CBS: Paying Big Bucks

No wonder CBS is laying off people.

"CBS Chief Executive Leslie Moonves' compensation soared last year -- to $36.8 million, a 28% increase over the previous year -- even as ratings on its flagship television network slipped and advertising sales at its radio and television stations softened.

Moonves, 58, earned a base salary of $5.3 million for 2007 and was awarded a $18.5 million cash bonus. Moonves also received more than $13 million in stock and option awards, according to the proxy. Moonves struck a new long-term contract with the company in October. The new deal stretches through September 2011."
********************************

"The daily Nielsen ratings do not include the out-of-home viewers yet. When Nielsen makes the data broadly available ­ perhaps as early as this month, in a limited fashion ­ it will be reported separately, apart from the ratings “currency” for buying and selling commercial time. Still, the numbers present a more accurate reflection of the audience for a given episode or event."
********************************

"The Nielsen Company yesterday confirmed that it had made company-wide job cuts—including at its Nielsen Business Media division.

Although it declined to say exactly how many people were let go, Nielsen says this latest round of layoffs puts the company closer to its goal of reducing 4,000 positions, which was part of a restructuring plan announced in December 2006. According to sources, as few as 40 and as many as 200 people were laid off. Nielsen said the cuts were across the entire organization and are not concentrated in any particular brand."

Jericho: The Finale

No television show has ever impacted me the way Jericho has. Therefore, on this Finale night, I'd like to list the top 10 things Jericho has done for me:

1) Jericho has brought people into my life that I probably wouldn't have met otherwise.Some of these friends will remain long after Jericho is gone. You all know who you are and how grateful I am for all you've done for me (and Boo).

2) Jericho has taught me that the networks do not value me. I don't have a Nielsen box so they refuse to count me although they want me to buy from their sponsors.

3) Jericho has taught me about community. I've learned that a passionate group of people really can join together and change things.

4) Jericho has shown me that there are wingnuts in every campaign. Wingnuts work towards their own glory and crave recognition. The big picture, to them, is always one of themselves.

5) I've learned that every idea and opinion deserves consideration. No one idea or person is more important than another.

6) Jericho has taught me that WHO you know is not as important as what you do.

7) Jericho has taught me that CBS plays dirty pool. They are not the network that cares about their audience; they care about our money.

8) Jericho has shown me that Nielsen ratings are horribly wrong and that multi-platform viewers need to be counted.

9) Jericho has taught me that perseverance and strength can be found in the weakest moments.

10) Finally, Jericho has taught me that the world is still full of good people.

" Love knows no limit to its endurance,no end to its trust,no fading of hope,it can outlast anything.

Love still stands when all else has fallen."
Unknown author

I love Jericho and my Jericho family. Some things can never be canceled.

Big Bucks Boss

"While striking writers and Hollywood studios are still negotiating a contract, CBS Corp. Chief Executive Officer Leslie Moonves has a honey of a new one.

Here's what Moonves, 58, is getting in the agreement that runs through October 2011:

A base salary of $3.5 million.

A target bonus of $10.5 million, three times his salary. That's what Moonves gets essentially for showing up. There could be more if he performs, though nothing is specified.

An option covering 5 million shares.

An annual grant of free shares worth $7.6 million on each of four grant dates during his contract. To earn them, Moonves will have to achieve a performance target for budgeted free-cash flow.

A make-whole provision so Moonves doesn't face the higher income tax that New York state and New York City levy compared with California. That allows Moonves to spend whatever time he wants at his company's New York headquarters and not suffer any monetary consequences compared with spending all his time at CBS in California.

For this, Moonves isn't required to work more than five days a month and eight hours a day. Assuming he works the maximum hours, his pay rate, including cash and the current stock price, would be a lovely $9,800 an hour."

Moonves, Money, and CBS

"CBS suffers sharp decline in earnings"

"Investors Flip The Channel On CBS"


"CBS's Moonves 'Very Pleased' With How Advertisers View TV
But he also acknowledged that the venue is in the midst of great change, with ratings for commercials now gaining sway over commercials for programs.
So-called C3 ratings, which account for viewership of commercial breaks but also include viewers who watch TV ads as much as three days after they air with digital video recorders, are fast becoming standard, said Mr. Moonves."



According to this article by David Kiley, "In gearing up for Nielsen ratings of commercial viewing, not just the programs, CBS has been tinkering with some terrible ideas. The worst is probably the practice of cutting up the monologue of Craig Ferguson, host of The Late Late Show, in half by inserting a four minute pod of commercials. Yikes. How stupid does CBS think we are. Those who are up at that hour to watch the moderately talented Ferguson aren’t going to tune in long under that scenario."


PASS THE PEANUT PLEASE!!!!!!!!

We have the opportunity to make history again...As you know we Rangers are faithful voters in TV_Vote Poll for the best shows of all time..

* We average about 507 votes each day.
* We currently need 1,151 votes to make make the number 1 place in the Daily Top 40 poll.
* We will need 4,139 votes (as of today) to make it into the Top 40 shows of all time!
* Looking at our average totals we should hold the #1 Daily Top 40 poll by this weekend, and Jericho could hold a one of the spots in the top 40 best shows of all time in less than 2 weeks.

If we start a Pass the Peanut Marathon it might not only help with the numbers, but also add a bit of fun to the whole voting process!