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Paxson renders unto TCI Bud Paxson is buying his way back into good graces, agreeing to pay Tele- Communications Inc. up to $27 million to extend car- riage of his start -up Pax . / 6 CNN Headline News cuts 70 jobs CNN's Headline News is laying off nearly one -quarter of its news production work force. Headline News says automation will reduce staffing demands hut the network has also experienced lower ratings. / 10 Wall CBS cooks in first quarter Street credits for CBS's 'Merlin' was NBC's highest -reed mini- impressive first -quarter results. Revenue and profit growth percentages at the owned series for adults 18 -49 since 1984 - TV stations have been in the teens since November of last year. / 14 helping the network tc an easy win in the first week of the May sweeps. / 14 FCC rejects license challenge The FCC last week rejected a Denver group's contention that it should pull four TV licenses because the stations aired too much violence in their local news coverage. / 20 COVER STORY BROA ASTING / 105 Broadcast Parity is Job One Fox keeps the 'Hill' Twenti- TBS Chaim-an Terry McGuirk dis- eth kept the most antici- cusses his reservations abort digital, pated off -network series in the fami- cable operators' complaint; and ly, as the 22 Fox owned- and -oper- more. 30 Corer photo by Mar* Hill / ated stations snatched syndication SPECIAL REPORT rights to King of the Hill for some A IooL at the $1.5 million per episode. / 105 issues for Take your daughter to 17 8 cable its the ABC shines on Saturday work, Fox style. / 110 industry galher> for the annual ABC's Saturday morning cartoon lineup has been a bright show in Atkmta. / 30 spot in an otherwise dull performance. /105 TECHNOLOGY /118 CABLE / 97 New York 1 buys ASC, Vibrint servers Two CTW, Nick team up in `Suite' deal Children's years alter committing to the DVCPRO format, New York Television Workshop has landed its children's educa- I News purchases video server systems from ASC Audio tional cable network- , a 50 -50 joint venture with Video and Vibrint Technologies to migrate its program , set to debut playback from tape to disk. /118 in January 1999. / 97 Tele / 124 Fox chases Mouse Fox Family Channel will SNL' ready for online? debuts online this week, spend $125 million to pro- offering hundreds of skits from a broad- cast history duce 26 original movies, that began in October 1975. / 124 pitting some against Changing Hands... 115 Datebook 139 Fifth Estater 140 ABC's Disney offerings Classified 127 Editorials 146 For the Record 136 on Sunday nights. / 98 Operators In the Trenches' 104 Closed Circuit 16 Fates & Fortunes..141 In Brief 144

Broadcasting & Cable May 4 1998 3

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Paxson renders unto TCI Rln \ cable carriage for Pax Net; WB also cuts 'white -area' deal with TCI. Time Warner

By John M. Higgins up front, instead creating 22 land. The default was far from life - cable -only WB "stations" threatening-UBS amended the bank Once a major villain to to be operated by small - agreement in March and is expected to cable operators in the market station owner refinance the loans this week. But must -carry wars, given Paxson's huge existing debt and Bud Paxson is buying his Corp., which will pay 10%, looming commitments to shift from way back into their good of local ad revenue to the to cartoons and series like graces-I iteral ly- agree- local systems. , securities ana- ing to pay Tele- Communi- Industry executives lysts are looking nervously at a poten- cations Inc. up to $27 mil- familiar with the TCI deal tial $60 million in launch fees to ICI lion to extend carriage of say that Pax Net is paying and other operators. his start -up Pax Net broad- about $6 per subscriber for "1 don't know where he's going to cast network. Paxson on buying each system carrying the get the cash." says one Wall Street cable carriage: 'It's The deal helps to fill out cheaper than buying network on an analog tier to executive. distribution for the Paxson stations.' all of its basic subscribers. But Paxson calls the carriage deal a Communications Inc. Systems putting Pax Net on good bargain. "It's cheaper than buy- chairman's family -oriented network, a digital tier get just $2 per sub. ing stations," he says. "I think this sort scheduled to launch in September. TCI The analog fee is short of the $13.88 of sets the style. Any broadcast net- systems will carry the service in small - per subscriber that paid work today getting high penetration is town and rural "white areas" where the cable operators two years ago, but in going to have to do a hybrid deal with company has no owned -and -operated line with launch fees paid by networks broadcast and cable." stations or affiliates. The deal could like Animal Planet, HGTV and Car- Paxson wouldn't disclose the size of give Pax Net up to 4.5 million addi- toon Network. the payments to ICI. But he did say tional homes. Paxson's deal is more notable than that the MSO will get avails to resell to The deal is similar in concept to one The WB's because it spotlights Pax local advertisers -more spots per hour that the WB Network cut last week Net's financial strains. in daytime and fewer in . with TCI (and sister Time Warner Inc. In December, Paxson Communica- Pax Net's O &Os and affiliates cur- subsidiary ) for tions slipped into technical default on a rently cover just 72e% of all TV homes carriage in 22 so- called white markets. $120 million loan package from a bank in the country. The ICI deal, plus a Under that deal, The WB pays nothing group led by Union Rank of Switzer- pending deal with DBS operator PAX NET SNAPSHOT

Paxson Communications's new Quinn, Medicine Woman; Diagnosis family programming network Pax ;'Touched by an Murder, Dave's World; I'll Fly Away, Net will launch on broadcast and Angel' is prime Life Goes On; The Father Dowling time's anchor cable Aug. 31. Chairman Lowell program. Mysteries; Christy; Rider; "Bud" Paxson hopes to reach more Promised Land; Eight is Enough; than 80% of U.S. TV households by Head of the Class; Here's Lucy, Alice; launch to beat Fox's launch cover- Love Boat, Highway to Heaven; Bam- age. Only four more months to fill in aby Jones, and Medical Center plus the holes. Here's how things stand. is children's programming by The Walt Disney Co.'s DIC Entertainment. Coverage: Paxson's owned, operat- ed and affiliated network of broadcast stations adds up Personnel: Paxson announced the complete list of exec- to 70 stations reaching 68.2% of U.S. TV homes. Ten of utive personnel on April 16 including general managers those 70 stations are under construction. When on the and sales managers for each of its stations and network air they will constitute 4.3% of the 68.2 %. The coverage sales staff divided into regions. The jobs page on the would jump to nearly 72 %, if low -power stations and Paxson website www.pax.net has been significantly Puerto Rican stations are counted. sized down, but the company still has lower -level hiring Programming Programs to appear regularly on Pax Net are: to do at the stations to fill out its promised 600 new jobs, Touched by an Angel, the network's program; Dr. mostly in sales. -Sara Brown

6 May 4 1998 Broadcasting & Cable

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EchoStar Communications Inc. and mental value to adding another 2 % -3 % giving those stations programming. not similar arrangements with other cable on your distribution ?" just the national network feed but syn- operators, could get coverage up past If Pax Net secures wide distribution, dicated daytime and fringe program- 80%. Even if ratings are strong. Pax "the challenge is to demonstrate to the ming that includes shows like talker Net needs wide distribution to impress marketplace that he can generate the Rosie O'Donnell. Benedek will run the national advertisers that seek big reach revenue," says PaineWebber Inc. stations and sell , paying ICI and throughout the country. media analyst Christopher Dixon. Time Warner 10% of the revenue. In the 80 % -85 %r coverage range, The big surprise is how many TCI "Unlike the channels that have had to "you're above USA Network, TNT and systems are in markets so small that Pax buy their way on because they don't Lifetime," Paxson says. "Then you're Net doesn't have a station there, systems have anything else to offer, it's the cable very competitive." representing more than a third of ICI's industry responding to programming," "I think it's a good investment for 14.5 million subscribers. says WB President Jamie Kellner. him," says Mark Riely, a partner in The WB's deal is much different Kellner expects to cut similar deals Media Group Research, who is never- financially. Benedek will 22 with cable systems and station owners in theless neutral on Paxson Communica- local, cable -only "stations" in white - 68 additional small markets ranked 100- tions stock. "If he buys a television sta- area markets either in or near Benedek- 210 in short order. TCI and Time Warner tion, how much does that cost him per owned stations that are affiliated with account for 40% of the cable homes in all home? Then you ask, what is the incre- other networks. The WB is essentially of The WB's white areas.

tions met the deadline by press time. Also due Friday were updates from Fox gets DIV space in NY broadcasters who last year promised the FCC to put digital signals on the air , markets will miss Nov. 1 DTV deadline by Nov. I. Regulators received 24 such "early buildout" pledges from TV sta- By Chris McConnell the two cities. Both NBC and ABC. for tions in the top 10 markets. instance, have asked the commission Both CBS and Fox told the commis- Fms Television Stations has for more time to file applications for sion their stations in Detroit are having

reached an agreement with the New York DTV station construction trouble meeting the Nov. 1 deadline. to broad- permits. NBC. the only broadcaster to CBS told the FCC the voluntary dead- cast digital TV from the skyscraper. commit to delivering DTV in Chicago line for completing the station cannot In documents filed with the FCC Fri- by Nov. I, also cited tower problems in be met and attributed the delay to a day. the broadcaster said it has secured informing the FCC it will not be able to squabble with local regulators over tower siting space at the building and meet the Nov. I target in Chicago. antenna siting that was only settled last plans to use two transmitting antennas Under rules set last year, construc- week. Fox said coordination with to broadcast a digital signal to New tion permit applications were due last Canadian regulators is holding up its York viewers. Fox will join CBS as the Friday from all major network affili- Detroit station. but offered to substitute second network in delivering a digital ates in the top I O markets. As the dead- a DTV station in Denver if the Detroit broadcasting service from atop approached Friday morning. 22 of station is not broadcasting by Nov. 1. Empire State Building. the 40 stations already had filed appli- Fox Friday also filed construction Tower- siting problems in New York cations or received construction per- applications for stations in New York, and Chicago have hampered the efforts mits. FCC officials were unable to tab- . Chicago, New York, Washing- of stations to deliver DTV signals to ulate a final count of how many sta- ton and Los Angeles and told the FCC it expects to have its Dallas and stations on the air by Nov. Ramping up cable -ready I. CBS also said its New York, Cable and consumer electronics engineers say they have taken the first Philadelphia, San Francisco and Los step toward defining a cable -ready digital TV set. Angeles stations are on- target to meet A joint group of the Consumer Electronics Manufacturers Association the early buildout deadline. (CEMA) and the National Association have identified ABC Friday filed its application for eight essential elements that TV sets will need in order to display digital a construction permit in Los Angeles programming delivered by cable operators. The group has been seeking to and said it hopes to have the station and define the technology that sets must have to display any nonscrambled dig- its Philadelphia station on the air by ital programs offered by a cable operator, whether the programs originate Nov. I. The broadcaster related legal from a broadcaster or a cable network. haggles with a homeowners group over "We tried to ask what possible kinds of signals would be on a cable sys- its San Francisco station, but said it still tem?" says George Hanover, CEMA's vice president of engineering. hopes to have that station on the air this Hanover calls the group's identification of the basic elements a starting fall as well. point toward defining a cable -ready DTV set. NBC, while predicting it will not Hanover adds that the group will look next at whether there are additional make the deadline in Chicago. said it technical elements that should be included in a cable -ready digital TV. expects its Fort Worth, Los Angeles, -Chris McConnell Philadelphia and Washington stations to meet the early buildout deadline.

May 4 1998 Broadcasting & Cable

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www.americanradiohistory.com Top of the Week CNN Headline News cuts 70 staffers Automation i.s reason given, hut ratings have slumped as well

By Donna Petrozzello However, there is speculation that the technology available." staff cuts had something to do with the Meanwhile, other cable news chan- CNN's Headline News is laying Headline News ratings slump. The net- nels celebrated the April 1998 ratings. off some 70 staffers, or nearly work managed a 0.2 rating /152,000 Financial news channel CNBC doubled one -quarter of its news produc- households in prime time during April, a its ratings last month. earning a 0.6 rat - tion work force. 33% decline in ratings and a 24% drop in ing/418,00() households in prime time, Headline News says that its staffing home delivery compared with its April, compared with a 0.3/211,000 - demands will drop when the network 1997 level of 0.3 /2(X),000 households. holds for the same month last year. upgrades the analog tape editing sys- "The ratings slump I can't contest," CNBC April ratings were also up 84% tems at its news production facility says CNN News Group Communica- in total day over last year. with nonlinear digital file servers. tions Director Heyworth. "But this CNN's ratings also were up in April, The network employs some 3(X) peo- reengineering of Headline News has to 0.9/631,000 homes, from ple, with a news staff composed mainly been in for more than one year. 0.8/577,(XX) a year earlier. MSNBC rat- of editors and producers who repackage "If we were building the network ings in prime time were at 0.3/118,0(X) taped news footage from CNN. Head- today, we'd employ a work force the households last month: the network was line News says that because the network size we'll have after the cuts are unrated in April 1997. MSNBC noted relies so heavily on tape, an upgrade to made," Heyworth says. "The layoffs that its subscriber base has reached 41 digital automation equipment will dra- are not about cutting costs as much as million and that it added 1.6 million matically change its staffing needs. they are about using the most efficient subs last month alone.

ings), reportedly sold $50 million$60 million, representing a double -digit Kids upfront flattens increase over last year. "It wasn't the healthiest market. and Programmers say sales may have declined seven percent it corrected a little bit," says Mike Shaw, executive vice president, ad By Steve McClellan sales, Buena Vista Television. Part of the problem for broad- TII,: kids upfront cast syndicators, Shaw says, is advertising mar- that cable is able to offer far ket -which came more guaranteed kids rating and went last week - points. "Basically, it's a situa- was. at best. flat com- tion where 65% of the kids dol- pared with a year ago. lars are chasing 30% of the Some sellers said they 9 audience." Shaw says. refer- thought that the overall ring to cable. On the syndica- money pool may have i t tion side. tons of kids tune in to shrunk by $50 million: shows that are sold for higher - a 7`4 decline. to $7511 WE priced 18 -49 rates, such as million. Hume Improvement and The Cable continues to Sinrpsons. but the kids audi- command a majority of ences for those shows aren't the ad dollars in the o'NA guaranteed. market- probably 65% 'Rugrats' is one of the most popular shows on Nickelodeon, which Shaw says that Disney will of spending. most of captured the largest single share of the upfront ad sales market. be in a position in the which goes to Nick- market when its UPN deal elodeon. Estimates are that the kids drop this season (about 35', ). sold some kicks in, in 1999. UPN will air a two - cable network commanded some $335 $20 million less in advertising as a hour Disney block six days a week on million of the upfront kids dollars, with result, coming in at about $1(X) million. the fledgling network. another $150 million or so split among The WB network, which had ratings Dan Cosgrove, president. Eyemark other cable players. primarily Cartoon gains on the weekends and an expand- Media Sales-which is selling ads 11w Network and newcomer Fox Family ed weekday slate this season, did an Hearst's Secrets of the Animal King- Network. estimated $70 million in business, up dom, and Summit Media's Pocket On the broadcast side, syndicators from $60 million a year ago. Monsters-says that the market was concede that it was a down market for ABC, which had strong ratings gains down. "We've taken a modest hit," their segment of the business. this season (climbing to first among says Cosgrove. But Secrets and Pocket Kids Network, which had a huge ratings broadcast networks on Saturday morn- Monsters sold well, he says.

10 May 4 1998 Broadcasting & Cable

www.americanradiohistory.com Revenue contributions exceeding $100 million. Ranked #1 among ad sales managers for service satisfaction. Grand prize CAB Affiliate Ad Sales Achievement Award 1997.

i aLITERARY

' COLLECTION The bast drama an televlsla.'" n n i

WESTERN CENTRAL NORTHEAST SOUTHEAST MID -ATLANTIC 303) 2T1 -5540 p12) 819 -1486 (212) 210-9190 (404) 8168880 (212) 210 -1485 (212), 210 -9124

- a. is:- t,ti www.americanradiohistory.com Top of the Week Death along a highway Suicide broadcast live during Los Angeles brings criticism, apologies

By Joe Schlosser KTLA(TV) and Fox -owned KTTV(TV) pulled out of children's Viewers in Los Angeles and programming to bring live cover- around the country witnessed age of the breaking story. one man's bloody suicide Stung by criticism, KNBC ran last week on , as TV apologies on its news throughout news helicopters from nearly the afternoon and again on its I I every station in town crowded over p.m. newscast. "We did not antici- a busy urban freeway to get close pate this man's actions in time to to the action. cut away," the station said. Some stations shifted focus in "Everybody is talking about the LOS ANGELES FREEWAY time to avoid airing the as he man SHUTDOWN DUE TO SNIPER market as a whole and lumping all shot a rifle into his mouth, but a the stations together. With all due few remained with somewhat tight Pic king up KNec(rv)'s live teed, MSNBC showed the respect to my competitors, there shots, leaving viewers horrified. suitide to a national audience. The cable network was time to anticipate a problem," late r apologized: Nearly every station in the city "The situation took a sudden says Larry Perret, news director at sho cking turn; we tried to cut away." broke in with the afternoon story - KCBs -Tv, whose helicopter camera some during children's programming. and kill himself. The whole incident last- was pulled to a wide shot at the time of But two stations, NBC -owned ed nearly 20 minutes. the suicide. KNBC(TV) and Tribune's KTLA(TV) -are "It was a legitimate news story," says To avoid future incidents, a delay taking the brunt of the criticism for University of Southern jour- like radio uses might be useful, Saltz- remaining with the action. nalism professor Joe Saltzman. "The man says. "But every newsperson in The man stopped his pickup truck on bad news is they should not have inter- town knows the guidelines: You don't a Los Angeles freeway overpass, set the rupted children's programming with show somebody blowing their head off truck on fire and then proceeded to shoot any story like this." on live television." `Springer' espouses nonviolence Producers say show will cut the fighting without sacrificing its ratings punch

By Joe Schlosser told by guests are fabricated. a kick out of him -that we have a num- "They [Studios USA] would have ber of different elements working here." no more violence mean no been fine if they would have kept the One station general manager who more ratings for The Jerry show where it was," says the head of currently carries The Jerry Springer DoesSpringer Show? another syndication com- Show says that Studios USA head The distributors of the show say that pany. "Once they pushed it beyond is behind the latest moves. won't be the case, but some in Holly- . everybody noticed it "There is a lot of heat coming down on wood are questioning the show's and started to look a little closer. They the show. and Barry Diller is saying, future. The latest press release to roll told everybody they were number -one, 'Wait a minute, I don't want to be off the Studios USA fax machines stat- that their ratings were the highest. blamed for all of this. - ed that all "physical violence" on the "I they're thinking, 'if we reduce Studios USA executives say that the top -rated and controversial the physical violence, some of the crit- "no physical violence" policy will take will be "eliminated." ics will go away.' I don't think so. I effect June 8. Schleiff says that The statement came just hours after think this could be the first step in the show, which is taped at WMAQ -TV executives from Springer's national show going away," the syndication Chicago, will enforce the no- fighting syndication distributor. Studios USA, executive says. policy; if a fight breaks out. it will sim- met with religious leaders in Chicago The changes are not going to ply be edited out. to discuss the fight -marred talk show. "adversely impact the show," says Dick Kurlander, vice president, Three weeks ago. Studios USA Henry Schleiff, executive vice president Petry Television, is still curious about (then USA Networks Studios) said it of talk TV at Studios USA. "We think, the show's credibility. "They still have was going to "minimize further alterca- based on our research and focus groups, not addressed the more important issue tions among guests." And for the past that because of the unique nature of here, which is whether or not the con- two weeks, the distributor has been these stories, the way they are told, the tent of the show is real," Kurlander bombarded with reports that the show guests and Jerry himself -and don't says. "That issue is far more important is rigged and that some of the stories underestimate Jerry, because people get than the fighting."

12 May 4 1998 Broadcasting & Cable

www.americanradiohistory.com "The best comedy on TV..." Time Magazine

.a;a.Z-4 www.americanradiohistory.com Top of the Week CBS cooks in first quarter /revenue, profits up; Karmazin may take hard look at Eye on People

By Steve McClellan dollars. CBS turned in an eye- popping posted in first quarter 1997. This year's first quarter. with a pretax profit gain of first- quarter number includes a pur- Mel Karmazin is making things 350 %, to $136 million, on a 47% rev- chase -price accounting benefit of about happen at CBS. At least that's enue gain, to $1.9 billion. $90 million that was taken against the Wall Street's view of the com- Network sales were up 54.9 %r, to cost of buying the rights to the Nagano pany's impressive first- quarter results, $1.2 billion, with an operating profit of Olympics. announced last week. $30 million- versus an operating loss Reynolds also predicted a broadcast Revenue and profit growth percent- of $64 million in first quarter 1997. network prime time upfront market that ages at the owned TV stations have The owned- stations division report- will be up 5 %r -7°k, to $6.3 billion $6.6 been in the teens since November of ed a 48 %r gain in revenue, to $263 mil- billion. The advertising market contin- last year. a pace that held in the first lion, and a I IO'4 gain in operating ues to be strong. driven by pharmaceu- quarter, excluding the contribution profits. to $118 million. The stations' ticals. financial services, autos and the from the Olympics. As chief operating operating margin jumped 12 percent- health and beauty categories. he said. officer of the entire company. Kar- age points, to 49%. according to ana- CBS's debt. which stood at $3.6 bil- mazin is expected to insist on revenue lysts. They applauded the results. So lion at the end of the first quarter, should growth and maximum cost efficiency did investors, who moved the stock increase to $4.6 billion after the comple- at all divisions. His first target may he 11/16 to 35 -5/8 in trading last Thurs- tion of the the start -up cable networks Eye on day, the day that the first- quarter re- acquistion. expected in June. The com- People and Telenoticias. sults were announced. pany remains underleveraged at that "The TV stations have recorded the The radio division posted sales of debt level, analysts say. They believe fifth consecutive quarter of double - $330 million, up 5.4 %. with operating that CBS may be hunting for another digit revenue growth," says Furman profits of $69 million. up 47%. Compa- large acquisition. In addition, CBS is in Selz broadcast analyst Vinton Vickers. nywide earnings before interest, taxes. the middle of a stock- buyback plan. It "That has a lot to do with Karmazin's amortization and depreciation (EBIT- bought 2.5 million of its own shares in to aggressively sell the stations. DA) totaled $271 million, almost dou- the first quarter and will continue to buy 1 think overall the CBS organization ble the $92 million that the company back shares in subsequent quarters. has been embracing the Karmazin management style, and that will accel- erate" now that he is running the whole shop, Vickers says. `Merlin' powers NBC Cable division results were strong too. But CBS CFO Fred Reynolds told analysts last week that the company week -one would make a decision "in the very to sweeps win near term" about whether to continue ABC will Countelprog>ram with strong theatricals with Eye on People and Telenoticias. "With Mel's new responsibilities and By Michael Stroud and miniseries. the way we're looking at the business, Merlin's perfor- they are under review." Reynolds told Merlin worked mance adds credibility analysts in a teleconference broadcast magic for NBC. to the network's new by Bloomberg Business News. The mini- miniseries and specials The two networks, which a com- series from producer strategy: focusing on bined $9 million for the first quarter, Robert Halmi attracted expensive "events" to continue to be a drain on cable division an average of 35.3 mil- attract huge audiences, profits. Nevertheless. CBS reported that lion viewers over its rather than on movie - its cable -unit revenues climbed 155% two -day run, making it of- the -week fare. Mer- in the first quarter. the result of last the network's highest - lin, which cost more year's purchase of The Nashville Net- rated miniseries for than $50 million to work and Television. adults 18-49 since The produce and promote. Reynolds said that TNN generated Final Battle in 1984. averaged 33e4 more double -digit pro forma revenue increas- And Merlin's viewer- adults 18 -49 than last es and pretax earnings for the first quar- ship helped to power year's successful The ter, while CMT revenue was up in the the network to an easy Odyssey did for NBC. NBC sees success in its May mid- teens, with profits up 30 %r. He also win in the first week of sweeps future. The Sunday night said that cable subs for Eye were still the May sweeps. premiere also eclipsed falling short of company expectations. "We really started the sweeps with a HBO miniseries From the Earth to the currently standing at 8 -9 million. ." says Lindy DeKoven, NBC's Moon and ABC's Apollo 13. Driven by $560 million in Olympic executive vice president of specials But even Merlin was outgunned by

14 May 4 1998 Broadcasting & Cable

www.americanradiohistory.com .

"One of the funniest, smartest comedies ever."

www.americanradiohistory.com 'op of the Week NBC's powerful Thursday night fran- chise. ER was the number- one rated show of the first week of the sweeps, and came in third. A repeat of Seinfeld was ranked number -five (behind night two of Merlin), while WASHINGTON rary respite from the sex and gun bat- Friends and .fast Shoot Me were next. Washington advisers tles on most of the other channels. Add at number nine, and NBC "You just see something cute and dominated eight out of the top 10 spots Hu.e Telecommunications Sub - wane and fuzzy," FitzSimons said. in week one. committee Chairman Billy "People feel better when they watch That left NBC with household rat- Tauzin (R -La.) asked ABC President puppies." With $500.000 sunk into Bob Iger ings of 12.0/20 for the week, well and ESPN President Steve the channel, for development and ahead of CBS's 9.0/15, according to Bornstein for advice last week on some leased access distribution, to keep Nielsen Media Research. And even how cable rates down with- FitzSimons is in looking for NBC's competition expects the net- out reregulating cable or forcing carriage and investors. operators work to keep up the pace through Se in- to sell subscribers high - Why not The Cat Channel? feld's May 14 finale, which is expected priced cable networks "a la carte." If "There are cats in there, they're to attract one of the largest audiences in [Disney] doesn't like the notion of playing with the puppies," FitzSi- the . people being able to buy ]ESPN] a la mons responded. But face it, "pup- carte, what "Everyone knew NBC was going to is the solution ?" Tauzin pies are a little more universally win the sweeps, even before Merlin," asked the two Disney executives. appreciated than cats." says Jeff Bader, ABC's vice president "They had no good answers," said of programming and scheduling. Tauzin. Iger and Bornstein did HOLLYWOOD promise Tauzin that Disney's $9.2 ABCs strategy will be to counter - Rockin' talk program with strong theatrical films. billion NFL package will not con- ources say rock Ted Nugent While Apollo /3 sagged against Mer- tribute to rising cable rates, although is being shopped in lin. Bader is hoping for better things ESPN is asking cable operators to Hollywood as a potential talk show host. from other sweeps movies, such as pay 20% more for ESPN as a result Nugent, who last played with rock "Waiting to Exhale," "Babe" and "First of the NFL deal. Knight." group Damn Yankees. has appeared Poole running on ABC's Incorrect a Other than Merlin, the week's most Politically ill Poole, general manager of number of times of late. closely watched sweeps stunt was pro- WFLS AM- FM/WYSK -FM Fredericks- ducer David placement Kelley's of burg, Va., is running for NAB radio New digs for Donny actors from his hit Fox show Ally board vice chairman. Poole enters the McBeal in The & Marie ABC's Practice, and race against Martha Dudman, presi- vice versa. olumbia TriStar Television Dis- The move -seen as a bid to dent of wot.A(AM)/wwnu(FM)/ bolster the sometimes sagging tribution is building a new 250 - ratings wF2Q(FM) Ellsworth, Me., and current of The Practice seat studio for its upcoming talk - -helped the show to holder of the radio board's designated its best results the season Donny & Marie. The of among 18- seat. Fellow board members say they 49- year -olds. The results were studio will be on the lot in particu- expect Poole to take the place of larly significant Culver City, Calif., where Wheel of because they came Radio Board Vice Chairman Bill during the second night Merlin. Fortune and Jeopardy are also of McElveen, president of WTCB- The performance taped. syndicated show could set the stage FM/woMC- FM/wlsw(AM) Columbia, for future stunts. Bader says. has two -year commitments from "David S.C. McElveen is running for chair- Kelley has tested waters stations starting this fall. the and may man and likely will run unopposed, venture back there," Bader says. "We says Radio Board Chairman Howard WASHINGTON will not complain if he does." Anderson. Fox. whose Ally McBeal moved Noncommercial noggin from number 37 to number 25 for the ATLANTA WBile Noggin, the new cable net - week because of the stunt, is less likely ork from Children's Televi- Happiness is a to welcome a repeat. Its affiliates were sion Workshop and Nickelodeon, upset that audiences for profitable 10 warm channel won't have commercials, it will have p.m. news shows were drawn away by s fans of odd business proposi- product promotion opportunities for a rival network's programs. tions, here's a must -see booth at underwriters-not unlike PBS -and Fox's The Sintpsons also weathered this week's NCTA Show: The Puppy ads on its Web site. Center for Media Merlin well. The heavily promoted Channel. , all puppies, all the Education Executive Director Jeff 200th episode nabbed the number -17 time. Frolicking puppies, fussy pup- Chester says he wasn't thrilled with slot in households, according to pies, hungry puppies. The P.C. is the the news and said the Center would Nielsen. inspiration of Dan FitzSimons, the seek from CTW and Nick a commit- For the sweeps week, ABC ranked former owner of a ad ment that their new cable network third in households with a 7.8 rating agency, who envisions puppy videos would "always remain a noncommer- and 13 share: Fox was fourth, with a as relaxing entertainment, a tempo- cial service." 7.5/12: The WB was sixth, at 3.2/5, and UPN was fourth, with 2.7/4.

16 May 4 1998 Broadcasting & Cable

www.americanradiohistory.com "The sharpest, smartest and all-around funniest comedy in the history of t vision. "

Chicago Sun -Times

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www.americanradiohistory.com Top of the Week FCC rejects Denver license challenge Says violence on local news is not basis for intervention; broadcasters cheer decision By Chris McConnell of their evening news- are afforded broad discretion in the casts to commercials. scheduling, selection and presentation The FCC last week Regulators found the of programs aired on their stations." rejected a Denver group's analysis irrele- The commission also found no merit group's contention vant to a license renewal in the group's complaints about minor- that the government application. ity representation and overcommercial- should pull four TV li- "Although we believe ization at the stations. censes because the sta- that Media Watch's views The decision came as no surprise to tions aired too much vio- regarding violence in broadcasters, but won nonethe- lence in their local news news programming are less. coverage. legitimate matters for dis- "The FCC's decision supports defin- Rocky Mountain Me- cussion within the Denver itively the editorial freedom of broad- community, the alleged cast journalists," Radio -Television dia Watch in February FCC's decision sup- 'The President had asked regulators to ports definitively the editor- predominance of violence News Directors Association deny license renewals to ial freedom of broadcast in the stations' local Barbara Cochran said of the action. Denver's KCNC -TV, journalists,' says RTNDA evening news does not "We congratulate the FCC for defend- President Barbara Cochran. KMGH -TV, KUSA -TV and present a basis for inter- ing the right of stations to exercise edito- KWGN -Tv after the group conducted a vention by the commission in connec- rial judgment in local news coverage." study of the local newscasts at the sta- tion with a license renewal application," added NAB President Eddie Fritts. tions. The group told the commission video services division chief Barbara Washington communications lawyer that the newscasts suffer from "toxic Kreisman wrote in the FCC's decision. R. Clark Wadlow called the group's TV news syndrome" and that stories Kreisman also cited First Amend- petition "pretty silly," but added that he about crime, disasters, war and terror- ment protection and journalistic discre- was impressed with the commission's ism accounted for up to 55% of each tion afforded broadcasters. swift decision to reject it. newscast. "Editorial judgments regarding news Paul Klite, Rocky Mountain Media The group also said that the news- programs are committed to a broad- Watch executive director, said he was casts underrepresented women and caster's good faith discretion," Kreis- disappointed with the ruling but voiced minorities as authority figures and man wrote. "With certain limited ex- hopes that groups in other cities will devoted a higher- than -average portion ceptions not applicable here, licensees file similar petitions with the FCC.

Satellite rewrite stalled by must-carry debate Broadcasters, DBS spar over requirements for local -into -local By Paige Albiniak say broadcasters dislike a bill being EchoStar, the only operating DBS floated by Senate Commerce Commit- company pressing for legislation that Any chance for a rewrite of the tee Chairman John McCain (R- Ariz.) would allow it to offer local signals, satellite law this year could be that would give DBS companies at says it prefers no legislation this year to killed by broadcasters' demand least a year before the FCC writes a bills from House Courts and Intellectu- that satellite TV providers carry all local rule setting must -carry requirements. al Property Subcommittee Chairman broadcast signals in markets they serve. McCain's proposal, one observer (R -N.C.) or Senate House Telecommunications Subcom- notes, "offers something for everyone Judiciary Committee Chairman Orrin mittee Chairman Billy Tauzin (R -La.), to hate." But Andy Paul, vice president Hatch (R- Utah). Both bills would an ally both of the direct broadcast satel- of the Satellite Broadcasting and Com- require DBS companies to offer all lite industry and of broadcasters, says he munications Association, says McCain local signals in all local markets they plans in the next two months to intro- "is on the right track." choose to serve as soon as they enter duce legislation that would clearly allow Congress faces a dilemma because that market. DBS providers to legally offer local sig- non -basic cable tiers are due to be A new version of Hatch's bill, which nals. But Tauzin is running out of time. deregulated next March. Rather than started off by mirroring Coble's, would "It makes it more difficult ... but that reregulate, lawmakers would prefer to give satellite TV providers a perma- doesn't mean we aren't going to offer let market pressure set prices. But two nent copyright license for local broad- [a bill'," Tauzin says. "We need to years after the 1996 Telecommunica- cast signals. But it only extends the debate it. We still need to try and do it. tions Act, only DBS is prepared to satellites' license for imported signals But I can't be as optimistic as I would compete with cable. for three years. It also would do noth- be if the broadcasters would come Nonetheless, key lawmakers are not ing to change increases in copyright around to some agreement on it." approaching this issue with great rates implemented by the U.S. Copy- That appears unlikely. And sources urgency. right Office earlier this year.

May 4 1998 Broadcasting & Cable

www.americanradiohistory.com 68.3% BUSINESS CENTER CNBC #og RATINGSBUSINESS NEWS IS IN GROWTH

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www.americanradiohistory.com Top of the Week Low -power radio brings high -intensity response Supporters seek to till ,gap in community broadcasting als. insofar as they affect AM radio. would fly in the face of years of com- By Chris McConnell towns and geographical areas." mission efforts to reestablish and main- "As large corporate media organiza- tain a viable interference - FM ser- Irate radio listeners are intrigued and tions expand in the effort to increase vice." commented Greater Media Inc. commercial broadcasters are horri- profit, radio listeners find increasingly Greater Media also took aim at a fied. that listening formats decrease in stated goal of microbroadcasting pro- That was the reaction FCC officials diversity," wrote Samuel Chapman of ponents: promoting greater diversity in observed last week to a series of pro- Lawrence, Kan. an increasingly consolidated business. posals to establish a low -power radio Staff and students at Evanston (111.1 That goal has found a receptive ear service. The commission earlier this Township High School's student radio with FCC Chairman William Kennard. year invited comments on two plans to station wrote that "the evolution of who has said he is interested in deter- establish local low -power radio sta- deregulation of commercial radio has mining whether the new service might tions that would transmit at power lev- seen the dramatic reduction of commu- help to improve minority and female els from one watt to three kilowatts. nity -based ... that participation in the broadcast industry. Officials also invited comments on cannot be and sufficiently is not being At last month's NAB convention in proposals to establish a service that provided by stations owned by broad- . he urged broadcasters to would broadcast to spectators at sport- casting conglomerates." work with him on studying the micro - ing events and other venues. Those conglomerates insisted a low - radio proposals and also asked the Several individual commenters cited power service would interfere with industry to brainstorm other ideas for media consolidation and lack of local their full -power stations. "The commis- promoting diversity. service in urging the commission to sion's rationale of ensuring spectrum Greater Media said that the low - move forward with the establishment efficiency and non -interference to full - power radio service "presents no real- of low -power radio. power FM stations is even more com- istic economic opportunities." The day of the community station is pelling today than it was 10 or 20 years A collection of state broadcast asso- all but gone," said William Morrison of ago," said Cox Radio. ILow-power ciations also insisted that their members Friday Harbor, Wash. "The need for radio] service would have a disastrous continue to serve local communities what a community station provides the impact on full -power stations' ability to despite the spate of radio mergers since community still exists, but the large continue to provide free, over -the air the 1996 Telecommunications Act. corporately owned, profit- driven sta- interference -free service to the public." "Even where a station is owned by tions are not interested in the individual "Approval of the microradio propos- an organization hundreds of miles from the radio station's , the Radio Microbrews: Three low -power recipes need to provide a local service remains paramount." the state associations said Low -power AM/FM: Proposed by Nickolaus and Judith Leggett, in a joint filing. Donald Schellhardt "Supporters of the petitions may Proposes designating one AM and one FM channel for microbroadcasting, with each have other outlets for their viewpoints station serving one square mile to several square miles. Each transmitter would be lim- without resorting to establishing a new ited to power levels of one watt or less. Ownership would be limited to 5 microstations, broadcasting service-such as seeking with a requirement that commonly owned stations be located more than 50 miles apart. out available time on full -power com- mercial and noncommercial stations, Low -power FM: Proposed by J. Rodger Skinner applying for a noncommercial frequen- Proposes three classes of low -power FM service. A primary service would serve a cy or expressing their views over the maximum range of 15 miles and would broadcast between powers of 50 watts and Internet," said the National Association 3 kilowatts. A secondary service would broadcast between one watt and 50 watts, of Broadcasters. covering 3.6 miles, and another secondary "special- event" service would broadcast But not all the broadcasters opposed between one watt and 20 watts over 2.3 miles. The special -event stations would all forms of low -power radio. Murray receive 10 day only permits. Station owners would be required to live within 50 Broadcasting Co. said that it supports miles of the station's antenna site. the creation of a low -power FM service Event broadcasting: Proposed by Gregory Deieso (formerly Web that would enable it to offer nighttime ) service in conjunction with its day- Proposes using AM and FM channels to provide radio service to spectators at sporting time -only AM station. events and to crowds at other venues, such as airports. Suggests using FM channel 200 Similarly, not all of the low -power at power levels between one watt and 10 watts, depending on the event. radio proponents agreed with each other. J. Rodger Skinner, backer of a

22 May 4 1998 Broadcasting 8. Cable

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Primetime Source: Nielsen Media Research, 1098 v. 4097 M -F 8P-11P, measured audience. CNBC Based on all ad- supported cable networks over 45 miller households as of 3/98. Excludes networks showing no increase. Qualifications upon request. Now in 65 million homes.

www.americanradiohistory.com w.t.V

www.americanradiohistory.com In the latest Myers Report, cable operator executives ranked ESPN first in consumer brand identity, first in contribution to subscriber satisfaction and ad sales revenue, and first in providing a profit source for systems. Now that's something worth cheering about.

T H E W O R L D W I D E L E A D E R I N S P O R T S CIr Cll cr CI'I P ESr CLRSSIC SPORTS C ..www.americanradiohistory.com ' r Top of the Week low -power FM proposal, opposed the event -broadcasting proponent Gregory markets are still learning the finer low -power AM/FM plan submitted by Deieso for "misdeeds" as the compa- points of the game and that an indoor Nickolaus and Judith Leggett. "The ny's principal officer. Deieso called the broadcasting service would add to the petition is in general ill- conceived, charges an "outright lie" and also said experience of attending a game. lacking technical merit and if enacted that he had not been served with any "The NHL believes that indoor -arena would doom the low -power FM ser- court papers. event broadcasting offers an ideal tech- vice to failure," Skinner said. The event -broadcasting plan nology to provide valuable information On another front, a group of share- received support, however, from the services to persons attending hockey holders in Capital Broadcasting Sys- . The league games so as to enhance their experience tems told regulators that they are suing told regulators that fans in some of its at the event," the league said.

Tauzin's latest casting's could all be affected, and FCC Chairman William Kennard last week told Sen- House Telecommunications Subcommittee Billy Tauzin ate lawmakers about steps the commission is taking to (R -La.) plans to introduce his long- awaited public broad- address the computer glitch. In written testimony, Ken- casting bill at the PBS national conference in June nard listed the commission's greatest mass -media con- 15. The PBS bill will be designed to explore ways to create cerns, among them the possibility that "lack of a trust fund, says Tauzin spokesman broadcast news may result in misinformation Ken Johnson. Tauzin also is readying two other bills he and mass panic." Kennard told senators that plans to unveil in the next two months: a cable bill that is the commission is alerting stations to the "designed to give consumers greater choice in monopoly '-__ problem and meeting with equipment markets," Johnson says, manufacturers. and a direct broadcast satel- lite bill that will focus on The FC fines "resolving the local -into- 1/ local controversy." áshiirii ©n 7 he FCC last week fined a pair of Chicago stations for Mustn't carry, must compete exceeding limits on the amount of commercials that stations may air EchoStar last week wrote key members of Con- during children's programming. gress that forcing it to abide by a "carry one, carry tch wFLD(Tv) received a $10,000 all" policy will hurt consumers. Responding to a "notice of apparent liability" for letter last week from of Local Edited by Chris McConnell and Paige Albiniak exceeding the limits 19 times. wctu- Television Stations, EchoStar told Senate Com- Tv received a $10,000 notice for vio- merce Committee Chairman John McCain (R- Ariz.) and lating the rule eight times. House Telecommunications Subcommittee Chairman Billy Tauzin (R -La.) that it cannot launch a viable service Captain Midnight's captor leaves the FCC if it is required to carry all local stations in all the local markets it chooses to serve. "The must -carry remedy is too Richard Smith, a 35 -year FCC veteran who has headed the harsh, considering that EchoStar's plan is the only realistic commission's Office of Engineering and Technology since opportunity today to stop rising cable rates by creating 1994, is leaving the commission "to pursue other opportuni- fully effective competition to cable," the company said. ties." In earlier FCC roles, Smith led several investigations of illegal spectrum use, including the successful apprehension Passing along the cost of new digs of "Captain Midnight," who managed to override a satellite The National Association of Broadcasters is concerned TV broadcast signal. More recently, Smith worked on the about the upward trend in fees that TV and radio stations FCC's efforts to match each TV station with a digital TV pay the FCC. "It would be especially disturbing to the channel assignment. FCC's regulatees were the $15 million annual cost of the In another FCC personnel move, John Norton is the new commission's proposed move to the Portals to be added to acting chief of the Cable Services Bureau's policy and future regulatory fee collections," the association told the rules division. Norton, a four -year FCC veteran, has been FCC late last month. The broadcasters also disagreed with serving as assistant chief of the bureau's consumer protec- an FCC proposal to base the 1998 regulatory fees on the tion division. number of stations that the commission recorded as paying fees in 1997. The group argued that such an approach AM challenge gets static at FCC would reward a station for dodging the payments. "If some Regulators have rejected the latest challenge to their years - stations in fact failed to pay regulatory fees...the proper old effort to improve AM radio. Last week the commission response is for the agency to aggressively collect the denied petitions by Press Broadcasting and Kovas Com- unpaid fees, rather than increasing the burden on other sta- munications to reconsider elements of the FCC's attempt tions." NAB said. to improve AM service by relocating stations to channels between 1605 and 1705 kHz. Kovas had objected to one of But tonight they're gonna party like it's 1999 the radio- station assignments in the commission's third The FCC is no different than the rest of the industrial- and final expanded AM allotment plan while Press had ized world when it comes to the infamous Year 2000 questioned several elements of the plan, including the computer problem. Satellite, telephone and even broad- database regulators used to generate the plan.

26 May 4 1998 Broadcasting & Cable

www.americanradiohistory.com We Asked America's Viewers To Vote For Their Favorite Beinfeld Episodes...

www.americanradiohistory.com M

.1998 Colurnla TnStar Television Dislnbution All Rights Reserved

www.americanradiohistory.com its Are In! Beginning May 7th, the 236 stations in the Seinfeld Syndication Network will air the viewers' top 10 favorite Seinfeld episodes.

Rank Episode Air Date # 10 "The Outing" 5/7/98 #9 "The Parking Garage" 5/8/98 #8 "The Marine Biologist" 5/11/98 #7 "The Opposite" 5/12/98 #6 "The Bubble Boy" 5/13/98 #5 "The Hamptons" 5/14/98 #4 "The Pick" 5/15/98 #3 "The Junior, Mint" 5/18/98 #2 "The Soup Nazi" 5/19/98 #1 "The Contest" 5/20/98 Senfe COLJNBIA TRISTAR

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COVER STORY TBS Chairman Terry McGuirk

It's time for Cable '98, the National Cable Tele- vision Association's annual convention. Indus- try executives will occupy Atlanta for four days this week, comparing notes, cutting deals and presenting their best face to the rest of the world. The ongoing rollout of with What's its promise of scores of new networks and truly interactive services should generate most of the buzz. Here's a look at who will be moving and what will be shaking as cable takes Atlanta. So Great 42 Digital's ETA The issue is no longer whether all major MSOs will deploy digital cable. but when and how fast.

50 TCI Turks Virtually all the top - About level TCI senior executives from the pre -Leo Hin- defy era have been replaced from within. The new leaders are profiled. 64 Cable - Digital? Labs up close and personal A Digital cable is all the rage in cable these days. Big operators are fix- talk with the execu- ated on it; programmers are cobbling together new networks to fill tives who are leading the extra channels it creates. But one major player is missing: TBS the digital charge. Inc., the Time Warner subsidiary that already is the largest cable 72 A view of History In the programmer, with a portfolio that includes TBS, TNT, a few different words of one producer. the success of the History flavors of CNN, the and Turner Classic Movies. Channe! can be summed up this way: 'People While his competitors see digital as a technological marvel and rare crave information, and people crave good story- business opportunity, TBS Chairman Terry McGuirk dismisses it as a telling. tf you can combine them, you have a hit.' "disadvantaged distribution system" that is, in the immediate future, 80 TCI's new tune unlikely to support the kinds of networks TBS has in mind. While ICI Music's portfolio is McGuirk sat down with BROADCASTING & CABLE Assistant Managing dominated by failed dreams Editor John M. Higgins to talk about his digital hesitance, cable oper- and promises, it's also bol- stered by high expectations for ators' complaints about rising programming costs and his determi- digital cable and the Internet. nation to one day make TBS and TNT the equal of NBC and CBS. 84 MSO modem launches ou don't seem to believe in digital cable. Discovery. An A to Z guide to commercial cable modem HBO. MTV are all out there with a slate of networks launches. designed to survive on the limited audience that digi- tal offers. But you don't. 90 All's quiet on the Potomac We believe in having a plethora of networks to offer to Lawmakers and regulators show no signs of cable operators. in the analog world and the digital impeding cable rate deregulation despite lots of world. But creating networks just for a disadvantaged increases but few alternative services. distribution system has really not been proven as an established success story. That's not to say that we won't have additional networks beyond 94 A good bet Scarcely three years where we arc. We have a bunch of networks right now that are seeking since both analog and digital distribution: CNNfn. CNNSI, even Turner Classic Entertainment launched Movies. I really believe Cartoon will be fully penetrated in an analog - M the Net- basis world before long. work, many of the top But we've haven't found the wisdom in creating something just for ¡the 20 MSOs appear to be digitali universe. If you create a network, you want to see an economic holding a winning hand. p return. and the world of big digital channel capacity- but limited penetra-

30 May 4 1998 Broadcasting & Cable

www.americanradiohistory.com Special Report

tion-is still very much unanswered, both from a subscription side and advertising side. We're still on sort of a go -slow mode in picking what sort of opportunities we may pursue for the digital world only. We may come up with other ideas that we think are perfectly good analog ideas. I Will operators be able to actually sell these digital packages? TCI has talked about 40 percent penetration. It is a bit of a chicken -and -egg. What is on those channels that will cause people to want to subscribe? The average channel capacity is 60 or so channels, so there are 20. 30, 40 services out there that are not getting carried. So there's more than enough stuff to just fill channels. Whether that drives up pene- tration is an unknown to me.

You must have some assessment of it. Is your guess high or low? Every system is different -the way those services are pack- aged, how they're marketed. It's foolishness for me to guess how each system will serve its subscribers. I wouldn't have any reason to doubt 40 percent penetration or 30 percent or 50 percent.

1 Could it be as low as 10 percent or 15 percent? I In some systems, it will be. Luckily, the whole line of discus- sion that we've been on is not critical to our future. We have a very, very strong set of analog businesses that can expand on the margin in the digital world.

If you're stuck with a lot of digital carriage of CNNfn and CNN /SI, can they be really profitable? Yes, they can. You know, we're in the business of keeping those out there for the long term. They're both in the neigh- borhood of IO to 12 million homes now. So any channel capacity is welcome. Yes, because of what I stated earlier. i We can do networks at a fraction of the cost that other peo- ple can. It's tough if you're starting a new network, and you have to go out and buy programming, start the sales offices, put new machines in place to run tape and film. All the infrastructure at Turner Broadcasting is designed to serve cable networks, and there are 8,000 people here. When we started Cartoon Network, we added fewer than 20 new people to the company in the first year of its existence. We're on the cutting edge of doing things, inexpensively and on the margin, effectively and efficiently.

TNT is facing off with operators over renewals this year. Rates are about 55 cents now, and you're seeking a 10 percent increase. Operators are mad because you don't have the NFL costs anymore. but they're not getting back the 12 cents -per -sub surcharge they've been paying.

I have not heard of any concerns about the rate increase, which is very modest. The NBA expenditure that we made is very similar to the expenditure that we didn't make for the NFL. You know, we're making huge investments in TNT programming. TNT programming costs went up over $90 million $100 mil- lion in 1998 on non -sports material. And the plan is that we're going to make heavy investments in programming for TNT going forward. You've seen that from the network premiere theatrical movie strategy and original movies. The fees that

Broadcasting & Cable LL;, 31

www.americanradiohistory.com Special Report

COVER STORY

we're charging are pretty reasonable. We bend over backwards the 40 to 60 percent range per viewer against the broadcast to make them reasonable. We try not to negotiate in the press industry. But all of a sudden, in the last year or two, we're with these things. Cable operators love to talk to the press. beginning to sec major change.

I got calls from you and [TBS President Bob] Burke talking You see a point at which you get the same dollar of adver- about this issue during the TBS conversion negotiations. tising revenue for viewers that the networks do? Is that all So you do negotiate in the press when it serves you. you mean by parity?

I'd peeler these things never ,get in the per,.. If 1 have 10 percent of the viewing of all the impressions in the universe. I want 10 percent of the revenue. Now, the broadcast A fine comment from a guy who runs a news network. Do industry may continue to overindex for some period of' time. 1 operators have a legitimate complaint about programming think they will. But 1 think their gross numbers are going to he expenses, period? dropping fast. In the next seven years there will probably be $15 to 17 billion coming into this national ad marketplace. If you asked most of the top MSOs, I think they would tell 60 percent of that money, we goes to cable. you that TNT's rate behavior and program -buying behav- Over think, ior-as evidenced by our passing on the NFL, when we had every opportunity to take it- showed the industry that we have great restraint. We know the difficulties that cable operators are under today, and how reregulation potential sits around every corner if we behave badly and egregiously to the consumer. So we're trying to do our part, by keeping things as modest as possible from a rate -structure stand- point. The easy thing would have been to buy the NFL at the egregious rate that it got to. But it was a disservice to the industry for us to do that, and so we passed.

But are their complaints about programming costs legit? If you look at it from the context of how the cable operator relates to Washington -sure, they're legit. They have to be very mindful of how they're viewed by the regulators and they also have to look at how they're perceived by the con- sumer, and they have to look at their own bottom lines. They're under a lot of pressure. But there's another side of it So $2 billion a year. So why aren't advertisers doing this that says the last five years of program expenditures. and now? They're not stupid. new network start -ups. and all of the money that's been of we poured into the software side of the cable- technology indus- First all, there's habit, there's tradition. And all know buying cable is more difficult than buying broadcast. That try have produced great rewards for the industry -in added one issues out be penetration. in adding notoriety, and in the opportunity for alone is of the that cries to corrected and get local ad sales. The cable industry is about programming. will corrected. There may be all kinds of interesting Internet and phone opportunities. but it's about television programming. When do you hit real parity? When do I pick up my weekly Nielsen chart and one of the top five television networks is a TNT, TBS or USA -not on a cable universe, but on a total You folks have a in been making big deal the ad communi- household basis? ty about parity with broadcasters. Can cable really catch up with broadcast networks? We've been talking about this one television world. And it's We can really see parity out on the horizon. The broadcast not one side making a move and the other standing pat. It's networks are in such free fall. there is such dramatic frag- both sides moving dramatically. The broadcast industry the next several years. and the top mentation and change going on in their world. It's a world erodes dramatically over we're used to living in, but it's now really affecting the cable networks come up dramatically. Sometime in the early broadcast networks. And basic cable has already surpassed , they begin to look a lot like each other. The average the viewing of the three networks -and las toi the six -net- rating is somewhere in the 2.5 to 4, 4.5 rating neighborhood. work universe, basic cable will surpass that by 2000. Now Nine or 10 networks probably fall into that category. Maybe a more. That's how it begins. There are no more hard barri- there's a tremendous number of basic cable networks, but the few set the advertisers. trend is still unmistakable. ers to entry to that of networks for major We're about averages. We all know that we reach Advertisers are moving money. Parity means a couple of talking on many the we have, National Geo, or the things to us. Parity means that cable can be a substitute for a parity of programs or on CNN. or The Show. We national ad buy on a broadcast network, instead of a supple- NBA, Monevline programs network CPMs. ment to that buy. It really goes back to Ted's dream, when he can find many individual that get started this whole cable advertising business: to get a share of But what about household delivery basis? the national ad dollars equal to your share of viewing. Very simply that. Cable networks have historically been pricing in And on the household delivery basis, we just continued to make

32 May 41998 Broadcasting & Cable

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www.americanradiohistory.com Special Report emegt, COVER STORY '98

average gains for the whole network. Take the network pre- rating improvement drives $35 million in revenue. We know miere movie window. We're buying 114 films that the 'broad- what programming can do: that's why you're seeing some cast networks want to buy for prime time. But if we're running major initiatives in very 'targeted' rifle shot programming. them in our prime time and they're not, then there's sort of a Fox and MSNBC will inevitably grow, but we will grow reversal of delivery. If we're going to compete with the broad- as well. They're public companies. They can only stand so cast networks for their advertising. we've got to take their pro- much negative cash . These are not huge, good bets. gramming and get their viewers. We're not going to buy every They're ugly bets. network premiere movie, but we're going to buy a lot of them. and we're going to buy a lot of good ones. But Fox is already invested. They're on the hook for $300 million in launch fees and burning $100 million more a year.

Is this going be profitable programming, or is it loss- leader I os is the more illogical bet. I don't know what I'd do in that programming? position. And it calls for the investment of more money just to

Does every single film turn profitable? No. But as a hulk u, 1 11. h probably has to get a lot worse to succeed. We feel entity, it's going to he very profitable.

How tough do you expect this round of negotiations to be, the renewals?

I expect the normal amount of negotiating with the industry, but I don't think it'll he terribly tough.

The TBS conversion was mixed. You still haven't resolved the big MSOs that are out there, that haven't actually signed?

Well, I would disagree with you as to the mixed results. would say it's a roaring success. And 100 percent of the industry. as you would know from looking at Nielsen num- bers. is taking TBS on a converted basis.

But 100 percent of the industry has not agreed to pay for It at the rate you were seeking. Correct? Well, you're getting into the fine points of contract negotia- more than comfortable with the competitive level. 'CNN Pres- lions, and let's just say we're booking 100 percent of the fees ident] has made an enormous difference. Go back that the industry would be paying for the carriage of our ser- and look at production quality. Thereve been enormous vices. As far as we're concerned, I(H) percent is signed up. improvements.

Not all of your customers have the same assumption. CNN has picked up a little in the ratings, but they're still You're booking them, but , and US dependent on war and scandal. West have not necessarily agreed to pay them at the big increase you're seeking. There's big difference. A little bit'' It's been a very strong fourth - and first -quarter per - li romance. We were up over 20 percent. So CNN wiped out a lot I what can't control they tell you. We're expecting to be paid, of underdelivery. You know about a lot of the added program- and we know we will be paid. We have constant negotiations ming that we're doing coming through this year. We're invest- with these cable services we companies over all of the that ing a lot of money in CNN. so you can take it to greater heights. have. and the posturing and the discussions are very compli- cated, and the things that get said many times are being said But Headline News seems to be taking some hits from the for lots of different reasons that don't pertain to the issue. competition. Its ratings dipped from a 0.3 to 0.2, and you just disclosed that you're slicing 25% of its staff. Tell me about the news wars. How is CNN doing against That's overblown in the strategic sense. Headline needs to MSNBC and Fox? be revamped from a technology standpoint. [The network' is They're certainly major competitors. Fox News has barely mostly editors and producers. Bui we've launched a few net- scratched. They're doing 30,000 homes a quarter hour or works in recent years with digital server technology instead something. The red ink is so heavy there. MSNBC seems to of editing on tape. I can thank the competition for moving us have stumbled onto a little better formula. We do feel frag- toward a revamp a little hit more quickly for us. mentation, but more from the broadcast networks and the Fox and MSNBC are so small it's hard to know where huge emphasis they've put on cheap news programming in their audiences are coming from. The news business is so prime time to try and drive profits. The news business is get- cyclical. You just have to view this as a long -term business. ting more competitive. CNN doesn't have enough avails. I think Headline News is going to he a nice steady 0.4 rating. Every rating point and every avail we have, we sell. A tenth of a rating point improvement drives $50 million in revenue. Do you miss not being a stand -alone company, being a sub- and a 10 percent improvement in the 25 -54 demo with no sidiary of Time Warner? j 34 May 4 1998 Broadcasting & Cable

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Well, I thought I was going to miss that when we merged. I I mean 15 percent to 20 percent is where we're talking about really don't. Time Warner has been such a wonderful place as a business going forward. I think that's comfortable, that's to work. We look forward five years and we see a company achievable; it allows for reinvestment in the business. that is supercharged for 20 percent growth a year-the news Because a big part of the mission is investing in program- and the entertainment group combined. ming, to continue the mission of taking programming and viewership from the broadcast networks. If we stop this [Time Warner Chairman Gerald] Levin said it would slow process along the way, and try and , we're not going down to below 20 percent. to be successful. TNT and the price of success By John M. Higgins basic cable's Hollywood window earlier has required a commitment In January, TNT president Brad of more than $500 million over Siegel was the hero of the cable several years. In November, industry. TNT was the "loser" Siegel had to more than double in the bidding contest with ESPN TNT's rights fees to renew a four- for rights to 18 Sunday night NFL year deal for NBA games, paying games per season. After splitting $222 milllion per season versus the package with TNT for the past $88 million under the previous eight years, ESPN stepped up for deal. the whole thing at $600 million "The rate of our growth in our per year or $33 million per game, expenses [for] programming and more than double the cost of the marketing is outstripping the rate previous package. of increases dramatically," Siegel Operators already upset over said. "We're not milking the surging programming costs howled, most -watched network in cable, win- business, we're investing our profits in knowing that they would get stuck with ning for two years before slipping dur- programming that's costing a lot more footing the bill for what turned out to be ing the first quarter. today than it did four years ago." a 20% increase in ESPN's already large Maneuvers to boost ratings even fur- Operators don't completely buy it. license fee. In turn, they praised Siegel ther include bidding $1 million an "We all paid a high price for TNT at the for his restraint, lauding him as a respon- episode to strip off-NBC hit ER on beginning to get it off the ground in sible programmer. weekdays. The network is also almost 1989," said one senior MSO executive. The praise didn't last long. Just four doubling its production of original "If ratings and ad sales are so great, let months later TNT is under fire from movies next year, from eight to 14. The them cover the expenses with advertis- some of the same MSOs, now locked in network also has plans for three original ing, not license fees." negotiations to renew their 10-year affil- series, including one occult- centered Siegel counters that it requires both. iation deals. Now that TNT isn't carry- series produced by Oliver Stone. TNT is already relying less on ing or paying for NFL games any longer, In the biggest move, TNT paired license fees, boosting advertising from the operators want to rescind what they with co -owned TBS to 40% of revenue four years ago to about characterize as a 12 -cent "surcharge" step ahead in the line for Hollywood 50% today. He expects to keep a rough- imposed when the network first snagged releases, stealing 141 titles away from ly 50-50 mix for awhile. Even with both the games in 1990. Instead, TNT is seek- broadcasters -many of them major hits a rate increase and advertising sales suc- ing a 5 % -6% increase in its roughly 55 and the bulk of them from co -owned cess, TNT's margins are already declin- cent per- subscriber monthly fee. Time Warner division Warner Bros. ing and will continue to do so. One ana- It's just like the pro wrestling match- TNT's goal is to reach "parity" with lyst estimates that TNT's cash -flow es that feed TNT's ratings. The good broadcast networks. First, get advertis- margin is running 41-42% of revenue. guy suddenly changes tights and ers to pay the same cost -per -thousand TNT could cut programming costs becomes the bad guy. And to Siegel, the viewers as they pay NBC or CBS for by relying only on movies in Time operators' posturing is just as firmly the same demographic. Second, boost Warner's library, "throw in the NBA, grounded in reality. ratings to the point where the cable ser- four original movies a year and call it a To Siegel the debate is a frustrating vice delivers as big an audience as at day," Siegel says. But "our business moment in what has been the network's least smaller broadcast networks. over the long run would fall apart, the strong climb to success as TNT Siegel's argument to operators is that cable operators would lose the strongest approaches its 10th anniversary next satisfying their subscribers that well cable network they have, they would year. The network has been vying with comes at a cost, and the loss of the NFL ultimately lose the strongest ad sales USA Network for bragging rights as the isn't giving him any savings. Bumping opportunity."

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The new digital set-top boxes, such as those made by Scientific- Atlanta (I) and General Instrument (r), pack substantial computing power, two -way capability, interactive programming guides. graphics accelerators and, in some cases. cable modems. Digital cable: when, not if Most estimates say digital will replace advanced analog within seven to 10 years

By Price Colman ners in the Full- Service Network trial "You have the approach in Orlando, Fla., and what they learned As the National Cable Television TCI is taking and the there helped spell out their digital Association's annual convention strategies. opens, there has been a clear shift approach Time Warner is "They're just saying, from their in attitude about digital cable: The experience in Orlando, that the transac- issue is no longer whether all major taking. They're all going tional business is not as large as some MSOs will deploy it, but when and to end up in the same think," Wolzien says. how fast. "To date, we've had success with From the analysts' perspective, place at the same time." advanced analog," says MediaOne much of the debate about digital is President Jan Peters. "The way we're becoming moot. The bottom line is the -Tom Wolzien, thinking about digital video is that it ability to offer more video and such Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. will occur. Our network is in a prime advanced services as Internet access, position to offer digital video. ... But interactivity and over -the -tube transac- TCI are Time Warner, MediaOne and another determinant is HDTV and set - tions. Cablevision Systems. With aggressive tops compatible with HDTV." "You have the approach TCI is tak- analog rebuilds in effect, they're taking In between the ICI and Time Warn- ing and the approach Time Warner is a more restrained approach, focusing /MediaOne approaches to digital taking," says Tom Wolzien of Sanford on the return on investment from cable, there are Cox and Comcast. Cox C. Bernstein. "They're all going to end advanced analog. is marketing its digital product in six up in the same place at the same time. "We have always been believers in a major markets already and by year -end They're just taking different routes." full two -way digital box," says Time intends to offer digital in all nine of its Tele- Communications Inc., spurred Warner Cable spokesman Mike Luft- major cluster markets. While those by financial considerations, is clearly man. "Those are just now becoming markets encompass roughly 85% of the leader of the pack, with digital available. We're doubling our commit- Cox's total subscriber base, the compa- cable now available to more than 11 ment to buy Scientific -Atlanta Explor- ny expects the digital product to be million of its 14.4 million subscribers. er 2000 set -tops, to 1.1 million." available to some 33 %/r of those cus- ICI projects that as many as I million Time Warner is "preparing to launch tomers because it is activating digital of its customers will be digital sub- 75 channels of digital on top of 75 -80 only in those systems that have been scribers by year-end. channels of analog," Luftman says. rebuilt to 750 MHz with two -way capa- Absent the same financial con- "That's our approach. It offers maxi- bility. straints, other major MSOs have mum choice." But, he adds. "We think "We're on schedule pretty well," focused on rebuilding and upgrading ultimately digital will predominate." says Lynne Elander, Cox's director of analog capacity. But even for them, It's no surprise that Time Warner product development. "We got off to a digital looms large. and MediaOne share a similar, deliber- slower start than initially anticipated. At the far end of the spectrum from ate approach to digital. They were part- But we also intended to be launched

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right, and not go to market before we were ready." Comcast has rolled out digital in two Digital Cable Penetration key markets- County, where it As a percentage of basic subs has 200,000 subscribers, and the 1998 1999 2000 2001 Philadelphia suburbs, where it has TCI 8.6% 22.8% 37.8% 52.8% 175,000 subs. A rollout in Detroit sys- Cox 1.4% 7.1% 16% 26.8% tems is imminent, and five to six addi- Comcast 0.7% 4.9% 12.9% 22.8% tional markets, as yet undisclosed, are Cablevision 1.3% 10% 21.4% 35.8% on tap for this year. Comcast is making Adelphia 0.9% 8.4% 15.9% 25.9% no projections about year -end digital UMG 0.7% 6.6% 15.4% 25.7% subscriber counts, says Comcast spokesman Joe Waz. "But there's no Source: Bear, Steams & Co. doubt they represent, in the main, our most significant clusters," he adds. dent Ron Martin calculated the cost for availability and features, lollom- The return-on- an analog rebuild versus the cost for through on business strategies and need. investment equation digital. As Lufturan points out. set -tops only Under his model, based on a system now are being equipped to offer more The MSOs' differing approaches to of 5,000 subscribers and passing 8,0(K) than just additional video programming. digital cable boil down to how they homes where the goal was to add 95 Couple that with the fact that many big- have calculated their expected return channels, the fixed costs for an analog ger operators are well along in advanced on investment in digital and advanced upgrade were far higher. Martin fig- analog rebuilds and the urgency for analog. ured that for advanced analog, it would moving to digital decreases. That's a simplistic explanation, cost some $2,0(0) per channel, roughly "I think their view is that where because the details are exceedingly $10.000 per mile for plant upgrade and bandwidth is more plentiful. they can complex. What is emerging from real - about $10,000 in other headend costs. wait for digital to look better," says world experience is that digital makes In contrast, the cost per channel for a Dan Moloney. general manager of economic sense in larger markets, i.e. digital upgrade is just under $ I.000, advanced network systems at General Cox's 300,(00- subscriber clusters, and with no need to rebuild the cable plant. Instrument. in smaller markets. It's the midsize Other headend costs also were elimi- "A number of players in the indus- markets where digital is on the cusp. nated under the digital plan. try- including Cox and Comcast. and There are various reasons for the But, Martin acknowledges, variable not just Time Warner and McdiaOne- gap. Under Cox's scenario, larger mar- costs -set -tops and home installa- feel there is a hybrid approach. They kets that have been rebuilt offer tion -are about $400 per customer for look at their subscriber hase where they economies of scale. Advanced analog digital compared with about $180 for have 65 percent penetration into a sys- boxes offer 15 -16 additional video advanced analog. tem. A number of those are basic -basic channels, digital music and an interac- The advantage of digital is that "we who don't need set -top technology. tive guide. don't have to fix costs up front in Another group moves up to a one -pay "If you look at digital, we have the rebuilding cable systems," Martin says. tier. Ultimately. they [cable operators] same bandwidth, but we can [fit a total "The capital follows the revenue want to drive advanced analog into of] 200 different channels of video pro- stream. With advanced analog, you those, get them into taking premium or gramming, plus music, plus processors have very high fixed costs. With digital multipay tiers, and then they can drive in [digital) boxes that offer an you have higher variable costs, but it them more easily into other advanced enhanced interactive guide," Elander goes only into homes that are paying." services, such as Internet access and says. "Digital boxes far outstrip The breakeven point for digital or enhanced TV. advanced analog boxes." analog largely is a function of headend "The economics play out well for The situation differs for smaller size, says Martin. Under Buford's that strategy. Then you lay on top of operators such as Buford Television, a model, digital cable's economics work that the percentage lof subscribers] that Texas MSO. To figure out if there was in systems as small as 3,000 subs, you want to drive into digital. Ulti- a case for digital, Buford Vice Presi- given about 20% penetration. mately, they want to drive digital deep- "It increases cash Clow per sub about er and deeper, but it will take a number 1 7 percent," says Martin. "That's better of years to do that.... Operators want to Braadcasting than break- even." Moreover, Martin get technology to their entire base that says, the break -even point drops as dig- allows offering of new products and ital set -top prices come down. services," Moloney says. Want latest the news from Cable '98? One key question: If Buford's eco- Eventually. digital will supplant Our www.broadcastingcable.com nomic model for digital is accurate, why advanced analog. When does that hap- breaking will feature live isn't everybody scrambling to get on pen? Most estimates put it at seven to updates from the show -6 board? There are several reasons: box 10 years from now.

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Young Turks seek to transform TCI TCI's rising stars plot course for success By Price Colman ROBERT "DOB" BENNETT. tage of the next generation of digital 40, President /CEO, set -top devices," says Bennett. "These N'arty 18 months ago, cable giant Corp.; Vice President, TCI; mem- principally involve different forms of Tele- Communications Inc. was ber of Hindery's executive team customer interaction with the program- on the critical list. The company ming and will likely be pursued in con- had been hemorrhaging customers and Bennett was junction with our sister companies." cash for more than a year. By January serving as 1997, the question was: How much vice president worse could things could get? and director of MADISON "MATT" BOND. When ICI Chairman /CEO John finance at ICI 35, Senior Vice President of Pro- Malone tapped Leo Hindery to be his when he gramming Administration, TCI second -in- command in February joined Liberty Communications; President, Satel- 1997. Malone already had crafted the at its 1990 for- lite Services Inc.; reports to Hindery framework for a turnaround. Hin- mation. He dery's job was to build from the blue- was Liberty's Bond plays a prints, and Malone gave him what principal key role in amounted to carte blanche: fire and financial offi- negotiating hire as needed to get the foundering cer, essential- programming company back on track financially ly second in command, until April 1997. agreements and operationally. when then Liberty boss Peter Barton with cable When Hindery immediately began voluntarily handed over the reins. networks, unraveling strategies and philosophies Bennett maintains a lower profile broadcasters, of the previous administration, the than Barton, but his financial acumen motion pic- message was clear: Heads would roll. and deal -making savvy have earned ture studios, They did, beginning with Barry Mar- him widespread praise as one of ICI's ' ports teams shall, ICI's executive vice president, more adept and agile leaders and a and leagues. and eventually reaching all the way to worthy successor to Barton. Not surpris- Brendan Clouston, ICI president and From Bennett's perspective, Liber- ingly, his world has changed sub- CEO. The magnitude of change was so ty's role of maximizing shareholder stantially under Hindery, who has far -reaching that Hindery himself talks value hasn't changed. But certain made programming agreements a top about the executive exodus he oversaw underpinnings clearly have. priority. with a sense of awe tempered by "Probably the most significant While Hindery has focused on eas- knowledge of the stress it created. change we've seen in the past 12 ing the often strained relationships Now, virtually all top -level senior months is the new spirit of cooperation between TCI and programmers, he executives from the pre -Hindery era and collaboration within the ICI fami- hasn't been shy about pointing to are gone, most of them replaced from ly," says Bennett. "This change is a steadily rising programming costs as a within. The new leaders at TCI form a direct result of Leo Hindery's leader- key component in increasing cable nucleus of frontline command-they ship. Taking advantage of synergy rates. For Bond, that translates into a are the executives who will take the sounds easy and logical, but in a large considerable challenge: balancing the company into the next millennium and company with diverse operations it importance of maintaining good pro- determine whether it succeeds or stum- requires constant focus and effort. Leo grammer relations with an aggressive bles. Among these leaders are candi- has more energy than all of us com- negotiating stance on carriage agree- dates who one day might take com- bined." ments. Steadily rising programming mand from Malone and Hindery. Improved relations with parent ICI costs heighten the challenge, but Bond Simply being a member of the new are a plus, but Bennett's plate remains says that the overall mission of his leadership team is no guarantee of suc- full to overflowing: restructuring Lib- department hasn't changed. cess or advancement, however. TCI erty's ownership stake in Barry "The focus in my area is a perma- has a long history of bright and capable Diller's USA Network, refining the nent one -creating a valuable package executives who have been chewed up Liberty/Rainbow relationship, launch- of services for ICI customers," he and spit out by the demands of working ing a Spanish -language tier network, says. "We are continually attempting to for the company. closing the acquisition structure agreements that create, main- Following are brief profiles of some and continued development of ICI tain and support new and differentiated rising stars in the new command staff, Music. product offerings at a reasonable cost their views on how things have "In the slightly longer term, we are to the operator. while constantly creat- changed since the restructuring and developing business models for new ing value for both the consumer and the what they see ahead. products and services to take advan- programmer."

50 May 4 1998 Broadcasting & Cable

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DEREK CHANG, 30, Assistant rising through the ranks, she departed ing the forma- to the President, TOI Communica- in December 1996 for what turned out tion of 12 part- tions; reports to Hindery to be a six -month as vice presi- nerships. dent of corporate communications at Although the Chang is one NBC. Gone during what was perhaps partnerships of the newest the most tumultuous period in the com- will reduce of the new pany's turnaround phase, she was TCI's sub guard at TCI: never out of touch -and when the invi- count by about he moved tation to return came, she accepted. 4 million. they from InterMe- The department that Cocoros over- will also dia Partners sees offers telling evidence of how strengthen its LP. where he much the company has changed: Infor- concentration was treasurer. mation is rapidly and proactively dis- in key major in April 1997. seminated internally and externally, markets and align its interests with near- Few others and the defensive trench mentality of ly every major MSO. are as close to the old days is no longer evident. "My group focus has changed prin- Hindery on a Separating corporate communications cipally from having been an acquirer of regular basis as Chang. who often acts from government affairs and having it assets to now a rationalizer of assets we as liaison between Hindery and senior report directly to Hindery has helped acquired," Fitzgerald says. "We will executives. Chang also handles special refine the focus of media, public and have an element as fiduciary for our projects at Hindery's direction and in intraindustry relations. Cocoros says. interests in those partnerships, seeking the past year has worked closely with But self -analysis has helped as well. growth and acquisition opportunities. Bill Fitzgerald on several cable system "We have begun to chart our "We can be very effective if we have deals and with Bruce Ravenel on the progress through research- surveying 10.5 million subs that are O &Os and BankAmerica/Intuit deal. our employees to ensure that commu- 10.5 million in partnerships [of which "Leo is a consensus -builder." says nications are continuously improving we own] 42'%. We evolved from what Chang. "What a lot of people don't see is and analyzing our media coverage in used to be pure mergers and acquisi- that the same thing has happened internally. several local markets and nationally to tions to what tomorrow will be part "I didn't have a prior history with determine how well we are getting our mergers and acquisitions management TCI. but based on what I've heard. TCI messages across externally," Cocoros and part portfolio management. That has become a lot easier to deal with.... says. represents a significant equity stake You see a lot more cooperation. A "Over the next year. my group within this company -a sizable group common goal is what's on everyone's intends to work more closely with the of assets representing roughly one -sixth mind. People at ICI work hard and field to better integrate media relations of cable subscribers in the country." push hard, which makes it an exciting and communications into the opera- place to be. The fact that everyone has tions side of the business and align a uniform goal helps move everything itself with the cable company's goals. GARY HOWARD, 47, CEO/ forward in the right direction." On the corporate side, we are reaching President, TOI Ventures Group; As for trying to maintain Hindery's out more to our industry counterparts. reports to Hindery. legendary work pace. "No one can keep our partners. vendors, programmers the same schedule he does," says Chang. and affiliates to ensure more consistent Howard joined messaging and to work on public rela- ICI in 1991 tions efforts for mutual benefit." after its acquisi- LELA COCOROS, 37, Executive tion of United Vice President- Corporate Com- Artists Enter- munications, TOI Communica- BILL FITZGERALD, 40, Exec- tainment Co. tions; reports to Hindery utive Vice President of Corporate (UAE). where Development and Partnership he had been One of the Relations for TCI Communica- senior vice most veteran tions; reports to Hindery president for of TCI's new acquisitions and leadership Fitzgerald is a relative newcomer to TCI, chief adminis- c a d r e, starting in 1996. but he's no stranger to trative officer. Cocoros has the cable industry. He was at the Barely a year after coming to TCI, observed the renowned cable investment banking firm Howard was promoted to senior vice changes of the Daniels & Associates for eight years. president of mergers and acquisitions. past year both As head of ICI's mergers and acqui- a pivotal position in the nation's as insider and sitions team, Fitzgerald has been in the biggest MSO. outsider. red -hot center of ICI's deal activity for Top executive at ICI Ventures After 11 the past two years. He has overseen a (TCIV). the umbrella company for years at ICI. staggering 26 major transactions, includ- ICI's technology investment portfolio.

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Howard also is chairman -CEO of Unit- restructuring and stock transactions the box costs and drive faster penetration ed Video Satellite Group and CEO of company has undergone. In addition. of digital cable. TCI Satellite Entertainment. Koets also oversees the employee rela- At the same time. interactive ser- "Like it or not -and we like it -the tions department, including payroll and vices are largely uncharted territory: world is going digital. and there is no benefits services for TCI employees. with the successes, there will certainly going back," Howard says. "TCI Ven- "There has been an enormous amount be failures. That ups the ante for tures is at the forefront of that change and of change in the various areas that report Ravenel and his department. is fortunate to have an affiliation with a to me," says Koets. Among those In the past year, Ravenel says. large distribution company [TCIC] and a changes, accounting and internal audit "We've seen the emergence of Open - large content company [Liberty]. organizations are decentralizing and mov- Cable: the industrywide approach to "Perhaps the biggest change I have ing closer to managers in the field: infor- advanced digital devices; the industry seen this past year is the ability of the mation resources is deploying new finan- procurement deal with General Instru- groups to work together positively and cial systems; investor relations and asso- ment for millions of advanced digital quickly. Opportunities and issues are dis- ciated departments are refining reporting set -tops led by ICI, and TCI's deals cussed during the group business heads' to the investment community, and with Sun Microsystems, Microsoft and meetings, and decisions follow quickly." employee relations is evaluating employ- @Home for OpenCable- compatible Through 1998, Ventures will focus ee benefits and compensation packages. software on the advanced platform. on strengthening its balance sheet, "There are any number of additional "Looking forward to the next year. monetizing non -core assets and initiatives that are under way that have our mission is to put in place the new revamping its Sprint PCS ownership been sponsored by these groups as well interactive services for the advanced stake, possibly through an IPO. In as the other groups with which I work." platform, bringing new capabilities to addition, Howard says, Ventures will says Koets. "While these efforts contin- our customers. The first of these include be aggressive about buying back stock ue to evolve, the common theme of all TV e-mail from @Home and interactive if company executives consider it these projects continues to be improved financial services with Bank of America undervalued in public markets. customer support." and Intuit. We expect to develop a num- "Finally, we will look to make key ber of other interactive service opportu- acquisitions and investments in 1998 nities in electronic commerce, interac- that will further drive the development BRUCE W. RAVENEL, 48, tive advertising and other areas." of digital products and services," Executive Vice President-Interac - Howard says. tive Ventures, TCI Communica- tions; reports to Hindery TRACY WAGNER, 37, Senior Vice President -Programming Dis- ANN KOETS, 40, Executive Vice Ravenel's tribution for TCI Communica- President -Finance, TCI Communi- department is tions; reports to TCI Communica- cations; reports directly to Hindery one of TCI's tions COO Marvin Jones newest, spring- Koets, who ing from the The program- joined TCI in company's ming world 1993 in the focus on lever- W a g n e r financial aging its digital inhabits has reporting cable platform changed sig- department, through a vari- nificantly in has advanced ety of interac- the past year. quickly in five tive services. Programming years Soon The most contracts are after coming recent evidence: the BankAmerica/Intuit still negotiat- aboard, she transaction, which will deliver banking ed at the cor- was promoted and financial services to ICI customer porate level, to senior -vice homes -via digital-set-top boxes-and -per- but there's president -financial services; in Decem- sonal computers through TCI @Home. increasing collaboration with regional ber 1997 she was named executive vice That deal may not have been the and local systems managers, requiring president- financial services. Three blockbuster that Wall Street had hoped a far higher degree of coordination months later she was named to her cur- for, but it could have far- reaching between headquarters and field offices. rent post. implications for ICI and other cable Much of that responsibility falls into Koets oversees investor relations, operators. It offers a possible model for Wagner's lap. accounting, financial reporting, tax, how TCI and others will charge exter- Wagner joined ICI -and the cable corporate services, internal audit and nal businesses for entry into what Mal- industry-in 1992 as assistant director risk management. That's a formidable one calls the "walled garden" -digital of programming. She was subsequently assignment anytime at ICI, but it has cable. For ICI, the up -front payments promoted to vice president of program- become even more so in the past year from BankAmerica and Intuit help ming for TCIC and senior vice presi- with the bevy of system deals, debt reduce the cable company's set -top dent of programming at Satellite Ser-

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vices Inc.. positions she held until she TONY E. WERNER 12, Vice had digital cable available. was moved up again earlier this year. President-Engineeru.g and Techn;- Werner also oversees preparations for In her current role. Wagner acts as cal Operations, TCI Communica- launches of high - Internet access liaison between Madison Bond and sys- tions; reports directly to Hindery and via TCI @Home and of telephony ser- tems- level managers. She also oversees is part of Hindery's executive team vices, widely considered as crucial new distribution of print. on- screen and pay - generators of revenue and cash flow. per -view programming guides. One of If Fitzgerald "The model has moved from central- her more challenging assignments is to has been at the ized implementation to centrally collect- work with the National Digital Televi- locus of TCI ed strategy and best practices. with local sion Center's Headend In The and deal making. implementation." Werner says. "This is local systems to develop digital pro- then Werner evident in every aspect. Product testing gram packages that address specific has been at the and approval is performed centrally with system needs. center of the system input, but then the system "The programming distribution operations decides which of the approved products department did not exist a year ago. cyclone. Like they will use. Network upgrades are han- says Wagner. "Its creation is a testa- Fitzgerald. dled in the same manner. We develop ment to Leo and Marvin's emphasis on Werner also is network architecture centrally and then strong programmer partnerships that a relative new- adapt it to the specific market where it is help us fulfill our goal of creating value comer to TCI. locally implemented." for our customers through quality pro- signing on in 1994. Werner still has at least 30 months of gram offerings, reasonable pricing and Beginning in March 1997. Werner heavy lifting ahead. TCI has vowed to cooperative efforts at the local level." has overseen deployment of digital be essentially all -digital by the end of Wagner adds that in the coming year cable that now is available to more than 2000. with 90% of its plant two - she'll maintain the focus on refining 11 million of TCI's current 14.4 million way capable. While the digital push is programming offerings and lineups. customers. Here's a gauge for measur- well under way. it will require a mas- Wagner's job isn't likely to get any ing what Werner and his staff have sive effort to go from 3% of the plant easier in the coming months. Program- done: In late 1996, as TCI was launch- two -way capable at the end of 1997 to ming costs continue to climb. particu- ing digital cable in Hartford. Conn.. the the year 2000 goal. larly in the sports area: balancing that company's plan called for delivering with carriage and rate issues will trans- digital to I1 systems in 1997. By the late into a hefty burden. end of 1997, roughly 300 ICI systems Liberty's Barton has moved on Life after TCI Peter Barton is the noteworthy For every new Young Turk at TCI, there's a senior executive who faded exception in the TCI executive from the picture in the past year. Where are they now? exodus of the past year. Brendan Clouston: Although still under a consulting contract with TCI, The former the former TCI Communications president -CEO hasn't been at the corn - Liberty Media pany's headquarters in several months. He's reportedly spending most of CEO /president his time at his home. resigned on Jedd Palmer: The former top programming executive at TCI moved into April 1, 1997, a similar role at MediaOne earlier this year. after a year of Barry Marshall: TCI's former COO, whose early exit under the new mulling over the administration came as no surprise, is reportedly working at Vail Resort. decision. He Robert Thomson: The former head of corporate communications and was the only member of the old government affairs serves on the board of nondenominational religious guard who left voluntarily, despite programmer Odyssey and spends time with his family. a personal plea from boss and Camille Jayne: The ex- digital cable guru at TCIC, Jayne left in June 1997 friend John Malone to stay. and formed the Jayne Group consulting firm. In February, she was named pres- Wealthy enough to retire, Bar- idenVCOO of Universal Electronics, a company that makes all -in -one remotes. ton instead is focusing on Sadie Decker: Decker oversaw development of TCI's ambitious Summi- unearthing and developing innov- Trak billing and customer service technology but left when the operation ative Internet content that can tap was sold to CSG Systems mid -1997. She's now a telecommunications con- the largely unrealized revenue - sultant in Denver. generating potential of the 'Net. In Barbara Mowry: The ex-senior vice president of customer satisfaction addition, he has spent the past left TCI in March 1997. In December 1997, she was named year getting reacquainted with his president/CEO of Boulder -based Requisite Technology Inc., a developer family and is working with his wife of customized electronic "universal catalogs" featuring office furniture, to identify and fund selected chari- desktop computers and peripherals. -Price Colman table causes. -Price Colman

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Wireless cable pins hopes on Internet Struggling industry looks to high -speed Web access to retiIclli -c it

By Bob Diddlebock, try a few years ago', but you need cap- deliver TV service to Clovis, N.M.: Bude, B &C correspondent ital, and you need to control chum." Miss.: La Junta. Colo.: Sikestown. Mo., To be sure, there are a few wireless and a lot of other out -of-the -way burgs. The U.S. wireless cable industry cable success stories. Well- heeled The thinking: find a market with a signif- today is a wounded soldier who BellSouth, which also holds licenses in icant number of uncabled homes: erect a stands a better chance of bleeding Miami: Atlanta: Louisville, Ky., and tower that can beam cream- of -the- to death on the battlefield than being Jacksonville and Orlando, Fla., has Nielsens programming: charge a reason- choppered out to safety. rolled out digital video to 33,500 cus- able monthly tariff of $20 or so. and grow For the most part, the debt -choked. tomers in . Pacific Bell the business at a slow, steady pace. underfunded business -whose sub - Video Services has done the same in Who, so the thinking went, couldn't scribership has stalled at the I million 56.000 Los Angeles -area homes. make hay, given the cable industry's mark for the past few years- desper- Some small, well- managed compa- reputation for price -gouging and deliv- t ately needs money to finance day -to- nies- such as 72.0(X)- subscriber Wire- ering lousy customer service, as well as day operations. pay debt and bankroll less Broadcasting Systems of America the inability of on- the -horizon DBS to short- and long -term growth. LLC. run by several former Daniels & deliver local broadcast signals? To be sure, delays in rolling out digi- Associates cable system executives- Nonetheless, wireless cable was able, tal services, loss of Wall as one observer puts it, Street's faith, failed merg- "to snatch defeat from ers with major telcos, man- the jaws of victory." agement missteps and the Top 10 U.S. Wireless Cable MSOs First, the industry's emergence /resurgence of Subs Markets high rollers ran up hun- savvy competitors have Heartland Wireless 194.100 58 dreds of millions of dol- pushed wireless cable into a American Telecasting Inc 141.600 33 lars in high -yield bond tight comer. As one analyst debt the go -go Wireless One Inc. 114.200 34 during dryly says, "This industry is 1980s to Clash -fund ana- People's Choice TV 75,200 6 really in trouble." log huildouts before Not so fast, reply wire- Wireless Broadcasting Sys. of America 72.000 5 establishing whether less cable optimists, who CAI Wireless Systems Inc. 65.700 6 there was, indeed, wide- say they're ready to pla CS Wireless Systems Inc 64.862 10 spread demand for their an ace in the hole: high- Pacific Bell Video Services 56.000 2 service. Instead of home - speed Internet access. BellSouth Wireless Cable Inc 33.500 6 growing their own cus- which they claim will be a tomers, greedy operators Videotron /Wireless Holding Inc. 21,000 2 major money -maker that bought subscribers Sources: Wireless Cable Association International Inc.; individual companies will transform their strug- through ill- advised acqui- gling industry into a piv- sitions. Poor credit risks otal new -media player. and deadbeats dumped by As cause for hope those optimists make good money. And creative local cable operators contributed to high also point to digital video, creative alliances cut with DirecTV by Wireless wireless cable churn rates. marketing alliances with folks like One in Jackson, Miss., Heartland Wire- Then, as the digital era dawned, wire- DirecTV and Americans' taste for mul- less Communications Inc. and others are less cable operators made lots of tichannel TV service that sells for an giving the industry access to the fast - promises to investors and subscribers average $23.82 a month. growing multiple -dwelling unit market. about all of the wonderful programming Indeed, some argue that if the indus- Still, as DBS approaches 7 million they could expect. Too had that vendors try can find some dough -about $1.6 subscribers and cable 70 million, it couldn't deliver the hardware on time. billion will be needed to fund capital can't instill confidence in Wall Add a few more elements- fraudu- expenditure efforts through 2001. Streeters, bondholders, employees or lent telemarketing schemes, lax cus- according to a Paul Kagan Associates subscribers when a broker says that tomer service, DBS's arrival, the cable Inc. estimate -wireless cable could "the entire (wireless cabled business is industry's push to polish its tarnished double its U.S. subscriber count in the for sale" or when the industry's trade image, spectrum -hoarding greenmail - next four years, as well as serve some association says that the business is ers who suckered free- spending opera- 30.000 high -speed -data customers. "reinventing" itself. tors, program -access problems. you "I feel that there's a niche for wire- Today, it's hard to believe that wireless name it -and the situation took an ugly r less cable," says John Mansell. a senior cable's future once looked quite sunny. turn in the mid- . Kagan analyst. "They had a decent The industry was fìunded in the 1970s by The upshot: Kagan says that the wire- business plan before the telcos came in a scrappy hand of entrepreneurs who less cable industry, which is expected to land looked into investing in the indus- developed a simple. economical way to generate some $440 million in video -dri-

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ven revenue this year, won't be cash flow - son, a principal with Media Manage- Among the companies that already positive for at least another two years. ment Services Inc., a Denver -based have launched service: ATI with Wall Street has turned off its money telecommunications consulting firm. WantWeb in Denver, Colorado faucets. Major telcos like Bell Atlantic, "It doesn't cost all that much to hook up Springs, Portland, Ore., and (it Nynex and US West have killed plans a [data] headend. The network- design uses Hybrid Networks Inc. modems to to buy into larger wireless cable play- elements can let you deliver very high deliver 750 kilobits -per- second down- ers, such as CS Wireless Systems Inc., speeds throughout the marketplace. stream capability); People's Choice CAI Wireless Systems Inc. and Ameri- And business customers are different TV with SpeedChoice in Detroit and can Telecasting Inc. than residential customers. You can sell Phoenix, and Wireless One in Jackson, Most recently, Moody's Investors them equipment, as well as monthly Miss., with its WarpOne service. Service downgraded the credit ratings of service, at a fair price versus ADSL, TI "This [high -speed access] is not triv- ATI, CAI Wireless, CS Wireless, Wire- and whatever else the telcos can offer." ial stuff," says Carl Ledbetter, the pres- less One Inc., Heartland Wireless and The wireless cable industry also is ident of Hybrid Networks Inc. "These People's Choice TV, which also has banking on the FCC to rule in the next things are hard to work out, but there is been delisted by Nasdaq. What's more, few months on whether operators will be all kinds of evidence that this is coming Heartland announced that it wouldn't able to deliver two-way service over their to the fore; 1999 could be a big, make a $7.5 million interest payment spectrum. That, in turn, could open up blowout year for wireless cable." April 15 on its $115 million of 13% the Internet -based telephony business. But as one wireless video pioneer senior unsecured notes due in 2003. "Wireless cable offers a tremendous who's no longer in the business sarcas- If that's not enough bad news, more platform for video, voice and data, and tically says of the data -access play: than a few operators have discovered a favorable FCC ruling [on two -way "We didn't figure out the pay -TV busi- that upgrading to digital in response to services] could open up tremendous ness-so now, let's do something else." moves by cable and DBS will cost them opportunity," says Bob Rini, a partner That again begs the question: Could a fortune at a time when wireless cable become money has grown scarce. the Betamax business of Says an analyst who U.S. the 1990s -gone and requested anonymity: Wireless Cable by the Numbers quickly forgotten -or "The [wireless cable] Systems: 252 miraculously summon industry clearly has its Operators: 70 the wherewithal to trans- problems because it has Subscribers: 1 million form itself into a useful too much debt. It needs to Publicly traded operating cos.: 8 new -media niche ser- find a model that works. vice? Maybe that means Internet Source: Wireless Cable Association International The FCC's recent service or a deal with a LMDS spectrum auc- satellite service. But, tions in the 27.5 -31.3 again, they have to keep an eye on the in the Washington communications ghz band, which can be used flexibly bondholders. ... Some of these compa- law firm of Rini, Coran & Lancellotta. for telephony, video and data access, nies are heading for reorganization." "The future's quite bright in that didn't draw much of a crowd. The only Indeed, companies that issued stock regard, because those operators have successful wireless cable bidder was in the mid -1990s at $5 to $18 a share beachfront [spectrum] property." People's Choice TV, which won a are now trading at under $1. That's Kagan predicts that by 2008 the block of spectrum for Phoenix. where Internet access -which, accord- wireless cable industry could generate If, indeed, some of People's ing to your source, is either the thinnest some $3.5 billion in annual high speed - Choice's brethren tank, they may end of threads on which to hang the future data revenue, most of it from business- up in the hands of bankruptcy -court of a shaky business or a potential gold - es. But how close the industry will buyers, according to analysts. These mine-comes into play. comess to hitting that target is anyone's buyers, most likely, would be some of The supposed advantages of wire- guess. The cable industry, for example, the more conservatively run, well - less cable's Internet access with a hasn't yet made a dime on Internet established wireless cable players such telco -return component include: access: The MSO- backed @Home as Wireless Broadcasting Systems. Easy entry into the fast -growing venture, which counts only 90,000 Other prospects: Forward- thinking small- and midsize business and U.S. subscribers, posted a latest -quar- small and midsize telcos could use the telecommuter markets ter loss of $95 million. in -hock spectrum to deploy two -way Monthly pricing that starts as low Other questions facing wireless cable Internet access; deliver Internet -based as $199 a month versus the telcos' $600 on the data- access front: Can it find the telephony down the road, and build and up for T I , ISDN or ADSL service money to develop the business sooner corporate and municipal intranet sys- Service that requires only one rather than later? Can it strongly market tems. As one analyst says, "I find it channel -crucial in a typical 33 -chan- new offerings against such competitors impossible to believe that no one nel system -an antenna and a down - as Loral Space, @Home, DirecTV, would want that [200 mhz] spectrum." converter. Primestar Partners and EchoStar? Can But making it pay off in a big way "The modem business takes less it cut the customer -service mustard may continue to be another story for spectrum than video," says Dean Eric- with a still- finicky technology? quite some time.

62 May 4 1998 Broadcasting & Cable

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CABLELABS Opening the door to digital

By Price Colman nonprofit CableLabs but also lend vision, leader- ship and personnel. Cable Television Laboratories has long But it is the CableLabs executives themselves been crucial to the cable industry as its who shoulder the burden of turning vision into real- research and development arm. Its ity- people such as Richard Green (I), CableLabs importance moved to a new level last year when president and CEO; Jerry Bennington (r), senior CableLabs launched its OpenCable initiative. vice president, and Laurie Schwartz, director of OpenCable's prime directive is to establish - digital video services. In a recent panel discussion dards for digital set -top boxes, devices many see with BROADCASTING & CABLE Denver Bureau Chief as the key to the telecommunications future. But it Price Colman, the three executives detailed Open - has an objective perhaps even more ambitious: Cable's progress as well as challenges and oppor- Uniting often -competing cable, computer and con- tunities ahead for the cable industry. sumer electronics industries in a triumvirate that will bring about the digitization of telecommunica- Dick, let's start with you and get an update on the status tions and video entertainment. of OpenCable. OpenCable has removed the barriers to an Green: It's on schedule. OpenCable has turned out to be a industry that has long been closed to outsiders. No very useful and productive vehicle for resolving industry other single development in cable so effectively problems vis -a -vis development of advanced set -tops and highlights how the industry has matured as it integration of functions. We see it as a long -term project enters the new age of electronic communications, with a whole series of possible ramifications and goals. entertainment and commerce. Schwarz_: Right now is probably the busiest we've been on CableLabs would not exist without the support of OpenCable. We're about ready to release our first specifica- member cable companies -TCI, Time Warner, tions -what the box has to do and how we expect it will MediaOne, Comcast, Cox, Cablevision Systems accomplish that -for vendor comment. At the same time, and others -which not only fund the operation's we're releasing a number of key interface documents for our

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members' comments. Those are more detailed, down to the DOCSIS [Data Over Cable Service Interface Specifications) bits and bytes and prongs, the interfaces to ... the TV, to a modem is the early representation. These things begin to removable security module, to the headend. The software blend in the OpenCable set -top. OpenCable is largely a col- environment continues to move along. We have lots of good lection of extant specifications. input from the computer industry and we expect to release Schwartz: On the software side, we've tried to pick specs that that in June for vendor comment. We're right in the heart of have been adopted in the Internet environment, things like , defining stages of it. HTML and JavaScript. But what we have to create is some- thing that allows us to get that software to talk to the real What deadlines are you looking at? You mentioned June. world of set -tops. How do you get an HTML application to tune a tuner, things like that. The other thing is applications Schwa] t:: This summer is when we want to get initial drafts security. out there and [have] the vendors communicating about them. How do we make sure that if someone goes out to [We will] integrate their input. We'd really like to have the Internet and pulls down an application that it runs safely and doesn't affect the whole Viruses, something finalized, so that when we get to the Internation- network? rogue appli- al Telecommunications Union [which sets international cations, people writing over advertising-these are things we don't want to happen. This is space that traditionally standards] in November, we can submit it at least for a has been very controlled. Now it review. Our members are deploying boxes that will be that we're opening up, how do we control that opening? One of the things is to contain it at the highest level possible. You "This is a multi -industry never let those resources talk directly to the approach to solving CPU. They always have to go through some what amounts to a very sort of a control level, so that they don't have direct access. significant develop- Green: There are openness issues, as well. ment problem. It's You want to be as open as possible, to encour- important to recognize age the most development. It's a very tricky the complexity and the equation. depth of the task. Hav- What's the price of being late or not being ing said that, we intend able to resolve some of these things? to get these boxes in Green: This is a development cycle and it has all the problems of a development cycle. All the field as soon as we can do is try to be available to resolve humanly possible." issues and clarify specifications and assist manufacturers in developing the product. We can't do [the development]. It takes an enor- [OpenCable] compatible and our intention is that whatever mous design and manufacturing capability, and that is sup- we put into OpenCable will allow those boxes to operate in plied by other industries. This is a multi -industry approach to the same system in the future. solving what amounts to a very significant development Green: OpenCable is a family of products, a family of set - problem. It's important to recognize the complexity and the top boxes, with varying capability and purpose. depth of the task. Having said that, we intend to get these boxes in the field as soon as humanly possible. Getting a box out there for the retail market is a signifi- Schwartz: Because we are moving to a software environ- cant goal? ment, and we are not dictating what the hardware implemen- tation is, our members have the opportunity and the flexibil- Green: It is a significant goal, and a significant driver in the ity to come up with the right solution for their needs at process. The ultimate goal, though, is to get this functionali- the ty built into the [television] receivers. hardware level. And because the software is being designed to be upgradeable Schwartz: Major milestones, before we get to either of those, -downloadable -we have flexibility will be things like the common software environment. going forward to make changes. Green: [The set -top] can be configured differently in a TCI environment versus a Time Warner environment. In the PC industry, they talk about forward and backward compatibility. That sounds like what you're talking about. What impact is the regulatory environment having on your Green: Yes. This would be the first time at CableLabs that ability to meet the OpenCcable deadline? we've undertaken a major effort in software specification. Green: The regulatory requirements help set schedules for That is the enabling point for software developers to begin us. They move us along. The '96 Act has a delivering product. provision that these boxes should be available at retail. To do that, issues regarding the security, removable security [conditional You're looking at more than delivering digital signals. access],and so on, have to be resolved. We were pretty far Green: Yes. This is integration of services. OpenCable is a along in developing that, and having that requirement helps nexus of the two networks, the digital downstream broadcast us solidify dates so that we can meet those goals. In a way, network and the two -way packet network of which the we would prefer to be in an environment where we corn-

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pletely make the decision. But we are involved in a develop- going to be some questions about that. What I hope will hap- broad- ment that includes a lot of other industries and the interests pen is that the advent of high -definition will encourage of the government as well. casters and others to develop new, that will have audience appeal -not high- definition versions of and There was an agreement just recently with Hollywood stu- what's on the normal channel. People who are inventive dios. Is this the kind of thing you're talking about? creative are going to get certain advantages. That's what the marketplace ought to do. It ought not to follow some federal- Bennington: That's a different issue. With the advent of dig- ly mandated guideline that requires repetition of the same ital video, and particularly high -definition, the studios are material without innovative marketplace activity. concerned about consumers being able -easily -to produce Scimort_: Technically. we need a short -term solution and a a perfect copy of a movie. It's different from stealing ser- long -term solution and we have a lot of work to do in that vices from the cable company. They've been working for a area. Software. a hi -def solution. security -those are our top number of years to produce copy -protection schemes they three (priorities] and continue to he. Plus, how do we get all would use on consumer electronics devices. Between the of them working in the right time frames. set -top and the digital television set. they're finally getting to Green: The danger for the cable industry is that many systems where we can start to implement that kind of technology. simply don't have the capacity to carry a whole duplicate set Green: We haven't quite gotten there yet. but we can foresee of broadcasters' signals. as well as program- ming that cable customers have grown accus- tomed to. Efficiency in the transmission is very "We deliver TV in important. Another problem we want to avoid most of the households is carrying a lot of hits that simply don't make in the country-and any difference to the consumer. We want to test those things in some detail. and the best place to certainly those that test them is in the open marketplace. Fortunate- the demographics ly. broadcasters are providing a spectrum of ll'haveto buy hi -def. We're as choices here. They plan to provide programs in a wide variety of formats. We'll carry those. motivated as anybody We'll see which ones have viability. else to give them Bennington: Because of the FCC grant of better pictures, and spectrum to the broadcasters, most of the Washington debate has been around broad- we have a better casters launching hi -def. But it' you look at the t ljR1 system to do it." cable industry. sports and movies are going to r be the killer products. Green: Cable is going to be the place to be for hi -def. Broadcasters are going to add to that, but that in the next year well start deploying that technology. it's not going to be a one -ring circus at all. Broadcasters have a especially in the high- definition arena. valuable product and our viewers want to see that product. However, Jerry is right. High- definition tends to give an advan- Many in Washington and elsewhere are concerned about tage to some of our kinds of programs -ESPN and HBO, for whether HDTV is going to work through cable. Lay it out once and for all. example. Se /wort:: This notion of enhanced TV. which is the other the government in Green: Commercial rivals are confusing really neat application we've been working on ... a lot of ways here. Somebody's spreading confusion and Bennington: That's the sleeper. doubt. Schwan_: It allows you to take Internet data or data from sig- Bennington: The truth is that we will carry broadcasters' other server locations and integrate it and synchronize it the audio -video sig- nals. We will not degrade the quality of with video. So. you put that with regular video. you put it with nals. Nobody has ever proposed doing anything else with standard -definition video, or you put it with hi -def- so a questions raised we have answered cable. lot of the and you create a whole new experience. people get the before and we'll answer again. until finally Green: When we get in the marketplace. high- definition is in most of the households in the message. We deliver TV going to be only one of many attractive new options in tele- to country -and certainly those that have the demographics vision. These integrated options -where you're using video as as anybody else to give them buy hi -def. We're motivated as an application on a PC or you're using the television set as better pictures. and we have a better system to do it. Sched- a display terminal to swap in and out of the Web while are pretty daunting. but that's not the real issue. The ules watching a program -are a way of enhancing video. where can deploy the issue is that if you look ahead to you Bennington: OpenCable boxes are going to deploy for con- the best at it. cable will right stuff and who's going to do job ventional TVs. You don't have to buy a $7.000 TV set. The do the best job. It's our business. potential for enhanced television and Web TV -like products is concerned with quality programs Green: The cable industry is they can deploy much quicker than hi -def. When broadcasters produce the quality pro- for our viewers. Green: From a digital broadcast point of view, you're trying to that want to see. obviously grams in high -definition people offer nee features to a very small base to start with. No matter we'll carry them. If there are simulcast programs. there are 68 May 4 1998 Broadcasting & Cable

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how good that new service is, the attractiveness of a broader attribute that we bring to interindustry agreements is the access base and a wider variety of applications and new services is to customers with those two networks. Any business you're in. going to have much more impact on viewers in North America. you're going to want access to that network, because you'll want to get to customers and that network will provide you In the cable industry, is there unanimity on the issue of with the very best access that you can get anywhere. It's very HDTV and delivering that signal to viewers, even if there is important to us. It is probably a step beyond OpenCable in that not necessarily agreement on the deadlines? it uses that platform and connects to all cable homes. connects North America. It's the Internet. but it's a Green: On the general philosophy of carriage. there's unanim- to backbones across we have parallel backbones. ity. There's also unanimity on the concerns about capacity. And cable intranet as well. because on the penalty that would arise if there are mandates for big chunks of spectrum being devoted to low -penetration services. The cable industry is pinning a lot on this digital future. What happens if there is a failure to execute, or to execute in a timely manner? As in must carry? Schwartz: We've already solved one of the big digital TV Green: I'm hoping that we can come up with interindustry issues-our operators are putting out digital -capable boxes. a la retransmission consent agreements, business solutions, They're delivering more channels. They're able to compete on lead to win /win scenarios for deployment. Govern- that will the choice factor. That was the number-one prior- ity. It's happening and it's going to continue to happen. Then. it's how quickly you get out the "How do we make sure boxes that have the next layer. They're on track to that if someone goes out do it in the next 12 to 18 months. to the Internet and pulls Bennington: You have to worry about creating false expectations. and those typically revolve down an application that around timing. Everything takes twice as long 1 it runs safely and doesn't as you ever wanted to think. As an industry we affect the whole need to be reasonable and expect that. network? Viruses, rogue Green: There's consensus in the industry that mov- , ing to digital technology is absolutely essential. _ 4 applications, people Different companies have different deployment L 2 plans based on what levels of penetration are nec- , < writing over advertising- \ aa we essary for the digital boxes and what features these are things should be in there. That's good, healthy. market-

. don't want to happen." place kind of testing. Whoever turns out to be right, we'll all get lined up to that approach and do it. Bennington: The advent of Internet technology has created a catalyst for our industry to act as a ment mandates will most likely fall very short in really pro- whole. You can see it in how people start thinking about new viding viable win /win services and businesses. We're trying ideas. How do we bring the 60 million. 70 million households hard to encourage these interindustry agreements and dis- in one piece to a problem. to an opportunity'? That's scale we I'm hopeful that in the top 10 markets we'll have cussions. just didn't have before. high -definition. We have retransmission agreements should form a base that we will pro- already, and that -so You're hedging the threat, but also perhaps diluting the vide an interindustry solution, and we will not find ourselves revenue potential to cable by bringing in other players. in a situation where must carry is necessary. Bennington: So you'd better get some money selling pizza. You'd better get some money selling ads. You'd better get There's so much going on at CableLabs. Why not use it as sell not going to get sort of an incubator for new products and services for the some money by helping cars. But you're industry? Spinning off technologies and companies. Maybe a lot more money watching television. That pot has a certain you're already doing that. expandability. But if you can use this platform to do a little bit this and a little bit of that, maybe the total take is bigger. Green: We are, and we are authorized by our charter to start of not a zero -sum game. It's like the gas stations on new companies, to make equity investments in companies. Green: It's the Where there was one before, now we'll have in order to bring new technologies to the marketplace, and corner. three or four. Everybody will do better than the one that was we have done that. We have a project internally where we to start with. There's more traffic. There's more track and watch new technology to see if it may be an advan- there choice. It attracts more people. It becomes an even more tage for the industry to spin off a company to develop it. important part of people's lives than it has been in the past. How important is IP telephony going to be for CableLabs Bennington: In the last year. Dick and I have spent a lot of moving forward? time talking to people with new ideas. None of them has Green: It's not the telephony part of it that is the key factor said: "Look. I want 10 percent of your video business." here, although that certainly is an element. When you blend the Nobody is trying to get that pot. They're trying to create broadcast digital network with a two -way IP network, that is an another pot. That's a good deal for our industry, as opposed extraordinarily capable and powerful platform. The real to trying to divvy up the same dollar.

70 May 4 1998 Broadcasting & Cable

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The past is present on History Channel documents success with broad view, increased original programming By Kris Worrell. B &C correspondent

Pop history quiz, true or false: 11 There's more to history than mili- tary maneuvers and warlords. 21 People are interested in events that hap- pened before MTV was invented. 3) A new niche cable network can become successful even in a crowded market. It doesn't take much homework to recognize that the History Channel has made the past one of the hottest proper- ties of the present. Since launching in January 1995 as a spinoff of A &E Television. History has become one of the fastest- growing networks on cable. In just three years, the network has gone from having one million sub- scribers to reaching more than 47 mil- lion homes. And it's now available -in The Fifties' is a big- budget documentary that premiered on the History Channel last whole or in part -in more than 50 November. The eight -hour series is based on the bestseller. countries. "History's an interesting phenome- president of programming. According tary miniseries, The Fifties, based on non," says Nickolas Davatzes, president to Raven. military programming is less the bestseller by , of the History Channel. "We launched than 20% of the schedule. and Israel: Birth of a Nation, the story in an environment that was uncertain. "We take a broad view of history, of the establishment of a Jewish state in We figured if we could get 30 million and we've done a lot of research on Palestine. Israel. which premieres Sun- homes, that would be terrific. Now I what our viewers want," Raven says. day. May 17, is narrated by renowned think that History has a chance to The programming schedule is a mix of historian Sir Martin Gilbert. The net- become every bit as successful -if not American, world, political, cultural, work also has plans for an ambitious more successful -than A &E." ancient, natural, and military history. 15 -1/2 -hour retrospective of the 20th The History Channel owes its suc- And the approach is working. During century called The Century: America's cess to a number of factors, not the first quarter 1998, the network aver- Time. Co- produced with ABC News least of which is its strong parent com- aged 300,000 households, its highest and hosted by , the pany. A &E promoted the neophyte net- quarterly ratings ever-up 17% from miniseries will air in spring 1999 as the work when it launched and still shares I997's first quarter. cornerstone of the network's millenni- its sales force. Yet that is only part of In March, an episode of the net- um programming. the equation. High -quality program- work's flagship series In Search of His - The efforts to dust off history and ming, few direct competitors. and an tory averaged more than 800,000 make it accessible and interesting to a eager audience have helped draw the households, making it History's high- broad audience are carried over into the History Channel out of of est- rated series presentation ever. It network's marketing strategies as well. A &E and into its own light. was no coincidence that the episode, a For example, a commercial for In Much of History's early program- documentary called The Man in the Search of History features black -and- ming was leftovers gathering dust in Iron Mask, coincided with the release white footage of gladiators with the the vault -old military shows and doc- of a feature film on the same subject voiceover: "The rules were simple: umentaries that had dominated A &E's starring screen heartthrob Leonardo You lose, you die. Ancient gladiators programming during the 1980s. Today. DiCaprio. had a lot of problems. Old age wasn't History is trying to rely less on the "We've found that people are inter- one of them." library. The network currently pro- ested in subjects they encounter "Our marketing efforts have been duces about 40% original program- through the movies," says Raven. "We excellent," says Raven. "I think the ming. although executives predict a do look at pop culture to see what's on brand is extremely well- recognized." dramatic increase in that percentage. people's minds." In addition to frequent in -house pro- "By fall of this year. we'll be at 75 Other recent programming high- motions, the channel also maintains the percent," says Abbe Raven. senior vice lights include an eight -hour documen- gold "H" logo on the bottom right -hand

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competes with sports programming. Davids says viewers- mostly well - educated. 65% male, 35 -54 years old - "recognize that it's important to have an understanding of history." Michael Rose, executive producer of The Dream Machines, a five -part miniseries about the history of cars, believes the channel serves an interest that PBS wasn't serving. Rose. who has produced more than 35 hours of programming for the History Channel. as well as for other networks, thinks the channel hit a nerve. "I think the History Channel is cleaning their clock and calling into question the relevance of public televi- sion," says Rose. "People were dying for programming about reality -not just tabloid television. I think people The Renault ZO starred in 'Dream Machines' on History. The live -part series explored crave information, and people crave the history of cars. good storytelling-and if you can com- bine them, you have a hit." side of the television screen so that away by some cable networks. To Davids, the answer is simple. channel surfers will know where they "We compete with the quality "More and more, people are recogniz- have landed -and will make it a point groups, such as A &E and PBS," says ing that history is a broad topic. to return. Dan Davids, History Channel's execu- Besides just providing entertainment One of the main objectives of the tive vice president and general manag- and information, we provide an emo- network, according to Raven. is to er. Davids notes that, because of its tional connection and an understand- firmly establish In Search of History. largely male audience, the channel also ing." an hour -long series that "provides the viewer with that 'gee whiz - view of History's . The series airs week- days at 8 p.m. ET. opposite A &E's acclaimed Biography series, but Raven Size doesn't matter believes the audience is big enough. and the shows are different enough, to Small -system operators say they can afford to be creative successfully coexist. "Our programs are focused on By Peter J. Brown, cal services and software solutions for events in history as opposed to Biogra- B &C correspondent the system's upgrade under the desig- phy, which is focused on the individ- nation of "The Bridge " -I,500 resi- ual," says Raven. adding that the net- For small- system operators, the dential and business customers are tak- work has its own distinct niche: "Peo- early 1990s were turbulent times. ing advantage of a vast array of Inter- ple know that they can turn on the His- The launch of DBS, high whole- net services, including TI cable tory Channel at any time and see an sale programming costs and other modem. T3 and 56K dial -up packages interesting show on history. We all daunting factors left many smaller priced from $17.95 to $299.95 per have seen an enormous recognition of MSOs on the verge of extinction. month. Range TV Cable customers the channel and the kind of quality pro- Today, however, many small- system can either buy or lease their cable gramming that we're putting on. from operators seem to be taking the situa- modems. the educational community and the his- tion in stride by gearing up to give their And there's more. Video telephone torical community to the man on the customers services that were only pipe service is pending based on tariff street." dreams at the beginning of this decade. approval by the Public Util- The History Channel's distinct pro- Consider what Range TV Cable in ities Commission. When the green gramming and educated audience put it Hibbing, Minn., is planning for its light is given, customers will pay $20 in direct competition with PBS. both 6,000 customers. Beginning this per month for the service, while a Con - for viewers and shows. History is part month, Range will offer full video -on- nectix video camera will cost an addi- of a growing industry trend that sees demand (VOD) service on its recently tional $49.95. according to Befera. documentaries and other high -quality upgraded 750 -mhz, two -way HFC "The small operators tend to take a programs that might have appeared on plant. In addition, according to Frank few risks that the big guys don't take," public television in the past being lured C. Befera, president of Befera Interac- Befera says. Based on Range's capital tive Cablenet -which provides techni- investment for the upgrade. that's

76 May 41998 Broadcasting g Cable

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putting in mildly. da for smaller- system "When we got our first DCT- I000s a In addition to spend- operators cannot go year ago. they cost $460. That price is ing $1.65 million on forward without other $335 now. and we hope that it will be the HFC infrastructure. important measures $300 by the end of the year. By the Range spent another being addressed simul- time all the other set -top box manufac- $750,000 on VOD taneously. He stresses turers jump into the market by the mid- hardware -including a the need to cluster. dle of next year. I see the price down to SGI Origin 20(X) serv- "We need to be a sig- $250." Martin says. er that can store 1,0(X) nificant provider," Mar- Over the past three years. Toni Glea- movies; 3Com hubs, tin says, pointing out son. Jr., chairman of Galaxy Cablevi- and Cisco routers and that Friendship Cable sion in Sikeston. Mo.. has installed

switches. Scientific - eliminated 60 headends I ,000 miles of fiber and completed sys- Atlanta will provide by deploying fiber. A tems upgrades with a total price tag of the set -top boxes - content -driven objec- $30 million. He also is evaluating Explorer 2000s -and tive aimed at achieving HITS- running 7 pods through a head - the Broadband inte- a 150- to 200- channel end that cost $90,000 with spares -in grated Gateway (BIG) solution is essential. But Mississippi. Gleason also sits on the digital headend. "Smaller and mid- absent sufficient lever- NCTC board and. like Martin. is anx- "There's a lot more age with programmers ious to ensure that smaller- system creativity going on in sized systems ... and progress in obtain- operators "get access to programming the smaller and midsize have to be more ing more reasonable at prices that are reasonable." systems." says Ron W. long -term rates. the "Galaxy was a charter member of Martin. executive vice creative and take software side of the NCTC," Gleason says. "We're not a president and COO of equation looks very small entity any more. As a co -op, Buford Television, more risks." shaky. we've been pretty successful at getting Inc./Friendship Cable -Ron Martin, A National Cable everyone to the table. We've got to TV in Tyler, Tex. Buford Television Television Coopera- have programming at a competitive "Why? Because we tive (NCTC) board cost. Pricing is a concern to the entire have to be more cre- member, Martin sees industry, not just the smaller operators. ative and take more risks. Smaller sys- advantages in the collective approach Increases of 20 percent or more per tem operators tend to be more entrepre- to issues involving programming costs. year are very hard to handle." neurial. At the sanie time. both the cus- "Sometimes I feel like a collection Gleason labels 1998 as an exciting tomers and the decisions that affect agent for the programmers." Martin time for the industry. these customers are closer to the deci- says. "As one of the smaller players. "It's like 1976. when all the satel- sion- makers." we have much less leverage. The fact lites went up-or the mid- 1980s. when Martin believes that the challenge that NCTC has almost I.(X)0 members cable programming was proliferating. I'm small operators is to get digital pen- serving 8 million subscribers repre- This industry has a terrific future," etration to the 20% threshold as quick- sents something that the programmers Gleason says. ly as possible. cannot ignore." Right now. much of Galaxy's fiber "We see an opportunity here. If we Martin stresses the importance of is deployed in eastern Nebraska. where can reach a digital penetration of 20% molding digital customer service to it encircles Omaha, one of the sites that percent." Martin says. "we can drive the business to the next level. has been aggressively developed for increase cash flow on a per- subscriber This emphasis on vastly improved cus- digital services by Cox Communica- basis by 7 to 10 percent." tomer service takes into account the tions. Is Gleason nervous that a big Martin indicates that Friendship higher prices that consumers are being MSO like Cox might swallow up his Cable is exploring every possible avenue charged for their digital services: High- company if and when Galaxy's and to achieve this goal- including Headend er monthly fees mean higher expecta- Coxs fiber plants converge? Quite the in the Sky (HITS). Friendship Cable cur- tions at the consumer level. contrary. Gleason envisions the day rently uses 8 HITS pods and a fiber link "Here in Tyler, we built a 16.000 - when all cable TV systems -large and } to reach 8.0(X) subscribers in and around square -foot national call center that will small -will be tied together in one Heath, Tex., where HITS service started be offering full 24 -hour service by the huge network. a year ago. In June. Friendship Cable end of the year. We've hired a full -time "All cable companies need to be will roll out a HITS -based digital service trainer, and no customer service rep sets interconnected to provide these new for its 9,(XX) subscribers in Cabot. Ark. foot on the floor before he or she com- digital services. We're either offering or Negotiations with TVN Entertainment pletes a three -week training session." will soon be offering such services as Corp. are under way. and four direct -to- Martin says. "We can also track our high -speed data transfer. videoconfer- home (DTH) providers have been con- entire fleet of 150 satellite-dispatched encing and wholesale Internet access to tacted about the possibility of initiating service trucks, knowing their exact schools," Gleason says. "We cannot what Martin describes as a "DTH over- location at any time within 800 feet." afford just to be islands for much longer. lay service." Finally. Martin is looking forward to Right now. I'm living on a technology Martin believes that any digital agen- a rapid drop in set -top box prices. island. And that has to change."

78 May 4 1998 Broadcasting & Cable

www.americanradiohistory.com Ken Palmer knows how to keep

As Chairman of the Interfaith efaith. Television Ken Palmer knows Council, a thing or two about bringing people of different faiths together and making sure their various interests are

represented. 1 ;ut ,nded that of Virginia Beach, VA, keep its thousands of viewers satisfied by carrying the Odyssey Channel.

Ken Palmer knows Odyssey is the only chanrel that represents over 65 religious groups. In fact, Odyssey's membership board is composed of 35 different faith groups, and these same faith groups own 51% of the network. So the Odyssey Channel isn't run by

a special interest group but by the very people the network reaches. Now, thanks to Ken and Cox Communications, Odyssey is there for viewers of all religions in with the same incredibly diverse religious and values -based programming that enlightens, empowers, inspires and entertains viewers nationwide.

Entertaining. Far -reaching. Diverse. That's the Odyssey Channel's appeal and its promise.

No wonder Odyssey has such a faithful following.

And you can take that one from the Chairman, himself.

While you can't carry a channel for each religion, you can carry a channel that offers the most programming for more religions than any other network.

Call Claude Wells at 1.800.841.8476 ext. 125 O D Y S S E Y® exploring life's journey"

www.americanradiohistory.com Special Report

TCI Music trying to find its groove Digital cable, Internet hold key to operation's valuation success

By John M. Higgins giving TCI Music a much higher price. David Carlisle, who struck gold last year Making music with "Butterfly Kisses." TCI Music is an amalgam of a nearly ICI Music was born last year as the His focus on assembling a portfolio of failed digital audio business, a stag- result of three deals. At the core is DMX music- oriented Internet businesses led nant interactive music -video service Inc., the Los Angeles based owner of McPartland to buy SonicNet and Addicted and an unproven Internet music business Digital Music Express, a service that to Noise, both early entrants in the fight that generated only about $2 million in offers up to 100 channels of digital audio for Web eyeballs. r revenue last year. So why is this thing val- to cable subscribers and commercial In need of cash, he turned back to ICI, I ued in the stock market at almost $700 accounts and that burned through $152 which had created ICI Music to buy million'' million trying to create a market. DMX last year. Paradigm is the newest While TCI Music's portfolio is domi- In December, ICI Music acquired business under TCI Music. nated by failed dreams and promises, it's Miami Beachbased The Box Worldwide, "The word is that Malone's protégé is also bolstered by high expectations fueled a floundering interactive music -video ser- being given pretty free rein." says Regina by two things that raise the price of Joseph, senior ana- almost any stock these days: digital lyst of consumer cable and the Internet. content for online Executives of ICI Music -a consultant Jupiter combination of audio service Communications. DMX, music -video channel The "Malone seems to Box and Internet start-up Sonic - think this is going to be a key way of Net -hope that the company will T H E getting into the market once digital thrive as cable operators look to television gets going. both intelligence and channel SonicNet started out primarily as capacity by deploying digital cable a site for live chats with musicians converters. The three services are and to download live concerts, but planned as an anchor of the music has evolved into one of the leading end of the programming mix. B011 music sites, packed with news and There's also a curious to reviews. Addicted to Noise is a pop- the stock price-an unusual option ular online music magazine. allowing some shareholders to sell to vice that charges YOU CONTROL McPartland also picked up a couple majority owner Tele- Communications viewers only when they call a 9(X)- number of small independent record labels. Inc. at a fixed price of $8 per share. Issued to request a specific clip. For now. SonicNet and Paradigm are in connection with the takeover of DMX. The third piece is Paradigm Entertain- trying to get by on ad revenue. But if the put option can be exercised in July and ment, which owns Internet music services major record labels can resolve their well - seems to be harnessing ICI Music's stock SonicNet and Addicted to Noise. Like founded skittishness about piracy, Sonic - price in a narrow range of $7- $7.75. Is the other Internet businesses. Paradigm is still Net could ultimately turn into a central put artificially propping up ICI Music's waiting for a way to translate its Web traf- music -distribution point, allowing labels stock price or artificially capping it? Wall fic into cash. to deliver records electronically to fans' Street and industry executives do not McPartland came into ICI Music from hard drives. agree. Paradigm. Formerly senior vice president That would dramatically slash manu- TCI Music President Tom McPartland of worldwide business development for facturing and distribution costs. Wide says none of the three businesses is com- German media giant AG's deployment of high -speed cable modems pletely dependent on the hoped -for tech- record unit. McPartland had tried to start a would ease the process substantially. Son - nology deployment: they expect to grow music -video network in partnership with icNet already distributes some songs elec- strong even on their base business models. ICI, hoping to bring in other record com- tronically, but it's not yet a serious busi- "The basic premise for us is that we panies and to break MTV's hammerlock ness. believe that the future of music commerce on the airing of music videos, which are "It's not only about reducing the cost isn't ... some sort of electronic catalog sell- very important in promoting and selling of distribution." he says. "The real ing CDs." McPartland says, referring to records. The venture fizzled, in part opportunity, and what I think we will the much -hyped online music retailers CD because it triggered a federal antitrust excel at, is that the advent of all of these Now and Music Boulevard. "It's more investigation. technology platforms has allowed media about creating branded digital gateways McPartland co- founded New entities to communicate with individuals aggregating music content." York based Paradign in 1995 after leav- on a one -on -one basis." He adds, only half-jokingly, that given ing BMG and then working at indepen- Like other Website businesses, Para- the stratospheric valuation on Internet - dent label Zomba Group, known for sac- digm isn't generating much revenue. The related stocks. SonicNet alone should be charine successes Backstreet Boys and company has lost about $10 million over

80 May 4 1998 Broadcasting & Cable

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the past three years. including $6 million lost last year on revenue of about $2 mil- lion. The Sum of its Parts Although Paradigm had just about TCI Music's stock price values the company far higher than where it priced exhausted its cash by the time ICI Music its own operating units in three transactions since July. stepped up, the company was valued at Valuation Date $29 million when it merged with the MSO DMX $138M 12/97 tune unit in January. The Box $36.9M 7/97 DMX launched its audio service in Paradigm (SonicNet) $29M 1/98 Total $203M 1990 with almost as much hype as digital TCI Music recent market cap $665.6M cable is getting today. The company offered dozens of channels of CD- quality, TCI Music Financial Results six months ended June 1997 commercial -free digital audio program - ming, including niche after niche of DMX Paradigm Box Revenue $11.4M $1 M $9.6M music -from gospel to reggae to a few Operating expenses $ 18.5M $4.2M $11.1M different flavors of alternative rock. Operating loss $(10M) $(3.6M) $(2.7M) The service retailed for $9.95 a month, including a special tuner to hook up to subscribers' stereos. The same service from operators selling DMX to commer- ambitious revenue projections. When the also was offered to small businesses to dis- cial accounts in local markets and to a company renegotiated new deals. opera- place the successful and ubiquitous franchise system that lets individual entre- tors either stopped adding The Box to Muzak in restaurants, bars, hair salons and preneurs hawk the product. That structure more systems or dropped it entirely. other venues. is nearly identical with Seattle -based Also, to break through to consumers Operators plunged into the sector, with Muzak's method of operation. The Box focused on the so- called urban most major MSOs buying stakes in either "It's a dramatically different business," market: Black and white kids emulating DMX or rival service Music Choice. ICI McPartland says. "It is now our cash them emphasized often- raunchy rap was an early and active backer of DMX. engine. That is all due to Lon Troxel." videos that had frequently been rejected Former DMX chairman Jerry Rubenstein Not entirely. When ICI created ICI by MTV. That won some hard -core fans. once predicted that up to 20% of cable Music to buy DMX, the MSO guaranteed support from record companies and praise subscribers would buy digital audio. that it would pay a flat $18 million per from the music press. But it alienated Not even close. Consumers didn't see year to license DMX's audio product. ICI operators who might have considered the advantage of paying for so many chan- is including DMX as a core service in all installing The Box's jukeboxes in subur- nels when radio stations came in for free. of its digital cable packages. ban systems. As a result, DMX was burning cash at Looking at DMX's total revenue - The Box claims that its service is avail- the rate of $33 million per year by 1996. In commercial. consumer and the ICI pay- able to tens of millions of homes via 152 1997, annual revenue was running about ments-the audio service is dependent on installed jukebox units, but it is on cable $18 million. the MSO for 75% of its sales. Still, the systems serving only 4 or 5 million sub- Here's the good news. Intelligent digi- ICI payments allowed DMX to post an scribers. tal converters will allow subscribers to operating profit for the first time in years However, McPartland says that The receive DMX through their cable set -tops. during the last half of 1997. Box is poised for growth and is again A big chunk of the losses was coming The Box hasn't lost nearly as much wooing operators. With video file from an equally ailing European venture money, merely carrying an accumulated servers -essentially gigantic computer that went bankrupt last year. Rubenstein deficit of $21 million after 12 years of hard drives -reducing the cost of updat- was replaced by Lon Troxel. a senior vice operation. Formerly Video Jukebox Net- ing video selections. president who had been running the only work Inc., The Box installs video file The Box expects to announce new affil- successful part of DMX's business -com - servers in cable systems and small TV sta- iation agreements with operators at the mercial accounts. (The equipment that tions. Viewers can watch the network free, NCTA convention and predicts that the consumers find such a pain is no problem but they can also request a specific video network will reach 10 million cable sub- for businesses used to Muzak's satellite by calling a 900 -number and agreeing to scribers by the end of next year. gear.) pay $2 or so per song. Part of that carriage is coming from a During the last six months of 1997, After the familiar story of great initial return to payment guarantees. A contract commercial revenue jumped 62%, to hype, a few things went wrong at The with one MSO shows that The Box is about $5.7 million, or 52% of operating Box. Viewers got tired of paying for offering 20 %- of call revenues and 5% of revenue -excluding certain payments videos when they could simply watch, any merchandise sales, with a minimum from ICI. Commercial revenue was 41% particularly after their first phone bills. annual guarantee of 60 cents per sub. of operating revenue the previous year. Viewers who did make requests frequent- McPartland thinks that The Box can Consumer revenue remained flat, at $5.2 ly denied it to their phone companies, who make one of its biggest leaps through dig- million, much of that from Primestar cus- knocked the charges off their bills. ital cable. Requesting videos through a tomers who also don't require a separate To secure carriage on cable systems in smarter set -top will cut prices by eliminat- converter box. the early years, the network guaranteed ing the expense associated with 9(X) -num- Troxel's biggest move has been away payments to operators based on overly ber calls.

82 May 41998 Broadcasting & Cable

www.americanradiohistory.com Consumers Are More Likely To Buy Digital If It Includes Interactive Services!

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www.americanradiohistory.com Special Report 'Ili g0 COMMERCIAL CABLE MODEM LAUNCHES IN NORTH AMERICA Cable modems continue to be a hot topic among speed- hungry net surfers, but availability of serivce is still scattered. However, as this listing shows, high -speed Internet access isn't limited to @Home and Road Runner affiliates.

CABLE MSO/TELCO LOCATION NOTES

Adelphia Cable Coudersport, Pa.; Two -way Power Link Internet service commercially available for $39.95 /month, includes Amherst, Tonawanda unlimited access and cable modem rental Grand Island, N.Y.; Mt. Lebanon, Lansdale, Pa.; Plymouth, Adams, Mass. Adelphia Cable Palm Beach County, Fla. Telco- return Power Link service available for $34.95 /month Armstrong Cable Connellsville, Pa. Residential Zoom Internet Service is $39.95 /month for 500 Kbps downstream and 256 Kbps upstream access Avenue Cable TV Ventura, Calif. Offering Internet Venturesí PeRKInet telco- return cable Internet service for $39.90 /month BellSouth Vestavia Hills. Ala. High -speed Internet access, including cable modem rental, is priced at $45 /month BellSouth Chamblee, Ga. High -speed Internet access, including cable modem rental, is priced at $39.95 /month Cable Atlantic St. John's, Newfoundland Offering Road Runner and Internet access, including cable modem rental, for $49.95/month Century Norwich, N.Y. Road Runner and Internet service available for $39.95 /month ($49.95 /month for Communictions non- cable subs), customer must purchase modem for $199 Charter Riverside, Calif. Telco- return Charter Pipeline Internet service available for $44.95 /month including Communictions modem rental, plus a one -time installation fee of $169. Service is offered in partnership with ISP Earthlink Network Charter Pasadena, Calif. 2 -way Charter Pipeline Internet service offered with Earthlink; 256 Kbps service is Communictions $44.9 /5month including modem rental, while 512 Kbps service is $64.95 /month Cablevision of Loudon Loudon County, Va. Commercial deployment of Pulse high -speed Internet service Cablevision Systems Oyster Bay, N.Y.; Commercial deployment of Online Internet Service, unlimited Internet Westport, Conn. access and cable modem rental is $44.95 /month Bedford Cablevision Bedford, Va. CableNet service incldues unlimited Internet access and cable modem rental for $39/mo. Bresnan Marquette, Mich. Two -way BresnanLink Internet service commercially available for $39.95/mo., includes Communications unlimited access and cable modem rental Cable York York, Pa. $49.95 per month for BlazeNet Express Internet service, including cable modem rental Coast Cablevision San Mateo, Calif. ISP Channel service is $49 /month Comcast , Md.; @Home service package offers modem rental and unlimited Internet access for Sarasota, Fla.; $39.95 /month ($59.95/ month for non -cable subs) with a $175 install fee Union County, N.J.; Detroit; Philadelphia; Orange County, Calif. /, Canada Commercial deployment of Internet services Conway Corp. Conway, Ark. Cable Internet service is $39.95 month for unlimited access and modem rental with a $20 install fee CommuniComm Durant, Okla. Basic residential Internet service is $39.95 month for unlimited access and Services modem rental, Deluxe service $44.95/month Cox Communications Orange County, Calif.; @Home service priced at $44.95 per month for unlimited access and modem rental Omaha, Neb.; ($54.95 /month for non -cable subs) with a $149 installation fee Newport News, Va. Cox Communications , Calif. @Home service priced at $39.95 per month ($49.95 /month for non -cable subs) with a $149 install fee (including Ethernet NIC) Cox Communications Phoenix, Ariz.; @Home service priced at $44.95 per month for unlimited access and modem rental Meriden, Conn. ($54.95 /month for non -cable subs) with a $175 installation fee Cox Communications Eureka, Calif. Offering Internet Ventures( PeRKInet telco- return cable Internet service for $41.90/mo.

Daniels Cablevision Encinitas, Calif. Telco- return I -NET Express service available for $34.95/mo.; offered with ISP GlobalCenter Fundy Communications Moncton, Telco- return cable Internet service; consumers purchase modem for C$279

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Source: Cable Datacom News (www.cabledatacom.com) 98

GTE Clearwater, Fla. Modem rental and unlimited Internet access is $43.90/mo. ($54.90/mo. for non -cable subs) with a $125 installation fee

GTE Ventura, Calif. Modem rental is $19.95/mo. and Internet access is $44.95/mo. ($59.95/mo. for non -cable subs) Halifax Cable Halifax, Scotia High -speed Internet and remote LAN access Helicon Corp. Uniontown, Pa.; Barre, Vt. Telco- return cable Internet service is $29.95/mo. ($3 discount for Helicon cable subscribers) Horizon Cable Central Michigan Residential Internet access is $49.90 /month for 500 -Kbps link Horizon Cable Point Reyes, Calif. ISP Channel telco- return service is $49 /month InterMedia Partners Nashville, Tenn. Commercial launch of @Home service Alexandria, Va. Jones Internet Channel service is $43.901 mo. for unlimited access and modem rental with a $125 install fee Jones Intercable William County, Va, Telco- return launch of Jones Internet Channel Highland Park, Texas @Home Internet service priced at $49.95/mo., modem and installation package is $499 MediaOne Suburban Boston, Mass.; Commercial launch of MediaOne Express service; modem rental and unlimited Internet Salem, N.H.; access is $39.95 /month ($49.95 /month for non -cable subs) with a $99 install fee Suburban Detroit, Mich.; Chicago; Los Angeles MediaOne Atlanta, Ga. Commercial launch of MediaOne Express service; modem rental and unlimited Internet access is $39.95 /month ($49.95 /month for non -cable subs) with a $99 install fee MediaOne Chestnut Hill, Mass. Commercial deployment of HFC video and data network at ; provides connection to Boston College LAN plus Internet access MediaOne Ann Arbor, Mich.; Telco- return MediaOne Express service priced at $34.95/mo. ($44.95/mo. for non -cable Jacksonville, Fla.; subs) offers unlimited Internet access and modem rental with $99.95 install charge Broward, County, Fla.; Dade County, Fla. Palo Alto Cable Co-op Palo Alto, Calif. Commercial deployment of Internet service to homes and businesses with ISP Channel; service starts at $99 /mont i Prime Cable Las Vegas, Nev. Commercial deployment of ATM -based cable modem service to homes and businesses Ponderosa Cable Danville, Calif. ISP Channel service is $49 /month Rogers Cablesystems Metro Toronoto; WAVE service offers unlimited Internet access and modem rental for C$55/ month Metro Vancouver; Ottawa and Eastern Pennsylvania Commercial deployment of Internet services through PenTeleData alliance Blue Ridge Cable Calgary; Toronto WAVE service offers unlimited Internet access and modem rental for C$55 /month Suburban Cable New Castle, Del. Modem rental and unlimited Internet access is $54.95/ month for cable subscribers Sun Country Cable Los Altos, Calif. ISP Channel telco- return service is $49 /month Sun Country Cable Spokanne, Wash. Offering Internet Ventures' PeRKInet telco- return cable Internet service for $39 per month

TCI Fremont, Castro Valley @Home service priced at $34.95 per month for unlimited Internet access and cable and Sunnyvale, Calif. modem rental ($39.95 in Hartford) with a $150 install fee Hartford, Conn. ICI Arlington Heights, Ill.; @Home service priced at $39.95 per month for unlimited Internet access, cable Seattle, Wash. modem rental

ICI East Lansing, Mich. ICI -MET Internet service offers two service tiers for unlimited Internet access: $45 /month for shared 4 -Mbps connection, $80 /month for 10 Mbps

Time Warner Cable Akron, Canton, Columbus Road Runner service priced at $39.95 per month for unlimited Internet access, & Youngstown, Ohio; modem rental, specialized Time Warner and local content ($44.95 in San Diego) Binghamton, Corning, Elmira, Albany, Troy & Saratoga, N.Y.; San Diego; Tampa Bay, Fla.; Oahu, Hawaii; Memphis, Tenn.

Time Warner Cable Portland, Maine; Road Runner service is $39.95 per month for unlimited home access and modem rental El Paso, Texas

US West Omaha, Neb. Service priced at $49.95/ month for Internet access and cable modem rental Communications ($59.95 /month for non -cable subs) with a $125 installation fee Videotron Montreal; Alberta Commercial launch of high -speed Internet services; Montreal deployment includes InfiniT content service

86 May 4 1998 Broadcasting & Cable

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Bite -sized branding in digital age Networks press ahead with compressed channels and sub counts

a dig- By Donna Petrozzello services. Rodgers says, to program ital channel, Discovery will spend about an one. Cable networks are accustomed to a fifth of what it does for analog thinking big. A big programming "We are the pre- eminent early for splash, big promotions, big distrib- adopter channel and it is important edge," says ution and then, corresponding big adver- us to be on the cutting to do high tising revenue. In the advent of digital, Rodgers. "We're prepared We they now are forced to think small. definition television tomorrow. message Programming is small. Digital net- think we have to send out the works largely clone their parents or of being at the top of our game and rely on ultra -cheap programming and we're prepared to be anywhere." intro- leftovers from the library. In October, 1996 Discovery Distribution is small. Instead of duced four digital channels- Discov- dreaming of the day their network ery Science, Discovery for Kids, Dis- would reach 70 million homes, digital covery Civilization and Discovery programmers pray for the day they will Home and Leisure. On June 30, 1998, more digital hit IO million. That means ad revenue Discovery will launch two also will be small. Some start -ups services, Discovery Health and Discov- aren't even bothering to try to sell ads ery Wings, a channel about aviation. in the first year. In March, Discovery announced a Nevertheless, networks are forging marketing and programming alliance ser- ahead on plans to launch digital chan- to launch BBC Americas, a digital Love (above) is an offering contend that if 'Labor of vice which launched three weeks ago nels. Most programmers on Lifetime's new digital network, The in a partnership with the British Broad- they don't spend money up front to Lifetime Movie Network. Discovery Kids brand their products in the digital land- Channel is one of six new networks casting Corporation. scape. they'll miss the opportunity to from Discovery. Discovery Networks has taken a do so later. common sense approach to developing a sizable The key element of digital cable is its digital services by using opening up channel capacity. By adding amount of library programming from extra electronics at the headend and in its four analog channels- Discovery the home, operators can compress 10 to Channel, The Learning Channel (TLC), Travel Channel. 12 networks into the space ordinarily Animal Planet and its taken up by one. The digital set -top con- Discovery has carefully branded verters allow some other advantages, digital networks with the Discovery namely, clearer signals, electronic pro- name, making the channels easily recog- Dis- gram guides and, ultimately, Internet nizable to an audience familiar with surfing. But the immediate benefit for covery. Programming on the digital cov- programmers is the creation of new real channels is an extension of topics not a depar- estate for them to fill. ered in the analog services, New networks, intended for cable will be able to command far less in ture from what viewers are accustomed operators' new digital tiers, are prolif- license fees and can rely on little, if to seeing on Discovery's analog services. erating quickly. Discovery Networks any, advertising revenue from the digi- The company has capitalized on "the base pro- has six: MTV Networks is planning 10, tal services. Yet, network officials luxury of having a huge of and and Lifetime agree its worth the price to pay to be on gramming" from which to draw, Television each are offering one. HBO the digital map. Rodgers says. and Showtime are also rolling out time - "For the first couple of years, "We're able to launch digital net- shifted networks for the digital world. launching digital networks is a not -for- works based on the fact that we have an high- priced, quality That's a lot of networks, given that profit business," says Discovery Net- extensive library of in a number of these specif- less than 2 %r of cable's 67 million works U.S. President Johnathan programing households now have access to a digital Rodgers. "It's an investment and we ic genres, but all that does is help you we tier. And the percentage is not expected may not see a profit five years down launch." says Rodgers. "After that to grow rapidly. Media analyst Tom the road, if then. However, we believe need to go back into the original pro- Wolzien of Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., it's money well spent." gramming mode like we do on our ana- luxury of pegs it at 15% in four to five years. Although he would not be specific log channels. But, having this The programmers accept that they about costs needed to launch the digital a huge base of programming allows us

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to be ahead of most of our competitors." the loss or whether the channels will Likewise. MTV Networks' digital become profitable anytime soon. roll -outs recall its familiar analog pro- "You've got to have a place holder," gramming. contends VH I President John Sykes. Noggin is the first digital spin -off "Twenty years ago the broadcast net- from MTV Networks' popular chil- works said, who wants to watch more dren's channel. Nickelodeon. Nick- than three channels. They didn't want elodeon will develop Noggin in concert to cannibalize their core businesses. with Children's Television Workshop. But, you've got to straddle and walk all Slated to debut in January, 1999, the ser- those lines. The winner is going to be vice will be pitched as an educational the one with market share." channel for children. with pre -schoolers MTV Networks' executives expect as its target audience in the first year. license fees for Noggin not to exceed Commercial -free. Noggin will tap 25 cents per subscriber. Rosenthal says CTW's 3.000 library hours of Sesame the commercial -free service will be Street along with Nickelodeon's offered at a discount to operators who library of Blues Clues. Nick Jr. and on the dial and more presence in the agree to launch it on both a digital and Nick News for programming. The viewers' mind." says McCormick. "It's analog tier. channel may add original program- a way for us to leverage the brand name "1 can't imagine that the networks ming after the first year. and having a brand is very important in with digital feeds will get the same kind Three additional children's pro- helping operators sell digital." of revenues, whether from license fees gramming digital channels are expect- "When women hear the name Life- or advertising, as they can with analog ed to be announced at this week's time, they know it's a channel for feeds," agrees Eagan. "It's a complete- National Cable Television Association women. They know its brand attribut- ly different economic model for digital convention in Atlanta. In part, the quar- es, its association. It's something oper- than for the analog networks." tet of networks is MTV Networks' dig- ators can sell in one sentence, and it's a The digital equation stacks up differ- ital answer to Disney, which launched way for us to join in the marketing ently for pay -TV services such as on April 18. effort with the MSO." Home Box Office and Showtime. The four children's networks bring Media analyst Tom Eagan at Paine On the pay -TV side, Home Box MTV Networks' digital total to 10. Webber agrees that Discovery, MTV Office by the end of 1998 will have 10 Earlier this year. it announced "The Networks and others are playing the digital channels, including digital vari- Suite from MTV and VHI," a collec- digital game strategically. eties of . tion of six digital music channels. "These networks want to maintain has nine digital channels. each of MTV Networks President Mark their brand name and market share of which have dual East Coast and West Rosenthal described the company's programming in the digital world and if Coast feeds, giving Showtime a total of planned 10 -pack of digital channels as you don't get on the digital tier early, 17 channels. directed at "the last, big unnerved niche someone else will." says Eagan. "From This year, HBO will introduce its in cable television." a strategic standpoint, it makes sense for "megabrand multiplex" package of 10 "This takes our brands into the digi- basic networks to be on digital tiers." channels including four new channels tal era." says Rosenthal. "It's also "It's hard to assess a value for digital for digital distribution. In fourth quar- MTV Networks' way of supporting the networks because all networks are doing ter 1998. HBO will launch HBO Com- deployment of digital boxes. We are is putting a stake in the ground that five edy and HBO Zone. On June I. HBO creating channels to drive that distribu- years from now can create value." says will launch ActionMax and Thriller - tion, and we want to be part of the analyst Wolzien. "The cost of the digital Max, two themed digital channels spun emerging digital world." feed is minimal for networks." off from Cinemax. "What is happening in the digital "As long as you've got the program- Showtime's portfolio of 17 screens cable world is important to operators," ming in the vaults, you might as well includes the core products of Show - says Nickelodeon President Herb put it on and get yourself a place hold- time, Showtime 2, Showtime 3, Scannell. "It's a good idea for Nick- er, even if there is nobody watching Showtime Extreme, The Movie Chan- elodeon to be in digital in its multiple digital yet," says Wolzien. nel, 2. Sundance variations. You have to believe that the "Until we start to see sizable pene- Channel and Flix. Each has an East multi -channel world will get even tration of digital set -top boxes, it's Coast and West Coast feed. The more multi, and Nick has to be there in pretty hard to gauge what the econom- Movie Channel and Showtime each different manifestations." ic value of these channels will be for also have a Rocky Mountain time Lifetime Television President Doug the networks," Wolzien says. "l'Il wait zone feed. Networks McCormick agrees that it' networks until 1 actually see some acceptance of Jeff Wade. Showtime offer digital offshoots, consumers need digital boxes." executive vice president of sales and to instantly recognize the link with the Like other basic cable networks, affiliate marketing. says its crucial, analog parent. 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something available to present to con- Wade and other pay -TV officials high capacity allows subscribers to get sumers well before it can be used feel that offering a wider range of ser- nine versions of HBO alone. Intuitive- because they are making their decision vices through digital cable could also ly, you would think this will help reten- what to use before they actually have reduce the industry's average double - tion." it," says Wade. "It's almost the same digit churn rate, the percentage of sub- Analysts agree adding digital "plex- kind of thing where you have to have scribers that don't renew their sub- es" may lower churn. "What we're see- the software before you have the hard- scriptions in a given month. ing in satellite homes is that people like ware." "Anytime you offer more value and movies and they like choice and that's "Launching these digital channels more channels, subscribers will think taken its toll on home video rentals and does cost us something, but if digital twice about dropping a service," says even pay -per- view," says Wolzien. deployment is successful, the big bet is Wade. "There is more reason to buy it Lifetime's McCormick agrees the that surely it will cause more subscrip- and more reason to keep it." race to digital is crucial, both for pro- tions and that will increase our revenue "There's obviously a much higher grammers and MSOs. "No one in this and we'll be more profitable than if level of satisfaction" with more chan- business has ever made out on the pro- we'd not done it." says Wade. "It's nels, says HBO Senior Vice President gramming side by waiting a few more proven in the satellite TV market, so I of Affiliate Relations Bob Grassi. "We years to launch their service," he says. can't imagine it wouldn't succeed in know that because of our experience "Who in cable has ever say, boy, I'm cable." with digital broadcast satellite where glad I waited." Cable having a capital time Industry is riding high as regs head into sunset

By Chris McConnell yelling and screaming about rates." Such did not seem to be the case in says Steve Effros, president of the late December, when the FCC released ties are up. Competition is Cable Telecommunications Associa- a report charting rate hikes of 8 % -10% scarce. Consumer groups are tion. during 1996. A few weeks later, regu- screaming. Other Washington lawyers and lob- lators issued another report showing And in Washington. cable hasn't had byists add that they are not hearing the the cable industry controlling 874 of it so good in years. same criticism about poor service that the multichannel video market, down Despite a pair of government reports dogged cable in 1992. "That part of just 2 °k from the previous year. detailing lots of rate increases but not cable's drive has paid off," says com- At the time. Rep. Ed Markey (D- too many alternative services, lawmak- munications lawyer Frank Lloyd. Mass.) had just introduced new legisla- ers show no signs of changing next National Cable Television Associa- tion to extend cable rate regulation past year's sunset of cable rate regulation. tion President Decker Anstrom says that the March 1999 expiration date set by At the FCC, attempts to even study the his group is taking nothing for granted the 1996 Telecommunications Act. At roots of increased rates -let alone when it comes to threats of new rate reg- the FCC, Chairman William Kennard freeze them -have failed to get off the ulation. But he also says there is a said that he was instructing the Cable ground. "growing recognition ... that we are Services Bureau to conduct a study of "The fact is we're not seeing a lot of offering better value to our customers." cable programming costs. "If something is not done soon, con- sumers will be exposed to an unregu- lated marketplace in March of 1999." Kennard said in January. But since then, nothing has hap- The persons you describe pened. Markey's bill has gone nowhere in the House. And FCC officials at is the person we deliver. midweek had not even sent out the questionnaires they hoped to use to compile their programming cost study. Those questionnaires were to go to Joe Sullivan & Associates, Inc. the top multiple system operators. Sev- Executive Search & Recruitment eral sources say the information -gath- 9 Feather Hill. Southo d, NY 11971 ering effort ran into resistance from (516) 765 -5050 Senate Commerce Committee Chair- Broadcasting Cable Satellite Entertainment man John McCain (R- Ariz.) and other Republican lawmakers. The lawmak-

May 4 1998 Broadcasting & Cable

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ers were concerned that the commis- choice in a monopoly environment." market (see story in Top of the Week). sion's questions focus too much on says Tauzin spokesman Ken Johnson. In one bright spot for cable's critics, ESPN and also go beyond the agency's Sen. McCain also has said that he proponents of new program- access regulatory authority, sources say. might introduce program -access legis- rules can look forward to better Last week, industry and FCC lation, but a staffer says no such legis- prospects at the FCC. In December the sources were unsure whether the com- lation will come from McCain this FCC proposed toughening its program - mission will proceed with the informa- year. access rules. Responding to suggestions tion-gathering effort. McCain is, however, planning legis- from Ameritech New Media, the com- "William Kennard needs to decide lation that would -for at least a year- mission posed the possibility of setting whose side he is on," Consumers allow satellite TV providers to deliver deadlines for resolving program-access Union spokeswoman Kathy McShea some local TV signals to viewers with- complaints and of imposing fines and says of the commission's response to out carrying all of the stations within a damages for violations. rate hikes. "It's difficult to get [the FCC] to act." adds Mark Cooper, research director at the Consumer - eration of America. Cooper and others still maintain that the heat will be on cable next year if the industry persists in hiking rates. And an aide to Markey adds that the opin- ions on cable rates will matter more next January than they do now. Even if the FCC proceeds with its study of programming costs, commis- sioners will have little if any time to take any regulatory action without a congressional extension to next year's cable regulation sunset. While shying away from action on cable rates, however, lawmakers have voiced some interest in bolstering the efforts of DBS and others to compete with cable. But the chances that law- makers will actually enact new pro- gram- access laws seem remote. Earlier this year, legislation seemed imminent that would rewrite the pro- gram- access law, which requires cable companies that own both operators and networks to make programming avail- able to all comers. Only one bill has emerged, however, sponsored by House Judiciary Committee Chairman Henry Hyde (R- III.). Hyde, whose Chicago district is home to Ameritech New Media, has been leading the fight for new program- access legislation. The Hyde bill is built on antitrust law; some observers say that is unprecedented and not legally valid. Hyde has held no hearings or markups The CTAM on the bill. Marketing Summit Chicago, June 23 July 1 House Telecommunications Sub- committee Chairman Billy Tauzin (R- The quickest v., n_ tnis bJsr to stand still. So register now 'or the most La.), who has held several hearings anticipated conference of :he year, The about program access over the past six CTAM Marketing Summit. Because in :his months, has toyed with the idea of industry, he who hesitat3s is toast introducing a bill, but so far has not. Tauzin says he plans to introduce a "cable bill" in the next two months C T M T O O L O F T H E "which will provide consumers with a TO JOIN 703 549 4200 or www ctam.com T R A D E

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remember the shows from 1977. if you're 20 years old and watching, the shows are The name of the game a kind of time capsule of the era." Parrish says that many once -skeptical Game Show Network makes a play for MSOs with MSOs have been lured in recent months comes by attractive launch fee pack- promotional support and interactive games ages, a stepped -up cross-promotional By Donna Petrozzello With Sony as its parent. Game Show campaign involving Sony, and an origi- has access to more than 50,000 hours of nal interactive programming element. Who would have thought, 20 programming that includes the libraries Within the past year the network has \ears later, there'd be an audi- of Goodson & Todman Productions, "built agreements around MSOs' ence t'or repeats of The Joker's Enterprises. demands," Parrish says. "We've tried Wild or The ? Cable opera- Productions, Bob Stewart Productions to build our package as competitively tors in December 1994 were admittedly and Barry & Enright Productions. as the market demanded." Parrish did skeptical that of daytime broad- Game Show's appeal stems from not discount speculation that Game cast network game shows -largely consumers' fondness for nostalgic Show offered some operators up to $ 1 from the 1970s -could sustain a 24- shows and a thirst for friendly competi- per subscriber in launch fees. hour cable network. Now, scarcely tion, says Jake Tauber, senior vice The network also has created nation- wide promotional campaigns that involved its MSO partners as frequently as possible. Last summer, Game Show mounted a nationwide search for a new host for JEP that allowed cable opera- tors from the competitors' hometowns to bounce their names on- screen during JEP finals. In another promotion, 932 Sony -owned Loew's movie theaters touted Game Show brainteasers in their preview slots and encouraged con- sumers to call their local cable operators to request the channel. "We have to have promotions that help operators establish themselves in their marketplace." says Game Show's Caroline Beck, senior vice president of - Froth/. marketing and business development. "Unlike some of our competitors that have sister networks, it's not so easy for Pint -sized contestants join the league of TV contenders competing for the prize on us to do on -air cross- promotions. So, 'JEP.' Game Show's junior version of 'Jeopardy!' we'll work with operators to drive the three years .ince Sony Pictures Enter- president of programming. The net- marketing process through our distribu- tainment launched the Game Show Net- work's 19 -hour programming schedule tion channels to establish awareness for work. many of the top 20 MSOs appear relies mainly on sure bets: reruns of the network and the operator as well." to be holding a winning hand. . . The Of equal importance is the content of Since January, Marcus Cable. Newlywed Game and . Game Show's programming. Viewers MediaOne and Comcast Corporation In addition, Game Show feeds three are not just watching repeats of The have launched Game Show on their original shows -Super Decades. Final Gong Show day after day, they are analog tier in several markets. Game Jeopardy and Track-into its actually playing along from home. Show claims affiliation agreements weeknight evenings. The network car- according to Tauber, a former joke with 18 of the nation's top 20 MSOs. ries paid programming from 3 a.m. to 8 writer for The Match Game. Game almost all of which are commitments a.m. ET. On weekend mornings, Game Show originals Trivia Track, Super for analog carriage: the network claims Show ushers in an original block of Decades and Final Jeopardy! invite more than 13.5 million subscribers. kid -oriented game shows, including viewers to phone in correct answers. "We've tripled our subscriber base JEP, a junior version of Jeopardy! , and and winners are rewarded with cash in just one year." says Elaine Parrish. Qui: Kids Challenge. prizes. More than 130,000 consumers senior vice president for sales and affil- "You create an environment through are registered to participate in the iate marketing at Game Show. "We've promotion and scheduling that attracts shows, Beck says, and up to 100.000 of been adding an average of one million viewers to this genre who may not have them call Game Show's toll -free num- new subscribers a month this year. and watched game shows before," says ber each day to play. we expect to hit 20 million by this time Tauber. "People watch the library Although interactive play on Game next year." because it's nostalgic for some who Show began as interstitial program-

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and can build new rev- the genre, Tauber says. enue streams for In all, Game Show plans to develop MSOs," says Parrish. concepts for 12 new shows, dedicate at "This is the type of least half of those concepts as pilots, network that will drive and debut four new shows in 1998. MSOs needs over the For the moment. Game Show is rely- next several years." ing on in -house proprietary research to Game Show also is determine what has worked and what seeking sponsors to has not. The network has been unrated help launch related by Nielsen Media Research since its interactive game play, launch, but recently entered a test peri- says Beck. "Our ini- od under Nielsen to develop prelimi- tiative is to expand nary rating data for Game Show. Those our technological ratings should be available early this base and to bring summer when the test period con- broader game playing cludes. Tauber says. to consumers," she Network officials are confident that says. "That has to be the appeal of game shows over the allied with sponsors years will remain high. who support game Says Beck: "What other show type playing being brought has the longevity that shows like Wheel into the hone." of Fortune of Jeopardy! have enjoyed'' Parrish says Game Game shows constantly infuse the mar- Show is working to ket with new programming that stays show its wares at fresh and is sensitive to the culture. computer industry There's no other category that's had ruundtables in hope such a history of consistent perfor- of gaining a sponsor mance as game shows ¡have had I." to develop a home Nostalgia wins viewers as Game Show CD -ROM version of the network. She airs reruns of 'Password' (above with is hopeful that a CD -ROM may be and ) and other vintage programs. available as soon as this summer. Local Forecasts and Despite the appeal of its interactive Radar Every 2 Minutes! ming three years ago with little promo- programming. Tauber says most people tion from the network. Tauber says the watch Game Show between 6:30 p.m shows were expanded to half -hour and 8 p.m., before prime time, when the slots two years ago and there is room in network dishes up The Newlywed the schedule for more. Game, The Match Game and Tan/eta/es "If you're Tele- Communications on weeknights and such vintage shows Inc. or Comcast, and you tell your sub- as What's Mr Line and I've Got a scribers that they can play TV game Secret in black and white on weekends. shows from home and win cash, that's "The game shows in the Sony - a strong marketing hook." says Tauber. owned libraries are the core of our pro- "This is something that ABC. NBC and gramming. but our greater focus is CBS don't offer." where we'll take game -content show Game Show also invites interactive platforms and how we'll use new tech- game playing through its World Wide nologies," says Beck. Revenue Opportunity! Website attached to sony.com. Beck says Game Show's newest original devel- Local Cable Weather Game Show is working to expand interac- opment takes a humorous approach with tive game -playing opportunities through Faux Pause. Slated to debut this month. partnerships with Microsoft. Wink Tele- the series is a satiric commentary-akin NCTA Booth #2612 vision's interactive site, Worldgate and to Siskel & Ebert -in which other Internet technology groups. perched in lounge chairs criticize B- ACCU r WIE "You begin with the concept that rated game shows for laughs. The World's Weather Leader game shows are the original interactive Game Show also is creating origi- Call 800 -566 -6606 show," says Beck. "For the past two nals by repurposing its vast library. An years we've been one of the I few I net- original series in development is As 385 Science Park Roed works in the world that has allowed On, which taps the State College, PA 16803 Seen mishaps and http://www.accuwealher.com thousands of people to try to play along outrageous" moments in game shows E -mail sales @accuwz.com in real time." over several in a kind of Amer- "We have a product that's interactive ica's Funniest Home Videos take on

Broadcasting & Cable May 4 1998 95

www.americanradiohistory.com Special Report

i-zt.i i i I u Casting a narrow net -..". -, wtSew I Seam.I.1."el Cable Internet services look to local content to attract subs COIVICAMIT ® By Richard Tedesco Microsoft ... WM.* ao you w..t to p toa.Y ,...at ...., Their subscriber w Oil ,11101111 n.1PnIP.r.'r.'.:::«... IN n..." Ont. numbers may be w cM1ljAOUYfl small potatoes ;::.« .:.,.M *r.°é"a:...'... NCO . :á:" relative to regular I..fYe.1I2..a.t411...c1Y.W cable service. but i.Malsr.i.rPW1PP..w.ww.wy.P cable's high -speed w....wa..rrr ®... Internet services are . cultivating new subs ^ with localized content t7.:".""=.7"".r psw as the category con- tinues to grow. The more than Comcast's @Home offers a blend of Road Runner's San Diego site is an example of the local national and local information, such as 100.000 users cur- flavor the service wants to feature. job listings. rently claimed by @Home represent twice the sub base national and content together. "Ulti- phia and will take its @Home users to the service had at the end of last year. mately, we believe the cable business the glitzy Cannes Film Festival, to be Its primary competition is Time Warn- is a local business," Calahan says. streamed in cyberspace later this er's Road Runner, which has merged But so far, most Time Warner sys- month. its sub base with that of MediaOne tems haven't gotten much further than Maintaining its focus on localized Express and claims 75,000 customers the conceptual stage. The site in San information, the company also has a and counting. Diego is a relatively extensive one and deal in place with The Weather Chan- Road Runner and MediaOne, now the Maine Events site for Portland, nel. which is creating local co- branded available to 4 million cable sub- Maine, is another prime example of the weather and traffic pages for Com- scribers, expect to approach 150.000 local flavor that Road Runner wants to cast's markets. Partnerships with popu- subscribers by year's end as they con- feed its users. lar regional content providers are more summate their merger. according to a That's essentially the same perspec- frequently the rule: Comcast currently Road Runner spokeswoman. The tive that Comcast Online brings to its draws restaurant reviews from going rate for basic Internet service, strategy of encouraging development Philadelphia Magazine. which includes locally customized ver- of its InYourTown.com sites, now Cox Cable's Access Atlanta site is sions of Time Warner's Pathfinder ser- established in 21 of its Internet access the model for what it wants to present vice, is $35 -$45 per month, slightly markets. Among those markets are six online. The cosmopolitan guide comes less than @Home's. cities where Comcast currently makes complete with local telephone directo- Several major system launches are @Home available: Philadelphia; Balti- ry access. Cox is expanding its local planned for this year. with Rochester more; Detroit: ; Orange online development effort in a technol- and Syracuse. N.Y.. the next markets Country, Calif., and Sarasota, Fla. ogy alliance with Washington -based slated for access. Comcast Online currently collects Proxicom, which is providing HTML @Home is now plunging full bore content from 50 different online part- authoring tools for community produc- into the gaming market, establishing a ners. distributing much of it across ers Cox has put in each system carrying service with SegaSoft's Heat.Net (see markets, according to Gaurav Suri, its version of @Home. That given, it Telemedia, page 125). Both @Home director of content and business devel- sites a particularly local flavor, such as and Road Runner are ramping up local opment for Comcast Online Communi- an area on its Phoenix service for content development to supply the pri- cations. The emphasis is on arts and Harley Davidson Hog owners and a mary activity that non -gaming Net entertainment, dining, real estate and spot in San Diego, for members of a surfers engage in: gathering informa- education, and Comcast claims an 85% Crimestoppers group. tion, particularly local information. usage rate among its @Home audi- Meanwhile, Tele- Communications Road Runner's second generation of ence. "It's quite an extensive array of Inc. has yet to muster much effort the service, to be presented later this content." Suri says, and plans are to toward localizing content. But it plans year. will offer a "seamless" integra- grow quickly. to partner with local newspapers in tion of local and national content, Delayed cybercasts of concerts is some of the 25 markets where it according to Shawn Calahan, Road Comcast's effort, with a live chat makes @Home available now as it Runner. The service intends to become scheduled during the taped Webrast of becomes more involved in the "much more media agnostic." giving a Christopher Cross concert. Comcast @Home rollout, according to a TCI local systems freer rein on melding also plans live jazz events for Philadel- spokeswoman.

96 May 4 1998 Broadcasting & Cable

www.americanradiohistory.com CTW, Nick team up in `Suite' deal Kids educational network to be offered commercia! free

By Steve McClellan Street and Nickelodeon's Blue's Clues for preschoolers. There will also be Children's Television Workshop shows for older children, such as Ghost - 1ml has landed its new educational writer and Nick News. Other shows to be children's cable network -a 50- used include The Electric Company and 50 joint venture with Nickelodeon 3 -2 -1 Contact. Between the partners, called Noggin. The commercial -free there are perhaps 5,000 hours of library network is set to debut in January 1999. material, says Doug Lee, CTW's senior Noggin will be the flagship offering vice president of cable. of MTV Network's 10- channel digital CTW recently signed a four -year package, "The Suite from MTV and contract with PBS to keep first -run VHI." The package will be compressed episodes of Sesame Street on the non- and fed over a single transponder. The commercial network. First -run Blue's Suite also will include six music chan- Clues episodes will remain exclusive- nels (announced late last year) and three ly on Nick. The partners say they channels to be announced this week at intend to add original programming to the National Cable Television Associa- Noggin after its first year on the air. tion convention in Atlanta. Noggin will be the flagship offering of The 50 -50 venture will be structured MTV Network's 10- channel digital In the early stages of planning for as an independent company, with a package. The Suite from MTV and VH1." the network, CTW envisioned an separate staff and a board of directors advertiser- supported service. But last services: "We think this will be a that will include both Nickelodeon week, the partners said they had decid- tremendous driver of the digital box President Herb Scannell and CTW ed to make Noggin a commercial -free and high -speed cable modems" that the President David Brin. The partners are network, although according to one cable industry hopes to market to cable expected to invest up to $100 million in source it will carry "enhanced under- subscribers in the digital age. the network during its first four years writing" product promotions and will The partners last week said that of operation. feature ads on its Website. As a digital Noggin will have a sophisticated Web - CTW's road to cable began more than tier service. it will take a long time for site to complement the cable network. four and a half years ago, Britt recalls. Noggin to accrue the critical mass Details were sketchy, but the site will Almost from the start, the company real- audience needed to attract advertisers. have information and activities for ized that it would need one or more part- the partners said. kids, parents and teachers. ners to make any cable venture work. The decision to go noncommercial But Rosenthal stressed that MTVN Since joining CTW two and a half pleased children's advocates. Action intends to sell Noggin as a basic ser- years ago, Lee has been CTW's point for Children's Television founder vice and not just as part of digital tiers. man for the cable project. "My main Peggy Charren last week told The The network also will be sold to satel- role has been to get the company to that she was "heart- lite services. "We want the widest dis- focus in terms of what it could get ened" by the move. tribution possible," Rosenthal said, and done and to get it to be more realistic "We think it's a promising new rate card prices for the service will about the distribution and competitive resource," says Jeff Chester, executive reflect that strategy. challenges," he says. In choosing a director, Center for Media Education, Carriage fees for Noggin will vary, Washington. But Chester also noted that with lower fees for cable and satellite Nickelodeon started out as a non -com- operators that put the service on more mercial service. "We think it's important widely seen basic service tiers. MTVN that they set the standard in providing executives were vague on pricing but viewers with real safeguards for interac- said that Noggin's rate would range Want the latest news from Cable '98? tive advertising and privacy." he said. from 10 cents -20 cents per subscriber. Our www.broadcastingcable.com Mark Rosenthal, president, MTV The service will consist mostly of breaking news ticker will feature live Networks, which will sell Noggin and product library the first year, including updates from the show May 3 -6 The Suite to cable operators, said of the 3,000 hours of reruns of CTW's Sesame

Broadcasting & Cable May 4 1998 97

www.americanradiohistory.com partner. Lee focused on the major vertically integrated companies with Laughing all the way to the bank major kids interests. including Turn- Comedy Central will give a home to its top -rated animated strip South Park er. Fox. Disney and- ultimately- through the year 2000. Comedy signed South Park co- creators and , parent company of Nick- co- executive producers Trey Parker and Matt Stone to produce an addi- elodeon and MTV. tional 40 episodes of the crude cartoon. Parker and Stone will also get a Talks with Nick started a year ago. healthy percentage of the bounty from merchandise sales, which hit $30 "Nickelodeon wanted to go for the million in fourth quarter 1997. Sales are expected to reach well beyond whole boat." Lee says. "There was a $100 million in 1998, according to Comedy Central's Tony Fox. commonality of approach and vision The Comedy Central contract, combined with contracts for upcoming and realization of the parental demand theatrical projects, will give Parker and Stone an estimated $15 million for this type of service. They were salary combined through the year 2000. Parker and Stone voice, write and doing the sane research we were produce South Park, which earlier this month turned out the highest ratings doing independently." for any entertainment series on basic cable, according to Nielsen research. Now that the deal is done. "the real Comedy has ordered 73 episodes of the cartoon, which debuted on the work begins," Lee says. Initial staffing network in August 1997. will be lean -no more than 20 Comedy also has allowed Parker and Stone to renegotiate their deal for employees, including the chief execu- a share of South Park's success retroactively, starting with the 20 episodes tive officer. Most of the back -office the network ordered for 1998. The team's current contract spans the addi- and distribution work will he handled tional 40 episodes Comedy has ordered through the year 2000. by MTVN. It's poss hle that Lee could Parker and Stone are slated to star in Universal Picture's feature film end up shifting to the new company. Basketball, to be released this summer, and they are said to be script- "That remains to be seen. I'm talking ing a theatrical version of South Park due out in 1999 for Paramount to CTW now about what projects I Pictures. -Donna Petrozzello might take on next."

Fox chases Disney with high -end movie slate Channel wants to attract whole family to screen

By Donna Petrozzello "When we first the whole family can announced the chan- watch."

Fox Family Channel will spend nel. 1 got 100 scripts Fox Family will pit $125 million to produce 26 origi- with 12- year -olds as its originals directly nal movies that will air on Sunday lead characters." Rob- against Disney prod- nights starting in mid- August when the bins says. "That's uct- specifically. channel debuts. what everyone thought ABC's Sunday night The production slate ranges from of as a family movie. offering. The Wonder - remakes that include classic chil- That's not necessarily ful World of Disney. dren's characters -such as Casper what we want to he On cable. Disney Meets Wendy. Ruble Rule A Christ- limited to. Channel features mo- mas Story and Addams Family Re- "We want the par- vies in its Magical union -to original drama, mystery ents to stay in the World of Disney block and retold children's fahles. Some through Satur- features star high -profile day and airs its original actors. including Kelsey Lance Robbins, president nature series on Sun - Grammer. Darryl Han- of TV movies and series day nights. nah and Tim Curry. for Fox Family Channel While some industry "This is high -concept sources say spending entertainment that will 5125 million on 26 family movies redefine the terni 'family sounds a hit high -end. others agree that movie' for television." says family and children's movies can earn Lance Robbins. president of top ratings for the right networks. TV movies and series for Fox "Disney has always recognized the Family Channel. power of kids and family program- Much of the original fare is tailored ming, and our prime time movies are for older children. The core demo- room when the kids turn on a Fox Fam- consistently at the top of our ratings." graphic is kids ages 6-11. but Robbins ily Channel movie. and we don't want says Shirley Powell. Disney Channel's says the movies are meant for children the parents to have to ask the kids to vice president of media relations. Dis- and their parents. He adds that not all leave the room during one of our ney Channel is preparing 12 original the movies will feature children in lead movies." Robbins says. "We want to movies for 1999 to air alongside its roles or as protagonists. define the family movies as something acquired and library product. 1 98 May 4 1998 Broadcasting & Cable

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www.americanradiohistory.com Cable trade show, the computer he was using crashed, prompting speculation about a Getting down to delayed introduction. Is Gates preparing a bombshell for Cable '98? Only he can say for sure, and as of press time late last week he business in Atlanta wasn't telling. York speculated that Gates may focus on enhanced TV, par- Industry meets to plan future, celebrate past ticularly his WebTV product, but the Microsoft chairman hadn't yet tuned By Price Colman and data. It's very fo- the NCTA in to the topic of his talk. cused this year." Show participation looks to be on The National Cable There is. naturally, target with last year's numbers, with Television Asso- intense interest in the 16.795 people registered as of press ciation's Cable presence of Bill Gates, time. That's slightly below preregistra- '98 convention show- Microsoft chairman. tion numbers at the comparable time cases an industry mov- who is scheduled to de- last year, but that may be a little decep- ing beyond hype and liver the keynote address tive. NCTA officials figure Atlanta's getting down to busi- at the opening general easy access and the presence of large ness. session, "Cable TV: 50 cable -related companies either in or Instead of the gee - Years and Growing," within easy traveling distance of the whiz atmosphere that today (May 4). city will produce substantial on -site Bill will talk TV In Atlanta has characterized re- Gates Gates electrified the registration and heavy day traffic. cent National shows, there's an empha- industry and financial markets last year "I think we'll meet last year's num- sis on brass tacks and bottom lines. when he invested $1 billion in Com- bers with no trouble and perhaps go Questions about whether new tech- cast. Since then, he's been fleshing out slightly higher," says York. nologies such as digital cable and cable details of his company's connection to The feel -good theme of Cable '98 is modems work have largely been the cable industry, while on other a celebration of the industry's 50th resolved. Now, it's an issue of refining fronts dealing with brushfires of vary- birthday. The party set for tomorrow business models and developing best ing magnitudes, including investiga- night beginning at 9 p.m. in Hall A of practices. tions by the U.S. Justice Department the World Congress Center "Queries coming in show an interest- and numerous state attorneys general ranks as the event not to miss during ing focus on the business of tomorrow." into alleged anticompetitive practices. the four -day convention. Combine says Barbara York, NCTA vice presi- He's also coping with glitches sur- music, food, a 3 -D laser light show, a dent of industry affairs. "People are rounding the impending introduction giant cake, an industry on a roll and really looking seriously, as they plan of Microsoft's new Windows 98 oper- who knows what will happen. for the future, at what is the business ating system. When he attempted to Maybe Gates and John Malone will going to look like, particularly digital demonstrate it at a recent computer pop out of the cake. Hindery sees capital improvement Says DC system will he upgraded, tells Cable Club crowd he doesn't plan to hump channels to carry all of broadcasters' digital signals By Paige Albiniak tern's poor customer service, lack of "If you are the only one in channels and high price. ICI in March One year after TCI President Leo the [D.C.] market that launched its digital service, which Hindery promised an audience at offers additional TV and music chan- the Washington Metro Cable buys a high- definition nels and an interactive program sched- Club that he would revamp Washing- television set, its a little ule with a parental lock -out feature. ton's much -maligned cable system, rude to ask every Adding digital service costs subscribers Hindery says he has approved a system $13.30 per month on top of existing upgrade to go along with the new man- customer in DC to drop 14 fees. The system has planned to have ager brought in at the end of last year. [cable networks] for you 7,000 customers by the end of 1998. Brad Anderson, whom Hindery Hindery repeated that ICI is called "the best manager in my compa- and your $10,000 set." opposed to Congress or the FCC ny, bar none," came from Cable Co -Op TCI President Leo Hindery requiring cable operators to carry all in Palo Alto, Calif., to take over the broadcasters' digital signals. "I'm not system last November. Anderson lowing a speech before the Washington going to seek to carry product for recently submitted a plan to upgrade Metro Cable Club. which there is no audience if the price the system, and Hindery agreed to it Customers of District Cablevision or consequence of carrying it is a dis- two weeks ago. he said last week fol- long have complained about the sys- placement of product that people are

100 May 4 1998 Broadcasting & Cable

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Broadcasting & Cable May 4 1998 101

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watching robustly at night." Hindery said. "If you are the only one in the First Couple pitches music education ]D.C.] market that buys a high-defini- VH1 'Save the Music tion television set, it's a little rude to got a boost from high - ask every customer in DC to drop 14 powered music fans ]cable networks] for you and your when President Clinton $10,0(X) set." and first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton said broadcasters and cable Hindery helped launch the operators should finish up talks on campaign from the HDTV standards this summer. "My White House earlier guess is this summer we will start to this month. The define what we will do with (high -def- campaign, in partnership with cable inition television] when it starts show- operators, is meant to ing up." Hindery said. help restore music Hindery implied that the networks education to public are still unsure what HDTV formats schools. The president donated his saxophone they will use. "It seems to be coming to the effort. Shown at the White House kickoff (l -r): President Clinton; Martin down to one [format] or the other -720 Wills, regional marketing director, TCI- District Cablevision; Gregory Thompson, progressive or 1080 interlace -and a student at the Roper School of Science and Technology in Washington; we'll pass through 480, 720, 1080 Hillary Rodham Clinton, and VH1 President John Sykes. interlace or progressive." But sources at CBS and NBC veri- fied that their plans to use 1080 1 as industry, which is in a period of finan- ly, for our customers. It will slow inno- their HDTV format were firm. cial health and high stock prices. vation. It will dampen competition. Hindery also encouraged the FCC "1 strongly believe that reregulation Notably, it will undermine the quality and Congress not to impose any new will have serious negative conse- and quantity of choices available to our regulation or legislation on the cable quences for our industry and, especial- customers," Hindery said.

into the world of original movies," says Brooke Bailey Johnson, A &E Secrets and lives Network executive vice president and general manager. "Given the A &E will offer mystery and biography feature - length films growing appeal of our literary dra- mas and mysteries, this was a natural By Donna Petrozzello Biography Movies will feature expansion. We wanted to expand our extended looks at such personalities as two programming strengths: biogra- Aits & Entertainment plans to P.T. Barnum, Lillian Hellman and phies and mysteries." build on its top -rated Biography . A &E expects to premiere its movies as well as its mystery program- A &E also plans to produce at least on Sunday nights, a slot the network ming this fall with a slate of new and two original mysteries for the upcom- typically reserves for "special" pro- >riginal feature -length films. ing season. Murder in a Small Town gramming, says Johnson. stars actor in a co-pro- Although Sunday night presents duction with Granada Media Group. steep competition in movie program- Sundance in NY The Murders in the Rue Morgue will ming, Johnson says she chose to pre- be A &E's retelling of the Edgar Allan miere on Sunday because "HUT Poe work, co- produced with Hall- (homes using television) levels are so mark Entertainment. high, and there is an audience expec- "These features mark A &E's foray tation that drives viewing as well."

Clarification A story on page 45 of the April 27 issue was unclear on the focus of Encore Media Group (EMG) research into its viewership in DirecTV homes. EMG's analysis of Nielsen numbers was, in part, seeking to show how viewership of EMG services in homes that take those services compared with viewership of Sundance Channel founder Robert other premium services in homes that take those other services. Encore CEO Redford and Time Warner Cable of John Sie also noted that Encore continues to run the ad that sparked a dis- New York Barry Rosenblum City's pute with HBO with all numbers unchanged, though with a clearer distinction on a new deal that will bring Sundance to cable between Nielsen and Encore data. Also, the story may have left the impres- subs as a Sunday subscription sion that HBO is available to all DirecTV subscribers. HBO is delivered via service beginning in June. U.S. Satellite Broadcasting.

102 May 4 1998 Broadcasting & Cable

www.americanradiohistory.com Media Park, Fox sign output deal Cinar to supply family channels Barcelona -based production company Canada's Cinar Films is negotiating to be the Media Park has signed a 10 -year nonex- prime supplier to two new pay family chan- clusive pay -TV output deal with Holly- nels planned by U.S. -based pay -TV opera- wood studio Fox that includes such tor HBO and Fox TV. Cinar already owns movies as "Bravehe3rt," "Predator" a 20% stake in Canada's Teletoon cable and "Alien." Media Park will use the channel. films as part of an eight -channel pack- age (incl Jding five movie channels) , General agree on merger that it wil produce fo- Spanish digital UK cable operators Telewest and General DTH pla-'orm Via Digital. The Deal Cable have agreed on the terms of their does not nclude pay per view, but a Via merger. Telewest will pay £649 million ($1.1 Digital so -rce says the deal "opens a door" billion) for General Cable. The merged compa- for a pos:.ible PPV deal between Fox and Via ny will have interests in 43 UK franchises covering Digital. 5.8 million homes. Stephen Davidson, CEO of Telewest, will step down. National Geographic gets HIT UK -basec producer and distributor HIT Entertainment Pearson gets animated has signet a long -tern licensing agreement with doc- UK media group Pearson's TV division, Pearson Televi- umentary network National Geographic Channels sion, is planning to enter the animation market. The Worldwide. NGCW has bought 173 hours from HIT's company has hired John Bullivant to head the newly natural history catalog in a deal covering the rights fcr created animation department, which will cover program Latin Am. rica, the Far East, Eastern Europe, Ger- and ancillary rights development. Bullivant joins May 26 many, France, Greece, Turkey, the Middle East and from UK distributor HIT Entertainment, where he is head Southern Africa. of co- production and acquisition. - Michael Katz

Fox uncovers 2, PEOPLE'S CHOICE some secrets Top Cable Shows Fox News Channel will seek to expose some military secrets in its first installment of Washington Clas- Following ar the top 25 basc cable programs for the week of April 20 ranked -26, by cable sified: Too Many Secrets. to air rating. Cable -ating is coverage area rating within each basic cable network's universe; Thursday (May 7) at 9 p.m. ET. U.S. rating is of 98 million N households. Rating Hits The hour special, hosted by Rnk Program Network Day Time Duration Cable U.S. (000) Share Fox News Channel correspon- 1 South Part COM Wed 10:OOp 30 8.2 4.1 3.997 12.4 dent Catherine Crier, is the first 2 WCW Monday Nitro TNT Mon 8:OOp 60 5.2 3.9 3,793 8.9 program produced by the Fox 3 WC'N Monday Nitro TNT Mon 10:OOp 60 5.1 3.8 3.754 8.2 News special news unit, its inves- 4 WCW Malay Nitro TNT Mon 9:OOp 60 5.0 3.8 3.682 7.8 5 WWF War zone USA Mon 10:00p 60 4.4 3.3 3.228 7.0 tigative reporting branch. Crier 6 WWF Mor day Night Raw USA Mon 8:57p 63 4.3 3.2 3,178 6.4 also hosts The Crier Report at 10 7 Rugrats NICK Sun 10:OOa 30 4.1 3.0 2.988 12.4 p.m. ET on Fox News Channel 8 Thunder TBS Wed 9:05p 68 3.9 3.0 2,891 6.0 and co -hosts FNC's 7 p.m. week- 8 NBA: New Jersey vs. Chicago TNT Fri 7:58p 179 3.9 2.9 2.877 7.3 night newscast, The Fox Report. 10 Rugrats NICK Mon 7:30p 30 3.7 2.7 2,688 6.7 On May 7, Washington Classi- 11 Angry Bea.ers NICK Sun 10:30a 30 3.6 2.7 2.617 10.8 fied will expose the stories 12 NBA: Port and vs. L.A. Lakes TNT Fri 10:57p 149 3.5 2.6 2,528 8.2 behind a failed mission and an 13 Rugrats NICK Thu 7:30p 30 3.4 2.6 2.502 6.4 alleged cover -up. The first 14 NBA: Hou: -.on vs. Utah TNT Sat 10:35p 173 3.3 2.5 2,424 7.6 involves a covert operation 14 Hey Arnold NICK Sun 11:OOa 30 3.3 2.4 2.366 9.7 the military in 14 Rugrats NICK Tue 7:30p 30 3.3 2.4 2,358 6.0 undertook 1993 to try 17 Rugrats NICK Sat 10:OOa 30 3.2 2.3 2.298 11.2 to overthrow Somalian warlord 17 Hey Arnold NICK Wed 8:OOp 30 3.2 2.3 2,286 5.4 General Mohammed Farah Aidid. 19 Hey Arnold NICK Mon 8:OOp 30 3.1 2.3 2.278 5.3 The mission was unsuccessful, 19 Rugrats NICK Wed 7:30p 30 3.1 2.3 2,239 5.7 and more than 100 U.S. soldiers 21 Moi ie: 'Caning to America USA Fri 9:OOp 150 3.0 2.3 2.230 5.4 were killed. The second story 21 South Par: COM Sat 10:OOp 30 3.0 1.5 1,446 5.3 involves the death of a U.S. air- 23 NBA: Hou' -on vs. Utah TBS Thu 9:37p 158 2.9 2.2 2,149 5.1 craft during a routine 23 Movie: 'M. Cousin Vinny' TBS Tue 8:08p 158 2.9 2.2 2,129 4.8 weapons -loading exercise in 23 Rugrats NICK Sun 9:OOa 60 2.9 2.1 2.069 9.7 Sources: Nielsen Media Research. Timer Research 1965. -Donna Petrozzello

Broadcasting & Cable May 4 1998 1O3

www.americanradiohistory.com Cablc Operators i n the t r o nches Top cable executives don hard hats, roll up their sleeves and face the public as they participate in cable's industrywide "In the Trenches" customer -service campaign.

.

J ATC's Joe Collins helps sales rep Tom Cronley roll out new fiber optic service in Chapel Hill, N.C. J Jack Pottle, Fanch Communications, accompanies an installation technician at a new cable system in Johnstown, Pa. J Adelphia's John Rigas attaches a drop to the company's new 750 MHz system. J Barry Babcock (r) and Congressman Richard Gephardt (D -Mo.) help launch beta testing of cable modems at Oakville Elemen- tary in St. Louis. J Howard County (Md.) County Executive Dr. Charles Ecker tests Comcast's high -speed modem hookup at Waverly Elementary School, as interested students, and Comcast's Jaye Gamble and the National Cable Television Association's Decker Anstrom (back left and right, respectively) look on. J Insight Communications' Michael Wilner dispatches instructions to technicians in the field. J Peter Brutaker (hand Robert Marsh (r), both of Susquehanna Cable Company, present a check to John Patrick, superinten- dent of the Rankin County School District. The company made the donation to celebrate being "100% on time" in February. J Jeffrey Marcus of Marcus Cable talks to Carlene and Stan Victor during a service call.

104 May 4 1998 Broadcasting & Cable

www.americanradiohistory.com Fox is `King of the Hill' O&Os snag rights to off-Fox hit By Joe Schlosser the next two weeks. "We knew we'd be getting a great Twentieth Television has kept the environment with the Fox stations, and most anticipated off -network they made us an offer we found suitable series in the family. The 22 Fox and we accepted it," says Twentieth owned -and- operated stations have Television President Rick Jacobson. snatched the syndication rights to the In 2001, the Fox owned -and -operated successful animated series for about stations will be able to pair King of the 'King of the Hill' has been cleared in 40% $1.5 million per episode, sources say. Hill with off -network runs of The Simp- of the country. Twentieth executives say 101 episodes sons -two shows that currently air the Hill this year and in the next two or King of of the Hill are available for the back -to -back on Fox. Twentieth Televi- three years," Jacobson says. "Clearly, series syndication debut in fall 2001. sion is offering King of the Hill on a King of the Hill is the off -net show of By selling it to the Fox stations, Monday- Friday, cash -plus -barter basis. choice into the foreseeable future." Twentieth has now cleared King of the A cable window for King of the Hill will Station reps say that the series in 40% Hill of the country and in the not be available for at least the first three should top the $3 million- per -episode majority of the major markets. Twenti- years of the series' syndication run. range when all is said and done. Jacob- eth executives say national sales out- "Nothing, besides second -cycle son and Fox O &O executives would side the FoN family will begin within Seinfi/d sales, will he as hot as Kin; of not coninient on the financial terms. ABC shines on Saturday morning Kids shows are bright spot in otherwise dull performance executive vice president for Disney TV animation. "The question is how you By Michael Stroud do that without making [Fox's] Power - Rangers." With ABC still struggling in Fox has its own answer to that ques- prime time, it's hard to point tion. Surprised by Disney's attack, the to lots of obvious payoffs from network has struck back with its own the Walt Disney Co.'s acquisition of 90- minute block, The No Yell Hotel, the broadcast network a few years ago. built around its scary shows-Goose- One exception: ABC's Saturday morn- bumps and Eerie, Indiana-and hosted ing cartoon lineup. by wise- talking, computer- animated Since the beginning of the season. goons. Moving Power Rangers in ratings ABC's for the two -hour block Space from a weekday spot to Saturday between 7:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. PST Next season, Disney and ABC will morning at 8:30 a.m. won the time slot (8:30 -10:30 a.m. EST) have risen 35 %, attempt to carry the time block's for its first three weeks and "put a rather while ratings for arch -rival Fox have momentum to the 10:30 a.m. time slot large dent in [ABC's] armor," says fallen 29 %, according to Nielsen Media by introducing a 22- minute segment Maureen Smith, ' senior vice Research. As the season ends, the two based on Disney's animated theatrical networks are in a dead heat for first place movie, "Hercules." The program will among children 2 -11. feature in a reprise of his The reason? A close partnership role as Hades. between Disney TV animators and "One of the mandates in putting the What cleared? What bombed? ABC programmers that has changed a block together was to extend the Dis- Who swept the sweeps? Stay tuned to once -muddled time period into a well - ney brand, to take it to [older] children www.broadcastingcable.com defined two -hour block, Disney's One who may have moved away from for breaking TV news Saturday Morning. Mickey Mouse," says Barry Blumberg,

Broadcasting & Cable May 41998 105

www.americanradiohistory.com csiroaacassrng president of scheduling and planning. ings designed an opening title se- chase of creator Jumbo Pictures in Over the next year. she says. "the sce- quence that houses Saturday morning 1996. An older version of Doug still nario will end up being Fox coming out in its own computer- created, virtual airs on Nickelodeon. on top and in a very strong position." building from which everything about The two -hour block is bracketed by Disney and ABC are taking a differ- Saturday emerges. The idea is to attract The New Adventures of Winnie the ent approach to their Saturday morning children to a time period rather than to Pooh and 101 Dalmatians. Shows dis- with some FCC -friendly fare that sat- a specific show from which they could placed by Disney's new Saturday isfies two of the three hours of chil- channel -surf away after half an hour. morning lineup. Jungle Cubs and Gar- dren's programming per week required With that identity. "We had a mag- goyles, are finding new lives on Dis- of stations by the government. With its net to bring them there Ito the time ney's new Toon Disney cable channel. Saturday morning lineup, it combines slot]." says Charles Hirschhorn. presi- Jungle Cubs debuted recently, and three 22- minute cartoons that meet dent of , "but Gargoyles is scheduled for next fall. FCC muster -Recess. Pepper Ann and once they got there, we had to deliver," Disney's not- solong -term plans are for the Disney' s Doug -with one- to five - Two new shows helped them do to replay hit shows developed minute segments that range from that. Recess, created by the team that Saturday time slot in other parts of the Genie's Great Minds Think for Them- dreamed up Nickelodeon's Rugrats. Disney empire or on other networks. selves, in which as contains elements of the hit Nick- Earlier this month, it signed an agree- 's genie takes viewers on a elodeon show: "If Rugrats is about ment with UPN to air two hours of Dis- whirlwind tour of history's great inno- understanding the world, Recess is ney programming on the network. vators, to Mrs. Munger's Class, full of about surviving it." says Blumberg. UPN Chairman Dean Valentine, who computer -animated kids. Pepper Ann explores the sensibili- negotiated the deal for UPN, previous- To create a distinctive identity for ties of a 12- year -old girl and her ly headed Walt Disney Television and the two -hour block, Aninraniacs and friends. Rights to the Doug character played a key role in developing the Pinky & the Brain creator Peter Hast- were acquired as part of Disney's pur- One Saturday Morning concept. Angels on Pax Net's schedule Network lines up DIC kids shows, including angel interstitials By Joe Schlosser s full schedule has not been completed, ANGE Heyward says, but a number of shows Lowell "Bud" Paxson's soon -to- nr`D from DIC's library have been slated for launch network Pax Net has been Ñ1Ïá NG 1VrjEL Pax Net. The shows include the animated *ON SUNDAY series Space Force. which Heyward touched by more than one angel. U.S. In keeping with its themes of high MORNING describes as a "very positive -value show moral values and family appeal. Pax programming that is going to be enter- that is based on American astronauts." Net will launch with angel insterstitials taining, interesting and from which Old MacDonald's Sing -A -Long Farm, a tying together its children's programing they will walk away with values that series featuring costumed characters, will blocks on Saturday and Sunday. The make them feel good and do good." fit into the Paxson scheme as well. network, which debuts in late August Scott would not rule out a possible Also set for Pax Net is Zak Tales. a with a handful of off-network prime five -day -a -week block of children's pro- mix of animation and live action that time hits like Touched kv an Angel, will gramming, but says that will not happen tells classic children's tales through a air five hours of children's program- "at least until the second season." young child, Zak. In addition, Heyward ming on the weekend -two hours on The weekend children's blocks will just acquired two series at MIP: an ani- Saturday and three on Sunday. feature animated angels as the intersti- mated series entitled The Explorers and All of the children's animated and tials, bumpers and wraparounds. There a yet -to -be named bible series. The live- action shows will be provided by will be various animated angels (doc- Explorers, which follows the paths of DIC Entertainment and will support tor- angels, schoolteacher-angels, and great explorers and adventurers during the Pax Net family values theme. Pax- others) sitting on cloud nine, says DIC ancient times, is a successful children's son executives say it is only by coinci- Entertainment President Andy Hey- series in Europe. As for series, dence that its weekend children's ward. "They'll be watching TV, and Heyward says it was acquired from Ital- blocks are centered on angels. they've got their points of view and ian network RAI and features "the best "This network is in large part going comments," Heyward says. "From time adventures from the bible." to be appointment TV," says Bill Scott, to time an angel will have to go down to "There is not going to be a heavy reli- Pax Net's president of programming. earth and get involved in a kid's life. gious overlay," Scott says. "What you "We're going to have Touched by an They'll profess various prosocial and are going to find is a moral -values over- Angel five nights a week. People are educational themes." lay. Parents will be able to look and see going to know when to tune in for cer- Heyward says a half -hour cartoon what they are trying to teach their kids at tain shows. We want to do no less for with the angels might be in store for the home. Whether it's in a synagogue. a the children. We want them to make an second season, but for now they will just church or whatever, values important to appointment with us on weekends for bridge the various half -hour shows. The everyone are going to be emphasized. "

106 May 4 1998 Broadcasting & Cable

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WGME -TV, Portland, Maine has appointed Katz Continental Television as its national sales representative.

WGME -TV, a Guy Communications station, proudly joins its sister stations KGAN -TV, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, WOKR -TV, Rochester, New York, WICS /WICD -TV, Springfield- Champaign, Illinois and WGGB -TV, Springfield, Massachusetts.

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www.americanradiohistory.com araducdbuny Gene McKinney of sexual harassment. Chung contacted both the Pentagon Chung on getting the `get' and Hoster's attorney in order to follow the drama- within -a- drama. The "get" In Harvard papel; anchor talks about stalking the elusive was eventually gotten by ABC's Sam exclusive and how that hunt has changed the face of news Donaldson, but not without a fight. "This was an academic examina- By Dan Trigoboff the network news broad- tion." Chung said in an interview last casts collide in a mad week. "At first I liked being on the out- kit is it." asks scramble for an exclusive side. But it felt awkward to be ques- veteran news that will sell papers and tioning my friends. anchor Connie draw viewers. It's the "I was shocked," Chung said, "at how Chung in a just -published symbiotic world where it's much the competition had increased" report for Harvard, "about hard to tell who is manipu- during the two -years plus between her the process of pursuing an lating whom: the media or exit from CBS and her present position exclusive interview that the newsmakers." with ABC. "I didn't realize until I came can be so abhorrent to And yet, she notes, even back to work that the competition some'? Is it the pilgrimage the venerable Walter includes every single story. There are so we must make to meet with Cronkite considered Hard- many more magazine programs on the the interviewee, the negoti- ing a legitimate interview. air...cable news...there's enormous com- Chung ating, the groveling, the and while he told Chung petition just to get the interview. The feeling we are ingratiating ourselves?" he'd have preferred to send a reporter. "I interviewee has an enormous amount of Even when she "held the prestigious acknowledge." he said, "that the promi- power because of the competition." position of co- anchor of the CBS News nence of the anchor can be exceedingly ABC icon - credit- the modern flagship broadcast...there I was. helpful in getting the interview, and it is ed by Chung with inventing camped out day in and day out" at a a worthy use of the anchor's position if "get" market through her many exclu- skating rink, waiting for "bad -girl fig- this was the only way." sive interviews -agrees that the market ure skater Tonya Harding, along with Chung mixed her own experiences has changed. "Even murderers have countless others trying to 'get' Tonya." seeking exclusive talks with newsmak- lawyers and agents," she told Chung. The "get"-which she says is "news- ers of the moment with those of other Today, said Walters, the woman who room parlance for the cutthroat compe- prominent newspeople as part of a brought Egyptian President Anwar tition for the big interview, the hot 1997 fellowship with Harvard's Joan Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Men - celebrity " -is "radically changing the Shorenstein Center on the Press. Poli- achem Begin together for a "double- way journalists and news organizations tics and Public Policy. She offers get" in 1977. "viewers aren't interested carry out their mission." numerous anecdotes to illustrate her in world leaders.... They would not "It's where supermarket tabloids, point, but most of the paper deals with watch Sadat and Begin. Heads of state morning wake -up programs. afternoon the quest for the first televised shot at are very savvy. They ask, 'What are talk shows, tabloid TV shows and even Brenda Hoster, who accused Sgt. Maj. your ratings'? Will I get an hour?' Sad- `' takes top OPC award The Overseas Press Club of Ameri- Award went to Fergal Keane, Mike ORS EA5 PRESS CLUB ca has given its highest honor, The Robinson, Michael Sullivan and President's Award, to CBS's 60 OF AMERICA David Fanning for Valentina's Minutes and its creator and execu- Nightmare, a co- production of tive producer, . The Frontline, from wcBH(rv) Boston group presented seven awards and and the BBC's Panorama. six citations to broadcast journalists Teams from ABC News (Prime - at its annual awards ceremony in Time Live) and CBS News (Public New York last Thursday. Eye) shared The Eric and Amy Jennifer Glasse and Hank Wein- Burger Award for best foreign bloom of ABC News Radio won the reporting on human rights in any Award for best radio medium. Brian Ross, Rhonda news or interpretation of foreign affairs for their report, Schwartz, David Rummel and Phyllis McGrady of "Perspective: Zaire." National Public Radio's Julie Mc- PrimeTime Live won for "Blood Money, " while Peter Carthy, Michael Sullivan and Loren Jenkins took the Carl Van Sant, Randall Joyce, Nick Turner, Thomas Spielvogel Award for best business reporting from abroad Vavrusa and Gordana Igric (a Serbian journalist) of in the broadcast media for their Asian Economic Crisis. Public Eye won for "In Plain Sight." The David Kaplan Award for best TV spot news Pictured at the ceremonies are (l -r) CBS Chair- reporting from abroad went to Ron Allen, David Doss man Michael Jordan; John Corporon, president, and Babak Behnam of NBC Nightly News for "Zaire Overseas Press Club of America; Don Hewitt, exec- Becomes the Congo." For best TV interpretation or doc- utive producer, 60 Minutes, and Andrew Heyward, umentary on foreign affairs, the Edward R. Murrow president, CBS News. -Sara Brown

108 May 4 1998 Broadcasting & Cable

www.americanradiohistory.com How Long Will These Sleeping Dogs Lie?

13y now, you've probably heard all their excuses.

The Big Dogs. AT&T and MCI, are still assigned over 8.000 emph)yees to make are howling that they can't compete in local competition works. They've built customized telephone markets. It's just too difficult. network elements; offered on-site network It requires tno much effort. training and customer service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. All to connect Just because they MCI, AT&T don't want to and other competitors compete, doesn't mean there isn't to local markets. competition. You know those big dogs. They lie around all day. Recently. the Federal Communications Commission hekl hearings in which smaller. MCI and AT&T have given up on 1c)cal local competitors described their success in residential service. Why? The markets are c'ompeting against the Bell companies. open. Smaller companies are competing. Competition is here. These smaller companies don't have the tens of thousands of employees that the big MCI and AT&T are stalling competition. They long distance giants do. They don't have only want c()mpetition on their own terms. billions of investment dollars. But they are On their own timetable. That's what their competing. executives conceded during recent merger discussims. While the big dogs are sleeping, Regional Bells are working to make Wake up big dogs. And stop all that competition work. lying around.

k Ay? 11,, companies 1 Local phi have devoted more thaii i billion and \ We'll connect all Americans IF- if we're allowed to compete. TELEPHONE ASSOCIATION

Ph,r11,.. I i i r. iii \\ 0111 www.americanradiohistory.com roaacasun

dam Hussein wants an hour." a fine line: sympathetic enough to 'get' help limit the overkill and restore civi- There's nothing fundamentally wrong the interviewee, but not so tame that they lized behavior." But the discipline will with going after "gets," Chung con- become the person's mouthpiece." have to be self- imposed. "The public," cludes. "The real issue," she says, "is de- Better coordination within network Chung notes, "isn't demanding any gree." Reporters, she says, "need to walk news departments, she suggests, "can changes." Sony buys Sunbow Folds kids programmer into family division

By Joe Schlosser of freedom to go about doing what they do best, which is to create kids pro- Looking to beef up its children's gramming and kids properties." programming library. Sony Won- C.J. Kettler will stay on as president Foxy daughter der last week acquired New York - of Sunbow, which produces and dis- based Sunbow Entertainment LLC. tributes such children's shows as the While other daughters on he set of Executives at - year -old chil- PBS series Salty's Lighthouse and NFLO(Tb) Chicago's Fox Tying in the and family division of Sony Zippy the Pinhead. Sunbow, which 1.4ormng for Take Your C'Eughter to dren's say they were looking for other started in the children's programming Work Day d-ew pictures, ptayed with Music ways to create properties in the chil- business in 1978, has remained active pets, or demonstrated irterest in and distributing product -heir parent's work, anchor Bob dren's TV arena. in producing "We already have a creative staff at for ages preschool and up. Sirott s "daughter" Heathe- -shown Sony Wonder that does very well: "I think this is a brilliant match of here in demure dress -smoked . Sunbow gives us an additional skills, and with the intent to keep the drank beer, and demonstrated inter- adding dimension," says Sony Wonder Presi- companies pretty separate, it should est in weatherman Rick DiMaio. is a replace- work out well," says Kettler. "lt allows -leather was actually model- actress dent Ted Green. "This not ment dimension: it's not about cutting. us the creative freedom to continue to { arina Tho nas, featured in a run It is really about building the business, develop and acquire the high -quality ling gag in :he April 23 b-cadcast . and we are going to give Sunbow a lot programming we are known for."

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In ai ilcreasingly fragmented marketplace we at the Discovery Networks believe that our aggressive and creative promotion sty e has set us wart from our compati:ors. And, by stressing our ccre corporate value - quality - we have been able to attract viewers and advertisers. J:hnathan Rodger: Dre:ident "Quality is also a word we like to use in describ ng the Discovery Networks, .JS PROMAX experience. From small panels on the latat design techniques to large screens of the best spots of -.he year, PROMAX is the place for our creative people tc re- educate themselves and stay on top of their game. At Discce% we consider P1OMA:X to be mcre than just another tide show or industry conference, it's a professional training experience. P M A X 2029 CenturyR Park East, Suite SS S, Los Angeles, Californie SOOi7 -2906 310.788.7600 fax 31CJ88.7616 www.promax.x3

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S Y N D I C A T I O N M A R K E T P L A C E Tribune gets `Seinfeld' Titanic sails on 120 stations representing more than 90» of the country. in Miami Tribune Entertainment Co.'s syndi- cated special Titanic.: Secrets Re- queen of talk? Just \ hen it looked like the Fox sta- New scored a 6.2 rating, according Lions were going to comer the second )'c'uled Sources say rap star- turned -actress to Nielsen Media Research. The time- cycle of Sein%e/d. Tribune steps back has signed a deal with special was cleared in 96% of the in. Tribune owned-and -operated WDZL ly Productions to host a country for a broadcast window of (Tv) Miami has renewed its contract celebrity- driven talk show. The show 19. In New York on with Columbia TriStar Television Dis- March 30 -April will be produced by Telepictures and wPix(Tv), Titanic scored an 8.7 rat- tribution for the second batch of Sein- distributed by Warner Bros. Domes - share. Tribune executives say fe /depisodes in syndication. Tribune ing/14 tic Television, according to the was the highest syndication also re-upped with CTTD executives it -rated sources. Latifah's show will launch special since 's in Harrisburg, Pa., keeping the top- no earlier than winter 1999, sources Thanksgiving special in 1993. rated syndicated show on wPmMT(Tv) say. Warner Bros.'s executives had for another five seasons. The Fox Here comes the `Judge' no comment. O &Os, which have stolen the off -net- , a Judy upgrades work rights to Seinfeld away from a little earlier number of Tribune affiliates, renewed Rysher Entertainment is going to ' syndicated the on KDFW -Tv Dallas. Fox launch its syndicated court series court series has been up- affiliate xerv(Tv) San Diego jumped Judge Mills Lane a month earlier graded in several top markets, in- on the Seinfeld bandwagon for the first than expected. The series with the cluding San Francisco's KRON -TV, time. CTTD has also re-upped wvuE top -name boxing official will debut wpxl(Tv) and KTVI(TV) St. (Tv) New Orleans (Fox affiliate), in syndication on Aug. 17, rather Louis. More than 70 stations have WFKR(TV) Norfolk, Va., (NBC affili- than the originally scheduled Sept. upgraded the series since January ate), wDSt -Tv Chattanooga (Fox affili- 14. Rysher President Ira Bernstein 1998. The show's ratings have in- ate) and wDBJ(TV) Roanoke, Va. (CBS says the company wanted to get an creased 158% since this time a year affiliate). Seinfeld's second cycle in "early jump" on the competition. ago, according to Nielsen Media syndication debuts in spring 2001. Judge Mills Lane is cleared on over Research. Joe Schlosser

Broadcasting & Cable SPECIAL REPORT

IN A FEW WEEKS, the major broadcast season. From rundowns of new and TV networks will announce their fall existing shows, to in -depth analysis of schedules and thousands of industry strategies, it's an essential tool for every- executives will scramble to analyze their one involved in the television business. competitors' lineups. AND, because it's a reference guide, our THE more than 37,000 key deci- ON MAY 2Sf11 Broadcasting & Cable circulation of will publish its 1998 -1999 Prime Time sionmakers will refer to Broadcasting & Preview, a convenient pull -out guide Cable's Prime Time !'review again and to the network prime time schedules. again. That means increased exposure Arranged in a colorful hour -by -hour, for your advertising message. Don't miss night -by -night format, Prime Time your opportunity to be a part of this NEW Preview gives you everything you need special issue. Contact your sales repre- to know about the fall network television sentative to reserve space today.

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112 May 41998 Broadcasting & Cable

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Voicing Dilbert expires in September 1999, although it was not clear how much Daniel Stern, previ- earlier. ously the voice of the adult Kevin Stone on tap Arnold in , Oliver Stone will produce an hour reality special for ABC will be the voice of Dilbert, in the fall. Called Declassified, the special will focus on UPN's new animated series Stone's interpretation of real -life events and unsolved scheduled for the 1998 -99 mysteries. It's unclear whether the special could result in TV season. The network said a series next season, an ABC official says. it plans to announce additional voice casting shortly. ABC loves Seinfeld' ABC has a full -page advertisement in this month's `Closer' closes early Emmy magazine in honor of Seinfeld's finale next CBS cut (from 13 to 10) the number of episodes it month on rival NBC. The ad says, "We'll miss you, ordered for this season for The Closer, starring Tom Jerry. The way George misses his dead ex- fiancée." Selleck. The move indicates that the series probably Accompanying the message is a picture of Jerry Sein- won't be picked up for tie next season. A spokesperson feld and the dates 1989 -1998. says that no decision has been made, adding that the network needed fewer episodes because The Closer Taking care of business has been preempted on May 11 by the second part of ABC Entertainment Executive Vice President for busi- the miniseries For Your Love and on May 18 by the ness affairs Mark Pedowitz has begun helping to oversee of . finance and administration and movie acquisitions for the network's entertainment division, ABC says. He is shar- The `Late Show' must go on ing the responsibilities with Jeff Bader, vice president of 's World Wide Pants will continue to programming planning and scheduling. Pedowitz will produce the Late Late Show for an unspecified period, continue to oversee all business affairs for ABC's prime desp to the early departure of . CBS offi- time, late -night and children's programming as well as cials say that Snyder will leave before his contract music licensing and publishing. -Michael Stroud

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Nearly two -thirds of dog bite victims are children, ranking it as the No.1 health risk for kids. Dog owners can face civil, and in some cases, criminal action because of dog attacks.

Send me the following dog bite prevention information: Name Ïitle J Press release /general information packet Media outlet J Interview subject contacts Address City State J Video b -roll, report from Insurance Information Institute ZIP Ph. x J Camera -ready print backgrounder Mail or fax to: Dog Bite Prevention /Public Affairs Department, State Farm Insurance Companies, One State Farm Plaza, Bloomington, IL State Fari Fire and Casuale umpams C State Farm General Insuram e (bmpam 61710 -0(01 fax: Home ( Mir .: Btoontingtort. IiLnnis 309/766-11811. Or, WU may send your request by e -mail Stale lam, LL,sds, Hume Onice: Dallas. Texas to h e.lohnson.GLD7C''StateFarm.com hllp: virs.stotemon., urn For additional help, call: 109- 766 -886.1 B

www.americanradiohistory.com PEOPLE'S CHOICE ARatingsrilr20 -26 ESTIMATED AT 98.0 MILLION HOUSEHOLDS: ONE RATINGS POINT =980.000 TV HOMES KEY: RANKING, SHOW [PROGRAM RATING/SHARE) TOP TEN SHOWS OF THE WEEK ARE NUMBERED IN RED TELEVISION UN VERSE RESEARCH. CBS RESEARCH GRAPHIC BY KENNETH RAY YELLOW TINT IS WINNER OF TIME SLOT (NR) =NOT RANKED; RATING /SHARE ESTIMATED FOR PERIOD SHOWN PREMIERE SOURCES: NIELSEN MEDIA 31Week obc 7.9/13 6.6/11 8.5/14 6.6/11 2.9/5 2.7/4 52. Cosby 7.2/13 60. Suddenly Susan 6.6/12 81. Damon 5.0/9 88.Love Boat: The 8:00 70. America's Funniest 877th Heaven 3.1/6 5.4/9 Next Wave 3.4/6 4 8:30 Home Videos 6.2/11 37. Ev Loves Raymd 8.0/13 64. Suddenly Susan 6.5/11 79. Getting Personal 99.Kelly, Kelly* 2.4/4 Z 9:00 68. The Closer 6.3/10 35. Caroline in /City 8.1/13 99.Unbelievable! Am 10.7/17 37. Ally McBeal 8.0/13 14.20/20 Widest Kids 2.4/4 108.AIright Alrdy 1.4/2 9:30 67. Murphy Brown 6.4/10 48. Just Shoot Me 7.3/11 10:00 58. The Practice 6.8/11 72 5.9/10 13. Dateline NBC 11.3/19 10:30 8.7/15 7.6/13 8.3/14 4.5/8 2.0/3 3.2/5 64 Mad About You 6.5/12 101. 2.3/4 94.Buf yNampire 8', 00 40 Home Imprvmt 7.9/15 >- 28. JAG 8.5/15 83. Fox Tuesday Night Slayer 2.9/5 31. Soul Man 8.3/14 64. For Your Love 6.5/11 102.CIueless 2.2/4 4 8:30 Movie-To Die For 104.Ma1 & Eddie 1.9/3 9:00 17. Home Imprvmt 10.4/17 68. Public Eye with Bryant 11. Frasier 11.4/19 4.5/8 88. Dawson's Creek Gumbel 6.3/10 104.Good News 1.9/3 3.4/5 p 9:30 28. Smthg So Right 8.5/14 40. Lateline 7.9/13 10:00 27 NYPD Blue 8.6/15 37.48 Hours 8.0/14 24. Dateline NBC 8.8/16 10:30 8.1/13 12.1/20 8.0/13 7.2/12 3.0/5 3.1/5 74. Mad About You 5.7/10 95.The Sentinel 98. Smart Guy 2.5/4 Q 8:00 54 Spin City 7.1/13 2.6/5 Guy 3.0/5 8:30 45. Dharma & Greg 7.4/12 45. Seinfeld 7.4/ 12 92.Smart 52. Party of Five 7.2/12 10.33rd Annual American 86. Wayans Bros 3.6/6 9:00 24. 8.8/14 88.: Country Music Awards 48. 3rd Rock fr/Sun 7.3/11 Voyager 3.4/5 91. Steve Harvey 3.3/5 9:30 48. Two Guys /Girl 7.3/11 12.1/20 10:00 23 PrimeTime Live 9.0/15 18. Law & Order 10.3/17 10:30 5.4/9 8.7/14 19.3/31 8.2/13 )- 8:00 5. Friends 15.3/27 44. World's Wildest Police 32. Promised Land 8.2/14 Videos 7.6/13 4 8:30 6. Just Shoot Me 15.2/25

9:00 79. Campbell's Soup 18. Diagnosis Murder 3. Seinfeld 20.8/32 24. World's Scariest Police Shootouts 8.8/13 9:30 Championship 5.4/9 10.3/16 4. Seinfeld 20.3/31 10:00 43.48 Hours 7.7/13 1. ER 22.1/36 10:30 8.5/16 7.4/14 7.7/14 4.7/9 8:00 71. Sabrina/Witch 6.1/13 60. Kids Say Damd 6.6/14 83. Beyond Belief: Fact or 60. Dateline NBC 6.6/14 Fiction 4.5/9 8:30 60. Boy Meets Wrld 6.6/13 58. 6.8/13 Q 0 9:00 35.Sabrina/Witch 8.1/15 32. Law & Order 8.2/15 82. Millennium 4.8/9 E 9:30 45. Boy Meets Wrld 7.4/13 42. Dallas: War of the 10:00 Ewings 7.8/14 32. Homicide: Life on the 11.4/20 11.20/20 8.2/15 10:30 Street 5.3/10 7.8/15 5.7/11 6.6/13 74. 5.7/12 )- 8:00 85. Am Fun'st Hm Vid 4.4/9 56. Dr. Quinn, Medicine Cops 8:30 Woman 6.9/14 56. Cops 6.9/14

9:00 77. Night at the 74. Ultimate Four Skating 55. AMW: America Fights Saturday 48. 7.3/14 5.7/11 Back 7.0/13 9:30 Movies -Indecent Proposal 5.5/10 10:00 22. Walker, Texas Ranger 10:30 9.1/17 8.4/13 13.4/21 15.6/25 8.0/13 2.3/4 ' 06. Nick Freno 1.8/3 7:00 72. Disney's Animal (nr) NBA Playoff -New 77. World's Funniest! 8.60 Minutes 13.3/24 5.5/10 ' 03. Parent'Hood 2.0/3 7:30 Kingdom 5.9/11 Jersey vs. Chic 8.6/18 95. Sister, Sister 2.6/4 8:00 7. Touched by an Angel 16. 10.5/17 Q 15. Dateline NBC 10.6/17 15.1/24 20. King of the Hill 9.6/15 92. Jamie Foxx 3.0/5 Z 8:30 21. ABC Sunday Night 95. Unhap Ev Af 2.6/4 9:00 a 28. The X -Files 8.5/12 Movie -Apollo 13 2. NBC Night Sunday 06. You're the 1 1.8/3 9:30 9.3/14 9.CBS Sunday Movie - Movie -Merlin, Part 1 Nicholas' Gift 12.6/19 10:00 21.7/32 10:30

WEEK AVG 7.5/13 9.3/16 10.7/18 6.6/11 2.7/4 2.7/5 3.1/5 SID AVG 8.4/14 9.7/16 10.1/17 7.1/12 2.8/4 114 May 4 1998 Broadcasting & Cable

www.americanradiohistory.com uroaacasrin Larry Douglas, principals); no other Seller. Dynamic Broadcasting Inc., Changing Hands broadcast interests Abilene (Adrian Lloyd Mynatt, presi- Facilities: Ch. 21, 1,054 kw visual, dent); owns KMPc(AM) Abilene The week's tabt:lation 105.4 kw aural, ant. 2.085 ft. Facilities: KORO: 100.7 mhz, 100 kw, of station sales Affiliation: Fox /UPN ant. 1.260 ft.: KBBA: 1560 khz, 500 w; Broker. Patrick Communications KEYJ: 107.9 mhz, 100 kw, ant. 670 ft. Proposed station trades Formats: KORO: AC: KBBA: Spanish: COMBOS By dollar volume and number of sales; KEYJ: . AOR not include does mergers or acquisitions WEAS -AM -FM Savannah, Ga. involving substantial nonstrtion assets WHGRIAMI- WUPSIFM) Houghton Price: $5.25 million THIS WEEK.' Lakes, Mich. Buyer. Cumulus Media LLC.. Milwau- TVs $105,250,000 2 Price: $2.111,287 kee (Richard Weening, chairman Combos $14,923,287 7 Buyer. John M. Salov, Jackson, Mich.; and Lew Dickey, vice chairman); is buying WJKN(AM) Jackson, Mich. FMs $4,938,400 4 /is 104 FMs 43 owns buying and AMs Seller. Melling Tool Company Inc.. AMs $3,190,200 4 Seller. Broadcasting Ocmulgee Co. Jackson, Mich. (Thomas C. Evanson, Total S128,301,887 17 Inc., St. Simons Island, Ga. (Edward principal); no other broadcast interests SO FAR IN 1998: Esserman, principal); has applied to Facilities: AM: 1290 khz, 4.9 kw; FM: TVs $2,658,927,000 33 FM in Forest Acres, S.C. build an 98.5 mhz. 100 kw. ant. 981 ft. 123 Facilities: AM: khz, 157 Combos $961,438,107 900 5 kw day, Formats: AM: nostalgia. easy listen- FMs $315,796,884 133 kw night; FM: 93.1 mhz, 100 kw. ant. ing, MOR: FM: AC 310 ft. AMs $237,680,6£2 77 Broker: R. Charles McLravy Total $4,173,842,733 _ 348 Formats: AM: sports, talk; FM: KSGI(AM)- KZEZIFM) St. George, Utah SAME PERIOD IN 1 397: Price: $1.5 million -Vs $2,031,918,000 40 KORQ -FM and KBBA(AM)- KEYIIFM) Buyer. Simmons Family Inc., Salt Lake Combos $4,191,135 ,695 116 Abilene, Tex. City (Row W. & Elizabeth E. Simmons FMs 51,020,907,588 141 Price: $5 million Charitable Unitrust, 63.8% owner, AMs S72,574,414 80 Buyer. Sunburst Media LP, Dallas H.H. Simmons, trustee); owns KDYI- (John Borders, general partner); (AM)/KSFI(FM), KXRK -FM and KRSP -FM Total $7,316,735,697 r 378 Sunburst and principals own /are , KDXU(AM) /KSNN -FM and Source: BROADCASTING & CABLE buying one TV, 29 FMs and 10 AMs LMA with KHWK -FM, all St. George, and TV KVLY -TV Fargo and KFYR -TV Bismarck, Business Briefs N.D., plus satellites KMOTITV) Minot, has filed with the SEC for an initial public offering KQCD -TV Dickinson and KUMV -TV Wil- to raise as much as $115 million to pay off debt from acquisitions totaling liston, all N.D. $121.1 million, according to the filing. Revenue for the company was $116.8 Price: $63.75 million million for its 99 stations, according to the company prospectus. Still, in the Buyer. Sunrise Television Corp., St. first quarter this year, the company's net loss more than doubled from the Petersburg, Fla. (Robert N. Smith, same period in 1997, jumping from $2.2 million to $5.1 million. Broadcast president; Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst cash flow for the first quarter was also up, from $3.2 million in the first quar- Inc., owner): through Sunrise and ter of 1997 to $6.2 million in the same period this year. Citadel is the third LIN Television, Hicks Muse owns /is major radio company to file an IPO since March, following in the footsteps of buying 28 TVs Capstar Broadcasting Partners LP and Cumulus Media LLC. Seller. Meyer Broadcasting Co., Bis- has run its -month televi- marck, N.D. (Judith Johnson, presi- Benedek Broadcasting Corp. out of time on six in The in December dent); owns KFYR(AM) Bismarck, N.D. sion waiver Madison, Wis. overlap arose Facilities: KvLY: ch. 11, 304 kw visual, 1995 with Benedek's $270 million purchase of eight TVs owned by Bris- 45.7 kw aural, ant. 2,000 ft.; KFYR: ch. sette Broadcasting Corp. Brissette's wMTv(Tv) Madison overlaps with 5. 100 kw visual, 13.5 kw aural, ant. Benedek's wIFR(Tv) Freeport/Rockford, III. The six -month waiver was to 1,400 ft.; KMOT: ch. 10, 214 kw visual, allow Benedek time to divest one of the stations. Benedek apparently 42.7 kw aural. ant. 680 ft.; KOCD: ch. needs more time. The company filed this week to put wMTv(Tv) in trust with 7, 316 kw visual, 31.6 kw aural, ant. Phil Jones as trustee. In this way, the company relinquishes actual own- 731 ft.; KuMV: ch. 8, 166 kw visual, ership until it can find a buyer for the station. 33.1 kw aural, ant. 1,060 ft. The FCC Wednesday denied DGH Co.'s application for a permanant Affiliation: All: NBC duopoly waiver for stations it is buying in Missoula and Butte, Mont. The Broker. Media Venture Partners group is buying the stations, KECI -Tv Missoula and KTvM(TV) Butte, from Inc. a KXRM -TV Colorado Springs/Pueblo, Eagle Communications Eagle operated both stations, as did previ- Colo. ous owner, without duopoly problems from the FCC. In fact, both stations Price: $41.5 million have been under common ownership since KTVM went on the air in 1970. Buyer: GOCOM Communications LLC, Still, the commission did grant DGH a conditional waiver pending review Charlotte, N.C. (Richard L. Gorman, of current ownership rules. The breakup of the 28 -year partners may be CEO; Bain Capital Inc., owner); owns/ an indication of just what those reviews may conclude. is buying ten TVs, three FMs and two Chancellor Media made it official Wednesday (April 29): Jeffrey Marcus AMs will start June 1 in his new position as president of the radio company. Seller. KXRM Partnership, Colorado Tom Hicks will stay on as chairman. -Sara Brown Springs (Bernard C. Ziegler III and

Broadcasting & Cable May ¿ 1998 115

www.americanradiohistory.com roadcasting KMGR(FM) Tooele, Utah; KAHK(FM) New Company: Results Radio LC, other broadcast interests Georgetown, Tex., and KZKL -AM -FM Fargo (Thomas Ingstad, Randy K. Facilities: 102.7 mhz, 100 kw, ant. and KEZF(FM) Albuquerque, KZKL-FM Holland, James D. Ingstad and 1,486 ft. Rio Rancho, KivA(AM) Corrales, KRZN Roger A. Sayler, principals): James Format: Country (FM) Santa Fe and KioT(FM) Los Lunas, Ingstad has sold his other radio sta- Broker: Norman Fischer & Assoc. all N.M., and KOMB(FM) Midvale, Utah tions to Cumulus Media LLC KOPEIFM) Medford, Ore. Seller: Legacy Communications Contributors: WDAY and KLTA: T J & Price: $500,000 for stock Corp., St. George, Utah (E. Morgan Broadcasting Inc., Fargo (Thomas Buyer. Jacor Communications Inc., Skinner Jr. and Lavon Randall, prin- Ingstad, president); KOWB- AM -FM: (Samuel Zell, chairman; cipals); owns KFMD(FM) , KNFC Ingstad Broadcasting Inc., Fargo , CEO; Zell /Chilmark (FM) Richfield, KNFL -AM -FM Tremonton (James D. Ingstad. president), and Fund LP. 30% owner; David H. and KGNT(FM) Logan, all Utah KPFX: Radio Ingstad of Iowa Inc., Crow!, president, Radio Division) ; Facilities: AM: 1450 khz, 1 kw; FM: Fargo (James D. Ingstad, president); owns one TV station; owns /is buying 99.7 mhz, 100 kw, ant. 2,033 ft. Ingstad has his James sold other 127 FMs and 66 AMs Formats: AM: news, talk, sports, radio stations to Cumulus Media LLC Sellers: Alan Corbeth, Art Bell and MOR; FM: adult standards Facilities: WDAY: 93.7 mhz. 100 kw, Foundation of Human Understanding Broken Kalil & Co. ant. 1,040 ft.; KLTA: 105.1 mhz, 100 (Roy Masters, principal), Central Point, kw, ant. 713 ft.; KOWB(AM): 1550 khz. KPOS -AM -FM Post, Tex. Ore.; no other broadcast interests 10 kw day, 5 kw night; KOwB -FM: 98.7 Price: $500,000 Facilities: 103.5 mhz, 100 kw, ant. mhz, 100 kw. 460 ft.; KPFX: Buyer. KXOJ Inc., Sapulpa, Okla. ant. 1,023 ft. 107.9 mhz, 100 kw, ant. 713 ft. (Michael P. Stephens, president/ Format: News, talk Formats: WDAY: AC; KLTA: AC; owner); Stephens owns KXOJ -AM -FM KOWB(AM): KOWB -FM: rock; KOLI(FM) Electra, Tex. Sapulpa, KEMX(FM) Locust Grove, sports; Price: $238,400 KMMY(FM) Muskogee and KTFR(FM) KPFX: Classic rock Buyer. Cumulus Media LLC., Milwau- Claremore, all Okla., and KEOJ(FM) RADIO: FM kee (Richard Weening, chairman and Caney and KTLI(FM) El Dorado, Kan. WAILIFM) and WEOW(FM) Key West, Lew Dickey, vice chairman); owns /is Seller: James G. Boles, Post, Tex. Fla. buying 104 FMs and 43 AMs Facilities: AM: 1370 khz, 1 kw; FM: Price: $2.6 million Seller: High I -C) Radio Inc., Brunswick, 107.3 mhz, 50 kw, ant. 334 ft. Ga. (Larry D. Hickerson, president); Formats: Both: country Buyer. Clear Channel Communica- tions Inc., , Tex. (L. Low- no other broadcast interests WPKYIAMI- WAVJIFM) Princeton, Ky. ry Mays, president) ; owns /is buying Facilities: 94.9 mhz, 50 kw, ant. 150 m. Price: $362,000 135 FMs, 80 AMs and 11 TVs Format: Dark Buyer. Commonwealth Broadcasting Seller: Spectrum Radio Inc., Key Broker: Norman Fischer & Assoc. Corp., Glasgow, Ky. (Brereton C. West, Fla. (Peter Arnow, president); RADIO: AM Jones, president); owns/is buying six has an LMA with WKWF(AM) Key West AMs and nine FMs, all in Ky. Facilities: WAIL: 99.5 mhz, 100 kw, KYCRIAMI Golden Valley/, Seller: Dart Inc., Princeton, Ky. (David ant. 991 ft.; wEOw: 92.5 mhz, 100 Minn. and KTEKIAM) Alvin/, Glass, president); no other broadcast kw, ant. 600 ft. Tex. interests Formats: WAIL: classic rock; wEOw: Price: $2.7 million Facilities: AM: 1580 khz, 250 w; FM: contemporary hit radio, top 40 Buyer. Salem Communications Corp., 104.9 mhz, 3 kw, ant. 187 ft. Camarillo, Calif. (co- owners/brothers - KFQX -FM Merkel, Tex. Formats: Both: country, news, talk in -law Edward G. Atsinger III [presi- Price: $1.6 million Broken Henson Media Inc. dent]. Stuart W. Epperson [chairman]); Buyer. Cumulus Media LLC., Milwau- owns /is buying 14 FMs and 28 AMs WDAY-FM Fargo, N.D. and KLTA(FM) kee (Richard Weening, chairman and Seller. Children's Broadcasting Corp., Breckenridge, Minn.; KQWB -AM -FM Lew Dickey, vice chairman); owns /is Minneapolis (Christopher T. Dahl, Moorehead, Minn., and KPFX(FM) buying 104 FMs and 43 AMs president/9.4% owner); is selling 13 Seller: Esprit Fargo, N.D. Communication Corp., AMs Value: $200,000 merger Austin, Tex. (R.G. Call, principal); no Facilities: KYCR: 1570 khz, 2.5 kw day, 237 w night; KTEK: 1110 khz, 2.5 kw Cumulus Broadcasting, Inc. Formats: Both: children's Broker: Questcom Media Brokerage has acquired Inc. (buyer); Star Media Group (sell- KARX FM er) Amarillo (Claude), TX 64% of WAVGIAM) Jeffersonville, Ind. from West Jewell Management, Inc. Errata We are pleased to have represented the KccF(AM) Cave Creek, Ariz., which was bought for $4.6 million by seller in this transaction. Broadcast Development LLC of Phoenix, is not dark, as reported in "Changing Hands" April 13. It operates 24 hours with a format of Media Brokers ApprAppraisers Consultants good music. Philadelphia Denver Tampa Bay Kansas City St. Louis Portland

116 May 4 1998 Broadcasting & Cable

www.americanradiohistory.com roadcastin Price: $195,200 Buyers: John L. Murray Jr., Kenneth Buyer. Northlands Communications Buyer. Sunnyside Communications R. Duke, Billy R. Bouldin and Donald Inc., Prudenville, Mich. (John Salov, Inc., Jeffersonville, Ind. (Blair Trask, R. Hershman, Manchester, Tenn.; president); is buying WHGR(AM) /WUPS president); owns wzze(M 1) /woKc -FM no other broadcast interests (FM) Houghton Lake, Mich. Seymour, Ind. Seller. Coffee County Broadcasting Seller. Jackson Radio Partners Inc., Sellers: Corum Enterprises Inc., Jeffer- Inc., McMinnville, Tenn. (Thorold D., Jackson (John Salov, president; sonville, Ind. (Robert W. Lanum, pres- Notie A. and Mitzi D. Ramsey, own- Richard Karasek, Thomas Evanson, ident); no other broadcast interests ers); no other broadcast interests Kelly Fuels, Melling Tool Co. Inc., Facilities: 1450 khz, 1 kw Facilities: 1320 khz, 5 kw day, 79 w selling shareholders); no other Format: The new music of your life, night broadcast interests pop standards Format: Country, religion, news, talk Facilities: 1510 khz, 5.4 kw WMSR(AM) Manchester, Tenn. WJKNIAM) Jackson, Mich. Format: C &W, news Price: $170.000 Value: $125.000 (merger) -Compiled by Sara Brown

Radio beats N during day http: //www.broadcastingcabte.com Interep usage study finds wide variety ()Pistoling paitc-ulls LPFM fan

UPN have pockets of strength in the FAA i uk: Your editorial opposing low - Radio Pacific and the Northeast). powered broadcasting is off-base. By John Merli Ranked by . the top three Although I agree that low -power overall in all regions except the North- AM is probably not a good idea. A(though 77% of American adults east are news /talk. AC and country considering the interference issues I isten to radio on an average (although they vary in order from region already being dealt with on that weekday, regions of the country to region). Meanwhile. in the Northeast. band. I do feel that LPFM could he vary widely in listening patterns. CHR has overtaken country in the top implemented without causing inter- Nationally, adult daily radio listening three formats. The study also finds ference to existing stations. Under beats daily television viewing by 5 %r. pockets of heavy radio users in some two of the proposals received by A new Interep Research study of re- regions -particularly the Northeast. the FCC (one from Rodger Skin- gional usage for all media finds that the West Central and East Central regions. ner. the other from the Community highest daily listening occurs in the By indexing. the top format in the Radio Coalition, of which I am a West Central (over 80 %) and North- Southwest and Pacific is Spanish radio: member). LPFM stations would east regions (nearly 80% ). while the all -news is the top format in the North- comply with the same interference lowest percentages come in the South- east: Southern gospel is the leader for protection standards for co- and east (under 73 %) and the Southwest the Southeast: classic rock is first in adjacent channels as do full -pow- (slightly over 73%). East Central. and full service is tops in ered stations. The same general high -and -low pat- West Central. Aside from that. I can't help but tern by regions holds for both daily Indexing is a measure of the percent- wonder which of the large radio television and newspapers. although age of listeners in each region who lis- groups is going to be willing to sell the usage percentages are lower. Tele- ten to a format. compared with the per- some of its stations to the "disen- vision's daily reach ranges from just centage in the entire country listening franchised" at prices that some of over '73% in the West Central region to to the same fonmat. Thus. with 22.6% these folks might actually he able just over 69% in the Southwest. while of all adults nationwide listening to to afford? I think we all know the newspapers come in under 60% for a country, but with a higher 27.1% lis- answer to this question. and any high (in the Northeast) to less than 50% tening in the Southeast, this region has honest observer will acknowledge in the Southwest. (And although the a 120 index: Listeners in the Southeast that the feeding frenzy in station Big Four commercial TV networks are are 20 %r more likely to listen to country sales triggered by the so- called stable across all regions. The WB and than the average listener nationwide. Telecommunications Reform Act of 1996 has driven up the purchase prices dramatically for all but the Arbitron snafu delayed winter numbers most marginal stations. A recert "isolated scftware malfunction" in its diary scanning system So, realistically. the new oppor- 4 prompted Arbitron to 'eprocess and to release adjusted winter '98 survey tunities will have to come about numbers for three major major markets, including New York. Delivery of through innovations such as the winter '98 survey rumbers were delayed two business days, until April LPFM. And. frankly. I think there 23. The software gliten affected 55 diaries in New York, 24 in Los Ange- are folks out there who could make les, 17 in Chicago anc 23 in Nassau -Suffolk (N.Y.). good use of a I00 watt or 250 watt Arbitron discoverec the problem while examining results of its in -tab low- powered frequency. develop diaries in a routine check during postsurvey analyses. Arbitron said the innovative programming and software problem has been corrected. For New York, Los Angeles and maybe even make a nice profit. Chicago, less than one -half of 1% of all diaries used for the Arbitrends Why not let them try'.'-Thomas software service were accidentally excluded. -John Merli Desmond. Planr,, Te.r.

Broadcasting & Cable May 41998 117

www.americanradiohistory.com much less complex, consists of a two - channel MPEG -2 4:2:2 recorder with New York 1 buys about three hours of storage. "What need is to be able to instantly replay news, like sports replays," says Polikoff. "For example, if the mayor's ASC, Vibrint servers doing a press conference and we want to be able to turn it around really quick- Cable news operation moves to disk -based playback ly without going into the editing room and [getting] bites. By Glen Dickson "Basically, it's a piece of software [Vibrint's Program Two years after commit - Feed application] that drives ting to the DVCPRO an MPEG recorder," he digital tape format for adds. "It's a two -channel acquisition and editing. New system, one record and one York I News has purchased playback, whereby I can video server systems from mark in points on the fly and ASC Audio Video and Vib- out points on the fly, clean it rint Technologies to migrate up and edit it, and put it back its program playback from to air without leaving my tape to disk. seat in the control room." The Time Warner 24- Between the ASC and Vib- hour cable news channel has rint servers and its existing spent more than $700,000 DVCPRO tape decks, New on a playback system that A look at York 1's plant now encom- uses VR300 servers from ASC's NEWSF1ash passes three different com- ASC, a subsidiary of Leitch editing system pression schemes: M -JPEG, Technology, to interface to MPEG -2 and DV. Polikoff previously installed StarDrive automa- replace a Sony LMS cart machine, was admits that he wanted one compression tion software from NewsMaker Sys- due for delivery late last week and is format straight through the plant. "But tems (B &C, Nov. 4, 1996). New York I scheduled for operation by July 1. no one had an answer right now in the also has spent some $30,000 on Vib- "We'll be using the NewsMaker Star - time constraint we had, which was to be rint's MPression MPEG -2 4:2:2 pro- Drive as end to control all inser- online by July 1." duction video server, which it is using tion, while the ASC does the playback." He says that Panasonic's DVCPRO to do quick turnarounds, or "instant says Jeff Polikoff, director of operations server solutions were interesting but replays," of breaking news. and engineering for New York I. were more expensive than the ASC New York I relied on Time Warner's While New York I will still be doing server and wouldn't be available until previous experience with servers at its tape -to -tape editing with its DVCPRO the fall. Pluto and Avid's DV- native news operations in Orlando, Fla.; decks, all material will be dubbed over servers and editors also won't be ready Tampa, Fla., and Rochester, N.Y., (in baseband format) from the edit suites until the fall, and Polikoff says he ruled before designing its news playback sys- to the ASC server for playback. "Once a out servers from Silicon Graphics and tem, which uses ASC's NEWSFIash story is completed, the cut package will Quantel because they required serial digital news editing system and a 16- be digitized along with the Chyron 601 digital inputs from New York l's channel VR300 server with 90 giga- information to the server, where it gets a analog plant. "That's a major cost infu- bytes (over 30 hours) of M -JPEG com- file name and a slug," says Polikoff. sion, to put an A -to -D converter on pressed storage. The system, which will B -roll material also will be digitized every channel," he says.

to the ASC unit. New York 1 can then Considering that New York I may use the NEWSFIash editing application be moving to a new plant in a few o Bro . asting (which enables desktop browsing of all years, Polikoff has decided to take the ONLIN 8ablé material stored on the VR300) to recut "slow road to change" and work within server. framework. "Would Keep pace with the latest industry clips that reside on the The ASC his existing analog ?" he technology. Visit our website at servers also will handle all commercial I have liked to go 601 and DV www.broadcastingcable.com playback for New York I. says. "Yes. But I had a budget that was The Vibrint Technologies system, made up two years ago."

118 May 4 1998 Broadcasting 8 Cable

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www.americanradiohistory.com Technology Stop in the name of cable Monitor hardwarelsoftware package targets theft prevention in the field By Glen Dickson began experimenting with anti -theft their daily routine, they're constantly technology in 1995, while he was work- checking for illegal taps," says Higgins. Frontline Solutions, formerly ing as director of new business develop- In the first year of the ARM effort, known as The Backdoor Group, ment for Time Warner Cable of Milwau- Time Warner Cable of will be officially introducing itself kee. He developed a system, then called identified 40,000 unauthorized connec- and its cable -theft solution at the ARM (Automated Audit Routing and tions; 20,000 have been converted into NCTA show in Atlanta today (May 4). Resolution Method), that used hand -held paying subscribers, says the system's However, the company already has computers to track unauthorized connec- president, Tom Sharrard, generating a installed its Monitor tap -auditing soft- tions to cable taps (B &C, Dec. II, 1995). revenue stream of $7 million per year. ware and hardware in 14 MSO divi- The hand -held units were used by Buoyed by ARM's success, Higgins sions nationwide, including divisions field personnel to gather information left Time Warner to found the private- of Time Warner, TCI and Intermedia. on connections in the field; those ly held Backdoor Group, using the It is providing current customers with inputs were then translated into bar technology he had developed and $13.2 million in recurring annual rev- code data that could be checked against rebranding it as Monitor. The compa- enue generated from new subscribers, a central subscriber database to identi- ny, now Frontline Solutions, has some says Frontline CEO Ken Higgins. fy illegal users. SO employees, 20 of whom are soft- Higgins, a 30 -year cable veteran, "As the field personnel go through ware programmers.

broadcasters looking to ers; one BR -D40 dock - begin digital service able recorder, and one (B &C, April 8). According BR -D85 edit recorder to Lucent, new customers with pre -read. for the FlexiCoder include Broadcast Fox O &O KDFW -TV Dallas Group, Tampa, Fla., is By Glen Dickson showing compatibility into and PBS affiliate KITS -TV buying Hewlett- Packard either system," says Seattle, both of which Scientific -Atlanta has MediaStream MPEG -2 Kosac. "This will show have ordered full -bore made sales of its Power - disk recorders for on -air customers who want to HDTV systems capable Vu MPEG -2 digital com- operations at all of its sta- use PowerVu that it of 1080 I, 720 P, 480 P pression system to A &E tions. Each of Media doesn't prevent them and 480 I encoding, and and Lifetime (which will General's 14 stations will from getting into a digital USA Broadcasting's use it for new digital install a system consist- tier that uses GI set - WHSH -TV Boston, which is channels) and TNT, ing of two HP disk tops." buying a two- channel which will use it to launch recorders to handle on -air SDTV system. a West Coast digital feed. commercial insertion. The With the new sales, Sci- WRAZ(TV), MediaStream recorders entific- Atlanta PowerVu Capitol Broad- will be networked togeth- gear will now be distribut- casting's soon - er via Fibre Channel. ing MPEG -2 satellite to-be Fox affili- Some of the stations will feeds to more than 6,000 ate in Raleigh - broadcast a single- output IRDs deployed at cable Durham, N.C., channel from the headends throughout the has picked recorder, while others will U.S., says Paul Kosac, JVC's Digital - use multichannel playout. vice president of sales for S as its prima- Additional storage S -A's ry tape format, requirements will be met network division. At the with an initial by connecting the disk NCTA convention in buy worth recorders to "near -line" Atlanta, S -A also will be more than archives from Stor- demonstrating the trans- $250,000. ageTek. All of the instal- mission of PowerVu Harris and Lucent have sold their WRAZ has pur- lations will use automa- feeds into cable plants FlexiCoder to three more stations. chased more tion software from Flori- using both S -A and Gen- than 26 pieces Cal Systems. WSAV -TV, eral Instrument set -tops; Harris Broadcast and of 4:2:2, 50 Mb /s Digital - Savannah, Ga., is the S -A has developed an Lucent Technologies S gear, including 15 BR- first station to install the interface to the General are continuing to rack up D80 edit recorders; seven system, with the rest due Instrument head -end sales of their FlexiCoder BR -D350 players; two for completion by the end equipment. "We'll be HDTV /SDTV encoder to BR -D51 VHS feeder play- of the summer.

120 May 4 1998 Broadcasting & Cable

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122 May 4 1998 Broadcasting & Cable

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Te MEDIA THE CONVERGENCEerne OF TELEVISION, RADIO AND NEWa Ready for Online Players? NBC gets `Net boost from 'Saturday Night' comedy archive

El R-444 T "It begged for that kind of On the SNL AV.S SpFFN ltilMO :YII COOM iNq Saturday Night Live be- treatment," says Shawn Hardin, Online site, comes a showcase for vice president and executive Happy Fun technologies producer for NBC Digital Pro- Pages provide when SNL Online debuts this ductions, of the SNL series. activities based week. "Those skits and bits from years on various SNL The site opens with excerpts gone by are some of the most bits. including of the previous week's show, compelling of any show and the Spartan not with live broadcasts. The make for great online comedy." Cheer -o -Matic real multimedia bonus of the A version of Saturday Night and the Gibber- Website is its screening room, Live for WebTV broadcasts ish Guy, as well which offers hundreds of skits from NBC Digital Productions as an SNL Host Saturda Night Live fans can find an from SNL since it went on the debuts Saturday (May 9) with a Warrior game in extensiva clip archive on SNL Online. air in October 1975. The open- games section that features a which the player ing of the first show, featuring Weekend Update challenge: to must overcome eight floors of nology comes from InterVu. John Belushi as a non English match the anchors with their obstacles to reach the SNL stu- Backstage photo shoots speaker learning the language, respective sign -off lines. dio in time to deliver the "Live will depict behind- the -scenes is accessible. Belushi's rabid Another WebTV amuse- from New York ..." opener. The action leading to each week's samurai character can be ment-viewers equipped with interactive content is co -pro- episode. Another arca pro- streamed on the site, along the WebTV box can print duced by NBC Digital and vides background information with The Coneheads and the coupons for the fake sponsors Broadway Interactive Group, a about the current SNL players often -acerbic Weekend Update frequently featured as intersti- unit of SNL TV producer Broad- and their signature characters. newscasts. tial segments. way Video, Inc. Streaming tech- A Coffee Talk section, which permits PC users to talk to each other about SNL. fea- Surfing for Baywatch watch to access background tures an official show bulletin Microsoft's WebTV will try to get a about the show's characters, hoard, with upcoming chat bump in user interest with intr- view a sneak preview of a "Bay - ,cssions posted in advance. eractive links in Baywatch's last watch red" swimsuit spread in The idea here is similar to three episodes this season. Inside Sports or order "col- the one that NBC Digital pur- The international cult series that lectible" Baywatch home videos. sued in creating the Homicide airs in 140 countries will feature The Baywatch season finale Website. In that case NBC more than 20 interactive TV is a three -parter climaxing with Digital produced parallel plot - Crossover Links for WebTV Plus sub- wedding bells for the characters lines online with a second shift scribers or Windows 98 beta users played by David Hasselhof and of detectives who eventually to during The Gena Lee Nolin. And the WebiV interacted with their colleagues access each episode. Links to Baywatch s Website last three Baywatch episodes, start- and related sites will give links also provide access to a in the on -air production. ing May 3 represent the initial data Web TV and Windows 98 users wedding album on the Baywatch On Saturday night. NBC broadcasts of Microsoft's WebTV for special features. Weosite (www.baywatchtv.com). aired the first episode of a two- Windows application in Windows 98. WeiTV Plus and Windows 98 part Profiler featuring a game High -end PC users equipped with $200 tuner cards affords PC users access to Website content adapted to created by one of the show's can receive the same sort of enhanced broadcasts the WebTV format, viewed with its picture -in- picture characters that viewers can viewed by WebTV Plus users. Those users can respond technology. enabling users to see Web content in a actually play on the Profiler to transparent icons appearing on screen during Bay- window on screen during telecasts.- Richard Tedesco site at NBC.com. As it contin- ues to seek commercial angles

124 May 4 1998 Broadcasting & Cable

www.americanradiohistory.com Thlemedla

in its online activites. NBC is @Home turns on Heat putting a Profiler fan club I Banking on the compelling mayhem of games like Quake 2 and Total Anni- online, with T- shirts, cast pho- w.o.% t I no 1 ^- I ,m- hilation to draw PC game addicts, @Home is creating a multi -player service w tos and a bimonthly newsletter in a pact with SegaSoft Networks through Heat.Net. included for the $15 annual But while the accepted model in the nascent gaming space online is to subscription fee. offer games for free and charge for some form of premium access, @Home Launch of the SNL Online will run tournaments with registration fees for the entrants. site comes on the heels of Multi- player competition will be even more attractive to garners with the NBC's introduction of lower latency of 50 to 60 milliseconds compared to typical Internet latency rates VideoSeeker.com, a repository of 150 -160 milliseconds. That will enable the fluid action required to render of clips from network shows sports and combat games that have been difficult to deliver online. @Home/Heat.Net players will also be able to and other sources. TM download games at much faster rates than with Internet dial -up services. Games that call for role -playing, such as Myst, are expected to be part of the mix. Having essentially tapped the early adoptor demographic in its respective market, @Home is seeking other WaveTop breaks in strategies to drive penetration. Game -playing is a proven draw on the Internet, where a diverse audience of top 50 markets garners figures to fork over $40 or more monthly for the oneupmanship of improved game play alone. A user WavePhore began delivering is with an acute interest in a particular application is less likely to turn off the service. WaveTop broadcast data ser- "There's a core group of people who are just rabid game fans," says John Garner, manager of media devel- vice to an initial audience of opment for @Home. "You've got to pick off each one of your markets, give each constituency what it wants." 2,C00 users as it Iauncred last The constituency here is made up of well- educated, high- income males in their late '20s and early '30s. PC week in the top 50 U.S. N me-- garners skew older than the set, and @Home already knows that 44% of its subscribers are inter- kets. ested in playing games online. "It's a real good fit," Garner says. The advertiser -supported @Home tipped its plans for the gaming space last month when it unveiled a technology pact with Arepa Inc. service has an eye of the 2 mil- to use that firm's broadband Internet software platform (see Telemedia, 4/27/98). lion or so broadcast PCs In addition to fees for tournament play, @Home could download some games for transactional fees over a period expected to be in consumer of a day or so, or sell themed software packages to families of subscribers for a monthly charge.- Richard Tedesco households by the end if the year. But WavePhore declines to project what its user jase will be in the new: year, accord- RealNetworks ing to Sandy Golcman. Wave - goes Top senior vice president and general manager the service has dray*r sup- upstream port from 17 charter advertis- Latest -generation ers- Kellogg's and Smith Bar- technology varies connection speeds, enhanced integration ney among them -which can T(444,4 to program differently." broadcast 30- second spots via g R:Asc Fox News Online unveiled a the service. The service come_ new feature for IlNetworks is looking to advance its online to PC users through the vertical users last week, dubbed Build Your mline multimedia production to the next bla'king interval of PBS sta- Own Newscast. PC users can now click on Icvel with RealSystem G2, its latest gen- video pieces of interest on the Fox News Web - tions in each market . R eration- after purchasirg an 535 tuner streaming technology featuring vari- site and, using RealNetworks technology, able connection speeds cart PC users can access con - and enhanced integra- effectively compose their own newscasts. Fox ten: from USA Today, Time Inc. tion capabilities. is looking to incorporate more innovative fea- New Media, The Wall Street RealNetworks demonstrated the new technolo- tures with the new G2 technology. Journal interactive edition. CBS gy at its own conference last week. Prime A public beta release of content composed SportsLine. PBS Online, -te enhancements are a SmartStream feature with RealSystem G2 will appear sometime this Weather Channel, N2K's Music enabling PC users to access multimedia content at summer. A new multimedia player, supplant- Boulevard. United Press Syndi- variable connection speeds and a Synchronized ing RealPlayer 5.0, will be released in the same cate. Barnes and Nob e.com and Multimedia Integration Language that enables time frame. others. Content is aggregated in more sophisticated integration of text with video. Online entertainment programmers support- six °channels." including one fer An enchanced music Codec upgrades the audio ing the RealSystem G2 release include Sonic - stock quotes that can be set to quality, and postfiltering improves the video. Net, , Warner Bros. Online, Rolling receive updates every 15 min - Broadcast companies supporting the new gen- Stone Network, HistoryChannel.com, Biogra- utes. USA Today provides news eration of Real Networks technology include phy.com, JAMTV, MCA Records, Capitol upcates on WaveTop's opening] ABCNews.com, A &E Network, AudioNet, Dis- Records, Alternative Entertainment Network page. covery Channel, Capitol Broadcasting Co., CBS and Qradio, the recently announced initiative of WaveTop will be inc uded i SportsLine, CNN Interactive, Fox News Online Quincy Jones and American Broadband Produc- Windows 98. Users need a and Pacifica Network News. tions to provide South African musicians Pentium machine with 3 mini- and "The real difference in the RealSystem G2 mum of 133 mhz and 16 Mb to other third -world artists an international plat- from RealNetworks is it receive the service, which pro- that allows you more form for exposure. duces 170 megaoytes of con- flexibility," says Scott Ehrlich, senior vice RealNetworks currently claims 85% of all ten: daily. -Richard Tedesco president and executive producer, News World Wide Websites as its customers, with 43 America Digital Publishing. "You're starting million RealPlayers downloaded to date. rM Broadcasting & Cable May 4 1998 125

www.americanradiohistory.com Telemeda Nothing more than feelings My -CD enables a personal record g7 kzel.m.l Taeta Leeslas lists /r209 212 78 37/CD/MYCD erp'ewtou.www my-cd corn iviy- CD-the personalized CD publishing service that lets A Where Nov? i C? OeetinLvr I Net Smirch I People I Sahwee PC users lay down a track and slap their pictures on the I disc cover -debuted last week. The service may present a low -cost way of giving new artists broad exposure. Y ake a My -CD is backed by Bandai Holdings and independent record labels, although the extent of Bandai's financial involve CD CUSTOM MusICCD r .n , ari., fiii,, lehr ars link, ;II r , ,rr m,hti hrtP rentact us customer ser ice ment was not disclosed. Along with Alligator Records, Ameri- can Bar None, Warlock and others, My -CD QUICK SLOUCH Gramophone, Welcome to MY -CD... easy expects to strike deals with at least two major record labels. Oops- You Peeked' Were still not dressed steps "We're going to work with the majors on new artists. What yet aid we havent done hair and nuke up =I se EnU:1 C,CII r.wbU. urlio w. god but - ciron in' Have fun sign m (cause it's to mows, cwt., 'sue c. have they got to lose ?" says Edward Bennett, the former VH1 easy. free and the first 1.000 get a cool gift). and executive who is one of My -CD's top executives. get a speed gift for (5/101981 and get beck here soon each day. More music. more OrMother's Dal What Bennett, ex ABC veteran Denise Shapiro and MIT an more personalrzaon. more bells and Media Lab alumnus Tyler Pepper are pitching to the labels is a whistles' Like Austin Powers would say ruooey Baby relatively inexpensive way to expose new artists and tap into l' the nascent revenue stream for customized CD compilations. IAouher's Day is breathing down your neck and you Selecta-Mood need something to appease the goddess... we hear N2K Music Boulevard and other online music marketers have your pain and offer up some puck gift relief Check of preselected. canlmss compilation and make a been pursuing a similar strategy in selling music online. our personalized music CO in under 3 mnutes. In the case of My -CD, PC users who select tracks for custom Feeling good/ Feeling Bad', We here at compilations can personalize them with their own downloaded MY.C) have the musc for your every rood. Make a Gift! Fmom Pmozac Nation to Sensuel Healing cover photos or record their own intros to tracks. The holidays have a tendency to sneak upon you. Wt welt gal you covered in c1 a I, help you avoid the rush. click here for some tradeona Bennett has long -term visions of building a service with vari- (and notsoaradeoneq ¡at suggestions for oldays. specs: occasions and everyday hfk. ations on the customized CD theme: Imagine, for example, a From Our Vault new Madonna CD personalized for online promotion with an Step orb our vast music library and explore Have a Web ore, affiliate interview and a new . "You can open up a window thousands of unque. wide-ranging hures Wamse Make Some Money, PROGRAM acme a8 genres. Ow editors serve up the on a unique opportunity," says Bennett. best of Rock 481:Z. word end non. But the initial reality for MY -CD is a market defined by new musical artists who are not widely promoted in other media. "In MYCD MAKI R Tracks on your custom CD will be added here the short-term," Bennett observes, "I'm not going to get the Spice Girls." PC users can order customized CDs with tracks is working a Beyond My -CD, Bennett on DVD -based online they record on the My -CD site. service to be marketed in Japan with an unidentified partner. iM

NetChannel leaves 'Net before the millennium. AOL has been make available a suite of products over helping to fund NetChannel with an infusion RCN's fiber -optic network by the end of this TV field to WebTV of $5 million since November. The purchase year. NetChannel, Inc., the nascent competitor to price would reportedly be in the $20 million The Princeton, N.J.based telecommuni- Microsoft's WebTV in the nascent Internet TV range. cations provider is in the process of entering market, was set to close operations last NetChannel was way behind WebTV in the markets in the corridor from Boston to weekend as talks for a buyout by America early returns for the Internet TV market, with Washington. -Richard Tedesco Online reportedly continued. WebTV currently claiming 300,000 cus- NetChannel was expected to notify its tomers for its two kinds of service. 10,000 customers of its plans to discontinue service within days. Philip Monego, NetChannel president, was unavailable to Making a bundle comment on press reports about his firm's in Queens imminent demise. AOL executives were RCN Corp. is preparing to launch its bundled unavailable to comment on discussions telephone, cable and Internet service in The big news on the Internet is between AOL and NetChannel. Queens, N.Y., in the process doubling its Broadcasting & Cable Online. The limited market for Internet TV is the service territory in the New York City area. With 24 -hour access to over 30 major reason for NetChannel's difficulties. Following the pattern it set in , "There's no profitable model in the alterna- where it provides the package to about sections of the latest industry news, tive device space," says Gregory Wester, 80,000 customers, RCN first will offer all - www.broadcastingcable.com is an senior analyst for the Yankee Group, who distance phone and Internet services to address you'll want to bookmark. adds that the sector won't be profitable some 800,000 households in Queens, then

126 May 4 1998 Broadcasting & Cable

www.americanradiohistory.com HELP WANTED NEWS RADIO Director of Operations, World's Fastest Growing Host /Operations Assistant. An TV Market. We are looking for an executive HELP WANTED MANAGEMENT exciting and challenging opportunity exists with the experienced in all aspects of broadcast operations largest privately owned public in the to help build a new national TV network in the Russian General Manager. Growth minded upper country. WVXU and the eight- station X -Star Radio Federation. In addition to the challenge of , midwest Radio group seeks General Manager. a Network is a growth- oriented, can -do operation. this position offers excellent compensation and We're looking for an aggressive. self starting in- Located in Cincinnati, Ohio, WVXU 91.7 FM has benefits. Please e-mail complete information on dividual to manage AM /FM in very attractive Wis- won nearly every major international, national. yourself to hashley @actiii.com or fax to Russian TV consin vacation market. Prior SM or GM experi- state. and local broadcasting award, including the at 310 -553 -3928. ence is a plus. EOE M /F. Reply with resume to George Foster Peabody Award. The successful Box 01370 EOE. candidate will be self- motivated, goals- oriented. a team player with experience in a Top 50 market. A HELP WANTED MANAGEMENT HELP WANTED SALES bachelor's degree in broadcasting, broadcast jour nalism, communication arts, or a related field, and a minimum of 3 -5 years on -air radio experience are required. The person in this position should under- TV GSM'S & LSM'S stand the operation of a radio news department, possess an excellent on -air voice, possess the Excellent Opportunity- Midwest ability to produce long and short form news stories, GSM for Group owned Net Affiliate and demonstrate a proven track record of produc- STo 70K Base/plus commensurate bonus ing strong ratings for time blocks while on -air. Pref- Hard work, dedication and good judgement erence will be given to candidates with back- Unlimited potential in this grounds in both public and commercial radio. Must 25 station group. possess basic computer competency, preferably in a Microsoft Office /Lotus Windows environment, as well as proficiency in a variety of digital technolo- gies. Responsibilities include: hosting Morning Edi- DBI MEDIA tion; preparing and long form producing short and Executive & Support Staffing Services news stories; and serving as a board operator for A Division of Diane early. Inc designated shifts. The Morning Edition Host/Oper- ations Assistant reports to the Director for Network Contact: Lee Rudnick Fax: 212 -338 -0632 Operations. This position offers an exciting oppor- Call: 212 338 -0808 Ext 5 birschbach media tunity for growth and advancement within one of public radio's largest and fastest growing organiza- DBI Media 342 Madison Ave., Suite 558 sales recruitment tions. Women and minority candidates are encour- New York, New York 10173 aged to apply. Salary is competitive and commen- 303 - 368 -5900 surate with experience. VXU offers an excellent benefits package that includes tuition remission benefits for employees, spouses, and dependents. GOCOM Communications has announced its To apply, submit a cover letter, resume, refer- plans to purchase KXRM -TV, the FOX affiliate ences, and sample on -air and production tapes HELP WANTED FUND RAISING in Colorado Springs, CO. The existing GM postmarked by May 18, 1998 to: Ms. Kathy Riga, and GSM are owners and will not be staying. Development Director. KUNR -FM, Public Xavier University, Personnel Services, 3800 Victo- We're looking for proven Radio for Northern Nevada and Northeastern ry Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 45207 -4641. EO /AAE. leaders to take FOX California, seeks a Development Director to take 21 to its next level in one of the best markets the station's fund raising operation to the next SITUATIONS WANTED MANAGEMENT in the country. Tell us why you're the onel level. This full -time position is responsible for Rush information to: GOCOM Communica- managing and implementing the station's devel- Problems with ASCAP, BMI, SESAC? Fees too tions, 7621 Little Avenue, Suite 506, Char- opment activities. This position is also responsi- high, annual financial reports, audit claims? Call lotte, NC 28226. EOE. ble for raising funds from listeners, corporations Bob Warner today! 609 -395 -7110. Fax 609 -395- and foundations through individual solicitation, pro- 7112. posal writing, direct mail campaigns, on -air pledge drives, and special events. The suc- SITUATIONS WANTED ANNOUNCER Manager, Employee Television Network. First cessful candidate must have a bachelor's degree Union Corporation, headquartered in Charlotte. in applicable field: three years experience in Play -by- Play... Experienced, knowledgeable and NC has an opportunity within the Corporate fundraising, marketing, and public relations for enthusiastic play -by -play voice seeks a Division I Communications group. Responsibilities include public broadcasting or non -profit arts organiza- college football/basketball assignment on radio or the creation and implementation of a strategic tion; demonstrated success in donor cultivation TV. Freelance or in- house. Craig 650- 917 -1915. business plan which measures results and in- and solicitation, grant writing and gift manage- creases revenue and efficiencies. The individual ment; excellent leadership and interpersonal LEASED PROGRAMMING will gain Senior Management support and fund- skills; strong organizational skills: and excellent ing to improve operations by providing high quali- verbal and writing skills. Salary' $36,494 plus Produce, host your own radio show, and gen- ty, innovative products which will suppon First benefits. To assure full consideration, applications erate hundreds of qualified Leads 50,000 watt Un- ion's leadership position. Candidates must should be received by June 5, 1998. Send letter NYC radio station. Call Ken Sperber 212 -760- possess 5 -8 years of Business Television of application and resume: Development Director 1050. Network experience and have a BA in Communi- Search Committee, KUNR -FM, University of Ne- cations or Marketing. The individual will have vada, Rero, Mail Stop 294, Rego, NV 89557. TELEVISION EEO /AA. direct accountability for a $2.2 million budget and will manage a staff of 10 network professionals. HELP WANTED OPERATIONS First Union offers a competitive salary and bene- mpy fits package. Interested, qualified candidates may Freelance Position Available: Operations fax a resume and salary history to (804)771 -7398 CIaSIl1CCl ad to Asst for Video Communications Company. Exp. or email to exec @searchric @yahoo.com. necessary. Knowledge of satellite and fiber Please include AD CODE: A1BR73761 on your Br.9ucicus: in,,4 Cable at feeds. Eng crewing, live remotes, SMT's, location response in order to be considered. First Union scouting. Light admin. duties in addition. Fax re- utilizes drug testing as a condition of employ- (212)206-832 sume to Operations Mgr. at 212 -980 -8725. ment. An Equal Opportunity Employer. M /F /D /V.

Broadcasting & Cable May 4 1998 127

www.americanradiohistory.com Classifieds

National Sales Manager: Looking for the perfect Maintenance Technician. Full time - WKEF -TV, HELP WANTED SALES job. in the perfect situation? Our growing compa- NBC 22 has an opening for a person with three ny is looking for some seasoned managers that to five years experience maintaining broadcast Account Executive: WXII -TV, top 50 NBC af- can grow with us. Please send a letter of qualifica- equipment. Must be able to maintain (compo- filiate in Winston -Salem. NC is looking for a tion. resume. references and a salary history. All nent -level troubleshooting) Betacam, U- Matic, creative, tenacious sales professional with a responses will be kept strictly confidential. DVC Pro, ENG, and live -van equipment. Must strong work ethic. desire to new generate busi- Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. have a strong background in maintaining studio ness and revenue from non -traditional sources. Reply to Box 01371 EOE. equipment and transmitters. Send resume and com- Min. 2 years experience in broadcast sales re- pensation requirements to: Darrell Hunter, Chief quired. Please send resumes to: Personnel, WX- Local Sales Manager. KRIV FOX O&O in Hous- Engineer. WKEF -TV, 1731 Soldiers Home Road, II-TV. PO Box 11847, Winston -Salem, NC 27116. ton. has an immediate opening for a Local Sales Dayton, OH 45418. EOE/M/F. EOE. Manager. Looking for a dynamic candidate with proven leadership skills and success in new busi- minimum five WSTM -TV in Syracuse, NY, a ness development, of years experi- Maintenance Engineer. If you are looking for cut- station, has an opening for an Account Execu- ence in television sales and managerial experi- ting edge technologies along with clean midwest tive. WSTM is seeking a dynamic, self motivated ence required. Degree in marketing or sales and living, then come and look at Americas best kept individual to join its sales team. Candidate must advertising preferred. Qualified candidates secret. KPTM FOX 42 is currently accepting possess good oral and written communication should send resume and salary history to: KRIV Houston. applications for a Maintenance Engineer. The skills and a desire to win. One to three years FOX 26. Recruitment. PO Box 22810. successful candidate should have an educational media sales. including local direct sales and new Texas 77227. EOE /M /F /D/V. background in electronics and electronic main- business development, is required. Come to Local Sales Manager. The second fastest grow- tenance experience. Duties include maintaining beautiful upstate New York and join the market ing television market has an immediate opening and trouble shooting UHF transmitters and studio leading NBC affiliate. We are an EOE and for a Local Sales Manager. If you can lead a equipment. This includes computers, building qualified minorities and females are encouraged team of professionals, know Nielsen, TVScan, equipment and proprietary broadcast equipment. to apply. Submit resume and references to CMR and all facets of market research. then you The ability to work across departmental lines as Donna Moreland. WSTM -TV. 1030 James Street. might consider this unique opportunity. Send re- well as working with minimal supervision is a Syracuse, NY 13203. Fax # 315- 474 -5081. No sume to Peter J. Celentano. GSM, WKFT -TV40, must. We are working with a state of the art phone calls please. Pre -employment drug test re- PO Box 2509, Fayetteville. NC 28302. EOE. broadcast automation system, controlling multiple quired. television stations. Please send your application Director of Sales, World's Fastest Growing TV in person KPTM FOX 42, Attention: Traffic Manager: FOX51 /FOX30 and UPN22/48 or apply to: Market. We are looking for an experienced sales Personnel, 4625 Farnam Street, Omaha, is looking for a broadcast TV Traffic Manager for help new national TV executive to build a Nebraska 68132. No phone calls please. KPTM its stations located in Longview. Texas. Previous network in Russian Federation. In addition to the FOX 42 is an Equal Opportunity Employer. M /F/H. traffic experience is essential* experience with the challenge of a lifetime, this position offers ex- VCI traffic system is preferred. We are looking for cellent compensa:ion and benefits. Please e-mail a person who is progressive. forward thinking complete information on yourself to Maintenance Engineer. NBC affiliate in with good analytical instincts and leadership hashley or fax to Russian TV at 310- @actiii.com SC is looking for a maintenance skills. Attention to detail and multi -tasking is Charleston, 553 -3928. least level essential. Qualified applicants please forward engineer with at 3 years of component maintenance experience in broadcast or post your resumes and cover letter to Mark McKay. Account Executive: WXII -TV, top 50 NBC af- is looking for production. Experience with cameras, studio General Manager, 701 North Access Road, filiate in Winston -Salem. NC a systems, de- Longview. Texas 75602. or by fax 903 -753 -6404. creative. tenacious sales professional with a VTR's, switchers, and computer Human Resources EOE/M strong work ethic, desire to generate new busi- sired. Send your resume to ness and revenue from non -traditional sources. WCBD -TV, 210 W. Coleman Blvd., Mt. Pleasant Min. 2 years experience in broadcast sales re- SC 29464. Drug test required. EOE M /F. Traffic Director. WAGA -TV. FOX 080 is seek- quired. Please send resumes to: Personnel, WX- ing a Traffic Director to direct and administer all II-TV, PO Box 11847, Winston -Salem. NC 27116 EOE. functions of the traffic department. including train- ing and supervising the department staff and HELP WANTED MARKETING Director of Engineering, World's Fastest working closely with sales management. Major Growing TV Market. We are looking for an experi- duties include: staff supervision: control of inven- Marketing Executive. Immediate opening for a enced broadcast engineer to help build a new na- tory: discrepancy reports: track inventory on highly motivated sales person with at least 5 tional TV network in the Russian Federation. In specials, program movement. barter. etc: Internal years experience in direct sales. Broadcast addition to the challenge of a lifetime, this posi- and external tracking reports: and troubleshoot- media preferred. college degree a plus. Job tion offers excellent compensation and benefits. ing. Experience with Enterprise a plus. Familiar duties include prospecting for new businesses Please e-mail complete information on yourself to with Louth or other automated systems and and servicing accounts after the sale, pro- hashley @actiii.com or fax to Russian TV at 310- AS400 preferred. Must have strong analytical fessional appearance a must with dependable 553 -3928. skills. be detail oriented with good writing skills transportation. SubmiVfax your resume to Tesa and solid communication skills. 5 to 7 years of M. Whitley, General Sales Manager. Benedek Engineer. CBS affiliate in Odessa/Midland overall traffic experience required with 3 to 5 Broadcasting Corp. dba KOSA -TV, 1211 N. Chief individual with in years management experience. College degree Whitaker. Odessa. TX 79763. Fax 915 -580 -8010. Texas seeking an a degree preferred. Send resume to Human Resources. EOE. Electronic Engineering or equivalent technical have minimum in tele- WAGA -TV, 1551 Briarcliff Road. Atlanta. GA training. Must a of 5 years knowledge of 30306. No phone calls please. HELP WANTED TECHNICAL vision station experience. Strong transmitter operations, repair and maintenance, Broadcast Maintenance Engineer. WAGA -TV. regulations, budgeting a Entry-level TV sales Benedek Broadcasting Cor- FCC computers and FOX O&O is seeking a Broadcast Maintenance must. large of small market sta- poration stations. No experience necessary but We are a group Engineer to maintain broadcast television equip- with and benefits expected. applicants should have degree in Business or tions compensation ment to the component level and system level. Andy Lee, VP Communications. This position offers exciting Send resume and references to Participate in equipment installation and system KOSA -TV, Box 4186, Odessa, Texas challenges in a professional environment with and GM, design. Be able to maintain the following types of EEO. many career advancement opportunities. Appli- 79760. No phone calls. equipment: machines of various cants will spend four weeks in training and must formats (including Beta and one- inch). switchers. be willing to re- locate. Compensation consists of character generators, video cart machines. salary, commissions, and company benefit pro- electronic graphics, audio mixers and recorders. Chief Engineer. WKFT -TV is seeking qualified gram. Benedek Broadcasting Corporation is the monitors, cameras and other related equipment. applicants for the position of Chief Engineer. largest operator of medium and small- market tel- Minimum 3 years experience working in a televi- Applicants must be experienced in the main- evision stations in the country and is an Equal Op- sion or production facility maintaining equipment tenance of UHF transmitter systems, 3/4", 1" and portunity Employer. To apply. send your resume listed above. Experience in computer networks Betacam VTR's, TVRO equipment, microwave to: BBC AE Program, Sales Development Asso- and digital technology preferred. College or systems. PC systems and general television ciates. Inc.. 540 W. Boston Post Road, technical training, minimum 2 years. Send re- broadcast equipment. SBE certification preferred. Mamaroneck, NY 10543 -3437 or email (re: "BBC sume to Human Resources, WAGA -TV, 1551 Resumes to: General Manager, PO Box 2509. AE Program ") DaveDonelson @banet.net Briarcliff Road, Atlanta, GA 30306. No phone Fayetteville. NC 28302 or fax 910 -323 -4786. Deadline for applications is May 8, 1998. calls please. EOE.

128 May 41998 Broadcasting & Cable

www.americanradiohistory.com Classifieds

Chief Engineer. KOCO -TV, City. Technician Engineer. Strong master control/ Looking for a talented, highly motivated individual studio operations background a must. Minimum 2 WTVR-TV in Richmond, Virginia, a Raycom to oversee the technical operations at one of the years experience in TV required. FCC General Media station, has an immediate opening for a finest broadcast facilities in the nation. Must have Class License or SBE Certificate. Proficient in Photographer with a minimum of 2 years shoot- experience in TV broadcast engineering man- LMS, automated master control, transmitter re- ing /editing experience. Must be deadline or- agement including capital project planning and mote control, satellite controllers a plus. Famil- iented, clear communicator, excellent editor, anc implementation, supervising technical personnel, iarity with Sony 0 -2, BetaSP and non -linear edit- able to handle both ENG and SNG live shots. preparation and execution of technical operations ing. Send resume to Edwin Karl, KBHK -TV, 650 Pre -employment drug screening and motor vehi- budget, maintenance of studio and transmitter California Street, San Francisco, CA 94108 (no cle report required. We are an EOE and qualified facility, knowledge of all building systems and com- phone calls). EOE. minorities and females are encouraged to apply. pliance with all government and industry stan- Submit resume and pay requirements to (no dards and regulations. In phone calls): Mike Bergin, Assistant News depth knowledge of has immediate open- digital video and audio Director, WTVR -TV, 3301 West Broad Street. technology is a must as ings in several markets for a Chief Engineer. Suc- we plan our conversion to ATV. Richmond, VA 23230. Seeking a strong cessful candidates will have 3 -5 years solid expe- leader who works well with department person- rience as a Chief or Assistant Chief. Should be nel, other department managers and all station thoroughly familiar with transmitter operations employees. Degree in technically related field or and maintenance, studio operations, FCC regula- equivalent experience required. Send resume to tions, and computers. Ability to manage person- Photojournalist: Immediate opening for an ex- Jeff Rosser, President/General Manager, KOCO- nel and budget effectively a must. Send resumes cellent story teller with the ability to shoot, edit. TV, 1300 East Britton Road, , OK and salary requirements to Brent Stephenson, and gather information. Candidate will be re- 73131. is KOCO -TV a Hearst -Argyle Television Director of Engineering, Bahakel Communica- sponsible for operating ENG equipment and work- Station and Equal an Opportunity Employer. M /F. tions, PO Box 32488. Charlotte, NC 28232. EOE. ing out of the only SNG truck in the market. Two years of experience required. Send non- HELP WANTED NEWS returnable VHS tape and resume to: P2 -BM, Box 44227, Shreveport, LA 71134 -4227. EOE.

News Photographer: WTVD -TV, an ABC -owned station, has an immediate opening for an experi- enced News Photographer. A commitment to hard news and the ability to handle a high story count is necessary. Successful candidate must San Diego be able to cover a story without a reporter. Atti- tude is as important as talent. Send resume and Top management position for News Director capable tape to: Ted Holtzclaw. News Operations Man- of thinking -out of the box" and understanding ager, WTVD -TV, 411 Liberty Street, Durham, NC real commitment to local news and programming. 27701. EOE. Candidates must be able to produce top newscasts plus 6 to 12 "long format" special programs per year. Strong organizational, managerial and editorial News Director. Are you up for a challenge? Can skills a must. you build a "state -of- the -art" news department from the ground up? Rare opportunity to partid- If you're more capable than the average News pate in the startup of a major market news de- Director... This is a better position than other jobs. partment with a live evening newscast seven If you think you're good... Check out this days per week and associated weekly news opportunity) specials. Qualified candidate must be a proven leader, mentor, and budgeter. Our News Director will be an aggressive. high -energy, creative, or- ganized and detailed, goal oriented person. The successful candidate will have extensive news management experience and be a seasoned NEWS journalist intimately familiar with all operational Television is an equal oppor runty employer. facets of a successful news department. You should possess a college degree in a broadcast Fax or send letter of interest. resume and salary requirements to. or business related field. The ability to com- KUSI Television attn: Human Resources municate in Spanish will be helpful. All inquiries will P.O. Box 719061 Sen Diego. CA 92171 Fax: 16191 506.5050 be held in the strictest of confidence. Now is the time to put your innovative and entrepreneur- ial skills to work. Please provide a detailed letter and resume outlining your qualifications to: Gen- eral Manager, XETV FOX Channel 6, 8253 Reporter. Join the number one Spanish news Weekend Meteorologist Reporter. Do Ronson Road, San Diego, CA 92111 or fax to team in large market. Applicant should know how weekends in a market where weather is critical. 619- 277 -5626. No phone calls please. to tell a story. Possess superior writing skills. Live General assignment reporting three days a week. shot experience is essential. F uent in Spanish Tape must show strong on -air presentation. Must and English. 2 -4 years news experience. Send be self- starting, aggressive, enterprising, assign- non -returrable tapes to PO Box 158. Teaneck, ment reporting three days a week. Tape must NJ 07666. Please no phone calls. We are an News Producer. NBC affiliate. WNDU -TV is look- show strong on -air presentation. No beginners. Equal Opportunity Employer. ing for an energetic, hardworking news producer No phone calls. Send tape, resume, references: who knows how much to craft a great newscast. Dave Hoglin, News Director, KXJB TV, 4302 13th We need someone who can write well and be re- Avenue South, Fargo, ND 58103. Producer. Richmond's No. 1 television station is sponsible for everything in his/her newscast. We looking for an experienced Producer to join its require one to two years experience in a televi- news team. Heavy emphasis on writing, content Weekend Anchor /Reporter. Weekend Anchor/ sion newsroom, and experience with satellite and development and people skills.. all are a must. Producer with strong, conversational style, re- microwave live shots. If you love to be part of a Applicants must be able to manage a news team port three days a week, must be experienced, ag- winning team send your resume and non- as well as a newscast. Qualified applicants only gressive, enterprising. No beginners and no returnable reel to: WNDU -TV, Attention: Human send non -returnable VHS or Beta demo tape, re- phone calls. Send tape, resume, references: Resources, Position #00203, PO Box 1616, sume and cover letter to Supervising Producer, Dave Hoglin. News Director. KXJB TV, 4302 13th South Bend, IN 46634. Or email your resume to NBC12, PO Box 12. Richmond. VA 23218. No Avenue South. Fargo. ND 58103. JOBS @WNDU.COM WNDU-TV is an Equal Op- phone calls. EOE. MFD. portunity Employer.

Broadcasting & Cable May 41998 129

www.americanradiohistory.com Classifieds

Chief Meteorologist. Central Texas NBC affiliate News Director: WCBD -TV2, NBC in Charleston. Meteorologist. KDLT -TV, the NBC affiliate in is looking for a Chief Meteorologist to anchor SC. needs a top News Director with solid Sioux Falls, is searching for a person to do the Five. Six, and Ten Newscast. Must have background in investigative and enterprise report- weekday 5:00 pm and 10:00 pm weathercasts. Meteorological degree and at least 2 years expe- ing. plus high energy, high content newscasts. Prefer person with 2 -3 years forecasting and on- rience. Applications accepted until May 8, 1998. Will consider Executive Producer or Assistant air experience. Send cover letter, resume and Send tape and resume to: KCEN -TV, Personnel News Director with this experience. This is a na- tape to: KDLT -TV, Madeline Shields, News Dept. -24. PO Box 6103, Temple. TX 76503. tional, award -winning news team that needs very Director. 3600 S. Westport Avenue. Sioux Falls. Equal Opportunity Employer. good leadership. Send resume and cover letter SD 57106. M /F. EOE. regarding philosophy. awards, and salary require-

ments to GM, WCBD -TV. 210 W. Coleman Blvd.. CBS in Rockford. WIFR is looking for a hands - Mt. Pleasant SC 29464. M /F, EOE, drug test re- Managing Editor. KLAS is an aggressive local on Assistant News Director with a take charge quired. news operation in a fast growing and competitive approach. We're also looking for producers, re- city. Besides producing over 30 hours of local porters, and photographers. EOE. T &R's to Ray news each week, we are actively involved in the In- Wilck, News Director. WIFR -TV. PO Box 123, ternet, radio news and a local cable news chan- Rockford. IL 61105. nel. The Managing Editor is responsible for the NEWS 12 Regional Networks, the nation's overall daily news gathering process. Applicant first, largest. and most watched regional news Chief Meteorologist. Southeast must have the proven ability to provide lead- channel is expanding 8 seeks the following pro- on the coast where the weather gets top priority ership, editorial guidance and developmental fessionals: Anchor- A minimum of 2 yrs experi- seeks on -air meteorologist. Must possess knowl- feedback. Previous management experience re- ence as an Anchor in a TV news organization edge of and experience with state-of- the -art com- quired. Send resume and news philosophy state- and reporting experience required. Reporter: Ex- puter weather graphics system. Two years expe- ment to Emily Neilson, KLAS. 3228 Channel 8 citing opportunity to report on breaking news and rienced preferred. NWA and AMS seals a plus. Drive, Las Vegas. NV 89109. EOE. feature stories. Excellent verbal and communica- Send non -returnable tape. resume and re- tion skills and 2 +years of on -air reporting experi- ferences to Box 01372 EOE. ence required. Weathercaster: Gather, write and Live Reporter. Looking for experienced, Meteorologist. Richmond's No. 1 news opera- present weather information for newscast. Ex- versatile reporter to report live each day for our is looking for Meteorologist. Successful cellent verbal and written communication skills re- morning and noon newscasts. Send non- tion a candidate will have B.S. in Meteorology. Send non- quired. Meteorological degree. Producer: Secure returnable tape to KLAS -TV. 3228 Channel 8 -returnable BETA or VHS demo tape and resume information on news stories, write scripts, for- Drive, Las Vegas. NV 89109. EOE. mulate the rundown and supervise staff. Ex- to Nancy Kent, News Director, NBC12. PO Box cellent written and organizational skills and 12, Richmond, VA 23218. No phone calls. EOE 2 +years of experience producing television news. NBC affiliate in Central Texas, is currently build- MFD. In addition, we have opportunities for Associate ing a pool of available talent, for positions that Producers, Graphic Artists. Photographers /Editors may become available within the next 12 months. Anchor: Top 35 market has immediate opening and Assignments Desk Editors. The availability If you are an Anchor. Reporter. Producer, for an Anchor /Reporter for its weekend evening for flexible hours, including weekends and nights Meteorologist or Videographer. send your re- newscasts. At least one year of experience at a are essential. For confidential consideration, sume and non -returnable tape to: KCEN -TV. commercial television station and a college de- please send a cover letter, resume and non- Personnel Dept. 24. PO Box 6103, Temple. TX gree is required. Tapes /resumes to Human Re- returnable tape along with salary requirements 76503. Equal Opportunity Employer. sources, WYFF -TV, 505 Rutherford St.. to: P.O. Box 999 -NWS. Woodbury. NY 11797, or Greenville, SC 29609. WYFF TV, a Pulitzer NBC [email protected] affiliate, is an Equal Opportunity Employer. FOX Weekend Director. Immediate opening for weekend 10pm FOX News Director to direct Sat- urday and Sunday 10pm FOX single anchor HELP WANTED PROMOTION Morning News Anchor. Network station in 79th newscasts and work three other week days on market seeking early morning anchor to comple- Production duties including camera, floor man- ment our established female anchor. Experience ager. HALO, audio, and pre -production director. anchoring at a commercial television station, May also direct 12 News dual anchor newscast Chemical strong writing skills, engaging personality, and as needed. One year experience directing and must love getting up at 4am! Related degree switching a must. experience directing dual from a four -year college. No phone calls, please. anchor newscasts helpful. Send cover letter, re- TU Designer Send resume 3/4" or 1/2" VHS (non -returnable) sume and non-returnable VHS demo tape to to: Dan Steele. WPSD -TV, PO Box 1197. Doug Kiracofe, Production Supervisor, NBC12, Paducah. KY 42002 -1197. EOE, M /F. ADA. PO Box 12, Richmond, VA 23218. No calls. EOE NBC -5 (aka: KXAS -TV), the NBC 0 &O Broadcast MFD. Laboratory in Dallas -Fort Worth, has an immediate

opening for a Level 3 Chemical TV Designer Executive Producer /News: We do more than 40 (Senior Graphic Designer) to help continue our KRDO TV 13 in Colorado Springs, CO is look- hours of local news each week and we're looking efforts to prevent bad TV design in the country's 8th ing for an Editor/Photographer. This is a starting for a creative, enterprising leader to direct some position-candidates with less than 2 years will be of that news production. The EP is responsible largest market. We believe there IS a cure! accepted. We are looking for someone with an for line producers, associate producers, writers Duantel, DP -Max, and lots of high -powered desktop energetic personality. a willingness to learn, and and the overall creative and editorial aspects of lob equipment, including After Effects and Electric general television experience. We are an ABC af- the broadcast. The successful candidate will filiate and have two remote trucks that we use have a college degree and a minimum of 5 years Image. We need a designer who mn THINK on both daily. Send resume and non -returnable tape to producing experience. Prior management experi- molecular and systemic levels. KRDO -TV, Attn: EEO Officer. PO Box 1457, Col- ence desired. Please send resume, references, orado Springs, CO 80901. EOE. salary requirements and a non -returnable tape If interested, please contort: to: Mike Cavender, VP /News, W'USA, 4100 Wis- consin Avenue. NW, Washington, DC 20016. David Wells, Lab Supervisor.

EOE. No phone calls, please. E -mail: dwells @kxas.com.

Assignment Editor. Experienced and ag- Phone: 817.654.6340. gressive to run news gathering effort in KXAS -TV, 3900 Barnett St. Assignment Desk Editor: Seeking candidate large market station. Supervise crews and re- with at least 2 years experience. Duties to in- Fort Worth, TX 76103. porters in field. coordinate live shots, and devel- clude: dispatching reporters and photographers: op stories. Ability to effectively manage re- (Artwllg, this ISRTscience. in art. So relax. If you want a assisting in the planning of daily and long -term cov- sources critical: satellite news gathering knowl- great graphic {coign ¡oh with lots of opportunity... THIS IS Ill) erage: setting up news stories: gathering facts edge essential as well as ability to be calm under and writing stories; and communicate with others fire: should know what it takes to produce win- in the newsroom. Sound news judgement a must. ning newscast: knowledge of PA/NJ /DE areas a Send resume to: ADE2 -BM, Box 44227, plus. Send resume and news philosophy to Box Shreveport, LA 71134 -4227. EOE. 01369 EOE.

130 May 4 1998 Broadcasting & Cable

www.americanradiohistory.com Classified Promotion Writer Producer: KPIX -TV, the CBS Research Director. KXTV, a station, is look- 080 in San Francisco. is HELP WANTED MISCELLANEOUS exparding and looking ing for someone who has sufficient experience in for 2 promo producers to join our team. If your broadcasting and advertising to warrant credibility copy grabs viewers and other producers are jeal- in a consulting capacity, creativity and ability to As one of the fastest growing. most prograssise broadcast ous of your creativity. then you have - an opportuni-ni enhance data, excellent presentationr skills. Must gmups in the nation. SINCLAIR COMMUNICATIONS, ty to jump to the 5'h market. INC. owns and/or provides programming services or has Our dept. produces have the ability to think strategically and to assist agreements to acquire 55 stations inn separate markets reels of news promotion - series, topicals and im- clients and account executives in developing and owns. provides sales and programming amires to or age - plus entertainment . Must have solid appropriate marketing/advertising approaches. C1 has agreements or options to acquire 59 radio stamen experience in all phases production, LAIß separate of including Must have: strong comfort level with personal com- markets. Sinclair s television group wad field production. Mist ABC. CBS, cox. NBC. WB and LPN aft hao. understand news market- puter: basic analytical capacity to extract, under- ing, branding and image promotion. Producers phenomenal growth continues. we seek Ihr one element which gee stand and evaluate data; a BA in Marketing, Adver- edge on the competition and the power to stay on lop the bed people in do with AVID editing skills preferred. Send resume tising or General Business: 3 to 4 years business business II mu are a motivated team player with a successful track record. an and reel to KPIX HR -Promo opportunity may await at W /P, 855 Battery experience; excellent verbal and written communi- you Sinclair Street, San Francisco. CA 94111. cation skills: and be proficient in Stowell and TVS- Baltimore Corporate Office Flnanclal Analyst can. Send resume to: Russell Postell, Director of Promotion Manager. San Diego's fastest grow- Successful candidate t,r this unique opportunity Sales. KXTV, PO Box 10, Sacramento, CA 95812- will possess a 4-year degree in accounting or ing television station is looking for a hands -on Pro- finance. minimum 3-year related work experience 0010. EOE. Drug testing. No phone calls please. aid strong computer skills motion Manager. This position requires 3 -5 years (including familiarity with Microsoft Excel). Please submit cover letter experience in a medium to major market. If you Ìand res (including salary requirementsuireents I. can shoot, edit. write and create news promotion Rwxl Research Analyst. Leading television rep firm that sells, we want to hear from you. KUSI is the Charleston. WV WCHSTV -ABC has an excellent opportunity for a professional News Anchor premiere indy in the country. Please send a letter Immediate opening for a 6 and 11 news with at least 1 year TV research experience. of introduction and resume along with a reel of anchor to complement our current fi and 11 Track viewing ratings, create sales promotions news anchor. II you're soeensrm wits, hot news and programming promotion to: KUSI- and develop audience estimates for pro- connects with viewers from the anchor TV, HR Department, Job #003. 4575 Viewridge desk or live in the field and can achieve gramming of represented television stations. xcellence, we want to hear from you. Avenue. San Diego, CA 92123. An Equal Op- Qualified candidates should send resume and Three years of previous anchor experts -ace portunity Employer. sl. Send a nun -returnable VHS to a- salary requirements to: Blair Television. 1290 arudi resume. PCXX'! Promotion Manager. Group owned CBS affiliate Avenue of the Americas. New York. NY 10104; Charleston. WV WCHS.TV -Ali( in West Texas seeks high energy promotion Fax 212- 603 -5712. No phone calls please. News Assignment Editor I diate opening for minutia manager. We are looking for good copywriting/ knows local news is more than pest gyp, production and courts. Previous desk experience skills and the ability to seek out and desirable. excellent prople skills essential manage community events. Send resume with re- HELP WANTED LEGAL d knowlalge of live shoe logistics a must. Send resume and references. 11(47. ferences to Andy Lee. KOSA -TV. 1211, N. Whitaker, Odessa, TX 79760. No phone calls. Charleston. WV - WCHS- V -ABC Newscast Producer EEO. ASSOCIATE CORPORATE Seeking a ucwsrast producer who will bring judgement.1 em r t. intelligence. energy and COUNSEL leadership If you can achieve these qualities Art Director. KSAT-TV San Antonio. a Post - alasg wills production and writing skills. se nd a resume and non-returnable Newsweek Station, is r rsalt seeking someone to help VIIS newscast tape. ecw411 us with our fast paced high energy and graphic in- Sinclair Communications, Inc., one of the Sen Anhwdo- KABBTV +vx/KRICIAN ND tensive newscasts. We're looking for someone fastest growing broadcasters in the industry, Director of Sales Promotions with hands -on exp. to help bridge the production FI MC 29 WB 35 is seeking an individual to is seeking an exceptional and highly manageage sales )rnmoltu opportunities and process between the control room and the art motivated the stations' Kids Club, as well as develop department. Experience with Photoshop. Alias/ attorney to join its two person and direct theannual Kids Fair. ('lease send reunite. BC087 Wavefront and Parallax Matador desired. For legal department. Qualified candidates must more information contact Jim Hal, Creative Ser- have at least 5 years experience in San Antonio KARB4Vii)x/KRR'l' -1N'-W B one or Weekend amlikranniFalorld ná!Pteak ew vices Director. Yes I will accept phone calls. more of the following practice areas: Seking Indisnduol to help wrdhs and pralw e : :pl amt!1 tXI pin KSAT -TV. 1408 N. St. Mary's, San Antonio, TX the newscasts tides. kswvrka corporate transactional, FCC, labor or nia nage ilk-assignment desk 78215. Any job offer contingent upon successful weekends.nds. Sn rl rs,auu and nouretuablem securities. NUS talas. completion of pre -employment physical including Excellent academic credentials B('Mxx drug screen; verification of references and edu- and references required. San Antonio- KA&i1V-FOx/1CRR7' -TV-WR Aasaiate Producer cation. EOE /M- F /DWADA. Seeking individual to help write and Compensation is prewluce the 5:11, and 9:11 pm newscast I ve negotiable and will be days a week. Send resume and non- HELP WANTED RESEARCH based in part upon the successful returnable VHS tape. BU019 r applicant's level of experience. Asheville - W LOSTV-ABC WFAA -TV, the ABC affiliate in Da las, TX is seek- Executive Producer Candidate must have ',molt ins television ing a Director of Research. The Director of Re- news management experience or track search is responsible for coordinating all aspects Please fax your resume, including salary record as a producer that proves the candidate is ready to be a manager. Four of sales /news research. Candidate must de- history, in confidence to 410 -662 -4707. year college degree ropiired. B( M90 monstrate proficiency in evaluating NSI+ studies, Pensacola - WFAR.TV-ABC rating trends and in creating sales presentations. Producer/Director upoling in Must have a workng knowledge the Creative Services Dept. for of TVScan, person with creative concept. planning. Micronode 386, Galaxy Navigator, Scarborough. writing. shooting and editing skills. Also SBC requires graphic design. Creation. and PowerPoint, PageMaker and various other pres- SINCLAIR HROAD(:AS"LGROU' implementation skills (21) and 3D). Must be entation software packages. Strong presentation able to develop and maintain strong and creative skills necessary. Candidate must working relationship wills sales pers unne1 Sinclair in I I ro be an atout clients. Experience with nonlinear have 3 -5 years experience in research and a col- editing systems. preferably Stites EQUAL OPI'OR1 t NITS' EMPLOYER lege degree in a related field Please send your Stratosphere. and computer skills a must. anda DRIIGFRLE WI IRKI'IACE Degree in television production ar resume to the attention of Johna Neal- Baker, marketing preferred. 00004 WOMEN AND MINI RrnES,ARE. EN('( I'RAGED TO APPLY New Media Marketing Manager. WFAA -TV. 606 Young Street, Dallas, TX 75202. WFAA is an Mail you resume in confidence immediately to: Equal Opportunity Employer. A subsidiary of A.H. firs- ade:rsting & Cable. 245 W. I 7t h Street. NY. Belo Incorporated. NY IIMI 11. Attn: Job X WANT TO RESPOND TO A BROADCASTING & CABLE BLIND Director of Research, UPN affiliate, Phoenix. AZ. BOX ? SBG Person must be familiar with research SINC'IAIR BR( IAIX AS r(iR(NJP techniques including Nielsen, Scarborough. Sim- Send resume tape to: mons and Micronode data. Make Sales Research Sinclair Is proud to be an presentations to groups and work with clients on Box EQUAL 'l'ORTVNITY EMPLOYER presentation. Familiar with Harvard Graphics and 245 West 17th St., and a URl1G -FREE WI IRKI'IACE Microsoft Powerpoint. Send resumes to Box WT /MEN AND MINI IRmF.S ARE FNCOI IRAI it.l) TO New York, New York 10011 01364 EOE. APPLY

Broadcasting & Cable May 4 1998 t31

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HELP WANTED Belo owns 17 television stations reaching 14% of the country including: 4 ABC affiliates, 6 CBS FINANCIAL & ACCOUNTING affiliates. 5 NBC affiliates, 2 FOX affiliates, and operates (via 1 \1As): 3 I'PN affiliates and one unaffiliated. Belo is an Equal Opportunity Employer. STAFF The following jobs are presently open at the stations listed below. When sending your resume, please indicate (by lob number) in which position you have interest. ACCOUNTANT Tulsa OK KOTV CBS News Producer WLS -TV seeks a Staff Accountant to be One year producing experience and a tourti year allege degree required. :µC' -sil -I responsible for day -to -day general Tucson, A7 KMSB FOX Studio Engineer accounting functions, financial report- of studio equipment. DB( 7 -02-1 Minimum .1 years experience and cers.uibiy in all types ing, budgeting & forecasting assis- San Antonio, TX KENS CBS tance, fixed -asset maintenance, and Graphic Artist Responsible for news graphics and animation. promotions, t and production projects: 2-3 Years experien r special projects. The position requires as including weekends and L,bd.rv.: pig .inllar job and design degree a plus: must be able to work flexible hours needed. degree in Accounting and I a Bachelor's tìcrncv with Mac -based systems (I'hotoshop and Illustrator) a must and Quantcl knowledge a plus. ABC-4/ 4 working knowledge of financial/ San Antonio, TX, KENS CBS Research Director spreadsheet software. Please send with. TvSt.us. Minimum 2 rears TV broadcast experience as Research Director: must have workinlg, knowledge your resume to: WLS -TV, Assistant Qualicip. Scarborough and metered mr,hudology. must be detail oriented and have strong writing skills applicable to research presrntnunus and one sheets. 0(7-032-1 Controller, 190 North State Street, Spokane, WA KREM CBS Chicago, IL 60601. Telephone calls Graphic Artist Design Director hook and design? will not be accepted. Equal \i N.,11 an experienced graphic artist ready to take the newt step to oversee our station's graphic -(14 Minimum 2 years broadcast design experience utilirung Mac based platform and Photoslhop. :µC' -1 Opportunity Employer. M /F /D/V. Boise, ID, KTVB NBC Broadcast Engineer Minimum two years experience in broadcast engineering. *11C7 -05 -1 Hampton -Norfolk, VA, WVEC, ABC Billing Video Coordinator- Major Television News Director Production and Post- Production Facility seeks numerous resources induJing a local news on Minimum 4 -6 roars news management experience: knowledge of managing polished, responsible individual to handle com- .able channel and I-NG and satellite truck operations: understands News Department budgeting and financial responsibil- ities of the department-, good news judgement, innovative approaches and good people skills. :BC' -(I6- I puter billing and financial duties. Post -production experience a MUST! Great figure aptitude and ex- Sacramento, CA, KXTV ABC News Producer cellent communication /social skills are required! Minimum two years experienc o. Send non -returnable rape with resmnir. :8C7 -(I' -1 Please fax resume with cover letter stating salary history and the position you are seeking to HI KHNL NBC , (212)629 -5976. Anchor /Reporter -OR- I Minimum 4 -5 years experience in medium to Luge market. Sent non -returnable tape with resume. :µC7 St. Louis MO, KMOV CBS TV Controller. WETM -TV /Elmira is looking for con- Chief Meteorologist troller to direct business department and account- Minimum 2 years experience: AMS seal required. Send mom returnable tape with re. ume. :RC7 -o'I- I ing functions for WETM /Elmira and WKTV/Utica. Houston, TX, KHOU CBS knowledge of accounting prin- Inca) Sales Manager Working hands-on Minimum 2-3 years experience in television sales management. 10 -1 ciples and procedures, must be proficient in year college degree in busi- Charlotte, NC, WCNC NBC spreadsheets. Four Traffic Manager ness or accounting required. Supervisory experi- Consultant. Minimum 3 years experience in TV Traffic or comparable experience as a Bias '11/ ence preferred. Television or radio experience a Supervisory experience strongly preferred. #'7i plus. Send resume to Bob Grissom, VP and Searde KONG NBC General Manager, WETM -TV, Box 1207, Elmira, WA/r Minimum 3 -5 rear, l'rousotion/T'm experience. 7-12-1 NY 14902. Smith TV of NY is an Equal Opportuni- ty Employer. Seattle, WA, NWCN Director of Marketing and Creative Services Department Responsible for creating and implementing comprehensive marketing program and twersecing commercial produmun. :BC, -19 -1 Billing Coordinator- Major Television Produc- Portland, OR, KGW NBC Maintenance 'Technician tion and Post -Production Facility seeks polished. Responsible for trouble -shooting and electronic maintenance of broadcast. computer and telephone systems responsible individual to handle computer billing of new systems and equipment. aµ(.7 -I i -I including project design and installation and financial duties. Post -production experience Dallas, TX, Dallas Cable News Channel a MUST! Production billing in animation, special General Sales Manager effects, live action, effects composing and design Minimum S vean experience us saluts media. e 1C7 -14 -I preferred. Great figure aptitude and excellent New Orleans IA, WLW CILS communications /social skills are required! Please Director of Saleses and Marketing Minimum 5 years sales m.magemeni experience. eRC7 -IS -1 fax resume with cover letter stating salary history the position you are seeking to (212)629- Dallas, TX, WFAA ABC and Reposer /Anchor 5976. alt 7 -17 Minimum 1 -2 years experience in mayor market reporting. -I Louisville, KY, WHAS ABC News Director Minimum 10 years experience i television news, with at least 5 years in newsroom management. :RC. I preferyincluding experience as news director. - I S- HELP WANTED CREATIVE SERVICES Louisville, KY WHAS ABC Maintenance Technician Minimum 3 -5 years of broadcasting experience INGdepartment: rets Axns ibiliu cs include repairingntring am I and with equipment:rmats t poR tape recorders; ae it e maintenance Artist. Full time position at WWL -TV. component-el repair of recorders And cameras: ability maintain Bewails and X Graphic n sdry: degree in technical field or equivalent rxpe nienc e required. rµC, -Iµ2 -I Qualified applicants must have strong type and Send resume in confidence to: design skills, along with Mac experience in Photoshop, Illustrator and Quark. Electronic paint skills a tremendous plus. Hours are 1:30 pm to BEM 9:30 pm weekdays with occasional flex time as Belo TV Group, Attn: Job # vacation relief for newscast graphic artists. Send 14th Floor resume, (NO phone calls). to Eliza Schneller, A.H. Belo Corporation WWL -TV Design Director, 1024 N. Rampart PO Box 655237 Street, New Orleans. LA 70116 -2487. WWL -TV Dallas. TX 75265 -5237 is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

132 May 41998 Broadcasting & Cable

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Broadcast Personnel Needed. ENG Field Op- Want to FOX 26 KRIV -TV has just erations with Camera and Microwave experience. work in a Videotape Editors, Studio Operators, and Main- moved to its brand new all- digital tenance. For the Midwest. Would commence spr- TRULY we're ing /summer 1998. Out -of -town applicants ac- facility, and looking for a cepted for these positions will be reimbursed for airfare, hotel. and per diem creative, highly - motivated artist to expenses. Send re- sumes to: MMS, Suite 345, 847A Second Ave- complete our team. Should be nue, New York, NY 10017 or fax: 212-338 -0360. STATE This employment would occur in the event of a proficient with all of the best tools work stoppage and would be of a temporary -OF-THE- of the trade (Paintbox, HAL, Mac), nature to replace striking personnel. This is not an ad for permanent employment. An Equal Op- and be ready to jump head first portunity Employer. into a position tflat emphasizes news graphics and promotion. ART Studio Facilitator- First class university tele- envi-onrnent? If you're an easy-going artist who vision production facility seeks a creative, energetic studio facilitator. The University Televi- would thrive in a casual and sion Center at Mississippi State University has com- plete broadcast quality production friendly atmosphere, we just studios with might Betacam SP field and A/B roll editing systems. have a place for you! We're We are looking for a creative individual who can write, shoot, direct. and edit promotional and ed- moving into the next generation of ucational videos for the university. A B.S. degree television so, if you're ready to put is required with an emphasis in television or film production, or closely related field, with at least your creativity to the test, send two years experience. Interested applicants should your resume send resume, and the names and tape to: addresses of three references to: David Hutto, Director, University Television, P.O. Box 6101, Personnel Director Miss. State, MS 39762. Deadline: May 31, 1998 FOX KRIV -TV or until candidate is found. MSU is an AA/EOE. P.O. Box 22810 Broadcast Personnel. Technical Directors Houston, TX 77227 (GVG 300 Switcher with Kaleidoscope), Audio (mixing No Phone Cobs Please for live studio and news broadcasts), Studio Camerapersons (studio productions and news broadcasts). Chyron Operators ( Infinit), Still Store Operators, Tape Operators (Beta), Maintenance (plant systems experience - distribution and patching), Lighting Director Engineer. Employ- ment would commence spring/summer 1998. Out HELP WANTED PRODUCTION of town applicants accepted for these positions will be reimbursed for airfare, hotel, and per diem expenses. Send resumes to: MMS. Suite 345, 847A Second Avenue. New York, NY 10017 or fax 212- 338 -0360. This employment would occur in the event of a work stoppage and would be of Lifetime Televisioi, the a temporary nature to replace striking personnel. dynam.c cable network, seeks a Director of On Air This Production to work closely with is not an ad for permanent employment. An Video Creative Director and Video Art Equal Opportunity Employer. Director. Responsibilities: review and schedule incoming projects to ensure that budçetary and production /creative needs are consistently met. In addition, the individual will implement production procedures, monitor deadlines and oversee all gallery and EPK shoots. The director WCIV, ABC affiliate in sunny Charleston, SC will supervise sevaral positions including managers and coordinators. has immediate opening in our production de- partment. We're looking for a top notch director/ Position requires a minimum of 5 years management and production production assistant for our weekend newscasts. experience. Excellent verbal and written communications skills, strong Candidate should have two years experience in negotiating skills, the ability to juggle simultaneous responsibilities, and television directing or technical directing live to work it a team environment is essential. newscasts and specials in a broadcast facility. Ability to operate camera, studio equipment and Prior experience in dealing with talent agents, and third -party reps nec- audio board. Rush essary. The individual must tape and resume to Tim have prior supervisory experience. Weeks, Production Manager. WCIV -TV, PO Bcx 22165, Charleston, SC 29413. No phone calls ac- LIFETIME TELEVISION cepted. EOE /MF. ifeti me"' Human Resources Department Television 309 West 49th St, New for Women York, NY 10019 ENG Personnel For A Major Broadcast Facility in NYC. ENG field operations with camera (and TV Producer /Director of Commercial and Pro- Television microwave) experience, video tape editors, and Production Assistant: Applicant motional spots needed to join small market ABC must have a minimum ENG maintenance- employment would com- of one years professional station production team. Applicants should be broadcast mence spring /summer 1998. Out -of -town appli- experience. Experience should include able to handle all phases of production. Writing cants accepted for these positions will be reim- charade, generator, studio carrera, and audio con- and voice skills desirable. Send confidential re- bursed for airfare. hotel and per diem expenses. sole operation during live newscasts. Chyron iN- sume to: Production Manager. KFBB -TV. PO Box Send resumes to: Media Management Services, FiNT! experience a plus. Send resume to: Jef- 1139, Great Falls, MT 59403. EEO Employer. frey Hester, Production Manager. WTVD Suite 345, 847A Second Avenue, New York, NY 10017 or fax to 212 -338 -0360. This employment NewsChannel 111, ABC. PO Eox 2009. Durham, Position Available: Production Ass't for Video NC 27702. No would occur in the event of a work stoppage, and phone calls please. EOE. Communications Company. 1 yr exp. necessary. would be of a temporary nature to replace strik- Duties include logging tapes, transcribing, library ing personnel. This is not an ad for permanent maint., and research. Computer exp. a must. Fax employment. An Equal Opportunity Employer. resume to Human Resources at 212- 980 -8725.

Broadcasting & Cable May 4 1998 133

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HELP WANTED ALL POSITIONS CABLE Major national television channel in Istanbul HELP WANTED NEWS seeking television trained and experienced HELP WANTED PROMOTION personnel who are interested in living in Turkey new Fox Family and helping to establish a major television opera- ASSIGNMENT MANAGER Special Events Expert! The who lives and tion there. All positions to be considered. Contact: VIDEO JOURNALISTS Channel needs an event specialist to organize and execute McHugh & Hoffman, Inc.. 1100 Johnson Ferry Rd., breathes event planning SPORTS PRODUCER functions and pub- NE, Suite 140, Atlanta, GA 30342. Fax 404 -255- corporate events, meetings, Our Special Events Manager 0944, E -mail jack _bowen @marketstrategies.com. ASSOCIATE PRODUCER licity activities. PRODUCTION ASSISTANTS should have 5 -7 years experience in creating flawless events on a tight budget, must be a true initiative NEWS COACHING SERVICES team player, and needs to demonstrate North West Cable News, a 24-hour regional and a great attitude, as well as an ability to meet news network in Seattle and a subsidiary of challenging deadlines and balance competing consultation and Tape crtiques, coaching, the A.H.Belo Corporation, has several priorities. Previous cable industry experience ex- career guidance for news professionals. We'll fax lpositions open in its news dept., some entry tremely helpful. If this sounds like you. please give it to you straight. Media Mentors (334)665- people who thrive on resume to 310- 235 -5898. 5553. evel. We are seeking news and enjoy working in a fast paced environment. TV SALES TRAINING ALLIED FIELDS All positions require strong writing skills. HELP WANTED MANAGEMENT LEARN TO SELL TV TIME On -air positions (located in Portland and Boise) will write, shoot, and edit packages. Projects Manager: Call for FREE Info Packet International Sports We have outstanding opportunities for Manage and promote Olympic -related television Over 25 years in the TV industry. advancement within Belo. If you are cre- production projects for international clients. includ- ANTONELLI MEDIA ative and motivated with minimum one year ing National Olympic Committees. National and your resume the United Nations: CENTER experience, send 2 copies of International Federations and TRAINING and a non -returnable Beta tape (for on-air prepare, summarize and clarify project proposals, (212) 206-8063 positions) to: reports and schedules in both written and spoken French and English as required under the Olympic Charter and by French -speaking clients: direct client development and relations: manage TV RESUME TAPES NorthWest project development and implementation: manage accounting and budgeting: and manage Career Videos prepares your personalized CableNENS human resources, including hiring, coordinating demo. Unique format, excellent rates, coaching, and directing independent contractors and direct job search assistance, tape critiques. Great track employees. At least 8 years of experience in record. 847-272-2917. Olympic promotion and project management re- Attn: H.R. Dept. quired. Salary: $52.925 per year. Must be au- 333 Ave. N. thorized to work without employer limitation in the Seattle, WA 98109 United States. If interested. send resume to: EOE- M /F /D /V Garland P. Simon. Kestrel Communications. LLC, 1100 Spring Street. Suite 770. Atlanta. GA FOR 30309. HELP WANTED TECHNICAL

DAILY Project Director sought for test and national roll -out of health- oriented community affairs cam- MAINTENANCE paign. Must know non -profit world and be fluent CLASSIFIED in local station operations, including community ENGINEER affairs, production. and creative services. Must be able to sell, manage. problem solve and travel for 25 year old award -winning New England UPDATES... The Golf Channel is seeking highly based consulting firm. Fax resume to 781 -639- qualified team oriented engineers to work 1346. in a dynamic sta to -of- the -art all digital cable network operation. Candidates should have a minimum of 5 years of HELP WANTED SALES experience performing component level maintenance in a station and /or post Sales Management. Stainless Incorporated, production facility. Significant Digital based in North Wales, Pennsylvania. a Betacam and SBE certification a plus. manufacturer of television. radio and communica- individ- VISIT Send resume and cover letter to: Human tion towers is seeking a highly motivated who is self motivated, career minded and Resources, Engineer, The Golf Channel, ual goal oriented for the position of Vice President of Center Drive, Orlando, BROADCASTING 7580 Commerce Sales. The ideal candidate will have a minimum FL 32819. No telephone calls please. EOE of 5 years experience in sales with 2 years expe- & CABLE rience in sales management in the tower busi- ness or related field. Experience in technical. mechanical or structural steel sales a plus. Sub- ONLINE G mit resume to: Roy Conrad. General Manager, THE GOLF CHANNEL' Stainless Incorporated, P.O. Box 1129. North Wales, PA 19454, Fax:215- 699 -9597. wwln.broadcastingcable.com

LimYou can simply II \ your classified ad t Bructdrusvifçg & CihIL' at (212)2U6-8327.

134 Mary 4 1- _'4 Broadcasting & Cable

www.americanradiohistory.com Classified- HELP WANTED INSTRUCTION EMPLOYMENT SERVICES FOR SALE STATIONS The Department cf Journalism and Communi- PROFESSIONAL JOBS cations, Point Pak College, offers a graduate WITH ENTERTAINMENT COMPANIES assistantship for Fall Term 1:398. Position calls FLORIDA CLASS C FM $2.7m BROADCAST & CABLE TELEVISION. DISTRIBUTORS, for significant experience in television. Stipend Top 75 Atlantic MOTION PICTURE. POST Coastal Market plus full tuition renission. One -year contract. re- PRODUCTION & MORE newable a second year. For ILA job description Entry to senior level jobs nationwide in ALL fields and benefits. contact: Dr. David Jones. Director. (news. sales. production, management. etc.). HADDEN & ASSOC. J &C Graduate Program. Point Park College, 201 Published biweekly. For subscription information: PH 407- 365 -7832 FAX 407- 366 -8801 Wood . Pittsburgh, St PA 15222. (800) 335-4335

HELP WANTED PRODUCTION Entertainment Employment JournalT" email: info @eej.com Radio Acquisition Seminar Learn how to get financing and buy right. Six hours, Manager, Production and Resources. Re- one-on-one. Topics: 1998 industry update, search. sponsible for coordinating all production requests values, negotiation, market and station due diligence and jobs: ensures that all necessary internal and We need lo fill positions! and external resources are available and appropriate- Media Bum, x vuon.,. others you choose from experienced owner. Ir.f6, x x m,nto ly prepared: identif For details call Robin Martin - 202/939 -9090 es and schedules internal and .rEMPS,INC . Amount flea elm" external personnel equipment. `acilities. supplies I Ia001 S56-5550 AmMane. and other resources. e Deer River roup Requires a bachelor's de- MEDIA'S INNOVATIVE gree. or an equivalent combination of education STAFFING SOLUTIONS and experience. and a minimum of two years For Sale: production management experience in a video or Midwest full -time 5000 media production facility utilizing some combina- KW non -directional AM. TV Reporters, Anchors Only tion of it -house or external resources. Must have and Producers!!! Ex- perienced or entry level, hundreds of Christian format licensed to town a valid driver's license and ability to use own vehi- satisfied clients know winning that great job starts cle for work. Must have working knowledge of com- by con- over 100,000. 30 year history. Ex- tracting Tony Windsor at NEWSDirections puters and experience with scheduling and re- (423)843 -0547 or -free cellent cash flow. Reply to Box lated software. Excellent communication and toll voice mail (800)NEWSDIR. 01368. problem -solving skills are essential. Experience in providing services in highe, education is a Just For Southeast FM in major University City with plus. Must be able to effedirrely support the Starters: Entry-level jobs and "hands - 50,000 upgrade pending! Poised for success. needs of faculty. students. administration and on" internships in TV and radio news. National listings. $975,000 unusual FM opportunity. Hickman & staff. Rutgers. New Brunswick campus is For a sample lead sheet call: 800 -680- 30 Associates. PH 850 -934 -1995 FAX miles south of New 7513. 850 -934- York City. State salary re- 2727. quirements. Excellent benefits package includes tuition remission for employees and their chil- Attention job-hunters! Sign up for THE HOT dren. SHEET. Broadcasting's Send resume, indicating ref#344 to P.O. most comprehensive New England /Ski Country combo. Priced Box 496. New Brunswick. employment -listings journal. NJ 08903 -0496. Opportunities in all right, Owner retiring. Moderate cash flow, tremen- Rutgers is an Affirmative Action/Equal areas. Television. radio, corporate Opportuni- communica- dous upside. Automated operation. controlled ex- ty Employer. Emplcyment eligibil ty verification re- tions. From major -market to entry- level. Now in penses. Broker 781-848-4201. quired. To learn more about Rutgers and employ- our 14th year! Media Marketing, P.O. Box 1476 - ment opportunities visit our website PD, Palm Harbor. FL 34682 -1476. at: http: // (813)786- For dps.rutgers.edu. 3603. sale or lease: WYLi Stereo AM 910. New studio and transmitting equipment. 5.400 watts serving the greater Mid -Ohio Valley WANTED TO BUY EQUIPMENT from Cambridge to Charleston. 24 hours with reduced power at night. Perfect for educational, religious Used videotape: Cash for 3/4" SP, M2 -90's, or commercial applications. Reasonable leasing Betacam SP's. Call Carpel Video 301 -694 -3500. terms for those qualified. Part of the Parkersburg. WV /Marietta, OH Radio Market. Irquiries: Fax FOR SALE EQUIPMENT David Strock (304)295 -1033.

Birmingham AL. Booming area. Fulltime AM. Great opportunity for ownenoperator. Well WANT TO RESPOND TO A equipped /automated, some room for upgrading. Broker 781-848-4201. BROADCASTING CLEARLY & CABLE ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVES

BLIND BOX ? PRUDENT. Media specific staffing service looking for an For video duplication, demos, Account Manager in NYC. Must have good East Coast audjtion reels, work tapes, our contacts, strong work ethics, human re- source recycler! tapes are technically a plus. proficient computer skills required. Send resume /tape to: Benefits up to any task and downright and growth opportunities. Fax resume ASAP (312)944- 9195/Molly. All inquiries bargains. All formats, fully guar- confiden- Box tial. anteed. To order call: 245 West 17th St., (800)238 -4300 CARPEL CAPTIONING SERVICES New York, New York 10011 Closed Captioning For Less! Lowest prices on videotape! Since 1979 we have been beating the high cost Digital Captioning of videotape. and Subtitling Call Carpel for a catalog. 800 -238 -4300. 800 -822 -3566 AM and FM transmitters, used, excellent condi- tion. tuned and tested your frequency. Guaran- teed. Financing available. Transcom. 800 -441- CAPTION MAX 8454. 215- 884 -0888, Fax 215- 884 -0738. L Broadcasting 8, Cable May 4 1998 135

www.americanradiohistory.com http: //www.broadcastingcable.com Quaestus Management Corp. April 9 For the Record" compiles applications filed Fairbault, Minn. (BTC- 980403B5) -Radio with and actions taken by the FCC. Applica- Iowa Broadcasting Inc. for KDHL(AM): volun- Sleepy Eye, Minn. (BTCH- 980403C9)- ions and actions are listed by state; the date tary TOC from Cumulus Media LLC to James Ingstad Broadcasting Inc. for KNUJ- he application was filed or the action was Quaestus Management Corp. April 9 FM: voluntary TOC from Cumulus Media LLC taken, when available, appears in italic. Fairbault, Minn. (BTCH- 980403D2) -Radio to Quaestus Management Corp. April 9 Iowa Broadcasting Inc. for KwcL(FM): volun- Springfield, Minn. (BTCH- 980403C7)- Abbreviations: AOL- assignment of license: ant. - for KNSG antenna: ch.- channel: CP- construction permit: tary TOC from Cumulus Media LLC to James Ingstad Broadcasting Inc. D.I.P. -debtor in possession: ERP- effective radiated Quaestus Management Corp. April 9 (FM): voluntary TOC from Cumulus Media power: khz- kilohertz: km--kilometers: kw-kilowatts: (BTCH- LLC to Quaestus Management Corp. April 9 m- meters: mhz- megahertz: mi- miles: TL-trans- Lake City, Minn. 980403C5)- mitter location: TOC -transfer of control: w- watts. Radio Iowa Broadcasting Inc. for KMFx -FM: Wabasha, Minn. (BTC- 980403C4) -Radio One meter equals 3.2K feet. voluntary TOC from Cumulus Media LLC to Iowa Broadcasting Inc. for KMFx(AM): volun- Quaestus Management Corp. April 9 tary TOC from Cumulus Media LLC to April 9 OWNERSHIP CHANGES: Mankato, Minn. (BTC- 980403E3)- Ingstad Quaestus Management Corp. KvsM(AM): voluntary TOC Minn. (BTC- 980403D1) -Home- Dismissed Mankato Inc. for Waseca, from Cumulus Media LLC to Quaestus Man- town Wireless Inc. for Kowo(AM): voluntary Weed, Calif. (BALH- 970801GM)- Tristar agement Corp. April 9 TOC from Cumulus Media LLC to Quaestus Inc. for KwHO(FM): volun- Broadcasting Corp. Management Corp. April tary AOL from Tristar Broadcasting Corp. Mankato, Minn. (BTCH- 980403E4)- KYSM -FM: voluntary Waseca, Minn. (BTCH- 980403D8) -Home- Inc. to Great Western Broadcasting. April20 Ingstad Mankato Inc. for TOC from Cumulus Media LLC to Quaestus town Wireless Inc. for KRuE(FM): voluntary Gardiner, Maine (BTCH-980403HN)-Cas- Management Corp. April 9 TOC from Cumulus Media LLC to Quaestus for wezN(FM): voluntary tle Broadcasting Ltd. Management Corp. April 9 TOC from Cumulus Media LLC to Quaestus New Ulm, Minn. (BTC- 980403C8) -James N.D. (BTCH-980403A9)-Mis- Management Corp. April 9 Ingstad Broadcasting Inc. for KNw(AM): vol- Bismarck, Media LLC to souri River Broadcasting Inc. for KAcL(FM): Madison, Maine (BTCH- 980403F6)- untary TOC from Cumulus April 9 voluntary TOC from Cumulus Media LLC to Inc. for Quaestus Management Corp. Tryon -Seacoast Communications Quaestus Management Corp. April 9 wIGv(FM): voluntary TOC from Cumulus New Ulm, Minn. (BTCH- 980403E2)- N.D. Media LLC to Quaestus Management Corp. James Ingstad Broadcasting Inc. for KXLP Bismarck, (BTCH-980403B1)-Mis- River Broadcasting Inc. for KBVZ(FM): April 9 (FM): voluntary TOC from Cumulus Media souri April 9 voluntary TOC from Cumulus Media LLC to Maine (BTCH-980403G4)- LLC to Quaestus Management Corp. Showhegan, Quaestus Management Corp. April 9 Mountain Wireless Inc. for wros -FM: volun- Owatonna, Minn. (BTC- 980403D7)- tary TOC from Cumulus Media LLC to James Ingstad Broadcasting Inc. for KBFO Bismarck, N.D. (BTCH- 980403B9) -JKJ Inc. for KKCT(FM): voluntary Quaestus Management Corp. April 9 (AM): voluntary TOC from Cumulus Media Broadcasting TOC from Cumulus Media LLC to Quaestus Mich. (BTCH-980403G5)-Les- LLC to Quaestus Management Corp. April 9 Monroe, Management Corp. April 9 nick Communications Inc. for wTwn -FM: vol- Owatonna, Minn. (BTCH- 980403D6)- N.D. (BTC- 980403- untary TOC from Cumulus Media LLC to James Ingstad Broadcasting Inc. for KRFO- Bismarck -Mandan, Missouri River Broadcasting Inc. for Quaestus Management Corp. April 9 FM: voluntary TOC from Cumulus Media LLC C3)- Klxx(AM): voluntary TOC from Cumulus Media Lea, Minn. (BTCH- 980403D4)- to Quaestus Management Corp. April Albert LLC to Quaestus Management Corp. April 9 Radio Iowa Broadcasting Inc. for KoPR(FM): Rochester, Minn. (BTC- 980403D9)-Radio S.C. (BTC- 980403F5)-George voluntary TOC from Cumulus Media LLC to Iowa Broadcasting Inc. for KwEB(AM): volun- Hartsville, for wHsc(AM): voluntary TOC Quaestus Management Corp. April 9 tary TOC from Cumulus Media LLC to H. Buck Jr. from Cumulus Media LLC to Quaestus Man- Austin, Minn. (BTC- 980403C6) -Radio Quaestus Management Corp. April agement Corp. April 9 Iowa Broadcasting Inc. for KNFx(AM): volun- Rochester, Minn. (BTCH- 980403D5)- S.C. (BTCH- 980403F4)- tary TOC from Cumulus Media LLC to Radio Iowa Broadcasting Inc. for KRCH(FM): Hartsville, George H. Buck Jr. for wHSC -FM: voluntary Quaestus Management Corp. April 9 voluntary TOC from Cumulus Media LLC to TOC from Cumulus Media LLC to Quaestus Management Corp. April 9 BY THE NUMBERS Marion, S.C. (BTCH- 980403E6)- Pamplico Broadcasting LP for wezF(FM): voluntary BROADCAST STATIONS Service Total TOC from Cumulus Media LLC to Quaestus Management Corp. April 9 Service Total VHF TV 558 Commercial Pamplico, S.C. (BTCH- 980403G1) -Pam. Commercial AM 4,724 Commercial UHF TV 651 plico Broadcasting LP for wMxb(FM): volun- tary TOC from Cumulus Media LLC to Commercial FM 5,591 TV 125 Educational VHF Quaestus Management Corp. April 9 Educational FM 1,961 Educational UHF TV 242 Allouez, Wis. (BTCH-980403F7)- Ameri- vol- Total Radio 12,276 Total TV 1,576 can Communications Co. for w.ILw(FM): untary TOC from Cumulus Media LLC to VHF LPTV 559 Management Corp. April CABLE Quaestus UHF LPTV 1,515 Brillion, Wis. (BTCH- 980403F1)- Brillion Total systems 11,600 Radio Co. for wEzn(FM): voluntary TOC from Total LPTV 2,074 Basic subscribers 64,800,000 Cumulus Media LLC to Quaestus Manage- FM translators & boosters 2,928 ment Corp. April 9 Homes passed 93,790,000 VHF translators 2,248 Granted Basic penetration* 66.1% Davis, Calif. (BALH-980402GK)-Progres- UHF translators 2,752 Based on TV household universe of 98 million sive Media Group Inc. for KoBR(FM): involun- Sources: FCC. Nielsen. Paul Kagan Associates tary AOL from Progressive Media Group Inc. Total Translators 7,928 GRAPHIC BY BROADCASTING A CABLE to The Beverly Group Inc. as receiver. April21 Cable 136 May 4 1998 Broadcasting &

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www.americanradiohistory.com For the Record Durango, Colo. (BPCT- 961001 LI) -Jeff & wEBB(FM) tower. April 9 NEW STATIONS Joella Thomas for TV at ch. 33, 5,000 kw, Waterville, Me. (BPCT- 961001 LA) -Davis Ridge Electric Site. TV ch. 23, Dismissed ant. 371 m., Missionary Television Waterville LLC for at 1.070 kw, ant. 121 m., off Oak Grove Rd. 2.4 Georgiana, Ala. (BPED- 970711 MC)- -Radix km W of N Vassalboro, Me. April 9 Okaloosa Public Radio Inc. for noncommer- LaFayette, Ga. (BPH- 920304MH) 107.5 mhz, 3 kw, 961001 XH)- Diver- cial FM at 89.3 mhz. April 3 Broadcasting Inc. for FM at Waterville, Me. (BPCT- 91 m. April 15 sified Communications for TV at ch. 23, Georgiana, Ala. (BPED- 970321 MA)- ant. 5,000 kw, ant. 367.9 m., Danford Hill. April 9 American Family Assn. for noncommercial Lewiston, Idaho (BPH- 931223MB)- 1.21 kw, -961001 Antho- FM at 89.3 mhz. April 3 Woodcom Inc. for FM at 105.1 mhz, Waterville, Me. (BPCT LP)- 233 m. April 13 ny J. Fant. for TV at ch. 23, 5,000 kw, ant. Anchorage, Alaska (BPH- 951114MA)- ant. 126.1 m.. 2.6 km W of N Vassalboro, Me. Concert Broadcasters Inc. for FM at Alexandria, La. (BPH- 970529MH) -Cary Chinook April 9 93.7 mhz. April 13 D. Camp for FM at 106.9 mhz. April 13 Waterville, Me. (BPCT- 960927KF) -Katex Alaska (BPH -951 1 13ML)- Alexandria, La. (BPH- 970528MG)- Anchorage, Communications Corp. for TV at ch. 23, Communications Inc. for FM at 93.7 Eugene M. and Bobbie Coates for FM at 1,912 kw, ant. 94 m., 2.2 km W of N Vassal - mhz. April 13 106.9 mhz. April 13 boro, Me. April 9 Ariz. (BPCT- 960111 LF)- William Alexandria, La. (BPH- 970529M1)-DCJ Douglas, Waterville, Me. (BPCT- 960927KH) -KB TV 3, 20 kw, ant. 53.8 m., Partners Inc. for FM at 106.9 mhz. April 13 M. Smith for at ch. Communications Corp. for TV at ch. 23, 1.8 mi NNE of Douglas on US Hwy. 80. Alexandria, La. (BPH- 970523MA) -GMA 5,000 kw, ant. 394 m., atop Quaker Hill 17.3 April 8 106.9 mhz. Broadcasting Corp. for FM at km S of Waterville. April 9 Douglas, Ariz. (BPCT- 960405KP)- Ronald April 13 Waterville, Me. (BPCT- 960628KE)- J.B.M. L. Ulloa for TV at ch. 3, 100 kw, ant. 2 m., .2 Alexandria, La. (BPH- 970528MH) -Mark Jr. for TV at ch. 23, 150 kw, ant. 74 m., 140 km NW of US Hwy. 80. April 8 Jones for FM at 106.9 mhz. April 13 Benton. April 9 Ariz. (BPCT-960405LB)- Value- Douglas, Alexandria, La. (BPH- 970529MK) -Rice Waterville, Me. (BPCT- 961001VC) -New vision Int. Inc. for TV at ch. 3, 40 kw, ant. -5.5 Capital Broadcasting Co. Inc. for FM at York Network LLC for TV at ch. 23, 1,000 m.. on State Hwy. 80, 2.1 km N of Geronimo 106.9 mhz. April 13 kw, ant. 343 m., 1.5 km SE of intersection of Trail. April8 A Ball, La. (BPH- 970529MM) -Ball Broad- SRs 104 and Bloomfield Rd. in Somerset Douglas, Ariz. (BPCT- 960405LE)-Venture casting Co. for FM at 105.5 mhz . April 9 Co., Me. April 9 Technologies Group LLC for TV at ch. 3, 1.74 George S. Waterville, Me. (BPCT- 960710KX)- kw, ant. -16 m., 2770 N G. Ave. April8 Ball, La. (BPH- 970529ME)- Flinn Jr. for FM at 105.5 mhz. April 9 Presque Isle Broadcasting Co. for TV at ch. Harrison, Ark. (BPCT- 950710KH)- 23, 2,630 kw, ant. 119.9 m., 2.5 km E of US Ball, La. (BPH- 970528MF) -Mark Jones for Charles Scott Earls for TV at ch. 31, +15 kw. Hwy. 201, Vasselvoro, Me. April 9 m., .8 km W of State Hwy. 206, atop FM at 105.5 mhz. April9 ant. 197 Waterville, Me. (BPCT- 961001 LR) -Prime Kennedy Mountain, 8 km W of the city of Ball, La. (BPH- 970529ML) -Rice Capitol Broadcasting Co. for TV at ch. 23, 700 kw, Harrison. April 3 Broadcasting Co. Inc. for FM at 105.5 mhz. ant. 61 m., 2.1 km NE of Winslow. Me. April April 9 Harrison, Ark. (BPCT- 950728KU) -Agape 9 for TV at ch. 31, 2,500 kw, ant. North- Church Inc. Minden, La. (BPCT-960118KK)- Park Rapids, Minn. (BPH- 950120MB)- 268 m., 4.8 km S of Capps, West of SR 43 in west Television Inc. for TV at ch. 21, 1,450 Roger Paskvan for FM at 92.5 mhz. 6 kw, Boone County. Ark. April 3 kw, ant. 124 m., in an undeveloped field in ant. 81 m. April 9 Ark. (BPCT- 951106KL) -Sigma the SE quarter of the SW quarter of section Harrison, Park Rapids, Minn. (BPH- 950123ME)- Broadcasting Inc. for TV at ch. 31, 2,750 kw, 24, town 18 N, range 10 W, Webster Parish, Richard Youngbauer for FM at 92.5 mhz, 6 ant. 268 m., Gaither Mountain, 1.4 km W of La. April 14 kw, ant. 100 m. April9 intersection of SRs 43 and 206 near Harri- Minden, La. (BPCT- 960116KI) -John E. Minn. (BPH- 960112MG) -BCR son. April3 Powley for TV at ch. 21, 5,000 kw, ant. 162 St. Joseph, Corp. Inc. for FM at 99.9 mhz. April 13 Lakeview, Ark. (BPH- 961107MC) -Moun- m., 4.7 mi SW of Minden. April 14 St. Joseph, Minn. (BPH- 960112MD) -KFIL tain Lakes Broadcasting Inc. for FM at 93.5 Minden, La. (BPCT- 960405LG)- Marcia T. Inc. for FM at 99.9 mhz. April 13 mhz. April 9 Turner for TV at ch. 21, 424 kw, ant. 72 m., Delta, Colo. (BPH- 961127MC) -Cyrus corner of Berry and Lakeshore -Turner St. Joseph, Minn. (BPH- 960116MM)- FM 99.9 mhz. Esphahanian for FM at 103.3 mhz. April 13 Roads in Minden. April 14 Saint John's University for at April 13 Delta, Colo. (BPH- 961127ME)- Leggett Minden, La. (BPCT- 960404LS)- Universal Broadcasting Inc. for FM at 103.3 mhz. Media of Ark -La -Tex for TV at ch. 21, 5,000 St. Joseph, Minn. (BPH- 960112MF) -St. for FM at 99.9 April 13 kw, ant. 294 m., N side of Webster Parish Joseph Radio Partnership mhz. April 13 Delta, Colo. (BPH- 961127MH)- Bradley R. Road 14, .4 mi E of intersection with SR 14 -960111 AU) and Barbara J. Link for FM at 103.3 mhz. 3008. 15.9 km NNW of Minden. April St. Joseph, Minn. (BPH -Tri- Inc. for FM at 99.9 April 13 Minden, La. (BPCT- 9604053L)- Venture County Broadcasting mhz. April 13 Delta, Colo. (BPH -961 129ML)- Maxium Technologies Group LLC for TV at ch. 21, Broadcasting LLC for FM at 103.3 mhz. 3,020 kw, ant. 111 m., .17 km W of Old State Walker, Minn. (BPH- 950203MD) -Roger 101.9 mhz. 6 kw, ant. 70 April 13 Hwy. 7, 8.2 km S of Cottno Valley, La. April Paskvan for FM at m. April9 Delta, Colo. (BPH- 961127MG)- Pacific 14 Spanish Network Inc. for FM at 103.3 mhz. Minden, La. (BPCT- 960404KV)- Winstar Walker, Minn. (BPH- 950203ML) -James 101.9 mhz. 6 kw, ant. April 13 Broadcasting Corp. for TV at ch. 21, 5,000 D. Ingstad for FM at km E Rte. 7, 1.9 km N 100 m. April 9 Delta, Colo. (BPH- 961129MI) -Paul Joseph kw, ant. 127 m., .8 of near Minden. Varecha for FM at 103.3 mhz. April 13 of intersection with Rte. 528 Carlsbad, N.M. (BPH- 950825MG)- April 14 Charles White for FM at 106.1 mhz, 50 kw, Delta, Colo. (BPH- 961127MI)- Western of ant. 42 m. April 9 Slope Communications LLC for FM at 103.3 Minden, La. (BPCT- 960405L2) -Word 21, 1,900 kw, Value- mhz. April 13 Life Ministries Inc. for TV at ch. Rapid City, S.D. (BPCT-960405LI)- 127 m., 4,100 ft. from Junction of Parish International Inc. for TV at ch. 21, Durango, Colo. (BPCT- 960930K0) -EI ant. vision Road 10 and SR 7. April 14 1,000 kw, ant. 139.7 m., 5.3 km S of inter- Dorado Broadcasting LLC for TV at ch. 33, section of Jackson Blvd. and Sheridan Lake 5,000 kw, ant. 122.6 m., Smelter Mountain, Waterville, Me. (BPCT- 961001 XQ)- Cardi- Road, 6 km SW of Rapid City center. April 2 1.4 km SW of Animas River and US 160. nal Broadcasting Corp. for TV at ch. 23, April 2 1,500 kw, ant. 231 ft., site of wTvL(AM)- -Compiled by Sara Brown & Cable 138 May 41998 Broadcasting

www.americanradiohistory.com 0 0 0

THIS WEEK May 30- Radio -Television News Directors Asso- Plaza Hotel. St. Louis. Contact: Rick Osmanski, ciation spring training conference. Wyndham Gar- (202) 659 -6510. May 3-6-Cable '98, 47th annual National Cable den Hotel -Buckhead, Atlanta. Contact: Rick June 21.24-Cable Telecommunications Asso- Television Association convention and exposition. Osmanski. (202) 659 -6510. ciation of Maryland, and the District of Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta. Contact: May 31 -lune 4-1998 International Conference Columbia annual conference. Sheraton Fontaine- Bobbie Boyd. (202) 775 -3669. on Consumer Electronics. LAX Marriott, Los Ange- bleau Hotel, Ocean City. Md. Contact: (410) 266- May 5 -Women in Cable & Telecommunications les. Contact: Diane Williams. (716) 392 -3862. 9111. annual accolades breakfast. Westin Peachtree June 24- Federal Communications Bar Associ- r Plaza, Atlanta. Contact: Mary Daviau. (312) 634- JUNE 4230. ation luncheon featuring FCC Chairman William June 1.2 -New Jersey Broadcasters Associa- Kennard. Capital Hilton Hotel, Washington. Con- May 5 -PBS Premiere Showcase. Laura Belle, tion annual Convention and Mid -Atlantic States tact: Paula Friedman. (202) 736 -8640. New York City. Contact: (800) 222 -0934. Expo, presented in association with the Maryland- June 25-26 -(1998 Forum on Cable/Telco May 6 -Fred Friendly First Amendment Award Delaware-D.C. Broadcasters Association. Atlantic Franchising & Competition." presented by the Luncheon honoring , hosted by Quin - City Hilton Casion Resort, Atlantic City. Contact: Strategic Research Institute. Embassy Row Hilton, nipiac College. The Metropolitan Cub, New York Phil Roberts. (888) 652 -2366. Washington. Contact: (800) 599 -4950. City. Contact: (203) 281 -8655. June 2-4-International Conference on Con- June 28-30-New York State Broadcasters May 8 -Ninth annual meeting of the National sumer Electronics technical conference. Los Association 37th Association of Shortwave Broadcasters. Holiday Angeles Airport Marriott. Los Angeles. Contact: annual executive conference. Sagamore Resort, Lake N.Y. Inn -National Airport. Arlington, Va. Contact: (703) Jim Richards. (802) 872 -2800. George. Contact: Mary Anne Jacon, (518) 456 -8888. 416 -1600. June 3-4-"European TV Sports." conference May 8.9- Hawaii Association of Broadcasters presented by Kagan Seminars Inc. Waldorf Hotel, June 28 -July 1-CTAM National Marketing convention. Ala Moana Hotel, Honolulu. Contact: London. Contact: Deborah Kramer, (408) 624- Conference. Chicago Hilton & Towers. Chicago. Jamie Hartnett. (808) 528 -5267. 1536. Contact: M.C. Antil, (703) 549 -4200. June 30- Deadline for entries for the Siegen - MAY June 4 -1998 Radio- Mercury Awards. Marriott Marquis Hotel, New York City. Contact: G. Hast- thaler National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Asso- May 12 -Batten Symposium on civic journalism. ings. (203) 862 -8577. ciation Electronic Media Awards honoring excel- presented by Pew Center for Civic Journalism and June 5-7-Georgia Association of Broadcasters lence in TV and radio reporting on lesbian and Northwestern University Medill School of Journal- annual convention. Hyatt Regency Hotel. Savan- gay issues. Contact: (202) 588 -9888. ism. Northwestern University School of Law, Chi- nah. Ga. (770) 395 -7200. JULY cago. Contact: Wendy Leopold, (847) 491 -4890. June 5- 7- "Civic Journalism: On the Air," work- May 13-PBS Premiere Showcase. Pacific De- shop sponsored by the Radio- Television News July 8.10- WCA'98, 11th annual Wireless sign Center, Los Angeles. Contact: (800) 222- Directors Foundation and the Pew Center for Civic Cable Association convention and exposition. 0934. Journalism. Sheraton Austin Hotel. Austin, Tex. Pennsylvania Convention Center, Philadelphia. May 14.16- National Translator Association Contact: Kathleen Graham, (202) 467 -5216. Contact: Susan Bishop. (202) 452 -7823. annual convention for operators of auxiliary broad- June 7- 9-NIMA International European confer- July 11 -17- National Association of Broadcast- cast stations. Holiday Inn -DIA, Denver. Contact: ence. Excelsior Hotel, The Lido. Venice, . ers Management Development Seminar for Tele- Susan Hansen, (303) 423 -0780. Contact: (202) 289 -6462. vision Executives. Northwestern University, Evan- May 15- Closing date for submission of papers June 7-10-9th annual Management Seminar ston, Ill. Contact: John Porter. (202) 775 -2559. for the 48th annual IEEE Broadcast Technology for News Executives, presented by the Radio - July 17- 18- Oklahoma Association of Broad- Society broadcast symposium. Contact: (703) Television News Directors Association and the casters summer meeting. Shangri -La Resort, 739 -5172. -Columbia School of Jour- Afton. Okla. Contact: Carl Smith, (405) 848 -0771. May 15-17- Federal Communications Bar Asso- nalism. University of Missouri -Columbia School of July 19-22-Women in Cable & Telecommuni- ciation annual seminar. Kingsmill Resort, Williams- Journalism, Columbia, Mo. Contact: John cations national management conference. JW burg. Va. Contact: Paula Friedman. (202) 736 -8640. Richardson, (573) 882 -4201. Marriott Hotel. Washington. Contact: (312) 634- May 17.20 -38th annual Broadcast Cable June 7.11- SUPERCOMM '98, communications 2330. Financial Management Association conference. and information technology conference and exhi- Hyatt Regency Hotel, New Orleans. Contact: Mary bition. Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta. SEPTEMBER Contact: (800) -9786. Teister, (847) 296 -0200. 974 Sept. 17- BROADCASTING s CABLE Interface XII con- May 18.19- Kentucky Cable Television Associ- June 7-13-19th annual Banff Television Festi- ference. New York Grand Hyatt. New York City. ation annual convention. Radisson Plaza Hotel, val. Banff Springs Hotel, Banff, Alberta. Canada. Contact: Cahners Business Information, (212) Lexington, Ky. Contact: Randa Wright, (502) 864- Contact: (403) 678 -9260. 337 -7053. 5352. June 10- 13- Cable -Tec Expo '98. annual cable Sept. 23.26- Radio-Television News Directors May 18.20- "Cable & Satellite 98: The Euro- TV conference and hardware trade show present- Association international conference and exhibi- pean Broadcast & Communications Event," pre- ed by the Society of Cable Television Engineers. tion. San Antonio Convention Center. San Antonio, sented by Reed Exhibition Companies. Earl's Denver Convention Center, Denver. Contact: Tex. Contact: Rick Osmanski, (202) 467 -5200. Court 2, London. Contact: Elizabeth Morgan. (610) 363-3822. (203) 840-5308. June 12.14- Variety ShowBiz Expo West exhi- OCTOBER May 19 -Fifth annual International Radio & Tele- bition and conference. Los Angeles Convention Oct- 14.17- National Association of Broadcasters Center. Los Angeles. vision Society Foundation awards luncheon. Wal- Contact: (800) 840 -5688. Radio Show. Washington State Convention and dorf -Astoria. New York City. Contact: Marilyn Ellis, June 12.17- Cologne Conference & Screen- Trade Center. Seattle. Contact: (800) 342 -2460. (212) 867-6650. ings International Television Festival, presented Oct. 26-28-Southern Cable Telecommunica- by Medienforum NRW. Cologne halls May 19- Federal Communications Bar Associa- exhibition tions Association Eastern Show. Orange County (KölnMesse) and the Rheinterrassen,Cologne, tion Denver chapter dinner featuring FCC General Convention Center, Orlando, Fla. Contact: Patti Germany. Contact: +49 221 454 3280. Counsel Christopher Wright. Denver Marriott Tech Hall, (404) 255 -1608. Center, Denver. Contact: Paula Friedman. (202) June 14- 16- "Ticket to Ten Million." 5th annual Oct. Society of Motion Picture and Tele- 736 -8640. DBS Summit presented by DBS Digest. Adams 28.31- vision Engineers 140th technical conference and May Federal Mark Hotel, Denver. Contact: (719) 545 -1210. 21- Communications Bar Associa- exhibition. Pasadena Convention Center. Pasade- tion luncheon featuring FCC Commissioner June 15 Arkansas and Tennessee Cable Gloria -18- na, Calif. Contact: (914) 761 -1100. Tristani. Capital Hilton Hotel, Washington. Con- Communications Associations 1998 Joint Con- tact: Paula Friedman, (202) 736-8640. vention. Adam's Mark Hotel, Memphis. Contact: NOVEMBER May 22 -27-22nd annual National Association Pamela McCary. (615) 256 -7037. Nov. BROADCASTING a CABLE 1998 Hall of Fame of Black Owned Broadcasters spring broadcast June 16- International Radio & Television Soci- 9- Dinner. Marriott Marquis Hotel, New York City. management conference. Renaissance Grand ety Foundation Gold Medal Award dinner honor- Contact: Cahners Business Information. (212) Beach Resort, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. ing . Waldorf- Astoria, New York 337 -7053. Contact: Cynthia Smith. (202) 463-8970. City. Contact: Marilyn Ellis, (212) 867 -6650. May 27- Federal Communications Bar Associa- June 17.20- PROMAX/BDA annual conference DECEMBER tion New York chapter luncheon featuring FCC and exposition. Toronto Convention Centre. Commissioner Michael Powell. CBS Headquar- Toronto, Ontario. Contact: Linda Nichols. (310) Dec- I.4 -The Western Show. conference and ters, New York City. Contact: Paula Friedman. 788-7600. exhibition presented by the California Cable Tele- vision Association. Anaheim Convention (202) 736 -8640. June 18-The New York Festivals 1998 Interna- Center, Anaheim, Calif. Contact: (510) 4295300. May 27-29-North American National Broad- tional Radio Awards Ceremonies. The Copaca- casters Association Sixth International Broadcast bana. New York City. Contact: (914) 238 -4481. Major Meeting dates in red News Workshop. CBC Broadcast Centre, Toronto. June 20- Radio-Television News Directors -Compiled by Kenneth Ray Contact: Paul Ferreira, (416) 598 -9877. Association spring training conference. Sheraton I ken.ray @cah ners.com)

Broadcasting & Cable May 4 1998 139

www.americanradiohistory.com Nooney brings write stuff to Disney

Charlie Nooney isn't kidding when he myself to the actors when I was writing and says he didn't take the normal route directing. It wasn't that different. I was also in his career path. selling myself to civic groups and other peo- "1 think my whole career has been one ple in an effort to keep a struggling theater happy accident," says Nooney, senior vice alive." president of sales and affiliate marketing at Nooney spent nearly a year and a half as the Disney Channel and the just -launched an account executive before being promoted Toon Disney. to regional director in Atlanta. He was After receiving his master's degree in establishing Showtime's offices in Florida urban planning from the University of in 1983 when he got a call from executives Birmingham in 1980, Nooney at the Disney Channel. After only a few found himself doing a number of odd jobs. months as a national accounts manager for He worked in construction, painted houses, the relatively new children's network, he built swimming pools and even helped out was named vice president of the Southeast at an Alabama slaughterhouse. region. "I was a 28- year -old kid at the time, But Nooney was a writer at heart. While and I had never really managed anyone," working the odd jobs, Nooney directed and A Nooney says of his promotion. "All of a wrote plays for the Birmingham Festival sudden I had 17 people staring at me, won- Theatre. "[Going] through dering what I wanted them to do." Shortly after taking on design work for a The former theater director caught on Birmingham architectural firm, Nooney the process to make quickly. He also soon caught the attention came across a job that fascinated him-and Disney Channel a of Disney executives at the company's appeared to come with a steady income. headquarters in Los Angeles. Nooney, who While at a cable system in Alabama in 1981, basic cable network says he had never been on a plane before Nooney overheard an HBO sales executive his first job with Showtime, soon was fly- who was training future salesmen. has been a terrific ing to California for a new position. In Jan- "What a great job that would be," learning uary 1985, he was named vice president of Nooney remembers saying to himself. affiliate operations, working from Disney "Birmingham at the time had an unem- experience." Channel's Burbank, Calif., offices. ployment rate of something like 33 per- "I met a ton of people and got to travel cent, and the prospects didn't look so great. all over the country," he says of the posi- So I followed up on it." Charles A. tion he held for IO years. "I feel like I vis- Nooney got in his car and drove to ited every cable system in the country dur- Atlanta, where the major cable networks Nooney ing those years. I really got to see a lot of had their regional offices. But at HBO's Senior vice president, sales and different business philosophies, from the Southern headquarters, "They told me that affiliate marketing, Disney smallest towns to the largest." I was crazy, that I had no ]sales] experi- Channel and Toon Disney, Bur- After all the traveling, Nooney was pro- ence and that they were looking for people bank, Calif.; b. July 7, 1955, moted to his current position as senior vice with some type of experience that was Bennettsville, S.C.; BA, urban president of sales and affiliate marketing in related." administration, University of 1995. He has been instrumental in Disney Dejected and ready to head back to Alabama -Birmingham, 1977; Channel's transition from a pay channel to Alabama, Nooney recalled hearing about MA, urban planning, University a basic cable outlet and in the recent launch another cable network, Showtime, that also of Alabama -Birmingham, 1980; of Toon Disney. "I'm very grounded in the had regional offices in Atlanta. He pulled writer, Birmingham Festival pay business, so [going] through the Theatre, 1976 -80; account into a telephone booth, looked up the pay process to make Disney Channel a basic executive, Showtime Television, network and left his résumé with a recep- cable network has been a terrific learning Atlanta, 1981 -82; regional tionist. process," he says. "And Toon Disney director, Showtime Television, "And I think the person running the seemed like a very logical step for us to Atlanta, 1982 -83; Disney Atlanta office recognized my name from take. It's going to be very successful." Channel: manager, national one of the plays I had done in Birmingham. accounts, Atlanta, 1983 -84; Nooney isn't thinking about his next He called me and offered me a job, and that vice president, Southeast career and is more than content with his was how I got started in the business." region, Atlanta, 1984 -85; vice day -to -day chores at Disney Channel. But Nooney joined Showtime in Atlanta in president, affiliate operations, he may get back into writing one day. 1981 as an account executive, selling the Burbank, 1985 -95; current "I think in my third career I'm going to network to cable subscribers in Mississip- position since June 1995; m. go back through my life experiences and pi. "Obviously I had a lot to learn," he Helen Thorton, Oct. 26, 1979; put them down on paper," he says. "Hope- recalls, "but I found, after spending a lot of children: Dylan, 16, Chris, 13 fully I won't have the financial pressures I time in the theater, I was constantly selling had the first time around." -Joe Schlosser

140 May 41998 Broadcasting & Cable

www.americanradiohistory.com F tes z Forturis

BROADCAST TV WGN celebrates 50 years of l: Appointments a: wKYC -TV Cleveland: On April 20, 1998, WGN -TV Erin O'Connor, research director, named Chicago celebrated its 50th local sales manager; Dana Nagel, local anniversary. Six of the past sales manager, wuAIt(Tv) Lorain. Ohio, seven general managers were joins in same capacity. present, covering 50 years of leadership. (l -r): Ward Ouaal, Bob Affe, director, corporate program- 1956 -67 (VP GM), 1967 -74 ming, , joins (pres.); Dan Pecaro, 1967-74 KDAF(TV) Dallas as programming direc- (VP GM), 1974 -1981 (pres.); tor. , 1974 -81; Joe Loughlin, 1983 -87; Dennis William Ross, FitzSimons, 1987-92, and VP /GM, Peter Walker, 1992-present. WGN.)(TV) New , 1982-83, is not Orleans, joins pictured. KWGN -TV Denver in same capacity. Partners. Philadelphia, joins as GM, PROGRAMMING Michael Ward, Pax Net of Boston, wPxs(Tv) and head. business wRPX(TV ). W. Wayne Godwin, president /GM. improvement Dave Manney, spe- wcET(TV) Cincinnati, elected to the practices for the cial projects pro- position of vice chair of the board of news Ross departments ducer, WXYZ -TV trustees for the Public Broadcasting in seven NBC sta- Detroit, named Service. tions, named president/GM, WNCN(TV) executive produc- Sharon Morrill and Barry Blumberg, senior Goldsboro/ Raleigh, N.C. er, local program- VPs. Walt Disney Television Anima- Deborah Wilson, general sales manager, ming. tion, Burbank, Calif.. named executive WI3R(:-IV Birmingham, Ala., joins KING - Steven Brant, TV Seattle as director, sales and market- regional manager. ing. business develop- Thomas Ehlmann, Manney ment, Leitch Inc., director, sales. joins wrrv(Tv) KHTV(TV) Hous- Bloomington/, Ind., as ton, named director, operations and engineering. VP /GM. David Rotem, account executive, ABC Sports, named VP /director, ABC Appointments at News, early morning and late -night ThP WB Bur- sales, AB -e evision etwor 'ew hank, Calif.: Morrill Blumberg York. Joseph Lee named VPs. Morrill oversees Disney video VP, special pro- premieres, movietoons and TV spe- jects: Craig Ehlmann Porchlight hires cials; Blumberg guides television series MacEachem, VP. for networks and syndication. production, America's Health Network. Appointments at Pearson All Ameri- Orlando, Fla., joins as VP, on -air pro - can: Lou Festa, executive VP, finance. duction/edit facility operations; Franz All American Television, named CFO. Kurath, manager, production technolo- New York; Bill Lincoln, CFO /COO, gy, Hanna -Barbera/WB Animation, ACI, joins as executive VP production Hollywood. joins as VP, graphics pro- management and finance, Los Angeles; duction: Galit Vaturi, manager, broadcast Catherine Mackay, head of Pearsxm Tele- services, ABC, joins as director, affili- Slack Winter vision Broadcasting Division. Asia. ate marketing. named executive VP, operations. New Appointments at Porchlight Enter- Appointments at York. Paxson Communica- tainment, Santa Monica, Calif.: tions Corp.: Jeffrey Myers, general sales Stephanie Slack joins as director, manager, WARW(FM) Bethesda, Md., worldwide sales; Aurora Winter, JOURNALISM joins w'xw(Tv) Washington as GM; president /CEO /COO, Random Michael Berman, station manager Steve Paulus, VP, NY I News, New and Harvest Entertainment Inc., joins general sales manager, wxoN(TV) York, named senior VP, news and pro- PorchLight Pictures as VP, devel- Detroit, joins wPxD(TV) Detroit as gramming. GM; opment and production. Carol Healey, director, marketing, DC Tom Rogers, news director, WRTC -FM

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www.americanradiohistory.com Hartford, Conn., joins WILL(AM) VP. operations and research, named Urbana, Ill., in same capacity. dcas,tng executive VP, worldwide research; Bob Patchen, director, research, named VP, Gerry Sandusky, sports anchor, WEAL -TV ONiLIN = &Sable research standards and practices. Baltimore, has been elected 1997 For more people news, go to Year. He was Karen Carroll, senior VP /GM, American Sportscaster of the www.broadcastingcable.com, Radio Systems stations, joins inducted into the National Sportscasters where we post personnel changes KMOX(AM) St. as VP/GM. and Sportswriters Association during for the broadcasting, cable and Internet Louis, the 39th annual awards program held in industry every day Salisbury, N.C., on April 26. Included CABLE in the induction were and WHLI(AM) /WKJY(FM) as VP /GM. Dave Kindred, who were national win- Appointments at Showtimc Networks Lee Coleman, local sales manager, ners. Inc., New York: Katherine Meyer, man- WRCX(FN1) Chicago, joins KGB -FM San ager. talent relations and a\ Ards. Joe Oliver, news Diego, Calif., as general sales manager. named director: Andrew Goldman, man- anchor, KPIX -TV National Public Radio, Washington, ager, program scheduling and planning, San Francisco, has created a technology office to max- HBO, New York, joins as director. pro- joins KRON -TV San imize NPR's content and technology gram scheduling; Ken Todd, manager, Francisco as Don Lockett, VP, engineering and program information and analysis, anchor /reporter, assets. technology, named named director: John Walsh, manager, NewsCenter 4. information VP /chief technology officer; Mike Star - program information and video ser- Oliver will also ing, director, engineering and opera- vices. named director, public relations co- anchor Day- VP, engineering. program information and promotion; break Early Edi- tions, named acting Mike Harrigan, director. field marketing. tion. Appointments at WCRit(FM) Waltham/ Oliver named VP; Jan Meshon, director. affili- Boston. Mass.: Mazza, program Jamie Dupree, radio ate training and incentives. named VP, news director, Cox Broadcasting. point -of -sales marketing; Tony Di Bella, Washington news bureau, named assis- director, special markets. named VP; tant bureau chief. Sharon Whitt, lawyer, Davis Polk & Appointments at WGAL(TV) Lancaster. Wardwell, joins as counsel, sales and Pa.: Dan O'Donnell, producer. weekday marketing: Ken Kay, director, business newscasts, named executive producer; planning. named VP, direct -to-home; Lisa Santoro, associate producer, named Sara Edwards, director. DBS, named VP; nightside assignment editor. Dennis Closer, director. affiliate audit, named VI': Crystal Hall, senior art direc- John Acello, VP /regional director, opera- tor. on -air design. named creative tions, Southwest, Metro Networks Inc., Mazza Gamble director, network design, creative /mar- named VP. management /employee keting services. relations, Houston, Tex. director, named VP, operations; Terri Gamble, sales manager. named VP, Wendy Walker Whit- Appointments at News 12 The Bronx, sales. worth, executive New York: , writer/produc- producer, Larry er. NY I News, joins as reporter: Lisa Jay Pearce, director, news and public King Live and Villasenor, reporter, WMBC -TV Newton. affairs, wslu(FM) Carbondale, Ill., joins Larry King Week- N..I.. joins in same capacity: Michael WILL(AM) Urbana, Ill., as program end, adds senior Crowley, bureau chief, Regional News director. VP, CNN. to her Network. New Jersey, joins as assign- Carol Cruickshank, director, urban affili- responsibilities. ment desk editor; Thomas D'Elia, direc- ate relations, SW Networks, New York. Isabelle Arace, tor, Newsport Television. joins as joins SJS Urban Entertainment, New executive director, senior director; Darryl Stith, technical York, as director, affiliate relations. director Tel 10 News of Wcstehreter Whitworth employee rela- joins as studio director; Allison Keyes, Daniel Dougherty, national sales director. tions. TCI Com- writer/producer, WCBS -TV New York, Atlantic Star Communications Inc., munications' Atlantic division, named joins as producer; Natalie Morales, asso- Westchester, N.Y.. and Fairfield. VP, compensation and employee initia- VP. ciate producer, Court TV, joins as cor- Conn., counties, named national tives. sales. respondent. Jim !Gunder, director. local advertising Patti Dowsing, senior accountant. Jones sales. Turner Broadcasting Systems RADIO Radio Network, Englewood, Colo., Inc.. Atlanta. joins The Philadelphia named business manager. Interconnect. Bala Cynwyd, Pa., as Jane Bartsch, president /GM, WHLI(AM)/ Dave Collins, program director/midday GM. WKJY(FM) Hempstead, joins WGSM(AM) host, KWNR(FM) Henderson/Las Vegas, Mancini, senior VP, broadcast Huntington, WMJC(FM) Smithtown, and Frank Nev., joins KIXO -FM Tucson. Ariz., in WKNR(AM) joins WBZo(FM) Bay Shore. all New York, operations. Cleveland. same capacity. Cablevision Systems Corp.. Woodbury, in same capacity; David Widmer, direc- as VP, schedules and protocol. tor, sales, Northeast. Atlantic Star Appointments at The Arbitron Co.. N.Y., Communications, joins New York: David Lapovsky, executive Appointments at . Char-

142 May 4 1998 Broadcasting & Cable

www.americanradiohistory.com lotte, N.C.: Kevin Colins, senior VP, Hillier, director, Central region, Much- Atlanta. Appointments: Joe Goya, presi- RNN -TV, joins as VP, national sales; Music, joins as director, national dent, named CEO and executive pro- David Fry, VP, West Coast distribution, accounts. Chicago office; Kurt Helder, ducer, Higher Ground and Golden Bohbot Entertainment, joins as Mid- district manager, Encore Media Corp., Foods; Bryan Gartman, VP, production, west division manager; Colin Smith, joins as Western region sales director, named president. director, research, named regional mar- Los Angeles office. keting manager. Barry Leffler, director, creative services Appointments at Internet Broadcasting and marketing, NBC Europe, named Scott McCoy, direc- Systems, Minneapolis: lack Wessels, VP, retail operations and consumer tor, Eastern region president, Access Point Interactive, marketing, East Coast, New York. advert ising, Pre - Cincinnati, joins as director, strategic vue Networks, alliances; Dave Mottaz joins as senior TECHNOLOGY New York, named system administrator; Kathy Berta ¡oins VP. as general sales manager: Colleen Seitz Margaret Zagel, general counsel, Appointments at joins as managing editor; Brent Asproth Grant Thornton LLP, joins Tellabs Inc.. Time Warner joins as graphic designer. lisle. Ill.. as VP /general counsel. Cable, Stamford, J. Tod Fetheding, senior manager, inter- David Robinson, managing director, Conn.: John Gault, active marketing, Columbia/HCA Absec, joins Audio Processing Tech- McCoy executive VP, Healthcare Corp., joins America's nology, Belfast, Northern , as cable operating Health Network, Orlando. Fla., as pres- managing director and as a board mem- divisions and construction, named ident. ber in Los Angeles. executive VP, strategic planning; John Christopher Bowick, group VP, technolo- Bickham, president, Los Angeles divi- gy, and chief technical officer, Jones .Ion. !Lined executive VP. ADVERTISING/MARKETING PUBLIC RELATIONS Intercable, joins Cox Communications, Dan Stanton, direc- Atlanta, as VP, technology develop- tor. on -air promo- John Oleynick, sales manager, Connecti- ment. tion, Discovery cut and Westchester, N.Y., Rainbow Appointments at CTS Corp., Elkhart, Channel, Bethes- Advertising Sales Corp., Woodbury, Ind.: Walter Zarris, president, Reeves - da, Md., named N.Y., named director, sales. Connecti- Hoffman, joins as VP /GM, integrated VP, advertising cut, Westchester, and News 12 Con- CTS Reeves frequency products opera- and promotion, necticut and Westchester. tions; Robert Emge named VP, CTS Discovery Chan- Appointments at Saatchi & Saatchi. Reeves frequency products. nel U.S. New York: Bob McKinnon, VP /associate Sandy Wax, VP, media director, named VP /group media research and plan- Stanton director and a member of the agency's SATELLITE/WIRELESS ning, Discovery media management group: Lisa Gilson Pat Keeffe, VP, Tee -Comm Electronics Communications Inc.. Bethesda, named VP/associate Md.. media director; Inc., joins KeySat Systems Inc., Toron- joins Disney Channel. Burbank, Rob Calif.. Reifenheiser named VP/associate to. Ontario as president. in same capacity. media director. Dave Sprechman, COO /CFO, Hero Pro- Lauren Leff, director, media relations, ductions, Miami, joins GlobeCast INTERNET MSNBC, joins Trylon Communica- North America, Miami, as COO; Rich tions Jeff Craig, VP, systems design and engi- Inc., New York, as senior VP. Rogers, manager, news traffic, ABC, neering, Tele -TV, joins Discovery join, as VP, client services, Los Ange- Channel Interactive Media, Bethesda. ALLIED FIELDS les; Robert Louis Marking transfers to Md.. as VP. New York from Paris as VP, marketing Appointments at GTE, Washington: Lany Melnick, VP, sales, Catspaw Pro- and communications. Michael Troy, assistant VP, congression- ductions, joins Mindtlex Interactive & al affairs, named VP, government Entertainment, Atlanta. as sales DEATHS and affairs: Victor Cabral named assistant marketing director. VP. congressional affairs. Robed M. Hoyt, 72, communications pio- Appointments at ISP Channel (sub- Appointments at Prudential Securities, neer, died April 6 of cancer in Boston. sidiary of SoftNet Systems Inc.). New York: James Marsh, senior analyst, Hoyt was a retired professor of mass Mountain View, Calif.: Carolyn Hillman, UBS Securities. joins as senior broad- communications at Boston's Emerson Western regional sales manager, who cable casting and publishing analyst; Melissa College is credited as co- creator of modem products, Hybrid Networks, Cook, managing director, global equity the "" format. He also joins as VP, sales; Ned Goddard, busi- research, named associate director, developed the concept of the television ness development manager, Communi- equity research. news investigative team. While at ABC ty Networks, joins as sales director, News in the early I 970s, Hoyt super- Phyllis Neill, director, Eastern region. Bethesda. Md. office: operations, Tap - vised coverage of the Apollo 12 and 14 Mike Byrnes, founder/president, Turning scan. Birmingham, Ala., named VP. space missions. Point Information Services, Austin. Atlanta Video Production Center and Tex.. joins as sales director, Southeast- Berkeley Park Post have merged to -Compiled by Denise Smith ern region, Austin, Tex., office: George become Artisan Picture Works Ltd.. e -mail: d.smith @cahners.com

Broadcasting & Cable May 41998 143

www.americanradiohistory.com , host of Comedy Central's The merging programs Daily Show, will take ABC News considers over as host of CBS's , chairman of ABC News, told reporters last week that a decision on -air identity The Late Late Show whether to merge the ABC News prime time programs into a single on when his contract with (like NBC's Dateline) will be made within the next two weeks. Comedy Central expires Behind -the -camera restructuring already has taken place. For example, producers in August 1999, or per- for ABC News programs (PrimeTime Live, 20/20 and ABC News haps before, officials Saturday Night) are no longer attached to one program. Instead they are divided into at the two companies teams that focus on certain subjects or that produce features or hard news segments. its four prime time slots say. Kilborn will replace Sources say the news division anticipates retaining it a complete merger. current host Tom Snyder, (including a second night of 20/20) and that is leaning toward they are overseen who will leave sometime Also up for grabs is the leadership of the magazines. Currently long -form programming. before his contract expires by Alan Wurtzel, senior vice president, magazine and it announces its new prime time sched- in September 1999. The But the network still has two weeks before merger might not make sense. details of Kilborn's depar- ule on May 19. If news loses a slot or two, the Tavern the Green fete for Charlie Gib- ture remain to be worked Arledge made his comments Friday at a on Morning America. Gibson out, and other terms of his son, after Gibson's last appearance as co -host of Good report for the prime time contract weren't revealed. will take two months off before returning to anchor and /or McClellan "We're disappointed to lose magazine unit. -Steve him," said Comedy Central spokeswoman Laura Nel- cations since it was pur- to delete digital copyright with FCC Chairman Will- son. "He's a talented guy chased by TCN in October management information, iam Kennard to discuss his who played an important of 1996 for $15 million. DP such as credits, from copy- company's efforts to ac- role in the show. Still, the owns wRPx(Tv) Rocky righted works without vio- quire the MCI channels. show can go on without Mount/Raleigh, N.C.; wwPx lating any law. A similar bill Over Democratic objec- him." At press time, CBS try) Martinsburg, W.Va./ passed the House Judicia- tions, Republican House was drafting a release Washington, D.C.; WPxs(rv) ry Committee last month. lawmakers last week announcing the agreement Mt. Vernon, III. /St. Louis, The FCC last week authorized the issuance with Kilborn. Mo.; wzpx(Tv) Battle Creek/ gave Primestar a of subpoenas in their Columbia TriStar Televi- Grand Rapids, Mich., and reprieve to hold onto probe of the FCC's sion Distribution has wPxE(TV) Kenosha/Milwau- 11 DBS channels while planned move to the cleared second -cycle kee, Wis. DP bought all but the FCC reviews its Portals development in runs of Seinfeld in WRPX from Paxson Commu- application to acquire Washington. The House another seven mar- nications for an aggregate 28 DBS channels from Commerce Committee has kets, including Fox $20.27 million. All of DP's MCI. Without last week's been investigating a $1 mil- owned and operated stations will be Pax Net af- extension, Primestar lion payment Portals in- station wrrc -TV Wash- filiates upon the network's would have had to start vestor made to Washington ington. Other clearances August launch. They are beaming a service on the lobbyists Peter Knight. Yes- include WNAC -TV Provi- currently InTV affiliates. Pax channels held by Tempo terday the committee auth- dence. R.I., WTMZ -TV Knox- Net and InTV are both Pax- Satellite on May 1. Regu- orized subpoenas for Han- ville, Tenn.; KOB -Tv Albu- son Communications net- lators said Tempo can ey, Knight and former U.S. querque, N.M.; WKBN -TV works. hold onto the channels Senator James Sasser. Youngstown, Ohio; KGAN- The Senate Judiciary until six months after the Subpoenas also were auth- Tv Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Committee last week FCC rules on Primestar's orized for Bernie Wunder, and KTUU -TV Anchorage. passed unanimously application to acquire the Bill Diefenderfer, Jody Tra- The second cycle of Sein- (18 -0) a bill that pro- MCI channels. The FCC, passo and Jewel Hazel- feld debuts in spring 2001. tects copyrighted however, said Tempo has former or current members in Knight's law firm, as well DP Media Inc. is buying works online and imple- not made adequate pro- werx(Tv) Norwell /Bos- ments international gress toward launching a as Portals investor Steven Haney spokesman ton, Mass. from The digital copyright service on 11 other chan- Grigg. Kenneth Vest called the Christian Network (TCN) treaties. An amendment nels at 166 degrees, and investigation a partisan for $18 million. DP is added to the legislation refused a request to ex- attack and added his client headed by Devon Paxson, allows broadcasters to tend the May 1 deadline will fight the subpoenas in son of Paxson Communica- make temporary digital for offering a service on court if the committee tions Chairman Lowell W. copies of sound recordings those channels. The deci- issues them. "Bud" Paxson. TCN is for pre -production purpos- sion means regulators will backed and co- founded by es, which they now can do be reclaiming those chan- TCI.Net, the broadband Lowell Paxson. WBPX (for- legally with analog sound nels from Tempo. Primes - arm of cable giant Tele- merly wHRc) has been oper- recordings. The bill also tar President Dan O'Brien, Communications. Inc., ated by Paxson Communi- would allow broadcasters meanwhile, met last week struck significant deals

144 May 4 1998 Broadcasting & Cable

www.americanradiohistory.com with cable modem hard- ware suppliers. 3Com Power and Bay Networks are sup- of two plying TCI.Net with cable Starting May 4, CNBC and Dow Jones will strengthen modem headends. 3Com the editorial alliance the pair forged late last year. This will also supply modems :o week, CNBC debuts news segments featuring print TCI.Net, along with Thom- reporters from Dow Jones -owned The Wall Street son Consumer Electronics Journal, Barron's and Smart Money magazines and and General Instrument the Dow Jones Newswire. The segments are "The Mutual Fund Report," report Corp. Details about the a on news in mutual fund trading; "Barron's Big Money Poll," pacts were not presented. a review of major fund managers as charted in Barron's will They are the result of an that appear during CNBC's weeknight series The Edge; "Defining Moments," which financial RFP issued by TCI.Net last explains terms and jargon, and Cor- porate Performance Week, a report on first -quarter leading September for high -speed earnings by companies, with support from Dow Jones. In addition, CNBC will incorporate Barron's picks, data hardware that complies stock Smart Moneys mutual fund analysis and a "Coaches Poll" of major business leaders with standards set by the into its regular business news reports. The network also will host a CNBC /Dow Jones CableLabs DOCSIS (data investor conference several times annually. CNBC will also debut new graphics incor- over cable service interface porating the NBC peacock logo with the logo for Dow Jones publications on -air this specifications) initiative. week. The alliance gives CNBC access to WSJ archives, broadcast rights to Dow Betty Hudson, former Jones Newswire material and an advance release on Barron's reports. CNBC is also senior VP of corporate expected to give expanded coverage to international stock market activity, through communications for both access to Dow Jones's global financial bureaus. -Donna Petrozzello NBC and Reader's Digest, has joined the execu- videocassette copies of the tioner for processing and ed past the 50 million - tive search firm of miniseries Merlin, and the the captioner can transmit subscriber mark on May Spencer Stuart as a effort was a big success. It the captioned video back, 1 on the strength of a director with the compa- used two 30- second spots bypassing the current couri- 20e/ó growth in new sub- ny's global communica- to tell viewers about the er -based video delivery sys- scriptions over the past tions and media practice, video and the toll -free num- tem. WebTV has introduced year. Cartoon also record- New York. ber for ordering. Upwards of a new product called ed its largest audience to is 100,000 copies (at $29.95 WebTV Plus. It includes date last month, with changing its format to apiece) were sold. NBC VITAC's Crossover Links, 739,000 homes in prime an all -news, English-lan- West Coast President Don which use captioning tech- time and 486,000 homes in guage international Ohlmeyer was quoted in nology to encode internet total day viewing, as report- radio broadcast. The the Times as saying the information into existing ed by Nielsen. U.S. government service video sales earned more video allowing the user to King World has named says its round- the -clock than twice as much rev- watch a program on televi- Eric Ritter to the newly VOA News Now is the first enue as the network would sion and simultaneously created position of ex- format change in 20 years. have made just selling the gather information from the ecutive managing editor The broadcast will feature time in the two 30's. Internet related to that pro- of its syndicated news- gram. fast -paced world, regional Captioner VITAC is magazine . and U.S. news and features offering two new ser- Matt Stone and Trey Ritter was formerly the in shorter segments, VOA vices to programmers Parker, creators of show's managing editor. says. Programming will be through alliances with Comedy Central's Errata. In the April 27 regionalized during prime Group W Network Ser- South Park cartoon, , the accompa- listening hours in some vices and WebTV. With will present never nying chart was of 1998 -99 areas. Group W, VITAC has devel- before -seen footage in new season pilots, not fall NBC used the New York oped Global Captioning, a a session entitled "Oh My pilots. In addition, UPN Times last week to an- service designed to speed God, They Killed Kenny" at does not have ownership nounce that it has es- up the captioning process. the comedy Cnetral booth stakes in Furry Creatures tablished a direct mar- With this new technology, at the NCTA conference in and Legacy, and production keting business. Its first programmers can transmit Atlanta Tuesday, May 5. on Legacy has switched to effort was the marketing of digitized video to the cap- Cartoon Network bound- Atlantis from 20th Century.

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www.americanradiohistory.com i r1Z1-, o_n _ o I Orta s COMMITTED TO THE FIRST AMENDMENT AND THE FIFTH ESTATE many commercials. So the speed with which the Kennard Software solution commission dispatched the decision just a couple of weeks after the obligatory final round of comments was We were going to start this editorial with something about received -is laudatory. The FCC's message was that cable meeting the challenge and opportunity of digital tech- broadcasters have broad discretion under the First Amend- nology. with high -speed cable modems and digital set -top ment to make editorial decisions about when and what to boxes promising a host of new services. But as cable moves program. Sounds like a no- brainer here, but maybe Ken- into its second 50 years, we tend to agree with our cover nard and company should send a copy of that message to subject, Terry McGuirk, that all the digital talk can be a dis- the Gore commission. The existence of that body, which is traction. As a technology, it's tough to push off the front fishing for new content requirements, only contributes to page, because it will affect everyone and everything. But this kind of nuisance challenge. rather than slicing and dicing TV viewership with increas- ingly narrow niche channels and increasingly strained eco nomic models, McGuirk says, cable programmers should Cable with a Kay keep their eyes on the big prize: parity with the broadcast It was last November that this writer was sitting at the networks -that is, attracting the same number of viewers only awards in Los Angeles amidst a sea of industry and a commensurate amount of advertising revenue. CableACE than Kay Koplovitz. The The key to cable's success will not be the ones and zeros luminaries, none brighter USA's and the USA founder have of digital transmission but the ones and zeros on those status of both the awards her star remains undimmed. checks to program producers. (Witness TNT, which found changed since then, but out. Cable no longer needs $500 million to get the jump on Hollywood's hottest The awards have been phased its achievements foot the bill for a paral- movies, and Comedy Central. which just opened the check- to trumpet own -or process that venue, having trumped its own book to keep the runaway hit South Park from running lel awards -in ace with now -stellar performances at the Emmy ceremonies away to the competition.) As cable has found with its big - That critical success is in large ticket movies, sports rights and occasional innovative for its original productions. part due to the of programming pioneers like Koplo- series: If you program it, they will watch. efforts witz, who worked from the ground up-or, more accurately, the satellite down -to build USA from an idea into one of the Slam dunk premiere cable networks. If the folding of the ACEs is a sign that cable is moving to a new level, then the departure of The FCC last week dismissed a license challenge against Koplovitz from USA suggests that she, too, is ready to move blur TV stations by a Denver group that is upset about vio- onward and upward as the industry prepares for its second 50 lence in newscasts. They had come to the commission with years. She is a class act, and a tough one to follow. a mountain of grievances but no real ground to stand on. The complaint, a blunderbuss leveled at the stations, , t e What do you think? Drop us a line at charged that the newscasts were too violent -and, if that OWL INE/ bk www.broadcastingcable.com, where didn't get a rise. that they also underrepresented women you can find e-mail addresses for all our reporters and editors. and minorities -and, if that didn't work, that they had too

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