Lest anyone think CNBC is a nonstop cheerleader for American business, there was a counter demonstration Monday. The network set up a podium in the heart of the Occupy Wall Street protest in lower Manhattan, inviting one and all to step up and explain their frustrations. With a live online stream and no editing, it provided a needed window into some of what people involved are thinking and was a clever way to cover the story.

Tracy Dolgin, chief of the YES Network, offered several reasons last week why "TV Everywhere" still poses significant hurdles for the industry. Two have been cited before, but there was one apparent new one: the risk of piracy. Unless operators make broader efforts to determine exactly who is accessing the content, there is a risk of consumers gaming the system.

It's not clear how many network executives come home after a long day and turn on the Xbox for some "Mortal Kombat." Best guess: few. But, a presentation this week made it clear they should spend considerable time zoning in on the people who play these games as gaming consoles are becoming an increasingly important media maypole.

Oh, how Americans would be satisfied if their portfolios were up at all this year, let alone nearly 10%. By that wishful thinking, Viacom would appear to be in an enviable spot with its ad sales results. The same goes for other networks, where a slowdown means something far different than what appears to be happening with 401(k) statements.

The National Association of Broadcasters' quest to win the Great Spectrum Battle may have received some help Tuesday from a large station group. Hearst Television released a survey looking to advance the cause that local TV is critical in a crisis. In the process, it gave itself a pat on the back, which may have been its primary intention anyway.

In October's Leaders & Bleeders, multi-talented musician Pitbull may be Madison Avenue's most coveted endorser, while Glenn Beck's launch of an online children's show is a bit unnerving. Meanwhile, Amazon could capitalize on Netflux (spelling correct) and, if you haven't heard, NBC has had a tough start to the new season.

Politicians do it, as well as business entrepreneurs. That is, raising money for causes necessary for the public good. Getting money from citizens and/or powerful and unpowerful special interests has been part of the fabric for the American way of life for years. Even some book authors have looked to pre-fund their books through "pledges" for their print efforts. Which makes me ask: How about a TV show? (Stay with me. This is brilliant).

Goldman Sachs may have some of the smartest analysts on Wall Street, but they missed badly on their predictions about Netflix's prospects back in March. Then again, they surely weren't the only ones and how can you fault them. Who knew a price increase would affect subscriber counts and a major content deal would apparently collapse? Now, Credit Suisse is bullish on the company as its strategy evolves.

A superb NFL Network documentary about the puzzling and ostensibly standoffish Bill Belichick shows a whole new side -- make that sides -- of the New England Patriots head coach. The multiple Super Bowl winner is funny and emotional, deferential and hokey. Set the DVR.

Nike's "Just Do It" has been widely lauded as a transcendent tagline, one that inspired so many athletes and took the brand to new heights. It's surely on any list of best branding catchphrases. Yet, the bet is the phrase didn't help Nike so much as Nike's marketing machine - all those ads with all those superstars - helped it. The tagline is a candidate to be inducted into the Madison Avenue Advertising Walk of Fame and doing well in the voting. It shouldn't be.