Filed under: BROADCAST/CABLE | Tags: Andromeda Strain, Benjamin Bratt, Fox News, Michael Crichton, MSNBC, Nashville Star, Ricky Schroder, Viola Davis
A&E’s adaptation of Michael Crichton‘s “Andromeda Strain” was a real thriller Monday night. Part One of the four-hour movie averaged 4.8 million total viewers and 2.7 million adults 25 to 54, the second-highest rating for that demographic on A&E. (Variety 5/27)
NBC‘s “Nashville Star,” the country music version of “American Idol,” is coming to CMT. Beginning June 14, the cable channel will televise episodes of the show just a few days after they premiere on NBC. (Broadcasting & Cable 5/27)
MSNBC, which bills itself as “the place for politics,” is being pummeled by political practitioners. The focus of the attacks is the evening lineup, where the channel appears to be gravitating to the left and often seems to regard itself as the antithesis of Fox News. (Iwantmedia 5/28, http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/27/AR2008052703047.html 5/28)
New York Times Magazine’s cover story this Sunday focuses on efforts by former model Tyra Banks to turn herself into a brand. The host of “America’s Next Top Model” and “The Tyra Banks Show” aims to become “like her hero, Martha Stewart,” according to the profile. (Iwantmedia 5/28, http://www.wwd.com/memopad/article/125239 5/28)
Media and entertainment companies are likely to feel a pinch from a sluggish U.S. economy all year long, based on the results of the just-ended quarterly earnings season. News Corp. chief Rupert Murdoch puts it most bluntly: “There’s no doubt the consumer economy is stressed.” (Iwantmedia 5/28, http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3ied2fbcd4ab52837325e1faf122a8ea61 5/27)
News Corp. and CBS are more at risk than their peers to advertising weakness because of their higher exposure to auto and financial ads amid a sluggish economy, says a new UBS analysis. Viacom is “best positioned,” due to its mix of “more economically resilient advertising.” (Iwantmedia 5/28, http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i92f29f82847baa4126c5c41d70c5d35e 5/27)
Time Warner Cable may target Charter Communications after it splits from Time Warner, says Pali Research analyst Richard Greenfield. Troubled Charter, which is majority owned by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, is a “logical target,” with its shares facing “a questionable future.” (Iwantmedia 5/28, http://www.thedeal.com/dealscape/2008/05/will_time_warner_cable_acquire.php 5/27)
Six of the country’s largest cable providers — Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Cox, Charter, Cablevision and Bright House — have agreed to work together with Sony to develop digital TV sets that do not require set-top boxes. The TVs, using tru2way technology, are expected to make installation easier and cut costs. (The Wall Street Journal 5/28, MarketWatch 5/27)
Next February’s transition to all-digital TV signals represents a great opportunity for the cable industry to attract new customers. A study from SNL Kagan reports that 10% of households currently relying on analog signals will switch to a pay-TV service and that most of those will opt for cable. (
ClipSyndicate 5/26, PC Magazine/Reuters 5/19)
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