360AM: Writers and Studios Talking Again; More Pressure on NFL Network; Kevin Martin Pushing Plan
Cable360AM — News briefing for Monday, Nov. 26 »
It’s Cyber Monday in the Cable360 newsroom and we’ve been looking for bargains since we went to the mall Thursday at midnight. Good morning.
Rallying For Regulation
FCC chief Kevin Martin is lobbying commissioners to get his plan to tighten regulations on cable approved tomorrow, but cable’s lobbying has made the going tough for K Mart, The NY Times reported Sunday.
[The NY Times]
Talking Turkey in Hollywood
The next three days of talks between striking writers and studios may be the best opportunity before year’s end to end the three-week work stoppage, The Wall Street Journal says.
[The Wall Street Journal]
Clever online videos by striking writers have led many to realize what savvy Hollywood types have known for years—writers are integral to film and television.
[The LA Times]
Why Buy an HDTV?
USA Today gives readers several reasons, starting with a slew of new HD channels, including Smithsonian Channel, Nat Geo, Fuel TV, HDNet, Voom and Mojo.
[USA Today]
A Mini NFL Network?
The reasons why loyal Oregonians can’t watch their beloved Portland Trail Blazers on Comcast Sports Net are similar to why many viewers are unable to get NFL Network, The Statesman Journal of Salem says.
And speaking of NFL Network, expect the pressure to rise as America’s team hosts the Packers Thursday evening at Texas Stadium. Just south of 40% of the nation will be able to access the contest on NFL Net between the pair of 10-1 teams. A version of the column by Barry Horn of The Dallas Morning News will be seen throughout the nation as other sports scribes blast away. And variations on the story about Indiana state lawmakers threatening legislation to resolve the dispute should also proliferate.
[Statesman Journal]
[Dallas Morning News]
[Ft Wayne Journal/Gazette]
HBO Still Has Tony Numbers
The loss of The Sopranos and a paucity of buzz-worthy series haven’t hurt HBO’s sub numbers, leading to questions about the connection between premium nets’ original programming and sub numbers.
[The Hollywood Reporter]
Briefly Noted
Dr John Malone’s Liberty Global has initiated a $500 million stock buyback program.
[The Hollywood Reporter]
Comcast, whose stock closed at a 52-week low ($19.54), might be improving customer service, spurred by complaints posted by subscribers on the Internet, columnist Mary Kramer writes in Crain’s Detroit Business.
[CDB]
The Big Apple is abuzz with sightings of the cast from Sex & The City the movie, which is filming there.
[The NY Times]
Thousands of freelance production designers, cinematographers, editors, costume designers and hair and makeup artists have become unintended casualties of the Writers Strike.
[The LA Times]
The LA Times updates its show status, noting which series will be delayed or not by the Writers Strike.
[The LA Times]
The NY Times puts Sundance Channel’s doc series Nimrod Nation, about a small town in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula where 13 feet of snow each winter is the norm and high school sports is king, into context. The series begins tonight.
[The NY Times]
Showtime’s top-rated series Dexter features a psychopathic killer who may be the network’s most likeable character, The NY Times says.
[The NY Times]
Today in CableFAX Daily
Kevin Martin ‘retires’ to explain the digital transition to seniors, with Florence Henderson’s help.
Yesterday’s 360AM
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