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Cablevision Buys Newsday After Murdoch Withdraws Bid (NYT)
Cablevision has prevailed in the bidding for Newsday, after the News Corporation, controlled by Rupert Murdoch, pulled out of the running. Murdoch said a week ago that he would not raise his price, and people briefed on his talks with Tribune said that he stuck to that position even after it became clear that he needed a higher offer to beat Cablevision. LAT: Tribune Co. signed a deal Sunday to sell Newsday to Cablevision Systems Corp. for $650 million.
NBC to Give Conan's Late Night Gig to Fallon (AP)
Jimmy Fallon will officially be given the keys to NBC's Late Night franchise following Conan O'Brien's exit. All that's left is an official date for NBC's transition: O'Brien moving out West to take over for Jay Leno on the Tonight show and Fallon following in the next time slot.
In the Age of TiVo and Web Video, What Is Prime Time? (NYT)
In the past TV season, there has been a sharp increase in time-shifting. Some of the six million who have left broadcast television are still watching, but on their own terms, thanks to TiVos and other DVRs, Internet video, and cable video on demand. So while usage of television is steady, the linear broadcasts favored by advertisers are in decline. The mystery, then, is what the networks should do now. LAT: NBC, ABC, and CBS to tone down "upfront" advertising sales events. NYT: Marketers welcome shift to a 52-week television season.
CNN Reporter Narrowly Escapes Capture in Burma (AP via USAT)
A CNN reporter who left Burma Friday was chased by authorities as he reported on the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis but escaped primarily because of the incompetence of the people after him. Dan Rivers hid under a blanket at one police checkpoint and casually covered up his name on a passport to avoid detection another time. He may ultimately have gotten out of the country due to a stewardess' impatience.
Alarm at Google/Yahoo Partnering (BBC)
Regulators are being urged to investigate any potential online advertising and search partnership between Google and Yahoo. The call by a coalition of 16 American civil rights and rural advocacy bodies comes despite the fact no firm deal has actually been announced. The justice department is examining a trial the companies did in April.
The Fall of Peter Olson, Book Publishing's Last Don (New York)
If you want to understand book publishing, you need to think less Bloomsbury and more Gambino: The five big companies are like the five families. Imprints are crews with plenty of ambitious upstarts looking to make their bones. And every once in a while even a good earner has to get whacked to send a message. Until it was reported that he was stepping down as CEO last week, Peter Olson was the godfather of Random House.
CSM Changing to Remain Vital (Boston Globe)
As The Christian Science Monitor marks its 100th anniversary this year, the Boston-based newspaper is weighing changes with an eye toward remaining viable in an uncertain media environment. Jonathan Wells, the managing publisher of the Monitor, acknowledged that the paper is considering a "weekly product," along with "the staffing requirements to produce it."
More Advertisers Changing Channel From Broadcast to Cable (NYP)
This week, the big broadcast networks will take the stage to pitch advertisers on their new fall schedules during the so-called "upfronts" while their cable rivals hope to steal the show. With quality programming, rising ratings, and no real fallout from the writers' strike, cable execs believe they have more reason to be bullish than their broadcast rivals. So far, analysts agree.
WaPo WH Reporter Baker Jumps to Times (Politico)
On the afternoon of April 22, when the Washington Post's Susan Glasser was removed from her position as assistant managing editor for national news, rumors immediately flew around the newsroom that her husband, White House correspondent Peter Baker, would leave the paper. Now Baker's jumping to The New York Times Magazine.
TV Viewership Still Down in Wake of 100-day Writers Strike (AP)
Television heads into its biggest week with the hangover from a 100-day writers strike persisting. Viewership is down, although it's hard to tell how much the strike is to blame. This week's "upfront" presentations by broadcasters outlining their fall schedules, which annually precedes a multibillion dollar ad buying binge, promises to be much different than before.
Bonnier CEO: 'We Don't Want to Be Time Inc.' (AdAge)
In the 14 months since closing the deal for Time4Media, Bonnier has brought in a bevy of new people. It's created a corporate sales and marketing group, hired its first VP of e-media, and introduced an American edition of Science Illustrated. But business remains decidedly rocky. CEO Jonas Bonnier talks about the upside of hard times, the further acquisitions he plans, and why mags don't need the Web.
Playboy Has a Losing Quarter, and Its Chief Talks of Media Transformation (NYT)
Not even sex, it seems, is recession-proof. Last week, Playboy Enterprises reported that it had lost money in the first quarter of 2008, making it another casualty of the economic downturn and the squeeze between old media and new media. The company had a profit in the corresponding period last year. Playboy's weak spot was the domestic media division, which publishes the company's flagship mag.
Bridal Books Revamp (Mediaweek)
Bridal magazines are pretty if predictable: a cover model resplendent in white, followed by a catalogue of monochrome dresses inside. Two of the category leaders, published by Condé Nast, are about to unveil changes meant to underscore their differences with readers and advertisers.
Revolving Door Newsletter: Nina Garcia Runs Away to Marie Claire (mediabistro.com)
Hachette Filipacchi and its flagship, Elle, are in a tizzy at the moment, sparked by the acrimonious departure of fashion editor Nina Garcia, and the imminent loss of its toehold on mainstream consciousness through Project Runway. Now it appears that the show (which is moving from Bravo to Lifetime) is switching from Elle to quasi-rival Marie Claire, and taking Garcia with it.
A New Media Challenge for Obama (Marketwatch)
Jon Friedman: Sen. Barack Obama has been a media favorite ever since he started his campaign and consistently got more favorable press reviews than his chief Democratic rival, New York Sen. Hillary Clinton. To keep the momentum going, Obama will have to understand — every day — that he will face even more media scrutiny. Mainly, he will have to try harder to be as assertive as possible.
Scott Crystal: TV Guide Changes Are 'Mission Accomplished' (MIN)
Sounds strange to say mission accomplished, considering the press accounts that Ian Birch was "fired" as TV Guide editor-in-chief in the aftermath of the May 2 closing of Macrovision's $2.2 billion purchase of Gemstar-TV Guide International, which will be followed by Macrovision's sale of TVG — the catalyst to it and cable's TV Guide Network and TVG being "flipped" to a yet-to-be-determined buyer.
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