Daily Marauder

BROADCAST/CABLE

Despite industry assurances to the contrary, federal regulators are expressing concern about whether there will be enough set-top digital-converter boxes for viewers who will need them after the transition to all-digital TV signals in mid-June. “I do share the concern about whether inventory levels will be sufficient to get us through June 12 and also after June 12,” said Anna Gomez, the acting head of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. The Wall Street Journal (3/26) , Reuters (3/26)

I love that the WSJ chose to use this photo of a balding old guy in their representation of those still using bunny ears to capture a signal.  Dear grandparents, just get digital cable already.

This summer, NBC will roll out a new alternative series I’m a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here!, based on a successful international series, about celebrities who exchange their posh lifestyles to try their hand at surviving in a challenging, snake-infested jungle environment. The series will premiere as a two-hour event June 1 at 8p, followed by one-hour episodes stripped Monday through Thursday over the first three weeks in June, then during the fourth week episodes will air Monday through Wednesday with the finale slated for June 24 at 8p.  (Cynopsis 3/27)

MTV will use its global promotional muscle on April 24, when it exclusively presents a new single from megaband Green Day on 66 TV channels and 200 Web sites in 162 countries. The initiative is the first salvo in MTV Networks‘ bid to promote new music worldwide. Variety (3/26)

Charter Communications, controlled by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, is filing for bankruptcy to get relief from its creditors, as the fourth largest U.S. cable operator strives to keep its head above water and still compete with phone companies and satellite TV providers. (Iwantmedia 3/27, http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090327/ap_on_bi_ge/charter_bankruptcy_filing 3/27)

Time Warner’s spinoff of Time Warner Cable is expected to be wrapped up later today, according to this article. Time Warner received $9.25 billion in the split and paid down $2 billion in debt. Analysts expect the company will use the rest of the cash to improve its balance sheet, make targeted acquisitions to boost its global reach and return money to shareholders. The Hollywood Reporter (3/26)