The New York Times, October 29, 2004
CNN announced yesterday that it would shut down its CNNfn cable channel next month, abandoning its nine-year-old effort to create a financial news competitor to CNBC.
CBSMarketWatch, October 28, 2004
If the results from its two biggest rivals are any indication, Interpublic Group could come up with at least a modest profit surprise when it rolls out its third-quarter numbers next week. The advertising-and-marketing holding company, though, continues to grapple with some problems largely of its own making.
The New York Times, October 29, 2004
Here is a riddle from the brave new world of branded entertainment: When is a TV program that is billed as commercial-free not commercial-free? When a six-minute sponsored segment is part of the show. That is what viewers of "Control Freak" on the MTV2 cable network will see when they watch three of its episodes, scheduled to appear at 11:30 p.m. Eastern time this Sunday and on Nov. 14 and Nov. 28. About two-thirds of the way through each seemingly commercial-free episode, the sponsored segment will appear, courtesy of the Lee Dungarees brand of jeans, sold by a division of …
The Hollywood Reporter, via Reuters, October 29, 2004
CBS confirmed Thursday that it has been negotiating with the National Football League on a new TV rights deal. Leslie Moonves, co-president and co-chief operating officer at CBS' Viacom Inc. parent, told analysts during the company's quarterly earning conference call Thursday morning that the network has begun preliminary conversations with the league.
The New York Times, October 29, 2004
Martha Stewart's company, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, said yesterday that it lost money in the last quarter and expected to lose more before the year's end, although Ms. Stewart's decision to begin serving her prison sentence earlier this month is expected to bring relief.
The New York Times, October 29, 2004
Bill O'Reilly, the Fox News Channel talk show host, agreed last night to settle a lawsuit brought against him by a long-time producer after enduring more than a week of embarrassing commentary about her charges of sexual harassment.
The New York Times, October 28, 2004
After an intense marketing blitz beginning tonight, anyone left unaware that Cingular Wireless is acquiring and absorbing AT&T Wireless may have been too busy talking on the phone to pay attention.
Los Angeles Times, October 28, 2004
Four years ago, in the final weeks before the presidential election, cash-strapped Democrats faced an excruciating tactical choice for their advertising dollars: Ohio or Florida? They chose the latter, and lost both. Now, Democratic nominee John F. Kerry is on the television airwaves in full force in both crucial states, according to data from Republican and Democratic sources and an independent advertising monitor.
New York Daily News, October 28, 2004
President Bush released what was billed as his final ad of the long campaign yesterday - an emotional spot about making tough decisions, comforting families of fallen soldiers and vowing to do "whatever it takes" to defend America.
Reuters, October 28, 2004
Viacom Inc. on Thursday posted a quarterly loss on charges related to the spinoff of video rental chain Blockbuster Inc., but cable network advertising sales and profits rose strongly.