Business News

• Writers' strike could be settled this week
  The writers' strike reportedly could be headed toward a settlement as early as this week after the union and major studios reached a new, tentative proposal that would follow a similar compensation model for online streams as one adopted by the directors' guild. The final contract could be presented to the Writers Guild leadership by Friday, sources said. Both sides, citing a media blackout, would not comment. The Washington Post (2/3), The Wall Street Journal (tiered subscription model) (2/4), Los Angeles Times (2/3)

• Writers' union cautions against rumors of deal: WGA officials are telling the rank and file that, despite rumors to the contrary, there isn't a tentative agreement yet that would end the nearly four-month-old impasse. "The facts: we are still in talks and do not yet have a contract," the officials said. Multichannel News (2/4)

• FCC releases new rules on cable leased access
  The FCC issued new rules Friday concerning cable leased access, capping rates at 10 cents a month, about a 75% decrease from the current maximum. Cable companies have 90 days from the time the policies are published in the Federal Register to adapt to the new regulations. Multichannel News (2/3)

• Northwest, Time Warner Cable ink carriage deal for KAYU-TV
  Northwest Broadcasting and Time Warner Cable reached a six-year carriage deal Friday that would keep Fox affiliate KAYU-TV accessible to cable subscribers in parts of Idaho, Montana and Washington until Feb. 1, 2013. Financial terms of the contract were not disclosed. Multichannel News (2/3)

	The Future of TV: The evolving landscape of HDTV, IPTV and mobile TV Media consumption habits are changing. New distribution platforms and an ever increasing number of channels mean customers now demand a more flexible service. Assess the opportunities created by new sectors and anticipate future changes in demand with this report.

Programming News

• Sundance unveils "Pleasure for Sale" documentary
  The Sundance Channel tonight will premiere "Pleasure for Sale," a six-part documentary about the Chicken Ranch, a legal brothel in Nevada. The film, according to this report, looks to educate and enlighten viewers about those who work in the sex-for-money business. Los Angeles Times (2/4)

• "Zack & Cody" looks to get its sea legs
  "The Suite Life of Zack & Cody," the Disney Channel series set in an upscale hotel, is heading to the high seas. After the writers' strike has ended, the channel plans to move the show's setting to a cruise liner and rename the program "The Suite Life on Deck." Yahoo!/Reuters/The Hollywood Reporter (2/4)

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Eye on Video

• Cablevision premieres new VOD/DVD offering
  Cablevision Systems today launched its Popcorn DVDs on Demand program, which allows subscribers to order movies on VOD the same day they are available on DVD. The next major release for the service, in which subscribers are also buying the DVD, which is mailed to them later, will be Denzel Washington's "American Gangster" on Feb. 19. Mediaweek (2/4)

Marketing Trends

• Marketers getting emotional about viewers' brand involvement
  A new research tool called NewMediaMetrics allows marketers and networks to gauge the emotional attachment between viewers and brands. Networks such as Turner, Fox and Discovery are experimenting with the system and, according to Beth Rockwood, senior vice president of market resources at Discovery Networks, NMM "has proven to be predictive in viewer behavior ... It has enabled us to link viewers who love a particular brand with our programming." Mediaweek (2/4)

• FCC may amend rules on TV product placement
  A majority of the five FCC members voted in favor of a plan to amend existing disclosure rules concerning product placement, but the commission will hold off issuing a proposed rulemaking until Commissioners Robert McDowell and Deborah Taylor Tate vote on the proposal, according to this article. Ad groups and media companies oppose changes to the current TV product-placement regulations, saying there is no evidence that the practice harms or deceives consumers. TVWeek.com (2/3)

• Ad vignette delivers top C3 numbers for USA
  A new attempt by USA Network to keep viewers interested through commercial breaks has surpassed expectations, according to this article. The channel learned last week that its Jan. 11 showing of "Psych," which contained short, branded cartoon vignettes, earned the show its highest index report from Nielsen Media Research's C3 ratings. Mediaweek (2/4)

• "Ben 10" becomes a teenager, casts wider marketing net
  The lead character of Cartoon Network's "Ben 10," when it returns with fresh episodes this spring, will have aged five years. The plot twist for the show, which will be renamed "Ben 10: Alien Force," transforms Ben into a teenager and, therefore, allows the channel to pursue a wider, more teen-centric advertising strategy. Brandweek (2/4)

Hot Topics

Top five news stories selected by CTAM SmartBrief readers in the past week.

• Mystery bidder paves path for nationwide open network (The Washington Post)

• Bright House to roll out "Start Over" in Tampa market (Multichannel News)

• FCC's McDowell urges caution on cable a la carte (Broadcasting & Cable)

• FiOS TV reaches 1 million milestone, Verizon says (Mediaweek)

• Current Media aims to raise $100 million with IPO (NYTimes.com)

• Results based on number of times each story was clicked by readers.

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Advanced Products

• ESPN to open site to students, military
  Sports cable network ESPN soon will allow college students and military personnel to access its paid broadband site ESPN360 for free. ESPN hopes to increase site traffic by dropping its subscription requirement for select users. NYTimes.com (2/4)

• National Geographic Channel site gets a makeover
  The National Geographic Channel is launching an ad-supported Web site dedicated to broadband video that will be organized by genre, such as "Animals & Nature," "Exploration & Adventure" and "History & Events." The Web site averages about 1 million unique viewers each month and, according to this article, NGC executives are looking to add four new video channels a year to the online offering. Broadcasting & Cable (2/2)

Association News

• Beckman, Battista and Goldman in the same room
  These seasoned industry executives from Fox, Gemstar-TV Guide and Current TV will discuss how consumers are transforming the business at the 2008 CTAM Research Conference! On-site registration available.

• The first-ever CTAM Mark Awards Blog
  The first submission deadline for the 2008 Mark Awards competition is Feb. 12. Because of the importance of all the steps to enter, the Mark Awards Blog invites entrants to ask questions, as well as past judges, winners and committee members to share their valuable experiences and tips for winning.

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