Saturday, September 23, 2006
CNN NOT Connected to Amherst IDA Spot
Source: The Buffalo News A Florida television production company that charged the Amherst Industrial Development Agency $19,000 for a series of five-minute segments of television exposure on CNN has no connection with the cable news giant, a network spokeswoman said Friday.
In addition, the Florida producers of "Pulse on America" have no right to claim they are connected to CNN or CNN Headline News, CNN spokeswoman Laurie Goldberg said.
"We don't do that," she said, referring to the "Pulse on America" program.
CNN's lawyers were checking into the matter, she said, following a story in The Buffalo News about the IDA's purchase of time on CNN through the Florida producers.
"These are clearly advertisements. They have nothing to do with Headline News, and that is why we're checking into it," Goldberg said.
The Florida producers, Platinum Television Group, completed their taping session for the segment on Thursday and left town, according to James J. Allen, executive director of the Amherst Industrial Development Agency.
Allen said he expects the Amherst segment to appear on the CNN Headline News network starting next month.
Fran Pahl, a public relations consultant for the Amherst agency, furnished copies of documents explaining how Platinum obtains broadcast time on the cable news network.
According to the documents, CNN Headline News grants cable television providers, such as Time Warner and Adelphia, with two "slots" of cable time each hour, which the cable providers can sell. The slots, each five minutes long, are scheduled at 25 and 55 minutes after the hour.
Platinum Television buys these commercial slots from the cable providers and uses them to air its segments.
The documents also explain that Platinum and its programs "have no direct affiliation with the networks on which they air." CNN's disclaimer was the latest twist in a long-running dispute over the Amherst IDA's role in local development. Allen claims his agency was chosen for the broadcast because it is more respected nationally than locally, where it is under fire from the Amherst Town Board and the Erie County IDA.
Allen said he suspects his agency caught the attention of someone outside Western New York, who convinced Florida producers to do a segment on the IDA's role in local development.
In addition, the Florida producers of "Pulse on America" have no right to claim they are connected to CNN or CNN Headline News, CNN spokeswoman Laurie Goldberg said.
"We don't do that," she said, referring to the "Pulse on America" program.
CNN's lawyers were checking into the matter, she said, following a story in The Buffalo News about the IDA's purchase of time on CNN through the Florida producers.
"These are clearly advertisements. They have nothing to do with Headline News, and that is why we're checking into it," Goldberg said.
The Florida producers, Platinum Television Group, completed their taping session for the segment on Thursday and left town, according to James J. Allen, executive director of the Amherst Industrial Development Agency.
Allen said he expects the Amherst segment to appear on the CNN Headline News network starting next month.
Fran Pahl, a public relations consultant for the Amherst agency, furnished copies of documents explaining how Platinum obtains broadcast time on the cable news network.
According to the documents, CNN Headline News grants cable television providers, such as Time Warner and Adelphia, with two "slots" of cable time each hour, which the cable providers can sell. The slots, each five minutes long, are scheduled at 25 and 55 minutes after the hour.
Platinum Television buys these commercial slots from the cable providers and uses them to air its segments.
The documents also explain that Platinum and its programs "have no direct affiliation with the networks on which they air." CNN's disclaimer was the latest twist in a long-running dispute over the Amherst IDA's role in local development. Allen claims his agency was chosen for the broadcast because it is more respected nationally than locally, where it is under fire from the Amherst Town Board and the Erie County IDA.
Allen said he suspects his agency caught the attention of someone outside Western New York, who convinced Florida producers to do a segment on the IDA's role in local development.
# posted by ATN @ 10:02 PM 
Lemon Debuts
CNN newbie Don Lemon co-anchored CNN Saturday Morning with Susan Roesgen. He was set to debut Monday during his regular time with Kyra Phillips on CNN Newsroom.
# posted by ATN @ 8:56 AM
TWC Moving Towards More Personality Driven Programs
It happened to cable news years ago, now it's coming to The Weather Channel, . TWC will debut Abrams and Bettes Monday, September 25. I guess Evening Edition is history. Abrams and Bettes begins at 8pm ET M-F. It's slogan is "Get Weather From Every Angle." Next it will claim to be "Fair and Balanced", huh? Check out the show's homepage.
# posted by ATN @ 8:48 AM
Friday, September 22, 2006
CNN Newsroom Expands to Weekends
According to the CNN/US schedule, CNN Newsroom has been expanded to the weekends. CNN Newsroom will air from 10am-1pm, 2pm-3pm and 10pm-11pm on Saturdays. On Sundays "Newsroom will air from 4pm- 7pm and 10pm-11pm.# posted by ATN @ 10:15 PM
CNN's Morning Grind Political E-letter is History
Just got home from work and found this in my inbox:
"Dear Loyal Morning Grind Readers:
For years, CNN’s “Morning Grind” has provided political junkies of all stripes with the latest political news and analysis. On Monday, the Grind will pass the baton to the “CNN Political Ticker,” which will deliver the biggest political headlines to your e-mail inboxes every morning and afternoon, as well as provide the latest political developments throughout the day on CNN.com/ticker.
The "CNN Political Ticker" will draw on the vast expertise of CNN reporters and utilize the worldwide resources of the network to provide readers with our unparalleled political coverage and analysis of the upcoming midterm elections and the looming 2008 race for the White House.
The "CNN Political Ticker" will be updated throughout the day with the latest, breaking political news on CNN.com, which attracts 23 million unique users each month. You will also get the day's top political headlines delivered to your e-mail inbox by 9 a.m. each weekday with our new "CNN Political Ticker A.M." dispatch.
In the afternoon, you will receive the "CNN Political Ticker P.M." -- a summary of the day's political events as well as a snapshot look ahead at the next day's top political stories. CNN.com/ticker will have an RSS feed if you are interested in receiving updates as new postings appear on the newswire.
If you have any feedback, suggestions or news tips, drop us a line at politicalticker@cnn.com.
See you at the finish line in November 2008, when we take a minute to come up for air before diving back in as a president-elect prepares to move into the White House and Congressional candidates plot strategy for the 2010 midterm elections.
The CNN Political Team"
"Dear Loyal Morning Grind Readers:
For years, CNN’s “Morning Grind” has provided political junkies of all stripes with the latest political news and analysis. On Monday, the Grind will pass the baton to the “CNN Political Ticker,” which will deliver the biggest political headlines to your e-mail inboxes every morning and afternoon, as well as provide the latest political developments throughout the day on CNN.com/ticker.
The "CNN Political Ticker" will draw on the vast expertise of CNN reporters and utilize the worldwide resources of the network to provide readers with our unparalleled political coverage and analysis of the upcoming midterm elections and the looming 2008 race for the White House.
The "CNN Political Ticker" will be updated throughout the day with the latest, breaking political news on CNN.com, which attracts 23 million unique users each month. You will also get the day's top political headlines delivered to your e-mail inbox by 9 a.m. each weekday with our new "CNN Political Ticker A.M." dispatch.
In the afternoon, you will receive the "CNN Political Ticker P.M." -- a summary of the day's political events as well as a snapshot look ahead at the next day's top political stories. CNN.com/ticker will have an RSS feed if you are interested in receiving updates as new postings appear on the newswire.
If you have any feedback, suggestions or news tips, drop us a line at politicalticker@cnn.com.
See you at the finish line in November 2008, when we take a minute to come up for air before diving back in as a president-elect prepares to move into the White House and Congressional candidates plot strategy for the 2010 midterm elections.
The CNN Political Team"
# posted by ATN @ 10:02 PM
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Phillips Last Journalist to Fly High in the F-14 “Tomcat”
From Vietnam to Tom Cruise and TOP GUN, from Tora Bora to Shock and Awe.....now the most famous strike fighter jet goes to bed. The F-14 is being retired this week and the US Navy has asked CNN's Kyra Phillips to be the last journalist to fly in the jet. Kyra was embedded with F-14 pilots during the Gulf War, also flew with them in a combat training mission. We are live from Oceana Naval Air Station in Norfolk , home to the world's largest Naval Base, talking live about the F-14's capabilities, it's place in history and about this week's final farewell.
CAROL LIN, ANCHOR: From the skies over Vietnam to the caves of Tora Bora to "shock and awe" in Baghdad , the F-14 has served the United States for more than 30 years. This week, the supersonic war bird is ready to retire.
And CNN's Kyra Phillips shows and knows these awesome jets. The Navy picked her as the last journalist to fly in the Tomcat before it's grounded for good. She's at Oceania Naval Air Station in Virginia Beach , Virginia .
Kyra, I always see you on a landing strip. Why is that?
PHILLIPS: Maybe because I'm addicted to it, and I just can't get enough of it. I feel like this is my life in another lifetime, Carol.
But it's been -- I tell you what, it's a piece of history, happening right here before our eyes. I mean, naval aviation goes back decades. It's participated in all the major wars.
And if you talk to any aviator, any crew member that helps get an aircraft together and get it off the deck of a carrier or off a flight line, it's all about safety. It's all about, well, freedom. Those are the two words you always hear. But it takes a special gift to be able to not only take care of an aircraft but also to fly it.
Now let me tell you, coming up right behind me is the pilot that's going to fly me today in that final flight, Lieutenant Commander Dave Fanley, call sign "Superfly." We'll tell you about that later.
In the back seat, the RIO , the radar intercept officer. We've got Lieutenant Commander Fitz Gentry (ph). I'm going to try to get them on the coms right now, because they're gearing up for our flight, the final flight, that I feel very lucky to be a part of, to be able to take you inside the cockpit and see it first hand, and tell you about the history of the aircraft, how it works and why it's been so important in naval aviation.
Let me see if I can get them on the line. Supa, this is Kyra. Do you have contact with me?
LT. COMMANDER DAVE FANLEY, U.S. NAVY: This is Superfly. We're coming back in to pick you up.
PHILLIPS: Fantastic. I'm just curious as you're coming down the flight line, this is your second to last flight. I'm lucky to be with you on one of them. What's going through your mind as this is one of your final flights?
FANLEY: Well, it's a very (UNINTELLIGIBLE) moment. I've had a lot of good times on the Tomcat. It's been a good plane for us. We've done a lot of good together. But I'm looking forward to the new airplane and the new technology and (UNINTELLIGIBLE). So I'm really disappointed to be giving up my old friend, but there are some great times I can remember.
PHILLIPS: I can see you guys coming in now. Why don't you give our viewers a taste of what we're going to do once we're airborne?
# posted by ATN @ 10:38 PM
CNN Partners With Philips in Sponsorship Deal For New CNN News Microsite
Source: Maktoob.com Electronics firm Philips has struck a deal with CNN to sponsor all of its new-media news delivery services including newsletters, video streaming, RSS alerts and mobile news.
Philips will also sponsor the launch of a CNN news microsite, The Briefing Room, a magazine style digest offering a summary of the day's international news, newspaper round-ups and free streaming video headlines. In return, the campaign features exclusive banners and branding across all the platforms.
The deal was brokered by media agency Carat/lsobar to illustrate Philips' "sense and simplicity" and its brand promise to deliver easy-to-use technology in an engaging manner.
Jonathan Davies, executive vice-president of CNN International ad sales, said: "CNN has been able to offer Philips more than an advertising platform for its message with this campaign. This is all about communication and engagement with the consumer online in an experimental format rather than just advertising." Geert van Kuyck, global head of marketing for Royal Philips Electronics, said: "Taking away clutter and complexity is an overhaul that any number of websites could benefit from and we are delighted to be associated with CNN's objectives in that area by sponsoring the new microsite."
Philips will also sponsor the launch of a CNN news microsite, The Briefing Room, a magazine style digest offering a summary of the day's international news, newspaper round-ups and free streaming video headlines. In return, the campaign features exclusive banners and branding across all the platforms.
The deal was brokered by media agency Carat/lsobar to illustrate Philips' "sense and simplicity" and its brand promise to deliver easy-to-use technology in an engaging manner.
Jonathan Davies, executive vice-president of CNN International ad sales, said: "CNN has been able to offer Philips more than an advertising platform for its message with this campaign. This is all about communication and engagement with the consumer online in an experimental format rather than just advertising." Geert van Kuyck, global head of marketing for Royal Philips Electronics, said: "Taking away clutter and complexity is an overhaul that any number of websites could benefit from and we are delighted to be associated with CNN's objectives in that area by sponsoring the new microsite."
# posted by ATN @ 10:34 PM
CNN Correspondent Finds Charm in Hungarians' Naiveness
Source: Portfolio Online Financial Journal CNN's Barry Neild said that street violence aside, there was “something exhilarating" about this week's public reaction to the Hungarian Prime Minister's confession that his government was guilty of playing fast and loose with the truth.
About 10,000-15,000 people rallied on the streets of Budapest, mostly at Parliament and a few hundred - later identified as soccer hooligans and far-right extremists - stormed the state television and clashed with police. Riots continued on Tuesday and Wednesday dawn, but the police was swifter to react and suppress the vandals.
The anger was triggered by Ferenc Gyurcsány who admitted lying for years to win April elections. "We lied in the morning, we lied in the evening, and also at night," the PM said, in “a conversation that had presumably been taped in the afternoon," Neild commented.
“The public anger reveals that until now, Hungary's voters had presumably believed that Gyurcsány's government had actually been telling the truth, an assumption many might laughingly dismiss as naive," he added.
“A cynical statement perhaps, but government leaders worldwide can hardly claim to have an unblotted copybook when it comes to setting the record straight."
Neild has also cited the old adage that goes, you can tell when a politician is lying -- he's moving his lips. MORE
About 10,000-15,000 people rallied on the streets of Budapest, mostly at Parliament and a few hundred - later identified as soccer hooligans and far-right extremists - stormed the state television and clashed with police. Riots continued on Tuesday and Wednesday dawn, but the police was swifter to react and suppress the vandals.
The anger was triggered by Ferenc Gyurcsány who admitted lying for years to win April elections. "We lied in the morning, we lied in the evening, and also at night," the PM said, in “a conversation that had presumably been taped in the afternoon," Neild commented.
“The public anger reveals that until now, Hungary's voters had presumably believed that Gyurcsány's government had actually been telling the truth, an assumption many might laughingly dismiss as naive," he added.
“A cynical statement perhaps, but government leaders worldwide can hardly claim to have an unblotted copybook when it comes to setting the record straight."
Neild has also cited the old adage that goes, you can tell when a politician is lying -- he's moving his lips. MORE
# posted by ATN @ 1:17 PM
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Just a Coincidence?
...well I don't seem to think so. I have to say I really could care less BUT come on TV Newser, where'd you get the info you have for your little blurb about Don Lemon? The odds are not that good you and I would ask CNN the same question on the same day now does it? NOPE!
Additional: And by the way in case you feel the need to C-Y-A, got an e-mail from the person that has been e-mailing you and the e-mailer is also surprised that you would have the same info the same day I do.
Additional: And by the way in case you feel the need to C-Y-A, got an e-mail from the person that has been e-mailing you and the e-mailer is also surprised that you would have the same info the same day I do.
# posted by ATN @ 10:51 PM
Monday, September 18, 2006
Lemon Starts at CNN, On Air Next Week
It seems everyone has been wondering when CNN newbie Don Lemon will be joining Kyra Phillips on the afternoon edition of CNN Newsroom. A CNN spokesperson tells What's Happening at CNN, Lemon officially started today, but he won't be on air until next week.# posted by ATN @ 7:56 PM
Republican's Troubles Hurting FNC?
Why should FNC President Roger Ailes be concerned what's happenning at The White House? Because it is having an effect on his 'news' channel. Matthew Flamm writes about the relationship between the two in THIS New York Business article. Below are excerpts from the article:
> I can't help but see a correlation between the political mood of the country and these ratings," says Jimmy Schaeffler, senior analyst for The Carmel Group, a media research company. "People have watched the pendulum swing in favor of Fox News, and now it's swinging the other way."
Under bare-knuckled boss Roger Ailes, Fox News has become the love-it-or-hate-it channel that no one has ever accused of being dull. It developed a strong following among Republicans in tandem with the Republican party's rise in popularity in the late 1990s and early in this century, according to a 2005 study by the nonpartisan Project for Excellence in Journalism.
But in the past two years, according to a survey by the Pew Research Center, Republicans have been tuning out international news and news about Iraq at more than double the rate of Democrats and Independents. It may be that some of them are also tuning out Fox News.
"There is widespread evidence, not so much that Republicans are changing their politics, but that they're becoming less motivated," says Andrew Tyndall, an independent television news analyst.
Fox News executives respond that the channel has no political leanings and that ratings declines are due to comparisons with a news-filled prior year--a period that featured the 2004 election, a tsunami, the deaths of Terry Schiavo and the Pope, and the disappearance of Natalee Holloway in Aruba.
"News is a cyclical business," says Bill Shine, senior vice president of programming. "This is not a big deal."
Mr. Shine also disputes the notion that Fox's shows may have matured. He points out that programming stability has been a hallmark of the channel, in contrast to its rivals' far less successful programming. "What we have is working, and everybody.""
> According to Nielsen Media Research, Fox News' prime-time ratings in the third quarter through Aug. 27--which excludes comparisons with Hurricane Katrina last September--are down 23% in total viewers.
Some of that is due to the ratings plunge for On the Record With Greta Van Susteren, which focused heavily on Ms. Holloway last summer. But talk shows The O'Reilly Factor and Hannity & Colmes are also down by double digits in total viewers.
Meanwhile, CNN's prime-time ratings, with a big boost from Anderson Cooper, are up by double digits, as is MSNBC's, during this period.
Fox's ratings dip could make it harder for the network to get the $1-per-subscriber fee it wants from cable and satellite operators, which have only had to pay around 25 cents per subscriber since the network launched. "[Cable operators] are going to be skeptical," says Derek Baine, cable analyst at Kagan.
Fox News' downward trend could also mean tougher negotiations with advertisers next year. "Fox still has a substantial viewer advantage," says Lyle Schwartz, director of national broadcast research at GroupM, the media planning division of ad giant WPP. "But the momentum is not in their favor."
> I can't help but see a correlation between the political mood of the country and these ratings," says Jimmy Schaeffler, senior analyst for The Carmel Group, a media research company. "People have watched the pendulum swing in favor of Fox News, and now it's swinging the other way."
Under bare-knuckled boss Roger Ailes, Fox News has become the love-it-or-hate-it channel that no one has ever accused of being dull. It developed a strong following among Republicans in tandem with the Republican party's rise in popularity in the late 1990s and early in this century, according to a 2005 study by the nonpartisan Project for Excellence in Journalism.
But in the past two years, according to a survey by the Pew Research Center, Republicans have been tuning out international news and news about Iraq at more than double the rate of Democrats and Independents. It may be that some of them are also tuning out Fox News.
"There is widespread evidence, not so much that Republicans are changing their politics, but that they're becoming less motivated," says Andrew Tyndall, an independent television news analyst.
Fox News executives respond that the channel has no political leanings and that ratings declines are due to comparisons with a news-filled prior year--a period that featured the 2004 election, a tsunami, the deaths of Terry Schiavo and the Pope, and the disappearance of Natalee Holloway in Aruba.
"News is a cyclical business," says Bill Shine, senior vice president of programming. "This is not a big deal."
Mr. Shine also disputes the notion that Fox's shows may have matured. He points out that programming stability has been a hallmark of the channel, in contrast to its rivals' far less successful programming. "What we have is working, and everybody.""
> According to Nielsen Media Research, Fox News' prime-time ratings in the third quarter through Aug. 27--which excludes comparisons with Hurricane Katrina last September--are down 23% in total viewers.
Some of that is due to the ratings plunge for On the Record With Greta Van Susteren, which focused heavily on Ms. Holloway last summer. But talk shows The O'Reilly Factor and Hannity & Colmes are also down by double digits in total viewers.
Meanwhile, CNN's prime-time ratings, with a big boost from Anderson Cooper, are up by double digits, as is MSNBC's, during this period.
Fox's ratings dip could make it harder for the network to get the $1-per-subscriber fee it wants from cable and satellite operators, which have only had to pay around 25 cents per subscriber since the network launched. "[Cable operators] are going to be skeptical," says Derek Baine, cable analyst at Kagan.
Fox News' downward trend could also mean tougher negotiations with advertisers next year. "Fox still has a substantial viewer advantage," says Lyle Schwartz, director of national broadcast research at GroupM, the media planning division of ad giant WPP. "But the momentum is not in their favor."
# posted by ATN @ 6:54 PM
Bush to Sit Down with Wolf Blitzer Following UN Address
Source: CNN Press Release In a wide-ranging interview the morning after President Bush and Iranian President Ahmadinejad address the United Nations General Assembly, President George W. Bush will answer questions from CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer. The interview will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 20, in New York City and will cover Iraq , Iran , Afghanistan , North Korea , U.S. interrogation policy and the upcoming mid-term elections.The interview will air in the 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. (ET) hours of CNN’s three-hour news program The Situation Room. CNN political director Sam Feist is the show’s executive producer.
# posted by ATN @ 4:45 PM
