www.spotsndots.com Subscriptions: $350 per year. This publication cannot be distributed beyond the office of the actual subscriber. Need us? 888-884-2630 or [email protected] The Daily News of TV Sales Tuesday, October 10, 2017 Copyright 2017. BROADCAST DIGINETS COME OF AGE SOME TOP CABLE NET COVERAGE ADVERTISER NEWS The switch from analog to digital transmission in 2009 Retail giant Walmart unveiled a new service on Monday gave American broadcasters their long-sought multiple called Mobile Express Returns, a simplified process that channels to compete with cable. Since then, more than a will be available in early November for items sold and dozen new broadcast “diginets” have launched to provide shipped by Walmart.com and the service will be available content on those multi-cast channels. A new report from for store purchases in early 2018. The company said Katz Media Group (KMG) finds that the new networks are Mobile Express Returns handles customers who initiate a drawing audiences and providing a “compelling alternative” return using the Walmart App and finish it at the store via to cable for advertisers. a Mobile Express lane at the customer service desk. The “They’re relative uncluttered. They’re a good customer scans the QR code displayed on the advertising environment,” Stacey Schulman, card reader with the Walmart app, then hands KMG’s EVP of Strategy and Analytics, told us. the items over to an associate. Refunds will be The report found that the diginets air roughly credited to the customer’s payment account as 11-12 minutes of national and local spots per soon as the following day. Walmart says that in hour, compared to 12-14 minutes for national some cases customers returning certain items, broadcasters and 13-17 minutes for cable networks. including personal care and household products, For the Nielsen-rated diginets, the strongest dayparts will have the option to receive and instant refund without tend to be mornings—either 6-9 AM or 9-noon. That’s true even making a trip to the store to physically return the item. even for male-oriented Grit and Heroes & Icons, as well as The retailer expects to have this feature available in early MeTV, AntennaTV, Bounce and ThisTV. Schulman’s theory December……DSW’s new overhauled business strategy is that local broadcast TV stations are news intensive in the announced last month are plans to test shoe rental and mornings—and because the diginets are channel-adjacent shoe repair services, according to a press release from (both over-the-air and usually on cable) viewers stop there the company. The rentals would focus on high-end shoes, as they go searching for entertainment programming after a departure from traditional shoe sales. The new initiative they’ve gotten their news fix. Weigel Broadcasting’s from the retailer follows the footsteps of Rent the Runway, MeTV, which features classic TV programs, ranks 6th among which offers around 65,000 items and loaned its customers diginets and cable networks (Live +7 days) Monday-Friday an estimated $1.35 billion in high-end items in 2015. Some 9-noon, outperforming such major cable nets as Cartoon are skeptical of DSW’s move. Milton Pedraza, chief Network, HGTV, TNT and ESPN. executive at the retail consultancy The Luxury Institute MeTV also has the greatest national distribution and was quoted in a Washington Post report. He said, “Shoes along with seven other diginets has distribution to a higher are such a personal item – you’ve got to worry about fit, percentage of U.S. TV households than any cable network style, so many things – that I don’t think it’s necessarily competitor. In fact, KMG says they come close to matching something people want to share with strangers.” Retaildive. the coverage of the national broadcast networks. com pointed out that both rentals and repairs are on DSW’s The KMG report says MeTV, Grit, Bounce, AntennaTV, list of things to try in the new era of retail, where consumers Heroes & Icons, ThisTV and Cozi rank among the largest aren’t prioritizing apparel sales and are interested in cutting digital network brands and typically lease time on a down on waste……CNBC is reporting that Amazon is set station’s subchannel, similar to how networks paid affiliates to decide in the next few weeks on whether to jump into compensation years ago, or share revenue with local prescription drug management and sales. The business broadcasters. While early success has been achieved by news network cited an internal Amazon memo and an broadcasting large content libraries of TV classics and unnamed source familiar with the matter. Leerink Partners, nostalgia series, some diginets, including Bounce and the specialist investment bank, issued a report recently that Decades are starting to produce original and scripted stated it’s only a matter of time before Amazon gets in the programming. In fact, KMG says programming strategies are space, according to Benzinga. Walgreens, CVS Health and reminiscent of how cable networks initially used off-network Rite Aid shares all fell around 5% on the news, according product to generate revenue and build audiences until they to Reuters……McDonald’s hit a snag recently with its were ready to produce or commission their own content. promotional effort to play off a popular condiment mentioned Demonstrating that diginets have come of age and in the hit Adult Swim animated comedy series Rick and established their value, The E.W. Scripps Company Morty. The mad scientist on the series, Rick Sanchez, is recently paid $302 million to acquire the four networks built obsessed with McDonald’s Szechuan dipping sauce and by Katz Broadcasting (which is not related to KMG). The the restaurant resurrected the limited-run promotional item. four are targeted diginets—Bounce for African-Americans, However, the promotion ran afoul of the show’s devoted Grit aimed at men, Escape for women and comedy- fans when supplies quickly ran out. Cleveland.com reports specialist Laff. that McDonald’s is going to create more of the dipping (Continued on page three) sauce to satisfy consumer demands. NETWORK NEWS AVAILS Gillian Anderson of The X-Files on Fox revealed at the General Manager: WLNE, the ABC Affiliate in New York Comic Con that the upcoming eleventh season Providence (Market #52) seeks candidates who possess of series would probably be her last. When asked if she strong leadership, financial and people management would return for a 12th season, Anderson replied, “No, no, I skills; the ability to develop strategic revenue plans on think this will be it for me.” Anderson stars as agent Scully, all platforms and demonstrate operational expertise along with David Duchovny as Agent Fox Mulder. The are additional requirements. A minimum of ten years new season will see the return of Jeffery Spender, Mulder’s broadcasting experience is necessary; five + years in sales half-brother who was also an FBI agent……Writers on management is preferable. Send salary requirements the Verge, part of NBC’s talent infusion program has and resume in confidence to: Raymond Cole, President, named Nick Bouier, Octavia Bray, Eugene Garcia- Citadel Communications, One Corporate Place, 501 42nd Cross, Felicia Pride, Celena Cipriaso, St., # 370, West Des Moines, IA 50266, , and or email: [email protected] EOE. William Garroutte, Amy Lambert A man from Italy just as its 2017-18 class of The NBC O&O television station Eileen Shim set a Guinness World th in are searching for an writers. This is the 12 year of Writers Record by putting on 13 San Diego on the Verge, an annual program of pairs of underwear in 30 Integrated Sales Marketing Manager. writers of diverse backgrounds who are seconds. On the downside, This person will be both client and “on the verge” of breaking out……Jay he’s now banned from intercompany facing and is responsible Hayden (The Catch. Seal Team, My Victoria’s Secret. for the hands on development and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend) has been cast as a execution of multi-market integrated series regular in the upcoming sales marketing solutions for NBC 7 Grey’s Jimmy Fallon Anatomy spinoff, which follows a group San Diego utilizing all platforms (TV, of heroic firefighters. Hayden joins Jaina OOH, Digital, Mobile, Social, etc,) and Lee Ortiz, Jason George, Grey Damon, Okieriete properties (local news, prime, sports, etc.) to drive new & Onaodowan, Danielle Savre and Barrett Doss on the incremental revenue for the station. CLICK HERE for more 10-episode series. The spinoff is expected to be introduced details or to apply now. EOE. in an episode of Grey’s Anatomy this fall before the new KIRO-TV in Seattle is interviewing for an Account series is launched midseason……. Fox has given a script Executive opening. The successful candidate will be an commitment plus penalty to an hourlong dance drama excellent negotiator of transactional and direct business called Shine. The project is from producer Marc Platt (La with a track record of growing share, developing new La Land, Fox’s Grease: Live), and Step Up creator Duane accounts, an understanding Adler. The program is described as a character-driven, of ratings and estimates and a multigenerational dance show told through the eyes of three strong ability to forecast revenue distinct women, each at a different point in their careers. goals. Minimum three year This is Fox’s second dance drama buy this season. Hip- successful track record in media sales preferred. Ability to hop drama Take It From The Top (working title) inspired develop relationships and bring relevant opportunities to by choreographer Fatima Robinson’s life from producers all levels at agencies and accounts is required! CLICK Craig Zadan and Neil Meron is also in development …… HERE for info or to apply.