The New England Media Group, a New York Times Co. unit dominated by the Boston Globe suffered big time in March, experiencing a sharp drop in ad revenues. Ads were down a whopping 25.9%, largely due to a falloff in spend by travel, automotive, banking, telecommunications and financial services companies. For the full quarter, the group -- which includes the Worcester Telegram & Gazette -- posted a 9.3% drop in year-over-year revenue.

By allowing viewers to skip past commercials when they save their favorite shows, TiVo made things tough for advertiser. But it is now attempting to kiss and make up by selling data on what viewers are watching during every second of every show. TiVo's Stop Watch service, rolled out a year ago, is aimed at creating a fuller picture of TV viewing habits to help advertisers understand how a commercial is playing. The standard audience measurement from Nielsen Media tracks what viewers are watching on a minute-by-minute basis, but with most ads being :30s, TiVo has srated to make inroads …

Discovery Channel's "Deadliest Catch" pulled its highest audience delivery of any season premiere ever, according to execs at the cable net. The show's April 15 debuts at 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. managed 2.50 and 2.59 household ratings, with 3.39 million and 3.53 million viewers, respectively. "Deadliest Catch," now being broadcast in HD for the first time this season, follows the captains and crews of crab-fishing vessels in the Bering Sea who do one of the most dangerous -- and profitable -- jobs in the country. They go after their prey through subzero weather, 60 mph …

In a major snub to the Audit Bureau of Circulations, three big Canadian newspaper chains, including the parent of the Toronto Star, will now have their circulation audits done by the Canadian Circulation Audit Board. All told, 30 dailies in the Great White North will leave the ABC. The companies say they want a "Made in Canada" structure that will "address widespread concerns within the newspaper industry about a lack of Canadian input into U.S.-based auditing agencies and the need for increased recognition of unique Canadian perspectives on the future of the newspaper industry." But the move …

Delta and Northwest are already touting the benefits of their proposed merger as the two air carriers have rolled out an advertising and marketing campaign to current and prospective customers. Along with e-mail to members of their frequent flyer programs, print ads are set for newspapers, including The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times, along with publications in some of the airlines' major hubs. Says Andy McDill, a Delta spokesman: "We will continue to pursue other marketing and advertising needs." The $3.1 billion merger would create the world's largest airline and if approved, the new …

The Chicago Sun-Times is set to be profitable again by the end of the year -- at least according to Lazard Ltd., which is shopping the tabloid and its nearly 100 Chicago-area papers and media properties to potential buyers. "The purchase of [the Chicago Sun-Times] represents a one-off opportunity to acquire a national and local newspaper icon," says the memo, acquired by a reporter for the rival Chicago Tribune. "The rarity of such a prestigious asset offers a purchaser the chance to step into one of America's largest and most attractive markets and capitalize on a highly …