Is the future of network TV online?
The Web has given broadcast TV networks a new tool for reaching viewers amid a programming shortage prompted by the ongoing writers strike, according to this article. The number of broadband users who watched full episodes of TV series online in 2007 doubled from 8% to 16%, according to Horowitz Associates. These numbers show “this is real [and networks] have a business model and can monetize it and make it part of their growth,” Howard Horowitz said. USA TODAY

Zucker: Upfront show could be canceled and may not come back
NBC’s lavish “dog-and-pony show” at Radio City Music Hall for its upfront presentation could be scrapped or scaled back due to the writers strike, and may not ever return to its full form, according to comments made in several interviews by NBC Universal chief Jeff Zucker. “Things like that are all vestiges of an era that’s gone by and won’t return,” Zucker told the Financial Times. Variety

Do politics and football mix?
Campaign managers and political consultants are mulling how to get TV viewers focused on the Feb. 5 Super Tuesday presidential primaries, given that the NFL’s Super Bowl falls on Feb. 3. Is it possible one of the candidates will try his or her hand at a Super Bowl spot to cut through the clutter? It’s not likely, according to an expert cited in this article. Seattle Post-Intelligencer/Associated Press

Obama’s national ad-buy criticized by Clinton campaign
U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., has become the first among the current crop of Democratic presidential hopefuls to make a national ad buy, on CNN and MSNBC. The move was criticized by the campaign of rival U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., for allegedly violating a joint promise to the Democratic National Committee not to compete for primary voters in Florida, which moved up its contest to before Feb. 1 against the wishes of the Democratic Party. Obama’s campaign claims it couldn’t buy national time on the cable nets without including Florida. TVWeek.com

FCC sets date to retest unlicensed wireless devices
The FCC on Jan. 24 will retest the prototype, unlicensed devices developed by Adaptrum, Microsoft, Motorola and Philips Electronics North America for delivering broadband services over the unused portion of the broadcast spectrum. NAB spokesman Dennis Wharton responded, saying: “We are not opposed to new technology; however, given the failing grade performance and incomplete implementation of the devices submitted in the first round of tests, we have a high degree of skepticism whether tests of these devices will demonstrate that a practical service using portable devices can be introduced without jeopardizing DTV service.” PC Magazine, The Hollywood Reporter/Associated Press

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