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Television & Radio Recent Headlines CNBC: A Star Asset for NBC Universal Financial Times Business news channel CNBC is delivering its fourth year of double-digit growth in operating profits. NBC used to lead the pack of broadcast networks, but it now languishes in last place. By contrast, NBC Universal's cable properties are profitable and growing. Murdoch Daughter Touts Social Networks Los Angeles Times Elisabeth Murdoch, CEO of British television program producer Shine Group, urges TV execs to embrace social networking. Fans "remain the best salesmen for our content. We are at the start of something exciting -- a model that can lead to a new kind of commerce." Fox News: No 1 in Basic Cable Rankings LAT / Boston Herald Fox News last week logged the most viewers in prime time: 3.21 million. The win came when the majority of coverage on cable news was devoted to the Massachusetts Senate race and the earthquake in Haiti. Also: Fox News is the "most trusted" TV news outlet. ABC Offers Paula Abdul $1 Million Deal TMZ Paula Abdul has a million reasons to appear on "Dancing with the Stars." ABC is said to have offered Abdul a $1 million development deal, with one catch -- she has to appear on the network's celebrity dance show. The deal would allow Abdul to do Simon Cowell's "The X Factor." CBS Willing to Air More Advocacy Ads Associated Press CBS is responding to complaints over Christian group Focus on the Family's planned Super Bowl ad featuring football star Tim Tebow by saying that it has eased restrictions on advocacy ads and would consider "responsibly produced" ones for remaining open spots. Martha Stewart Exits Broadcast for Cable Associated Press Martha Stewart doesn't have her own television network like Oprah Winfrey, but the Hallmark Channel is giving the household style maven control over a chunk of its daytime lineup. Stewart's syndicated "Martha Stewart Show" will move to the Hallmark Channel in September. Sirius XM, NY Times 'Riskiest' in Media Seeking Alpha Sirius XM Radio and the New York Times Co. are the most risky investments in media, according to an analysis by Audit Integrity. Bottom-ranked companies have "consistently opaque financial reporting." Scripps Network Interactive has the best risk ranking. CBS Films May Face 'Extraordinary' Cuts New York Post CBS Films insists it is going full steam ahead with its slate of movies despite Harrison Ford's "Extraordinary Measures," which earned just $6 million its opening weekend. The unit, described as a "vanity project for Les Moonves" is said to be mulling slashing budgets by 50%. Sony Sues TV Guide Channel Over Jacko Reuters Michael Jackson tributes that aired on the TV Guide channel following the singer's death last year featured the artist's works without authorization, Sony Music charges in a lawsuit. Sony wants TV Guide to stop airing the documentaries and pay damages. Fox Eyes Conan O'Brien for Late Night New York Post News Corp.'s Fox television network is set to make a move to pick up Conan O'Brien for a rival late-night show. Talks between O'Brien and Fox could start as early as this week. Fox has long wanted to create a late-night show to compete with NBC, ABC and CBS. CBS Struggling as a Movie Producer Wall Street Journal CBS, primarily a broadcaster, started a film studio and released its first feature, "Extraordinary Measures," last weekend. The film generated weekend box office of merely $6 million. With a production cost of about $30 million, the film will struggle to make money. NBC Will Lose $250 Million on Olympics Mediaweek Despite increasing demand from advertisers, NBC expects to lose a quarter of a billion dollars with its presentation of the 2010 Winter Olympics. Sponsor commitments will not be enough to offset the event's $820 million rights fee and production costs. CBS Urged to Drop Pro-Life Super Bowl Ad Associated Press A coalition of women's groups is calling on CBS to scrap its plan to air an ad during the Super Bowl featuring football star Tim Tebow and his mother, which is expected to convey an anti-abortion message. Such an ad "has no place in the biggest sports event of the year." MTV: 'Jersey Shore' Cast All Replaceable New York Post MTV bosses are calling the bluff of the money-hungry "Jersey Shore" cast by looking for new talent. Sources say network reps are touring Jersey bars for new stars for the next season. The current cast is demanding $10,000 per episode to sign for another year. Discovery: OWN Is Not 'Oprah Network' Broadcasting & Cable Discovery chief David Zaslav says that OWN, the new cable network Discovery is creating with Oprah Winfrey, "is not called Oprah, it's called OWN -- it's about moving forward in a positive way." OWN's Oprah-inspired tagline: "It's your life ... own it." Oprah, Beck Lead TV Personality Poll Reuters Oprah Winfrey is regaining her throne as America's favorite television personality in 2009, as conservative talk show host Glenn Beck makes his debut on the annual Harris Poll, coming in second place. NBC's Jay Leno is dropping from first place to third in 2009. NBC Universal Sees Profit Plunge 30% MarketWatch NBC Universal is reporting a 30% drop in fourth-quarter profit on a sharp decline in DVD sales at Universal Studios, along with costs related to developing programming for NBC. The network is developing one-hour dramas to fill Jay Leno's former 10 p.m. time slot. CBS, Hearst Expect Political Ad Boost Advertising Age Last week's U.S. Supreme Court decision to overturn campaign finance laws is expected to open the floodgates for more political advertising. Much of the new money is likely to flow to local television stations, benefitting station group owners like Hearst and CBS. Viacom: Next TV Season 'More Pleasant' Bloomberg Viacom CEO Philippe Dauman says advertising prices improved last quarter and the trend may help advanced sales for the next television season. "If it continues this way, the upfront season for the next broadcast season will be much more pleasant for the sellers of advertising." MTV: 'Hope for Haiti' Breaks Records MTV MTV Networks' multichannel "Hope for Haiti Now" says it has raised $58 million to date -- a new record for a disaster-relief telethon. The figure includes donations made via phone, online and mobile. The telethon album is the biggest one-day album pre-order in iTunes history. NBC, Local Affiliate to Compete on Web Boston Globe NBC plans to launch a Boston news Web site that will compete with the Web site of the network's local Boston affiliate, WHDH, for content and advertisers. NBC's forthcoming nbcboston.com could create brand confusion among viewers in the market, analysts say. Nielsen Ratings to Combine TV, Online Advertising Age Nielsen intends to start making data available that takes online viewing of a television program and merges it with standard TV-audience data, resulting in a "single combined national TV rating." The move spotlights the massive changes taking place in the TV business. Comcast Hires Charter CEO for Cable Philadelphia Business Comcast is naming Charter Communications CEO Neil Smit as president of its cable-television unit, Comcast Cable Communications. Smit will report to Comcast COO Steve Burke, who had been president of the unit. The move will free up Burke to oversee NBC Universal. Clear Channel: We Want Howard Stern BusinessWeek Clear Channel says it may be interested in signing shock jock Howard Stern, whose five-year contract at Sirius XM Radio expires at the end of 2010. The U.S. radio giant's interest hinges on whether Stern would be willing to work "within the limitations" of broadcast radio. Fox Confident Stations Would Carry Conan Bloomberg Fox television execs considering a late-night talk show with Conan O'Brien are said to be confident 60% to 70% of their local stations would be free to carry it. O'Brien reportedly prefers to stay on broadcast TV and is interested in News Corp.'s Fox network. NBC: Affiliates Positive About Leno Move Broadcasting & Cable NBC and its affiliates board are speaking positively of their annual meeting, saying both parties are happy to move ahead after the Jay Leno-Conan O'Brien drama. "Everybody's pretty happy" about Leno's return to his former time slot. "We're appreciative." Conan Unable to Bad-Mouth NBC, Execs Wall Street Journal Conan O'Brien and his team are leaving NBC with a $45 million settlement -- but there is a condition: "The Tonight Show" host can't bad-mouth the network or its top brass. "We wanted to give him a graceful exit," says NBC boss Jeff Gaspin. "Hopefully he will be graceful." Leno Set for W.H. Correspondents Dinner CNN Jay Leno will headline the White House Correspondents' Association dinner in May, the group says. The comedian will share the stage with President Obama at the Washington Hilton. By tradition, presidents fire jokes at the news corps and political opponents at the event. Viacom's MTV Haiti Telethon Airs Tonight Los Angeles Times More than 100 performers will participate in the George Clooney-led "Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief," which airs tonight commercial-free on more than 60 networks and online. According to MTV, it will be the most widely distributed telethon ever. Discovery CEO Makes Fortune on Options New York Post Discovery Communications CEO David Zaslav is due to haul in $34 million in stock options. The massive one-day payout is more than the CEOs of Disney, Time Warner, Viacom, CBS and News Corp. -- not to mention the bosses of Discovery owner Liberty Media -- earned in 2008. Oprah: Unauthorized Bio Coming in April CNN Kitty Kelley, biographer of the rich and famous, is getting ready to release an unauthorized biography on talk show queen Oprah Winfrey. The 544-page "Oprah: A Biography," will be released on April 13, with a first printing of 500,000 copies, from Crown. Air America Goes Off Air, Citing Economy Washington Business Air America, the left-leaning talk radio network that featured hosts like Al Franken and Rachel Maddow, is pulling the plug, citing the poor economy. "This very difficult environment has had a significant impact on Air America’s business," says chief Charlie Kireker. Sirius XM: Howard Stern Mulls Departure TheWrap Howard Stern says he has been approached by terrestrial radio stations about a possible return to his original turf following the completion of his current five-year $500 million contract with Sirius XM. "I actually have an offer," Stern says. "Well, not a bona fide offer ..." MTV Creates Twitter Tracker for 'Jersey' ClickZ MTV is developing a "Twitter Tracker" to help promote its new hit reality show "Jersey Shore." The Twitter Tracker allows fans to follow each other as well as show characters in "visual way." "Jersey Shore" cast mate Snooki boasts some 70,000 Twitter followers. Cablevision, Scripps End Channel Dispute Dow Jones Cablevision is resolving its dispute with Scripps Networks, bringing the Food Network and HGTV back to the cable provider. The spate began on the last day of 2009, which affected about 3.1 million Cablevision customers. Terms of the deal aren't being disclosed. CNN Turns to Vice Magazine for Youth New Media Age Time Warner's CNN is entering content deals with Vice magazine's video service VBS.TV in an effort to attract a younger audience. CNN.com says the VBS.TV documentary deal "promises to bring the CNN.com audience smart, alternative documentary-style videos." ABC: Koppel Not Headed to 'This Week' Broadcasting & Cable Ted Koppel will not be making a return to ABC News -- at least not as George Stephanopoulos' successor on "This Week." Talks to bring the former "Nightline" anchor back to the network as the host of the Sunday program are said to have ended without an offer. NBC: Conan O'Brien Signs Deal to Leave Bloomberg Conan O'Brien, the host of "The Tonight Show," is said to have signed a deal worth some $44 million to exit NBC. Also: NBC told Comcast in November that Jay Leno's ratings had hurt local stations, which weighed on the value of the entertainment company. Comcast-NBC Deal Eyed by Senate Panel Reuters The U.S. Senate antitrust panel is scheduling a Feb. 4 hearing on Comcast's joint venture with NBC Universal, in particular to discuss whether the cable giant's rivals will lose access to programming. Comcast CEO Brian Roberts and NBC head Jeff Zucker are scheduled to testify. Cablevision, Comcast Must Share Sports Bloomberg Cablevision, Comcast and other cable-television operators may have to share more sports programming with satellite and phone companies under changes by U.S. regulators. AT&T and Verizon are "harmed" if they are unable to buy access to cable-owned sports shows. Apple Tablet to Reshape TV, Print Media Wall Street Journal With a new tablet device, Apple is said to be aiming to reshape the newspaper and television businesses much the way the iPod revamped the music industry. Apple reportedly has talked with the New York Times, Conde Nast, CBS and ABC over content for the tablet. NBC: O'Brien Exit Talks Stall on Staff Pay Los Angeles Times Negotiations over Conan O'Brien's departure from NBC are stalled over the "Tonight Show" host's demands that the network compensate staff members who will lose their jobs when the show goes off the air. About 70 staffers followed O'Brien to Los Angeles last year. Fox Questions Conan's Profit Potential Wall Street Journal Conan O'Brien's exit from NBC may allow the Fox network to jump back into late-night television. But first Fox has to sell the idea to its corporate brass and to the managers of the 205 Fox stations, some of whom have reservations about his lackluster "Tonight Show" ratings. CBS: Letterman Case Will Go to Trial Reuters A New York judge refuses to toss out a case against "48 Hours" producer Robert Joel Halderman, who is accused of a $2 million extortion attempt against David Letterman over his affairs with co-workers. "This is a classic example of an issue that is best left for a trial jury to decide." Sirius XM Sees Milestone Free Cash Flow TheStreet Sirius XM Radio expects to report more than $100 million of free cash flow for 2009, as it benefits from improvements in car sales. "This is the first year in our history that we have generated positive free cash flow for the entire year," says Sirius XM CEO Mel Karmazin. MTV Opens Store to Help Garage Bands Wall Street Journal MTV hopes to goose sales of its flagging "Rock Band" game series with a new service that lets users upload and sell videogame versions of their own music. The service, known as the Rock Band Network Store, may offer a few minutes of fame to rudimentary garage bands. NBC to Pay O'Brien $40 Million to Exit Wall Street Journal Conan O'Brien is close to signing a nearly $40 million deal to walk away from hosting NBC's "The Tonight Show." The exit agreement reportedly bars O'Brien from bad-mouthing his former NBC bosses, but paves the way for him to land another television gig within a year. Zucker Says Leno Move Was 'a Mistake' Reuters NBC chief Jeff Zucker, who has overseen the network's decline in recent years, says he showed "guts" and "leadership" by shaking up late-night programming. He admits: "Obviously, in hindsight, you know, perfect information leads you to that conclusion -- that it was a mistake." NBC Readjusts Sales Goals for Olympics SportsBusiness Journal Despite claims that it will lose $200 million on the Vancouver Games, NBC is seeing advertising sales pick up just enough to increase its revenue goals for the event. The network says it has sold 92% of its newly revised sales goal. "We're in very good shape." CBS to Air Pro-Life Ad During Super Bowl Associated Press Former Florida quarterback Tim Tebow and his mother will appear in a 30-second spot by the Christian group Focus on the Family during the Super Bowl next month. The ad is expected to be an anti-abortion message chronicling Pam Tebow's 1987 pregnancy. TV, E-Readers Face Different Forecasts Reuters Television will dominate home entertainment for another year, showing more staying power than newspapers and even their digital reincarnation the e-reader, predicts a new report from Deloitte. E-readers could struggle as more gadgets come to market. Microsoft Eyes Disney's ESPN for Xbox New York Times Microsoft is said to be holding talks with Disney about a programming deal with ESPN for the subscription gaming service, Xbox Live. For a per-subscriber fee, ESPN could provide live streams of sporting events. Microsoft could also create ESPN interactive games. NBC to Pay Conan O'Brien $30M to Exit TheWrap, HR NBC will pay Conan O'Brien $30 million to vacate the "Tonight Show," sources say. Network execs Jeff Zucker, Jeff Gaspin and Marc Graboff are believed to be in the final negotiations. Also: NBC will maintain the "intellectual property" rights to O'Brien's characters. Comcast Sending $1M to Support Haiti Philadelphia Business Comcast says it is providing more than $1 million in cash and support for disaster relief to victims of the Haitian earthquake. The future owner of NBC Universal says its donations include cash contributions to the American Red Cross and Telecom Without Borders. MTV Networks Organizes Haiti Telethon Los Angeles Business Viacom's MTV Networks is organizing "Hope for Haiti," a commercial-free telethon that will be air Jan. 22 on major television networks including ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CNN, and HBO. The telethon will also feature reports from Haiti from CNN's Anderson Cooper. Scripps to Run Telethons for Haiti Aid Associated Press Scripps plans to hold live telethons at all nine of its ABC and NBC television stations to raise aid for victims of the Haiti earthquake. The telethons will be held Tuesday evening. Depending on the market, they will begin in late afternoon and air for about three hours. Clear Channel to Post 'Most Wanted' Pics San Antonio Business Clear Channel Outdoor is teaming up with the FBI's New York office on a new digital billboard in Times Square that will display images of wanted fugitives and other high-security messages. The billboard is part of a nationwide Clear Channel-FBI public service partnership. Leno, NBC Reach 'Tonight Show' Deal Daily News, Beast Jay Leno is on track to retake the helm of "The Tonight Show," and Conan O'Brien could be gone by next week, reports say. The moves would solve the network's late-night woes. Also: O'Brien will leave NBC and the network will make an as-yet unspecified payment. NBC to Fill Leno Gap With New Shows Bloomberg NBC says it will fill the 10 p.m. holes in its prime-time television lineup left by Jay Leno with crime dramas, new shows and the news magazine "Dateline." The new lineup will kick off March 1 after the Vancouver Olympics. NBC is yet to announce its schedule for late night. MTV Networks to Air Telethon for Haiti Hollywood Reporter George Clooney will appear in a bi-coastal fund-raising telethon on MTV Networks channels, including MTV and VH1, on Jan. 22 to raise funds for victims of the earthquake in Haiti. Other actors and musicians who will also take part in the benefit will be announced shortly. Clear Channel Debuts Google-Like Ads San Antonio Business Clear Channel Radio is rolling out a contextual advertising service that automatically inserts an audio spot after specific programming or a commercial spot. Previously available only on the Internet, the service "shows that not all ad innovation is happening online." NBC Plans HD Web Olympic Coverage Associated Press NBC will spread 835 hours of coverage of the Vancouver Olympics over five networks and its Olympic Web site, all of it in high definition. The network says it will be the most total hours ever for a Winter Olympics, and more than the last two Winter Games combined. CBS Launches iPhone Local News App Broadcasting & Cable CBS is now providing free news apps for CBS-owned television stations in 13 markets through Apple's app store. The apps deliver breaking news, full length on-demand video, slide shows and Twitter updates from news anchors and reporters at local stations. News Corp: Roger Ailes Isn't Leaving Los Angeles Times Reports of Fox News boss Roger Ailes' demise may be greatly exaggerated. "News Corp. is 100% behind Roger Ailes," says News Corp. president Chase Carey, in response to Internet speculation about Ailes being a short-timer at the media giant. Viacom's Epix Finds Another Distributor Associated Press Epix, the pay television channel owned by Viacom, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and Lions Gate, is announcing its second carriage deal in two days, this time with Mediacom, the nation's seventh largest cable TV provider. The fledgling channel earlier signed up with Cox. News Corp Reorganizes Top TV Execs Dow Jones News Corp. is restructuring its entertainment and sports television operations to "better align" leadership, as advertising revenue slides. Rich Battista, head of Fox National Cable Networks, is in talks about a possible new role. "We hope to find a new opportunity for him." NBC's O'Brien Debacle to Cost Millions Bloomberg Conan O'Brien's refusal to host a later "Tonight Show" forces NBC to negotiate a settlement or risk a legal fight. O'Brien reportedly stands to get up to $50 million if the network replaces him. Also, fixing NBC's prime-time schedule will cost at least $200 million, analysts say. Fox Still Best Fit for Conan, Analyst Says MarketWatch Conan O'Brien is probably best suited for the youngest of the four major broadcast networks, says SNL Kagan analyst Deana Myers, even though some Fox television affiliates balk at the idea of a late-night show hosted by the comedian. "His sense of humor fits" Fox. MTV to Reinvent With 'Raunchier' Fare Los Angeles Times MTV is no longer a must-buy for advertisers seeking young audiences, ad buyers say. "Now there are countless other ways to reach young people, particularly with the Web." In an effort to combat audience erosion, MTV is adding "raunchier," controversial programming. CBS: Top Court Rejects Dan Rather Appeal Reuters New York State's highest court is declining to hear former "CBS Evening News" anchor Dan Rather's appeal of a decision dismissing his $70 million lawsuit against CBS. Rather, 78, had accused the network of breaching his contract following his 2005 removal as anchor. Sirius XM Radio: The Beginning of the End? TheStreet Pioneer is unveiling a new car stereo that can detect Pandora Internet radio settings from iPhones or iPods, which could then be translated into user access while driving. The new product is seen tech-sector observers as a threat the very survival of Sirius XM Radio. Arbitron CEO Resigns After Misstatement Dow Jones Arbitron CEO Michael Skarzynski is resigning after admitting a misstatement in his testimony before a U.S. congressional committee. His actions are "inconsistent with our corporate values," the company says, "which state that 'Honesty and Integrity Come First.'" Cablevision OK's Madison Square Spinoff Reuters Cablevision's board of directors is approving the spinoff of its Madison Square Garden unit. MSG is home to sports teams, entertainment venues like Madison Square Garden and Radio City Music Hall, as well as cable networks like MSG and MSG Plus. 'Sesame Street' Preps Video Game Series Associated Press Warner Bros. is entering a deal with Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit educational organization behind "Sesame Street," to create a series of educational games aimed at preschool-age children for various platforms. "There's a big open hole in the market." NBC: Conan Says No to 'Tonight' Delay New York Times Conan O'Brien says he will quit NBC's "Tonight Show" if it gets moved to 12:05 a.m., as the network wishes to do. "I cannot participate in ... its destruction," he says in a statement. "I currently have no other offer. My hope is that NBC and I can resolve this quickly." TV Watching May Shorten Life, Study Says Bloomberg Every hour spent sitting idle in front of the television raises the risk of premature death from heart disease by 18%, an Australian study finds. Researchers tracked the TV-viewing habits of 8,800 adults. Prolonged inactivity is to blame for the health effects. Murdoch's Fox News Signs Up Sarah Palin New York Times Sarah Palin, the onetime U.S. Republican vice-presidential candidate, is signing on as a contributor to Fox News Channel. Palin will appear on the network on a regular basis as part of a multi-year deal. Palin is expected to host an occasional series from time to time. News Corp Shaking Up TV Division Execs Broadcasting & Cable News Corp. is considering a restructuring of its television division that is expected to a see a re-shuffling of duties among top execs. Peter Rice is expected to assume greater control over entertainment assets, while David Hill will gain greater power in sports. Fox: Simon Cowell to Leave 'American Idol' Associated Press Simon Cowell says that this will be his last season on "American Idol." The cantankerous judge's "The X Factor," a show he created and is a hit in Britain, will join Fox's schedule next year. Cowell's decision is the biggest threat yet to TV's most popular program. Viacom's Epix in Distribution Deal with Cox Business Insider Epix, a new movie channel owned by Viacom's Paramount Pictures, Lions Gate and MGM, is entering a distribution deal with Cox Communications, the third-largest U.S. cable television company. Epix was launched Oct. 30 with just one distribution partner, Verizon's FiOS. NBC Starts Fixing Damage from Jay Leno Bloomberg NBC's next step, having decided to yank Jay Leno's 10 p.m. talk show, is to fix the damage done to the network's prime-time viewership by the four-month experiment. "There will probably be two scripted hours, another reality show, 'Dateline' or some re-runs." Fox Confirms Interest in Conan O'Brien Los Angeles Times Conan O'Brien, caught in NBC's late-night shuffle, is finding encouragement from rival network Fox. Network entertainment head Kevin Reilly says Fox is interested in O'Brien, but it is too early to say whether anything will happen. Reilly confirms "informal conversations." Comcast Blamed for Leno-O'Brien Switch Atlantic NBC's looming merger with Comcast is cited by industry observers as the reason for the surprise decision to swap Conan O'Brien for Jay Leno. NBC Universal chief Jeff Gaspin has "every incentive to show improvement" before his new bosses at Comcast take over. CBS Sees Ad Prices Drop for Super Bowl Associated Press The economic slump is causing prices for Super Bowl commercial time to fall for only the second time in its history. Thirty-second spots on next month's CBS telecast are said to be going for under $2.8 million -- a drop from last year, when ads averaged $3 million on NBC. TV: 'Consumer Can't Win' as Costs Rise USA Today Television network owners want more cash from cable, satellite and phone companies. That could pressure distributors such as Comcast, DirecTV and Verizon to raise monthly fees. "The consumer can't win," says Leo Hindery of investment firm InterMedia Partners. Disney Ready to Kill Off 'Hanna Montana' New York Post The upcoming fourth season of "Hannah Montana" will be its last, Disney officials say. Miley Cyrus, who portrays Hannah Montana, has been making noises for more than a year that she is ready to move on. The news marks the end of one of the most successful kids' shows ever. Oprah Protégé Dr. Oz May Succeed Her Crain's New York Dr. Mehmet Oz's new show is posting the best ratings numbers for a freshman syndicated show in nearly a decade. A protégé of Oprah Winfrey, Dr. Oz is seen as a possible successor when her talk show goes off the air next year. Coming soon: A Web site to rival WebMD. NBC to End Jay Leno's Prime-Time Show Associated Press NBC says it will end its Jay Leno prime-time experiment with the beginning of the Winter Olympics on Feb 12. The change comes after affiliates started talking about dropping the show. "The drumbeat started getting louder." NBC wants Leno to return to his former late-night time slot. Fox Eyes Conan O'Brien for Late Night New York Post "Tonight Show" host Conan O'Brien is said to be ready to bolt from NBC after the network's abrupt decision to move Jay Leno to O'Brien's 11:35 p.m. slot. O'Brien has "many options," including a move to News Corp.'s Fox, which is looking to create its own late-night show. CBS Sidesteps Scrutiny of Charlie Sheen Los Angeles Times "Two and a Half Men" star Charlie Sheen, arrested in a domestic-violence incident last month, threatens to bring tabloid shame to CBS. But the network has so far escaped much public censure, partly because Sheen still hasn't been charged. NBC Expects to Lose Money on Olympics Associated Press NBC Sports chief Dick Ebersol says advertising sales for the Winter Olympics in Vancouver are picking up. Still, NBC expects to lose money due to the heavy rights fees. NBC won the rights to air the Vancouver Olympics and the 2012 London Summer Games for $2.2 billion. ABC: Obama Won't Preempt 'Lost' Premiere Washington Post President Obama apparently feels he needs the "Lost" voting bloc and therefore will not schedule his State of the Union address the same night that ABC planned to air the two-hour season debut of the drama series. Fans feared the Feb. 2 show would be preempted. MTV Gets Big Boost from 'Jersey Shore' Multichannel News MTV's controversial reality series "Jersey Shore" continues to build. The Jan. 7 telecast scored a 3.2 rating among the network's demo of viewers age 12 to 34. The episode trailed only ABC's coverage of the BCS championship game with that group in all of television. NBC Mulls Big Shake-Up for Jay Leno MSNBC NBC is said to be considering moving Jay Leno back to his former job as host of "The Tonight Show" in the face of complaints from network affiliates about the funnyman's low-rated prime-time show. Industry analysts say: "The unsolved mystery is what happens at 10 p.m." ABC Eyes Ted Koppel for 'This Week' Washington Post Ted Koppel might replace George Stephanopoulos as anchor of ABC News's Sunday morning show "This Week." ABC news boss David Westin says: "We are in the middle of the process, and I will not comment on the specifics of whom we are and whom we are not talking to." FX Near TV Deal for News Corp 'Avatar' Los Angeles Times News Corp.'s 20th Century Fox is said to be near a deal to sell the commercial television rights to the hit movie "Avatar" to sister cable network FX. Although negotiations are still being finalized, the price tag on the movie could be north of $25 million over several years. MTV Makes Mobile Play to Attract Ads GoMo News Not wanting to be outdone by Apple or Google, MTV Networks is entering a partnership with mobile advertising firm Crisp Media. Crisp will be the mobile ad provider for any brands that run campaigns through MTV and will create campaigns aimed at smartphone owners. NBC Won't Become a Subscription Biz Dow Jones Comcast CEO Brian Roberts says he doesn't see NBC's broadcast network becoming a subscription business, despite the industry push for more affiliate fees from pay-TV distributors. "We believe in the broadcast model. We will continue to grow the affiliate fee model." TVs With 3-D Will 'Fall Short of Hype' Bloomberg Television makers are introducing 3-D enabled TVs at the Consumer Electronics Show, yet a lack of 3-D programming combined with high prices may prevent mass adoption for several years, says Goldman Sachs. Large adoption of 3-D TVs "is at least a few years away." Cablevision Denies Hiding Tiger Woods Us Weekly Cablevision CEO Jim Dolan is rumored to be hiding Tiger Woods at his $13.5 million fortress-like estate in Long Island. Cablevision's assets include Madison Square Garden and Newsday. MSG denies the scandal-plagued golfer is at Dolan's home: "It is categorically false." CBS: Charlie Sheen Dropped by Hanes Zap2It Tiger Woods is not the only celebrity with sponsor problems. Hanes is dropping CBS "Two and a Half Men" star Charlie Sheen as a spokesman for its T-shirts. Sheen was arrested Christmas Day for allegedly trying to choke his wife. Sheen's commercials "will not run again." ABC 'Lost' Fans Angered by White House Washington Post Fans of "Lost" are upset over news that the White House might reschedule President Obama's State of the Union address for Feb. 2, the date that the ABC drama series returns for Season 6. One "Lost" obsessive had already launched a Twitter hashtag #NoStateofUnionFeb2. Sirius: Howard Stern Pal in Suicide Try New York Post Troubled comic Artie Lange, a sidekick to Sirius XM star Howard Stern, landed in the hospital after stabbing himself nine times in an apparent suicide attempt. Surgeons managed to save Lange despite heavy bleeding. "We all have our demons," Stern says. DirecTV, Discovery Plan to Launch 3D TV Wall Street Journal At least four new 3D television networks are in the works, as entertainment and electronics companies look to push 3D movies, TV programs and sporting events into U.S. homes. DirecTV is set to launch a 3D TV effort, as are ESPN and a joint venture of Discovery, Sony and Imax. Scripps to Offer Free Food Network Show Wall Street Journal Scripps Networks Interactive is using an unusual weapon in its fight with Cablevision over how much it should be paid for its two cable channels, Food Network and HGTV. Scripps plans to broadcast some of the disputed programming free, over the air. CBS, ABC, Fox Block Mobile TV Service Bloomberg CBS, ABC and Fox are dropping a lawsuit against Hang 10 Technologies, which is agreeing to stop retransmitting New York broadcast television shows to mobile devices for paying subscribers. The networks claim Hang 10 had no license for its retransmission service. NBC's Andrea Mitchell Gets Most TV Time Associated Press NBC's Andrea Mitchell logged more television face time than any other evening news reporter during the past decade. Consultant Andrew Tyndall calculates that Mitchell was on NBC's "Nightly News" for 2,416 minutes from 2000 to 2009. NBC had the most heavily used reporters. CBS: Court to Eye Janet Jackson's Breast Broadcasting & Cable Oral argument is being set for Feb. 23 in an appeals court re-hearing of the $550,000 indecency fine against CBS-owned stations for the 2004 Janet Jackson-Justin Timberlake Super Bowl reveal. CBS says that to allow the case to drag out any further would chill speech. ESPN to Launch 3D Network in June USA Today ESPN is going 3D. The sports network will launch ESPN 3D on June 11 with a World Cup soccer match, creating what it says will be the first all three-dimensional television network to the home. ESPN 3D expects to showcase at least 85 live sporting events in its first year. MSNBC Extends 'Breaking News' Brand MSNBC MSNBC.com is acquiring the BreakingNews.com Web address, with the aim of creating a Web site to complement its @BreakingNews alert service on Twitter. The latest addition to the MSNBC Digital Network will focus on up-to-the-second news coverage from multiple sources. CBS Dumps Cronkite News Voiceover Associated Press Six months after Walter Cronkite's death, his voice is leaving the "CBS Evening News." His introduction of anchor Katie Couric is being replaced by a voiceover by actor Morgan Freeman. The CBS News legend recorded the introduction when Couric started at CBS in 2006. FCC Told U.S. Needs to Open Airwaves Bloomberg The United States should free "underutilized" airwaves for use by wireless companies for high-speed Internet services, the Justice Department says in comments to the Federal Communications Commission. Broadcasters may have to relinquish some airwaves. TV Everywhere May Face Antitrust Probe Washington Post Public interest groups are calling on U.S. regulators to probe the industry-wide TV Everywhere plan to bring television shows and movies to computers and devices. They claim the plan will strap users to unnecessarily high subscription fees and stifle competition. Local Broadcasters Eye Mobile TV Future Wall Street Journal The Open Mobile Video Coalition, a group of 800 local broadcasters, plans to use this week's Consumer Electronics Show to promote their plans to deliver live news and other content to mobile devices. "We're looking five, 10 years down the road -- how do we stay viable?" NBC to 'Rebuild' Schedule After Leno Flop Bloomberg NBC, last among U.S. television networks in prime time, plans to increase production of new shows to the most since 2003 to reverse seven straight seasons of declining ratings. NBC prime time is headed for an eighth-season decline after it moved comedian Jay Leno to 10 p.m. CBS: Super Bowl Ad Slots Nearly Sold Out USA Today CBS says it has sold 95% of its 62 advertising slots for this year's Super Bowl, despite the fact that two of the event's longest-running advertisers -- Pepsi-Cola and General Motors -- plan to pass on the Feb. 7 game. One key to brisk sales: "There's not one price for ads." Sirius XM CEO Speaks Out on Media, Stern Seeking Alpha Sirius XM Radio CEO Mel Karmazin says he sees little growth potential in traditional media. Sirius XM, he adds, will seek to continue its partnership with Howard Stern, who is "funny and entertaining, compared to comedians who are barely able to put together a single one-hour piece." Time Warner Cable Plans to Rename Itself Dow Jones Time Warner Cable, the second-largest U.S. cable company, is said to have launched an effort -- known internally as "Project Mercury" -- to find a new name. The company is looking to further differentiate itself from former parent Time Warner. (Maybe "AOL Cable"?) Fox, Time Warner Make Up to Avoid Blackout Reuters Time Warner Cable and News Corp.'s Fox Networks Group are agreeing to an extension of their current carriage contract to avoid a blackout that would have prevented 13 million U.S. homes from seeing TV shows like "The Simpsons" as well as college and NFL football games. Scripps Yanks Channels from Cablevision UPI Scripps Networks Interactive yanked its Food Network and HGTV off Cablevision's cable systems Friday after the two companies were unable to reach an agreement in year-end talks over carriage fees. Cablevision maintains Scripps did not offer "reasonable" terms for renewing. Citadel Broadcasting Files Chapter 11 CNNMoney Citadel Broadcasting, the third-largest radio group in the United States, is filing for bankruptcy. The debt-laden company, which has stations in 25 states and liabilities of $2.5 billion, says sales "will continue to decline." Citadel syndicates Don Imus's talk show. Clear Channel Eyes Apps for New Life USA Today Radio stations are racing to create apps to help them reach the growing number of consumers who see their iPhones and BlackBerrys as portable entertainment devices. CBS says its streaming audience has doubled in recent months. "It's a rocket ship in listenership." Discovery Channel Boss Out in Shuffle Washington Business An executive shuffle at Discovery Communications includes the exit of Discovery Channel president John Ford. Terms of his resignation are unclear; Discovery says it does not comment on departures. Discovery veteran Clark Bunting will take over as acting president. NBC to Replace O'Brien on 'Tonight'? PopEater NBC execs are rumored to holding informal talks about replacing Conan O'Brien, whose transition into the "Tonight Show" has been disappointing. The ideal replacement: former NBC star Jerry Seinfeld. A spokesperson for NBC says: "Completely false." Hulu Pulls Brittany Murphy 'SNL' Video Examiner Hulu, NBC.com and other video sites are said to have yanked a clip from "Saturday Night Live" poking fun at Brittany Murphy, in wake of the sudden death of the actress. The parody clip featured "SNL" cast member Abby Elliott portraying Murphy as incoherent. ABC: No 'Hoopla' as Sawyer Ascends USA Today Diane Sawyer steps into ABC's "World News" anchor chair Monday. The anointment of the second woman to anchor the evening news solo will be a more low-key affair than Katie Couric's arrival at CBS three years ago. "It is better to build steadily." CBS Boss Moonves Gets New Advisor Los Angeles Times Nancy Tellem, one of Hollywood's top female execs, is stepping down as president of the CBS network's entertainment group to take on a new role as a senior advisor to CBS CEO Les Moonves. She will concentrate on new business initiatives and emerging technologies. Comcast Could Own NBCU by 2014 Multichannel News Comcast could buy out General Electric's 49% interest in the NBC Universal joint venture for $17 billion in the next four years, according to Citigroup analyst Jason Bazinet. The scenario would not only make sense, but would be affordable. Comcast has "ample capacity." CBS to Take 'Financial Hit' from Tiger Bloomberg Tiger Woods's indiscretions will cost the PGA Tour, CBS, Nike and other businesses some $220 million or more in lost revenue, analysts say. TV audiences may shrink by half, with ads dropping by as much as 40%. "It's not so much a ripple effect as it is a tsunami." CW Canceled Series Revived on YouTube Reuters "The Beautiful Life," producer Ashton Kutcher's quickly canceled CW drama about fashion models, could gain a second chance to find an audience on the Web. Kutcher is posting episodes of the series on YouTube, in a move he describes as an "industry first." Broadcasters Defend Use of Airwaves Bloomberg Broadcasters are defending their use of U.S. airwaves before lawmakers considering whether some spectrum should be reallocated to meet growing demand from wireless Internet services. "Broadcasting and broadband are not 'either/or' propositions as some suggest." CNN to Fall Behind MSNBC in Ratings New York Times CNN will finish 2009 behind MSNBC in prime-time ratings, the first time CNN has ever trailed a competitor other than the Fox News Channel over a full calendar year. In recent months, CNN has also trailed its own sister network, HLN, where hosts do offer opinions. Comcast Launches Service for Web TV Reuters Comcast is rolling out an on-demand, Web-based service, called Fancast XFINITY TV, for subscribers to both its video programing and Internet access. The service is a bid to keep customers from dropping their cable subscriptions in search of free shows online. TV Watching Rising as Recession Hits Reuters More U.S. consumers are turning to the great American pastime of watching television as the recession strains household budgets, according to Deloitte's 2009 State of the Media Democracy survey. TV watching is surging, with Internet-savvy millenials leading the increase. CBS Ex-Producer: Letterman 'Might Kill' New York Post Robert "Joe" Halderman, the former CBS producer accused in a $2 million shakedown of David Letterman, thought the late-night host might try to kill him, according to revelations in the alleged extortion scheme. "I'm not sure how crazy this guy is," he says of Letterman. A&E Becomes Google TV Ads Partner WebProNews The Official Google TV Ads blog says: "We're happy to welcome A&E Television Networks, one of the largest cable programmers in the US, as our newest inventory partner. Through our partnership with AETN, advertisers will be able to reach over 55M homes nationwide." Clear Channel Taps WaMu Exec for CFO San Antonio Business Clear Channel is naming Tom Casey as the company's new CFO and executive VP. Casey will oversee all of Clear Channel's financial activities and will report directly to CEO Mark Mays. Casey is taking the position held by Randall Mays, who will become vice chairman. Tribune Names New COO for Broadcasting Chicago Tribune Jerry Kersting, an executive VP at Tribune since April 2008, is being appointed Tribune Broadcasting's COO. Kersting, former CFO for the radio division of Clear Channel, will work with Tribune Broadcasting President Ed Wilson overseeing 23 television stations. NBC Launches Game in Social Media WebProNews NBC is introducing a social media game to promote the series "Chuck" by getting fans to spread the word about the program on Facebook, Twitter and MySpace. The fan with the most points at the end of the game will have their photo appear in an episode of "Chuck." CBS Interactive Dumps Ad Networks Advertising Age CBS is expected to announce that it will no longer do business with third-party advertising networks, and will instead sell its own online inventory. In doing so, CBS re-opens a debate that raged mostly before the economy declined: Are ad networks good or bad for online media? ABC, CBS Battle TV Stations for Fees Wall Street Journal CBS, ABC and Fox are asking indie television stations that carry their programming for a cut of the payments they get from cable, satellite and telecommunications companies. A battle looms as broadcast TV struggles to turn itself into a more subscription business. Fox, ABC TV Stations to Share News Cincinnati Business Cincinnati ABC affiliate WCPO and Fox affiliate WXIX plan to start sharing news coverage of certain events, such as court hearings and news conferences. The move will give viewers "a better editorial product," say execs with the stations, owned by Scripps and Raycom. NBC, CBS to Face Life Without Tiger Associated Press The television networks know what life without Tiger Woods looks like, and they will take that knowledge into their upcoming negotiations for the next contract with the PGA Tour. The tour's deals with CBS and NBC expire in 2012; talks are expected to begin late next year. Viacom's Epix Near Cox Carriage Deal Bloomberg Cox Communications, the third-biggest U.S. cable system, is near a deal with Viacom to carry Epix, the new movie channel vying for subscribers with HBO and Showtime. Viacom is packaging Epix in a renewal pact for networks including MTV, Nickelodeon and Comedy Central. NBC: Jeff Zucker Signs a New Contract Hollywood Reporter General Electric is signing a new three-year contract with NBC Universal CEO Jeff Zucker to keep him at the company through 2013. Securing Zucker could provide stability during the Comcast-NBC transition period and the first key months of getting the new venture off the ground. Bravo Boss Zalaznick in Talks with MTV Deadline Lauren Zalaznick, who oversees Bravo and Oxygen at NBC Universal, is said to be in advanced talks to take Brian Graden's former job as MTV president of entertainment, running MTV and VH1. "Word is that post-merger there'll be no upward mobility for her" at NBCU. Citadel Broadcasting Eyes Bankruptcy Wall Street Journal Citadel Broadcasting, the third-largest U.S. radio broadcaster, is said to be planning to file for bankruptcy by the end of the year. Overall advertising revenue for radio is expected to drop 19% in 2009. Current shareholders, as in most bankruptcies, will be wiped out. Microsoft in Local Deal with NBC, Hearst AllThingsD MSN is entering a deal with NBC Universal and Hearst to provide local news and information to the Microsoft consumer portal. The deal encompasses 36 U.S. markets and will provide 3,000 video clips per week, which will be integrated into MSN's Local Edition. Internet Users Want Local TV on Gadgets Wall Street Journal Nearly half of Internet users are interested in watching television on their cellphones, according to a new study from the Open Mobile Video Coalition, a group of broadcasters. Younger consumers and early adopters are particularly interested in local TV. Oprah TV Channel to Feature Film Club Hollywood Reporter In the tradition of Oprah Winfrey's famous book club, the talk show host's cable channel, OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network, will launch a documentary film club. OWN is partnering with Ro*co Prods. to do a monthly documentary film series on the cable channel. CBS: Moonves Thanks Leno for TV Boost RBR CBS chief Les Moonves didn't mention Jay Leno by name, but he clearly had "The Jay Leno Show" in mind when talking about how business is improving at his network's local television stations. "Our 11 o'clock newses, because we win 10 o'clock across the board, are doing much better." Sirius XM: Howard Stern Rethinks His Gig Wall Street Journal Howard Stern's contract with Sirius XM Radio expires at the end of next year, and pre-negotiating posturing is well under way. "I don't think I'm going to be re-signing," Stern says. The shock jock could return to traditional broadcasting, where the indecency backlash has calmed. ABC: Shake-Up at 'Good Morning America' New York Times ABC News is on the verge of announcing a new cast for "Good Morning America." George Stephanopoulos is expected to be named the new co-host, succeeding Diane Sawyer. JuJu Chang, an ABC News correspondent, will become the program's news reader, replacing Chris Cuomo. CBS Axes Soap Opera 'As the World Turns' Reuters CBS is canceling "As the World Turns" after 54 years. The show, the last remaining daytime drama made by a Procter & Gamble unit that coined the term "soap opera," is seeing a large ratings decline. It follows the recent CBS cancellation of "Guiding Light" after 72 years. CNN Invests in Local News Feed Outside.In Wall Street Journal Time Warner's CNN.com is investing in Outside.In, a startup that feeds neighborhood blogs and other local news and information to the Web sites of newspapers, television stations and other media. Many news outlets see an untapped market in local information. Vevo: Will New Site Be Next-Gen MTV? CNET Video startup Vevo is scheduled to launch Tuesday evening, supported by three of the largest record companies and the tech know-how from YouTube. Vevo, which will present videos from many of the world's biggest recording stars, "is like MTV on steroids." Disney Channel, ABC Join Portable TV Hollywood Reporter Disney Channel and ABC are embracing FLO TV, the primary U.S. provider of hand-held, portable television. With ABC on board, the Qualcomm service can boast of offering the four major broadcast networks. FLO TV launched in 2007 on Verizon and last year on AT&T. Comcast: No Plans to Sell Fourth-Place NBC Associated Press Comcast exes say they have no plans to sell NBC Universal's broadcast television business when they take control of the company. Comcast CEO Brian Roberts acknowledges that the cable channels are the driving force behind the deal to buy a control of NBC Universal. Amazon Kindle Eyes Audible, Font Features Associated Press Amazon.com will add two features to the Kindle e-book reader to make the gadget more accessible to blind and vision-impaired users. Audible menus will let the Kindle speak menu options out loud, while an extra-large font will benefit people with impaired vision. NBC's Zucker: We Haven't Done a Good Job MarketWatch NBC Universal CEO Jeff Zucker says the company hasn't "done a good enough job" at the NBC television network. Pointing out that NBC had topped the Nielsen ratings for many years, he notes: "When you're on top, you stay with things too long. We made all of those cyclical mistakes." News Corp Seeks to Grow in Cable Networks Dow Jones News Corp. COO Chase Carey says the company is not looking to add any U.S. distribution businesses to the house of Rupert Murdoch. U.S. media distribution is a relatively mature business, he says, adding that News Corp. aims to expand in cable networks, especially overseas. TiVo CEO Predicts Broadcast, Cable 'Wreck' USA Today TiVo CEO Tom Rogers says he sees "a train wreck coming for the broadcast and cable industry on the advertising front." The reason: paying attention to 30-second ads that interrupt shows "is not the way people elect to watch television" when they have a DVR. DVR Use, Online Viewing Continue to Rise World Screen Nielsen's latest Three Screen Report reveals that while 99% of U.S. video content is viewed on traditional television, DVR usage is up by 21.1% since Q3 2008, while online video usage is up by nearly 35%. "Americans today have an insatiable appetite for choice." Oprah: Harpo Productions Stays in Chicago Chicago Tribune Oprah Winfrey's Harpo Productions says it will stay in Chicago, despite the media queen's plan to end her top-rated, Chicago-based syndicated daytime talk show. Harpo, which employs more than 400 people, is behind such shows as "Dr. Phil" and "The Dr. Oz Show." GE Agrees to Buy $345M in Ads from NBC Associated Press General Electric will buy $345 million in advertising from NBC Universal over five years after selling its controlling stake in the company to Comcast. In addition, GE will buy $50 million worth of ads in connection with the 2012 Olympic Games, whose rights NBC holds. NBC CEO Zucker Must 'Prove Himself' Bloomberg Jeff Zucker, NBC Universal's CEO, may have as few as nine months to prove himself to his new bosses at Comcast while the U.S. cable operator seeks regulatory approvals. "Wall Street will go insane if Zucker keeps his job," analysts say. Zucker is "value destructive." Brokaw Unhurt in Fatal Highway Wreck Associated Press Former NBC News anchor Tom Brokaw and his wife escaped injury in a three-car accident on a New York City highway that killed a 30-year-old woman and injured a mail driver Friday. The accident happened as Brokaw was driving on the Bruckner Expressway in the Bronx. ABC, 'Idol' Singer Lambert to Make Up People ABC and Adam Lambert appear to be ready to make up. The singer will join the ladies of "The View" on Thursday, after his sexually-charged performance on the American Music Awards led ABC to cancel his appearances on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" and "Good Morning America." Sirius XM Far Behind Broadcast Radio Radio Ink American adults spend an average of 94 minutes a day in the car, and broadcast radio fills up 74% of the time they spend listening as they drive, according to a new study by Nielsen. CDs and tapes are a distant second, at 16%, with satellite radio at 6% and iPods at 4%. CBS to Put Content on Vevo Music Site Bloomberg CBS is agreeing to supply music and videos for Vevo, the new Web site created by Universal Music, including performances from "The Late Show with David Letterman." Vevo, slated to launch on Tuesday, aims to become an advertiser-backed site for music videos. ABC: Stephanopoulos Mulls 'GMA' Offer Washington Post ABC is said to have offered George Stephanopoulos the job of co-hosting "Good Morning America" and intensive negotiations are still underway. Stephanopoulos is pushing for the co-host role to be reshaped to spotlight his interest in politics and hard news. Sony Signs 3-D Video Deal for World Cup Associated Press Sony will record up to 25 2010 World Cup games in 3-D. However, the videos won't be available on television broadcasts. They will be shown at Sony booths at events held by FIFA, the soccer governing body, in major cities worldwide to showcase 3-D to consumers. Epix, Dish Network in Distribution Talks Reuters Epix, a new movie channel owned by three Hollywood studios, is talking with Dish Network and other carriers, and expects to secure another distribution deal by early 2010. Epix chief Mark Greenberg says he is "pretty confident" that another deal will soon be in place. Comcast-NBC Has Many Possibilities Philadelphia Inquirer Comcast-NBC will give Comcast a powerful role in the world of Internet-television "convergence." The venture could move the NBC broadcast network toward the cable model -- or phase NBC out completely. Comcast is said to be working to sell off NBC-owned TV stations. Hulu Future Eyed in Comcast-NBC Deal New York Times Comcast, which will become a parent of the popular free video site Hulu in the deal to take over NBC Universal, is already using its considerable muscle to limit how many shows are available online. Hulu is widely expected to add a subscription arm next year. Comcast, NBC Announce $30B Merger Washington Post Comcast and NBC Universal are announcing their much-anticipated $30 billion merger, giving the biggest U.S. cable television provider control of NBC and about two dozen cable channels. Jeff Zucker, currently CEO of NBC Universal, will lead the new joint venture. Oprah Won't Reprise Her Show on OWN Reuters Oprah Winfrey's forthcoming cable network will feature the media queen, but viewers should not expect her to reprise the talk show that made her famous over the past 25 years, says Discovery CEO David Zaslav. "She'll be on in a meaningful way, with different types of shows." Charter's Allen No Longer Chairman? Multichannel News Charter Communications may have emerged from bankruptcy protection a few days ago, but it appears as if it will have to weather the future without Paul Allen at the helm. The news comes shortly after it was revealed that Allen was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. ABC Shuts Adam Lambert Out of 'Kimmel' Los Angeles Times ABC continues to feel uncomfortable around Adam Lambert. The singer's Dec. 17 "Jimmy Kimmel Live" appearance is being canceled -- news Lambert himself delivered on his Twitter page. In one of his tweets about the matter, Lambert tells his fans: "It's the FCC heat." ESPN Preps Launch of Local Site for LA Reuters ESPN will roll out a local Web site for Los Angeles on Dec. 21, with sites for New York and other cities to follow, as it eyes regional advertising sales. ESPN envisions bringing online 20 or more local sites that target fans with sports news specific to area teams and athletes. Time Warner Cable Aims to Take On Hulu Reuters Time Warner Cable is working with content partners and device makers to give subscribers television shows wherever and whenever they want. The move is aimed at pre-empting a breakdown of the cable business model, which is threatened by the likes of Hulu. Nielsen Preps Measurement for Online, TV RBR Nielsen is formally announcing its decision to create within its National People Meter panel a "single source" measurement for both television and online consumption of video content. The plan is to roll out Internet measurement to households starting Dec. 23. ABC News: Charles Gibson Ready to Sign Off ABC News Charles Gibsons's last day as anchor of ABC "World News" will be Dec. 18. The network says it plans to spend a good deal of time during his final week on the air looking back at the stories he covered. Gibson will be replaced in the evening news chair by Diane Sawyer. NBC Rockefeller Center Xmas Special Targetd Deadline The union that represents NBC producers, writers and technicians vows to pull the plug on the "Christmas in Rockefeller Center" telecast because management has "failed to bargain fairly." A protest site, NBCStoleChristmas.com, highlights the "Grinch" within NBC. Time Warner Cable Cuts Local News Staff Times Herald-Record Time Warner Cable is consolidating regional news operations, resulting in the dismissal of 10 people, including two longtime news anchors and other on-air journalists, at its Cable 6 outlet in Middletown, N.Y. This follows similar moves made in other markets. MSNBC Takes Over Twitter News Service Guardian Fledgling newswire service BNO will hand over control of its popular @breakingnews Twitter account, which has nearly 1.5 million followers, to MSNBC today. BNO plans to move away from focusing on Twitter and instead look to services that can deliver profits. YouTube Seeks to Stream TV Shows for a Fee AllThingsD YouTube is said to be in preliminary talks with the networks and studios to stream individual television shows online for a fee. Google's video site envisions something similar to what Apple and Amazon already offer: First-run shows, without commercials, for $1.99 an episode. ABC Reviews Live Performances After Lambert Reuters Singer Adam Lambert's sexually charged performance at the American Music Awards on Nov. 22 is leading ABC to review future live broadcasts of performers, says Anne Sweeney, head of television for ABC parent Disney. "We have to be very cognizant of who our audience is." Sirius XM Preps New Deal for Howard Stern Reuters Sirius XM CEO Mel Karmazin is preparing for negotiations with Howard Stern, whose five-year, $500 million contract expires next year. Karmazin praises Stern as "a talent like no other," but declines to say whether or not such a talent is still worth a half billion dollars. Univision Offers Spanish-Language Ad Network ClickZ Univision is launching an advertising network comprised of non-owned Spanish-language sites. The new unit, the company says, targets U.S. Hispanics and "provides a far-reaching digital ad network comprised of high-quality Spanish-language online and mobile sites." NBC's Leno Losing His Audience to DVRs Associated Press Much of the prime-time audience NBC lost when Jay Leno moved to 10 p.m. has gone not to its rivals but the digital video recorder. The 10 p.m. hour is emerging as a popular time for people to catch up on what they missed earlier in the evening, or earlier in the week. Fox CEO Seeks Web Piracy Crackdown Associated Press Fox Filmed Entertainment chief Jim Gianopulos says the U.S. should join France in cutting off the Internet connection of users who repeatedly download pirated films. "If we can do that, it would be a big victory against piracy. The bad news is that the Internet is big." Disney's ESPN vs Univision in World Cup Wall Street Journal ESPN plans to broadcast soccer games from the 2010 FIFA World Cup in Portuguese on its Spanish-language channel, in a shot across the bow of Univision. By airing the games in Portuguese, the Disney network aims to chip away at Univision's dominant foreign-language ratings. CNN: Dobbs' Staff Must Re-Apply for Jobs New York Post The axe is starting to fall on the staff of 20 producers and reporters that Lou Dobbs left behind when he left CNN two weeks ago. CNNers are being told that they can start applying for new jobs at the news network, with the implication that their old jobs will soon end. ABC Relaunches TV Station Web Sites Broadcasting & Cable The ABC-owned station group is relaunching its 10 station Web sites in an effort to make content easier for users to find. The sites also feature headlines provided by corporate sibling ESPN, which is in the process of rolling out a network of local sports sites. Oprah Pal Gayle King, CBS in TV Show Talks New York Post Oprah Winfrey's announcement that she will leave her television show appears to have opened the door for her best friend, Gayle King. CBS is said to be in talks with King, currently editor-at-large at O, The Oprah Magazine, to get her own show after Winfrey goes off the air. CNN Looks Past U.S. for Digital, Global Growth Crain's New York Advertising on CNN U.S. prime time accounts for only 10% of the news channel's total revenue. CNN's global operations and a top news Web site now drive profits. The network's global strategy depends on an impartial news voice to appeal to audiences from Dallas to Tokyo. DirecTV Not For Sale; Merger Seen 'Doable' Reuters Media mogul John Malone said the U.S. No.1 satellite television operator DirecTV is not up for sale. But Malone, who is chairman of DirecTV, says a combination of the satellite company with either AT&T or Verizon would be "doable" from a regulatory perspective. Lou Dobbs Mulls Run for White House, Senate Reuters A week after abruptly quitting his longtime job as a CNN television news host and commentator, Lou Dobbs says he is considering career options including runs for U.S. Senate or even the White House as a third-party candidate. President Dobbs? "I am ruling nothing out." ESPN: Two More Employees Axed in Scandal New York Post It's game over for two ESPN execs whose intra-office affair embarrassed the network during the Steve Phillips scandal. VP of marketing Katie Lacey is being shown the door while once-influential programming VP David Berson is being stripped of responsibility. CBS to Lose Millions from Oprah Departure New York Post In addition to bringing CBS hundreds of millions in revenue, Oprah Winfrey has provided a powerful boost to CBS' television syndication arm. Her "halo effect" served as leverage for CBS to use as a bargaining chip to get advertisers to buy time on its other syndicated shows. Comcast NBC Deal Hit by Stake Valuations Financial Times General Electric and Vivendi are said to be at least $1 billion apart on their valuation of the French group's stake in NBC Universal. The situation is dampening hopes of a quick resolution to a stand-off that is holding up Comcast's planned bid for a majority stake in NBCU. NBC: More to Leno's Move Than Finances Dow Jones NBC Universal chief Jeff Zucker is expressing "regret" about the perception that NBC is airing five nights a week of Jay Leno's show as a financial decision over a creative one. The "idea that it's all about cutting costs ... that hasn't been the case at any of our other assets." Murdoch Jr: TV is News Corp's Future Telegraph Broadcasting and entertainment are the future for News Corp., with newspapers playing a much smaller role, says James Murdoch, the company's head of Europe and Asia. "Journalism plays a role" in our business. But, "television is vastly more profitable." Oprah May Host Show on Her Network Deadline Oprah Winfrey, who plans to end her iconic syndicated television talk show in 2011, says she won't bring "The Oprah Winfrey Show" to cable. "I'll do something else." Winfrey is said to be mulling hosting a show on the Oprah Winfrey Network "that's smaller and different." MTV, Real Networks to Rework Rhapsody Reuters MTV Networks is in talks with partner RealNetworks to restructure the ownership of their two-year old joint venture in the Rhapsody America digital music service. Rhapsody's impact, even with the backing of MTV, has been relatively minimal on the music space. Liberty Sets DirecTV Loose for a Sale Reuters The appointment of PepsiCo veteran Michael White -- who has no experience in television -- as the new CEO of DirecTV is a sign that owner Liberty Media just wants a "baby-sitter" before a sale, observers say. Verizon and AT&T have already expressed interest. Disney Sees 'Possibility' in Web Show Advertising Age Disney is launching its first branded-entertainment program, "The Possibility Shop," a Web video series at Disney.com/PossibilityShop produced with the Jim Henson Co. and sponsored by Clorox. The series is customized in part to promote Clorox brands. BBC America's President Ancier Exits Mediaweek Garth Ancier is stepping down as president of BBC Worldwide America after three years. Ancier will continue to be associated with the company as a consultant. There is no word on Ancier's replacement. Leaving the post is said to be Ancier's decision. Oprah Will End Her TV Show in 2011 Chicago Sun-Times Oprah Winfrey plans to end her iconic syndicated television talk show in 2011 after 25 seasons on the air. Winfrey is expected to host a new show on her new Discovery-backed Oprah Winfrey Network, which is scheduled to launch on cable in late 2010 to early 2011. DirecTV Hires CEO With No TV Experience Los Angeles Times DirecTV is naming Michael White, head of PepsiCo's international operations, as its new CEO. He replaces Chase Carey, who left in June for News Corp. The hiring of White, who has no television experience, signals that international growth will be key to DirecTV's future. TV Execs See Urgent Need for Online Model Broadcasting & Cable Execs at a B&C/Multichannel News panel discussion agree that the television business is in flux and that the trick is to distribute content in a way that serves consumers and allows content providers to extract value. "None of us is getting compensated for DVRs." Oprah Develops TV Show for Nate Berkus Broadcasting & Cable Oprah Winfrey's Harpo Productions is finalizing plans for a new daytime show featuring interior designer and "Oprah" show regular Nate Berkus. The project could roll out in fall 2010. The new show follows "Dr. Oz," another show built around an Oprah personality. CBS Nearly Sold Out on Super Bowl XLIV Advertising Age CBS is approaching a 90% sell-out for its Feb. 7 broadcast of Super Bowl XLIV, according to the network's head of sports sales, meaning the network likely has only between six and 12 30-second ad spots left to sell. Sales have been "surprisingly good." Dobbs Says CNN Aims to Please Obama New York Post Lou Dobbs says CNN was eager to show him the door because its top execs didn't want to offend President Obama. Dobbs made the claim on Fox News Channel's "The O'Reilly Factor." CNN bosses told Dobbs that the network wants to market itself as "neutral" in its news coverage. Karmazin: 'No Chance' I'll Leave Sirius XM Radio Ink Speaking to Neil Cavuto on Fox Business Network, Sirius XM CEO Mel Karmazin says he has no intention of leaving the satellite radio company, even though he is being discussed as a possible exec to run Comcast-NBC. Says Karmazin: "I'm not good" at being a No. 2 exec. Comcast to Take On ESPN in Local Markets SportsBusiness Journal Comcast is responding to ESPN's move to launch local Web sites by beefing up its news operations at five of the company's regional sports networks. Comcast plans to hire big-name writers to appear on both TV and online as it rolls out new Web sites with original reporting and video. MTV 'Remote Control' Host Ken Ober Dies MTV Longtime MTV "Remote Control" host Ken Ober has died at the age of 52. The cause of his death is not immediately known. Ober's body was discovered in his home on Sunday. No foul play is suspected. Starting in 1987, Ober hosted five seasons of "Remote Control." NBC to Launch Social Media Voice App Broadcasting & Cable NBC.com is launching a voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) tool it is billing as a way to for fans of its programming to communicate via computer with unlimited calls and texting. The app is called Communicator, a "social media and computer-to-computer voice calling" app. CNN Web Site Siphoning Viewers From TV New York Post CNN.com is one of the most-visited news sites. Ironically, it may be siphoning viewers from television. "Their digital strategy is dead-on," says one media buyer. "The problem is it's so good it hurts the network. You spend a few minutes on their site and you're done." ABC: Reshape 'GMA' for Stephanopoulos Washington Post George Stephanopoulos, the leading candidate for co-host of "Good Morning America," has communicated to ABC that he is not willing to join the program unless it is significantly changed to suit him. Stephanopoulos does not want to spend time doing "fluffy features." Oprah Likely to Take Pay Cut for TV Show Variety Oprah Winfrey's decision on whether or not to continue her daytime talk show will have a big effect on TV stations. And if she decides to stay, she is likely to do her show for a lot less money. Cash-strapped local stations aren't willing to pay the same rates they once did. NBC's Foray into Repurposed Local News New York Observer NBC is producing a new "local" news show, "Daily Connection," which is largely created in New York City and airs in a local news market several hundred miles away. Producers comb through NBC news stories and pick out a handful of breezy bits to repeat to female viewers. Hulu, Broadcast Networks Spar Over Ads Mediaweek The advertising sales staffs of Hulu's broadcast partners are complaining that the video site's sales execs deliberately sell against their network brethren. ABC, NBC and Fox claim that Hulu promises lower CPMs, which could end up diluting the value of the entire category. DirecTV CEO Replacement Coming Soon Dow Jones Liberty Media CEO Greg Maffei says that an announcement about a new hire to run DirecTV will be coming in the next few weeks. "I have a job I like, and I'm probably going to stick with it," he says. DirecTV needs a new CEO after Chase Carey recently left to join News Corp. Sirius XM Turns to LA Times Publisher Los Angeles Times Sirius XM Radio is naming Los Angeles Times publisher Eddy Hartenstein as chairman, replacing founder Gary Parsons. Hartenstein, a Sirius XM director and a former head of DirecTV, will continue as publisher of the Times. Sirius XM faces "a tough slog," observers say. CNN Cuts Back on a Web Video Project New York Times CNN is laying off its four Web anchors and a number of production assistants as it stops producing live video for CNN.com, curtailing one of the Internet's biggest news experiments. CNN officials concluded recently that the live-anchored Webcasts are not cost-effective. King Replaces CNN's Outspoken Dobbs Washington Post Lou Dobbs and CNN agreed to part ways after the TV host grew frustrated by the network's efforts to tone down his outspoken style. The explanation emerges as CNN names John King, a journalist known for his straightforward reporting, to fill Dobbs's weeknight slot. TV Affiliates Cool to Networks' Fee Plan New York Post ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox are putting the squeeze on local television stations, trying to wring out some of the fees affiliates get from cable and satellite companies. Broadcasters are eyeing a 50-50 split with their affiliates, but admit that may be too much of a hardship for some. CNN's Lou Dobbs to Leave Immediately New York Times Lou Dobbs, the longtime CNN anchor whose anti-immigration views have made him a lightning rod, is leaving the Time Warner cable news channel, effective immediately. CNN chief Jon Klein says: "Lou has decided to carry the banner of advocacy journalism elsewhere." Current TV Cuts 80, Shifts Programming San Francisco Chronicle Current TV, the cable and Internet video channel co-founded by Al Gore, is cutting 80 workers and announcing a big shift in programming strategy. The company will move Current TV away from short-form programs and toward industry-standard 30- and 60-minute formats. Americans Spend More Time With TV, Online Reuters Americans are spending more time watching television, as well as playing on computers and chatting on social networking sites, according to Nielsen. U.S. TV viewing reached an all-time high in the 2008-09 season, due in part to an increase in channels and content choices. Zucker Eyed for New NBCU-Comcast Venture Reuters Comcast and General Electric are said to have agreed to make NBC Universal CEO Jeff Zucker the CEO of their proposed joint venture, but the new board's structure is still being negotiated. No decisions have been made on a possible role for Comcast advisor Peter Chernin. Vivendi May Become 'Greedy' Over NBCU Stake Bloomberg Vivendi may hold out to get a higher price for its 20% stake in NBC Universal because it faces less pressure to raise money for acquisitions, analysts say. The Paris-based media company "can be a bit more greedy" about the NBC stake, "because they are not desperate." CBS Revamps Local Media for 'New Paradigm' Broadcasting & Cable CBS is restructuring its local broadcasting operations, which will lead CBS Radio boss Anton Guitano to be named COO of CBS Local Media. CBS chief Les Moonves says the move will help "build a new paradigm for the future growth of our local businesses." Citadel Broadcasting Preps for Chapter 11 RBR-TVBR Citadel Broadcasting says it may have to file for bankruptcy protection from creditors as soon as January 2010. The company's Q3 revenues fell more than 14%. Citadel's radio stations took a big hit by the loss of shows by Paul Harvey and Sean Hannity. Fox News' Critic in White House to Step Down Fox News White House interim communications director Anita Dunn is stepping down and will be replaced by her deputy, Dan Pfeiffer. The move comes about a month after Dunn attacked Fox News Channel as "a wing of the Republican Party." She will continue as an outside consultant. Letterman 'Blackmailer' Seeks to Dismiss Case Los Angeles Times An attorney for Robert Halderman, who allegedly sought to extort $2 million from David Letterman, is filing court papers seeking to have the indictment dismissed, saying that the CBS "48 Hours" producer had merely been seeking to sell the late-night host a screenplay treatment. NBC's 'Jay Leno' Unloved in Poll of TV Fans New York Daily News Nearly three-quarters of respondents to an AOL Television poll say they never watch Jay Leno's new NBC show. By contrast, the vast majority of those questioned say revelations of David Letterman's affair with a junior staffer have not affected their love of his show. Disney to Plug Weinstein's 'Nine' on TV, Web Variety Disney is entering a deal with the Weinstein Co. to embed content about the holiday movie "Nine" in several television shows, including ABC's "Dancing with the Stars." Plus, ABC.com will host a "Nine" microsite. "The audience is not just watching TV; they're also online." CBS Names TV Station Head as Ads Fall Bloomberg CBS is appointing Peter Dunn as president of its 29 television stations, where advertising sales are tumbling in the recession. Dunn, most recently general manager of WCBS-TV Channel 2 in New York, replaces Tom Kane, who is leaving. Industrywide, local TV sales are declining. NBC's Loss With 'Leno' is Nobody's Gain Bloomberg NBC's exit from scripted series to air "The Jay Leno Show" weeknights at 10 p.m. is leaving 1.82 million young viewers up for grabs, and CBS and ABC is letting most of them slip away. Most of the young adults NBC lost are fleeing to cable channels and the Web. Hearst: Some TV Ad Dollars Won't Return Broadcast Engineering David Barrett, president of Hearst Television, is telling U.S. media regulators that new competition in news sources is having a "profound effect" on where advertising dollars and television viewers are moving. "The audience has gone to different and scattered places." ESPN May Face New Rivals in Sports Media SportsBusiness Journal ESPN may come to see lots of competition from various entities, including broadcasters, national cable networks, regional sports networks and league-owned networks. Sports leagues already own their own rights; it may make sense for them to grow their own channels. AMC 'Mad Men' Season Finale Sets Record Mediaweek Sunday night's third-season finale of "Mad Men" drew 2.32 million viewers, making it the most watched closing episode in the history of the AMC dramatic series. The episode averaged 1.24 million adults aged 25 to 54, up 56% from the series' season finale last year. Clear Channel Impacted by Weak Ad Market San Antonio Business CC Media Holdings, the parent company of Clear Channel Communications, is reporting another loss in the third quarter as the company continues to struggle to survive a weak advertising environment. CC Media is posting an $89.9 million net loss on revenues of $1.4 billion. Dish Files to Trademark 'TV Everywhere' Multichannel News Dish Network is filing to trademark "TV Everywhere," which the satellite operator may seek to use for its forthcoming set-top box. Dish does not say whether it is developing a service that mirrors the "TV Everywhere" concept outlined by Time Warner CEO Jeff Bewkes. Discovery Launches Science News Web Site Washington Post Discovery Communications is launching a Web site dedicated to reporting science and technology news, similar to the subjects of the Discovery channel's television shows. The site's reporting will be the central attraction of a new iPhone app, priced at 99 cents. CBS Cuts Off Pay for Letterman 'Blackmailer' New York Post Accused David Letterman extortionist Joe Halderman is expected to try to wiggle out of his indictment with pretrial motions when he comes to court Tuesday. CBS is said to have cut off the "48 Hours" producer's paychecks for violating the morals clause of his contract. Twitter Feed 'S&*%' Eyed for CBS Sitcom Hollywood Reporter CBS plans to develop a sitcom based on the Twitter feed "S&*% My Dad Says." The feed, with over 700,000 followers, is updated by Justin Halpern, who moved back home with his dad and started tweeting his father's cynical comments. The title is expected to be changed. A&E, Lifetime to Cut 100 Jobs After Merger Multichannel News Expected layoffs as a result of Lifetime's integration into A&E Television Networks began last week and are expected to reduce about 100 jobs out of a combined 1,100 employees. Disney-ABC TV, Hearst and NBC Universal last month completed merging the programming entities. Fox News: Glenn Beck Tweets of His Return New York Post Glenn Beck, the Fox News commentator, says he will be back on the air Tuesday, nearly a week after undergoing an emergency appendectomy. "I'm feeling better & will B back Tuesday," he writes in a shorthand message posted on his Twitter page, adding "A TON 2 SAY." TV Writers: Impossible to Write for YouTube Hollywood Reporter The Internet is a great promotional tool for television shows, but writers say they haven't adjusted their style to fit Web sensibilities. "Saturday Night Live" writer Jim Downey says: "I don't think it's possible" to write TV comedy with a YouTube clip pick-up in mind. Murdoch Faces TV Piracy Fight Over Soccer Bloomberg Thousands of soccer fans worldwide will watch Manchester United play Chelsea in London this weekend illegally on the Web, threatening revenue at broadcasters such as Rupert Murdoch's U.K. BSkyB. The problem of television piracy "is getting very, very serious." Disney to Rebrand Sports Complex as ESPN Reuters Disney's sports complex in central Florida will be renamed after its ESPN unit, in a move to strengthen the well-known sports brand's ties with young athletes. The shift targets the 1.5 million spectators who annually visit the multisport complex near Disney's theme park in Orlando. CBS Boss Moonves Bullish on TV Ad Future Los Angeles Times CBS CEO Les Moonves is bullish, saying he expects television advertising to grow this quarter and into 2010. That's because the company's marquee asset, the CBS TV network, has gotten off to a solid start for the new season, sparking demand for the network's commercial time. Oprah Studio Denies Report of Show's Exit Dow Jones Oprah Winfrey is yet to decide whether she will continue her syndicated daytime talk show on broadcast television, says her production company, in response to an online report by Nikki Finke saying the show would move to Winfrey's new cable network in less than two years. Comcast Rumor: NBC Local Newscasts at 10 Sun-Sentinel If Comcast wins control of NBC Universal, the company is rumored to be considering giving the 10 p.m. hour back to the local affiliates, move Jay Leno to 11 p.m. and have Conan O'Brien's show follow at midnight. Leno would get a 35-minute jump on CBS' "David Letterman." Fox: World Series Most Watched Since 2004 Mediaweek With an average delivery of 19.4 million viewers, this year's six-game World Series outdrew last year's set by 38%, per Nielsen ratings data. The 2009 World Series ranks as the sixth most-watched of the 12 Major League Baseball championships covered by Fox. Comedy Central Orders The Onion TV Pilot Hollywood Reporter Viacom's Comedy Central is teaming with satirical newspaper the Onion for a half-hour scripted comedy. The as-yet-untitled pilot will be based on the Onion Sports Network online video series and take on teams, fans, sports products and sports coverage. MTV Accused of Building New Berlin Wall UPI Viacom's MTV Networks International says it built a temporary fence around its U2 concert in Berlin, marking the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin wall. A 6-foot-high barrier was built to keep out non-ticketholders. "Under no circumstances did MTV build a wall," MTV insists. Sirius XM: Howard Stern's Contract to End New York Post Sirius XM satellite radio says in its third-quarter results that the company added new subscribers for the first time in almost a year -- 102,000, for a total of 18.5 million. Sirius still faces the end of star jockey Howard Stern's contract a year from next month. CNN.com Launches Sponsored News Quiz WebProNews CNN.com is introducing an interactive online news trivia quiz called the CNN Challenge, testing users' knowledge of current and historical events. Users can share the quiz on Facebook and Twitter. In-car communications system Ford Sync is sponsoring the quiz. Hollywood Eyes First-Run Movies for TV Bloomberg U.S. regulators are working on a request from Hollywood to use anti-piracy technology so studios can offer first-run movies over cable and satellite television. Home viewing of recently released movies could provide new revenue for studios, which have seen DVD sales drop. Comcast: Online Video No Threat to Cable New York Post Comcast CEO Brian Roberts doesn't see his pursuit of NBC Universal as a commentary on his cable business, says Sanford Bernstein analyst Craig Moffett. "He's not going after it because he thinks that if video goes over the Internet, he's toast." Roberts simply "has cash." Oprah to Announce End Date for TV Show Los Angeles Times Oprah Winfrey is expected this year to announce an end date for her talk show on ABC. She is expected to stay with the show through May 2011. The show's co-executive producer, Lisa Erspamer, is making plans to move to the forthcoming OWN: the Oprah Winfrey Network. ABC Lets Viewers Comment on Web Shows Mediaweek ABC is introducing a feature to encourage viewers who stream television shows online to make the experience more social. The new ABC Social: Episode Commentary on ABC.com allows Web viewers to comment on the show in an adjacent window to the video viewer. Fox Brand 'Undamaged' by Obama Battle AFP Hernan Lopez, COO for Fox International Channels, rejects suggestions that the broadcaster's international brand has been dented by a high-profile battle with the White House over its news coverage. "It's not affecting the perception of the Fox entertainment brands." Study: Radio Bests Internet in Media Use Nielsen Wire A Nielsen analysis of media use finds that 77% of adults are reached by radio on a daily basis, second only to television at 95%. The Web reaches 64%, newspaper 35%, and magazines 27%. The study "proves that radio is still a popular medium," says the Radio Advertising Bureau. NBC Upgrades Site for Winter Olympics TechCrunch NBC is gearing up for the 2010 Winter Olympics with some changes to its mainstay site, NBCOlympics.com, going live today. Among other features, the site's video player will have DVR-like functionality, with the ability to rewind video, highlight clips and save them. Turner to Launch TruTV Network in Asia Variety Turner Broadcasting is poised to expand its portfolio with the launch of its TruTV cable network across Asia starting in early 2010. Turner exec Ian Carroll hails the launch as an opportunity for viewers in Asia to watch "moments of real drama with real consequences." CNN Launches News Facility in Abu Dhabi World Screen CNN is opening a news-gathering and production hub in the Middle East, which will host the network's first daily live news show from the region. The facility will coordinate newsgathering for CNN operations in Baghdad, Beirut, Cairo, Dubai, Jerusalem, Kabul and Islamabad. Fox Scores Home Run from World Series Associated Press The World Series gave News Corp.'s Fox network world-class ratings last week as the New York Yankees squared off against the Philadelphia Phillies in four much-watched games. Fox can thank baseball for a huge average audience of 14.69 million viewers. Viacom: Epix Close to Carriage Deals Multichannel News About a week into its launch, the Epix movie channel is closer to additional distribution deals, says Viacom CEO Philippe Dauman. Epix, the joint venture movie channel between Viacom, MGM and Lionsgate, launched on Oct. 30 with one distributor, Verizon's FiOS TV. Comcast to Export E! News Show to Asia Associated Press E! Entertainment Television will launch "E! News Asia," a weekly half-hour edition in Asia that combines both Hollywood and regional entertainment news, says parent Comcast. "The Asia-Pacific region is one of the global media industry's most exciting areas of growth." NBC's Jay Leno Reaches Out to Affiliates Broadcasting & Cable NBC talk-show star Jay Leno says he has contacted a "bunch" of the network's affilates. "They seem to be hanging in there and say they are in it for the long haul. They seemed pleased that someone on at 10 o'clock is concerned about their lead-in." News Corp's Fox is Big Story of TV Season Reuters Media-watchers say the big story of the 2009-10 television season is the rise of the Fox network, up 3% in viewers thanks largely to its new musical comedy "Glee" and the strength of medical drama "House." Fox is the only broadcaster that is "up in all demos." Fox Finds Fill-In Sponsor for 'Family Guy' Associated Press The Warner Bros. film "Sherlock Holmes" will be the sole sponsor of next Sunday's "Family Guy" special. Last week, Microsoft abruptly backed out as sponsor of the half-hour comedy-variety program, saying that the often racy "Family Guy" style might clash with its Windows brand. CBS: Letterman Ratings Boosted by Scandal Hollywood Reporter CBS' "Late Show With David Letterman" is showing little sign of weakening audience support after host David Letterman was shaken by an image-rocking scandal. The sex-and-extortion headlines possibly even helped grow viewership. "It doesn't appear to have hurt him." DVR, Once TV's Mortal Foe, Boosts Ratings New York Times Against almost every expectation, nearly half of all people watching delayed shows on digital video recorders watch the commercials. The reason: The behavior that has underpinned television since its invention still persists. TV-watching is "a passive activity." Writers Guild Issues Dire Outlook for News Biz Variety The Writers Guild of America East is issuing a gloomy outlook for the news business and urging the U.S. government to provide more support. Workable revenue models are more difficult to identify, it says, as "writers have less and less time to think, ask questions and write." Oprah Network Hires Comcaster for Strategy Multichannel News OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network, the joint venture of Discovery and Oprah Winfrey launching next fall, is hiring Allan Singer as executive VP of distribution and strategy, reporting to OWN CEO Christina Norman. He previously served in a similar capacity at Comcast. CNN: Shot Fired at NJ Home of Lou Dobbs Fox News CNN news man Lou Dobbs says a gunshot was fired at his home after a series of threatening phone calls earlier this month. Dobbs, a proponent of U.S. border enforcement, says that the incident is part of an "assault against anyone who opposes leniency toward illegal immigrants." NY1 Anchor Taken Off Air After Accusation New York Daily News Dominic Carter, the political anchor for Time Warner regional cable news channel NY1, is being yanked off the air after he was accused of beating his wife. The newsman is being placed on an indefinite leave of absence. Carter's employment contract is said to expire next month. Chrysler In-Car TVs to Offer MTV, Fox News Detroit Free Press Chrysler will offer live television with up to 20 channels in its vehicles by the end of this year. The service, called FLO TV, will be delivered through a seven-inch DVD screen. Available channels include CBS, CNBC, Comedy Central, Fox News, MSNBC, MTV, NBC 2Go and Nickelodeon. NBA Bringing Live Games to Mobile Devices Reuters The National Basketball Association will give its digital offering the full court press, introducing complete live games on mobile phones, including Apple's iPhone, for $40 a year. Fans will be allowed to watch more than 40 games per week, as well as pause and rewind action. Fall TV: Broadcast Winners, Losers Emerge Associated Press Five weeks into the new television season, CBS, NBC and Fox have bigger prime-time audiences than they had in 2008. ABC is the only network down from last year, due primarily to audiences slipping away from established favorites like "Dancing With the Stars." NBC Sale to Comcast is Likely, Wright Says Fox Business The sale of NBC Universal to Comcast will take some time to accomplish but will likely go through, says the media company's former CEO, Bob Wright. "This is a very depressed time for media and NBC Universal's value is certainly lower today than it was a few years ago." CBS Interactive Chief Smith to Exit Company AllThingsD Quincy Smith, the high-profile CEO of CBS Interactive, plans to leave his job in January to start an advisory firm in Silicon Valley. Smith will remain an adviser to CBS under a multiyear contract. Smith will focus on video monetization and other digital issues. Epix Channel to Launch Light on Distribution Reuters Movie channel Epix, owned by Paramount, Lions Gate and MGM, debuts Friday boasting exclusive content like a Madonna concert special, but it has fallen short of achieving wide distribution. The new channel has just one distribution pact with Verizon's FiOS TV service. Fox News in Talks with Obama Administration Associated Press Fox News Channel exec Michael Clemente met at the White House on Wednesday with President Obama's press secretary Robert Gibbs. There are no details available about the meeting. The administration has accused Fox of operating like "a wing of the Republican Party." Hulu: We're No Threat to Traditional TV Broadcasting & Cable Television industry execs who complain that Hulu is undermining current models haven't seen the business plan, says CEO Jason Kilar. Some 50% of Hulu's content has never been available in the living room in the past year, and therefore no threat to the TV, he says. Comcast Brings Yellow-Pages Ads to TV Forbes Comcast in Philadelphia is unveiling "Yellow Pages on TV," an interactive television app that features contact information for local businesses. With the help of a remote, Comcast cable users can search for florists and plumbers in their areas and even watch commercials. ABC Scraps 'V' Skywriting Promo Campaign Hollywood Reporter ABC is dropping its plan to hire skywriters to cover the skies of major cities with giant red "V"s to promote the Nov. 3 debut of its alien invasion drama. Giant red "V"s in the sky "might have freaked a few people out." ABC says it simply decided to spend its money in other ways. FCC Mulls Taking Back Some TV Airwaves Wall Street Journal U.S. federal regulators are considering taking back some airwaves from television broadcasters and auctioning them off to wireless companies to increase the availability of wireless broadband services. "The record is very clear that we're facing a looming spectrum gap." News Corp Expects $$$ from World Series Reuters With the storied New York Yankees facing off against the defending champion Philadelphia Phillies, News Corp.'s Fox has a potentially compelling matchup in the World Series that should drive strong television ratings. Ads could rake in $28 million or more per game. Vivendi Chief Says NBC IPO is Possible Reuters NBC Universal may hold an initial public offering of its stock if Vivendi decides to sell its 20% stake in the group majority-owned by General Electric, says Vivendi CEO Jean-Bernard Levy. He declines to say whether Vivendi is leaning toward a sale of the stake this year. Clear Channel Pres Mays Stepping Down Bloomberg Randall Mays, president and CFO of Clear Channel Communications, plans to step down from his role at the radio broadcaster. CEO Mark Mays will assume the title of president. New owners Bain Capital and Thomas H. Lee "have assumed a more direct role in the operations." Nielsen: Kids' TV Usage at Eight-Year High Los Angeles Times Children watch television for more than 32 hours a week on average, according to Nielsen. Youngsters aren't "giving up any media -- they're just picking up more." The notion that children spend more than an entire day per week watching TV is alarming kids' health advocates. Time Warner Cable Routers 'Open to Attack' CNET Time Warner Cable's Internet customers could be vulnerable to an attack due to a "serious security hole" in the provider's cable modem and Wi-Fi router, according to blogger Brian Chen. Days after Time Warner promised a fix, Chen says the devices are still vulnerable. CNN Drops to Last Place Among Cable News New York Times CNN, which invented the cable news network more than two decades ago, is finishing last among the cable news networks in prime-time audience ratings in October, according to Nielsen. The results demonstrate the apparent preference of viewers for opinion-oriented shows. CBS: 'Star Trek' to Boldly Go Live on Stage World Screen CBS' consumer products unit is developing a live interactive stage show based on the company's "Star Trek" franchise that will roll out to U.S. theme parks and performing arts centers. The show promises to deliver "special effects and an exploration of space-age technology." Sirius XM to Premiere 'Rosie Radio' Monday UPI Sirius XM Radio is set to debut "Rosie Radio," Rosie O'Donnell's live daily morning show, on Monday. "Rosie Radio" will mark the radio debut of the outspoken comedienne. Sirius XM says: "Rosie is the perfect fit for the unbound creativity and possibilities of satellite radio." Viacom's Colbert Rolls Out $1 iPhone App Wired A new "Colbert Report" app means iPhone users never have to be without "The WŘrd." The $1, advertising-supported app, released by Viacom's Comedy Central, includes every "WŘrd" video done by hyper-real talking head Stephen Colbert so far and will be updated weekly. NBC Universal Set to Begin Olympic Push Associated Press NBC, Universal Sports and UniversalSports.com plan 1,250 hours of coverage of Olympic sports leading to the Winter Games in Vancouver. "For the first time ever, this all happens and is accessible to the American public," says NBC Olympics president Gary Zenkel. ABC: Stephanopoulos, Cuomo Vie for 'GMA' Washington Post George Stephanopoulos is said to have the edge in the contest to succeed Diane Sawyer at "Good Morning America" when she leaves to become ABC's evening news anchor. However, fellow contender Chris Cuomo is seen as more adept at morning television's lighter fare. ESPN Fires Analyst Phillips After Sex Scandal New York Post ESPN baseball analyst Steve Phillips is being fired after it was revealed that he had a relationship with a production assistant. "His ability to be an effective representative for ESPN has been significantly and irreparably damaged," the network says. Home Shopping Network Joins Sky-High Wi-Fi Chicago Tribune Tech firms Row 44 and JiWire are launching the first free, advertising-supported, in-flight wireless network, dubbed SkyTown Center. The service will allow airline passengers to shop, watch live television and play games. Content providers include the Home Shopping Network. NBC's New Strategy: No More Cheap Shows Washington Post Jeff Gaspin, NBC Universal's top television exec, claims that NBC will no longer program to profit margins -- meaning no more "Jay Leno"-like programming that is profitable merely because it is cheaply produced. The announcement is said to be "stunning" Hollywood. CBS Finding Gold Among Graying Viewers BusinessWeek While CBS attracts older viewers (average age 55) than the other networks, its ability to lure large audiences is prompting advertisers -- long obsessed with viewers aged 18 to 49 --to give the broadcaster a second look. Older audiences "make the household buying decisions." CNN.com Relaunches with Video, User Media CNN CNN will relaunch its Web site Monday with a new emphasis on video and a full integration of its user-generated iReport. The "reimagined" site will also feature new content partnerships with Oprah.com as well as Time Warner siblings People and Entertainment Weekly. Liberty Media Sets Vote for DirecTV Spinoff Denver Business John Malone's Liberty Media will hold a special stockholder meeting Nov. 19 on its spinoff of satellite broadcaster DirecTV. After the spinoff, the remainder of the current Liberty entertainment group's businesses will likely be housed in the renamed Liberty Starz group. ESPN Analyst Phillips in Work Sex Scandal New York Post ESPN baseball analyst Steve Phillips is taking a leave of absence after admitting he had a relationship with a 22-year-old production assistant who allegedly stalked his family. Phillips says: "I am deeply sorry that I have put my family and colleagues through this." Sirius XM: One of 'Worst-Run Companies' TheStreet.com Sirius XM Radio is one of the "Worst-Run Companies of 2009," says TheStreet.com. The satellite radio firm is "a classic case of a great product coupled with a bad business model." Paying big bucks for Howard Stern hasn't "paid off." Sirius XM's fate "will be in bankruptcy court." NBC's Graboff Says TV Windows Collapsing Reuters Traditional television viewing patterns are collapsing and the industry needs to quickly figure out how to profit in a world where people can watch TV shows anytime, anywhere, says NBC Universal TV chief Marc Graboff. "The audience is so fragmented at the expense of TV shows." Comcast to Debut Cable TV Shows Online Associated Press Comcast will become the first cable television operator to unlock online access to cable shows and movies. Subscribers can initially watch programs only on their home computers after verification. Time Warner Cable and other cable providers plan to follow with similar programs. Radio Stations to Fight Against Royalties USA Today Radio stations and record companies are battling over a legislative proposal that would require broadcasters to pay royalties to air recorded music. If the bill passes, it could force stations to pay about $500 million a year -- some estimates go as high as $1 billion. ABC in Hunt to Replace Sawyer on 'GMA' Los Angeles Times Some ABC staffers wonder why there seems to be no plan in place to replace "Good Morning America" anchor Diane Sawyer, who is taking over for Charles Gibson on the evening news broadcast. ABC is said to be intent on finding a male anchor to pair with co-host Robin Roberts. Oprah Hopes Palin Helps Win Back Viewers Washington Post Oprah Winfrey, aiming to climb back from last season's ratings slump, will attempt to make up with conservative viewers on Nov. 16 when she has Sarah Palin on her syndicated talk show. Palin's new book, "Going Rogue," is scheduled to hit bookstores the next day. Fox News Host Beck Hires Armed Guard New York Post Glenn Beck, the controversial Fox News Channel host, is reported to be traveling with an armed bodyguard. Beck, who famously accused President Obama of being "a racist," is being seen in public accompanied by a bodyguard with a gun partially concealed under his jacket. Sirius XM: No Plans for Reverse Stock Split FMQB Sirius XM CEO Mel Karmazin says there are "no plans" for the satcaster to attempt a reverse stock split. Such a move, which would increase the share price, has been rumored for some time. Karmazin adds that Sirius XM is considering offering a traffic information service. NBC Would Be 'Better Off' Without Jay Leno Dow Jones Gannett CEO Craig Dubow says that his company's NBC affiliates would likely be better off if the network had not departed from scripted programming in the 10 p.m. hour in prime-time with a comedy show hosted by Jay Leno. "It's awfully early to tell at this point." ABC to Use Skywriting to Promote New 'V' Washington Post ABC plans to dispatch a fleet of skywriting planes in 15 U.S. cities over 12 days beginning Friday to write large ominous red V's over landmarks to promote its new science-fiction series, "V." Washington, D.C., is exempt from the stunt due to airspace restrictions after Sept. 11. MTV's 'The Beatles: Rock Band' Not So Fab USA Today "The Beatles: Rock Band," released Sept. 9, sold about 595,000 copies last month. Analysts expected the MTV game to sell at least 1 million copies. Instead of a bona fide hit, "The Beatles performed at a respectable level," analysts say. Higher sales are expected during the holidays. Fox Digital Studios to Put Focus on Brands Advertising Age The Microsoft-sponsored "Family Guy" special won't be the only branded entertainment to come from News Corp. Fox Atomic, News Corp.'s recently shuttered genre studio, is being rebranded to become Fox Digital Studios, a new unit focusing on branded programming. NBC News Anchor Williams to Help 'Leno' B&C / LAT NBC's Brian Williams, anchor of the most-watched evening newscast, will become a special "contributor" to low-rated "The Jay Leno Show." Also: "Jay Leno" is undermining the viewership of local late-night newscasts, which are a crucial source of revenue for affiliates. Discovery's TLC Sues Reality Star Gosselin Los Angeles Times Discovery's TLC is filing a lawsuit against Jon Gosselin, the co-star of its smash reality show "Jon & Kate Plus 8." The suit charges that Gosselin violated his contract by taking paying gigs from other television shows, including CBS' "Entertainment Tonight" and "The Insider." 'Media Outlet' Involved in Balloon Boy Hoax Associated Press Officials say Colorado parents concocted the story that their young son was trapped in high-flying balloon to market themselves for a reality television deal. A yet-to-be-named "media outlet" that blurs "the line between entertainment and news" may be a conspirator. TV Industry Seeks a Game Plan for Twitter Los Angeles Times The entertainment business is struggling with the best way to use Twitter as celebrities and industry execs use the microblogging service to pitch themselves and their projects. However, some are discovering dangers from having their half-formed thoughts being seen instantly. Radio Stations Face Royalty Fees for Music Bloomberg CBS and other radio station owners will have to pay royalty fees to artists and labels in order to play music on the air under legislation approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee. Broadcasters oppose the new fees, saying they could force some out of business. Jay Leno May Get Boot in Comcast Deal Washington Post If Comcast succeeds in taking a stake in NBC Universal, the cable giant is expected to put money into NBC to develop programming, "not just ask for more cost-cutting" like current owner General Electric. The deal also could undo the deal NBC made with "ratings weakling" Jay Leno. ABC News Boss Blasts Cable News, Bloggers Broadcasting & Cable ABC News president David Westin says he does not want his news operation injecting opinions into its reporting. Westin is also critical of aggregators that "patrol the Internet, looking for bits and pieces of our reporting to post in short form on their sites." NBC Names Bon Jovi First 'Artist in Residence' MSNBC NBC is appointing Jon Bon Jovi as its "Artist in Residence," a new project in which the rocker will appear on multiple programs on the network and its affiliated cable channels in the month of November. Bon Jovi will become a regular on "Today" for the next several weeks. Vivendi Postpones Decision on NBC Stake Sale Bloomberg Vivendi's board met Wednesday but held off on a decision on whether to sell its 20% stake in NBC Universal. Instead, the board focused on a possible purchase of Brazilian telecommunications firm GVT. The board is said to still favor a sale of its "non-core" NBC stake. CBS, Viacom: Redstone to Sell $1B in Shares Los Angeles Times Sumner Redstone's National Amusements, which controls Viacom and CBS, plans to sell nearly $1 billion in stock in those companies to help retire $1.46 billion in debt. The move, which capitalizes on the companies' recent stock gains "relieves the pressure for now." Limbaugh Booted as Bidder for St Louis Rams St. Louis Business Dave Checketts, chairman of the St. Louis Blues, is droppping Rush Limbaugh from a group bidding to buy the St. Louis Rams, calling his involvement a "distraction." The sometimes controversial radio host "has become a complication" and is "endangering our bid." CBS News Investigates Letterman Sex Scandal New York Observer CBS news correspondent Armen Keteyian and his team of producers are investigating the network's David Letterman love triangle. Whether the story ever makes it to the airwaves remains to be seen. "Anything they dig up" could end up hurting Letterman -- a "big consideration.” Fox Business Boosted by Debut of Don Imus Broadcasting & Cable Don Imus' return to the cable news airwaves immediately boosted the ratings of his new home Fox Business Network, according to ratings data. Imus premiered on Fox Business Oct. 5 to 177,000 total viewers -- up 1,000% from the time slot's previous occupant. TV: Legislation to Turn Down Loud Commercials Ars Technica A bill making its way through Congress aims to force the U.S. government to turn down the volume on television commercials to bring them to same level as the programs they accompany. "What annoys all of us is the sudden increase of volume when commercials air." Al Jazeera English Launches Blog Network Journalism.co.uk Al Jazeera English is rolling out a blog network featuring its correspondents from around the world. "This project is part of our commitment to field journalism," says AJE exec Mohamed Nanabhay, "while allowing our correspondents to be part of the blogosphere." Clear Channel to Expand Into Music Video San Antonio Business Clear Channel Radio's popular Apple iPhone application, iheartradio, is expanding into on-demand video content. The company is bringing together live video content from its stripped music series and making it available on the iheartradio mobile application. TBS: Baseball Playoff Sweeps Cut Ad Sales Associated Press Baseball fans in Los Angeles and New York may be thrilled their teams swept into the league championship series -- but for Time Warner's TBS, the fun may be over all too soon. The number of playoff games that TBS could sell to advertisers has been trimmed. Comcast-NBC Universal Seen as Done Deal The Wrap The Comcast deal to buy 51% of NBC Universal is said to be done in principle, but it will be several more weeks before anything official is announced. "They've all agreed to agree." Talk of a possible bid for NBCU by News Corp. or Liberty Media is seen as "speculation." GE Could Exit Ownership of NBC Universal Associated Press A proposed deal to acquire NBC Universal would give owner General Electric the ability to unwind its stake over several years, and could see Comcast commit billions more to the joint venture. A deal is being discussed in which Comcast would gain majority control of NBCU. Viacom's Epix to Debut Facing 'Challenges' Bloomberg Epix, the new movie channel from Viacom, Lions Gate and MGM, plans to begin service on Oct. 30, vying for viewers with HBO, Showtime and Starz. Verizon's FiOS service is the only identified carrier, which "could potentially spell some early distribution challenges." CBS, Viacom to Benefit from Retail Ad Boost Bloomberg U.S. retailers may increase advertising spending after retail sales rose in September for the first time in 13 months, says UBS AG analyst Michael Morris. If ads return, CBS and MTV owner Viacom are poised to "outperform within the media industry." NBC Bumps Fox Show from Macy's Parade E! Online The cast of Fox's new hit series "Glee" will not take part in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, which will air on NBC. Macy's reportedly invited "Glee" to participate without first consulting with NBC, which "never promotes cast members from competing programming." TiVo Use Jumps With Letterman Confession Hollywood Reporter TiVo says time-shifted ratings among its users spiked 75% during the 10 minutes David Letterman confessed his sexual dalliances during his CBS late-night show Oct. 1. Users took to their TiVo's in big numbers again last Monday, when Letterman apologized to his staff. Oprah in Private-Jet Sex Allegation Lawsuit Chicago Sun-Times Corrine Gehrls, a former flight attendant on Oprah Winfrey's private jet, is filing a lawsuit against Winfrey's Harpo Inc. claiming she was wrongfully fired because of false allegations that she had sex with the plane's married pilot as the talk-show host snoozed. Liberty Media May Bid for NBCU, Analyst Says Bloomberg Liberty Media, cable billionaire John Malone's media company, may bid for General Electric's NBC Universal, according to Dave Novosel, an analyst at Gimme Credit. "Liberty has maintained for years that it would like to acquire more operating assets that generate cash flow." Vivendi Holds Veto Power in NBCU Control Los Angeles Times Vivendi may own a mere 20% of NBC Universal, but the French media giant is calling the shots when it comes any possible sale of the company. Vivendi has veto power on any change in control, according to a little-known clause in its contract with 80% owner General Electric. Comcast Said to Favor Keeping NBC's Zucker Bloomberg Comcast is said to be leaning toward keeping NBC Universal chief Jeff Zucker and his team if it gains control of the General Electric entertainment unit. Comcast declines to comment Zucker has spent his entire career at NBCU, starting with the Olympics division in 1986. Cablevision to Pay for CBS Network Shows New York Post Cablevision will pay to carry CBS, marking a step forward in CEO Les Moonves' goal to get cable operators to recognize the value of his broadcast network. The deal includes CBS cable channels Showtime, College Sports Network and the Smithsonian Channel. Fox News is Not Legit, White House Says New York Times Fox News Channel is in "a war" against President Obama, says White House communications director Anita Dunn. "We don't need to pretend that this is the way that legitimate news organizations behave." Fox says that when the White House criticizes the network, "ratings go up." CNN's Lou Dobbs Eyed by Fox Business New York Times Fox Business Channel, the nascent spinoff network of Fox News, is said to be keen to hire Lou Dobbs, anchor and managing editor of CNN's "Lou Dobbs Tonight" and a critic of the Obama administration. Dobbs met for dinner with Fox News czar Roger Ailes last month. Comcast-NBCU May Create Rival to ESPN BusinessWeek A possible union of Comcast with NBC's sports assets would "effectively create a potent competitor to ESPN," observers say. Comcast could use NBC Sports' national platform to complement its 11 regional sports networks. The new entity "would give agita" to ESPN. CBS Inches Closer to Selling Out Super Bowl Advertising Age CBS is said to be close to selling out about 80% of its ad inventory for Super Bowl XLIV, a sign that the sports-advertising marketplace may be recovering faster than other television venues. CBS is seeking between $2.5 million and $3 million for a 30-second spot. Scripps to Replace Fine Living with 'Cooking' Business Courier Scripps Networks Interactive is replacing its Fine Living Network with a new brand: the Cooking Channel. "Food, as a television programming category, has grown," says CEO Kenneth Lowe. The network will be based in New York, using the Chelsea Market as a backdrop. CBS Interactive Sued Over Content Filters Bloomberg CBS' Internet unit is being sued by Solid Oak Software over claims the media company's ZDNet China site helped Chinese government-backed firms dispense a stolen program used to censor political content. CBS aimed to "gain access to the vast Chinese market." Clear Channel Denies Default Risk Report New York Times Clear Channel is denying a report that says the radio and billboard giant's private equity owners, Bain Capital and THL Partners, have approached big banks to help them keep the company from defaulting on loans. Still, Clear Channel has explored refinancing some of its debt. CBS: Second Dan Rather Lawsuit Dismissed Los Angeles Times A New York court is dismissing a second lawsuit that former anchor Dan Rather filed against CBS boss Les Moonves and former CBS News head Andrew Heyward. The judge is dismissing Rather's renewed claim that he was fired to appease former President Bush. Fisher Rolls Out Hyper-Local News Sites Associated Press Fisher Communications is setting up nearly 40 neighborhood news Web sites in the Portland and Eugene, Ore., areas where the company operates radio and television stations. The new hyper-local sites will offer "neighborhood information at a grassroots level." CBS Exec Tellem May Take a Smaller Role Los Angeles Times Top CBS entertainment exec Nancy Tellem is said to be close to stepping down. Network insiders say she has been in talks with her boss, CBS chief Les Moonves, to assume a less hands-on role. Tellem's possible exit points up the ongoing absence of a designated No. 2 at CBS. NBC's Leno Numbers Take Precipitous Slide USA Today Three weeks into NBC's prime-time "Jay Leno Show," the comedian isn't leaving much of a mark. So far, he has finished in last place every night, and Monday he claimed a lowest-yet 4.5 million viewers. NBC stations in big cities have seen ratings drop for late newscasts. CBS' Letterman: Many 'Less Likely' to Watch New York Post Nearly one-third of Americans say they are less likely to watch "Late Show" following host David Letterman's admission that he had affairs with women who work on his show, says a new Rasmussen Reports poll. Nonetheless: Letterman's on-air "apology" won big ratings. Limbaugh to Bid for St Louis Football Team St. Louis Business Talk-radio personality Rush Limbaugh and St. Louis Blues owner Dave Checketts are teaming up on a bid for the St. Louis Rams. "I have a lot of friends in ownership in the NFL," says Limbaugh. The Rams, however, are described as "among the worst teams in the NFL." Tribune to Rebrand WGN America for Comedy Variety Tribune has big plans in store for its sleepy cable superstation WGN America. This fall, the channel intends to rebrand itself as a home for contemporary comedy series, with off-network reruns like "Entourage." WGN aims to become "a much more targeted" channel. Google, Verizon Partner to Take On iPhone Wall Street Journal Google and Verizon Wireless say that the first two phones in their just-announced Android partnership will be available this year. Also the phones will include Google Voice -- a calling application that generated controversy when it was rejected for Apple's device. AT&T Lifts Its Ban on Internet Phone Apps San Jose Business AT&T is opening up its 3G network to Internet phone apps on Apple's iPhone. The move reverses a ban by AT&T on iPhone users making phone calls using Skype and other Internet services on its high-speed 3G network. The ban came under scrutiny by U.S. regulators. NBC: Leno's Ratings Decline Hits Affiliates Washington Post Jay Leno's sinking ratings are causing pain for many NBC affiliates, as audience losses impact the local newscasts that follow his new prime-time show. Falling news ratings could lead to the loss of millions of advertising dollars. Affiliates are "likely to become restless." CBS: Letterman Apologizes to Wife on Show CBS News Late-night host David Letterman apologized to his wife on Monday's "Late Show," saying she had been "horribly hurt by my behavior." Monday's show was the first taped since Thursday, when Letterman revealed sexual relationships that led to a $2 million blackmail plot. Scripps to Team Up With How-To Video Site WebProNews Scripps Networks is partnering with how-to-video site 5min on a content and advertising agreement. Scripps properties, including HGTV and the Food Network, will syndicate video to the site, while 5min will provide videos from its library to Scripps online properties. Comcast-NBCU May Bring Ouster of Zucker New York Post Comcast's possible deal to take control of NBC Universal is stirring talk that NBC boss Jeff Zucker won't have a role in the new entity. "No one at Comcast is too enamored with Jeff." Peter Chernin, Mel Karmazin and Les Moonves are seen as "qualified" to run NBCU. NBC Universal to Drop 'NBC' from Channels Financial Times NBC Universal plans to spend up to $9 million to rebrand its network of foreign channels, using the Universal name rather than NBC. Universal is "a very familiar brand and much-loved," while NBC "is not so well known globally." And today, "brand is everything." Comcast-NBCU May Lead Hulu to Add Fees Reuters Free television shows on the Web could be harder to find if Comcast hooks up with NBC Universal. Comcast would become a partner in the free video site Hulu -- which could be worth billions of dollars if it added fees. Comcast "may decide to change Hulu to some degree." Hulu Makes Inroads on TV with Big Ad Deal Adweek Hulu is drawing nearer to its goal of getting a big chunk of broadcast television dollars, thanks to an upfront commitment worth in the millions from MediaVest. For Hulu, the deal represents "an important step in building its ad business to match its buzz factor." CBS Yanks Letterman Video from YouTube Associated Press Videos of David Letterman's on-air confession of sexual relationships with female employees are hard to find on the Web. CBS, which has a deal with YouTube, isn't posting any clips of the segment. When videos of his revelation are posted on YouTube, CBS has them removed. Fox Business to Bow Don Imus Simulcast Washington Post Fox Business Network, which begins simulcasting Don Imus's radio show Monday, will intersperse financial news throughout the program. Word of his debut is creating excitement for the low-rated channel, says Fox News exec Kevin Magee. "Imus will bring an audience to us." Olympic TV Rights 'Worth Less' After Rio Associated Press Olympic television rights in the United States are worth less now that the 2016 Summer Games have been awarded to Rio de Janeiro, says the International Olympic Committee. A victory for Chicago "would have been more valuable." NBC, ABC-ESPN and Fox were to bid. Internet TV Could Boom in Coming Years PC World Internet-enabled television sets could see wider adoption in the next few years as viewers get comfortable with the idea of running widgets on TV screens, according to a study by Ernst & Young. Many consumers consider it an "appealing" idea to mesh TV with the Internet. ESPN Zone Eatery Shuts Down in Atlanta Atlanta Business ESPN Zone, a nationwide chain of sports-themed bar and interactive game centers, is shuttering its facility in Atlanta. "Unfortunately, the current economic environment gave us no other choice," says ESPN exec Rick Alessandri. The ESPN Zone in Denver closed in June. CBS Staffer Arrested in Letterman Blackmail CBS News David Letterman acknowledged on his late-night show Thursday that he had sexual relationships with female employees and that someone tried to extort $2 million from him over the affairs. An employee at CBS News' "48 Hours," producer Joe Halderman, has been arrested. NBC Universal Sale Talk is Good for Media Dow Jones Analysts say the value given to NBC Universal in General Electric and Comcast's talks over a potential deal could be positive for other media assets. "It reaffirms the private market values in the media area." Shares of Time Warner jumped Thursday following news of the talks. Comcast's Move Seen as Fear of Internet Wall Street Journal Comcast CEO Brian Roberts' strategies indicate he is worried that the Internet could one day become one of the leading forms of television distribution, observers say. The availability of free TV shows on the Internet may start "chipping away" at the cable giant's subscriber base. GE, Comcast Talk NBC Universal Stake Sale Bloomberg Comcast, the largest U.S. cable operator, is said to be in talks with General Electric to buy about 50% of NBC Universal. Negotiations are believed to be ongoing and no agreement is certain. A deal would depend in part on Vivendi making a decision to sell its 20% holding. Comcast 'Looking for Content' Amid Job Cuts Inquirer / Variety Comcast is denying a report by The Wrap that it has reached a deal to acquire NBC Universal for $35 billion. However, Comcast senior VP D'Arcy Rudnay admits: "We are looking for content." Also: Comcast is cutting 39 positions in its entertainment group, which includes E! Time Warner Cable Service to Leapfrog DVRs Bloomberg Time Warner Cable plans to let digital-television customers watch shows whenever they want without paying more for a video recorder. The project, called Enhanced TV, will allow customers to watch hit shows without planning ahead. "The competition's not doing this." NBC's 'Jay Leno' is TiVo-Proof -- For 1 Hour Los Angeles Times More people are watching NBC live at 10 p.m. -- now that Jay Leno is in the time slot -- as opposed to recording the hour, says TiVo. However, about 20% of the people who record "Leno" watch it within an hour, which means it may be slicing into the 11 p.m. local news. ABC, CBS Tell Stars to Boycott 'Jay Leno' Los Angeles Times ABC and CBS are discouraging their stars from appearing on Jay Leno's NBC prime-time talk show, determined not to let the new program undercut viewership of their costly dramas. "In prime time, the stakes are higher and you have to protect your flank." Fox News 'Lies' Slammed by White House Blog Politico In an unusual move, the official White House blog is posting a "reality check" following Fox News Channel's coverage of the 2016 Olympic bid on host Glenn Beck's show: "Last night Fox News continued its disregard for the facts in an attempt to smear the Administration." Sirius XM Passes Royalty Fees to Subscribers Associated Press Listeners of Sirius XM Radio are getting $2 fees added to their monthly satellite radio bills, in what is effectively a price increase for consumers. The company is now passing along performance royalty fees paid to singers, musicians and recording companies. CBS Triumphs in First Week of Fall TV Season Associated Press CBS is beginning the fall season with a bang, winning the first week overall, scoring the top-rated program ("NCIS") and premiering the most-watched new show ("NCIS: Los Angeles"), according to Nielsen ratings. Also, NBC's "Nightly News" held its customary lead. NBC's O'Brien Bested by Rival Letterman Bloomberg CBS' David Letterman "Late Show" won more young viewers than NBC's "The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien" for the first time last week with guests including President Obama. The weekly win for Letterman is also the first among younger viewers in almost four years. CBS: Dan Rather Loses $70 Million Lawsuit Reuters An appeals court is dismissing former news anchor Dan Rather's $70 million lawsuit against CBS in which he claimed he was made a scapegoat in a scandal over a 2004 report on President Bush's military record. Rather failed to sufficiently support his claim, the court says. Don Imus to Take On MSNBC's 'Morning Joe' New York Observer Fox Business Network next week will begin simulcasting Don Imus' WABC morning radio show. His arrival is expected to provide a big boost for the upstart channel. Imus also is expected to become a strong new rival to MSNBC's "Morning Joe." Imus "will pose problems for them." Oprah Signals She's Still TV's 'Gatekeeper' Chicago Tribune Coming off a season in which Oprah Winfrey's syndicated television talk show suffered a 7% decline in ratings, Winfrey is back to using big-name stars and location shoots to boost ratings. Oprah aims to remain "the gatekeeper" as a lead-in to prime-time programming. Glenn Beck Satire Web Site Fights Back Adweek Isaac Eiland-Hall, the creator of a Web site satirizing Glenn Beck, is firing back a response to the Fox News Channel host's legal attempts to take control of the site's Internet domain: "The Web site is a legitimate criticism site. Beck's attempt to censor criticism is improper." Internet Ad Spending Overtakes TV in Britain Reuters Spending on Internet advertising in Britain grew more than 4% in the first half of 2009, moving it ahead of television for the first time, according to the Internet Advertising Bureau. "This is a significant milestone." Video ads are seen as a popular new format. Viacom Launches African-American Channel Multichannel News Viacom's MTV Networks and BET are quietly soft-launching Centric, a new basic-cable network aimed at African-American adults. BET is rebranding its nearly 32 million subscriber BET J network under the Centric moniker, which will air music and lifestyle programming. CNN to Charge $2 for New iPhone News App Wired CNN is rolling out an application for Apple's iPhone, which not only delivers the news in a variety of formats, but makes it easier for citizen journalists to file their own video news reports from the field. The app, for a one-time fee of $2, includes a live stream from CNN Live. Network TV Still Viable Business, Execs Say Los Angeles Times Surprisingly strong numbers for new fall television shows like ABC's "Modern Family" and CBS' "NCIS: Los Angeles" have execs hoping that their long-beleaguered schedules are finally on the rebound. "Despite all the naysayers, it seems like we still have a viable business." ABC 'Desperate' for Ads, Seeks Integration Advertising Age Sunday's season opener of "Desperate Housewives" featured an advertising "vignette," a sort of mini-soap opera, during the first ad break. Characters featured in "Another Desperate Housewife," sponsored by Sprint, may turn up in the actual "Desperate Housewives" show itself. CBS, Web Site Team Up for Foreign News New York Times CBS News is forming a partnership with GlobalPost, a foreign news Web site, that will provide the network with reporting from its 70 affiliated correspondents in 50 countries. As many news outlets struggle to find ways to cover foreign news, the alliance may suggest a blueprint. NBC Affiliates OK on 'Jay Leno' So Far Broadcasting & Cable Most NBC affiliates say they are pleased by the new "Jay Leno Show," acknowledging that the 10 p.m. program is very much a work in progress. "The focus of this show is that it's a marathon, not a sprint," says one general manager, echoing the network's company line. CNN Lines Up Successors to Larry King New York Post CNN is said to be considering Ryan Seacrest, Katie Couric, John King and Joy Behar as possible successors to talk-show host Larry King, whose contract expires in 18 months. A rep for King, 75, says: "Larry has the full intention of continuing in the job he loves." NBC: Conan O'Brien Injured on 'Tonight' Associated Press Conan O'Brien is expected to be back on the job Monday after hitting his head during a "Tonight Show" stunt. The accident Friday halted production of "Tonight," NBC says. O'Brien released his own statement: "Last thing I remember I was enjoying the play with Mrs. Lincoln ..." Playboy TV Channel is Surfing the Web Multichannel News Playboy TV wants to take its adult-targeted original content to the Web. The service says it is talking to operators about launching a linear and online option tied into the network's monthly premium channel. "We definitely are exploring the 'TV Everywhere' model." NBC 'SNL' F-Word Flub Lives on YouTube Washington Post NBC's "Saturday Night Live" kicked off its 35th season with new cast member Jenny Slate accidentally uttering a four-letter word on the air. The NBC switchboard did not "light up" with angry viewer phone calls. Still, the moment is preserved online, thanks to YouTube. CBS: Moonves, Chen Announce Son's Birth Los Angeles Times CBS is announcing that Charlie Moonves, the son of CBS chief Les Moonves and CBS "The Early Show" anchor Julie Chen, was born at 9:40 a.m. Thursday morning in Los Angeles. The two-sentence corporate statement says: "Mother and child are doing well." NBC Seen as Under Assault from All Sides MarketWatch Viewership for NBC's ballyhooed new "Jay Leno" show is falling, NBC News is "is looking over its shoulder" at rivals and even NBC Sports is taking a hit for its "giddy" coverage. "The key question is when -- not if anymore -- General Electric CEO Jeff Immelt will sell NBC." Hulu Streams Are 'Reckless,' CBS Exec Says Los Angeles Times Don't look for CBS to join Disney, News Corp. and NBC in Hulu anytime soon. CBS Interactive CEO Quincy Smith is very critical of the video site, according to an internal e-mail leaked to TechCrunch. Smith writes that some ratings declines may be due to "reckless Hulu streams." NBC's 'Leno' Move Seen as Gutsy, Lucrative Hollywood Reporter With just a 1.5 rating, "The Jay Leno Show" could make $300 million a year for NBC -- and probably spark other networks to follow suit, according to television execs speaking at a Producers Caucus panel. Broadcasters are likely to further reduce their reliance on scripted dramas. Oprah Heading to Denmark for Olympics Bid Crain's Chicago Oprah Winfrey plans to travel to Denmark next week when the International Olympic Committee announces the host city for the 2016 games. She will be part of the official delegation for Chicago's bid committee, which is hoping to lure the event to the city for 2016. Radio: Not Dead Yet Among iPod Generation Crain's New York Nielsen has good news for the radio industry: Young people still listen to the old fashioned medium. According to a new study, 18-to-34-year-olds listen to radio an average of 21.5 hours per week, debunking the assumption that young people are glued to their iPods. TV Shapes Up as Internet Battleground Wall Street Journal Convergence between the television and the home PC has largely eluded the industry, but the living-room screen is now emerging as a key battleground for software and Internet companies. The TV "is going through the same transition" as mobile phones did five years ago. CBS Launches Residential Real Estate Site Crain's New York CBS is backing a new residential real estate site, CBS Real Estate Market, which boasts more than 25,000 apartment listings. The site is a joint venture between CBS and LMG digitalMedia. However, industry experts say it will be hard for CBS to tap into a saturated market. ABC to Cut Ads in Effort to Retain Viewers Los Angeles Times ABC is reducing the number of commercials in the premiere episodes of its new shows, hoping that fewer ads will prevent people from switching the channel. The storylines of dramas will be about five minutes longer, with the first ad not appearing until 15 minutes into the show. CBS Loses Bid to Dismiss Dan Rather Lawsuit Reuters A New York judge is rejecting the bid by CBS to dismiss ex-news anchor Dan Rather's $70 million lawsuit claiming he was fired because of an election-year report on former President Bush's military service. Testimony is to be taken from Viacom chief Sumner Redstone. NBC's NFL Football Dwarfs Emmy Audience Reuters More than 13 million Americans watched Sunday's CBS Emmy Awards telecast -- the best audience in three years for the television industry's biggest night. Nonetheless, millions more chose to watch NFL football on rival NBC. Emmy award audiences have fallen steadily in recent years. Broadcasting Group Taps New-Media Pro B&C Former Oregon Sen. Gordon Smith is being named the new president and CEO of the National Association of Broadcasters, the leading advocacy association for U.S. broadcasters. Smith is tuned into new-media issues as former chair of the Senate's high-tech task force. CNBC Cancels Show by Blog Agitator New York Observer CNBC is canceling its 8 p.m.-hour experiment anchored by Dennis Kneale. The former managing editor of Forbes is perhaps best known for his a lively on-air campaign against anonymous bloggers last summer. The show's quality "was high," says Kneale. "The ratings were low." Emmys Acknowledge Tough Times for TV Associated Press This year's Emmy Awards, presented Sunday, acknowledged television's changing role in the Internet age. The revamped show, which included jokes about the decline of the networks, opened with host Neil Patrick Harris performing a song urging viewers to resist going online. Viacom-Led 'Pay TV 2.0' Nearing Launch Variety Viacom's Paramount, Lionsgate and MGM are billing their new pay-TV channel, Epix, as "Pay TV 2.0" -- a venture that also will offer online, video-on-demand and mobile distribtion. But Epix, set to launch in October, is fighting an uphill battle to land cable carriage deals. Oprah's Book Club Pick Boosts Hachette Crain's New York Oprah Winfrey is announcing that her next book club choice will be a collection of short stories, "Say You're One of Them," by Uwem Akpan. The book came out in paperback from Hachette Book Group in July. This is the first Oprah book club pick since last September. Sirius XM Gets Nasdaq 'Minimum Bid' Warning Barron's Sirius XM says it has received a notice that it is out of compliance with Nasdaq listing rules, since its stock price has closed below $1 for 30 business days. If shares do not trade at a level likely to result in compliance, the satellite radio company could do a reverse stock split. CBS: 70% Sold Out on Super Bowl Ad Inventory Ad Age Advertising sales for the Super Bowl appear to be moving more briskly than anticipated given the current economy, with CBS now selling 70% of its inventory. At this time last year, NBC had sold more than 80% of its inventory. In 2007, Fox was nearly sold out by late October. Fox TV Anchor's Flub Turns Into Catch Phrase Associated Press News anchor Ernie Anastos of Fox's WNYW in New York accidently uttered the F-word on the air while bantering with the weatherman. He had meant to say, "Keep plucking that chicken." His flub quickly became an obscene catch phrase as the video clip went viral online. NBC 'Leno Show' Ratings Dip on Second Night New York Times As expected, the audience for Jay Leno's second night in prime time fell off sharply from his opening night, but it was still a big, dominant win with an average of 10.7 million viewers. The numbers were also good among the viewers NBC most cares about, younger adults. Comcast to Bring TV Shows to Mobile Phones Reuters Comcast plans to offer subscribers the option to watch their favorite television shows on mobile devices through its new wireless Internet service. It is also exploring adding a voice option to the wireless package that would put it in competition with mobile phone providers like AT&T. Time Warner CEO: TV Ad Model Will 'Thrive' MarketWatch The early industry reaction to Time Warner's "TV Everywhere" initiative has been positive, says CEO Jeff Bewkes. "People love it." Television shows that are viewed online will be counted by Nielsen, he notes. "You don't have to build a new model. You've already got it." News Corp: Ailes Paid $2M More Than Murdoch BusinessWeek According to News Corp.'s recent proxy statement. Fox News Channel boss Roger Ailes collected almost $24 million last year in salary, bonuses and other benefits -- nearly $2 million more than chief Rupert Murdoch. Ailes has made Fox News a "money-generating machine." Cox's Travel Channel Wins Private-Equity Bids Reuters Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co., Thomas H. Lee Partners, and Providence Equity are said to be submitting bids for Cox Enterprises' Travel Channel. The private equity firms are bidding separately for the channel in an auction expected to fetch up to $700 million. Vivendi: IPO Possible for NBC Universal Stake Dow Jones Vivendi CEO Jean-Bernard Levy is leaving open the possibility that the company will exercise its option to unload its 20% stake in NBC Universal. If Vivendi exercises the option this year, he says, it may end up offering the shares in the public stock market. CBS, Sirius XM Risk Bankruptcy, Study Says Reuters U.S. media companies are among the industries that are about four times more likely to file for bankruptcy in the next year than firms in other sectors, according to a study by Audit Integrity. The study's bankruptcy risk list includes Sirius XM Radio, CBS and Liberty Media. Arianna Huffington to Develop Sitcom for ABC Variety Huffington Post maven Arianna Huffington is teaming up with former "Friends" writer Greg Malins to develop a sitcom for ABC set in politics. "Freshmen" revolves around three new members of Congress -- two men and one woman -- who wind up sharing an apartment. CNN Opens Online Store to Sell News Stories Journalism.co.uk CNN is opening CNNWireStore.com, which it describes as the "premier source for empowering your Web site, newspaper or blog" with individual news stories. A single-use license will cost $199 per story. Users can "pick and choose the specific stories that are right for them." Hulu May Add Subscriptions, Pay-Per-View MarketWatch News Corp. chief Rupert Murdoch says that the company is "looking into" the possibility of adding subscription products and pay-per-view offerings to the popular online TV show site Hulu. Against the Time Warner-led "TV Everywhere" initiative, Hulu is mulling its own paid model. CBS to Face Another FCC Nipplegate Probe Wall Street Journal The U.S. Federal Communications Commission wants to take another look at Janet Jackson's "wardrobe malfunction" during CBS's 2004 Super Bowl telecast. The FCC says it wants to examine whether CBS was reckless because video delay technology might have been available. NBC Universal Seeks More Voluntary Buyouts New York Observer NBC Universal execs are approaching employees across its news operations, seeking more staffers to take voluntary buyouts. If targets aren't met voluntarily, "employment challenges" lurk ahead. Layoffs may come during the Christmas season, says one source. NBC's Leno Debut Is Most-Watched Broadcast Bloomberg "The Jay Leno Show" was the most-watched U.S. broadcast program Monday night in the show's prime-time debut, attracting nearly 18 million viewers. "We feel great about that, but it's only one day," says NBC Universal CEO Jeff Zucker. The advertising response is "quite good." Viacom: Nickelodeon TV, Web Sites to Go Dark UPI Nickelodeon's television channels and Web sites will go dark on the afternoon of Sept. 26 in honor of Annual Worldwide Day of Play. The event encourages "kids around the world to embrace an active and healthy lifestyle," Nickelodeon says. This is an "important issue." Hulu to Wipe Out TV Networks, Analyst Says MediaPost Hulu will wipe out the network television business as we know it, says a report by Soleil Securities analyst Laura Martin. She estimates that the online video hub will cost TV networks $920 per viewer in advertising. "Moving viewers from the TV to the PC is value-destructive." ESPN Launches Local Sports Site in Boston SportsBusiness Journal ESPN is launching ESPNBoston.com, the second of its local sports sites following a spring launch in Chicago. A Dallas site is slated in the coming weeks, and New York and Los Angeles sites are due early next year. Says ESPN: "We're extremely bullish on this." CBS to Launch Branded Channels in Britain Financial Times CBS Studios, the content arm of the television network, is entering a programming deal with Chello Media, an arm of John Malone's Liberty Global, which operates seven U.K. channels on satellite and cable TV. Chello's Zone channels will be renamed to include the CBS brand. NBC: Kanye Helps Build Buzz for 'Leno' Debut Associated Press Kanye West used Jay Leno's prime-time debut Monday to offer an apology for ruining Taylor Swift's night at the MTV Video Music Awards. West was already scheduled to perform on the show, which may have been a stroke of luck for Leno. The show may draw more curious viewers. ABC Apologies for Obama Tweet by Reporter Politico ABC News reporter Terry Moran caused a commotion on Twitter after tweeting that President Obama called Kanye West a "jackass." The tweet of the president's off-the-record remark was later removed. ABC says it is "taking steps" to ensure that such tweets "will not happen again." MTV: 11 Million Watched Kanye's Tirade New York Daily News When Kanye West put his foot in his mouth during the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards, a big audience was watching. The telecast averaged 11 million viewers, the awards' largest audience since 2002. MTV.com had 2.7 million visitors, the most ever for a "VMA" day. Clear Channel to Award $1 Million in Free Ads San Antonio Business Clear Channel will donate $1 million worth of free advertising to the winners of the American Association of Advertising Agencies' O'Toole Awards, which honor the top ad agencies. The company will donate the ad space across its radio, digital and outdoor platforms. NBC Gives McDonald's, Ford Roles on 'Leno' Bloomberg Jay Leno will race a Ford Focus and raffle prizes for McDonald's during his NBC show that starts tonight, demonstrating how far the network will go to pull in advertisers. Marketers are paying NBC a premium above standard ad rates to weave their products into the program. CBS: The Best House in a Bad Neighborhood Forbes CBS is sticking to longtime strategy of airing expensive comedies and dramas, while recession-weary rivals ABC, NBC and Fox are airing cheaper reality and talk shows. Ad-dependent CBS is "the best house on the block," analysts say, "but it's still a bad neighborhood." Viacom Yanks MTV Awards Clips from YouTube New York Times MTV wants Sunday's Video Music Awards conflict between Kanye West and Taylor Swift to be viewed in only two places: on its television channel and on its Web site. MTV parent Viacom, which has a $1 billion lawsuit against YouTube, is flagging illicit video clips as fast as they appear. Murdoch's Sky News Web Site Hit by Hacker Telegraph A computer hacker infiltrated the Web site of Sky News, News Corp.'s British news channel, and altered a petition to support a proposed television debate between U.K. political party leaders. The sabotage was up for just a few hours before it was discovered and fixed. Time Warner's CNN Blasted for 9/11 Report Washington Post CNN on Friday reported a boat confrontation with shots being fired near the Pentagon, where President Obama was attending a Sept. 11 memorial. It was later clarified as a routine Coast Guard training exercise. "Checking would be good," the White House says. Oprah: Is There Trouble in Her TV Kingdom? Associated Press Oprah Winfrey is still the queen of daytime television, but the viewership for "The Oprah Winfrey Show" is slipping. Winfrey's buoyant encouragement of her audience, telling them that their possibilities are limitless, may no longer resonate in tough economic times. Cablevision to Launch High-School Network Associated Press Cablevision is launching MSG Varsity, a television network and online service for high-school sports and activities in the New York market. MSG Varsity will encourage high schools to provide school-generated content about sports teams, debate, band, drama and dance. Weather Channel Creator Batten Dies at 82 Virginian-Pilot Frank Batten Sr., creator of The Weather Channel, died Thursday after a long illness. He developed The Weather Channel in the 1980s while other media leaders scoffed at the idea. In 2008, the channel was sold to NBC Universal and two private equity firms for $3.5 billion. 'Ellen' Accused of Violating Music Copyrights Associated Press Hey, Ellen, welcome to the music biz: New "American Idol" judge Ellen DeGeneres's daytime talk show is being sued by several record labels. They claim that the songs played during the show when DeGeneres dances in the audience are used without permission. NBC: Talk is Cheaper for Ads on 'Jay Leno' Wall Street Journal Advertisers are buying spots for NBC's "The Jay Leno Show" for about half what they would spend per commercial in new episodes of dramas on rival networks. NBC says the Leno show can turn a profit at reduced levels because it is cheap to produce. ABC's Stossel Leaves for Fox Show, Blog Fox News John Stossel, best known for his work as co-anchor of ABC News' "20/20," will anchor "Stossel," a weekly program on Fox Business Network, and make regular appearances on Fox News Channel. He will also host one-hour specials on Fox News and write a blog. Fox News Host Beck Aims to Shut Satire Site Ars Technica Fox News Channel host Glenn Beck is siccing his lawyers on a new satirical Web site, demanding that the domain registrar delete the "highly defamatory domain name." Legal observers admit that Web domain names alone can be defamatory. Still, a lawsuit is yet to be filed. Fox Sports Kicks off Lunchtime Web Shows Variety Fox Sports is launching an online division, Fox Sports Digital Entertainment, and unveiling five lunchtime Web-only programs to kick-start the venture. Many sports fans turn to their computers for entertainment and information as they lunch, Fox Sports says. MTV Names First-Ever Twitter Correspondent MTV To help cover its Video Music Awards on Sunday, MTV is introducing its first-ever Twitter correspondent, Justine Ezarik, a.k.a. iJustine, a self-described "Internet personality." Ezarik will integrate tweets into the broadcast in a way that "promises to be very cool." NBC: What Happens If Jay Leno Bombs? New York Post "The Jay Leno Show," premiering Monday night, is a make-or-break proposition for NBC. But what happens if the show doesn't work out? Says Jay Leno: "A year from now, if this bombs and people ask, 'Did you do anything after 'The Tonight Show,' I'll say, 'Me? No, I'm retired." Bloomberg Exports Business News to India Financial Times Bloomberg is joining a growing number of foreign news providers pushing into India's booming cable television market, announcing a tie-up with Mumbai-based UTV to provide business news. India boasts of the world's third-largest number of homes with pay television. Fox: DeGeneres to Join 'American Idol' Los Angeles Times News Corp.'s Fox is naming Ellen DeGeneres as the fourth judge on "American Idol," the broadcast TV juggernaut, replacing Paula Abdul, who left the show two months ago. DeGeneres signed a five-year deal for "Idol" and extended her contract to host her talk show through 2014. CBS: Obama Talks Media at Cronkite Service Politico President Obama praised the late Walter Cronkite during a memorial service for the former CBS newsman, while touching upon issues affecting contemporary journalism: Would Cronkite have been able to "cut through the murky noise of the blogs and the tweets" to find substance? PC is Becoming the New TV, Survey Shows Los Angeles Times Nearly a quarter of U.S. households now watch television programs online -- up from 20% last year, says a survey by the nonprofit Conference Board. News shows are viewed by 43% of online watchers; viewership of the Hulu online video service nearly quadrupled from last year. Nielsen: Web TV-Audience Metric in the Works Mediaweek Nielsen is laying the groundwork to measure viewing to cable and television programs available on the Internet. Nielsen plans to roll out an Internet meter, which will allow the company to measure Internet viewing alongside TV usage. The serviced should be implemented by 2011. Comcast Launches Speedy Internet Offering Philadelphia Inquirer Comcast is starting to offer Internet speeds of 100 megabits per second to business customers in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minn. Downloading an X-ray image over a DSL line takes 18 minutes, while downloading the same image at 100 megabits per second takes 36 seconds. Oprah Fest Attracts 20,000 Fans in Chicago Chicago Tribune More than 20,000 Oprah Winfrey fans gathered on Chicago's Michigan Avenue to help the talk show host celebrate the 24th season of her show with a public taping. Addressing the crowd, Winfrey described those who complained about her street fest as "all the haters." Disney's ESPN/ABC Eyes Rights to Olympics USA Today Disney's ESPN, now celebrating its 30th anniversary, says it plans to bid for the TV rights to the 2014 and 2016 Olympic Games. NBC scored big with its rights to the 2008 Games in Beijing. Competitors won't roll over and play dead: Fox and CBS are also expected to bid. NBC's Leno Battles CBS' Letterman in Magazines Time / New York Jay Leno's move to prime time could be "the most significant thing to happen in broadcast TV in the last decade," says former NBC boss Fred Silverman in a Time magazine cover story. Meanwhile, New York magazine's cover story sees talk rival David Letterman as the "true star." ABC Plots Groundbreaking 'Housewives' Spinoff Entertainment Weekly ABC is recruiting "Desperate Housewives" creator Marc Cherry to produce a series of commercials for Sprint that will unfold as a weekly soap opera. None of the show's regulars will appear in the "Housewives"-like ads, which aim to "pause the fast-forward phenom." TiVo Awarded $200M in 'Distasteful' Dish Lawsuit Reuters A U.S. district court is awarding TiVo nearly $200 million in damages in its long-running patent case with Dish Network and EchoStar. The court says it found it "distasteful" that Dish had advertised its DVRs as "better than TiVos" while infringing TiVo's patent. Imus Signs TV Deal with Fox Business Network New York Daily News The Don Imus morning radio show moves its television home to the Fox Business Network starting Oct. 5. Imus ended his simulcast on RFD-TV at the end of last month, and reports about his moving to Fox Business raised eyebrows, since early morning hours are prime time for business channels. ABC News: Diane Sawyer Anchors Her Status Los Angeles Times Diane Sawyer had twice been passed over for the job of anchoring ABC's evening news broadcast. But after announcing Charles Gibson's retirement, the network rewarded Sawyer's forbearance by naming her to its top news post. Colleagues say she has long sought the job. CBS, NBC in Talks with Music Video Site Vevo Reuters Vevo, an online music video startup backed by two major music labels and supported by YouTube's technology platform, is in talks with CBS and NBC to develop shows for the Web. Vevo, which is due for launch by December, is described as the music industry's answer to Hulu. NBC's USA Has Biggest Summer in Cable History Broadcasting & Cable NBC Universal's USA, which has maintained a tight grip as the No. 1 U.S. cable network for years, had the best summer for any cable network since measurements have been kept -- 3.6 million total viewers. "Royal Pains" and "Burn Notice" are wildly popular among viewers. DirecTV, Comcast in Fight Over Distribution Los Angeles Times Cable giant Comcast is battling with satellite broadcaster DirecTV over the sports channel Versus. Unable to strike a new deal with Comcast, DirecTV is dropping carriage of the channel. As more programming and distribution consolidate, such battles are becoming common. Discovery Seeks to Become a Media Giant USA Today Discovery CEO David Zaslav. is grabbing attention with his initiatives to transform what was becoming an also-ran television service into a vigorous worldwide rival to media giants like Time Warner and Viacom. Discovery's shares have rocketed 55% to $21.68 so far this year. MTV to Add 'Fresh' Look to Internet Content Mediaweek MTV plans to revamp the way it presents content on its Web site with the launch of The Daily Fresh, a continuous feed of original news and blog entries from across the Web. MTV.com's goal is to become a site "that should make people's short list of daily entertainment." Sirius XM Radio Focusing On Used Car Lots Radio Business Report With new car sales suffering, Sirius XM CEO Mel Karmazin says that the company will step up efforts to sign up people who buy used cars equipped with satellite radio receivers. To that end, the Sirius XM is entering a deal to offer a three-month trial to buyers of used Volvos. Epix Movie Channel to Run Roadside Films Reuters Epix, the new pay cable channel backed by Viacom, MGM and Lionsgate, is entering a deal to carry 22 movies from independently-owned Roadside Attractions. The movies will run across all Epix platforms, including its linear channel, subscription on demand and epixhd.com. Oprah to Shut Down Michigan Ave for TV Show Crain's Chicago Business Oprah Winfrey will shut down part of Chicago's Michigan Avenue to tape the 24th season opener of her talk show, which will include a live performance from hip-hop artists Black Eyed Peas. Fifteen bus routes will be diverted. Winfrey's Harpo Inc. will reimburse the city for related costs. Broadcast TV Seen Unlikely Go Away Entirely Financial Times Broadcasting execs now prefer to call describe their business as "video" rather than "television," as broadcast media fragments. "The business is in decline," says Jim Rutherfurd, managing partner of private equity firm Veronis Suhler. But "we're not forecasting it will go away entirely." Hulu May Lose Advertisers Over High Rates BusinessWeek Advertisers are growing reluctant to pay the pricey rates that Hulu is charging and starting to weigh their options elsewhere. Hulu, a joint venture of Fox, NBC Universal and ABC, charges an average of $40 for every thousand ad views. Other video sites charge about half that price. NBC Universal Pumps Content to Gas Stations Multichannel News NBC Universal will deliver local and national programming and sell local advertising that will appear on television screens at up to 1,000 gas stations, through a new deal with Gas Station TV. NBCU content will be seen by 30 million viewers each month as they fuel up. CBS' 'Guiding Light' Turns Off as Soaps Die Associated Press "Guiding Light," which debuted on the radio in 1937, will air its final episode Sept. 18, after a 72-year run that is unlikely to ever be matched. Soap operas are in steady decline, as the genre competes with new, racier programming, such as daytime talk and reality shows. Fox Business, Tennis Channel Share Content World Screen Fox Business Network and Tennis Channel are set to begin sharing select content, bringing U.S. Open recaps to the News Corp.-owned business channel and Wall Street updates to the sports network. This year marks Tennis Channel's inaugural coverage of the U.S. Open. CBS, Sports Illustrated in Print, Online Deal Mediaweek CBS Interactive and Sports Illustrated are entering into a content-sharing and promotional partnership focused on high school sports, encompassing both print and the Web. As part of the deal, various SI writers will be promoted and/or syndicated on CBSSports.com. LA Stations, Threatened by Fire, Eye Internet Los Angeles Times The fire raging near Los Angeles is continuing to march up Mt. Wilson, home to transmitting towers for the city's local television stations as well as about a dozen radio stations. Some stations are preparing to stream their content on their Web sites if they lose their signals. Comcast Court Win Could Spark Pay-TV Mergers Reuters A U.S. appeals court is striking down a rule limiting a cable company to no more than 30% of the market, a victory for companies like Comcast that could spark mergers. Comcast, which brought the case, says the ruling reflects "the changing realities of the dynamic video marketplace." CBS Reaches 65% Ad Sellout for Super Bowl Mediaweek CBS is believed to have sold 65% of the available commercial spots for next year's Super Bowl, an impressive amount considering the still-dire economic circumstances. At this time last year, NBC had sold 85%, but CBS has had to battle the financial crisis that began last fall. NBC Turns to Old Peacock in Branding Effort Variety NBC will unveil a new slogan and on-air look on Sept. 14, the night that "The Jay Leno Show" debuts. The tagline "more colorful" -- a throwback to the network's 53-year-old peacock logo -- comes as NBC probes data from a study over what its brand is and what it should be. Fox Teams with Twitter for TV Series Promos Hollywood Reporter Fox network will air "tweet-peats" of "Fringe" and "Glee," in which cast members and producers will tweet live during repeats of the two series. Fans will be able to re-tweet the cast and producers' messages. The "tweet-peats" will be produced in coordination with Twitter. MTV Networks: Another Reality Show Death TV Guide Adam "DJ AM" Goldstein, the celebrity DJ who was found dead in his New York apartment Friday, was to host MTV's "Gone Too Far," a reality show about saving young people from drug addiction. No decision has been made about the future of the show, slated to debut in October. Weather Channel to Focus on Internet, Mobile Atlanta Journal-Constitution The Weather Channel is going outside the television industry and naming Michael Kelly, the former president of AOL Media Networks, as its new CEO. Kelly says that his hiring signals a new emphasis on expanding the channel's reach on the Internet and mobile devices. A&E to Acquire Lifetime in Deal to Drop NBC Los Angeles Times Disney, NBC Universal and Hearst plan to merge several cable networks together: A&E, which is owned by all three companies, will acquire Lifetime, which is owned by Disney and Hearst. The deal is part of a process to eventually eliminate NBC Universal's stake in the entity. Disney Allows Gay Spoof Video to Flourish New York Times Disney appears to be embracing (some) user-generated content: A new viral video depicts a group of gay men lip synching the new single by Disney teen star Miley Cyrus. But Disney isn't seeking to yank the video offline. The clip shows that Cyrus is "broadening her fan base." DirecTV, TBS, TNT In Talks Over Internet TV Associated Press DirecTV is in talks with the TBS and TNT cable networks to offer their shows online to the satellite-TV company's subscribers. DirecTV is joining a growing list of cable, satellite and phone companies aiming to offer consumers a "multiscreen" experience. Broadcast TV Audiences Are Growing Older Variety ABC, NBC and CBS are expected to post median ages above 50 this fall -- with Fox not too far behind, according to a study by former Magna Global EVP Steve Sternberg. The five broadcast nets' average median age this year was 51. Ten years ago, the median age was 43. CNBC to Use Viewer Contributions on the Web Mediaweek CNBC.com is looking to tap into the user-generated content phenom to put a human face on the economic downturn. The site is inviting its users to submit personal stories on how the recession is impacting their lives. Those stories will populate a new feature on the site. NBCU Hires Producer for Global Acquisitions Financial Times NBC Universal is hiring Denise O'Donoghue, a prominent U.K. independent television producer, to revive its international expansion plans. The company is encouraging O'Donoghue to pursue both organic growth and acquisitions. "It's a good time to look for acquisitions." Time Warner Cable, Partners to Test Web TV Wall Street Journal CBS and Viacom are among the seven media companies signed up by Time Warner Cable to test television shows on the Web for paying subscribers. In the test, viewers will be able to access TV shows on the Web after filling out an online form to prove they are cable subscribers. TV, Video Games May Get Single Rating System Bloomberg U.S. regulators are considering a single ratings system to warn parents of programming on television, video games and wireless phones that could be inappropriate for children. The Federal Communications Commission is expected to begin an inquiry next month. VH1 Vows to Become Less Tawdry After Suicide Los Angeles Times Viacom's VH1 is reassessing its reliance on "tawdry" reality shows, a shift that is taking on more urgency after one of its program's participants, Ryan Jenkins, apparently killed himself. We will "fix this problem," says VH1 president Tom Calderone, "and never ever let this happen again." Don Imus Nears Fox TV Deal After RFD Exit New York Post Don Imus is ending his simulcast deal with RFD-TV, clearing the way for his possible move to News Corp. Imus is in talks to bring his morning radio show to the fledgling Fox Business Network, a move that would be a shot-in-the-arm for both the network and the radio host. Howard Stern May Become 'His Own Medium' New York Daily News Howard Stern is yet to reveal his plans for when his five-year deal with Sirius XM expires in 15 months. Should he not renew with Sirius, he could become "his own medium," observers say. Stern "could start his own radio station on the Internet, and keep all the money." Sirius XM Unveils Skydock for Apple Devices Barron's Sirius XM is taking the wraps off the XM Skydock, which turns any Apple iPod Touch or iPhone into a satellite radio receiver. The device is designed to be used with car audio systems and includes a "Best of Sirius" package offering Howard Stern and other premium content. Oprah's OWN Channel Loses Top Execs Broadcasting & Cable Top programming execs Maria Grasso and Nina Wass are leaving OWN to pursue new ventures. The yet-to-launch television network is still set to launch in early 2010. Sources suggest that co-owner Oprah Winfrey hasn't had the opportunity to "carve out much time on the channel." TV Networks' Ad Sales Looking Up for Fall MarketWatch The broadcast television networks' decision to hold back more commercial time than usual to sell during the 2009-10 season looks like a good move, experts say. CBS sold 65% to 70% of its ads for the upcoming season in advance, "and that's just fine for us," says chief Les Moonves. Radio Revenue Plummets in First Half of Year Radio World The U.S. radio industry saw a 23% drop in revenue in the first half of this year, according to the Radio Advertising Bureau, compared to the same period last year. The RAB adds that the news is not all gloom though, thanks to "increasing signs" of an improving economy. VH1 Blog: We'll Drop Series After Suicide Washington Post "Tragedy begets tragedy," muses the VH1 blog, announcing that the cable channel's reality series "Megan Wants a Millionaire" and "I Love Money 3" will be canceled after contestant Ryan Jenkins was found dead in an apparent suicide. Jenkins was wanted for his ex-wife's murder. MTV Launches New Online Video Ad Unit WebProNews MTV Networks is launching a new online video advertising unit called "The Scrubber." The custom video player allows advertisers to insert product icons into the playback timer and highlight various items as the video plays. Message overlays invite consumers to make purchases. Comedy Central's 'Colbert' Set for Space Bloomberg NASA this week plans to launch the space shuttle Discovery on a mission to deliver supplies to the International Space Station. Among the cargo: a treadmill named "Colbert," after Comedy Central star Stephen Colbert, who urged viewers to vote his name in a NASA online poll. ESPN Tests 3-D Game Telecasts in Theaters Associated Press ESPN will test its ability to televise football games in 3-D with a special screening of the game between No. 4 USC and No. 6 Ohio State at three theaters on Sept. 12. Tickets will be given away to fans listening to ESPN radio affiliates in Los Angeles, Dallas and Columbus, Ohio. WWE Plans to Launch Its Own Cable Network Los Angeles Times Vince McMahon, head of World Wrestling Entertainment, is hawking a "kinder, gentler" wrestling show, aiming to lure family viewers. McMahon plans to round up WWE programming, scattered across cable networks including USA and SyFy, into a cable network of its own. YouTube Viewers to Predict Hit TV Shows Mashable YouTube's new Fall TV Preview page offers video previews for 80 new and returning television shows. After viewing the previews, users can vote for the show they think will be the biggest hit this fall. The show that gets the most votes will be highlighted on YouTube's home page. 'Letterman': Wintour Gets Vogue's Support WWD Vogue editor Anna Wintour exposed her funny bone on CBS' "Late Show With David Letterman" Monday, appearing as a guest to discuss "The September Issue" documentary. The studio audience included, for support, publisher Tom Florio and contributing editor William Norwich. Oprah Tweets New Book Pick is Coming Associated Press Talk-show host Oprah Winfrey is announcing via Twitter that her first new book club pick in a year will be revealed Sept. 18. Winfrey's most recent pick, David Wroblewski's "The Story of Edgar Sawtelle," became a blockbuster last fall after she endorsed it. Twitter's Most Influential Journalist Is ... Scooping the News CNN talk-show host Larry King is the No. 1 "Most Influential Journalist" on Twitter, according to a list by the blog Scooping the News. Rankings are based on factors such as number of followers and re-tweets. King's CNN colleague Anderson Cooper comes in at No. 7. Disney/Hearst: Lifetime's 'Runway' Bows Big Forbes "Project Runway" returned on Thursday as the highest-rated premiere for both the long-running show and Disney/Hearst's 25-year-old Lifetime cable network, its new home. The reality series, hijacked from Bravo in its sixth season, was delayed for months in litigation. Viacom's VH1 Eyed After Murder, Suicide New York Times Ryan Jenkins, a VH1 reality-television show contestant wanted in connection with the murder of his ex-wife, was found dead Sunday, an apparent suicide. The case raises questions about the vetting process of reality shows; Jenkins was convicted of assault two years ago. Discovery: A Standout Stock in Media Biz Crain's New York Discovery Communications' recent results are making it a standout in the media sector, thanks in part to reality-show phenom "Jon & Kate Plus 8" on TLC. The company's share price is up 80% this year. Next up: The re-do of Discovery Health as OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network. Hallmark Channel Owner Cuts Jobs in Re-do New York Post Crown Media, the parent of the Hallmark cable network, is restructuring at the same time the channel is attempting to revamp its family-oriented programming. Just last week Crown cut 15 jobs, or 8% of its work force. Hallmark is one of the last remaining independent cable networks. DirecTV Finds Prosperity Without a CEO New York Post Pay-television giant DirecTV continues to outperform its cable, satellite and telecom rivals, thanks in part to its exclusive NFL Sunday Ticket package and capacity for high-definition viewing. Still, analysts say DirecTV "could be a lot better with the right CEO." YouTube Increasingly Seen as 'The New TV' San Francisco Chronicle Consumers increasingly regard YouTube as "the new TV," says Hunter Walk, director of product management at the Google-owned video site. Also: YouTube is trying to make money from almost every way users interact with it: from banner ads to advertiser-sponsored contests. Apple TV Users to 'Dump' Cable, Satellite ZD Net Apple is "highly likely" to release a new Apple TV in the coming months that will include support for a monthly subscription for television shows, says analyst Gene Munster. ITunes could become a TV subscription service that would allow viewers to "dump" cable and satellite. Sirius XM to Bring Satellite Radio to iPhone Mac Rumors Sirius XM is expected to release an accessory dock for the Apple iPod Touch or iPhone at a press conference next Wednesday. The docking station could turn the Apple devices into actual satellite radio receivers. The move could bring Sirius XM millions of new subscribers. Lifetime to Bring 'Project Runway' Online Mediaweek Disney/Hearst's Lifetime for the first time will stream full-length episodes of two series, "Project Runway and "Models of the Runway." The female-focused cable network will provide free, advertising-supported episodes on Lifetime.com following their initial television airing. Viacom's Nickelodeon to Build Theme Park Times-Picayune Viacom kid's network Nickelodeon, the home of SpongeBob Squarepants, plans to build a theme park at an abandoned Six Flags site in New Orleans, which was flooded out during Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The new Nickelodeon park will offer traditional amusement-park fare. Travel Channel Attracts Bids from Media Giants Bloomberg NBC Universal, News Corp. and Scripps Networks Interactive are said to be among the bidders for the Travel Channel. Owner Cox Communications said in June that it had received unsolicited inquiries about the channel. Time Warner may consider making a bid later. NBC: New 'Jay Leno' Will Have Less Leno Los Angeles Times Jay Leno is still tinkering with the format behind his new 10 p.m. talk show that premieres next month. But viewers will probably see less Jay than on "The Tonight Show." Leno says he plans to start with a monologue and then will highlight taped pieces by younger comics. CBS to Run Video Ad in Time Inc Magazine CNET CBS will advertise its fall season with a video-chip ad embedded in Entertainment Weekly. The Sept. 18 issue of the Time Inc. magazine will feature the first-ever video ad to appear in print. The ad will be launched in partnership with PepsiCo to promote Pepsi Max soda. Oprah Sues Marketers Over Use of Her Name Chicago Tribune Oprah Winfrey is filing a trademark-infringement suit against 40 peddlers of dietary supplements, alleging use of her name without permission. After Dr. Mehmet Oz praised the acai berry on Winfrey's talk show, marketers began to sell acai products implying Winfrey endorsed them. MTV's 'Beatles: Rock Band' Reveals Tunes Reuters A list of 19 songs by The Beatles, including "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" and "A Hard Day's Night," for a new MTV "Rock Band" video game are being revealed. "The Beatles: Rock Band," set for release Sept. 9, marks the legendary band's first leap into selling their music digitally. 'TV Everywhere' Must Clear Many Hurdles Broadcasting & Cable There are many technical and legal hurdles to clear before the industry's "TV Everywhere" authentication push reaches critical mass, television execs say. CBS Interactive head Quincy Smith quips: "There is no leadership, no consensus and no standards." CBS '60 Minutes' Creator Don Hewitt Dies CBS News Don Hewitt, recognized as a father of modern television news and the creator of "60 Minutes," died of pancreatic cancer on Wednesday. Hewitt, 86, was executive producer of CBS News, the title he took when he stepped down as executive producer of "60 Minutes" in 2004. Time Warner Drops CBS Station for HD Myrtle Beach Sun News Time Warner Cable dropped WBTW, a CBS affiliate in Florence, S.C., prompting station owner Media General to file a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission. Time Warner insists that the move aimed to replace duplicate channels with high-definition offerings. Local TV May Get Some Relief Next Year Los Angeles Times Revenue for local television stations, most of which is from commercials, will grow 5.2% to $18.5 billion in 2010, thanks in part to political advertising and the Olympics, according to research firm SNL Kagan. Local stations have been challenged for the last few years. Murdoch's Fox News to See Best Year Ever Associated Press Fox News Channel is on pace for its best ratings year ever, as cable-news rivals CNN and MSNBC see declines. Audiences appear to be attracted to host Glenn Beck's "overheated rhetoric" about President Obama. Only ESPN rivals Fox News in "brand loyalty," observers say. NBC Online Store Sells Obama Tchotchkes Fox News Unlike other networks, NBC's online store is selling products (T-shirts, refrigerator magnets) bearing President Obama's image. While some journalism scholars view the offerings as "unseemly," others dismiss charges of news bias as "almost comically stupid." CBS News Eyes 'Tomorrow Show' Online Variety CBS News is hiring humorist Mo Rocca to be the host of its new weekly webcast "The Tomorrow Show."Rocca will discuss the future of technology, pop culture and other topics in a "lively interactive chat" with scientists, authors and other panelists. MSNBC Buys News Aggregator EveryBlock MSNBC MSNBC.com is acquiring EveryBlock, a Chicago-based Web site that offers news and information down to the neighborhood level in 15 U.S. cities. EveryBlock allows users to view local news coverage, blog entries, civic data and more, updated throughout the day. AMC 'Mad Men' Premiere Sets Ratings Record Hollywood Reporter Sunday night's third-season premiere of AMC's beloved drama series "Mad Men" saw a significant viewership increase -- up 33% from last year, to 2.8 million viewers, marking the show's largest audience ever. Moreover, adults 18 to 49 jumped 71%, from 705,000 to 1.2 million. CBS, Amazon Circle Gadget Web Site GDGT TechCrunch Both CBS subsidiary CNET and Amazon.com are said to be interested in acquiring or investing in GDGT, a consumer electronics news Web site. GDGT, launched less than two months ago, was founded by former Engadget editors Peter Rojas and Ryan Block. Sundance Launches Video-On-Demand Service Reuters Sundance Channel is unveiling a video-on-demand service offering films endorsed by Sundance festival founder Robert Redford and often available the same day the movies hit theaters. The service will debut with Spike Lee's new documentary, "Passing Strange: The Movie." NBC's 'Jay Leno' Seen as Short-Term Fix Crain's New York Experts are skeptical about the prospects for "The Jay Leno Show," NBC's five-nights-a-week, prime-time outing, debuting Sept. 14. Similar experiments, such as ABC's "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire," ultimately failed. Critics see NBC boss Jeff Zucker as "short on vision." Univision Announces New Chief, New Goal New York Times Univision, the U.S. Spanish language television giant, is naming strategy exec Cesar Conde as its new president, succeeding Ray Rodriguez, who is retiring. Univision says it aims to become "the No. 1 broadcast network in the United States, regardless of language, within five years." Broadcast Networks Predicted to Disappear The Wrap Broadcast networks saw their revenues plunge during this year's upfront advertising market. "It's the beginning of a structural tailspin," says Advertising Age critic Bob Garfield. "I don't think we'll have four networks five years from now. One of the networks will drop out, maybe two." U.S. Olympic Panel Shelves TV Network Plan Chicago Tribune The U.S. Olympic Committee plans to hold off indefinitely on the 2010 launch of its own television network after complaints from its international parent and others. NBC, which has paid billions of dollars for U.S. broadcast rights, was said to be angry about the proposed network. AT&T to Shut Down Broadband TV Service GigaOM AT&T is shutting down its broadband television service, leaving users with a little over two weeks to continue watching live TV streamed to their PCs. When it comes to streamed television over the Internet, several new entrants, such as Hulu and Netflix, offer "better user experience." DirecTV Recruits Sports Fans for Broadband USA Today DirecTV will intensify its rivalry with cable by giving Manhattanites first crack at buying the satellite company's NFL Sunday Ticket games to view via broadband. DirecTV subscribers pay $299 a season to watch the games; for an extra $100 they also get broadband. TV Poised to Transform Into 'Internet Life' Variety New HD television sets -- some already in stores -- allow viewers to connect to the Internet. The sets are built to stream sites such as YouTube and video-on-demand services from Netflix and Amazon. "We are heading to the transformation of the TV into 'Internet lite.' " NBC: New Economics to Decide 'Leno' Success Chicago Tribune For NBC, the success or failure of the new 10 p.m. "Jay Leno Show" is likely to be measured less by how it fares versus the competition on CBS and ABC than by how its profit margins compare to the more expensive scripted dramas the network previously developed and aired in that hour. Fox News Channel Sees Ads Flee Beck Show Broadcasting & Cable More advertisers are pulling their spots from Glenn Beck's Fox News program, in the wake of the host's accusations that President Obama is "a racist" with a "hatred for white people." A spokeswoman insists that the ads are being "redistributed" to other network shows. NY Yankees' YES Network Expands Web Reach Associated Press The YES Network has reached a deal for New York Yankees games to be streamed to Verizon's FiOS television and broadband customers. New York is the first Major League Baseball team to offer its television broadcasts on the Internet in its home market. Americans Embrace TV-Show Web Streaming World Screen The percentage of Americans streaming full-length television shows and movies on the Internet has more than doubled in the last six months, according to research from Ipsos MediaCT. "The digital video revolution is no longer centered on short clips via YouTube." ABC Hits All-Time Ratings Low -- for Third Time New York Times Last week, for the third time this summer, ABC scored the lowest rating among the viewers it most seeks -- those between the ages of 18 and 49 -- than any broadcast network has ever posted. ABC averaged a 1.1 rating in that group. It even trailed Spanish-language network Univision. Mega Media Not So Mega, Files for Bankruptcy Crain's New York Mega Media Group, the Brooklyn-based operator of dance music station Pulse 87, is filing for bankruptcy. When it launched in 2004, Mega Media planned to combine a record label with a radio station, recording studios and a magazine. Only the radio station remains active. Viacom's Nickelodeon Launches a PC for Kids Reuters Dell is unveiling a line of Nickelodeon co-branded personal computers, aimed at the "tween" audience. The PCs come clad in the Viacom channel's trademark "green slime" design, with additional designs based on programs such as "SpongeBob SquarePants" and "iCarly." Broadcasters Face Probe in Music Fee Row Reuters The U.S. Federal Communications Commission is launching an inquiry into whether certain broadcasters are refusing to air the music of artists who demand to be paid when their songs air on the radio. Some broadcasters are said to be refusing to run ads that support new legislation. Viacom's MTV to Leave Times Square Studio New York Post Viacom's MTV plans to unplug its famed studio overlooking Times Square at the end of the year, according to landlord SL Green. Viacom didn't renew its studio lease when it extended its lease on more than 1 million square feet of offices at 1515 Broadway. MTV opened the studio in 1997. NBC Taps Facebook (Not Hulu) for Premiere NewTeeVee NBC posted a preview of the pilot of its new show "Community" online on Facebook -- not on the network's own site or its co-owned video site Hulu. On Facebook, as opposed to other sites, the fan comments and reviews are from "real people," not "anonymous rabble-rousers." CBS' Radio Division to Get Much Smaller Dow Jones CBS plans to sell four radio stations in Portland, Ore., to a company run by former Citadel founder Larry Wilson for $40 million. CBS' struggling radio division, hit by the advertising downturn, has sold off a total of 12 stations in recent months, as it moves to focus on the largest U.S. markets. Fox: Cowell Finalizing 'American Idol' Deal Hollywood Reporter Simon Cowell will be a judge on "American Idol" for at least three more seasons. The uber-judge is finalizing a deal with Fox to continue on the top-rated reality show. Cowell reportedly is poised to earn $45 million under the new pact, up from $36 million a year previously. Imus Near Deal to Join Fox Business Network AllYourTV.com Don Imus, whose radio show has been syndicated by ABC Radio and simulcast on the rural-oriented RFD-TV since December 2007, is said to be near a deal to jump to the Fox Business Network. The move could boost the visibility of the "nappy-headed hos" host. Fox is Blamed for Grammer's Heart Attack New York Post Kelsey Grammer believes the cancellation of his Fox sitcom "Back to You" by network entertainment head Kevin Reilly was the cause of his 2008 heart attack. "When they examined my arteries, there was no blocked artery," the actor says. "I had an event that was stress-related." ABC Trying to Recruit Abdul for 'Dancing' Los Angeles Times ABC entertainment boss Steve McPherson says he would like to have former "American Idol" judge Paula Abdul join his network's "Dancing with the Stars," either as a participant or a judge. McPherson says he was "stunned" by Fox's inability to seal a new deal with Abdul. Media Analysts Doubt CBS' Ad Optimism Reuters CBS's Les Moonves should be receiving thank-you notes from his fellow media CEOs. Moonves's comment that advertisers are "coming back very strongly" jolted many media stocks on Friday. But analysts caution that a recovery will likely be slow and "may never come" for some media. Media Bigwigs Admit TV Model is Broken Broadcasting & Cable Recently minted News Corp. COO Chase Carey is joining a growing group of industry bigs now openly admitting that the ad-supported broadcast model no longer functions for media conglomerates. "We need to build new distribution models in a digital world," Carey says. Broadcast Networks' Ad Take Down 15% New York Post The broadcast networks all admit they sold less advance advertising time for the upcoming season. While ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and the CW are staying mum about their individual takes, their combined haul is estimated to be down 15%. Plus, the networks all made deals at lower rates. Rather: Obama Must Help News Business Washington Post President Obama needs to form a commission to address "the perilous state of America's news media," writes former CBS news anchor Dan Rather in a Washington Post op-ed. The news business faces "a crisis that threatens our democratic republic at its core." CBS.com, Hulu Differ on Approach to Ads BusinessWeek Network television's two largest Web sites, CBS.com and Fox-NBC-ABC's Hulu, remain far from profitability -- and disagree on how to get there. CBS.com is studying how to pile on as many ads as possible, while Hulu wants to run fewer ads but charge more for them. CBS Profit Plummets 96% on Ad Weakness MarketWatch CBS is reporting that its second-quarter profit fell 96% as the weakened economy contributed to another drop in advertising revenue at its television stations, radio stations and outdoor displays. CEO Les Moonves says the ad market will be better in the second half of the year. TV Networks Cut Their Prices for Ad Time Los Angeles Times The broadcast networks, buckling under the pressure of a weak advertising market, have cut prices for commercial time. The retrenchment marks the first time in years that ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox have failed to leverage large audiences to boost prices during the upfront season. DirecTV to Join 'TV Everywhere' Initiative Ad Age The cable industry's plan to get viewers to pay for television on the Web is getting a powerful new ally -- DirecTV. The largest U.S. satellite-TV operator is in talks with cable networks to launch its own Web video service under standards known in the industry as "TV Everywhere." Fox: 'Idol' Will Hire to Replace Paula Abdul New York Post Proving that new "American Idol" judge Kara DioGuardi was not hired as Paula Abdul's replacement, Fox has announced plans to fill Abdul's vacant seat with a fourth judge. "We will probably have four judges," says Fox exec Peter Rice. Abdul simply "chose not to return." Sirius XM May Lose Howard Stern Next Year BusinessWeek Sirius XM lost nearly 186,000 subscribers during the second quarter, as dismal car sales ate into the satellite radio company's subscriber base. Also, host Howard Stern's contract will expire in 2010. If Stern leaves, as he threatens to do, many listeners might follow. Comcast to Seek 'Technical Repositioning' Philadelphia Inquirer Comcast's profit leaped 53% in the second quarter, even though the recession helped squeeze its cable TV and Internet businesses. The cable giant is developing many new products, including an iPhone app, which it says will lead to a "technical repositioning of the company." Epix, Goldwin in Exclusive Distribution Deal Reuters Newly formed movie channel Epix has reached an exclusive deal to distribute up to 20 movies from indie Samuel Goldwyn Films. Goldwyn will provide up to 20 films across all Epix platforms. Epix is a venture owned by Viacom's Paramount film studio along with Lions Gate and MGM. Scripps Mulls Buying Cox's Travel Channel Bloomberg Scripps Networks Interactive, owner of the HGTV cable-television network, is considering buying the Travel Channel, said CEO Kenneth Lowe. "We'll be taking a look at it just as we always do when a cable property of this significance comes on the marketplace." Oprah Hit With $1 Trillion Internet Lawsuit Enquirer Oprah Winfrey is being sued for some $1 trillion. In the intellectual property case, author Damon Lloyd Goffe of the Bronx, New York, is suing the talk show titan and her production company Harpo for published on the Internet the first draft of his work "A Tome of Poetry." Web Surfing Is 'Healthier' Than TV Watching Time Television-viewing is the worst form of interactivity, according to a study of children ages 3 to 8 by researchers in the United States and Spain. TV-viewing is linked to significantly higher blood pressure. It is much "worse" than playing video games or surfing the Internet. NBC Aims to Connect with Youth on the Web Forbes NBC is renovating of the Web operations at its 10 owned-and-operated local broadcast stations. The goal is to create inexpensive city-specific sites, with content from users and a handful of staffers, catering to the 25- to 44-year-old demo NBC has dubbed "social capitalists." Leno Says New Show 'Not Here to Save' NBC Los Angeles Times NBC is "on its own," says comedian Jay Leno at the television press tour in Pasadena, Calif., using a tone that seemed no more than half in jest. "I'm not here to save them." Leno's 10 p.m. talk show, which is key to the network's hopes for a revival, debuts Sept. 14. Fox: Abdul Spurned 30% Raise to Leave 'Idol' New York Post Paula Abdul spurned a "massive" raise to leave "American Idol," industry sources say. Abdul was offered a 30% raise for a multiyear deal, putting her annual salary at over $5 million. Instead, after intense negotiations, Abdul Twittered late Tuesday that she was leaving TV's biggest show. Bloomberg to Take 'Charlie Rose' Worldwide New York Times Bloomberg Television will rebroadcast the PBS "Charlie Rose" show in prime time around the world, in a new deal to be announced. The arrangement marks one of Bloomberg's boldest steps yet to refashion its programming to better compete with CNBC and other channels. TiVo Adds New Web Videos, Content Options CNET TiVo is adding hundreds of free Web videos to TiVo Series3, TiVo HD, and TiVo HD XL DVRs. Also, subscribers who are interested in watching video podcasts that they can't find through TiVo's listing can enter RSS feeds manually to watch the show on their TiVo box. Fox: Abdul Won't Return to 'American Idol' Los Angeles Times Paula Abdul announced via Twitter that she is leaving "American Idol," as the Fox hit prepares to enter its ninth season. Abdul reportedly wanted a paycheck similar to host Ryan Seacrest, who recently signed a new $10 million deal. Fox was apparently unwilling to comply. CBS to Revive 'Gunsmoke' as Feature Film Hollywood Reporter CBS Films is developing a feature reboot of "Gunsmoke." The action-adventure will re-imagine marshal Matt Dillon, the hero of the classic Western series, for modern audiences. "Gunsmoke," at 20 seasons, holds the title of the longest-running primetime scripted drama. Discovery Steals Viewers from Broadcast CNBC Discovery Communications is reporting that its earnings doubled from the year-ago quarter. CEO David Zaslav says that the company is stealing marketshare from its competitors. Discovery is grabbing viewers not just from other cable channels but also from the broadcast networks. CBS Eyes Online for New Revenue Stream NewTeeVee Online video will enable broadcast networks to develop a second revenue stream like cable, says CBS research exec David Poltrack. Specifically, Poltrack is referring to authentication plans like TV Everywhere, in which premium content is placed behind a subscription wall. Current TV Journos Win Prison Pardon San Francisco Chronicle Former President Clinton negotiated the pardon of Current TV journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee from a 12-year prison sentence in North Korea. The journalists were sentenced in June after being convicted of illegally entering the country while reporting a story near its border. Sirius XM Shares Up on New Optimism Reuters Sirius XM Radio shareholders may sense better days ahead, fueled by optimism about new revenue streams and the launch of its iPhone software. The stock has climbed 20% this week, despite forecasts that the company will post a loss when it reports quarterly results Thursday. ESPN Limits Staff Use of Social Media New York Times ESPN is issuing employee guidelines about social networking, saying that on-air talent, reporters and writers will need approval to discuss sports on the likes of Twitter, Facebook and MySpace. They will also be restricted from detailing how stories are produced. Dish Network Files Suit Against ESPN Los Angeles Times EchoStar satellite broadcaster Dish Network has filed a breach of contract suit against Disney's cable sports behemoth ESPN. The suit charges that ESPN gave Comcast and DirecTV better deals to carry ESPN Classic and ESPNU, violating a most-favored-nations clause. CNN Providers Reject Ads Attacking Dobbs Bloomberg Media Matters, a watchdog group, is buying advertisements attacking CNN anchor Lou Dobbs for his coverage of groups questioning whether President Barack Obama was born in the United States. At the request of CNN, five cable operators are refusing to air the spot. CBS Chief Moonves in $70M Lawsuit by Rather Reuters Former anchor Dan Rather is suing CBS bosses Les Moonves and Andrew Heyward in a bid to have them reinstated as defendants in his $70 million lawsuit against the network. Rather claims that CBS made him a scapegoat in a scandal over his 2004 report on President Bush. Current TV Journalists Get Clinton's Help CNN Former U.S. President Bill Clinton is traveling to North Korea on a mission to negotiate the release of Laura Ling and Euna Lee, both journalists for California-based Current TV, the venture launched by Clinton's former VP, Al Gore. The two reporters have been imprisoned since March. ABC's TV Shows to Join Netflix Streaming Associated Press Netflix, the online movie rental outfit, will begin streaming earlier seasons of ABC television shows such as "Lost" and "Desperate Housewives" in a new deal with Disney. The deal comes as Netflix looks to expand its library of 12,000 movies and TV shows available for streaming. Clear Channel Firm to Sell Ads for Pandora Ad Age U.S. radio giant Clear Channel will have its radio advertising sales rep firm, Katz Media Group, start selling audio ads for Pandora, which aims to be "the world's biggest radio station." Pandora boasts some 30 million registered users and 4 million monthly unique listeners. Murdoch, Immelt Order Cable News 'Truce' Los Angeles Times News Corp. chief Rupert Murdoch and General Electric boss Jeff Immelt recently met to discuss defusing the rising on-air sniping between Fox News and MSNBC anchors Bill O'Reilly and Keith Olbermann. Murdoch and Immelt's corporations cooperate on other ventures, such as Hulu. Disney, CBS, GE Pressured by White House Washington Post White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel personally contacted the CEOs of Disney, CBS and General Electric to pressure them to air President Obama's latest press conference on their broadcast networks. TV execs say they can't afford to keep airing Obama's sessions. TiVo: We've Become a Friend to TV Networks Associated Press TiVo, the digital video recorder pioneer that panicked the television business by making it simple to skip commercials, now flashes banner ads on TV screens when users fast-forward shows. TiVo says it has "become a friend" to the networks. But some users call the new ads "obnoxious." NBC Working on Defining Its Brand Image Newsweek NBC is working to define the network's brand, says Jeff Gaspin, the newly appointed chairman of NBC Universal Television Entertainment. Gaspin is inheriting a network entering its fifth straight season in last place. "Broadcasting can take a page out of cable's playbook," he says. Dan Rather Calls On Obama to Save Media Aspen Daily News Former CBS News anchor Dan Rather is calling on President Obama to form a White House commission to help save the news media. Such a commission would work on creating new business models to keep news organizations alive. "Every citizen should be concerned." Report: Online TV Substituting for Cable Mediaweek Nearly a fifth of Internet users watch video online almost every day, and a growing number of recession-conscious Americans claim they are using the Web as a cable-TV substitute, according to a new report by the Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project. Satellite TV Coming to Continental Airlines USA Today Continental is becoming the first big airline to offer satellite television, a move that could push its peers to follow suit. Since April, Continental has installed DirecTV on 18 planes. By early 2011, the airline plans to have 77 channels of live TV available to domestic passengers. Clear Channel Says No Thanks to Palin Show Broadcasting & Cable Sarah Palin, the former governor of Alaska, is reported to be considering a syndicated radio show. However, radio conglomerate Clear Channel has already passed on her. The main objection to Palin as a radio talk-show host is that she would "have to hold forth for three hours a day." ESPN Seals Virgin Media Distribution Deal Independent ESPN is entering a deal to show its sports channels on U.K. cable operator Virgin Media. The Disney-owned broadcaster is also in late stage talks to wholesale the new ESPN channel, which goes live on Monday, to remaining U.K. pay TV providers BT Vision and Top Up TV. Viacom: Strong MTV Ratings a Key Priority MarketWatch Viacom is reporting its second-quarter profit fell 32%, hit by a decline in its media networks. CEO Philippe Dauman says ratings at MTV are improving as the network's schedule is rebuilt. Dauman describes strong ratings at MTV as a "key priority" at Viacom. Fox Declines to Air 'Family Guy' Abortion Hollywood Reporter Fox says it has decided not to broadcast a "Family Guy" episode next season that deals with abortion. The episode was produced by sibling 20th Century Fox TV. Fox supports "the producers' right to make the episode and distribute it in whatever way they want." NBC's Leno Will Be a Ratings 'Powerhouse' Mediaweek According to NewMediaMetrics' predictive analysis on which new shows are likely to break out in the coming television season, CBS' new "NCIS: Los Angeles" should attract big ratings Tuesday nights at 9 p.m., while NBC's "Jay Leno Show" could prove to be a powerhouse at 10 p.m. Discovery, Baidu Launch Web Site in China AFP Discovery and Chinese search engine Baidu are launching a Chinese-language Web site featuring content from the U.S. television company. Discovery says it aims to build a stronger presence in China, a nation whose Internet users are said to now outnumber the U.S. population. Blip.tv Seeks Distribution via NBC, YouTube Wall Street Journal Blip.tv is announcing distribution deals with NBC, YouTube and others that it hopes will expand the reach of its online programming. The Web-video network, whose shows include Rocketboom and Wallstrip, will share its videos with a new NBC channel in New York, NY Nonstop. Palin Considers Work in Radio, Sources Say Inside Radio Former Alaska governor Sarah Palin is coy about her future political plans, but radio is at least one option she's leaving on the table. Reps for the former U.S. VP candidate are said to be quietly testing the waters to see how much interest radio syndicators have for her. NBC's Silverman to Leave for Diller Venture Hollywood Reporter NBC Universal exec Ben Silverman is leaving to form a "next generation" venture with Barry Diller's IAC that will produce content for the Internet, television and other platforms. Ryan Seacrest is credited with helping to break the news of the NBC shake-up via his Twitter feed. ABC Boots 'YouTube Newlyweds' from Hotel UPI The Minnesota couple whose wedding dance became an Internet sensation on YouTube say ABC canceled their airfare and hotel rooms because of their appearance on NBC's "Today" show. NBC says it will "make up for our competitor's bad manners" and pay for their travel and hotel. Fox: 'American Idol' Stars Want More Money Los Angeles Times Fox juggernaut "American Idol," regarded as one of the last bastions of appointment viewing, could be in jeopardy as three of its judges seek pay increases. Simon Cowell, seen as essential for the show to remain a success, is in talks for what could be $45 million a year. NBC Universal Rumored in Vivendi Takeover New York Post Vivendi's decision last week to suspend talks to acquire control of mobile-phone firm Zain is evidence that the French conglomerate is plotting a takeover of NBC Universal, observers say. Vivendi is rumored to want to buy General Electric's 80% stake in NBCU. Chinese State TV Launches Arabic Channel Associated Press Chinese state television is launching an Arabic-language channel beamed to 22 Arabic-speaking countries in the Middle East and Africa in an effort to "strengthen understanding between China and Arab countries." The 24-hour news and entertainment channel has a budget of $6.6 billion. Broadcast TV Giving Ground on Ad Rates Wall Street Journal CBS, NBC, ABC and Fox are said to be cutting advertising rates by single-digit percentages in at least some deals for the coming TV season. The major U.S. broadcast networks, already reeling from the economic downturn, are facing more pressure from marketers. Facebook, Twitter Run Ad Spots Before MTV USA Today Candie's, the clothier for tweens, premiered its new commercial featuring Britney Spears last Thursday on Facebook and promoted it on Spears' Twitter feed. The first television airing of the ad spot won't come until four days later -- an eternity in the age of online buzz -- on MTV. Time Warner Cable Ad Interrupts Baseball Los Angeles Times Time Warner cable customers in the Los Angeles area missed a pinch-hit grand slam by the Los Angeles Dodgers' Manny Ramirez after the provider broke away from the game for a commercial break. Time Warner says that the incident, which irritated many subscribers, was "unfortunate." Jon Stewart: America's Most Trusted Newsman New York Post In a Time magazine online poll that asked, "Who is America's most trusted newscaster?" some 44% of voters cast their ballot for Comedy Central faux newsman Jon Stewart over broadcast network news anchors Katie Couric, Charles Gibson and Brian Williams. NBC: We've Closed an Upfront Ad Deal Reuters NBC Entertainment co-chairman Ben Silverman says that the network has closed one of its first upfront deals. "You are seeing healthier numbers than I think we anticipated," he says, adding that advertisers are realizing that "there are efficiencies in utilizing broadcast networks." News Corp's Fox Declines to Air Obama Associated Press The Fox network skipped live coverage of President Obama's prime-time news conference Wednesday night. The session, however, was carried by networks including ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, CNBC, C-SPAN, Fox Business Network, Fox News Channel, MSNBC and PBS. NBC Launches Web Site for Jay Leno Show New York Examiner NBC.com is unveiling a Web site for NBC's new "The Jay Leno Show." Fans can log on for a weekly video message from host Jay Leno and 24-hour live streaming video from the set. The site also will feature two insider blogs, with behind-the-scenes news and mini-shows with guests. CBS News to Webcast Cronkite Funeral New York Times CBS News will webcast the family funeral service for former anchorman Walter Cronkite on Thursday. Cronkite's funeral will begin at 2 p.m. ET at St. Bartholomew's Church in Manhattan. The service will include tributes by the "60 Minutes' commentator Andy Rooney. ESPN to Ban New York Post Reporters Associated Press Disney's ESPN is banning staffers from News Corp.'s New York Post from appearing on any its shows after the newspaper ran photos from the video showing reporter Erin Andrews nude in a hotel room. The publication of the pics "went well beyond common decency." CBS Suit: Dan Rather Can Pursue Fraud Claim Dow Jones A judge is reinstating a fraud claim by former CBS "Evening News" anchor Dan Rather in a $70 million fraud lawsuit against CBS. Rather will be allowed to file an amended complaint. "The reasonable, objective analysis is it was a bad day at Black Rock," says Rather. DirecTV Eyes Its Own Execs for New CEO New York Post DirecTV doesn't have to look too far for a new CEO, as Greg Maffei, the CEO of parent company Liberty Media, and Bruce Churchill, president of DirecTV Latin America, have emerged as frontrunners for the job. Chase Carey resigned as DirecTV CEO in June to join News Corp. Disney: ESPN Reporter Secretly Taped Nude Associated Press ESPN reporter Erin Andrews was secretly videotaped in the nude while she was alone in a hotel room and the video was posted online, her attorney says. Andrews plans to seek criminal charges and file lawsuits against the person who shot the video and anyone who publishes the material. Ex-Fox News Producer in Child Porn Case Associated Press Former Fox News Channel producer Aaron Bruns is being sentenced to 10 years in prison for possession of child pornography. Authorities arrested Bruns in February after investigators said he had been sharing pornography on a social networking Web site. Bruns pleaded guilty in May. AOL Ex-Exec to Run Weather Channel Dow Jones Former AOL advertising exec Michael J. Kelly is being named president and CEO of The Weather Channel, which was acquired last year by NBC Universal and private-equity firms Blackstone Group and Bain Capital. The Weather Channel is now focusing on building an online presence. NBC Offered $10M for Jacko Special Hollywood Reporter NBC was ready to pay at least $10 million to broadcast the memorial to Michael Jackson as a special. But negotiations are said to be at an impasse. NBC considered scheduling the special for 8-10 p.m. during the premiere week of Jay Leno's new talk show. Diller: TV Web Revenues to Come from Cable BusinessWeek Broadcasters eventually will be getting more money from cable operators to stream television shows online through cable-owned networks, predicts media mogul Barry Diller. Cable operators "are getting increasingly antsy that they could soon see folks drop their cable service." Broadcasters: Recovery in 2010 Political Ads The Deal Advertising from the 2010 elections will be a big help to beleaguered television-station operators, says Kevin Shea, managing director at Loughlin Meghji & Co. The sector isn't "as moribund" as the newspaper biz. "Come hell or high water, there is going to be political revenue." NBC: Slumping Broadcaster Pulls Ad Slots New York Post Ratings-challenged NBC plans to sell fewer advertising spots ahead of the new fall season in hopes that the abysmal ad market turns around later in the year. Both the NBC broadcast network and its local TV stations are being hammered by a pullback in ad spending. CBS News Chief Struggles to Explain Cronkite New York Times CBS News president Sean McManus says he had difficulty explaining to his children the importance of legendary news anchor Walter Cronkite, who died Friday at age 92. At one time, "most people in America expected to get news from one man. ... That will never be duplicated again." FCC's New Chief Eyes Cutting-Edge Advances Washington Post New U.S. Federal Communications Commission chief Julius Genachowski wants the agency to harness cutting-edge tech advances, such as running applications over the Internet. "I've seen innovation and job creation happen on the platform, on the edge of the platform and in the cloud." ESPN to Roll Out More Local Web Sites New York Times After a promising test run in Chicago, Disney's ESPN is adding hyperlocal Web sites to three more cities -- New York, Los Angeles and Dallas -- with more markets to come. ESPN Chicago has become the city's top sports site, topping the Chicago Tribune's Web section. MTV 'Rock Band' to Launch Song Uploads Billboard MTV plans to launch a groundbreaking initiative called the Rock Band Network that will enable any music artist -- unsigned emerging act or major-label superstar -- to submit songs for possible inclusion in its popular "Rock Band" video game. A beta test is due in August. Current Media Hires MTV Veteran as CEO San Francisco Business Current Media, the parent of Current TV, is hiring Mark Rosenthal as its new CEO. Rosenthal was formerly CEO of Interpublic Media and president-COO of MTV Networks. The former CEO, Joel Hyatt, will become vice chairman of the board of directors. Clear Channel Radio Empire 'Fading Out' San Antonio Express-News Clear Channel, which has about $22 billion in debt, will have trouble making scheduled payments later this year, analysts say. The company, already down to about 800 radio stations from its peak of about 1,200, either will have to start selling outlets itself or go into bankruptcy. Cablevision to Launch a Wedding Channel Broadcasting & Cable Cablevision's WE TV, which airs "Bridezillas" and other wedding shows, is said to be preparing to spin off a wedding-themed cable channel. WE is currently in talks with magazine partners for programming. Wedding magazines are among the most recession resilient titles. HBO: 'Hung' is Biggest Premiere in Years Hollywood Reporter The premiere of HBO's newest comedy "Hung" was seen by 2.8 million viewers, making it the Time Warner network's most-watched series debut since "John From Cincinnati," which aired after the finale of "The Sopranos" in June 2007. Lead-in "True Blood drew 3.7 million viewers. Time Warner Rebuffed on Cablevision DVR Bloomberg The U.S. Supreme Court is refusing to question a television-recording service planned by Cablevision, turning away a challenge by media companies led by Time Warner's CNN. Cablevision's new service will let customers copy and store programs on a remote hard drive. Comcast to Offer Wireless Internet Service Associated Press Comcast is rolling out wireless Internet service in Portland, Ore., with plans to add Philadelphia, Atlanta and Chicago by the end of the year. Comcast is the first major U.S. cable operator to offer wireless broadband. The service offers speeds of up to 4 megabits per second. NBC Universal Cuts Jackson from 'Bruno' The Wrap A scene involving Michael Jackson's sister LaToya, hastily cut for the U.S. premiere of its much-anticipated "Bruno," will remain out of the film, says Universal Pictures. The cut will be made worldwide, even though the uncut film already has premiered in Europe. CNN Leads Cable News Coverage of Jackson Hollywood Reporter CNN once again jumped to the ratings foreground during a national news event Thursday night, easily dominating its cable news rivals, Fox News and MSNBC. CNN averaged 3.9 million viewers with its coverage of Michael Jackson, an increase of about 381% over its usual numbers. MSNBC Bests CNN, Fox News on the Web MarketWatch MSNBC.com is attracting the most unique visitors among news and global events sites, according to Nielsen Online. General manager Charlie Tillinghast credits the site's devotion to video: "Newspaper sites may not be investing in the technology to the extent that we are." Al Jazeera to Debut in D.C. on Wednesday Forbes Middle East news giant Al Jazeera will begin airing in Washington, D.C., its first major carriage in the United States, amid perceptions of bias. Its carrier is the nonprofit MHZ Networks. In the Obama era, Americans have an "appetite for more international news," the network says. Xinhua to Launch English TV News Show Financial Times Xinhua, China's official news agency, will launch an English-language television news program this week on screens in supermarkets and outside Chinese embassies in Europe. The move is seen as a first step towards spreading Beijing's view of the world to western audiences. TV Prepares for $2 Billion Ad Shortfall Financial Times U.S. broadcast and cable networks will face a $2 billion slump in advertising revenues during the next four years as younger viewers spend more time online, says a report by Screen Digest. "We're at an inflection point in the TV business model." Online video ads "won't fill the gap." News Corp Cuts Nearly 100 LA TV Jobs LA Observed News Corp.'s KTTV in Los Angeles is said to be cutting nearly 100 jobs in all newsroom departments at the Fox affiliate station. "Editors, writers, promo people, our chief helicopter guy ..." News Corp.'s New York TV stations, WNYW and WWOR, laid off 20 staffers last week. Murdoch Daughter Eyed for TV CEO Job Telegraph Elizabeth Murdoch, the daughter of Rupert Murdoch and founder of Shine Entertainment, is on the short list to become the new CEO of ITV, the British television network and principal rival to the BBC. Her understanding of media and entrepreneurial skills "make her an obvious candidate." CBS to Roll Out 'Project LENO' for Affiliates Variety CBS is partnered with its affiliates to launch an aggressive 10 p.m. marketing plan -- dubbed "Project LENO," as in "Late prime Enhanced News Opportunity." The network is offering stations a "tool kit" to promote the hour, as rival NBC prepares "The Jay Leno Show" for 10 p.m. NBC, GroupM Poised to Open Upfront Market Adweek NBC Universal and GroupM are close to finalizing a major deal for broadcast and cable inventory for next season. Observers believe NBC, the fourth-rated broadcaster, will have to move first due to its weaker position. ABC, CBS and Fox aren't believed to be close to cutting deals. CBS: Letterman Has First Win Over O'Brien Bloomberg CBS' David Letterman has beat NBC's Conan O'Brien in the late-night talk-show ratings race on a weekly basis for the first time since O'Brien succeeded Jay Leno as host of "The Tonight Show." Letterman has also won the weekly ratings for the first time since December 2005. Sirius XM Signs O'Donnell for 'Rosie Radio' New York Daily News Rosie O'Donnell is jumping back into the talk show game, on Sirius XM Radio. Starting this fall, the outspoken O'Donnell will host a two-hour daily show called "Rosie Radio." Signing the high-profile O'Donnell suggests that the struggling Sirius XM intends to remain an aggressive player. FCC: Former IAC Exec OK'd as New Chairman Bloomberg The U.S. Senate is approving Julius Genachowski, a Democrat, as chairman of the Federal Communications Commission. Genachowski is a former adviser to IAC boss Barry Diller. Senators are also approving Republican Robert McDowell to serve a second term on the agency. Nielsen: Teens Still Like Traditional Media Adweek The notion that teens are too busy texting and Twittering to be engaged with traditional media is false, according to a new research report by Nielsen. The leading type of media use among teens is still television, with the average teenager watching 3 hours and 20 minutes per day. NBC Universal CEO Vows 'Imminent' Changes DHD NBC Universal chief Jeff Zucker is said to be planning "imminent" changes, possibly involving much-criticized NBC entertainment head Ben Silverman. Zucker reportedly has already quietly moved Silverman into NBCU marketing to focus on advertising-related business. Murdoch's Fox News Set for Best Year Yet Hollywood Reporter Fox News, which is believed to be benefiting from an Obama presidency, is averaging about the same number of viewers as rivals CNN, CNN Headline News and MSNBC combined. Fox News currently ranks third behind USA and TNT among all ad-supported cable networks. Time Warner-Comcast Web TV Faces Hurdles Los Angeles Times A plan by Time Warner and Comcast to ensure that people who watch television on the Web are already pay-TV customers faces several hurdles, including a workable encryption system that is easy to use. The technology "has to work for the consumer; it cannot be obtrusive." Cablevision, Yankees Air Games Live on Web Reuters Cablevision, Major League Baseball and the New York Yankees cable network will offer live streaming online of Yankees games in the team's home market. Cablevision Internet customers who receive the YES Network will be able to buy a package to see the games live on the Web. CBS: 'CSI' Draws Higher Rates on Web Than TV Bloomberg Television programs such as "The Simpsons" and "CSI" are for the first time commanding higher advertising rates at Web sites including Hulu and TV.com than on prime-time TV. Marketers, says CBS, are willing to pay more for online because the ads "have a captive audience." ABC, Trades Eye Benefits from Oscar Change Washington Post The Motion Picture Academy is boosting the number of best picture nominees from five to 10 in hopes that it will attract more viewers to its Oscarcast on ABC. Also, trade magazines and newspapers expect an increase in "for your consideration" ads aimed at academy voters. TV Networks See Younger Viewers Vanish New York Times The U.S. broadcast television networks this summer are performing abysmally in viewers age 18 to 49. Last week they posted the lowest combined rating in that category ever. CBS and ABC both scored the lowest total viewer numbers ever for their evening newscasts. CBS Boss Moonves Hit With a 76% Pay Cut Crain's New York CBS chief Les Moonves's compensation was slashed by 76% last year, according to Salary.com. Still, Moonves took home $13.6 million. CBS's stock price fell by two-thirds in 2008, due in part to the advertising slump. About 2,000 employees lost their jobs. Viacom's MTV Networks Lays Off 75 Staffers Broadcasting & Cable MTV Networks is axing around 75 employees, mainly mid-level execs in program development, digital and scheduling at the group housing MTV, VH1 and Logo. "It's pretty much the economy," says a spokeswoman. The cuts account for less than 1% of MTV Networks' work force. Discovery: TLC's 'Jon & Kate' Put on Hiatus Bloomberg TLC is putting its No. 1 program "Jon & Kate Plus 8" on hold after the reality-show couple announced plans to separate. The Discovery-owned channel will air a retrospective on June 29 and put the series on hiatus until Aug. 3. The show is often among the most-watched on cable. Time Warner, Comcast to Take Aim at Hulu Los Angeles Times Time Warner and Comcast plan to unveil a partnership that will make it harder for people to watch television shows online for free. Called "TV Everywhere," the initiative will require viewers to subscribe to a pay-TV service before they may watch certain shows online. ABC 'View' Co-Host in Lawsuit Over Plagiarism Associated Press Elisabeth Hasselbeck, a co-host of ABC's "The View," is being accused of plagiarism in a lawsuit filed by self-published author Susan Hassett. The suit alleges that Hasselbeck's book, "The G-Free Diet," lifts "word for word" from Hassett's book, "Living With Celiac Disease." CBS: New CFO to Cut Costs, Shun Acquisitions Bloomberg CBS' newly appointed CFO Joseph Ianniello says he plans to reduce costs as advertising sales slump. Ianniello, who is replacing retiring exec Fred Reynolds, adds that there are no acquisitions in the works because any deal would have to meet a "very, very, very high hurdle." Murdoch's New York TV Stations Cut 20 Staffers New York Daily News News Corp. New York sister stations WNYW, Channel 5, and WWOR, Channel 9, are laying off 20 employees. The cuts are in news production, sales, facilities, finance and public affairs. A station spokeswoman says: "This is a sign of the economic times." Sirius XM Unit Seeks to Pay Down Heavy Debt Associated Press Sirius XM Radio unit XM Satellite Radio says it will issue $350 million in four-year senior secured notes to help pay down its heavy debt load. Sirius came near bankruptcy earlier this year because of looming obligations. The company has been hurt by the downturn in auto sales. Disney's ESPN: Multiple Platforms for Soccer Reuters Disney's ESPN has won British rights to show 46 live English Premier League soccer matches for the 2009/10 season and 23 matches for the following three years. ESPN says it plans to make its coverage as widely available as possible, across multiple pay-television platforms. ESPN, HuffPost Chicago Web Sites Enter Deal Chicago Tribune In a new deal, Huffington Post Chicago will provide ESPN's ESPNChicago local site with news headlines and blog posts, while ESPNChicago will provide sports content to HuffPost Chicago. No cash is changing hands in the ESPN and Huffington Post partnership. TiVo in Deal Talks to Become 'Bigger Player' Bloomberg TiVo plans to elbow its way onto every U.S. pay-television system, in an attempt to "become a much bigger player." The digital-recording pioneer is in talks to provide service through Time Warner Cable. TiVo already has deals with Comcast and DirecTV. Greater Media Urges Fans to Help Save Radio FMQB Greater Media, the owner of 23 U.S. radio stations, is opening HelpSaveRadio.org, a site to coordinate opposition to the proposed performance tax. The tax, which aims to require radio stations to pay performance royalty fees, could be "catastrophic" to radio. ABC to Cut 40 Jobs in Merger of Operations Bloomberg Disney's ABC is completing the merger of its studio and programming divisions, in an effort to produce more of its own shows, and naming execs Jeff Bader and Barry Jossen to lead the combined operation. Less than 40 existing and unfilled positions will be cut in the move. TV Evening Newscasts Are Safe -- For Now Forbes Despite declining viewership, the big three nightly newscasts still draw 21 million viewers every night. Primetime news tracker Andrew Tyndall says that the networks can't afford to abandon their news divisions. Otherwise, local affiliates will lose programming "they need to survive." Comcast Buys Hearst's Cable Channel Stake Associated Press Comcast is acquiring the 50% of New England Cable News from Hearst it didn't already own. Hearst created the regional news channel in 1992 with cable operators that Comcast later acquired. Like many print media owners, Hearst is being hit hard by an advertising slump. 'Twitter Revolution' in Iran Aided by Old Media Reuters Los Angeles-based satellite station Channel One TV, which is run by expatriate Iranians, mailed out thousands of camera pens to citizens in Iran to help them document their election. The pens pull apart to reveal a flash drive for plugging into a computer and uploading video. TiVo Wants to Be the Google of Television BusinessWeek TiVo is trying to remake itself as the "Google of television" by helping viewers search for programs and by selling advertising and ratings data to advertisers. "Like Google, TiVo will bring that ease of use to TV sets," says CEO Tom Rogers. "We're feeling pretty good right now." Sirius XM iPhone App Leaves Out Howard Stern Associated Press Sirius XM Radio is unveiling a free application for the iPhone and iPod Touch, as the company continues to find ways to offer its service beyond cars, given the dismal state of U.S. vehicle sales. But shock jock Howard Stern will be kept exclusively for satellite-radio listeners. NBC Taps Microsoft For Ad-Sales System Wall Street Journal NBC Universal will use technology from Microsoft to sell commercial time on its broadcast and cable-TV networks in a process similar to the sale of online advertising. The technology NBC is deploying will add a layer of demographic information as well as automated ad buying. CBS Sues ABC Affiliate Owner Over Fees Bloomberg CBS is filing a lawsuit against Global Broadcasting, the owner of Rhode Island ABC affiliate WLNE-TV, for $5 million, seeking fees for syndicated programs such as "Dr. Phil." The station hasn't paid in full for the broadcast rights, according to the complaint. ABC Sees Controversy Over 'Obamamercial' U.S. News A controversy is growing over ABC's plan to broadcast a health care special out of the White House next week. Critics are calling the special an "Obamamercial." Conservatives are demanding a chance to run ads before or during the special but claim they are being turned away. CBS, Jelli to Roll Out User-Controlled Radio Radio World A company called Jelli is promoting what its founders say is the first Web service to enable 100% user-controlled radio. The service is launching on CBS Radio's KITS-FM in San Francisco. Users create the playlist with real-time voting. What plays next is determined seconds before it airs. DirecTV to Introduce Internet Applications Bloomberg DirecTV will start allowing some subscribers to access applications such as the Flickr photo-sharing site through their televisions. If the trial is successful, the applications will become available to all subscribers of the satellite-TV service. "The TV experience is changing." Comcast Offers Boston Red Sox On Demand Boston Globe Comcast plans to roll out Red Sox On Demand to provide New England digital cable subscribers with hundreds of hours of footage of the Boston Red Sox. The move comes as Comcast tries to retain subscribers as some people are eyeing their cable bills as they look to slash spending. ABC Seeks Probe of Evening News Ratings Associated Press ABC News is crying foul over a Nielsen Media Research report that says "World News" had 4 million viewers Friday -- which could be the newscast's smallest audience ever. Friday was the first night of the digital switch over. Usually, 7 million watch the ABC broadcast on Fridays. ABC in Flap Over White House News Embed Hollywood Reporter ABC News is drawing fire for an upcoming special on President Obama's health care plan. The network will embed its news telecasts with the White House on June 24, including the evening news with Charles Gibson. But ABC is rejecting a Republican Party request for a response. CBS: 'Fire Letterman' Rally Attracts Only 50 WCBS A mere 50 protesters turned up for the "Fire David Letterman" rally held outside the taping of CBS's "Late Show," protesting the comedian's comments about Sarah Palin and her daughters. Letterman brushed off the flap with a slew of jokes, including a protest "Top Ten" list. CBS News Unveils Revamp of CBSNews.com RBR CBS News is rolling out a redesign of CBSNews.com. The new site features breaking-news stories from CBS News, as well as content partners like Politico, CBS MoneyWatch, Washington Post and WebMD. A new blog, Crimesider.com, expands on CBS's "48 Hours Mystery." Sirius XM Passes Royalty Fees to Subscribers FMQB Sirius XM Radio will add new fees to its subscription prices, as a way to pass along rate increases by the U.S. Copyright Royalty Board to the consumer. Fees will be added of $1.98 per month for primary subscriptions and $.97 per month for multi-receiver subscriptions. NBC NY Affiliate Drops News for Lifestyle Show Broadcasting & Cable Almost 30 years after debuting its iconic "Live at Five" brand, WNBC New York is scrapping 5 p.m. news for a lifestyle program, debuting in September. The new "LX New York" targets the "Lifetime viewer" of suburban women, with fashion, cooking and gossip fare. Viacom: Top MTV Networks Exec Stepping Down New York Post Brian Graden, president of entertainment of MTV Networks' Music and Logo group, is leaving as part of a reorganization. Graden, an 11-year Viacom veteran, is not expected to be replaced. He is said to be among the highest-paid company execs, with an annual compensation of $7 million. Ashton Kutcher Aims to Bridge Digital, TV Variety Ashton Kutcher and Jason Goldberg's production outfit Katalyst is looking to bridge the gap between digital and television. Katalyst is developing a CW series pilot, "I Pledge," which began online with MySpace, in which celebrities vow to volunteer for charitable causes. CBS: 'Fire David Letterman Rally' is Scheduled RBR / TVG Activists are planning a "Fire David Letterman Rally" Tuesday, following the CBS late-night host's comments about onetime VP contender Sarah Palin and her daughter. Also: Embassy Suites is yanking its advertising off CBS's Web site due to the Letterman controversy. Viacom: Comedy Central's Viewers Are Aging Forbes The average age of viewers of "The Daily Show" and "The Colbert Report" is up by five years, says Nielsen. The graying of Comedy Central's most important shows comes at a bad time for parent Viacom. "When you start to see the age creep up, you wonder whether the show is sustainable." Digital TV Shift Opens Up Business Opportunities Dow Jones The U.S. transition to digital television could open up new business opportunities and make TV more ubiquitous than ever. Telecom execs expect the shift will bring an explosion of high-definition TV over cell phones, laptops, and eventually, in taxicabs and family minivans. Clear Channel Cues Musician-Focused Channels Crain's New York Clear Channel Radio's digital network will launch a series of dedicated artist channels starting in July. The Eagles, Christina Aguilera and Weezer will be the first artists involved. The channels will be distributed across online and mobile outlets. The artists will share in the profits. TV Guide Network Cuts 38 Jobs in Channel Redo Bloomberg Lions Gate will cut 38 positions, or 11% of workers, at TV Guide Network as the cable channel airs more of the company's films and television shows. Lions Gate acquired the channel in March for $255 million with plans to make it an outlet for its own programming. CNN Slammed by Twitterverse for Iran Absence CNET After thousands of demonstrators took to the streets in Iran to express anger at perceived electoral irregularities, an unexpected hashtag began to explode across Twitter. Users expressed dismay at the lack of coverage on CNN, a network that cut its teeth with its Middle East reporting. Social Media Help TV Stations 'Friend' Viewers Boston Globe As local television stations lose viewers and advertising revenue, some are turning to Facebook and Twitter to generate stories and, hopefully, boost ratings. Boston's WLVI is using Facebook to ask viewers to help shape coverage by selecting a story to air on its 10 p.m. newscast. YouTube Squishes Hollywood's Web Video Efforts Los Angeles Times Internet video businesses launched by such firms as Disney, HBO, NBC and AOL are failing. Part of the problem is that YouTube is a juggernaut. Also, high-volume Web traffic doesn't necessarily translate into big money. "It's much harder than everyone thought." Digital TV Shift Opens Up Business Opportunities Dow Jones The U.S. transition to digital television could open up new business opportunities and make TV more ubiquitous than ever. Telecom execs expect the shift will bring an explosion of high-definition TV over cell phones, laptops, and eventually, in taxicabs and family minivans. PBS to Make Cutbacks After Budget Shortfall New York Times PBS, facing a $3.4 million budget shortfall in its coming fiscal year, says that it has reduced its staff by 10%, or about 45 positions, and will impose a 3.85% pay cut on employees beginning July 1. The broadcaster is also instituting a hiring freeze and cutting travel expenses. MTV Aims to Turn British Model Into Web Star Wall Street Journal In an effort to lure teens away from the Internet, MTV is launching "It's On with Alexa Chung," a live on-air music show, hosted by 25-year-old ex-British model Alexa Chung. The show will draw some of its material from Facebook and YouTube, and stream in viewer questions via Twitter. NBC Launches Video Site for Black Consumers PR Week NBC News is launching The Grio, a video-focused news Web site targeting black consumers. The site, named for a term for a West African storyteller, attempts to fill a void of feature content focused on black Americans' stories. The site's six-person staff is based in New York. ABC Devotes Newscasts to 'The New Normal' Associated Press ABC's network-wide series of reports next week on "The New Normal" will look at how businesses and personal habits have changed in the wake of the recession. When the recession is over, things won't go back to the way they were before, says ABC News head David Westin. TV Commercials Are Too Loud, Lawmakers Say Dow Jones Congress wants broadcasters to turn down the volume on television commercials. A new bill would require the U.S. Federal Communications Commission to "preclude commercials from being broadcast at louder volumes." The idea might be difficult to mandate, observers say. Comcast to Test Cable-TV Shows on the Web Bloomberg Comcast is teaming up with programmers, including Time Warner, to offer television shows online to a test group of subscribers in the coming weeks. The service, called OnDemand Online, may help the U.S. cable giant retain customers who want to view programs on media besides TV. Time Warner's TCM Launches Social Network PRNewswire Time Warner cable network Turner Classic Movies is launching its own online social network, called the TCM Classic Film Union, for movie lovers. Some users are already posting rare film photos and video clips. Others are creating blogs to discuss celebrities and favorite classic movies. News Corp, Viacom to Resurrect 'Futurama' Dow Jones "Futurama" will awaken from suspended animation, much like its lead character, after strong DVD sales and reruns convinced 20th Century Fox Television to resurrect the cartoon series, which aired on Fox from 1999 until 2003. New episodes will air on Comedy Central. NBC's O'Brien Loses 'Tonight Show' Lead Bloomberg Conan O'Brien, host of NBC's "Tonight Show" for less than two weeks, is falling behind in the late-night ratings lead to CBS's David Letterman for the first time since taking over from Jay Leno. O'Brien's audience has been shrinking each night since he replaced Leno on June 1. CBS: Last.fm Founders to Exit This Year New Media Age Richard Jones, Felix Miller and Martin Stiksel say they plan to leave Last.fm, the music recommendation site they started in 2002, which was bought by CBS for $280 million in 2007. "We feel the time is right to begin the process of handing over the reins," they say in a joint blog post. CNN's Sister Channel Hires ABC 'View' Host New York Times Joy Behar, a co-host of ABC's "The View," is joining CNN sister channel HLN to host a 9 p.m. talk show. HLN hopes to raise its prime-time ratings with Behar, who is known for her comedic and sometimes controversial sensibility. Behar will continue to co-host "The View." Broadcast TV: Digital Transition is 'Too Late' Washington Post Friday's U.S. migration to digital television transmission may be too late for broadcasters. "Broadcasting had a heck of a run for 50, 60 years, says Reed Hundt, former chairman of the Federal Communications Commission. "It's not completely irrelevant now, but it almost is." FCC Chief Nominee to Get Hearing Next Week Bloomberg Julius Genachowski, President Obama's choice to head the U.S. Federal Communications Commission, will get a June 16 confirmation hearing before the Senate Commerce Committee. Genachowski, a former FCC aide and Internet exec, was nominated March 3 to head the agency. Disney is 'Pleased' with ABC; Sale Unlikely Reuters Disney CFO Tom Staggs says the company is seeing "signs of stability in the marketplace," but warns that ad buyers are still "cautious." When asked about a possible sale of its underperforming ABC network, Staggs says he and CEO Bob Iger are "pleased" with its direction. ESPN Secures Bodenheimer Well Into 2011 Sports Business Journal George Bodenheimer will continue guiding the "Worldwide Leader in Sports" for a while. The 28-year ESPN employee is quietly renewing his agreement with Disney, inking a three-year extension that will keep him presiding over the premier sports media brand through most of 2011. CBS Mulls Launch of Financial News Channel Hollywood Reporter CBS shares will rise as the economy strengthens, says CEO Les Moonves, speaking at the company's annual shareholder meeting. When asked why CBS hasn't launched a financial news channel, Moonves responds: "We have explored it. Right now the market is way too crowded." Letterman, CBS in Deal to Extend 'Late Show' New York Times David Letterman and CBS are said to have worked out a new contract that will see him continuing to host the "Late Show" through August 2012. Significantly, CBS will pay less for the show. But the reduced fee does not necessarily mean that Letterman will take a pay cut. Broadcasters Compete to Put TV on Cellphones Los Angeles Times This week's U.S. switch to digital from analog will allow live television to be sent to mobile devices -- cellphones, computers, car systems. Broadcasters and companies including MobiTV, Qualcomm's Flo TV and Transpera will vie to turn the feature into a "must-have." Clear Channel Boosts Digital with Media Player Associated Press Clear Channel is launching an online media player that consolidates access to its roughly 850 U.S. radio stations at IHeartRadio.com. The player also serves as a streamlined showcase for advertisers, including full-page ads with interactive "widgets" that can be embedded in blogs. CBS: Is David Letterman Taking a Pay Cut? Hollywood Reporter CBS is said to be close to resigning David Letterman to continue hosting "Late Show" through the 2011-12 season. Given the economic climate, CBS is negotiating a lower license fee with "Late Show's" production firm. It is not clear if the fee cutback impacts Letterman's salary. NBC's Canceled 'Earl' Might Find Life on TBS Hollywood Reporter TBS is in talks to order new episodes of "My Name Is Earl," the sitcom canceled by NBC just a few weeks ago. A deal, however, is far from a lock as the sides have to figure out whether an expensive network series can be produced under a basic cable network's economic model. NYC TV Stations to Pool Video News Content Mediaweek Four television stations in the largest U.S. TV market are forming a local news service to pool video newsgathering resources, a practice that is fast becoming standard procedure in major markets. The participating New York City stations are owned by Fox, CBS, NBC and Tribune. TBS Ascends After Time Warner's AOL Spinoff Atlanta J-C After Time Warner ditches its troubled AOL unit, Turner Broadcasting System will emerge from the relative shadows to become half of the media giant, based on the profits of its cable networks -- CNN, TBS, TNT and others. CEO Jeff Bewkes says that TBS is "central to our future." Hearst-Argyle Eyes Revenue in User Content Broadcasting & Cable Hearst-Argyle Television is completing the rollout of its user-generated content program "u local" at its local TV stations, and sees opportunities to drive revenue with it. Proud parents can purchase photos of kids in their Little League games, and the station gets a cut of the revenue. CBS Cut to Near Junk by S&P on Ad Decline Bloomberg Standard & Poor's is cutting its credit rating on CBS to its lowest investment grade because advertising from shuttered auto dealers probably won't ever return. "It is unclear how quickly these once very substantial revenues will be replaced by new sources," S&P says. Sirius Satellite Radio Drifts Toward Failure DailyFinance Sirius XM Radio has seen its stock fall 95% since Howard Stern's first satellite radio show. U.S. auto sales are dropping, and Sirius XM is feeling the impact as fewer vehicles with satellite radios are sold. The company has lost more than $300 million in the past two quarters. NBC Universal Owner Orders 'Ban' on Nielsen DHD Jeff Immelt, CEO of NBC Universal parent General Electric, is said to have ordered a company-wide ban on Nielsen after the media publisher's The Hollywood Reporter ran a story about a purported news slant favoring President Obama. NBC is "not allowed to talk" to THR. Current TV Journos Sentenced to 12 Years Associated Press Laura Ling and Euna Lee, journalists with Al Gore's Current TV, have been sentenced by North Korea's top court to 12 years in prison for a "grave crime" against the nation and of illegally crossing into North Korea. Analysts believe negotiations will likely lead to their release. Viacom-Led Epix TV Channel Nears Launch NewTeeVee Epix, the new pay-television channel venture from Viacom's Paramount, Lionsgate and MGM, is launching a private beta of its online film distribution on Monday. Its Web site will be available at no extra charge, commercial-free, to cable subscribers with Web authentication. MTV Turns TV Awards Show Into Online Event NewTeeVee Last weekend's MTV Movie Awards, with the Bruno/Eminem interaction, helped MTV.com record 13 million video streams on Monday. MTV is keeping most of the online viewers for itself by offering an embeddable player and aggressively taking down unauthorized copies. Obama: No More Delays in Shift to Digital TV Reuters President Obama is issuing a statement warning Americans who have not prepared for next Friday's transition to digital television that their TVs could go dark if they are not prepared. "I want to be clear: there will not be another delay." He admits: "Some people are not ready." Clear Channel Lenders in Push to Default Financial Times Large lenders to the private equity groups that led the $23.8 billion buyout of Clear Channel Communications intend to turn down a proposed debt exchange, hoping to drive the radio and outdoor advertising firm to default. The creditors aim to take control at a steep discount. Televisa, Social Site hi5 to Air TV Online Associated Press Mexican media giant Televisa and the social networking Web site hi5 plan to provide television programming free online in Latin America. Users of hi5 will be able see Televisa programming on a new hi5 page this summer. The page won't be accessible in the United States, however. Disney, Hearst, NBC Talk Cable Venture Broadcasting & Cable Disney-ABC Television, Hearst and NBC Universal are discussing a change in their joint ownership of A&E Television Networks, folding in Lifetime. The deal would expand the relationship between Disney-ABC and NBC Universal which are also partners in the video site Hulu. Hearst Set to Take Over Hearst-Argyle TV Associated Press Hearst Corp. is set to raise its share of class A stock in Hearst-Argyle Television to 96%, setting up the next step in the company's takeover of the TV-station operator. Hearst already owns 67% of Hearst-Argyle's class A shares and all of its class B shares. Oprah Dethroned by Jolie on Forbes' List Forbes Angelina Jolie has dethroned media powerhouse Oprah Winfrey to top this year's "Celebrity 100 list," the annual ranking by Forbes of the world's ultra famous. While Winfrey is the list's top earner, viewership for her daily talk show, "The Oprah Winfrey Show," continues to erode. ABC News Ramps Up Digital Division Hires Hollywood Reporter ABC News is expanding its digital reporter corps by adding its first digital staffers in the United States. ABC first deployed a team of seven digital reporters to foreign posts in 2007. The new journos will contribute reporting to ABCNews.com, ABC News NOW and other platforms. EchoStar Causes 'Substantial' Harm to TiVo Bloomberg Dish Network is being ordered by a federal judge to stop using a digital video recording service that infringes a TiVo patent. Dish and EchoStar also are being told to pay TiVo $192.7 million in damages because their software continues to infringe on a TiVo patent. NBC: 'Jay Leno Show' to Debut Sept. 14 UPI "The Jay Leno Show," the comedian's new prime time talk series, is scheduled to premiere on NBC Sept. 14, the network is announcing. NBC notes that "The Jay Leno Show" will be the first entertainment program to be stripped across prime time on broadcast network television. Comcast's DailyCandy Teams Up with Target Wall Street Journal Target, the U.S. retailer, plans to announce a partnership with DailyCandy, the email newsletter and Web site owned by Comcast that covers fashion and culture for a female audience. DailyCandy editors will offer recommendations on a special section of Target.com. MTV Unites Paul, Ringo for Beatles Videogame Reuters Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, the two surviving members of The Beatles, are appearing together to unveil "The Beatles: Rock Band." The videogame is a production of Apple Corps, the company founded in the 1960s by the legendary band, and MTV Games' Harmonix Music. Disney: Here Comes 'High School Musical 4' Multichannel News Disney plans to squeeze out a fourth entry in its lucrative "High School Musical" franchise, to air on Disney Channel next year. In 2007, "HSM 2" became the most-watched program in cable television history. "HSM3," released in theaters, grossed $250 million worldwide. CBS News to Ustream 'Evening News' with Ads New York Times Seeking a younger audience online, CBS News is joining with a live video Web site UStream to simulcast its newscasts, including "CBS Evening News With Katie Couric." Ustream allows users to chat beside the live coverage and embed the video player on other sites. NBC: Conan Makes Debut on 'Tonight Show' Associated Press Conan O'Brien debuted as host of NBC's "The Tonight Show" Monday with comedy bits emphasizing his entry into a new culture. Over at CBS, rival late-night host David Letterman slyly made mention of NBC's transition: "I'm still here; I knocked off another competitor." Tribune TV Reporter Admits Dating LA Mayor Los Angeles Times Lu Parker, a reporter with KTLA-TV in Los Angeles, is dating L.A. mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, about two years after his extramarital affair with another local newscaster led to the breakup of his 20-year marriage. Parker, the station says, "will no longer be covering politics." NBC Will Still Be Here This Fall, Leno Says Reuters Jay Leno on Friday ended his 17-year run as host of "The Tonight Show." His move to 10 p.m. this fall, which will save NBC millions by avoiding production of a costly TV drama, is a gamble, he admits. "I'm betting NBC will still be around in three months, but that's not a given." MSNBC 'Morning Joe' Brewed by Starbucks New York Times Starbucks is becoming a sponsor of MSNBC's "Morning Joe," in the closest integration between an advertiser and a national news show in recent memory. Voice-overs will tell viewers that "Morning Joe" is "brewed by Starbucks." The show may start airing from Starbucks outlets. BBC, Google Eye Launch of Global iPlayer Telegraph The BBC is said to be in talks with Google about rolling out an international version of the British broadcaster's iPlayer, supported by Google-owned YouTube. The move would mean BBC shows could be seen globally in their entirety on the iPlayer platform supported by YouTube. Zucker: NBC Wants to Buy Cable Channels Wall Street Journal Cable television channels, which generate both advertising and subscription dollars, remain rosier than broadcasting, says NBC Universal CEO Jeff Zucker. NBC would be interested in purchasing more cable networks if they come up for grabs. "We're at our core a cable company." Twitter: Verizon TV Tests Real-Time Tweets Wall Street Journal Verizon's FiOS TV is testing a service that will run a stream of real-time Twitter posts related to programming a viewer is watching. The Twitter TV widget is in beta now, and employees are trying it out. "This seems to be an experience people really want," Verizon says. Lionsgate Sells Stake in TV Guide Channel Reuters Lions Gate Entertainment is selling a 49% stake in the TV Guide channel for $125 million to One Equity Partners and media entrepreneur Allen Shapiro. Lions Gate plans to transform TV Guide into an entertainment network similar to the Bravo, FX and AMC channels. NBC Mulls Lifestyle Show to Replace News New York Observer NBC Universal, in a reconfiguration of its approach to local media, is rumored to be considering the creation of a daily 5 p.m. lifestyle show that could debut on affiliate stations around the country as early as fall 2009. The move could spell the end of local 5 p.m. newscasts. Disney's ESPN to 'Repurpose' About 100 Jobs Broadcasting & Cable ESPN is shedding around 100 positions in a cost-reduction move as a result of the slumping economy. The job cuts are expected to be across a wide variety of levels, from production assistants up to executive roles. ESPN says: "Most of the jobs are being repurposed." Viacom's MTV to Go After Young Male Audience Dow Jones Viacom CEO Philippe Dauman says that the company's MTV network is lagging in ratings because it lost touch with young male audiences as it pursued programming for young women, such as "Laguna Beach." Says Dauman: "We expect to see results" at MTV. NBC Prime-Time Ratings Drop to Historic Low Associated Press NBC is setting a low-water mark of historic proportions for television viewership. Last week the network averaged 4.4 million prime-time viewers, the smallest-ever audience outside of the summer doldrums. NBC hasn't had such a small audience since the early days of TV. Fox Responds to 'Idol' Voting Controversy Hollywood Reporter Fox, "American Idol" producers and AT&T are defending themselves against charges of voting irregularities during the finale of the singing competition. Fox and "Idol" producers say in a statement that they are "absolutely certain" that Kris Allen is, "without a doubt, the American Idol." BBC to Launch U.S. Channel for Children Variety BBC Worldwide is appointing exec Susanna Pollack to spearhead the launch of a CBeebies channel in the United States. CBeebies, a U.K. channel for pre-schoolers, is a huge success, and the BBC's commercial arm sees the U.S. market as "potentially hugely lucrative." Liberty's Malone Wants to Kill Off 'Free' TV Forbes Internet-based content providers cannot make sufficient revenues from advertising, says Liberty Media chief John Malone, and they must find novel approaches to get consumers to pay. "The world is evolving. Whether it's fast enough or big enough to save CBS, I don't know." CBS Radio Applauds Microsoft's New Zune HD Crain's New York Microsoft's newly introduced Zune HD will be the first portable media player to carry an HD Radio receiver. Once the device goes on sale in the fall it could lure more advertisers to HD Radio side channels, says CBS Radio CEO Dan Mason. It "opens up a whole new area." AT&T May Have Swayed Fox's 'Idol' Results New York Times AT&T, one of the biggest sponsors of "American Idol," might have influenced the outcome of this year's competition by providing phones for free text-messaging services at parties organized by fans of Kris Allen, the Arkansas singer who won. Fox officials decline to comment. ABC Expected to See Exec Shuffling, Layoffs DHD ABC is said to be preparing for "executive shuffling and pinkslipping," as Steve McPherson consolidates his power as head of ABC Entertainment Group overseeing both ABC Entertainment and ABC Studios. Layoffs are expected in business affairs, publicity, legal and other areas. ESPN, Disney to Partner for Innovation Lab Orlando Sentinel Disney's ESPN and Walt Disney World resort are building a new research facility at the Wide World of Sports complex in Orlando, Fla. Dubbed the "ESPN Innovation Lab," the operation will allow the cable-sports network to test new applications, such as virtual graphics. Disney Rebrands TV Channels Across Europe Los Angeles Business Disney is rebranding its Jetix television channels in eastern and central Europe as the Disney Channel. The rebranding will extend the Disney Channel's reach in Europe to 12 million households. Each channel will be localized for the market, including dubbing programming. Tucker Carlson to Launch HuffPost Alternative The Hill Former CNN pundit Tucker Carlson plans to launch a right-leaning news site resembling the Huffington Post within weeks. Carlson's TheDailyCaller.com will seek to "drive" the news, similar to the Drudge Report, the New York Times and other major news outlets, he says. NBC's Rebranded Syfy Preps Video-Game Series Financial Times NBC Universal is preparing to embark on an aggressive global expansion of its Sci Fi television channel, rebranded as Syfy. The channel will launch a new show and subscription-based online game called One Earth, the first series developed in tandem with video-game producers. MTV Sues Wireless Provider Over Content Deal Bloomberg Viacom's MTV Networks is filing an $11.6 million lawsuit against Kajeet, a cell phone service for children, accusing it of failing to follow through on a licensing deal. Kajeet is charged with dropping MTV to enter a competing deal with Time Warner's Cartoon Network. CNN: Ratings Plunge for 'Anderson Cooper' New York Post Ratings are dropping for CNN's "Anderson Cooper 360." The show is down nearly 30% in the coveted 25-to-54 demographic, averaging less than 250,000 viewers. Insiders say top brass is questioning the strategy of turning CNN into "the Anderson Cooper network." Online Video: Not a Phenomenon Among Teens Home Media A mere 8% of teens watch repurposed television shows online, according to a survey by independent analyst Bruce Leichtman. The likes of Hulu and TV.com are not yet "an alternative venue for watching TV shows." Use of online video sites "remains much more about short-form video." News Corp: 'Idol' Faces Questions Over Future Reuters Fox's "American Idol" this year drew its smallest finale audience since 2004, slowing the television ratings juggernaut and raising questions about the show's future. While "Idol" is still the most watched U.S. TV show, its audiences have been declining during the past few years. Oprah: Skype is My Latest 'Favorite Thing' Wall Street Journal "The Oprah Winfrey Show" is dedicating an entire episode to Skype, the eBay Internet communications service. Host Oprah Winfrey is giving sales-boosting endorsements to a seemingly increasing number of tech outfits, including Twitter and Amazon's Kindle e-book reader. CW Adds Shows for Teens to 'Tweet' About New York Times CW, the CBS-Time Warner broadcast network, is unveiling a programming slate aiming to appeal to teenage viewers. The lineup, which includes shows such as "Gossip Girl," will be promoted in a campaign with a rotating tagline: "TV to text about" and "TV to tweet about." Television: U.S. Still Prefers Traditional TV TVWeek Traditional television remains the screen of choice for Americans, according to a report by Nielsen. The average American watches 153 hours of TV every month at home -- a 1.2% increase from last year. Viewing on the Web and mobile-video viewing also continues to grow. E! to Run Celebrities' Tweets in News Crawl Broadcasting & Cable E!, the entertainment news channel, plans to run tweets from celebrities' Twitter feeds in the news crawl at the bottom of the screen during its programming. In addition, the Comcast-owned network will feature a "Celebri-Tweet" widget on the home page of its Web site. TV Networks Seek Comic Relief in Schedules Bloomberg The broadcast networks, facing a battered economy and losing audiences to the Web, cable TV and video games, are taking a cue from marketers in betting that boosting their comedy programming will help lure more advertising. At the moment, "advertisers like comedies." CBS Shifts Hits After 'Sea Change' at NBC Los Angeles Times CBS is scheduling two strong returning shows, "Medium" and The Mentalist," later in prime time, aiming to take advantage of NBC's risky decision to give its 10 p.m. slot every weeknight to Jay Leno. "It's a huge sea change," says CBS chief Les Moonves of NBC's Leno move. NBC Vows Not to 'End Up Like Newspapers' Financial Times Moving Jay Leno to prime time is the biggest priority for NBC Universal, says CEO Jeff Zucker, addressing a gathering of 155 local-station reps. Broadcasters can't "keep their feet planted in the cement blocks of the past. ... "I'm not going to end up like Detroit or local newspapers." Cablevision to Roll Out Controversial DVR PC World Despite possible legal challenges, Cablevision plans to deploy its Remote Storage-DVR this summer, a service that allows cable-television subscribers to record shows on the cable company's servers rather than on a home DVR. Programmers claim the service violates their copyrights. ABC Turns to Outside Studios to Save Money Los Angeles Times Eight of the 11 new shows ABC is lining up for next season are made by outside suppliers, breaking with tradition. The move could save money for ABC because most shows fail, losing millions for the studios that produce them. Even successful programs typically lose money. NBC's 'Chuck' Rescued by Subway Ad Deal New York Times A special sponsorship with Subway sandwich shops is enabling NBC to renew "Chuck" for a third season. Subway played a role in an episode of the series last month. Chuck's girlfriend, Sarah, works at a mall food court. She could be selling Subway sandwiches next season. Fox: 'American Idol' Down But Not Yet Out USA Today As Fox's "American Idol," U.S. television's No. 1 series, ends its eighth year, the juggernaut is seeing a 8.4% drop in average audience this season. While advertisers spent $903.3 million on "Idol" last year, it "has begun to show signs of wear," analysts say. Twitter: Will It Help Save 'My Name Is Earl'? Los Angeles Times After NBC "unceremoniously" cancelled "My Name Is Earl," one of the sitcom's actors, Ethan Suplee, turned to Twitter to complain. His actions helped spark a Twitter-based campaign to resurrect the series. An earlier geek-led campaign purportedly helped save NBC's "Chuck." Comcast Earns Customer Love by 'Tweeting' Bloomberg U.S. cable giant Comcast climbed the most in customer-satisfaction ratings among its peers by using Twitter to calm disgruntled subscribers, according to the American Customer Satisfaction Index. Comcast employs 10 people to monitor tweets about the company. ESPN Integrates Video Player on YouTube Advertising Age Disney's ESPN will become the first media company to integrate its own video player on YouTube, as well as the first network to offer pre-roll advertising on the video site. The sports media brand is "programming dayparts as if ESPN.com was a new network." Oprah Rejected Offer to Move Show to NBC Variety A few years before NBC signed up Jay Leno to host a nightly series in prime time, the network approached both Oprah Winfrey and David Letterman about taking on similar gigs. NBC Universal chief Jeff Zucker says Winfrey declined his offer to move her show to the network. Discovery, Amazon.com Litigation Heats Up Wall Street Journal Amazon.com is filing a lawsuit alleging that Discovery Communications infringed four of Amazon's e-commerce patents. The suit comes in the wake of a suit that Discovery filed against Amazon in March, alleging infringement of a patent to technology used in Amazon's Kindle e-reader. Fox: New Slate Bolsters Schedule Around 'Idol' Bloomberg News Corp.'s Fox television is unveiling a new schedule aiming to lure more prime-time viewers next season. Two new shows, "Human Target" and "Sons of Tucson," will begin airing in 2010 to benefit from the added viewers who tune in when the top-rated "American Idol" returns. Marketers Demand Multi-Platform TV Ad Buys USA Today As the broadcast TV networks tout their fall prime-time schedules this week, advertisers are looking for more than hit shows. Marketers are demanding ever-more-specific data about viewers and multiple-platform packages to promote their brands from mobile devices to the Web. Peabodys Honor Stars of TV, News, Internet Hollywood Reporter The George Foster Peabody Awards, saluting electronic media, presented honors this year to such diverse outlets as NBC's "Saturday Night Live," NYTimes.com, the Onion News Network and YouTube. Emcee Brian Williams observes: "There's so much good writing on the Web." Time Warner Cable Drops Mark Cuban's HDNet PR News Now Time Warner Cable will no longer carry Mark Cuban's HDNet television channel in the New York City area, per a statement on the cable provider's Web site. The two sides are said to have been in talks over the issue for months. HDNet programming includes "Dan Rather Reports." CNN's King Writes of His 'Remarkable Journey' USA Today Larry King, host of CNN's "Larry King" Live for 24 years, is releasing a new memoir, "My Remarkable Journey," out Tuesday from Weinstein Books. King renewed a three-year contract with the Time Warner news network last year. Any plans to retire? "Retire to what?" he asks. ABC, NBS News Anchors Start Music Blogs Associated Press NBC News anchor Brian Williams and ABC News anchor Dan Harris are launching side gigs as music bloggers. Both of their blogs appear to be passion plays, rather than calculated attempts to reach younger audiences. Williams vows not to become "a tragic hipster." Cablevision in Talks to Rival Expedia, Orbitz Bloomberg Cablevision, the New York-area cable-television provider, is in talks to offer an interactive travel service to subscribers in competition with Web sites such as Expedia and Orbitz. The service would allow Cablevision customers to book trips through their TV sets. TV: Traditional Tube Getting 'Squeezed Out' Washington Post With television shows increasingly available online, younger viewers are finding they do just fine without a TV set -- or paying a cable bill. The broadcast networks may be the most vulnerable: "Teenagers today barely understand the idea of watching TV on someone else's schedule." U.S. Broadcasters to Vie for Smaller Ad Pie Reuters U.S. broadcast networks will introduce their 2009-10 prime-time schedules in the coming week and get down to negotiating billions of dollars worth of deals with advertisers. ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox are expected to collect up to 15% less than the $9.2 billion they won a year ago. CBS: We're in Catbird Seat for Upfront Sales Crain's New York CBS chief Les Moonves can boast of being No. 1 in prime time among total viewers during his remarks Wednesday at his network's "upfront" presentation to advertisers. CBS insists it is in the catbird seat. "We're really well positioned," says sales head Jo Ann Ross. NBC Universal to Gauge Value of Video Ads Mediaweek Starcom is collaborating with Applebee's and NBC Universal to develop a model that defines the value of video advertising. Over the next three months, the advertising firm will measure the performance of Applebee's creative across MSNBC and NBC News properties. NBC Still Waiting for Hit Shows from Silverman New York Times Ben Silverman, the co-chief of NBC Entertainment, came to the network two years ago as a rising star with an eye on a turnaround. But his first programs have not yet produced a hit. Some detractors, rooting for his exit, suggest that he and NBC can't wait to part company. Fox's 'Simpsons' to Take On Mickey Mouse USA Today The creators of "The Simpsons" aim to turn Fox's top revenue-generating property into a "timeless classic" to rival Disney's Mickey Mouse in terms of raking in money from merchandising. They have to move fast: Ratings for the nearly 20-year-old series are sliding. DirecTV, Liberty in Lawsuit Over Merger Plans Associated Press Two public pension funds are suing DirecTV and Liberty Media over plans to merge the satellite television firm into Liberty's entertainment unit, then spinning them off into a new public company. They claim that the deal's $450 million breakup fee will deter other potential bidders. CNN Punk'd: Kutcher Fulfills Twitter Promise CNN Ashton Kutcher, in a quest to fulfill his promise to "ding-dong-ditch" Ted Turner's house after winning a race to attract 1 million followers on Twitter, unfurled a giant banner with his microblogging account's name over the CNN logo on the Time Warner network's building in Atlanta. TBS: Leno, Digital to Drive 18-49 to Cable Los Angeles Times Broadcast networks will see their ratings among the coveted 18-49 audience plummet next season, says Turner Broadcasting researcher Jack Wakshlag. Both Jay Leno's move to NBC prime time and the conversion from analog to digital will cause younger viewers to flee to cable, he claims. Sirius XM CEO Karmazin Forfeits Options Bloomberg Sirius XM Radio, the unprofitable satellite-radio broadcaster, says CEO Mel Karmazin forfeited 30 million options to buy shares, making them available to attract and retain other employees. Sirius XM is reducing costs to offset losses; the firm lost 404,422 subscribers in Q1. Clear Channel Mulls Bankruptcy Filing New York Post Clear Channel, the radio and billboard giant, is starting to reach out to lenders about restructuring the company's massive debt load just nine months after the firm was acquired in a $27 billion leveraged buyout. One topic being debated is a pre-packaged bankruptcy. Radio Payments to Labels OK'd by House Reuters U.S. radio stations may be forced to pay music companies for playing their songs, as proposed legislation moves a step closer toward approval. Radio is already facing a secular decline as advertisers move some of their radio spending to new areas like the Web. CBS Interactive Chief Smith Said to Eye Exit AllThingsD Quincy Smith, the head of CBS Interactive since November 2006, is said to be planning to leave to start his own consultancy, possibly as soon as this summer. His departure isn't believed to be imminent. CBS says it declines to comment on rumor and speculation. Time Warner's 'TV Everywhere' Gets a Leader Advertising Age Longtime Time Warner Cable exec Andrew Heller is being named vice chairman of Turner Broadcasting System, where he will act as coordinator for Time Warner's "TV Everywhere." The initiative aims to make cable TV content available online for verified subscribers. CBS 'Insider' to Test Kutcher's Web Series Variety Ashton Kutcher's production firm aims to turn the celeb-focused animated Web series "Blah Girls" into a television property. "Blah Girls" will debut as brief interstitials on the CBS syndicated entertainment show "The Insider." CBS then plans to spin it off as its own half-hour series. DirecTV Sued Over Ads on Charter's Bankruptcy Associated Press Charter, a cable television operator that filed for Chapter 11 in March, is suing DirecTV over advertisements that try to persuade subscribers to switch TV service by touting Charter's bankruptcy filing. The ads claim that Charter can't provide the latest technology, given its troubles. Radio Tunes Out Google's Offline Ad Push Wall Street Journal Google is pulling the plug on its attempt to automate radio-advertising sales after stations refused to turn over airtime to a computer algorithm that set prices far lower than their own rates. In a statement, Google says the service "didn't have the impact we had hoped for." GE's Peacock Equity Invests in EveryZing Associated Press The Peacock Equity Fund, a joint venture between GE Capital's Media, Communications & Entertainment business and NBC Universal, is joining an $8.25 million investment round for EveryZing, a provider of search technology for online content, including news and entertainment. Cablevision: We're Not Selling MSG, Newsday Newsday Cablevision says it is not considering the sale of Madison Square Garden, Newsday of any other company businesses. The cable firm announced last week that it is mulling a spinoff of MSG. The company says it wants to emphasize it is looking at a "spinoff" and not a "sale." Digital TV Transition May Get Early Test Washington Post U.S. government agencies and broadcasters are working on plans for an early test of the digital-television transition, saying millions of Americans remain at risk of losing TV reception on June 12. One approach under consideration is a nationwide flip of the switch on May 21. ABC's 'Nightline' Launches Twitter Web Show ABC News ABC's late-night news show "Nightline" is expanding its relationship with Twitter to develop "NightTline," a half-hour digital program hosted by the show's anchors and correspondents that provides a forum for viewers to simultaneously discuss the news of the day through Twitter. CNN Star Anderson Cooper in Sharp Decline Los Angeles Times The audience for the 10-11 p.m. hour of Anderson Cooper's "AC360" has dropped this month to 933,000 viewers -- the first time he has fallen below the 1-million mark since the dog days of last August. CNN has invested heavily into marketing Cooper as the face of the network. MSNBC's Carlos Watson Preps Web Venture BusinessWeek MSNBC anchor Carlos Watson and a small group of staffers are launching The Stimulist, a news and opinion Web site melding aggregation and features ŕ la Huffington Post and Daily Beast. The new site targets the "change generation" of young professionals age 25 to 49. ESPN Local Web Site May Kick Off Web War BusinessWeek ESPN Chicago, a new Web site for sports fanatics in the Windy City, may set off a digital war in regional sports. The ESPN local sports site raises questions about whether the network one day might bid for local sports television rights now secured by Fox and Comcast. Hulu TV Ads Luring Traditional TV Viewers Advertising Age Hulu, the online video site joint venture of News Corp., NBC Universal and Disney, is using millions of dollars worth of television ads to the lure viewers away from TV. The strategy is "incredibly effective," says CEO Jason Kilar. Also: McDonald's is buying a prime-time "roadblock" on Hulu. TV Broadcast Upfront Could Be Down 20% Advertising Age U.S. broadcast networks could see a 20% decline in the 2009 television upfront advertising market from the $9.23 billion in commitments from marketers secured last year, analysts say. That could mark the first serious decline in upfront dollars since the 2001 economic downturn. Cable, Satellite TV Firms See Threat in Hulu Los Angeles Times Hulu's owners are straining their lucrative relationships with cable and satellite operators, such as Time Warner Cable and DirecTV. Hulu is mulling a cable-industry initiative that would require users to prove they are pay-TV subscribers before they can watch current shows on the site. Liberty CEO Says DirecTV Sale is 'Possible' Associated Press Liberty Media CEO Greg Maffei says a purchase of its DirecTV unit by another company is possible after the satellite television operator is spun off. Liberty Media is combining DirecTV with its entertainment unit, then spinning them off as a separate company. CBS Chief Joins Rivals in Recovery Talk Broadcasting & Cable CBS is reporting a Q1 net loss of $55.3 million. Nonetheless, CEO Les Moonves is joining a chorus of rival media execs in predicting easier times ahead. In the earnings statement, Moonves alludes to "early signs of an improving local advertising marketplace." TV Networks May Deny Airtime to Obama Hollywood Reporter Broadcast network execs say that President Obama has cost them $30 million in advertising revenue this year with his primetime news conference pre-emptions. Execs are hoping that Fox's rejection of Obama's April 29 conference will act as precedent for denying future requests. Sirius XM Sees Serious Subscriber Declines CNBC Sirius XM says it finished Q3 with 18.6 million subscribers, down by 400,000 from just three months earlier. Sirius XM's shrinking subscriber base indicates satellite radio is not a necessity in the recession. When paid promotional trials expire, many people don't renew. Cablevision Eyes Madison Sq Garden Spinoff Bloomberg Cablevision says it may spin off the Madison Square Garden unit that owns the New York arena and the Knicks basketball team, bowing to shareholder pressure. The spinoff may value the unit at $3 billion and allow Cablevision to focus on its more profitable cable-television business. Oprah's New TV Network Seen in Trouble The Wrap OWN, Oprah Winfrey's forthcoming cable network, is going through tough times. OWN president Robin Schwartz has resigned and the launch date has been moved back. And it remains unclear whether "The Oprah Winfrey Show" will move to OWN after its syndication deal expires. Oprah Online Coupon Promo Overwhelms KFC Associated Press Customers at a New York City KFC outlet, hoping to redeem downloadable coupons from Oprah.com for a free meal, became upset when the fast-food restaurant ran out of its new grilled chicken. But Internet rumors of a riot are unfounded, says Kentucky Fried Chicken. CNBC Former Host Ratigan Lands at MSNBC Associated Press Former CNBC "Fast Money" host Dylan Ratigan will host a new daytime program at MSNBC. The new show will offer a mix of talk and news with "personality," marking a continued cable-news shift away from news programming to more personality-driven offerings. Broadcasters Group CEO Rehr is Resigning Bloomberg David Rehr is resigning as president and CEO of the National Association of Broadcasters, the U.S. trade group says. Rehr will stay on during a transition phase, the Washington-based organization says in a statement. It says a successor has not been named. Weather Channel Forecasts Stormy CEO Search New York Post Former CNBC boss Bill Bolster is said to be demanding that the partners that own The Weather Channel supply him with a private jet as part of his compensation package to run the network as CEO. But sources say Bolster isn't likely to get the job. The CEO search is "continuing." CBS: 'Wardrobe Malfunction' Back in Court Associated Press The U.S. Supreme Court is ordering a federal appeals court to re-examine its ruling in favor of CBS over entertainer Janet Jackson's 2004 Super Bowl "wardrobe malfunction." The $550,000 fine imposed by the Federal Communications Commission on CBS could be reinstated. Radio Royalties Eyed by Music labels, Artists Wall Street Journal U.S. Congress is considering a bill that could force radio companies to pay royalties of as much as $500 million a year to record labels and artists whose music they play. If the deal goes through, it could change the economics in the struggling music industry. NBC: Leno Willing to Do Live Commercials Advertising Age NBC is taking five of its prime-time hours out of consideration with its new "Jay Leno Show," featuring the longtime host of its late-night "Tonight Show." Leno will be "advertiser friendly," network execs say. "He's not afraid to experiment with live commercials." CW to Give Up Programming Sunday Nights Variety CW will be out of the Sunday programming business entirely as of next year. The CBS-Time Warner network is in talks with affiliates to give up five hours of network time, 5 to 10 p.m., on Sunday, which has long been a weak spot for CW and its WB Network predecessor. Fox to Test TMZ User-Generated Series Variety A half-dozen Fox television stations are set to test "Beyond Twisted," a half-hour reality series produced by Harvey Levin of "TMZ" that will offer "engaging and shocking" user-generated content from YouTube and other sources, along with commentary from the show's staff. Fox News' Beck in Multi-Imprint Book Deal Crain's New York Fox News' biggest new star is about to get bigger -- in the book world. conservative talk-show host Glenn Beck and his longtime publisher, CBS' Simon & Schuster, are launching a multi-imprint partnership, which will include nonfiction books, audio books and e-books. DirecTV, Liberty Entertainment to Merge Dow Jones Satellite-television provider DirecTV plans to combine with Liberty Media's entertainment unit, gaining control of Game Show Network and three regional sports channels. The move allows mogul John Malone to have more direct control over both DirecTV and Liberty Entertainment. Discovery Mulls Deals Like Oprah, Hasbro MediaPost Discovery Communications, which is reporting a big boost in Q1 profits, is examining other partnerships for its networks -- similar to the deals it has made with both Oprah Winfrey and Hasbro. Discovery is eyeing its channels and trying to determine if they need a "bigger voice." Oprah to Make Jenny McCarthy a Media Star Hollywood Reporter Jenny McCarthy is poised to become the next star in Oprah Winfrey's media empire. McCarthy is entering a deal with Winfrey's Harpo to develop projects, including a syndicated talk show. The first collaboration under the pact is a blog by McCarthy on Oprah.com. Hearst-Argyle Supports Hearst Buyout Offer Associated Press Hearst-Argyle Television's board is recommending that its shareholders accept the buyout offer from Hearst Corp. A special committee of the board says the $4.50 per share offer, worth $76.2 million, is "fair." Hearst would be buying the rest of Hearst-Argyle it does not already own. Chicago TV Stations to Share News Crews Chicago Tribune In a cost-cutting move, Chicago's WMAQ (NBC), WFLD (Fox), WBBM (CBS), and WGN (Tribune) are joining forces to set up a local news service to share newsgathering resources. WLS (ABC), the market's No. 1 station, is the lone holdout among the broadcast news outlets. Local TV Aims to Prosper as Newspapers Die Broadcasting & Cable As daily U.S. newspapers teeter on folding, local television station execs are studying what new prospects await them in a paper-free world. There is a chance to become a more trusted source of local news, they say. "Where there's a void, a well-branded TV station will fill in." WPP to Slash 7,200 Jobs to Cut Costs Observer WPP, one of the biggest advertising agencies in the world, will cut 7,200 jobs this year, many in Europe and the United States, where growth has been falling as the recession forces companies to slash their ad budgets. WPP clients include Ford, Colgate and Kellogg's. TV Networks Uneasy About Declining Ads Los Angeles Times Analysts estimate that the major broadcast networks could be down as much as 15% to $7.4 billion for prime-time advertising sales for the fall season. During the crucial upfront market, which takes place in late May and June, "we expect to see year-over-year declines." Local TV Suffering as Revenue Shrinks Variety Revenue is drying up at local television stations, thanks to new technologies, shifting demos and the down economy. New sources of income aren't materializing quickly enough to offset the ebbing tide. "There's no way to mitigate the losses," says NATPE head Rick Feldman. CBS Advertises on Front Page of NY Times Associated Press CBS is launching an aggressive advertising campaign to publicize its prime-time successes in advance of its upfront ad sales presentation, trying not to be dragged down by the economy and struggling rivals. The campaign includes a front-page ad in the New York Times. NBC to Expand SNL's 'Weekend Update' New York Times "Weekend Update," the satirical television news segment on NBC's "Saturday Night Live," will be produced as a series of half-hour specials next season. The specials are likely to air on Thursday nights, the home once again of a critically praised comedy lineup on NBC. MTV to Share Ad Revenue with Web Sites Advertising Age MTV's new show "What You're Watching With Alexa Chung" will allow viewers to interact with the host and its celebrity guests via Twitter and Facebook. MTV describes the show as a "joint venture" with Facebook and Twitter, with revenue-sharing advertising deals in the works. Disney Takes Stake in Hulu for ABC Shows Bloomberg Disney is acquiring a 27% equity stake in Hulu, gaining a new Internet outlet for television shows such as "Grey's Anatomy" and "Lost." Disney is joining NBC Universal and News Corp. as investors in the third most-watched video site. Hulu would welcome CBS, says CEO Jason Kilar. CBS Reacts as Lone Broadcast Hulu Holdout Broadcasting & Cable CBS is now the lone Hulu holdout among the big four broadcast networks. CBS, which runs its own video site, TV.com, issued a statement following Disney's announcement: "Controlling our own rights for [our] content -- in all media -- preserves its value." Discovery, Hasbro Form TV, Web Venture Financial Times Hasbro and Discovery are joining forces to take on Disney, Viacom's Nickelodeon and Time Warner's Cartoon Network in the lucrative children's television market. The toymaker will inject $300 million for a 50% stake of a new cable TV and online venture with Discovery. Comcast: NFL Network Won't Go Dark Philadelphia Inquirer Comcast and the National Football League say they are negotiating a new carriage deal, and that the NFL Network will not go dark on Comcast's cable system when the current contract expires on Friday. The two have sparred over the network for two years. Sirius XM Radio Adopts Poison Pill-Type Plan Associated Press Sirius XM Radio is adopting measures that will make it less attractive to buy chunks of company stock without board approval. Under the satellite radio firm's new poison pill-like plan, the value of the losses it will carry forward may be impaired if the company faces a takeover. Sony to Add More Free Films to Crackle.com Variety Sony is making more of its films available for free on Crackle.com, the company's online movie and television video site, adding "Spider-Man 2" and other titles as it looks to attract more viewers and advertisers. The latest additions specifically target younger males. MTV Veteran Wolf Joins Slide Advisory Board Hollywood Reporter Social entertainment outfit Slide is adding Michael Wolf to its board of advisors. Wolf is a former president/COO of MTV Networks and managing partner of the global media and entertainment group at McKinsey & Co. Slide was founded in 2005 by PayPal co-founder Max Levchin. Clear Channel Eliminates 590 Radio Jobs Bloomberg Clear Channel Communications is cutting 590 jobs in its radio division and suspending its 401(k) employee-matching program as part of a restructuring. So far this year, the largest U.S. radio broadcaster has cut its workforce by 12%. The company slashed 1,850 jobs in January. F---! FCC 'Fleeting Expletive' Rule is OK Washington Post The U.S. Supreme Court says that the Federal Communications Commission may penalize even the occasional use of certain expletives on the air. The court's ruling says the FCC -- prompted by Cher's use of the F-word during a 2002 live broadcast -- is justified in fining broadcasters. Al Jazeera Channel Cracks the U.S. Dial Washington Post Al Jazeera English, launched 30 months ago, has been all but ignored by U.S. cable and satellite carriers, some fearing an alleged anti-American bias. But under an agreement with MHz Networks, the news channel will soon be available to viewers in some 20 U.S. cities. Cablevision to Offer 'Super-Fast' Internet Reuters Cablevision plans to roll out super-fast Internet access connections that can allow a customer to download a full-length high-definition movie in less than 10 minutes. The cable operator is also doubling the speed of its Wi-Fi service as it aims to compete with Verizon FiOS. MTV Embraces Social Networks for New Show Variety MTV is joining forces with both Facebook and Twitter for its new "The Alexa Chung Show." The show will be similar in format to MTV's former "TRL." Audiences -- whether on the set or watching from home -- will be asked to tweet their reaction to guests while the show is on the air. CBS: TV.com Sees Surge in Video Audience Mediaweek CBS' significantly redesigned TV.com is seeing its video audience skyrocket, as the former reference site becomes a destination for full-episode viewing of television shows. TV.com's viewer base soared by a whopping 401% to 3.5 million users from February to March. Fox Rejects Obama's Request for Airtime Hollywood Reporter Fox is the first broadcast network to decline President Obama's request for primetime coverage. Fox will air regular programming Wednesday night instead of an Obama news conference. Obama's interruptions are costing networks millions of dollars in advertising. Oprah, Insurer in Lawsuit Over 'Aha Moment' Chicago Tribune Oprah Winfrey and her production company are being sued by Mutual of Omaha. The insurance firm says it holds approval of a trademark for the slogan "Official sponsor of the aha moment," while Winfrey is claiming rights to the phrase "aha moment." Hearst Ups Bid for Stake in Hearst-Argyle Associated Press Privately held Hearst Corp. is boosting its offer price for the remaining stake in Hearst-Argyle Television, the TV station group owner, by 12.5% to $4.50 a share. Hearst already owns 67% of Hearst-Argyle. Last month, Hearst offered to pay $4 a share for the stake. MTV's '$5 Cover': A New Media Franchise Los Angeles Times "$5 Cover," a new series both on MTV and at fivedollarcover.com, is "a fascinating experiment in new-media storytelling." The series, which follows a group of real-life musicians in Memphis, encompasses reality TV, music videos and mini-documentaries on several media platforms. TV Networks Peeved at Primetime Obama New York Post The major television networks are said to be unhappy with President Obama's frequent primetime speeches, which are costing them some $10 million per hour in lost advertising revenue. Their revenue models didn't "anticipate monthly State of the Unions." Time Warner Cable Cuts Off Bandwidth Hog GigaOM Time Warner Cable may have publicly backed off of metered broadband, but a subscriber in Austin, Texas claims his broadband service from the systems giant was cut off without warning because he downloaded an "excessive" 44 gigabytes of data in a one-week period. Disney to 'Take Over' YouTube for Jonases Multichannel News Disney Channel will "take over" YouTube's home page this week to promote the new series starring tween heartthrobs the Jonas Brothers. The network will run videos on YouTube, as well as on Jonas Brothers-based sites on Facebook and at jonasbrothers.com. CBS Chief Moonves' Salary Dropped in '08 Los Angeles Times CBS boss Les Moonves' overall compensation for 2008 was valued at about $32 million, compared with $36.8 million in 2007, according to the company's proxy report. CBS stock lost 70% of its value last year. Moonves has indicated he will not take a pay raise in 2009. NBC: Jay Leno Is Top Marketing Priority Broadcasting & Cable NBC says Jay Leno is its top marketing focus for 2009. "Leno is the single most important marketing priority of the year,” according to marketing head Adam Stotsky. The network is considering positioning the new primetime Leno show as a companion to its news programming. ABC, 'Lost' Actor Face Harassment Claim Associated Press ABC employee Chelsea Stone is suing the network and "Lost" actor Henry Ian Cusick, claiming she was sexually harassed and then fired from the hit television show. The suit claims that Stone reported a "fondling" incident by Cusick to her supervisor, but was fired 12 days later. Fox Faces Uncertainty Over 'Idol' Judges Reuters Fox is facing an uncomfortable future, as Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell -- the two biggest stars on its No. 1-rated show "American Idol" -- openly discuss leaving, which could send viewership plummeting in future seasons. Millions of dollars in advertising revenue could be at risk. CNN's Middle Road News Formula in Doubt NYT / Mediaweek CNN, whose strategy is to steer the middle course in its news coverage, is ranked fourth among the cable news channels. Even CNN's own staffers say its news formula may be preventing the network from competing effectively. Also: Fox News aims to surpass USA as cable's top network. MTV Co-Founder Joins Music-Sharing Site AllThingsD MTV Networks exec and co-founder John Sykes will replace outgoing CEO Owen Van Natta as the new head of Project Playlist, the controversial music-sharing site. Van Natta is being named CEO of MySpace. Sykes, who helped launch MTV 25 years ago, left the company last year. Cable TV's Canoe Ads Stir Privacy Concerns Associated Press As part of a broader discussion over Internet privacy issues, lawmakers are focusing on Canoe, cable television's newest advertising endeavor, which is yet to launch. Lawmakers are asking whether, and to what degree, set-top box data will be used to send targeted ads to viewers. Time Warner Cable Eyes Acquisition of Joost CNET Joost, the beleaguered online video service, is said to be seeking a buyer and Time Warner Cable is one of the companies interested. Joost, which launched in 2007, has struggled with management shakeups and tech setbacks, and has fallen behind rivals YouTube and Hulu. MTV, NBC Partnering for 'Celebrity' Series Broadcasting & Cable MTV and NBC are said to be close to a unique partnership on "I'm a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here!" The summer reality series will be scheduled to air on both networks. NBC continues to pursue creative deals as the broadcast model becomes increasingly stressed. NBC: Leno is Hospitalized, Cancels Taping Associated Press Jay Leno checked into a hospital with an undisclosed illness Thursday and canceled the taping of the NBC "Tonight" show. The comedian is said to be doing well and plans to return next week. Leno, who turns 59 on Tuesday, will leave the "Tonight" show May 29 after 17 years. CNN: Matalin to Join Team as Contributor TV Week Republican strategist Mary Matalin is joining CNN as a political contributor. Matalin will appear on shows including "Anderson Cooper 360." She also will appear alongside her husband, CNN political contributor James Carville, on "State of the Union with John King." Clear Channel Signs Liberal Talker Rhodes Wall Street Journal Randi Rhodes, the liberal talk-radio host perhaps best known for her stint on the Air America radio network, is joining Clear Channel's Premiere Radio Networks, home to Rush Limbaugh and many conservative voices. "It's all about getting audience we don't have," Premiere says. NPR Cuts Include Layoffs of 13 Employees Washington Post National Public Radio says it will lay off 13 employees and furlough all of its employees for five days over the next five months in its latest round of belt-tightening. The cuts are part of a series of measures that will help NPR close a projected $8 million budget gap this year. Current TV Journos Face Trial in North Korea Associated Press Laura Ling and Euna Lee, two journalists who work for Al Gore's Current TV, are accused by North Korea of crossing into the country illegally from China and committing "hostile acts. The two will be tried on criminal charges. Ling and Lee were arrested March 17. Turner Broadcasting Takes On Network TV BusinessWeek Turner Broadcasting CEO Phil Kent is pushing for advertising rate parity with the major broadcasting networks. If Time Warner spins off its AOL division as expected, the Turner cable channels — including TNT, TBS and CNN — will contribute nearly half of the media giant's earnings. GM to Buy TV Ads Despite Financial Woes New York Post General Motors is gearing up to buy commercial time during next month's "upfront" advertising marketplace even as the struggling carmaker lurches toward bankruptcy. The television networks have doubts about GM's ability to pay and may want to limit their exposure. NBC's 'Chuck' Saved by Twitter, Subway? Los Angeles Times Josh Schwartz, co-creator of NBC's "Chuck," says there is a push on the Internet to get fans to go to Subway to buy sandwiches to support the ratings-challenged series. (The sandwich shop was featured in a recent episode.) Also, many fans are Twittering their support. Fox News 'Drama' at GE Shareholders Meeting Hollywood Reporter The hostility between Fox News Channel and MSNBC reached a fever pitch when Fox producer Jesse Waters infiltrated the GE shareholders meeting and asked company execs about an alleged leftward political slant at their cable news channel. Waters' microphone was cut off. Network TV Business Model 'Must Change' BusinessWeek NBC, ABC, CBS and Fox are facing both growing competition and dwindling advertising dollars. The 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. prime-time period is likely to become shorter and networks may start turning over programming to outsiders on some nights of the week, say industry execs. Viacom to Start Channel for 'Tyler Perry' Crowd New York Times Viacom, the owner of BET, is launching a new cable television channel for middle-aged African-Americans. The channel, to be named Centric, will complement BET, execs say, by targeting an older, affluent audience — the "underserved Tyler Perry" viewership. Disney/Hearst: 'Runway' Landing in August Reuters "Project Runway" will make its long-awaited return on Aug. 20 on its new home on Disney/Hearst's Lifetime cable channel. The sixth season of the hit fashion reality show was delayed for months by an industry dispute over its move from NBC's Bravo cable outlet. Lions Gate to Sell Stake in TV Guide Channel Bloomberg Lions Gate is said to be in talks to sell a minority stake in its TV Guide cable channel. The film studio will choose from among three bidders in "the very near term." Lions Gate plans to remake the TV Guide channel into an entertainment network similar to Bravo and F/X. Martha: Co-CEO Millard Not a Good Thing New York Post Wenda Harris Millard, co-CEO of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, is stepping down to join advisory firm MediaLink, after less than a year in the position at the lifestyle media company. A rift reportedly developed between Stewart and Millard over "control issues." PBS Opens Its Own All-Free Video Portal Los Angeles Times The Public Broadcasting Service is launching its own video site, allowing online viewers to stream many of its top shows, including "Masterpiece Theater," for free. PBS is joining the ranks of Hulu and YouTube — places for consumers who aren't wedded to watching TV on a TV. Oprah TV Network Head Exits in Shakeup Los Angeles Times Robin Schwartz is resigning from OWN, the Oprah Winfrey cable television network, which is set to launch early next year. The shakeup comes two months after former MTV exec Christina Norman was hired as CEO. Norman is "streamlining" prior to launch. MySpace, Fox News Team for UReport Broadcasting & Cable News Corp. siblings Fox News and MySpace are teaming up to create a user-generated content portal. UReport will allow MySpace users to submit content with the potential for it to appear on Fox News. The portal is similar in concept to CNN's user-generated iReport. Air America Not 'Begging' for Donations Radio & Records Air America CEO Bennett Zier says that Monday's Wall Street Journal article portraying the radio network as considering soliciting donations is not correct. The company is not "putting out the begging bowl." It is, however, mulling offering premium subscriptions. CBS Chief Moonves, Chen Expecting Child New York Post CBS boss Les Moonves and wife Julie Chen are expecting a child. Moonves, 59, who married Chen, 37, four years ago, has three grown children from his first marriage. Chen, who is due to give birth in October, will have to take maternity leave from "The Early Show" and "Big Brother." MTV Eyeing Socially Conscious Image New York Times Meet MTV for the era of Obama: The cable network for 14- to 26-year-olds is trying to gloss its escapist entertainment with a veneer of positive social messages via new "inspirational" programming. Today's young are "becoming more civic-minded" and are "demanding a new MTV." TV Execs See Bleak Future for Networks Pittsburgh P-G / Variety The future of prime-time network television is murky at best, thanks to the likes of Hulu, according to panelists at a Syracuse University symposium. The Internet "has nothing but growth ahead," says Fred Silverman. Also: Broadcast networks are "rewriting the rules" for fall. TiVo to Challenge Nielsen on TV Data USA Today TiVo will challenge Nielsen, whose audience ratings provide the basis for most ad sales, with a service that will provide year-round, second-by-second information about the shows and commercials watched by people who have one of the company's digital video recorders. Kutcher vs CNN Leaves Oprah Atwitter Reuters / Mediaweek A week of Twitter mania culminated on Friday with actor Ashton Kutcher winning a popularity contest against CNN on the Web platform and Oprah Winfrey sending her first "tweet." Also: Lamar Advertising volunteered to post "follow Ashton Kutcher" on its network of outdoor billboards. Washington, D.C. to Get Free Mobile TV Associated Press Washington will be the first U.S. city to get free digital television broadcasts for mobile devices, broadcasters are set to announce Monday. Broadcasts using new "mobile DTV" technology are expected to begin in late summer, according to the so-called Open Mobile Video Coalition. FoxNews.com Sees Increase in Audience Mediaweek The Web's top news sites are losing little if any audience in the nearly six months since Barack Obama was elected president. MSNBC.com and CNN.com and seeing slight dips slight dips since their November peak; FoxNews.com is actually seeing its audience climb this year. Time Warner Nixes Billing-by-the-Byte Trial Wired Time Warner Cable is pulling the plug on its plan to charge its broadband customers by the byte in four U.S. cities, ending an experiment that critics saw as an attempt by the company to protect its lucrative cable television business from disruptive online video services. DirecTV, Comcast Hit with Do-Not-Call Fines Dow Jones DirecTV is to pay $2.3 million and Comcast $900,000 to settle charges of violating the U.S. "do not call" law. The satellite-television provider and the U.S. cable-TV concern were accused of having employees call consumers who had told them not to call again. ESPN to Launch Ad-Supported ESPNDB.com MediaPost ESPN is set to kick off ESPNDB.com (the DB stands for database), a site it hopes will serve as a sports encyclopedia-archive-statistical compendium. Like Wikipedia, ESPNDB will feature some user-generated aspects. The site will be free and supported by advertising. CNN Acquires Leading Twitter Account CNET CNN is gaining nearly a million Twitter followers by acquiring the account @cnnbrk. The account, the largest on Twitter with 947,000 followers, had been maintained by user James Cox. CNN did not disclose details of the acquisition, possibly because Twitter prohibits account sales. CBS Rakes in Millions from Online Sports BusinessWeek CBS taking home in millions of dollars from online streaming of the Masters Tournament and other sporting events. The network raked in $30 million alone from the NCAA's March Madness basketball tournament. Users "will actually pay for online sports content." Hulu Rival TV.com in Talks for UK Deals New Media Age CBS site TV.com, a rival to NBC Universal and News Corp.'s Hulu, says it is in talks to replicate its U.S. video-on-demand service in the United Kingdom through partnerships with broadcasters. Recent reports suggest that Hulu is in talks to launch a U.K. version. ABC Exec Drawing Heat for Lack of Hits New York Post Stephen McPherson of ABC could be the broadcast network programming exec under the most pressure to produce a hit heading into next month's upfronts. ABC has lost more viewers than any other network since 2006. McPherson is "feeling the heat" to find a new hit. CNBC Said to Meet on 'Obama-Bashing' New York Post General Electric CEO Jeff Immelt and NBC Universal head Jeff Zucker recently ordered CNBC execs to a "secret" meeting to discuss whether the news channel has turned into the "President Obama-bashing network," sources say. CNBC may be "beating up on Obama too much." Disney vs Time Warner on Online TV Models New York Post Disney CEO Bob Iger and Time Warner CEO Jeff Bewkes are at odds about the model for offering television shows online. Disney, which owns broadcaster ABC, plans to make TV shows available for free; Time Warner, which owns cable channels, supports a pay model. FCC Wants Women, Minorities to Own Media Dow Jones Michael Copps, acting chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, says he intends to "right the injustice" of the lack of diversity in U.S. broadcasting. The agency is OKing a proposal to improve data collection about media owned by women and minorities. NBC: Boston Affiliate to Air Leno Show Boston Globe After a week of discussions with NBC, Boston's WHDH-TV says that Jay Leno's new 10 p.m. comedy show is a go this fall in the time slot in which it had planned to run its early newscast. Both sides say that that their differences have been resolved. NBC calls it "a happy ending." NBC Eyes Exec Bromstad to Revive Prime Time Los Angeles Times NBC passed over exec Angela Bromstad two years ago. Now the network is counting on her to find hits as the new chief programmer of dramas and comedies. The pressure is on to revive the fourth-place NBC as it heads into the all-important advertising selling season. Fox Finds 'Glee' in Disney's 'HS Musical' New York Times In May, Fox will broadcast a "sneak peek" of its new television series "Glee," a comedy-drama about a high school glee club that has echoes of Disney's lucrative "High School Musical." After airing the pilot episode May 19, Fox will re-introduce "Glee” this fall. NBC Affiliates See 'Leno' as a Likely Loser Broadcasting & Cable NBC affiliates largely appear to side with the network on the flap concerning WHDH Boston and its refusal to air Jay Leno's new 10 p.m. program. But several managers at NBC affiliates privately say a 10 p.m. news show would likely be far more lucrative. CBS Opens MoneyWatch Site with Partners MediaPost CBS is launching MoneyWatch.com, a personal finance site supported by partnerships with LinkedIn and others. The site's editorial talent will be featured as contributors on CBS News shows. Top editor Eric Schroenberg is a former managing editor of Money magazine. FCC Studies Affordable, Fast Internet Plan USA Today The Federal Communications Commission is beginning work on a national broadband plan, with the goal of ensuring that all U.S. consumers have access to services that are fast and affordable. The plan could guide "the future of telecommunications regulation and the Internet." Cable TV Group to Offer Google-like Ads Associated Press Canoe Ventures, a group formed by the six largest U.S. cable operators to launch targeted and interactive advertising on a national platform, kicks off this summer. The group is taking a page from online ad behemoths like Google to bring so-called "addressable" ads to TV. Cox Plans to Launch a Cellular Network Wall Street Journal Cox Communications, the U.S. cable operator, plans to start a wireless service this year. Cox is building its own cellular network -- a strategy that contrasts sharply with that of its peers, Comcast and Time Warner. Cox could attempt to exploit the nascent mobile video market. MTV Networks, Netflix in Streaming Deal World Screen Several Nickelodeon shows and Comedy Central's "South Park" are being added to the instant streaming service on Netflix. The online movie rental service currently offers MTV Networks properties on DVD and obtained its first digital license from the company last year. CBS Eyed for Downgrade on Ad Concerns Dow Jones Standard & Poor's is placing its long-term credit ratings on CBS on watch for downgrade on concerns about lower local advertising revenue and wider trends affecting radio, television and outdoor advertising. CBS recently reported a drop in TV, radio and billboard revenue. NBC in Transit Launches in NY, NJ Trains Hollywood Reporter New York and New Jersey PATH train riders are getting information, news and entertainment courtesy of NBC Universal's NBC Everywhere arm and transit partners. Digital screens in train stations and trains will offer local news, weather, lifestyle and entertainment clips. ABC: 'General Hospital' Going High-Def UPI ABC daytime soap "General Hospital," the network's longest-running dramatic serial, is set to be broadcast in HDTV starting April 23. "The people and places in Port Charles will never look better," says ABC. The network's "The View" made the HD transition in 2006. MySpace to Hold Fox 'Simpsons' Contest TechCrunch Fox's "The Simpsons" is teaming with News Corp. sibling MySpace for a contest inviting users to create their own "couch gags" for the animated series' opening intro. The winner will get to attend the premiere party for the show's 21st season, among other prizes. Yahoo Music to Link to iTunes, YouTube Variety Yahoo is launching Artist Pages that allow users to connect to digital music at YouTube, iTunes, Pandora and other sites. Artist Pages are designed to showcase music videos, streaming tunes and more. The online destination eventually will let users publish their own music. Air America Launches Montel Williams Show New York Daily News Longtime television host Montel Williams is starting a daily show on Air America radio, with the goal of changing both the tone and depth of today's talk media conversation. "My beliefs include both left and right," he says. Williams has a three-year contract with Air America. Radio Stations to On-Air Talent: You Must Blog R&R Off-air interactivity is the lay of the land for radio-station DJs, as blogging is rising in popularity along with MySpace, Facebook and Twitter. Some station managers all but mandate that on-air personalities maintain blogs, and allow DJs freedom in what they post. Fox News Fires Online Columnist for 'Piracy' DHD Roger Friedman, the entertainment industry columnist for FoxNews.com, is being let go after writing a review from watching a pirated copy of "Wolverine," from corporate sibling 20th Century Fox. Parent News Corp. says it has "zero tolerance" for actions that "promote piracy." NBC Mulls Affiliate Legal Fight Over Leno New York Post NBC is considering legal action to get Boston's WHDH-TV to back down from a plan to air local news in the 10 p.m. slot instead of comedian Jay Leno's show when it debuts in the fall. "Make no mistake," NBC says. "The new Leno show will air at 10 p.m. in Boston on NBC." CBS 'Harper's Island' Tests Web-TV Tie-Up TV Week "Harper's Island," a new limited-run horror mystery series, running April 9 to July 2, will be telecast with an Internet-based companion series. The Web version aims to lure viewers via social marketing. If successful, CBS says it will duplicate the model for future shows. NY1 Anchor Starts Online News Aggregator New York Times Pat Kiernan, a morning anchor on Time Warner Cable news channel NY1, is launching PatsPapers.com, a pre-skimmed selection of articles from newspapers around the country. The Web site will "cut through the clutter" and compile the most relevant articles. Borrell: TV Stations Hit $1B in Online Ads Mediaweek Broadcast television stations reached the $1 billion revenue mark for online advertising sales for the first time in 2008, according to a Borrell Associates report. Last year, traffic to local TV Web sites surpassed newspapers' sites in 22 out of 80 markets. TMZ Looks to Expand Its Role in Washington Reuters Time Warner celebrity site TMZ.com is expanding its coverage of Washington, D.C., and attempting to put a new face on U.S. lawmakers. TMZ mastermind Harvey Levin is looking to hire a second D.C. staff member who will give politicians the TMZ "star treatment." Time Warner: Can't 'Blow Up' Cable Model MarketWatch Time Warner CEO Jeff Bewkes is defensive of the company's "TV Everywhere" premise. The industry "can't just blow up the revenue structure" that cable operators and programmers have come to rely upon by continuing to stream shows free online to people who don't pay. Viacom CEO Sees No Backlash to Web Pay MarketWatch Viacom CEO Philippe Dauman says that there is unlikely to be a negative consumer backlash against the Time Warner-led "TV Everywhere" plan. "People are used to paying for video subscriptions. They're used to paying for broadband service, so there's nothing new there." Disney CEO: Pays Walls Are 'Anti-Consumer' Dow Jones Disney CEO Bob Iger has reservations about walling off online content on a subscription basis, particularly content from broadcasters like ABC, which he notes is free over the air and depends on advertising. Such a move "could be viewed as anti-consumer." Warner, Sony Take On CBS, Clear Channel Bloomberg Music labels and radio broadcasters are going toe-to-toe as they lobby U.S. lawmakers about legislation to make stations pay royalties for playing songs. Music labels and radio stations are both struggling as listeners turn to the Internet and devices such as the Apple iPod. NBC Boston Affiliate Says No to Leno Show Associated Press Boston NBC affiliate WHDH plans to air a local newscast instead of Jay Leno's new 10 p.m. talk show. The move is prompting a threat from NBC to strip the TV station of its network affiliation. Station owner Ed Ansin says he does not believe Leno's new show will be successful. CBS May Benefit from Rerun Sales to Cable Bloomberg Share of CBS are up 21% in New York trading after Merrill Lynch analyst Jessica Reif Cohen predicted sales of reruns to cable channels will boost results in the second half of the year. "We do not believe CBS is receiving appropriate credit for its 'locked-in' revenue." MSNBC Goes High-Def After Beating CNN UPI MSNBC will begin telecasting in 1080i high definition starting June 29. "MSNBC is in the best competitive place it's ever been, beating CNN in prime time," says president Phil Griffin, "Broadcasting in HD is only going to help us build on the great success we've had." Discovery Unveils Oprah TV Network Slate Adweek Discovery Communications is offering a sneak peak at the programming slate for the startup OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network. Among the "Best Life"-focused offerings is a newsmagazine dubbed "Lisa Ling Investigates." The full schedule will be announced later this year. Time Warner Cable Eyes TV Ads for Web MarketWatch So far, programmers aren't generating much money from online video advertising, observes Time Warner COO Landel Hobbs. To help remedy the situation, viewers should see the same commercials during television shows on the Web as they do on traditional TV, he says. Comcast CEO: Web Video 'Friend, Not Foe' Dow Jones Comcast chief Brian Roberts says that the rise of online video is a "friend, not foe" to the cable industry. The prospect of "cord-cutting" is a chief concern to cable execs. However, online video, he insists, represents a way to monetize products in a "horrific" advertising market. CNN to Boost Web Site in 'Tough' Market Bloomberg Time Warner's CNN, surpassed by MSNBC for the first time in primetime ratings last month, will hire about 30 workers for its newswire service and plans to recruit more for international news. Also, CNN.com plans to introduce enhancements later this year. CBS: Turned Off 'Light' May Move to Web TV Week After 72 years, "Guiding Light," the longest-running U.S. soap opera, will end its network run Sept. 18. "Light" is the lowest-rated of the eight network soaps still on the air. Producer Procter & Gamble says it will explore other avenues to keep the show alive, such as an online version. NBC, Weinstein Settle 'Project Runway' Fight New York Post NBC Universal, the Weinstein Co. and Lifetime are resolving their dispute over the hit fashion reality show "Project Runway." Weinstein will pay NBCU in the "multiple millions of dollars" for the right to move the show to Lifetime, which will start airing the show this summer. TV Guide Channel Mulls New Name, Format Advertising Age TV Guide Channel, sold to indie studio Lionsgate in January, is planning a re-make that will include ditching the familiar scrolling "guide," adding original programming and possibly changing the name. Lionsgate is eager to transform its new buy into a venue for programming. Fox Tackles ESPN in Fight for Soccer Series Associated Press News Corp.'s Fox Soccer Channel is beating out Disney's ESPN for the rights to show European Champions League soccer games next season. ESPN held the right since the 1994-95 season. ESPN shares Major League Soccer rights with Fox and other networks. MSNBC Tops CNN, But Fox News is Still No. 1 New York Times MSNBC is surpassing CNN in prime-time ratings for the first time ever, posing trouble for CNN, which is now ranked third. Fox News, the longtime No. 1 cable news operation, is extending its lead over CNN and MSNBC. CNN dismisses its rivals as "the partisan extremes." Fox Eyes Wanda Sykes for Saturday Late Night Broadcasting & Cable Fox is said to be planning to launch a Saturday late-night show featuring comedienne/actress Wanda Sykes. The show is believed to be more in the mold of Bill Maher's show on HBO than a typical talk show. It will air Saturdays at 11 p.m. ET and will be an hour long. Fox: 'The Simpsons' to Get U.S. Postage Stamp Hollywood Reporter "The Simpsons" will be immortalized on U.S. postage stamps, honoring the longest-running primetime comedy's 20th anniversary. News Corp. exec Elie Dekel says: "This has been a dream for Fox and 'The Simpsons' creative teams for some time, and we've finally made the cut!" CBS: Odd Broadcaster Out in Hulu Offerings VentureBeat A deal to bring Disney/ABC content to Hulu is "basically done," meaning that the video portal will be providing content from all the major broadcast networks except CBS. The network has its own deal with Hulu rival Sling, among other places. Blackberry Phones to Air NBC, CBS Shows Reuters QuickPlay Media plans to deliver full-length television shows to BlackBerry smartphones via Research In Motion's applications store after forging agreements with networks including NBC, CBS and MTV. QuickPlay will charge a monthly fee of $7.99 for the service. NBC Universal: Going Green Saved $2M Associated Press NBC Universal says it saved $2 million last year by going green. The media giant has been promoting environmentally friendly efforts on its television shows and in practice, looking for reduced power costs and telling its execs to lay off the bottled water. Comcast Seeks Hearst's Stake in NECN Boston Globe Comcast, the largest U.S. cable provider and half-owner of New England Cable News, is in talks to become the sole owner of the regional 24-hour news network. Hearst, which co-owns the 17-year-old NECN, is expected to sell its half to the cable giant. Cable Execs to Focus on 'Cutting the Cord' MarketWatch The Cable Show convention, which kicks off Wednesday in Washington, D.C., is taking place as the cable sector faces increasing competition, ranging from telecommunications firms to YouTube and Hulu. The phenomenon of "cord-cutting" is a growing concern. Time Warner, Abu Dhabi in Talks to Revamp BusinessWeek Time Warner's Warner Bros. is in talks with Abu Dhabi Media to restructure a $1 billion agreement to build a theme park and movie theaters. The two sides are "not close to a resolution." The theme park is being redesigned and won't break ground this year as planned. CBS Radio Puts Live Commercials Online FMQB CBS Radio will start incorporating live audio commercials into the online and mobile streams of its radio stations, as well as those of AOL Radio and Yahoo. The live reads will be done by station personalities. Advertisers will gain access to listeners of 500 streaming radio stations. CBS Falls After UBS Cut on Deeper Ad Slump Bloomberg CBS dropped the most in four months in New York trading Monday after UBS analyst Michael Morris recommended selling the shares because the advertising slump may be deeper and longer than expected. Industry-wide ad sales in 2010 will be "very similar" to this year. CBS: 'Guiding Light' to Move to the Web? TV Week CBS is mulling the possibility of canceling "Guiding Light," the 70-year-old U.S. soap opera, due to low ratings. The network's current deal for the Procter & Gamble-produced series will end in September. "Guiding Light" could be kept alive on the Web. Disney Pacts with YouTube; Hulu Deal Near Bloomberg Disney is entering a deal to put video clips from ABC and ESPN on Google's YouTube video site in an advertising-revenue sharing arrangement. Disney also is near an agreement to take a stake in rival video portal Hulu, whose owners include NBC Universal and News Corp. Time Warner to Test HBO on the Internet New York Times Time Warner Cable is testing a subscription service in Milwaukee for online television viewing. Residents who pay for HBO can watch entertainment programs from the Time Warner pay channel on their computers, using special software and a personal log-in. CNN Drops to Third Place for First Time Associated Press Time Warner's CNN is set to finish March third in prime-time ratings behind Fox News Channel and MSNBC, the first time this has ever happened for the channel that pioneered the cable news genre. CNN is suffering more audience erosion than its rivals. Fox News Launches Site to Rival HuffPost Washington Post Fox News Channel hopes to leverage its conservative news brand online with The Fox Nation, a new Web site built around its on-air personalities. The site will emulate parent News Corp.'s MySpace by encouraging readers to post comments and argue with one another. Viacom's MTV to Air Music Videos Again New York Times MTV is adding more music videos to its schedule -- at 3 a.m. The Viacom network is launching "AMTV," a six-hour block for music videos and related programming, harking back to MTV's origins as a 24-hour home for music videos. The new schedule gives MTV a "palette to experiment." ABC In Talks with Former CNBCer Ratigan New York Post Dylan Ratigan, the co-creator and anchor of CNBC's "Fast Money," who abruptly quit on Friday, is said to be in preliminary discussions with ABC and will most likely land there this autumn after his six-month, noncompete clause with CNBC expires. NBC: 'ER' Seen as End of an Era on TV Los Angeles Times The NBC drama "ER" will air its series finale Thursday after 15 seasons, leaving behind a splintered prime-time landscape as the networks struggle to compete in a digital world. Executive producer Neal Baer admits: "I doubt we will ever see the likes of a show like 'ER' again." Sirius XM Faces Serious Threat from Web BusinessWeek Web radio upstarts like Pandora, Foneshow, Stitcher and Slacker broadcast portable and mobile content that makes Sirius XM satellite radio look overpriced and stodgy, observers say. The new companies are airing portable and mobile content that is cheaper or even free. TV Still Dominates Media; PCs Surpass Radio New York Times Television remains the dominant medium for media consumption and advertising, says a study released by the Council for Research Excellence. The data suggests that computer usage has supplanted radio as the second most common media activity. Print is ranked fourth. Nickelodeon Asks Kids to Unplug Devices Associated Press Viacom's Nickelodeon cable network is asking its young audience to unplug their hand-held gadgets, games and cell phones for a minute on Earth Day to symbolize a commitment to helping the environment. The "unplugged minute," however, doesn't extend to television sets. ABC News Plans 'Top Line' Political Webcast Broadcasting & Cable ABC News is launching a daily 15-minute political webcast, "Top Line," live on ABCNews.com. The webcast, featuring interviews and audience interaction, will be hosted by Rick Klein, political reporter and author of "The Note," and political director David Chalian. Hearst-Argyle Board to Weigh Buyout Offer Associated Press Hearst-Argyle Television says that a special committee of its board will meet to consider Hearst Corp.'s offer to buy out the rest of the company's shareholders. Hearst Corp. is offering $4 per share to make the Hearst-Argyle TV-station group a wholly owned subsidiary. CNBC Anchor Ratigan Eyes Exit in 'Flare-Up' New York Post CNBC "Fast Money" anchor Dylan Ratigan is said to be resigning amid a conflict with network VP Susan Krakower. Ratigan's contract expires next week and he is in talks with other networks, insiders say. CNBC refuses to say if he is exiting: "The premise of your story is incorrect." Stewart, Colbert Replacing the Old News Guys Popeater Nearly a third of young Americans believe Jon Stewart and Steven Colbert are taking the place of traditional news sources like CNN, according to a new Rasmussen poll. The "CBS Evening News" is being "replaced" by "The Colbert Report" and "The Daily Show." Hearst Again Bids to Take TV Group Private MarketWatch Hearst is making another bid to take Hearst-Argyle Television private -- this time for about $375 million -- about 18 months after a previous bid for the TV-station group was rejected by shareholders. The new bid is for $4 a share; the earlier bid was for $23.50 a share. Oprah to Become Discovery's Biggest Brand Forbes Discovery CEO David Zaslav is seen as cable television's "fastest rising star," with a media empire across 173 countries. Zaslav's boldest move may be the new Oprah Winfrey Network, a channel he will launch by early next year. Oprah is expected to be Discovery's "biggest brand." Barbara Walters to Exit ABC When Contract Ends National Enquirer Veteran ABC personality Barbara Walters is said to be telling pals that she plans to leave television when her contract expires this summer. ABC reportedly wants her to continue at the network, "but Barbara's decided she's done it all," says a source. NBC Eyes Salary Freeze for News Execs, Talent Gawker NBC News is said to be instituting a freeze on raises for execs and talent, even those with contracts guaranteeing salary increases. The network is "asking employees to voluntarily delay any contractually obligated salary increases for six months." Weather Channel's New CEO May Be Ex-CNBCer New York Post The Weather Channel is said to be close to naming as its CEO retired, former CNBC exec Bill Bolster, who is credited with boosting the news network's earnings during his tenure there. Bolster has the support of Jeff Zucker, boss of NBC Universal, the channel's co-owner. Fox: 'Remote Free TV' Ad Experiment a Winner MarketWatch Fox Broadcasting's move to offer the new drama "Fringe" with limited commercial interruption is finding success, with audiences showing better-than-average ad recall, according to Magna Global. Viewer ad recall is "enhanced" by fewer, shorter breaks. NBC May Be Losing Audiences to Video Games Mediaweek Americans, as a whole, spend more time playing video games than they do watching the CW, according to a new report by Nielsen PreView. And video games -- the real "5th Network" -- may even be closing in on NBC. Big game users, however, are also "big time TV viewers." Free Online TV, Piracy a Threat to Industry Variety More viewers will be lured away from traditional television to free online entertainment, says a report by London media research firm Screen Digest. By 2011, ad-supported, online TV shows will account for 10 times more U.S. consumption than paid-for online content. CBS.com Gets a Boost from Incoherent Actor Broadcasting & Cable CBS.com is recording a record-setting 21 million unique viewers for the month of February, with a 576% increase for the month. The network can thank actor Joaquin Phoenix, whose incoherent interview on "David Letterman" won 7.5 million clips views online. Arbitron to Lay Off 110 Employees in Cost Cuts Associated Press Media ratings company Arbitron is cutting 10% of its full-time employees, or about 110 people, in a move that will save more than $10 million a year. Arbitron makes the Portable People Meter, a cell-phone-size device that records what radio stations their wearers hear. Verizon to Launch New York City News Channel Wall Street Journal Verizon Communications plans to launch its own local television channel in New York City this summer. The move is a response to Cablevision's News 12 and Time Warner Cable's NY1. Those 24-hour news channels are helping their owners keep some customers from jumping to Verizon. MSNBC Exec to Run New Media for Republicans TechCrunch Todd Herman, a former Microsoft and MSNBC.com employee and streaming media expert, is being named the director of new media for the Republican National Committee. Herman founded and ran SpinSpotter, a startup that provides tools to detect spin in news stories. Fox TV Stations to Syndicate to Bloggers Broadcasting & Cable Fox Television Stations is entering a deal with Redlasso that gives the Web broadcasting outfit the rights to syndicate content from Fox local newscasts. Registered bloggers and news sites will be able to search content from Fox stations and customize clips for their own sites. NBC Affils Launch Study to Shape 'Leno' Broadcasting & Cable Hoping for input into Jay Leno's fall primetime program, the NBC affiliates board is conducting a study to keep local newscasts from suffering due to the network's decision to move "Leno" to 10 p.m. The study will help reveal, for example, the ideal length of Leno's monologue. DirecTV, NFL Extend Pact in $4B Deal Wall Street Journal In a sign that media rights for major sports may defy the recession, the National Football League is entering a four-year extension with DirecTV valued at $4 billion -- a 43% increase over the current deal. The league will soon seek new deals with broadcasters. Hulu Gets More Viewers After Super Bowl Ads PC Magazine Apparently, advertising on traditional television still works: Viewership on Hulu surged 55% in February, thanks to the video site's Super Bowl commercials featuring "30 Rock" star Alec Baldwin, says comScore. That growth put Hulu at No. 2 of top-gaining properties. NBC: Obama on 'Leno' Wins Big Viewership Bloomberg / NYDN President Obama's appearance on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" attracted the largest audience to the NBC program in more than four years. The first late-night talk-show appearance by a sitting U.S. president posted an 11.2 rating. Also: Obama is the new "King of All Media." CBS: March Madness on iPhone a Slam Dunk USA Today Advertisers for CBS broadcasts of the NCAA men's basketball tournament are getting a bonus: Their ads show up in games viewed on iPhones via a $4.99 app. Coke, for one, is happy: "It's an innovative application that gives us an additional way to connect with NCAA fans." ABC Radio 'News Guy' Found Dead at Home New York Daily News Police are investigating the death of New York radio newsman George Weber, who was found stabbed to death in his Brooklyn, N.Y., apartment Sunday. Weber was laid off from WABC last year. Calling himself "the news guy," Weber maintained a lively blog. MSNBC in Talks with Radio Host Ed Schultz New York Observer MSNBC is said to be in talks with Ed Schultz, the progressive radio talk show host, about a permanent position at the cable news channel. The liberal-leaning MSNBC is seeking a 10 p.m. host to replace the time slot's repeat of "Countdown with Keith Olbermann." CNBC, WSJ Join Web Video News Network Forbes Telecommunications billionaire Craig McCaw is backing 1Cast, a start-up that takes news outlets' video feeds and clips them into short segments searchable online. CNBC, Reuters and other news organizations will pool their videos in 1Cast for a cut of advertising revenues. Comedy Central's New Star: Jeff Dunham Variety / Mediaweek After his Christmas special became the most watched show in Comedy Central history, ventriloquist Jeff Dunham is signing a multiplatform deal with the Viacom network that includes a series order. Dunham is vying to join Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert as a face of the network. Fox's 'Idol' Gets Plug from Obama on 'Leno' New York Times "American Idol" came up during President Obama's appearance on NBC's "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," the first time a sitting U.S. president visited a late-night talk show. Washington, D.C. "is like 'American idol,'" jokes Obama, "except everybody's Simon Cowell." Charter Set for Takeover by PE Firm Apollo Reuters Private equity firm Apollo Group is said to be planning to take ownership of most of Charter Communications through the cable company's reorganization in bankruptcy court. Paul Allen, the Microsoft co-founder who controls the company, could see his equity stake increase. NBCU, Microsoft to Partner for 2010 Olympics Mediaweek NBC Universal will once again partner with Microsoft to support its online delivery of the upcoming Winter Olympics in 2010. As it did during NBCU's much-ballyhooed Web coverage of the 2008 Summer Olympics, Microsoft will provide the video-streaming technology for the games. NBCU CEO: Hulu Unlikely to Replace TV Revs Financial Times Hulu is unlikely to ever replace the lost advertising revenue from television as more viewers watch shows online, says NBC Universal CEO Jeff Zucker. The challenge of replacing the lost analog dollars of traditional TV with digital pennies is "at digital dimes now." Viacom CEO Skeptical of 'TV Everywhere' Plan Broadcasting & Cable Viacom CEO Philippe Daumann appears skeptical about the idea of authenticating consumers as pay-TV subscribers before offering access to online video. "It wouldn't be very effective if you have to type a pin number in. It has to be seamless to the consumer." TiVo to Benefit from Economic Crisis, CEO Says Reuters Cable and online television companies bet they can defy the economic crisis and grow despite tough times, arguing consumers are choosing to sit out the downturn and spend on home entertainment. "People are clearly looking for cheaper entertainment," says TiVo CEO Tom Rogers. Joost CEO Eyes Growth, Targets 10 Million Users Bloomberg Joost, the Internet television site that shows TV programs made by Time Warner and Viacom, aims to have 10 million visitors per month by the end of 2009, says CEO Mike Volpi. "Our profitability depends on how aggressively we pursue growth, and right now our priority is growth." MTV, MySpace in Online Distribution Talks TV Week MTV Networks, which already has online distribution deals with sites including MSN and Joost, is in talks with other partners -- including MySpace -- to expand the reach of its programming online. MySpace co-founder Tom Anderson once said that MySpace "has replaced MTV." CBS' Success Gets Applause from Wall Street Los Angeles Times Caris & Co. analyst David Miller is upgrading CBS, noting that the network is the only broadcaster to see ratings grow across the board this season. Even among the desirable demo of viewers ages 18 to 49, the network is logging a 3% uptick while its rivals are all down. TV.com Adds Content Deals to Boost Videos TV Week CBS' TV.com is making several content deals, bringing its video library to more than 2,000 hours of content. The new content deals with NCAA and Starz Media are in addition to existing agreements with companies including MGM Studios, PBS, Showtime and Sony Pictures Television. NBC Mulls Importing Humorous 'News' Show TV Week NBC is closing in on a deal with the United Kingdom's Hat Trick Productions to bring the BBC panel show "Have I Got News for You" to the United States. "News" features teams of celebrities and newsmakers humorously trying to answer questions about current events. Discovery Sues Amazon Over Kindle E-Reader Reuters Discovery Communications is filing a lawsuit against Amazon.com, accusing the online retailer's Kindle of infringing its patent on encryption technology. The e-reading device is already drawing fire from publishers that say Amazon is trying to avoid paying royalties. Report Expected to Explode TV Viewing Myths Broadcasting & Cable A cross-industry think tank of top execs from agencies and television networks will "explode" some myths about how consumers watch TV in findings to be unveiled next week. The new survey is expected to show that younger viewers are "not running screaming" from TV. CBS Hires 'Lonelygirl' Guy for TV-Web Event Forbes Miles Beckett, co-creator of the Internet hit "Lonelygirl15," is rolling out "Harper's Globe," a so-called online "social series," developed in partnership with CBS. The Web series will complement the network's forthcoming prime-time television event, "Harper's Island." NBC's 'Leno' to Give Obama Unfiltered Platform Reuters President Obama will take his economic strategy to Jay Leno's comic couch on Thursday in the first appearance by a sitting U.S. president on a late-night TV talk show. Obama will appear on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" to discuss his economic plan and "other topics." NBC Digital's 'Mr Hulu' Kliavkoff Joins Hearst AllThingsD George Kliavkoff, who left his job as NBC Universal's chief digital officer last year, is joining Hearst to run digital operations for entertainment head Scott Sassa. Kliavkoff helped launch Hulu while at NBC. He plans to both build and buy properties for Hearst. FixCNBC.com Online Petition Gains Momentum Multichannel News An online petition FixCNBC.com, prompted by Comedy Central's Jon Stewart's savaging of CNBC's Wall Street coverage, is receiving about 400 signatures an hour. Among those listed as sponsoring the letter are reps for Fairness and Accuracy In Reporting and Free Press. Imus, Radio Host, Diagnosed with Prostate Cancer Bloomberg Talk radio host Don Imus says he has been diagnosed with stage 2 prostate cancer. Imus, 68, hosted a morning talk show for almost 30 years before he was fired by CBS in 2007 for racially charged remarks. He was hired by Citadel in 2007 to host a new syndicated program. Sirius XM: CEO Karmazin Fights to Rescue Firm Fortune Sirius XM CEO Mel Karmazin insists that having averted its credit crisis, the company is on the verge of living up to its early promise of doing for radio what satellite TV did for television. Sirius XM will be "very profitable," he says, but admits he sees a threat in Internet radio. Clear Channel, Google Execs Launch Goom Radio Radio Ink Former Clear Channel exec Robert Williams and former Google exec Drew Hilles are launching Goom Radio, which aims to "redefine radio for the digital generation" by offering users tools to create their own radio stations. The objective is to "create remarkable radio experiences." Comcast, Sony to Open Joint Retail Store Philadelphia Inquirer Comcast and Sony are teaming up to open a retail store, Sony Style Comcast Labs, housed in Comcast's new headquarters tower in Philadelphia. Additional outlets are possible. The goal is to "demystify technology" and offer "a sneak peek of what's next." NBC's Fallon Lures Geeks to 'Late Night' Los Angeles Times "Late Night" host Jimmy Fallon is interviewing bloggers and showcasing gadgets in a digital embrace that may help draw hip, plugged-in consumers who don't watch much television. Fallon has already interviewed Digg co-creator Kevin Rose and Engadget editor Joshua Topolsky. CBS: '60 Minutes' Still the Hottest TV Show Newsweek "60 Minutes," at age 30, is back in a big way. Thanks to a renewed focus on hard news, along with some exclusive interviews, the audience is up to 15 million per episode. "Our success is a direct reflection of America's hunger for news," says executive producer Jeff Fager. ABC: Stephanopoulos to 'Twitterview' McCain Associated Press ABC News correspondent George Stephanopoulos and Arizona senator John McCain will come together online for a "Twitterview" to be conducted on Tuesday. The public will be able to read the real-time 15-minute exchange by signing up at the microblogging site. CW: 'Top Model' Melee in Midtown Manhattan WPIX Fights broke out during auditions for the hit CW Network show "America's Next Top Model" in Manhattan, leading to three arrests. Police estimate 10,000 model-wannabes showed up to audition. The CW says it is "working with local authorities on the matter." CBS: TV.com Site to Upgrade High-Def Video Home Media CBS's TV.com is testing a high-definition video gallery that allows users to watch ad-supported network programming online in 1080p resolution. Supported by Adobe's Flash platform, the 1080p video gallery will augment the site's current HD gallery. Sirius XM Radio Plans Stream to iPhone, iPod Associated Press Sirius XM Radio plans to stream its subscription service to Apple's iPhone and iPod Touch devices beginning this spring. The struggling satellite radio provider wants to step up sales directly to consumers. New car purchases -- Sirius' best source of customers -- are way down. Comcast Emerges as Major Phone Provider Dow Jones Comcast says it has become the third-largest U.S. residential phone service provider as the cable-television giant's customers continue to add phone to their services from the company. Only AT&T and Verizon have larger numbers of residential phone service customers. CNBC Spat Mints Comedy Central Web Hits CNET Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert are seeing traffic to their Web sites and online video clips soar after the two fake-news pundits went on mocking vendettas against CNBC personality Jim Cramer. The shows' Web sites are seeing their highest traffic of the year so far. 'Sesame Street' Sees Hard Times, Job Cuts Bloomberg Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit organization that produces "Sesame Street," is cutting 20% of its workforce, or 67 jobs, because of the recession. "Sesame Street," the home to Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch, is the world's most widely viewed children's TV show. Sirius XM Radio Has 'Mystery' Beneficiary BusinessWeek One of the Sirius XM's programmers was awarded a $27 million payout when the satellite radio companies completed their merger. Sirius XM declines to identify the recipient. The obvious thought is the guy with the massive exclusive programming deal: Howard Stern. Hearst-Argyle Sells Stake in Baseball Team MediaPost Hearst-Argyle has a deal in place to sell its microscopic stake in the Arizona Diamondbacks baseball team. The operator of 29 TV stations expects to receive $2.25 million from the divestiture. The sale is seen as another signal of how challenging the station business has become. Belo to Cut 150 Jobs, Lower Staff Salaries Associated Press Belo plans to cut 150 jobs, reduce some employee salaries by 5% and suspend its 401(k) matching contributions to help reduce expenses. The owner of 20 television stations also will indefinitely suspend its dividends to focus on paying down debt and conserving cash. CNN: More Viewers Watch TV On the Go World Screen Top execs are increasingly watching television on their laptops, desktop computers and mobile devices, according to a survey conducted by CNN International and telecommunications firm Ericsson. Also, 73% of CNN's global online audience share user-generated videos. Disney Ex-Chief Creates Series for Viacom Mediaweek Former Disney CEO Michael Eisner is developing a television series for rival Viacom's Nickelodeon cable channel. "Glenn Martin, DDS," a stop-motion animated series, will debut this summer. The effort will be the first TV series from Eisner's Tornante company. Traditional TV Ad Revenue Forecast to Plunge World Screen Revenues from traditional television spot ads are expected to fall by 75% within 10 years, according to analysis from Generator Research. "The biggest losers will be the terrestrial networks who have no way of delivering their own ads over the Internet to television sets." ESPN Brings Dynamic Ads to Live Sports ClickZ ESPN is introducing technology that will digitally insert advertising into live sports on ESPN360.com for college basketball's championship week. Viewers will see pods of 15- and 30-second video ads streamed via technology developed by ESPN and Disney Interactive. NBC Movies, TV Shows Join PlayStation Reuters Sony will make movies and television programs from NBC Universal available to buy or rent through Sony's PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable. With the new deal, Sony's video service now features more than 1,300 movies and 4,500 TV episodes. Sirius XM Radio to Become 'Ubiquitous' Radio Business Report Stung by the downturn in auto sales, Sirius XM satellite radio ended last year only a 10% increase in subscribers. Liberty Media president Greg Maffei, who just invested $530 million in Sirius XM, says he wants the service to become ubiquitous -- on all types of radios. CBS Radio Drops Opie and Anthony in NYC Associated Press CBS Radio is switching the format of WXRK in New York, better known as K-Rock, to a Top 40 format. The move is intended to help lure a larger and more youthful audience. Radio "bad boys" Opie and Anthony will have their morning show dropped in the format overhaul. Radio May Be Forced to Pay Music Royalties Bloomberg Radio companies such as Clear Channel and CBS would have to pay song royalties to singers and music labels under new legislation being considered by Congress. But broadcasters insist they provide valuable "free exposure" to musicians and music companies. CBS Expects Boost in Internet Ad Revenue Bloomberg CBS says it expects a 30% increase in revenue from online advertising for college basketball's postseason tournament. Online ad revenue will be about $30 million, up from $23 million a year ago, and Internet ad inventory is almost sold out, says CBSSports.com exec Jason Kint. Clear Channel Ratings Cut by Moody's Associated Press Moody's Investors Service is cutting its ratings on Clear Channel further into junk status, citing a "high probability" that the radio station operator will be forced to restructure its debt. "In the current economic environment, a capital structure will not likely be sustainable." NBC Unveils 24-Hour Channel for NYC NBCNewYork NBC is launching its long-awaited 24-hour news and lifestyle television channel, dubbed New York Nonstop. In addition to up-to-the-minute business, politics and current events, Nonstop will "explore the trendsetters and emerging voices at the heart of New York City." 'American Idol' Heads to Apple iPhone Hollywood Reporter FremantleMedia is launching a mobile application for "American Idol." Apple iPhone and iPod Touch users will be able to get videos of the current 13 finalists in a confessional format, along with pictures, news and other content. A $1.99 charge will last for rest of this season. CBS, NBC Buy 'Cheap' Canadian TV Shows Bloomberg CBS and NBC, looking to cut costs as advertising shrinks, are turning to Canadian television producers for new shows. Both networks will debut shows that are filmed and set in Toronto. Canada is "palatable" to U.S. audiences; Canadians "drive on the same side of the street." Fox: TV Won't See Another 'American Idol' Associated Press Fox's lucrative "American Idol," the most-watched U.S. television series, is "the last of its breed," says Fox exec Mike Darnell. "I don't believe there will ever be another show like this," as the consumer pool is increasingly splintered by broadcast, cable, DVRs and the Internet. Disney Aims to Find Next Jonas Brothers Forbes Disney plans to package 21-year-old actor Kelly Blatz in a marketing juggernaut across the media giant's many platforms, from television and film to music and merchandise. Blatz, the star of the new Disney XD series "Aaron Stone," could be the next Jonas Brothers. AT&T, MTV in Online Music Video Tie-Up World Screen The new AT&T-sponsored Music Vault will enable users to unlock a virtual portal that offers access to music videos from MTV Networks that have never before been released on the Internet. Fans access the videos via an online trivia game and can share their access with friends. Local TV Stations Risk Shutting Down TV Week With local advertising in the tank, times are tough for U.S. television stations. Industry execs are talking about more station owners declaring bankruptcy, getting taken over by their banks or even shutting down operations. Smaller stations can't "live off the crumbs." Viacom-Led Epix Channel Faces Trouble Los Angeles Times Epix, the forthcoming Viacom-Lions Gate-MGM movie channel, is having trouble securing distribution with cable and satellite TV companies. Carriers are skittish about adding a pricey new network during a recession. In response, Epix could turn to online pathways into the home. CBS May Have to Borrow to Pay Off Debt Bloomberg CBS may face an $893 million funding gap for bonds maturing next year, even after slashing its dividend by 81% to save cash, according to Barclays Capital analyst Scott Shiffman. CBS may have to sell new debt to help pay off $1.4 billion of bonds due in 2010, he says. NBC: Olympics Committee Delays TV Bids Bloomberg The International Olympic Committee is delaying seeking bids for broadcast rights to future games for "some time," according to NBC Sports chief Dick Ebersol. "They are waiting for a healthier, brighter economic picture, particularly in the United States since they depend on it so much." CNN: Gupta Won't Be U.S. Surgeon General UPI CNN medical reporter Dr. Sanjay Gupta is withdrawing his name from consideration as U.S. surgeon general, says an Obama administration official. "He has removed himself from consideration to focus more on his medical career and his family." Digital TV: U.S. 'Totally Unready' for Shift Reuters U.S. regulators say some consumers are still unprepared for the June 12 television industry switch to digital broadcasting, which will affect Americans who do not receive their signals through cable or satellite. About 5 million U.S. households remain "totally unready." Radio Eyes New Media Channels for Future Reuters Radio industry leaders are looking to new technologies and devices, like Apple's iPod, to keep the oldest broadcast media business vital. Execs say they see a future where FM radio chips are embedded in mobile phones and other devices. "We need to be ubiquitous." CBS Nears Sell Out for Basketball Online Mediaweek With about two weeks until the start of the NCAA men's basketball tournament, CBS is nearly sold out of inventory and is approaching $30 million in ad revenue for March Madness On Demand, its Web video product that allows fans to stream online each of the games it televises. NBC: New York Nonstop to Debut Monday New York Daily News The long-promised new cable and digital channel New York Nonstop will launch Monday, as NBC's latest step to drive content to as many people as possible. The "local information and lifestyle channel" will be built on a "pod format," with news and programming of varying lengths. Scripps May Buy Stake in Food Network Bloomberg Scripps Networks Interactive may buy Tribune's minority stake in the Food Network by the end of 2009, says finance chief Joe NeCastro. Scripps is putting together a formal offer after negotiations were slowed by Tribune's bankruptcy filing in December, he says. Media Giants Back Personalized ZillionTV Reuters Disney, NBC Universal, News Corp., Time Warner and Sony are providing content to a new personalized television service called ZillionTV, which will offer on-demand content via high-speed Internet. The service will allow viewers to "personalize" advertising categories. Home Shopping Network Owner Cuts 250 Jobs Reuters Home Shopping Network operator HSN Inc. is reporting that it cut about 250 jobs during the fourth quarter, and canceled merit increases to contain costs. The St. Petersburg, Fla.-based company was a subsidiary of Barry Diller's IAC/InterActiveCorp until last August. NBC: Fallon's 'Late Night' Debut Bests Rivals Bloomberg Jimmy Fallon's debut Monday as host of NBC's "Late Night," a 12:35 a.m. show he took over from Conan O'Brien, drew higher ratings than competitor Craig Ferguson on CBS. Fallon's show attracted 2.3% of U.S. television households; Ferguson's show delivered a 1.6 rating. CBS Has Its Eye on Fox's Ratings Prize 'Idol' Los Angeles Times Thanks to "American Idol," Fox is still No. 1 with the key 18-to-49 audience, but not by much. In fact, CBS is beating Fox in total viewers. Major programming shifts could loom next season. "Idol" appears to be in the "early stages of its journey toward obsolescence." 'TV Everywhere' Plan Gains Media Momentum Associated Press Comcast, DirecTV, NBC Universal, Viacom and News Corp. are among the media companies saying they are receptive to the new, so-called "TV Everywhere" industry initiative. The effort aims to give subscribers exclusive online access to television shows. Sirius XM's Woes Traced to Auto Slowdown Bloomberg Sirius XM Radio, the money-losing satellite broadcaster, is "challenged" by the slowdown in U.S. car sales, says Liberty Media CEO Greg Maffei. Liberty is buying a 40% stake in Sirius XM. The collapse in auto sales is cutting demand for Sirius XM radios, which come installed in cars. Disney to Crank Out Another 'HS Musical' Los Angeles Times Disney's lucrative "High School Musical" franchise keeps producing product. The Disney Channel is announcing that "High School Musical 4" will premiere on the cable network in 2010, and will have a "Romeo & Juliet" spin with "a new generation" cast of high schoolers. Blockbuster Explores Bankruptcy Filing Bloomberg Blockbuster is said to be hiring legal counsel to explore a possible bankruptcy filing. Kirkland & Ellis is being asked to evaluate restructuring options for the movie-rental giant. A Blockbuster spokeswoman insists: "We do not intend to file for bankruptcy." ManiaTV to Shut Down as Ads Disappear Mediaweek ManiaTV, which launched in 2004 as an attempt at melding live TV and the Web, is said to be shutting down, due in part to declining advertising. The Web video network made a name for itself with its former live show hosted by onetime MTV comedian Tom Green. NBC Universal to Unleash 'New York Nonstop' New York Observer NBC Universal and WNBC-4 are on the verge of launching their long-awaited, 24-hour "hyper-local" digital news channel, dubbed New York Nonstop. News pieces on the service aim to "look live." WNBC-4 news exec Michael Horowicz says: "If it looks like a newscast, we're dead." TV Guide Network Sale to Lionsgate Closes Variety Lionsgate is closing on its $255 million deal with Macrovision to acquire the TV Guide Network and the TV Guide Online business, which includes TVGuide.com and JumptheShark.com. TV Guide Network fetched a bargain-basement price in a down market overall for media sales. Time Warner Plots 'TV Everywhere' Initiative Advertising Age Time Warner CEO Jeff Bewkes has a plan to put all cable programming on the Web in places such as Hulu, MySpace and even YouTube. To get it, however, consumers must subscribe to a pay television service. The "TV Everywhere" drive is intended to be an industrywide effort. TiVo Loses 611,000 Subs Over Last Year Multichannel News TiVo lost 611,000 net subscribers in the last 12 months, to stand at 3.3 million as of Jan. 31, says CEO Tom Rogers. However, cable giant Comcast is making progress in deploying its DVR service, he adds. Plus, Comcast "is in the process of adding and sharpening offers." Broadcast Network Ratings See Decline Broadcasting & Cable Live viewing at CBS, Fox, NBC, My Network TV and The CW are dropping, according to a report from Los Angeles-based advertising agency RPA. Ratings are being hurt by fewer new shows and the return of shows that typically wouldn't have been renewed, among other factors. Mobile TV is Next Killer App, Study Says Broadcast Engineering North America will see a high growth rate in broadcast mobile television between 2008 and 2013, reaching over 32 million TV-enabled mobile phones by 2013, says research firm NSR. "Web-empowered consumers will clearly be more than back-seat TV watchers." Satellite TV Firms Take Hit as Rivals Increase MarketWatch While Dish Network is posting a 24% increase in fourth-quarter profit, the No. 2 U.S. satellite television provider is losing thousands of customers, reflecting intensifying competition. Similarly, EchoStar is reporting a quarterly loss of almost $700 million owing to a handful of one-time costs. Clear Channel Hires Exec to Boost Revenue San Antonio Business Clear Channel is announcing a $5 billion quarterly loss and hiring a new exec who will work to improve revenue at the radio broadcaster. John Kaufman, formerly of Extended Stay Hotels, is being named senior VP of revenue management, a newly created position. CBS's Moonves: Networks May Sell Fewer Ads Bloomberg U.S. television networks may sell fewer advertisements before the start of the 2009-2010 season, according to CBS chief Les Moonves. Prices for such "upfront" ads are expected to rise. He adds that CBS is producing fewer pilot TV programs to cut costs. Tribune Closes 'Obsolete' DC Broadcast Bureau Crain's Chicago The Chicago Tribune is closing its Washington, D.C., broadcast news bureau, a move that will eliminate 10 jobs. The bureau is obsolete, says VP Bob Gremillion in a memo announcing the decision. Consumers are finding "more and more places" to get their national news. Tribune TV Hires Unpaid Students as Journos Associated Press Tribune's WPIX-TV in New York is arming area college students with video cameras to work as unpaid contributors to its newscasts. The program is raising alarms among some professional journalists who wonder if such efforts could one day threaten their jobs. Univision Lays Off 300 Workers Amid Downturn Los Angeles Times Univision, the largest U.S. Spanish-language broadcaster, is laying of 300 people, citing the weakening economy and a sharp downturn in advertising. A leveraged buyout two years ago by a group of private investors saddled the company with $10 billion in debt. Broadcast TV Faces Struggle to 'Stay Viable' New York Times Broadcast networks are facing a deep advertising recession that is hitting both them and their local stations, while cable rivals are propped up by subscriber fees. NBC Universal boss Jeff Zucker warns that broadcast TV is "in danger of becoming" like the newspaper industry. News Corp Tests FlopTV Internet Web Venture Variety News Corp.'s Fox International Channels is launching its first Internet television service, using Italy as a testing ground. The new FlopTV will present both professional and user-generated video clips, aimed at younger audiences. FlopTV could be expanded to other countries. Viacom-Led Epix Channel to Premiere Online USA Today Viacom, Lionsgate and MGM plan to premiere Epix, a new premium television service, on the Internet in May, followed by a launch as a cable-TV channel in October. The service will run movies about nine months after they first appear in theaters -- earlier than other premium channels. CBS Makes TV Shows Available on iPhone Newsfactor CBS shows including "CSI" and "David Letterman," as well news updates, can now be viewed by iPhone and iPod touch users by downloading a free TV.com app from Apple's App Store. Currently, the average user of TV.com is 34 years old, with 55% female and 45% male. NBC: Fallon to Debut 'Late Night' with Blog Orlando Sentinel Jimmy Fallon officially replaces Conan O'Brien as the new host of NBC's "Late Night" on Monday. The show plans to relaunch its Web site on Monday as well, and is hiring three full-time bloggers. "We're not going to hide the fact that people are on the Internet all day," Fallon says. Interactive TV May Bloom Into 'Huge Business' Multichannel News U.S. cable operators plan to upgrade millions of digital set-tops with code to run interactive-TV applications. The move will make it possible for viewers to use their remote to, say, ask an advertiser to e-mail them more information. Interactive TV is set to be a "huge, huge business." TV: Prime Time Isn't So Prime Anymore BusinessWeek Late-night network television shows such as "Conan O'Brien, "Carson Daly" and "Nightline" are outdoing the likes of "CSI," and advertisers are starting to take notice. "The value equation has changed dramatically," says Peter Gardiner, chief media officer of ad agency Deutsch. Web Sites Aim to Be 'TV Guide of the Web' Associated Press Several upstart Web sites, including Tilzy.tv and Tubefilter.tv, vow to direct users to the best television series online. The site eGuiders.com began last week, touting itself as the "TV Guide of the Web." The site distinguishes itself with Hollywood celebrity "guest editors." Fox: 'The Simpsons' to Clinch TV Record Reuters News Corp.'s Fox network is ordering two more seasons of "The Simpsons," ensuring the animated show that started in 1989 will surpass "Gunsmoke" as the longest-running prime-time U.S. television series. "The Simpsons" will start its 21st season in the fall. CNN Exec: TV News Must Embrace New Media Miami Herald The Internet is a threat to the entire business structure of broadcast television, say attendees of the We Media conference in Miami. Twitter is even scooping television news, points out CNN senior VP David Bohrman. "Everything needs to be deconstructed. Everything is going to be changing." Liberty: No Plans to Merge Sirius, DirecTV Los Angeles Times Liberty Media doesn't plan to combine the satellite operations of DirecTV with Sirius XM Radio, says CEO Greg Maffei. Bundling subscriptions to DirecTV and Sirius XM may be an "opportunity down the road." Last week Liberty agreed to buy a 40% stake in Sirius XM. Discovery Profits on Cable Turnaround New York Post Discovery might be the best-equipped media company to weather a recession. The cable-network owner is reporting a profit of $105 million. Discovery's cable networks are among the top-rated in the business. For example, Discovery Channel draws a heavy male audience. CBS Chips Away at Fox's 'American Idol' Bloomberg