Months of Talks End in New Contract for ABC?s President - The Walt Disney Company signed the president of ABC Entertainment, Stephen McPherson, to a new contract, signaling confidence in the maverick executive?s ability to deliver new hits.
|
Clear Channel Profit Surges - The company said first-quarter profit soared to $799.7 million, due to asset sales, an investment gain and higher revenue, but earnings from continuing operations were flat.
|
To Reduce Costs, Warner Brothers Closing 2 Film Divisions - The company said closing Picturehouse and Warner Independent Pictures was a cost-cutting move rooted in the changing economics of the specialty film business.
|
Advertising: In a Weak Economy, Quirky Restaurant Ads Yield to Tried and True - Applebee?s and Wendy?s have opted for a more recession-proof approach: glamour shots of food.
|
Cablevision Reports Wider Loss - Cablevision Systems reported a wider deficit for its first quarter on Thursday on losses from derivative contracts.
|
Revenue Rises at Liberty Media - Liberty Media?s first-quarter revenue rose in all three of its business units, which include QVC and Starz television channels and a stake in DirecTV, the company said.
|
Warner Music Loss - The Warner Music Group suspended dividends Thursday after reporting that higher costs and a shift to digital music resulted in a wider second-quarter loss.
|
Advertising: Your Chance to Finish a Movie Microsoft Started - Microsoft Corporation is underwriting an online movie-making contest to stimulate sales and burnish the reputation of its Windows Vista operating system.
|
NBC Plans 24-Hour News for the New York Region - The new channel will de-emphasize the identity of NBC?s flagship station, WNBC, Channel 4, rechristening it a ?content center? and making it one part of a larger media presence.
|
TV Guide, Having Just Been Bought, Is Bracing to Be Sold - Another sale would be the fourth change in control during the last decade for TV Guide, which has long been trying to forge a new identity as an entertainment magazine.
|
Sex? Yawn. Politics? That?s Hot! - The new dish at celebrity magazines is the high-drama presidential campaign of 2008.
|
As News Corporation Posts Wide Gains, Murdoch Keeps His Sights on Newsday - Rupert Murdoch voiced skepticism that Cablevision can succeed in its bid for Newsday, which is now at the center of a tussle among three New York moguls.
|
MTV Plans to Increase Its Blending of Ads and Shows - In this year?s annual round of network pitches to advertisers, MTV Networks plans to sell not only the appeal of its programs but of its commercials as well.
|
Advertising: The Risks of Brand-Building in the Winner?s Circle - The tragic euthanization of Eight Belles at the Kentucky Derby cast a shadow on the sport and created uncomfortable public relations issues for its sponsors.
|
No Signs of a Slowdown in Traffic at Disney?s Parks - Watched as an indicator of whether weakness is seeping deeper into the economy, Disney said that operating income in its parks and resorts unit rose 33 percent.
|
Actors Guild and Producers End Talks - After three fruitless weeks of talks, actors and producers remained far apart on compensation for programming delivered via new media like the Internet.
|
DirecTV Profit Up 10% as Subscriptions Grow - The satellite television company said first-quarter net income climbed to $371 million, as it acquired more subscribers and customers spent more on high-definition and video recording services.
|
World Wrestling Entertainment?s Earnings Rise 29% - The producer of the television show ?Friday Night SmackDown? said first-quarter net income grew to $19.5 million, from $15.1 million a year earlier.
|
Chief of Random House Said to Be Stepping Down - Peter W. Olson, one of the most powerful figures in American book publishing, will step down amid mounting pressure over declining profits at Random House.
|
Advertising: Calling on Tourists to Come for New York City, but Stay for the State - The ?I love New York? slogan is being updated to reflect everything from the new media choices consumers are making to higher gas prices and other travel expenses.
|
