Reports: Tribune girding for possible Chapter 11
Both the Wall Street Journal and New York Times reported on their websites late yesterday that Tribune Company has hired the investment banking firm...
Battle of the media ratings titans
The Nielsen Company is invading Arbitron’s turf, US radio ratings, so Arbitron is threatening to fight back by offering TV ratings with its Portable People Meter (PPM). If it comes to a showdown, who is likely
Sumner’s unintended consequences
What did Mark Thomas get when he bought Sumner Redstone’s 87% stake in Midway Games without consulting Midway management? Maybe a financial mess. The company says in an SEC filing that
Lessons Learned In Wilmington
I’ll admit it. I was naive. I thought this digital conversion would be just like Y2K – loaded with angst, and then a peaceful ending. I was wrong. We were not allowed to
Auto woes a double headache for Detroit media
The ailing automobile industry is a major news topic in Motor City, and by all rights, news organizations operating there want to throw as...
Scammers used media to lure victims
The Federal Trade Commission has busted a group of companies and individuals who used radio, television and newspaper advertising to attract victims with promises...
CC Outdoor, Vision Media Group install mall screens in UK
Clear Channel Outdoor, in partnership with Vision Media Group (VMG), continues to drive its digital outdoor strategy with the launch of HD digital mall...
Lender seeks receiver for Equity Media Holdings
Equity Media Holdings says in an SEC filing that its lenders have declared it in default and declared all loans immediately due and payable....
Viacom cutting staff and costs
Viacom announced plans to eliminate 850 jobs, about 7% of its work force, and freeze senior level salaries for 2009. The company will also...
Will Matthews have to give up his day job?
The rumors swirling around MSNBC’s Chris Matthews and his possible run for the US Senate seat in Pennsylvania are strong enough that his immediate...
Belo details political coverage
Television group Belo took a multipronged approach to following the 2008 US election season, providing extensive news coverage, hosting debates and providing free air...
Scripps wants to sell Rocky Mountain News
Saying its share of operating income from a Joint Operating Agreement (JOA) in Denver is not enough to cover editorial costs, E.W. Scripps put the Rocky Mountain News up
Forget the help wanted category
How about just wanted? The police department of Chesapeake VA, part of the Norfolk-Virginia Beach-Newport News market, has taken out an ad in the...
Moody’s still negative after Citadel amends loan
Citadel Broadcasting completed an amendment and waiver to its bank credit agreement, giving the company some wiggle-room on its leverage
Landmark ends sale efforts
Landmark Communications sold The Weather Channel and weather.com to a joint venture of NBC Universal and some private equity firms for $3.5 billion, but one TV station sale was