by Wayne Friedman on Oct 30, 12:30 PM
Ten million viewers for one episode on a U.S.-based cable network might have a cable TV program executive singing "Even Better Than The Real Thing." That would be a very high number. For a broadcast network, the song might be "Vertigo" -- nice, but your head might be spinning a bit with people telling you could have done better.
by Wayne Friedman on Oct 29, 2:00 PM
A late-moving TV storm might be brewing from NBC affiliates. NBC stations' late local news programs were expecting the worst -- which was delivered as promised so far.
by Wayne Friedman on Oct 28, 12:03 PM
Movie studios may have to change their thinking when it comes to renting versus buying. The declining DVD sales industry, which has recently given executives many restless nights, has elicited one bit of silver lining: a higher rate of DVR rentals.
by Wayne Friedman on Oct 27, 11:30 AM
Branded entertainment can go wrong -- even before it starts. Microsoft was all set to use that cool Fox animated show "Family Guy" to launch its new Windows 7 software, by branding a special called "Family Guy Presents: Seth & Alex's Almost Live Comedy Show." Apparently Microsoft thought "Family Guy" was all about advertising-friendly family entertainment -- while the special supposedly included funny bits on deaf people, the Holocaust, feminine hygiene and incest.
by Wayne Friedman on Oct 26, 10:15 AM
Fox News Channel has made a meal of its recent sparring with the White House. Fox commentators and others have said the White House should be talking about more important things. According to reports, there is even a Fox News promo about this issue. Maybe the White House is to blame; maybe Fox News as well. All of it is a waste of our time.
by Wayne Friedman on Oct 23, 3:45 PM
What if getting consumers to pay for Hulu's premium TV shows doesn't work? The masterminds of TV will tell you content is king -- but I'm betting a few people might believe this: Access is king. All this comes in the wake of some major TV players talking up the idea of having consumers possibly paying for premium TV programming
by Wayne Friedman on Oct 22, 11:15 AM
Local broadcasters have something of value other digital media companies want: the digital TV spectrum. Should they give that up?
by Wayne Friedman on Oct 21, 4:00 PM
The NFL's blackout rule is not in effect in the Rose Bowl this Sunday. There is no need for it -- no one is playing football. The event is a music concert by U2, and the popular Irish band has sold out all of the Rose Bowl's 96,000 seats. With that in mind, the band will stream an entire concert live on YouTube this weekend -- free.
by Wayne Friedman on Oct 20, 1:45 PM
For some time CBS has been the lone performer when it comes to garnering outright retransmission fees from cable systems to carry its local TV station signals. Other media companies -- News Corp.'s Fox network; Walt Disney's ABC and General Electric's NBC -- have been on the sidelines of this issue. Up until now.
by Wayne Friedman on Oct 19, 10:00 AM
What's the downside to a phone app? Very little, I'm guessing. Software and technology development costs aside, the only hitch might be a TV app lost in an ever-bigger ocean of apps. You might ask: "Hmm... Does this show I'm watching on Icelandic lifeguard-saving dogs have a phone app?"