Category Archives: Television Companies

TV Companies

Univision

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by Samantha Hart

(Click the Univision logo above or here to view The New American Reality of Univision) [1][2][3]

Type: Broadcast Television Network
Broadcast Area: United States, Puerto Rico
Country: United States Production
State: Doral, Florida
Slogan: Todos Estamos con Univision – “We All Are With Univision“
Launch Date: September 30, 1962
Official Website: Univision.com
Former Names: Spanish International Network (1962-1986)
Key Executives for Univision Communications, Inc. [4]
Randy Falco  – Chief Exceutive Officer
Cesar Conde  –  President
Kevin Conroy – President; Univision Interactive Media and Enterprise Developement
Chiqui Cartagena – Vice President; Corporate Marketing
Charlie Echeverry – EVP Sales; Univision Interactive Media
Jessica Rodriguez – Senior Vice President, Univision Cable Networks
Graciela Eleta – Senior Vice President; Client Development Group

 

Univision Properties [5]

Brief History:

The Univision / Telefutura Television Group, Inc. operates as a subsidary of Univision Communications, Inc as of 1992. Based out of Los Angeles, California, Univision / Telefutura Television Group, Inc. owns and operates a network of English and Spanish-language television stations (full-power and low-power) in the United States and Puerto Rico. It owns and operates 19 full-power and seven low-power stations that assist the distribution of the Univision Network in multiple areas. These stations are considered to be the number one Spanish-language stations in most markets and continue to outdeliver some English-language stations. Continue to learn the history of Univision Television Group, Inc. [6] [7]

January 2012:

Kicking off in January, DISH Network became the first distributor to launch a number of of Univision’s television networks. The combination of the nations third largest pay-TV provider (DISH Network) and America’s leading company serving the Hispanic demographic (Univision) has led to a multi-year, multi-platform agreement that will begin in the first half of 2012. This will give DISH Network subscribers, specifically Latinos, a chance to obtain a selection of Spanish-language networks and programs from their own homes. DISH subscribers will be provided with Univision Deportes, Univision Tlnovelas, Univision Noticias and Univision Deportes Dos. [8] [9] [10]

In relation to distribution, Univision has highly popular cable television shows and continues to create an assortment of series to relate to the viewer. For example, “The Biggest Loser” is one of America’s most watched reality shows and Univision will be bringing a similar series to its weekly airing during primetime: “Dale Con Ganas.” A reality show, relatively similar to that of “The Biggest Loser,” its host will be Alfonso ‘Poncho’ de Anda, who is also a co-host of “Despierta America” (Wake-Up America).  Four Hispanic trainers, Maria Simon, Mercalo Crudele, Oscar Luna and Luis Alberto Aracena will work to train four Hispanic families over the course of three months. These contestants will fight to lose the most weight in order to receive a whopping $100,000 in prize money and a feeling of satisfaction in themselves and each other. Premiere date is Wednesday, January 11 at 10 PM ET/PT (9 p.m. CT)[11][12]

Another show that premiered on January 30 at 8 P.M. ET/PT (7P.M. Central) is “El Talismán,” a new type of drama between a cynical, yet loving father who loses everything in a poker game. His daughter, Camila falls in love with a man, Pedro.  Secrecy, lies and manipulation drives this television show, enabling Camila’s father to destroy their relationship. The deceit and manipulation keep the audience wanting more, keeping them interested while Camila and Pedro search for the “talisman.” [13] In fact, “El Talismán” delivered the highest produced novela premiere.  Over 5 million viewers tuned in to watch this premiere on Monday, January 30th. [14] During this premiere time, Univision was ranked as the No. 2 broadcast network, beating a number of well-known networks (ABC, CBS, NBC, and CW). [15] This show continues to show high ratings weekly according to TVbytheNumbers, Network TV’s Press Releases. [16] [17]

A new cooking show, “Delicioso,” will debut on February 4th at 1:00 P.M. ET/PT (12 P.M. Central). [18] Celebrity chef, Ingrid Hoffmann will be the main host during this one-hour show that will run on the Univision Network. She will teach and instruct viewers how to create and prepare delicious, easy cooked meals for families and friends.  The show will also feature special guests and offer healthy lifestyle commentary and cooking recommendations. [19] Hoffmann commented that her “style of cooking is that of simple and delicious recipes that don’t require elaborate techniques and hours of slaving in the kitchen,” which will be appealing to most viewers due to simplicity. [20] To learn more about Ingrid Hoffman’s cooking show, “Delicioso,” go to Univision.com, keyword: Delicioso. [21]

 

February 2012:

Univision Communications Inc., announces the new vice president of Programming and Production for Univision Cable Networks as Cristina Schwarz. Being a part of the Univision family for seventeen years, gives her the experience needed to hold such a position with honor and respectability. [22]

TeleFutura is set to premiere International Hit Series of Family Guy on Monday, February 20th at 7 P.M. ET/PT 9 (6P.M. Central). [23] [24] This  hit series portrays the “odd” Griffin  family with sarcastic humor and screwball characters.  The family centered characters consist of Peter (father), Lois (Mother), Brian (Dog), Meg (Daughter), Chris (Son), and Stewie (Baby).  It follows the adventures of this chaotic and irrationally hilarious family in the imaginary town of Quahog. [25] It is sure to win over Hispanics across the country when it is premiered in Spanish. Learn more about Seth MacFarlane’s, Family Guy and it’s outlandish plots. [26]

The finale of “Los Heroes del Norte,” a Galavision original series, ranks as the #1 primetime Spanish-language telecast last night. Over 2 million viewers tuned in to the show’s finale, which followed the show’s five band members on their quest for stardom.  For those who missed the latest episode, episode recaps, videos and photos of the cast are available online at Univision.com, keyword Los Heroes del Norte. [27] “Los Heroes del Norte” did exceptionally well this season, with 18 full episodes airing on Galavision. An average of 278,000 viewers tuned in weekly, a triple-digit growth from last year’s number of viewers. [28]

The hit reality beauty competition “Nuestra Belleza Latina” is set to return for a 6th season.   It will premiere on Sunday, March 4th at 8:00 P.M. ET/PT on the Univision network.  The eye-catching glamour and the thrill of the competition has been reaching the consumer with grand numbers. [29] In fact, the recent premiere of Nuestra Belleza Latina reached 6.7 million total viewers who tuned in to watch the two-hour broadcast. [30]

Univision, the leading Spanish-speaking broadcast network, outranks ABC, NBC, and CBS as the #2 Network for Adults 18-34. The network, which has an average primetime audience of almost 3.6 million viewers, generates 40% more viewers than its leading competitor, ABC. Univision was the only broadcast network that didn’t lose primetime viewership, citing a +5% increase in viewers, while ABC suffered a -2% decrease, CBS suffered a -2% decrease, and Fox suffered a -19% decrease. [31] Sunday nights are the network’s most successful, with shows like “Parodiando” and “Sal y Pimienta” which rake in an average of 2.4 million viewers each week. [32]

March 2012:

TeleFutura delivers double-digit audience growth in February Sweep 2012 in comparison to Novemeber 2011 Sweep.  Set to end the February 2012 Sweep with an extremely strong audience growth in the course of all key demographics. [33] Univision is also set to finish February sweeps as No.1 network on Friday nights among Adults 18-34 with an average audience of 3.6 million total viewers in this specific catgory. [34]

“Nuestra Belleza Latina,” Univision’s top-ranking reality series, announces the 12 finalists that will continue on in the competition. Half of the show’s 24 female competitors were eliminated last night. Friendships were tested and bonds were broken. The remaining contestants will be relocated to a mansion in Miami. There, they will compete in difficult challenges and showcase their talents, in hopes of winning $250,000 in cash and prizes, and the opportunity to become a Univision television personality. The series, in its most-watched season to date, airs every Sunday from 8 p.m. – 10 p.m. on Univision. Since its debut in 2007, the reality show has become one of Univision’s most popular series. [35] [36]

Univision names Michael Rodriguez as Vice President and General Manager of (Miami) Univision Television Group. Making his start at Univision Radio, Rodriquez has upheld his title and experience, and has made a shift in the direction of the Univision Television Group.   [37]

April 2012:

Univision announces that the series finale of “Parodiando,” its top-ranking talent and comedy show, will be two hours long, and air this Sunday at 7 p.m on Univision. The final show will feature the remaining 10 finalists competing for the glory and title of best celebrity impersonator. The series originally featured 58 aspiring comedians, who were one-by-one eliminated by judge and famed celebrity impersonator, Gilberto Gless, as well as a group of Mexican comedians. [38] [39]

 

Univision, the leading Spanish-speaking broadcast network, names Antonio Roman as senior vice president of National Sales for the Television Station Group. Mark Dante, executive vice president of Television Station Group Ad Sales, made the announcement today. Roman’s experience and his ability to form relationships and develop solutions made him the ideal candidate for the position, Dante said. Roman’s relationship with Univision spans over a decade. He started as an account executive at the KMEX Univision in Los Angeles in 1996, and worked his way up from there, serving as the local sales manager, the vice president of Marketing and Business Development for the Univision Television Group. He also served as vice president of Network Sales, Southeast and Southwest Regions. [40]

References:

  1.  Unvision Logo – Image
  2. The New American Reality – Univision.com 
  3. The New American Reality Video – YouTube.com
  4. Specific Information for Key Executive Officers – Univision.com
  5. Univision Properties – Image
  6. More History of Univision – Businessweek.com
  7. Univision/Telefutura Television Group – Corporate.univision.com
  8. Univision & Dish Network Agreement – Corporate.univision.com
  9. Dish Network to distribute new Univision channels – latimes.com
  10. Univision & Dish Network – Image
  11. Dale Con Ganas – “Biggest Loser” New Program – Corporate.univision.com
  12. Dale Con Ganas – Image
  13. “El Talismán” – Premiere Date – Corporate.univision.com
  14. “El Talismán” – Premiere Numbers – Corporate.univision.com
  15. “El Talismán” – Premiere Ratings – tvbythenumbers.com
  16. “El Talismán” – Weekly Ratings – tvbythenumbers.com
  17. “El Talismán” – Image 
  18. “Delicioso” – Image
  19. “Delicioso” – New Program – Coporate.univision.com
  20. “Delicioso” – hispanicprblog.com
  21. Univision’s Delicioso Website – Cocina.univision.com
  22. Univision’s New V.P. – Corporate.univision.com
  23. Family Guy on TeleFutura – Image
  24. Family Guy and Univision – Corporate.univision.com
  25. Family Guy News – hispanicallyspeakingnews.com
  26. Family Guy on FOX – fox.com
  27. “Los Heroes del Norte” – Univision Show – Corporate.univision.com
  28. “Los Heroes del Norte” – Image
  29. “Nuestra Belleza Latina” – Beauty Competition – Corporate.univision.com
  30. “Nuestra Belleza Latina” – Numbers – rbr.com
  31. Univision Leading Network – Corporate.univision.com
  32. Univision Numbers – rbr.com
  33. TeleFutura – February Sweeps – Corporate.univision.com
  34. February Sweeps 2012 – tvbythenumbers.com
  35. “Nuestra Belleza Latina” – Corporate.univision.com
  36. “Nuestra Belleza Latina” – Image
  37. Michael Rodriquez – Corporate.univision.com
  38. “Parodiando” – Corporate.univision.com
  39. “Parodiando” – Corporate.univision.com
  40. Antonio Roman – VP of National Sales – Corporate.univision.com

 

 

Scripps Television Group

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by Alyssa Di Rienzo

 

Scripps Television Network 

 


 

Quick

Facts

Founded:

1887

Founder:

Edward W. Scripps

Headquarters:

Cincinnati, Ohio

CEO:

Richard A. Boehne

SVP/Television:

Brian G. Lawlor

 

Brief History

Edward W. Scripps founded the E.W. Scripps Company on November 2, 1878.  Scripps borrowed 10,000 dollars from his brother to start what he believed would be an “information revolution” in America.  The company began as a newspaper in Cleveland aimed at the large audience of urban workers.   Scripps then expanded his vision into other cities across America, creating a newspaper empire.  Edward H. Scripps partnered with Roy H. Howard in the late 1920s.  Soon after Howard became a chairman of the company. Howard’s son, Jack R. Howard had tremendous influence on the development of the Broadcasting segment of the Scripps Company.   He helped to launch the company’s first two TV stations:  WEWS in Cleveland and WCPO in Cincinnati.   The company continued to venture into other markets with their TV stations, allowing Scripps to grow into what it is today.  Later, in the early 1980’s, the company decided to purchase numerous cable TV stations.

Current Affairs 

Introductions

In late 2011 the company introduced smartphone and tablet apps.1   The apps focus on severe weather warnings and breaking news.  E.W. Scripps announced that it plans to stream live television to mobile devices.1 Scripps is the first company to offer the live streaming feature.  The company explained that the apps will allow users to get news and additional information in 9 different TV markets.  TV markets that will be included are WXYZ Detroit, KNXV Phoenix, WFTS Tampa, WEWS Cleveland, KSHB Kansas City, WMAR Baltimore, WCPO Cincinnati, WPTV West Palm Beach and KJRH Tulsa.1

Acquisitions and Expansions

On December 30th 2011 Scripps completed it acquisition of McGraw-Hill Broadcasting.  McGraw-Hill agreed to sell Scripps the 9-station group for $212 million dollars.  The McGraw Hill Broadcasting Company consists of ABC affiliates in Denver (KMGH), San Diego, (KGTV), Bakersfield (KERO), Indianapolis (WRTV) and Azteca America affiliates in Denver, Fort Collins, Colorado Springs, San Diego and Bakersfield.  Harold McGraw III, chairman and CEO of McGraw-Hill spoke highly of the sale.  He said, “Scripps is a respected media company that will provide an excellent new home for our broadcasting stations and allow them to deepen their ties and value in the markets they serve.”2

In late February the E.W. Scripps group announced that the company plans to expand its television reporting operations into the Washington DC market.12   The Company claims that they are “enhancing [their] TV investigation team to provide stories with national impact.” 12

With the expansion, will come a new investigation team.  The team will launch a more intense review and analysis on governmental actions.12   The team will also work closely with the E.W. Scripps Newspaper in that area.12

In mid April, the E.W. Scripps Company also announced plans to partake in a joint venture with a mobile TV company called Dyle.  Dyle is a mobile company operated by the Mobile Content Venture, which includes 12 other broadcast groups, one of which being the E.W. Scripps Group.  Dyle is working to expand into new markets.  By the end of 2012, Dyle Mobile will offer its services to more than 90 stations in 35 different markets.   Scripps is excited about this venture.6

Scripps TV stations announced that is it giving more responsibility to 3 of their general managers, in March 22nd 2012.11 Ed Fernandez, Sam Rosenwasser and Steve Wasserman will now be responsible for supervising secondary network affiliates along with various other additional stations.11   This reorganization is part of a larger plan to allow Scripps to gain more market share.

Earnings 

In Quarter 4, Scripps reported a 16% decrease in revenue.9 In Q4 the company reported revenue of 84.7 million dollars.9   E.W. Scripps made the decision to increase advertising spending by 11.4%.9    The CEO of the company, Rich Boehne, seems unconcerned about the decline in revenue.  He was reported saying, “We substantially repositioned Scripps in 2011, clearing the way for improved performance in 2012, enlarging our television footprint, and enabling an aggressive rollout of new digital products and services.” 9


On March 7th the Scripps Group filed its 10K, exceeding expectations on revenue and earnings per share.  Revenue numbers came in at 197.4 million. The company also forecasted next quarter’s resume for 202.8 million. 10

CEO Richard Boehne © Bold Fusion Event 2010

Programming

Scripps Television Group plans to replace syndicated programming such as Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy with original programming in late 2012.  The SVP of TV, Brian G. Lawlor, claims that the project has been in the works for over 2 years.8 Scripps reveals that they will begin working on their own game show to rival these classics. The programming is set to air on 7 major stations in the US.  This announcement was made on March 2nd 2012. 8

Scripps continues to add television stations to the company.  Over the past several months Scripps has nearly double its number of stations.  To this point, the E.W. Scripps Company owns and operates at total of 19 stations. 3 The Scripps Television Group hopes to continue this pattern of growth in the future as well.

Awards

On April 16th, the E.W. Scripps Group was awarded the prestigious Distinguished Service Award presented by the National Association of Broadcasters.3   Normally, the award is reserved for outstanding individuals, but the NAB decided to award it to a company, for just the second time in history.  The Distinguished Service Award is similar to a lifetime achievement award in broadcasting.  The NAB granted Scripps this award in recognition of over 130 years of excellence in the industry.  At the ceremony NAB president Gordan Smith announced, “A media pioneer since the 1800s, the Scripps Company is held in the industry’s highest esteem. In recognition of the company’s commitment to excellence, innovation and outstanding service to local communities, we are proud to present Scripps with the Distinguished Service Award whose recipients are among broadcasting’s most respected leaders.”3  CEO Rich Boehne graciously accepted the award.

Boehne Accepts the Distinguished Service Award © NAB 2012

Click here to watch a video describing further describing the award. 13

 

 

Scripps Television Stations also received additional recognition.  Scripps TV stations in 6 separate markets won 13 regional Edward R. Murrow Awards for achievement in electronic journalism.4   Winning stations included:

–               KMGH Denver

–               WFTS Tampa

–               KSHB Kansas City

–               WEWS Cleveland

–               WPTV West Palm Beach

–               WMAR Baltimore

 

Lobbying

Recently, the Scripps Group has been lobbying against a government proposal to increase transparency of political spending.7   The are working to shut down the Federal Communications Commission’s plan that would require broadcasters to post political ad spending data on the internet.  The Scripps Group has received criticism for opposing this initiative.

A representative from the E.W. Scripps Company along with a group of top broadcast executives from companies such as Cox Media, Hearst Television and many others, met with FCC chairman Julius Genachowski and an attorney on April 19th to discuss their proposal for political ad spending.7

 

FCC chairman Julius Genachowski © AP Photo/Harry Hamburg, File

 

Sources

1: E.w. scripps co. first to offer live video programming to mobile devices. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.cellphones911.com/ew-scripps-co-first-to-offer-live-video-programming-to-mobile-devices/

2: Ariens, C. (2011, Oct 03). Mcgraw-hill sells tv stations to scripps for $212 million. Retrieved from http://www.mediabistro.com/tvspy/mcgraw-hill-sells-tv-stations-to-scripps-for-212–

3: E.w. scripps honored with broadcasting award. (2012, April 16). Retrieved from http://www.turnto23.com/news/30901711/detail.html

4: Scripps wins more edward r. murrow awards than ever before. (2012, April 16). Retrieved from http://www.marketwatch.com/story/scripps-wins-more-edward-r-murrow-awards-than-ever-before-2012-04-16

5: Elliott, J. (2012, April 23). Big media lobbies against transparency. Retrieved from http://www.tucsonsentinel.com/nationworld/report/042312_media_transparency/big-media-lobbies-against-transparency/

6: 17 more stations to participate in upcoming dyle(tm) mobile tv launch. (2012, April 16). Retrieved from http://www.marketwatch.com/story/17-more-stations-to-participate-in-upcoming-dyletm-mobile-tv-launch-2012-04-16

7: Eggerton, J. (2012, April 19). Broadcast groups pitch chairman on political file compromise. Retrieved from http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/483340-Broadcast_Groups_Pitch_Chairman_On_Political_File_Compromise.php

8: Colman, P. (2012, Feb 24). Scripps to swap syndie fare for own shows. Retrieved from http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/2012/02/24/57684/scripps-to-swap-syndie-fare-for-own-shows

9: Gauthier, A. (2012, Feb 24). Scripps reports 16% decrease in q4 revenue, looks to future following mcgraw-hill acquisition. Retrieved from http://www.mediabistro.com/tvspy/scripps-reports-16-decrease-in-q4-revenue-looks-to-future-following-mcgraw-hill-acquisition_b40233

10: (2012, March 07). Retrieved from http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/46704755/ns/business-motley_fool/

11: Scripps adds duties to 3 general managers. (2012, March 22). Retrieved from http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/2012/03/22/58254/scripps-adds-duties-to-3-general-managers

12: Scripps expands d.c. investigative reporting operation. (2012, March 16). Retrieved from http://broadcastengineering.com/news/scripps_expands_dc_investigate_reporting_03162012/

 

Viacom

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Viacom Media Networks © 2008-2011 Viacom Inc. All Rights Reserved. Profile Viacom is the world’s fourth-largest media conglomerate and owns the prestigious Paramount Pictures, MTV, and BET Networks. Executives Philippe Dauman: President and Chief Executive Officer  Thomas E. Dooley: Chief Operating Officer … Continue reading →

Gannett Broadcasting

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Gannett Broadcasting, 7950 Jones Branch Drive, McLean, VA 22107, United States, Phone: 703-854-6760, Fax: 703-854-2005 http://www.gannett.com/

Gannett Broadcasting is a subsidiary of Gannett Company Inc., an international media and marketing solutions company. Gannett Co. Inc. is involved in digital, mobile, broadcast and print media. Gannett engages over 100 million every month through its network. Gannett Broadcasting owns and operates several local broadcasting stations. The company is based out of McLean, Virginia. Gannett Co. Inc.  runs 23 television stations in 17 United States markets. Gannett publishes 82 daily U.S. newspapers and more than 600 magazines. One of Gannett Co.’s British subsidiaries, Newsquest, operates 17 daily paid-for titles, and over 200 weekly print publications. [1]

History

Frank Gannett founded Gannett Co. Inc. in 1923 in Rochester, NY. Gannett Co. Inc. was an expansion of a newspaper business he had previously started in Elmira, New York in 1906. Gannett expanded his company by purchasing small independent newspapers and developing them into one large chain. By 1979 the chain he created had reached 79 newspapers. Gannett’s oldest newspaper in circulation is the Star-Gazette (Elmira, NY). The company moved to its current headquarters in 2001.

On Mar 7, 2011 Gannett introduced a new logo for the company, which replaced a stylized “G” logo that had been in use since the 1970s. The new logo features the company’s full name along with the slogan “It’s all within reach.”[2]

Financial Information

 

 

 

 

 

Gannett Co. Inc. stock (GCI) has seen a 1.39 percent drop over the past year. It has a market value of $3,319,655,490. The company has 236,949,00 outstanding shares. The estimated annual EPS (Dec-12) is 2.18. The quarterly EPS (Jun-12) is 0.53. The 52wk Range for GCI is 8.28-16.26. [3]

 

Assets

Print Media

  • USA Today of McLean, VA
  • The Arizona Republic of Phoenix, AZ
  • Detroit Free Press
  • The Indianapolis Star
  • The Courier-Journal
  • The Cincinnati Enquirer
  • The Tennessean
  • Democrat and Chronicle
  • Asbury Park Press
  • The Des Moines Register
  • The News Journal of Wilmington, DE
  • The Journal News of White Plains, NY

Broadcast Media

  • WBIR-TV (Knoxville, Tennessee)
  • WXIA-TV and WATL (Atlanta, GA)
  • WUSA (Washington, DC)
  • KPNX (Phoenix, AZ)
  • WTSP (Tampa, FL)
  • KARE (Minneapolis, MN
  • KUSA-TV and KTVD (Denver, CO)
  • WKYC-TV (Cleveland, OH)
  • KXTV (Sacramento, CA)
  • KSDK (St. Louis, MO)
  • WZZM-TV (Grand Rapids, MI)
  • WFMY-TV (Greensboro, NC)
  • WJXX and WTLV (Jacksonville, FL)
  • WGRZ-TV (Buffalo, NY)
  • KTHV-TV (Little Rock, AK)
  • WLTX (Columbia, SC)
  • WMAZ-TV (Macon, GA)
  • WCSH-TV (Portland, ME)
  • WLBZ-TV (Bangor, ME)

Digital Assets

Directors

The key executives for the company are David Lougee, President; Craig A. Dubow, Chairman of Gannett Co.; Dodie Cantrell-Bickley, President of Jacksonville Stations and General Manager of Jacksonville Stations; Ken Tonning, President of WTSP-TV and General Manager of WTSP-TV; Steve Carter, President of WCSH-TV and General Manager of WCSH-TV. [4]

Recent News

On February 22, 2012, Gannett issued a press release stating that an investor meeting was held which presented a growth strategy and cash flow-funded capital program. The company expects to return over $1.3 billion to shareholders by the year 2015.  The President and Chief Executive Officer Gracia Martore stated,
“Gannett is once again playing offense, poised for growth and value creation, our Board and management have designed a strategy that leverages our deep-rooted consumer and marketer relationships in 100-plus local communities, or what we call our hometown advantage, with our mainstream brand recognition and our strong balance sheet and cash flow. Our differentiators are critical to our success, and we are confident this new strategy will return Gannett to a path of profitable and sustainable revenue growth, and deliver value for all of our stakeholders.”[5]

Gannett Broadcasting announced on April 17, 2012 that 15 of its local stations won 31 regional 2012 Edward R. Murrow Awards. These awards recognize outstanding achievements in electronic journalism. The Edward R. Murrow Awards are sponsored by the Radio Television Digital News Association. The winners of the awards were: KARE-TV in Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN (eight awards); WGRZ-TV in Buffalo, NY (two awards); KTHV-TV in Little Rock, AR (one award); KUSA-TV in Denver, CO (five awards); WBIR-TV in Knoxville, TN (three awards); WXIA-TV in Atlanta, GA (two awards); KSDK-TV in St. Louis, MO (two awards); WUSA-TV in Washington DC (one award); WTSP-TV in Tampa-St. Petersburg, FL (one award); KPNX-TV in Phoenix, AZ (one award); WKYC-TV in Cleveland, OH (one award); WZZM-TV in Grand Rapids-Kalamazoo-Battle Creek, MI (one award); WTLV/WJXX in Jacksonville, FL (one award); WCSH-TV in Portland, ME (one award); WMAZ-TV in Macon, GA (one award).[6]

On April 23, 2012, Jeremy Gaines was appointed to lead corporate communications for Gannett Co. Gaines will play a key role in helping Gannett implement its strategic growth plan. As Vice President of Communcations, Gaines will  be instrumental in explaining Gannett’s future and how the company plans to stay successful. Gaines’ responsibilities will include leading internal and external communications for the entire Gannett Co. and he will serve as the communications advisor to the senior management team. The Chief Marketing Office, Maryam Banikarim stated, “Gannett is staking out a leadership position in a fast-transforming industry, and we will benefit enormously from having Jeremy guide our communication efforts. He is a strategic leader and his deep experience in the industry, strong relationships with the media and ability to tell a story will be a major asset as we grow and transform Gannett. We are thrilled to have Jeremy lead the team.” [7]

Gannett Co. Inc. issued a press release on May 1, 2012, stating that shareholders had re-elected Chairman, Majorie Magner; President and CEO CEO, Gracia C. Martore; John E. Cody; Howard D. Elias; Arthur H. Harper; John Jeffry Louis; Scott K. McCune; Duncan M. McFarland; Susan Ness; and Neal Shapiro to the Board of Directors. The directors will serve one-year terms, which will end at Gannett’s annual meeting in 2013. The Board of Directors also declared a regular quarterly dividend of 20 cents per share. CEO Gacia Martore issued a statement about the financial amendments stating, “We have an ongoing commitment to return increasing amounts of capital to our shareholders and this dividend reaffirms the Board of Directors’ and management’s confidence in our capital allocation strategy, while also reflecting our current strength and strong belief in Gannett’s future prospects.” [8]

BBC

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The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is a public broadcasting corporation originally founded in 1922 in London, England, United Kingdom. In 1936, it launched the first television service. It is composed of several different media affiliates: BBC News, BBC Worldwide, BBC Radio, and BBC Films. Today, the BBC’s emphasis on changes such as becoming more ingrained with the digital world reflects the current global trends in broadcasting.

A timeline of important events of the history of the BBC can be seen on the BBC page.[1]

BBC Logo

 

Location and contact information

Media Centre

201 Wood Lane

London W12 7TQ

United Kingdom

Phone: +44 20 8433 2000

Fax: +44 20 8749 0538

html: http://www.bbcworldwide.com[2]

 

News about Shows and Channels

The past several months displayed much activity in the development and broadcasting of various shows. BBC picked up new shows such as Crash Course.[3] BBC premiered seasons for returning shows such as Top Gear.[4]

On February 29, BBC had announced that, with Clarkenwell Films, they would produce Wired, a show about our utilization of technology, and The Dead Beat, about a living and a dead cop working together.[5]

In April, BBC began to show, for the first time, the complete US version Planet Earth. In addition to this, BBC also debuted a two hour making of the series called The Making Of Planet Earth, narrated by Dan Stevens.[6]

BBC has also increased its presence on Netflix, with the service now streaming Merlin and Satisfaction.[7]

BBC Worldwide announced on their blog on February 22 that they were thrilled about launching their new site, BBC Future. BBC Future will be a site that will be dedicated to the changing and ever developing trends in technology, medicine, and society in general. The website will be divided, as the blog stated, into 12 columns. The columns will deal with discussions aforementioned. Also, the website will work heavily with the series Click, a BBC World New’s show about new technology. The site will also include a Facebook and Twitter link.[8]

Much buzz has been spurred by the new stills from the upcoming season of BBC One’s Doctor Who. The eighth series will be shown in October. The team was filming in New York City in April, and crowds had gathered to watch the filming take place.[9] There is much anticipation for the series as the show is entering its 50th year anniversary since the start of the broadcast, and a new companion, played by Jenna-Louise Coleman, will be introduced. Fans seem to be having a mixed response over the new companion. Some seem excited, as she gave a quirky interview talking about when she learned that she had achieved the part. Others, however, view her as “dim.”[10]

Another BBC show that has been enjoying the limelight in the last few months is BBC One’s Sherlock.  It is a mini-series program that was first broadcast in 2010. It stars Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman, and it is set in a modern day version of Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes stories.[11]

On January 15, 2012, 8 million people in the United Kingdom came together to watch the second season’s finale, “The Reichenbach Fall.” There was much reaction from viewers, and they vented about the cliffhanger on various social mediums such as Twitter.[12]

In addition to large names like J.J. Abrams becoming interested in Cumberbatch as a result of his Sherlock Holmes role, an intense and creative fanbase surrounding the actor’s fame has developed, starting Internet memes such as “Otters that Look Like Benedict Cumberbatch.” He has been reported saying that he thinks these affectionate memes are “brilliant.”[13]

Otters that look like Benedict Cumberbatch

 

Deals and Developments

The BBC oversaw developments in different executive roles and deals made with companies these past few months.

The BBC named Helen Pendlebury the head of Commercial, Entertainment & Children’s Brands in BBC Worldwide Austrailia. With Pendlebury’s new job, she will work to not only promote shows like Doctor Who worldwide, but she will also manage cross optimization by incorporating different platforms with shows, such as gaming or home entertainment.[14]

In late March, BBC America and SBS Australia made a deal to remake Go Back To Where You Came From. This marks a new stride for SBS, as this is the first time that that the SBS will have signed with a US broadcaster. This is not the only broadcaster, however, that wants to get involved with the project. Apparently, “Tuvalu Media, Studio Hamburg DocLights, Snowman Productions and Curious Pictures have all signed on having the option to produce local versions of the docu-series in the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden and South Africa respectively,” according to Cynopsis.[15]

 

New Technology

A growing trend in the social media technology is the development of apps being incorporated to shows and channels. These apps help the viewer to become more involved with the programs they are watching by enhancing their viewer experience through statistics, information, and games.

Announced in April, BBC Worldwide Digital Entertainment & Games worked in collaboration with 6wave to create and distribute new Facebook games. Shows like Top Gear will be featured in said games. The Top Gear game will be a racing game.[16]

In March, the Foundation, a BBC company, helped come up with a Waybaloo app for kids. It was had worked with Zodiak Kids. The app will feature mini games and fans of the show will recognize elements of the story from the show itself.[17]

Another prominent app that the BBC recently launched in April was the BBC Sport app and News app. These apps were in conjuncture with Tivo and were with Tivo’s Red Button.[18]

On March 1, BBC News allowed users to have access to their new app for Android and iOS, called Pulse news. The app allows users to get the facts and details about the news around the world by simply interacting with the touch screen.[19]

 

Miscellaneous News

The BBC television centre is in need of repair, and the issue has been exacerbated to the point where, in March, there was reports of a rat infestation. Many workers there have been complaining about the issue.[20]

 

Notes