Broadcast News Roundup 2/13

Posted on: February 13, 2008

L.A. Fox station wins praise for real-estate fraud reports
Fox owned-and-operated Los Angeles station KTTV deserves praise for reports on an alleged fraudulent real-estate investment scheme, both preceding and following the filing of grand theft, forgery, identity theft and other charges, according to L.A. District Attorney Steve Cooley. “The public needs to be vigilant to guard against scam artists who target the weakest and most susceptible,” Cooley said. “That is why the investigative reporting of Fox 11 News on this case should be commended.” TVNEWSDAY (free registration)

Agencies’ wish-list for a new television era
Some Madison Avenue executives are hoping for a transformed TV programming environment in the wake of the WGA strike. Many expressed the hope that the major networks would turn to a year-round programming schedule as opposed to cramming series debuts into a compressed period. Some also suggested there is a need for a more flexible upfront and fewer season-long serials that require intense attention. The New York Times

Comcast to challenge FCC cap on cable subscribers
Comcast said it would challenge in court a rule adopted by the FCC in December, but just made official, that no cabler can serve more than 30% of all U.S. subscribers. TVWeek.com, Broadcasting & Cable, Multichannel News

DTV converters now available at Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart Stores is now offering Magnavox DTV converter boxes at its 3,400 stores in the U.S. — a week before the NTIA begins filling requests for the $40 coupons toward the purchase of the devices. Multichannel News

Nielsen panelists to report on Web video viewing
Nielsen, in response to changes in viewer behavior, by the end of this year will begin measuring viewership of shows watched via personal computer. The ratings firm says it will begin installing measurement equipment into the home computers of its TV ratings panel participants in the second half of 2008. Advertising Age

Other News

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