ITV

Category: CBS

  • CBS rebrands radio division

    MUMBAI: In anticipation of US media conglomerate Viacom’s separation of its businesses next year, the CBS Corporation has unveiled plans to re-brand its radio division as CBS Radio.

    Formerly known as Infinity Broadcasting, the division includes 179 radio stations, the majority of which are in the US’ top 50 markets.

    CBS Corporation CEO & president Leslie Moonves says, “This is a proud moment for all of us who love the CBS name, and who know the storied history of CBS Radio. It is one of the most revered brands in broadcasting, with a history that predates the television era. CBS Radio was there at the infancy of radio, playing a formative role in shaping and building this dynamic industry, and we’re incredibly proud to bring it back.”

    The re-branded CBS Radio will feature as part of its slogan “Broadcast HD streaming on-demand,” which its stations are now actively pursuing throughout the US.

    The original CBS Radio was founded in 1928, when William Paley purchased a company comprised of 16 independent radio stations which he turned into one of the first radio networks. Today CBS Radio includes many of those same stations, which it claims continue to lead their markets.

    Upon the separation of Viacom businesses, the CBS Corporation will be a mass media company with constituent parts that reach back to the beginnings of the broadcast industry, as well as newer businesses that operate on the leading edge of the media industry.

    The company, through its many and varied operations, will combine broad reach with well-positioned local businesses, all of which provide it with an extensive distribution network by which it serves audiences and advertisers in all 50 states and key international markets. It will have operations in virtually every field of media and entertainment.

    These include broadcast television (CBS and UPN), cable television (Showtime), local television (CBS Television Stations), television production and syndication (Paramount Television and King World), radio (CBS Radio), advertising on out-of-home media (CBS Outdoor) and publishing (Simon & Schuster).

    Additionally, the division is home to 29 of the country’s leading sports franchises amongst MLB, the NFL, the NBA, the WNBA, and the NHL, including the New York Yankees, New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, Dallas Cowboys, New England Patriots, New York Giants, Chicago Bears and the Detroit Red Wings. CBS Radio will continue to be run by Hollander, who will continue to report to Moonves.

  • CBS extends deal for the Grammy Awards

    MUMBAI: US broadcaster CBS and The Recording Academy have signed a new five-year extension that will keep the annual Grammy Awards on CBS till 2011. This year’s event was seen by nearly 46 million American viewers.

    The deal further extends one of the longest broadcast partnerships in American television history. CBS has been the broadcast home of the Grammy Awards since 1973. The current agreement was set to expire after the
    2006 Grammy broadcast.

    In addition to the Grammy telecasts, the new agreement also includes various potential new live music and music-driven content properties over the course of the partnership, as well as a shared commitment to public service and educational content. In India the Grammy Awards are simulcast on Star World and Channel (V).

    Viacom co-COO and co-president Les Moonves said, “Each February, CBS and The Recording Academy come together to stage one of television’s biggest and most entertaining annual events. But the mutual respect and camaraderie between our two organisations is
    full-time, all-the-time. This has created a great environment to support our respective businesses and serve our respective audiences. We look forward to working with Neil Portnow and his outstanding team to deliver future broadcasts that take one of CBS’s signature nights to new heights over the next decade.”

    Recording Academy president Neil Portnow says, “We are so pleased to have reached a long-term partnership with our great friends at CBS that extends beyond our signature Grammy Awards event, when the world tunes in to see Music’s Biggest Night. We, of course, will continue to recognise excellence in all recorded music through our Awards process and show. Now, fortunately, we’ll be able to bring live music, music-oriented programmes and public service
    and educational content to viewers by keeping Grammy-related programming on the air throughout the year. This is a landmark commitment by both parties as we collectively spotlight the creative endeavours and timely topics that are important to music fans and music makers of all genres.”

  • CBS, ABC, Fox gain; NBC loses in upfront ad sales revenue

    MUMBAI: US broadcaster CBS is poised to stop NBC’s traditional dominance as the leader in ad sales at the annual “upfront” market for the 2005-2006 season.
    CBS is expected to have secured ad commitments of about $2.6 billion for the upcoming season, surpassing NBC. ABC’s figure has been put at around $2.1 billion. This total reflects an increase in year-to-year potential revenue of more than 30 per cent with approximately $600 million estimated for primetime sports sales, which includes Monday Night Football the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the Bowl Championship Series.

    Fox is said to have earned around $1.6 billion. While NBC in the past has led the upfront market and earned around $2.6 billion last year media analysts predict that this time around the network stands to lose about $300 million in ad commitments after falling from first to fourth place in the 18 to 49 demo.

     
     
    Advertisers have shown inteerst in CBS’ two new crime dramas. In Criminal Minds in which a team of FBI experts try to plot the moves of psychopathic killers in advance. Meanwhile Close To Home sees a woman prosecutor tackling crimes behind suburbia’s closed doors.

    Media buyers have been quoted in reports saying that NBC was able to generate some interest with the Pentagon drama E-Ring and quirky comedy My Name is Earl. Media buyers though are less than optimistic about NBC’s comic look at a fertility treatment center in the show Inconceivable.

     
     
    Interestingly ABC’s figure does not include Super Bowl XL which will air next year. This amounts to six weeks of primetime programming. ABC president of sales and marketing Mike Shaw said, “Clients responded very positively to our new primetime schedule, and the incredibly strong performance of our hit freshman series. And the good news doesn’t end at prime. We are also seeing strength in our other dayparts such as news, daytime and early morning.”

    Based on the high-quality mix of ABC’s programming and the strong reaction of media buyers to its midseason shows, ABC believes there will be an upside to scatter sales this season. In commenting upon this Shaw said, “Historically, in the last 12 out of 13 years, the scatter marketplace for all networks has seen increases over upfront pricing. So having the right inventory to sell in scatter can give you a strategic advantage.” Shaw noted that ABC’s sales and marketing strategy is predicated upon 52-week revenues.

    ABC finished the 2004-2005 season up 12 per cent in total viewers, up 16 per cent in the key Adult 18-49 sales demographic and up 15 per cent among adults 18-34, the largest increases of any network over the prior season in viewers and across the adult demos.