&dinel:s THE NEW5WEEKLY OF TV, RADIO & INTERACTIVE MEDIA 84.95

JANUARY 8, 2001 www.broadcastingca .com

SPECIAL REPORT NATPE 2001 BUYER'S GUIDE From first -run to off -net, our first look at the big show in Las Vegas, with charts aid a special show -by -show analysis

GO AHEAD, BLAME US CBS and NBC news divisions conclude their election night miscues demand some fixes

BLUE OVER B LACKOUTS DBS operators cry over new FCC rules that take them out of the game PAGE o LOOK OUT! COPYRIGHT STORM JUST AHEAD Congress will act, but when? And how? » PAGE 7C

-- er ...k.onr:. ,- 3-DI tT :551 I'I1I1I1i1mlll

D C' Ci 7;., 1,,u., p C.,; A!, C, 1 FK e r [; .JOHN C. .)qF-WSCN KTVS4-TV a.ylb:.r WATLo.F-TCP7 WAY It7L..LL.1NGs. NT .:,,g1C7a-7'7eá, Arrest &Trial is up 25% since its launch and up 14% since the November book alone.

Nov. 00 12/10/00 Change Arrest A Trial 2.2 2.5 +14% +25% Since Premiere! Power Of Attorney 3.1 3.0 -5% +14% Since November! Judge Hatchett 2.5 2.4 -4% Street Smarts 2.1 2.0 -5% Curtis Court 2.0 1.9 -5% 2.5 To Tell The Truth 1.9 1.8 -5% 2.2 House Calls 1.3 1.3 Flat Dr. Laura 1.2 1.1 -8% 2.0 November 2000 Moral Court 0.8 0.8 Flat Mars/Venus 0.8 0.7 -12% Week Ending Week Ending 10/8/00 1 2/1 0/00 Sex Wars 0.7 0.7 Flat

Source: NSS/Galaxy Explorer; Hi-IAA/0M%; riorlek ending 10/9/00: week ending 12/10/00 vs. 11,2/00 - 11129/00.

In one of the toughest environments for launching a new show, Arrest & Trial hasn't just survived - it's prospered. Up an incredible 25% since its October premiere, and up an even more incredible 14% ARREST since the November sweep.

So as it continues to grow, keep your sights set on Arrest & Trial. With a show of this caliber, success is JR AL definitely in the cross hairs.

STUDIOS USA © 2001 Studios USA. All Rights Reserved. 41, it

ßROADCASTIGCAßLE {www.broadcastingcable.com} Volume 131 Number 2

COVER STORY Top of the Week January 8, 2001 TUFF STUFF

Queen of the ring Many say Linda McMahon is the power at the World Wrestling

MEA CULPA CBS and NBC release Federation. » 20 results of investigation into election -night debacle. » 6

FIGHT OVER RAINBOW NBC steps into bidding war over Cablevision's entertainment networks. » 10 ..~ COMMITTEE PICKS Tauzin will : :: . ... head newly combined Commerce; no word yet on telcom subcommittee. » 10 NBC will invest more in its reporting resources.

FLAWED STANDARD Broadcasters will try to achieve consen- sus on DTV modulation. » 11

ON LIFE SUPPORT The Health

Channel has two options now that WebMD Ú is gone. » 12 SPECIAL REPOR1 WINDING DOWN News Corp. begins dissolving its News Digital Media subsidiary. » 14 NATPE 2001 Where content is king Programming Rep. Tauzin will have say on telcom and energy. and new -media content and technologies will be on display in Las Vegas Jan. 22 -25. » 30

The last laugh Syndicators may find Programming Interactive Media stations hungry for off-net sitcoms. » 34 This just in Some last -minute projects Digital content Copyright projection is like- A look at first -run Offerings range that missed the NATPE listings. » 56 ly issue for upcoming Congress. » 70 from talk to dating, action to reality. » 36 Coast to coast Syndicator Litton Inc. plants a flag in Hollywood. » 57 Technology

Debutantes Cable nets get premieres out NYPD HDTV The gritty police drama will be B &C Eye 4 before broadcasts February sweeps. » 59 ABC's first high -definition series. » 74 Broadcast Ratings 62 Diverse devices C- Cube's new chip will work Cable Ratings 60 Business with set-tops, DVDs, PVRs. » 75 Changing Hands 65 Classifieds 82 rates Despite financial woes, AT&T DTV -on -PC Start -up AccessDTV unveils "digital Raising Common Ground 72 moves cautiously in boosting prices. » 64 media receivers" at CES. » 75 Cutting Edge 76 Datebook 77 Editorials 90 Washington Facetime 78 Crying foul Nobody is happy with the Fates & Fortunes 79 Fifth Estater 81 FCC's new sports blackout rules. » 68 Financial Wrap -Up 15 Missing media Bush economic summit lacks Jessell's Column 18 broadcast, cable representation. » 69 Station Break 58 Syndication Ratings 61 Two Cents 68

Broadcasting & Cable /1 -8 -01 3 !CEYE

PUBLIC POLICY General SYNDICATION SYNDICATION Familiar faces Hold your horses face off criticism Don't look for Paramount's new first-run talk show, Caroline, to Can NAIPE survive Jeopardy's Departing U.S. Surgeon Gen. Dr. David Satcher is going a out with wind up on the co -owned CBS celebrity edition, taping Jan. 23 bang, at least when it comes to making not -so- a subtle point about stations, as had been speculated. in Las Vegas. Survivor and television I II and education. Inside Satcher's Washington office is a Sources say another station host Jeff Probst will be one of the stack of black- and -white bumper stickers reading: "SURGOEN group has entered the picture - 12 stars competing. Others include S GENEREI; WARNIG: Telivison Promots Iliteracy." In small type and apparently has the inside Kevin Sorbo, Martha Stewart and the sticker's maker is as noted nonprofit "TV-Free America," which track. A deal could be done for former basketball great Charles wasn't aware that Satcher had them in his office. Satcher spokesman the show, with comedian /actress Barkley. One celebrity taping, fea- Damon Thompson wasn't pleased to be asked about the display. Caroline Rhea, as early as this turing Jodie Foster, Harry Connick "We freely don't distribute [the stickers]," he said. They are week. The source would not Jr. and Nathan Lane, already in "over a corner of" Satcher's inner office reveal the group voted most like- wrapped in Los Angeles. Most of where "most people never ly to succeed, but the NBC sta- the star sessions, airing Feb. 5 -9, go." siA N( tions, which already have signed will tape during the NAIPE con- GENER on for nontraditional talker The vention at the Las Vegas oEN ots 11 Other Half, and Paramount's Hilton. King World will give R Iliteracy $ pro own station group, are said to tickets to NAIPE -goers on a ter,. be two possibilities. first -come, first -serve basis.

NICK OF TIME companies to carry both analog and digital putting those stations in a joint venture

ABC flagship O &O WABC -TV New York is signals of broadcasters if systems build suf- with ABC, sources confirm. Under that expected to launch digital broadcast ser- ficient channel capacity to prevent popular scenario, ABC would have managed the vice from the World Trade Center Tuesday cable channels from being bumped. Also on venture, which would have created five (Jan. 9), just in time for that evening's tap: digital non -duplication and carriage duopolies. But when Univision offered first HDTV telecast of NYPD Blue (at 10 negotiation rules for the digital era. $1.1 billion for USA's 13 stations, it was p.m.), marking its own new -season Although FCC Chairman William Kennard too good a deal for Diller to pass up. ABC launch. Sources say the digital transmis- is pushing hard for the DTV issues to be is still in the hunt for stations. sion will only be at quarter power because voted at the meeting, probably his last at it will be the first real test of the station's the agency's helm, some at the commis- CANADIAN COFDM new digital antenna. sion wonder whether the timing is right Television broadcasters in Canada are cur- and say resistance could build. rently on board with the ATSC 8 -VSB trans- HOLD YOUR DIGITAL HORSES mission standard, but a group of private The FCC next week is scheduled to vote on DILLER: A- B -C -YA LATER TV broadcasters in Toronto have been several DTV- related issues (see story, page Although USA Networks ultimately struck a given approval by Industry Canada to test

11). These include asking for comment on a deal to sell its stations to Univision for COFDM and 8 -VSB transmission from plan that eventually could require cable $1.1 billion, USA came very close to Toronto's CN Tower.

J 4 Broadcasting & Cable /1 -8 -01 An exciting 22- episode action hour that is sure to KNOCK you out. 47

Thomas Calabro Kirn-Maree Penn with Lee Majors

SOUTHERN4 NEW LINE TELEVISION

STAR R A I I M E W A E N E C O M P A N Y

020[0 A Southern Star production in associati3n with Coate/Hayes Productions. TOP OF THE WEEK

News, which relied solely upon the VNS numbers without taking into account Coulda, shoulda the breaking news from Florida. This sit- uation left Dan Rather, the anchor of CBS, NBC studies cite election snafus, urge changes CBS News and the embodiment of the network's Election Night coverage, at a By Dan Trigoboff the University of Pennsylvania, who pro- disadvantage, since he received his infor- CBS' and NBC's news divisions took duced the report with CBS executives Linda mation from the producers of the some blame for bad calls during the Mason and Kathleen Election Night broad- election -night debacle, passed some Frankovic, wrote, "For cast as they received the of it to the Voter News Service consortium, me, the underlying prob- 'The networks say it's calls from the CBS recommended changes, and, in separate lem with coverage by the more important to News Decision Desk." reports, provided - particularly in the case broadcast networks of the Among the major of CBS-a heretofore unseen level of detail election returns is overcon- get it right than to recommendations by regarding election-night coverage. fidence in the ability of the get it first. But the the authors of the CBS CBS' 87 -page report, released last week, system in place at each net- study are these: temptation not to be provides a nearly minute -by- minute ac- work to protect viewers Assign a member of count of its experience, highlighting the from misinformation. last is always going CBS News senior man- events that led to the mistaken Florida calls. "Confidence in the sta- to be very great. agement to head the so- Kathleen Hall Jamieson, dean of the tistical models pro- called Decision Desk -Carl Gottlieb, Project for Annenberg School for Communication at grammed by Voter News Excellence in Journalism who would be able to Service (VNS) was mis- "withstand the compet- CBS' report recommends closer placed," she added. itive pressure" to call a communication between the Decision Desk and the News Desk, while NBC's suggests "That problem was compounded by a race because other networks may be isolating the decision- makers from pace the flaw in the Decision Desk setup at CBS doing so. Also, assign a correspondent and competition of the set. to dissect tight races and conflicting data, and use more sources to determine a race's outcome. Move the Decision Desk into the elec- tion -night studio, to improve communi- cations, instead of working "in a vacuum as it did this time in an office three floors from the studio." (NBC -in its own, far shorter report also released last week- suggested just the opposite. It proposed isolating its decision -makers, so that they could make their calls without being influenced by the pace and competition on the set.) Develop a new terminology to describe races, such as reporting a state is "lean- ing" toward a candidate, without actual- ly awarding the state to a candidate. Tell viewers more often and with detail how and why calls are -and aren't - made. CBS News chief Andrew Heyward said the "candid report stands as a testament to

6 Broadcasting & Cable /1 -8 -01 TOP OF THE WEEK

the seriousness and persistence of our effort to maintain the highest credibility with the American public we serve. That's the way it was

Furthermore, we hope this document will Below is an excerpt from the CBS News internal investigation into its election -night cov- serve as a valuable blueprint for CBS News erage. The full report is available on the Internet site www.cbsnews.com election coverage for many years to come." The first Florida call for Gore was probably unavoidable, given the current system of project-

VNS -which has made a preliminary ing winners. Early in the evening, the sample that VNS selected to represent voters statewide

report to members NBC, ABC, CBS, overestimated Gore's lead, and a call was made for him.

CNN, Fox and the Associated Press-had As the tabulated vote started accumulating, Gore lost his apparent lead, and a decision was

no comment on the studies and is continu- made to take back the call. The ongoing VNS reviews have determined that the exit -poll sam- ing toward its own internal report. An inde- ple of precincts in this election did not adequately represent the state.

pendent review from the Research Triangle The exit -poll sample estimated a significant Gore lead that never materialized. That fact Institute is expected later this month. remained unknown until the actual vote count. The sampling data and exit potting did not take "While VNS' fundamental methodology into account the 12% of the Florida vote that was cast by absentee ballot, which also affected

is sound, its system needs improvement, the quality of the data. The CBS News Decision Desk could not have known about these prob- including a computer upgrade," NBC's lems. report said, "VNS' projection models, data However, the second Florida call, the one for Bush, could have been avoided. It was based,

feeds to members, and internal quality-con- as we have seen, on a combination of faulty tabulations entered into the total Florida vote, trol methods appear to have been inadequate with an especially large error from Volusia County that exaggerated Bush's lead.

in a contest as close as the Florida presiden- Later, in the early morning hours, reports from large precincts in Palm Beach were recorded,

tial race. Additional exit polling may be along with a surge of absentee ballots from that county. When the Volusia County numbers called for in races expected to be dose." were corrected and the new numbers from Palm Beach taken into account, the Bush lead

NBC News Vice President Bill Wheatley shrank, and a decision was made to take back the Bush call.

conceded, "There was some bad data in the The call might have been avoided, if there had been better communication between the CBS

VNS system." Further compounding the News Decision Desk and the CBS News studio and newsgathering operations, which had been errors was a system malfunction that reporting ballot irregularities and large numbers of potentially Democratic votes still outstand-

reduced the ability of VNS to cross -check ing, and if the VNS vote totals had been checked against the ones from the AP and the Florida with Associated Press numbers. Secretary of State's Web site.

Both CBS and NBC say they will invest The AP corrected the Volusia County error 35 minutes before VNS did, and one minute before

additional resources in their own reporting CBS News made its call. and in VNS-or a new consortium -and And, despite all the understandable focus on the Florida calls, they were not the only mis- refrain from most projections until a state's taken calls of the night. polls are dosed. The networks also plan to do better cross -checking. Neither network appeared ready to abandon the concepts of petitive nature is what makes journalism in Goldstein, dean of the Graduate School of projecting winners or of a consortium for this country so great." Journalism at Columbia University, helped election -data gathering. Both networks disputed the con- produce the NBC report with NBC execs That brought disagreement from Carl tention-made most prominently by Rep. David McCormick and Maya Windholz. Gottlieb, a veteran broadcast journalist and Billy Tauzin (R -La.) -that there was a bias A Tauzin spokesman said that, while the deputy director of the Project for in election calls that favored Democrat can- reports "may have satisfied some of the net- Excellence in Journalism. "There are ways didate Vice President Al Gore over work brass, in our minds, it fell short of to economize," he said, noting that the Republican Texas Gov. George W. Bush. expectations. There are still a lot of unan- move to consolidate election polling a The CBS report said its study "conclud- swered questions." decade ago was borne out of economy, not ed that there is no evidence of either inten- Spokesman Ken Johnson said Tauzin, to advance journalism. "This is not one of tional or unintentional bias in the timing of chairman of the House Telecommunications them. But these reports indicate a serious the calls" and called Tauzin's charges "seri- Subcommittee, will continue with plans for attempt to overhaul the system. To that, I ous but not accurate." a hearing on what went wrong on election say great! But we'll see. The networks say Wheatley said NBC's investigation night, probably sometime next month. it's more important to get it right than to "found no evidence of that in any possible "Given the resources and technology avail- get it first. But the temptation not to be last way. We believe that there's not a trace of it able to all the networks, this simply should is always going to be very great. That corn- in our own decision -making." Tom not have happened."

Broadcasting & Cable/ 1 -8 -01 7 NEW YORK WABC-TV HARTFORD WFSB-TV LOS ANGELES KABC -TV CHARLOTTE WSOC-TV CHICAGO WLS-TV RALEIGH /DURHAM WTVD-TV PHILADELPHIA WPVI-TV KANSAS CITY KMBC-TV SAN FRANCISCO KGO-TV NASHVILLE WSMV-TV BOSTON WCVB-TV CINCINNATI WCPO-TV DALLAS /FT. WORTH WFAA-TV MILWAUKEE WISN-TV WASHINGTON, DC MLA-TV COLUMBUS, OH WBNS-TV DETROIT WXYZ-TV GREENVILLE /SPART. WYFF-TV ATLANTA WSB-TV SALT LAKE CITY KTVX-TV HOUSTON KHOU-TV SAN ANTONIO KSAT-TV SEATTLE KING-TV GRAND RAPIDS WWMT-TV MINNEAPOLIS WCCO-TV BIRMINGHAM WBMA-TV CLEVELAND WEWS-TV NORFOLK WVEC-TV MIAMI WFOR-TV NEW ORLEANS WWL-TV PHOENIX KTVK TV WEST PALM BEACH. WPTV-TV DENVER KMG H-TV BUFFALO WIVB-TV SACRAMENTO KCRA-TV OKLAHOMA CITY KOCO-TV PITTSBURGH WTAE-TV HARRISBURG WGAL-TV ORLANDO WFTV-TV GREENSBORO WFMY-TV ST. LOUIS KSDK TV LOUISVILLE WHAS-TV PORTLAND, OR KG W-TV ALBUQUERQUE KOAT-TV BALTIMORE WBAL-TV LAS VEGAS KTNV-TV SAN DIEGO KGTV-TV JACKSONVILLE W JXT-TV INDIANAPOLIS WTHR TV FRESNO /VISALIA KFSN-TV

DISTRIBUTION AND PRODUCED BY MEDIA SALES BY KINGWOB PRODUCTIONS, INC. 02001 King World. All Rights Reserved. LITTLE RocK KATY -TV AUSTIN KVUE-TV TULSA KOTV-TV FLINT WNEM-TV TOLEDO WTOL-TV ROANOKE WSET -TV GREEN BAY WFRV TV DES MOINES KCCI-TV SPOKANE KREM-TV PORTLAND, ME WGME-TV BURLINGTON WPTZ-TV WACO KWTX-TV BATON ROUGE WVLA-TV EL PASO KTSM-TV YOUNGSTOWN WFMJ-TV LANSING WLAJ-TV TYLER KLTV-TV FT. SMITH KHBS-TV SALINAS /MONTEREY KS BW-TV BOISE KTVB-TV WHEELING /STEUBEN. WTOV-TV BANGOR WLBZ-TV TWIN FALLS KTFT-TV TOP OF THE WEEK A Peacock and a Rainbow

Now, NBC is countering Diller's bid for Cablevision's networks operations, are not for sale. Cablevision, NBC and USA Network By John M. Higgins The major question is vices on Cablevision's would not comment. It's a game of chicken, with the major BC Chairman Bob whether Wright is cable systems. That puts Wright is trying to get all the initial offers up in question being whether Wright is serious N Rainbow Media to serious about buying the air and may have about buying the networks or merely trying change channels, jumping in the networks or dampened Diller's to scare Diller into putting up a higher bid. to best USA Networks' Barry financial enthusiasm. NBC already owns 26% of Rainbow merely trying to Diller for the Cablevision USA Networks is now Media, so it won't really have to cough up Systems Corp.'s unit's enter- scare Diller into considering bidding less the whole amount of any bid it makes. tainment networks. bidding more. than $3.5 billion. Diller has made no secret of his desire Industry executives said Up for sale are for more cable networks and has been try- Wright could have a difficult time because in American Movie Classics, Bravo, ing to buy parts of Rainbow's entertain- initial discussions NBC was offering less Independent Film Channel and Romance ment networks for two years. At a meeting than the numbers Diller has put up so far. Classics. Rainbow's regional sports net- of Wall Street executives in December, USA Networks had initially tempted works, including MSG Network, Fox Diller declared that the networks were Cablevision Chairman Chuck Dolan with an Sport New York, and its local News 12 "ours to lose." offer of about $4 billion in cash, stock and assumed debt. One industry executive said that NBC, which already owns a part of Rainbow, had Tauzin takes offered roughly $3.8 billion, a number dis- puted by a participant in the negotiations. But Wright has argued that the stock he has over combined at his disposal- parent corporation General Electric Corp.is a more stable Commerce and, hence, more valuable currency than the stocks Diller has at his disposal, shares Stearns faces competition for of USA Network or 49% owner Vivendi. telcom subcom chairmanship USA Networks' executives are countering that their shares have been relatively stable in By Paige Albiniak the recent market downturn and in any case ep. Billy Tauzin (R-La.) officially be- Tauzin (shown) beat out Mike Oxley (R -Ohio) greater volatility means greater upside. came chairman of the renamed for the chairmanship of the House Energy But the rules of the game have shifted. R House Energy and Commerce and Commerce Committee. Before Christmas, Dolan had been looking Committee last week, a position he has at negotiating a sale directly with one of the actively sought for the past two years. It was Rep. Mike Oxley (R- Ohio), the top spot in several interested suitors, a list that has not yet clear who would be his successor the newly created House Financial Services included Viacom, MGM and Comcast . atop the House Telecommunications Sub- Committee, formerly the House Banking Now, Cablevision Vice Chairman Bill Bell committee. Committee. The new committee includes has retained two sets of investment bankers The new post should put the already jurisdiction over securities and insurance, to hold a formal auction and has set a bid highly visible Tauzin even more in the spot- both of which were formerly the province of deadline of Jan. 16. light as he spearheads both telecommunica- House Commerce. Oxley was not a mem- One industry executive said Cablevision tions and energy policy. President -elect ber of that committee, and his appointment has shuffled the mix of the goods up for sale, George W. Bush has said that developing a to the job routed several contenders. taking out certain Rainbow assets it had once national energy policy will be one of the top Rep. John Dingell (D- Mich.) com- considered including and declining to grant priorities of his administration. plained bitterly on the House floor last substantial real estate for carriage of new ser- House leadership awarded Tauzin's rival, Wednesday that Republicans were inappro-

10 Broadcasting & Cable /1 -8 -01 Road racer Todd Hansen lived for speed. But he went from Daredevil to Dad in one horrible moment,

when a deadly crash forced him to take in his brother's kids. Now that they are teenagers,

they share his burning desire to regain his family's honor in the only way he knows how -

by risking it all to beat the world's most ruthless competitors in

the most dangerous extreme sport of them all.

From Patrick Hasburgh the creator of "21 Jumpstreet". COVERSTORY

$17 a share. burnt like they say ?" identities -right down to their gestures "Wall Street is Kane, whose (like The Rock's famous eyebrow arch). still trying to under- real name is Glen Because the WWF has overcome such stand," she says, esti- Jacobs, was actu- setbacks and because it's launching new mating the true value ally backstage, businesses, Jacobson predicts the company of the stock to be still masked will be strong in 10 years, although not between $25 and $30. and squeezing without cycles. "We are not a com- mousse into his "I don't see it sustaining this kind of modity. We are a media - tangled main and teasing it out with popularity" notes one executive at a corpo- content company." hairbrush. Is he a burn victim? This is not rate investment firm. "Add to that more The content, however, is based on the the kind of thing the WWF powers want advertisers waking up to the nature of the Santa Claus formula: a suspension of dis- George to know. They zealously guard the product." belief. It's not that a lot of television doesn't backstage. Press photographers are rarely The nature of the prod- test the limits of credulity. And it's not that granted access, and, when they are, what uct is truly crass. Stone the McMahons aren't perfectly straightfor- they are allowed to shoot is highly con- Cold Steve Austin guz- ward about the wrestling itself's being fake. trolled. Enemies in the ring can't be pho- zles beer a half-dozen at The distinction of the WWF is the mys- tographed joking together over sodas. a time and tosses half- tique of the backstories: Did Kane, a 7 -foot- The financial world is still at odds over full cans at oppo- er in a leather mask, really have his face whether the WWF mystique can sustain nents. Men regular- destroyed in a fire? Could Linda and the company's growth and whether off- ly knock women Vince's daughter, Stephanie, really be mar- shoots like the XFL will really take off. around in the ried to Triple H? Is their son, Shane, really After all, the business lost money just three ring, and solilo- a conniving rapscallion maneuvering to years ago. quies are sprin- overthrow his father? "That was when Turner came in with a kled with What the WWF takes to the bank is what big checkbook and hired a bunch of people "sumbitch," people like John and George Boubaris of away from the WWF, and they had to start "bastard," "ass- New City, N.Y., provide. John Boubaris all over again," says Marina Jacobson, an hole" and "suck it." paid $100 for two ringside folding chairs at analyst with Bear Stearns. "Vince was also Pushing the etiquette envelope got Madison Square Garden a month ago to being investigated by the government [for the audience's attention and helped WWF bring his 10- year -old son, George, to the possession and distribution of steroids]. So, down the WCW, but it also drew the ire of boy's first wrestling event. Early in the show, for a while, it was hard for them to keep an one L. Brent Bozell III, chairman of the while the lesser-known wrestlers grapple, eye on the ball. In the end, Vince created a Parents Television Council. When the George shares his WWF expertise. much more compelling product that WWF turned up the raunch on Smack- "You can tell it's fake by the sound tapped into new talent. And it's not just the down!, its regular Thursday -night show on effects," he says. "You hear that slap? They talent. It's the storylines." UPN, Bozell embarked on a crusade to get barely touch each other. It's all sound All but one of the charges in the steroid advertisers to pull ads. Some did, but the effects and training." rap were dropped; Vince was acquitted on PTC also started taking credit for advertis- Just then, a vendor walks by, and George the remaining charge. The legal battle took ers that had never bought wrestling in the begs his dad for a big, purple sponge hand about three years. The legal bills came due first place, including Procter & Gamble, with logo for the Hardy Boyz, one of the in 1997. That same year, Turner offered fat the nation's largest ad spender. Last month, more popular tag teams. Grinning contracts at the WCW. Top -tier WWF stars the WWF sued Bozell and the Council for sheepishly, John Boubaris pulls like Hulk Hogan walked. the undisclosed millions the company out $10. Today, drug tests are not mandatory at alleges the PTC cost it. Later, when George the WWF, but the company will occasion- Bozell and his group may have scared discovers that his ally test for cause and fire talent for steroid advertisers but not fans. Live events, the ringside neigh- use. And top -tier WWF wrestlers, while bread- and -butter of the company, continue bor has they remain independent contractors, get to sell out, sometimes in minutes. June's gone back- one -, two- or three -year contracts, not the King of Ring event in Boston sold out in less stage, he can't per-show deal they did before Turner raid- than five minutes. Attendance more than stand it. "Is ed the WWF. The company also claims as doubled since 1997 to about 2.5 million in Kane's face really intellectual properties their characters' fiscal 2000 (which ended April 30) and con-

Broadcasting & Cable /1 -8 -01 25 COVERSTORY

at 18, she took a degree in French at East Saturday Carolina University and went to work as a -night livening receptionist for a Washington law firm. Her If she's concerned that Wall Street will take her less seriously for rolling around in the ring, break there came when Ezra Pound, the Linda McMahon doesn't show it. A: a recent Warburg conference, she was more concerned with controversial poet, died in France. Linda pitching the XFL, the football league that is promising to be, well, nastier than the wound up interpreting the calls from NFL and begins on Feb. 3. France and ended up with a job in probate, "We've sold about 25% of the ad inventory for 30% of the dollars," she where she says she got her business training. says. "We've sold 35,000 seasor tickets, most of them in Chicago for Meanwhile, Vince worked a few sales Soldier Field." So much for those who said it would be too cold for peo' jobs before joining the family business, pie to attend. Capitol Wrestling. When the :,FL was unveiled lest February, the McMahons had a concept "When he was getting his degree [in busi- but no television outlet, and skeptics rolled their eyes. Over at Rockefeller ness administration], he always said he didn't Center, NBC Sports chief Dick Eberso watched the press conference on closed want to go into the business, but he always circuit and got on the phone. talked about wrestling," Linda recalls.

NBC exited the NFL two seasons ago after refusing to pay the rich rights fees. For a while, it Once on board, in 1972, Vince moved had considered starting its own league with Turner Boadcasting, but that idea never went far. the family to Connecticut, where he sold "I called their office in Stamfora and said please haie them call me before they leave," he Capitol's programming, station by station. recalls. "I said, 'Please don't do anything until I get back to you: Over the next three months, In 1979, Vince and Linda struck out on our business folks dealt with Linda and Augie [Augus: Liguori, WWF CFO] for the equity deal." their own and formed Titan Sports. They For NBC, the only risk may be its reputation, although Ebersol downplays the idea the WWF soon bought an obscure coliseum in Cape

will bring scandal to the network. Otherwise, Saturday night is a ratings dead zone; what's Cod and started promoting events, the first more, on Saturday night, XFL gives NBC a perfect platform to promote its NBA Sunday telecasts an exhibition game of the Boston Bruins. To at a time when pro basketball is a tougher sell than it the Michael Jordan era. And on the get the team, the McMahons had to guaran- West Coast, NBC is still toying with the idea of airing Saturday Night Live in prime time after tee $50,000 in sales, so they created VIP tick- the game and then again at 11:30. ets that came with little extras, like meatball NBC eventually committed $100 nillion for half owne-ship in the football league and bought sandwiches that Vince and Linda made at

3% piece of the WWF. In Ebersol's estimation, 1997, when the McMahons lost money, was a blip. home and hauled to the coliseum. "This time, there's something diferent," he says. "Story lines are family- driven. So much of The event sold out. The next year, the what they do is a drama that overlays the McMahons, and they're never going to leave. They McMahons went out on a limb to buy won't be disgruntled employees. They are the only people I know in television who are doing Capitol from Vince's father, Vince Sr., for five hours of scripted drama without repeats." $1 million. If they missed one of their quar- WWF executives believe the XFL will generate about 380 million in its first year of operation, terly payments, they lost the business and with a combination of TV ads in the games, ticket sales and merchandising. The ad sales in the the money. Vince and Linda did everything games, which will air on NBC, UPN and TNN, are being sold in packages by WWF. The average the old man advised against: selling T- shirts, unit rate for a 30- second spot is about $130,000. A ltt le more than half the available inven- doing a mail-order business and expanding tory has been sold, according to a league spokesman. Advertisers that have signed on include beyond the WWF's traditional borders and Gatorade, M &M /Mars, Anheuser -Bus :h and Valvoline motor oil. into syndication. It worked. Their Capitol -D.D.McA. (Steve McClellan contributed to this story) gamble paid off. "In our entire history in the business, we've only lost money two years," she says. it was Linda who went before the New mishap during a WWF event in Kansas City.) Linda McMahon's latest corporate role at Jersey State Legislature to say it wasn't a Despite the bad blood, Hart says, "I the WWF is convincing Wall Street that the sport, it was entertainment," he recalls. don't know why, but I always think of company's growth is sustainable. For all the Bret Hart, a 14 -year veteran of the Margaret Thatcher. I got the impression she campy adoration among financial analysts WWF and one of its most vociferous crit- was very, very sharp." (Fidelity Investment analysts in Boston ics, also remembers Linda as the brains The former Linda Edwards of New came to the WWF's IPO road show behind the brawn. Bern, N.C., a high school honor student and in foam -rubber championship Hart fell out with the company two years the only girl in town with a jump shot, never belts), the company's stock ago over pay and job -security issues. (And intended to run a wrestling empire. After price remains about $2 below last year Hart's brother Owen was killed in a marrying Vince, her childhood sweetheart, the October 1999 IPO price of

24 Broadcasting & Cable /1 -8 -01 oaughtg (in a neurotic, brash and beautiful sotto um!) Mu, hilarious, cholming, foistu, shomoloss and hindo...

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ri MI I mitivelh Ceodury Fox Film Corporation All Rights Reserved COVERSTORY

Vince and Linda McMahon come to blows in the ring ...

"I absolutely respect your opinion in this pulls in some 50 mil- maker. We had Hell in a Cell match," she calmly tells lion people each one conceptual Vince. "But I also respect Mick's." week to televised meeting with Satisfied, Foley, formerly known as and live events. Vince up in Mankind, soon struts from the ring. Eyes Capitalizing on Stamford. The rest bulging and neck veins popping, Vince America's insa- were with Linda. grabs the mike and rants at Linda for sup- tiable appetite She takes strong porting Foley. "To hell with my family. for white-trash positions on things To hell with my marriage. ... I WANT A spectacle and she really knows about,

DIVORCE! ! ! " he roars. "Get out of the knuckles - but she has a wonderful my ring! Get out of my life! You were of- knowledge school of temperament. She's quite never good enough for me anyway. problem solving, the McMahons have at odds with what every I'm VINCE MCMAHON!" emerged the national champs of profes- man feels happens at the Shaken, Linda hurries out of the sional wrestling. WWF." arena, the backstage cameras After going $6.5 million in the hole in Long before her debut in the ring and on recording her sobbing flight to a 1997, the WWF cleared $59 million on rev- Wall Street, Linda worked behind the waiting limousine. enues of $379 million in fiscal 2000. Its scenes at the WWF, turning her husband's Ten hours later, a poised and main competitor, Ted Turner's World creative fomentations into businesses. confident Linda McMahon reels Championship Wrestling, is on track to lose Using the pseudonym Linda Kelly, she off WWF statistics to a ball- roughly $60 million this wrote and produced the room full of Wall Street ana- year after a two -year rat- "There's no question early WWF magazines. lysts at the UBS Warburg's ings spiral. Revenues at She later negotiated the about who runs 28th Annual Media Con- the WWF are expected to first licensing deal in the ference. Revenues, ratings, reach $450 million in fis- the business. She wrestling industry for the pay -per-view buys and tick- cal 2001, although profit was the primary manufacture of WWF et sales are all up from last will dip slightly to approx- action figures. year, she says before imately $55 million as the negotiator and "Linda has acted as launching into a smooth, company sinks money dealmaker." the business manager of articulate pitch for the W WF's new football into its latest venture, the that company for as long --Tom Freston, MTV Networks league, the XFL, beginning next month, XFL. as I've known about it, where the idea is, at least tacitly, to play a Over the past 14 months, the company and we started dealing with them in 1982," meaner game. went public, created a football league and says Kay Koplovitz, former president of Jilted, beleaguered wife or $1.6 million - switched distributors (to Viacom) after 18 USA Networks, now CEO of Working a -year corporate head of an expanding years with USA Networks, all the while Woman Network. She observes that, where empire: Will the real Linda McMahon doing more than 200 live shows around the Vince shoots from the hip, Linda takes a please stand up? country and producing five hours of televi- thoughtful approach. "She's a more prag- "I am not divorced," she says with a grin, sion each week. And, at Vince's urging, matic negotiator." relaxing in her Stamford, Conn., office Linda came out of the shadows as the real Dick Ebersol, the head three days after Vince's rant at the Garden. muscle behind the company. of NBC Sports who has The real Linda McMahon, about 5 feet 5 "There's no question known the McMahons inches tall, has a powerful handshake, an about who since the early 1980s, easygoing manner, arresting sky -blue eyes runs the busi- remembers that, in and the composure of a combat veteran. ness," says Tom 1988, it was Linda "Maybe I shouldn't tell you this," she Freston, the who deflected the says. "If I were doing that performance chairman and flak over whether with an actor or a stranger, I would have CEO of MTV wrestling burst out laughing. He was so over the top; Networks, who should be reg- I had to look to the side of him." helped hammer out F ulated as a The McMahon's 34 -year marriage is as Viacom's deal with the sport. sound as ever. Their high jinks in the ring WWF. "She was the pri- "It was- are just part of the ongoing soap opera that mary negotiator and deal- n't Vince; ... but this 34- year-old marriage is not headed for divorce court. Broadcasting & Cable /1 -8 -01 21 COVERSTORY

is a Tuesday night in Madison Square Garden. A crowd of about 16,000 people boos and hisses the barrel- chested chairman of the World Wrestling Feceration as he raves at a very large man name] Mick Foley, the so -called commissioner d the WWF. Vince McMahon is screaming at Foley for pitting six of the WWF's by grapplers eeliz against one another in a Lucie box -Hell in a Cell, in the vernacular. Foley calls out for the WWF CEO to settle the fight. Dressed in a navy blue business suit, of the rin Linda McMahon strides dowr a long ramp toward the ring, her Vince McMahon gets the headlines. arms characteristically close to her sides. She greets Foley; kisses but many say it's wife Linda who her husband, the chairman; and takes the turned WVYF into a powerhouse. By Deborah D. McAdams wireless microphone.

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Excludes sports. 12/27/99 -10/26/00. All programs 12/27/93- 10/26/00. 1'//>9r/71'/,l/18/.7 "' Based on a gross of 3 telecasts per week. TBSsuperstation.com Source. TBS Research from Nielsen Media research Data. Harry A. Jessell EDITOR IN CHIEF Plumbing problem NAB's crackdown on leaks threatens sunshine tradition

Ihe National Association of Broadcasters has always been a Now, that's due process. public records and courtrooms fairly open organization, particularly considering its posi- Such provisions are intimi- and against laws and regula- tion as one of Washington's most effective lobbies. It has dating, especially for directors tions that discourage anyone made no secret about where it is going and kept few about who hold seats reserved for sta- from speaking freely. In that how it intends to get there. This must be disconcerting for the pub- tion groups or networks. They light, it seems more than a little lic- interest groups since it doesn't fit with their image of lobbies as will have their intended effect bit hypocritical for the NAB to well- cloaked conspiracies against the commonweal. of discouraging directors from try to gag its own members. NAB's chief spokesman Dennis Wharton does a fine job getting talking out of school. And What's been the damage of out the association's message and putting out the PR fires that con- NAB will have successfully the leaks the NAB is now trying tinually smolder and occasionally blaze. Yet, he doesn't try to get shut out some to plug? Not between reporters and the NAB staffers. Most, from President Eddie of the sunshine much, as far as I By a simple Fritts down, are accessible and comfortable talking with the press. that has set it can tell. Perhaps Reporters have not been permitted into NAB's board meetings, apart from majority vote, the some embar- but they have been invited to the board's dinners and cocktail par- other lobbies board may kick out rassment each ties where they can pump directors for what went on behind dosed and, I am sure, January when doors and pick up gossip to color their stories. All told, the open- kept it out of any director it we and some- ness has been a great tradition that has earned NAB more good ink trouble on determines has times others Capitol Hill and print all or part violated the at the Justice of the associa- than bad over the years. change in the by -laws that Department's no -leak rule. tion's budget. The openness stands in stark empowers the board to boot antitrust divi- Perhaps NAB contrast to the National Cable off any of its members for leak- sion. doesn't like to advertise the fact Television Association, which is ing information. If the NAB board is doing that it makes oodles of money reluctant to tell you where its Here's the actual language: something that it doesn't want off its annual Vegas trade board is meeting, let alone invite "While directors may take on the cover of BROADCASTING show-$26 million on revenue you to come and hang out. positions that differ from the & CABLE or the front page of of $37 million, according to the NCTA also has the great advan- position of the Association, the New York Times, for that Jan. 27, 2000, issue of tage of having a relatively small they shall not in so doing urili7e matter, it shouldn't be doing it. BROADCASTING & CABLE. That executive committee making non -public information or data I have to concede that trying kind of money will inevitably the real decisions. It's run more that they obtained through to do business any kind of attract competition. like a corporate board than an their service on the board." business-with the press hov- I'll be in Carlsbad for the association board. Another new provision puts ering right outside the door is board meeting this weekend- Unfortunately, the NAB tra- teeth in the above. By a simple not easy. But just about every next to the shrimp, sipping a dition is now threatened. majority vote, the board may political organization in the Mexican beer. Any board When the board gathers in kick out any director it deter- nation from the town council member interested in testing Carlsbad, Calif., this weekend, mines has violated the no -leak to Congress somehow man- the new provision should come some directors may be more rule. And lest you think this is a ages. So can the NAB. over and say hello. I'll be dis- reluctant to open up than they lynching, the provision stipu- The NAB doesn't represent creet. have been in the past. Last lates that the alleged offender widget manufacturers. It repre- week, the general membership "shall be permitted to speak in sents media-news organiza- Jessell may be reached at voted on (and presumably their own behalf before a tions -that fight a continuing [email protected] or passed) a board -approved removal decision is taken." battle for access to officials, 212 -337 -6964.

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Jessell takes B &C helm West becomes editor-at- large, Group Publisher Oliver adds duties, Paskowski in new slot

Harry A. Jessell, editor of BROADCASTING & CABLE since 1997, has been named editor -in- chief of the magazine. Don West, the dis- tinguished longtime B &C chief, will become the magazine's new editor -at-large. P.J. Bednarski remains the magazine's executive editor. At the same time, Marianne Paskowski was named to the newly created post of edi- torial director for the Cahners Television Group, which includes BROADCASTING & CABLE, Cablevision and Multichannel Longtime B &C executive Harry Jessell (l) becomes editor-in -chief as longer -time B &C veteran News, where she remains editor -in- chief. Don West assumes newly created position. Paskowski reports to Group Publisher Larry Oliver. of the now -defunct Television magazine, As editor-at- large, West will serve as an "Our ongoing commitment is to contin- has remained with BROADCASTING. In 1982, adviser on editorial policy, participate in ue to serve the vertical television markets after the death of the magazine's founder, industry conferences, and chair the annu- with the most powerful brands in each mar- Sol Taishoff, he became only the third edi- al BROADCASTING & CABLE Hall of Fame, ket segment, maintaining the individuality tor in BROADCASTING's history. as well as contribute special reports that of editorial integrity, while aggregating the West later ascended to editor-in -chief rely on his nearly encyclopedic knowl- talent and natural synergy that rest within when his successor, Harry Jessell, a 23 -year edge of media. our group," said Group Vice President veteran of the magazine, became editor, Separately, Ken Kerschbaumer, who had William McGorry. around the time B &C moved its headquar- been the magazine's associate editor cover- West joined BROADCASTING magazine in ters to New York City Previously, Jessell had ing Internet and interactive issues, has been 1953 and, except for a brief period in which covered the rise of the cable and satellite named assistant managing editor, responsi- he was an assistant to CBS President Frank industries, and reported on Congress, the ble for planning BROADCASTING & CABLE'S Stanton and when he was managing editor FCC and federal courts for the magazine. special reports.

Broadcasting & Cable/1-8-01 15 TOP OF THE WEEK

INBRIEF they are more or less. "They'll just operate more Fox slashes closely with the broadcast and cable entities, and that will result in a lot of savings," he says. A PAX 'BONANZA' its Web sites And in a year marked with dotcom failures, Pax TV is developing two new savings are too good to pass up. "It makes series for fall has the and By Ken Kerschbaumer perfect sense," he notes. ordered another 22 episodes of ews Corp. is taking its first steps News Corp. hasn't made it dear how and the drama Mysterious Ways for toward dissolving its News Digital when employees will be moved over and/or the 2001 -2002 season. Pax exec- utives, speaking at the first day N Media subsidiary in the next few laid off, but Butcher says there will be a cou- of the Television Critics months as it transfers production of broadcast ple of hundred employees who will be taken Association meetings in Los and cable network- related Web sites in by the broadcast and cable entities. Current Angeles, said Pax is developing FoxNews.com, FoxSports.com and Fox.com staff levels at News Digital Media, including The Ponderosa, a western series to their respective broadcast and cable entities. the sites and staff at Stats Inc. (which will con- based on NBC classic Bonanza, "Mr. Murdoch has always been skeptical tinue operations) is about 450. chronicling the early years of the about advertising -based stand -alone Web "Thankfully we haven't been burned that Cartwright family. Also in devel- sites, and these sites haven't even neared prof- badly by the Internet because Rupert always had opment is Left Behind, based on the Bible -based best -selling itability," says Andrew Butcher, News Corp. a healthy skepticism of its potential profitability books by authors Tim LaHaye spokesman. "This is a reflection that he isn't and he has a much broader view of what new- and Jerry Jenkins. going to wait around forever for something he media should mean," Butcher explains. "It doesn't think is a viable operation." includes our satellite operations and interactive MCCAIN IRKED AT NAB Butcher adds that the sites will continue to TV developments, and that's where he sees the OVER LOW -POWER FM have original content and they'll continue as big potential, in broadband and wireless." Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John McCain (R -Ariz.) last week vowed to reintroduce legisla- tion that would reinstate low -power FM. "I think it was obscene what FCC `foreigner' rules could whack Fox was done," McCain said, regarding 1Restrictions on foreign ownership of U.S. TV stations could add roughly $127 million tc the price Fox Congress' passage of a NAB -backed Television pays for Chris- Craft's 10 TV stations. bill that severely restricts the FCC's The FCC 01 Dec. 21 said the purchase by Fox Television Stations, which is ultimately owned by low -power radio initiative. The bill Australian -based parent News Corp. but under the control of naturalized U.S. citizen Rupert Murdoch, was tacked on to a huge spending may violate :he prohibition against foreigners holding TV licenses here. measure and the Senate did not hold hearings on the issue. "It If the agency refuses to go along with the transaction as now structured, Fox may have to sends a message to minorities that increase the value of the cash /stock swap because of a significant tax hit Chris Craft shareholders Republicans are held hostage to the i would absoro. The purchase contract calls for Fox to increase the deal's per share value by $2 to National Association of $87 -an increase of almost 2.5 %. Broadcasters," he said. The FCC is balking because the deal's current proposal calls for Fox Television to acquire Chris -

Craft's TV licenses but put the rest of the assets, including the stations themselves, under the control INFINITY DEAL DELAYED of another News Corp. subsidiary. Viacom last Friday delayed clos- ing its $12.9 billion merger with The Fox station group, under a 1995 waiver from the FCC, is not barred by foreign ownership restric- radio group /outdoor advertiser tions from a quiring more stations because regulators ruled that the stations were under the de facto

Infinity Broadcasting. Infinity's tcontrol of M irdoch. But any future station purchases must be under the same ownership structure. The shareholders -other than FCC's Mass Media Bureau is asking Fox to explain how the deal complies with the 1995 waiver. Viacom, which already owns The FCC aso asked Fox to explain why the Chris -Craft deal, if not brought into compliance with 64.3% of Infinity-need to vote the 1995 ownership structure, is in the public interest. Finally, the FCC asked for permission to on the deal first, the companies review Fox cocuments submitted to the Justice Department team that is conduct as separate said, basing their decision on an antitrust review of the merger. A Fox official said FCC's was unrelated Delaware ruling. In the inquiry expected and predicted the that ruling the judge endorsed company wc.ild alleviate regulators' concerns. the rights of minority sharehold- Aside fron the foreign ownership issue, Fox also may be ordered to shed some stations to bring ers. The deal still is expected in itself into compliance with the 35% cap on U.S. audience reach post- merger. Station sales are likely the first quarter. unless the incoming Republican FCC Leadership lifts or removes the ownership cap. -Bill McConnell

14 Broadcasting & Cable /1 -8 -01 V ir

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PAUL LABaow TOP OF THE WEEK

INBRIEF path" interference created when its decision on the entire ques- TV signals reflect off buildings tion of whether cable operators and terrain and create ghost should be forced to carry both SERIOUSLY SIRIUS images, company officials said. digital and analog TV stations. Sirius Satellite Radio announced Separately, the NAB is expect- Copy -protection issues also programming deals with A &E, ed to spend a lot of time on digi- are expected to take up the Discovery Channel and The tal TV issues at its annual board NAB board's time, from royalty Weather Channel and with coun- meeting Jan. 13 -17, including fees that radio stations may try music star Randy Travis at the digital must -carry. NAB President Eddie Fritts have to pay for streaming their Consumer Electronics Show in Las asked the FCC not to delay a Vegas last Friday. It also closed a At press time, the FCC was decision on digital must -carry. signal on the Web to protecting marketing deal with House of planning to introduce a rulemak- digital content.

Blues Entertainment. Sirius ing Jan. 11 on issues surrounding digital must - Finally, the radio board will discuss low - receivers, which will also receive carry, such as channel capacity and program power FM, and satellite and Internet radio as analog AM /FM signals, will cost exclusivity rules. Last week, NAB President well as the FCC's proceeding on how to $300 -$400, with a $9.95 month- Eddie Fritts asked the FCC to stop delaying define radio markets. ly service charge when the ser- vice launches later this year. Also, lone competitor XM Satellite Radio is slated to launch the first of two satellites Doctoring the Health Channel from a platform in the Pacific Ocean today (Jan. 8), XM pre- With WebMD out of the equation, News Corp. has two options viewed about 20 of its 100 chan- nels at CES. Distribution of its By Deborah McAdams materialized. receivers will begin in more than Ihe Health Channel could be on life sup- In the meantime, the company racked up 2,200 Sears stores this summer. port now that WebMD has pulled out of $2 billion in losses for the first nine months of FOXY MULLIGAN its network partnership with News Corp. 2000 and will take a $275 million charge News Corp. named Brian Mulligan Rolling the channel's 20 million subscribers against earnings in the fourth quarter. chairman of Fox Television, into National Geographic Channel (which offi- Its 50% stake in The Health Network goes replacing Chase Carey, who now cially launched yesterday in 10 million homes), back to News Corp., which regains 100% runs Rupert Murdoch's Sky Global FX, Fox Movie Channel or Fox Sports World ownership. Networks. Mulligan oversees the is probably the option of least resistance, bar- Fox had expected Health to be a huge con- Fox TV station group, cable net- works and business operations of ring contract violations with distributors. vergence hit when it teamed up with Fox Broadcasting. Formerly, he Pumping money into health programming, WebMD, Shell said, but almost all Internet was CFO and co- chairman of which has yet to light a fire with viewers, is the financial things have soured in the past year. Universal Pictures prior to the other. "We're re- evaluating the business," said (Fox also confirmed significant layoffs in its merger of Seagram and Vivendi, Jeff Shell, head of Fox cable networks. He News Digital Media division; see page 14.) which was effected last month. said he doesn't necessarily need the distribu- As for WebMD, it is now relieved of all tion for the other channels, given the power of future capital commitments to the network MOLL IS NEW CLEAR CHANNEL CHIEF Fox's many regional sports channels in con- and won't issue 8.3 million shares of its com- Former TV Bureau of Advertising tract negotiations. mon stock. News Corp. will reduce its adver- President William G. Moll has "Our current thinking is to remain a health tising and promotion commitment from $700 succeeded William Riperton "Rip" network." million to $205 million over 10 years. Riordan as chief of Clear Channel WebMD, an online company that links The two parties are also dissolving an inter- Communications' 18- station TV doctors, patients and insurers over the national joint venture. A News Corp. division, Clear Channel said. Internet, became the managing partner of The spokesman likened the developments to a Riordan, 43, is retiring. Moll, 62, a little a in a $1 is most recently was president /gen- Health Network over year ago "friendly divorce." WebMD trying to refo- eral manager of Clear Channel's billion deal with News Corp. cus its business, away from consumer applica-

WKRC -11/ Cincinnati. Pat Fili- Krushel, the former ABC pro- tions to services for the health- insurance gramming exec, was hired by WebMD to industry. Late last week, the company's stock run the network. A name change planned for fell 31 cents, to $7.63. It traded as high as $71 last November -to WebMD TV-never at the beginning of 2000.

12 Broadcasting & Cable /1 -8 -01 TOP OF THE WEEK

priately shifting power from Commerce to Banking to "take care of one member." Flawed 8-VSB likely Dingell also pointed out that the Banking Committee presided over several scandals, including the savings and loan debacle of the '80s, while the Commerce Committee to get NAB nod "has always seen to it that the interests of the American investors were protected." Industry is expected to conclude that DTV standard is fixable Dingell added: "I would simply tell my colleagues, `You have created the opportu- By Paige Albiniak and Bill McConnell closed to the press. nity for splendid scandals and you have cre- roadcasters will meet this week and The boards of directors of both NAB ated something else: You have made your next in an attempt to achieve some and MSTV will then travel to Carlsbad, choice of fools, and I should say that you B consensus on the key modulation Calif., over the weekend, where they will should now look forward to a splendid dis- component of the digital transmission stan- hold a joint board meeting on Monday, Jan. aster. It is coming.'" dard. Sources expect the industry to come 15, where they intend to hammer out a Tauzin also said on the House floor that out of the meetings backing 8 -VSB, but position acceptable to both associations. he was unhappy about the power-shifting. that doesn't mean the issue will be settled. "It's going to be uncomfortable no mat- At press time, subcommittee heads had A long -awaited report by the National ter how it comes out," said one lobbyist. not yet been selected, but sources report Association of Broadcasters and the "It's bad enough doing this as an industry that Rep. Cliff Stearns (R -Fla.) may have Association for Maximum Service Tele- standard. It's horrible doing it as an indus- vision was sent to broadcasters last week. trial governmental policy." 'You have made your The "phone- book -sized" report, as some The broadcasters' actions will have a lot described it, is mostly filled with results of of bearing on other groups studying the choice of fools, and I engineering tests conducted in Washing- DTV modulation issue. should say that you ton, Baltimore and Cleveland. The Advanced Television Systems should now look forward Sources say the report finds big flaws with Committee delayed a final report to its exec- both the Advanced Tele- utive committee on the to a splendid disaster: vision Systems Corn - current standard's perfor- A Canadian study -Rep. John Dingell mittee's 8 -VSB and mance in order to incorpo- COFDM, the standard concludes that 8 -VSB rate the NAB/ MSTV stiff competition to replace Tauzin as head used in Europe and Japan needs improvement findings. The ATSC report of the important Telecommunications and supported by Sinclair also will include a Subcommittee. Rep. Chris Smith (R-N;)..) is Broadcasting and NBC. to be acceptable for Canadian study finished expected to head the Veterans' Affairs 8 -VSB is the standard the indoor reception. last month which con- Committee, a slot for which Rep. Michael industry selected and the cludes that 8 -VSB, also Bilirakis (R-Fla.) was vying. Bilirakis has FCC adopted, but Sinclair began complain- used in that country, needs improvement to seniority in the Telecommunications ing three years ago that 8 -VSB didn't allow be acceptable for indoor reception. Subcommittee, and may get that spot. for adequate indoor reception and that it The ATSC by the end of January is plan- Sources said last week that the House couldn't handle the mobile applications that ning to ask for its own proposals to might make those decisions over the week- have become increasingly attractive to enhance 8 -VSB so it will work better with end, or it may be another week. broadcasters looking for a second revenue indoor and mobile reception. ATSC also is No matter who heads the subcommittee, stream. Since then, broadcasters have been planning to assess COFDM. Tauzin still will stay very involved in fighting over which standard is best and Finally, the FCC is conducting tests to telecommunications issues, Tauzin delaying the transition to digital in the evaluate whether 8 -VSB receivers are spokesman Ken Johnson noted. process. improving sufficiently to alleviate concerns Both Tauzin and Senate Commerce On Jan. 10, the steering committee about indoor reception. Last month, Committee Chairman John McCain (R- assembled by NAB and MSTV will meet NxtWave Communications, one of the Ariz.) plan to focus on reforming the FCC in Washington to discuss the report and leading makers of DTV receiver chips, during the next Congressional session-a plan for the next day's all- industry summit unveiled its latest version. The new chip task that should be easier with a Republican at the Ronald Reagan International Trade makes significant progress in alleviating administration in place. Center in Washington. Both meetings are indoor reception problems and "multi-

Broadcasting & Cable /1 -8 -01 11 Antonio Sabato. Jr. is road racer Todd Hansen.

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tinues growing in fiscal 2001. Pay -per-view and Linda had ever left the business. more to come. Manhunt, a comiddramatic buys have more than tripled in the same Stephanie McMahon is now one of the reality series created by Vince McMahon, is period, to 6.8 million. Ratings for Raw Is lead writers. coming to UPN. Another weekly series is in War, the WWF's flagship show now on For all the crotch- grabbing, cussing and development for MTV. TNN, are averaging around a 52. That's one -finger salutes on the WWE no single Linda has her eye on international softer than the mid -sixes it had on USA incident has generated the feedback stirred expansion. Pay -per-views in the United Network but still more than double the up by a storyline written not by Stephanie Kingdom have tripled over the course of six 1997 numbers. but for her and her mother. After the two events to 150,000- between 25 % and 30% Wall Street is only mildly impressed with exchange words in the ring, Stephanie slaps of the U.S. average. The WWF's magazine is the WWF's substantial audience because her mother, knocking her to the mat. In a the No. 1 imported title in that country, she there's a nagging perception that it compris- later show, Linda returns the blow. says. The company is preparing to hire an es mostly toothless hillbillies -not exactly "I found it very difficult conceptually," executive vice president of international the Lexus demo. Actually, Raw's audience is Linda says. "Stephanie refused to do it for events and another executive for interna- more urban than rural-37% vs. 32 %. the longest time. A lot of parents wrote to tional licensing. About 35% of the audience is white collar, us. The reaction was across the board. We Merchandising has more potential as while 13 % of the households that tune in utilized that as an object lesson." well. WWF peddles everythiung from make more than $75,000 a year. Would Linda do it again? Chris Benoit's autographed tights to a sil- "And remember, there's very little pro- "If it made sense, but not very often. We ver -metal garbage can used to smash some- gramming that boys and dads watch were making Stephanie into this shrew one over the head. For the second quarter together," says a researcher familiar with from this naive little girl. We knew the char- of fiscal 2001, the WWF sold $30 million in the programming. "Major sports has acter change would come." branded merchandise. In November alone, undone loyalty with players going from As is the character of the WWF itself. In its online ShopZone shipped $700,000 team to team, whereas The Rock, they her fourth -floor office above East Main Street worth of merchandise. know he'll be there." in Stamford, Linda McMahon talks about Even the healthiest growth in those cate- Another perceived weakness-one men- where the WWF can grow. For a while, the gories won't keep the doubling revenues at tioned in the company's Securities and company toyed with the idea of a W WF cable the WWF, what with next year's numbers Exchange documents as a risk factor-is channel, but that's a long-term goal for when being weighted down by XFL start-up the WWF's dependence on Vince the company has more pro- costs. McMahon and his larger -than-life persona. gramming. Between TNN, "I don't expect to do 50% growth year "We have talked about that," Linda says. MTV, UPN and syndi- after year after year," Linda says. "I would "The goal is, if something happens, we have cation, the WWF al- expect a conservative estimate of 10% to the talent in place and have the people to ready has seven 15% growth. That's conservative." develop the talent." wrestling and round- So what exactly does Linda McMahon Stephanie and Shane are being groomed up shows on the have to do to convince Wall Street that the for ascendancy. Their only requirement for air, with WWF is here to stay? joining the family business full-time was "Time," she says. "I think that will be the getting a degree, Linda says. Both chil- only thing that shows them." Out in the dren earned communications degrees hall, Stephanie McMahon is on the from Boston University. On the day he phone when her mother emerges graduated, Shane, a cleft- chinned from the office. When Linda is reflection of his father, skipped told that even the company's commencement, packed his car, enemies didn't badmouth her, locked up his apartment and returned she points to Stephanie. home. He's now the president of new "Ask this one," she The company media for WWE also claims as says. Stephanie, who plays a smart- alecky, intellectual "She slaps pretty properties overly made-up vamp in the ring, is actual- their hard," Stephanie says. ly a polite and gracious young woman characters' Both women suddenly identities - whose only request when she graduated right down to laugh and hug each other. was a family vacation to Ireland. They went their gestures From 2 feet away, it looks like they (like The for a week. It was the longest that Vmce Rock's famous really mean it. eyebrow arch).

28 Broadcasting & Cable /1 -8 -01 25th Anniversary of the "Thrills from Manila "

Gerald M. Levin Hubert J. Schlafly Monroe M. Rifkin

Robera M. Rosencrons John P. Cole, Jr. Sidney Topol

Commemorate the Beginning of Cable's Use of Satellite Technology

Join us for a 90- minute panel discussion marking the 25th anniversary of the historic first cable program delivered to homes via satellite, the Ali- Frazier fight. Participants include cable industry pioneers who made the event possible.

C-SPAN January 13, 2001 8 and 11 pm ET

Panel discussion was held on November 28th, 2000, sponsored by

the National Cable Television Center and Museum.

Created by Cable. Offered as a Public Service.

c- span.org Buyer's Guide NATPE 2001: A TV odyssey

eyes to Vegas station industry continually consolidat- All turn later Las Vegas will ing, the biggest question looming over this month as executives play host to NATPE Jan. 22 -25. NATPE's 38th annual conference is, search for content what and where is NATPE's future? Johansen says not to fret. NATPE is in Fans of Elvis may think he's still the good shape, as is the TV business. king in Las Vegas, but from Jan. "Some people wring their hands and 22 -25 content will rule when say this is the end of syndication as we NATPE 2001 rolls into town, offering know it," says Johansen. "But I think programming executives an opportunity digital television and all of these other to check out the latest in television pro- technologies just triples the industry's gramming and more than ever, new growth opportunities. People who have media content and technologies. good, creative ideas are going to make a This year's show already appears to fortune in the next couple of years." be well on its way to being larger than The show also promises to offer last year's, with pre- registration up executives a chance to become educat- some 23% to date (last year 17,520 ed on issues impacting everything from people walked the hall of the New everybody involved in this show," says broadcast to broadband in sessions run- Orleans Convention Center). And on Bruce Johansen, NATPE's President ning concurrently with the exhibits. the exhibitor front, 855 separate com- and CEO. "The convention is so easy Among the highlights are "coffees" with panies will be manning a booth, almost to get there and the bulk of the people creator /executive producer Darren Star 10% ahead of last year's exhibitor total who go to NATPE are based in Los (Sex in the City) and Mery Griffin (Jan. of 780. Angeles. And we'll be able to attract 23, 24 respectively), the presentation of "While we love New Orleans and it's more people from Silicon Valley, an the Chairman's Award to Jerry Seinfeld a great venue and the food is fantastic, area we are aggressively going after." on the morning of Jan. 23, and HD Las Vegas is so convenient for most And with syndication and the TV workshops every day.

30 Broadcasting & Cable /1 -8 -01

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Over the holidays, off -net comedy the outlook isn't so great beyond 2002. ond cycle of Friends (available in 2004) syndicators may have had visions And that might mean that stations hungry and second cycles of Home Improvement of themselves offering the next for comedies will be open to shows that (2002) and The Drew Carey Show (2002). Seinfeld or Friends dancing in their aren't exactly guaranteed hits. Still, Carroll acknowledges that sta- heads. And with networks recently favor- "The six broadcast networks are pro- tions "have a sweet tooth" for sitcoms, ing dramas, reality, and game shows over ducing 31% fewer sitcoms than they describing one -hour series, currently sitcoms in prime time, those visions may were five years ago," says Steve Mosko, popular with the networks, as "spotty" come true even if their programs don't Columbia TriStar Television Distribu- syndication performers. offer the hit status of Seinfeld or Friends. Why? Sure, there are some strong 2001 off-net contenders in Columbia Tri- Star's Just Shoot Me and CBS Enterprises - King World's Everybody Loves Raymond, Off-net sitcoms both prime time winners for their net- works. And in 2002 Twentieth Tele- vision's Dharma & Greg, Carsey -Werner's That '70s Show and Warner Bros.' Will & get last laugh Grace-current network franchises on ABC, Fox and NBC, respectively-are With outlook for quality comedy hazy beyond 2002 -2003, positioned as potential powerhouses. But because the networks aren't turn- syndicators may find stations hungry for yaks ing out quality sitcoms for the syn- dication pipeline By Susanne Ault

tion's president, "They're run- "Hour-long dramatic shows don't strip ning more news magazines, well," says Robert Raleigh, Carsey- shows like Millionaire, etc. Werner Domestic Television Distribu- There's not a lot of [sitcom] prod- tion's president. There are a few excep- uct coming into the pipeline, that's tions, he adds, Beverly Hills 90210 and the bottom line." 7th Heaven among them. Syndicators' 2001 -2003 comic Seconding that observation is Mosko, efforts are in good shape with weak explaining that hour-long dramas tend to upcoming competition, and "because do better on cable outlets. Shows such as there really isn't anything out there, all ER and The X-Files have landed weekend [a studio] needs is a sitcom with a runs in syndication, but "what works are strong male lead and you'll be the action hours." successful," Mosko maintains. However, one -hour dramatic shows Guy -appealing comedies are are headed stations' way, come 2002 and thought to be the best bets for sta- beyond, including Twentieth's Judging tions, since past off -net gold mines, such Amy (2003), Paramount's Charmed as Married With Children, Seinfeld, (2002); Buena Vista's Once & Again Friends and The Simpsons skewed male. (2004), Columbia TriStar's Dawson's "[Syndicators] are definitely helped by Creek (2002), Warner Bros.' The West less competition; they won't have the Wing (2003), and Studios USA's Law & same challenges," notes Katz TV's Bill Order: Special Victims Unit (2003). Carroll. "Lesser sitcoms won't always be "Our business is cyclical," explains considered premium choices. With fewer Raleigh. "Right before The Cosby Show choices, stations might go with the tried went on, the rage had been one -hour dra- and true, going with shows for their sec- mas like Magnum P.I. and Murder, She Everybody Loves Raymond may be the one of ond and third cycles." Wrote. But when Cosby came out, it was the last quality sitcoms to hit off-net for years. Carroll expects high interest in the sec- like bam! all these sitcoms came out. Now

34 Broadcasting & Cable / 1 -8 -01-7 NAIPE

What's new in off-net

COMEDIES SHOW DISTRIBUTOR CLEARANCE DEBUT Becker Paramount N/A 2003 Dharma & Greg Twentieth 90% 2002 Everybody Loves Raymond King World 94% 2001 For Your Love Warner Bros. N/A 2003 Futurama Twentieth N/A 2003 The Hughleys Twentieth N/A 2002 Just Shoot Me Columbia TriStar 95% 2001 Kids Say the Damdest Things King World N/A N/A King of the Hill Twentieth 95% 2001 King of Queens Columbia TriStar N/A 2003 The Larry Sanders Show Columbia TriStar B'cast N/A* 2001 Malcolm in the Middle Twentieth N/A 2003 Norm Warner Bros. N/A 2003 Twentieth Television hopes Dharma & Greg The Parkers Paramount N/A 2003 will transfer its powerhouse status from Sports Night Buena Vista N/A 2003 primetime to syndication in 2002. The Steve Harvey Show Columbia TriStar 50% 2001 That 70's Show Carsey Werner 94% 2002 Titus Twentieth N/A 2004 we're back to the dramatic one -hour." Two Guys and a Girl Twentieth N/A 2001/2002 Making sitcoms even more attractive is Will & Grace Warner Bros. N/A 2002 that stations are trying to recover from Ally McBeal (one hour) Twentieth N/A 2002 2001 this fall's slew of lackluster rookie first - Mad TV (one hour) Telepictures N/A run Dr. efforts like Laura and Men Are DRAMA From Mars, Women Are From Venus that Angel Twentieth N/A 2003 haven't to date been a hit with viewers. Buffy, the Vampire Slayer Twentieth B'cast 90%** 2001 So studios peddling sitcoms at this Charmed Paramount N/A 2002 Dawson's Creek Columbia TriStar N/A 2002 month's NATPE could be catching sta- Family Law Columbia TriStar N/A 2003 tions at just the right time. Judging Amy Twentieth N/A 2003 "Historically, the most predictably suc- Law & Order: SVU Studios USA N/A 2003 cessful genre in television is the half -hour Once & Again Buena Vista N/A 2004 The Practice Twentieth B'cast 90%** 2001 comedy," Raleigh. situation says "Stations Providence NBC N/A 2003 say that, with first -run, they can find the Roswell Twentieth N/A 2003 next big franchise. But do you know how Seven Days Paramount N/A 2002 The many stations launched Judge Judy and West Wing Warner Bros. N/A 2003 Third Watch Warner Bros. N/A 2003 still have her? 35 stations. [Everyone else] lost out to the highest bidder. So the *sold to Bravo cable network odds are long that you'll find a hit, and * *sold to FX cable network there's the likelihood that you won't own the show once it becomes a hit." Raleigh, who while at Worldvision Enterprises was head of Judge Judy's ini- tial sales, adds, "Stations better take a long, hard look at some of the traditions in the business like going with sitcoms." He explains that most stations look at first -run because it's usually a low -risk, Syndication success may be easier for one -year commitment, rather than a sitcoms like The Larry Sanders Show that involve a male lead, but don't understimate three-year deal. "But if they get a lot of the power of Buffy, the Vampire Slayer. low -rated shows is that really low- risk ?" he asks.

Broadcasting & Cable /1 -8 -01 35 NAIPE 2001 The trend is no trend

First -run offerings span the ing back Card Sharks, and Columbia TriStar syndication division offering a daytime talk will likely be bringing out a new version of show for women that's hosted by four men spectrum from talk to dating Pyramid--only this time with $100,000 at (The Other Hall), a psychic medium reach- and action to reality stake on each episode. ing out to the dead (Studio USA's Crossing The other first -run offerings coming to Over With John Edward) and Lions Gate's NATPE run the gamut, with the new NBC Who Wants to Date a Hooters Girl? By Joe Schlosser

Over the last few seasons, first -run syn- What's new in first -run dication has been a fairly simple tale of copycat court shows and failing Action celebrity talk shows. Show Distributor Colosseum (see page 56) Pearson Television So the trend for 2001 -2002? There Hard Knox (see page 45) New Line Television appears to be no trend at all. Lean Angle (see page 56) Pearson Television There are no new court shows, only one Mutant -X (see page 50) Tribune Entertainment celebrity-driven talk show (Paramount's Tracker (see page 52) Lions Gate/Mercury Caroline Rhea- hosted show) and only one The Adventures of Jules Verne (see page 56) Promark Entertainment new magazine series (Litton's weekly Urban Drama Latino). In all, syndicators are bringing at Chicken Soup For The Soul (see page 42) Litton Inc. least six new talk shows, three game shows, What About Your Friends? (See page 56) Connection III Ent./Baruch four relationship series, three reality pro- jects, five action hours, one weekly movie Entertainment News Hot Ticket (see page 48) Paramount Domestic TV review show and a scripted series. Urban Latino (see page 53) Litton Inc. If there are any trends to speak of, it's on the reality and relationship front, where at Game least four new dating -based series and a Card Sharks (see page 40) Pearson Television Pyramid* (see page 51) Columbia Tri-Star handful of reality projects (thanks to the Who Wants To Date A Hooters Girl? (see page 53) Lions Gate/Mercury popularity of Blind Date and Survivor) are being launched for the fall. If you liked Realit Blind Date or Change of Heart, this fall you The Bravest (see page 37) Hearst Entertainment Crossing Over With John Edwards (see page 44) Studios USA Domestic may want to check out Rendez -View (Paramount), Elimidate (Warner Bros.), Relationshi s Talk or Walk (Tribune) and Fifth Wheel Cheaters (see page 42) Western International Synd. (Universal). Reality series include Western Elimidate (see page 56) Telepictures Distribution Fifth (see International's Cheaters, in which private Wheel page 45) Universal Worldwide TV Rendez -View (see page 51) Paramount Domestic TV investigators provide video of both men Shipmates* (see page 56) Columbia TriStar and women caught in sticky situations, and Talk or Walk (see page 52) Tribune Entertainment Hearst Entertainment's The Bravest, a fire- fighter version of Cops. Talk With Xena and Hercules gone, syndica- Ananda (see page 37) King World Productions Caroline (see page 42) Paramount Domestic TV tors are looking to secure weekend time Iyanla (see page 48) Buena Vista Television periods with new action series, including The Other Half (see page 50) NBC two from Pearson, Colosseum and Lean Enterprises /Syndication Angle; X -Men spin -off Mutant X from The Tom Leykis Show (see page 56) Warner Bros. Domestic TV Tribune; and Hard Knox from New Line. Not officially announced Note: All shows debut in Fall 2001 In terms of game shows, Pearson is bring-

36 Broadcasting & cable /1 -8 -01 NAIPE 2n01 Ananda The Bravest King World Productions Hearst Entertainment

King World launching Ananda, a talk show ATV show featuring firefighters racing sito a burning hosted by an African- American female, compar- building sounds exciting, but how abcut a TV show WIthisons to Oprah will be inevitable. that features images captured from cameras s :rapped to 'To me, that's so far from an insult," insists Ananda Lewis, fir_fighter's helmets? Hearst Entertainment is bettreg on the BET and MTV talent turned star of King World's fall 2001 latter concept as an irresistible hook for its new wieldy half- effort. "Oprah is amazing ... it's a huge compliment just to be hcur show The Bravest, which features the true. ad', entures of put in the same sentence with her." tht country's firefighters. Fresh from a range of talk experiences -from interviewing The show's tag line, "They run into buildings as ather peo-

Hillary Rodham Clinton (which won her an NAACP Image ple run out," might say it all. Says Rob Corona. Hearst Enter- Award) to chatting with MTV 'it' group Destiny's Child- tainment's senior vice president of domestic sal. s, "What's not Lewis plans to incorporate a mix of serious and fun issues to like? These people are heroes." into her hour-long, single -topic show. She also promises a The show hasn't set a production start da:e, bit Corona broad mix that should appeal to audiences in a number of already has seen some inspirational stories, like a recent har- demographic groups. rowing incident in Atlanta when a crane operator w-as plucked Lewis may succeed where many have not because "she's of a flaming building by helicopter. Beyond chronicling res- done 600 hours of talk on two different networks," says King cues, The Bravest will also go inside firehouses and delve into World chief Roger King. "When we tried to take out a motion fimfighter culture (sharing meals, sliding down poles, etc.) picture star or television star, they couldn't make it because Each episode will follow a different city's fire cepartment. we were asking them to do something that they hadn't done." "You'll see what they see, and it will be scary and eerie," King is genuinely impressed by Lewis. "I think we have acds Corona. "You'll never know what's in store.' something that happens once every five years," he notes. He points out that part of the reason for goirg for- Mary Duffy, a senior executive pro- ward with the show was to tap into ducer on Ananda, who has held the success of Cops, the long- similar positions with talkers running Fox series follow- Sally and Montel Williams, ing the police. Show 4 'ando adds, "This isn't just "Reality is a genre Show The Brave! t Studio/Distributor.. King World going to be 'who's the that is very, very hot Studio/Distributor: Nati mal eiceo /Hearst Clearance: 70% baby's father ?' The mis- right now, no pun Entertairment Barter. 10.5/3.5 sion of the show is to in_ended," says Corona. Clearance N/A Debut Fall 2001 get talk back on track. There will be 44 original Barter '/7 We want to bring a posi- half-hours available that Debut Fall 200: tive, upbeat feeling to the can be also run as 22 genre again."-Susanne Ault hours. -Susanne Ault

Broadcasting 8 Cable/1-8-01 3 7 1 Canon's 86x lens, the longest lens with built-in Image Stabilization technology, taking :n all the action at the z000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia for NBC. THE CHOICE FOR LONG LENSES.

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"The Canon Digi Super 86xs gave us memorable shots that made a definite impression on our viewers. It worked especially well in our Super Slo -Mo setup, by allowing us to live at the end of the lens in night game situations. The image Stabilization worked very well to ensure that even the tightest shots - of the pitcher's fingers as he released the ball, for instance - were a!Iso totally smooth." Jerry Steinberg,VP of Field Operations for Fox Sports commenting on the recent World Series.

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For more info: Call 1- 800 -321 -HDTV Maximize Your Camera's Performance. (In Canada: 905 -795-2012) h ttp:/ /www. canonbroadcast. corn KNOW HOWTM a Canon and Canon Know How are trademarks of Canon Inc. ©2001 Canon USA, Inc. Card Sharks Caroline Pearson Television North America Big Ticket Television

earson Television North America is dipping into the rich Larty Lyttle, the president of Viacom -owned studio Big Goodson game show library once again. Two years ago, Ticket Television, came very dose to developing a syndi- the studio brought out Family Feud in syndication with cated talk show with comedian/actress Caroline Rhea comedian Louie Anderson as the host. Last year, John two years ago. O'Hurley of Seinfeld fame was the front -man for Pearson's But the timing wasn't right, and Lyttle, whose studio pro- remake of To Tell the Truth. And for fall 2001, it's former Love duces Judge Judy, Judge Joe Brown and a number of prime time Connection lead man, Pat Bullard, who is leading a comeback series, decided not to go forward with the project and all but of classic game Card Sharks. have up on the idea until last February. It's the fifth time Card Sharks has been given a chance on the "I went up to the Aspen Comedy Festival where Caroline small screen, and Pearson executives say the latest model is was the lead act one night," says Lytde. "The wcmen in the definitely ready for the new century. room loved her. I then realized this woman had the chops to be "This is another game -show format that people can play a major star in daytime TV. I went back to her sous after, and along with, and that we can brand and franchise with," says we reopened our dialogue. A few months later, we .lad a deal." Joe Scotti, Pearson Television North America's president of Rhea, who is also a fixture on Hollywood Squares and has distribution. There will still be the famous playing cards and sosted a number of prime time specials recently, says former contestants yelling "Higher" or "Lower," but there won't be NBC stalwart Johnny Carson and the late Dinah Shore are big any survey questions. Instead, video vignettes with actors and role models for her and that her one -hour talk show will try to real people will challenge contestants to wager on the outcome mulate what she calls a big reason for their success: allowing of moral dilemmas. :he guests to shine. "In one of the pilot episodes, we had a very attractive young Each episode of the show will open with Rhea interacting woman walk into an office area carrying a ladder," says Jeff with the studio audience, either with a monologue or in some Mirkin, Pearson's vice president of devel- "chatty" way. Celebrity and expert (cook - opment. "She has to hang a ban- ng, relationship, etc.) guests will ner, but her ladder is a little ne much in evidence and the shaky. So she grabs a guy set has a kitchen. Show: Card Sharks and asks him if he'll help They won' l, however, Show: Caroline Studio/Distributor: Pearson Television her by holding the lad- De allowed to hawk their Studio/Distributor: Biç Ticket North America der while she climbs up. atest movie or book. Television /Paramount D)mestic TV Clearance: N/A Of course she is wearing `It's a pitch -free zor-e," Clearance: 70% U.S. Barter: 3.5/3.5 a little skirt and dilemma aays Rhea. "I think there Barter. 6/8 Debut: Fall 2001 is if the guy will look up are enough places where Debut: Fall 2001 her skirt. And in the pilot, :elebrities can go and plug he surely does." Joe Schlosser :heir thing." Joe Schlosser

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a Grammy is a registered trademark name of The National Academy of Recorded Arts and Sciences Inc. ®2001 EMI Music Distribution i00í Cheaters Chicken Soup Western International Syndication for the Soul Litton

chicken Soup for the Soul

rning next fall's pack of dating shows on their heads, ou've seen the book titles at every supermarket and air- Western Syndication International will launch weekly one - port bookstore: Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul, hour series Cheaters at NATPE for fall 2001. Chicken Soup for the Sports Fan's Soul, Chicken Soup Cheaters will star- tsk-tsk- footage pieced together by pri- for the Cat & Dog Lover's Soul (have we left anyone out ?). Now vate detectives, retained by Western Syndication International, Litton hopes that massive popularity will propel the book fran- of people cheating on significant others. Sometimes these inves- chise's syndicated TV show. tigators will teach the victims how to use hidden cameras and "I love the book series, and it's one of the biggest book high-tech microphones themselves to trap their lovers in sus- brands out there," says Litton chief Dave Morgan, who points pected affairs. out that the Chicken Soup editors also travel the country as That's a lot of drama. But if victims think they have enough corporate motivational speakers. proof, the Cheaters production crew will then follow them as And with the FCC pressuring stations to add more kid - they confront their misbehaving lovers. All "busts" are hosted friendly programming, Morgan notes, "it's also the right time by Tommy Habeeb, who'll be aided by armed body guards. to offer Chicken Soup for the Soul." Habeeb and his relationship investigators have been featured Litton will serve up a new version of the Pax network's on syndicated talkers Sally and cable channels MSNBC, CNN series, which ran for the past two seasons. On Pax, Chicken and Court TV. Cheaters is currently in production in Dallas. Soup starred such celebrities as Martin Sheen, Teri Garr and There's more to the show, produced by Goldstein/Habeeb Jill Eikenberry bringing the books' moral lessons to life. Entertainment, than just pure shock value. The company does Morgan believes Litton's spin on Chicken Soup, a piecing want to distinguish Cheaters from other supposedly similar fare, together of stories that were targeted to young adults, should induding Fox mid -season entry Temptation Island (sort of a last longer than what ran on Pax. Litton will stir in new host sexed -up Survivor, where couples are tempted to cheat on each Scott Whyte, known from NBC's teen sitcom City Guys, and other in an exotic location). keeping the show's original executive pro- "The program not only ducer Vin Di Bona (America's exposes the cheaters, but it Funniest Home Videos). also brings to light the "I think certain shows Show: Cheaters consequences of infideli- need a big platform to Show Chicken Soup for the Soul Studio/Distributor: Goldstein /Habeeb ty, driving home some work. Pax is a young net- Siudio/Disbributor: Vin Di Bona Entertainment, Inc./Western of the terrible by-prod- work," he explains. Productions /Litton International Syndication ucts of cheating," says "Wheel ofFortune didn't Clearance: N/A Clearance: N/A Bobby Goldstein, cre- last as a network show Barter: 3.5/3.5 Barter. 7/7 ator and executive pro- but King World made it Debut Fall 2001 Debut: tall 2001 ducer of the series. - work in access." Susanne Ault -Susanne Ault

42 Broadcasting & Cable /1 -8 -01 For PBS, sound truly meets vision. The network now has the capability to deliver high quality SD and HD video with Dolby Digital 5.1- channel sound. This is television the way it was meant to be- amazing picture quality and outstanding sound.

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"Sound Meets Vision" is a registered trademark of ProSeiben Media AG. Germany. PBS and the PBS logo are registered trademarks of Public Broadcasting Service. Dolby and the double -D symbol are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories. ® 2000 Dolby Laboratories. Inc. S00/13358 NATPE 2001

Crossing Over With John Edward

Studios USA Domestic Television

ATV show that can will keep its current time make a grown man slot on the Sci Fi channel cry has to be some- but should also deliver a thing worth watching, big syndicated audience in right? That's what Steve daytime because it "has Rosenberg, president of brought in large [numbers] Studios USA Domestic of females." Hammer be- Television, was asking lieves that's an important himself when he was try- accomplishment and that it ing to decide whether he shows just how special the could get something as program is. Why? Late unusual as Sci Fi Chan- night television tends to nel's Crossing Over With skew towards male audi- John Edward to work in ences, and often aren't cre- syndication. ated to attract the female "There's not a lot of viewer. "Women who people talking to the dead watch are awestruck when out there," remarks Rosenberg, refer- son in a school -bus accident. They they walk away," she adds. "The guys ring to the show's star John Edward, a decided to visit Edward at his private just won't admit it." psychic medium who communicates practice in New York, which he runs Each episode of Crossing Over fea- dead relatives' thoughts to their surviv- in addition to his duties on Crossing tures Edward giving psychic readings to ing family members. "And if they are, Over. people randomly taken from a New they aren't really talking about it." "The story is that their son always York studio audience. Occasionally, Yet Rosenberg recognized Crossing wanted to get a malamute breed of dog, celebrities have gotten readings, too. Over's worth. After 12 weeks on the air, but they never wanted to get him one Crossing Over will be available to broad- the half-hour show has fattened its because they thought they'd end up cast stations as a single half-hour or as a audience (761,000) by 50 %, making it having to take care of it," says Ros- back -to -back hour block. It is executive Sci Fi's highest -rated late -night show. enberg. "But after their son died, they produced by Shirley Abraham, Dana Plus, two years ago, when Edward was bought the dog for their other two Calderwood and Charles Nordlander of promoting his book One Last Time on kids. Well, the first thing John says Glow in the Dark Productions. Larry King Live, the show's switch- to them is `Thanks for buying For Rosenberg the pro- board was literally blown out by the the dog.' There's no way gram is about more than volume of calls his segment generated. John would have known Show: Crossing Over With seeing whether Edward He also remembers "the moment he that." John Edward can tap into spirits on was sold." Bonnie Hammer, Studio/Distributor: Glow In the Dark "the other side" suc- While vacationing with his family, executive vice presi- Productions /Studios USA Domestic cessfully. Rosenberg ran into a buddy, "this big, dent and general man- Television Distribution "It's not about macho guy, who's a football coach for a ager of Sci Fi Channel, Clearance: N/A whether you believe or Long Island high school," he recalls. agrees: "I can't tell you Barter: cash plus 1.5/5.5 don't believe he's talk- "He asks me, `Have you seen this thing, how many skeptics and Debut Fall 2001 ing to someone from the John Edward ?' I look at him and say nonbelievers have been turned other side," says Rosenberg. `Yeah.' Then he just starts crying, his around by John. He is believable. "It's about that moment he con- eyes start welling up." There's no voodoo or hocus -pocus." nects with someone that changes their Eventually, the man tells Rosenberg She is just as supportive of Crossing lives forever." that he and his wife recently lost their Over's leap into syndication. The show -Susanne Ault

44 Broadcasting & Cable /1 -8 -01 7 NAIPE 2001 - The Fifth Wheel Hard Knox Universal Worldwide Television New Line Television

Hoping Cupid's arrow will strike twice, Universal Hand Knox isn't a household name just yet, but New Line Worldwide Television is firing up the relationship strip Television, the distributor of the fall 2001 action hour, The Fifth Wheel as its follow-up to Blind Date. believes it will knock down viewers' doors. The Fifth Wheel packs four strangers, two girls and two "We understand how to develop franchises and brands," says guys, into a limo for a night on the town. With cameras Bob Friedman, president of New Line Television, and co -chair rolling à la Blind Date, the group engages in various ice- of New Line Cinema in charge of worldwide marketing. "We've breaker activities to get in the mood for love. But any friend- done it in film whether it's the Turtles or Austin Powers, and ly bonds that are formed are threatened when the show intro- we've done it in television with The Lost World." duces a fifth "spoiler" individual, who could be anything The show stars Melrose Place alum Thomas Calabro (as Steve from a just another person to a celebrity to an ex of one of Ford) and real -life championship kickboxer Kim -Maree Penn the participants. Then, during the course of each half -hour (Niki Knox), who set out to avenge the death of her father, episode, hosted by female comic Aisha Tyler, the singles played by Six Million Dollar Man Lee Majors. Niki's dad, who struggle to pair up, trying to avoid becoming the odd man/ co -owned an investigative agency with his daughter, regularly woman out. appears in the series as a spirit. Eventually, Steve develops a "The Fifth Wheel is from the same producers as Blind Date Moonlightingish attraction to Niki, his new boss at her agency. [Renegade 83's David Garfinkle, Jay Renfroe and Thomas Admittedly, "we're creating Hard Knox from scratch, but we Klein, but the two shows have different dynamics," notes think that it has what it takes to become a branded franchise," Matt Cooperstein, Universal's senior vice president of domes- says Friedman. "We've borrowed from the credibility of the tic syndication. "You're going to want to see them both." things that people know. Credibility is what you get when you Dan Fillie, the studio's production chief, reveals a key scene have someone who is very popular from Melrose Place or when in the Fifth Wheel pilot, to prove how "there will be more twists you have a Lee Majors, who has a big fan base from his days at and turns than we have in Blind Date." Six Million Dollar Man." In the pilot, "we introduced a In another surge of familiarity girl who was maybe seven for Hard Knox, the series has years younger than the two named Colin Gibson as its Show The Fifth Wheel women," Fillie recalls. art director, who last per- Show: Hard Knox Studio/Distributor: Renegade "Her arrival so distract- formed that same job for Studio/Distributor: Southern Star John 83 /Universal Worldwide Television ed the guys that it dra- the film The Matrix. Jeff Edwards in association with Coote -Hayes /New Line Television Clearance N/A matically affected how Hayes (The Lost World Productions Clearance: N/A Barter. 3.5/3.5 the women treated them. and Beastmaster) will be Barter 7/7 Debut Fall 2001 We thought there'd be executive- producing Hard Debut Fall 2001 some disruption, but not Knox, with Peter Bloomfield that much." - Susanne Ault directing.- Susanne Ault

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T E L E V I S I O www.baywatch.com www.pearsontv.com Hot Ticket lyanla Paramount Domestic Television Buena Vista Television

Roger Ebert, watch out: Leonard Maltin and his friends Iyanla, Buena Vista Television's new talk entry, already has are coming to weekend syndication to give their take on what some chat shows just dream about. The fall 2001 day-

the latest Hollywood movies. Maltin and company will time strip, starring best - selling author Iyanla Vanzant, has look to put a new spin on the movie -review show this year, bring- signed Barbara Walters as an executive producer and has won ing Hot Ticket to local stations with a 21st century look and feel. an endorsement from Oprah Winfrey. The weekly half -hour series, hosted by E! Entertainment per- Buena Vista hopes the combined firepower of Walters, cur- sonality Todd Newton, will feature a panel of three celebrities rently executive -producing ABC daytime hit The View, and cur- and longtime Entertainment Tonight film critic Maltin express- rent talk leader Winfrey, who has frequently invited Vanzant on ing their views on the latest movies, DVDs, and even movie trail- her show as a guest, will distinguish the show from a pack of ers. The show will take an almost Politically Incorrect approach talkers gunning for viewers this fall. to reviewing movies. "You're looking at the two most powerful women in TV- "As soon as the idea was presented to me, I thought it was Oprah and Barbara-who have identified Iyanla as a super tal- a good one," says Makin, who has been a regular contributor ent," says Janice Marinelli, Buena Vista Television's president. on Paramount's ET for 19 years. "Everyone likes to talk "And I think that speaks loudly in this marketplace." about movies." Bill Geddie, another executive producer from The View, is Plans call for Hot Ticket to review two films and one movie also on board as an executive producer for lyanla. trailer per week, with other features from Hollywood and man- Vanzant is best -known for writing a slew of self-help books, on- the -street opinions interjected. Newton will host the show including In the Meantime: Finding Yourself and The Love You and moderate the panel of rotating celebrities and Maltin. Want. One common theme running through her novels is the "It's the sort of idea that you kind of ask yourself why belief that the house is a metaphor for life, where people must didn't we do this three or four years ago," notes Paramount move from the basement into the attic for ultimate happiness.

Domestic Television co- president BVT's Marinelli insists lyanla, a single - Frank Kelly. topic, one -hour talker taped in Do potential comparisons New York before a studio with Ebert's program con- audience, is not going to be Show Hot Ticket cern Makin? "They staked a rehash of her books. Show: Iyanla Studio/Distributor. Paramount Domestic their claim many years Vanzant may incorporate Studio/Distributor: Buena Vista Television Television ago to a format. and any- some of her ideas into Clearance: 60% Clearance: N/A body who would try and the show's topics, center- Barter. 3.5/10.5 Barter. 3.5/3.5 copy that would be fool- ing on how to make the Debut Fall 2001 Debut Fall 2001 ish," he notes. "This show most of oneself, but the doesn't try to copy that." various segments will be -Joe Schlosser broad in scope.-Susanne Ault

48 Broadcasting & Cable /1 -8 -01 lets them

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ribune Entertainment President Dick Askin believes he Susan Winston, a former executive producer on ABC's has the next big weekend franchise in with Mutant X. Good Morning America, says she and Barbara Walters Askin knows a little something about the weekend -syn- talked a long time ago about doing a show together dication business. called Loose Lips. His studio already has three weekly series up and running, The show was to be something like Walters' current daytime including this year's break -out hit Andromeda, with Kevin Sorbo. talk show at ABC, The View. Winston was not involved in the But Askin is especially high on Mutant X for one reason: It's based development or the production of The View but last year decid- on the Marvel comic-book strip The X -Men. Last year, the film ed to go forward on a show that has been called the opposite of version of The X-Men brought in millions at the box office and The View or "the male View." created quite a stir for the brand name, a big positive, says Askin. Winston's Blanki & Bodi production company, NBC's new "It's got great marquee value and certainly it is an established domestic syndication division, and Fisher Entertainment are co- brand," he says. "I think we have set a new standard with the producing The Other Half, a one -hour daytime talk show that visual effects this year on Andromeda and we are going to take will feature four men talking about the day's issues. And the four all of what we learned on that series and apply them to Mutant guys -"Mr. Hollywood" Dick Clark, former Partridge Family X. It's the same production partners as Andromeda, and we've member-turned -radio- show -personality Danny Bonaduce, Dr. got some of people from The X-Men movie on board." Don Adams, a plastic surgeon, and Steve Santagati, an Italian Mutant X is produced by Canada -based Fireworks Enter- hunk, are going to tell women what goes on in men's minds. tainment in association with Marvel Entertainment and Tri- "This had everything to do with The View," admits Winston, bune Entertainment. Rick Ungar, president of Marvel who will be one of four executive producers on The Other Half. Characters Group and an executive producer on Mutant X, The daily talk show is the first program slated to come out of says the show will take the film and comic -book strip to a NBC's new first -run syndication company. new dimension. "People say it's the male View, but it's "It's a spin -off in a sense, but it also been written that this is a kind of takes it to the next show with four guys talking to level," explains Ungar, who guys at home," says Linda Show Mutant X ran New World's syndica- Finnell, the head of pro- Show: The Other Half

Studio Distributor: Fireworks tion division. Production gramming at NBC Studio/Distributor: NBC Domestic Entertainment /Marvel on Mutant X will begin Domestic Syndication. Syndication /Fisher Entertainment/Blanki Entertainment/Tribune Entertainment & Bodi Prods. this spring in Toronto "Well, there are no guys Clearance: 71% Clearance: 60% and Ungar, says it will at home during the day- Barter. 8/6 Baden 11/3 likely feature an ensemble time. These are four men Debut: Fall 2001 Debut Fall 2001 cast without a star. who will allow women to see -Joe Schlosser how men think." Joe Schlosser

50 Broadcasting & Cable /1 -8 -01 Pyramid Rendez -View Columbia TriStar Television Gold Coast Entertainment

migybe feeling like a game -show winner himself, Donny Ihe producers of Blind Date say they were getting tired of Osmond has snagged a second chance at hosting a syn- hearing people comment on the different dates and per- dicated strip. While it's not a done deal yet, Columbia sonalities that their syndicated series was featuring. TriStar Television Distribution is expected to green -light So the guys at Gold Coast Entertainment decided to do Osmond- hosted Pyramid, a $100,000 version of the dassic something about it: they developed a spin -off series where guests $25,000 Pyramid. will provide a running commentary on each date. On half-hour Osmond (of canceled CTTD talker Donny & Marie) will relationship show Rendez -View, comments, barbs, and jabs are steer basically the same format as the original which could, in all welcome and even encouraged. fact, help the show get off to a good start. The original "The idea really originated from doing Blind Date," admits Pyramid ran on ABC and later CBS as $10,000 Pyramid from Gold Coast's David Garfinkel. "The dates were so interesting 1972 to 1980 and then on CBS as $25, 000 Pyramid from 1982 that nearly everyone had something to say about them. So we to 1986. There was also a 1985 -86 $100,000 Pyramid, which said, you know what, there is a show there." ran in syndication. Just like Blind Date, which is distributed by Universal And, hey, the show nabbed the best -game -show Emmy Television, Rendez-View will send a couple out on a blind date seven times. with a camera and sound crew following every move. The dif- However, Osmond does have big shoes to fill, stepping in for ference will be running commentary and a Politically Incorrect- TV perennial Dick Clark, who hosted all three pas: versions. style format that will give each episode a different feel. In contrast, Osmond's Donny & Marie never got off the The show is hosted by Whose Line Is It Anyway? funnyman ground, getting yanked after two seasons. But "it wasn't that Greg Proops and relationship-expert Ellen Ladowsky. La- Donny didn't work out. People love him," insists one dowsky, a former staffer at Newsweek and The New York Times, source. "Donny is meant to be a game -show host. He's a co -wrote the book How to Dump a Guy: A Coward's Manual. young Dick Clark." Proops and Ladowsky will welcome two The source adds, "Jon Stewart celebrity guest commentators on had failed shows [before each episode to provide their finding success] with The individual two cents on Show Pyramid Daily Show." each date. Shaw: Rendez -View Studio/Distributor: Columbia TriStar And, to its credit, "This show kind of Studio/Distributor: Gold Coast Television Distribution TV CTTD can produce a takes the whole relation- Entertainment /Paramount Domestic Barter. N/A game show. The studio is ship show genre to anoth- Clearance: N/A Clearance N/A a key force behind syndi er level," says Paramount Barter. 3.5/3.5 Debut: Fall 2001 cated long -term leaders, Domestic TV's top sales Debut:: Fall 2001 Wheel of Fortune and executive John Nogawski." Jeopardy.-Susanne Ault -Joe Schlosser

Broadcasting & Cable /1 -8 -01 51 NAIPE 2001 Talk or Walk Tracker Tribune Entertainment Lions Gate Television

Scolt Sternberg has produced nearly every type of game Named one of People magazine's 50 sexiest men this year, or relationship show that has come down the syndica- Highlander's Adrian Paul should have a built -in following tion pipe over the past 15 years. for his new alien -themed action hour, Tracker (working He has been behind the cameras on The Dating Game, title), from Lions Gate Television. Love Connection, Lover or Loser, Hollywood Squares, The "He's a very, very handsome guy," notes Kevin Beggs, the stu- Newlywed Game and even kids versions of Wheel of Fortune dio's executive vice president of series television. and Jeopardy. So last year, Sternberg sat down, looked over But beyond just having a pretty face, Paul should be able to the syndication marketplace and developed a show that carry Tracker because "he was star of Highlander (as a syndicat- would combine the best elements of the top syndicated series ed Scottish warrior) for six seasons," Beggs adds. "Highlander into one show. The result? Tribune Entertainment's Talk or makes him known in the television world." Walk, a one -hour daily series that blends elements of talk, In Tracker, executive- produced by Gil Grant (Relic Hunter), court and relationship shows. Paul will portray a lawman fighting aliens who have escaped "I really tried to look at what's out there to see what could from intergalactic jails and invaded Earth. As an alien himself be interesting for the daytime viewer, that would have some- (disguised as a human), Paul must capture all of the loose con- thing that's not single -topic talk, not single -issue talk and victs before he can return to his home planet. would not be hung on a big, celebrity name," explains Stern- "There's a component of Men in Black in it," says Beggs, who berg, Talk or Walk executive producer. reveals that, to attract Paul to the project, Lions Gate offered Talk or Walk features people who have reached the "turning him a deal to develop both TV and film projects. point" in a relationship. Both sides explain their story, and the Beggs adds, "Doing some creative deal- making was a way to studio audience, along with host Michael Baisden, weigh in on leverage our assets as a smaller company. We knew we would whether a resolution appears possible. Members of the audience have more luck reining in Paul with something other than a ask the couples questions and then vote straight TV deal." from their seats. The two disput- A possible snafu? Except for ing guests can take the audi- Gene Roddenberry's Androm- ence's advice or not. eda, new action hours Show: Talk or Walk "As much as this is a aren't really catching on Show Tracker Studio/Distributor: Tribune Entertainment relationship show, it's with viewers. Studio/Disbibuton Lions Gate Clearance: 55% really as much a talk Admittedly, "it's a Television /Mercury Entertainment Barter. Cash plus 3.5/10.5 show, and it does have tough business, but, with Clearance: N/A Debut Fall 2001 resolution," says Tribune Xena and Hercules out of Barter. 7/7

Entertainment President the picture, that leaves a Debut: Fall 2001 and CEO Dick Askin. lot of room," says Beggs. -Joe Schlosser -Susanne Ault

52 Broadcasting & Cable /1 -8 -01 NATPF Urban Latino Who Wants to Date Litton a Hooters Girl? Mercury Entertainment

Urban Latino is a moderate -size, bimonthly magazine with For male viewers, the question mark is optional. And 110,000 subscribers. But Litton thinks it can craft a if Lions Gate's hunches are right, its debut syndicat-

nationally syndicated show based on the New York - ed strip Who Wants to Date a Hooters Girl? should based publication, with its articles about such "stars- of -the- have definite staying power. moment" as Christina Aguilera and Ricky Martin. "By creating a good show with enormous name identifi- The weekly half-hour program will spotlight Latino -themed cation value -and let's face it, the name Who Wants to Date entertainment, sports, world news and technology stories, a Hooters Girl? does get attention-we really came upon a "mostly but not literally taken from the magazine," says Dave dynamite combination," notes Alan Winters, vice president Morgan, Litton chief and executive producer of Urban Latino. and general manager of Fisher Entertainment, which is "We won't leave the interests of the general population jointly producing the project with Lions Gate. out," he maintains, "but there has been a surge in the general Winters believes the show is more than just a snazzy title, population's interest in Latino culture, Ricky Martin or Daisy adding that Fisher and Lions Gate were able to attract Fuentes included." executive producers Doug Schwartz (creator of Baywatch) Morgan is aiming for an Entertainment Tonight -styled project, and Singled Out alumni Bert Wheeler and Sharon Sussman. with some subjects explored in studio and others in the field. In another boost to the show, the Hooters restaurant chain, The magazine Urban Latino, as a profit participant, will have famous for its revealingly dressed waitresses, is expected to input in the program, "which will complement our efforts in pony up $10 million in promotional efforts to help attract increasing our circulation," says Joe Bernard, director of sales viewers (and customers). and publicity for the magazine. "There's no better commercial The half -hour series, hosted by comic George Gray, pits six than your own weekly show." guys against each other competing to win a date with a Hooters "We want to go beyond the Latin explosion," he adds. waitress. "It won't just be about Jennifer Lopez Sure, this seems like heaven for guys, or Marc Anthony, but we also but where's the fun for the want to show the up -and- female viewers? comers who are kicking "There was no question Slaw: Who Wants To Date A Show Urban Latino and scratching to get to more important to us in Hooters Girl? Studio/Distributor. Litton that level. It also won't developing the format Studio/Distributor: Lions Gate Television, than how not to alienate Clearance: N/A just be about enter- Fisher Entertainment /Mercury Barter. 3.5/3.5 tainment. We'll try to women," Winters ac- Entertainment Debut Fall 2001 strike a balance. It knowledges. "I think - Clearance N/A really is about the they'll be intrigued by guys Barter. 3.5/3.5 American spirit." making fools of themselves." Debut: Fall 2001 -Susanne Ault -Susanne Ault

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NATPE Launches: The late, late shows

Andrew Dice Clay in sandals and other last- minute hopefuls

By Joe Schlosser and Susanne Ault potential romantic partners on a group The best -laid plans take time, and with date where, round by round, three of the programmers meeting in a few weeks four possibilities are eliminated. The final Promark is offering sci -fi the old -fashioned for NATPE, some studios are still person standing gets a separate date with way: The Adventures of Jules Verne. working hard. Below are last -minute pro- the contestant. jects that missed inclusion in our show -by- talk show is being produced by show listing (page 36): Kathy Levine Telepictures Productions and distributed Sources say this Studios USA Domestic by Warner Bros. Domestic Television. The Adventures of Jules Verne Televisions (SUDT) talker hosted by Kathy

Here's something to fit nicely with tech - Levine is a long shot for NATPE 2001, but Shipmates heavy NATPE: a series delivered in HD. they insist the Home Shopping Channel This half -hour strip from Columbia TriStar The $40- million weekly series chronicles the guru shouldn't be counted out. "With the Television Distribution (CUD) follows 10 imagined adventures of writer Jules Verne [syndicated] market so crowded now, singles whooping it up on a Carnival Cruise (20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Around the SUDT is looking at its options," says one Line ship. Episodes, positioned for late World in 80 Days). Each episode follows source. night, will offer a look at each group's star Chris Demetral (Jules Verne) as he "We have high hopes for the show and three -day "first date" to such exotic locales leads his friends on trips aboard a flying don't want to put it in a position where it as the Bahamas and Mexico. Although machine. The show is produced by will fail." Quips Levine, "It's definitely a Shipmates' executive producers are set- Talisman Crest Films and domestically dis- talk show, but I'd be happy sell you some- veteran reality team Bob Young and John tributed by Promark Entertainment. thing. I have a piece of Joan Rivers' jewelry Tomlin (Inside Edition, American that I'm trying to get rid of." Journal) -CTTD hasn't officially green lit Colosseum the show for next season. Pearson Television North America offers Lean Angle comedian Andrew Dice Clay as the lead in Former Melrose Place star Antonio Sabato What About Your Friends? this new action -comedy series. Clay plays a Jr. is the star of Pearson Television North Described as an African- American New York City street hustler and small- America's weekend action series that Dawson's Creek, What About Your Friends? time boxing promoter who is transported revolves around international motorcycle is a weekly one -hour show based on HBO's back in time to ancient Rome. In the vein of racing. Patrick Hasburgh, who developed award -winning special of the same name. last summer's hit film Gladiator, Clay is and produced The A-Team and a number The syndicated version will be executive forced into a do-or -die position of booking of other prime time series, is the executive produced and independently distributed spectacular battles between Roman gladia- producer of Lean Angle. by Cleveland O'Neal, who was behind tors. HBO's version. The Tom Leykis Show Available in the summer as a 13 -week Elimidate The nationally syndicated radio personality miniseries, What About Your Friends' plans Warner Bros. and its Telepictures brings his pro -male philosophy/mantra to call for the show to star actors from the Productions division look to follow their TV syndication. Leykis will host his own original special. O'Neal believes his show success with Change of Heart, with this talk show that will feature one topic per can deliver the diversity the TV industry half -hour series. The "survival" dating episode and a number of panelists or seems to want, plus fill the void left by sev- show follows one contestant and four experts debating various hot issues. The eral canceled teen series.

56 Broadcasting & Cable /1 -8 -01 Programming

the remainder the staff. INBRIEF Litton Litton's syndication division began selling sports programming along the East Coast, fol- lowed that with the launch of Hanna's weekly SARNOFF NEW COO OF alights in series in 1989 and now handles more than a VH1 AND CMT half-dozen first -run syndicated properties. Video Hits 1 and its new cousin, Country Music Television, are Litton also distributes P. Allen Smith Gardens, now under the aegis of Ann La -La Land Chicken Soup for the Soul, the newsmagazine Sarnoff, who has been promoted Urban Latino and has produced Toughman for After years on a barrier to chief operating officer of cable's FX Network for the last two seasons. both. Formerly the executive vice island, firm plants flag in He knows he's not going to start as a president of business strategy at Hollywood with big hopes major player. "I'm not building some big VH1, she will help redirect CMT. arch in Marina Del Rey. I'm not looking to By Joe Schlosser take over the Saban building and put 'MORAL COURT' GETS A NEEDED UPGRADE Dave Morgan had been running his Morgan on the side," he says. "That's not Warner Bros.' rookie strip Moral syndication and marketing company, how we have made our money. We have Court has been upgraded from 1 Litton Inc., out of tiny Sullivan's made our money by reading the marketplace a.m. to 11 a.m. on top market

Island, S.C., since 1994. And Litton, which and having really good ideas." WWOR -TV New York, effective Jan. distributes and produces such Morgan says he received 8. The scheduling shift is a nice shows as Jack Hanna's Animal "sizable" financial backing boost; Moral Court has been Adventures, Thunderbox and from a Florida investor that struggling in the national house- hold syndicated ratings, ranking FX's weekly Toughman series, will allow Litton to dig right in. near the bottom of all rookie has made a decent run in the Several projects are already in first -run efforts. TV business, operating from development, including a the barrier reef. series entitled The American NO MORE 'HOUSECALLS' But Morgan, a true entre- Image. It's a collaboration with Ratings- challenged freshman preneur who also runs a private WNET -TV New York and is a strip Housecalls has been can- Dave Morgan has had little jet -leasing company, is now dreams, but t heÿ re getting one -hour weekly look into celed. It will bow out Jan. 19. bigger now in Los Angeles. The show is distributed by Buena planting a flag in Hollywood, American culture-whether it Vista but separately produced by last week, he opened Litton be McDonald's french fries or Christ Craft's TV division in asso- Studios, a small Marina Del Ray, Calif. -based Donald Trump. ciation with Jonathan Goodson will focus only on first -run The American Image is operation that not being shopped to Productions. The plug -pulling syndication properties but broadcast and cable and broadcast networks and the plan may do Buena Vista some good. network fare too. is to make enough episodes The studio hasn't yet been able "We have worked closely over the next three or four to land a Los Angeles clearance with Hollywood and we have 'I'm not building years so it can be stripped like for its own fall 2001 talk show, been a part of Hollywood, but some big arch in Biography. Iyanla. The cancellation may give it space. if we are going to manufacture In addition, Litton is about Marina Del Rey. out of Hollywood, we have to to start on a TV movie, n actually be there," says That's of how McKenzie's Meadow, and has a TOUCHSTONE TV TAPS Morgan, who launched Litton we hay e made number of cable and network PATMORE AS VP /DRAMA Syndications in 1988. "We specials coming, including Pet- Touchstone Television named our m oney. may produce Toughman or athlon for Pax. Suzanne Patmore the new vice some of our other program- -Dave Morgan "The goal in our first year is president of drama series. She was most recently a senior exec- ming around the country, but to develop the cable and net- utive at Mutual Film Co. Josh when we edit, when we cast, when we light, work properties that we already have in Barry, who was formerly a pro- we do it all out of Hollywood." place and create a new syndicated property," ducer at Paris Barclaÿ s Harparbar Morgan has hired former Curb Records Morgan notes. "The second year goals production company, has been executive Brian Curb away from his family - include making at least one deal with a named director of dramas. run business in Nashville, to be Litton's new broadcast network for a series and to contin- executive vice president, and is still filling in ue doing deals in syndication and cable."

Broadcasting & Cable /1 -8 -01 57 Programming Station Break

B Y D A N T R I G O B O F I

TOY STORY III ering probably shouldn't be Scranton. The two stations dead at the scene. Tensions heated up, then shared until the story airs on share, in addition to some WEHT news anchor Brad cooled down, over an investi- your station." space and facilities, News Byrd said that Gilmore "rep- gation by WXYZ -TV Detroit to Particularly angry was local Director Al Zobel, who called resented an aspect of see if police were misappropri- activist, Rev. Horace L. Stueber the "architect of the American corporate life some ating Christmas toys donated Sheffield III, president of the highest -rated news organiza- would say is slowly fading for underprivileged children. Michigan chapter of the tion in the country." away: loyalty to his earliest The station angered police National Action Network. In a Stueber said that "Al is the business ventures." and some local residents when it letter of complaint to the FCC, guy who does the budget, put a tracking device into a toy he wrote that he was annoyed labor relations. ... I can be a MD. MEDIA WIN that was taken home by a child, that a "white suburban media [news executive] who does A coalition of Maryland media with a note instructing the outlet would deliberately decide news." The return of Stueber, helped beat back, at least for recipient to contact WXYZ -TV to to pick on Detroit's predomi- who parted company with now, a court administrative retrieve missing parts. After the nately black police department WNEP -TV in October 1999 fol- initiative that would have -in station explained its investiga- using an innocent black child to lowing two stints there, means the interest of privacy- tion to police, the police went further its ratings." that Zobel now has working restricted access to the state public, criticizing the station for But Carey said that he had a for him the two most success- database to police, lawyers and not first confronting police man- positive meeting with Sheffield ful news managers in the mar- government agencies and lim- agement with their questions. and that more are likely. ket's recent history. Heading ited the number of documents WXYZ -TV News Director Bill the wvou operation is another accessed. Maryland currently Carey, who is new at the station, STUEBER'S BACK former WNEP -TV news direc- offers a centralized database said that the notion that they After more than a year off, for- tor-as well as one of the mar- available for $50 per year and would confront police without mer longtime WNEP -TV ket's longtime dominant used by some 3,000 businesses any evidence was ridiculous but Scranton, Pa., News Director anchors -Frank Andrews. and other entities. Court "we probably should not have Paul Stueber is back in the records there are used for provided a full explanation to news and back in the market, WEHT OWNER DIES criminal- record and back- police that, in retrospect, was but at a different station. Jim Gilmore Jr., the owner of ground checks for employees premature and allowed the Stueber is now managing edi- wEHT(Tv) Evansville, Ind., was and loan candidates at govern- police department to engage in tor at WBRE -TV Wilkes-Bane, killed Sunday when his pickup ment- insured financial institu- a one -sided public debate -in Pa.-essentially the highest - truck slid and overturned in tions, background checks for which it would be wrong for us ranking dedicated news man- icy weather in his hometown child-care and other workers, to engage. If there's any lesson ager at the station, given its of Kalamazoo, Mich. Ac- nursing and health -care facili- for us, it's that the circum- unusual shared -services agree- cording to local reports, ties, and various information stances surrounding newsgath- ment with wYou(Tv) Gilmore was pronounced provided to nonprofit and media organizations. Broadcast and print media, Beantown uz said wBAL -TV Baltimore News WCVB -TV Boston veteran Ed Director Princell Hair, "all felt Harding joins Liz Brunner as co- the same way. Of course there anchor of NewsCenter 5's needs to be privacy, but how EyeOpener weekday morning can we hold the powerful

newscast, 5 -7 a.m. Harding has accountable if we don't have been with the station since 1988 access to what they're doing ?"

as a sports reporter and anchor. From left to right, morning mete- All news is local. Contact Dan orologist David Brown, Harding Trigoboff at (301) 260-0923, and Brunner. e -mail dtrig @erols.com, or fax (202) 463 -3742.

58 Broadcasting & Cable /1 -8 -01 Programming

Taina, starring Christina Vidal (front and Jules Verne premiered that same night at center) as a Jennifer Lopez 10. New episodes of Lexx, Invisible Man wannabe, and First Wave return tonight in Sci Fi premieres this Sunday evening Prime, with the debut of former porn (Jan. 14) on princess Traci Lords as a new character on Nickelodeon. First Wave. Three dramas returned to USA Network, including one that fans refuse to let go. USA got more than 25,000 e -mails in three months when it tried to yank La Femme Nikita last summer. The first of the final eight episodes premiered Jan. 7 at 10 p.m., along with new installments of Cover Me at 9 p.m. and The Huntress at 8 p.m. All were moved from Wednesday night, which now becomes a movie night. Movies will be the only thing new on the TNT. Among them, Crossfire Trail, a Western starting Tom Selleck, premieres Jan. 21; and The Pretender, Jan. 22 on TNT, both at 8 p.m. The network's only Hibernation ends original drama, Bull, is being held back for summer out of concern over a potential tal- Cable networks funnel fresh material for new year ent strike as well as its sagging ratings. TBS will package movies in a new franchise, The By Deborah D. McAdams Man -Made Movie, in which a group of Iis once again time for cable networks handymen fix up a shack as a "haven for to squeeze in premieres before broad- the regular guy" over the course of a season cast goes into February- sweeps mode. on Thursdays at 8:05 p.m. As usual, they cover the gamut of forms, Nickelodeon weighs in with its own but dramas dominate the debutantes. drama on Jan. 14 at 7 p.m. with the pre- On Jan. 15 at 9 p.m., A&E rolls out the miere of Taina, about a teen -aged Latina long -awaited 100 Centre Street, the series trying to be the next Jennifer Lopez. For created and directed by filmmaker Sidney the preschool set, Nick rolls out Brit hit Linnet, his first television project in 30 Bob the Builder, at 10 a.m. on Jan. 15. years. It's based on New York City's night VH1 will conjoin drama and surreality in court. Strange Frequency, an anthology movie mar- Also in the legal vein, Lifetime rying rock and roll with the Twilight Zone,

unleashed the girl - detective drama, The debuting Jan. 24 at 9 p.m. In that new "real- Division, last night (Jan. 7) at 9 p.m. with ity" (created by television) form, VH1 fol- two back -to -back episodes. In addition, lows an aspiring artist into the music biz in Lifetime will roll out What Makes a Family, Road to Fame on Feb. 3 at 8 p.m. Barbra Streisand and Whoopi Goldberg are an original movie produced by Barbra producing a movie for Lifetime, What Makes a Less contrived reality is the form of choice Streisand and Whoopi Goldberg, and fea- Family. It stars Brooke Shields. at three of the Discovery nets. Cops, street turing Brooke Shields as a lesbian whose people, dancers and whoever else wanders parents sue her for custody of her children. Lot is a drama soap set on the back lot of a the streets of Miami in the wee hours are the Family, based on a true story, shows up Jan. '40s -era Hollywood studio. stars of After Midnight, the new 13 -part 22 at 9 p.m. Sci Fi's new dramas started Jan. 5 at 8 Discovery Channel series that started Jan. 5 On American Movie Classics, The Lot p.m. with Black Scorpion, the female at 10:30 p.m. and airs on Fridays. Discovery launched as a series Jan. 7 at 10 p.m. superhero series from B -Movie master turns a similar eye on Las Vegasites in Casino Originally conceived as a four-part special, Roger Corman. The Secret Adventures of Diaries, another new weekly series slotted

Broadcasting & Cable/1-8-01 59 Programming

6 CableWatch DATE DEC. 25 -31 Cable programing ratings according to Nielsen Media Research

C A B L E ' S T O P 2 0

Following are the top 20 basic cable programs for the week of Dec. 25 -31 ranked by rating. Cable rating is coverage area rating within each basic cable network's universe; U.S. rating is of 100.8 million TV households. Sources: Nielsen Media Research, Turner Entertainment. Rating HHs Cable Rank Program Network Day Time Duration Cable U.S. (000) Share 1 Holiday Bowl/Texas vs. Oregon ESPN Fri 8:38P 224 5.5 4.4 4377 9.8 2 Independence Bowl/Tex A &M vs. Miss. ESPN Sun 8:00P 224 4.2 4.0 3388 8.0 3 m /"Black Dog" USA Tue 9:00P 120 4.0 3.2 3189 6.6 3 WWF Entertainment TNN Mon 10:00P 60 4.0 3.2 3177 7.4 5 Alamo Bowl /Nebraska vs. Northwestern ESPN Sat 8:00P 227 3.8 3.0 3049 6.5 6 WWF Entertainment TNN Mon 9:00P 60 3.7 2.9 2884 6.5 7 Peach Bowl /LSU vs. Georgia Tech ESPN Fri 5:01P 217 3.5 2.8 2827 6.9 8 m / "The Sons of Katie Elder" TBS Mon 2:50P 150 3.2 2.5 2558 9.2 9 m / "Rio Lobo" TBS Mon 8:05P 151 3.0 2.4 2453 5.8 10 m / "D. Steels Fine Things" LIF Sun 4:00P 180 2.9 2.3 2272 5.2 11 m / "McLintock!" TBS Mon 5:20P 165 2.8 2.2 2251 6.9 11 Rugrats NICK Thu 7:30P 30 2.8 2.2 2211 4.6 11 m / "Silence of The Lambs" LIF Wed 9:OOP 150 2.8 2.2 2208 4.7 11 Rugrats NICK Sun 9:30A 30 2.8 2.2 2200 7.8 11 m / "Terror in The Family" USA Wed 9:00P 120 2.8 2.2 2199 4.5 16 JAG USA Tue 7:00P 60 2.7 2.2 2187 4.7 16 Ripleys Believe It Or Not TBS Wed 8:00P 60 2.7 2.1 2154 4.5 16 Rugrats NICK Wed 7:30P 30 2.7 2.1 2151 4.5 16 m / "Godfather Sag Seg 2" USA Sun 3:00P 187 2.7 2.1 2149 5.0 16 m / "Blind Faith, Part II" LIF Sun 2:00P 120 2.7 2.0 2083 5.2

D E M O T R A C K E R : M E N 1 8 - 3 4

Following are the top 10 basic cable programs for the week of Dec.25 -31, ranked by rating. Cable rating is coverage area rating within each basic cable network's universe; U.S. rating is of 100.8 million TV households. Sources: Nielsen Media Research, Turner Entertainment. Rating HHs Cable Rank Program Network Day Time Duration Cable U.S. (000) Share 1 WWF Entertainment TN N Mon 10:00P 69 6.1 4.8 1463 17.7 2 WWF Entertainment TNN Mon 9:00P 60 5.8 4.5 1381 16.2 3 Independence Bowl ESPN Sun 8:00P 224 3.4 2.7 828 12.7 4 Holiday Bowl ESPN Fri 8:38P 224 3.4 2.7 833 13.2 5 South Park CM DY Wed 10:00P 30 3.1 2.2 672 9.2 6 NFL Countdown ESPN Sun 11:30A 60 2.8 2.2 679 14 7 Alamo Bowl ESPN Sat 8:00P 227 2.4 1.9 588 7.8 8 Jackass MTV Sun 9:00P 30 2.3 1.8 537 8.4 9 Peach Bowl ESPN Fn 5:O1P 217 2.2 1.8 543 11.6 10 Ripleÿs Believe or Not TBS Wed 8:OOP 60 2.1 1.7 525 6.6

before Midnight at 10 p.m. episodes on Feb. 3 at 8 p.m. Perhaps taking a cue from Court, ESPN The staff of the Los Angeles Zoo get the Fox Family's Scariest Places on Earth, continues its efforts to emphasize the "E" everyday -folk star treatment in Total Zoo, a returns Jan. 19 at 8 p.m. with a 3 -hour com- with a new programming initiative -ESPN new Animal Planet series that started Jan. 2 pilation of original episodes and best -ofs; Original Entertainment. Out of it comes at 9:30 p.m. (and repeats on Saturdays at 8 and the rather frightful concept of Turn The Life, a new bio series based on a fran- p.m.) In Total Zoo, Planet goes behind the Ben Stein On returns to Comedy Central chise in the print publication, ESPN The scenes to see just what type of people make on Jan. 25. Magazine. Life starts peering into the lives a living feeding large, dangerous carni- Court TV, which revived its reality- of top athletes on Jan. 13 at 10 a.m. vores. On Discovery's Travel Channel, the bogged ratings with entertainment, is pre- Meanwhile at The Learning Channel, rich and famous come under the micro- miering new episodes of Forensic Files and sport meets refuse in British import Junkyard scope in Manhattan on the Beach, a new Crime Stories, one featuring an interview Wars, which gets a regular Monday 8 p.m. series following New Yorkers to their sum- with former Jets star Mark Gastineau from time slot beginning Jan. 29. The British also mer haunts in the Hamptons. Beach begins his temporary home on Rikers Island. Rikers invade Bravo with Cold Feet, a UK version of with three back-to -back, one -hour Island: Tales From Jail airs Jan. 10 at 10 p.m. Friends, starting tonight at 10 p.m.

60 Broadcasting & Cable /1 -8 -01 Programmine SyndicationWatch DEC. 11-17 Syndicated programming ratings according to Nielsen Media Research

TOP 25 SHOWS

HH HH More appeal: Rank /Program AA GAA On the rebound Judge Judy 1. Wheel of Fortune 10.9 10.9 hits her 2. Jeopardy 8.6 8.6 stride. Several syndicated court shows got a boost the 3. Judge Judy 6.7 9.6 4. Entertainment Tonight 6.2 6.3 week Al Gore conceded the presidential elec- 5. Friends 5.7 6.5 tion. As viewers were settling back into their 6. Oprah Winfrey Show 5.5 5.6 6. Seinfeld 5.5 5.5 normal TV habits, steering away from the cable 8. Wheel of Fortune (wknd) 5.4 5.4 news channels, some court shows rebounded 9. Frasier 4.8 5.2 10. Entertainment Tonight (wknd) 4.4 4.4 from season lows.

11. Live With Regis ' 4.2 4.2 For the week ended Dec. 17 (Gore conceded 12. Judge Joe Brown 3.9 5.1 on Dec. 13), Judge Judy (6.7 rating) and Judge 13. Jerry Springer 3.8 4.1 13. The X -Files 3.8 4.1 Joe Brown (3.9) jumped 6% and 15 %, respec- 13. Hollywood Squares 3.8 3.8 tively, to recover from the previous week's sea- 16. Drew Carey 3.6 3.9 16. Maury 3.6 3.7 son lows, according to Nielsen Media Research. 16. Seinfeld (wknd) 3.6 3.6 People's Court (2.0, up 18°/n) and Judge Mills 19. Andromeda 3.5 3.8 20. Spin City 3.4 3.7 Lane (1.7, up 13 %) also rebounded from their worst marks of the season. In fact, none of the court Divorce 3.3 4.3 21. Court shows dropped from the previous week; also registering improvement were Divorce Court (3.3, up 21. 3rd Rock From the Sun 3.3 3.6 a 23. Extra 3.2 3.2 3 %), Power of Attomey (2.6, up 8 %), Judge Greg Mathis (2.4, up 20% to new season high) and 23. Inside Edition 3.2 3.2 Curtis Court (1.7, up 13 %). Judge Hatchett (2.1) and Moral Court (0.8) were flat. 23. Jeopardy (wknd) 3.2 3.2 In other good news for an otherwise slumping syndicated season, a crowd of daytime strips 23. Rosie O'Donnell 3.2 3.2 logged season bests. Included in that bunch were Family Feud (2.6, up 18%), Real TV (1.9, up TOP TALK SHOWS 12 %), Jenny Jones (3.8, up 9 %), Maury (3.6, up 20°/n), Jenny (2.3, up 21 %), Martha Stewart

HH HH (1.8, up 20 %), Queen Latifah (1.3, up 18°/a) and Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus Rank /Program AA GAA (1.0, up 43 %). 1. Oprah 5.5 5.6 2. Live With Regis 4.2 4.2 Elsewhere, ET Weekend soared 42 %, nabbing a 4.4, its best rating in five years and good for a 3. Jerry Springer 3.8 4.1 first -place finish among all weekly hours. The rest of the weekly crew had less to cheer about, 4. Maury 3.6 3.7 5. Rosie O'Donnell 3.2 3.2 except for rookie reality strip Maximum Exposure (2.3), which leapt 21% to a season high. Following ET Weekend, the top weekly efforts were The X -Files (3.8, down 15 %), Andromeda (3.5, According to Nielsen Media Research Syndication Service Ranking Report Dec. 11 -17, 2000 down 15 %), Stargate SG -1 (3.0, down 3 %), ER (3.0, down 6 %), Xena (2.6, down 24 %), VIP. (2.5,

HH /AA = Average Audience Rating (households) down 14%), Sheens (2.3, up 5 %) and Beastmaster (2.3, down 8 %). HH /GAA = Gross Aggregate Average Magazines looked solid. Entertainment Tonight (6.2, up 3 %) was top dog as usual, followed by One Nielsen Rating = 1,008,000 households, which Extra (3.2, up 3 %), Inside Edition (3.2, up 3 %), Access Hollywood (2.5, flat) and National Enquirer: represents 1% of the 100.8 million TV Households in Ault the United States Uncovered (1.2, flat). -Susanne N/A = not available

CC& ers M.e.,ne-Jou

VRCI C; UFT 33a/ó...._ Audience Corn po Moral Court 31% Women 18 -4 Judge Mathis 30% Power of Attorney 29% Curtis Court 29% Judge Hatchett 28% Judge Joe Brown 28% Judge Mills Lane 26% People's Court 24% om, ..,.,,..o..... Judge Judy 24% -,1N.,...

rce, NSS. N Galaxy Explo er, 8/2a-1126/00. Bawd on Programming

B roadcastWatch COMPILED BY KENNETH RAY DEC. 25 -31 Broadcast network prime time ratings according to Nielsen Media Research Q. 13 N B I o P° N (U\rIN . I F 9.5/19 6.5/13 3.7/7 3.4/7 1.2/2 1.4/3 1.8/4

8:00 54.20/20 Downtown 64. C Brown Xmas 5.0/11 (nr) NBA Basketball 5.1/11 Sustaining 117. Moesha 1.2/2 89. Boston Public 3.3/7 93.7th Heaven 2.2 5.5 12 8:30 / 43. Ev Lys Raymd 6.3/12 Programming 104. The Parkers 1.5/3

9 :00 3. NFL Monday Night 13. Ev Les Raymd 8.3/16 107. The Hughleys 1.4/3 87. NBC Movie the 130. Touched by an Angel of Ally McBeal Football- Dallas 85. 3.5/7 107. Popular 1.4/3 9:30 16. Becker 8.0/15 Week-It's a 0.7/1 107. Girlfriends 1.4/3 Cowboys vs. Wonderful Life 3.4/7 - 10:00 Tennessee Titans 122. Diagnosis Murder 49. Family Law 5.8/11 10:30 11.0/22 1.1/2 ' 8.7/15 7.2/12 5.9/10 4.7/8 1.0/2 1.5/2 1.8/3

8:00 1. Who Wants to Be a 79. 3rd Rock fr/Sun 4.2/7 58. That 70s Show 5.3/9 97. Buffy the Vampire 23. JAG 7.5/13 130. Mysterious Ways 0.7/1 104. UPN's Movie 9.30 Millionaire? 12.1/20 69. 3rd Rock fr/Sun 4.7/8 77. Titus 4.4/7 Slayer 1.9/3 Tuesday -Chameleon 9:00 19. Dharma & Greg 7.9/13 25. Frasier 7.3/12 124. Touched by an Angel II: Death Match 1.5/2 30.60 Minutes II 7.1/12 75. Dark Angel 4.5/8 100. Angel 1.7/3 9:30 38. Geena Davis 6.5/11 49. DAG 5.8/10 1.0/2 ' 10:00 37. Best of Whose Line Is 113. Diagnosis Murder 34. Judging Amy 6.9/12 35. Dateline NBC 6.8/]2 10:30 It Anyway. 6.7/12 1.3/2 7.9/13 5.8/10 8.3/14 5.8/10 1.2/2 1.5/3 1.8/3

8:00 2. Who Wants to Be a 64. Bette 5.0/8 127. Twice in a Lifetime 40. Ed 6.4/11 113.7 Days 1.3/2 97. Dawson's Creek 1.9/3 Millionaire? 11.8 20 8:30 / 82. Welcome to NY 4.1/7 49. Fox Movie Special - Dragonheart 5.8/10 9:00 14. Drew Carey 8.2/13 10. The West Wing I, 7 Touched by an Angel 100. Star Trek: Voyager 103. Gross Pointe 1.6/3 40.. The 23rd Annual 9:30 43. Spin City 6.3/10 8.7/14/14 1.2/2 1.7/3 Kennedy Center 10:00 69. Gideon's Crossing Honors 6.4/11 104. Diagnosis Murder 6 Law & 9.9/17 # 10:30 4.7/8 1.5/3 7.5/12 7.3/12 9.0/15 5.1/8 1.1/2 3.8/6 2.2/4 8:00 49. Whose Line 5.8/10 25. Diagnosis Murder 4. Friends 10.5/18 124. Ws a Miracle 1.0/2 95. Gilmore Girls 2.0/3 7.3/12 61. Fox Thursday Night 8:30 38. Whose Line 6.5/11 16. Weber Show 8.0/13 84. WWF Smackdown! Movie- Jumanji 9:00 9. Will O Grace 3.8/6 7. Who Wants to Be a 9.0/14 5.1/8 117. Diagnosis Murder 25.48 Hours 7.3/12 92. Charmed 2.4/4 9:30 Millionaire? 9.4/15 19. Just Shoot Me 7.9/13 1.2/2

10:00 122. Touched by an Angel 30. Primetime 7.1/12 28.48 Hours 7.2/12 8. ER 9.2/16 1030 1.1/2 5.3/9 6.5/12 7.3/13 4.2/7 1.0/2 1.4/2 1.8/3

8:00 71. Two Guys a Girl 4.6/8 127. Encounters With the Sabrina /Witch 2.2/4 60. The Fugitive 5.2/9 30. Providence 7.1/13 107. Freedom 1.4/3 93. Unexplained 0.8/1 8:30 79. Norm 4.2/7 79. Fox Movie Special- 91. Sabrina /Witch 2.5/4

9:00 71. Whose Line Is Beethoven 4.2/7 It 4.6/8 126. Touched by an Angel 16. C.S.I. 8.0/14 28. Dateline NBC 7.2/12 113. Level 9 1.3 /2 113. Roswell 1.3/2 9:30 67. Whose Line Is It4.9/8 0.9/2

10:00 22. Law & Orden Special 117. Diagnosis Murder 35.20/20 6.8/12 43. Nash Bridges 6.3/11 10:30 Victims Unit 7.7/14 1.2/2 6.7/12 6.1/11 2.9/5 6.1/10 0.6/1 KEY: RANKING /SHOW TITLE /PROGRAM RATING /SHARE

8:00 53. Cops 5.7/10 TOP TEN SHOWS OF THE WEEK ARE NUMBERED iN RED 71. That's Life 4.6/8 130. Miracle Pets 0.7/1 . iv UNIVERSE ESTIMATED AT 102.2 MILLION HOUSEHOLDS; 8 :30 24. ABC Saturday Night 40. Cops 6.4/11 90. NBA Basketball 2.7/5 ONE RATINGS POINT IS EQUAL TO 1,022,000 TV HOMES 9;00 Movie -Jack 7.4/13 48. Walker, Texas Ranger 47. AMW: America Fights 136. Twice in a Lifetime YELLOW TINT IS WINNER OF TIME SLOT (NR)NOT 9;30 6.0/10 Back 6.1/10 0.4/1 RANKED; RATING/SHARE ESTIMATED FOR PERIOD SHOWN *PREMIERE PROGRAMS LESS THAN 15 MINUTES IN 10:00 61. Whose Line IS It 5.1/9 87. World's Most Amazing 133. Mysterious Ways LENGTH NOT SHOWN S -T -D = SEASON TO DATE / 21. The District 7.8/14 10:30 58. Whose Line 5.3/10 Videos 3.4/6 0.6/1 SOURCES: NIELSEN MEDIA RESEARCH, CBS RESEARCH 5.9/11 6.4/12 5.0/10 5.9/11 0.7/1 1.6/3

7:00 67. All -Star Bloopers 77. World's Most Amazing 5. NFL Postgame 10.2/19 135. Encounters With the 99. Jamie Foxx 1.8/3 12.60 Minutes 8.4/16 4.9/9 7:30 Videos 4.4/8 57. King of the Hill5.4/10 Unexplained 0.5/1 100. The PJs 1.7/3

&0D 82. Whose Line Is It 4.1/8 33. Touched by an Angel 54. The Simpson 5.5/11 95. Steve Harvey 2.0/4 54. Dateline NBC 5.5/11 133. It's a Miracle 0.6/1 7.0/13 8:30 75. Whose Line Is It 4.5/9 71. Malcolm /Middle 4.6/9 107. Hype 1.4/3

9:04 15. Who Wants to Be a 107. Nikki 1.4/3 85. The X -Files 3.5/7 930 Millionaire? 8.1/16 64. NBC Sunday Night 61. CBS Sunday Movie- 127. Pax Big Event- :7. Grosse Pointe 1.2/2 Movie -While You 10:00 Timepiece 5.1/10 Frantic r 2 46. New Year's Rockin' Were Sleeping 5.0/10 10:30 Eve 6.2/13

!WEEK 7.3/13 6.5/12 6.0/11 5.1/9 0.9/2 1.9/3 1.8/3 dS-T.D 8.7/14 8.3/13 8.3/13 6.4/10 0.9/1 2.7/4 2.7/4

62 Broadcasting & Cable /1 -8 -01 WE'VE GOT YOU COVERED:

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OUR COVERAGE INCLUDES: Updates on the changing media landscape In- depth profiles of key syndication companies New Media developments Strategies for the top 25 station groups

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Pre -NATPE Mon., Jan. 15, 2001 Fri., Jan. 5, 2001 Tues., Jan. 9, 2001

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NATPE DAILY #1 Tues., Jan. 23. 2001 Fri., Jan. 12, 2001 Tues. Jan. 16, 2001

NATPE DAILY #2 Wed., Jan. 24, 2001 Fri., Jan. 12, 2001 Tues. Jan. 16, 2001

NATPE DAILY #3 Thurs., Jan. 25, 2001 Fri., Jan. 12, 2001 Tues. Jan. 16, 2001

ROADCASTIHCAßLE Chuck Bokcom: 775 -852 -1290 Marcia Orcutt: 323 -543 -4114 Yvonne Pettus 212- 337 -6945 Rob Payne: 212 -337 -702 Michael Farina: 212- 337 -E941 Classfed A.dvetiE.ing & Marketplace Pávertisiig: 866 -253 -1075 wSJTOUR WEB SI -E: www.broaicas-ingcabie.com Business-

INBRIEF AT &T stays cautious ABC AND DISNEY GRAB THE GRINCH It's raising cable rates 4.8 %, but, given the trouble the ABC and The Disney Channel company is in, at least one analyst thinks that's too little have garnered the TV rights to the film The Grinch from By John M. Higgins In AT &T's Quincy, Mass., system, for Universal /Imagine Entertainment its for a reported $60 million. In espite financial problems, AT &T example, enhanced basic will rise 5%, from the 10 -year deal, which is an is taking the moderate road in hiking $33.79 to $35.48. In Denver, the package unusually long agreement, the D rates this year, boosting prices an will increase 4.9 %, from $27.68 to $29.06. two outlets will divvy up show- average of only 4.8% next month. San Francisco customers will see prices go ings beginning in 2004. The While that's higher than the 3.4% rate of up 5%, from $30 to $31.50. San Jose, Calif., movie gets it first airings on general inflation, it's lower than other oper- rates will rise 4.4 %, from $40.05 to $41.84. pay -movie network Starz!, which ators' hikes and the 10% -plus jumps that AT &T's move is more cautious than that has a long -term output deal with were common before Universal. Congress slapped of other operators. Cablevision Systems operators with rate regulation in 1992. Corp. is increasing prices 7%, while Time CHARTER BOOSTS Cable rates are no longer regulated, the Warner and Cox are holding their increases JUNK -BOND SALE provision of the 1992 Cable Act limiting rate to an average of 5%. Charter Communications is break- hikes having expired two years ago. But Media analyst Richard Bilotti said that the ing through the gloom surround- operators are so afraid of AT &T hikes are probably ing the junk -bond market, reprisals from regulators too low. Basic price hikes increasing the size of its planned and the loss of customers to 'The simple are a trade -off between junk -bond sale, nearly 50% to DBS that they have so far maximizing $1.2 billion. The company had conclusion is that a cash flow and tried to control themselves, sending planned to raise only $850 mil- basic rate increase customers to lion, already a hefty deal in a even though it's the easiest DirecTV or EchoStar. market that has virtually frozen way to boost cash flow. disproportionately Still, Bilotti believes that in recent weeks. But investor AT &T could use the affects the least operators could pass response has been so strong that help. The cost of launching through basic rate increases the company's bankers felt valuable subscriber. new -media products has of at least 7 % without los- demand sufficient to sell more. hammered the cable unit's -Richard Bilotti, media analyst ing too many customers. profits, cash flow LAWYER TAPPED FOR with That's because basic rate TW INTERNET POST dropping 12 % during the third quarter. hikes have a relatively moderate effect on Time Warner named Executive VP Nevertheless, AT &T said that combined operators' best customers, those who are and General Counsel Christopher broadcast basic and enhanced basic rates buying pay or digital services. In systems Bogart head of its high -speed should rise an average of 4.3 %. Prices will with a $35 enhanced basic rate, for exam- Internet unit. As president and go up more for systems adding extra pro- ple, a 5% basic rate hike would come to just CEO of Time Warner Cable gramming, about 11% of customers. 3.5% to 4% for a higher-end customer, Ventures, he will be responsible Subscribers on systems that are adding whose monthly bill is $45 to $50 to start for, among other things, negoti- three more ating agreements with competing or channels to their packages with. Internet -service providers seek- will get an average 6.6% increase. An Keeping those customers happy is most ing access to Time Warner's cable AT &T executive noted that systems that important, and raising basic rates takes systems after the company is aren't adding new channels will not raise pressure off rates for new services. "The acquired by America Online. The their basic rates more that 5 %. simple conclusion is that a basic rate Cable Ventures post has been Rates for pay services such as Home Box increase disproportionately affects the least vacant since Glen Britt was Office and Showtime are going up $1 in valuable subscriber and is a modest price named president of Time Warner many markets, from $11 or so for a single change for the best Cable in 1999. cable customers," service to about $12. Bilotti said.

64 Broadcasting & Cable /1 -8 -01 ChangingHands

TV t.1 onTrade soft AC; KECN: talk; KCVI: active rock; KLCE: WHCT-TV (to be WUVN) Hartford, Conn. AC; 'GEC: soft AC; KONY-FM: country

Price: $18 million By dollar volume and number of sales; Broken Media Services Group Inc. Buyer. Entravision Communications does not include mergers or acquisiti3ns WKCY -AM -FM Harrisonburg and i.vclving substantial non -station assets Corp., Santa Monica, Calif. (Walter A. WACL(AM) Elkton /Harrisonburg, Va. Ulloa, chairman/10.6% owner; Philip C. Price: $7.2 million Wilkinson, president/10.6% owner; Buyer. Clear Channel Communications TV/Radio -i $0 0 Univision Communications Inc., 26.25% Inc., San Antonio (L. Lowry Mays, chair- owner); owns/is buying 18 other TVs and TVs 0 $33,000,000 2 man; Randy Michaels, chairman, Clear 58 radios :ombos D $89,900,000 5 Channel Radio); owns 18 TVs and about Seller. Astroline Communications Co. FMs 0 $14,595,000 0 11 1,120 radios LP/Two if by Sea Broadcating Corp., AMs 0 $3,403,800 D 9 Sellen Mid -Atlantic Network Inc.,

Boston (Fred J. Boling, general partner); Total _ $126,398,800 D 27 Winchester, Va. (John P. Lewis, president); no other broadcast interests owns two AMs and four FMs, all Va. Facilities: Ch. 18, 3,272 kW visual, 327.2 SO FAR IN 2001. Facilities: WKCY(AM): 1300 kHz, 5 kW kW aural, ant. ant. 980 ft. TV /Radio H $0 -: 0 day; WKCY-FM: 104.3 MHz, 50 kW, ant. Affiliation: Valuevision (to be Univision TVs D $33,000,000 0 2 409 ft.; WALL: 985 MHz, 900 W, ant. 1,607 on March 1) _ombos D $89,900,000 D 5 ft. KXGR-TV -DT Green Valley/Tucson, Ariz. Formats: WKCY(AM): MOR; WKLY -FM: FMs 0 $14,595,000 0 11 Price: $15 million cash (includes $1 million country; WACL: oldies AMs 0 $3,403,800 0 9 to Paxson Communications Corp.) Broken Jorgenson Broadcast Brokerage Total $126,398,800 0 27 Buyer Donald E. Ledwig Jr., Miami. Note: WKKD -AM -FM Aurora /Chicago, Ill. Paxson announced plans to buy KXGR in Price: $3.4 million September 1997. Also, Ledwig has served Buyer NextMedia Group LLC, as president of Corporation for Public MHz, 90 kW, ant. 2,038 ft.; KHYT: 107.5 Englewood, Colo. (Carl E. Hirsch, chair - Broadcasting MHz, 82 kW, ant. 2,034 ft.; KOAZ: 97.5 man/5.8% owner; Steven Dinetz, presi- Seller. Sungilt Corp. Inc., Tucson (Arlene MHz, 6 kW, ant. 151 ft. dent/5.8% owner; Samuel "Skip" Weller, Stevens, president); no other broadcast Formats: KTUC: news /talk; KCUB: real coun- president/co -COO, Radio Divison; Jeffrey interests try; KUM -FM: hot country; KHYT: contem- Dinetz, executive vice president/co -COO, Facilities: Ch. 46, 1,860 kW visual, ant. porary lits; KOAZ: CHR Radio Division); owns /is buying/manages 177 ft. Broken Kalil & Co. Inc. 40 other FMs and 14 other AMs, including Affiliation: PaxTV KICN(AM), KFTZ(FM) and KOSZ -FM Idaho the following Chicago -area stations: Broken Kalil & Co. Inc. (seller) Falls and KECN(AM), KCVI(FM) and WArr(AM) Crystal Lake, wzsR(FM) KLCE(FM) Blackfoot, Idaho, KREC(FM) Woodstock/Crystal Lake, WJOL(AM) -WLLI- Brian Head /St. George, Utah, and LMA FM and WJTW(FM) Joliet, WKRs(AM)- Combos for KONY- FM Kanab /St. George, Utah WxLc(FM) Waukegan and WBVs(FM) Coal KTUC(AM), KCUB(AM)- KIIM -FM and Price: $14.5 million ($1.5 million for City/Wilmington, all Ill., and WLw(AM)- KHYT(FM) Tucson and KOAZ(FM) Oro KREC; S13 million for remaining stations) WIIL(FM) Kenosha and WExT(FM) Valley/Tucson, Ariz. Buyer Summons Media Group, Salt Lake Sturtevant/Racine, Wis. Note: Under FCC Price: $63 million ($61 million cash; $2 City (Craig Hanson, president); owns five rules, NextMedia will have to divest three million for stock) other FMs and one AM FMs and two AMs in Chicago Buyer. Citadel Communications Corp., Seller Marathon Media LLC, Chicago Sellen Radioworks Inc., Rockford, Ill. Las Vegas (Lawrence R Wilson, chair- (Christopher E Divine, president/director; (Bob Rhea, president); WNTA(AM) Rock- man); owns /is buying 64 other AMs and Bruce Buzil, manager /director); owns 24 ford and WRwc(FM) Rockton/Rockford, Ill. 140 other FMs; is selling KYEA(FM) other AMs and 44 other FMs, including Facilities: AM:1580 kHz, 250 W day, 200 Columbia/Monroe, KMYY(FM) Monroe, KoNY(AM) Washington/St. George W night; FM: 95.9 MHz, 3 kW, ant. 338 ft. KTJC(FM) Rayville/ Monroe and KZRZ(FM) Facilities: KILN: 1260 kHz, 5 kW day, 64 Formats: AM: CNN, news, sports; FM: West Monroe/ Monroe, La. (see second W night. KFIZ: 103.3 MHz, 100 kW, ant. good time rock 'n' roll FM item, below) 659 ft.; KOSZ -FM: 105.5 MHz, 100 kW, ant. Broken York Street Partners (seller) Sellers: Slone Broadcasting Inc. /Slone 659 ft.; xcN: 690 kHz, 1 kW day, 43 W WYSN(AM) Somerset and WSRA(FM) Radio LLC, Tucson (Jim Slone, owner); no night; KCVI: 101.5 MHz, 100 kW, ant. Central City /Somerset, Pa. other broadcast interests. Note: Slone 1,512 ft.; KLCE: 97.3 MHz, 100 kW, ant. Price: $1.8 million acquired KTUC and KOAZ in January 1998 1,512 ft.; KREC: 98.1 MHz, 56 kW, ant. Buyer. Dame Broadcasting LLC, for $6.5 million 2,526 ft.; KONY -FM: 101.1 MHz, 99 kW, Mechanicsburg, Pa. (J. Albert Dame, presi- Facilities: KTUC: 1400 kHz, 1 kW day; ant. 786 ft. dent); owns three other AMs and six other KCUB: 1290 kHz, 1 kW day; KIIM -FM: 99.5 Formats: KILN: talk; KFTZ: CHR; KOSZ -FM: FMs, all Pa.

Broadcasting & Cable /1 -8 -01 65 ChangingHands

Seller NorLin Broadcasters Inc., Somerset Broker Stan Raymond & Associates (seller) Price: $737,500 (Ronald W. Lorence, president); no other WEBK(FM) Killington /Rutland, Vt. Buyer Four Rivers Broadcasting Inc., broadcast interests Price: $1.65 million Carefree, Ariz. (John C. Power, president); Facilities: AM: 1330 kHz, 5 kW day, 35 W Buyer. Pamal Broadcasting (see preceding owns two AMs and two other FMs. Power night; FM: 101.7 MHz, 725 w, ant. 643 ft. item); owns WJEN(FM) and wjjR(FM) has interest in three more FMs Formats: AM: nostalgia; FM: AC Rutland and wjAN(FM) Sunderland, Vt. Sellen Tom E Huth, Mount Shasta, Calif.; Seller Killington Broadcasting Ltd., owns three California AMs Killington (Dan Ewald and Walter Facilities: 102.3 MHz, 55 kW, ant. 1,437 ft. FMs Sczudlo, principals); no other broadcast Format: AC KMYY(FM) Monroe, KYEA(FM) (Formerly interests Broker: Gary Katz (seller) KCTO) Columbia /Monroe, KTJC(FM) Facilities: 105.3 MHz, 1.25 kW, ant. 2,240 WTRB -FM Ripley, Tenn. Rayville /Monroe and KZRZ(FM) West ft. Price: $450,000 Monroe /Monroe, La. Format: Adult alternative Buyer. Educational Media Foundation, Price: $4 million Broker Frank Boyle Co. LLC Sacramento, Calif. (Richard Jenkins, presi- Buyer Monroe Radio Partners Inc., Prov- KWQH(FM) San Luis Obispo, Calif. dent); owns /is buying 25 FMs and two idence, RI. (Michael Schwartz, principal); Price: $1.5 million (includes five -year non- AMs (11 of them in California) owns one AM and 4 other FMs in Indiana compete and two -year engineering consult- Seller Williams Communications Inc., Seller Citadel Communications (see first ing agreements at $250,000 each) Leesburg, Ala. (Walton E. Williams Jr., Combo item, above) Buyer GTM San Luis Obispo LLC, principal); owns two AMs and two FMs Facilities: KMYY: 106.1 MHz, 97 kW, ant. Cockeysville, Md. (Edward B. Hutton Jr. including wRTB(AM) Ripley. Williams also 1,107 ft.; KYEA: 103.1 MHz, 25 kW, ant and Georgie S. Hutton, co- members). has interest in WNCF(TV) Montogomery, 495 ft.; KTJC: 92.3 MHz, 26 kW, ant. 492 Hutton also are members of GT Media Ala. ft.; KzRZ: 98.3 MHz, 50 kW, ant. 492 ft. LLC, which owns KEFE(FM) Los Alamos, Facilities: 94.9 MHz, 6 kW, ant. 328 ft. Formats: KMYY: country; KYEA: urban AC; N.M. Format Hits of the '60s, '70s, '80s and '90s KTJC: oldies; KZRZ: AC Note: GTM may not offer a Christian for- Construction permit for KAUB(FM) Broker. Bergner & Co. mat over KWQH for at least five years Reedsport, Ore. Construction permit for KBLK(FM) (for- Seller Radio Representatives Inc., Los Price: $32,500 merly KBAD) Llano /Austin, Texas Osos, Calif. (Norwood J. Patterson, presi- Buyer Lane Community College, Eugene, Price: $2.5 million cash dent); owns KGDP(AM) Orcutt/San Luis Ore. (Larry A. Routine, board member); Buyer Rawhide Radio LLC, Houston Obispo, Calif. owns three other Oregon FMs (Rob Dean, president [Sonoma Media Facilities: 97.1 MHz, 2.5 kW, ant. 1,020 ft. Seller American Family Association Inc., Corp., 51% member; Hispanic Format Contemporary Christian Tupelo, Miss. (Donald E. Wildmon, presi- Broadcasting Corp., 24.5% member]); KIMX(FM) Laramie /Cheyenne, Wyo. dent); owns/is buying at least 105 FMs and owns KVCQ(FM) McQueeney/Victoria, Price: $925,000 cash permits to build other FMs Texas. Sonoma principals also have interest Buyer Laramie Mountain Broadcasting Facilities: 89.1 MHz, 1 kW, ant. 400 ft. in seven other FMs and two AMs, all LLC, Cheyenne, Wyo. (Victor A. Michael Format Christian Texas Jr., 100% member); owns KLDI(AM)- KSDA -FM Agat, Guam Seller Munbilla Broadcasting Corp., KRQU(FM) Laramie/Cheyenne. Michael also Price: $0 (charitable contribution) Dallas (B. Shane Fox, principal); owns owns KMLD(FM), KTRS -FM and Kwvy(FM) Beneficiary: Good News Broadcasting KBLK(FM) Burnet/Austin, Texas Casper and KRRR(FM) Cheyenne, Wyo.; is Corp., Agana Heights, Guam (Robert J. Facilities: 104.7 MHz, 11 kW, ant. 459 ft. general partner in company building three Gibbons, president/11.1% owner); owns Format Country other FMs and applying to build two other KvoI(AM) Tucson, Ariz. WRKG(FM) Newberry/Gainesville, Fla. FMs Donor Adventist Broadcasting Service Price: $2 million Seller Montgomery Broadcasting LLC, Inc., Silver Spring, Md. (Wilbur Claus, Buyer. Pamal Broadcasting Ltd., Latham, Cheyenne (David Montgomery, managing chairman); no other broadcast interests N.Y. (James J. Morrell, chairman/owner); member); owns KFBC(AM) Cheyenne Facilities: 91.9 M-Ix, 3.8 kW, ant. 1,000 ft. owns/is buying 12 other FMs and six Facilities: 105.5 MHz, 2.2 kW, ant. 1,027 Format Inspirational, Christian AMs, including wRGo(FM) Cedar i. Key/Gainesville, wDFL(AM)- wKZV(FM) Format: AC Cross City/Gainesville and wRZN(AM) Broker: McCoy Broadcast Brokerage Inc. AMs Hernando/Ocala, Fla., and WEBK(FM) (seller) WFIA Louisville, Ky. Killington/Rutland, Vt. (see next item) KQXR(FM) Midland/Odessa, Texas Price: $1.75 million Seller. Asterisk Communications Inc., Fort Price: $800,000 Buyer. Salem Communications Corp., Lauderdale, Fla. (Fred Ingham, principal); Buyer. Tommy R. Vascocu, Midland; no Camarillo, Calif. (Stuart W. Epperson, owns WXJz(FM) and wvGC(FM) Gainesville, other broadcast interests chairman; Edward G. Atsinger III, presi- wBxY(FM) La Crosse/Gainesville, Seller: Cardwell Broadcasting Corp., dent/43.4% owner); owns /is buying 73 WMFQ(FM) Ocala and WTRS -FM Dunnellon/ Midland (David Cardwell, principal); no other radio stations, including wGTK(AM) Ocala, Fla. Note: Asterisk acquired WRKG other broadcast interests Louisville. Epperson is president of Truth for $2.01 million in May 1992 Facilities: 95.1 MHz, 10.35 kW, ant. 505 ft. Broadcasting Corp., which is selling Facilities: 1005 MHz, 11 kW, ant. 492 ft. Format: Alternative rock WLKY(AM) Louisville to Salem Format Rock KWHO(FM) Weed, Calif. Seller Blue Chip Broadcasting Licenses II

66 Broadcasting & Cable /1 -8 -01 ChangingHands

Ltd., Cincinnati (L. Ross Love, president); Facilities: 1050 kHz, 1 kW day, 500 W Buyer Cornell Blakely, Kinard, S.C.; no owns three AMs and 16 FMs, including night other broadcast interests wDJX(FM) and wuLv(FM) Louisville Format Music of your life Sellen Durst Broadcasting Co. Inc., Facilities: 900 kHz, 1 kW KCTX Chiltdress, Texas Leesville, S.C. (William K. Durst, presi- Format Christian teaching Price: $28,800 (assumption and forgiveness dent); no other broadcast interests WFKN Franklin (near Bowling Green), Ky. of debt) Facilities: 1520 kHz, 1 kW day Price: $500,000 Buyer. Kenneth Paul Harris Sr., Childress; Format: Urban oldies Buyer. Paxton Media Group Inc., owns KSRW(FM) Childress KBRV Soda Springs, Idaho Paducah, Ky. (David M. Paxton, presi- Seller Kevin Hackler, Childress; no other Price: $5,000 dent); owns WPSD -TV Paducah/Cape broadcast interests Buyer Caribou Broadcasters Inc., Girardeau, Mo. Facilities: 1510 kHz, 250 W day Pocatello, Idaho (Thomas W. and Joyce M. Seller Belo Corp., Dallas (Robert W. Format: Oldies Mathis, co- owners /spouses/parents of sell- Decherd, president); owns/manages 21 50% of WNCA Siler City, N.C. er); no other broadcast interests TVs including Wt1AS -Tv Louisville Price: $25,000 (for stock) Sellen Douglas R. Mathis, Soda Springs; Facilities: 1220 kHz, 250 W day, 90 W Buyers: Spouses Barry and Dacia H. owns KFIS(FM) Soda Springs night Hayes, each 20% owner; Renee R Facilities: 790 kHz, 5 kW day Format Country Kennedy, 10% owner, all Siler City. Upon Format: Country Broken Dirks, Van Essen & Murray (seller) completion of deal, Barry Hayes will own WMAX Saginaw, Mich. 70% of WNCA Price: $485,000 (includes three-year non - Seller Raymond Pearlstine, Haverford, Amplification compete agreement) Pa.; no other broadcast interests American Media Services brokered the Buyer. 990 Investors LLC, Ann Arbor, Facilities: 1570 kHz, 1 kW day, 290 W $3.5 million sale of the construction permit Mich. (Thomas S. Monaghan, 100% man- night for KBIL(FM) Grand Isle, La., to JP Broad- aging member); owns WDEO(AM) (formerly Format AC casting LLC (Changing Hands, Jan. 1). WWCM) Ann Arbor. Monaghan has 21.8% WKMG Newberry, S.C. -Compiled by Alisa Holmes and interest in Catholic Radio Network LLC, Price: $10,000 Elizabeth A. Rathbun which is selling its eight AMs, and 27% in 1090 Investments LLC, which owns wcAR(AM) Detroit and woAP(AM) Owoso/ Flint, Mich. Seller. Saginaw Bay Broadcasting Corp., Grosse Pointe, Mich. (Joseph M. Mengden, principal); no other broadcast interests MAX MEDIA OF MONTANA, LLC Facilities: 1440 kHz, 5 kW day, 2.5 kW Ì Gene Loving, Chairman John Trinder, President night Format: Sports has agreed to aquire WEAM Columbus, Ga. Price: $400,000 KTGF-TV KWYB-TV KTMF -TV KWYB -LP KTMF -LP Buyer Davis Broadcasting Inc., Columbus Great Falls, Montana Butte, Montana Missoula, Montana Bozeman, Montana Kalispell, Montana (Gregory A. Davis, president/owner); for owns Woxs(AM)- WFXE(FM) Columbus and wKzj(FM) Greenville, Ga. Seller George H. Buck Jr., Atlanta; owns $17,975,000 two FMs and seven other AMs; owns 60% from of W DX -FM Gal iano, La.; has interest in JSB Acquisition Corporation WQis(AM) Camden, S.C.; is president of one more FM and four more AMs Facilities: 1580 kHz, 2.3 kW day, 1 kW Patrick Communications was proud to serve as the broker in this transaction. night Format Gospel Broker Satterfield & Perry Inc. (seller) WEIO Eau Claire, Wis. PATRICK / COMMUNICATIONS Price: $200,000 ((I Buyer. Totus Tuus Communications Inc., Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. (Stephen Gajdosik, president); no other broadcast (410) 740-0250, www.patcomm.com interests Sellen Alpenglow Communications Inc., L Eau Claire (David Barret, president); owns WISM(FM) Altoona, Wis.

Broadcasting & Cable/1-8-01 67 Washington

network affiliates, but, as a trade -off, they were forced to honor sports blackout rules for broadcast networks and six supersta- tions that offer their programming nation- wide via cable and DBS. The satellite car- riers also were forced to stop offering net- work signals from distant markets to households that could receive the local affiliate. Home teams generally require blackouts in their local markets when games have not been sold out. The blackout rules are unfair, DBS carri- ers complain, because the FCC isn't requir- ing teams to give sufficient notice to adjust for schedule changes. But most troubling, they say, is a rule that requires DBS providers to apply black- outs to network signals even though very markets Groups like NCAA Men's Basketball believe having to notify carriers within 48 hours few households in the targeted of schedule changes would ultimately cause confusion. would receive network signals anyway. That's because the rules have a practical effect only when the DBS carrier is import- Rule irks all players ing a network signal from a distant market rather than offering the signal of the local Satellite TV companies say FCC blackout rules are too tight; affiliate. sports leagues counter that they are too loose If the carrier is offering a local affiliate, the station already would be required to By Bill McConnell are still too stringent and will force them to offer alternative programming, and the Satellite TV providers are crying foul bear too heavy a burden while providing DBS carrier would need to take no extra over new sports blackout rules they only small protection to action. Only the few say will hurt their coverage of athlet- teams' exclusive- distribu- 'The commission viewers in the market ic events, one of their biggest subscriber tion rights. with over-the -air recep- ignored the lack of draws. Sports leagues aren't happy either. "The FCC had discre- tion poor enough to enti- Under FCC rules issued in November, tion to account for the proportion between tle them to distant sig- satellite carriers will be required to black national coverage of DBS the formidable nals would need a sports out networks and superstation sports pro- signals but didn't do program blacked out. gramming in local markets if a sports enough," said Pantelis burden on satellite DBS carriers say that team or league's rules bar the local broad- Michalopoulos, Echo - carriers and the provision would force Washington attor- them to create a cumber- caster from airing the event. Similar rules Star's marginal "benefits" have long applied to cable systems, but ney. some two- tiered screen- the DBS requirements are a little more The blackout provi- conferred on sports ing process, first for lenient because the national footprint of sions were part of the rights holders: homes ineligible for dis- satellite signals makes it harder for them rules package issued two tant signals and then, -EchoStar s tatement to tailor programming to specific mar- months ago to implement within that subscriber kets. the 1999 Satellite Home group, for those within But leading DBS carriers DirecTV and Viewer Improvement Act. The law paved the team's blackout area. EchoStar's Dishnetwork say the FCC rules the way for satellite carriers to offer local "The commission ignored the complete

68 Broadcasting & Cable /1 -8 -01 Washington

lack of proportion between the formidable burden imposed on satellite carriers and Bush summit sans media the marginal `benefits' conferred upon sports rights holders," EchoStar said in its Broadcast, cable executives absent from industry summit on comments. economic agenda; a few make 400 -plus transition team DBS carriers say the FCC should have used the discretion Congress provided to By Paige Albiniak National Telecommunications and Infor- exempt network signals. Because super- ushing to get his administration at mation Administration (NTIA), an agency stations aren't covered by the local -into- least partly in place before within the Commerce Department that is local rules, DBS carriers are complaining Inauguration Day, President -elect currently headed by former Senate staffer about how the general blackout require- George W Bush last week held a summit Gregory Rohde. Sources also say wireless ment would be applied to them. with industry leaders to set an economic companies are advocating that Rohde, a But they do say both network and super- agenda for his administration. Democrat, keep his post because he is station sports coverage would be hurt by a With the economy-and particularly the already knowledgeable about advanced wire- provision that requires them to honor technology sector-slowing, the new less Internet services. blackouts of rescheduled athletic events as administration likely will be challenged to FCC Chairman Richard Wiley, founding long as notice is given within 48 hours of maintain public approval in the face of a partner of the law firm of Wiley, Rein and the time change, no matter how close the less booming economy. Fielding and a key adviser to the presidential game day. The satellite companies say they Notably absent from the summit were campaign, is advising Bush on FCC need a long lag time to adjust for schedule any heads of media -related companies, appointments as is Cablevision Systems changes on both networks and supersta- although technology interests were heavily CEO Charles Dolan. tions: 60 days. represented. Notable among those were Sources expect Commissioner Michael Finally, the DBS carriers are complaining Intel President Craig Barrett, Cisco Powell to become chairman of the agency, that they have only 120 days to carry out the President John Chambers, Dell Computer although Texas Public Utilities Commission new rules. Chairman Michael Dell, Verizon Com- Chairman Pat Wood is said to still be lob- Sports organizations, on the other hand, munications President Ivan Seidenberg, bying hard for the job. Wood had been say the FCC rules are too lenient. GE Chairman Jack Welch, IBM Chairman positioned to become chairman of the They say, in some cases, home teams may Lou Gerstner, Hewlett Packard CEO Carly Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, not be able to protect their exclusive rights Fiorina and Sun Microsystems CEO Scott but an incumbent on that body, Republican when parts of the rule's local 35 -mile pro- McNealy. Stephen Brobeck, president of Curt Herbert, appears to be the front -run- tected zone also fall into the outer portion the Consumer Federation of America, rep- ner. Bush may nominate Wood to a seat on of a superstation's traditional coverage area. resented the public's interests. the FCC. That means Chicago superstation WGN may Summit attendees got some good news Wood also is advising Bush on his be able to carry Milwaukee Bucks or when the Federal Reserve lowered two key appointments to the Department of Energy. Brewers into some blacked -out portions of interest rates during their meeting. Besides Not listed as part of the transition adviso- Wisconsin markets when those teams play praising that move, attendees talked about ry team but names to know if you are angling home games against the Chicago Bulls or the U.S. trade imbalances and tax cuts. for a telco- realted post are Kevin Martin, a Cubs. A few more media -friendly types are on Bush campaign deputy counsel, and Tim The leagues also say requiring them to the 447- person transition team Bush set up Adams, former managing director of the notify carriers within 48 hours of any sched- to assemble his Cabinet and agencies. Washington -based G7 Group. Martin, a for- ule change will force an array of announce- Helping with appointments at the Com- mer aide to FCC Commissioner Harold ments that ultimately will confuse carriers. merce Department are AT &T General Furchtgott-Roth, is doing the real work on "The Commission's apparent effort to Counsel Jim Cicconi and former Senate FCC appointments, while Adams is focusing `give' something to the satellite carriers ... Commerce Chairman Larry Pressler (a on technology- related posts, particularly at would create more problems for the carri- Republican who was instrumental in the the NTIA, sources say. ers, to say nothing of creating considerable revamping of the Communications Act). Finally, helping with Justice Department additional unnecessary work for the Cicconi, a former White House aide to appointments is Rita Hauser, prominent leagues," wrote Washington attorney Philip President George Bush, has been advising lawyer, peace advocate and wife of Hauser Hochberg on behalf of the NBA, NFL, the Bush campaign since its early stages. Communications Chairman Gus Hauser, NHL and the NCAA's Division 1 -A Washington sources say Pressler has sub- who sold his Maryland -based cable systems schools. mitted his name to become head of the to SBC Corp. in 1994.

Broadcasting & Cable /1 -8 -01 69 Interactive Media

Protecting digital content i Battle between broadcasters and copyright holders likely to send the issue to Congress

By Paige Albiniak tional business. For example, Congress did Webcasters that provide what is known as rotection of digital content is one of not write legislation that granted satellite -TV "consumer- influenced" radio-allowing the biggest policy issues that companies a blanket license to air local TV consumers to input their preferences in Congress will face during its next ses- signals in local markets until broadcasters music -will be classified the same as sion, Washington lobbyists agree, but no and satellite TV providers were at war with broadcasters and need only one blanket one knows exactly how and when the issue each other. Finally, the conflict came to a copyright license. Webcasters were happy will come up. point where the problems with that decision because the Copyright "I think it's more of a could not be solved without Office could have ruled that they were defensive year than an offen- new legislation. "interactive" services, which would have sive year for the copyright A similar situation will required them to negotiate royalties for industries with respect to have to erupt in the brand - each piece of music they played. Congress," says one lobbyist. new world of streaming The Copyright Office plans to start a "But we fully expect that peo- i media before Congress will proceeding in May to determine what the ple are going to try to make see a clear need to change the fees are, how they are paid and who quali- changes Lin existing law]." law, observers say, and com- fies for the blanket license. A bill by Rep. Rick Boucher In 1998, Congress passed might allow consumers to panies have only begun to Although there has been a lot of talk Digital Millennium copy and access their music realize what they can do with about copyright policy with regard to the the collections on the Internet. Copyright Act, a law that Internet streaming. Internet, deciding how Webcasters took steps toward protecting all sorts of So far, streaming is predominantly used should be treated under copyright law is copyrighted digital content, such as movies, by broadcasters to put their radio signals the first real policy step the federal gov- songs and books. The copyright industries, on the Internet. Last November, in a big ernment has taken. Two years ago, two which include record companies and win for the music industry, the U.S. copyright issues emerged at the end of the movie studios, say they want to wait and let Copyright Office ruled that broadcasters Congressional session. the law work. But they fear that advocates would have to pay additional royalties to First, a provision slipped into a bill could who think consumers should have liberal record companies if they wanted to stream have granted Internet service providers a copying rights will push Congress to open their radio signals over the Internet. Right blanket license to stream all TV stations. up the law sooner rather than later. now, broadcasters pay copyright fees only Entertainment lobbyists went into a frenzy, Still, says one lobbyist, Congress isn't like- to the composers and music publishers to and that provision was quickly stripped ly to jump into the fray until enough get the rights to play music on the radio. before the bill was finally passed into law. streamed media exists that it threatens tradi- The Copyright Office also ruled that Second, a Canadian company called

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iCraveTV.com began streaming over the or whether there is any kind of change Internet TV signals from the Toronto mar- needed in the comprehensive legislation CABLE -TV SITES NOVEMBER 2000 ket area, something broadcasters consid- that we did two years ago." RANKED BY GENDER COMPOSITION ered a clear violation of copyright. A fed- Things are expected to get even more eral court in Pennsylvania soon forced complicated once broadband networks are Site Males 18+ Change ** iCraveTV to stop. more widely deployed. Because the Internet CNBC.COM 69.3 down SCIFI.COM 67.2 up The matter of streaming TV signals over is a distributed network, with no one central ESPN* 65.4 up the Internet has yet to find its way to sewer, it can hold an infinite amount of COURTTV.COM 64.8 up COMEDYCENTRAL.COM 64.6 up Washington. The Pennsylvania court's data. That makes it easy to store large files, FOXNEWS.COM 63.4 up decision put a stop to would -be Internet such as movies. CBS.COM SITES* 59.3 up CNN.COM 59.0 television broadcasters, and down no company According to a Sony spokesman, the AANDE.COM 58.1 up since then has wanted to try that again. movie studios are developing a standard that MSNBC.COM 57.7 down WEATHER.COM 55.3 up The music industry is waging heated would allow movies to be streamed over the NBCI* 49.4 up battles with such companies as Napster and Internet to home computers. Fox.com Sites* 47.6 down MP3.com over how digital music should be So far, the studios have been hesitant to FXNETWORKS.COM 45.4 up EONLINE.COM 44.7 down treated on the Internet, but release their digital content All WWW 39.9 down so far those battles have without adequate protection Cable and Network Universe 46.5 down stayed mostly in court. because they fear that con- Last year, Rep. Rick sumers will be able to make Site Females 18+ Change ** Boucher (D -Va.) sponsored perfect copies of movies and LIFETIMETV.COM 65.8 down HGTV.COM 64.2 down legislation that would have other specialty programming FOODTV.COM 57.4 up made it clearly legal for con- and then distribute the copies AMCTV.COM 56.8 up USANETWORK.COM 55.7 up sumers to copy their music for free around the globe. FXNETWORKS.COM 52.2 up collections on to the Internet They have been negotiating COUNTRY.COM 51.9 up Rep. Bob Goodlatte wants EONLINE.COM 51.2 up and access their music from to and see wait whether with the television and con- ABC* 49.2 down legislative fixes are anywhere they could get an DISCOVERY.COM 48.2 down needed. sumer electronics industries TVLAND.COM 47.2 up Internet connection. That for years over how copy- their HISTORYCHANNEL.COM 47.1 up bill died when Congress left in December, rights will be protected. All sides say they PBS.ORG 43.7 up Fox.com but Boucher could reintroduce it in 2001. are getting closer to an agreement that Sites* 42.7 up VH1.COM 40.9 down For the most part, however, members of would essentially retain existing policy. All WWW 40.7 down Congress are biding their time. "We don't want to see these rights con- Cable /Network Universe 41.1 up Source: Media Metrix "Content companies that own valuable sumers have had for two decades eroded or Composition: Percentage of a Website business models /channel /applica- are changing," says Rep. cut back," says Michael Petricone, vice tion's visitors that belong to a specific age/gender Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), co -chair of the president of technology policy at the grouping. * Represents an aggregation of commonly owned /brand- Congressional Internet Caucus and a mem- Consumer Electronics Association. "Just ed domain names. ** From October to November 2000. ber of the House Judiciary Committee. the mere fact that we're moving from an -Statistically insignificant traffic. "Once that change starts taking place, it analog world into a digital one shouldn't Sample Size: More than 60,000 individuals throughout the U.S. participate in the Media Metrix sample. might become clearer whether there are mean that consumers should have to give some legislative fixes that need to be done up their non- commercial fair -use rights."

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íl _ h7í111i1 t

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some Web survey numbers to Ask every 100th visitor justify that strategy. I asked Meyer about those Expert suggests identifying the audience, instead of tracking numbers television Web sites that justified their business plans for woman- centric content based on a cou-

As you're poring over your Web -audience- measurement the science of Web -audience ple of last year's surveys, which reports, you're wondering: What to do next? Here's the measurement is still somewhat showed that women outnumber start of answer: Maybe you shouldn't take those numbers new, a "work -in- progress" fac- men on the Internet. as a definitive indicator of your Web -site performance, tor is at play here that is impor- "You don't know where or base your Web strategy solely on what those numbers say. tant for people who run Web these women numbers are corn- That's according to Eric Meyer, an online journalism researcher and sites to understand. ing from. Plus, there are more assistant professor of journalism at the University of Illinois College of "We don't know enough women in society," he notes. Communications, who is, er, not your everyday ivory-tower type. about online behavior yet, so we To this, Meyer adds a some- Author of the strategic online publishing guide Tomorrow's News constantly change and adjust" what controversial but, to me, Today, Meyer is that rarest of multidiscipline breeds: an Internet con- the ways in which the Web -rat- spot -on thought: If one argues tent expert, a published authority on Web metrics, an owner/publish- ings services count Internet traf- that there isn't enough women - er (of two weeldy newspapers in central Illinois), and, perhaps most fic. "Even within a given ratings centric Internet content, while impressive, a research scientist at National Center for Supercomputing organization, maintaining that more women Applications -the same University of Illinois-based institution that what they adjust 'You can 't make spawned the first widely distributed Internet browser. this month might then men use the In other words, Meyer is an expert and sees things from many not have been an arg ument Internet, then what you adjust- these are "whatever we ed last month," were doing scien tific different angles. "You can't make an argu- Meyer says. caused a great To borrow an ad slogan, ment these are scientific num- "If you don't number s. There number of Meyer thinks different. For bers. There are serious prob- know what the are probt ems with women" to be- example, rather than tracking lems with how the numbers are causality factors come Internet how th ey are how many page views your site gathered. When it comes to are -such as `do users. In short, has compared with a competi- panel -based research, we don't women and men Bath ered. women flocked tor's whose site may be orga- know whether our panels are surf the Web dif- to the Web even -Eric Meyer, researcher nized quite differently, he sug- representative," says Meyer, of ferently' and so before there was gests, it is more important to the larger Internet audience. `should we be weighting our a great deal of content for them know who your Web audience "Plus, when people are aware samples accordingly' -we don't there. is and how it interacts with of the fact they are being mon- know that," adds Meyer. "In research, they call this your site. itored, we know that changes Meyer seems to tag Web `data mining,'" Meyer explains. "Ask every 100th visitor a their behavior." metrics with a learn -on -the -fly He thinks that, if you base your quick question: Why are you Some of the Web- traffic- label. "It's more market re- business on assumptions with- here? Bring them into your sta- measuring services note that search than science, more out a dearly defined cause - tion and chat with them about the more they learn about superstition than science," he effect factor, "it is considered a what they think of the site," he Web -usage habits, the better huffs. laughable strategy." counsels. they are able to make necessary To his credit, Meyer also has Meyer has basic issues with tweaks in the way they count issues with the type of Web - Russell Shaw's column about the way Web metrics are re- performance yardsticks, such site- management approach Internet and interactive searched and what news sites do as page views and "unique that articulates a site strategy issues appears regularly. or don't do with the numbers users." For his part, Meyer and then makes a selective and He can be reached at once they become available. seems to think that, because oversimplified interpretation of russellshaw@delphi. com

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2000 season (125 hours), which included all of MNF, the Super Bowl and the National Hockey League All-Star Game. Unlike the MNF broadcasts, the hi -def airings of Blue won't be subsidized by a consumer electronics partner. Davis says ABC is bearing all the costs of the HDTV production in an effort to drive the sales of HDTV sets. "We made the decision to do Detectives Sorenson, it about two months ago. We hoped to Russell and Sipowicz (Rick Schroeder, Kim Delaney find a sponsor for it, but so far we have and Dennis Franz) start not done that." investigating HDTV's potential Tuesday night. Davis says he isn't surprised that ABC couldn't secure an underwriting partner for Blue, even though CBS has made underwriting and/or advertising deals for HDTV programming with set makers Thomson, Mitsubishi and Panasonic over Hi -def detectives the past year. "I think to some extent even are ques- ABC to air NYPD Blue, unsubsidized, in 720p the consumer electronics guys tioning the real value of underwriting By Glen Dickson HDTV (one affiliate, Belo -owned wFAA- HDTV product." he glare of NYPD Blue star Dennis DT Dallas, will actually convert it to 1080 - He also refutes CBS' claim that produc- Franz will get even sharper tomorrow line interlace). ing HDTV has gotten much cheaper since T when ABC starts broadcasting the ABC has been quiet on the HDTV front last season as Hollywood post houses have gritty police drama in HDTV. since it failed to reach a new subsidy deal absorbed the cost of buying new HDTV ABC has confirmed that NYPD Blue will with Panasonic to broadcast Monday Night equipment. "It's not substantially cheaper be the network's first high - definition series, Football in HDTV for the 2000 NFL sea- than doing this in 1999," he says. as initially reported in BROADCASTING & son. But, according to ABC President of Since NYPD Blue is shot on 35mm film, CABLE last week. Starting with tomorrow Broadcast Operations and Engineering producing an HDTV version wasn't a big night's season premiere, ABC will broad- Preston Davis, the network has continued technical challenge but a matter of transfer- cast 34 hours of Blue in the 720 -line pro- to broadcast HDTV movies on Saturday ring the film to HDTV tape. The biggest gressive HDTV format with 5.1- channel and Sunday nights. In fact, he says, the hurdle, says Davis, was converting reams of Dolby Digital audio. The 720p version of addition of Blue means that ABC will show stock footage of New York City streets. Blue will be broadcast by 31 ABC owned slightly more HDTV in the 2000 -01 televi- "We had to transfer all of that to HD. It's a stations and affiliates currently capable of sion season (126 hours) than in the 1999- substantial cost."

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Visit www.sgi.com /go /broadband or call 1 -800- 800 -744l.

©2000 Silicon Graphics, Inc. All rights reserved. Silicon Graphics is a registered trademark. and SGI, the SGI logo and SGI Media Server, and One step ahead are trademarks, of Silicon Graphics, Inc. Technology C -Cube bets on DoMiNo Chip is designed to work with diverse digital devices

By Glen Dickson press it to 4 Mb /s for more -efficient stor- Silicon -chip manufacturer C -Cube age on a hard disk or removable -media for- Microsystems is using this week's mat, such as recordable DVD (DVD -R). The components of the AccessDTV system include an antenna and PCI card. Consumer Electronics Show to (In that vein, DoMiNo supports Macro - unveil the DoMiNo Network Media Pro- vision analog copy protection and 5C digi- cessor, a digital codec designed to work in tal copy protection as well as AccessDTV cable set -tops, DVD players, DTV re- other encryption schemes.) ceivers, personal video recorders C -Cube Vice President of PCs (PVRs), and future net- Marketing and Corporate tackles worked devices Development Patrick Capitol Broadcasting- backed as home Henry says such trans - such firm to launch at CES media servers. coding capability is The DoMiNo essential for bridg- By Glen Dickson chip (the capital ing the various AccessDTV, a Raleigh, N.C. -based letters in the name "digital islands" start-up that counts HDTV pioneer refer to digital, media and enabling Capitol Broadcasting as an investor, and networks) includes new consumer plans to unveil a DTV-on- the -PC system a multistream audio/ applications. this week at the Consumer Electronics video codec and integrated "We future -proof the Show in Las Vegas. transport stream and IEEE box by being able to AccessDTV plans to sell "digital media DoMiNo clip will 1394 network interfaces. The support formats support all multiple receivers " -comprising a PCI card, bun- chip supports a variety of media for set -top boxes, formats," he says, dled antenna, and application software that DVD players and formats, including MPEG -1, MPEG -2 personal video pointing out that he will run on standard PCs -for less than (including HDTV), MPEG -4, DV and recorders. expects recordable $500. The company also plans to offer such MP3. It will also transcode material DVD disks to be a big services as interactive program guide, per- between different formats or re- encode driver for the wide acceptance of personal sonal video recording and real -time chats in material within a single format. video recorders and, eventually, home the future, according to CEO Dewey For example, a DoMiNo- equipped servers. Weaver, a former NEC executive. device could convert DV video from a dig- The DoMiNo chip will begin sampling The AccessDTV system, which relies on ital camcorder to MPEG -2 and then store in the second quarter and should begin 8 -VSB demodulation technology from it on a DVD -recordable disk, convert CD shipping in late third quarter or early NxtWave Communications, has already audio to MP3 files for music -on- the -go, or fourth quarter. been tested at WRAL -DT Raleigh, Capitol's convert DVD video to MPEG -4 to enable Henry expects that the price will be flagship station. AccessDTV plans to Internet streaming. DoMiNo could also approximately $30 initially but will drop launch in Raleigh this quarter, with a take MPEG-2 video at 8 Mb /s and tecom- dramatically with volume. nationwide rollout by year -end. cing the story should be just as fast. sgt One step ahead Technology CuttingEdge BY GLEN DICKSON

MOTOROLA tion through the SBE's MASTERS CANADA nationwide network of vol- The Sopranos Montreal -based telecom- unteer coordinators. munications provider hit hi -def

Aliant Telecom has cho- TWC INCREASES HBO begins offering a high - sen Motorola's Stream - CAPTIONING definition slice of mob life master 5000 advanced The Weather Channel on Jan. 14, as the "encore" digital set -top to deliver (TWC) has doubled the presentation of the second digital television service, hours of dosed- captioned season of The Sopranos Web browsing and Motorola's Streammaster 5000 will be used programming it offers. kicks off in 1080 -line inter- to deliver broadband services to Aliant e -mail to customers in customers in Canada. Starting this month, Atlanta - lace HDTV. HBO has remas- Atlantic Canada. The based TWC increases the tered the entire second sea- agreement marks a significant Warner's Tampa Bay Division service from 10 to 20 hours per son of the mob drama to expansion of Aliant's Ad- in 34 hubs and two regional day, during the hours of 5 a.m. HDTV and will offer it on its vanced Digital Subscriber Line digital headends. The MPEG- ET to 1 a.m. ET Because of the East and West HDTV chan- (ADSL) -based VibeVision ser- 2 -based system can support dynamic nature of the on -air nels on Sunday nights vice, which launched last more than 15,500 simultane- presentations by TWC meteo- through Feb. 25. The entire January and uses iMagicTV ous compressed video streams rologists, the dosed -captioning third season of The Sopranos DTV Manager interactive soft- and can store roughly 160 is done live by operators at the will be offered in HDTV ware and Cisco's Video (100 -minute) movies. National Captioning Institute. starting with the March 4 Networking System. Concurrent's system is also Local forecasts aren't dosed - season premiere. The Cisco's hardware combines used for commercial VOD at captioned, as they already Sopranos is the first HBO video and audio signals; per- Time Warner's Oceanic Cable indude extensive text and original series in HDTV; the forms video processing such as operation in Hawaii. graphics. "This action by The network currently offers demodulating, descrambling Weather Channel will bring it 60% of its theatrical titles and demultiplexing; and SBE OFFERS MORE into compliance with our cap- in HDTV each month. adapts the signals to Aliant's FREQUENCY HELP tioning rules several years ahead ADSL network. The signals The Society of Broadcast of schedule," said FCC are then distributed to sub- Engineers has announced that Chairman William Kennard in for Paramount Television's scribers using iMagicTV's soft- it will hire a national frequen- a statement. Entertainment Tonight, cele- ware via a DSLAM (digital cy coordination director to brating the show's 20th season. subscriber line access multi- serve on its headquarters staff ET GETS NEW LOOK One Six Eight used Adobe plexer) and received by the in Indianapolis. FOR 20TH SEASON After Effects software, Dis- Streammaster 5000 set -top. According to SBE San Francisco's One Six Eight creet Logic's Inferno corn- President Andy Butler, the Design Group has created a positing system, and various 3- TIME WARNER BOOSTS new position will help address fresh on -air graphics package D animation systems to create VOD IN TAMPA the transition to 2 GHz over 50 individual anima- Time Warner Cable is using microwave (broadcasters' tions and elements in Concurrent Computer's server ENG frequencies) that three weeks. "The lion's technology to deliver video - has been mandated by the share of the effects and on -demand services to a total FCC. The new post will compositing was accom- of 130,000 digital subscribers also oversee game -day fre- plished in Inferno, where in its Tampa Bay -area system. quency- coordination we were able to integrate Concurrent's MediaHawk efforts with the National 3 -D and 2 -D on the same Broadband VOD System is Football League, which platform with maximum being used in a distributed the SBE has been assisting flexibility," says, One Six architecture consisting of 36 since 1999, as well as reg- Eight Creative Director/ One Six Eight Design Group created the video servers installed at Time ular frequency coordina- magazine show's new logo. Designer Brad Soderlund.

76 Broadcasting & Cable /1 -8 -01 Datebook

This Week Jan. 6 -9 CEA International CES: Your Meeting:, Source for Workstyle and Lifestyle Technology. Las Vegas Convention Center, Jan. 6 -9 CEMA International CES. Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas. Contact: Las Vegas. Contact: Jeff Joseph (703) 907- Jeff Joseph (703) 907 -7664. 7664. Jan. 22 -25 National Association of TV Program Executives 37th annual Conference and Jan. 8 -10 SUE Conference on Emerging Exhibition. Las Vegas. Contact: Lana Westermeier (310) 453 -4440 Technologies. New Orleans Hilton April 21 -26 National Association ofBroadcasters- Annual Convention. Las Vegas Riverside Hotel, New Orleans. Contact: Convention Center and Sands Expo Center, Las Vegas. Contact: Kathleen L. Muller Alex Springer (800) 542 -5040, ext. 232. (202;2 77.5 -3527. TVB Annual Marketing conference, April 23 -24. Contact: Janice Jan. 11 Chicago Streaming Media Alliance Garj :an <212) 486 -1111. Meet the Chicago Streaming Media June 1C -13 National Cable Television Association Annual Convention. McCormick Industry. The Chicago Cultural Society Place, Chicago. Contact: Bobbie Boyd (202) 775 -3669. Building, 78 E. Washington St. Chicago. Sept 5-7 National Association ofBroadcasters Radio Show. Ernest Mortal Convention Contact: Kristi Pfluger (312) 222 -6691. Center, New Orleans. Contact: Gene Sanders (202) 429 -4194. Jan. 11 -14 National Educational Sept. 12 -15 Radio-Television News Directors Association International Conference and TelecommunicationsAssociation The NETA Exhibition. Nashville. Contact: Rick Osmanski (202) 467 -5200. Conference. Hyatt Regency, Savannah, Ga. Nov 5 BROADCASTING & CABLE. 12th Annual BROADCASTING & CABLE Hall of Fame. Contact: Beth Helberg (803) 799 -5517. New Yak Marriott Marquis, New York. Contact: Steve Labunski (212) 337 -7158. January 2001 Nov. 27 -30 California Cable Television Association Western Show. Anaheim Convention Jan. 18 -19 E.J. Krause International Sport Center, Anaheim, Calif. Contact: Paul Fadelli (510) 428 -2225. Summit/Sport Summit Interactive 20C1. Marriott Marquis Hotel, New York. Contact: Chyril Dorcas (212) 714 - 1280, ext. Contact: Roland J. Eckstein (732) 530 -1996. Feb. 21 -23 BCCA Credit Conference. 337. Feb. 1 -4 Radio Advertising Bureau Omni Houston, Houston. Contact: Mary Jan. 22 Association ofLocal Television. RAB2001. The Adams Mark Hotel, Dallas. Teister (847) 296 -0200. Stations ALTV Convention. Las Vegas Contact: Renee Cassis (212) 681 -7222. Feb. 21 -25 IRTS Foundation Faculty/ Hilton, Las Vegas. Contact: Angela G:roux Feb. 3 -4 Television News Center Reporter Industry Seminar. Marriott East Side, New (202) 887 -1970. Training. 1333 H Street, NW, Washington. York City. Contact: Michelle Marsala (212) Jan. 22 -24 National Cable Television Contact: Herb Brubaker (301) 340 -6160. 867 -6650, ext. 303. Cooperative Winter Educational Feb. 6 CAB Cable Advertising Conference. Feb. 23 IRTS Foundation Newsmaker Conference. Dallas. Contact: Caprice Caster New York Marriott Marquis, New York. Luncheon. Waldorf- Astoria, New York. (913) 599 -5900, ext, 305. Contact: Joleen Martin (212) 508 -1214. Contact: Michelle Marsala (212) 867 -6650, Jan. 22 -25 NATPE 37th annual Feb. 8 -10 CAB Cable Sales Management ext. 303. Conference and Exhibition. Las Vega:.. School. Orlando Airport Marriott, Orlando, Feb. 23 SCTE Chapter Leadership Contact Lana Westermeier (310) 453 -4440. Fla. Contact: Nancy Lagos (212) 508 -1229. Conference. Exton, Pa. Contact: Lilibet Coe Jan. 23 IRTS Foundation Q&A Seminar: Feb. 10 -13 National Religious Broadcasters (800) 542 -5040. Integrated Marketing.NBC, Conference 58th Annual Convention & Exposition. Feb. 25 -27 North American Broadcasters rooms A & B, New York City. Contact: Wyndham Anatole Hotel, Dallas. Contact: Association Creative Capital: Harnessing Michelle Marsala (212) 867 -6650, ext. 303. Karl Stoll (703) 330 -7000, ext. 517. Your Digital Future (Jack Valenti to speak). Jan. 27 Television News Center Advanced Feb. 13 Nevada Broadcasters Association Hollywood, Calif. Contact: Joan Gladwell Anchor Training. Washington. Contact: Nevada Broadcasters Day. Nevada State (416) 598 -9877, ext.14. Herb Brubaker (301) 340 -6160. Legislature, Carson City, Nev Contact: Bob Feb. 25 -28 Video Services Forum (VSF) Jan. 28 -31 CTAM Research Conference: Fisher (702) 794 -4994. VidTranS 2001 conference and exhibition. Enabling Broadband's Future. The Feb. 14 Association of Music Personnel in Universal City, Calif. Contact: Matt Sheraton Bal Harbour Hotel, Bal Harbour, Public Radio Announcer Workshop. Peterson (608) 273 -4803. Fla. Contact: Barbara Gural (703) 837 -6540. KuAT(AM) Tucson, Ariz. Contact: Deanne Feb. 26 Broadcasters' Foundation Golden Jan. 30 -31 The Carmel Group DBS 2001: Poulos (480) 833 -1122. Mike Awards, The Plaza Hotel, New York. The Five Burning Questions. The Sheraton Feb. 14-18 Association of Music Personnel in Contact: Gordon Hastings (203) 862 -8577. Hotel at LAX, Los Angeles. Contact: Public Radio 39th Annual Conference. Feb. 26 -28 Michigan Association of Natalie McChesney (831) 643 -2222. Marriott University Park Hotel, Tucson, Ariz. Broadcasters Great Lakes Broadcasting February Contact: Deanne Poulos (480) 833 -1122. Conference & Expo. Lansing Center,. Feb. 1 -3 Eckstein, Summers & Co. The Feb. 19 -22 Monte Carlo Festival: Monte Lansing, Mich. Contact: Mike Steger (517) Television Industry's Annual Confererce on Carlo TV Market. Monte Carlo Grand 484 -7444. New Business Development. The Naples Hotel, Monaco. Contact: Liliane J.E Vitale -Compiled by Beatrice Williams -Rude Beach Hotel & Golf Club, Naples, Fla. (201) 869 -4022. ([email protected])

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The ABC late -night show is join- ing forces with eBay and Travelocity.com for an auction that Curtis gets will get the highest bidder one of new desk four guest seats on an episode to

be taped on Feb. 1. Bidding is Longtime anchor Chet Curtis is

from Jan.12 through Jan. 22 on leaving wcve -TV Boston, where abctvauctions.com, with all pro- he's been nearly 30 years, to co- ceeds to go to Best Friends Animal host with Margie Reedy an hour-

Sanctuary. The winner and a guest long NewsNight on the New

will be flown out to Los Angeles England Cable Network. for two nights and will receive a VQT's Swan song WCVB -TV granted Curtis a $500 appearance fee. release from his contract; his "It's the perfect opportunity for After 16 years of protests and victories, Viewers for Quality schedule had been reduced since

the highest bidder to go on a Television has dissolved. Spearheaded by Dorothy Swanson in his 1999breakup with his wife televised, self-serving rant. I'm 1984 when CBS' Cagney & Lacey faced the ax, VQT took root in and longtime co- anchor Natalie

expecting either a wealthy fan or 1988 with the mission to influence networks to keep critically Jacobson, who remains. "After

Ross Perot," Maher quipped. acclaimed series on television, despite Nielsen ratings. Over the Natalie and I separated it was years VQT has held this banner like a safety net under faltering the company's decision not to "Bid for an obc appearance shows like China Beach and I'll Fly Away, while branding new pro- have us share the anchor desk," on my show!" grams such as WB's Gilmore Girls, and old favorites (X- Files, Curtis said. "I am disappointed, Binning Stans January I8, 8001 Frasier) with a "quality" seal of approval. but that's their prerogative. But tON 1"E BÉLai+BCt'(w+.u, .nnBnita+e.' "In 1984 there was no blueprint for this," Swanson said. "There I've been idling for the last few was just this chain of events. Viewers wanted to have a say." At its months, and that's not good. the "nonstock, had When this opportunity presented REGI S'tpJ peak, nonmember" corporation 5,000 people - -L participating in its efforts, but those numbers have dwindled to less itself, they were very gracious in +,,,..,.," than 1,000. Funding too, has dried up. "We just never got the large letting me accept it." NW: donations to keep going," Swanson commented.

In 1986 when the Fox Network was but an As reported by Broadcasting, Murdoch embryo in Rupert Murdoch's new broadcast (shown left, at the INTV convention) was ventures, the mogul had high hopes for the reportedly locked on to the idea of quality programs to be attached to his progeny. television. "The only rule we will enforce is that the It hasn't always seemed that way since, of program must have good taste, must be course. And with the rise of reality TV now, engaging, must be entertaining, must be his words come like the ghost of television's

original, whether it is a comedy, an hour- past. Maybe, somehow, Fox's Who Wants to long drama, a television movie or some new Marry a Multimillionaire? and this season's form not yet born," he announced at that Temptation Island qualify as that new form year's Independent TV convention. about which he spoke.

78 Broadcasting & Cable /1 -8 -01 People

F A T E S& F O R T U N E S

Broadcasting Angeles as executive producer, Angeles, joins as VP prime National Geographic, Bill Weber, VP, systems and weekday newscasts. time research, Fox Family; Washington, and Pam Slay, archive services, Paramount Alan Bernstein, kids senior publicist, Warner Bros. Television Group, promoted Cable research, DreamWorks International Television, to senior VP of that function. Michael Dyer, VP, training Television, Los Angeles, joins Burbank, Calif., join as direc- Stacey Nachtaler, regional and organizational develop- VP, daytime research, Fox tors, communications and president, I- traffic, New York, ment, Cox Communications, Family and Fox Kids; Paul publicity. joins CNBC, New York, as Atlanta, appointed VP /GM, Duong, manager, research Roy Restivo, manager, VP, marketing and research. Middle Georgia division. and programming, Columbia scheduling, Playboy TV, Appointments at Columbia Rod Dagenais, senior TriStar International named director, domestic TriStar, Television Division, director, technical operations, Television, Los Angeles, joins scheduling and operations. Culver City, Calif.: Francine Comcast, West Florida, pro- as director, prime time Beougher, VP, distribution moted to VP and GM, research, Fox Family; Journalism operations, promoted to Sarasota and Charlotte coun- Heather Sempertegui, Matt Winer, sports reporter senior VP of that function; ties, Fla. associate director, daytime and anchor, KSDK(TV) St. Marti Rider, account execu- Appointments at research, Fox Family and Fox Louis, joins ESPNews, Bristol, tive, western division, promot- Cablevision, Bethpage, New Kids, promoted to director. Corm., as anchor. ed to director, sales, western York: Anne Carmignani, Appointments at Fox division. principal consultant, Sports Net, Century City, Advertising/Marketing/PR John Matluck, VP, adver- PricewaterhouseCoopers Calif.: H. Read Jackson, Appointments at Arbitron: tising sales, Eastern region and 'Consulting, New York, joins executive producer, Fox Dennis Seely, director, mar- Detroit, Lifetime Television, as director, financial planning; Sports Net, promoted to VP, keting, Dallas, promoted to New York, promoted to Jennifer Ostrager, education original programming; Steve VP, marketing; Brad senior VP of that function. _optent manager, product Tello, VP, news, promoted to Fe ld h a u s, manager, special John Davis, account exec- jevelopment, promoted to senior VP, News. projects, Columbia, Md., utive, WTMJ -TV, Milwaukee, director of that function. Michele White, senior appointed, director, strategic named national sales manager. marketing manager, TBS initiatives; Jim Haynes, Liz Combs, news director, Programming Superstation, Atlanta, joins account executive, Radio One, WINK -TV Ft. Myers, Fla., joins, Appointments at Fox Family Home Team Sports, Bethesda, Washington, joins as training WHO -Tv Des Moines, Iowa, as Channel and Fox Kids Md., as senior advertising specialist, Radio Stations news director. Network Los Angeles: manager. Services, Atlanta; Gaby Selva, Luis Alberto Gonzalez, Howard Weiner, director, Appointments at Odyssey bilingual software trainer, news director, WGBO -TV television research, Metro - Network: Elizabeth Hillman, advertising/agency services, Chicago joins KvEA(Tv) Los Goldwyn -Mayer Inc., Los manager, communications, Los Angeles, promoted to

Francine Beougher Matt Winer H. Read Jackson Steve Tello

Broadcasting & Cable /1 -8 -01 79 People

F A T E S& F O R T U N E S

account executive, radio sta- Andy Laird, director, radio tion services, Los Angeles. engineering, Journal Broadcast Obituaries Group, Milwaukee, named Radio VP of that function. Michael Steven Marsho, VP, Central Region, Pearson Joseph M. Bilotta, VP /GM, Sharan McDonald, Sales, Television Distribution, Chicago, died of stomach cancer on Buckley Radio Sales and exec- Cellular One, Hutchinson, Dec. 30. He was 54. utive VP, station group, Kan., joins KHcD(FM) Salina, Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., he worked with several media Greenwich, Conn., named Kan., as account manager. organizations over his career, among them Multimedia, COO, Buckley Broadcasting. MMT and Petry, all in Chicago. Appointments at Cox Internet He is survived by his wife, Buffy; his parents, Bernard Radio, Jacksonville, Fla.: Dick Appointments at Sonicbox and Barbara Marsho; five brothers and sisters; and 10 Williams, market manager, Inc., Mountain View, Calif.: nieces and nephews. AM/FM, Nashville, Tenn., Scott Smith, founder, joins as VP /GM; Mark Neveric LLC, San Francisco, Marty Glickman, sports broadcaster, died of complications Schwartz, manager, Cox named CEO; Jon Holtzman, from a heart bypass on Jan. 3 in New York. He was 83. Radio, named VP /GM, WAPE- VP, brand marketing, Cahoots In 1937, the Syracuse University student scored two FM and WFYV-FM. Inc., Brisbane, Calif., joins as touchdowns in a football game against Cornell and was Appointments at chief marketing officer. hired by wsxR(AM) New York to do sports broadcasting. It Entercom, Seattle: Clark Tara Swan, senior VP, was the beginning of a 55 -year career that induded calls for Ryan, VP, GM and program Nickelodeon Online, San many of New York's major sports teams. He is credited director, KIsw(FM) Seattle, Francisco and New York, pro- with first using the adjective "swish" in describing a basket- named VP /GM, Ktsw(FM), moted to executive VP, New ball that goes through the hoop without touching the rim or KMTT(FM), KNDD(FM) and York. backboard. KQsz(FM); Jennifer Wisbey, He occasionally ventured into television, appearing as the general sales manager, Allied Fields first announcer for the National Basketball Association and KNDD(FM), and Dennis Jason Netter, senior VP anchoring HBO's first sports telecast in 1972. McCormick, general sales business development, Netter He is survived by his wife, Marjorie; four children; 10 manager, KIRO(AM), both Digital, North Hollywood, grandchildren; and six great -grandchildren. named group sales managers. Calif., joins Kickstart April Clark, station man- Productions, North Ray Walston, television, movie and Broadway actor, died ager and director of sales, Salt Hollywood, Calif., as presi- on New Year's day at 86. Broadcasting, Reno, Nevada, dent. Perhaps best -known for his portrayal of Uncle Martin named VP/GM, KTHX -FM, -Compiled by P. Llanor on My Favorite Martian, Walston won two Emmy KRZO-FM, Kjzz(FM), KsI N(FM). Alleyne, [email protected] awards -in 1995 and 1996 -for his role as the judge on Picket Fences. However, he first came to prominence in Broadway's Dame Yankees, playing the devil opposite Gwen Verdon's Lola. His last TV performance was in this season's premiere of Touched by an Angel, opposite Richard Chamberlain. Walston specialized in crusty curmudgeons, underplaying the characters and making them endearing. He brought panache to everything he did. Survivors include Ruth, his wife; his daughter, Kate; and two grandchildren. -P. Llanor Alleyne & Beatrice Williams -Rude Joseph M. Bilotta Sharan McDonald

80 Broadcasting & Cable /1 -8 -01 People

T H E F T T H E S T A T E R

tion into the African- American Committed to the cause "soul" of New York. Now a news/talker, wuB has fallen in Sutton is looking to expand minority media ownership the Arbitron ratings, dropping to No. 27 last fall. However, R&B- formatted WELS has taken T. wenty-six years ago, when Inner City Broadcasting needed up the slack, ranking No. 11 $1.1 million to buy its second radio station, wBLS(FM) New overall last fall and No. 5 in the York, the African- American-owned company was turned coveted 18- to 34- year-old down by 36 banks. demographic since spring 1999. Nearly three decades later, "I don't think things have changed a Sutton's commitment to hell of a lot," says Inner City Chairman Pierre "Pepe" Sutton, who African- American radio is what helped found the company in 1970 with his father, Percy E. Sutton, led Charles M. Warfield Jr. to and a group of notable black investors. return to the company as presi- It was just last month that Inner City won its biggest cash infu- dent last July. After about 2' sion to date: $200 million -plus that will be used to pay down costly years as senior vice president, short-term debt dating from the April acquisition of nine radio sta- urban regional operations, tions from Clear Channel Communications. "It's a huge change," AMFM (now Clear Channel), Sutton says of the loans. "We go from what was a family business "I really had an interest in into a business that's lean and mean." Pierre M. Sutton working with a black broad- Chairman, Inner City Growth in the short term will be made possible by more than caster" again, he says, and Broadcasting $150 million from the Bank of Montreal and more than $50 million Sutton has "a great commit- B. Feb. 1, 1947, New York; B.S., ment to black ownership." political science, Texas Christian Sutton's commitment comes University, 1967; served in U.S. from First Union Bank and as the grandson of a slave - from the examples set by his Marine Corps, 1967 -70, Vietnam Quetzal/Chase Capital Partners, Sutton pulls no punches when family, particularly his father, a and Philadelphia; editor /owner, a minority-media investment it comes to placing blame. It former Manhattan Borough New York Courier, New York, fund that has been criticized for was "racism that compelled the president and mayoral candi- 1969 -70; co- founder /president, previously investing in only one bank to tell us we should be Inner City Broadcasting, 1970; date. "My grandfather was broadcast company. happy with what we have and bought first station, WLI8(AM) born a slave," and father Percy With its first "very strong not expand," he says. New York, 1972; current posi- was the youngest of 15 chil- balance sheet ... in some years," Sutton has served as chair- tion since January 1991; m. dren, all of whom went to col- Inner City is now poised to man of the National Karen Pierce, Sept. 9, 1989; lege, says Pepe Sutton. expand its current lineup of 17 Association of Black -Owned children: Keisha (28, from pre- The younger Sutton "con- stations. To better concentrate Broadcasters Inc. (NABOB) vious marriage), Maximillian tinues a great legacy," notes the on radio, the New York -based since its inception in 1976. He and Danielle (twins, 3) Rev. Jesse Jackson, chairman of company last month also spun has new plans for that group, the Rainbow/Push Coalition. off its other, lesser-performing too. Since radio consolidation the African- American commu- His strong family taught interests- including Urban has made it even more difficult nity," says James L. Winston, Sutton that "you have to be bet- CableWorks of Philadelphia, for minorities to buy stations, executive director and general ter than many of the people that Showtime at the Apollo produc- NABOB needs to include counsel of NABOB. In fact, surround you or you will be er Inner City TV and Internet members of other disenfran- "his commitment is more to deemed less then they are when ventures -into a separate enti- chised minorities. That would service than to making money." you're a member of a minority ty. This could set up Inner City "create the kind of strength Sutton and his father bought population," he says. And "you to eventually go public. that's irresistible," Sutton says. then jazz- and R&B- formatted don't ever give up. ... You have With experiences like the Sutton indeed is "committed wI.IB(AM), in 1972. They devel- failed when you've given up." one with the banks in 1974-and to minority ownership and to oped the then daytime -only sta- -Elizabeth A. Rathbun

Broadcasting & Cable /1 -8 -01 81 BROADCASTIN[ 'CABLE

HOW TO ADVERTISE IN THE CLASSIFIEDS

Classified /Help Wanted Rates: BASIC LINE ad - $3.00 per word net (20 word minmum), Coming soon BOXED DISPLAY classified ad - $254 per column inch Advertise your print ad online. gross w/ art. Visit website Please note: Cable advertisers receive rate of $173 per mbroadcastingcable,Corrc column inch gross w/ art. Column inch is equivalent to 23/16" wide X 1"" deep. We have a new issue every Monday! 1 column width = 23/16 "

2 column width = 45/8 "" Deadlines: 3 column width = 71/8"" SPACE AND MATERIALS DUE: Tuesday by 5:00 pm EST

BLIND BOX - $35 extra charge, will forward replies. prior to the following Monday's issue date.

Situations Wanted Rates: Payment: You may pay with a credit card, or we can bill BASIC LINE ad - $1.60 per word (20 word minimum); you per issue. For more information Professional Cards Page Rates: 13X contract = $122 per issue, Kristin Parker (Account Executive) 26X contract = $117 per issue, kbparker @cahners.com or 51X contract = $85 per issue. Neil Andrews (Account Executive)

Size = 11'16"" wide X 1 -deep [email protected] Phone: 617 -558 -4532 or 617 -558 -4481 Fax: 617 -630 -3955

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Please attach a type written copy of your ad to this order form and fax to: Broadcasting & Cable, 275 Washington St., 4th Flr., Newton, MA 02458 Attention: Kristin Parker or Neil Andrews Fax Number: 617 -630 -3955 kbparker @cahners.com nandrews @cahners.com

82 Broadcasting & Cable /1 -8 -01 Classifieds Television [MANACENi'ENT ?EERS SALES '.REERS

GENERAL SALES MANAGER GENERAL SALES MANAGER AND PROMOTION MANAGER One of America's leading television stations, Director of Sales Catamount Broadcasting of Fargo currently has WNEP -TV 16 has a leadership opportunity for a Worldwide positions open for: General Sales Manager and General Sales Manager. We're part of a progres- O Promotion Manager. sive and aggressive broadcast group owned by Pay - Per -View and Visit www.catamounttv.com for more information. The New York Times Company. We have the high- Video -on- Demand est -rated local newscast in America, and need a GSM to lead our expert staff of account executives Twentieth Century Fox, a leader in FINANCIAL MANAGER in strong negotiating and communicating. WNEP the entertainment industry, is /COMPTROLLER has new media ventures in the works and are look- seeking a qualified Director of ing for the right person to grow with our station and Sales for the fast -growing business of pay-per -view and video -on- broadcast group. If you would like to join our team, demand. In this role, you will KUSI -TV, a top, send resume to: Debra Drechin, Executive develop strategies and be nationally recognized, Administrative Assistant, WNEP-TV, 16 Montage responsible for licensing activity for Mountain Road, Moosic, PA 18507 or e-mail to independent television feature films and television on a station is looking for a Debbie.drechin @ wnep.com worldwide basis for the residential key management pay- per-view and video-on- demand businesses. person. Candidate SALES ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE must have accounting WB32, Acme Television of Oregon in Portland, Successful candidate will have background, CPA or seeks to hire an entry-level salesperson and / or entertainment licensing experience in equivalent, plus experienced salesperson for Portland's fastest addition to extensive knowledge of experience in the growing TV station. Must possess great enthusi- cable and satellite distribution. Must asm, energy and creativity. The ability to develop possess strong analytical skills. Travel business side of a new business is essential. Self starters who work required. MBA preferred. television station. Great well in a learn environment are desired. Recent station, great people in college graduates are encouraged to apply for We offer excellent salaries and merica's finest city. entry level position. A minimum four year college benefits that start immediately. For degree arid fours years broadcast sales experi- immediate consideration, please ou may fax your resume with a ence required for senior position. forward your resume and salary histor cover letter to: Send resume or submit an application to Local to: 1Wentieth Century Fox, Human Arctic 858 -505 -5050 Sales Manager, KWBP -TV, 10255 SW Resources Dept., Job Code: 388-1200 -M F, or send to Drive, Beaverton, Oregon 97005. Position appli- P.O. Box 900, Beverly cations can be obtained at the offices during nor- Hills, CA 90213; or email: KUSI -TV, Attn: HR, O rh mal business hours. Resumes may be faxed to [email protected] 50E. 2 575 Viewridge Ave., (503) -626-3576. San Diego, CA 92123 KWBP is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates wishing more nformation may call the REGIONAL ACCOUNT MANAGER man Resource Manager at: Lifetime Television, the dynamic cable network, ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE (00- 85,86,87) Austin, Texas has 858-505-5193 seeks an experienced sales professional for K -EYE TV (CBS O &O) in beautiful several openings for Local Account Executives. Must All inquiries are contidential. Sales / Affilate Relations position in the NYC office. have minimum of 2 years successful sales experi- The ideal candidate will have a strong background in selling/new business develop- in sales, marketing and account management ence both direct negotiations. along with excellent communication, organization- ment, as well as strong agency PC skills and working knowledge of al and presentation skills. Bachelor's degree Requires good required and industry experience preferred. Nielsen ratings. TV Scan, CMR and local market college degree or commen- Position offers an excellent opportunity for career research, a plus. Prefer to: growth and includes 50% travel. Interested candi- surate experience in a related field. Send resume KUSITeleviyic,n iv:,n,v{,,.,I Nil,. 10700 dates alease forward your resume to: Andy Fagen, Local Sales Manager, K-EYE, Metric Blvd, Austin, TX. Email: [email protected]. LIFETIME TELEVISION EOE. No phone calls, please. SREATIVE.`>ERVICES Human Resources Department Attn: SGRAM MISCEL L A N EO USCA R EERS GRAPHIC ARTIST 309 West 49th Street New York, NY 10019 Come work for Philadelphia's WB17. If you have a FIELD REPRESENTATIVE Fax: (212) 424-7155 minimum of one year experience with Quantel Entertainment/Labor Union: e -mail: recruiter @lifetimetv.com Paintbox, skilled in Photoshop, QuarkExpress, Major entertainment membership organization in We are an equal opportunity employer. Illustrator and AfterEffects/Media 100, send your New York City seeks Field Representative commit- visits required for resume and non -returnable tape to: WB17/HR008, ted to trade unions. Site enforcement of labor agreements for television 5001 Wynnefield Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19131. employees. Background in TV networks or trade Tribune Broadcasting Station. EEO SALES ASSISTANT unions a plus. Willingness to service membership WSAW-TV, the CBS affiliate in Wausau, WI, is a necessity. Competitive salary and benefits. General Sales Manager to seeking an energetic Mail /fax resumes to: Be sure you're reaching the best & lead our Sales Department to the next level. This Deborah Devgan most qualified professionals in the position will be responsible for handling all 110 W.57th St. National nusiness, as well as oversee two local New York, NY 10019 in Broadcasting industry. Place your ad sales managers. We are looking for a person with Fax -(212)581 -1441 & Cable ... a passion for winning and a desire to lead. If The preferred choice you're ready for a challenging position with a top B &C for decision makers. rated station, send your letter of introduction and Classifieds resume to Human Resources, WSAW - TV, 1114 GETS RESULTS! Call 617- 558 -4532 or 617 -558-4481 Grand Avenue, Wausau, WI 54403. E.O.E

Broadcasting & Cable /1 -8 -01 83 Classifieds Television LPROMOTION TECHNICAL

ASSISTANT PROMOTION MANAGER Ael Comedy Central, the only all- comedy cable network, KXAN - TV NEWS 36 proves time and again to offer the most creative Are you a hotshot producer ready for some real and rewarding job opportunities in the industry. managerial experience? The, Austin, Texas News Leader wants to see what you've got! KXAN, an We are in search of the best, the brightest and the most creative to join our dynamic team! NBC affiliate, owned by LIN Television, is looking for a dynamic, self- starter to help lead the Broadcast Engineer Promotion Department. You'll help oversee all on- air efforts of the television station...from image, to In this key role, you will install, repair, maintain, debug, and handle all upgrades topical, to syndicated promotion! You'll also initi- of audio /video equipment, Avid DS NT Systems, and Mac graphics computers ate new projects and assist in developing long in our Promo Graphics Design Studio. You will design and manage project term station marketing strategies. Plus, you'll be implementation of new technology; create, maintain, and update facility working with a fun, talented team in one of the schematic drawings; plus help diagnose and solve problems expediently. most exciting cities in the country! Come see for yourself! Non linear AVID editing skills are a must Ideally, you will have a minimum of 3 years' professional experience in and so is 2 years of promotion experience. Rush post -production facilities maintenance and engineering, non -linear edit sys- resume and reel to Wendy McMahon, tems, and duplication equipment. Ability to troubleshoot, diagnose and repair Promotion Manager, KXAN News 36, 908 Martin equipment at the component level; familiarity with digital broadcast video Luther King Blvd. Austin, Texas 78701. EOE systems equipment and graphic computer systems essential. Background in designing and managing systems integration projects, graphics and animation production experience, plus an understanding of video /computer workstation LPRODUCER t.,à interfacing are required as well.You should be a self -starter with good prob- lem solving, communication, prioritization, and organizational skills; along with NEWS TOPICAL PRODUCER proficiency in Macintosh O /S, NT O/S, Auto Cad,Word and Excel. Philadelphia's WB17 wants you if you have at Please forward resume and cover letter salary requirement, least two years of television experience in writing, with to: producing, and editing news promos non -linear editing experience plus strong creative writing and COMEDY CENTRAL excellent organizational your resume skills. Send 1775 Broadway, New York, New York 10019 and non -returnable tape to: WB17/HR008, 5001 Equal Wynnefield Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19131. Tribune Attn: H.R. Department Opportunity Broadcasting Station. EEO Fax: (212) 767 -4257 (No Phone Calls Please) Employer Apply online: www.comedycentral.com /jobs TECHNICAL 7

DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING KESQ -TV, the ABC affiliate in beautiful Palm JUNIOR VIDEO ENGINEER: BROADCAST Springs, California, is seeking a Director of (FULL TIME) MAINTENANCE ENGINEER A broadcast engineer is needed in the Boston area. Engineering. Our station is also home to FOX, The Hayden Planetarium in NYC is seeking an Successful candidate should have a minimum of Telemundo, and WB LPTV's, and radio enterprises. entry-level video engineer to support a growing three years experience in the installation and main- Our new Director of Engineering will have great HD & 3D graphics production facility associated technical and people skills, get -it -done attitude and tenance of all broadcast related equipment. Must be with the Digital Dome Theater. The candidate will able to repair to the component level. SBE and/or the ability to lead a quality staff. If you have at least assist the senior video engineers & production FCC certification desired. Must be willing to work 5 years experience in a technical management staff. Knowledge of PC, Mac, Basic Unix and or supervisory role, 5 or more years of formal flexible hours. EIC, Computer networking and satel- AutoCad is a plus. Hands on experience with lite uplink experience is a plus. training/experience in all aspects of broadcast considered Cover wiring, systems integration and use of basic test letter, to technology, including RF, and the desire to work in resume and salary requirements Chief equipment is required. Additional responsibilities Engineer, 70 Brookline Ave. Boston a beautiful facility where you will make a difference, MA, 02215 or please send your resume to: Bob Allen, Executive are bench repairs, parts and supplies inventory. E -mail to DDESRO @NESN.COM Vice President KESQ -TV, 42-650 Melanie Place, Should have good mechanical skills. Must be Palm Desert, CA 92211, BALLEN @KESQ.COM, willing to learn Sky Theater automation systems E.O.E and emergency procedures. Fax Resume to BROADCAST TECHNICIAN, Director of Engineering CO (212) 496 -3555 KVCR -TV: Under general supervision: Operates television transmitters, master control switches and ancillary WE PLACE STUDIO MAINTENANCE ENGINEER equipment used in the broadcast of television pro- Must be able to perform the following duties: grams; performs related duties as required. ENGINEERS/TECHNICIANS install and maintain studio transmission equip- Requirements: Six (6) months experience in the Employer ersoFees ment including video switchers, audio consoles, operation of television broadcasting equipment. 20 Years personalized & DVE, CG, SS, cameras, and robotics. Familiarity such as station transmitters, master control switch - confidential service. with automation systems and master control envi- er, video recorders and associated equipment. All USA States & Canada ronment. Should possess a general computer/ Possession of or ability to obtain a valid General networking background. Must be work Class Radio Telephone Operator's License. Salary MAIL & FAX: able to on a rotating shift schedule. Candidate should have Range: $33,936 to $41,258 with excellent fringe KEYSTONE INT'L., INC. an engineering degree or equivalent technical benefits.Completed official applications must be training. SBE/FCC certification a plus. If you want received in the Department of Human Resources Dime Bank , 49 S. Main St., Pittston, PA 18640 USA to be a part of the exciting transition to HOW in no later than Friday, January 12, 2001. To receive Phone (570) 655 -7143 Fax (570) 654 -5765 the most exciting city in the world, please send your application packet contact: Department of website: keystoneint.com your resume and cover letter to: Kurt Hanson, Human Resources, KVCR -TV /San Bernardino We respond to all Chief Engineer, WABC -TV, 7 Lincoln Square, New Community College District, 441 West Eight Employee & Employer Inquiries York, NY 10023. No telephone calls or faxes Street, San Bernardino, CA 92410 -1007, 909 -884- ALAN CORNISH / MARK KELLY please. We are an equal opportunity employer. 2533. An equal opportunity employer.

84 Broadcasting & Cable /1 -8 -01 Classifieds Television TECHNICAL NEWS ,recERS

PHOTOJOURNALIST SENIOR PROMOTIONS DIGITAL Responsible for the videographic documentation PRODUCER/WRITER /EDITOR of news events and the ability to dynamically edit Write Think TECHNOLOGY video taped images into television news stories of "Speak Spanish? Spanish? reel... high quality and an ability to operate ENG Creative?" Then we want to see your DIRECTOR microwave equipment. Applicants should have Dallas' number one Spanish station (KUVN - Univision 23) needs a creative mind to write and Partners, a fully at least two years of direct news shooting SKY TechCo produce top -notch on -air promos. You'll work digital 200+ Direct and editing experience. Proven professional channel -To- with the latest technology to produce daily Home satellite broadcast demeanor a safe driving record and proven histo- ry of responsible operation and care of assigned topicals and news image promos. Minimum center is looking for a Digital company equipment is a must. Send Resume to: 3 yrs exp in promotions, avid editing skills, Technology Director. The WPEC NEWS 12, P.O. Box 198512, West Palm self- motivation, and a passion for television. position involves evaluating Beach, FL 33419 -8512, Attn: Christine Briscoe Bilingual (Spanish/English) required. EOE Send and recommending technical resume and reel to: KUVN CH23 Attn: HR Dept innovations relating to the Job #01 -01 2323 Bryan Street, Suite. 1900 future of the business. This Dallas, TX 75201 Fax 214 -758 -2306 or E -mail: includes evaluating quality MANAGER COMMUNITY AFFAIRS / KUVN- HRDept@ univision.net improvements on all systems, SPECIAL PROJECTS planning the transitional KCNC -TV, CBS Inc., News 4 - denver, has the process for the integration of following open position(s) available: Manager NEWS REPORTER new /upgraded equipment, and Community Affairs/Special Projects. providing comparisons of The Manager- Community Affairs/Special Projects Dominant NBC affiliate in 93rd market technical products and is responsible to the President and General seeks reporter with live experience. services. Position requires a Manager for the planning and implementation of College degree preferred. Resume to thorough knowledge of the Community Affairs programs designed for optimum Judy Baker, WCYB, 101 Lee Street, Direct to Home satellite results between the KCNC Stations and the public business and ability to served in the Station's broadcast area. To establish Bristol, VA 24201. EOE/M /F /HN. effectively interface with and maintain community contacts in the private various internal departments, and public sectors and to represent the Company other platforms and vendors. in its responsibilities to each. Fax resume to Candidate must have a BSEE 303-830 -6537, or mail resume to KCNC -TV, CBS, METEOROLOGIST /REPORTER with a minimum of 5 years' Inc., Human Resources Director, 1044 Lincoln Meteorologist/Reporter for weekend news broadcast/satellite experience. Street, Denver, Colorado 80203. EOE team. Previous reporting and on -air weather Advanced degree preferred. experience required. Meteorology degree and Spanish and /or Portuguese are AMS seal preferred. Resume to Judy Baker, a plus for all positions. For WCYB, 101 Lee Street, Bristol, VA 24201. immediate consideration, SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHER EOE/M /F /H/V please fax your resume and NESN is looking for a videographer with 2 to 3 salary history to (305) 816- years experience who wants to join our award winning team. Must be willing to work flexible 5268 or e-mail hours, have clean driving record and the ability to METEOROLOGIST/WEATHER ANCHOR cindyt @skyla.com. carry all the required gear. Cover letter, resume and salary requirements to Production Manager, WYFF, the Hearst -Argyle NBC station in 70 Brookline Ave. Boston MA, 02215 or E -mail to Greenville, SC is searching for a meteorologist to NJROSE, @NESN.COM anchor our weekend newscasts, provide support in our state -of- the-art Weathercenter and report during the week. College degree and one year of TECHNICIAN /DIRECTOR: experience required. Prefer experience with LIVE WRGB (CBS) ALBANY, NY ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR - WYTV Doppler Radar, StormTracker, WSI's Alert system WRGB-TV seeks experienced Technician /Director. Are you a great E.P. that is ready to move? We and WSI's WeatherProducer. Send tape/resume Audio, Videotape & Master Control a must. Prior want a leader with strong writing, mentoring and to Andy Still, News Director, WYFF -TV, 505 organizational skills. Position oversees assignment experience directing multiple camera live news Rutherford Street, Greenville, SC. 29609. EOE. desk, special projects, and producers. Minimum 5 desired. Must be able to work nights & weekends. years producing required. Send current aircheck Send resume to: Production Manager, WRGB- and resume to: News Director, WYTV, 3800 Shady TV, 1400 Balltown Rd, Niskayuna, NY 12309. Run Rd., Youngstown, OH 44502. EOE ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR Tired and bored of the same old grind, the same WRGB IS AN EQUAL old pressed shirt newscast? Come to Seattle and OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER help lead our news department. We have live, 3- hour local morning news and a half hour 10PM METEOROLOGIST newscast. This position will be responsible for Do you like forecasting exciting weather? Will assisting in the overall supervision of the News NEWSCAREERS you report on environmental features? Bay Department and for developing and executing News 9 is looking for someone with credibility systems designed to improve communications, job PROFESSIONAL who can keep our viewers' attention while trans- performance and technical capabilities. Minimum 7 BROADCAST JOURNALIST forming scientific terms into viewer friendly infor- years experience as television news manager with mation. We prefer an AMS seal, however a technical and editorial responsibilities in a large KXAN TV News 36 is searching for an experi- with three years on -air market or network. Previous newsroom manage- enced, professional broadcast journalist for meteorology degree live for weath- ment experience as a news director, assistant management of news assignments during the experience and the need to "live" er forecasts is good too! BN9 is a Time Warner news director, executive news producer managing afternoon and evening hours. The successful Prior expe- Commurications Company located in the Tampa editor or technical manager preferred. candidate will have at least five yeaars news rience with digital electronic news gathering equip- Bay area (the lightning capital of the U.S.) and #1 experience and a college degree. No calls. A ment. Equal Opportunity Employer, women and in breaking news coverage. Please send resume resume and statement of news philosophy minorities are encouraged to apply. No phone calls and non -returnable demo tape to Bay News 9, should be sent to the KXAN TV Newsroom please. Please send resume to: T. Woon, 7901 North, Pinellas Park, FL Administrator, P. O. Box 490, Austin, Texas 66th Street Executive Assistant, KCPQ -TV, 1813 Westlake 78767 as soon as possible. 33781. No phone calls please. EOE. Ave N., Seattle, WA 98109. Fax: 206-674 -1344

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"The election was a certifiable all the stuff of the day." big TV deal. -Oprah Winfrey, on how At first, it was kind of embar- she copes with her myriad rassing, since the networks had media projects as reported in all those goofs on election night Newsweek. and Dan Rather and Bob Schieffer stayed up until 8 a.m. "Without a single guide to thin By the end, they looked as if thighs or a saucier sex life, 0 is they had sniffed Special K in a a glossy rendering of Winfrey's closet at Twilo. Doris Kearns on -air motivational crusade, Goodwin yammered on like a set encouraging readers to revamp of plastic chattering teeth, their souls the way Martha George Stephanopolous sweated Stewart helps them revamp their quietly under his black mane, kitchens." and, making matters worse, the -Lynette Clemetson, Fox News Channel hired George Newsweek, on Oprah was a made very W. Bush's cousin to rig the "I was stunned when they said it comedy. I it Winfrey's O magazine. entire national election. Or clear that, if Klink was ever the hero, I would leave the show." "Hollywood has changed. It's not something like that. It wasn't Werner Klemperer, as quoted in People magazine. He starred as the old days. Last pretty." Nazi commandant Colonel Klink in the sitcom Hogan's Heroes, glamorous like -Jason Gay, The New York which infuriated some critics in 1965. Shown in a role reversal time my wife and I went down Observer on his choices for tele- with series star Bob Crane, Klemperer (1) died Dec. 6 at 80. there to go to the movies, we vision highlights of 2000. got carjacked by a guy with a .357 Magnum."

"The new administration is Nick could throw one person to zine on Bill O'Reilly of Fox's -Don Rickles, to Esquire at Nite. It feels so old, it's the lions, who would it be ?" The O'Reilly Factor. magazine. almost a kinescope." -An unnamed Clinton "Is he a friend of the working- "Oh, my God! Oh, it's crazy! Oh, "Star, however, is a slick sub - White House official, quoted man? Yeah, if you're Irish and my God! Oh! My! God!" verter of family values and and in Maureen Dowd's column blue -collar and Roman Catholic. -Monica Lewinsky aboard fuddy -duddy restraints. in The New York Times He comes from a working family, Coney Island's Cyclone Marriage, in Star's works, is and they used to get treated roller coaster during her where a man's penis goes to "It would've been Newt Gingrich, pretty shabbily, so he has to London Channel 5 televi- die and and where a woman but at this point I'd have to say find his own people to kick sion show, Monica's enters mummyhood." Trent Lott. He's a moron." around. Postcards. As published in -James Wolcott, in Vanity -Lewis Black, The Daily I see a lot of O'Reillys in the New York magazine by Fair, describing Darren Star, Show, to Salon.com writer, Post Office. I met a lot of them Robert Kolker. producer of Sex and the City, Ian Rothkerch, in response in the Army." NBC's Titans, Fox's The to the question: "If you were -Charles Rangel, New York "My bath is my sanctuary. It's $treet, and other sexy prime the emperor of Rome and politician, to New York maga- the place where I can wash off time shows.

Broadcasting & Cable (ISSN 0007 -2028) (USPS 0066 -0000) (GST #123397457) is published weekly, except at year's end when two issues are combined, by Cahners Business Information, 245 W. 17th St., New York, NY 10011. Broadcasting & Cable copyright 2000 by Reed Elsevier Inc., 275 Washington St., Newton, MA 02158 -1630. All rights reserved. Periodicals postage paid at New York, NY, and additional mailing offices. Canada Post IPM Product (Canada Distribution) Sales Agreement No. 0607533. Postmaster, please send address changes to: Broadcasting & Cable, P.O. Box 15157, North Hollywood, CA 91615 -5157. Rates for non -qualified subscriptions, including all issues: USA $149, Canada $219 (includes GST), Foreign Air $350, Foreign Surface $199. A reasonable fee shall be assessed to cover handling costs in cancellation of a subscription. Back Issues: except for special issues where price changes are indi- cated, single copies are $7.95 U.S., $10 foreign. Please address all subscription mail to: Broadcasting & Cable, P.O. Box 15157, North Hollywood, CA 91615 -5157. Microfilm of Broadcasting & Cable is available from University Microfilms, 300 North Zeeb Rd., Ann Arbor, MI 48106 (800 -521- 0600). Cahners Business Information does not assume and hereby disclaims any liability to any person for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions in the material con- tained herein, regardless of whether such errors result from negligence, accident or any other cause whatsoever. Broadcasting & Cable was founded in 1931 as Broadcasting The News Magazine of the Fifth Estate. It now incorporates Broadcasting -Telecasting,' introduced in 1945; Television,' acquired in 1961; Cablecasting' introduced in 1972: Broadcasting/Cable, introduced in 1989; and Telemedia Weel® It was named Broadcasting & Cable In 1993. Broadcasting & Cable®is a registered trademark of Reed Publishing (Nederland) B.V., used under license. Telemedia Week® is a registered trademark of Reed Elsevier Inc. *Reg. U.S. Patent Office. The Fifth Estate TELEVISION Broadcasting 2

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SALOMON SMITH BARNEY AI. ASTIN A member of citigroup. PART OF Cahners TELEVISION GROUP Editorials COMMITTED TO THE FIRST AMENDMENT BROADCASTING CABLE www.broadcastingcable.com William McGorry /GROUR VICE PRESIDENT /212- 463 -6543 Lawrence Oliver /GRouR PUBLISHER /212- 463 -6544 Harry A. Jessell/EDITOR IN CHIEF /212- 337 -6964 Denise O'Connor /AssouArE PUBLISHER /212- 337 -6961 The beat goes on EDITORIAL/NEW YORK Harry A. Jessell /EDIroR IN Cnisr /212- 337 -6964 P.J. Bednarski /Exicunvt EDIroR /212- 337 -6965 Having endorsed Michael Powell as a moderate and a bridge builder (B &C, Dec. 18) and Stephen McClellan / DEpurr EDEToR /212- 337 -7023 -7024 a course John M. Higgins /DEpurr EDITOR /212 -337 Susan Ness as a steady and conscientious hand -on- the -tiller, if sometimes steering Susan Oualtrough /MANAGING Eoiroe /112- 463 -6432 MANAGING EDnoR /212- 337.7011 (B Jan. 1), tour of once and future FCC commissioners turns Ken Kersch baumer /Assisuel from which we diverge &C, our Glen Dickson /AssociArE EDITOR /212.337 -6952 to Harold Furchtgott-Roth, the commissioner who marches to the beat of a different, but Richard Tedesco'AssoOAtE EDITOR /212 -337 -7025 Beatrice Williams- Rude /Cour Eoiroe /212- 337 -7140 /212- deregulatory, drum. P. Llanor Alleyne /EDIroRIAI AssistAre 337 -7141 that DESIGN /NEW YORK Coming in, the erudite commissioner suprised many TV executives with his admission Todd J. Gast /ART DIREctoR/212-337.7017 Miguel Romero /ASSISrANr ART DIRECTOR /212- 337 -7144 he didn't own a TV set. But since then, the commissioner has shown himself to be not only EDITORIAL/WASHINGTON no foe of the technology (he acquired a set for his office) but an outspoken advocate for dereg- Donald V. West /EolroR AT LARGE /202- 463 -3701 John S. Eggerton /DEpurr Eonos /202 -463.3712 ulation of the medium. His independent voice sometimes ruffles feathers on both sides, but Dan Trigoboff /SENIOR EolroR /301 -260.0923 Elizabeth A. Rathbun /AssociArE EDITOR/202- 463 -3709 this page has a soft spot for absolutists in good causes, particularly ones who advocate a pub- Paige Albiniak /AsSIsrANr EolloR/202.463 -3708 Bill McConnell /ASSISrANr FDIIOR /202 -463 -3706 lic interest that puts the freedom of the electronic press first. Deborah McAdams /SiAFr WRITER /202- 463 -3725 Someone who believes that accepting the middle ground on key principles is analogous Kim McAvoy/CoNrRIBUTING EDITOR /540- 341.4234 Kira Greene C sreieuTING EDITOR /703 -524 -7793 to taking King Solomon up on his initial offer should not be castigated for a failure to com- Rick Higgs SySTENS MANAGER /202- 463 -3718 Alisa Holmes/WEe PRODUCTION MANAGER /202 -463 -3703 promise those principles. From his defense of a broadcaster's right to choose between car- Doris Kelly /OrricE MANAGER /202- 463.3711 to more EDITORIAL /LOS ANGELES rying a debate or a ballgame to his opposition to using the switch to digital mandate Joe Schlosser /BuREAu (Alin /323- 549.4111 Susanne M. Ault /STArr WRITER /323- 965 -5361 content - related public interest obligations, he has shown himself to be a true believer. He ADVERTISING /NEW YORK cemented his status with this page in 1998 when he attacked commission attempts to rule by Denise O'Connor /AssocEArE PueusAER /212.337 -6961 Yvonne Pettus /SENIOR Auous' Exrcurivr /212 -337-6945 "voluntary" standards, which he said "provide a dangerous mechanism for the evasion of Michael Farina /Accourr ExECUtlVE /212- 337 -6941 home like Rob Payne /AuouNr ExrcurivE /212- 337 -7022 statutory limits on delegated authority" That is a point this page has been driving Tamika Brown /Sucs (ooRDINAToR /212.337 -6940 /212- 463.6546 for a long time. Dana Levitt MARKETING SERVICES DIRECTOR a fence post into frozen ground Georgina Sculco /ART DIR.,CREATIVE SERVICES /212- 337.7154 In the tug -of -war between regulatory and deregulatory philosophies, it is good to have ADVERTISING /LOS ANGELES Marcia Orcutt /ADVERTISING DIRECTOR, SYNDICATION/323-549-4114 someone anchoring the deregulatory side just to keep the result from going too far the Eric Low /SACEs CooRoi'uoe /323 -549 -4113 Chuck BolkCOm/DIeECroR of TICnNOCOGn ADVERTISING other way. Enough analogies. The commissioner is bright, hard -working and worthy of 775 -852 -1290; Fax 775.852 -1291; email: chuckbolk @aol.com reappointment. ADVERTISIN@/ASIA Yukari Media Inc. /Masayuki Harihara 81-66956-1125; Fax 81-66956-5015

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING /NEWTON, MASS Kristin Parker /AccouRT ExccunvE /866 -258 -1075 Recommended reading Neil Andrews /AuouNT ExicunvE /866 -258 -1075 275 Washington St., Newton, Mass. 02458; Fax 617- 630 -3955 CBS last week released its report on election -night miscalls. The network immediately got VENTS Steve labunski /DIRQroR, SPECIAL EvtNTs /212- 337 -7158 points here for the straightforward way in which its findings were presented. Sandy Friedman/Pural. EVENTS COORDINATOR /212 -463 -6740 CBS released the report in tandem with a story posted on its cbsnews.com Web site, say- PRODUCTION /NEW YORK Luis Mendes /PRoouoriov MANAGER /212- 463 -6524 ing that, "along with other networks, CBS News blew it." The 87 -page report was part mea Farrah Aponte /PRooucrioN ASSisrANr /212- 463 -6571 CIRCULATION /NEW YORK culpa ( "the ultimate responsibility for the calls we made lies with us at CBS news ") and part John LaMarca/(IRCULArIDN MANAGER /212 -337-7080 SUBSCRIPTIONS / DELIVERY apologia ( "We-and the public-know that some of the events that affected our reporting BROADCASTING St CARL: 800 -554 -5729 on election night were beyond our control. ") Online Customer Service: www.pubservice.com BROADCASTING B Caut YtauooK: 800 -521 -8110 Both are appropriate. The networks did mess up, but so did the people employing punch CARILOAN: 800 -563 -9056. TV Fax: 800-554-5729 butterfly ballots. Given that so many thousands of ballots OFFIEES cards and styluses and designing New York: 245 W. 17th St., 10011 / 212 -645 -0067; were thrown out in Florida, and north of a million and a half nationwide, we may never know Edit Fax: 212- 337 -7028 or 212 -463 -6610: Ad Fax: 212 -337 6948 Washington: 1627 K Street NW, 20006 just how accurate the first exit poll for Gore was. They are usually very accurate. CBS points 202 -463 -3711: Edit Fax: 202 -463 -3742 Los Angeles: 5700 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 120. 90036 out that the exit -poll model has been used to call some 2,000 races since the late '60s, with 323 -549 -4100: Edit Fax: 323 -937 -4240; Ad Fax: 323 -937 -5272 only six errors before our recent 200- year -flood of a 2000 race. iCahnem We endorse CBS' fixes, including repairing Voter News Service; supporting a uniform CANNERS BUSINESS INFORMATION poll- dosing bill; mixing the "decision desk" analysts in with the journalists so that calls are Marc Teren /CHru EXECUTIVE OFFICER Tad Smith / PRESIDENT, MEDIA DIVISION more the product of dialogue and less like dicta; creating a "leaning" category as a buffer Dan Hart /VICE PRESIDENT, FINANCE Sol Taishoff /FOuRDER ANO EDITOR (1904 -1982) between a "call" and a "too close "; and telling viewers how and why calls are made.

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