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| CTAM SmartBrief |
| June 23, 2008 |
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FCC favors cable firms in Verizon dispute
In a high-profile victory for cable companies, the FCC ruled late last week that Verizon Communications could no longer contact customers who were in the process of switching phone service to other providers. Comcast, Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks filed a complaint with the FCC, arguing that the practice was illegal. The Wall Street Journal/Dow Jones Newswires (6/23)
NFL Network, ESPN discuss partnership possibilities
The NFL Network, which has been striving to become a cable TV powerhouse, with limited success because of the lack of a major carriage deal, is in talks with ESPN about a joint venture that would give the network distribution on most systems across the country, according to these reports. The talks have gone on for some time now and have reportedly now reached a high level -- all the way up to NFL Network boss Steven Bornstein, who once ran ESPN, and Disney chief Bob Iger. New York Post (6/21) CNNMoney.com/Associated Press (6/20)
Media analyst tells Redstone to privatize Viacom
Rich Greenfield, an analyst at Pali Research, has written a new report urging Sumner Redstone to take Viacom private, which, Greenfield contends, would generate a 17% premium on the company's current stock price. This isn't the first time Greenfield tried to advise Redstone; two years ago, the analyst wrote a report titled "Dear Mr. Redstone, Take Viacom Private." Multichannel News (6/22)
BTN hopes to bring momentum to Charter talks
The Big Ten Network, which last week came to terms on a long-sought carriage deal with Comcast, is now turning its attention to Charter Communications. The network is looking to continue its momentum after the Comcast accord, said BTN spokeswoman Elizabeth Conlisk: "If the biggest cable company in the country and the one with the most at stake can get something done, that gives us some hope we'll be able to reach an agreement with the remaining cable companies." RedOrbit/The Record-Eagle (6/21)
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The JoBros take "Camp Rock" to the top
With 8.9 million viewers, Disney Channel's "Camp Rock" made-for-TV movie was the most-watched program last Friday night. The movie's premiere, which stars The Jonas Brothers, even outperformed the debut of Disney Channel's original "High School Musical." TVWeek.com (6/21)
HBO decides more "In Treatment" will be therapeutic
HBO will bring "In Treatment" back for a second season. Production of the new season of the series, which stars Gabriel Byrne and Dianne Wiest, is scheduled to begin in New York this fall, and new episodes are scheduled for 2009. Broadcasting & Cable (6/20)
At NBCU, it's Hammer time
Bonnie Hammer, the executive who oversees networks USA and Sci Fi and now manages the cable side of the new Universal television studio, has excelled by giving cable audiences a healthy dose of upbeat, generally optimistic programming without insulting their intelligence. And that, according to NBC Universal Chief Executive Officer Jeff Zucker, has made Hammer a major player in the industry: "To say the channels under Bonnie are working is a huge understatement," he said. "Right now USA's track record is unparalleled anywhere else in television." NYTimes.com (6/22)
Discovery plans for ongoing programming success
Discovery Channel President John Ford knows that shows like "Ice Road Truckers," "Ax Men" and "Deadliest Catch" won't be water cooler conversation starters forever. But, at least for now, their success has allowed the cable net to double production of original series, Ford explains in this Q-and-A-style interview. TVWeek.com (6/22)
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Legislator wants more tech help in run-up to DTV switch
Rep. Rick Boucher, a Democrat from Virginia and a member of the House Telecom Subcommittee, said there needed to be more money allotted to technical assistance around the switch to all-digital TV signals next February. "If you are buying a converter box at a place like Wal-Mart, we all know that the people who are selling you that item are not going to come to your house and show you how to attach the converter box," he said. "There really is no source of technical assistance." Broadcasting & Cable (6/20)
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"Mad Men" goes from TV show to pop-culture icon
You know you've made it into the public zeitgeist when you're the subject of a question on "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire," as AMC's series "Mad Men" recently was. But the show, set in a 1960s-era Madison Avenue advertising agency, has done that one better: Running from Tuesday until September, the Science, Industry and Business Library within the New York Public Library will stage an exhibition about the ad men -- and women -- of that era. NYTimes.com (6/23)
"Flip This House" stars pitch in with Comcast campaign
Nathaniel Merrill and Paul Esajian, the stars of A&E's "Flip This House" series, will be featured in a new ad campaign for Comcast's triple-play services. The spots, which will run in Comcast's Eastern division, lay out the benefits of the company's bundled service and also provide local tune-in information for "Flip This House." Multichannel News (6/21)
The Buzz (CORPORATE ANNOUNCEMENTS)Available on DVD July 29, 2008 from HBO Video, Joe Louis: America's Hero...Betrayed chronicles the life of the "Brown Bomber," one of America's true sports icons. Yet, despite the respect he received for his boxing talent and the tremendous impact he had on segregated America, his later life suffered numerous setbacks in the hands of the government and the IRS. Interested in learning more about advertising in CTAM SmartBrief? Click here for detailed industry information, and a CTAM SmartBrief media kit.  |
Top five news stories selected by CTAM SmartBrief readers in the past week.
Results based on number of times each story was clicked by readers.
Report: Cox sends out RFI for new FTTP solutions
Cox Communications has quietly issued a request for information in relation to enhancing its fiber-to-the-premises capabilities for residential and business customers, according to this report. The cable company apparently is considering a wide range of platforms, from PON-based systems to radio-frequency-over-glass networks. Cox declined specific comment on the RFI. Light Reading (6/20)
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DVR and on-demand penetration blossoming
With recent growth in the use of DVRs and on demand, how has consumers' television behavior evolved? CTAM's newest study, Watching On Demand and DVRs: The Impact on TV Viewing, will go beyond other industry reports by taking a deeper dive into the use of these technologies, including a sample of teens.
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