Jan 01

SpongeBob and Dora The Explorer Saved from Blackout

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NickelodeonKids are sure to be relieved that favorite cartoon characters SpongeBob Square Pants and Dora the Explorer will continue to grace their TV sets as a last minute deal regarding the fees for the airing of these popular shows was finally settled. There was a dispute over fees for the airing of some shows by Viacom and Time Warner and a potential blackout would have resulted if not for the last-minute deal that happened earlier this morning.

Among the shows that would have been affected included:

1. SpongeBob SquarePants
2. Dora the Explorer
3. The Colbert Report
4. The Daily Show
5. MTV
6. Nickelodeon
7. Comedy Central

The impasse would have meant Viacom’s channels would be cut off to 13 million subscribers, said Alex Dudley, a Time Warner Cable vice president. The nation’s second-largest cable operator primarily serves people in the Carolinas, New York, Ohio, Southern California and Texas.

Time Warner chief executive Glenn Britt had earlier called Viacom’s demand for a 12 percent increase in fees – an extra $39 million on top of the estimated $300 million it pays Viacom annually – extortion and outrageous given the recession.

(Source) Charlotte Observer

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May 02

AOL Advertising Gets Failing Mark from Time Warner CEO

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Time Warner

As far as achieving your goal in advertising is concerned, expect it to be a rough one. Not all people who turn to advertising will immediately be satisfied for the reason that they need to impress people on the feasibility of such an added expense and investment.

Normally, the goal is for proper exposure. But once that is satisfied you have to hit your target market and make sure that you are getting what you want from it. One thing about corporate management leaders is that they want results. Advertising is not spared from it and if such a campaign proves to be futile expect some heads to roll or people placed in the hot seat to explain why goals are not delivering according to expectations.

First-quarter advertising revenue at AOL grew a scant 1%, after several quarters of sliding growth rates. A particular weak spot was display advertising on AOL’s Web pages, where sales eased 18% from a year earlier.

“We were not satisfied with the performance of display advertising,” Bewkes told investors on a conference call. Bewkes said other advertising, including sales on non-AOL sites, was a strong point in the first quarter.

(Source) CNN Money

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