly 400 years old, searches for love as he solves crimes. The first kiss promises to be a doozy on this offbeat Fox drama.

Television
All the buzz that's late night television
Viewing is up among 18-34s since the return of chatters, as is total usage season to date. Talking with Magna's Brian Hughes.

TV This Week
They were there: Birthing the internet
The Science Channel examines the rise of the web through the people who were its creators in this two-part, four-hour special

News shorts
Turner: We're moving our upfront to broadcast week
Food Network chops Brit chef for cooked resume
Diva's lesbian Lennon homage too racy for retailer
CW scraps comedy department and issues renewals
This year's 'Idol' scandal: Was Hernandez a stripper?

Web shorts
Months before the Olympics, meet the athletes online
Study: Airport wireless networks can be dangerous 
Backed by Jack: 1M watch Nicholson's Clinton video
Oprah, Oprah everywhere: Winfrey's new webcast

People
Disgraced former media baron Conrad Black reports to prison
Eduardo Dehesa-Conde rises to group creative director at Draftfcb
Three added to sales team at NetShelter Technology Media
Karen Rinaldi becomes SVP, GM and publishing director at Rodale Books
James G. Gallagher becomes EVP and general counsel at Rainbow Media
Pauline Bohm and Rachel Mansson rise at NBCU International TV Distribution
Alex Godelman becomes VP of technology at Gorilla Nation
Amy Entelis becomes SVP of talent strategy at ABC News
Wayneston Harbeson becomes director of operations for NATPE
Melissa Gerard rises to senior account director at StoreBoard Media
Steve Sarantos rises to SVP and director of sales at Christal Radio
Nicole Carroll becomes executive editor of The Arizona Republic
Brad Pitt and Bono among guests for 'Idol Gives Back'

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Overnights
Not a lot of suds for 'New Amsterdam'
New Fox fantasy cop series averages a 4.6 in 18-49s but holds only 44 percent of its 'American Idol' lead-in, after mixed reviews

Television
Post-strike, CBS reruns are doing best
Small consolation: 'Two and a Half Men' and 'CSI' repeats rank in top 25 of the week and beat some originals on other networks

Television
What's working this year: The remake
Most of the top new shows are that or spinoffs. Others are being propped up by their strong lead-ins. Few really stand on their own.

Cable
'Oh, let's dance, let's dance on cable'
It's where the new competitions are popping up, after starting on broadcast. Latest, 'Your Mama Don't Dance,' gets a strong start.

TV This Week
Cakewalker: Bravo's 'Project Runway'
Modeling reality show finale will likely top shows on broadcast, following a record February as networks slogged through reruns

News shorts
ABC and NBC newscasts each grab sweeps victory
Pay to play: WSJ writers must kick back on book deals 
FCC: We're investigating Alabama station blackout
Programming notes: NBC starts summer slate in May
Freyed not: O, the Oprah magazine edits book plug

Web shorts
Nielsen: More than half who see mobile ads respond
Ask's big question: Will focusing on women pay off?
Report: Ad spending on video games will hit $650M
Italian man jailed for posting naked photos of his ex

People
Sheryl Sandberg becomes new COO at Facebook
Jennifer Goodman Linn becomes SVP of brand marketing at Nick/MTVN
Charlotte Koppe rises to VP of station relations at Warner Bros. DTD
Ethan Simblist becomes director of business development at ContextWeb
Superna Kalle rises to SVP of int'l networks for Sony Pictures TV
Newsday associate editor Rich Galant leaving after 34 years
Bobby Rock joins Echo Bridge Entertainment to handle acquisitions
Melanie Morgan loses her Citadel Broadcasting radio show
Paris Hilton guest starring on NBC's 'My Name is Earl'
Miley Cyrus to perform on Nick's 'Kids Choice Awards'
Lindsay Lohan's mother gets her own reality series on E!
Zoey Dean helps CW get 'Filthy Rich'
Mira Sorvino starring in NBC miniseries 'The Last Templar'

Thursday, March 6, 2008

Overnights
Post-strike dip for Big Three networks
Ratings are down 11 percent in 18-49s for ABC, NBC and CBS from last week, while 'American Idol' keeps Fox well out ahead

Cable
A huge Tuesday night for cable news
All three networks see big bumps in their ratings for coverage of the Texas and Ohio races, with CNN well ahead in the key demos

Magazines
In Britain, celeb craze may be cooling
At least the nastier side of it, new circulation data suggests. Or it could be the celebrity-stalking magazines are being out-spent.

Research
Media's so very social for college kids
It extends beyond social networking sites to how they watch television, often in groups. Talking with Youth Trends' Josh Weil.

Dayparts update
Boy o boy, that kiss wasn't just a kiss
Noah and Luke shared the first gay kiss ever on a soap, CBS's 'As the World Turns.' Fans are irate they haven't kissed in months.

TV This Week
For 'Celebrity Rehab,' a sobering ride
It's been gripping, perhaps too, for many viewers, and its finale is sure to be down. But it's so VH1 that it will likely return anyhow.

News shorts
ANA study: Most marketers favor 52-week TV season
Programming notes: '24' bridging a gap with fall film
Publisher Ziff Davis files for bankruptcy protection
FT tries to convert Facebook students into readers
At the House, NFL and cable carriers throw elbows 

Web shorts
Piracy pact: Movie studios settle in Chinese lawsuit
The word: Facebook flirting with major music deals
Unfriendly skies? Denver airport blocks racy sites.
Survey: Americans couldn't live without cell phones

People
Jon Raj joins OMD USA as chief digital officer
Howard Levinson becomes SVP of ad sales at YES Network
Sue Thorman rises to EVP of business development at WorldLink
Endi Piper rises to VP of business and legal affairs at TV One
Roy Levenson joins Rodale as VP of finance
Jane Olson becomes SVP of marketing and brand strategy at Oxygen
Lori Osiecki becomes head of Haydenburri Lane's art department
Ken Johnson becomes director of urban programming for ABC Radio
Michael Rosenberg becomes SVP of creative affairs at Blueprint Entertainment
Planworks GM and president Dennis Donlin stepping down
Chris Strauss becomes features editor at Men's Fitness
Naomi Judd, Brett Manning and Aimee Mayo judging CMT's 'Duet'
Actor Patrick Swayze being treated for pancreatic cancer


Friday, March 7, 2008

Overnights
'Amsterdam' slips on its second airing
Fox detective spooker averages a 3.6 in 18-49s, off 22 percent from its Tuesday premiere, which also aired after 'American Idol'

Media economy
Outlook for cable upfront: Very strong
Advertiser demand's robust, even with the dicey economy, and the big networks aim to gain from broadcast's ratings declines

Television
Dirty dozen: Shows advertisers avoid
Big turnoffs are s#x, violence and dirty talk, and readers rank 'Springer' No. 1. Also on the list: 'Tila Tequila' and 'L&O: SVU.'

Younger viewers
A most dreamy summer: 'Camp Rock'
It's Disney Channel's upcoming hot tween movie, starring the Jonas Brothers. Let the swooning begin. What's also coming up.

Rachel speaks!
Rachel, my pay is just not keeping up
The writer's living expenses continue to rise, not so the paycheck. What happened to cost-of-living increases? Rachel holds forth.

TV This Week
Best tube bets this weekend
Friday: 'Stargate Atlantis' finale on Sci Fi; Saturday: Tar Heels and Blue Devils play on ESPN; Sunday: 'Wire' closes on HBO

News shorts
'Early' exit: CBS boots Ross after stormy six months
Ad-ition by subtraction: SF Weekly pays for scheme
Ratings roundup: 'Runway' finale sashays to record
Programming notes: VH1 orders up more celebreality
Comcast yanks humorous ad after Athol complains

Web shorts
The updated iPhone has BlackBerry-like capabilities
Pentagon to Google Earth: Keep our maps private
Bank on it: District court upholds web gambling ban
Hitwise: 'Idol' market share triples No. 2 show online

People
NPR chief executive officer Ken Stern leaving his post
Hit Entertainment CEO Bruce Steinberg stepping down
Steven Piorkowski rises to VP of corporate communications at Warner Bros.
Bernadette Andrews rises to regional account executive at Cox Media
ESPN magazine editor in chief Gary Hoenig moving up
Mark Zieman becomes publisher at The Kansas City Star
Dennis Johnson becomes NFL Network director of communications
Eric Mongeon joins Science News to oversee design overhaul
A.J. Baime becomes articles editor at Playboy
Indianapolis Star managing editor Pam Fine resigning
Kathie Lee Gifford joining NBC's 'Today' show?
Justin Timberlake bringing Peruvian comedy to NBC
Paris Hilton's brother Barron Nicholas charged with misdemeanor counts

Monday, March 10, 2008

Overnights
Sinking: 'Oprah's Big Give' takes back
Daytime talker's show off 25 percent in its second episode, to a 4.0 in 18-49s, yet it still wins its timeslot and the night for ABC

Television
Just one last bum week of primetime
Fresh episodes of hit shows begin returning next week, and none too soon, with broadcast networks suffering double-digit declines

TV Preview
'Canterbury's Law,' an imperfect soul
She's the woman you want to defend you in court but she's a deeply flawed creature along the lines of characters big on cable

Popcult
New thinking on mommy's little helper
Society regards depression as an illness to medicate but one researcher argues there's good that can come from feeling blue

Out of Home
Your client waving signs on the street
Teams perform at events, with signage part of their act, jumping and tossing and stepping in elaborately choreographed routines

TV This Week
For 'October Road,' it's bumpier ahead
Returning son saga finishes up its second season again on the bubble, but with even weaker ratings renewal's looking less likely

News shorts
Weekend overnights: 'Dateline' sparks NBC victory
Power struggle: Did paper err in printing OTR aside?
The WB lives: New site reairing classic TV episodes
Judge to former reporter: You cough up and pay up
NBC: There's no truth to that Seinfeld show rumor

Web shorts
The word: Beatles library finally making it to iTunes
MobiTV demands forum's free feed links go offline 
German company hopes to take reward cards virtual
Now playing on Facebook, Paramount movie clips

People
Palm Beach Newspapers publisher Tom Giuffrida retiring
Robert Swartz joins Cartoon Network as VP of original series
Lewis Kofsky becomes partner of Curious Pictures
Desi Gallegos becomes senior beauty editor at Seventeen
Joe Neumaier becomes movie critic at New York Daily News
Lisa Jordan Helms becomes associate publisher at Vogue
Stephen Mooallem rises to executive editor at Interview
'Gilligan' and 'Brady Bunch' creator Sherwood Schwartz gets Hollywood star
'NYPD Blue' star Esai Morales won't be charged with rape
HBO orders comedy pilot from 'Will & Grace' producer Jhoni Marchinko
Jill Scott starring in HBO adaptation of 'Detective Agency'
Roger Moore bringing 'The Saint' back to television
People founding publisher Richard J. Durrell dies at age 82

Alternative media
I spy: Acting like a burglar would act 
Feeding the hungry while on the town 
New: Ads projected onto a wall of fog
So rich: Ads on the Staten Island Ferry

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Overnights
Bummer debut for 'Canterbury's Law'
Fox's dark legal drama averages a 1.7 in 18-49s, a dismal fifth in its timeslot. One small consolation: It was hot with the over-50 set.

Sports TV
Swish! Big bucks for March Madness.
Ratings may be flat but ad spending is up 5 percent for the CBS tourney. NCAA postseason is behind only the NFL in ad dollars.

Media economy
Kids upfront: Decent but hardly great
Ad sales are expected to be up slightly over last year, held back by cuts in several key categories. One plus: Scatter is strong.

Research
Ranking TV shows by their buzz factor
There's a lot more than the ratings in evaluating a show's real popularity with audiences. Talking with Optimedia's Greg Kahn.

New media
The hot kids thing: Active multitasking
Where users are engaged with two media and one's influencing behavior with the other, such as visiting a site mentioned on TV

TV This Week
Makeover: CW's 'Beauty and the Geek'
Reworked format pits the women against the men. Can it reverse falling ratings as the show faces its biggest challenge yet

News shorts
Report: Global TV advertising will rise 6 percent in '08
Royal blunder: New Idea apologizes for prince scoop
Programming notes: NBC tracing celeb family trees
MPA's latest move: Planning faster data turnaround
Study: Many find digital magazine ads very appealing

Web shorts
Iger: Web will generate $1 billion for Disney this year
Hulu whoop: Anticipated NBC-Fox video site goes live
ComScore: Heavy bloggers Digg entertainment sites
Study: Political blogs aren't widely read in the U.S.

People
Paul Wilson rises to VP of Olympic sales at NBC Universal
Peter Stothard becomes GM for outdoor sports at Future US
Amy Introcaso-Davis becomes SVP of original programming at Oxygen Media
David Allen rises to VP and creative director at Ad Partners
Jeremy Elice and Ben Davis rise at AMC
Jerrie Van Gelder joins Moroch as managing partner
David Gregory show replacing Tucker Carlson at MSNBC
Laura Gaffney joins NetShelter as vice president for publisher network
Westwood One digital media chief Gary Krantz resigning
AOL Platform A president Curt Viebranz leaving
Helen Donovan, Michael Larkin and Steve Bailey leaving The Boston Globe
Britney Spears guesting on 'How I Met Your Mother'
Lisa Marie Presley suing British Daily Mail over catty fatty comment

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Overnights
Two-hour 'Idol' sweeps Tuesday night
Hit Fox reality show averages a 10.8 in 18-49s, for a 42 percent lead on other four networks combined, as the final rounds begin

Television
Earlier Daylight Savings sinks ratings
Added hour of sun leads to lower household TV usage in early primetime. Sunday's 7 p.m. hour off 7 percent from prior week.

Newspapers
What papers must do to turn the tide
Here are eight suggestions for newspaper publishers for how they can reverse or at least halt slides in circulation and advertising

Cable
Super-hot buildup to March Madness
Saturday's UNC-Duke game draws 3.83 million households, the most for a regular-season game on any network since 2005

TV This Week
Now, heating up the mix, 'South Park'
Wednesdays at 10 is already fiercely competitive, and it's about to get more so with the return of Comedy Central's hit cartoon

News shorts
Court stays reporter's cough-up-or-pay-up order
Programming notes: Reviving hopes for NBC's 'ER'
Univision leapfrogs into No. 2 spot with adults 18-34
Amid the Spitzer mess, a couple cable news bloopers
Losing their religion: British authorities snuff hair ad

Web shorts
TiVo begins offering YouTube videos via television
Apple: Actually, Beatles-iTunes deal is still a rumor
Sparking iPod ignites an Apple Japan investigation
Spitzer fritzer: NY Times site slows after revelation

People
Lee Abrams becomes chief innovation officer at Tribune Company
Libby Hansen rises to SVP of alternative series and specials at NBC
Ken Taylor joins GM Planworks as president
Bouker Pool and Paul Collins rise at Rodale
George Bartman returns to Audit Bureau of Circulations as VP of marketing
David J. O'Hara and Kyle Hoepner rise at New England Home
St. Louis Post-Dispatch AME for business Andre Jackson leaving
Joel Chiodi joins NFL Network as VP of marketing and promotions
Ty Johnson becomes national accounts SE manager at GMC
Chieh Yen joins Blue Room as senior designer
Courtney Norych becomes associate AE at Woods Witt Dealy
J.P. Engelbrecht becomes CEO of South Central Communications
'Gilligan's' Mary Ann gets probation after being caught with weed

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Overnights
Solid 'Moment of Truth' without 'Idol'
Top new Fox reality show averages a 4.1 rating in 18-49s in its new 8 p.m. timeslot now leading into No. 1 show on broadcast

Dayparts update
Network news sees big slide in 18-34s
Just as that demographic surges for cable news shows. CBS is off 21 percent this year, ABC 13.5 percent and NBC 10 percent.

New media
The hot thing that isn't: Political blogs
They were much buzzed about during the last election as the emerging platform of discourse, but few Americans read them

Magazines
Buyers are lukewarm to MPA initiative
Most don't think magazines suffer all that much under current circulation-based measurement, but they'd welcome added data

Research
For older folks, web is not as friendly
They sense the internet is really aimed at the young, with far less content created for them. Talking with Burst Media's Jarvis Coffin.

TV This Week
What makes golf balls soar as they do
It's a curious thing, and worthy of 'Who Knew?' a new National Geographic series that looks into the design of common objects

News shorts
Nielsen Charters a new viewer stream through cable
Upfront update: Comedy Central getting star struck
Expect to see more about politics and sports in WSJ
DirecTV eyes on-demand service for second quarter
Programming notes: CW may revive Fox's '90210'

Web shorts
Soured Apple: ZapMedia sues over iPod technology
New on Facebook, referring friends for a commission
Spam-fighting program failing? Gmail junk doubles.
Virtual reality: R.E.M. drops album on social network

People
MTVN president of network development John Sykes stepping down
Christopher Cormier becomes advertising director of Women's Health
Beth-Ann Eason becomes GM and COO at Beliefnet.com
Food & Wine's Dana Cowin rises to SVP at American Express Publishing
New launch ACME Brand Content Company names David F. Caruso president
Jason Ferster joins Walker Marketing as a writer
Robinson Radio promotes six
Orlando Sentinel public editor Manning Pynn retiring
Tom Carr joins Discovery Communications as SVP of marketing for Planet Green
Barbara Wall and Andy Richley rise at Lionsgate Entertainment
John Fabian joins Outdoor Channel as SVP of Eastern region ad sales
Mariah Carey replacing Janet Jackson on 'SNL'
'The Hills' star Spencer Pratt joins Radar as columnist

Friday, March 14, 2008

Overnights
Broadcast sinks in a night of repeats
CBS wins with a 3.2 rating in adults 18-49 with original episode of 'Survivor' amid reruns. ABC's 'Lost' hits a low for the season.

Television
Hefty network lineups for fall, after all
Fewer new shows are being developed for next season, but the networks will beef up schedules with shows held over from spring

TV Preview
'The Return of Jezebel James,' briefly
The new Fox sitcom is from the creator of 'Gilmore Girls' but the premise is far-fetched and it's been given the Friday heave-ho

Younger viewers
Where Fox has its greatest pull: Teens
It has double the average of its nearest rival, ABC, and it's up this year while the other networks have sunk, dragged down by reruns

Rachel speaks!
Rachel, we've got a ringer on our team
She's a shallow climber and a slinger of bull but the boss is totally taken in. He just adores her. The writer asks, what should I do?

TV This Week
Best tube bets this weekend
Friday: Nickelodeon's new 'H2O;' Saturday: finals in Big East tournament on ESPN; Sunday: CBS's NCAA selection show

News shorts
Upfront update: Nickelodeon is going to the 'Gym' 
Ratings roundup: Good numbers for 'Evil' premiere
CBS's Moonves: 'Yeah, we'll finish No. 2' behind Fox
Ratings Zenith: Nielsen signs first agency for OOH
Total Politics, another British free magazine launch

Web shorts
Social climbing: AOL acquires top British site Bebo
China shoots past the U.S. for most internet users
The latest tool from Google: An online Ad Manager
Gibson: Activision's 'Guitar Hero' violates our patent

People
Zev Shalev joins CBS as senior broadcast producer for 'The Early Show'
Michael G. Riley becomes SVP and GM at Radio Disney
Ted D'Amico joins Monroe Mendelsohn Research as SVP
Karina Dobarro joins as account director for MEC Bravo
Richard Astley and Lindsey Kollross rise at MEC Interaction
Critical Mass appoints five new VPs and managing directors
Mark Miller becomes VP of business development at Javelin Direct
MSN CMO Joanne Bradford leaves to join Spot Runner
Isidro Gonzalez becomes director of sales with SBS
Mary Parent becomes chairperson for Worldwide Motion Picture Group
Steve-O of 'Jackass' charged with cocaine possession
Snoop Dogg appearing on ABC's 'One Life to Live'
Hot stuff? Paris Hilton turns to MTV to find a new 'BFF.'

Overnights
ABC takes Sunday with weaker Oprah
Network averages a 3.2 rating in 18-49s, still 28 percent ahead of No. 2 Fox even as Winfrey's 'Big Give' slips another 10 percent

Sports TV
Full court: Primer on March Madness
Advertising's sold out for the championship series, and UNC's the team to beat. Ratings outlook for CBS: Likely up over last year.

Television
For CBS, fresh horses, none too soon
Tonight sees the first new episodes of its sitcoms since the strike ended, and it could use the boost, with ratings down 21 percent

Popcult
Where brevity is indeed the soul of wit
The first-ever international symposium is held to toast aphorisms, those clever devices capable of capturing life itself in a mere quip

Out of Home
Your client on the deck of cruise ships
New giant TV screens can be seen by passengers by the pool and on the decks of Carnival ships traveling the world's oceans

TV This Week
Killjoy: ABC's 'Dancing with the Stars'
Fresh CBS comedies face ABC's hit dance challenge, which returns with 90-minute episode and Marlee Matlin as a dancer

News shorts
Weekend overnights: No juice for Fox's new 'James'
Rivals Televisa and Telemundo going into business
The word: HBO creative chief getting the upstairs kick
Study: New journalism isn't squeezing out the old
Programming notes: The tale behind James Bond

Web shorts
After Tibetan protests, China blocks YouTube access
Court: Craigslist is not liable for discriminatory ads
Up for bid on eBay, 'The Great Illinois Corn Flake'
Study: YouTube serves up a third of all online videos

People
Debbie Richman becomes EVP of ad sales at Lifetime Networks
Chris Geraci rises to managing director of broadcast investment at OMD
Darlene Levi rises to EVP and managing director at Ad Partners
John Cerna becomes creative director of on-air promotions for qubo
Marshall McKinney becomes art director at Garden & Gun
Ralph Folz and David Pullan rise at Isobar
Laurena L. Emhoff rises at the NY Times to VP and treasurer
David Gilbertson becomes head of Britain's Emap
Shanza Nessa becomes director of multimedia at the Associated Press
Christine Boyle becomes associate publisher of marketing at Metropolitan Home
'Borat's' Ken Davitian cast in Fox's 'Starting Under' comedy
Justine Bateman guesting on 'Desperate Housewives'
Donny and Marie Osmond co-hosting 'Miss USA'

Alternative media
By water's edge, a peekaboo message
Hardly your garden-variety cup of tea
 Dropped trou: A weight loss message
Ultimately green statement: Plant this


Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Overnights
Strong return for fresh CBS comedies
Two-hour block of sitcoms boosts network to No. 2, to average a 3.9 in 18-49s, with 'Mother' and 'Christine' hitting season highs

Cable
For AMC, a well-laid path of originals
Network's great strength is the quality of its series, which have driven ratings gains, but media buyers worry it may push too far

Sports TV
24/7: March Madness in the digital era
This year's game coverage extends to yet more media platforms, including the cell phone. Talking with Northwestern's Irving Rein.

TV Preview
'Miss Guided,' on the right laugh track
New light, quirky ABC sitcom revisiting high school fits in neatly with the network's female-targeting strategy for scripted series

New media
Big chill: Internet's left-out generation
Baby boomers are big users who spend big bucks, so why do many feel ignored in favor of the young? Not so special anymore.

TV This Week
Another go at it for FX's 'The Riches'
Ratings took a slide after a strong start in season one, despite good reviews. Can it climb back? On its side: Favorable timeslot.

News shorts
Supremes: We'll hear FCC's fleeting expletive appeal
Carat: Strike over, viewers coming back to television
Iran government shuttering nine celebrity magazines
Times turns a page with first outside board members
Harp broken: Seven-year-old music magazine folds

Web shorts
Appeals court upholds ruling against game buy ban
CBS launching affiliate advertising network for blogs
Study: Online radio users are also social networkers
'24' digital offshoot features a Jack Bauer associate 

People
Timothy Engel joins Empower MediaMarketing as digital designer
Lisa Valentino and Steve Takeuchi rise at ESPN
Christian Martinez becomes Univision Online Southeastern region VP of ad sales
NYT's George Barrios joins WWE as CFO
Interview's Sandra J. Brant and Ingrid Sischy join European Vanity Fair
Jose Santos becomes VP of Spanish-language radio programming at Border Media
Charles M. Sennott and Matthew McAllester joining Global News Enterprises
Brad Samuels becomes EVP of content distribution at fuse
Randall McCurdy becomes VP of affiliate sales at Starz Entertainment
Dan Hamby joins Discovery Commerce as VP of home video
Jeremy Hubbard becomes co-anchor at 'World News Now'
Robert A. Tramondo joins ELDR Media as VP of advertising
Greg Anthony and Jay Williams join CBS College Sports Network

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Overnights
'Miss Guided' lands short of the mark
New ABC sitcom averages a 2.9 in 18-49s, retaining only 57 percent of its 'Stars' lead-in but still ties for No. 1 in its timeslot

Television
Masters looks hot with Woods on fire
As Tiger goes, so go television ratings for golf, and this season he could enter the top tourney undefeated, with CBS scoring big

Cable
'Let's all return to high school, again'
Three new series revisit those life-defining years, two of them reality shows on cable, and they all look to be off to good starts

Research
A slightly less rosy outlook for online
EMarketer cuts its 2008 forecast to 23 percent growth, citing the economy and social network sites. Talking to David Hallerman

TV This Week
Moment of truth for 'Moment of Truth'
Facing a tougher competitor in CBS's 'Survivor,' the Fox reality show must now show what it's got after its initial boost from 'Idol'

News shorts
The ABCs of ABC: New paid category for papers
Upfront update: Sci Fi beams up 'Galactica' prequel
Hustled by Hustler: Spitzer gal fielding media offers
Radio: A desirable audience but declining dollars
Goodall group to media: Stop monkeying with chimps

Web shorts
Facebook lets friends restrict access to personal info
Toxic typing? State investigating JuicyCampus.com.
EMarketer: 80 percent of mothers are eMommies
Study: New media may be the place to put political $

People
BusinessWeek assistant managing editors Frank Comes and Mary Kuntz exit
Gregg Rothberg becomes head of strategic marketing at Media Storm
Michael Rosen rises to senior broadcast producer at CBS 'Early Show'
Natalie Tomasella and Ben Mumford rise at Titan Worldwide
Joan Gerberding joins Private Label Radio as SVP of advertiser solutions
Janet Tsai Dargan rises at Sony Pictures Television International to SVP of business development
Ex-CBS Radio head Joel Hollander opens 264 Echo Place Partners
Laura Gordon becomes chief innovation officer at The Dallas Morning News
Michael DuPont becomes VP of advertising sales at Oxygen Media
John Gower heading up Future Plus US
Geena Davis starring in CBS pilot 'Exit 19'
Robin Williams guesting on NBC's 'L&O: SVU'
Prolific sci fi author Arthur C. Clarke dies at age 90

Thursday, March 19, 2008

Overnights
'Moment of Truth' beats out 'Survivor'
New Fox reality show averages a 4.1 in adults 18-49 versus a 3.6 for the aging CBS survival series, its toughest competition yet

Magazines
New Yorker leads in NMA nominations
Up for 12 awards for excellence in journalism, with New York up for nine. First-time nominees: Babble, Domino, Chow, Portfolio.

Cable
For FX, challenge is honing the edge
In its favor, it's a top-five network and growing, with brand strength as the HBO of basic cable. But its newer shows are struggling.

Dayparts update
In nightly news, little that's really new
The Big Three newscasts have changed remarkably little in three decades, in format, story picks and delivery, a new study reports

Rachel speaks!
What does 'senior' in a job title mean?
Everything or nothing, depending on who's talking. It is given out in some instances when a real promotion is not in the cards.

TV This Week
Best tube bets this weekend
Thursday: NBC's 'Lipstick Jungle' finale; Friday: TBS's 'Wizard;' Saturday: ABC's 'Ten Commandments;' Sunday: CBS's NCAA

News shorts
Portrait of an NCAA fan: Male, rich and plugged in
British papers apologize and pay out to the McCanns
Yes he can: Obama boosts 'Nightline' to a rare win
Trash talk: San Francisco may fine paper publishers
'Whoops, that wasn't Hillary Clinton that we quoted'

Web shorts
After eBay auction flakes out, sisters rejigger offer
Report: Apple mulls free-music plan for digital players
Bank on it: Wells Fargo introducing an internet safe
Study: A February chill for online search engines

People
Chris Foster becomes CEO for Fallon North America
Susan Kane replacing Janet Chan as editor of the Parenting Group
Olson hires 15 new staffers for its creative team
Greg Coleman joins NetSeer as president and CEO
Christopher R. O'Toole becomes CFO at Invidi Technologies
Peter Fitton becomes VP of international sales at Disney Media Advertising Sales
Henry Hoberman joins RHI Entertainment as EVP and general counsel
Gary Jones becomes president of PorchLight Home Entertainment
Vindu Goel leaving the Mercury News for the New York Times
Mike Miller rises at Comcast Spotlight to executive director of advanced media
Matt Kaplan becomes VP of digital sales at Maxim Digital
Vivica A. Fox's 'Glam God' coming soon to VH1
'Buffy's' Michelle Trachtenberg joining CW's 'Gossip Girl'

Monday, March 24, 2008

Overnights
ABC hops out ahead on a slow Easter
Network averages a 3.1 in 18-49s, ahead of CBS by 24 percent, led by 'Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.' 'Oprah' stops its skid

Media economy
Media buyers: Ad recession's looming
Two thirds say they've already seen budget cuts by advertisers antsy over the economy. Nearly half say slowdown's already here

Television
Bombs away: CBS re-cancels 'Jericho'
Post-apocalyptic series stumbles badly after fans fought for and won its return, drawing even smaller audiences than in year one

Popcult
Buddy, can you spare a dime? Movie?
The economy is ailing but theaters ought to do well this summer. Hard times make going to the movies seem like a real bargain.

Out of Home
Your client's message at the drugstore
Signage on security pedestals at store entrances catch patrons as they enter with can't-miss messages about featured products

TV This Week
Mother lode: A Britney Spears moment
Erratic pop star cameos on 'How I Met Your Mother,' and a ratings lift could edge the newly returned CBS sitcom closer to renewal

News shorts
Suitors calling: Mort and Murdoch vie for Newsday
Weekend overnights: Declining CBS still dominates
Thursday overnights: Less bounce for CBS's NCAAs
Chinese cracking down on Tiananmen Square shots?
Woman sues Oprah studio after tumbling down stairs

Web shorts
Flake out: Illinois-shaped cereal bit sells for $1,350
In China, searching for the advertiser behind text spam
Upcoming Quran-fascism e-film spurs protest worries
Best of the web: YouTube crowns top online videos

People
Jennifer Nyhan joins Initiative as VP and group account director
Peter Fitton becomes VP of international sales at Disney Media
Sylvia Barsotti and Mary Hartley join About.com Health
Karen Watson becomes chief communications officer at Nielsen
Judy Lewis becomes advertising manager at Science News magazine
Samuel Paisley joins and John Gentry rises at Spot Runner
Leslie Sepuka joins Common Sense Media as director of corporate communications
Cy Prince becomes GSM of Cox Media Hampton Roads
Stefan Goldby rises to VP of programming at maniaTV
Fred Thompson returning to acting after failed presidential bid
Fred Savage and Amy Smart cast in CBS pilots
CW orders Simon Fuller drama pilot 'Austin Golden Hour'
Producer William L. Hayward dies at age 66

Alternative media
Another bountiful year for out of home 
Mirror image: Posters that tell a story 
Lifting winter spirits from the depths
Freedom chained, in freedom's cause

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Overnights
CBS spears a win with its fresh shows
Rare Monday lead, averaging a 4.4 in 18-49s and slipping past ABC. Britney 'Mother' cameo lifts the sitcom to a season-high 4.5

Media economy
Ad spending goes limp as 2007 ends
Economic turmoil spreads to the media marketplace by the fourth quarter, dampening growth. Year ends nearly flat, up 0.2 percent.

Cable
For truTV, in hot pursuit of a new self
Former Court TV's challenge is distinguishing itself from the pack, and it's betting on a slew of new shows to create that identity

Research
Real victims of DVRs: Newer products
Study finds DVR households buy fewer packaged goods as they roll out. Talking with Information Resources' J.P. Beauchamp.

New media
War on kiddie junk food moves online
Consumer groups propose a global crackdown that would entirely ban online ads while vastly restricting ads on traditional media

TV This Week
Suddenly, NHL hockey's got the glam
Viewership on Versus is up a quarter this season heading into postseason, as New York's Rangers face the Philadelphia Flyers

News shorts
Programming notes: Fox gives 'Break' a fourth year
Hachette hammers out Pennington magazine launch
Post haste: Rising speculation over a Downie exit
Magna Global to Nielsen: Let's talk commercial pods
The nation's only HBCU daily paper stops printing

Web shorts
DOJ gives OK on XM-Sirius merger. Up next: FCC.
Say cheese: Glitch unwalls private Facebook photos
Different leader, same problem: Cuba censors blog
Lights, camera, no action: Netflix goes on the fritz

People
Chandler Bigelow becomes CFO at Tribune Company
Lauren de la Fuente becomes VP of brand solutions at Reactrix Systems
Eve Maidenberg joins Jumpstart Automotive as senior director
Bonnie Hammer becomes president of cable entertainment at NBC Universal
Gena McCarthy rejoins Discovery as VP of development
Beth Dietrich Segarra joins and Liz Branch rises at Discovery Channel
Jonathan Barzilay joins MediaFLO USA as SVP of programming
Steve Saltman rises to SVP of worldwide television at Image Entertainment
Jeff Sellinger rises to EVP and GM at CBS Mobile
Guinevere Smith becomes AP national entertainment photo editor
Nancy Miller becomes ad sales rep at Writer's Digest
Judy Sage joins Real Simple as executive beauty director
Beatles manager Neil Aspinall dies at age 66

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Overnights
Quiet tip of the hat to CBS's 'Jericho'
Disappointing end for fan-revived disaster drama, with the finale averaging a 1.9 in 18-49s, its second-lowest rating for the season

Television
Coming at you: NBC's upfront hoopla
Sets next week for its primetime lineup presentation to buyers for the coming fall and for the full year too, in a radical departure

Television
Easter lays egg for NCAA men's hoops
Ratings fall 9 percent as fans turn off TV sets to spend time with their families, but CBS still wins the three nights in adults 18-49

Media economy
What's put the brakes on ad spending
Seeds were sown some time back as U.S. marketers grew more cautious. Talking with TNS Media Intelligence's Jon Swallen.

Cable
Meet the Gosselins, the new Cleavers
Cable reinvents the sitcom as a real-life storyline about families that American families can relate to. On TLC, potty-training six.

TV This Week
Star shooters: The McDonald's games
All the nation's top basketball players have competed in this high school-level challenge, including Tennessee's Candace Parker

News shorts
Upfront update: Hallmark keeps movie-ing forward
Not here, Darling: Group gets pol banned from pubs
Coming soon to newsstands, WWE Kids magazine
Twice as Vice: Magazine's glow-in-the-dark cover ad
Jacksonville a-lather over S&M alt weekly feature

Web shorts
WSJ: Online giants eyeing national WiMax network
BMG Music tunes up new subscription music launch
Getting Syria-ous: Government cracks down on web
Open book: Social network sites eye standardization

People
Time assistant managing editor Jan Simpson retiring
Mark Devins joins Ascent Media as director of business development
Greg Nelson becomes director of TV and new media at Faith & Values Media
Adam Wiener becomes COO at driverTV
Bret Hennington joins NetShelter Technology Media as regional sales director
Gary Miles joins Mass 2 One Media as EVP for international
Les Hollander joins BusRadio as EVP of sales and marketing
Burke Magnus rises to SVP of college sports programming at ESPN
Alejandro Luna becomes an anchor for Fox Sports en Espanol
Susan Schroeder joins MSG Media as VP of marketing partnerships
Jeremy Hubbard joins ABC News as co-anchor
VH1 celebreality star Hulk Hogan sued over son's car crash
Prolific ad copywriter Hal Riney dies at age 75

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Overnights
Weak Wednesday for broadcast, again
Low ratings for reality and reruns on the Big Three, falling in well behind Fox and its dominating 'Idol,' as effects of strike linger on

Cable
Cable rides high during worst of strike
Twenty-six networks grew 10 percent or more in viewers in first quarter as broadcast was sinking amid reality shows and reruns

Dayparts update
Oprah's the queen, but Ellen's the fave
A major poll finds DeGeneres is more widely liked as a daytime talker, even though Winfrey remains well far ahead in the ratings

Newspapers
The big Newsday puzzle: Who gets it?
Will it be Mort? Rupe? Is the Long Island daily even on the block? Talking with analyst John Morton and SLG's Steve Greenberger.

Newspapers
In the UK, free papers bite down hard
National papers have lost 14 percent of their circulation since 2000, with downmarket titles suffering the most as the young flee

TV This Week
So not trumped: Trump's 'Apprentice'
NBC show's back from the brink, with ratings up heading into the finale of its celebrity edition, and it looks like it will be returning

News shorts
Knuckle-rap: LA Times backs off Tupac Shakur story
Upfront update: Top-ranked USA renews five series
Mountainous ratings for MTV's premiere of 'The Hills'
Trumped-up story: Crain's falls for Time Out's prank
Did Cicada TV producers carry deadly bug to Peru?

Web shorts
MLS invites soccer fans to e-name latest franchise
Study: Warnings about loud mp3s fall on deaf ears
Latest web launch: The Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Teen's Second Life s#^ toy suit ends in settlement

People
Jay Lauf joins The Atlantic as VP and publisher
Paul Barrett rejoins BusinessWeek as assistant managing editor for investigative projects
Duncan Campbell becomes VP of business development at ICTV
David Rabin joins KM&A as SVP and managing director
Drew Limsky heading up revamped Lexus magazine
Courier News and Home News Tribune publisher Ketan Gandhi resigns
Michael Nelson leaves Kansas City Star for Lincoln Journal Star
Carleen Cappelletti joins Bounce as president
Justin Timberlake hosting ESPN's ESPY Awards in July
Former '24' daughter Elisha Cuthbert starring in CBS pilot 'Ny-Lon'
Ultimate Fighting legend Tito Ortiz creating reality show for G4
Tahmoh Penikett, Fran Kanz, Dichen Lachman and Enver Gjokaj join 'Dollhouse'
Quddus hosting new dance show for Nickelodeon


Friday, March 28, 2008

Overnights
Trump bump: Hefty 'Apprentice' finale
The NBC reality show averages a 4.5 in 18-49s, matching its high for season and shooting the network past CBS to win the night

Cable
For Hallmark, that warm, comfy feeling
The older-skewing network is a favorite with media buyers for its inoffensive programming and promises to add more of the same

Magazines
Thoughts from the pages of New York
Excerpts of pieces up for National Magazine Awards: On the rise of Gawker, mapping out the best street eateries, on capitalism

Younger viewers
With kids, movies are cable's big draw
They account for five of the top 10 shows in first quarter, reflecting a trend that really gained momentum with 'High School Musical'

Rachel speaks!
Rachel, how do I switch my specialty?
The writer has spent a decade in one area of media and wants to transition to another within the agency. Rachel opines: Good luck.

TV This Week
Best tube bets this weekend
Friday: season finale of HBO's 'In Treatment;' Saturday: Nick's Kids' Choice Awards; Sunday: 'The Tudors' return on Showtime

News shorts
Buttoned-up bunnies ready for Philippines Playboy
Programming notes: NBC gets into the cage with MMA
Are boomers confused by new media technology?
Study: Celeb magazines the top read for Brit tweens
Rising storm over Vogue's LeBron James cover shot

Web shorts
YouTube providing more information for advertisers
Turkish delight: Offensive videos removed from site
Study: Save a tree by getting bill statements online
Gossip girl: Site targeted by NJ's AG snipes back

People
John Nogawski becomes president at CBS Television Distribution
Glenn Dryfoos joins Univision Communications as SVP of business affairs
Sven Noth rises at NBC Universal to VP and liaison for Germany
Daniel Schrier becomes senior project manager at Avenue A | Razorfish
Karen S. Abrams becomes partner at MerryMedia
Becky Sloviter becomes VP of production at MGM
Lauren Kelcher, Alexandria Lippin and Paki Newell rise at The Lippin Group
Alison Mitchell becomes associate managing editor at The New York Times
Marcus Wilford becomes VP at ABC News international digital
Melinda Tichelaar rises to executive producer for 'Good Day Chicago'
Andrew Seay joins Comcast Spotlight as senior director of product management
Ex 'Nightline' reporter Dave Marash quits Al-Jazeera English
Longtime Chicago radio host Wally Phillips dies at age 82

Monday, March 31, 2008

Overnights
ABC is No. 1 on a slow Sunday night
Averages a 3.5 in 18-49s, charging past CBS, even with strong ratings for NCAA basketball, led by 'Home Edition' and 'Oprah'

Media economy
Dark clouds over the U.S. ad economy
Zenith chops 2008 forecast to 3.7 percent growth, citing the credit crunch, and sees weakness spreading over to 2009 and 2010

Magazines
Words and ideas from The New Yorker
Excerpts of pieces up for National Magazine Awards: Destroying poppies in Afghanistan, profile of the bonobo, Sen. Larry Craig

Popcult
Simple fact is, we're fools with money
We like to think we make rational buying decisions, but a top researcher finds we're swayed by everything but common sense

Out of Home
Your client shopping at airport stores
Ads on shopping bags at retail outlets reach a young, educated, high-income consumer with a taste for travel and luxury goods

TV This Week
On 'Old Christine,' a reunion so sweet
Jason Alexander cameos on the struggling CBS show in what's sure to give old 'Seinfeld' pal Julia Louis-Dreyfus a ratings boost

News shorts
Weekend overnights: 'Dateline' posts a season high 
Newspapers take ad hit in 2007: A 7.9 percent drop 
The word: More than 100 grab Newsweek buyouts
Dramatic pause: TV actors breaking away from SAG
NBC and Kathie Lee: Gifford joins 'Today' fourth hour

Web shorts
Malware compromises grocery shoppers' credit cards
Antioch University says intruder breached student info
Drty msg: Finnish foreign minister in texting scandal
In-Fidel-ity: Raul dialing up cell service for Cubans

People
Chris Mitchell joins Wired as publisher
Suzanna Frank rises to VP of audience at Lee Enterprises
Robert A. Tramondo becomes VP of advertising at ELDR
Leah Kamon joins Radio Advertising Bureau as SVP of marketing and communications
Tracey Clanton and Chase Conerly rise at True Agency
Planet Green orders 'Battleground Earth' featuring Ludacris and Tommy Lee
Christopher Egan and Ian McShane join NBC pilot 'Kings'
Simon Baker joins CBS drama pilot 'The Mentalist'
Sara Rue cast as female lead in Fox pilot 'Spaced'
Fox taps Jason Bateman to direct 'The Inn'
Former 'Quincy' star Jack Klugman suing NBC Universal
John Kelley hosting 'The Mole' on ABC
NYT 'Killing Fields' photojournalist Dith Pran dies at age 65

Alternative media
'Quick, while you can. Get free stuff.'
Here the medium truly is the message
For one church, a devilishly good idea
Down at the gym, uplifting messages

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Overnights
New heights for CBS's 'Old Christine'
Sitcom finale averages a season-high 4.4 in 18-49s, bettering its chances at a fourth year, with Alexander's 'Seinfeld' mini-reunion

Media economy
Another bum note on the ad economy
Nielsen Monitor-Plus reports that 2007 came in nearly flat, up just 0.6 percent, consistent with a flush of grim reports on spending

Cable
For DIY, building beyond fixer-uppers
Network is adding more reality shows, aiming to grow beyond 50 million households, but buyers worry that it could dilute the brand

Research
With gizmos, it's a woman's thing now
Forget the stereotypes about men jumping first onto the latest technologies. Talking to Solutions Research Group's Donna Hall.

New media
Rising row over UK's super ad tracker
Called Phorm, it will track users when they log on, at the ISP level, and across the internet, and that has privacy groups in a bunch

TV This Week
Moving in heavy artillery: 'CSI: Miami'
CBS is out to break the curse of the 10 p.m. hour, which has sunk so many promising shows, airing the second half of a two-parter

News shorts
Upfront update: Discovery focuses on fourth quarter
BBC special report: Penguins can fly. (April Fools!)
Summer session: ABC recruits 'High School Musical'
Sour note: Veteran music mag Resonance shutters
With 'Men,' TNT hopes everyone still loves Raymond

Web shorts
Good Apple: Ranking the top brands with consumers
CareerBuilder teams with Facebook for job advertising
Yahoo takes a Shine to new site for women 25-54
Family revives s#% assault case against MySpace

People
Mike Styles and Nadine McHugh get new roles at MindShare
Christian Toksvig joins Metro International as VP of corporate development
Freddy James, Andy Singer and Laura Sillars rise at Scripps Network
Eric C. Roberts joins Moroch Partners as managing director
Richard Fisher becomes associate creative director at Javelin Direct
Michelle Preli becomes editor in chief of Brides.com
Laura Schroff and Anne Fuchs join Brides Magazine
Kelley Corten joins Xbox Magazine as publisher
Kate Carrington and Dawn Sheggeby rise at Esquire
Casey Patterson rises to SVP of event production at Spike TV and TV Land
Mini Page editor Betty Debnam Hunt stepping down
Sacramento Bee publisher and president Janis Heaphy retiring
Brian Toolan joins The Philly Inquirer as business editor


Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Television
NBC rolls out new full-year schedule
Splits year into three seasons: Fall, spring, summer, with 14 new shows, including an 'Office' spinoff, among its returning series

Overnights
'American Idol' slips but Fox still kicks
Hit reality show falls to season-low 9.3 in 18-49s but network remains well ahead with hefty debut for returning 'Hell's Kitchen'

Television
Post-strike, viewers are flocking back
Ratings are well up for CBS's Monday lineup of fresh episodes, the first on any network, even better than what they pulled last fall

Cable
For 'Idol's' Randy Jackson, no left feet
MTV's 'America's Best Dance Crew' pulls 4.9 million total viewers for its first-year finale, placing it at No. 3 on cable for the week

Magazines
Words and thoughts from Vanity Fair
Excerpts of pieces up for National Magazine Awards: On a prison gang in São Paulo, the death of Barbaro, filmmaker Pat Dollard

TV This Week
More than kicks: 'The Ultimate Fighter'
Returning martial arts series has given Spike its best ratings in 18-34 men, inspiring NBC and CBS to announce similar series

News shorts
Zell of a concept: Tribune's April Fools name game
At CBS News, job cuts at the network and local levels
Programming notes: CW plants 'Farmer' in late April
London calling: WSJ launches U.S. edition abroad
Out for blood: 'Moonlight' fans plan drive for renewal

Web shorts
Sony films move from big screen to very small screen
New from Amazon, buying things via text messaging
Radiohead remix: Band lets fans reconfigure 'Nude'
Google gag: You can send email dated from the past

People
Greg Koerner joins MediaBank as CSO
Ben Mallory joins Red Tettemer as interactive creative director
Rik Gates joins Pace Communications as group publisher of inflight media
Ex-LAT deputy editor Thomas Furlong joins Sitrick And Company
Timothy Stautberg rising to CFO and SVP at Scripps Company
Cindy Peltier joins TBS as senior director of promotions and marketing
Judy Kenny becomes EVP of sales for MyNetworkTV
Steve Paul becomes VP of syndication at Eclipse Television & Sports Marketing
Seeta Zieger joins Screenvision as VP of national sales for the Western region
Vanessa Goglio rises at MarVista Entertainment to SVP of international sales
Long-ailing film critic Roger Ebert returns to writing reviews
Michael J. Kelly joins ContextWeb as senior board advisor
Jen Mazza becomes director of client and candidate relations at Carlsen Resources

Thursday, April 3, 2008

Overnights
Decent return for CBS's crime dramas
'CSI: NY' and 'Criminal Minds' better pre-strike outings, boosting the network to No. 2 for the night behind Fox, with 3.1 in 18-49s

Television
NBC's bold new direction: Everyman
Promises slate of new shows with wider appeal, in a move away from high-concept series of recent years that sank in the rating

Research
The real cost of the strike in ad dollars
The price of spots on broadcast fell 12 percent during the first quarter, a new study reports. Talking with TargetCast's Gary Carr.

New media
Study: Kids put profiles on older sites
Large number of 8- to 11-year-olds posting on networking sites intended for teens and above, to the worry of child safety groups

Dayparts update
Memo to Jay: Read between the lines
Gay slam incites a raised-middle-finger campaign against NBC's Leno, with hundreds posting their mugs on MyGayestLook.com

TV This Week
'My name is Jeff. This laugh is on me'
NBC's Jeff Zucker goes before the cameras to tout return of 'My Name is Earl' and crack wise. Critics' response: Raspberries.

News shorts
Station's tattooed 2-year-old prank prompts 911 calls
Peabody Awards embrace cable and Iraq reporting
Upfront update: Elvis is in the building for Sundance
Tanked Felix fesses up: Yes, I once killed a man
Picture less-perfect: British mags mull airbrush ban

Web shorts
Yahoo rolls out a voice-on-command mobile search
Play ball, or don't: MLB.TV's big opening-day woes
New from Paramount, virtual film clips for fans to post
Lost and found? Pennsylvania sues unclaimed $ site.

People
Lisa Delaney becomes editor in chief of Spry
Christine Petrillo joins Alloy Media + Marketing as VP and business development director
Joe Kyriakoza rises to VP of national advertiser solutions at Jumpstart Automotive
Corry Hart, Joshua Northridge and Dana Perillo join Sundance Channel
Lisa Hsia becomes SVP of new media at Bravo Media
MGM COO Rick Sands resigning
Bill Bund becomes SVP and managing director of central sales at ABC Television
Paul Telegdy and Susanna Pollack rise at BBC America
Comedian Robert Wuhl re-ups with HBO
Stefanie Schwalb becomes communications manager at Cosmetic Executive Women
Jill Hudson Neal joins Washingtonian Magazine
Chandra Wilson starring in Hallmark Channel's 'Accidental Friendship'
Jerry Seinfeld uninjured after serious car wreck


Friday, April 4, 2008

Overnights
Fresh episodes win Thursday for CBS
Earns a 4.6 in 18-49s, putting it way out ahead, with the first 'CSI' and 'Without a Trace' originals since the writers' strike ended

Cable
For HGTV, a makeover may be in order
Home improvement network is a solid brand, but going into the upfront media buyers think it needs to jazz up its programming

Younger viewers
When these critters talk, kids do listen
Nick series is already the No. 2 cartoon on cable with 2-11s, after 'SpongeBob,' just months after its debut. Meet Otis, party cow.

Rachel speaks!
Rachel, I want to get back into media
The writer was a buyer when she left the business 20 years ago to raise a family. Now she wants to return. How hard will it be?

TV This Week
Best tube bets this weekend
Friday: 'Battlestar' returns on Sci Fi; Saturday: men's Final Four games on CBS; Sunday: women's Final Four games on ESPN

News shorts
Study: People were still glued to the tube during strike
Reading Rush: What his PPM data actually means
Radio host suspended after calling Hillary a whore
NYT reporter jailed in Zimbabwe after front-page story
Around town with Tina Brown: Her new IAC news site

Web shorts
Apple takes a bite out of Wal-Mart: iTunes is No. 1
British man wins record libel suit over e-harassment
MySpace: We're hooking up with big music companies
Adobe testing ad-supported media player with CBS

People
Sean Compton joins Tribune Broadcasting as SVP of programming and entertainment
Maurice Jones becomes publisher at the Virginian-Pilot
Bob Carrigan rises to CEO at IDG Communications Worldwide
Eli Flournoy becomes director of International Newsource at CNN
Valerie Valente rises at Rodale to SVP and publishing director
Steve DeLuca becomes VP and publisher of Details
Joseph S. Lovejoy becomes acting CFO for Fisher Communications
Tiffany Lo becomes beauty and fashion director at Time
Stacey Andersen becomes advertising director at Marie Claire
Irv Holdender joins The Fremantle Corporation as director and principal
'Smallville' creators Al Gough and Miles Millar fly away for season eight
Judy Davis reprising her role in USA's 'Starter Wife' series
Former chief of Editor & Publisher Robert Brown dies at age 85

Monday, April 7, 2008

Overnights
'Monk and 'Psych' do poorly on NBC
USA imports finish fourth in their timeslots, averaging a 1.5 and a 1.3 in 18-49s as repurposed reruns of the popular cable shows

Television
Media buyers: You go, Ben Silverman
They have reservations over whether NBC can pull off its year-round schedule but many think it's headed in the right direction

Magazines
Words and ideas: National Geographic
Excerpts of pieces up for National Magazine Awards: Work and life in a factory in China and malaria's consuming grip in Zambia

Popcult
Getting by on less: The new austerity
Consumers have been cutting back on spending heading into this recession, but don't assume they'll ramp up again when it's over

Out of Home
Your client going green for Earth Day
Large ads on recycling bins in public places offer passersby a convenience and also a positive message about the environment

TV This Week
Quashed hopes for NCAA's title game
Ratings are down as it is, in part from so many blowouts, and the Kansas-Memphis game won't pull near what UCLA-UNC would

News shorts
Weekend overnights: CBS way ahead on Saturday
'Married' snit: DOJ sues Fox over FCC fine payment
Early Nielsen numbers show big OOH rise for NCAAs
No rest out West: Boise DJ eyeing broadcast record
Study: TVs in teens' rooms lead to unhealthy habits

Web shorts
As Microsoft deadline looms, Yahoo AMPing up ads
Study: Men more vulnerable to web fraud than women
Celling out: Among older adults, landlines lose allure
Couple: Google's Street View violating our privacy

People
Amber Bondick joins Empower MediaMarketing as digital analytics associate
Meridith Jamin rises to director of communications planning at Mediaedge:cia
Tosh Arimura becomes circulation manager at Science News
Fox Interactive Media chief revenue officer Michael Barrett departing
Adam Bain becomes president of Fox Interactive Media's audience network
Steve Feingold, Kevin Cuddihy, Vicki Lins and Paul Woidke rise at Comcast Spotlight
Kate Marymont joins and Jennifer Carroll rises at Gannett
Michael Motta joins Burns Media as SVP of business development
Janelle Carter rises to GSM for Journal Broadcast Group
Elizabeth Keener starring in hour-long drama series on here!
Neil Budde becomes president at DailyMe
Tyler Brule returns to Financial Times as a columnist
Actor and former SAG president Charlton Heston dies at age 84

Alternative media
Torrid 2007: Spending up 27.7 percent
At danger's edge: The abyss of drugs
In London, paper pigeons take flight
Invitation to play with miniature cars

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Overnights
A modest return for ABC's 'Samantha'
Averages a 3.5 in 18-49s, holding 65 percent of its 'Dancing with the Stars' lead-in and finishing behind CBS's NCAA basketball

Newspapers
Washington Post tops in Pulitzer wins
Paper awarded six, including one for public service for exposing the shoddy treatment of Iraq veterans at Walter Reed hospital

Cable
For G4, the task of crafting an identity
Tiny network of video game reviews and 'Cops' reruns looks to grow into a network that becomes a destination for young males

New media
Looking at online TV with a cooler eye
It's all the talk but its real growth potential is limited, at least in the near-term. Talking with Convergence Consulting's Brahm Eiley.

New media
Online at least, mega March Madness
More than 4.3 million visit the CBS site to watch first four rounds, up 147 percent over last year, even as TV audiences declined

TV This Week
'Secret Lives': B-listers sing and twirl
New CBS reality series takes a lighter approach to the Bermuda Triangle that is the network's 10 p.m. Tuesday slot. Marla mugs.

News shorts
'Runway' struts to Lifetime as Bravo fashions lawsuit 
Fox sets summer schedule: Lots of returning reality
Bum rap: The LA Times retracts Combs-Tupac story
Tempest in a shot glass: Absolut yanks Mexican ad
The word: CNN and CBS News talking cooperation

Web shorts
Report: Web ad spending will pass TV in UK in 2008
Faceoff averted? Facebook founder may settle suit.
Amid economy woes, Kiplinger targets biz traveler$
MySpace offering eight new bilingual communities

People
Laura Agostini becomes chief talent officer at Mediaedge:cia
Jacqueline Hernandez becomes COO at Telemundo Communications Group
Carl R. Fischer IV becomes VP of communications at BusinessWeek
Richard Rocca joins Heavy.com as VP of business development
Brian Cronin joins NetShelter as director of sales for New York
Byron Harmon joins CNN International as senior executive producer
Correspondent Cal Perry ships off to Beirut for CNN
Jenny Glassberg and Janice Trichon join Wired
Cathie Levine rises to VP of communications at ABC News
Kirk Olson becomes SVP of advertiser sales at Sony Pictures Television
Neal Massey joins Starz Entertainment as executive director of marketing
Natasha Wolff joins In Style as news editor
Pamela Anderson starring in new E! television reality show

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Overnights
CBS's 'Secret Talents' tanks big time
New B-lister reality show debuts to a 1.5 in 18-49s, placing a distant third in the timeslot, the latest sinker in the 10 p.m. hour

Television
A solid NCAA title game, despite it all
Kansas overtime win draws 19.5 million total viewers, putting it on a par with last year, and it did particularly well among 18-49s

Cable
A most manly weekend of 'Star Wars'
Spike paid big bucks for the classic space trilogy, and it pumped the movie marathon furiously. It all came back in record tune-ins.

Magazines
The words and ideas of GQ magazine
Excerpts of pieces up for National Magazine Awards: The life of a coal miner, reviews of 'Iwo Jima' and 'No Country for Old Men'

New media
For the Webbys, hats off to the Times
Newspaper is nominated for 16 awards for its site, twice as many as No. 2 NPR. Other top nominees: PBS, CondeNet, the Onion.

TV This Week
'Last Lecture,' living on the path of life
Man facing death ruminates on life's meaning, and his musings become a web hit. He talks with ABC's Diane Sawyer at 10 p.m.

News shorts
Discovery upfront: Embracing testosterone shows
Disney upfront: Four new movies, including 'Camp'
TLC upfront: More makeovers and single moms dating
Survey: Radio still a favorite medium among Americans
Venezuela TV boots 'Simpsons' for 'Baywatch' babes

Web shorts
Amid recession worries, internet retail sales will soar
Study: Editors and e-news readers are disconnected
Indonesia becomes latest country to block YouTube
Online poll: 'Idol' viewers predict Archuleta will win

People
Stacey McMinn, Kaitlin Duncan and Greg Bond join McCulloch+Company
Jonathan Greenblatt becomes CEO at Good
Sandy Schwartz succeeds retiring Cox Newspapers president Jay Smith
Two people join and seven others rise at Images USA
Chris Parker becomes partner at Story Worldwide
Dayna McCamley joins The Brand Union as client director
Robert Rowe becomes international advertising director at W magazine
Priya David joins CBS News as a correspondent
Lifetime ad sales senior vice president John Matluck exiting
Ann Woo rises to VP of business operations at Disney Channel 
Laurel Wichert rises to VP of research at TV Land
Oprah Winfrey developing talk show for Dr. Mehmet Oz
'Battlestar Galactica's' Tricia Helfer signs holding deal with Fox

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Overnights
Fox's 'Idol Gives Back' slips in ratings
The second annual charity fundraiser averages a 6.7 in adults 18-49s, a season low for the talent show and well off from last year

Dayparts update
The word: CBS's giving Katie the toss
Network executives planning to replace Couric as evening news anchor after elections, reportedly over the show's poor ratings

Dayparts update
Talk shows ride high on the elections
Candidates get a chance to get warm and cozy with viewers and shows like 'Leno,' 'Letterman' and 'View' see nifty ratings bumps

Magazines
Words and thoughts from the Atlantic
Excerpts of pieces up for National Magazine Awards: On Bush speechwriter Michael Gerson, on multitasking, on Hillary Clinton

Sports TV
How the China protests could play out
There's real concern they could hurt the Olympics. Just what are the chances? Talking with Sports Business Group's David Carter.

TV This Week
The staid Masters, punched up some
Color clash: This year it will be airing on ESPN, a network that likes its coverage to pop and sizzle. Woods aims for the green.

News shorts
Fox: We're starting our production for fall 2009 soon
New research: Awareness of HD radio at 24 percent
Upfront update: HGTV sticks to home design shows
Slippery soap: Study finds TV marriages don't stick
Iraqi court: Jailed AP photographer should be freed

Web shorts
Yahoo chasing other alliances to thwart Microsoft
The word: Blockbuster rolling out streaming TV box
Blogger smackdown: Perez sues Jaxson for slander
Puck pluck: Celebrities blogging about NHL playoffs

People
Sue Naegle joins HBO as president of HBO Entertainment
Ellen Asmodeo joins WSJ. Magazine as publisher
Lisa Singer Moran becomes editor in chief of Babytalk
Donald Perri becomes GM at Esquire
Sheri Goldberg and Sheri Helmers rise at Hallmark Channel
Mai Kim Flournoy joins Oxygen as VP of strategic multiplatform program planning
Noelle Weaver rises at SS+K to senior director of business development
Melissa Wohl becomes SVP of Fireworks International
Roger Alton becomes the new editor of the Independent
Brian Matthews and Mark Richardson named BBC America ad sales VPs
ABC Studios head of creative Julia Franz stepping down
Country singer Trace Adkins appearing on 'Young and the Restless'
Veronica Belmont joins Revision3 as co-host of 'Tekzilla'

Friday, April 11, 2008

Overnights
Fox wins Thursday with special 'Idol'
Results show averages a 6.8 in 18-49s, airing a night late to make way for the hit series' annual charity telecast on Wednesday

Television
Bagged: CBS cancels 'Secret Talents'
B-lister reality competition axed after one airing in which it pulled a dreadful 1.5 in 18-49s, latest sinker in its Tuesday 10 p.m. slot

Younger viewers
Broadcast's biggest hit: Teenage girls
Six networks are down 15 percent among 12-17s, the most of any demographic, and while the strike hurt, it's not the whole story

Cable
For USA, growing a cast of characters
Heading into the upfront, it's uniquely positioned to challenge both cable and broadcast networks on size and range of programming

Rachel speaks!
Rachel, I want a job on the client side
The writer, who works in media at an agency, was recently turned down for a lack of client-side experience. What's the solution?

TV This Week
Best tube bets this weekend
Friday: 'Miss USA' on NBC; Saturday: Lifetime movie 'Memory Keeper's Daughter;' Sunday: final round of the Masters on CBS

News shorts
It now seems certain Couric's out as CBS anchor
Court tosses most of Dan Rather's suit against CBS
Ferguson bags first-ever full-week victory over O'Brien
Upfront update: Fuse betting on 'Bling and a Prayer'
Hit the Rhodes: Potty-mouth host leaves Air America

Web shorts
Study: Many uncomfortable with customized content
Younger Murdoch plans to take MySpaceTV global
Feds: Stolen military goods hit eBay and Craigslist
Protests prompt Indonesia to loosen ban on YouTube

People
O, The Oprah magazine editor in chief Amy Gross stepping down
Mark Dawson joins ICTV ActiveMedia Group as VP of programming services
Dan Levi joins Zoom Media & Marketing as SVP of digital media
Ernest Martinez rises to Radio Disney creative director
Whitney Hardy joins AMP Agency as VP of account management
Darren Campo rises to SVP of programming and production at truTV
Scott Sutherland becomes VP and market manager at Bonneville International
Clear Channel Katz Advantage hires four
Mark Mutschler joins Blue Room as executive producer
Matt Kenny and Eric Ratchman rise at Disney and ESPN Media Networks
Andrea Evans returning to 'One Life to Live'
Mike Myers hosting MTV Movie Awards
Former Newsday reporter and editor Robert W. Greene dies at age 78

Monday, April 28, 2008

Overnights
ABC pumps up its Sunday night lead
Wins first Sunday of May sweeps with a 4.0 in 18-49s, 33 percent ahead of No. 2 Fox as 'Housewives' recovers from low last week

Newspapers
Big papers take bigger circulation hits
Weekdays slide 3.6 percent, Sundays off 4.6 percent but some metros report far larger declines. Two gainers: WSJ and USA.

Magazines
Words and ideas of Virginia Quarterly
Excerpts of pieces up for National Magazine Awards: Unearthing burial grounds in South America and pictures of Baghdad at war

Popcult
In a hungry world, a hunger for farms
Prices for farmland are skyrocketing around the world with the sharp rise in the cost of food, as farmers and speculators rush in

Out of Home
Your client playing games at the Bijou
Before the show, audiences are invited to play interactive games onscreen that are built around advertisers' brands or products

TV This Week
Star wars: For sweeps, a bigger 'Deal'
Characters from the 1977 movie root for contestants in a two-hour edition of the NBC show, which is facing tougher competition
News shorts
Friday overnights: CBS finishes well ahead in 18-49s
Cyrus: I'm so embarrassed about Vanity Fair pictures
With new Newsday bid, can Mort thwart News Corp.?
Presses stop after 90 years for Madison newspaper
Golf Open goes primetime as tennis finds new home

Web shorts
Ex-AOLer acquitted in 2001 PurchasePro scheme
Metallica changes its tune on the online music craze
Saudi blogger released from jail after four-month stay
Detroit Symphony's new conductor is rather robotic

People
Ian Beavis joins Carat as EVP and executive client director
Tara Cox becomes managing editor of Popular Mechanics
John Burbank becomes CMO of the Nielsen Company
Janine Hawkins becomes worldwide CEO at Added Value
Leah McGrath Goodman becomes editor at large at Trader Monthly
Former Life & Style editor Mark Pasetsky launches Shakiki.com
Rachael McLean becomes VP of digital media with Championship Gaming Series
Former CNN anchor Aaron Brown joining PBS's 'Wide Angle'
PBS anchor Jim Lehrer has successful heart surgery
Adam Jasinsky wins the latest season of CBS's 'Big Brother'
Janet Jackson wins GLAAD Media Vanguard Award
Angela Bassett joining the cast of NBC's 'ER'
Jay Mohr, Paula Marshall and Jaime King starring in CBS pilot

Alternative media
At first it sure looks like it's Russian
A wild party with a message to deliver 
At the laundromat, churning stomachs
A tailor's craft in most unlikely places


Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Overnights
Strong return for Fox's 'House' drama
Averages a 5.7 in 18-49s in special Monday slot, winning the hour facing ABC's formidable 'Stars' and CBS's lineup of comedies

Cable
For Discovery, returning to its mission
Tapping back into its roots as a science network as it heads into the upfront, after drifting off into general interest programming

Research
Among young moms, the words do fly
What they're talking a lot about is baby products, and it often affects what they purchase. Talking with the Keller Faye Group.

Magazines
High in the mountains, the elusive rich
ForbesLife MountainTime will launch in July targeting well-heeled vacationers in the West, to be distributed in local resort papers

New media
In politics, a new breed of dark horse
Cybersquatters are making big bucks this election with sites that are easily mistaken as those of the candidates, or click farms

TV This Week
On 'L&O: SVU,' Robin Williams, actor
This being sweeps, NBC pulls in a major screen talent to portray a cop impersonator in what will be the show's 200th episode

News shorts
Upfront update: A&E rebrands; History stays course
Latest paper cuts coming at N&O and O.C. Register
In Indiana, one newspaper turns to the postal service
Study: Women fret over financial strain on families
Limbaugh's latest controversy: Imagining DNC riots

Web shorts
Pirates stealing newest version of 'Grand Theft Auto' 
Warner Bros. revives the WB and launches kid site
Microsoft objects to MSN-ing as slang for messaging
Judge nixes camera crews in YouTube divorce case

People
Allison Clarke becomes VP of national ad sales for WE tv
Stacey Deziel becomes Beyond Interaction director of client services
Chris Lambiase rises to VP and group publisher at Rodale
Bob Kelly rises to VP and publishing director at Entrepreneur Media
Jordana Pransky becomes VP and ad director at Travel + Leisure
Richard Confrey joins BusinessWeek as New York regional ad director
Dana Runnells rises to senior director of communications at Comcast Spotlight
Rick Eiserman becomes CEO of marketing firm Trailer Park
Alejandra Puesan rises to director of research for NBC's Local Media
Chris Eames joins ESPN as VP of multimedia sales
James J. Ackerman becomes chairman at the Documentary Channel
Not-so-blind item: Ben Widdicombe ends Daily News gossip column
Shenae Grimes and Lori Loughlin join the cast of '90210' spinoff


Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Overnights
'Women's Murder Club' takes beating
The returning ABC drama averages a 1.9 in 18-49s in its new timeslot, losing more than half of 'Dancing with the Stars' lead-in

Television
Networks feel strike's lingering pinch
Many top shows are back but ratings continue to fall heading into May sweeps, and all the networks are well down from last year

New media
Coming big internet thing: Promotions
Forecast: Marketers will triple spending on contests, games and such by 2012, making them the largest form of online advertising

Cable
The penultimate DVR zapper: Movies
Study: 98.4 percent of households watch them live, just behind news and topping sports. Nick at Nite has highest C3 retention.

TV Preview
'Farmer Wants a Wife,' name says it all
New CW reality show is a 'Bachelor' wannabe with some twists but its prospects don't look so promising against 'American Idol'

TV This Week
Poised on the bubble: 'Boston Legal'
Will this critic-fave ABC series be renewed? How it does in its new timeslot, Wednesdays at 10, could well be a deciding factor.

News shorts
Burning up: 'Sangre' is Univision's No. 1 novela debut
WSJ oversight group miffed over Murdoch meddling
Latest word on Newsday: Cablevision readies a bid
'Evening News' blues: Couric falls to another new low
Poll: 49 percent think photos may help Miley's career

Web shorts
Hitwise: ABC is top web destination, with CBS No. 2
Online hoax? Studio claims to sell Hendrix *^# tape.
Coldplay warms to web with free single downloads
Wii Fit becomes one of top-selling U.K. games ever

People
Alan Cohen becomes CEO of OMD's U.S. operations
Mark Hosbein becomes SVP of marketing at Nielsen Business Media
Chad Jones becomes SVP and managing director at Javelin Direct
Mike DiPasquale rises to EVP of operations at Rainbow Media Holdings
Stephen Buckley becomes publisher of TampaBay.com
Reporter Ken Lovett jumps from NY Post to NY Daily News
Brian Benedik becomes president of Katz 360 Sales
Ian Baer becomes president of Big Fuel Communications
Malcolm Dudley-Smith rises to EVP of branded services at Warner Bros.
Seattle Times editor at large Michael Fancher exiting
Jessica Walter and Ryan Eggold added to CW's '90210' spinoff
Charlie Hunnam and Katey Sagal starring in FX's 'Sons of Anarchy'
'CSI' co-star Gary Dourdan arrested for alleged drug possession

Thursday, May 1, 2008

Overnights
The new Wednesday quagmire: 8 p.m.
Fox wins the hour with a mere 2.3 rating in 18-49s with the only scripted shows, besting other network's midseason reality fillers

Newspapers
Something good to say about papers
Looking behind the steep circulation declines of major dailies, one finds some encouraging trends. It's not all doom and gloom.

Newspapers
Why papers are still a good media buy
They're no less effective in engaging readers, even though there may be fewer of them. Talking with Poynter's Rick Edmonds.

Dayparts update
Will 'The View' finally take an Emmy?
The five women of the ABC show are up again for daytime talk, the show's 11th nomination. (Click for the complete nominee list.)

TV This Week
Playing in Philly, the improbable 76ers
Up against the Detroit Pistons in the playoffs, and standing a fair shot at topping the 2004 NBA champs, against all expectations

News shorts
With hearings on the horizon, FCC's Martin takes heat
Channel change: New owners nix TV Guide top editors
Hey Paula, what happened on 'Idol' Tuesday night?
Cablevision heats up Newsday bids with $650M offer
Nielsen: The 2009 February sweeps will be in March

Web shorts
Whither AOL as Time Warner spins off its cable unit
Sweet music: Judge sets royalty fees for web giants
Union Tribune's social network with print implications
Miley mileage: Huge traffic bump for Vanity Fair site

People
Jack Bamberger becomes CIO at Meredith 360
Doug Scott leading new initiative from GroupM and Ogilvy North America
Brad Vettese joins ipsh! as EVP and West Coast managing director
Steven Palmisano and Syed Moinuddin join MedThink Communications
Kelley Gott becomes associate publisher of domino magazine
Interior designer Barbara Lazaroff signs with Evolution Media
Cy Prince joins Cox Media Hampton Roads as GSM
Emily McLintock becomes marketing director at People StyleWatch
Sumner on Les: Hmmph, I don't approve of ultimate fighting plans
David Willey elected president of the American Society of Magazine Editors
Damon Wayans starring in ABC pilot 'Never Better'
Gary Sinise narrating Discovery's 'When We Left Earth'
Hector Elizondo joins the cast of USA's 'Monk'


Friday, May 2, 2008

Overnights
ABC holds its Thursday sweeps lead
Edges past CBS with a 4.4 in adults 18-49 with 'Grey's Anatomy' the night's top show, but all of its shows are down from last week

Magazines
National Geographic wins three Ellies
Has most wins in yearly National Magazine Awards, with one for general excellence. Vanity Fair wins two, the New Yorker one

Cable
For Nick at Nite, it's about the kids too
Subtle shift at the Nickelodeon primetime network toward shows adults and their kids watch together, with a hefty ratings boost

Younger viewers
When old is new again: 'Speed Racer'
'The Next Generation' sequel debuts on Nicktoons just ahead of a live action movie, the latest iterations of the '67 Japanese series

Rachel speaks!
Rachel, my former boss did me wrong
He gave her a bad reference for a job she wanted after promising to speak well of her. She's angry. What should she do about it?

TV This Week
Best tube bets this weekend
Friday: ESPN's Celtics-Hawks game; Saturday: Kentucky Derby on NBC; Sunday: the sixth-season finale of 'Family Guy' on Fox

News shorts
Fox leads ABC in sweeps as Big Five networks slip
ABC Family upfront: Meet Nikki, an advertiser's dream
Ion upfront: We're targeting 25-54s with newer reruns
Babs to Oprah: I had an affair with a married senator
TiVo survey: Clair Huxtable is TV's favorite mother

Web shorts
Google TV Ads launches, but will advertisers buy it?
AT&T ringing up 10 new higher-quality TV channels
iTunes will get movies the same day as DVD release
Lawyer: Uma's accused cyberstalker 'just romantic'

People
Peter Weedfald becomes president of Ziff Davis Media
Steve Raw becomes managing director of GMR China
Jessica Halter-Powell becomes account director at davidandgoliath
Tom Meyer becomes VP of channel insights at Horizon Media
Jane Paolucci becomes SVP of marketing at PopularMedia
Todd Gordon becomes SVP and director of national broadcast at Initiative
Barbara Dowling becomes SVP of customer engagements at Cadient Group
Kate Condon becomes executive producer for Sorpresatv.com
Michael Bollo becomes VP of sales and sponsorship at V-me
Mark Altschuler rises to VP of national sales at Comcast Spotlight
Three promotions at A&E Television Networks
Clear Channel Katz Advantage adds five new employees
Reporter James Bandler leaves WSJ for Fortune magazine

Monday, May 5, 2008

Overnights
ABC's 'Housewives' gains momentum
Comedy hits its best numbers since returning from strike hiatus, with a 6.2 in 18-49s, up 7 percent, giving network an easy win

Television
Media buyers now see weaker upfront
Three quarters of readers see spending up 2 percent or less, and nearly a quarter see total network ad sales falling from last year

Television
This May sweeps, a far muddier track
Fox is ahead, no surprise, but well down from last year, and the other networks are hurting far worse as strike's losses linger

Popcult
The newest British invader, just Duffy
No first name but she's got a top album in the UK and Europe, and it's coming to the U.S. next week. The sound: Sixties soul.

Out of Home
Your client tapping into the music set
Advertisers run surveys on jukeboxes in clubs and bars, reaching the hip young crowd as they play their favorite selection of songs

TV This Week
For House, the play will indeed go on
Fox's cranky doctor spots alarming symptoms on the part of an actor on a soap he likes. He leaps to the rescue, quite unwanted.

News shorts
Friday overnights: CBS has the best 18-49 'Numb3rs'
Saturday overnights: Fox zooms ahead with NASCAR
Does new owner's Macrovision still include TV Guide?
Cut to the quick: Media layoffs up 57 percent in 2008
Study: Consumers scrimping on dining and driving

Web shorts
Another newspaper cuts back print edition for the web
Boo to Microhoo: What's next for struggling Yahoo
Amazon files suit against new New York web tax law
Cutting out the middleman for 'Auto' song purchases

People
Ien Cheng leaving the Financial Times for Google
Bethany McLean leaving Fortune for Vanity Fair
Scott Nelson becomes VP of sales at Channel One Network
Benjamin Kayne becomes director of digital ad sales at PlanetOut
Seth MacFarlane re-signs with 20th Century Fox TV
Amanda Congdon launching online comedy 'Sometimesdaily'
Tristan Wilds moving to CW's 'Beverly Hills, 90210' spinoff
Lindsay Lohan getting 'Ugly' on ABC comedy's season finale
Renée Zellweger executive producing Lifetime's 'Living Proof'
Catherine O'Hara may join ABC dramedy pilot 'Good Behavior'
Andie MacDowell starring in ABC's 'Prince of Motor City'
Mike O'Malley joins NBC's 'My Own Worst Enemy'
Megan Dodds starring in Fox's pilot 'Courtroom K'

Alternative media
Pants so light they rise up into the sky
'Look, an accident about to happen'
A dandruff alert, as viewed from above
Grate message about Belgian waffles


Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Overnights
Sweeps chill: Monday primetime sinks
CBS and Fox tie for first with a 3.8 in 18-49s for the night but all networks are down from last week as post-strike flu lingers

Television
Killing time: ABC chops 'Men in Trees'
Latest on-the-bubble show to be canceled, and the pace should pick up as the networks head into their upfront presentations

Cable
For A&E, finding the drama in real life
Network pushes into more original series, scripted and reality, with a harder edge as it works to grow its audience numbers

Research
The new big internet thing, m-surfing
Do you access the web using a mobile device? You're ahead of the trend--for now. Talking with Nielsen Mobile's Nic Covey.

New media
The promise of multimedia mobile ads
It's all the talk but several factors hold it back, and one is a lack of audience metrics, which is hindering growth of TV advertising

TV This Week
For 'Shark,' that great sinking feeling
It's one of three CBS shows on the bubble, and the legal drama took a tumble in its new Tuesday 9 p.m. timeslot, not a good sign

News shorts
Derby downer: With filly tragedy, ratings fall on NBC
Nielsen: Product placement rises with writers' strike
Newspaper editors: Actually, we're quite optimistic
Study: Even tiny babies are logging lots of TV time
Fast and furious: 'GTA' maker sues over yanked ads

Web shorts
Phishing expedition: Hackers targeting top executives
AP partners with papers for local news on cell phones
McCain courts Hispanics with Spanish-language site
Nine Inch Nails hammer down a free internet album 

People
Kathy Kline becomes head of consumer content planning at Starcom
Don McKinney joins Grey New York as director of digital development
'Project Runway' producers Dan Cutforth and Jane Lipsitz staying at NBCU
Mary Jeanne Cavanagh becomes EVP of ad sales at Gospel Music Channel
Six join Access 360 Media's advisory board
Joe Doran becomes founding CEO at Media6°
April Daniels Hussar becomes managing editor of BettyConfidential.com
Patrick Houston becomes chief publisher at NetShelter Technology Media
Michael Panebianco becomes VP of ad solutions at DMI Music & Media Networks
Terri B. Hyacinth joins iN DEMAND as RVP of affiliate relations
Steve Buttry becomes editor of the Cedar Rapids Gazette
Joseph Pisani leaving as editor of the Stamford Advocate and Greenwich Time
'Hazel' comic creator Ted Key dies at age 95


Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Overnights
Fox's 'American Idol' hits season low
Hit reality show averages an 8.2 in 18-49s, down 6 percent from last week but still well ahead of combined competition in the hour

Newspapers
New paradigm: Bloodletting in Tampa
Ailing paper faces huge cuts in its workforce, and other papers are likely to follow its lead as the recession takes a deeper toll

Television
NBC's sweeps strategy: Sacrifice play
Network taking a hit in ratings as it shifts its top shows to summer and beyond as part of its new full-year programming strategy

Cable
Hot girl: 'Zoey' bests NBA hoopsters
Nickelodeon teen finale draws 5.1 million viewers, leading cable for the week over basketball and even post-Vanity Fair 'Hannah'

New media
Big media wins big in Webby Awards
The New York Times tops winners list with eight but, hey, the Onion takes seven, so the offbeat and quirky still get a nod

TV This Week
Barbara on Barbara, talking to Charlie
Walters spills more of the beans on her life and affairs to ABC anchor Gibson on a special talking up her just-out autobiography

News shorts
Kentucky Derby rides to best viewership since 2004
Programming notes: Oxygen no longer talking '#%^'
TV guider: Birnbaum takes over amid unclear future
Ex-anchor Rather files yet another suit against CBS
Hot mama: Harris says June Cleaver's top TV mom

Web shorts
Zune swoon: Microsoft player starts showing TV hits
Hitwise: MySpace remains top social networking site
With text messages, Pope goes digital Down Under
Listen up: Study says web radio users at work soar

People
Janel Shervington becomes associate media director at RJ Palmer
Lara S. Chait becomes SVP at Kaleidoscope Youth Marketing
Amy Jo Wayne joins ReelzChannel as SVP of ad sales
Georgia Juvelis becomes VP of corporate communications at Rainbow Media
Clive Baker and Angela Kyle join IMG Digital Media
Casey Lewis becomes assistant editor at Ypulse.com
Elizabeth Boykewich rises to VP of casting, series and movies at ABC Family
Eli Velazquez rises to VP of sports at Telemundo
Timothy Busch and Brian Jones rise to co-COOs at Nexstar
David Pyle becomes VP and publisher at Interweave
Reporter Sacha Pfeiffer leaving the Boston Globe for NPR
Alfred S. Larkin Jr. retiring as EVP of The Boston Globe
Lisa Ling staying with 'Oprah' as special correspondent

Thursday, May 8, 2008

Overnights
Fox boosts its sweeps lead with 'Idol'
Network averages a 5.0 in 18-49s, ahead of No. 2 CBS by 85 percent as the second full week of the May ratings period ends

Dayparts update
TV viewers pump Couric: You go, girl
Nearly half think she should stay on as CBS news anchor, reports a new poll, which comes out just as ratings take a turn upward

Television
Coming, your hyperlocal TV newscast
NBC will launch a 24-hour news channel in New York that could lead to similar launches in other markets. Chasing ad dollars.

Television
What makes this upfront tricky to call
Will advertisers be upping their spending? Or will they hold back because of the economy? Speaking to Fallon's Heather Kruse.

TV This Week
For sweeps, CBS writers' round robin
Can folks who regularly write sitcoms do drama? Drama writers sitcoms? We'll see. 'Two and a Half Men' and 'CSI' swap teams.

News shorts
Times to staff: We're going to have to cut some jobs
At MTV, keeping viewers engaged during commercials
TV Guide's crazy ride: Magazine is back on the block
Now enrolling, five new ABC News campus bureaus 
UK court: Celebs' kids aren't fair game for photogs

Web shorts
'Grand Theft Auto' zooms to record opening-week $
Judge knuckles down on file-sharing site TorrentSpy
Study: Facebook users let employers see profiles 
Online delivers: Papa John's hits $1B in web sales

People
Julie Goldstein and Erin Harvey rise to VPs at MediaVest
Alex Tamayo becomes group account director at Beyond Interaction
Randy Michaels rises to COO of Tribune Co.
Four join Balihoo's senior advisory council
Regan Pickett becomes sales account executive at Science News
Mark Smith becomes VP and creative director at LaunchForce
Deana Jordan Sullivan joins Sirens Media as director of production
Warren Christopher becomes editorial director at Adspace Networks
Lauren Zalaznick rises to president of women & lifestyle networks at NBCU
Bruce Casino rises to SVP of cable sales at NBCU Domestic TV
Brittany Wier joins the board of directors at NexxNow
Star Jones' view: Babs 'branding herself as an adulterer'
Rene Syler hosting a show on on-demand network Parents TV


Friday, May 9, 2008

Overnights
ABC nips CBS for third Thursday win
Averages a 4.4 in 18-49s for the night, for 0.1 lead. CBS is up over last week, the second week of sweeps, while ABC is even.

Cable
For TNT, a big push on original series
More and more it's challenging the broadcast networks, and at this upfront it will up the ante with a slew of new original series

Younger viewers
The ultimate kick for Hispanic youths
Sorpresa! Network invites kids to enter videos for a chance to be a reporter at the MLS All-Star Game. Playing the UGC game.

Rachel speaks!
Rachel, help me get into online media
The writer left full-time work to raise a family. Now she's aiming
to return as a supervisor, though she lacks internet experience

TV This Week
Best tube bets this weekend
Friday: Lakers play the Jazz on ESPN; Saturday: 'Saturday Night Live' hosted by Shia LaBeouf; Sunday: 'Survivor' finale on CBS

News shorts
Analyst: Broadcast upfront could fall up to 14 percent
En 'Fuego': Record debut for new Univision telenovela
Stunner: Study finds Jon Stewart lacks as newsman
With two weeks to go, Fox zooms to big sweeps lead
Clarification: 'We're not cutting 650 jobs in Tampa'

Web shorts
Facebook agrees to toughen security for users 
Madonna cuts a deal with major online ticket vendors
Pooch-off: Nick at Nite hosting cutest dog contest
Wanted: Movie moguls with 10 bucks to spare 

People
Stephen McPherson renews contract as president of ABC
Scott Caristo becomes SVP and group director at Arnold Worldwide
Chris Monaco becomes VP of music and entertainment at Octagon
Jacqui Rossinsky rises to EVP of network operations at Interep NetSolutions
Larry Olevitch rises to SVP of local media sales at NBC
Rick Baran becomes EVP and CFO of CBS Television Stations
Robert Schlesinger becomes deputy opinion editor at U.S. News
Agnes Chapski becomes VP and publisher of Allure
Thomas H. Hartman becomes VP of corporate sales at Conde Nast
Three executives out at San Diego Union-Tribune
Boston Globe's Charlie Savage leaving for The New York Times
Whoopi Goldberg hosting the 62nd Annual Tony Awards
Dave Attell bringing back 'The Gong Show' on Comedy Central

Monday, May 12, 2008

Overnights
'Survivor' slips to its lowest finale ever
Aging CBS reality show averages a 4.4 rating in 18-49s, airing against strong competition from ABC's 'Desperate Housewives'

Television
Upfront outlook: Fewer sked changes
Networks will play it safe in presenting fall lineups to buyers, largely sticking with existing shows in the face of ratings slides

Media economy
Media folks uneasy over ad economy
More are being laid off, amid worries of more cuts in media departments, and concerns over raises, or their lack, are rising

Popcult
We're not as green as we like to think
Turns out, developing countries lead in attitudes about protecting the environment, while the U.S. comes in quite near the bottom

Out of Home
Your client flexing at the fitness center
Advertisers can take over an entire area of a club and dominate it with signage and branded items like weights and shower mats

TV This Week
For NBC's 'Medium,' rarest of the rare
The series goes into its season finale with ratings well up, and it's one of the few shows to actually benefit from the writers' strike

News shorts
Mort's relief: Murdoch drops Newsday bid; Dolan wins
Weekend overnights: Fox's NASCAR takes Saturday 
Upfront update: 'Back' won't be but 'Boston' returns
While still eschewing iTunes, NBC jumps on iPhones
CW sells off Sunday night to Media Rights Capital

Web shorts
Facebook and MySpace introduce portable profiles
Apple settles Canadian class action over battery life
Australia's rising stink over eBay PayPal requirement
Big Chile: Hacker exposes personal info of millions

People
Greg Field joins Moroch Partners as executive director
Anthony Barzilay Freund rises to VP and editorial director of Louise Blouin Media
Todd Donovan joins ABC News as VP of news technology
Jeffrey Kaufman becomes VP of programming at Howcast Media
Lou Festa becomes CFO at City Lights Media Group
GSN's Jamie Roberts launching a production company
NY Times chairman Arthur Sulzberger Jr. separating from his wife
NBC: Jimmy Fallon taking over for Conan O'Brien on 'Late Night'
Actor Dennis Farina charged with felony gun possession
Jennie Garth joins the cast of CW's '90210' spinoff
Saffron Burrows joins NBC's 'My Own Worst Enemy'
Eric Stoltz signs on for Sci Fi Channel's pilot 'Caprica'
Frances Fisher joining Sci Fi Channel's 'Eureka'

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Overnights
NBC's 'Gladiators' returns as lion feed
Muscleman reality series averages a 1.9 in 18-49s over two-hour debut, less than half its winter average, facing tough competition
Television

ABC: We're staying with what we have
Network rolls out just two new fall shows in its upfront presentation to media buyers, as compared with eight new shows a year ago

Cable
For TBS, laughter's the best medicine
Comedy network's impressive growth is from originals and reruns of top-rated network sitcoms. Big focus: Building up late night.

Research
Think online Hispanics, think gizmos
Nearly two thirds own four or more electronic media devices. Palm Pilots are big. Talking with Terra's Fernando Rodriguez.

New media
For seniors, web's more than emailing
Range of their activities has widened greatly, and a new study finds they're responsive to online ads that are directed at them

TV This Week
The question once again of Jay Leno
Fallon slips into O’Brien's seat on 'Late Night' and O’Brien moves on to Leno's seat. But then Leno has to go somewhere. Where?

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Overnights
Sweeter tune for Fox's 'American Idol'
Bounces back from last week's season low, averaging an 8.6 in 18-49s, as it cranks up in anticipation for next week's finale

Television
For CBS, the tried and true, tried again
Network rolls out five new fall shows, all with familiar themes, half based on successful foreign series (Updated with schedule)

Television
For the CW, to be young, hip and sexy
Network picked up big buzz from 'Gossip Girl,' and that's shaping its fall schedule and its identity as the place for women 18-34

Television
Bet on it: Fox wins season by a length
With a 4.2/11 in 18-49s. ABC and CBS will tie at 3.0/8, both well down, with NBC at a 2.8/8, when the season finishes next week

Cable
Puck pluck: Postseason hockey rises
Audiences for Stanley Cup playoffs are up 36 percent on Versus, after a stronger regular season for the NHL. Credit the hot talent.

TV This Week
What might have been: 'Back to You'
It was the hot new Fox show that seemed to have it all but, alas, it lacked what most mattered: Viewers. So it's curtains (maybe).

News shorts
The Boca boot? Star's Bonnie Fuller is out at AMI. 
Oh ^%#*! Veteran NYC news anchor utters expletive.
Upfront notes: Parsing ABC's new advertiser index
Coming, Knowledge, a BBC magazine for Americans
ESPN upfront: Storm whipping up a.m. 'SportsCenter'

Web shorts
MySpace dethrones 'Spam King' with $234M ruling
Study: Mobiles are workers' most indispensable item
Scarborough: Folks in Austin are most digitally savvy
BusinessWeek.com turns to readers for story input

People
Alexander Schmidt-Vogel becomes global CEO at GroupM Trading
Daniel Warhaftig rises to account director at TPN
Jay Sears and Shanthini Sarkar rise at ADSDAQ Ad Exchange
Brian Silver becomes president of Travel Ad Network
Teri Mollison becomes VP and group publisher at F+W Publications
Bedi A. Singh becomes president of finance and CFO at MGM
Ed Whitman becomes director of sales at Katz Tri-State Radio Group
Jamie Weissenborn rises to SVP of global sales at Sony Pictures TV
Frances Fragos Townsend joins CNN as a contributor
Jason Zweig joining The Wall Street Journal as finance columnist
Harry McCracken leaving as editor in chief of PC World
Actor James Garner suffers a mild stroke
Home and Woman's Day Special Interest Publications editor Olivia Monjo dies

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Overnights
Fox bumps up its lead in May sweeps
'American Idol' averages a 9.0 in adults 18-49, up 13 percent over last week as the two Davids head into next week's finale

Television
For Fox, a swing back to sassy shows
No. 1 network is rolling out younger-skewing, edgier series for next season, in keeping with its past (Updated with schedule)

Research
On the ado over cross-platform deals
Very few advertisers are integrating online and offline campaigns, despite all the talk. Talking with DoubleClick's Stuart Larkins.

Dayparts update
With Jay Leno, it's all in the numbers
He's No. 1 in late night, and he'll be No. 1 again if, as expected, he jumps to another network when his 'Tonight' contract ends

Newspapers
FT's worry: Rupert Murdoch. Or is it?
The Financial Times faces a familiar competitor in the new owner of The Wall Street Journal. But it's better-positioned for the fight.

TV This Week
To the rescue: CBS's 'Without a Trace'
Its season ending, it's headed for a new slot next year, CBS's notorious show-killer, Tuesdays at 10 p.m., to knock a few home

News shorts
Univision upfront: Building on the success of 'Sangre'
Telefutura upfront: Finally, a couple of telenovelas
Turner upfront: We belong right there with broadcast
Turner Networks: We're putting our ads in context
Oops. Boston Herald retracts Rams videotape story.

Web shorts
EMarketer: Dimmer outlook for social networking ads
Nielsen: Huge Wikipedia growth spurred by search
Earthlink sending Philadelphia wi-fi network offline
Google Street View, actually, becoming more blurred

People
Chicago Tribune managing editor for news George de Lama leaving
Grant Whitmore becomes publisher at Jumpstart Automotive Media
Liz Schiff and Michael Parkes join Adconion Media Group
Carolyn Moots becomes regional sales manager at Adspace Mall Network
Michelle Rice rises to EVP of affiliate sales at TV One
Peter Berntsen becomes Midwest account manager at Wizzard Media
Lori Dicker becomes VP of interactive media at Fanscape
Monica Norton rises to technology editor at The Washington Post
Sports columnist Tony Kornheiser leaving The Washington Post
Nina Garcia joining Marie Claire as fashion director
Texas Monthly founder Mike Levy retiring
David Gross becomes VP of reality programming at Lifetime
A&E's 'Dog the Bounty Hunter' returning to the air


Friday, May 16, 2008

Overnights
ABC takes fourth Thursday in sweeps
Network averages a 4.5 in 18-49s, well ahead of No. 2 NBC at 3.5, with the night's two top-rated shows, 'Grey's' and 'Lost'

Media economy
Warm note: Online spending's still hot
IAB final numbers for 2007 show 26 percent growth, down from 35 percent in 2006 but impressive in an ad economy that's flat

Younger viewers
So cool: Return of 'Electric Company'
PBS is bringing back the so-with-it '70s kids show on PBS Kids, and it's just the latest in a string of old kids series being revived

Rachel speaks!
Rachel, what should I ask at a review?
The writer is a young media buyer who loves the job but wants to get a better sense of her future with the agency. Rachel advises.

TV This Week
Best tube bets this weekend
Friday: Celtics at Cavaliers on ESPN; Saturday: Stars versus Red Wings on NBC; Sunday: ABC's 'Desperate Housewives'

News shorts
For Fox, less is more: Slicing ads but raising prices
Senate votes to block FCC's media deregulation plan
The chatter: Washington Post editor is about to retire
Mass Appeal denied: Hip-hop title the latest to shutter
Study: Media consumption varies for ethnic groups

Web shorts
Study: Cox also blocking bandwidth-sucking P2P sites
Missouri woman charged in MySpace cyberbullying
Caught in the web: CBS offers $1.8 billion for CNET
Forecasting the future of Twitter's Japanese ad idea

People
Michael Oreskes becomes managing editor of U.S. news for the AP
Brian Burke rises to CEO of Novus Print Media Network
David DeSocio becomes senior vice president of partnerships at Lifetime
Lisa Choi Owens joins Scripps Networks as SVP of online partnerships
Art Ventura becomes SVP of ad sales at MSG Media
Fabian Milburn becomes SVP of business affairs at Entertainment Rights
Abby Tegnelia becomes West Coast news director at In Touch
Joe Landry becomes group publisher of Out and The Advocate
Carlos Restrepo joins Reader's Digest as online sales director
Tracey Lomrantz rises to senior editor at Elle.com
Sophia Cranshaw rises to VP of on-air promotions with mtvU
Tony Novia becomes SVP of new media at Ryan Seacrest Productions
Mike Fannin rises to editor of the Kansas City Star

Monday, May 19, 2008

Overnights
'Housewives' bounces back for finale
ABC's top comedy averages 6.1 in adults 18-49 over two hours, down from last year but up from last week's series-low 5.5

Television
Buyers: New fall shows pretty ho-hum
Worry over continuing erosion of broadcast ratings after seeing last week's upfront presentations. Beef: Little that's original.

Cable
For History, growing from a rich past
It gets buzz and ratings kicks from off-brand shows, but what's driving the network is its core programming and shift to series

Popcult
Wanted: Moon walkers, leaving soon
Years after the first landing, space is hot again, with Europe, Japan and the U.S. recruiting a new generation of astronauts

Out of Home
Your client doing a show in Las Vegas
Video screens mounted around casinos and hotels run ads that reach visitors as they arrive and during their stay at the resort

TV This Week
Flame of old: ABC's 'The Bachelorette'
Reality series is part of an aggressive summer schedule. It could catch with DeAnna Pappas, runnerup on last winter's 'Bachelor.'


News shorts
Friday overnights: Season finales boost CBS to first
Saturday overnights: Fox wins easily among 18-49s
The McCain gain? 'SNL' finale hits three-year high.
Austrian papers picture wrong girl as murder victim
Philadelphia morning drive host fired over racist ditty

Web shorts
AOL TV poll: Underwood is our all-time favorite 'Idol'
Microsoft to Yahoo: Can we talk about alternatives?
Hola, Latin America: News Corp. targets ad network
Security firm: China facing serious malware attacks

People
Cyndi Stivers becomes managing editor at EW.com
Laura J. Lee rises to VP of network distribution at Hallmark Channel
Alan Gould and Ken Orkin become co-CEOs of Nielsen IAG
Jane Lomas and Serena Kennedy join RDF Television
Helen Howells rises to global brand director with Target Entertainment
Martin Adams becomes business development director at FremantleMedia
Rick Bergan rises to SVP of distribution at Music Choice
Heather Moran rises to SVP of programming at National Geographic Channel
Harvey Moshman joins Weigel Broadcasting as executive producer
Steve Garbarino becomes editor at large at Maxim magazine
Washington Post CFO John Morse Jr. accepts buyout offer
Rob Estes joins the cast of CW's '90210' spinoff
Cartoonist Will Elder dies at age 86

Alternative media
Not another boring message on safety
'When you think of books, think of us'
Selling the car by selling the sunroof
In Kuala Lumpur, trick to fool the eye

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Overnights
Fox takes the final Monday of sweeps
'House' finale averages a 5.7 in 18-49s, easily the night's top show, but with ABC and CBS close behind with strong lineups

Sports TV
Huge kick in ratings for NBA playoffs
Sunday's Celtics-Cavaliers averages a 6.9 in households, best rating for a non-finals game in five years, boding well for finals

Cable
For Comedy Central, laughs all around
Network is moving beyond signature sketch comedy into new genres in search of the next series that will get people laughing

Research
Deflating the myth of online research
Yes, the web's a great place to learn about products, but its actua