"CBS Corp. Chief Executive Officer Leslie Moonves predicted advertising revenue will increase this year and doesn't see signs of a recession in that market.
Moonves said in an interview today in New York that while he's concerned about the economy, he feels ``very good'' about the fundamentals of CBS's business.
CBS, owner of the most-watched U.S. television network, is among the media companies most vulnerable to a recession, because 73 percent of sales come from advertising, Merrill Lynch & Co. analyst Jessica Reif Cohen said yesterday. The network will attract advertisers, Moonves told Bloomberg Television.
``Even during harder times, the network, which is our bread and butter, still remains a very significant place where advertisers go and is almost recession-proof,'' Moonves said.
CBS declined $1.33, or 5.8 percent, to $21.55 at 12:49 p.m. in New York Stock Exchange composite trading. The stock has dropped this week amid a global sell-off of equities.
The Federal Reserve cut its benchmark interest rate by 0.75 percentage point yesterday, the most in 23 years. The S&P 500 fell to a 16-month low after the Fed's emergency reduction failed to convince investors the U.S. will avoid recession.
Morgan Stanley analyst Benjamin Swinburne reduced his estimate for advertising spending growth to 3.2 percent from 5.4 percent today, citing slowing economies.
Broadcasters have also suffered from an 11-week-old strike by TV and movie writers that forced them to air reruns."
I got up this morning and was checking my email and realized someone had sent me a link to a thread on the CBS board. I got my coffee and wandered over to see what was happening.
The first post is from Chesterkitty saying,"If any fans are willing to donate frequent flyer points to the Guardians Of Jericho, we can then use these to help us bring the guests to Oakley."
I think we are all aware that the Guardians of Jericho do not grow money on trees. The response from Thurbers is a clear one and I certainly agree with it.
"Despite limited hotel space in Oakley, increased attendance for the con is a must. One of the ways this will happen is with guests directly associated with the show", says Thurbers.
Thurber's main point is summed up nicely, "In some cases the value to the Con may be obvious. For example: as many here know I'm a huge Heather fan, an appearance by Sprague would probably have me searching the couch for change to help me attend. OTOH an appearance by Skeet or Lennie would probably have a lot more people searching among their cushions. Now much as I wish the GOJ board had that kind of choice to make, I'm sure they are faced with less obvious decisions. The choice between a writer/producer and a guest star, or production person needs more thought. Who are the fans going to recognize and travel to see? What are they doing at the Con?"
This, to me, says it all. Who will pay to see whom? Who do fans want to see? Thurbers makes the point: "Another hypothetical situation, a staff writer who is willing to give a presentation/question and answer session is probably a bigger draw then say an autograph session with the actor who played Mitchell. Less hypothetical lets take the two announced guests, IMHO, Mike Loomer who has been with the show and on the set for two seasons, is bringing items for 'show and tell', and is excited to mingle with fans would probably be a bigger draw for fans, especially new fans, then Shaun. Don't get me wrong, I love Shaun, but he is not directly attached to Jericho, doesn't have as many behind the scene stories to share, and with his radio show there is easier access to him outside of the Con. If you have enough miles for one roundtrip flight that would be how I would decide. But how does the GOJ plan on making these kinds of decisions?"
Knowing Shaun, for example, I'm willing to bet he'd be agreeable to paying his own way so as to ensure that someone from the Jericho cast/crew could attend. Others might feel the same. While the radio broadcast would certainly be welcomed by fans who could not attend it does not bring cash in to pay for the people directly connected to Jericho. What's a broadcast without special guests?
In the end Thurber's question ("But how does the GOJ plan on making these kinds of decisions?") seems in need of a response.
"One night before CBS starts the second season of Jericho, Sci-Fi begins repeats of the first season. There will be four episodes beginning at 7pm Eastern, taking the place of the usual Star Trek: Enterprise showings. The following week, Enterprise cuts back to three episodes, and Jericho will air one episode at 10pm."
"Even as their supply of new programs dwindles during the months-long writers' strike, major TV networks continue to try to capture online viewers.
Streaming free full-length episodes on their own websites was just the beginning. Episodes from ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC are showing up on an assortment of sites, from big destinations such as AOL to newcomers Veoh and MeeVee.
Signs are that time spent watching video — not just snacks à la YouTube, but full episodes — is increasing. The number of broadband users who watched full shows online weekly doubled in 2007 from 8% to 16%, says market research firm Horowitz Associates.
Embracing the Web is "an acknowledgement that this is real (and networks) have a business model and can monetize it and make it part of their growth," Howard Horowitz says.
By giving consumers online access, networks have learned they can reinforce viewer devotion. "This is mostly driven by TV audiences who missed (an episode) and want to watch it on their computer," says Shelly Palmer, author of Television Disrupted: The Transition From Network to Networked TV. "I don't think NBC or ABC is caring where you watch as long as they can count on you."
"Broadcast TV was always the place to go for multicourse banquets of programming -- anywhere from 13 to 20 or more weeks of your favorite dramas and comedies. Thanks to the writers strike, however, network TV is looking like a nibbler's delight: eight snackable episodes of "Lost," just a taste of "Terminator".
he Writers Guild of America action has forced shorter story arcs on networks and viewers; had writers been available, of course, viewers would be watching a full slate of "24," in which each episode represents one hour in a 24-hour day. A sense is evolving, however, that shorter might be better going forward and that the strike could permanently alter the way TV is programmed and sold.
"A new model that has a continuous season with continuous new programming would benefit all," said Chuck Bachrach, exec VP-director of media communications at independent agency RPA."
When Rich at Copywrite Ink tagged me to write 8 random things about me I had no idea how it would explode. I tagged 4 people then went to RadioFreeJericho and tagged everybody.
Terocious tagged folks on the CBS board and the others tagged folks too so the end result should be quite interesting. For now here are three to read:
I normally take Sundays off from blogging but I couldn't let the death of one of my favorite actresses go unnoticed. Thanks for the memories.
"Suzanne Pleshette, the husky-voiced star best known for her role as Bob Newhart's sardonic wife on television's long-running "The Bob Newhart Show," has died at age 70.
Pleshette, whose career included roles in such films as Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds" and in Broadway plays including "The Miracle Worker," died of respiratory failure Saturday evening at her Los Angeles home, said her attorney Robert Finkelstein, also a family friend.
Pleshette underwent chemotherapy for lung cancer in 2006.
In a 1999 interview, Pleshette observed that being an actress was more important than being a star.
"I'm an actress, and that's why I'm still here," she said. "Anybody who has the illusion that you can have a career as long as I have and be a star is kidding themselves."
"The man who never alters his opinion is like standing water, and breeds reptiles of the mind. ~William Blake"
Opinions do change and mine did so last night while watching old episodes of Jericho. I paid close attention to Jake, Emily, and Heather and realized I have been wrong. Jake needs Heather.
No offense to Ashley Scott who portrays Emily because she is a fine actress. I'm also told she is a warm, giving person. It's just that Jake and Heather make a much better couple.
So, for all you Jake and Heather lovers--I'm on your side now. Clarke, I hope you find this amusing. You already believed this, huh?
"The Internet's most comprehensive site devoted to actress Sprague Grayden with biography, career history, pictures, screenshots, and links.
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