Every weekday in 2014, I'll be keeping an eye on what's happening in the media. My focus will be on some of my favorite subjects...the moguls, the pundits, the broadcast news biz, show business, and the publishing business. (Read "$everance" if you want a crystallization of my positions on those subjects.) And, of course, I'll also keep tabs on Chicago's media.
Chicago Media
~Are Cubs Games Moving to WBBM?
The Chicago Tribune's Ed Sherman speculates what will happen after this current Cubs radio contract runs out.
Showbiz
~Hal Douglas passes away
Hal was one of the all-time great movie trailer narrators. You've undoubtedly heard his work. He passed away at the age of 89. He's the voice in this trailer...
The Moguls
~Senate Judiciary Panel Sets Hearing Date for Comcast Merger
These are always fascinating, because you learn who is bought and paid for by the six or seven people in the world in favor of this merger.
~As the Rupert Turns
I haven't checked in on the phone hacking trial in awhile. Today we hear Rebekkah Brooks deny that she is testifying from a memorized prepared script.
~Warren Buffet Buys A TV Station in Miami
Don't look now, but one of the richest men in the world has slowly but surely been buying up media properties.
Broadcast News
~NBC News President Meets with David Gregory
They are meeting today to discuss ways to fix the now third-place "Meet the Press".
The Pundits
~Neil Steinberg Takes Down Bill O'Reilly
O'Reilly was shocked (Shocked!) that the president would appear on a comedy show, and said Abe Lincoln would never do that. Neil Steinberg gives lots of examples proving exactly the opposite.
The FCC
~Indecency Complaints at a Ten-Year Low
From Inside Radio today...
"As broadcasters mark the 10-year anniversary of the infamous “wardrobe malfunction” that set off a decade of scrutiny, the FCC reports the number of indecency complaints fell to their lowest level in more than a decade in 2013. An Inside Radio analysis shows the number of complaints filed against radio and TV stations fell by one-third last year to 1,470."
