Desparate Anatomy Helps ABC But Where did NBC Go in Top 10?

Top 10 Prime Time TV Shows Week Of September 18-24, 2006

Here are the rankings for national prime-time network television last week as compiled by Nielsen Media Research. They are based on the average number of people who watched a program from start to finish. Nielsen estimates there are 283.5 million potential viewers in the U.S. ages 2 and older. Viewership is listed in millions.

CBS And ABC Split All Of The Top 10!

Rank Program Network Viewers

1 Grey’s Anatomy-Thu 9PM ABC 25.41
2 Desperate Housewives ABC 24.09
3 CSI CBS 22.57
4 Dancing With The Stars ABC 18.17
5 CSI: Miami CBS 17.62
6 Without A Trace CBS 17.56
7 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. ABC 17.49
8 Survivor: Cook Islands CBS 17.43
9 Cold CaseCBS 16.27
10 CSI: NY CBS 16.11

(Editor's Note: Monday...more information on the the new AM 1590. It won't be much of a surprise to many of you.)

"Congress passed a law on February 1, 2006, setting a final deadline for the DTV transition of February 17, 2009. Most television stations will continue broadcasting both analog and digital programming until February 17, 2009, when all analog broadcasting will stop.." FCC http://www.dtv.gov/

High Definition isn't fading away but Erie Viewers May!

What Erie Really....Really Needs Is Another AM Station!

Tom Lavery on Pittsburgh Radio and TV Blog says that http://www.fybush.com/ reported a construction permit issued for a new AM station in Erie. A CP "was approved for a station in Kearsarge (near Millcreek) that will serve the Erie area at 1590 AM. The new callsign will be WCXJ which should sound familiar to those from the Pittsburgh area. It was the former callsign of what is now WURP 1550 which had a few African American adult based formats before a format change to general news talk. The new station in Kearsarge will operate at 500 watts days / 900 nights."

Tom Lavery - EMRTV.

(Editor's Note: Near Millcreek? All these years I thought Kearsarge was in Millcreek. I haven't heard the mall area referred to as Kearsarge for a very long time.)

(Update: The Licensee of WCXJ is EATON-DIETTERICH PARTNERSHIP of Steubenville, Ohio)

"Congress passed a law on February 1, 2006, setting a final deadline for the DTV transition of February 17, 2009. Most television stations will continue broadcasting both analog and digital programming until February 17, 2009, when all analog broadcasting will stop.." FCC http://www.dtv.gov/

Football In HD For This Week.

This week’s HD Football NOTE: Subject to change!
(Rankings are from the USA Today/Coaches Poll. All times are Eastern)NFL Weekly Coverage Maps Week Four now available:http://www.gribblenation.net/nflmaps/

Friday, Sept. 29

#23 Rutgers (4-0) at South Florida (3-1) 8 PM ESPN2-HD

Saturday, Sept. 30

#18 Tennessee (3-1) at Memphis (1-2) 12 Noon ESPN-HD
#38 Wisconsin (3-1) at Indiana (2-2) 12 Noon ESPN2-HD
#30 Purdue (4-0) at
#14 Notre Dame (3-1) 2:30 PM NBC-HD
#26 Alabama (3-1) at #5 Florida (4-0) 3:30 PM CBS-HD
#31 Georgia Tech (3-1) at #10 Virginia Tech (4-0) (Regional) 3:30 PM ABC-HD
#40 Houston (4-0) at Miami (1-2) 6 PM ESPN2-HD
# 1 Ohio State (4-0) at #13 Iowa (4-0) 8 PM ABC-HD
#6 Michigan (4-0) at Minnesota (2-2) 8 PM ESPN-HD
#9 Georgia (4-0) at Mississippi (1-3) 9 PM ESPN2-HD
Stanford (0-4) at #41 UCLA (2-1) 10 PM FSN-HD

Sunday, Oct. 1

Arizona at Atlanta 1 PM Fox-HD
Minnesota at Buffalo 1 PM Fox-HD
New England at Cincinnatti 4:15 PM CBS-HD
New Orleans at Carolina 1 PM Fox HD
San Francisco at Kansas City 1 PM Fox-HD
Indianapolis at New York Jets1 PM CBS-HD
Dallas at Tennessee 1 PM Fox-HD
Detroit at St. Louis 4 PM Fox-HD
Jacksonville at Washington 4:15 PM CBS-HD
Seattle at Chicago 8:15 PM NBC-HD

Monday, Oct. 2

Green Bay at Philadelphia 8:30 PM ESPN-HD

"Congress passed a law on February 1, 2006, setting a final deadline for the DTV transition of February 17, 2009. Most television stations will continue broadcasting both analog and digital programming until February 17, 2009, when all analog broadcasting will stop.." FCC http://www.dtv.gov/

A Special Note: If You Ever Pray... Please Pray for a Newborn Named Maggie.

HD Is for Lovers!

We already reported that in communities were HD has been available from the major networks, consumes are buying HD sets at a rapid pace and demanding more HD.

The cable and satellite networks are trying to keep up with the demand within their limited bandwidth availability. This summer, the Food Network signed on with a separate HD channel as well as Home and Garden HD. The NFL HD NETWORK is replaying games from the previous week in HD.

All this new programming development may just make a bad situation worse in markets like Erie where false economies may actually cause traditional network stations (WICU, WFXP, WSEE and WJET) to lose more and more viewers because that can’t provide the product consumers want. Once you’ve seen true HD it is very difficult to watch standard TV. It is like the 60’s with color. If you had a choice of watching a black and white program or a mediocre program in color, color usually won out. And the HD experience is like no other.

Many of you have visited the local Best Buy or Circuit City stores and think you are watching full HD. In those stores, they usually use a feed from Direct TV which does not broadcast full resolution HD but a hybrid. Some call this HD-Lite. (Last week a subscriber to Direct TV won the right to sue for false advertising on this very issue.)

To see true HD in Erie you have only one source right now and that is WQLN and what a stunning picture chief engineer Ed Upton provides. In fact, most HD enthusiast will tell you that today the best HD comes from an antenna on top of your roof. I can’t speak to the quality on Time-Warner cable because I haven’t seen it or know if they are doing any compression, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they were. (perhaps someone can enlighten me on that.)

Right now only two network local stations could be in the position to take advantage of HD and market that advantage rather than see viewership continue to tumble. They are WSEE and WFXP. Nothing but money and the management commitment stand in their way. In the case of WFXP, FOX is even supplying, at no cost to the station, a special piece of equipment (called the spicer) that allows them to transmit FOX programming in HD. The station has to supply the supporting elements. WSEE has the network that leads all others in technology and HD programming. CBS wants WSEE and all of its affiliates to be able to supply HD to its viewers. CBS looks at it from a very base pocketbook perspective. Upgrade or continue to wither on the vine.

WICU and WJET have a special situation. They both have been assigned digital channels (at their request) that are the same as their current analog, 12 and 24 respectively. That is the ideal situation for them. But they can’t sign those digital stations on until they sign-off from the analog. So from a cost and practical viewpoint, they must wait and continue with their low power digital standard definition at DT 52 and 58 respectively.

Again, this waiting creates a phenomenal opportunity for WSEE and WFXP to have the growing HD market they can exploit. Remember over 60% of the sets being sold in 2006 are HD. This Christmas (or should we be politically correct and say holiday season) the roof is really expected to come off on HD sales.

In Erie, the issue is the old chicken or the egg. Stations don’t’ want to go HD because of cost and the perception that there is no demand. Retailers say that the demand will be there if the stations broadcast HD. I side with the retailers. The bean counters at NEXSTAR and SJL/Lilly and friends are laying eggs that can’t hatch. (Even the proud peacock is too ashamed to show his feathers without HD now)

It is interesting that the media, and I include all of them, are the worst examples of self advertising for their advertisers on how marketing can increase your market share. If the media can’t advertise and market for themselves, how can they possibly do it for advertisers? So the advertisers follow what the media bean counters themselves do and save those marketing dollars and put it in the bank. In short, the media shaft themselves through shortsightedness. I would never recommend advertising on a medium that didn’t know how to be the best example of its advertising product..

As a writer for Jack Paar used to say, “Heaven help the naked bus driver who can make sense of that.”

"Congress passed a law on February 1, 2006, setting a final deadline for the DTV transition of February 17, 2009. Most television stations will continue broadcasting both analog and digital programming until February 17, 2009, when all analog broadcasting will stop.." FCC http://www.dtv.gov/

A Special Note: If You Ever Pray... Please Pray for a Newborn Named Maggie.

If The Key Doesn't fit.......

Embarrassing Moments in Media

(Editor’s note: Jim Griffey sent this embarrassing moment from the old days of K104 when he was known as JJ Sanford. Maybe he still might use that for special gigs. Anyway, I thought it was fun enough to share. If you have a moment you remember, please share it by writing emgr@verizon.net. Please no moments that plays on a person’s disability. I had a few of those sent to me and they don’t belong in print)

I'd like to share one from my K104 days.

In April of 1986, K104 had a $10,000 cash giveaway promotion. We were to have a cash cube set up outside of JC Penney in Millcreek Mall. For a few weeks beforehand we were qualifying listeners on-air...and having all of them show up at JC Penney on a certain night. They would then pick a key and if their key opened the padlock on the cube, they win the cash. This got massive promotion...JC Penney had a special sale that night...Operations Manager Bill Shannon and General Manager Howard Nemenz emceed dressed as the Blues Brothers...it was a HUGE event.

Well, the big night came...the qualifiers gathered along with many family and friends...we showed the "winning key" opening the padlock, then placed the key in a bin along with other keys. One by one each contestant tried their key...each one failed to open the lock. Tension built as the night wore on and the keys were picked. Finally we were down to the last two...and neither key opened the lock. After three hours...NO WINNER!! Some had left after their keys were unsuccessful, but many stayed on to see who would win.

What happened? Well, instead of using actual keys like you'd get at a hardware store, we used the less expensive "pressed keys." And we found out that they basically were good for one use and one use only.

In the end we had to call everyone back a second time...this time using REAL keys...and we finally got a winner.

We had commemorative visor caps printed up saying "I survived the K104 3 hour key party...April 30, 1986."

I still have mine hanging on the wall of my office

--Jim Griffey (AKA JJ Sanford)

Congress passed a law on February 1, 2006, setting a final deadline for the DTV transition of February 17, 2009. Most television stations will continue broadcasting both analog and digital programming until February 17, 2009, when all analog broadcasting will stop.." FCC http://www.dtv.gov/

If you have had an embarrassing moment in Erie media or remember one and would like to share it, write me at EMGR@verizon.net You must include your real first and last name.

Pat Deck…Don’t Get Any Ideas!

(Editor’s Note: Jim Griffey sent this to EMGR Monday. This has to be the ultimate in bad marketing taste…although I can think of a few other recent local examples too. Thanks Jim for the item. More from Jim tomorrow as well)

CINCINNATI (Reuters) -- A car commercial proclaiming a jihad on the U.S. auto market and offering "Fatwa Fridays" with free swords for the kids is offensive and should not be aired, Muslim leaders said on Sunday.

The radio advertisement for the Dennis Mitsubishi car dealership in Columbus, Ohio, has "a whole jihad theme," said Adnan Mirza, director of the Columbus office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

"They are planning on launching a jihad on the automotive market and their representatives would be wearing burqas ... ," Mirza said. "They mentioned the pope in there and also about giving rubber swords out to the kiddies -- really just reprehensible-type comments."

Details of the radio ad, which has not yet been broadcast, have been reported in the local media, but officials at the dealership declined to comment about the content of the radio spot.

Two employees at the dealership said they had been deluged with calls about the commercial.
"The ad has has never been released, it is not out for public listening," said one employee who declined to give his name. He would not say whether the dealership had changed its mind about airing the commercial.

Tokyo-based Mitsubishi Motors Corp. could not immediately be reached for comment.
Mirza said several local radio stations had already rejected the ad and he hoped the controversy would convince the dealership to rethink its sales strategy.

He also said the Council on American-Islamic Relations would likely contact the dealer to "offer some kind of cultural or sensitivity awareness training."

"Congress passed a law on February 1, 2006, setting a final deadline for the DTV transition of February 17, 2009. Most television stations will continue broadcasting both analog and digital programming until February 17, 2009, when all analog broadcasting will stop.." FCC http://www.dtv.gov/

A Special Note: If You Ever Pray... Please Pray for a Newborn Named Maggie.

A Profile of SJL/Lilly Broadcasting/etc!

First In A Series Of Profiles of Erie Media.

(Editor’s Note: Earlier this year when SJL/Lilly/etc bought several stations from the Emmis group, Blogs in Hawaii and Oregon began lighting up to chronicle the resulting blood baths at KHON and KOIN respectively. Some of the information was correct and some was based on rumor. In trying to sort out who SJL was and is, I found one post from www.Hawaiithreads.com that was mostly factual in its brief telling of how the company began. After confirming the pertinent facts from other sources, I edited out those areas I could not confirm and any personal comments that I didn’t think were appropriate. Erie is included in his chronicle as well. The background of SJL/Lilly begins with its founder, George Lilly)

George's background is in sales. He's from Boston, and is a huge Boston Univ. supporter. Back in the 1980s, he was the GM at a station in Buffalo, and he, along with the backing of an investment group bought the NBC affiliate there in the mid-1980s for $56 Million. (WGR) Within two years, they sold it for $100 Million to Tak Communications. (Remember this was the crazy 1980s)

Anyways, this was encouraging enough for George to pursue other station opportunities. He settled in Montecito (California) after he purchased the NBC affiliate, KSBY-TV in neighboring San Luis Obispo. He sold this station a few years ago, but he still has a group of stations, primarily on the east coast. Most of his stations purchases are largely financed by outside investment firms, such as Alta and Blackstone, and while his name may be on the license, the equity is with the financial backers. Since Blackstone was recruited by Emmis to explore the sale of the stations, it seems likely that Blackstone decided to grab KHON and the other three mainland stations, and have SJL run them.

SJL refers to the initials of one his children.

OF NOTE OF THE KHON/KGMB duopoly: SJL had a similar scenario in Erie,
PA. SJL owns the NBC station, and it wanted to own the CBS station in the market as well. It could not, however, due to the FCC rules. George Lilly simply put the CBS license in one of his grown sons' name, (Kevin) yet the NBC station technically runs both stations (Brain).

The elder Lilly has been encouraging his sons to enter broadcasting; they owned a small ABC station in upstate New York (WENY), but in checking the FCC records, it looks like the financial partner, Mercury Capital took over the majority of the equity of that station--A usual consequence when the station is mismanaged, or the debts are not satisfied on schedule.

For the most part, SJL stations are good operations. George Lilly puts a lot of trust in a team of tv managers, lawyers, accountants who keep an eye out for him. The only red flag is the financial makeup of most of the SJL properties, which have a great deal of equity with financial firms, not broadcasters. While Broadcasting is still a business, the MBA-Pencil-Pushers (bean counters) will always be quick to cut costs or sell a station at a moment's notice, in order to keep the books looking good.

(Editor’s Note: SJL/Lilly recently sold Channel 10 in Altoona for 56 million to
NEXSTAR, the owner and operator of WJET-TV and WFXP. According to most of the
trade press, SJL reputation is to buy stations, cut costs and sell for a
handsome profit. Just to end any speculation that might exist, George, Brian and
Kevin Lilly are not the same Lilly’s of the pharmaceutical name.)

(ABOVE PHOTO BY : ERIC ISAACS / SPECIAL TO THE HONOLULU STAR-BULLETIN)

"Congress passed a law on February 1, 2006, setting a final deadline for the DTV transition of February 17, 2009. Most television stations will continue broadcasting both analog and digital programming until February 17, 2009, when all analog broadcasting will stop.." FCC http://www.dtv.gov/

It's Digital or Nothing in 2009!

ABC Dances Again in HD! /CBS Takes 5.

Top 10 Prime Time TV Shows Week Of September 11-17, 2006

Here are the rankings for national prime-time network television last week as compiled by Nielsen Media Research. They are based on the average number of people who watched a program from start to finish. Nielsen estimates there are 277.93 million potential viewers in the U.S. ages 2 and older. Viewership is listed in millions.


Rank Program Network Viewers

1 Dancing With the Stars ABC 20.22

2 NBC Sunday Night Football NBC 18.40

3 "Survivor: Cook Island" CBS 18.00

4 Dancing With the Stars Results ABC 16.30

5 CSI (9 p.m.) CBS 15.59

6 House FOX 15.22

7 CSI (10 p.m.) CBS 14.68

8 "NFL Post-Game" CBS 13.64

9 60 Minutes CBS 13.13

10 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (9 p.m.) ABC 12.09

• Source: ABC-TV and Nielsen Media Research data as posted on AVSFORUM.com

"Congress passed a law on February 1, 2006, setting a final deadline for the DTV transition of February 17, 2009. Most television stations will continue broadcasting both analog and digital programming until February 17, 2009, when all analog broadcasting will stop.." FCC http://www.dtv.gov/

Now you can Subscribe to EMGR
With a slight change of format and some updating, it is now possible for readers to subscribe to Erie Media-Go-Round and be notified when there is a new post. Just click on the "Subscribe Post" at the bottom of the page. If you choose, you can also subscribe to comments in a specific post and be alerted when a new one you are following is posted.

This Weeks High Definition Football That Most Won’t See In Erie!

Look What You're Missing Without HDTV!

NOTE: Subject to change! (Rankings are from the Associated Press Poll. All times are Eastern)

Friday, Sept. 22

Northwestern (2-1) at Nevada (1-2) 8 PM ESPN2-HD

Saturday, Sept. 23

Wisconsin (3-0) at #6 Michigan (3-0) 12 Noon ESPN-HD
Minnesota (2-1) at #36 Purdue (3-0) 12 Noon ESPN2-HD
# 9 Louisville (3-0) at Kansas State (3-0) 12 Noon FSN-HD
#24 Penn State (2-1) at #1 Ohio State (3-0) (Regional) 3:30 PM ABC-HD
#26 Alabama (3-0) at #36 Arkansas (2-1) 3:30 PM CBS-HD
#4 West Virginia (3-0) at East Carolina (1-2) 4:30 PM ESPN2-HD
Kentucky (2-1) at #5 Florida (3-0) 7:30 PM ESPN-HD
#20 Boston College (3-0) at North Carolina State (1-2)(Regional) 8:00 PM ESPN2-HD
#12 Notre Dame (2-1) at #30 Michigan State (3-0) (Regional) 8 PM ESPN2-HD
#12 Notre Dame (2-1) at #30 Michigan State (3-0) (Regional) (Regional) 8 PM ABC-HD
#3 U S C (2-0)at Arizona (2-1) (Regional) 8 PM ABC-HD

Sunday, Sept. 24

Carolina (0-2) at Tampa Bay (0-2) 1 PM Fox-HD
Chicago (2-0) at Minnesota (2-0) 1 PM Fox-HD
Cincinnati (2-0) at Pittsburgh 1 PM CBS-HD
Green Bay (0-2) at Detroit (0-2) 1 PM Fox-HD
Jacksonville at Indianapolis (2-0) 1 PM CBS-HD
New York Jets (1-1) at Buffalo (1-1) 1 PM CBS-HD
Washington (0-2) at Houston (0-2) 1 PM Fox-HD
New York Giants (1-1) at Seattle (2-0) 4:15 PM Fox HD
Philadelphia (1-1) at San Francisco (1-1) 4:15 PM Fox-HD
Denver (1-1) at New England (2-0) 8:15 PM NBC-HD

Monday, Sept. 25

Atlanta (2-0) at New Orleans (2-0) 8:30 PM ESPN-HD
NFL Weekly Coverage Maps Week Three now available:http://www.gribblenation.net/nflmaps/• • • • • • • • • • •From Marc Berman’s Thursday, September 21, 2006, Programming Insider column at Mediaweek.com )

"Congress passed a law on February 1, 2006, setting a final deadline for the DTV transition of February 17, 2009. Most television stations will continue broadcasting both analog and digital programming until February 17, 2009, when all analog broadcasting will stop.." FCC http://www.dtv.gov/

If you have had an embarrassing moment in Erie media or remember one and would like to share it, write me at EMGR@verizon.net You don’t have to include your name.

Gorilla Of My Nightmare!

Embarrassing Moments in Erie Media!

It’s my turn. When you are near the spotlight or have to manage events that are in the spotlight, things don't always go according to the perfect plan you designed.

About 25 years ago Henry, the male gorilla, died at the Erie Zoo from swallowing coins that someone had tossed into the cage. Henry was Samantha’s first mate and both were purchased with donations of S&H Green Stamps. (Samantha & Henry…get it?)

Since I had been involved with the zoo early in my career and at the time handled the local Pepsi-Cola Bottler, Erie Bottling Company, I had the brilliant idea of having the community raise money by donating their Pepsi bottle caps. (always have a way to sell the product) Erie Bottling Company would donate a few cents for each cap toward the purchase of a new gorilla. Erie Bottling Company thought it was a great idea and so did corporate Pepsi-Cola.

It captured the imagination of kids of every age. We even had a gorilla meter constructed outside the Zoo to follow the progress. We spent tens of thousands of marketing dollars on television and radio to promote it.

As the campaign went along, we knew that we would have no problem making the goal. In fact, Erie Bottling Company had guaranteed that they would make up any difference if the campaign fell short. That wasn’t the problem.

No the problem came from another bright idea I had to announce the final dollar figure. I knew that Pepsico had under contract an authentic World War I biplane that had been converted to do skywriting. The brain started to cook. (boil over actually) “How about we write the final dollar figure in the sky over the Zoo,” I said. Corporate Pepsi thought it was a great idea and was all too eager to help.

So we announced that on a set day at 10 AM in the morning, we would write the amount in the sky for all of Erie to see.

The plane was brought in the day before by two of its regular pilots. We gave open cockpit plane rides to the media to help promote the event.

The big day had arrived. The Erie Morning News announced in a banner front page head about the stunt. Even Erie and suburban school kids were let out of school to watch from their school grounds. The only thing we worried about was the Erie weather, but it was beautiful; perfectly blue sky and, more importantly, no wind. You couldn't ask for a more perfect day.

All the news media and cameras were assembled at the zoo and the prominent attorney and owner of Erie Bottling, John Britton ( the client), was there to make the announcement and present the check.

About 10 minutes before the plane was to start its airborne calligraphy acrobatics, we got a call from the airport. Now remember, I said the plane was an original and all the parts of the plane were kept just as it was around 1921, including wooden wheels. You guessed it. As the plane was being towed out of the hanger, one of the precious wooden wheels broke off. Of course, they didn’t carry a spare. (Now you would think that Johnson and Flick would carry just a few wooden wheels!)

My big moment blown by a cellulous breakdown…. who would have guessed?

The zoo did get over $20,000 for the gorilla. We did bring the plane back a few weeks later to write “Thank You Erie.”

Somehow it was anticlimactic.

If you have had an embarrassing moment in Erie media or remember one and would like to share it, write me at EMGR@verizon.net You don’t have to put your name to it if you don’t want to.

Maybe I should have called this “The Confessions of an Adman”…or perhaps a madman.

(Editor's Note: The picture of the gorilla is not from the Erie Zoo and any likeness between this gorilla and Captian Dan is purely coincidental)

"Congress passed a law on February 1, 2006, setting a final deadline for the DTV transition of February 17, 2009. Most television stations will continue broadcasting both analog and digital programming until February 17, 2009, when all analog broadcasting will stop.." FCC http://www.dtv.gov/

"Converting to DTV also will free up parts of the scarce and valuable broadcast spectrum. Those portions of the spectrum can then be used for other important services, such as public and safety services (police and fire departments, emergency rescue), and advanced wireless services." http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/digitaltv.html/

“What Evil Lurks In The Hearts of Erie Politicians…. Carol Pella Knew!”

The very name Carol Pella strikes fear in the hearts (if they even have hearts) of Erie politicians. While investigative reporting was certainly not new, it was new in Erie broadcast journalism in the 80's.

Carol put her own unique spin on investigative reporting. Even to this day, most reporters will go up to a certain line but will not cross it. Carol not only crossed it but did leap frogs over the line blazing new trails and burning up more than a few notables. She broke many investigative stories that other media found themselves covering.

When you were interviewed by Pella, you had to watch your P’s and Q’s carefully as she enjoyed catching the unguarded moment. Carol was always friendly which gave a comfort level to whomever she was interviewing, but let the camera’s start to roll and she could switch to her inquiring reporter’s demeanor faster than NBC can cancel a fall season of losers. If you were a newbie, you learned fast that there was no such thing as "off-the-record."

Because of the mix of clients I had, I sometimes found myself either as a source of information or in front of the WSEE mike. You knew that Carol's questions would be pointed and not necessarily polite. In short, you had to be better prepared for a Pella interview than with almost any other reporter. You had to do your homework because she did. Around Carol... it was the "no bluffing zone" (A forerunner of the spin zone)

Carol was the spiritual leader…the pulse of the WSEE news organization. She commanded a great deal of respect which she rightfully earned. Her colleagues admired her and many still do to this day.

Even at that time, the management of WSEE felt that the news department didn’t have to know anything about their ratings. On behalf of the entire WSEE news team, Carol would quietly call me and ask for an appraisal of how they did from rating period to rating period. She wanted to know if what they did was really making a difference and with which audience.

I will give credit to the management of the station at that time as they took a great deal of heat from Carol’s reporting but backed her up. She followed the story no matter where it leads; political blood, shear guts and shaming the shameful were her trade-mark.

Her constant digging for the story behind the story was sometimes personally dangerous. After one particular city scandal (Erie had so many), Carol again confidentially called me. She had received…shall we say... warnings? She wanted to know where she could have a remote starter installed on her car where the installer could be trusted not to say anything. I was stunned and concerned for the position she was putting herself in. Her response… “Don’t worry Jack.. Just help me get the damn starter put on.” I did.

In her last years at WSEE she didn’t stop her probing and poking at and around Erie’s leadership. Even with great personal discomfort and pain, she continued to do her job. Her particular brand of investigative journalism is mostly gone in Erie broadcasting and that mantra seems to have been passed back to the Erie Times-News.

Carol..We thank you and we do miss your style!

"Congress passed a law on February 1, 2006, setting a final deadline for the DTV transition of February 17, 2009. Most television stations will continue broadcasting both analog and digital programming until February 17, 2009, when all analog broadcasting will stop.." FCC http://www.dtv.gov/

Affiliate Rule #2...Respond to letters from affilate relations!

Lawyer Says FCC Ordered Study Destroyed

(Editor’s Note: The following Associated Press copyrighted story was sent to me by a reader. I thought that some of you would find it interesting since it relates to our local situation. I thank the reader for his submission)

By JOHN DUNBAR Associated Press Writer © 2006 The Associated Press

WASHINGTON — The Federal Communications Commission ordered its staff to destroy all copies of a draft study that suggested greater concentration of media ownership would hurt local TV news coverage, a former lawyer at the agency says.

The report, written in 2004, came to light during the Senate confirmation hearing for FCC Chairman Kevin Martin.

Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif. received a copy of the report "indirectly from someone within the FCC who believed the information should be made public," according to Boxer spokeswoman Natalie Ravitz.

Adam Candeub, now a law professor at Michigan State University, said senior managers at the agency ordered that "every last piece" of the report be destroyed. "

The whole project was just stopped _ end of discussion," he said. Candeub was a lawyer in the FCC's Media Bureau at the time the report was written and communicated frequently with its authors, he said.

In a letter sent to Martin Wednesday, Boxer said she was "dismayed that this report, which was done at taxpayer expense more than two years ago, and which concluded that localism is beneficial to the public, was shoved in a drawer."

Martin said he was not aware of the existence of the report, nor was his staff. His office indicated it had not received Boxer's letter as of midafternoon Thursday.

In the letter, Boxer asked whether any other commissioners "past or present" knew of the report's existence and why it was never made public. She also asked whether it was "shelved because the outcome was not to the liking of some of the commissioners and/or any outside powerful interests?"

The report, written by two economists in the FCC's Media Bureau, analyzed a database of 4,078 individual news stories broadcast in 1998. The broadcasts were obtained from Danilo Yanich, a professor and researcher at the University of Delaware, and were originally gathered by the Pew Foundation's Project for Excellence in Journalism.

The analysis showed local ownership of television stations adds almost five and one-half minutes of total news to broadcasts and more than three minutes of "on-location" news. The conclusion is at odds with FCC arguments made when it voted in 2003 to increase the number of television stations a company could own in a single market. It was part of a broader decision liberalizing ownership rules.

At that time, the agency pointed to evidence that "commonly owned television stations are more likely to carry local news than other stations."

When considering whether to loosen rules on media ownership, the agency is required to examine the impact on localism, competition and diversity. The FCC generally defines localism as the level of responsiveness of a station to the needs of its community.

The 2003 action sparked a backlash among the public and within Congress. In June 2004, a federal appeals court rejected the agency's reasoning on most of the rules and ordered it to try again. The debate has since been reopened, and the FCC has scheduled a public hearing on the matter in Los Angeles on Oct. 3.

The report was begun after then-Chairman Michael Powell ordered the creation of a task force to study localism in broadcasting in August of 2003. Powell stepped down from the commission and was replaced by Martin in March 2005. Powell did not return a call seeking comment.

The authors of the report, Keith Brown and Peter Alexander, both declined to comment. Brown has left public service while Alexander is still at the FCC. Yanich confirmed the two men were the authors. Both have written extensively on media and telecommunications policy.

(Editor's Note: It is interesting that in some markets where dual ownership has occured, local news is beginning to be eliminated on one of the two sister stations; both stations using the same news department. Saves money... Now isn't that what is most important? Serving the public's interest, convenience and necessity...or is it the ownership's interest, convenience and necessity?...I always get that mixed up!)

"Congress passed a law on February 1, 2006, setting a final deadline for the DTV transition of February 17, 2009. Most television stations will continue broadcasting both analog and digital programming until February 17, 2009, when all analog broadcasting will stop.." FCC http://www.dtv.gov/

Converting to DTV also will free up parts of the scarce and valuable broadcast spectrum. Those portions of the spectrum can then be used for other important services, such as public and safety services (police and fire departments, emergency rescue), and advanced wireless services. http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/digitaltv.html/

Erie Native Doing New Gig On MSNBC.

(Editor’s Note: A reader sends in a question about former Erie Radio talk show host on the old Flagship 1330, Pat Campbell. Wondered if it was the same guy that was mentioned in this Orlando Sentinel item by Scott Maxwell)

"Morning radio host Pat Campbell is now tapping into a much larger audience than
his middle-of-the-ratings-pack home at 540 AM (WFLA) usually provides. His new side gig: serving as a panelist on MSNBC every Friday at 4:30 p.m. with anchor Tucker Carlson. The segments are live -- though one had to be taped because Carlson was competing on ABC's Dancing with the Stars. Carlson's two left feet, however, solved that problem last week when he was the first one
booted off the show."

Yes it is him and proud to be politically incorrect as ever. (His words... not
mine). He also has made several guest shots on the “O’Reilly Factor” on FOX. His radio show from WFLA is also nationally syndicated. At least he is in the middle of the ratings in Florida. That's much better than he did here in his home town.

"Congress passed a law on February 1, 2006, setting a final deadline for the DTV transition of February 17, 2009. Most television stations will continue broadcasting both analog and digital programming until February 17, 2009, when all analog broadcasting will stop.." FCC http://www.dtv.gov/

Affiliate Rule #1...Don't Piss-Off Your Network!

Return Of NFL Opening Week Scores Big For NBC!

The 2005-2006 TV Season: Summer Week 14

Top 10 Prime Time TV Shows Week Of September 4-10, 2006

(Here are the rankings for national prime-time network television last week as compiled by Nielsen Media Research. They are based on the average number of people who watched a program from start to finish. Nielsen estimates there are 277.93 million potential viewers in the U.S. ages 2 and older. Viewership is listed in millions.)

Rank Program Network Viewers

1 NBC Sunday Night Football 22.57
2 House Fox 19.65
3 NBC NFL Thursday Special 19.20
4 Sunday Night NFL Pre-Game NBC 14.50
5 Thursday Night NFL Pre-Game NBC14.02
6 Standoff Fox 13.63
7 ABC Football-Ohio State-Texas 13.27
8 Fox Sunday NFL Overrun 12.12
9-t The Simpsons Fox 11.63
9-t Football Night in America Post Game NBC 11.63

(Editor's Note: Could be GE might have second thoughts of dumping the USA's number 4 network as recent national rumors have been suggesting. This is the first we have seen CBS shutout. 7 of the 10 top ten this week were football. It must be the smell of the artificial turf in the fall air)

Source: ABC-TV and Nielsen Media Research data as posted on AVSFORUM.COM

"Congress passed a law on February 1, 2006, setting a final deadline for the DTV transition of February 17, 2009. Most television stations will continue broadcasting both analog and digital programming until February 17, 2009, when all analog broadcasting will stop.." FCC http://www.dtv.gov/

The EYE is STILL watching and doesn't like what they can't (W)SEE.

Dancing With the FCC…Cha…Cha…Cha.

Will the Federal Communications Commission dance the Cha Cha Cha with SJL/Lilly or will they get the Buffalo Shuffle from the commission? The FCC is expected to act by October 1st on Lilly Broadcasting (SJL) request for an extension of their construction permit for WSEE DT 16. Their extension request did not specify a new anticipated construction date to the FCC. Lilly sited the reason for the current delay as severe losses of revenue. In 2005, they reported that WSEE lost $400,000 and in the first 6 months of 2006 the losses had reached nearly $700,000.

The FCC has several possible dances they can do.
Dance 1. The Jive--Grant the extension and set another date for construction. If Lilly does not have a digital on the air by that date, they can again (Oiy-Vey) file another request for an extension.

Dance 2. The Quick Step (Or is it the SJL Side Step) Deny or reject the request and set a final drop dead date that Lilly must have a digital station on-the-air.

In the number 2 dance, (I would hate to speculate on the consequences) the FCC dance judges could impose if the digital station is not functional. We will just have to wait and see. For the good of the remaining employees and the community, I hope the digital can be constructed swiftly by somebody.

The rumors are really flying but nothing I want to put EMGR name too. We don't deal in rumors. (or is it Rumba's?)

Remember…"It Takes Two To Tango" and the dance floor has been known to be rather busy but oddly, nobody wants to dance to the music.

Olay!!

"Congress passed a law on February 1, 2006, setting a final deadline for the DTV transition of February 17, 2009. Most television stations will continue broadcasting both analog and digital programming until February 17, 2009, when all analog broadcasting will stop.." FCC http://www.dtv.gov/

The EYE is STILL watching and doesn't like what they can't (W)SEE.

“Why Nobody in Erie Cares about HDTV!”…

How To Successfully Market Consumer Technology in Erie And Become Number #1--An Erie Case Study.



“Nobody in Erie Cares about HDTV!” I hear that so much in the comments that it prompted me to go back about 33 years to another time and the introduction of another “new” consumer technology that the industry said that nobody wanted. They were called ATM’s. Remember? There was no mandate for ATM’s; purely consumer driven by marketing savvy.

The time was 1973 and there were 4 major banks in the little sleepy village of Erie, Pennsylvania. There was the big number one papa bank, First National…then there was the number 2 mama bank… Security Peoples. They were followed by their naughty stepchildren… number 3 Marine Bank and number 4 Union Bank. (Captain Dan was the marketing vice president of Union Bank, that is why it was extra naughty)

In those days, everyone was chasing papa bank. Security Peoples, known for lavish spending on new offices and other things, decided to try a single cash dispensing machine at their 8th and State office. They thought that people would flock for the convenience. But poorly, they put limitiations on its use by being picky on who would get a cash card and also limiting the number of hours of use. (That made no sense…even then) They didn’t support it with advertising in any significant manner to draw customers. So it failed.

Shortly there after, the first of the naughty step children, Marine Bank, observed the stumbling and decided on a “Brighter Idea.” Already having a reputation as being a very aggressive and progressive bank, they decided that the newest generation of ATM’s could give them a significant marketing advantage and help increase their market share, but it would have to be done right and with great cost.

Now the other banks and many Erie residents scoffed and laughed at the young upstart stepchild and its young aggressive president, Ted Junker and his Public Relations manager, Marlene Mosco. “They’re crazy”…. “People want to deal with real people not some cold machine.”….”They won’t trust a machine”…”They’ll lose their butt.” “It won’t work.” …“Just throwing their stockholders money away.”

The naughty little number 3 bank pressed on. They made big investments in the new ATM’s, remodeling existing locations to handle the technology and its supporting elements. Educated employees and trained them to do demonstrations at every opportunity. They also decided that everyone who had a checking account or would open one would automatically get one of the new access cards. (How shocking! They would actually trust low balance customers?) And one of the most important elements, they directed their advertising agency, House Gwynn and Nelson, (Later to become Engel & Tirak) to come up with an advertising campaign. They didn’t skimp on budget as Ted Junker practiced the marketing philosophy that if you want big results, you have to spend correctly to get it. (I think he learned that from his years at Penn State)

The decision was made to go with a 60 second television spot. This was very rare in local TV. A creative composer and lyric writer, Al Balo, came up with a piece of music and an accident in Erie marketing genius was born, "7 days and 7 nights." The ATM was called Handybank. I say it was an accident because 7 days and 7 nights was not the original introductory slogan. The music was a soft country sound and portrayed a typical blue collar truck driver riding I-79 who couldn’t wait to get home to Erie and use his Handybank card. (“Heading home to Erie…makes me think Marine…Handybank.”) The consumers loved it and it was the consumers, not the bank or the agency, which picked-up on the 7 days and 7 nights theme. Who was the bank to tell the consumer that they missed the real theme and got it wrong…or maybe...just maybe they just got it right? Junker, Mosco and the agency recognized a hit when they saw one and quickly adopted 7 days and 7 nights as the new slogan for the ATM service.

Over the years, the marketing cost and the cost of the technology to support the Handybank system ran into the millions for Marine. Remember, this was in 1970’s advertising dollars! I joined the Handybank agency team not quite a year after the introduction. It was my job to continue the momentum and we did that following the same successful formula. The result was that naughty stepchild, Marine Bank, went to number 2 and then to the number 1 bank in the area. It didn’t happen overnight and Marine introduced other innovations too, but market share increased faster than the expectations of the bank itself.

And what usually happens when you meet with success? People and other banks take notice. Other local banks finally introduced ATM’s but who remembers second best? None ever achieved and still haven’t achieved the success of those days 30 some years ago. A decade after that introduction, Marine Bank was absorbed into the PNCBANK system and within a short time had to change the name that was identified with Marine Bank…. Handybank to Mac. That is the way business happens.

The moral of this case study is that concentrated consumer education and solid marketing are paramount if you want to increase market share with new consumer technology. With digital, the advantage is that it is already a government mandate. The television station that claims that mandate as its own..today, educates the consumer...today... rather than letting natural confusion happen as Mark Cuban has predicted, will soar into ratings heaven for a very long time and increase its value on the brokerage market.

The economy of the Erie area will continue to go through cycles of ups and downs. The trick is you have to have vision, the courage and the resources to take advantage of the upside. You can’t do it by gutting your operation and expecting the end product to be acceptable to the public. That is a bean counter’s view of business and inevitable leads to suicidal disintegration from within.

(A postscript: Eventually Ted Junker became Chairman of the Board (Ret) and Marlene Mosco currently serves as President of PNCBANK North. And for thinking out-of-the box, the stockholders made lots and lots of money. The End)

"Congress passed a law on February 1, 2006, setting a final deadline for the DTV transition of February 17, 2009. Most television stations will continue broadcasting both analog and digital programming until February 17, 2009, when all analog broadcasting will stop.." FCC http://www.dtv.gov/

The EYE is STILL watching and doesn't like what they can't (W)SEE.

Leaders In Erie needed.

(I got an email from Tina Mengine who now is involved with a non-political group that tries to recruite leaders in communities. Not surprising she says, nobody in Erie has stepped up to the plate. Here is her message. She can send anyone interested more info.)

Dear Media Partners, Educators, Political Leaders and Friends:

An important program for emerging political leaders is currently recruiting in this area. This program, run by the Center for Progressive Leadership, has never reached out to the Erie region before. Thus far they have had little luck in recruitment from this area. I encourage all of you to spread the word about the program and the impending deadline, just days away, September 15, 2006.

Details on the program are below and attached.

The Fellowship is a part-time, 9-month leadership development program for both promising future candidates and non-candidate political leaders. During the 9-month program, each Fellow attends a series of trainings focused on providing them with the tools, resources, and knowledge to become an effective leader, organizer, or candidate in their community. As CPL Fellows, these leaders receive ongoing support and mentorship to support their launch into political prominence.

To apply visit the Center’s website at: http://www.progressleaders.org/states/pafellowship.htm


For more information please contact either
Fareeda Mabry
PA Recruitment Director
Center for Progressive Leadership
325 Chestnut Street, Suite 915
Philadelphia , PA 19106
Cell: 267-243-1468
Office: 215-923-5165
Email: fareeda@progressleaders.org
www.progressleaders.org

or locally:

Tina Mengine
The Democracy Group/Bluestocking Consulting

Mark Cuban On HDTV!

(EMGR Editor’s Note: This is the second part of an excerpted copyrighted interview with mogul Mark Cuban by Phillip Swann. Wednesday “Why Nobody in Erie Cares about HDTV”…or How To Successfully Market Consumer Technology in Erie And Become Number #1--An Erie Case Study.)

By Phillip SwannWashington, D.C.

(August 30, 2006) -- Here is part two of our exclusive two-part interview with Mark Cuban, president and co-founder of HDNet.

Today, Cuban comments on whether 1080p provides a better HD picture; and what's next for HDNet.

TV Predictions: You're always surprising the industry with your big-name hires (HDNet just signed Dan Rather for a weekly news show.) and innovative productions. What will be the next big surprise from HDNet or HDNet Movies?

Mark Cuban: The number of (original) movies we produce and the fact that we are increasing the budgets considerably. Things have worked out well for 'Day and Date', particularly at the DVD aisle. (Editor's Note: Day and Date refers to HDNet airing original movies the same day they premiere in the theater and are released on DVD. Cuban-owned companies include a film studio and a theater chain, which boosts the profits derived from the Day and Date releases.)Movies like Bubble, The War Within have shipped far more units than we expected, which allows us to reinvest that money and create more value for our subscribers.

TVP: A Microsoft XBox exec says 1080p is overrated, that 1080i offers a picture just as clear and vivid. Do you agree? (Note: Several TV manufacturers are now launching 1080p TVs, saying they will offer a better picture than past models which display 1080i and 720p.)

MC: Yes. But at the same time, it's much harder to cheat 1080p. It's far harder to steal bandwidth from it. It uses what it can get, and that leads to a better picture. (Note: Cuban is referring to the various factors that can reduce HD picture quality, including cable and satellite operators who sometime 'squeeze' the HD picture to allow for more channels to be transmitted.)

"There is going to be the biggest price and marketing war we have ever seen in this industry starting next Christmas."

I think cable and satellite are struggling with just how much picture quality matters. It matters a ton. HD consumers are getting smarter by the minute and quality of picture will be a deciding factor.

TVP: Will the 2009 Digital TV transition in the United States go smoothly? Or, will it be the technological equivalent of Katrina? (By federal law, all TV signals must switch from analog to digital in February 2009. Viewers will need a Digital TV or a converter box to watch TV at that time.)

MC: Yes, it will go smoothly, but not according to the press. The media will be littered with stories of little old ladies that can't get their favorite church sermons on Sunday morning, or 100 year old men who have been watching their favorite team since the NFL was founded and now they don't know how to do it. That's what the media does. However, that won't be the meat and potatoes of what is going on. Why? Because there is going to be the biggest price and marketing war we have ever seen in this industry starting next Christmas. There are 15 million or more households and untold number of people who won't have a clue about what the changeover means to them. Knowing this, cable and satellite will go to war trying to lure those 'analogniks' (the current Erie consumer) to their side of the fence.

TV manufacturers will be pricing their LCD and HDTVs to try to generate replacement sales'Avoid the confusion of the cut-off" "Will the cut off cut off your favorite shows?" "Buy our TV/Sat/Cable service today. Try our special $1 installation option or trade in your soon to be worthless analog TVs and we will...."You get the picture.

It's going to be very, very interesting.

TVP: What (or who) is the most impressive thing you've ever seen in high-def? Something that took your breath away?

MC: Watching classic movies on HDNet Movies. I watched the Towering Inferno last night and it looked like it was in 3D. Of course, almost any movie or show shot in original HD looks stunning. I think in 2nd place is watching news footage from Iraq and other hotspots. News really benefits (from HD) more than anyone realizes. It just costs a fortune to get equipment around the world. Which is an opportunity for us. We have stringers in more than 40 cities and growing with cameras we have provided. And we are going to let Dan (Rather) leverage the hell out of them."

Disclosure Note: HDNet is an advertiser at TVPredictions.com

Click TVPredictions.com to see the rest of today's Swanni Sez.© TVPredictions.com

"Congress passed a law on February 1, 2006, setting a final deadline for the DTV transition of February 17, 2009. Most television stations will continue broadcasting both analog and digital programming until February 17, 2009, when all analog broadcasting will stop.." FCC http://www.dtv.gov/

The EYE is STILL watching and doesn't like what they can't (W)SEE.

The Swami Chats With Mark Cuban About HDTV! Listen UP Erie Media.

(Editor’s Note: The following is part one of a copyrighted--excerpted interview with Mark Cuban conducted by TV technocrat Phillip Swann. Cuban's roots are from Western Pennsylvania. Part two will be posted tomorrow, but you can always peak ahead by going to his website. Wednesday will be a special post titled, “Why Nobody in Erie Cares about HDTV”…or How To Successfully Market Consumer Technology in Erie And Become Number #1--An Erie Case Study.)

The TV Predictions Interview

Mark Cuban Speaks Out!
By Phillip Swann

Washington, D.C. (August 30, 2006) -- Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks basketball team, is not one to pull his punches.

Just ask NBA Commissioner David Stern. The hoops czar has slapped Cuban with repeated fines for criticizing the officiating in Mavericks' games.

However, the subject of High-Definition TV might incite Cuban even more than whether Dirk Nowitzki gets the call while driving to the basket.

Cuban, co-founder of HDNet, the high-def network available on satellite and most cable systems, believes that HDTV will revolutionize television. However, he says many industry types -- and journalists -- don't understand what Americans really want from HDTV.

Today, in part one of a two part TVPredictions.com interview with Cuban, he reveals which new HDTV DVD player he would buy….…

In part two, Cuban comments on whether 1080p provides a better HD picture;… and what's next for HDNet.

TV Predictions: The HDTV industry has done a great job of reaching males and the tech-savvy. But who does the industry need to win over before it becomes a mass product? Females? Older people? Younger people? The middle class?

Mark Cuban: In terms of TV sales, it's (HDTV) already a mass product. It's the same cycle as PCs went through. It's purely about price. When replacing or adding a TV, people try to get the most for their money. HDTV is the far better deal right now and getting better by the minute. Add to the utility of the TV, the furniture and coolness factor, and the work is already done.

If prices continue to fall, and the (Digital TV) switchover happens in (February) 2009, you will see the end of analog, except for small portable (TVs) and off off brands, within 3 years.

TVP: Are sports still the main driver of HDTV sales? Or, are we starting to see other forms of entertainment (movies, documentaries, dramas etc.) bringing in new HDTV buyers?

MC: I don't even think it's content driving the sale of the TV. It's price and picture quality. Content is the driver in the competition between video providers. As the TV becomes a bigger focal point in the living room and consumers realize they can get far better than SD (Standard Definition TV) on LCDs, they are going to startdemanding more and more real HD (not upconverted) and it will make more sense to consumers to order it from their providers.

"Why in the world would you want to do (HDTV) content built around a talking head?"

TVP: Many people are saying (particularly Swanni) that TV personalities and celebrities are becoming increasingly concerned about how they look in HD. Is this a real issue or just a fun topic for journalists?

MC: It's a fun topic for journalists and you guys are missing the point. HDTV adds wide screen ability, resolution and great audio. Why in the world would you want to do content built around a talking head?

The value in a journalist like Dan Rather (just hired by Cuban to host a weekly news show on HDNet) isn't sitting at a desk reading the news, It's being a journalist, uncovering stories and then leveraging the video and audio abilities of the medium to tell the story in a more compelling fashion.

It would be a waste to do news the way it's always been done. Which is exactly why we think we have a great opportunity with Dan Rather Reports (debuting in October) and HDNet World Report (HDNet's other weekly news program.)

TVP: There are two new High-Definition DVD formats on the market. If you were a cost-conscious consumer, would you buy a HD-DVD (backed by Toshiba) or a Blu-ray player (backed by Sony)? Or, would you wait until the HDTV DVD format war is settled?

MC: I would buy a $399 PC and connect it to my HDTV and buy and play all the Windows Media HD Content out there. And then I would buy a DVR from my provider and hack it to add a Terabyte drive and record everything and anything. But that's me.

If I had a beautiful Home Theater that I used to impress my friends, I would buy HD-DVD today and wait till the dual use boxes came out to upgrade to them.

Editor's note: A few electronics companies have hinted they will soon launch DVD players that can play both Blu-ray and HD-DVD discs; the two formats are not compatible with each other, meaning one DVD won't play on the other's machine.

"I don't even think it's content driving the sale of HDTV. It's price and picture quality."

TVP: Several cable TV operators jointly own INHD, a rival HDTV network carried on cable systems. Is cable's ownership of INHD blocking their carriage of HDNet?

MC: We are told that bandwidth is tight, which I truly believe. But as customer expectations of true HD content increases, and it absolutely will, then having more HD, and in particular original content only available in HD, will make a big difference. As will having only pure HD content and no upconverts.

(Note: Upconverting is when a TV network or provider converts a sub-HD picture to HD; the picture may be improved, but it's not real high-def.)

More HDTVs were sold than analog in 2006. The delta will increase exponentially in 2007. Even if only 50 to 60 percent subscribe to HD services, that's a big number with higher expectations.

Far more important is the growing number of educated HD consumers. The HD sub who has had their TV for several years knows the difference between HD and upconverted and every bit of research says the more HD experience, the more they want. (Editor’s Note: This scares the crap in certain Erie TV circles)

We hear every day -- and in ever increasing numbers -- from subscribers who have switched to satellite from cable (operators) who don't offer the HDNet (channels) because they prefer watching great content in HD.

Click Cuban to read part two of our interview with HDNet's Mark Cuban.Disclosure Note: HDNet is an advertiser at TVPredictions.com

Click TVPredictions.com to see the rest of today's Swanni Sez.

© TVPredictions.com



"Congress passed a law on February 1, 2006, setting a final deadline for the DTV transition of February 17, 2009. Most television stations will continue broadcasting both analog and digital programming until February 17, 2009, when all analog broadcasting will stop.." FCC http://www.dtv.gov/

The EYE is STILL watching and doesn't like what they can't (W)SEE.

Now you can Subscribe to EMGR

With a slight change of format and some updating, it is now possible for readers to subscribe to Erie Media-Go-Round and be notified when there is a new post. Just click on the "Subscribe Post" at the bottom of the page. If you choose, you can also subscribe to comments in a specific post and be alerted when a new one you are following is posted. System uses Atom 1.o

CBS Takes 8 Out of Top 10

The 2005-2006 TV Season: Summer Week 13
Top 10 Prime Time TV Shows
Week Of August 28-September 3, 2006

Here are the rankings for national prime-time network television last week as compiled by Nielsen Media Research. They are based on the average number of people who watched a program from start to finish. Nielsen estimates there are 277.93 million potential viewers in the U.S. ages 2 and older. Viewership is listed in millions.

Rank Program Network Viewers
1 CSI: Miami CBS 10.80
2 Law & Order:SVU NBC 9.92
3 Two and a Half Men CBS 9.80
4 Prison Break Fox 9.44
5 60 Minutes CBS 9.20
6 Two and a Half Men 8PM CBS 9.16
7 CSI CBS 9.15
8 Without A Trace CBS 9.05
9 Criminal Minds CBS 9.01
10 CSI: NY CBS 8.89

• Source: ABC-TV and Nielsen Media Research data as Posted on AVSFORUM.COM

(Editor's Note: I just wish half of this were true for CBS Erie. )

"Congress passed a law on February 1, 2006, setting a final deadline for the DTV transition of February 17, 2009. Most television stations will continue broadcasting both analog and digital programming until February 17, 2009, when all analog broadcasting will stop.." FCC http://www.dtv.gov/

The EYE is STILL watching and doesn't like what they can't (W)SEE.

CBS Is Feeling Heat!

In an Associated Press Story, some CBS affiliates are getting a little shaky about airing a 911 documentary next Monday from 8 to 10 about firefighters on 911. Hosted by Robert De Nero, the documentary contains footage and comments that are graphic and tells the events as they happened in their own words. It’s the language that is causing the problem for some affilliates. The program was aired before but new footage has been included for this showing.

The effects of Janet Jackson’s breast outage and the resulting stiffening of fines by the FCC has caused many broadcasters to take a second look. (At the documentary…not at Janet Jackson’s breasts).

Read the story and post what your opinion. What do you think our local affilate should do?

"Congress passed a law on February 1, 2006, setting a final deadline for the DTV transition of February 17, 2009. Most television stations will continue broadcasting both analog and digital programming until February 17, 2009, when all analog broadcasting will stop.." FCC http://www.dtv.gov/

Nice Guy That Captain Dan…But Can You Trust Him With A Chihuahua?

What a guy....that's Jack and I know Jack

(Editor’s Note: After the post about Allan Carpenter, I received nice notes from both Allan and Captain Dan. Dan’s was more than a note. It sort of turned into his reflection on his career in Erie radio and why he not only loves radio but Erie too. I asked the captain if I could share it and he gave his permission.)

Jack,

Many thanks for the kind words on your blog (which I read everyday that you post). I have been blessed by working with folks who are the best in the game on more than one occasion. My decade at Classy 100 with the "original" Breakfast Club resulted in me working with two of the best...Terri Bohen and Newsman Dave Benson. The chemistry that we had could not have been manufactured....it truly was 3 people working as one and playing off each others strengths as well as weaknesses.

After leaving Classy, I had the opportunity to work with legendary Frank Martin and we had this guy Allan who would pop in and deliver the news as only he could. When Frank moved to be the Afternoon Mayor, I insisted that Allan join me as a full fledged partner. I knew he was the guy who would complete the dream team and indeed that dream has come true. You couldn't find a better on air partner and an off air friend. He truly is one of the best in the biz and I am most grateful for each morning we have in the studio. It's 4 and a half hours of fun, enlightenment and camaraderie that again you just can't manufacture.

September 19th will mark our 9th year together as Erie's Morning show and I look forward to many more....and another milestone for me will be in November when I'll celebrate my 19th year getting Erie up and going. I still have a way to match Frank Martin but as long as I can do it... I will.

Yours in great radio and friendship,

Dan

P. S “please give me a job.”....I haven't asked that for the last 19 years because I love radio passionately.

Kudos to WJET-TV and WICU!

WJET once again had a very successful MD telethon. The station way back has made Jerry’s kids a special cause and that we can all be proud. I am especially sensitive to causes that focus on the disabled. As former president of the Achievement Center in Erie, I know the wonderful work that can be done. In the same token, WICU should also be congratulated again this year for its “Buy a Board” program to help those who need wheelchair ramps. In many ways, the clients and needs are similar.

This is how broadcasters make a difference in their communities.

Talk To The FCC!

The FCC always likes to hear from consumers on how our local broadcasters are doing. Last Thursday, SJL of Pennsylvania filed their long awaited extension for their construction permit of digital channel 16. It should be noted that it has nothing to do with the current operation of channel 35 except for the financials.

Here is the link to their filing. (SJL FCC Filing) You can also see my observations by again reading SJL Made it. Read it and write your own comment, one way or the other, to the FCC at either http://www.mbinfo@fcc.gov/ or by sending your thoughts to:

Federal Communications Commission
Media Bureau/Video Division
445 12th Street, SWWashington, D.C. 20554
ATTN: Comments
RE: File Number BEPCDT 20060830AAB

Either way, be sure to include the file number (BEPCDT 2006083AAB) listed above as that is how they track and categorize communications.

Congress passed a law on February 1, 2006, setting a final deadline for the DTV transition of February 17, 2009. Most television stations will continue broadcasting both analog and digital programming until February 17, 2009, when all analog broadcasting will stop.." FCC http://www.dtv.gov/

HD TV's Can Be Had For Under $1000

5 HDTVs For Under $750

(Editors Note: The following is from Philip Swann, www.tvpredictions.com. Swann is an often quoted expert on the consumer television scene. Also of note, The Consumer Electronics Association, CES, has estimated that this year high definition sets will out sell analog by 89%)

Despite what you've heard, High-Definition TV doesn't have to break your budget.By Allison MooreHD ObserverWashington, D.C. (August 27, 2006)-- Want a new High-Definition TV?

Oh, it's too expensive, you say. Well, it doesn't have to be. TVPredictions.com has found five sensational sets for under $1,000. Yes, you could be watching high-def tonight for less than $1,000. Here are five HDTVs for under $1,000.

1. Philips 26PF5321D26-inch Widescreen LCD TV

The set has a built-in ATSC tuner that pulls HD signals from an off-air antenna. You can also hook up a HDMI-capable cable or satellite set-top for the best HD picture possible. The Philips set comes with a removable tabletop stand and can be wall-mounted with optional hardware.This set is now available at Amazon.com for $725.

Click Philips to learn more.

2. Samsung LN-S235123-Inch Flat-Panel LCD HDTV

The set, which is designed for home offices, kitchens and small to medium sized bedrooms, will display HDTV signals when connected to a cable or satellite HD tuner. It comes with a black cabinet which houses two side speakers and an oval, black tabletop stand.The set is now available at Amazon.com for $627.

Click Samsung to learn more.

3. Toshiba 20HLK8620-Inch HD-Ready LCD TV

The 20-inch set features a silvery gray cabinet made of stainless steel. The set offers a 720p (progressive) HD display with a 1366 x 768-pixel resolution. It's capable of displaying HDTV with an optional HD receiver or cable/satellite set-top box. It also has an HDMI input.The set is now available at Amazon.com for $642.

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4. Samsung TXS308230-Inch Wide Slimfit HDTV

The set is just 16.3 inches deep and 30 percent slimmer than a conventional tube TV. Samsung's DynaFlat screen offers a maximum of 800 lines of resolution. The side speakers offer wide-screen design impact that takes advantage of the 16:9 aspect ratio, and the silver bezel provides an elegant and modern look. The set is now available at Amazon.com for $649.

Click Samsung to learn more

5. Westinghouse LTV-27w627-Inch LCD HDTV

This set has a HDTV tuner built-in so you can receive your local high-def signals with an off-air antenna. The set is now available at Amazon.com for $699.

Click Westinghouse to learn more.

Click TVPredictions.com to see the rest of today's Swanni Sez.

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Congress passed a law on February 1, 2006, setting a final deadline for the DTV transition of February 17, 2009. Most television stations will continue broadcasting both analog and digital programming until February 17, 2009, when all analog broadcasting will stop.." FCC http://www.dtv.gov/

Investing In Erie Means Seeing Erie Grow!

(Editors Note: I have mentioned several times that broadcast problems in Erie are created by attitude and attitude has to change if broadcasting and Erie are to change. Our media have to be our leaders. I referred to an article by Pat Howard last Sunday. Now Peter Panepento, in his Inside Erie blog, picks up the same theme. While it is about Erie in general, it really applies to the attitude that attempts to explain away Erie's gravity when it comes to progress in broadcasting as well. "We are a small market nobody cares about."...or..."There's no money to go digital." With Peter's permission, I am reprinting it here.)

Does Erie really want to change?I’ve been thinking about this question since reading Erie Times-News managing editor Pat Howard’s Sunday column on Erie’s attitude toward transformation.

Howard’s column was based, at least in part, on some of the conversations that have started on the “Inside Erie” blog.

His point is simple - Erie has seen its share of change over the years, and most of it has not been for the better.

Our community has been heading in the wrong direction because instead of forcing change ourselves, we’re allowing it to be forced upon it by someone else.

Erie’s best days came when the city was a manufacturing center. Erie bustled and its people prospered because it had a strong base of skilled workers who earned good wages in factories and trades.

It also had its share of homegrown companies that were committed to the community and their employees.

But we’ve failed to deal with the reality that manufacturing - while still important - is not going to supply as many jobs as it has in the past.

Some factory work has gone overseas. Some is simply being done more efficiently through better processes and technology.

The reality is we’re probably manufacturing more here than ever before - but we’re doing it with fewer people.

As a result, we need to create a new base of family sustaining jobs to fill the gap.

Until recently, Erie has failed to address this reality.

We’ve held out hope that we could recapture our lost manufacturing jobs through the magic creation of new manufacturing jobs.

But our only real solution was to diversify - to cultivate employers in industries that will be adding people, not shedding them, to grow.

We failed to change our ways.

And we’re now dealing with a changed Erie - one that is not as strong as it was in the 1960s and 1970s.

Our inability to adapt is grounded, I believe, on the values that were attached to this city during those good years.

Erie was a community based on hard work, loyalty and the belief that a dollar saved is better than a dollar spent.

Work hard, save your money, follow the rules and things will work out right.

Those values were shared by the people who lived here - and the companies they worked for.

The problem is, those values have changed around us.

Local companies that worked under that set of values have been swallowed up by larger, more mobile firms.

Workers have learned that loyalty is now a quaint value in the world of business.

Companies, by and large, are more concerned with squeezing out a bigger profit than they are in taking care of their employees.

And there are other communities that have been willing to invest in infrastructure that will help lure those bottom-line-seeking firms away from cities like Erie.

There are communities that have invested in technology and amenities that act as magnets to startup companies and younger workers - the kind of workers Erie keeps losing.

Many of us live here because we like the values attached to the old Erie.

But we have to get used to the idea that if we want to preserve those ideals, we have to change the way we pursue them.

We have to become more aggressive and take more risks.

We have to get used to the idea that we need to identify areas where we can gain an advantage - then spend the time and money to leverage that advantage.

We have to abandon the idea that if we work hard and play by the rules, someone will take care of us.Those days are over.

Nobody is going to take care of us.We have to take care of ourselves.

--Peter Panepento--August 31, 2006 "Inside Erie" Available at www.goerie.com

Congress passed a law on February 1, 2006, setting a final deadline for the DTV transition of February 17, 2009. Most television stations will continue broadcasting both analog and digital programming until February 17, 2009, when all analog broadcasting will stop.." FCC http://www.dtv.gov/

CBS Still Summertime Sizzling But Emmy's Take Number 1

Top 10 Prime Time TV Shows Week Of August 21-27, 2006

Here are the rankings for national prime-time network television last week as compiled by Nielsen Media Research. They are based on the average number of people who watched a program from start to finish. Nielsen estimates there are 277.93 million potential viewers in the U.S. ages 2 and older. Viewership is listed in millions.

Rank Program Network Viewers

1 Emmy Awards NBC 16.18
2 60 Minutes CBS 11.94
3 CSI CBS 11.58
4 CSI: Miami CBS 10.56
5 “The Curse of the Black Pearl” ABC 10.00
6 Without A Trace CBS 9.95
7 Law & Order:SVU NBC 9.60
8 Prison Break FOX 9.40
9 House-Tue 8P FOX 9.00
10 CSI: NY CBS 8.90

• Source: ABC-TV and Nielsen Media Research data as posted on AVSFORUM.com

Congress passed a law on February 1, 2006, setting a final deadline for the DTV transition of February 17, 2009. Most television stations will continue broadcasting both analog and digital programming until February 17, 2009, when all analog broadcasting will stop.." FCC http://www.dtv.gov/