http://www.mediapost.com/publications/ Full frontal television from esteemed couch pundit Wayne Friedman. en-us Copyright 2009 MediaPost Communications http://www.mediapost.com/rss Sat, 07 Nov 2009 14:12:12 EST Oprah Winfrey leaving her roots among TV stations could be the last move in a quick triple play gone wrong for the industry. http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=116930Wayne Friedman <wayne@mediapost.com>Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:30:26 ESTJust when TV stations have been salivating over what comes with growing retransmission revenues, the broadcast networks could be saying: "Wait a minute -- what about the cost of our programming?" http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=116914Wayne Friedman <wayne@mediapost.com>Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:31:00 ESTFor weeks, Comcast's message has been clear: It wants TV content to match its distribution. But its real interest seemed to be those media assets that don't have NBC's brand attached. http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=116772Wayne Friedman <wayne@mediapost.com>Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:31:13 EST"Why license all that content to something that works that well, that seamlessly, yet without the economic model around it?" The subject is Hulu. The opinion is from outgoing CBS Interactive chief Quincy Smith. http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=116670Wayne Friedman <wayne@mediapost.com>Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:15:11 ESTWatching live sports these days has become a little too predictable, taking me along the same emotional path. Years ago, I started removing my emotional ties, protecting myself from the whipsaw of incredible joy followed by insufferable destruction. (John Starks, 1994!) Now I force myself to switch to the analytical part of the game -- especially at key moments. Athletes make a lot of money, I think, and will switch allegiances to another team next year. Don't jump on board. But one thing could save me: more revealing effort, work, and intensity. I'm not necessarily talking about ECUs. or extreme close-ups, either. http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=116584Wayne Friedman <wayne@mediapost.com>Mon, 02 Nov 2009 10:30:51 ESTTen 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. http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=116497Wayne Friedman <wayne@mediapost.com>Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:30:18 ESTA 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. http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=116343Wayne Friedman <wayne@mediapost.com>Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:00:10 ESTMovie 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. http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=116262Wayne Friedman <wayne@mediapost.com>Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:03:15 ESTBranded 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 and 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. http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=116153Wayne Friedman <wayne@mediapost.com>Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:30:22 ESTFox 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. http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=116078Wayne Friedman <wayne@mediapost.com>Mon, 26 Oct 2009 10:15:35 EST