• by John Gaffney , May 22, 2003

My Man Rupert: I don't have a lot of personal affinity for the way Rupert Murdoch runs some of his media properties. I've been on the record about my distaste for Fox News and its mix of patriotism and journalism. I think The New York Post goes to the lowest common denominator early and often. However, I do have a ton of respect for Rupert Murdoch as a businessman. What Murdoch understands above all else is that you must compete in the world of media and to compete you must be different. That's why The Post goes for the jugular. That's why Fox News goes for the flag. And it's also why I don't see Murdoch's purchase of DirecTV as the "death star" threat that some think it is. Murdoch wants DirecTV because he not only owns Fox News, he owns Fox Entertainment (movies). And Fox Entertainment has not competed on anything other than the desire to put out hit movies like everyone else on the planet. Murdoch wants DirecTV as a foil against cable. That's whom he will compete against. He will compete against cable on price and selection. He will not attack anybody's personal media freedom. Now if I'm a rights owner like the National Football League, I don't like this at all. Murdoch's new power gives him a lot of negotiating leverage with right holders. But if I'm a consumer, this won't hurt a bit.

Good Bounce: If the upfront is close to selling out, and if the economy doesn't head directly south for some reason, I have it on pretty good authority that this year will end up with an overall ad spend level increase of about four percent. Not a bad year if this house of cards holds up.

At The Buzzer: I know I was nice to Rupert, but having said that, I have to say that Fox TV sure knows how to milk American Idol doesn't it? What's next, 48 hours of 24?