The broadcast networks have gone through long periods of refusing to accept ads for hard alcohol and condoms. In similar fashion, they seem unwilling to air spots for the controversial electronic cigarettes. Some cable networks might hope they'll continue with any rejections - all the more money for them.

CBS has announced the Super Bowl is sold out. Still, CEO Leslie Moonves has said there's a potential loophole: "obviously, if one of those movie companies wants to come in at the last minute and pay us $5 million or $6 million, we will find a place for you at halftime or somewhere like that." Certainly, the opportunity to offer the big money and still get in isn't limited to Warner Bros. or Harvey Weinstein. If CBS can find space for them, there has to be an opening for IBM, Visa or McDonald's -- or Dish Network? Money talks? Not …

A while back, Bjorn Rebney's mother would offer some counterintuitive advice: "try not to be the smartest guy in the room." At least as a CEO, it makes sense. Provide guidance and let the brainier and cannier types take you to another level. Rebney feels he's found that with executives at the Spike network.

When it signed a 10-year deal to continue with the Tour de France last year, NBCUniversal may have felt there was at least some shot of cycling holding more than niche appeal. That has to be gone. Will the sport's devoted fans stick around?

Until Oprah Winfrey's interview with Lance Armstrong airs this week, the most disappointing news should be Armstrong did not show up to the "confession" session alone. On "CBS This Morning," Winfrey said he had "a team of people" with him in the room.

Clearly, CBS is pulling for a tight Super Bowl in three weeks. The closer the game, the likelihood viewership will remain high throughout. And, part and parcel, the more people will likely stick around for "Elementary," the first-year drama CBS is airing after the game looking to expose it to loads of potential new viewers.

It's hard to view it any other way than as a piercing insult to CNET journalists and readers and a very troubling action by CBS Corp. To look at what's known, it appears as if CBS has engaged in censoring its respected tech site in order to advance its own business interests.

Plenty in Britain are determined not to forsake tradition. Yet, the monarchy seems more modern than some of these people. At least 13,000 homes across the United Kingdom still use only a black-and-white TV.

Even if Aereo clears legal challenges, broadcast stations might be able to simply overpower it with mobile TV services that are as easy to use and perhaps cheaper. Also, the broadcasters have the promotional might that Aereo probably couldn't match.

It looks like networks may have some new, unexpected inventory to sell: their Twitter feeds. The Associated Press and Samsung appear to have established a template this week, where a network could place ads atop their own pages and feeds for individual shows, which would seem to be more coveted by advertisers.