• Live From, Well, Just About Anywhere, It's 'Saturday Night' by David Goetzl>, <Author: Erik Sass

    Those wild and crazy guys just went mobile. NBC Universal has struck an exclusive deal with Cingular Wireless to bring content from its long-running sketch comedy show, "Saturday Night Live," to Cingular mobile phones. In addition to selected skits from classic and current episodes, the new offering will include content created by "SNL" specifically for mobile viewers. ...Read the whole story

  • Aegis Improves Despite Wal-Mart Re-Pitch, Touts New 'Brand Value' Tool by Joe Mandese

    Citing strong recent new business wins, a "slight pick-up" in ad spending in some key markets, and an increasing shift toward digital media services, London-based Aegis Group today reported that conditions have actually improved modestly since it reported its first half results in early September. ...Read the whole story

  • Fitch Applauds Re-Integration, Warns Of Disintermediation by Joe Mandese

    Influential credit rating service Fitch Wednesday issued a report indicating that Madison Avenues' biggest players face some considerable challenges - the erosion of the traditional TV advertising marketplace, the continuing fragmentation of media and a corresponding consolidation of media services, a shift from traditional advertising to "below-the-line" marketing services, the reintegration of creative and media services, and the threat of "disintermediation" from advertisers dealing directly with online services - but are generally better positioned than the rest of the media industry to weather some big changes in the years ahead. ...Read the whole story

  • Forward Rush: ESPN Buys Arena Football League by Wayne Friedman

    ESPN is looking to broaden its professional football coverage investment by buying a stake in the Arena Football League. Starting in 2007 and for the next five years, the indoor football league will begin to air a minimum of 26 games per season on ESPN 2. Sister network ABC will air two games, including the season-opener and the championship game. ...Read the whole story

  • AMC Holds 'Prisoner,' Hopes To Capture Broader Audience, Ad Bucks Too by Tom Siebert

    After years of rumors and failed deals, a remake of the legendary cult TV series "The Prisoner" has finally escaped from development limbo. Ascendant cable net AMC is partnering with the UK's Granada and Sky One to produce the series, which will debut in both the U.S. and UK in January 2008. The new version of Number Six's exploits will be written by a British screenwriter, and will remain true to the original series. ...Read the whole story

  • Hearst-Argyle Sees TV Web Sites As Part Of Digital Future by David Goetzl

    It's all about diversification. Station group Hearst-Argyle, which has been looking to turn the Web sites linked with its television-station portfolio into increased profit centers, has hired an executive producer of digital media content. Michael Gay, who worked on the Web operation at the CBS O&O in Chicago, takes on the newly created position, a signal of Hearst-Argyle's commitment to Web and digital development. ...Read the whole story

  • Game Shows Net NBC A Monday Win by Wayne Friedman

    In keeping with NBC's by-the-numbers reorganization plan, dubbed "NBC 2.0," its new game show "Identity" did just that--earning good ratings on Monday night. "Deal Or No Deal" helped seal the night. ...Read the whole story

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