Category Archives: Television Companies

TV Companies

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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/

Gannett Broadcasting Company

Posted on by 
by Andrew Muckell

[1]

Gannett Co., Inc.
7950 Jones Branch Drive
McLean, VA 22107-0150
703-854-6000

History

Gannett Broadcasting is the television division of the Gannett Company, Inc., which was founded in 1923. The founder and first president, Frank Gannett, originally intended the business to specialize in the newspaper industry. As the century passed and technology moved forward, however, Gannett delved into other industries. [2]

By the 1930s, the Gannett Newspaper Group was recognized as the largest upstate New York chain. The company resembled Hearst and other large players in the print industry with its ambitious expansion, and, like its competitors, expanded into new markets and industries. Gannett added its first two radio stations in 1936 and first two TV stations in 1953. [2]

Four years later, the aging Gannett passed the reigns on to his successor, Paul Miller, who took Gannett’s 25 newspapers and created a nationwide brand. The company expanded ruthlessly and became one of the first public newspaper companies in the U.S. In 1971, Miller averaged one newspaper acquisition every three weeks, eventually bringing Gannett’s holdings to 79 papers by the time of his retirement in 1979. [3]

Miller also oversaw the development of the broadcasting division of the company from 1957 to 1973. Under Miller, Gannett added three more stations to its repertoire, and this was only the beginning. By the late 1970s and early- to mid-1980s, Gannett Broadcasting, Inc. acquired about a dozen stations.

Today, the Gannett Broadcasting division of the company owns 23 stations in 20 different markets and is the largest owner of NBC-affiliated stations. [4] These stations cover 18.04% of American households, indicating the company’s market reach of 20.1 million households. [5] Gannett Company, Inc. is considered the number one newspaper publisher in America in daily circulation with 81 newspapers, most notably the U.S.’s first national newspaper, USA Today. The company also owns 13 digital assets such as Cars.com and CareerBuilder.com. [6] Stocks are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (GCI), and Gannett is listed on the S&P 500.

Leadership

Mr. David T. Lougee, President of Gannett Broadcasting- Lougee was made president of the television division of Gannett Co., Inc. in 2007. He serves as Chairman of the Television Bureau of Advertising and is on the Board for Mobile Content Venture. He has worked in the television industry since 1981, both with Gannett and Belo TV, and in the Denver, Washington D.C., Dallas and Seattle markets. [7]

Gracia C Martore, President and CEO of Gannett Company- Martore succeeded former CEO Craig Dubow in October 2011, who retired for health reasons. She started her career at Gannett in 1985 as an assistant treasurer after a dozen years in the banking industry, and by 2003 she became CFO. Since 2011, Fortune Magazine named her one of the “50 most powerful women” in business, and Forbes listed her as one of business’s “100 Most Powerful Women.” [8]

Other notable members of the Gannett Broadcasting Division are:

• Ms. Dodie Cantrell-Bickley, President and GM of the Jacksonville Stations

• Mr. Ken Tonning, President and GM of WTSP-TV

• Mr. Steve Carter, President  and GM of WCSH-TV [9]

Finances

Currently, Gannett is doing very well financially. The company averages $7.6 billion in annual operating revenue and employs about 52,600 worldwide. [10] In 2012, the company made a profit of $588.2 million and saw 6.8% and 7.5% revenue increases in digital and television broadcasting, respectively. [11] Gannett is listed as number 465 in Fortune 500 and averages $5,239.99 million in sales.[12]

In the past year, Gannett (GCI) saw highs and lows on the stock market. On June 1, the stock price dropped to $12.33, but three months later on September 21 the price rose to $18.75, the year-to-date high. The all-time low price ($2.14) came in March 2009, shortly after the start of the recession, while the all-time high in April 2004 was $90.42. The closing price on December 3 was $18.04. [13]

[14]

Part of the reason for the rise in stock prices in late summer and early fall was due to the Olympics and ads for the presidential campaigns. The media company earned $133.1 million ($0.56 per share) in July, August and September, which went up 33% from the $99.9 million a year before. As compared to quarter two, quarter three revenue grew three percent from $1.27 billion to $1.31 billion. [15]

Assets [16]

Gannett Broadcasting currently owns 23 stations in 20 markets across the nation. The list below includes the locations, names, and affiliates of these stations:

• Arizona- KNAZ– NBC (Flagstaff)

• Arkansas- KTHV– CBS (Little Rock)

• California- KXTV– ABC (Sacramento-Stockton-Modesto)

• Colorado- KUSA– NBC, KTVD– MyNetworkTV (Denver)

• Florida-  – WTLV– NBC, WJXX– ABC (Jacksonville); WTSP– CBS (Tampa-St. Petersburg)

• Georgia – WXIA– NBC, WATL– MyNetworkTV (Atlanta); WMAZ– CBS (Macon)

• Maine – WLBZ– NBC (Bangor); WCSH– NBC (Portland)

• Michigan – WZZM– ABC- (Grand Rapids)

[17]

• Minnesota – KARE– NBC (Minneapolis-St. Paul)

• Missouri – KSDK– NBC (St. Louis)

• New York – WGRZ– NBC (Buffalo)

• North Carolina – WFMY– CBS (Greensboro)

• Ohio – WKYC– NBC (Cleveland)

• South Carolina- WLTX– CBS (Columbia)

• Tennessee – WBIR– NBC (Knoxville)

• Washington D.C.– WUSA– CBS

Recent News 

Paywall Working for Gannett

Studies have shown recently that, unlike many media competitors, Gannett Co., Inc. is making money through the use of paywalls. Out of 80 U.S. newspaper markets, 49 use paywalls, but despite a slight decrease in website visitors per month, revenue has risen. Experts have attributed Gannett’s success with “paywalling” to its prior customer brand loyalty. This can be seen with similar brands, such as the New York Times and Los Angeles Times. Gannett expects to make $100 million in 2012 from its paywalls. [18]

[19]

Gannett Picks Up Blinq

On August 21, Gannett Co., Inc. acquired the “social marketing solutions provider” Blinq for an undisclosed amount and terms. Blinq is one of Facebook’s favored Marketing Developers and was one of the first marketing companies to gain access to the site’s API. Blinq now will operate under the Gannett name, but the current CEO of Blinq, Dave Williams, will now report to the President and CEO at Gannett Digital Marketing Services Vikram Sharma. Other than this, though, Blinq will not change too much: the company will still work with its current clients and out of its pre-established headquarters. [20]

Gannett Company CEO Gracia Martore said she hopes the acquisition will create a “one-stop shop for all marketing needs, including social.” The hope for marketing self-sufficiency within Gannett could very well pay off for Gannett. Emarketer.com estimates social media ad revenues will rise 48.5% this year to $7.7 billion, and Blinq may make Gannett’s slice of that pie even bigger. [21]

USA Today Gets Makeover

In 1982, USA Today was introduced to the American public as the country’s first national and color newspaper. Since, it has become the most widely circulated newspaper in the U.S., despite some criticism for its emphasis on graphics, pictures and concision. For the first time in 30 years, USA Today adopted a refreshing new look in September. The paper added more color, a new logo and a cleaner look that adapts well to tablets.

The purpose of the new layout is to re-establish the newspaper as a current, interesting source for readers and an attractive investment for advertisers. The public has met the new look with some hostility, saying the format is harder to read [22], but overall sales have been steady since the change. [23]

Scuffles between Dish and Gannett Rise

On October 8, Dish and Gannett agreed to a new distribution deal after a few weeks of talking over new prices for licensing fees. Dish claimed that Gannett was trying to triple its previous rates, but Gannett representatives said that they were only keeping with market rates.

The dispute was also over Dish’s new DVR that allows customers to play back shows without the hassle of commercials. The service, called Hopper, negatively impacts advertisers by decreasing consumer reach. Gannett executives felt the service hurts the company’s relationship with advertisers and were thus much more cautious in reaching a deal.

If the deal was not made, two million viewers in 19 cities would have lost access to local Gannett stations, many of which are affiliated with CBS, NBC, Fox and ABC. Shortly after the deal, both companies lost at least $0.11 on the stock market. In the long run, however, the deal is perceived as mutually beneficial for the companies. [24]

Sources

[1]- Lieberman, David. “Gannett Beats Q3 Earnings Estimates with Help from Olympic and Political Ads.” http://www.deadline.com/2012/10/gannett-q3-earnings/. Deadline.

[2]- “Gannett Company, Inc. History.” http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/gannett-company-inc-history/. Funding Universe.

[3]- Neiva, Elizabeth. “Chain Building: the Consolidation of the American Newspaper Industry, 1955-1980.” http://www.h-net.org/~business/bhcweb/publications/BEHprint/v024n1/p0022-p0026.pdf

[4]- Bachman, Katy. “Gannett Scores with Olympics.” http://www.adweek.com/news/television/gannett-scores-olympics-114801. Adweek.

[5]- “Who is Gannett?” http://gannettonline.com/external/email/about/who.htm. Gannett Digital.

[6]- “Our Locations.” http://www.gannett.com/section/WHOWEARE06. Gannett.

[7]- “Leadership Team.” http://www.gannett.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artikkel?Dato=99999999&Kategori=WHOWEARE04&Lopenr=110714007&Ref=AR. Gannett.

[8]- “Leadership Team.” http://www.gannett.com/article/99999999/WHOWEARE04/110714008. Gannett.

[9]- “Leadership Team.” http://www.gannett.com/article/99999999/WHOWEARE04/110714008. Gannett.

[10]- “Who is Gannett?” http://gannettonline.com/external/email/about/who.htm. Gannett Digital.

[11]- “The 10 Most Profitable Media Companies.” http://www.bestcommunicationsdegrees.com/biggest-media-companies/. Best Communications Degrees.

[12]- “Company Search.” http://www.hoovers.com/company-information/company-search.html?term=Gannett. Hoovers.

[13]- “Gannett Co., Inc.” http://www.google.com/finance?q=GCI&ei=KIm9UIDtL6fs0gHTmwE. Google Finance.

[14]- “Gannett Co., Inc.” http://www.google.com/finance?q=GCI&ei=2JW9UIjoFILl0QHyUA. Google Finance.

[15]- “Gannett Reports Higher Q3 Earnings, Revenue.” http://www.businessweek.com/ap/2012-10-15/gannett-reports-higher-3q-earnings-revenue. Bloomberg Businessweek.

[16]- “Who Owns What.” http://www.cjr.org/resources/index.php. Columbia Journalism Review.

[17]- Knox, Merrill. “WUSA Web Producer Accidentally Plagiarizes Washington Post Article.” http://www.mediabistro.com/tvspy/wusa-web-producer-accidentally-lifts-pieces-of-an-article-from-washington-post_b33895. Media Bistro.

[18]- Voakes, Greg. “Infographic: the Paywall Trend.” http://www.businessinsider.com/infographic-the-paywall-trend-2012-11. Business Insider.

[19]- Lunden, Ingrid. “Confirmed: Gannett has Bought Social Media Ad Company Blinq.” http://techcrunch.com/2012/08/21/confirmed-gannett-is-buying-social-media-ads-company-blinq/. Tech Crunch.

[20]- “Tech Deals, Mergers and Skirmishes.” http://cynopsis.com/index.php/editions/digital/082212/. Cynopsis.

[21]- Yu, Roger. “Gannett Buy Social Media Ad Company Blinq Media.” http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/money/media/story/2012-08-21/gannett-acquires-blinq-media/57191320/1. USA Today.

[22]- Matheson, Whitney. “Have You Seen the New USA Today?” http://content.usatoday.com/communities/popcandy/post/2012/09/17/usa-today-redesign/70000480/1#.UL2A3ZPjkkc. USA Today.

[23]- “USA Today Gets First Significant Makeover in 30 Years.” http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-09-14/business/chi-usa-today-gives-itself-first-significant-makeover-in-30-years-20120914_1_usa-today-mcpaper-gannett. Chicago Tribune.

[24]- “Dish, Gannett Reach Agreement over TV Fees.” http://www.businessweek.com/ap/2012-10-08/dish-gannett-continue-negotiations-on-tv-fees. Bloomberg Businessweek.

Belo Corporation

Posted on by 
by Breanna Andrade

Picture courtesy of Belo Corporation

Headquarters: Belo Corporation/400 S. Record St./Dallas, Texas 75202

Phone: (214) 977-6606

Website: Belo.com

Brief History

Originally A.H. Belo Corporation was founded in 1842 by Alfred Horatio Belo. Since its date of origin A.H. Belo Corp has encompassed both newspapers and television industries. After over hundred years of managing two industries the company split in 2008. Currently Belo Corporation only deals with the Television industry and A.H. Belo Corporation with Newspaper industry.

About Belo

Belo Corporation Headquarters
Picture Courtesy of WOLFGANG DEMINO

Belo Corporation is one of the leading TV broadcasting companies. Belo Corp is based in Dallas Texas and TV media revenue includes not only cable-news channel properties but also local-TV retransmission fees paid by cable systems and satellite TV services.  Belo Corp. has thrives on creating a relationship with their small-screen fans.  Belo currently has 20 local television stations that serve markets in 10 states. Most of their stations though are based in Texas and Washington. Belo is affiliated with the four major broadcast networks (CBS, NBC, ABC, and FOX). They are also affiliated with a few independent stations as well as mini-networks like The CW and MyNetworkTV. Belo corporation also has two of the  highest ranked stations; these being WFAA of Dallas and KHOU of Houston. Belo also operates in a small number of local and regional cable news outlets, including NWCN in  Seattle and TXCN in Texas. [1]

 

  President and Chief Executive Officer 

Belo’s Chief Executive Dunia Shive. Picture courtesy of Belo Corp.

 

The President and Chief Executive Officer of Belo Corp is Dunia A Shive. In 1993 Shive firsted joined Belo as a corporate controller and was promoted in 1995 to Vice President/Controller. Shive was then promoted to president of Media Operations and Executive Vice President of Belo until 2007 when she earned her current position. Shive holds a bachelors degree of business administration in accounting from Texas Tech University. [2]

Belo’s Board of Directors

Belo Corporation has eleven Board of Directors. The Board of Directors includes: Robert W. Dechard, Dunia A. Shive, Wayne R. Sanders, James M. Moroney III, Henry P. Becton Jr, M. Anne Szostak, Judity L. Craven, Lloyd Ward, Dealey Herndon, McHenry Tichenor Jr, and Peter Altabef.  Each of Belo’s directors serves on each of the three standing committees of the Board.  Although Belo is managed by the board of directors it is interesting to note that Chairman Robert Decherd and his family control about 55% of Belo’s voting stock. [2]

         

All Board of Directors Pictures courtesy of Belo Corporation.

 

 Holdings

Belo Corporation has 20 local television stations these include; KVUE-TV,KTVB-TV,WCNC-TV, WFAA-TV,WVEC-TV, KHOU-TV, WHAS-TV, WUPL-TV, WWL-TV, KASW-TV, KTVK-TV, KGW-TV,KENS-TV, KING-TV, KONG-TV, KREM-TV, KSKN-TV, KMOV-TV, KMSB-TV, KTTU-TV. [3]

Picture courtesy of Belo Corp.

 

 

 Audience

Below is a chart that encompasses the call letter, affiliate, market, reach, and market rank of all of Belo’s 20 Broadcast Stations.

Reach Calculated from 2012 TV Factbook

[4]

Belo’s Top 3 Competitors

Lin TV Corp

Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc.

Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc.

[2]

Where Belo Corp Stands in the Ranking

Belo Corporation is currently Ranked 10th among Broadcast Television according to AdAge.com.[5]

Picture courtesy of Adage.com

Financials 

Below is a chart documenting Belo Corporations current financial progress over the last two years. [6]

Photo courtesy of Adage.com

Recent News

September 27 2012: Belo Corp. Launches Private Advertising Marketplace

Belo has announced that they will launch a Belo Private Ad Marketplace. This marketplace  is a new digital platform that connects different advertisers with Belo’s digital advertising inventory across its websites.  This new digital platform will allow advertisers to have direct access to Belo’s 17 million online consumers. This program helps advertisers provide more influential media placements online, while also offering more targeted brand display advertising. On the Belo’s website it states that “Belo’s Private Ad Marketplace was created to partner with select advertisers to leverage the high demand for its local sites..It also gives advertisers the opportunity to more efficiently partner directly with Belo, an award-winning producer of quality digital news and information.” said Joe Weir, Belo’s Vice President/Digital. [7]

 

October 30th 2012: Belo Corp. Gains Big From Political, Olympics Revenue

Strong political and Olympic advertising revenue gave Belo Corporation a lift in their third quarter.  Belo generated $17.7 million in political revenue and $13.4 million in Olympics revenue. Both of these statistics are significantly higher than what was recorded in their third quarter in 2008.  Net earnings nearly doubled, from 13 cents to 24 cents a share. During this time period Belo’s TV station business also  had a 50% improvement in cash flow, which includes earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization.

Belo’s total spot revenue when political revenue is added climbed up to 18%. Without political their spot revenue was still up 5.1%. This increase came from the 4.6% improvement in local spot business and a 5.8% gain in national spot revenue. The political campaign and Olympics had a great affect on Belo Corporation’s third quarter revenue due to their success in spot advertisements. [8]

 

October 30th 2012: Third Quarter Results

On October 30th 2012 third quarter results reported that Belo’s net earnings per share of $0.24 compared to net earnings per share of $0.13 in the third quarter of 2011. Dunia Shive stated that “our strong cash generation has allowed for a special dividend and for the early redemption of our May 2013 notes in a net present value cash-positive transaction.  Our solid financial position gives us the flexibility to pursue acquisitions and investments and consider further opportunities to increase shareholder returns.” [4] [9]

View complete Third Quarter Report.

 

November 7th 2012: Belo Corp. Unveils New Small Business Marketing Solutions, Local Events Content

Photo courtesy of DataSphere

Belo announced another agreement to launch a specialized small business marketing solution in fourteen of their markets. Belo’s station websites will now provide small local businesses with the opportunity to advertise to their targeted neighborhood-level audiences through a partnership with DataSphere Technologies. Joe Weir, Belo’s Vice President / Digital stated that “Belo is continually looking for opportunities to help advertisers reach the audiences most relevant to their businesses and investing in solutions to improve the experience for our website visitors.” This new agreement will let Belo’s website users access thousands of upcoming events and activities in each market.  This advertising venture allows  users to find events by neighborhood, event type or specific time frame. [10]

Learn More about DataSphere Technologies 

 

November 29th 2012: Media Company Belo Corp Launches ScreenShot Digital, Inc. 

Belo Corporation announced today the launch of ScreenShot Digital, Inc., another new digital advertising solutions company. ScreenShot Digital will partner with local and regional marketers across the United States in order to enhance their business objectives through digital media consulting and advertising services. Belo’s investment in the new company shows their commitment to expanding their digital expertise in order to prepare for the inevitable growth within digital media. [11]

 

Outlook

Looking at the fourth quarter, Shive said, “we currently expect political revenue to finish
in the range of $29 million to $30 million for the fourth quarter, which would result in $58 million to $59 million of political revenue for the full year. Total spot revenue, including political, in the fourth quarter of 2012 is currently expected to finish up in the range of 11 to 13 percent compared to the fourth quarter of 2011″. Over the this semester Belo Corporation has looked into many different ways to enhance their relationship with not only the consumer but also their advertisers in order to expand on a more integrated digital platform. [9]

References:

[1[ Belo Corporation. (n.d.). Belo. Retrieved December 7, 2012, from Belo Corporation website: http://www.belo.com/

[2] Hoovers. (n.d.). Belo Corp. Retrieved November 18, 2012, from Hoovers website: http://www.hoovers.com/…/company-profile.Belo_Corp.cd4daffa5e828f9a

[3] CJR. (n.d.). Belo Corp. Retrieved December 7, 2012, from Columbia Journalism Review website: http://www.cjr.org/resources/?c=belo

[4] Nasdaq. (2011, March). Belo Corp. Retrieved December 7, 2012, from Nasdaq website: http://secfilings.nasdaq.com/edgar_conv_html%2f2011%2f03%2f11%2f0000950123-11-024777.html#FIS_BUSINESS

[5] AdAge. (n.d.). Belo Corp. Retrieved December 7, 2012, from AdAge website: http://adage.com/datacenter/datapopup.php?article_id=237431

[6] AdAge. (n.d.). Media Family Trees. Retrieved December 7, 2012, from AdAge website: http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/186264/belo-corp-gains-big-from-political-olympics-reve.html#axzz2D4VcGlIZ

[7] Belo Corp. (2012, September 27). elo Corp. (BLC) Launches Private Advertising Marketplace. Retrieved December 7, 2012, from Belo.com website: http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=105373&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1739009&highlight=

[8] Friedman, W. (2012, October 30). Belo Corp. Gains Big From Political, Olympics Revenue Read more: http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/186264/belo-corp-gains-big-from-political-olympics-reve.html#ixzz2EOet6rGi.Retrieved December 7, 2012, from Media Post News website: http://Belo Corp. Gains Big From Political, Olympics Revenue

[9] Belo Corp. (2012, November 29). Media Company Belo Corp. (BLC) Launches ScreenShot Digital, Inc. Retrieved December 7, 2012, from Belo website: http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=105373&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1762952&highlight=

[10] PRNewsWire. (2012, November 7). Belo Corp. Unveils New Small Business Marketing Solutions, Local Events Content. Retrieved December 7, 2012, from Yahoo website: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/belo-corp-unveils-small-business-150000012.html

[11] Belo Corp. (2012, November 29). Media Company Belo Corp. (BLC) Launches ScreenShot Digital, Inc. Retrieved December 7, 2012, from Belo website: http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=105373&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1762952&highlight=

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

Posted on by 
By Jimena Wu

Official 20th Century Fox 2012 Logo – Courtesy of Google Images

Company Information [2]

10201 W. Pico Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA, 90064 United States

(310) 369-1000

http://www.foxmovies.com

Brief Overview

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation is a subsidiary of Fox Inc., owned by Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation. 20th Century Fox Film Corporation’s motion pictures are produced or acquired by the company’s smaller units, including: Fox 2000 Pictures, Fox Searchlight Pictures, Fox International Pictures, Twentieth Century Fox Animation and Blue Sky Studios [1].

The company has had major success with motion pictures, including the huge hits Star Wars, Titanic, and it’s most successful in the box office yet, Avatar, released in 2009. Avatar recorded up to a gross of $749,766,139, including nine Academy Awards nominations and three wins. [23]

Top 3 Competitors [2]

The Walt Disney Studios

MGM Studios, Inc.

Columbia Tristar Motion Picture Group

Key Executives [3]

Keith Rupert Murdoch – Chairman of Board & CEO

Ricardo Crespo – Senior Vice President of Global Creative

Eduardo Echeverria – Senior Vice President of Latin America

Pam Kunick-Cohen – Senior Vice President of Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products

Robert Marick – Executive Vice President

Brief History: The Formation of Twentieth Century Fox [5]

20th Century Fox was funded in 1935 with the merging of the Fox Film Corporation and Twentieth Century Pictures. It was co-founded by Joseph Schenck, president of United Artists, and Darryl F. Zanuck, former head of production at the Warner Bros. Studio.

Elaboration & Transformation of Company Logo after Fox Film-20th Century merged in 1935 [4]

The company separated itself from others, as the productions of The Grapes of Wrath in 1940 and How Green Was My Valley in 1941 won Academy Awards. However, by the 1950’s, movie attendance dropped, bringing film productions down as well. Consequently, studios couldn’t afford to keep contracts with directors and actors. This event of disappointment led to Zanuck leaving to Paris in 1956, striving to become an independent film producer. The company lost huge amounts of money in between the years of 1959-1962.
In 1962, Zanuck returned as president, and his film The Longest Day, released through 20th Century Fox, got an Academy Award nomination and earned enough revenue for the company to start producing again in 1963. During the 1960’s, Zanuck used the “blockbuster strategy”, consisting of releasing expensive productions. The Sound of Music, released in 1964, brought more than $79 million in revenues.
The 1980’s were hard times since many productions didn’t compensate for their production costs. However, with the entrance of Rupert Murdoch, owner of News Corporation, in 1985, the company made it to the top spot among studios, gaining more than 18% of the box-office share in 1991.
Right Here, Right Now

20th Century Fox at the Box Office

The company began the Fall of 2012 with the release of Won’t Back Down in September 28, 2012, starring Maggie Gyllenhaal and Viola Davis. However, despite its notorious casting, this movie was ranked as the worst saturated release ever, bringing only $2,603,370 in the opening weekend. The movie made a total of $5,310,554. [6]

Taken 2 Movie Poster – Courtesy of Google Images

In October 5, 2012, the awaited Taken 2, starring Liam Neeson, was released, making $49,514,769 in its opening weekend [8]. Despite all of the critics, Taken 2 was the reason the overall box office was up more than 40 percent over the same weekend last year [7]. The movie scored $361,060,485 worldwide, showing strong results for a $45 million production [8].

Following Taken 2, Chasing Mavericks, starring Gerard Butler, was released October 26th, disappointing with a $2,268,274 debut. The movie made a total domestic gross of $5,843,722, barely one-fourth of its $20 million production budget [9]. However, Hurricane Sandy could have affected this result, as it”may have suppressed business by about 10 percent.” [10]

Wreck-It Ralph Poster – Courtesy of Google Images

As the storm passes, Wreck-It Ralph came to the #1 spot in its opening weekend with  $49,038,712 [11]. This movie has actually become the biggest box office ever for Disney Animations [12]. After five weeks in theaters, it still maintains itself in the top ten, recording a total domestic gross of $159,213,887 and a worldwide gross of $203,213,887 (as of December 5, 2012) [11].

Lincoln opened in limited theaters in November 9, 2012 and released worldwide November 16, recording $944,308 for the opening weekend, and $21,049,406 in its second place, getting into the box office’s top 3. Lincoln, a film produced by Steven Spielberg, remained at #3 for two weekends, including Thanksgiving weekend. As of December 5, 2012, the movie earned a total domestic gross of $87,088,719, already compensating its production costs of $65 million. [13]

Next up for 20th Century Fox was Life of Pi, released November 21, which was considered to be “tough to sell” and a “gamble” for the company [14]. This film’s production budget will definitely be hard to compensate as it cost $120 million to produce, mainly because of its unbelievable graphic effects. The movie did pretty good in the opening weekend, earning $22,451,514, and also performed fairly well during the Thanksgiving weekend in the 5th spot, behind Twilight, Skyfall, Lincoln, and Rise of The Guardians. However, it is still at half its production budget, reporting $51,676,132 in total domestic gross as of Dec. 5, 2012. [15]

Life of Pi – Movie Poster – Courtesy of Google Images

The next movie for Fox is called Parental Guidance, which was supposed to be released during the Thanksgiving weekend but will now be released December 25th, 2012. The movie has high expectancies as it has less competition during Christmas than what it would’ve had during Thanksgiving [16].

First-Quarter Earnings (Quarter ended Sept. 30) – See full News Corp. Earnings Release

Rupert Murdoch led the company to more strong results as the fiscal quarterly earnings for the first quarter, ending in September 30, 2012, reported earnings of $2.23 billion, compared with $738 million made last year. Revenue also rose in large amounts, from $7.96 billion to $8.14 billion. As for the role Twentieth Century Fox plays in this increase in earnings, filmed entertainment reported quarterly segment operating income of $400 million, $53 million higher than a year ago, when the segment operating income was $347 million. This is majorly due to the huge success Ice Age: Continental Drift had in box offices back in July. As of December 5, the $95 million film has earned a total worldwide gross of $874,920,192 [24]. Also, Fox made a licensing deal with Netflix back in May 2012, which contributed enormously to the rise in profit [17]. Through this licensing agreement, Fox classic films were distributed to Latin America. “Our alliance with Twentieth Century Fox continues to get stronger and benefit Netflix’s members across the globe,” said Jason Ropell, VP of content acquisitions at Netflix. [25]

Deals/News

August 2012

Fox to Distribute DreamWorks Animation Movies [18]

DreamWorks has decided to shift from Paramount Pictures to 20th Century Fox looking for a 5-year distribution deal. This deal will place DreamWorks’ animated titles in Fox’s animation division, Blue Sky Studios. This deal will go into effect in 2013.

DreamWorks Logo – Courtesy of Google Images

Company Perspective: “DreamWorks Animation is a great company that makes terrific films and everyone here feels privileged and honored to have been chosen to distribute their marvelous work throughout the world,” stated Fox Filmed Entertainment CEOs and Chairmen, Jim Gianopulos and Tom Rothman. “We are particularly excited to add DreamWorks Animation’s films to the strong and growing slate of movies from our outstanding Blue Sky Studios division, which is coming off another global blockbuster with Ice Age: Continental Drift, and has Epic and Rio 2in advanced production. Together we will be a dominant force in animated entertainment for years to come.” [19]

September 2012

Fox Hoped To Boost Movie Downloads By Offering Titles Ahead of Discs [20]

In order to increase movie downloads, Fox has decided to offer the option to downnload movies through Amazon, CinemaNow (Best Buy), iTunes, PlayStation, VUDU (Walmart), and Xbox, before the home video or DVR formats are available.

November 2012

Sony, Fox, and Universal Sign On For PGA’s Producers’ Mark Credit [21]

Sony Pictures, Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, and Universal Pictures signed on to apply the ‘Producer’s Mark’ Certification. This is a huge advancement in the industry and a step forward to protecting the right of producers and the ‘produced by’ credit.

Independence Day ‘3D’ Cancelled [22]

Independence Day (1996) – Movie Poster – Courtesy of Google Images

Plans had been made by 20th Century Fox to produce a 3D adaptation of the 1996 blockbuster, Independence Day. However, due to difficulties in reuniting the original cast, the company has decided to cancel it. The movie was due for July 2, 2013, which was perfectly timed for it to be released during the Independence weekend. This would’ve potentially help the movie top the box office during the opening weekend and gain high revenue for the company.

 

Coming Soon (Click to see the trailers)

Broken City

Parental Guidance

EPIC

A Good Day To Die Hard

The Heat

 

References

[1] News Corporation: http://www.newscorp.com/management/20film.html

[2] Hoovers: http://www.hoovers.com/company-information/cs/company-profile.Twentieth_Century_Fox_Television.ff69d030bb3d82da.html

[3] Bloomberg BusinessWeek: http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/people.asp?privcapId=35867

[4] Logo Images: http://www.closinglogos.com/page/20th+Century+Fox+Film+Corporation

[5] History: http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/history2/66/Twentieth-Century-Fox-Film-Corporation.html#ixzz2EFVbd3Ul

[6] Box Office Mojo – Won’t Back Down: http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=main&id=learningtofly.htm

[7] Yahoo  Movies – Taken 2: http://movies.yahoo.com/news/taken-2-blows-away-box-office-critics-50-163212681.html

[8] Box Office Mojo – Taken 2: http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=taken2.htm

[9] Box Office Mojo – Chasing Mavericks: http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=ofmenandmavericks.htm

[10] The Week – Hurricane Sandy: http://theweek.com/article/index/235648/6-ways-hurricane-sandy-affected-the-entertainment-world

[11] Box Office Mojo – Wreck It Ralph: http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=rebootralph.htm

[12] Wreck It Ralph: http://www.csmonitor.com/The-Culture/Latest-News-Wires/2012/1105/Wreck-it-Ralph-Biggest-box-office-opening-ever-for-Disney-animation

[13] Box Office Mojo – Lincoln: http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=lincoln.htm

[14] Company Town – Life of Pi: http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-life-of-pi-tough-sell-20121119,0,5088507.story

[15] Box Office Mojo – Life of Pi: http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=lifeofpi.htm

[16] Parental Guidance: http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118052479

[17] Hollywood Reporter – Quarterly Profit: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/news-corp-reports-huge-rise-387027

[18] Fox to distribute DreamWorks: http://www.businessweek.com/ap/2012-08-20/fox-to-distribute-dreamworks-animation-movies

[19] Company Perspective – DreamWorks deal: http://www.deadline.com/2012/08/exclusive-dreamworks-animation-to-fox/

[20] Movie Downloads: http://www.deadline.com/2012/09/fox-digital-hd-movie-download/

[21] Sign for PGA: http://www.deadline.com/2012/11/producers-mark-credit-program-pga-sony-fox-universal/

[22] Independence Day 3D: http://www.nme.com/filmandtv/news/independence-day-3d-cancelled/291343

[23] Box Office Mojo – Avatar: http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=avatar.htm

[24] Box Office Mojo – Ice Age: http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=iceage4.htm

[25] Netflix and Fox Licensing Agreement: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/netflix-fox-agreement-latin-america-brazil-323988

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ion Media Networks

Posted on by 
by Daniel Buczakowski

Address:  601 Clearwater Park Road
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Phone:    (561) 659-4122
Website: ION Media Networks

Key Executives:

Brandon Burgess
Chairman and CEO

Chris Addeo
Marketing

Stephen Appel
Sales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jeff Quinn
Finance

Terri Santisi
Administration

Marc Zand
Programming Acquisitions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Douglas Holloway
Distribution

Dan Hsieh
Innovation
Michael Hubner
Legal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joseph Koker
Stations

David Glenn
Engineering
Russel Frederickson
On-Air Services

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Major Competitors

Fox Broadcasting Company
Colombia Broadcasting System (CBS) Broadcasting Inc.
Sinclair Broadcasting Group Inc.
American Broadcasting Company (ABC)
The CW Television Network

A Brief History

ION Media Networks was founded in 1984 as Paxson Communication in Clearwater Florida.  Owning multiple radio stations and a few ABC and NBC network affiliate stations, Paxson Communication eventually became Florida’s largest radio group.  In 1994, Paxson acquired 55 percent of American Network Group for $2.5 million.  As American Network Group was a publicly held company, Paxson itself became a public company, and by doing this avoided the costs inherent with an initial public offering (IPO).  This also gave Paxon access to public capitol to help the company grow through more acquisitions.  In 1998 the company decided to build it’s own independent television company, and PAX TV (Later to be known as the PAX network) was born.  1994 was a big year for Paxson, this was the year they also acquired their first television stations, WPBF-TV  in West Palm Beach, Florida, WTLK-TV in Atlanta and Rome, Georgia, and WYVN-TV in Martinsburg, West Virginia.  By the end of 1997, Paxson had grown so large that it owned more then 60 stations and covered 60 percent of all US households, and had revenues that exceeded $88 million after selling it’s radio division to Clear Channel Communications for $693 million in cash.  However, operating loss had also grown to $22 million, a major difference from the $4 million of 1996.  This was just the beginning of Paxson’s financial problems, for by 1998, Paxson’s operating capitol had shrunk to $1.8 million and it’s net loss had risen to $137.9 million, while total revenue was only $134.7 million.  By the year 2007 after lengthy legal battles with NBC Universal, the company’s founder Bud Paxon sold his shares of the company and retired.  Branden Burgess replaced him as President and C.E.O. and the company was renamed ION Media Networks Inc.

History of Financial and Legal problems

1999 Paxson reports a negative cash flow of $102.6 million with a long term debt of $382 million.

September 1999:  NBC buys 32% share in Paxon for $415 million.  Effectively bailing Paxson out and to Paxon’s consternation, becoming effectively an equal partner rather than a minor shareholder.

December 4, 2001:  Paxon files and arbitration to block NBC’s acquisition of Telemondo.

September 2002:  Paxon arbitration against NBC was denied.

November 13, 2003:  NBC requests redemption of it’s $549.2 million investment in Paxon.

August 2004:  NBC Universal files lawsuit against Paxon.

November 7, 2005:  In and agreement with NBC Universal, Lowell Paxon leaves the company and sells his shares to NBC Universal.  He is replaced with Brandon Burgess.

November 2007:  ION Networks is taken to trial by Positive Ions Inc. for trademark infringement.  ION Networks loses and is forced to pay Positive Ions $1.7 million.

May 19, 2009:  ION Media Networks files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection with $2.7 billion of debt.

December 2009:  Emerges from bankruptcy as a privately owned company under the ownership of its bondholders and secured lenders.

Today

Currently, ION Media Networks is one of the largest privately owned television networks in the country, with over 60 television stations in North America.   Under Brandon Burgess’ direction, ION Media Networks has rewritten it’s policies to follow four main objectives:

  • Innovation

By fostering an environment which gives it’s employees the freedom to explore new ideas, while also helping them stay focused to the task at hand, ION Media Networks is able to create new opportunities as opposed to rehashing the same ideas over and over.

  • Diversity

Understanding that sometimes the greatest ideas come from differing viewpoints, ION Media Networks takes great pride in hiring a diverse group of employees.  Their motto being that multiple inputs often yield the most valuable outputs.

  • Empowerment

By providing the tools and support needed to succeed, Ion Media Networks empowers their employees to take the necessary steps to accomplish their goals.

  • Accountability

ION Media Networks fully stands behind all of it’s employees.  Holding themselves accountable not only to their audience, but to themselves as well.  Each employee shares in the companies success as well as the burden of their failures.

Major Divisions

ION Media Networks is broken down into four major divisions:  ION Television, Qubo, ION Life and Dyle.

 

One of the fastest growing television networks in the nation, ION Television focuses on syndicated network shows as well as introducing new original programming and special event programming.  A leader in the Adult 25-54 and Women 25-54 demographics, ION Television reaches more than 100 million US households.  Starting in October of 2012, ION Television adopted an 108-hour network programming schedule, providing general entertainment programming from 11am – 3am Mondays – Fridays, 1pm – 3am Saturdays and Sundays.  All other times are filled with religious programming or infomercials.

Programs:

Cold Case
Criminal Minds
Flashpoint
House
Law & Order:  Criminal Intent
Leverage
Numb3rs
Psyche
WWE Main Event
My Name is Earl
Without a Trace
Married With Children
Monk

Specifically targeting children in the 5 – 8 age range, Qubo offers quality children’s programming 24/7.  Available via over-the-air coverage, cable, satellite and telco, Qubo has won multiple awards from both the FCC and the US government in recognition of it’s dedication to improving children’s health and reducing childhood obesity.  Qubo was also recognized by the US government as one of the most trustworthy sources of children’s television.  Qubo is a joint venture between Ion Media Networks, NBC Universal, Corus Entertainment’s Nelvana, Scholastic Corporation and DreamWorks Classics.

Programs:

Taste Buds
Jakers
Harry and his Bucket Full of Dinosaurs
Timeblazers
Willa’s Wild Life
The Mysteries of Alfred Hedgehog
Artzooka!
Where on Earth is Carmen Sandiego?
Animal Atlas
Dex Hamilton Alien Entomologist
Animal Exploration with Jarod Miller
Peralie
3 2 1 Penguins!
Gofrette
Turbo Dogs
Mighty Machines
Jane and the Dragon
Rescue Heroes
Babar
My Friend Rabbit
Jacob Two-Two
Vita Minix
Marvin the Tap-Dancing Horse
The Zula Patrol
Miss BG
Pecola
Pippi Longstocking
Rupert Bear

Focusing on adult viewers, ION Life is dedicated to helping people live healthier, more active lives.  Featuring programs featuring:  home design, wellness, healthy and active living, adventure and community engagement, ION Life is is focused on celebrating life’s positive adventures.  Available via over-the-air coverage, cable, satellite, and telco.  The Network was going to be named iHealth prior to Ion Televisions name change.

Programs:

Absolute X
Alive + Well
Body Fuel
Drop In
Gadget Girlz
Killer Comebacks
My Green House
Planet X
Positive Living
Power Yoga
Smart Cookies
Style by Jury
The Right Fit

The mobile branch of ION Media Networks, Dyle Mobile TV allows viewers to watch broadcast television shows right on their mobile Android and IOS devices.  Partnering with major broadcasters ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox among others, the application also allows viewers access to live local and national news as well as sports and entertainment.  Although currently limited in coverage, future expansion is expected soon.  You can check availability in your area on their coverage map.

Recent News

June

ION Television debuts WWE Main Event.

August

ION Television acquires off-Network rights to Numb3rs

ION Television acquires Law & Order:  Criminal Intent

September

Flashpoint debuts Season 5

October

ION Media Networks announces agreement with DirecTV

Refrences

[1] ION Media Networks Homepage:  http://www.ionmedianetworks.com/
[2] Ion Television: http://iontelevision.com/
[3] Fox Broadcast Company: http://www.fox.com/
[4] CBS Broadcasting Inc.: http://www.cbs.com/
[5] Sinclair Broadcasting Group Inc: http://www.sbgi.net/
[6] Qubo: http://www.qubo.com/
[7] ION Life: http://www.ionlife.com/
[8] Dyle: http://www.dyle.tv/
[9] Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ion_Media_Networks
[10] Press releases: http://www.ionmedianetworks.com/press
[11] Answers.com: http://www.answers.com/topic/ion-media-networks-inc
[12] ABC: http://abc.go.com/
[13] The CW: http://www.cwtv.com/
[14] NBC Universal: http://www.nbcuni.com/
[15] Corus Entertainment: http://www.corusent.com/home/default.aspx
[16] Nelvana: http://www.nelvana.com/
[17] Scholastic Corporation: http://www.scholastic.com/home/
[18] DreamWorks: http://www.dreamworksanimation.com/

* All images are courtesy of ION Media Networks *

Tribune Broadcasting

Posted on by 
by Samantha Sloan

 

Tribune Broadcasting Logo ©Tribune Broadcasting

Tribune Broadcasting
435 N. Michigan Ave Suite 1800
Chicago, IL 60611

Phone: 312-222-3333
Fax: 312-321-0446

Website: http://www.Tribune.com

Tribune Broadcasting is a pioneer in both radio and television broadcasting, and is a faction of the major media conglomerate, Tribune Company. Tribune Broadcasting owns and operates 26 major market television stations, which cumulatively reach more than 80% of United States Households. The group is anchored by super-station WGN America, which can be seen in more that 66 million households via satellite and cable services nationwide. 19 Tribune stations are affiliated with the growing Warner Brothers Television Network, and Tribune holds a 22% equity investment in this network. [6] [11]

 

 

Paul Wesley and Torrey Devitto pose at a Tribune Event. ©Tribune Broadcasting

Tribune Broadcasting is one of America’s largest and most respected broadcasters, and has a long history of innovation and development. Starting in 1924 with WGN Radio, Tribune Broadcasting has set a national precedent for American broadcasting. Tribune is responsible for radio’s first live broadcast, television’s first live sporting event, and the invention of instant replay and live aerial news coverage. Also, Tribune Broadcasting has recently switched from analog technology to the latest digital technology to help viewers gain access to the highest quality television possible. [10]

 

Tribune Broadcasting owns and operates many television stations across the country; however, Tribune also develops and distributes many first run syndicated television programs for the Tribune Station group. It also produces content for national syndication, including the Chicago Cubs Baseball Team and Chicago’s WGN-AM.

 

 

Iron Chef is one of the most popular shows on the Food Network, and is owned by Tribune Broadcasting. ©Food Network

 

The majority of Tribune Stations are affiliated with the media conglomerates, FOX,and the CW Network, however, they also have ties to ABC,and MyNetworkTV due to license agreements in some cities. Tribune holds equity interest in many networks and websites, including the Food Network, Careerbuilder.com, Classified Ventures, ForSaleByOwner.com, Homefinder.com, and Topix, to name a few. [16] [5]

 

The top executives for Tribune Broadcasting are CEO, Nils Larsen, Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President of Administration, Gina Mazzaferri, Chief Executive Officer of the Tribune Company, Eddy W. Hartenstein, President of Programming Division, Sean Compton, and President for WPIX- TV, Betty Ellen Berlamino.  Real Estate billionaire, Sam Zell is also influential, and took ownership of the debt-heavy Tribune Company in the midst of bankruptcy. Zell took the company private, and is now working with Larsen to reestablish Tribune Broadcasting as an industry leader. [12]

 

 

Tribune Media Conglomerate Battles Debt ©Tribune Broadcasting

On December 8, 2008, the Tribune Company filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, which was followed by a voluntary petition for reorganization in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware, which is in joint administration with the entire Tribune Media Conglomerate. Upon declaring bankruptcy, the company’s senior debt holders, Oaktree Capital Management, JP Morgan Chase, Anglo, Gordon and Company assumed control of Tribune’s properties. Since then, the company has been transferring ownership of the Tribune Broadcasting Television and Radio Station licenses to the investment groups that now operate the company. For this reason, the company is no longer making any earnings public, and has not released any earnings information since 2008. The company is still operating its media business during while restructuring, which includes production of all content that was produced before the company filed for bankruptcy. [14] [15]

 

Tribune Broadcasting CEO, Nils Larsen ©Tribune Broadcasting

 

Nils Larsen became CEO April 2011, after the previous CEO, Jerry Kersting resigned due to his inability to effectively lead the company out of Chapter 11 Bankruptcy. Larsen has been an incredibly effective CEO, and has worked extensively to re-establish the company as a national broadcast leader. According to Tribune owner, Sam Zell, “Nils is the right person to lead out broadcast operations…he’s thoughtful, creative, and has the vision necessary to maximize the effectiveness of the group.”[1]

 

In the past year and a half, Nils has shifted the company from one stuck in old ways to one that is innovative, creative, and focused extensively on demonstrating company worth to advertisers. In a recent press conference, Eddy Hartenstein, head of Tribune Co’s Print section and editor of the LA Times stated that, “under Larsen’s leadership, cash flows have been up significantly than they were a year earlier”. Tribune Broadcasting keeps its financial information private, however this statement was incredibly promising, and a good sign for investors as the company plans to leave Chapter 11 Bankruptcy in the next few months.
Nils Larsen has also taken the lead in the reinvention of Tribune Broadcasting and its role in local television. As stated by Lee Abrams, Tribune’s Chief Innovation Officer, “we have to be radically and noticeably different-we have to imagine TV and TV news in a totally new way, one that breaks through and reinvents decades of the old, tired, TV playbook”. These changes involve everything from station identifications, logos, graphics, promos, and to anything else that would distinguish a Tribune station from any other station in the market. [14]

 

Tribune Company’s New Website. The new design, frequently changing pictures, and opportunities for viewer responses is helping viewers become more connected with content. ©Tribune Broadcasting

On June 29th, 2012, Nils hired new creative directors John Zeigler and Carrie King, to implement dramatically new creative standards and promotional emphasis for the websites and television stations within their respective regions. In order to appeal to a younger demographic, the creative duo threw out Tribune’s previous website design, and replaced it with a website that is more appealing to these younger viewers.[2]

 

 

 

Tribune has also distinguished itself from other broadcasters on August 8th, 2012 upon the release of the Augmented Reality Application. This application was designed to help Tribune bridge the gap between what Chief Innovation Officer Lee Abrams referred to as the, “1970’s Television Playbook” to content that spawns a symbiotic relationship between the broadcaster and the viewer. Chicago’s WGN-TV was the first to launch this application, which they named WGNTV-AR. The company used Aurasma technology, which allows printed material to virtually come to life in either the 3D or video form. The company launched this application using the Chicago Tribune and Red Eye online newspapers. Simply, this mobile application allows readers to scan over content that interests them, and then they are linked to the video content on WGN-TV. The application was released widely, and is available on both Google Play and iTunes.  The Tribune Company is confident that this new technology will be beneficial to both their newspapers and television stations, and will help viewers become more involved in the content. [3] [9]

 

Video: The Impact of Technology Dependency on Media Delivery

 

Tribune Broadcasting has had many carriage controversies in 2012 beginning on April 1st, when Tribune’s carriage agreement with DirecTV ended. On April 1st, all 23 broadcast stations owned by Tribune Broadcasting were pulled from the satellite provider at midnight. Tribune had been seeking retransmission consent payments from DirecTV, which the company had received for the carriage of WGN America under its previous carriage agreements. On April 3rd, DirecTV filed a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission claiming that Tribune representatives had acted in bad faith. This complaint spawned from the claim that the company had transferred control over its broadcast licenses to bankruptcy creditors in an inappropriate fashion. The dispute continued until April 5th, 2012, when Tribune Broadcasting and DirecTV reached an agreement for the Tribune Broadcasting Stations and WGN America. At 9:00pm that day, the complaint to the Federal Communications Commission was dropped and the Tribune stations were restored to DirecTV subscribers. [4]

 

Similarly, on April 16th, 2012, Tribune Broadcasting’s carriage agreement with Cablevision was terminated which prompted the removal of WPIX, WCCT and WPHL being pulled from Cablevision systems in New Jersey, New York and Connecticut. Similarly, KWGN was pulled from Optimum West Systems in Colorado and Wyoming. On August 16th, 2012, Tribune Broadcasting clarified this removal of stations and subsequent confusion by stating that, “Cablevision has never compensated Tribune for the retransmission of its local stations, which are among the most highly watched channels on Cablevision’s line-ups.  What we have proposed amounts to less than a penny a day per subscriber, well below what Cablevision pays to providers of less well-watched channels.” [8]

 

Cablevision blocked out WPIX in dispute with Tribune Broadcasting ©LIBN

 

On November 16th, 2012, the Federal Communications Commission announced that it has approved Tribune Broadcasting’s request for the assignment of broadcast licenses and waivers in cross-ownership markets. Simply, the FCC granted the Tribune Company cross-ownership in Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, South Florida and Hartford. Tribune owns 23 television stations and 8 newspapers in these markets. The company is extremely excited about the decision, since it will allow the company to continue moving out of Chapter 11 Bankruptcy in the next several weeks. [13] [14]
On November 19th, SVP of programming and entertainment, Sean Compton, moved up to president of programming at Tribune, overseeing WGN/ Chicago as well as Tribune’s 23 National TV Stations and the national WGN America cable station. Larsen was quoted in Radio Ink, stating that, “(Sean Compton) has been turning around the attitude at our station group and at WGN America by securing outstanding syndicated programming- and better programming means better ratings. He’s making a huge difference in our recent success”

 

 

Sources:

[1]Sam Zell names Niels Larsen CEO http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-06-01/business/ct-biz-0601-phil-20110601_1_randy-michaels-ceo-and-publisher-executive-shuffle

[2]Tribune Broadcasting Reinvents Creative Services http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tribune-broadcasting-reinvents-creative-services-97411229.html

[3]Printed Reality Comes to Life as WGN-TV Launches Augmented Reality App http://www.wgntv.com/about/station/pressrelease/wgntv-printed-comes-to-life-as-augmented-reality-app-20120808,0,5805252.story

[4]Tribune Broadcasting Says No To DirectTV Deal http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/money/companies/story/2012-04-01/tribune-directv-deal/53919334/1

[5]Tribune Broadcasting http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tribune_Broadcasting

[6]Tribune Company Website http://www.tribune.com/

[7] Newspaper Paywalls http://www.thewrap.com/media/article/newspaper-paywalls-too-little-too-late-fallen-giant-industry-35885

[8] Tribune Company Statement on Negotiations with CableVision http://corporate.tribune.com/pressroom/?p=4462

[9] Printed Material Comes to Life with New Augmented Reality App http://corporate.tribune.com/pressroom/?p=4452

[10] Analog. Digital. What’s the Difference? http://telecom.hellodirect.com/docs/Tutorials/AnalogVsDigital.1.051501.asp

[11]Company Overview of Tribune Broadcasting Co. http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=1579369

[12] About Tribune Administration/ Executives http://corporate.tribune.com/pressroom/?page_id=2

[13] Tribune Co. Bankruptcy http://www.deadline.com/tag/tribune-co-bankruptcy/

[14] Tribune Win’s FCC Approval http://corporate.tribune.com/pressroom/?p=4835

[15] Restructuring Information Website http://dm.epiq11.com/TRB/Project

[16] Tribune Company History http://corporate.tribune.com/pressroom/?page_id=2313