Category: media

“A group of 25 senators sent a letter to FCC Chairman Kevin Martin, warning they would “move legislation to revoke the rule and nullify the vote” if the FCC lifts ownership restrictions in the 20 biggest U.S. cities.”

With 14 days to go before the end of 2007, the major studios have already beaten last year’s $8.6 billion record at the overseas boxoffice.

“At least seven groups, composed of members of the striking Writers Guild of America, are planning to form Internet-based businesses that, if successful, could create an alternative economic model to the one at the heart of the walkout, now in its seventh week.”

“Reality TV, the amorphous catch-all that includes everything from “Survivor” to “Dancing With the Stars” to “The Hills,” has emerged as the unlikely flash point of the work stoppage, and not just because the networks hope that hundreds of hours of unscripted series will serve as substitute programming once the networks’ well of comedies and dramas runs bone-dry.”

And surprise – more movies are heading there to film…

“Faced with the indefinite suspension of negotiations, the union representing striking Hollywood writers told its members Saturday it would try to deal directly with Hollywood studios and production companies, bypassing the umbrella organization that has been representing them.”

It’s country. There are 2,054 country stations in the United States, which is up slightly from 2,049 a year earlier. News/talk stations now total 2,026, an increase of 18 from a year ago. The number of news/talk stations has increased by nearly 500 in the past 10 years.”

“Sens. John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Barack Obama (D-Ill.) sent a letter Friday to Kevin Martin urging to postpone the vote until the commission studies the facts and reasons underlying the low rate of women- and minority-owned media outlets. If Martin goes ahead with the vote – expected to pass 3-2 along party lines – the two legislators said they will ask the Appropriations Committee to deny funding need to implement a looser cross-ownership rule.”

Total video game sales (hardware and software) through October was $10.5 billion, compared with $7 billion for the same period last year.

“Facing growing criticism of his agenda and tactics, a defiant Kevin J. Martin, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, refused senators’ requests Thursday to delay a vote next week on his plan to loosen restrictions on owning a newspaper and broadcast station in the same city.”