Filed under: BROADCAST/CABLE | Tags: American Idol, Arts, Oprah Winfrey Show, Programs, Reality-Based, Rupert Murdoch, Sony, Television
Shares of Rupert Murdoch‘s News Corp. fell the most in five years after Bernstein Research and UBS cut their outlook, citing growth concerns. “We are wary of News Corp.’s positioning in this intensely competitive business that features established players including Google and Yahoo.” (http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-wrap15apr15,1,1861426.story 4/15)
A couple of true war horses are finally making the jump to HD. The Oprah Winfrey Show will be produced in HD beginning with the 2008-09 fall premiere, becoming the first daytime production from Harpo to be broadcast in HD. CBS‘ granddaddy of competition reality shows (well this generation anyway) Survivor will also shoot using Sony’s XDCAM cameras, beginning with the start of its 17th season scheduled to premiere in the fall. Survivor joins American Idol, American Gladiators and Dancing with the Stars among primetime HD reality shows. (Cynopsis 4/15)
Before Tim Robbins appealed to their compassion and human spirit, NAB President David Rehr urged broadcasters to embrace the challenges before them as they execute the DTV transition. He spoke of an “explosion of possibilities” that will result from the switchover in his last NAB conference keynote address before D-day on February 17, 2009. He said the NAB is working toward getting digital TV on multiple platforms and devices (345 million of them in all), which could result in an additional $2 billion a year in revenues by 2012 in mobile video alone. He touted NAB initiatives such as the Fastroad technology advocacy program and the Open Mobile Video Coalition. And he advised that broadcasters look to make the internet “part of our DNA.” To reassure those who feel like the digital world is passing them by, Rehr pointed to YouTube’s motto – “Broadcast Yourself.” “They use the word ‘broadcast.’ They obviously don’t think the word is outdated, or tired, or irrelevant. But the question is, do we?,” he asked. (Cynopsis 4/15)
ABC is set to announce shortly that its late-night “Jimmy Kimmel Live” broadcast will integrate live commercials into each episode of the program subject to interest on the part of advertisers. The first live commercials are expected to begin in May. (Iwantmedia 4/15, http://www.adweek.com/aw/content_display/news/media/e3ie7fe42fc9f2f03b81c071d7d85ad8f51 4/14)
Lifetime introduced an aggressive slate of original programming Monday at its upfront meeting in New York with ad agencies, including three new comedies and a soap opera titled “Trump Tower,” which will be executive produced and narrated by The Donald. The network also announced several new reality projects that will go along with its controversial acquisition of “Project Runway,” including “The Big Match,” in which 100 men try to break through the clutter for the affections of one woman. (The Hollywood Reporter 4/14)
While most of the news media is focused on the future of “CBS Evening News” anchor Katie Couric, CBS CEO Les Moonves also faces pressure to improve profits and make a digital acquisition. Plus, CBS’ interactive division will open a Menlo Park, Calif., office to foster development. (Iwantmedia 4/15, http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/14/business/media/14cbs.html?_r=1&oref=slogin 4/14)
Leslie Moonves, the CBS chief, faces a decision on whether to retain Katie Couric as evening news anchor. Chester Higgins Jr./The New York Times
After being held hostage for two months in Iraq, a British freelance journalist, Richard Butler, was rescued yesterday and appeared in good condition. Richard was working for CBS’ 60 Minutes and was grabbed with a translator in Basra on February 10. CBS News did not release any further information. (Cynopsis 4/15)
NBC Universal parent General Electric is predicting 2008 profit will increase no more than 5%, calling CEO Jeff Immelt’s forecasting and strategy into question. Portfolio manager Peter Sorrentino says: “The board needs to ask, ‘Are we really headed in the right direction?’ ” (Iwantmedia 4/15, http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aCRRYe5brU3w 4/14)
Jeffrey Immelt, chief executive officer of General Electric Co., speaks at the 20th World Energy Congress in Rome, Nov. 14, 2007. Photographer: Chris Warde-Jones/Bloomberg News
Fox News is launching an initiative called Fox Fusion that will offer advertisers a streamlined system for buying space on the flagship channel and newcomer Fox Business News, as well as the Wall Street Journal and News Corp.’s various digital properties. (Iwantmedia 4/15, http://www.mediaweek.com/mw/news/recent_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003788894 4/14)
ESPN Films has partnered with Robert Redford to produce a theatrical about Brooklyn Dodgers star Jackie Robinson. Redford will help produce the film and play Dodgers general manager Branch Rickey, whose signing of Robinson broke the sport’s color barrier. (The Hollywood Reporter 4/14)
Cablevision will carry 25 New York Mets home games in Spanish this year on its iO en espanol service. The games — offered at no extra charge — will be announced by Max Perez Jiminez and Juan Alicea. (Multichannel News 4/14)
With the February 2009 transition to all-digital TV signals looming, cable and broadcast providers are coming up with novel ways to work together to promote awareness. Raycom Media and Comcast have found common ground, as have Time Warner Cable and Advance/Newhouse Communications. “Without being hostile, it takes two to tango,” said Robert Miron, chief executive officer of Advance/Newhouse. “It takes a willing recipient.” (Multichannel News 4/14)
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