Daily Marauder

BROADCAST/CABLE

The broadcasting networks are bracing for the likelihood of three primetime interruptions by President Obama in three weeks, which could cost millions in lost advertising revenue. “His economic stimulus package apparently does not extend to the TV networks,” grumbles one network exec. (Iwantmedia 2/6, http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/05/AR2009020503599.html 2/6)

“Meet the Browns,” the comedy that premiered Jan. 7 on TBS with a 10-episode run, has had its order for episodes bumped up to 80 by the cable net. Since its debut, the series from Tyler Perry has been among the top comedies in the 18-to-49 and 25-to-54 demographic groups. TVNewsday (2/5)

HBO Sports tapped broadcast talent Joe Buck to host a new sports talk show premiering this May. The new series will air quarterly and be a live town hall-type format. Buck will continue to be a play-by-play commentator for FOX Sports on its NFL and MLB packages. (Cynopsis 2/6)

Former talk show host and documentary film producer/author Ricki Lake will help improve the ladies from Rock of Love Bus with Bret Michaels and Real Chance of Love in a new edition of Charm School 3 with Ricki Lake. Opening this summer, season three of Charm School will teach the participating ladies self-improvement through charitable good works led by Lake as “headmistress” and the school’s new deans TV personality, Alani “La La” Vazquez and radio host Stryker. (Cynopsis 2/6)

Cash-rich InterActiveCorp chief Barry Diller is said to be hunting for a “transformational” acquisition. Analysts say they wouldn’t be surprised if Diller’s next deal is “on the scale of a YouTube.” Diller is reportedly on the lookout for a Chinese version of the Huffington Post. (Iwantmedia 2/6, http://www.forbes.com/2009/02/05/barry-diller-merger-deal-business-media_0205_diller.html 2/5)

Despite a strong performance by Scripps Networks Interactive’s cable TV channels, the company reported a net loss of $154 million in the fourth quarter. The Lifestyle Media segment of SNI, which includes channels such as HGTV and Food Network, turned in fourth-quarter profit of $176 million on revenue of $340.3 million, which was up 7% year-over-year. OneTRAK (2/5) , American City Business Journals/Cincinnati (2/5) , Mediaweek (2/5)

The cable TV division of News Corp. was the silver lining in an otherwise dark fiscal second-quarter report from the media giant. The cable channels — which include Fox News, Fox Business News and the Big Ten Network — reported a 27% increase in operating income. ClipSyndicate/Bloomberg (2/5) , Los Angeles Times (2/6) , The New York Times (2/5)

Psychologists and pop-culture experts such as “Dr. Phil” McGraw say that shows like “Dexter,” “Weeds” and “30 Rock” reflect contemporary society and allow people to safely vent their frustrations. “It’s a safe outlet for them to live vicariously. They don’t have to do anything bad,” McGraw said. “They don’t have to sacrifice their morality. They can sit on their couches and quietly urge this guy on.” Variety (2/5)