Reading this on a mobile device? Try our optimized mobile version here: http://r.smartbrief.com/resp/jEpwhMrCCohKvllMYp

January 31, 2008 News for the cable and broadband industry   Business News  FCC's McDowell urges caution on cable a la carte FCC Commissioner Robert McDowell said he believed the cable industry could be moving toward an a la carte model, but cautioned against the commission's moving too aggressively on the issue. McDowell called cable pricing a "fragile economic ecosystem" and added that the FCC should be "very, very careful" in unbundling cable offerings. Broadcasting & Cable (1/30) Cablevision stock jumps after analyst's reversal An influential stock analyst who had predicted that Cablevision Systems would see a subscriber decrease in the fourth quarter now says the company actually will add hundreds of new customers. The news sent Cablevision shares up 8% earlier in the week. CED Magazine (1/2008) More cities likely to see Imus on cable TV RFD-TV, a cable channel that carries the simulcast of Don Imus' radio show, has announced that it has inked an affiliation deal with Comcast that could lead to carriage in Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco and other major cities. RFD also is trying to gain carriage on Time Warner Cable, which would allow Imus' show to be viewed in New York City and Los Angeles. NYTimes.com (1/30) Spectrum auction passes key financial threshold The U.S. government's auction of airwaves in the 700-megahertz communications spectrum has passed the $10-billion mark. After five days and 16 rounds of bidding, companies such as cable firms and telecoms have committed $11.57 billion, according to this article. The Wall Street Journal (tiered subscription model)/Dow Jones Newswires (1/30)   Trying to figure out your 2008 hiring budget? Take advantage of CTAM SmartBrief job packs! Purchase multiple listings at a time at a cost savings to you. You can use your jobs anytime throughout the year. Reach out to 29,000 cable and telecommunications industry professionals in the Who's Hiring section of this newsletter. Sign up and get started today!     Programming News    Sci Fi develops new environment for "Sanctuary" Sci Fi Channel has ordered 13 episodes of "Sanctuary," a drama series starring Amanda Tapping. The show began as a high-definition Web series and, according to this report, will become the first TV program to use live actors with virtual, computer-generated sets. The Hollywood Reporter (1/31) ABC Family adds "Middleman," extinguishes "Wildfire" ABC Family has announced a number of pilot pickups, including a show titled "The Middleman," which will star Natalie Morales as a struggling artist coaxed into crime-fighting derring-do. The network also announced it would not renew "Wildfire," currently in its fourth season. The Hollywood Reporter (1/31)   Eye on Video  TNS offers new take on TV viewing In an apparent move to challenge Nielsen's supremacy in the TV-ratings business, TNS Media Research will roll out a new service that will gauge, on a second-by-second basis, the TV viewing habits of American households based on set-top box data from 100,000 DirecTV subscribers around the country. The Wall Street Journal (free content) (1/31) Study: DTV-transition awareness up among consumers Nearly 80% of consumers are aware of the pending digital-TV transition set for Feb. 17, 2009, which is more than double the awareness a year ago, according to one study. Mediaweek (1/30)   Marketing Trends    FNC beats CNN and MSNBC combined on State of the Union ratings Fox News Channel was the ratings champ for President George W. Bush's final State of the Union address, according to live-plus-same-day ratings from Nielsen Media Research. FNC's coverage averaged 4.48 million total viewers, while CNN averaged 2.69 million and MSNBC totaled 1.18 million. Mediaweek (1/30)   Advanced Products  Showtime to set up private online screenings for Emmy judges In a move to save money and, apparently, the environment, Showtime has inked a deal with Brightcove to put full seasons of its top series on a special Web site for Emmy Awards judges. "I think the Academy members are ready for this," said Richard Licata, executive vice president of corporate communications at the channel. "This will eliminate the enormous amount of packaging that has inundated members and ultimately ends up in our landfills." Variety (subscription required) (1/30) Study says high-speed Internet is available to all ... almost A new government report says that the U.S. is well on its way to achieving President George W. Bush's goal to make access to high-speed Internet available to all U.S. residents. According to the study, which was criticized by some for being overly optimistic, broadband access for all Americans has been reached "to a very great degree." The Washington Post/Associated Press (1/30) The Buzz(CORPORATE ANNOUNCEMENTS) Hot off its ground-breaking debut season on HBO, Tell Me You Love Me: The Complete First Season arrives in stores on February 12, 2008 from HBO Video. The candid adult series offers an intimate and unfiltered look at three couples as they navigate through critical periods in their relationships. SAVING $6 MILLION ANNUALLY. Wilen Group LC has saved a key client over $6 million this past year. It did this through its database management, hygiene, repair services and team of experts. That savings was reinvested into additional marketing efforts that helped the client to grow their business further. Let Wilen Group clean and manage your database now. Interested in learning more about advertising in CTAM SmartBrief? Contact Mark Lasser at 202-737-5500 x317 or mark.lasser@smartbrief.com.     Association News  Today's the deadline! Register now for Summit '08 Register today for The CTAM Summit and you'll save up to 20%. Join the brightest minds in cable to share ideas and think differently about marketing and technology-based products. Register today to secure your spot and get the lowest price available. Come dine with Anthony Zuiker, creator of "CSI"! Join Anthony Zuiker at CTAM's opening dinner at the 2008 Research Conference in Los Angeles (Feb. 6 to 8). Then hear what Larry W. Jones, president of TV Land, has to say about the industry. On-site registration available. Learn more about CTAM -> Home page  |  Conferences  |  Join CTAM   People & Personalities  Disney Channel hires cartoon wizard from Nickelodeon Eric Coleman, the Nickelodeon executive who oversaw hugely popular animated series such as "SpongeBob SquarePants" and "Avatar," has been hired away by the Disney Channel. Coleman, whose title will be senior vice president of development at Walt Disney TV Animation, begins the new job Monday. The Hollywood Reporter (1/30) Research Analyst Hallmark Channel New York, NY Account Manager, Affiliate Sales HBO Santa Monica, CA Senior Counsel, IP and Entertainment HIT Entertainment New York, NY Account Executive E-Poll Market Research Encino, CA Manager, Client Development E-Poll Market Research Encino, CA Director, Client Development - LA E-Poll Market Research Encino, CA DIRECTOR OF AFFILIATE MARKETING TVN Entertainment Burbank, CA.   SmartQuote from Warner Bros. Digital Distribution You've got bad credit, but good character!" --Arnold "Arnie" Millard (Rick Overton) "The Astronaut Farmer," 2006 Memorable movie quotes brought to you by Warner Bros. Visit us at www.whvdirect.com.     Subscriber Tools       Print friendly format | Web version | Search past news | Archive | Privacy policy Advertise Account Director:  Mark Lasser (202) 737-5500, ext. 317 Download Media Kit Job Board:  Celia Rothschild (202) 470-1159   Read more at SmartBrief.com A powerful website for SmartBrief readers including: Industry Home Readers' Choice Search Archive Who's Hiring? Grab our News Widget Get this RSS Feed Publish your Press Release Download the SmartBrief Android app       Recent CTAM SmartBrief Issues: Wednesday, January 30, 2008 Tuesday, January 29, 2008 Monday, January 28, 2008 Friday, January 25, 2008 Thursday, January 24, 2008     Lead Editor:  Susan Rush Contributing Editor:  Richard Brunelli CTAM Editorial Advisor: Jason King CTAM Editorial Adviser:  Diana Cronan   Mailing Address: SmartBrief, Inc.®, 1100 H ST NW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20005     © 1999-2011 SmartBrief, Inc.® Legal Information