TV Watch
TV Watch

Recession’s Upside: Better Ratings From Unhappier Viewers
TV executives should love unhappy TV viewers. In a weakening economy, with advertising dollars slipping away, more TV viewers with sad faces could be the silver lining.

Hulu Good For Traditional TV Advertisers; YouTube, Not So Much
NBC's lowly fourth-place position among TV networks is in direct counterpoint to its growing Internet video position. Glowing press reviews of NBC Universal and News Corp's joint-venture Internet video Web site, Hulu.com, now promise even better news. With some $70 million in total revenues -- virtually all advertising revenues -- Hulu's numbers are getting close to, dare we say, YouTube.

TV’s New Metrics — Ben Silverman Knows The Score
Is a network that is down 13% in ratings but up 50% in profitability a success? From just these metrics you might say, at this specific moment, yes. These numbers are attached to NBC network, and in particular a reflection on Ben Silverman , co-chairman of NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios.

The Not-So-Secret Of Success for Internet Shows: Advertise On TV
It takes more than a little word-of-mouth buzz to be a successful original Internet show. Better use one of marketing's most effective tools: TV.

Happy TV Dreaming: Consumers Think Everyone Will Get HDTV
Television terms such as HDTV, digital TV, and VOD can be confusing -- especially to the average Joe. Now matter how hard your Best Buy salesperson explains things, not everyone may have a full understanding of the new television tech language.

Think Commercials Make An Impact? Consumers More Likely To Remember Free Pen With Logo
Some T-shirts I cannot live without. Now I'm told General Motors, AT&T, Geico Insurance, and the Perfect Push-up should contribute to my wardrobe -- especially if they want to sell me some real product down the road.

Live Cable’s Fleeting Profanities: Do They Matter To Viewers Or Advertisers?
Once again, don't be surprised if your favorite actor or TV newsperson on any cable network says some profanity. They can do it as often, as long as they like. It happened yesterday on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" program when Joe Scarborough talked about the "steady nature" of Barack Obama, David Axelrod, and Robert Gibbs, and how new chief of staff Rahm Emanuel will fit in.

An Oprah Show On Cable Doesn’t Make Financial — Or Influential — Sense
If Oprah Winfrey brings her long-time syndicated show to cable, it wouldn't be to make money. For one of the richest women in the world, it'll have to be for something else.

TV’s November Sweep Is Here, And Viewers Ask: ‘So What?’
As a lead-in to the first Wednesday of the November sweep period, the Presidential election did little for the broadcast networks' regularly scheduled programming.

TV’s New White Spaces Could Be Black Eye
The Federal Communications Commission freeing up those wireless white spaces in the broadcast spectrum should mean more competition for those big media companies. Or, maybe not.