Daily Marauder

BROADCAST/CABLE

“American Idol,” the most-popular show on U.S. television, attracted 33.2 million viewers in its seventh season debut on Fox, winning Tuesday night with an audience that was down 11% from last year. The show will probably lead the News Corp. network to its fourth-straight primetime victory. (http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601204&sid=a1ZFadGI7br8  11/16)

Will actors skip the Oscars? Writers Guild of America West head Patric Verrone is reiterating that he does not anticipate granting the Academy Awards a waiver unless the striking writers and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers reach a deal. (http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6522928.html  1/15)

The fate of the Academy Awards show is still in limbo, but ABC’s sales department is not waiting to discuss contingency plans with advertisers. One advertiser that has bought time in the Feb. 24 telecast says “it’s safe to say that we’re having conversations.” (http://publications.mediapost.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Articles.showArticleHomePage&art_aid=74392  1/16) 

Discovery and Oprah Winfrey are announcing a deal where the Discovery Health network will be turned over to Winfrey, becoming OWN — the Oprah Winfrey Network. “This network isn’t just about me,” says Winfrey. “It’s about creating possibilities for any number of people.” (http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-wed_oprah0116jan16,0,4561091.story  1/16)

A video clip of Katie Couric “unplugged” while on the set covering the New Hampshire primary is becoming a viral video hit. In one segment, the CBS news anchor lets loose a stream of expletives about her rush to get everything in one brief report. CBS has no comment on the video. (http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/080115/tv_couric_unplugged.html  1/15) 

Television listings are getting a makeover, as TV Guide, TiVo and other companies plow research into simplifying and customizing on-screen program guides. New guides also help consumers find entertainment on the Web and from cable on-demand services. (http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB120045429906193681.html  1/16)

Two USA series that soon will be repurposed on NBC, “Monk” and “Psych,” enjoyed strong ratings for season-premiere episodes recently. The sixth-season opener of “Monk” on Friday attracted 5.6 million viewers, while the beginning of season three of “Psych” drew 4.6 million people. (Multichannel News 1/15)

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In a legal victory for Charter and its suppliers, the U.S. Supreme Court has upheld a ruling by a lower court that investors cannot sue third-party entities in security-fraud cases. StoneRidge Investment Partners had alleged that Charter suppliers Motorola and Scientific Atlanta conspired to inflate the prices of their set-top boxes in 2000.

(Broadcasting & Cable 1/15)