Monthly Archives: December 2012

Hearst Television Inc.

Posted on by 
by Whitney Marin

Hearst Television, Inc.
300 W 57th Street #39, New York, NY 10019
Phone: 212- 887-6800
Website: http://www.hearsttelevision.com/

Company Overview

While larger networks such as CBS and NBC reach much higher percentages of households, Hearst is the leader among independent broadcasting companies in number of households reached.

Hearst Television Inc., a subsidiary of Hearst Corporation, consists of 29 television and 2 radio stations in the United States including 13 NBC affiliated stations, 10 ABC affiliated stations and 2 CBSaffiliates. Formally known as Hearst-Argyle Television, Hearst Television, Inc. was founded in 1994 and operates in the Boston, Tampa, Pittsburgh, Sacramento, Orlando and Baltimore markets. In 2009, Hearst Television Inc., became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hearst Corporation. (1) The company’s television stations reach approximately 18% of U.S. TV households, making it one of America’s largest television station groups. (2)

Hearst Television Inc., is the six-time consecutive winner of the USC Annenberg Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Television Political Journalism and three of their stations, KCCI-TV, KITV, WBAL-TV and WCVB-TV, received the Radio Television Digital News Association’s (RTDNA) Edward R. Murrow Award in 2012. (3) In 1999, the company began a partnership with Internet Broadcasting to facilitate a network and marketing brand for broadcast television stations. (1)

As of August 5th, 2009, Hearst Television Inc. no longer reports to the U.S. Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) as an SEC reporting company including periodic and annual reports. (4) In 2010, the Leadership Directories cited that Hearst Television Inc.’s annual revenue exceeds $750 million compared to $720.5 million in 2008. (5) (6) Hearst Television Inc. employs approximately 3400 employees and their top competitors include Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc., Raycom Media, Inc. and Local TV, LLC.

Executives
David J. Barrett, President & CEO
Jordan Wertlieb, Executive Vice President
Frank Biancuzzo, Senior Vice President
John J. Drain, Senior Vice President of Finance
Suzanne Grethen, Senior Vice President of Marketing & Promotion

Stations

Hearst Television Inc. has ABC, NCB and CBS affiliates as well as a partnership with Internet Broadcasting.

Television
WCBV – Boston, MA – ABC affiliate
WMUR – Manchester, NH – ABC affiliate
WMOR – Tampa-St. Petersburg, FL – Independent
WESH – Orlando, FL – NBC affiliate
WKCF – Orlando, FL – CW affiliate
WTAE – Pittsburgh, PA – ABC affiliate
WBAL – Baltimore, MD – NBC affiliate
WYFF – Greenville-Spartanburg, SC – NBC affiliate
WPBF – W. Palm  Beach, FL – ABC affiliate
WGAL– Lancaster, PA – NBC affiliate
WXII – Greensboro/Winston-Salem, NC– NBC affiliate
WLKY – Louisville, KY – CBS affiliate
WPTZ/WNNE – Burlington, VT/Plattsburgh, NY – NBC/ABC affiliate
KMBC – Kansas City, MO – ABC affiliate
KCWE – Kansas City, MO – CW affiliate
WISN – Milwaukee, WI – ABC affiliate
WLWT – Cincinnati, OH – NBC affiliate
KOCO – Oklahoma City, OK – ABC affiliate
WDSU – New Orleans, LA – NBC affiliate
KCCI – Des Moines, IA – CBS affiliate
KETV – Omaha, NE – ABC affiliate
WAPT – Jackson, MS – ABC affiliate
KHBS/KHOG – Fort Smith/Fayettville, AR – ABC/ABC affiliate
KCRA – Sacramento/Stockton/Modesto, CA – NBC affiliate
KQCA – Sacramento/Stockton/Modesto, CA – MNT affiliate
KOAT – Albuquerque, NM – ABC affiliate
KITV – Honolulu, HI – ABC affiliate
KSBW – Monterey-Salinas, CA – NBC affiliate 

Radio
WBAL– Baltimore, MD – AM station
WIYY – Baltimore, MD – FM station

Recent Developments

One July 19, 2012, Hearst Television Inc. announced that they have reached a transmission deal with Time Warner Cable (TWC). Fourteen of Hearts’ stations were blacked out on TWC’s packages and the two companies were negotiating a fair fee to retransmit the signals. (7) Time Warner issues a statement about the agreement. “We have reached a long-term agreement with Hearst Television and our customers can expect their signals to be restored to our cable systems shortly. We thank our customers for their patience and their willingness to stick with us through another unnecessary broadcaster blackout.”

Hearst Television Inc.’s Election 2012 application for iPhones and Android phones included in-depth coverage of the National Presidential Election.

On August 30, 2012, Hearst Television Inc. launched an “Election 2012” application for iPhones and Android phones featuring up-to-date coverage on the 2012 National Presidential Election. The app consisted of a countdown to Election Day, voters registration information, an Electoral College map, live election night content and commentary as well as Facebook interaction. In coordination with Internet Broadcasting, local content from Hearst Television stations are distributed through the application. The app is also a part of Hearst Television’s Commitment 2012 project, a continuation of their election coverage based Commitment 2000 project, which won a Peabody Award in addition to USC Annenberg Walter Cronkite Awards. (8)

Current CEO and Chairman of Hearst Television Inc.

Current President of Hearst Television Inc.

December 6, 2012 marked a slight change in leadership at Hearst Television Inc. An announcement was made my Hearst Corporation that current President and CEO, David J. Barrett, will be the CEO and Chairman and current Executive Vice President, Jordan Wertlieb, will take on the role of Hearst Television Inc. President, both effective immediately. Barret was CEO and President since 2001. Prior to that, he had a six-year tenure as deputy general manager of Hearst Broadcasting and four years as executive vice president and CEO of Hearst-Argyle Television. (9)

Hearst Television aims to improve air transmission quality while complying with the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Commercial Audio Loudness Mitigation (CALM) Act, effective on December 13, 2012. Joe Addila, the director of technology projects for Hearst Television Inc., has chosen to use the Linear Acoustic AERO.air transmission audio loudness manager and LQ-1000 loudness quality monitor to control the loudness at all Hearst stations. (10)

 

REFERENCES

  1. http://www.hearst.com/files/hearsttimeline.pdf
  2. http://www.hearsttelevision.com/our_company/about_Our_Company/index.html
  3. http://www.rtnda.org/content/2012_national_winners
  4. http://www.hearsttelevision.com/financial-information/index.html
  5. http://www.leadershipdirectories.com/Images/sp_cor.pdf
  6. http://seekingalpha.com/symbol/htv/
  7. http://www.adweek.com/news/television/time-warner-cable-and-hearst-reach-deal-142032
  8. http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hearst-television-launches-free-election-2012-app-for-iphone-android-167982726.html
  9. http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/hearst-television-ceo-david-j-barrett-adds-chairman-role-jordan-wertlieb-promoted-president-1734814.htm
  10. https://my.insideview.com/iv/launchReferredArticle.do?aid=_7609060783&utm_source=IVdirectory&utm_medium=Agents_Article_Titles
  11. Hearst Television Inc. Logo Photo: http://www.hearsttelevision.com/images/hdr_logo.gif
  12. TV Households Photo: http://www.wikinvest.com/stock/Hearst-Argyle_Television_(HTV)
  13. Hearst Television Holdings Logos Photo: http://www.hearsttelevision.com/our_company/about_Our_Company/index.html
  14. Election 2012 Application Photo: http://talkingnewmedia.blogspot.com/2012/08/new-hearst-television-election.html
  15. David J. Barrett Photo: http://www.hearst.com/about-hearst/corporate-david-j-barrett.php
  16. Jordan Wertlieb Photo: http://www.hearsttelevision.com/jordan-wertlieb/

TELEMUNDO

Posted on by

By: Mayra Najera

Background:

Telemundo Media is a division of NBC Universal. It’s the second largest Spanish-language network in the United States also ranking second largest content producer worldwide. The network delivers its content via Telemundo Network, a Spanish-language television network that carries original productions, news and first-class sports events, and theatrical motion pictures. Telemundo reaches an audience in 210 markets through its 14 stations located across the nation and its broadcast and cable affiliates. Including Mun2, the primary voice for young Hispanics in the United States, entering households through satellite, digital and analog cable. Telemundo Digital Media is Telemundo’s leading digital platform that shares original content, including mobile devices. Telemundo International, it’s international distributor, syndicates content to over 100 countries in more than 35 languages.[1]

Major Competitor: Univision, owned by Univision Communications

 November 29, 2012

Telemundo Media performed its best November ratings in network history among total viewers (1,265,000) and adults ranging from ages 18-49 (660,000), during Monday through Sunday primetime. [2]

April 20, 2012

Telemundo Media signed a product-placement deal with Bud Light and Subway for its primetime telenovela “Corazón Valiente.” The products are shown throughout customized in-show experiences where the characters are shown enjoying Bud Light during essential moments of the story and a spotlight for Subway’s Fresh Fit menu. [3]

April 30, 2012

Telemundo Media launched “Mia Mundo,” the first bilingual branded-entertainment crossover series that aired on Telemundo.com and on cable net Mun2. Chevy and Verizon are integrated throughout the webisodes. The main characters will be driving the Chevy Camaro and Chevy Cruze. Verizon Wireless Products will be included throughout the episodes by showing the features of its mobile phones and tablets. The characters will use the mobile applications demonstrating how useful the apps are to their daily life. Viewers will be able to participate on all platforms and will see “minisode” teasers in television and resume watching the entire episode online. Viewers via Telemundo.com and social media will choose the finale. The fans will be able to access exclusive extended scenes, photo galleries and character bios. Viewers will be able to interact with the story and the characters. The grand finale will be delivered as a one-hour special on Mun2. The name of the series “Mia Mundo” is short for “the Modern Independent Achiever (MIA). The series is about the life of the “new Latina woman “featuring a modern young Latina on a journey to find balance in life and love. It is the first time that Telemundo produces original content featuring English-language crossover stars in a web series that is mainly in English with some Spanish. [4]

Mia Mundo Finale

March 28, 2012

Telemundo Media performed its best quarter in the network’s history. The Nielson ratings indicate that Telemundo’s viewership for Q1 2012 rose up to 10 percent versus Q1 2011 that averaged 1,252,000 total viewers Monday through Sunday in primetime. Telemundo is the only Spanish-language broadcast network with a consistent growth through out the years. [5]

October 5, 2012

Telemundo announced the conclusion of The FAM Study, “a new study of the U.S. Latino population designed to explore the evolution of the Latino family and its impact on television viewing habits and family influence on purchase decisions in key categories.” The participants for the study consisted of more than 1,000 Latino adults from ages 18 and older. “Major findings proved that 86% of Latinos identify “family” as core to their Latino identity; 81% stated that Spanish-language television preserves the language and culture in Latino families; and more than 60% of Latinos look for information and advice within their family across key product categories such as food, financial services and health products.” [6]

5 Major learning’s from The Telemundo FAM Study:

1.Family is the core of the Latino Identity.

2. Several Latino families interact in an “ambicultural” life, including members speaking both Spanish and English. This impacts their mindset, product and media consumption choices.

3. Spanish television correlates with family and culture on a personal level.

4. Hispanic families regularly use electronic devices to success Spanish language content.

5. Latino families view themselves as powerful and positive and interpret challenges as a normal part of life. [7]

Watch FAM Study Presentation

November 5, 2012

Telemundo announced that the distinguished Mexican actress Rebecca Jones has agreed on an exclusive contract with its network.“Rebeca Jones’ arrival to Telemundo reconfirms our commitment to bring internationally recognized and talented actors to our productions,” said Joshua Mintz, Executive Vice President of Scripted Programming and General Manager of Telemundo Studios. [8]

November 26, 2012

NBC Universal signed a deal with Verizon FiOs that includes the rights to over-the-top distribution to multiple screens. It includes retransmission-consent for NBC and Telemundo TV stations. The agreement includes the renewal of the cable networks: “USA, E!, Bravo Media, CNBC, MSNBC,NBC Sports Network, Oxygen Media, Syfy, Telemundo Media, Golf Channel, and TV Everywhere. [9]

 November 26, 2012

Telemundo Media appoints Peach Gibson Senior Vice President of Creative Services. [10]

Dec 2, 2012

Univision, the dominant Spanish-language network in the United States, renamed their second-largest network Telefutura to Unimás and it was also given a new look. Telemundo and Unimás both compete for second largest Spanish-language network, targeting male viewers in particular. [11]

 Dec 3, 2012

Telemundo Media and Powwow have signed a multi-year non-exclusive first look and Production Supervision, Development agreement. Powwow is a dominant independent production and development house serving the media industry. [12]

 Upcoming Projects

Dec 19, 2012

Telemundo will broadcast live the “Miss Universe 2012” pageant on Wednesday, December 19 at 8pm ET7C from Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. The night will start off with “Camino a la Corona” (7pm/6c), a Telemundo special dedicated to the nineteen Latinas participating in Miss Universe 2012 pageant. For the first time, Hispanics will be able to vote during the semifinals on www.Telemundo.com/MissUniverso. To cast a vote one must have a valid email account. People who live in, and are a legal resident of, any of the countries of the contestants are allowed to vote up to ten times. The contestant with the most fan votes will be announced on December 19, 2012. [13]

September 7, 2012

Telemundo acquires the U.S. rights to the Mexican soccer Club Leon, a popular team recently promoted to the first division for ’12-13. This comes after Univision secured the rights to the Liga Mx club Chivas de la Guadalajara at the start of 2013. Earlier this year, four clubs: Toluca, Tigres, Puma and Monterrey left Telemundo for Univision. [14]

October 21, 2012

Telemundo Media acquired the Spanish-language U.S. right to FIFA World Cup soccer from 2015 through 2022. Fox Sports and Telemundo Media outbid Univision and ESPN.   “The acquisition of the FIFA World Cup, one of the world’s great sporting events, speaks directly to the commitment NBCUniversal has made in the future of Telemundo and to our diverse U.S. Hispanic communities that we serve,” said Lauren Zalaznick, chairman of NBC Universal entertainment & digital networks. The FIFA package includes all platforms with the except of radio, including the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada, the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, FIFA Confederations Cup and all Under-20 and Under-17 FIFA World Cup matches. [15]

 1. http://telemundomediakit.com/telemundo/

2. http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/11/29/telemundo-delivers-best-november-ratings-in-network-history-among-adults-18-49-and-total-viewers/159585/

 3. http://rbr.com/bud-light-subway-integrate-with-corazon-valiente/

4. http://rbr.com/telemundo-signs-chevy-verizon-for-mia-mundo/

5. http://rbr.com/best-quarter-ever-for-telemundo/

6. http://www.hispanicad.com/cgi-bin/news/newsarticle.cgi?article_id=35368

 7. http://telemundomediakit.com/2012/10/05/telemundo-medias-fam-study-familia-americana-moderna/

 8. http://telemundomediakit.com/2012/11/05/mexican-novela-star-rebecca-jones-signs-with-telemundo/

9. http://www.multichannel.com/telco-tv/tv-everywhere-rights-are-part-nbc-verizon-carriage-pact/140409

10. http://telemundomediakit.com/2012/11/26/telemundo-media-names-peach-gibson-senior-vice-president-creative-services/

 11. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/03/business/media/a-spate-of-rebranding-for-spanish-language-television.html?_r=0

 12. http://tv.broadwayworld.com/article/POWWOW-Signs-First-Look-Deal-With-Telemundo-Media-20121206

 13. http://telemundomediakit.com/2012/11/20/latinas-battle-for-this-year’s-“miss-universe-2012”-crown-live-on-telemundo-on-wednesday-december-19-at-8pm7c/

 14. http://telemundomediakit.com/2012/09/07/telemundo-lands-u-s-rights-to-mexican-soccer-club-leon/

15.  http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/telemundo-world-cup-soccer-252003

 

 


Meredith

Posted on by 
by Katie Mason

[1]

Meredith Corporation
1716 Locust Street DES MOINES IA 50309-3023
Phone: +1 (515) 284-3000

www.meredith.com

Key Figures:

 Stephen M. Lacy: Chairman, President and CEO

Joseph H. Ceryanec: Vice President and CFO

Paul Karpowicz: President, Local Media Group

Company Overview:

[2]

Edwin Thomas Meredith founded the company in 1902 with its first publication, Successful Farming.  Meredith Corporation has its roots in magazine and print publications and later began expanding into other markets such as digital and broadcasting media.

“Meredith Corporation is a media and marketing company. The Company is engaged in magazine publishing and related brand licensing, television broadcasting, digital and customer relationship marketing, digital and mobile media, and video creation operations. The Company operates two business segments: national media and local media.  The local media segment consists primarily of the operations of network-affiliated television stations, related interactive media operations and video production related operations.” [3]

Meredith Local Media Group:

The Television sector of Meredith Corporation, Meredith Local Media Group, spans nation wide.  Meredith owns twelve affiliate stations across the country, six of which are in Top 30 markets. They deliver local news with the help of advertising and the other Meredith brands.

CBS Atlanta 46 CBS Atlanta (WGCL 46)
Atlanta, GA		 CBS 5 KPHO
Phoenix, AZ
FOX 12 Oregon KPTV FOX 12 Oregon (KPTV)
Portland, OR		 PDX TV PDX TV (KPDX)
Portland, Oregon
WFSB Channel 3 WFSB Channel 3
Hartford/New Haven, CT		 WSMV Channel 4 WSMV Channel 4
Nashville, TN
KCTV Channel 5
Kansas City, MO		 My KSMO TV
Kansas City, MO
FOX Carolina 21 FOX Carolina (WHNS 21)
Greenville, SC – Asheville, NC		 FOX 5 Vegas FOX 5 Vegas (KVVU)
Las Vegas, NV
WNEM Channel 5
Flint/Saginaw, MI		 CBS 3 Springfield WSHM CBS 3 Springfield (WSHM)
Springfield/Holyoke, MA

[4]

As part of Meredith’s Local Media Group, there is an entity known as OneService.  It has close local ties to Meredith’s affiliate stations.  Because local newspapers and newspapers in general were becoming obsolete,  Meredith came up with this service to help share time sensitive information, more specifically obituaries, on a bigger and more effective scale.  People were too tied down by the schedules of the newspapers that this important information could not be released properly.

The information that family members provided would be broadcast over the air on obituary websites in which Meredith has set up.  This information would also be available for up to 4 days including the day of service.  Along with the information and obituary would be the deceased’s name, picture and short bio. [5]

[6]

Paul Karpowicz, the President of Meredith Local Media Group, is the manager of all twelve affiliate Television stations.  This sector of Meredith Corporation accounts for over 25% of Meredith’s total revenue.  These twelve stations reach about 10% of the country’s population. [6]

[7]

Recent News in Meredith Local Media Group:

July/August: Meredith Corporation and Time Warner Cable were involved in  retransmission talks.  On July 25, 2012 Meredith’s channels, KCTV-CBS and KSMO-MyNetworkTV in Kansas City, WSHM-CBS in Springfield; and WSMV-NBC in Nashville, were going to be off air for Time Warner Cable customers.  Meredith Corporation gained an extension through July 31st so they can continue talks with Time Warner. [8]  They reached a deal on July 31, 2012 but information has not been disclosed. [9]

September:

September 10, 2012

Meredith Corporation CBS affiliate, KPHO 5, located in Phoenix, Arizona fights for viewers with KPNX Phoenix on the digital platform.  KPNX designed a “paid content model” [10] in which their users get a certain amount of stories for free per month and then they have to pay for an “all-digital pass,”  all on their website AZcentral.com.  Ed Munson, Vice President of Meredith’s KPHO, retaliated by making promotions and ads against their competitor KPNX and told their viewers that their website, CBS5AZ.com, remains free for all users. [10]

Munson states that he doesn’t believe KPNX’s motives are all true and about preserving good journalism.  He says, “But where I disconnect is that it’s not about saving journalism. This is about money.” [10]  All though break news and public safety alerts will remain free on KPNX’s website, Munson believes that Arizona residents, especially those in Phoenix, will remain loyal to his station because they don’t like being told what to do. [10]

October:

October 25, 2012

Meredith’s broadcast network revenue was up 26% from the previous year financial recordings. [11]  Revenue from advertising and this year’s election definitely had a great impact on their quarterly numbers.  “While $12 million of political advertising paced the local media group, broadcast’s core ad revenue grew 5% in the quarter.” [11] They reported increased revenue from all of their affiliate stations, all of which broke records.  The two leaders were their Las Vegas and Hartford stations.  In addition to political ad revenue, automotive ad sales increased to 12%.

[12]

Paul Karpowicz also commented, “We are focused on keeping the momentum going in non-political advertising revenues, along with maximizing our political advertising opportunity this election cycle.” [11]

Relationships with the viewers deemed valuable and profitable especially during this fiscal quarter.  Ratings for the morning shows in Phoenix, Portland and Greenville increased. [13]

 

Financials:

[14]

 Meredith Corporation crossed above its average “200 day moving average.”  As compared to a year ago, its stocks are worth more.  Their 52 week low is $26.89 a share and their 52 week high is $32.72. Their trades are up 4.5%. [14]

[15]

Meredith Corporation “reported fiscal 2013 first quarter earnings per share increased 15 percent to $0.55, compared to $0.48 in the year-ago period.  Revenues rose 8 percent to $354 million.  Total Company advertising revenues increased 12 percent to $207 million.” [13]
Other News:
October 22, 2012
Meredith Corp. wants to begin expanding into the digital medium and create original content for its subscribers and viewers.  They made a deal with CelebTV, which fits their demographic of American women perfectly, to make and produce original daily HD content for Meredith’s Divine Caroline. [16]

[17]

[18]

J.R. McCabe, Meredith’s Vice President/ Chief Video Officer, talked about how CelebTV will provide content that will make women of all ages entertained and intrigued.  And that this new content will compliment what Meredith already has to offer. [16]
McCabe further stated that although this CelebTV content will only be available on Divine Caroline in its inception, Meredith in the future will consider expanding it to other platforms and other Meredith digital sites. [16]
October 25, 2012
 
Meredith renewed The Better Show for its sixth consecutive season. [13] It is a daily nationally-syndicated lifestyle show that reaches 80 percent of U.S. television households, including 9 of the Top 10 markets. [16]  This show “aims to make your life “Better” by focusing on Easy Recipes and Low Cost Meals, Beauty Breakthroughs, Money Matters, Health and Wellness, Sex, Decorating and all hot topics that affect your family and relationships.” [19]
November 20, 2012
Meredith announces they will present at the UBS 40th Annual Global Media and Communications Conference.  CEO Stephen Lacy and CFO Joseph Ceryanec will discuss  “key strategic initiatives” and their commitment to “Total Shareholder Return.” [20]
December 4, 2012
UBS 40th Annual Global Media and Communications Conference.  Lacy presents a powerpoint package.  Specifically for Meredith Local Media Group,  the presentation showed that non-politcal ad revenue was up on all affiliate stations, as well as professional services and automotive ads.  Also, the presentation showed when the affiliate stations will be renewed. [21]

[21]

Works Cited:
[17] CelebTV

Univision

Posted on by

[1]

Background

Univision, owned by Viacom, is the largest Spanish-Language medium in the United States.  With top markets in Miami, Houston, Los Angeles and San Antonio Univision has expanded from television and radio to a multi-platform digital presence. Also the audience base has shifted from not only Spanish-speaking, but also bilingual Americans, who identify with the company’s Hispanic niche. Univision is continuing to grow partnerships with  philanthropic, outreaches to better serve their Hispanic community. At its 50th anniversary Univision celebrates their success as a part of the mainstream media companies along with Fox, ABC,NBC, and CW.

History

[2]

Univision has historically monopolized Latino television in America.  According to Nielsen rating they have the world’s largest audience of Spanish-language television viewer.[3] Jerry Perenchio created the Spanish-Language television station  in its infancy and now Randy Falco, as the recent CEO, oversees  the companies continued success [4].  Univision’s was  founded 1986 when it was formerly called SIN, Spanish International Network- originally designed for the management of advertising sales for the main station SICC, Spanish International Communications Corporation founded in 1961, in San Antonio, Texas[5]. Univision developed in terms of their business strategy and content before the increase, of their target market. This major rise in Latinos, seen in the dramatic rise in hispanic names in the US, in combination with  the fact that so Univision is the  most famous and the oldest Latino media presence in  America, has allowed for Univision’s success. Also, Univision has no Spanish-Language competition, and none of their competitors like NBC, ABC and CBS attempt to attract Univision’s audience base [6] [7].  Even when these large media conglomerates try to reach the Latino market, like nbclatino, the content is only changed into Spanish, instead of completely repackaged and retargeted for the Latino market.

Financials

Little is known about the about the specific financials of Univision because they are owned by Viacom. Although, revenues in the fourth quarter declined 17% to $3.36 billion, in Viacom’s Fourth Quarter report, this was due to lower income than expected in filmed entertainment (which isn’t to say that Media Networks  are under or over performing)[8]. Also the operating cost of Media Networks is down $25 million to $933 million.  Viacom though has experienced decreases in revenue as a whole in compared to the conglomerate’s statistics from last year.  Viacom appears to be falling behind with it’s main competition Disney which  reports a $744 million increase in Media revenue in their fourth quarter [9].

As of close of the market on November 30th, was up .41 points in the NASDAQ from their opening at $51.89 a share [10]. More holistically though, since late August Viacom has shown some major growth, the most significant being their climb from below $49 per share in early September to above $54.05per share in the middle of that month. Overall, though no substantial financial data can be found based on the most recent data of Viacom, or Univision in particular, beyond proof of their activity as a multi-million dollar media conglomerate.

Programming:

Broadcast

In terms of News broadcasting, Univision,has become very successful with their use of co- anchors, Jorge Ramos and Maria Elena Salina. These two recently made history by being the first Latinos to be   honored with the lifetime achievement award, which represents their work in broadcasting on both traditional and digital mediums [12]. Univision is also the only certified Spanish-Language Broadcast in the country[13]. Univision, and Ramos and Elena, also made history in broadcast news through their “Meet the Candidates” interviews, which were the first time Presidential candidates were interviewed specifically to address Hispanic Americans.  The pair also co-anchor Univision’s nightly news program “Noiticiero Univision” and Ramos host an in-depth weekly public affairs show “Al Punto”. Although Univision, isn’t dominating the nightly news market with their competitors, NBC and ABC, their line up and anchors are producing high-quality award-winning content [14].

Novelas

Univision is having success with their new telanovela “Amores Verdaderos” which was the fifth ranked program of the night in all of television among Adults 18-34, beating first-run episodes of ABC’s (“The Middle,” “Nashville” and “The Neighbors”), CBS’ entire primetime line-up (“Survivor: Philippines,” “Criminal Minds” and “CSI”), NBC’s (“Chicago Fire”) and the CW’s entire primetime line-up (“Arrow” and “Supernatural”) [16] .”  And  this show did very well, Univision’s top markets; it was named  No. 1  “in the time period  among Total Viewers 2+, Adults 18-49 and Adults 18-34 in Los Angeles, Miami and Houston.[17]”   This show also was a personal best of Univision itself, beating out its other top two primetime shows “Soy Tu Dueña” and “Amor Real.” Amores and Verdaderos also reached over 5.5million views for their time slot of Wednesday at 7pm [18]. Tapping further into that vain, the company has a five romantic telanovelas set to launch all through November and December, to ensure a ‘Love-Filled Holiday Session [19]. These shows include “Tres Mujeres” (Three Women), “Un Gancho al Corazón” (A Blow to the Heart), “El Noveno Mandamiento” (The Ninth Commandment) , “Salomé,” and “Soñadoras” (Dreamers).

Primetime

Univision’s strongest programing is their primetime lineup which as not only beat out competitors but also represents the company’s personal growth [20].

“Univision finished the November 2012 sweep period as the No. 1 network on Friday nights among Adults 18-34 …for the fourth consecutive November sweep. Univision beat its closest competitor, ABC, on Friday nights by more than +25% with Adults 18-34.”  Univision has out-delivered ABC, CBS, NBC or FOX 69% of the time – or three out of five nights –  among Adults 18-49 and 73% of the time – nearly three out of four nights – among Adults 18-34. For the 24th consecutive sweep, Univision has out-performed the CW among Adults 18-34…”
Regularly Univision’s strong hit of romantic telenovelas, like Por Ella, Soy Eva” (For Her, I’m Eva), “Amores Verdaderos” (True Love) and “Amor Bravio” (When The Heart Commands)  take out shows like AC’s “Private practice” CBS’s “CSI:NY” NBC’s “Guys with Kids” , Fox’s “The Mob Doctor” and CW’s “Gossip Girl.”  But Univision has also had this success with major award/celebration coverage like the Latin Grammy’s  and the “Sabado Gigante” premiere [21]. The diversity of top rated shows legitimizes Univision’s major success with both drama, which can be watch later( Live plus 7 day) and award coverage (which has a much shorted shelf life for the audience).

50th Anniversary

On October 27th the network   a four hour televised celebration complete with “ international celebrities, music, games, prizes, and a fascinating walk down memory lane” for their 50th anniversary [22]. In addition to dominating their market, the brand also used social media in the promotion of their “Sabado Gigante”  through using a twitter handle, and a hashtag to create buzz with their tech savvy audience[23] . The company’s continued and versatile use of social networking and digital participation mirror the company’s vision to remain relevant as their audience continues to embrace technology [24].  Moreover, Unvision unveiled their new logo and tag line which  is “ evocative of a human heart and three-dimensional in appearance and accompanied by a new positioning as “the Hispanic Heartbeat of America” represents the company’s enormous growth from a one station start up in Texas to a multiplatform innovative media giant [9].

Innovation

As Univision’s audience continues to expand, the company takes more strides to provide more innovative activities to satisfy their needs. Univision has aggressively taken steps to offer programing online and through mobile devices. The launch of UVideos  is not new in the idea of providing online content, but it is unique and different in the idea that this site is  rooted in technology [25].  Offering in both a mobile app ,Xbox and  partnering with Dish network on distribution of  this service on the television and basing this program in social media sites like Facebook and twitter displays this company’s move towards innovation and trust in the future of social and mobile technology [26]. Univision also used social media and second screen digital platforms in the promotion of their 50th Anniversary programing [27].

 2012 Election

As the Latino votes become more and more crucial,in American elections, Univision has provided major coverage of the election to their viewers.  In addition to always having live translations of the Presidential debates, the station was deined the ability to join the major networks in participating directly in the Presidental Debates [28]. instead the held their own “Meet the Candidates” conversations with Governor Rommeny16 and President  Obama17 where immediate Spanish translation was available for the audience.  Univision large audience for these events represent the importance of the growing presence of Latino presence in America and also Univision expanding power/control of an influence group of voters.

 

 

Sources:

[1] Introduction of Univison’s new log http://www.multichannel.com/programming/univision-pumps-life-new-logo-brand-identity/139857

[2] Univision’s Orginal Logo from 1986 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Univision1986.gif

[3] The rise of Hispanic Media http://stateofthemedia.org/2011/hispanic-media-fairing-better-than-the-mainstream-media/

[4] Univision’s new leader  http://corporate.univision.com/leader/randy-falco/#axzz2DOYDgp3u

[5] History of Univisin http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/univision-communications-inc-history/

[6] Univision’s competitor http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/01/04/univision-starts-2011-as-the-3-broadcast-network-in-overall-primetime-beating-abc-cbs-and-cw-among-all-adults-18-34/77242/

[7] Reasons for lack of Hispancis in Main Stream Media http://nbclatino.com/2012/10/26/opinion-three-reasons-why-there-almost-no-latinos-in-english-language-newsrooms/

[8]Viacom’s Fourth Quarter Earnings http://files.shareholder.com/downloads/VIA-B/2196046333x0x614687/613a40e1-1954-47e4-b16a-fc4aeb01f8b8/Viacom_Q4_12_Earnings_Release.pdf

[9] Walt Disney’s Fourth Quarter Earnings http://thewaltdisneycompany.com/sites/default/files/reports/q4-fy12-earnings.pdfl

[10] Google Finance Results on Viacom http://www.google.com/finance?q=VIA&ei=Bse6UMiLHorm0gHATA

[11] Ramos and Salina Lifetime Achievement picture http://www.mediamoves.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Jorge_Ramos-MariaElena-Emmys2012-e1349286146502.jpg

[12] Ramos and Salina Lifetime Achievment http://www.tvweek.com/blogs/tvbizwire/2012/06/univision-anchors-to-be-honore.php

[13 http://www.adweek.com/news/television/univision-earns-iabs-qag-certification-143297

[14]Univision reports in November Sweep http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2012/11/during-november-sweep-abc-world-news-dramatically-closes-total-viewer-gap-with-nbc-year-to-year/

[15] Amores Verdaderos Photo Credit http://i2.esmas.com/2012/08/30/416560/poster-amores-verdaderos-620×335.jpg

[16] Univision’s report on Telenovelas http://corporate.univision.com/2012/press/univision%e2%80%99s-premiere-of-%e2%80%9camores-verdaderos%e2%80%9d-reaches-5-5-million-viewers-outperforms-premieres-of-top-two-primetime-novelas-of-all-time-in-key-demos-2/#ixzz2Dg06WWRr

[17] Univison  on Friday sweeps http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/12/04/univision-is-the-1-network-pick-on-friday-night-among-adults-18-49-and-adults-18-34-2/160329/

[18 http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/11/09/univisions-premiere-of-amores-verdaderos-reaches-5-5-million-viewers-outperforms-premieres-of-top-two-primetime-novelas-of-all-time-in-key-demos/156844/

[19] Univision’s future plans http://corporate.univision.com/2012/press/univision-tlnovelas-announces-five-blockbuster-premieres-promising-a-love-filled-holiday-season/#axzz2DX7e1c3Z

[20] Growth shown in Sweeps http://corporate.univision.com/2012/press/univision-and-telefutura-broadcast-networks-show-growth-in-november-sweeps/#axzz2DX7e1c3Z

[21]http://corporate.univision.com/2012/press/13th-annual-latin-grammy%C2%AE-awards-reaches-10-million-viewers-and-makes-univision-no-2-network-for-the-night-among-adults-18-34/#axzz2DX7e1c3Z

[22http://corporate.univision.com/2012/hispanic-consumer/media/sabado-gigante-marks-its-50th-anniversary-with-a-truly-gigantic-celebration/#axzz2DX7e

[23] Named most powerful name in Spanish Language News, http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/univision-at-50-the-most-powerful-name-in-spanish-language-news_b150981

[24http://www.adweek.com/sa-article/finding-gold-hispanic-marketing-130612

[25]http://www.fiercecable.com/story/univision-launch-uvideos-online-videosocial-site/2012-10-15

[26http://corporate.univision.com/2012/press/uvideos-experience-launches-on-xbox-live/#axzz2DX7e1c3Z

[27http://www.tvweek.com/news/2009/05/univision_sets_digital_test_fo.php

[28] Latino Coverage of Presidental Debates http://www.latinospost.com/articles/5556/20121016/presidential-debates-2012-spanish-translation-tv-schedule.htm

Columbia/TriStar Pictures

Posted on by 
by [David Jocson]

— Courtesy of Flavorwire.com

— Courtesy of Google Images

Columbia/TriStar Pictures

10202 W Washington Blvd [1]

Culver City, CA 90232

Telephone: 310-224-4000

Website: www.sonypictures.com

 

Executives

Michael Lynton: Co-Chairman & CEO, Sony Pictures Entertainment [2]

Amy Pascal: Co-Chairman, Sony Pictures Entertainment | Chairman, Sony Pictures

Entertainment Motion Picture Group

Doug Belgrad: President, Columbia Pictures [3]

 

Holdings

Sony Pictures Entertainment [4]:

Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group:

Columbia Pictures

TriStar Pictures

 

Locations

Headquarters: Culver City, CA [1]

Columbia Pictures Production Asia [5]: Hong Kong

Columbia Pictures Producciones Espanolas: Madrid, Spain

Columbia Pictures Producciones Mexico: Mexico City

Additional operations in: Japan, Brazil and the UK

 

Competition

Warner Bros. Pictures [1]

The Walt Disney Studios

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

 

Company Description

Columbia and TriStar Pictures operate as divisions under the Columbia TriStar Motion Pictures Group of Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) [5]. Columbia Pictures produces Sony Pictures’ commercial feature films [1]. TriStar Pictures distributes and markets SPE’s films, delivering entertainment to over 150 countries [6] [7].

Columbia TriStar Motion Pictures Group has released many notable franchises such as the James Bond and The Amazing Spider-Man franchises [8]. Its movies make up the bulk of the Sony Pictures’ library that includes over 3,500 films, 12 of which are Best Picture Academy Award winners [5].

The “Columbia Lady” precedes every feature film by Columbia Pictures [9]. It is the studio’s iconic trademark, having appeared in its motion pictures since the very beginning of the company.

 

History

Columbia Pictures began in 1918 when Jack Cohn, Joe Brandt and Harry Cohn began making short films [10]. CBC Films, as it was named after its founders back then, produced its first feature film, More to Be Pitied Than Scorned, in 1922 with great success. Two years later, the founders changed the name of CBC Films to Columbia Pictures Corporation.

The company rose to fame after signing legendary director Frank Capra to direct its feature films in 1927 [10]. Capra won Columbia Pictures its first Best Picture Academy Award for his film, It Happened One Night, in 1934. He also directed the studio’s first complete “talkie” motion picture.

In 1982, The Coca-Cola Company purchased Columbia Pictures [10]. (reuters)

In 1983, Columbia together with CBS and HBO, formed TriStar Pictures [10]. It was the newest production studio in decades. It quickly emerged as a major contender in the industry by releasing major blockbusters such as Rambo: First Blood Part II.

Sony Corporation purchased Columbia Pictures from Coca-Cola in 1989 [10]. The new owner placed Columbia under its new division, Sony Pictures Entertainment. Sony also moved the Columbia Pictures studio from Burbank to Culver City, CA. The studio operated on the former MGM lot where classics such as Citizen Kane and Gone With The Wind were produced.

In 2000, Sony created Sony Pictures Digital [10]. Sony Pictures Digital comprised of Sony Pictures Imageworks and Sony Pictures Animation. Imageworks developed CGI and VFX for Columbia TriStar Motion Pictures Group and the animation division. The animation division produced Sony Pictures’ animated feature films.

Today, the Columbia TriStar Motion Pictures Group releases Sony Pictures’ biggest films such as The Amazing Spider-Man, 21 Jump Street and Men In Black 3 [8].

 

Fall-Winter 2012

Looper [11]                                                                                                                                    

Action | Sci-fi | Crime

Budget [12]: $30 million

Worldwide Gross: $165 million

U.S. Release Date [11]: Sep. 28

— Courtesy of IMDb.com

Directed by Rian Johnson

Featuring:

Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Joe

Bruce Willis as Old Joe

Emily Blunt as Sara

Looper tells the story of Joe, an assassin for the mob, who is sent back in time to kill himself in order to “tie a loose end [11].”

 

Hotel Transylvania [13]                                                                                                             

Family | Animation | Comedy

Budget [14]: $85 million

Worldwide Gross: $296 million

U.S. Release Date [13]: Sep. 28

— Courtesy of IMDb.com

Directed by Genndy Tartakovsky

Featuring:

Adam Sandler as Dracula

Andy Samberg as Jonathan

Selena Gomez as Mavin

Kevin James as Frankenstein

Hotel Transylvania is about Count Dracula overprotecting his teenage daughter from falling in love with a human boy who stumbles upon Dracula’s “monster resort [13].”

The film is Genndy Tartakovsky’s first feature motion picture. Tartakovsy is a three-time Emmy Award winner known for creating famous cartoons such as Samurai Jack and Dexter’s Laboratory [15].

Hotel Transylvania became the best opening movie of all-time for September. It also became Sony Pictures’ most successful animated feature at the box office [16].

 

Skyfall [17]       

Action | Crime | Adventure

Budget [18]: $200 million

Worldwide Gross: $872 million

U.S. Release Date [17]: Nov. 9

— Courtesy of IMDb.com

Directed by Sam Mendes

Featuring:

Daniel Craig as James Bond

Javier Bardem as Silva

Judi Dench as M

Skyfall is the 23rd installment of the Bond franchise. It is about a former agent of M who comes back to seek vengeance upon her while terrorizing MI6 and battling agent 007 [17].

In early December, Skyfall became the highest grossing film ever in the UK [19].

The movie also marked Judi Dench’s final role as M [20].

 

Zero Dark Thirty [21]

Action | Drama | History

Budget [22]: n/a

Worldwide Gross: n/a

U.S. Release Date [21]: Dec. 19

— Courtesy of IMDb.com

Directed by Kathryn Bigelow

Featuring:

Chris Pratt as Justin, a member of Navy SEAL Team 6

Jason Clarke as Dan

Jessica Chastain as Maya

Zero Dark Thirty recounts the hunt for Osama bin Laden that began after 9/11 and culminated in his death by SEAL Team 6 in May 2011, after a decade of searching for the “world’s most wanted man [21].”

Zero Dark Thirty was the last feature film Sony Pictures Entertainment was going to release before the end of 2012 [23].

Kathryn Bigelow and Mark Boal, the minds behind The Hurt Locker, collaborated again to produce the widely-anticipated movie [23].

 

News

Sony Pictures Entertainment became the highest grossing movie studio of the year, having earned $1.7 billion in the U.S. alone [24]. Internationally, it earned over $4 billion, beating its previous record of $3.5 billion in 2009 [23]. The new record was achieved in large part to Skyfall, the highest grossing Bond film ever. The film received a cumulative $669.2 million during its opening weekend alone. However, other blockbusters helped too. The Amazing Spider-Man earned $754 million, Men In Black 3 earned $624 million, Hotel Transylvania earned $283 million and 21 Jump Street earned $201 million. Sony Pictures Entertainment released a total of 9 No. 1 movies at the domestic box office in 2012.

Kazuo Hirai, CEO of Sony Corporation, told The Hollywood Reporter that Sony was not going to sell Sony Pictures Entertainment amidst rumors that Sony was going to sell the film division due to financial losses [25]. The Hollywood Reporter quoted him saying, “There is no reason to sell these industry-dealing businesses and no consideration is being given to the idea.” Hirai made it clear that Sony Pictures Entertainment was not going to be sold anytime soon.

Sony Pictures Entertainment joined video game company Electronic Arts to raise $1 million in donations for American troops [26]. EA planned to release its new game, Medal of Honor Warfighter, on Dec. 17th after its rival, Activision, released its game Call of Duty: Black Ops II. The release date was also planned to coincide with Columbia Picture’s Zero Dark Thirty that premieres on Dec. 19th. EA prepared exclusive maps that featured locations from the feature film available for purchase. The company said it would take a portion of the proceeds to donate a minimum of $1 million to nonprofit veterans organizations.

On October 5th, Columbia Pictures joined MGM Pictures, Passion Pictures and Red Box Films in commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Bond franchise by releasing Everything Or Nothing: The Untold Story of 007 [27]. The documentary chronicles the lives of the franchise’s author Ian Fleming and producers Harry Saltzman and Albert Broccoli.

October 5th also became Global James Bond Day [28]. The worldwide event included an online and live auction charity event in London, a franchise exhibit in the Museum of Modern Art in New York and an evening of Bond music hosted by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in Los Angeles.

 

Works Cited

[1]: http://www.hoovers.com/company-information/cs/company-profile.Columbia_TriStar_Motion_Picture_Group.9a3fb312ea9f08a6.html

[2]: http://www.sonypictures.com/corp/management.html

[3]: http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=8033824

[4]: http://www.cjr.org/resources/?c=sony

[5]: http://www.sonypictures.com/corp/divisions.html

[6]: http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=7913345

[7]: http://www.sonypictures.com/corp/aboutsonypictures.html

[8]: http://www.imdb.com/company/co0071509/

[9]: http://www.sonypicturesmuseum.com/studio/history/columbia

[10]: http://www.sonypicturesmuseum.com/studio/history

[11]: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1276104/

[12]: http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=loopers.htm

[13]: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0837562/

[14]: http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=hoteltransylvania.htm

[15]: http://www.wired.com/underwire/2012/10/hotel-transylvania-genndy-tartakovsky/

[16]: http://www.sonypictures.com/corp/press_releases/2012/10_12/102612_goodnight.html

[17]: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1074638/

[18]: http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=bond23.htm

[19]: http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-quick-20121206,0,7595314.story

[20]: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/09/judi-dench-skyfall-007-bond_n_2102516.html

[21]: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1790885/

[22]: http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=binladen.htm

[23]: http://www.deadline.com/2012/11/skyfalls-669-2m-global-helps-sony-pictures-post-best-ever-4b-worldwide/

[24]: http://boxofficemojo.com/studio/

[25]: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/sony-chief-kaz-hirai-film-384605

[26]: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/electronic-arts-sony-medal-of-honor-warfighter-donation-soldiers-370401

[27]: http://www.sonypictures.com/corp/press_releases/2012/08_12/082912_anniversary.html

[28]: http://www.007.com/global-james-bond-day-announced/

 

Clear Channel

Posted on by 
by [Holly Parker]

http://www.clearchannel.com/

Address: 200 East Basse Road, San Antonio, TX 78209

Telephone: (210) 822-2828

Overview                                                                                                                        

Clear Channel Communications is a private communications company, founded in 1972 and based out of San Antonio, Texas. It is privately owned by Bain Capital and Thomas H. Lee Partners. Clear Channel is most well known for its radio station ownership but the company also owns outdoor advertising around the country. The two main divisions of the company are Clear Channel Media & Entertainment and Clear Channel Outdoor. [1]

Clear Channel Media & Entertainment

Clear Channel Media & Entertainment (CCME) is the radio division of Clear Channel and serves 150 cities through 850 radio stations. Its stations are broadcast on a wide variety of platforms including AM/FM stations, satellite radio, HD radio, and iHeartRadio which streams music on mobile phones and the Internet. CCME has divisons including “radio broadcasting, online and mobile services and products, syndication, music research services and independent media representation.” [2]

Clear Channel Media Statistics [2]

  • With 239 million monthly listeners in the U.S., Clear Channel Media and Entertainment has the largest reach of any radio or television outlet in America.
  • 100 million listening hours a month
  • Over 45 million monthly digital uniques
  • 15 million+ fan reach through station and radio personality Facebook pages

Robert Pittman, CEO of Clear Channel

Key Executives [3]

  • Robert Pittman, Chief Executive Officer: Mr. Pittman is a giant in the world of media communications. He is the founder of MTV and became CEO of Clear Channel Communications in October 2011. He has helped increase the company’s digital presence and stated that he wants to make Clear Channel’s stations free on as many platforms as possible. [4]
  • Tom Casey, Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President
  • Robert H. Walls, Jr., Executive Vice President and General Counsel
  • John Hogan, Chairman and CEO, Clear Channel Media and Entertainment

Financials [5]

  • In the third quarter of 2012, Clear Channel Media and Entertainment (CCME) was up 1%, or $7 million, in revenues compared to the third quarter of 2011. This increase was primarily the result of a 3% increase in radio revenues, due to an increase in national advertising, digital radio services, and the iHeart Radio Music Festival in September.
  • At the end of the third quarter, CCME had a revenue of $798.8 million, and Clear Channel Communications increased its overall revenue by 2% up to $1.59 billion.
  • However, the company may have some financial troubles in the coming years. It needs to refinance more than $10 billion in debt, due in 2016. Its debt by this year will likely outnumber its asset value. This debt has caused some to speculate that the company may have to merge or sell off some of its assets. [6]
iHeartRadio
iHeartRadio is a company owned by Clear Channel consisting of a mobile application and an Internet radio website. Its website states that iHeartRadio is a “free, all-in-one digital radio service that lets you find more than 1,500 Live Stations or create commercial-free, all-music Custom Stations featuring songs from the artist you select and similar music” [7]. The company has proved quite successful for Clear Channel and has helped keep radio in the 21st century. It allows users to stream from a wide variety of radio stations around the country. The company has evolved to become more versatile than just streaming radio stations over the Internet; it now has customizable stations similar to Pandora.
In November, iHeartRadio announced that they had reached 20 million users and surpassed 135 million app downloads [8].

iHeartRadio’s website homepage

iHeartRadio Music Festival 2012

The 2nd annual iHeartRadio Music Festival was held this year on September 21 and 22 in Las Vegas, and featured popular musical acts such as Rihanna, Lil Wayne, Taylor Swift, No Doubt, and Aerosmith. The festival was also broadcast on The CW on October 1. The first iHeartRadio Music Festival took place last year and kicked off the official launch of iHeartRadio. Of the festival, CEO Robert Pittman said: “The iHeartRadio Music Festival is an indication of Clear Channel’s ongoing commitment to music and artist development — maximizing artists’ exposure to fans and audiences nationwide.” [1]

Katz Media Group

Katz Media Group is a subsidiary of Clear Channel Communications and a leading media representation company in the United States. Katz’s website explains: “With more than 4,000 radio stations and 500 television stations retaining our services, we are the only media representation company to serve a variety of over-the-air and digital platforms.” [9] Katz recently announced that it set a digital sales record for its Digital Display Network and Online Audio Network, reaching more than 100 million and 66.5 million unique monthly users respectively. [10]

Other Clear Channel Media & Entertainment News

September 27, 2012: Clear Channel made an agreement with Glassnote Entertainment Group, that will “align the companies’ business interests, accelerate growth and innovation in digital radio and enable Glassnote and its artists to share in all Clear Channel radio revenue streams.” [11] The agreement comes in hopes of accelerating the digital music industry. Glassnote, an independent record and publishing company, represents such artists as Mumford & Sons, Childish Gambino, Phoenix, and The Temper Trap. These artists and others represented by the music company will benefit from this deal with Clear Channel.

October 12, 2012: The Australian Radio Network (ARN) announced that they would launch iHeartRadio in Australia and New Zealand, providing a lucrative opportunity for Clear Channel Media & Entertainment to expand their company internationally. The service will launch in Australia and New Zealand in 2013 and will be marketed through Clear Channel International’s media assets. [12]

November 8, 2012: Clear Channel Media & Entertainment announced, in partnership with The Madison Square Garden Company and The Weinstein Company, plans for a concert called 12-12-12, A Concert For Sandy Relief. The one night only concert will raise money for people in the tri-state area (New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut) affected by Hurricane Sandy and will take place on December 12, 2012 in Madison Square Garden. All money raised will be administered to the Robin Hood Relief Fund. John Sykes, President of Clear Channel Entertainment Enterprises, will help produce the event. The lineup for the concert includes huge name musical acts such as Paul McCartney, Eric Clapton, Bon Jovi, The Who, Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band, Alicia Keys, and Kanye West. [13]

November 20, 2012: Clear Channel will sponsor a series of annual holiday concerts across the country called Jingle Ball 2012. Each year Clear Channel stations across the country host Jingle Ball concerts in local cities, featuring performances by top recording artists and emerging new talent. Washington, DC’s Hot 99.5 and Atlanta’s Power 96.1 are hosting Jingle Ball for the first time this year. Concerts will also take place in Detroit, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Philadelphia, Boston, New York, Miami, Tampa, San Francisco, and Seattle. [14]

December 3, 2012: Triton released its Online Audio Rankings for October 2012, declaring Clear Channel #2 in ratings behind Pandora. The report lists Clear Channel as having 281,782 Average Active Sessions (AAS). AAS is defined as Total Hours Listening (total number of hours the station/publisher has streamed) divided by hours in the reported time period. Clear Channel is also listed as having 0.61 average hours listening. Above Clear Channel, Pandora has 1,561,757 Average Active Sessions and 0.64 average hours listening. [15]

December 6, 2012: Clear Channel made a number of layoffs in large and mid-sized markets. It is unclear how many layoffs were made, but the company said in a statement that “this creates some new jobs, and unfortunately eliminates others.” The company is continuing to evolve its organizational structure. [16]

References:

1. http://www.clearchannel.com/

2. http://www.clearchannel.com/MediaAndEntertainment/

3. http://www.clearchannel.com/Corporate/PressRelease.aspx?PressReleaseID=1168&p=hidden

4. http://www.tritondigital.com/news-items/pittman-envisions-new-life-for-radio

5. http://www.ccmediaholdings.com/documents/Quarterly/CC-Media-Holdings-Q3-2012-Earnings-Release.pdf

6. http://www.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/blog/2012/12/clear-channel-facing-cloudy-financial.html

7. http://www.iheart.com/about/

8. http://www.slashgear.com/iheartradio-surpasses-20-million-users-sees-over-135-million-downloads-20257809/

9. http://www.katz-media.com/default.aspx

10. http://www.katz-media.com/newsroom/Lists/Newsroom/DispForm.aspx?ID=127&ContentTypeId=0x0104001CC469D696FE464A8A8D4A5554FA03A2

11. http://www.clearchannel.com/MediaAndEntertainment/PressRelease.aspx?PressReleaseID=3148

12. http://www.clearchannel.com/MediaAndEntertainment/PressRelease.aspx?PressReleaseID=3138

13. http://www.clearchannel.com/MediaAndEntertainment/PressRelease.aspx?PressReleaseID=3152

14. http://www.clearchannel.com/MediaAndEntertainment/PressRelease.aspx?PressReleaseID=3157

15. http://www.tritondigital.com/media/default/rankers/oct-ranker-2012.pdf

16. http://www.insideradio.com/Article.asp?id=2588722&spid=32061#.UMETv5PjlKo

17. Logo image: http://typophile.com/files/Clear-Channel-logo%20edit_5618.jpg

18. Pittman image: http://rbr.com/wp-content/uploads/Bob_Pittman1.jpg

19. iHeartRadio image: http://www.iheart.com/ 

20. 12-12-12 image: http://www.121212concert.org/

Belo Corp.

Posted on by 
by Jingjing Shen

Address: 400 South Record Street,

 Dallas, Texas 75202-4841

Phone: 214-977-6606

Fax: 214-977-6603

Official Website: www.belo.com

Overview:

With its values of Integrity, Excellence, Fairness, Sense of purpose and Inclusiveness, Belo Corp. is a multimedia company whose headquarters are located in Dallas, Texas. As one of the most respected and largest television groups in the nation, Belo’s television division owns 20 television stations that include but are not limited to affiliation with FOX, CBS, NBC, ABC and CW Network. Its main markets reach not only audiences from Dallas and Houston in Texas, but also the fast-growing Seattle market in the Northwest and Phoenix market in the Southwest. The Belo stations, which rank either first or second in practically all 15 markets where its business takes place, are capable of reaching more than 14 percent of U.S. television households in 15 highly-attractive markets. Under the leadership of President Dunia A. Shive and Peter L. Diaz, Vice President Carey P. Hendrickson and Guy H. Kerr, the 2,300 employees of the company achieved $650 millions in annual revenue in the year of 2011. Looking at the numbers of 2012, it is not hard to see a tendency for further growth.

Dunia A. Shive President and Chief Executive Officer; Guy H. Kerr Executive Vice President; Carey P. Hendrickson Senior Vice President/Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer; Peter L. Diaz President/Media Operations [1]

For more about Belo Corporation and its television division please click here [2].

 

Brief History:

The footprint of Belo Corp. can be traced back to 1842 when The Daily News had its introduction in Galveston, Texas. In 1981, Belo’s stock officially entered the market and  two years later it was on the list of the New York Stock Exchange. On October 1, 2007, the separation of Belo’s newspaper and television businesses was announced by stripping off its newspaper business to the shareholders as the A. H. Belo Corporation, the same name as the original company when it was first founded. The transaction was officially completed in February 2008, and the television business thus became a legal successor of the prior company. It keeps the name “Belo Corp.”

One of the earliest The Daily News newspapers in 1842

For more about Belo Corporation’s history please click here [3].

 

Financial:

In the third quarter of 2012, Belo’s net earnings per share was $0.24, which almost doubled the number $0.13 of the third quarter in 2011. (The third quarter of 2011 included a credit of $0.02 per share because of the satisfactory resolution of a tax matter.)

http://quotes.wsj.com/BLC/interactive-chart

Belo’s Stock Overview of the Third and Fourth Quarter of 2012 by Wall Street Journal [4]

Station programming, including the operation expense, decreased $1.3 million, which is two percent compared to the third quarter of 2011. This was mainly due to the reduced syndication programming costs. In the same quarter, Belo’s Station adjusted EBITDA grew almost 50 percent compared to the same time period of 2011 and still had a margin of 40 percent compared to the third quarter of 2011.

In this quarter, Belo earned $17.7 million in political revenue and $13.4 million in Olympics revenue, both of which were significantly higher than the revenue recorded in the third quarter of 2008. Revenue from advertising, retransmission fees, barter, network compensation etc. increased nine percent in the third quarter of 2012 compared to the same time in 2011. This is mainly due to the double-digit increase in both Internet and retransmission revenue. In this quarter, the company generated the total revenue of $176 million, 16 percent higher than the third quarter of 2011.

In the fourth quarter of 2012, the Board of Directors declared a particular cash dividend of $0.25 per share for each share of the Series A common stock and Series B common stock that would be paid on December 21, 2012, to the recorded share holders on November 20, 2012. Also, funded primarily by the company’s available cash, Belo announced that 6.75 percent of its Senior Notes, which the principal amount would be $175.9 million, would be redeemed on November 30 of this year, due May 2013.

For more details about Belo’s cash dividend please click and listen to Belo at Deutsche Bank Leveraged Finance Conference [5] on October 10, 2012.

For the fourth quarter, Belo expected the political revenue to finish in the margin of $29 million to $30 million, which would result in $58 million to $59 million of political revenue for all of 2012.

For more about Belo Corporation financial report please click here [6].

 

Employees

Primarily due to the increasing annual merit, the employee benefits, wages and station salaries of employees as well as the higher commissions of Belo Corp. raised as high as 4 percent, in other words $2.3 million during the third quarter of 2012 [7].

 

Stations & Audiences

Belo television station group includes affiliations with ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, CW and MyNetwork TV, which reaches more than 14 percent of U.S. television households in 15 highly-attractive markets.

Belo’s Twenty TV Stations in Four Major Market Region [8]

 For more about Belo’s Television Group please click here[9].

 

Latest News:

It’s Your Time Logo from 13-WVEC Website

08/09/12
Belo announced its election coverage plans, stating that the company’s news-producing stations would televise at least one hour of political coverage each week in the six weeks prior to the general election on November 6. The 2012 election coverage might include issue- and ad-watch programming, debates, and interviews with candidates from the local, state and federal level. A special spot named “It’s Your Time” which candidates can use to announce why they should be elected on Belo’s multicast channels was offered to them for free. 159 congressional and gubernatorial candidates participated in this program[10].

To watch all It’s Your Time vedios online, please click here [11].

09/11/12

KGW NewsChannel 8 was named Television Station of the Year by the Oregon Association of Broadcasters at its annual conference on September 7, 2012. For nine of the last ten years, the station had beaten its competitors and kept the title. KGW NewsChannel 8 also earned nine “Awards of Excellence”, and defeated all the other Portland television stations[12].

09/18/12

Linda Danna, President and General Manager of WHAS-TV[13]

Belo Corp. announced on the 18thof September, 2012 that Linda Danna had been named president and general manager of WHAS-TV, Belo’s ABC-affiliated station in Louisville, Kentucky. She would be in her new position on October 15, 2012. Danna recently served as vice president and general manager of KGPE-TV in Fresno, California. During her previous career, Danna had been an outstanding leader who was keenly aware of the media landscape and its emerging opportunities[14].

 

9/20/12

One this day, Belo’s Dallas-Fort Worth television station broadcasted a debate featuring U.S. Senate candidates, in which Republican candidate, former Texas Solicitor General Ted Cruz, and Democrat and former State Representative Paul Sadler squared off in a live broadcast. WFAA, Belo’s ABC-affiliated station in Dallas, Taxes, would carry the debate live along with Belo Corp. Belo’s subsidiary station KENS in San Antonio would broadcast the debate on a delayed basis[15].

10/03/12

The award was accepted by Eric Valadez, a WFAA producer, and Art MacLaren, WFAA’s chief director of the 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. newscasts [16].

Belo Corp. Television Station WFAA-TV, the ABC-affiliated station in Dallas was honored with a National News & Documentary Emmy Award by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences on this day in New York.
A Day of Weather, WFAA’s winning piece, continuously covered a heavy storm that inundated Dallas in September 2010 [17].

 

 

 

10/15/12

Belo Names Brad Ramsey President of General Manager of WVEC-TV[18]

On this day, Belo announced that Brad Ramsey had been named president and general manager of WVEC-TV, Belo’s ABC-affiliated station in Hampton/Norfolk, Virginia. He would start his new role beginning November 5, 2012.
Since July 2008, Ramsey has served as vice president and General Manager of WCAV-TV (CBS), WAHU-TV (FOX), and WVAW-TV (ABC), all in Charlottesville, Virginia. His experience in the Virginia marketplace would be a significant asset to WVEC[19].

11/15/12

Lone Star Chapter of the National Television Academy[20]

On this day, Belo’s WFAA took home 21 awards of excellence presented by the Lone Star Chapter of the National Television Academy. This Belo’s  Dallas-Fort Worth station was honored in various news categories including sports and weather, team coverage, breaking news, as well as in categories for technical achievement and local programming, topping all the other stations in the same market[21].

 

11/27/12

The Nielsen survey result which took place from October 25 to November 21 proved that KGW NewsChannel 8’s leadership position in news continued. KGW NewsChannel 8 has the highest viewership of both local and national news programs by a wide range of audience in both rating and share averages in the entire 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. block as measured by Nielsen station estimates live and same day viewing [22].

 

 Outlook

Looking to the fourth quarter, Dunia A. Shive, Belo’s President and Chief Executive Officer, indicated that the November 30 redemption of the 6.75 percent Senior Notes due May 2013 was expected to result in an after-tax charge of approximately $2.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2012. This would be an after-tax savings in interest expense of approximately $3.1 million in the first five months of 2013. On November 30, Belo’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend for the first quarter of 2013 of $0.08 for each share of Series A common stock and Series B common stock to be paid on March 1, 2013, to shareholders of record on February 8, 2013[23].

 

Sources:

[1] Belo Corp. Management Team http://www.belo.com/about/management

[2] Belo Corp. About Page http://www.belo.com/about/overview

[3] Belo Corp. Timeline http://www.belo.com/about/history

[4] Belo Corp. Wall Street Journal Stock Chart http://quotes.wsj.com/BLC/interactive-chart

[5] Belo at Deutsche Bank Leveraged Finance Conference http://earningscast.com/BLC/20121010

[6] Belo Corporation financial report http://www.belo.com/invest/reports

[7]Belo Corp. 3rd Quarter 2012 Earning Release http://images.bimedia.net/documents/09302012_Full_release.pdf

[8][9] Belo Corporation Television Group http://www.belo.com/companies/tv-group

[10] It’s Your Time – Belo Program Offers Candidates Free Airtime http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/159-congressional-gubernatorial-candidates-participate-in-belo-program-that-offers-candidates-free-airtime-75215682.html

[11] 13 WVEC It’s Your Time videos                                              http://www.wvec.com/video?sec=553947&ref=articlevidmod

[12] KGW Newschannel 8 Named Station of The Year by OAB

http://www.belo.com/newsroom/releases/KGW-NewsChannel-8-named-Station-of-the-Year-by-OAB-169315276.html

[13][14] Linda Danna, President and General Manager of WHAS-TV http://dallas.citybizlist.com/article/belo-names-linda-danna-president-and-general-manager-whas-tv

[15] WFAA-TV Schedules U.S. Senate Election Debate to Be Broadcast Live http://www.belo.com/newsroom/releases/WFAA-TV-schedules-US-Senate-Election-Debate-to-be-Broadcast-Live-on-Television-and-Radio-Stations-Statewide-on-October-2-2012-170559376.html

[16][17] Belo Corp. Television Station WFAA-TV Wins National Emmy Award http://www.belo.com/newsroom/releases/Belo-Corp-Television-Station-WFAA-TV-Wins-National-Emmy-Award-172526701.html

[18][19] Belo Names Brad Ramsey President of General Manager of WVEC-TV  http://dallas.citybizlist.com/article/belo-names-brad-ramsey-president

[20] Lone Star Chapter of the National Television Academy http://lonestaremmy.org/

[21] WFAA-TV Collects 21 Texas Emmy Awards http://www.belo.com/newsroom/releases/WFAA-TV-collects-21-Texas-Emmy-Awards-in-categories-including-Breaking-News-Team-Coverge-and-more-at-Lone-Star-Emmy-Ceremony-November-10-179532751.html

[22] KGW Newschannel 8 is Portland’s #1 News Station In November http://www.belo.com/newsroom/releases/KGW-NewsChannel-8-is-Portlands-1-News-Station-in-November-180988721.html

[23] Belo Corp. 3rd Quarter 2012 Earning Release http://images.bimedia.net/documents/09302012_Full_release.pdf

 

 

Tribune Broadcasting

Posted on by 
by James Natalie

 

Tribune logo image courtsey wikipedia.org

History

Founded in 1847, the Tribune Company has demonstrated its powerful stance in the media industry as its newspapers, television stations, radio stations, and websites now reach over 80 percent of households nationwide. [1]

After its television division started out in 1948 with the establishment of WGN-TV in Chicago and WPIX-TV in New York, two stations that proved to be the heart of Tribune Television, Tribune Television continued to prosper and in 1981 the Tribune Broadcasting Company was born. Already having acquired a third television station, Denver’s KWGN-TV, Tribune Broadcasting went on to buy stations in Atlanta, New Orleans, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and Boston in years to follow.

Chicago Cubs playing at Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL
photo courtesy cubs.com

However, popular for its Chicago Cubs baseball broadcasts on WGN-TV and WGN Radio, Tribune Broadcasting Company’s first order of business in 1981 was stringing a deal with the Wrigley family to purchase the Chicago Cubs baseball team for a total of $20.5 million. WGN-TV, along with WGN Radio, have been broadcasting Cubs games ever since. [1]

Noteworthy events for Tribune’s television stations:

  • 1958: KGWN-TV begins as Denver’s first television station.
  • 1958: Los Angeles’ KTLA-TV is first television station to own a helicopter for news reporting.
  • 1959: WPIX-TV introduces the instant replay method during a New York Yankees baseball game. [1]

Key Personnel

Nils Larsen photo courtesy mediabistro.com

Samuel Zell – Chairman of Tribune Company

Eddy Hartenstein – President and CEO, Tribune Company; Publisher and CEO, Los Angeles Times

Nils Larsen – Chief Investment Officer, Tribune Company; President and CEO, Tribune   Broadcasting [2]

 

Current Rankings

The Tribune Company is currently ranked as the 22nd most leading media company in the United States. As of September 30th, 2012, Tribune Company has recorded a 3% decrease in net U.S. media revenue from $3.20 billion in 2010 to $3.11 billion in 2011. Within that span, Tribune’s broadcast TV medium (Tribune Broadcasting) net U.S. revenue also dropped from $748 million to $715 million. [3]

However, Tribune Broadcasting has affiliates in New York (WPIX-TV), Los Angeles (KTLA-TV), Chicago (WGN-TV), Philadelphia (WPHL-TV), and Dallas-Fort Worth (KDAF-TV). [4] According to the Nielsen 2012-13 DMA ranks effective September 22nd, 2012 for the 2012-2013 TV season, these markets rank 1-5 respectively and are estimated to reach nearly 19.3% – almost one-fifth – of the United States collectively, totaling 22,019,930 homes. [5] With these affiliates representing WPIX, WGN, myTV, and CW, they carry a number of popular syndicated programs such as Two and a Half Men, The Big Bang Theory and Friends. In addition, with these WPIX, WGN, myTV, and CW stations having their own local news, Tribune relies heavily on these five stations as a constant source of revenue despite the recent downward trend. [6] [7] [8] [9]

FOX photo courtesy clearchannel.com

Tribune Broadcasting has bigger affiliations with major networks such as FOX and ABC. Tribune has seven FOX affiliated stations, all within Neilsen’s top 50 estimated markets for the 2012-2013 TV season – Seattle-Tacoma (#12), Sacramento-Stockton-Modesto (#20), Indianapolis (#26), San Diego (#28), Hartford & New Haven (#30), Grand Rapids-Kalamazoo-Battle Creek (#39), and Harrisburg-Lancaster-Lebanon-York (#43). Tribune’s one ABC affiliate in New Orleans ranks just outside the top fifty, coming in at #51. For the full rankings click here.

ABC photo courtesy news10.net

FOX has enjoyed the early 2012-2013 season success of its shows such as New Girl and The X-Factor, while ABC has watched its 2012-2013 season start with a bang as its popular programs such as Modern Family, Grey’s Anatomy, Once Upon a Time, Revenge, and The Middle dominated the season premiere ratings. These affiliates prove to be some of Tribune Broadcasting’s biggest investments for constant revenue. [10]

Current Activities

Samuel Zell photo courtesy Damian Dovarganes/Associated Press

The Tribune Company is clearly experiencing financial difficulty and trying to stay alive in the broadcasting industry to keep up with its competitors. In December 2007, Tribune was bought out by current Chairman Samuel Zell for $8.2 billion, but a year later in December 2008, Tribune filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Zell’s buyout is believed to have been completed by using mostly borrowed money from banks, therefore raising Tribune’s debt to $13 billion at the time bankruptcy was filed. Much of the turmoil over the past years has not fully receded, but Tribune is now on the back end of this deal and concentrating on solving it. [11]

July 23, 2012

Tribune Company’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy was signed off by Judge Kevin Carey, allowing the company to be owned by a number of hedge funds and banks.

JP Morgan Chase & Co. photo courtesy elitedaily.com

Under the order, Oaktree Capital Group LLC, JP Morgan Chase & Co., and Angelo, Gordon & Co. will be the new primary owners of the Tribune Company. [12]

August 9, 2012

Several groups objected the decision by Judge Kevin Carey and filed appeals to stop Tribune’s exit from Chapter 11 bankruptcy until a higher court can oversee the situation. Among these groups are Aurelius Capital Management, but more interestingly, Samuel Zell, the very man who people blame Tribune’s problems for. Tribune complains that a delay to exit from Chapter 11 bankruptcy can cost anywhere between $1.5 billion and $3 billion. Staying in bankruptcy could disable potential broadcasting partnerships and other strategic opportunities, and Chief Executive Eddy Hartenstein says it will put Tribune at a competitive disadvantage, forcing them to play “catch-up” with other companies. Although Zell’s comments were not provided, challengers to the ruling such as Aurelius Capital Management said that a delay would not harm Tribune, stating that Tribune has instead benefited and seen its value increase since they have been in bankruptcy. Tribune’s attorneys attribute this trend to Tribune’s exemption to pay interest on its loans, allowing them to increase profits. [13]

August 25, 2012

 

Cablevision photo courtsey curepc.org

Cablevision dropped several Tribune Broadcasting stations over its continued fight over retransmission fees. On August 17, 2012, Cablevision dropped Tribune’s CW affiliates in New York (WPIX-TV), Denver (KWGN-TV), and Waterbury, Connecticut (WCCT-TV), and its MyNetwork affiliate in Philadelphia (WPHL-TV). Cablevision added on to that list of valuable stations with new losses of Tribune’s FOX affiliate in Hartford (WTIC-TV) along with WGN America nationwide. Cablevision is one of the most popular television services in the New York metropolitan area and other Western states that reaches millions of customers. [14] Cablevision stated that Tribune removed these stations “even after Cablevision agreed to pay all the fees they demanded.” Tribune countered that by saying they “never made any threat to withdraw these stations or demand that Cablevision remove them.” [15] [16]

September 21, 2012

As a result of Judge Kevin Carey’s decision to release Tribune from Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the company has been looking to restructure. At the head of the list of CEO possibilities is Peter Liguori, as sources believe he is the “leading candidate.” Mr. Liguori has previously been President of Fox Broadcasting and Chief Operating Officer of Discovery Communications. Peter stepped down from his role as COO of Discovery Communications to become a strategic advisor for the telecommunications and media team of the private equity firm, Carlyle Group LP. If Liguori was to become the new CEO of Tribune, he would replace Eddy Hartenstein, who has been serving since May 2011. However, appointing a new CEO will prove to be a time consuming task. Tribune must first receive permission by the Federal Communications Commission to fully emerge from bankruptcy. Also, Tribune has to form a new board of directors and have that, too, approved by the FCC. Then, the company’s new projected owners, Oaktree Capital Group LLC, JP Morgan & Chase Co., and Angelo, Gordon & Co. have to approve Mr. Liguori as the new CEO. Before Peter Liguori, other powerful names such as Jeff Zucker and Michael Eisner had been rumored to be the leaders for the new CEO of Tribune. [17]

November 16, 2012

The Federal Communications Commission approved Judge Kevin Carey’s decision and granted waivers for Tribune Company to emerge from bankruptcy. Tribune and the FCC agreed on equal distribution of power within public airwaves between Tribune’s new primary owners, Oaktree Capital Group LLC, JP Morgan & Chase Co., and Angelo, Gordon & Co. Tribune is expected to fully exit Chapter 11 bankruptcy within the next several weeks. [18]

Works Cited:

[1]: History page, Tribune  http://corporate.tribune.com/pressroom/?page_id=2313 Retrieved 6 December 2012

[2]: About page, Tribune http://corporate.tribune.com/pressroom/?page_id=2 Retrieved 6 December 2012

[3]: Major Media Companies – Tribune Company, Advertising Age http://adage.com/datacenter/mediatrees2012/#141 Retrieved 6 December 2012

[4]: Markets & Stations – Tribune Company, TV Basics http://www.tvb.org/markets_stations#!id=661&type=broadcast_group Retrieved 6 December 2012

[5]: 2012-2013 DMA Ranks, Neilsen http://www.nielsen.com/us/en/measurement/television-measurement.html Sept. 22, 2012. Retrieved 6 December 2012

[6]: WPIX New Yorkhttp://pix11.com/ Retrieved 6 December 2012

[7]: WGN Chicago http://www.wgntv.com/ Retrieved 6 December 2012

[8]: MyPHL17 Philadelphia http://www.myphl17.com/ Retrieved 6 December 2012

[9]: The CW33 Dallas – Ft. Worth http://nightcaptv.com/ Retrieved 6 December 2012

[10]: Summer/Fall 2012 Premiere Ratings, TV Basics  http://www.tvb.org/measurement/summer_primetime_broadcast Retrieved 6 December 2012

[11]: Samuel Zell, New York Times http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/z/sam_zell/index.html Aug. 31, 2009. Retrieved 6 December 2012

[12]: “Bankruptcy Judge Endorses Tribune Co. Ch. 11 Plan,” Peg Brickley, Dow Jones http://bankruptcynews.dowjones.com/article?an=DJFDBR0020120723e87nmnkqo&r=wsjblog&ReturnUrl=http%3a%2f%2fbankruptcynews.dowjones.com%3a80%2farticle%3fan%3dDJFDBR0020120723e87nmnkqo%26r%3dwsjblog Jul. 23, 2012. Retrieved 6 December 2012

[13]: “Tribune Says Bankruptcy Appeal Could Cause $1.5 Billion Damage,” Peg Brickley, Dow Jones http://bankruptcynews.dowjones.com/article?an=%20DJFDBR0020120809e889lsurs%20&r=wsjblog&ReturnUrl=http%3a%2f%2fbankruptcynews.dowjones.com%3a80%2farticle%3fan%3d%2520DJFDBR0020120809e889lsurs%2520%26r%3dwsjblog Aug. 9, 2012. Retrieved 6 December 2012

[14]: About page, Cablevision http://www.cablevision.com/about/ Retrieved 6 December 2012

[15]: “Cablevision Loses Tribune’s WGN America, Hartford Fox Affiliate,” Todd Spangler, Multichannel News http://www.multichannel.com/cable-operators/cablevision-loses-tribunes-wgn-america-hartford-fox-affiliate/140004 Aug. 25, 2012. Retrieved 6 December 2012

[16]: “Cablevision Drops Tribune-Owned WPIX, KWGN, WCCT, WPHL in Yet Another Fee Dispute,” Phillip Dampier, Stop the Cap http://stopthecap.com/2012/08/21/cablevision-drops-tribune-owned-wpix-kwgn-wcct-wphl-in-yet-another-fee-dispute/Aug. 21, 2012. Retrieved 6 December 2012

[17]: “Tribune eyes former Discovery executive Liguori as CEO,” Ronald Grover and Peter Lauria  http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/09/21/us-tribune-liguori-idUSBRE88K16R20120921 Sept. 21, 2012. Retrieved 6 December 2012

[18]: “FCC grants Tribune Co. waivers, clears way to end bankruptcy,” Jim Puzzanghera, Los Angeles Times http://www.latimes.com/business/money/la-fi-mo-tribune-fcc-waivers-20121116,0,1824756.story Nov. 16, 2012. Retrieved 6 December 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paramount Pictures

Posted on by

By, Anthony Mormile

[30]

Company Description

Paramount Pictures Corporation is subsidiary of Viacom. It is a production and distribution company for film and television. Paramount is famed for continuously producing top-grossing motion pictures.

Paramount Executives

BRAD GREY Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Paramount Pictures Corporation

FREDERICK HUNTSBERRY Chief Operating Officer, Paramount Pictures

ROB MOORE Vice Chairman, Paramount Pictures

ADAM GOODMAN President, Paramount Film Group

Paramount Pictures Public Relations

Official Website: http://www.paramount.com

Twitter Handle: @ParamountPics

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Paramount?fref=ts

Youtube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/paramount

A Brief History

Paramount was the byproduct of Adolph Zukor’s Famous Players Film Company merging with Jesse L Lasky’s Lasky Feature Play Company in 1916. Paramount Pictures recognizes Zukor’s company’s establishment date as their own (1912).

Founding Fathers of Paramount

Throughout the the 20th century, Paramount went through its ups and downs, inventing and re-inventing itself while changing hands of ownership many times over. It entered new prosperity under Gulf + Western thanks to Robert Evans‘ leadership. This lasted through the 70’s into the 90’s. In 1994, Paramount Communications (the parent company for Paramount Pictures, at the time) merged with Viacom, putting it under its ownership. In 2005, Brad Grey was appointed Chairman and CEO. Grey has continued the quarter century long tradition of unwavering success. In 2011, Paramount produced six-consecutive films that broke the 100 million dollar box office gross mark; an unrivaled achievement. They are now, in 2012, celebrating Paramount’s centennial. [29]

Paramount Activity

In the fiscal third quarter, parent company, Viacom was down from 2011. Paramount’s theatrical revenue being down by 52% – as a result of fewer summer releases – did not help matters. Several of these releases during the summer reflect partnerships that no longer will exist with Paramount moving forward. These include the Marvel (now Disney IP) and DreamWorks Animation (20th Century Fox IP) films. This demonstrates Paramount’s dire need to find new, fresh content and put out more theatrical releases. The only other Paramount summer releases included one original film Sacha Baron Cohen‘s The Dictator. The rest were re-releases of films like Titanic. [28]

Now in the fourth fiscal quarter, Viacom reports a stronger quarter, but is still not doing as well as they should be. Paramount has reportedly done better but is expected to report losses in the upcoming year’s fiscal first quarter. It is anticipated it will gradually improve thereafter. [27]

With the success of the Paranormal Activity franchise, Paramount Pictures created a new company called Insurge Pictures in 2010. The goal of the company is to duplicate that franchise’s success by producing a series of micro-budget films and giving them wide-releases. It’s a low risk, but potential for high-reward venture. To this sub-divisions credit are the succeeding Paranormal Activity pictures, The Devil Inside, and both the Katy Perry and Justin Beiber movies (Part of Me and Never Say Never respectively). [26]

See Insurge Pictures’ website here:  http://www.insurgepictures.com/

Recent News

December 4, 2012

A new international trailer is released of Paramount’s upcoming film Jack Reacher starring Tom Cruise. This trailer reveals more characters than previous ones. [25]

November 20, 2012

Paramount sets Paranormal Activity 5 release date for October 15, 2013. There is also discussion of developing a spin-off franchise. [24]

November 15, 2012

The highly anticipated Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away premieres December 21st in 3D.

November 14, 2012

The first 9-minutes of Star Trek: Into Darkness to air before the IMAX theatrical showing of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. [23]

November 13, 2012

Joel Silver has been given a deal by Paramount to produce his next horror flick, Sanctuary. The story centers around a fictitious, secret Vatican-run program that aims to train the demonically possessed to use their powers against evil. [22]

November 8, 2012

Michael Bay cast Mark Wahlberg in Transformers 4 slated for release June 27, 2014. Wahlberg also stars in Bay’s upcoming film Pain and Gain, another Paramount release, on April 23, 2013. [21]

November 7, 2012

Paramount is producing Brett Ratner‘s Hercules alongside MGM. It will begin production in 2013 and is based on Radical Studio’s graphic novel. [20]

November 5, 2012

Anheuser-Busch, a brewing company, has asked Paramount to hide or remove the Budweiser logos from the newly released Denzel Washington film, Flight – a movie about an alcoholic pilot. Legally, Paramount is not obligated to. [19]

John Singleton settles in his lawsuit against Paramount Pictures and MTV Films. [18]

October 29, 2012

Paramount gets Nia Vardalos‘ Leftovers, an “anti-romantic comedy.” It is still in-development. [17]

October 25, 2012

Paramount pledges to put Adam Sandler‘s new western comedy, The Ridiculous 6 into production in April 2013. [16]

Insurge Pictures and Yahoo! announce the 2-season renewal of Burning Love, a comedy series which plays on Yahoo! Screen and is produced in part by Ben Stiller’s company, Red Hour Digital. [15]

October 24, 2012

Paramount Insurge acquires Jayson Rothwell‘s script, Patrol. A story about Marines met by an unexpected twist after chasing drug smugglers to a remote island. [14]

Paramount closes a deal to acquire Our Name is Adam; a project that already has Tom Cruise attached to it. Cruise, as an astronaut, goes back in time to work with his younger self. [13]

October 19, 2012

Paramount acquires Wayne Kramer‘s pitch for a new movie called, The Circuit. He will write and direct the picture. [12]

October 11, 2012

Fans vote worldwide on where Paramount Pictures will pre-release the fourth installment of Paranormal Activity prior to the overall theatrical release. The contest was held through a voting application integrated in Facebook. The application is called “Want It” which plays into the franchises long-standing PR “demand it” campaign. [11]

October 5, 2012

Melrose Investors 2 amends a lawsuit it has against Paramount for holding out on profit-sharing by mis-reporting film earnings. They now are going after parent company Viacom and holding them responsible. [10]

Paramount picks up Michael Bay-produced “found-footage” movie called, Almanac. The project is “top secret” and being kept under wrap for the time being. Dean Israelite makes his directorial debut with this film. [9]

October 4, 2012

Sacha Baron Cohen, once again, teams up with Paramount for a follow up to The Dictator. This new comedy, The Lesbian, will center around the Hong Kong billionaire’s reward to marry off his lesbian daughter to any male suitor. [8]

John Singelton‘s suit against a contract breach with Paramount is given a court date. The case is Singelton’s grievance with Paramount Pictures and MTV Films for rescinding on a two-picture deal he alleges he was promised after allowing them to acquire 2005’s Hustle & Flow. [7]

October 3, 2012

Trailer released for The Guilt Trip starring Seth Rogen and Barbra Streisand. Christmas Day theatrical release. [6]

Also in the news today…

Paramount acquires the rights to the Clark Baker‘s sci-fi horror short Vessel. Stephen Susco is on board to adapt it for the big screen. [5]

September 4, 2012

Amazon.com reached a deal with Epix to gain high-profile films for its instant-streaming service. Included in the deal are many films from the Paramount catalogue. [4]

September 3, 2012

Paramount celebrates 100 years of movies and music by hosting an event at the Hollywood Bowl. Paramount played clips from its vault of classic and contemporary films. These clips were accompanied by a live orchestra which played pieces from some of their most famous films’ soundtracks. [3]

August 20, 2012

DreamWorks Animation no longer to distribute through Paramount. They move to a 5-year deal with Twentieth Century Fox in pursuit of “more favorable economics overall for DreamWorks Animation…” [2]

August 16, 2012

Paramount pictures gears up to develop its animation department. Following the success of Rango, their first animated project since separating from a brief DreamWorks affiliation, the company will make a second Spongebob Squarepants movie and other movies based off of Nickelodeon IP. Paramount, prior to this, had not had its own animation division officially since 1967. [1]

“To start filling a pipeline, Paramount chief Brad Grey is turning to sister division Nickelodeon to supply much of the IP. Though development has not begun yet, possible Nickelodeon products that could be turned into films include Dora the Explorer, The Legend of Korra and Monkey Quest. Company boasts a strong consumer products, travel and resorts biz to boost future pics’ earnings potential.” – published in Variety

References

[1] Paramount Ramping Up Animation Slate. Graser, Marc. 16 August 2012. http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118057934

[2] DreamWorks Animation Enters Into New Five-Year Distribution Agreement With Twentieth Century Fox. 20 August 2012. http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dreamworks-animation-enters-into-new-five-year-distribution-agreement-with-twentieth-century-fox-166798526.html

[3] Paramount Celebrates 100 Years of Movie Music at Hollywood Bowl. Belloni, Matthew. 3 Sepetember 2012. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/paramount-hollywood-bowl-jason-alexander-star-trek-367508

[4] Amazon Adds Movies to Streaming Service in New Challenge to Netflix. 4 September 2012. http://adage.com/article/media/amazon-adds-epix-movies-streaming-service/237003/

[5] Par abducts Sci-Fi short ‘Vessel’ for Feature. Sneider, Jeff. Variety. 3 October 2012. http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118060235/

[6] Barbara Streisand and Seth Rogen Hit the Road in ‘The Guilt Trip.’ Anderton, Ethan. 3 October 2012. http://www.firstshowing.net/2012/barbra-streisand-seth-rogen-hit-the-road-in-the-guilt-trip-trailer/

[7] John Singleton ‘Hustle & Flow’ Lawsuit Set for Trial. Greeves, Natasha. 4 October 2012. http://blogs.indiewire.com/shadowandact/john-singleton-lawsuit-set-for-trial

[8] Sacha Baron Cohen Courting ‘The Lesbian.’ Kroll, Justin. Variety. http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118060301

[9] Paramount Picks Up Top-Secret ‘Almanac’ Project With Michael Bay Producing. 5 October 2012. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/paramount-almanac-michael-bay-376450

[10] Paramount Investors Target Viacom in Amended Lawsuit. Gardner, Eriq. 5 October 2012. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/paramount-investors-viacom-revenue-lawsuit-376712

[11] Paranormal Activity Fans Around the World Have Wanted It! Paramount Pictures. 11 October 2012. http://www.paramount.com/news-and-social-media/news-and-press-releases/paranormal-activity-fans-around-world-have-wanted-it

[12] Wayne Kramer Does ‘Circuit’ at Par. Kroll, Justin. Variety. 19 October 2012. http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118061023/

[13] Paramount, Skydance Close Deal For Tom Cruise-Attached Script, ‘Our Name is Adam.’ Fleming, Mike Jr. 24 October 2012. http://www.deadline.com/2012/10/paramount-skydance-close-deal-for-tom-cruise-attached-script-our-name-is-adam//

[14] Paramount Insurge Lands Jayson Rothwell Spec, ‘Patrol.’ Fleming, Mike Jr. 24 October 2012. http://www.deadline.com/2012/10/paramount-insurge-lands-jayson-rothwell-spec-patrol//

[15] Paramount’s Insurge Pictures and Yahoo! Announce Hit Comedy Series ‘Burning Love’ will return to Yahoo! Screen For Two More Seasons. Paramount. 30 October 2012. http://www.paramount.com/news-and-social-media/news-and-press-releases/paramount-s-insurge-pictures-and-yahoo-announce-hit

[16] Adam Sandler’s Next: Ridiculous 6. Fleming, Mike Jr. 25 October 2012. http://www.deadline.com/2012/10/adam-sandlers-next-ridiculous-6//

[17] Par Gets ‘Leftovers.’  McNary, Dave. Variety. 25 October 2012. http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118061362?refCatId=13/

[18] John Singleton Settles ‘Hustle & Flow’ Lawsuit Against Paramount, MTV  Films. The Wrap.05 November 2012. http://www.thewrap.com/movies/column-post/john-singleton-settles-hustle-flow-lawsuit-against-paramount-mtv-films-63816

[19] Anheuser-Busch Asks Paramount Pictures to Remove Budweiser from Denzel Washington Movie ‘Flight.’ McCartney, Anthony. 05 November 2012. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/05/budweiser-flight-removal-paramount_n_2080328.html

[20] Paramount Producing Brett Ratner’s ‘Herecules’ with MGM. Miller, Daniel. 07 November 2012. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/risky-business/hercules-dwayne-johnson-brett-ratner-387516

[21] Mark Wahlberg Confirmed as the New Lead in Transformers 4, Plus a New Logo for the Film. Trumbore, David. 08 November 2012. http://collider.com/mark-wahlberg-transformers-4/209779/

[22] Joel Silver Finds ‘Sanctuary’ at Paramount. Fleming, Mike Jr. http://www.deadline.com/2012/11/joel-silver-finds-sanctuary-at-paramount/

[23] ‘Star Trek Into Darkness’ Will Sneak Before ‘The Hobbit.’ McClintock, Pamela. 14 November 2012. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/star-trek-footage-will-sneak-390690

[24] ‘Paranormal Activity 5’ Confirmed for Halloween 2013; Latino Spin-Off Next Spring. Schaefer, Sandy. http://screenrant.com/paranormal-activity-5-latino-spinoff-confirmed/

[25] ‘Jack Reacher’ International Trailer Introduces New Characters; Grittier Plot Info. Nailon, Buffy. 05 December 2012. http://www.examiner.com/article/jack-reacher-international-trailer-introduces-new-characters-grittier-plot-info

[26] Para(mount’s Ab)normal Activity: $1MM Yearly for Microbudget Films. Miller, Scott.  ScreenRant. http://screenrant.com/paramount-microbudget-films-paranormal-activity-scottm-37762/

[27] Viacom Earnings Plummet; Paramount Revenue Down 29%. James, Meg. LA Times. 03 August 2012. http://articles.latimes.com/2012/aug/03/entertainment/la-et-ct-viacom-earnings-20120803

[28] Viacom Earnings Climb, But Paramount Weaker, Ads Light. Harlin, Kevin. Investors.com. 15 November 2012. http://news.investors.com/business/111512-633555-viacom-fourth-quarter-earnings-beat.htm

[29] The Paramount Story. 2012. http://www.paramount.com/100-years-paramount/paramount-story

[30] Paramount logo. http://www.hollywoodbowl.com/sites/default/files/styles/performance_slideshow/public/program_photos/paramount_685x250.jpg

Raycom Media

Posted on by

        by Katherine J Hart

Courtesy Raycom Media

Raycom Media is a broadcasting and television production company. It is one of the nation’s largest broadcasters with regional cable deals and exclusive digital media rights to the Atlantic Coast Conference college athletics. Rraycom owns and operates Raycom Sports, Tupelo-Honey Productions and Broadview Media. The company affiliates with national broadcasting leaders like ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX and MNTV for local news. This network reaches 37 regional television markets with 48 different stations, is watched in 12.6% of U.S. television households, and is viewed in 18 states. (1)

Contact

Raycom Media Inc., RSA Tower 201 Monroe St. 20th fl., Montgomery, AL 361404. Telephone: 334-206-1400. Fax: 334-206-1555. http://www.raycommedia.com

Courtesy Raycom Media

Paul McTear, President and CEO

Courtesy Raycom Media

Wayne Daughery, Executive Vice President and COO

Jeff Rosser, Don Richards, Leon Long, and Brad Streit are all Television Vice Presidents

History
Raycom Media was created in 1996. Bert Ellis formed the Ellis Communications group in 1992 with control over 13 television stations and two radio stations. Ellis then went on to purchase Raycom Sports, a marketing firm that had already been in business for 15 years. The merge to become Raycom Media occurred after Ellis sold his share to a growing media group that had ownership in the South and Midwest region of the country. Three parties, including Federal Broadcasting’s TV Group, Retirement Systems of Alabama and the original Raycom Media came together to expand their broadcasting power. This new Raycom Media corporation joined with Malrite Commuications in 1998 and acquired The Liberty Corporation in 2006. Lincoln Financial Sports was also bought by Raycom Sports in 2007 and the company continues to look for ways to grow today.   (2)

Raycom Media, Inc. Current Events

September
September 7, 2012, Raycom Sports announced the start of the “Ultimate Road Trip” Contest. This event ran from September 8 to November 8, 2012 and was sponsored by Chevrolet and the ACC. The ACC Road Trip Driven by Chevy is a television program on Raycom Sports and it launched this sweepstakes. Two grand prize award trips for the 2012 Country Music Awards in Nashville, Tennessee were up for lottery as well as speciality prizes that were drawn throughout the two months. Fans entered online by visiting the site, www.theACC.com/RoadTrip or going to www.Facebook.com/theACC. The  promotion rewards those who tune into the weekly program and linking the love of football to the love for country music. The ACC Road Trip Driven by Chevy program highlights the traditions, campuses, and tailgates of the ACC college games and has been honored with Emmy Awards and Telly Awards. The host, Tommy Kane brings a comical narrative with spunky energy to the inside look of what makes every college in this conference unique and fun. (3)

Courtesy Raycom Sports

October
On October 10, 2012, Raycom Media released a statement on the website titled “Proud of Our Management Diversity.” The main page of the company website highlights the initiative to stay involved in the communities it serves, and to provide various viewpoints on news and local issues. This goal is in constant progress, and as the news release states, Raycom is successful in this work. The National Association of Black Journalists has recognized Raycom Media as having the highest diversity index of all broadcast groups surveyed. 31 of its 179 television newsroom managers are people of color, and overall, at least 60% of the companies stations have one person of color or more in a ranking position. Raycom had made an effort, starting in early 2012 to work with the National Association of Black Journalists to focus on the promotion of the people of color perspective. According to Bob Butler, Vice President of NABJ, Raycom is the only television group to welcome the diversity initiative and create such quick progress across their companies leadership portfolio. (4)

November
WXIX-TV, a Raycom owned station in Cincinnati, Ohio is making news of its own for some bad reasons. On November 14, 2012, Tricia Macke, a co-anchor for the evening newscast, was suspended by her station for making remarks that have been interpreted as homophobic. The comments were written on Facebook and were directed at Rachel Maddow, the MSNBC host. Bill Lanesey, the general manager of WXIX-TV kept Macke off air for two days as she worked to mend the controversy. The GLAAD division in the Ohio area demanded a response from the vocal news anchor. Tricia Macke apologized online for any offense caused by her comments, and she made it clear that her words in no way reflected the opinion and position of her employer, WXIX-TV, and more broadly, Raycom Media.  (5)

Raycom Media Networks Current Events

Raycom Sports: Raycom Sports is the most prominent division of Raycom Media Inc. With owned television rights to the Atlantic Coast Conference, ACC, since the 1980s, Raycom Sports is the central viewing station for these college football and men’s basketball games. A sublicensing agreement was met with Raycom Sports and ESPN in 2012 that Raycom will be the national syndicator for the ACC conference and this deal will continue until at least 2027. Raycom Sports created the Belk Bowl, a tournament featuring the Big East versus the ACC leagues. Raycom is involved in the operations of these games and also organizes the ACC Championships. Ken Haines and about 50 employees working under him, run Raycom Sports in Charlotte, North Carolina. (3)

Courtesy Louisville Cardinals

September 9, 2012: Viewers express unhappiness with Raycom’s coverage of Clemson University football games. Commercials for local business often interupted the video feed, and even some blank screens have appeared during the broadcast. Fans of ACC football worry that this quality professionalism from the network will lower the status and reputation of the league overall.

October 26, 2012: Business Journalist, Erik Spanberg, in Charlotte, NC speculates that the new network Speed, a News Corp. owned property could grow in the Charlotte area to become an all-encompassing sports channel. This would mean new competition for Raycom Sports who is also based in Charlotte. Raycom Sports provides general sports news and specializes in ACC college athletics. With Speed moving into the area, Raycom Sports could lose viewers.

November 20, 2012: Raycom Sports recieved six nominations for the 27th Annual Midsouth Regional Emmy Awards. The winners will be announced in January 2013. “Havoline Football Saturdays in the South,” “Kings of the Court,” and “ACC Road Trip” were nominated this year.

Bounce TV: Bounce TV features programing of movies, sports, documentaries, and original television shows that are all centered on African American perspective. It is the first broadcast network of its kind and was founded by Martin Luther King III, Will Packer, and Rob Hardy, along with many other contributors. Currently the station hosts its own shows such as Back Stage Pass, Off the Chain, and Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids. (6)

September 26, 2012: On the network’s one year anniversary, the company has seen great growth and has expanded to Detroit, Phoenix, Minneapolis and Orlando. IT has reached an estimated 80% of African American homes and at least 60% of all U.S. television households. The station will start airing African American focused movies, such as Monster’s Ball and Pride coming up soon this year. (7)

October 3, 2012: Bounce TV announced it will be premiering its newest series, “Off the Chain”, hosted by Rodney Perry.

November 7, 2012: Bounce TV announced that they will air their first boxing telecast and will continue airing matches throughout the season.

Raycom Media Program Current Events

Right this Minute: Raycom created this weekday television show that covers news and pop culture. This program is interactive in that it is paired with a website and video blog. It is different than most telecasts in that its material is supplied by citizen journalists. Most of the video is supplied by cellphone, webcam, digital cameras, and Skype feeds from average people all over the world. Viral video sensations are highlighted on the show and it is up to date and current for new viewers to relate to. Interestingly, this program is a cooperation of Cox Media Group, Raycom Media Inc. and E.W. Scripps Company, along with MagicDust. (8)

September 4, 2012: The program expands into seven more markets in its second year in production. It will now be available in Detroit, Denver and San Diego which spreads its reach to about 30% of U.S. TV homes and 45 TV markets.

Sources

  1. http://www.raycommedia.com/about/
  2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raycom_Media
  3. http://www.raycomsports.com/chevrolet-and-acc-road-trip-launch-%E2%80%9Cultimate-road-trip%E2%80%9D-contest-this-weekend/
  4. http://www.raycommedia.com/news/121010.htm
  5. http://www.tvweek.com/blogs/tvbizwire/2012/11/news-anchor-suspended-over-all.php
  6. http://www.bouncetv.com
  7. http://madamenoire.com/218645/more-ounce-to-the-bounce-network-celebrates-b%C2%B4day-and-new-deals/
  8. http://www.rightthisminute.com/