Fairness, pornography – what’s the difference?
From a regulatory standpoint, imposing the Fairness Doctrine on broadcasters is not much different than allowing the FCC to keep pornography off the airwaves, according to Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY)
Election takes over half the newshole
We would not have been at all surprised to see saturation coverage of the presidential election during the week of 10/27/08-11/2/08. As it was,...
Fans of free speech mark SCOTUS hearing
Both the New York Times and the Washington Post yesterday asked the Supreme Court to uphold the First Amendment and prevent the FCC from overreaching in its zeal to prevent
Flat quarter for Saga
Radio revenues were down a bit, but the small television unit saved the day and brought Saga’s Q3 revenues even with a year ago....
St. Paul won’t prosecute journalists
Officials in St. Paul, MN have decided to drop charges against journalists scooped up in September along with rioters near the Republican National Convention....
Take my theaters, please
A new battle could be brewing between Sumner Redstone and his daughter, Shari. In the quarterly conference call for Viacom, Sumner hinted that the key to resolving the refinancing problems at
Does the media feed teen sexual activity?
A new study is out that says that teenagers who tend to watch a greater amount of sexually-oriented television are also more likely to be involved in a pregnancy. The study was
Moody’s downgrades LIN, and isn’t yet finished
LIN TV is the latest broadcaster to have its credit ratings reduced by Moody’s Investors Service. The downgrade affects approximately $1.1 billion in debt....
Sillerman walks away from buyout
The troubled credit markets have killed the long-pending deal for Bob Sillerman and Simon Fuller to acquire most of assets of CKX Inc. for $12 per share. The move is hardly a surprise
Circuit City announces store closing plan
In light of the deteriorating economy Circuit City Stores has decided to take restructuring actions immediately, including closing 155 domestic stores in 12 markets,...
LevelVision completes first Arbitron audience study; joins OVAB
On the heels of completing its first Arbitron audience measurement study, digital signage company LevelVision announced their membership in the Out-of-Home Video Advertising Bureau...
Analysts ponder CBS
After digesting the Q3 report from CBS Corporation, a couple of analysts are out with notes to clients that the company’s dividend appears to be intact for the time being. But with ad revenues under pressure
Stations missed Chase Utley’s F-Bomb in Philly
Chase Utley, World Series Champs Philadelphia Phillies second baseman, dropped of the F-bomb Friday on live TV and radio in that market. After proclaiming...
Dingell urges restraint on Election Night
Powerful Rep. John Dingell has fired off letters to seven key broadcast executives urging them to take it easy with any proclamations of victory...
Lee Enterprises suspends dividend
The one-time TV group owner is facing tough going for its remaining business – newspapers. Lee Enterprises struck a new credit agreement with its...