The collapsing Boston Red Sox and suddenly struggling Rick Perry may have had worse weeks, but the past seven days have hardly been uplifting for Fox affiliates. Ratings were disappointing and a new Fox distribution arrangement could cost them some viewers. They will get a cut of the revenue pie from Fox offering "The X Factor" on VOD, but the arrangement has to be bittersweet, maybe more bitter. And even more so if "The X Factor" fails to become a hit.

With word breaking Thursday about Nielsen's hiccups with a particular data set, the topic inevitably came up at Rentrak in a routine executive meeting. Not long after, the competitor moved to capitalize. Enter a hastily created banner ad running Friday on MediaPost.com that looks to further Rentrak's case it offers the most stable, reliable TV measurement in the industry.

Give three top marketers credit for admitting there's a problem. That's the first step towards recovery. Trouble is, they also conceded there may not be much that can be done to break the fix for a while, if ever. Even as TV audiences decline, advertisers continue to pay more. They would love other options that work as well, but TV continues to be the franchise player.

News Corp. has an opening to launch an exceedingly valuable Fox Animation network using its string of animation hits. The value of animation with its young male audience seems to be gaining in popularity. Fox has rights to not just "The Simpsons," but "Family Guy, "American Dad" and "The Cleveland Show." Letting syndication deals lapse and using them for a dedicated network could be immensely profitable.

When Hispanic TV executives gather for industry events, it can very quickly sound like a pep rally. The overarching battle cry hasn't changed in a while: advertisers aren't investing enough to reach Hispanic viewers! We deserve a percentage of their budgets more in line with the size of the population! Statistics show 16% of the U.S. population are Hispanics, but only 4.5% of ad dollars are spent targeting them. Will the gap ever close?

Rentrak, the upstart TV measurement entity, looked to convince investors last week of its viability and market appeal, while outlining differences with a competitor it tried to avoid naming (hint: rhymes with Neil's son). With its database and advanced demographics, the company believes it has the basis to become an accepted marketplace currency on both a national and local level.

If Netflix finds itself losing subscribers en masse either because of its higher prices or stronger competition, it should consider cutting deals with cable operators. Done right, that has a world of potential benfits for both sides -- and consumers could be helped as well.

In this month's "Insights & Insanity," the major drop in Netflix subscribers opting for DVDs by mail is actually harder to figure out than it would seem. And a New York grocer is keeping up with the times with "HDTV Dinners." Apparently, a Swanson's spread is not one of them, though.

No matter what people think about Fox News, no matter what conspiracy theories they may harbor about a devious Roger Ailes, let's be decidedly fair and balanced: the network has been an extraordinary success. As it turns 15, Fox News has had an impressive and outsized effect on the news business and the political landscape.

Alan Frank has been CEO of the station group owned by the Washington Post Co. since the business had few doubters about a robust future. Nonetheless, he's optimistic about the local-station business. His measured, understated style helps him be rather convincing.