Thursday, January 6, 2011
Huffing and Puffing
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| Photo by Julian Dufort for Vanity Fair |
So what exactly happened in the fall of 2004 when Huffington, Daou, Boyce, and such liberal lights as David Geffen, Larry David, and Norman Lear discussed a Democratic answer to the Drudge Report? And why did the two men wait nearly six years to claim credit? The author walks back their she-said-we-said collision.
William D. Cohan sorts it out in a Vanity Fair article.
According to Cohan, Daou and Boyce say that they were the ones who conceived of “a Democratic equivalent of the Drudge Report”—a shorthand description of what the Huffington Post is all about—and called it "www.fourteensixty.com" (for the number of days between presidential elections).
According to their 15-page November 14, 2004, memorandum about “1460,” which Boyce gave Huffington before the December 3 meeting, the core objective of the Web site was to “use the potential of the Internet to the fullest extent possible to continue the momentum started during the [2004 presidential] campaign and re-organize the Democratic Party from the outside in, not the inside out.”
Read more here.
Internet Closes In On TV As News Source
iNet Surpasses TV as Primary News Source For People Under 30
The internet is slowly closing in on television as Americans’ main source of national and international news. Currently, 41% say they get most of their news about national and international news from the internet, which is little changed over the past two years but up 17 points since 2007. Television remains the most widely used source for national and international news – 66% of Americans say it is their main source of news – but that is down from 74% three years ago and 82% as recently as 2002.
The national survey by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press, conducted Dec. 1-5, 2010 among 1,500 adults reached on cell phones and landlines, finds that more people continue to cite the internet than newspapers as their main source of news, reflecting both the growth of the internet, and the gradual decline in newspaper readership (from 34% in 2007 to 31% now). The proportion citing radio as their main source of national and international news has remained relatively stable in recent years; currently, 16% say it is their main source.
An analysis of how different generations are getting their news suggests that these trends are likely to continue. In 2010, for the first time, the internet has surpassed television as the main source of national and international news for people younger than 30. Since 2007, the number of 18 to 29 year olds citing the internet as their main source has nearly doubled, from 34% to 65%. Over this period, the number of young people citing television as their main news source has dropped from 68% to 52%.
Among those 30 to 49, the internet is on track to equal, or perhaps surpass, television as the main source of national and international news within the next few years. Currently, 48% say the internet is their main source – up 16 points from 2007 – and 63% cite television – down eight points.
The internet also has grown as a news source for people ages 50 to 64; currently 34% say the internet is their main source of national and international news, nearly equal to the number who cite newspapers (38%), though still far below television (71%). There has been relatively little change in the how people age 65 and older get their news. The internet has risen to 14% from 5% in 2007, but is still far behind newspapers (47%) and television (79%) as a main source.
The decline in the share of Americans who cite television as their main source of national and international news crosses all age groups. Over the past three years, the number saying TV is their main source has fallen 16 points among 18-29 year-olds, eight points among those 30 to 49, and six points among those age 50 and older.
To see complete report, click here.
The internet is slowly closing in on television as Americans’ main source of national and international news. Currently, 41% say they get most of their news about national and international news from the internet, which is little changed over the past two years but up 17 points since 2007. Television remains the most widely used source for national and international news – 66% of Americans say it is their main source of news – but that is down from 74% three years ago and 82% as recently as 2002.
An analysis of how different generations are getting their news suggests that these trends are likely to continue. In 2010, for the first time, the internet has surpassed television as the main source of national and international news for people younger than 30. Since 2007, the number of 18 to 29 year olds citing the internet as their main source has nearly doubled, from 34% to 65%. Over this period, the number of young people citing television as their main news source has dropped from 68% to 52%.
Among those 30 to 49, the internet is on track to equal, or perhaps surpass, television as the main source of national and international news within the next few years. Currently, 48% say the internet is their main source – up 16 points from 2007 – and 63% cite television – down eight points.
The internet also has grown as a news source for people ages 50 to 64; currently 34% say the internet is their main source of national and international news, nearly equal to the number who cite newspapers (38%), though still far below television (71%). There has been relatively little change in the how people age 65 and older get their news. The internet has risen to 14% from 5% in 2007, but is still far behind newspapers (47%) and television (79%) as a main source.
The decline in the share of Americans who cite television as their main source of national and international news crosses all age groups. Over the past three years, the number saying TV is their main source has fallen 16 points among 18-29 year-olds, eight points among those 30 to 49, and six points among those age 50 and older.
To see complete report, click here.
Beck's Blaze Announces Additions
Media Heavyweights Join Management Team at The Blaze
Former Huffington Post CEO Betsy Morgan and Former Premiere Radio Networks President Kraig Kitchin will join The Blaze, Glenn Beck’s four month-old information network, it was announced today by Christopher Balfe, President & COO of Mercury Radio Arts.
Morgan will be based in New York, and Kitchin will be based in Los Angeles.
As president, Morgan will focus on establishing The Blaze as a premiere digital network curating content, community and debate and further leveraging Beck’s loyal audience. Kitchin joins as director of sales, and will oversee all advertising activity for The Blaze. Scott Baker, who joined The Blaze from Breitbart.tv as Managing Editor, has been promoted to Editor in Chief.
“The Blaze is very fortunate to welcome Betsy and Kraig to the team,” said Beck. “Betsy has proven herself to be a successful media executive and leader in the digital media space, and her unique perspective and experiences will be valuable in building The Blaze as a vibrant, impactful community. Kraig is a veteran advertising executive whose strong relationships and vast media experience will help forge new partnerships and further develop our brand.”
Morgan most recently served as the CEO of the award winning Huffington Post from 2007 until 2009, playing a pivotal role in the company’s expansion. Under her leadership, the site grew from 4 million to 22 million unique visitors and doubled its ad revenue. Morgan expanded the number of content verticals to ten, incorporated over 3,000 new blogging contributors, and raised $25 million in new funding. Prior to her tenure at the Huffington Post, Morgan spent 10 years at CBS News, where she worked as vice president of the news division in the digital sector, and later as senior vice president of CBS Interactive and the general manager of CBSNews.com.
Kitchin will continue to operate Sound Mind LLC, a management company that he launched in 2008 for many of the nation’s top radio, television and music personalities. In l987, Kitchin helped found Premiere Radio Networks—the top radio network in the country in both advertising relationships and audience reach, with over 190 million listeners weekly- and served as its President and COO for 10 years.
“I believe in The Blaze, and see its loyal readership beginning to emerge,” said Kitchin. “It will offer countless national advertisers an environment to connect with online readers and sell products and services as a result.”
TheBlaze.com launched in August of 2010 and has already delivered impressive audience growth, averaging over 3 million unique visitors per month. Major national advertisers such as Goldline, Lifelock and Freedomworks have already signed on as advertisers in 2011.
Premiere Radio Networks represents The Blaze.com to advertisers nationwide.
Former Huffington Post CEO Betsy Morgan and Former Premiere Radio Networks President Kraig Kitchin will join The Blaze, Glenn Beck’s four month-old information network, it was announced today by Christopher Balfe, President & COO of Mercury Radio Arts.
Morgan will be based in New York, and Kitchin will be based in Los Angeles.
“The Blaze is very fortunate to welcome Betsy and Kraig to the team,” said Beck. “Betsy has proven herself to be a successful media executive and leader in the digital media space, and her unique perspective and experiences will be valuable in building The Blaze as a vibrant, impactful community. Kraig is a veteran advertising executive whose strong relationships and vast media experience will help forge new partnerships and further develop our brand.”
Morgan most recently served as the CEO of the award winning Huffington Post from 2007 until 2009, playing a pivotal role in the company’s expansion. Under her leadership, the site grew from 4 million to 22 million unique visitors and doubled its ad revenue. Morgan expanded the number of content verticals to ten, incorporated over 3,000 new blogging contributors, and raised $25 million in new funding. Prior to her tenure at the Huffington Post, Morgan spent 10 years at CBS News, where she worked as vice president of the news division in the digital sector, and later as senior vice president of CBS Interactive and the general manager of CBSNews.com.
“I believe in The Blaze, and see its loyal readership beginning to emerge,” said Kitchin. “It will offer countless national advertisers an environment to connect with online readers and sell products and services as a result.”
TheBlaze.com launched in August of 2010 and has already delivered impressive audience growth, averaging over 3 million unique visitors per month. Major national advertisers such as Goldline, Lifelock and Freedomworks have already signed on as advertisers in 2011.
Premiere Radio Networks represents The Blaze.com to advertisers nationwide.
Favre Ready for The Booth?
Broadcasting Forecast: Cloudy With Chance of Clearing
It seemed so obvious once upon a time: Whenever Brett Favre decided to retire, his name would join those of Terry Bradshaw, Dan Marino, Phil Simms, Troy Aikman and Steve Young as great quarterbacks who parlayed their accomplishments on the field into successful careers preaching the gospel of football each Sunday on television.
However, writes Milton Kent at fanhouse.com, what seemed obvious once upon a time isn't as clear now, as Favre's spot at a desk or in a booth doesn't seem certain, as no network has expressed an interest in bringing him on board.
Their reluctance to commit is understandable. The Favre brand is badly tarnished through actions almost entirely of his own doing.
To wit, Favre's name has been dragged through the tabloid sludge throughout this season because of his alleged "sexting" of former Jets game hostess Jenn Sterger. In addition, two former massage therapists associated with the Jets filed a lawsuit this week, contending that he behaved similarly with them.
Add that to the weariness over Favre's seeming eternal Hamlet act as to whether he would retire or return each postseason, and you get a name that isn't as dazzling to network officials as it once was.
Then, too, there's practicality. Normally, a network would go in for a splashy, high-profile name if its ratings were flagging or if there was a notable vacancy. In case you hadn't noticed, ratings for all the NFL carriers are up to the point where bringing in Favre wouldn't likely add any more eyeballs to the mix.
And, unless Bill Cowher does leave CBS' "The NFL Today" to return to coaching, there really aren't any openings at any of the Sunday or Monday broadcasts and there are no position that Favre would improve by replacing the current incumbent.
Still, just as it was never safe to count Favre out during his playing days, so might it be to do so with a potential broadcasting career.
Read more here.
It seemed so obvious once upon a time: Whenever Brett Favre decided to retire, his name would join those of Terry Bradshaw, Dan Marino, Phil Simms, Troy Aikman and Steve Young as great quarterbacks who parlayed their accomplishments on the field into successful careers preaching the gospel of football each Sunday on television.
However, writes Milton Kent at fanhouse.com, what seemed obvious once upon a time isn't as clear now, as Favre's spot at a desk or in a booth doesn't seem certain, as no network has expressed an interest in bringing him on board.
Their reluctance to commit is understandable. The Favre brand is badly tarnished through actions almost entirely of his own doing.
To wit, Favre's name has been dragged through the tabloid sludge throughout this season because of his alleged "sexting" of former Jets game hostess Jenn Sterger. In addition, two former massage therapists associated with the Jets filed a lawsuit this week, contending that he behaved similarly with them.
Add that to the weariness over Favre's seeming eternal Hamlet act as to whether he would retire or return each postseason, and you get a name that isn't as dazzling to network officials as it once was.
Then, too, there's practicality. Normally, a network would go in for a splashy, high-profile name if its ratings were flagging or if there was a notable vacancy. In case you hadn't noticed, ratings for all the NFL carriers are up to the point where bringing in Favre wouldn't likely add any more eyeballs to the mix.
And, unless Bill Cowher does leave CBS' "The NFL Today" to return to coaching, there really aren't any openings at any of the Sunday or Monday broadcasts and there are no position that Favre would improve by replacing the current incumbent.
Still, just as it was never safe to count Favre out during his playing days, so might it be to do so with a potential broadcasting career.
Read more here.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Erick Erickson, Dave Ramsey Join WSB Radio
Michael Savage off
Conservative commentator Erick Erickson, who operates blog site RedState.com, will host a local weekday show from 9 p.m. to midnight on AM 750 & 95.5FM News/Talk WSB starting Monday, according to Rodney Ho at acj.com.
Erickson, who lives in Macon, regularly appears on CNN to talk about politics.
Financial guru and talk show host Dave Ramsey, who recently was bumped for a local afternoon show on 640/WGST-AM, will also join WSB from midnight to 3 a.m. Ramsey had been offered an evening spot on WGST but opted for WSB’s broader reach.
“He’ll be a great one-two punch with Clark Howard to add to our stable,” said program director Pete Spriggs Wednesday morning.
“Isn’t that cool?” Howard said in an interview today. “He reaches a different audience. His [show] is about people out of control in debt and getting their debt back in control. I cover everything people do with their wallet, not just people in crisis in debt. It’s like going to different specialists.”
San Francisco-based syndicated host and native New Yorker Michael Savage will no longer be aired on the station, where he has been on from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Ready more here.
Conservative commentator Erick Erickson, who operates blog site RedState.com, will host a local weekday show from 9 p.m. to midnight on AM 750 & 95.5FM News/Talk WSB starting Monday, according to Rodney Ho at acj.com.
Erickson, who lives in Macon, regularly appears on CNN to talk about politics.
Financial guru and talk show host Dave Ramsey, who recently was bumped for a local afternoon show on 640/WGST-AM, will also join WSB from midnight to 3 a.m. Ramsey had been offered an evening spot on WGST but opted for WSB’s broader reach.
“He’ll be a great one-two punch with Clark Howard to add to our stable,” said program director Pete Spriggs Wednesday morning.
“Isn’t that cool?” Howard said in an interview today. “He reaches a different audience. His [show] is about people out of control in debt and getting their debt back in control. I cover everything people do with their wallet, not just people in crisis in debt. It’s like going to different specialists.”
San Francisco-based syndicated host and native New Yorker Michael Savage will no longer be aired on the station, where he has been on from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Ready more here.
Bubba1, Bubba2 Coming To iNet
Clem said this week there remained an outside chance that Sirius star Howard Stern, a longtime friend, might push the company into crafting a new deal with him. But currently his name and programming are off the channel that has been his home since 2006 — back when no traditional radio company would hire a button-pushing personality fired by Clear Channel after earning a $755,000 federal fine.
Five years later, Clem is in a decidedly different space, accusing Sirius of "lowballing" him in renewal negotiations while finalizing plans to create a new online space for his programs with the service RadioIO.
Starting Monday, fans can head to Clem's area on RadioIO.com and hear a live stream of the morning show he hosts for Cox Radio station WHPT-FM (the Bone 102.5), with rebroadcasts at noon and 7 p.m. Clem also plans music channels programmed by each of his sidekicks, an uncensored, Internet-only midday show, access to archives of his programs stretching back to his Clear Channel days and an iPhone app allowing listening through mobile devices.
The site will be free for all until March 1, when Clem will split the service into free and paid content. With fees ranging from $9.99 to $12.99 monthly.
Read more here.
WABC-TV's Heidi Jones Charged
Reported fake park attack story
WABC-TV weatherwoman Heidi Jones stood silently before a judge Wednesday as she was formally charged with falsely telling cops a mystery man attacked her in Central Park, according to a story at nydailynews.com.
Wearing a black skirt suit and burgundy patent leather pumps, Jones did not utter a word as prosecutors told Manhattan Criminal Court Judge Lynn Kotler Jones faces two misdemeanors - and up to a year in prison - for the alleged snow job.
The criminal complaint filed in the case says Jones, who sometimes fills in on "Good Morning America," came clean to investigators 12 days after her initial statement.
"I did make this up. I made it up for attention. I have so much stress at work, with my personal life and with my family. I know there is no justification for it," Jones told cops Dec. 13, according to the court papers.
Read more here.
Wearing a black skirt suit and burgundy patent leather pumps, Jones did not utter a word as prosecutors told Manhattan Criminal Court Judge Lynn Kotler Jones faces two misdemeanors - and up to a year in prison - for the alleged snow job.
The criminal complaint filed in the case says Jones, who sometimes fills in on "Good Morning America," came clean to investigators 12 days after her initial statement.
"I did make this up. I made it up for attention. I have so much stress at work, with my personal life and with my family. I know there is no justification for it," Jones told cops Dec. 13, according to the court papers.
Read more here.
Open Mic Catches "Long Games" Comment
An open mic on the ESPN3.com feed captured ESPN announcers Mike Tirico, Ron Jaworski, and Jon Gruden talking during a commercial break on Monday night’s Orange Bowl. Apparently, someone owes someone else lunch, and these games are "just too damn long".
Tom's Take: Betcha the all the breaks get covered in the future.
Gunny Sorry For Obama ‘Socialism’ Comments
Ermey said today that his comments were “misguided” and “emotionally based” and for that he is “truly sorry.” His full statement, which is posted on his website as a splash page, is below:
A Message from the Gunny
“I recently appeared at a fundraising event designed to collect toys and raise awareness for underprivileged children. While that event succeeded in raising thousands of dollars and hundreds of toys for this cause, I regret that I delivered a monologue that was inappropriately critical of the President. I was trying to be entertaining and simply went too far in this instance. I am mindful that my success as an entertainer relates in part to my experience in the Marine Corps, my devotion to its members, and the deep respect I have for members of all our Armed Forces. My comments should not be seen as reflecting on them or their views. I was just very disappointed in the amount of success that we were having raising toys and money for the underprivileged children this season. The poor economy has greatly hampered our efforts. My comments were misguided, and emotionally based, and for that I am truly sorry.”Some are wondering if the apology is a move to appease the insurance company GEICO. Another GEICO voice actor was fired for a foray into political talk.
Semper Fi
Homeless 'Golden Voice' Gets Home Offer, More
Ted Williams To Appear on 'Today' Show Thursday AM
Ted talks with CBS Early Show:
Ted talks with CBS Early Show:
FCC Loses Another Indecency Case
Broadcasters won another round in their fight against a Federal Communications Commission crackdown on rude language and racy images in network television.
Amy Schatz at wsj.com writes a federal appeals court Tuesday tossed a $1.2 million indecency fine the FCC had imposed on ABC Television affiliates for airing a 2003 episode of "NYPD Blue" that featured a seven-second shot of a woman's naked buttocks and the side of one of her breasts as she prepared to take a shower.
Broadcasters have now won a series of court victories against government efforts to police airwaves and fine stations for airing risqué content. The Supreme Court could soon get a chance to review the issue. In the meantime, the FCC's campaign to enforce indecency rules has ground to a halt.
Broadcasters say the FCC's questionable ability to keep indecent language and images off the airwaves doesn't mean there's going to be a free-for-all of nudity or salty language.
Under federal rules, station owners can air all the nudity or expletives they want between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., when children aren't likely to be watching, but that doesn't happen because of broadcasters' concern about offending viewers and advertisers.
Read more here.
Broadcasters have now won a series of court victories against government efforts to police airwaves and fine stations for airing risqué content. The Supreme Court could soon get a chance to review the issue. In the meantime, the FCC's campaign to enforce indecency rules has ground to a halt.
Broadcasters say the FCC's questionable ability to keep indecent language and images off the airwaves doesn't mean there's going to be a free-for-all of nudity or salty language.
Under federal rules, station owners can air all the nudity or expletives they want between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., when children aren't likely to be watching, but that doesn't happen because of broadcasters' concern about offending viewers and advertisers.
Read more here.
Report: Sirius XM Slashing Salaries
"They've asked everybody to take a pay cut," claims Bubba the Love Sponge, who quit after being told his salary would be reduced by 80%
After having struck expensive deals with such Hollywood personalities as Oprah Winfrey, Martha Stewart and Jamie Foxx, Sirius XM has been asking some of its top radio talent to take dramatic cuts in pay, according to a story at hollywoodreporter.com.
So said Bubba the Love Sponge, who for five years was the No. 2 talk-show host at Sirius XM until he quit a few days ago after he says management tried to cut his salary by 80%.
In December, CFO David Frear talked of "more favorable economic terms" as content deals came up for renewal, so it's no secret that Sirius XM is trying to rein in costs. If a glimpse into Bubba's salary negotiations is any indication, the cost-cutting measures could be brutal.
Even top talker Howard Stern hasn't been immune, as analysts figure he re-upped at Sirius XM for about $80 million a year, down from a previous deal that had him earning $100 million annually.
Read more here.
After having struck expensive deals with such Hollywood personalities as Oprah Winfrey, Martha Stewart and Jamie Foxx, Sirius XM has been asking some of its top radio talent to take dramatic cuts in pay, according to a story at hollywoodreporter.com.
So said Bubba the Love Sponge, who for five years was the No. 2 talk-show host at Sirius XM until he quit a few days ago after he says management tried to cut his salary by 80%.
In December, CFO David Frear talked of "more favorable economic terms" as content deals came up for renewal, so it's no secret that Sirius XM is trying to rein in costs. If a glimpse into Bubba's salary negotiations is any indication, the cost-cutting measures could be brutal.
Even top talker Howard Stern hasn't been immune, as analysts figure he re-upped at Sirius XM for about $80 million a year, down from a previous deal that had him earning $100 million annually.
Read more here.
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