www.spotsndots.com Subscriptions: $350 per year. This publication cannot be distributed beyond the office of the actual subscriber. Need us? 888-884-2630 or [email protected] The Daily News of TV Sales Monday, August 6, 2018 Copyright 2018. TV COMPANIES ACCUSED OF COLLUSION ON AD PRICES SUIT TARGETS SINCLAIR, TRIBUNE AND OTHERS ADVERTISER NEWS The Washington Post reports that some of the biggest General Motors could pull the China-made Buick Envision names in the TV industry have engaged in a conspiracy from the U.S. market if the Trump administration does not to drive up the price of local television advertising. That’s grant the company a tariff exemption on the vehicle. Getting according to a federal lawsuit filed last week on behalf of an exemption is “the only way” to continue offering the advertisers nationwide. vehicle to U.S. consumers, according to GM President Dan The proposed class-action lawsuit, which targets Ammann... Fortune says McDonald’s salads are now linked Sinclair Broadcast Group, Tribune Media and four other to 395 illnesses in 15 states. No deaths have been reported, companies, alleges that the firms violated U.S. antitrust laws though 16 people were hospitalized. The illness, cyclospora, by colluding to fix the rates TV stations charge stems from romaine lettuce distributed by for advertising airtime. The suit blames the Caito Foods LLC... Taco Bell says it will alleged collusion partly on recent decisions open three of its Cantinas in Manhattan by at the FCC, whose deregulatory approach to the end of 2018. Over the past year, it has the broadcast industry allegedly contributed opened six “urban concept” restaurants in to media consolidation that encouraged illicit the boroughs, with plans to open 125 metro coordination. New York restaurants over the next five years. The dwindling number of competitors in the The smaller-format restaurants, which the broadcast market has not only given former company calls Urban In-Line and Cantina, rivals a greater chance to work together offer shareable tapas-style menus. There’s but also made it harder for newer rivals to free Wi-Fi and power outlets to encourage challenge their dominance, the suit alleges. patrons to stay a while rather than scarf “Instead of competing with each other on prices for and go. And the Cantinas serve alcohol, according to USA advertising sales, as competitors normally do, Defendants Today... Walmart is set to launch a pilot program that uses and their co-conspirators shared proprietary information robots to help associates fill online grocery orders faster than and conspired to fix prices and reduce competition in ever before. The system, called Alphabot, will automatically the market,” argues the suit, which was filed in the U.S. bring items from storage to associates who will consolidate District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. the items in the order... Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage The remaining defendants are Gray Television, says Q3 net sales increased 9.5 percent over 2017, with Hearst, Nexstar Media Group and Tegna. Sinclair and same-store sales rising 5.2 percent in the same period. Store Tribune declined to comment to the Post. The other four traffic increased 4 percent and the average transaction grew companies did not immediately respond to a request for 1.1 percent in the third quarter compared to 2017. Natural comment. Grocers opened two new stores and moved one store in the The FCC last year relaxed decades-old rules governing third quarter, and plans to open eight or nine more before the media ownership, lifting requirements on the number of end of the year, according to Kemper Isely, the company’s independent stations that must remain in a market after a co-president... As part of its efforts to reach more consumers broadcast merger. It also voted to end a requirement that throughout the day, Dunkin Donuts is launching the Dunkin’ media companies operate a physical studio in the markets Run menu, which is aimed at take-out customers. It includes where they hold a license. FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said the chain’s new Donut Fries, chicken tenders, Ham and the moves were aimed at helping struggling broadcasters Cheese Roll-Ups, and Pretzel Bites. to survive economically; critics said they would lead to a decline in media diversity as more stations merged. The news has been met with fierce resistance in some quarters, including from Jim Doyle of -based Jim Doyle & Associates. “These are smart leaders and they would never do that,” Doyle wrote in an online commentary. “And, the idea that these 6 companies would agree on anything? Laughable. Even when they do get together at NAB group head meetings, there’s always a lawyer in the room to guarantee that nothing gets done that is anti-competitive.” NETWORK NEWS AVAILS Patrick Stewart is returning to the Star Trek franchise. Cunningham Broadcasting Corporation is seeking a The acclaimed Shakespearean actor is set to headline a driven General Manager for its Johnstown, PA location. new series for CBS All Access, reprising his iconic Next The GM will lead a team to develop customized solutions Generation character, Captain Jean-Luc Picard. The new for new and existing customers. This position requires series, which is not a Star Trek: Next Generation reboot, an innovative leader with a demonstrated ability to find will tell the story of the next chapter of Picard’s life. It will be creative solutions that meet the demands of advertisers. shepherded by Star Trek: Discovery co-creator/executive Please send your resume and cover letter including producer Alex Kurtzman, who was tapped to oversee desired compensation to [email protected]. development of new Star Trek content under a big new EOE. Background check and drug screening required. overall deal with CBS TV Studios. On the creative team for Radio Account Executive needed for sales of Sunrise the new series, Kurtzman will be joined Broadcasting cluster of stations in the by James Duff, who recently joined Star Wilmington, N.C. area. The ideal Trek: Discovery as executive producer The USDA has issued a health candidate is an experienced sales and signed a CBS Studios overall deal, alert over pre-made salads and professional (3+ years outside sales former Discovery EP Akiva Goldsman, wraps sold at Walgreens. So experience preferred) with incredible Michael Chabon, and Discovery writer if you’re buying your meals at drive and a thirst to learn. You must Kirsten Beyer… Kristen Gutoskie Walgreens, I have even more possess a high degree of self-motivation, (Lethal Weapon) has booked a recurring bad news. the ability to work well on your own role on the upcoming seventh season and within a team environment, and of NBC’s Fire. Gutoskie most the ability to communicate clearly with recently recurred as Molly Hendricks on Seth Meyers and direct fulfillment team members. Fox’s Lethal Weapon. She also recently Candidates must APPLY ONLINE. recurred on Hulu’s The Handmaid’s Tale. EOE M/F. Sunrise Broadcasting Company participates in looks into the lives of the firefighters, rescue squad and E-Verify. All our properties are tobacco free. paramedics of Chicago Firehouse 51. Eamonn Walker, Cox Media Group, Charlotte, N.C., seeks a Digital , , David Eigenberg, Stella Sales Manager. The DSM’s responsibility is to identify Kidd, Christian Stolte, and and drive digital strategies to attain revenue goals through star. Dick Wolf and Derek Haas executive produce, with the development of overall direction, product and service Todd Arnow, Andrea Newman, Michael Gilvary, Michael launches and training. The ideal candidate will have Brandt, Arthur Forney and Peter Jankowski. Chicago proven and successful sales management experience Fire is produced by Universal Television and Wolf in multimedia sales and digital advertising. Extensive Entertainment. Season 7 premieres at 9 PM Wednesday, knowledge of digital sales processes, digital platforms, September 26th on NBC… The CBS series Code Black technical markets, pricing models, channels of distribution, came to an end in July, but fans of the series aren’t ready to technology trends, customer buying patterns and budgeting say goodbye. Kelly Kahl, president of CBS Entertainment, required. CLICK HERE for more information or to apply says the network would like to figure out a way to bring back now. EOE. the Marcia Gay Harden-fronted medical drama. Created WJCL ABC 22, the Hearst-owned ABC affiliate in by Michael Seitzman based on Ryan McGarry’s feature Savannah, GA, is looking for a salesperson. Candidate documentary, Code Black defied conventions during its run, should have at least 1-3 years of Broadcast Sales or other including revamping a portion of its cast every season to successful outside sales experience. The ideal candidate resemble real life at a hospital where each year residents will have strong written and verbal communication skills, graduate and move on and new ones come in... Univision a record of success in new business development, and Deportes’ 2018 MLS All-Star game coverage last week the ability to grow revenue on existing accounts. If you’re on UniMás and Univision Deportes Network drew more energetic, driven and motivated by making money, please viewers than the English-language telecast on ESPN by apply HERE. EOE. 10 percent among Total Viewers 2+ and 26 percent among Adults 18-49, according to Nielsen. The matchup between See your ad here tomorrow! CLICK HERE for details. MLS’ top stars and Juventus F.C. of Italy averaged 495,000 Total Viewers 2+ and 306,000 Adults 18-49. The event also WORLDWIDE STREAMING TV HOURS CLIMB generated viewership increases of 37 percent among Total Global viewing hours for streaming TV more than doubled Viewers 2+ and 65 percent among Adults 18-49 relative to in the second quarter versus the same period a year ago. the 2016 MLS All-Star Game against England’s Arsenal Conviva, the streaming TV measurement company, says F.C.—the last time the game aired on UniMás… Deadline viewing hours rose 115 percent to 5.5 billion. That was reports that yet another classic 1980s sitcom could be largely attributable to a rise in World Cup viewing in June. eyeing a comeback. A reboot of The Facts of Life, which Without this special sports viewing, streaming hours still originally aired on NBC from 1979 to 1988, is in the early rose 45 percent. stages at Sony Pictures TV. Appian Way, the company Worldwide total “plays” of streaming TV content rose 102 run by Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Davisson, is in percent to 17.2 billion, including attempted plays, which negotiations to produce the project alongside Jessica Biel came to 20.3 billion. For global devices, streaming TV via her Iron Ocean Films. The potential series is currently during the period was up 45 percent to 973.4 million, per looking for a writer. Conviva. 8/6/2018

The Daily News of TV Sales @ www.spotsndots.com PAGE 2 CBS EXEC DEFENDS CBS WORK CULTURE UNIVISION OUTAGE ‘PROBABLY PERMANENT’ CBS investigates all allegations of sexual harassment and Dish Network chairman Charlie Ergen isn’t kidding is striving to foster a safe and collaborative workplace. That’s around when it comes to the high cost of programming, according to the company’s head of entertainment, who is telling analysts that Dish’s dispute with Spanish-language rebutting recent reports about a corporate culture that’s said broadcaster Univision is “probably permanent.” to be hostile toward women. Univision channels went dark to Dish customers on June Kelly Kahl, who has worked at CBS two decades and is 30th, when the two failed to reach a retransmission consent an ally of CEO Les Moonves, said at a gathering of the agreement. In the flurry of rhetoric from both sides since Television Critics Association in Beverly Hills, California: the blackout, Dish has claimed that Univision has lost half “All allegations need to be and are being taken seriously. I of its audience, while Univision claims it is the third most- believe we take workplace safety very seriously. If you look watched network by Dish subscribers. up and down the halls at CBS, you’ll find “The short answer is yes, this is a very safe environment.” probably an inflection point,” Ergen Moonves is accused of sexual harassment said last week on Dish’s second- by six women. He’s now the subject of Crazy how 15 years of quarter earnings conference call. “I an investigation being conducted by two math still wasn’t enough to believe this one, personally, is probably outside law firms. prepare me for baking two permanent.” Kahl defended the way the company has boxes of brownies at once. The dispute is largely around pricing, but handled a range of complaints, including Ergen said that Univision programming those against executives in its news is available elsewhere–including a division and producers of hit TV shows. $7.99 per month direct-to-consumer FunnyTweeter.com The company has investigated allegations offering from the programmer–which whenever they’ve been brought forward, diminishes its value to the satellite Kahl said. company. In addition, Netflix has been increasing its Several female colleagues approached Kahl recently to Spanish-language offerings, which further lessen the express dismay over stories in the press, he said. At least value of other networks. two high-ranking female executives at CBS have defended Ergen repeated claims that Univision has lost audience, Moonves and the company in public statements since the especially since it failed to renew its rights deal for the 2018 allegations surfaced. FIFA World Cup, and that it has undergone management CBS last week hired two law firms to investigate sexual turmoil in recent months. harassment allegations against Moonves that were raised July 27th in a New Yorker story. Moonves, in the article, COURT ALLOWS RELEASE OF AT&T TRANSCRIPTS acknowledged there were times decades ago when he Reuters reports that the U.S. Court of Appeals for may have made some women uncomfortable by making the D.C. Circuit will permit the government to release advances, but said he never used his position to harm transcripts of the conversations that generally occurred anyone’s career. between Judge Richard Leon, who tried the case, and one or more lawyers from the Justice Department, AT&T FOX TURNS ITS EYES TO INDIE PRODUCERS and Time Warner. With half of 21st Century Fox going to Walt Disney– A loud hissing noise was played over the public address including its TV production studio–the Fox broadcast network system in the court during the conferences to ensure that will be depending on others for entertainment content. reporters and others in the courtroom could not hear what Speaking at the Television Critics Association meeting, was said. Dana Walden, chairman-CEO of Fox Television Group, Judge Leon ruled in June that the Justice Department said: “We will have a co-ownership stake in the shows that was wrong to ask that a $85.4 billion merger of AT&T, we order. That’s just commonplace in our business right which owns DirecTV, and Time Warner be blocked. The now, as space on a network schedule is incredibly valuable.” government had said it would lead to higher prices for A decade ago, TV producers–not connected by ownership consumers and was illegal under antitrust law. to TV networks–would make license deals to run their shows The Justice Department has appealed but no date has in prime time. Those producers would also maintain total been set for when the appeals court will hear the case. ownership. No longer. For many years now, all major English-speaking broadcast SATURDAY NIELSEN RATINGS - LIVE + SAME DAY networks have had their own sister TV production companies–where they get a majority of their prime-time programming. For example, Walden says that last season, 90 percent of Fox TV development came from its own studio. But now, in a transition year, she said the network will be reducing that number to 50 percent, with the remainder coming from independent studios. In making the deal to sell off its TV and movie studio to Walt Disney, Fox is focusing on live sports, events and news, the latter on Fox News Channel. 8/6/2018

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