Meg James

ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC and CW sell nearly $9.2 billion in 'upfront' advertising

Submitted by Benton Foundation on June 10, 2008 - 7:27am

Despite lower prime-time ratings and a weak economy, the broadcast networks dodged a bullet as they wrapped up their advance advertising sales for the coming season Monday. When final sales are tabulated, the five major broadcasters -- ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC and CW -- should bring in nearly $9.2 billion in prime-time business, about the same total as last year.

Azteca shifts production of U.S. newscasts to Mexico

Submitted by Benton Foundation on May 29, 2008 - 7:37am

Spanish-language television network Azteca America is now producing its U.S. national and local Los Angeles newscasts from Mexico City. The company, a subsidiary of Mexican broadcaster TV Azteca, until this week had originated its news programs for the U.S.

Televisa-Univision trial delayed

Submitted by Benton Foundation on April 29, 2008 - 7:39am

We got you all hyped up yesterday for nothing... A federal judge agreed Monday to delay a much-anticipated trial that would pit one giant of Spanish-language television, Mexico's Grupo Televisa, against another, Univision Communications.

Grupo Televisa's spat with Univision to unfold in court

Submitted by Benton Foundation on April 28, 2008 - 7:29am

Some of the best Spanish-language television dramas delve into the ambitions and rancorous relationships within powerful Latino families. Instead of playing each night on TV screens, though, this tale of a tumultuous 16-year marriage, fraught with allegations of treachery and bad faith, will begin to unfold this week in a federal courtroom in Los Angeles.

Paramount, MGM, Lionsgate to launch new premium TV channel

Submitted by Benton Foundation on April 21, 2008 - 9:08am

One part of Sumner M. Redstone's media empire took aim at the other Sunday, when Viacom Inc.'s Paramount Pictures teamed up with two studios to create a premium television channel that would compete with Showtime Networks, which is owned by Viacom's sister company CBS Corp.

CBS layoffs signal a financial squeeze on TV stations

Submitted by Benton Foundation on April 9, 2008 - 7:24am
Last updated: April 9, 2008 - 7:28am

Although local television stations historically have enjoyed some of the fattest profit margins in the media industry, the business is less robust now. Stations are feeling the same financial squeeze as their newspaper and network news brethren.

NBC Universal is dividing TV studio

Submitted by Benton Foundation on March 25, 2008 - 6:50am
Last updated: March 26, 2008 - 8:45pm

NBC Universal, in a bid to retain a key executive, has split its television production studio into two separate operations.