NBC Universal

Former FBDC Editor Graff|McGraw-Hill Earned $5.9M From BusinessWeek|NYTCo. May Sell Worcester Paper Soon|More On Comcast-NBCU - Posted October 26, 2009
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy PRNewser: Former FishbowlDC founding editor Garrett Graff, now the editor of the Washingtonian, talks about working in PR and then making the jump to journalism. All Things Digital: Today, Mcgraw-Hill told investors that its sale of BusinessWeek netted the company... [FishBowlNY]

Meghan McCain|Publicist Poll|Dubow Returns To Gannett|Robinson Visits Boston|NBCU Improves Earnings - Posted October 16, 2009
WebNewser: Meghan McCain fights back against comments about her breasts in a Twitter pic with a column on The Daily Beast. PRNewser: Interesting poll: Which Tactic Did You Employ the Last Time You Released Big News? 48 percent say "Posted on a wire and pitched the release." The New York Times: Craig Dubow... [FishBowlNY]

Meghan McCain|Publicist Poll|Dubow Returns To Gannett|Robinson Visits Boston|NBCU Improves Earnings - Posted October 16, 2009
WebNewser: Meghan McCain fights back against comments about her breasts in a Twitter pic with a column on The Daily Beast. PRNewser: Interesting poll: Which Tactic Did You Employ the Last Time You Released Big News? 48 percent say "Posted on a wire and pitched the release." The New York Times: Craig Dubow... [FishBowlNY]

Jon Stewart Mocks CNN|LAT Mag Names New Editor|Star-Ledger Faces More Cuts|The Atlantic Names Brave Thinkers - Posted October 13, 2009
The Daily Show With Jon StewartMon - Thurs 11p / 10cCNN Leaves It Therewww.thedailyshow.comDaily Show Full EpisodesPolitical HumorRon Paul Interview TVNewser: Jon Stewart gave CNN some pretty harsh criticism last night on "The Daily Show," mocking the news net's anchors' favorite parting phrase, "Let's leave it there." FishbowlLA: LA, Los Angeles Times Magazine,... [FishBowlNY]

Jon Stewart Mocks CNN|LAT Mag Names New Editor|Star-Ledger Faces More Cuts|The Atlantic Names Brave Thinkers - Posted October 13, 2009
The Daily Show With Jon StewartMon - Thurs 11p / 10cCNN Leaves It Therewww.thedailyshow.comDaily Show Full EpisodesPolitical HumorRon Paul Interview TVNewser: Jon Stewart gave CNN some pretty harsh criticism last night on "The Daily Show," mocking the news net's anchors' favorite parting phrase, "Let's leave it there." FishbowlLA: LA, Los Angeles Times Magazine,... [FishBowlNY]

Comcast Purchase Of NBCU Stake A Done Deal? - Posted October 13, 2009
The Wrap's Sharon Waxman, who first reported that a deal between cable provider Comcast and GE-owned NBC Universal "had already been completed," said yesterday that an agreement is "done in principle." Reports Waxman: "What I am hearing from inside and around the deal is that indeed the Comcast deal to buy 51 percent... [FishBowlNY]

HuffPost Books Launches|FTC Threatens Fines For Endorsing Free Products Without Disclosure|Rocky Mountain Independent|Comcast-GE Deal For NBCU|Questex Files Ch. 11 - Posted October 5, 2009
WebNewser: The Huffington Post launched its books section, HuffPost Books, today. GalleyCat: Today the Federal Trade Commission revised their "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials," urging bloggers who review products, from a book to a video game system, to disclose if they received the product for free when giving an... [FishBowlNY]

Will Comcast Buy NBC Universal From GE? - Posted October 1, 2009
Rumors, theories and conjectures have been swirling since The Wrap reported yesterday that a deal between cable provider Comcast and GE-owned NBC Universal "had already been completed at a purchase price of $35 billion." But reps from Comcast later told Bloomberg, "the report that Comcast has a deal to purchase NBC Universal... [FishBowlNY]

Thomson Reuters, MTV Make Best Global Brands List - Posted September 18, 2009
We were encouraged to see that a few media brands crept their way onto Interbrand's list of the 100 Best Global Brands of 2009, out today. Of course, some of the world's biggest brands rounded out the top five: Coca-Cola, IBM, Microsoft, General Electric (which owns media brand NBC Universal) and Nokia.... [FishBowlNY]

A&E Television Net Acquires Lifetime Entertainment - Posted August 27, 2009
A&E Television Networks, which is a joint venture between the Disney-ABC Television Group, Hearst Corp. and NBC Universal -- has entered into an agreement to acquire Lifetime Entertainment Services, which will put several cable channels under one management team. The new parent company, which will be called A&E Television Networks, will... [FishBowlNY]

A&E Television Net Acquires Lifetime Entertainment - Posted August 27, 2009
A&E Television Networks, which is a joint venture between the Disney-ABC Television Group, Hearst Corp. and NBC Universal -- has entered into an agreement to acquire Lifetime Entertainment Services, which will put several cable channels under one management team. The new parent company, which will be called A&E Television Networks, will... [FishBowlNY]

More On Ben Silverman's New Project - Posted July 28, 2009
Embedded video from CNNMoney.com Video Yesterday, IAC announced that NBC Universal co-chair Ben Silverman was leaving the network to launch a new venture for Barry Diller's media company. Silverman's two-year stint at NBCU has been fraught with speculation of his inevitable exit thanks to expensive flops like "My Own Worst Enemy" and "Knight... [FishBowlNY]

Silverman Leaves NBC For IAC; Gaspin Promoted To Chair - Posted July 27, 2009
After months of speculation over his possible departure, Ben Silverman is leaving NBC Universal to join Barry Diller's IAC, where he will develop a multi-media production company. Silverman said he will stay at NBC through the launch of the fall season. He will be replaced by Jeff Gaspin (pictured), president and COO... [FishBowlNY]

New Bosses At Interview, Weather Channel & Current TV - Posted July 20, 2009
Although they have nothing to do with each other, we noticed that there have been lots of appointments to the top spot at a handful of media organizations over the last few days. Is something in the air? Interview magazine, which was at the center of some controversy at publisher Brant Publications... [FishBowlNY]

Universal Wants To Be Universal On New Year's Eve - Posted December 29, 2008
Universal CitiWalk, calling itself "Southern California's favorite New Year's destination, is throwing its own local bash for the pending 2009 festivities. The parties (at each end so of the CitiWalk) will include big-time fireworks explosions and a slew of local DJs spinning discs (what are those?). Most interesting element is, bowing to... [FishBowlLA]

Vivendi Will Hold Onto NBC/Universal For The Time Being - Posted December 3, 2008
Vivendi has decided to abandon its sale of its 20% stake in NBC Universal, the Hollywood Reporter said. One source told the Reporter that it may not be the right time to sell, but Vivendi is very pleased with NBC/Uni's oversight. That certainly wasn't always the case. But now Vivendi has gone out... [FishBowlLA]

Silverman Seems Locked In At NBC Universal: Times - Posted November 24, 2008
Ben Silverman, the current co-CEO for NBC Universal who has been rumored for months to be getting the heave-ho, looks poised to re-up in his current power position, the L.A. Times claims. On Thursday, NBC parent company General Electric Co. added Silverman to the board of the Peacock Equity Fund, a $250-million... [FishBowlLA]

Immelt and NBC Want More Media -- While It's Cheap - Posted November 17, 2008
General Electric, which owns NBC Universal among other media entities, wants to find more media buys, GE chief executive Jeff Immelt told the Financial Times via Hollywood Wiretap. Immelt said the company had the resources to capitalize on bargains as it wades through the current economic downturn. The comments are a sign... [FishBowlLA]

Disney Retrenching With Belt-Tightening That Could Include Layoffs: Times - Posted October 31, 2008
The Disney Studios may be headed into a period of retrenchment with some cost-cutting measures possibly leading to layoffs, according to the L.A. Times. Disney executives are meeting this week to deal with this worsening economy and declines in ad spending. Studio executives said Thursday that no decisions had been made on possible... [FishBowlLA]

Vivi Zigler Promoted to President of NBC Universal Digital Entertainment - Posted June 30, 2008
Vivi Zigler, the woman who brought you (the marketing for) Queer Eye for the Straight Guy and Celebrity Poker, has been promoted yet again within NBC Universal, where she has worked for more than 10 years. Congratulations, Vivi! Press release:... [FishBowlLA]

LAT In 90 Seconds - Posted June 25, 2008
Huh? We're not entirely sure, but we think Rachel Abramowitz just compared Barack Obama to a superhero, a la Hancock or The Hulk. If this makes sense to anyone, please explain it to us. Lawsuit Resolved: "NBC Universal has 'amicably resolved' a $105-million lawsuit filed by a woman whose brother committed suicide... [FishBowlLA]

Universal Studios Wants You To Know It Is Still Open - Posted June 4, 2008
In the aftermath of the backlot burn, Universal Studios sent out this press release to alert the media (hey, that's us!) to the fact that, in their words, "the show must go on!" (For everyone, we're guessing, except that guy with the blowtorch.)... [FishBowlLA]

LAT In 90 Seconds -- Afternoon Edition - Posted May 5, 2008
Un-Friend Us: From Joseph Menn: "Social networking sites, which let users create detailed profile pages and connect with friends, are becoming the hot new thing for identity thieves, both amateur and professional. As improved spam filters and skeptical consumers make bogus e-mail less successful, scam artists are taking advantage of the... [FishBowlLA]

LAT In 90 Seconds - Posted March 11, 2008
Madonna, Mellencamp Inducted: Yep. It was an all-80s dance party. Madonna thanked all the people who said she was a talentless one-hit wonder. To which, we believe, John Mellencamp muttered under his breath, "You're welcome." Copy Editors RIP: We enjoyed Patrick Goldstein's column today, but we've got a quibble with the subhead:... [FishBowlLA]

LAT In 90 Seconds - Posted March 4, 2008
Person We're Most Jealous Of Today: Deborah Netburn. That lucky so-and-so got get her fangirl on at Wondercon last week, where she heard Gillian Anderson, David Duchovny and X-Files creator/deity Chris Carter talk about the new X-Files film coming out this summer. Well, actually, she didn't get to hear much. "The... [FishBowlLA]

Television Without Pity Jumps the Shark? - Posted February 4, 2008
It's true. Television Without Pity is going to be producing... television (well, the kind that appears on your computer, anyway).... [FishBowlLA]

Watch the Box: Good News/Bad News - Posted January 3, 2008
Now! In Skank-O-Vision! MTV renewed A Shot At Love With Tila Tequila for a second season. E! returns on January 7th with a second season of Chelsea Lately, starring Chelsea Handler. When's the Theme Park Opening? Dick Wolf and NBC Universal are talking about developing a Law & Order: London for ITV. News for the... [FishBowlLA]

Forget the Shows--Let's Watch Ads! Firebrand Launches - Posted November 27, 2007
Firebrand.com is "an online destination to view the best TV commercials", should anyone feel sad and lonely enough to do so. It's the MTV of ads! Firebrand even has CJ's (commercial jockeys), the same way MTV had VJ's, who will contextualize the commercials as art and entertainment. Where are they finding... [FishBowlLA]

Trade Round-Up: Sept. 5, 2007 - Posted September 5, 2007
Burton Busts Out Todd in Venice Tim Burton took his filmmaking act to the Venice Film Festival where he picked up a Golden Lion Award for lifetime achievement. In return, Burton took the festival opportunity to unspool an eight-minute sneak of the big-screen adaptation of his next pic, Sweeney Todd starring longtime... [FishBowlLA]

Trade Round-Up: Sept. 5, 2007 - Posted September 5, 2007
Burton Busts Out Todd in Venice Tim Burton took his filmmaking act to the Venice Film Festival where he picked up a Golden Lion Award for lifetime achievement. In return, Burton took the festival opportunity to unspool an eight-minute sneak of the big-screen adaptation of his next pic, Sweeney Todd starring longtime... [FishBowlLA]

LAT in 90 Seconds - Posted July 26, 2007
Comic-Con Coverage: Is relegated to a weird, catch-all blog that features poorly produced video segments of -- from what we can tell -- nothing. Silence Is Golden: Nondisclosure agreements aren't just for nannies anymore. The LAT reports that in our gossipy age, celebs -- and many non-celebs -- are requiring everyone from... [FishBowlLA]

LAT in 90 Seconds - Posted February 5, 2007
Bob Wright, Survived By Jeff Zucker, Is Out At NBC. He was 63: Meg James writes up Bob Wright's departure from NBC Universal as though it were an obit, which we guess it kinda is. Life In The Fast Lane: The state has run out of carpool lane stickers for hybrid drivers.... [FishBowlLA]