Category: media

A Mexican court has struck down provisions of a new law that would have protected the country’s two biggest TV networks. “The court’s action could help pry open Mexico’s broadcasting market, one of the least competitive in Latin America outside of communist Cuba. And it could embolden Mexico’s government to rein in other business titans that control key sectors of this nation’s economy.”

CBS has changed its mind and decided to revive “Jericho”, a drama it canceled for low ratings. Upset fans inundated the network over the past few weeks, sending tons of nuts to CBS execs in protest (yes, nuts). “Although it’s common for fans of a canceled series to protest, it’s extremely rare that the effort pays off with network executives changing their minds.”

“The V-shaped rabbit ears, which have stood sentry in some living rooms and dens since the early 1950s, risk going the way of the eight-track tape player or Betamax in 20 months because that is when local television stations will cease sending their signals over the analog airwaves, and instead begin transmitting their programming exclusively over the more modern digital spectrum.”

The CIA has named Paul Barry as its new entertainment liaison. His mission: to showcase the cloak-and-dagger agency in a warmer light in movies, TV, fiction and even children’s books. “We want to convey the sense that we’re approachable,” he said yesterday. “It’s not James Bond. It’s a lot of regular people overachieving.”

Canadian actors protest the absence of canadian dramas on Canadian TV networks. A 1999 policy “led private broadcasters to drop Canadian drama to make way for shows such as E-Talk Daily and Entertainment Tonight Canada,”

The advocacy groups that were heartened last fall with the success of dramas featuring multicultural casts are unhappy with Hollywood once again, following the unveiling of the fall 2007 season. “Though minorities are featured in most of the 29 new series on the major networks, only five feature performers of color in central starring roles. While most of the shows have at least one regular minority cast member, the performers are mostly in support of the main white characters.”

“The Internet has been touted as a rival that could destroy network television, but a new report on the Canadian TV sector suggests the two are destined to live side by side – though not necessarily in harmony… It paints a picture of tough programming decisions for the networks in the future, particularly as TV shows become available on-demand through the Internet.”

Online auctioneer eBay Inc. said on Tuesday it is ready to begin auctioning advertising airtime on 2,300 participating U.S. radio stations, expanding on an existing plan to sell cable television ads.

“A bunch of European composers who haven’t had a hit in decades have been very, very good to radio station WETA. Since dropping news and talk programming for classical music in January, the Arlington public station has seen its fortunes soar. Ratings have more than doubled since the switchover from BBC and NPR reports to Bach and Brahms concertos. And perhaps just as important to WETA (90.9 FM), pledge contributions from listeners have been gushing.”

“By no longer calling itself a museum, the center, which has buildings on West 52nd Street in Manhattan and in Beverly Hills, Calif., is playing down its archive of TV and radio programs and is recasting itself as a place for industry leaders and the public to discuss the creation of those shows and the role of media in society. The number of panels and interview sessions is being doubled, and online media executives and creators will increasingly be part of those discussions.”