Daily Marauder

BROADCAST/CABLE

FCC Chairman Kevin Martin indefinitely postponed the monthly public meeting that was supposed to have dealt with cable regulatory issues, as even his fellow Republicans on the commission questioned the validity of his previous 70/70 rule finding. A vote to lease digital TV spectrum to minorities and small businesses was also postponed. (http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601204&sid=a2dhjiPg5pAU 11/27)

Kevin Martin, chairman of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission, speaks to reporters before an FCC open meeting in Washington, on Nov. 27, 2007. Photographer: Joshua Roberts/Bloomberg News

Several hundred people, including celebrities and politicians, gathered Tuesday in New York’s Washington Square Park to support striking writers. Presidential candidate John Edwards told the crowd: “It’s about making sure these media conglomerates don’t step on your rights.” (http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117976588.html?categoryid=2821&cs=1&nid=2565 11/27) 

And the response from the WGA East and West regarding Carson Daly returning to production with his late night show this week?  To paraphrase, they’re “disappointed” tho both acknowledge that unlike all of the other late night talk show hosts, Daly is not a Writers Guild member and therefore is not ignoring his own union.  However, the WGA does hope Daly will “reconsider his decision” to call for scab writers to provide his material for his show.  As far as negotiations, they will reconvene this morning at 10am in LA.  Rumors coming out of LA span the possibilities – strike could be over by Friday, we’re nowhere near a deal, looking for a deal signed in time for Christmas, stalemate.

“High School Musical 3″ is likely to start shooting in spring, says director/choreographer Kenny Ortega. “We’ve got a script, we’re developing the music,” he says. Ortega won’t, however, divulge the story line of the latest sequel in the “High School Musical” phenomenon. (http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/2007/11/28/2007-11-28_high_school_musical_likely_to_start_shoo.html 11/28)

Kenny Ortega (seated l., with cast) says ‘HSM3′ will shoot in Salt Lake City. 

Time Warner Cable’s San Antonio office has struck a deal with the Disney Channel to offer shows such as “Hannah Montana” and “Wizards of Waverly Place” on demand. The service will be free until Dec. 11 and $3.99 a month thereafter. (American City Business Journals/San Antonio 11/27)

The Food Network has canceled chef Emeril Lagasse’s “Emeril Live,” effective Dec. 11. The channel, however, said it would still cook up new episodes of “Essence of Emeril.” (Broadcasting & Cable 11/27)  

Gemstar-TV Guide and Comcast Spotlight released the results of a Lieberman Research study showing that 75% of users turn to interactive IPGs when they switch on their TVs. Viewers use the on-screen guide to surf for what’s on, kill time during commercials and find out more about what they’re watching. A stunning 85% reported turning to their IPG when a commercial comes on. IPG ads were found to have a 50% response rate.

This Friday at 9p Showtime and Cable Positive, the cable and telecommunications AIDS action organization, will air the third edition of the docu-series Positive Voices: Women & HIV. This new documentary, produced in partnership with Kismet Films, will focus on how HIV/AIDS has impacted women.