ABC to try user-created video show
ABC has given the green light to “i-Caught,” a show that’s based on video submitted by the public and produced by ABC News. Correspondents will build stories around video captured by users that’s getting widespread play on sites like YouTube as well as video uploaded to the show’s companion site, i-Caught.com. The site will launch [...]
New restrictions for press in Iraq
A recent rule for embedded journalists in Iraq bans any video or photographs that show dead soldiers, and wounded troops must sign a consent form before their images can be broadcast or published. “They are not letting us cover the reality of war,†said Ashley Gilbertson, a freelance photographer for NY Times and Newsweek, among [...]
NBCU names new programming co-chairs
It’s now official. Just days after the end of a terrible May book, NBC Universal has named independent producer Ben Silverman (“The Office” and “The Biggest Loser”) and veteran NBC exec Marc Graboff as co-chairmen of NBC Entertainment and NBC Universal Television Studio. “I always thought this was the right job for Ben. This new role will give him the opportunity to redefine our programming, our relationship with advertisers, and our ongoing commitment to the new digital frontier,” said NBCU President Jeff Zucker. Kevin Reilly, who has served as President of NBC Entertainment for the past three years, and NBCU have mutually agreed to end their relationship. Press release…
Is your meteorologist off the mark?
A terrific cover story in Broadcasting & Cable examines how the advent of long-range forecasts at local TV stations could be damaging their credibility. For example, the 10-day forecast, with specific predictions down to exact temperatures, is becoming standard issue at most stations. Dr. Anthony Socci, a senior fellow at the American Meteorological Society (AMS), [...]
Audience, not revenue, is the problem
Terry Heaton points out a great quote from a senior Google exec: “(Google) accepts that some projects will never have an associated revenue stream.†A Microsoft biz dev manager told me something similar a few months ago, much to my surprise. What a concept! Media companies these days are up against the gun to create [...]
‘Anchorman’ meets ’300′
Ok, both movies are a little moldy, but this mashup is very well done. Here, for your viewing pleasure, is a mashup of 300‘s audio with Anchorman‘s video… Not bad, huh? (Via LittleLostRobot)
Local TV stations add own programming
With decent syndicated shows on the decline and the networks increasingly offering their shows around the affiliates, local TV stations are ramping up their own local programming. Hearst Argyle, Fox, Meredith and NBCU are developing new shows for their stations and experimenting with web and mobile components. For example, we’ve told you about Meredith’s Better [...]
Gas price sites see skyrocketing traffic
GasBuddy.com expects to hit a record 4 million unique visitors in a single day. Beyond a list of the cheapest gas prices (updated every 48 hours or less by a user network), the site features map mashups of gas prices (below), as well as a popular feature that allows to you text a zip code [...]
Surprise: Ad execs don’t like user-generated ads
The New York Times embeds videos of some user-generated ads for a Heinz Ketchup contest in this piece, along with quotes from ad executives who, unsurprisingly, mock the quality of the content. “These are just so bad,” said Linda Kaplan Thaler, chief executive of the Kaplan Thaler Group, and advertising agency in New York… As [...]
Holovaty leaving WashingtonPost.com for startup
Crack news dev Adrian Holovaty is leaving WashingtonPost.com to work on Everyblock, his new startup that’s described as a “hyperlocal website that aggregates an unprecedented depth and breadth of public records, mainstream news sources, photographs, blogs and user-contributed information.” To help him get started, Holovaty won a $1.1 million grant from the Knight Foundation. Lots [...]
Fire knocks WABC off the air
Just before the 11 p.m. newscast last night, a light exploded in WABC’s news studio, setting a curtain on fire and flooding the building with smoke. “As soon as and we said we got a fire going, all of the sudden, it went boom and the whole thing,” said cameraman Lou Torellas. “I looked at [...]
NBC in talks to replace programming chief
After a horrible perfomance in the May book and a last-place finish, NBC is considering replacing Kevin O’Reilly, the network’s programming chief. One of his possible replacements is independent producer Ben Silverman who delivered The Office and The Biggest Loser to NBC. Update: This may happen as early as Tuesday, reports Broadcasting & Cable.
