| December 19, 2007 | News for the cable and broadband industry |
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- MTV casts Bruckheimer in gaming role
Hot on the heels of its successful launch of the Rock Band video game, Viacom's MTV has forged a partnership with film producer Jerry Bruckheimer to create new games for a variety of platforms. "These are for original games for MTV Games and it is our hope that some of this IP [intellectual property] and characters will migrate to TV and film," said Van Toffler, president of MTV Networks. The Boston Globe/Reuters (free registration)
(12/19)       
- Allen plans wireless-auction bid
Paul Allen, the co-founder of Microsoft and a majority shareholder in Charter Communications, will be a bidder in the Jan. 24 wireless auction, according to this report. Allen's Vulcan Spectrum will join other bidders, including Google, AT&T and Verizon Wireless. The Boston Globe/Reuters (free registration)
(12/18)
| Programming News |  | |
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- Food Network to serve up more Rachael Ray
Cooking phenomenon Rachael Ray of The Food Network will debut a prime-time series Jan. 12 titled "Rachael's Vacation," in which she delves into culinary treasures around the world. The network also announced that it would produce 60 new episodes of "30 Minute Meals," Ray's daytime show. Google/Associated Press
(12/18)
- USA Network posts weekly prime-time win
USA Network got a strong performance from its "WWE Raw" wrestling series Dec. 10 to finish first in last week's prime-time race among basic-cable channels. USA averaged a 1.2 during the week, according to Nielsen Media Research, and was closely followed by ABC Family and the Disney Channel, both of which averaged a 1.1 rating in prime time. Multichannel News
(12/18)
| Eye on Video | | |
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- Study: Most with DVRs aren't time-shifting
Just 28% of DVR users account for 72% of the time-shifting that is going on in TV land, according to a new study from Interpublic's Magna Global. The finding suggests that most people with DVRs usually watch shows in real time and are not recording programs for later viewing. MediaPost Communications
(12/18)
| Marketing Trends | | |
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- FCC notice on product-promo rules on hold, could get OK by year's end
FCC Chairman Kevin Martin dropped from Tuesday's public meeting agenda a vote on a notice of proposed rulemaking for TV product placement, but could approve the notice before the end of the year. The three major ad trade groups -- the American Advertising Federation, the American Association of Advertising Agencies and the Association of National Advertisers -- on Friday called on the FCC to instead issue an information-gathering notice of inquiry, saying current product placement disclosure rules are sufficient. The Hollywood Reporter
(12/19)
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| The Buzz(CORPORATE ANNOUNCEMENTS)
The HBO Documentary, I Am An Animal: The Story of Ingrid Newkirk and PETA, out on DVD from HBO Video on January 8, 2008, provides an exclusive look at Newkirk's personality and motivations as well as PETA's ideology and often militant tactics, while counterbalancing views with the voices of some of the organization's outspoken critics.
Interested in learning more about advertising in CTAM SmartBrief? Contact Mark Lasser at 202-737-5500 x317 or mark.lasser@smartbrief.com.
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| Advanced Products | | |
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- PBS debuts dedicated Joost channel
PBS has joined the National Basketball Association in launching a channel on online video provider Joost that will feature full episodes of "History Detectives" and "Scientific American Frontiers," along with PBS specials and other programs. Several MTV Networks, including Comedy Central and VH1, also offer TV content on Joost. Mediaweek
(12/18)
| Association News | | |
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| People & Personalities | | |
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- Bridgen gets top Comcast SportsNet post in New England
Bill Bridgen has been named executive vice president and general manager of Comcast SportsNet New England. He had been executive vice president of distribution and network development at Comcast-owned or Comcast-operated channels such as The Golf Channel and E! Entertainment TV. Variety (subscription required)
(12/18)
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--Jake Tyler Brigance (Matthew McConaughey)
"A Time to Kill," 1996
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