Posted on 02/07/2009 2:44:24 PM PST by Kevin J waldroup
Cable cancellations Scripps Networks Interactive, which operates the Food Network and other cable outlets, said Feb. 5 that the percentage of upfront cancellations is running in the low double digits, as opposed to cancellation rates of 2% to 5% in the first quarter.
Speaking to investors on a conference call held by investment-bank Credit Suisse First Boston on Feb. 6, Mel Berning, A&E Networks exec VP-national ad sales, said second-quarter option cancellations could come in at about 10% across cable. Top-tier outlets have been able to maintain scatter pricing, he said, but scatter at other places is down by percentages in the mid-single digits. Mr. Berning said it was difficult to figure out how much money was being reclaimed because of business problems and how much because advertisers are trying to play out the marketplace.
TV executives this week also pointed to advertising softness in the fourth quarter, with more cancellations than expected. Speaking on a conference call with investors and the media on Feb. 5, News Corp. President-Chief Operating Officer Peter Chernin said the company expected fourth-quarter cancellations to "end up" at about 11%, and saw 7% to 8% in the third quarter. "And so, we're seeing an increase, but not increase all that dramatically," he said. Scatter, or ad inventory purchased closer to air date, has been holding at or above upfront prices, he said.
(Excerpt) Read more at adage.com ...
December 19, 2008 4:00 AM PST
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-10125962-94.html
SNL Kagan data also indicates that cable penetration of homes passed peaked at 65.5% in 1998. As of yearend 2006, cable subscriptions stood at 65.4 million, or 58.4% of 111.9 million homes passed, according to the data. Due to two recent quarters of declining cable subscriptions, this figure is likely to drop further by the end of 2007, SNL Kagan said.”
http://www.marketingcharts.com/television/snl-kagan-cable-subscription-data-contradicts-fcc-chairman-kevin-martin-2634/
HDTV (High Definition Television)
is here today, and it’s FREE!
See the Public Service Announcement
Don’t be misled…
you don’t have to use a pay service to have “High Definition Television” (HDTV)
http://www.myfreehdtv.org/body.html
According to two recent studies, HDTVs are now in about one-third of all homes, making it increasingly important for pay TV operators to deploy a strong high-definition offering if they wish to retain current customers. And the Consumer Electronics Association predicts that some 27.7 million new HD sets will be sold in 2009.
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6620569.html
You do at my place. Here in Columbia, MD, midway between Baltimore and DC, reception of all kinds of RF broadcasts can be very poor.
I cannot receive a clear picture on regular TV much less HDTV. Many of the people I know around the area report the same. I don't even get a decent cell phone signal in my apartment, and I live on the top floor of the building.
This is pure and unadulterated BULLSH!T!!! You can barely watch TV for all the @#$@#$#$#@ commercials every seven minutes. I just don't believe anyone's cutting back on ads, I'm sorry. And if they do, it's a blessing.
Maybe the crappy ads for ‘shamwow’ and the like are cut rate ads available for fill in when the station has no regular paid ads to run. There is a name for such an ad (crappy would be one word of course).
we have directtv and are seriously considering getting rid of it. I watch the news and history channel and even these are a joke anymore, there is really just nothing worth watching, its all just vulgar poorly written leftist crap with the token envirowacko gay democrats glorifed at every opportunity. The dumbing down of America is complete.
we recently bought some dvds of classic tv shows and now find we have no reason to subscribe at all.
Netflix. Make it your friend.
I just finished up the second season of Columbo, and am starting on the second season of The Invaders tonight.
TV stinks! ‘Nuf said.
Yup. I wrote a whole vanity on this a few weeks ago about how it is time for every red blooded conservative to consider cancelling your cable or satellite subscription. The biggest hump for most people to get over is to lose sports coverage. But I ask you, if you are so outraged by the last 18 days since O's inauguration and believe the "stimulus bill" has a good chance of putting us at a point of no return and say to yourself time and time again, "We have to do something!" then, like Dorothy, you need to know that you have had the power all along.
By dumping cable or satellite you are weakening the propoganda ability of millions of liberals, from advertisers to programmers to writers to directors to the biggest ones, "journalists", and empowering yourself. No need for hundred of individual companies that make hundreds of products to be boycotted. One call and wala instant empowerment. Millions of fellow conservatives cancelling would make enough of a dent that all of a sudden either the networks will get bailed out and become Pravda or they actually change their act and place some balance.
Netflix is great because the royalties are minimal vs. purchase or ad-based forums, the choice is always right (OK you may take a chance here and there and be disappointed), no commercials, and with Netflix tons of instant viewing movies and tv shows.
So whenever I hear a fellow conservative ask me firsthand what can be done I essentially give the above speech, remind them how the MSM essentially put Obama and the Dems in office and then ask them if they'll go for it like I did and cancel their subscription. I tell those that say they can't live without their boobtube or it won't make any difference, "OK. Go ahead and keep feeding the Beast but never complain to me again about how you can't seem to be able to do anything to combat the Libs. That one call will be the most effective, broadbased way to weaken the Libs and your just whistling past the graveyard."
Well said and I couldn’t agree more. :)
I put up a nice antenna on the roof. Lots of good HD coming in now, with about 2 or 3 channels per station. Better than cable quality, and totally free.
I have been setting up a dedicated laptop to get internet feeds on the TV. I don't think I'll miss much.
I lost interest in the previous season of "24", so I got the last 8 episodes from Netflix, and DVRd "24:Redemption", so I could catch up to watch this Season. It's so great to be able to watch it with NO commercials! We hadn't watched Babylon 5, when it was on TV, so we went through all the seasons of that one, too.
CEO Surprise: Please Raise My Taxes
http://abcnews.go.com/Business/CEOProfiles/story?id=6823376&page=1
More tax morons wont ever get one dollar from me.
Just cause someone is smart enough to run a company doesn’t mean they necessarily have a lot of sense. If he wants to pay more taxes, he can do that each year by just writing the US Treasury a check.
It’s weird here.
At our old apartment in Laurel (Howard County side) I could get all but one Baltimore and all but two Washington stations with a simple set of rabbit ears.
At the townhouse in Columbia, only 5 miles away, I get maybe 2 B-more and 1 DC station on the same set of rabbit ears.
When I first moved to Columbia, I talked with a Verizon technician about the strange dead spot around my apt. complex. He said that there are small dead spots scattered all over Columbia, and larger areas where reception of all sorts is weak. He didn’t know why.
My (possibly tin foil hat theory) opinion is that it has something to do with the FCC radio towers in the Guilford area.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.