New York Post Steals New York Daily News' Gold, and rubs it in their face

The New York Post, Rupert Murdoch's nasty little tabloid will pass on no opportunity to rag on it's rival the New York Daily News. The latest pie in the face is Les Goodstein who once ran the Daily News. Goldstein has joined Rupes gang as Sr. VP and will oversee The New York Post. Lets hope that Goldstein has the touch of gold to make the Post a credible read and not have major headline fuck-ups. Even though for some reason we like the sleeziness of The NYP. [NYP]

Nielsen wants to know if you're using your DVR

Nielsen Media Research will begin measuring the viewing of digital video recorders next week, but it will be a while before time-shifted ratings will find their way into the everyday currency of networks and ad buyers. Responding to the requests of clients who wanted to know how DVR use affected viewing, Nielsen will now offer three ratings per program and network: Live, Live/Same Day (which includes same-day playback via DVR) and Live+7 Day Ratings (live along with time-shifted viewing up to 168 hours after airing). The first overnight ratings with live and same-day sets of data will be Wednesday; the first Live+7 streams will be available two weeks after the Monday-Sunday cycle. Always sceeming on the next $ [Reuters]

Media Soup: Jeff Bewkes takes it all and more......

Jeff Bewkes gets Don Logan off his back finally The U.S. senate finally agrees on something Online ads will kick even more ass Some guy named Toby Nelson Myspace killed the video star (we liked this headline) The only flavorful ingredients in today's soup is Jeff with a touch of Don and Dick.

Good afternoon Mr. President: Jeff Bewkes is sole # 2

As if anyone is surprised........Jeff Bewkes wins sole # 2 spot in Dick's house be constantly reminding Don Logan that his commute from Alabama every week to come to work makes no sense. Many media whores like us, see this as the set up for current Time Warner hulk Dick Parsons to make a smooth exit when the time comes. Which by the way if Carl Icahn has his way will be soon. "Jeff's unmatched combination of intelligence, energy and understanding of our companies and industries will make him a superb leader for all of our businesses," Mr. Parsons said in a statement. "Not only is Jeff a seasoned executive, but he brings long experience in dealing with the creative and technological aspects of our companies." [AP]

Howard brings out the greed in sleezy money man

The former president of the accounting firm that manages Howard Stern's tax and financial affairs pleaded guilty yesterday to illegal insider trading in shares of Sirius Satellite Radio after learning that Mr. Stern was contemplating a move to the satellite radio company. The eventual decision by Mr. Stern to jump to satellite - and with the promise that he would bring along his huge audience - prompted a 16 percent surge in the shares of Sirius on Oct. 6, 2004, when the deal was announced. Two weeks earlier, Gary Herwitz, the former president of the accounting firm, Mahoney Cohen & Company, had learned from the chief executive of his firm that Mr. Stern was in negotiations, according to a related Securities and Exchange Commission complaint. Mr. Herwitz was advised to keep the information confidential, the complaint says. Nonetheless, Mr. Herwitz bought 25,000 shares of Sirius stock on Sept. 30, 2004, at $3.19 a share. The stock closed on Oct. 6 at $3.87. Mr. Herwitz, 50, an accountant who resigned in June from Mahoney & Cohen after 25 years with the firm, faces as much as 10 to 16 months in prison when he is sentenced on March 17. I wonder if he will stay in Martha's old prison digs? [NYT]

Media bigs try to coax us out of even more ca$h

Media companies like Time Warner and XM Satellite Radio have jumped into the holiday sales fray in a big way this year, pitching an array of merchandise to consumers as holiday gifts. In a bid to pump up its subscriber numbers, Time Warner is trying to make it easier to give magazine subscriptions as gifts, with a marketing push for its new product, Giftscriptions. Stores like Barnes & Noble, Borders and Best Buy are selling the product, a box about the size of a paperback that lets recipients choose a subscription from among 50 magazines. Nothing wrong with drinking out of a shot glass with Jeremy Piven's face at the bottom right? (maybe not) Media companies will do anything to fluff up the bottom line. They can sell us sand from Mischa Barton's beach towel and we'll buy it. [NYT]

Hershey wants to stop release of book using their trademark because they didn't think of it first

The folks @ the Hershey company wants an injunction to prevent publisher Simon & Schuster Inc. from using Hershey-owned images to market "Hershey: Milton S. Hershey's Extraordinary Life of Wealth, Empire and Utopian Dreams," which is coming out next month. We have to say though that the book cover is quite creative and eye catching. We would by this book just because. Anyway the company says it doesn't care that the book uses the name Hershey. It's concerned about the book using Hershey's well-known marks and trade dress beyond any manner permissible under law. The jacket also depicts a Hershey's Kiss, a subtitle in a font similar to the paper wrapper inside a Kiss, and two older Hershey advertising images. Note to Hershey: Work out a deal to get a cut from sales of the book...........hello!!!!!!! [AP]

Media Soup:

Media business not buzzing too loud but here is a serving of delicious Media Soup you may or may not enjoy! Disney is thinking smaller Time Warner would love Cablevision The French fines Disney Paramount unit drops the axe Fox to form teen division NBC selling out for Olympics Enjoy the soup.

Icahn the killer!

It didn't take long for Carl Icahn to rattle Time Warner's cage over its planned partnership with Google. Icahn, the billionaire financier who is waging a proxy fight at Time Warner, sent an open letter to the media giant's board yesterday, warning that he will hold directors responsible if they enter a deal with Google that would hinder a larger deal between America Online and one of the Internet giant's rivals. "I am deeply concerned that the Time Warner board may be on the verge of making a disastrous decision concerning an agreement with Google if this agreement would make it more difficult to in any way or effectively preclude a merger or other type of transaction with companies such as IAC/InterActive, eBay, Yahoo!, or Microsoft". Will Dick bow down to Icahn's demands??

Major networks enjoy fucking up Christmas for staffers

As if they all planned it together, the trend in this last leg of 2005 among major TV networks has been handing out pink slips. Forty staffers gone at WB Network, 100 pink-slipped at MTV Networks, 25 let go as Spelling Television lost its last vestiges of independence; layoffs come as a life-altering jolt to those who are cut, and a psychological blow to the co-workers and colleagues they leave behind. But the cuts at the 11-year-old WB Network went so high up the executive food chain -- claiming the network's longtime head of casting, head of scheduling and co-head of comedy development -- that it has led to a swirl of industry chatter about whether Time Warner, which has never been more bottom-line focused, has lost faith in the enterprise. -->R

Time names persons of the year

Time magazine shocked us all when they announced their person (s) of the year. And we all thought it would have been mother nature. Never the less the three people they named are OK too. The magazine named Bill and Melinda Gates and rocker Bono as their persons of the year.

Howard Stern fans are Sirius about sticking with him

The self proclaimed king of all media Howard Stern did his last show today on terrestrial radio. Stern Robin and co will head over to their new home at Sirius Satellite radio in January and his fans will follow. 40 West 57th street will never be the same again! -->AP

While Time Warner is offering friendliness, Icahn still means business

Time Warner may be kissing the wrong ass. The No. 2 U.S. cable company, on Thursday became the first to unveil a "family-friendly" package of television channels that will be rolled out in the first quarter of 2006. The move, aimed at easing pressure from lawmakers, regulators and parents groups who are upset about provocative television content, would provide subscribers a package of 15 channels of cartoons as well as news and educational shows. And we thought they would be easing the pressure from Carl Icahn!!

Zucker on the "Wright" path to the top

In a not so surprising announcement NBC Universal named Jeff Zucker CEO of it's television group. Will he talk Katie Couric into staying put at the peacock network? Zucker will retain responsibility for the entertainment division, studio, news, and cable channels. -->Reuters

Media Quicky: Disney finds a prexy in Bergman

Alan Bergman The Walt Disney Co said on Wednesday that Alan Bergman has been promoted to president of its filmed entertainment division. Bergman previously served as executive vice president and chief financial officer for the studio. He will report to Dick Cook, who remains studio chairman.

Moonves' move: Infinity re-christened as CBS Radio

Media giant Viacom Inc. on Wednesday said that it has renamed its Infinity Broadcasting unit CBS Radio. CBS Radio, which operates 179 radio stations, will be part of CBS Corp., one of the companies that Viacom is forming as part of its pending break up into two separate businesses.

Icahn looks in every nook and cranny for a chance to pull the trigger on Dick and Co.

Deep pocket corporate rapist Carl Icahn will stop at nothing to get his way at Time Warner. He has requested the company's board minutes and presentations that allegedly support his strategy of breaking up the media conglomerate. Icahn said he agreed with former Chairman Steve Case's recent editorial in the Washington Post, which said it would be in the best interest of shareholders to undo the merger by splitting the company into four companies: Time Warner Cable, Time Warner Entertainment, Time Inc. and AOL. "In concept we agree with Mr. Case's conclusion that after four years of failed attempts to integrate Time Warner's various businesses, it is now time to liberate them so that each can have its own strategy, stock, balance sheet, management team and board," Icahn said in a statement. Where would this leave current Time Warner heavy Dick Parsons? -->Reuters

Ann the butcher!

Time Inc Chairwoman Ann S. Moore swung the axe today chopping 100 jobs in time for the holidays. "Nora and John are seasoned and proven operating executives," said Moore. "Their appointment signifies our company's commitment to improving the process of producing and selling premier branded content." Well said Annie.........well said! --->Time Inc

Bad times at the New York Times?

For the second time in five days, staffers at The New York Times were slammed by a major magazine article critical of the paper's botched handling of the Judy Miller affair and of the leadership of Publisher Arthur "Pinch" Sulzberger Jr. "People are pretty shell-shocked," said one editor, who said the newsroom has grown weary of its own role in an ongoing story and is critical of Sulzberger's direction. --->NYP

MSNBC wants to remind us that they exist too

Cable news channel MSNBC will not let us forget about them. The network plans to flood the Internet this week with its largest concentrated online pitch, running advertising on hundreds of Web sites and blogs. The cost of the campaign, to promote three prime-time programs, is estimated at just under $1 million. Holy shit.......ratings are that bad huh? --->NYT

Freston's first move. Les.......you're up

Tom Freston the CEO of "New Viacom" made his first big move as head of the soon the be split up Viacom. He along with Brad Grey the former Hollywood agent he hired to run Paramount Pictures announced the acquisition of DreamWorks SKG. With this deal almost done, there is no doubt that all eyes are now on Les Moonves, the head of the CBS side of the company. What will Moonves do to match or out do his counterpart? Well your up Les!--->NYT

Steve Case makes a case some years late

Who is Steve Case kidding? The man who orchestrated the biggest merger disaster in history is now calling for Time Warner to be split up. We wonder is Mr. Case secretly taking meetings with corporate raider Carl Ichan? Here is what Mr. Case had to say......."although I played a key role in bringing AOL and Time Warner together six years ago, it's now my view that it would be best to 'undo' the merger by splitting Time Warner into several independent companies and allowing AOL to set off on its own path." --->Today's NYT

Ooooooooooooohh we desire!

In the next day or two, the world will get a glimpse of how desirable, or not, newspapers are, when preliminary bidding begins for Knight Ridder. The fate of the company, the second-largest newspaper publisher in the United States in terms of circulation, behind Gannett, is being closely watched as a signpost for the future of other newspapers at a time of great transformation, anxiety and uncertainty within the industry. The newspaper industry is on the defensive, with circulation stagnant, advertising dollars migrating to the Internet and newsrooms reducing their work forces to save costs.Given all that, it may be hard to believe that newspapers are actually profitable, but they are. And Knight Ridder is among the most profitable. Wow!So newspapers do make money after all! --->NYT

Business Week getting fatter?

Business plans to stop publishing its English-language European and Asian editions at the end of the month and replace them with one (fat fucking) global edition in English. "We are taking this action to harness the growing power of the Web globally to serve readers and advertisers in a more timely, efficient and targeted way," Stephen Adler, editor in chief of Business Week, said in a statement. As always, our translation of this statement:"We are taking this action to harness the growing power of the Web globally to serve readers and advertisers in a more timely, efficient and targeted way, oh and we need to cut some costs too because producing so many versions was just too fucking costly" --->NYT

Search and watch? We could get used to this

The theme of the year for media companies has been "on demand." From the video iPod to selling episodes of hit TV programs through video-on-demand services to the explosion of broadband programming, video is increasingly available when consumers want it. Now, advertisers are mulling whether their TV marketing messages can follow suit, and what it will take to get consumers to choose to watch them. Hey Tivo's CEO Tom Rogers announced that his company will spoil us even more. He says that the digital video recorder service will let its 4 million customers search for product information to watch. How cool is that? I wonder if we would be able to search for porn as well? --->Adweek

King of all media doesn't want friends

Howard Stern the self proclaimed king of all media is in no need for hanger-ons. Stern tells Bill O'Reilly tonight on FNC that Sirius is paying him "a lot of money," but nowhere near the reported $500 million. Stern also reveals psychotherapy has "made me a much better dad," but admits: "I don't have any friends. I don't want any friends. … I think it's a real personality flaw" Ya think howard? --->From NYDN

Dick Strikes Back

Time Warner CEO Dick Parsons said Carl Icahn can't make up his mind on how to increase the media company's share price. Icahn, who with a group of investors owns 3% of New York-based Time Warner's stock and options, has since August demanded the company buy back $20 billion of shares and spin off its cable unit. Last week, Icahn hired Lazard investment bankers to make an analysis of Time Warner and come up with new ideas to boost the stock. Is Icahn disturbing a sleeping giant in Parsons? --->NYDN

The Axing trend

The Los Angeles Times plans to close a production plant and cut about 110 jobs. The newspaper will consolidate production at three of its most modern facilities in downtown Los Angeles, Costa Mesa and Irwindale, California, according to a statement distributed by PR Newswire. The Times is owned by Chicago-based Tribune Co. The perfect Holiday gift don't ya think?

Strauss still in the house!

Daaaammm! to see an article on former BMG head Strauss Zelnick, the man who forced Clive Davis out of the top seat at Arista Records only to be canned himself brings back memories. Anyway Straus has been building a sweet portfolio of companies under his Zelnick Media company and it's a pretty sweet portfolio and it's growing. ZelnickMedia and private equity firm Spire Capital Partners, which put up the bulk of the money, agreed to buy SkyMall from Gemstar-TV Guide for $52 million — becoming the latest acquisition in the direct-marketing industry for Zelnick. Gemstar is controlled by News Corp. --->New York Post

Media Mogul 4Some

According to the very stealthy New York Daily News Lloyd Grove "Lowdown" column Newscorp topper Rupert Murdoch and his wife Wendy had dinner with rival media couple Tom Freston and his wife Kathy. Grove asks: Why were the rival media moguls and their wives - sharing their meal onstage, as it were, at Cipriani Downtown, where fellow diners were bound to notice them and leak their presence to a gossip column? And what movie did the foursome enjoy before dinner in the private screening room of the Murdochs' Fifth Ave. palace? Hmmmm what in the world could be in the works here?? Then again it could just have been a power couple double date!! --->Ny Daily News

Another iPod deal

Sources say NBC and Apple Computer are set to announce a major licensing pact that will make programs from the NBC broadcast network, USA Network, Sci Fi Channel and other outlets available for download-on-demand viewing on iPod devices via Apple's iTunes music store service. Details about the pact were murky, but sources said it was wide-ranging and would cover programming in a variety of genres and dayparts. It is expected that the deal will encompass some NBC Universal-produced primetime series and NBC's late-night franchises "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno," "Late Night With Conan O'Brien" and possibly "Saturday Night Live." Looks like we may have to upgrade our iPods! --->Reuters

Vargas, Woodruff new ABC anchors!

ABC News named Elizabeth Vargas and Bob Woodruff co-anchors of "World News Tonight" on Monday, replacing the late Peter Jennings. The network said "World News Tonight" also would become the first network evening newscast to be broadcast live each night in three time zones. Vargas and Woodruff have been two of the chief substitute anchors on "World News Tonight" since Jennings announced in April that he had lung cancer. Jennings died on August 7. God we miss Peter Jennings.--->CNN

Killing New York City

Faced with an onslaught of trendy drinking destinations, rowdy sidewalk smokers and unbearable nightly noise, downtown residents have joined forces to tell bar owners: You're cut off. But isn't this why NYC is so great? -->Tony

Competitors want at piece of Pixar

Genndy Tartakovsky is a 35-year-old man who still wakes up early on Saturdays to watch cartoons. He confesses: "I can't outgrow them." (Can you say CREEPY?) Even a night of hard drinking when he was younger wouldn't keep him from dragging himself out of bed the next morning to watch his favorite shows. "I'd be so hung over," said Tartakovsky. "But I loved them." (really CREEPY) That passion and persistence has paid off for Tartakovsky, whose list of credits includes hit animated television shows "Samuri Jack" and "Star Wars: Clone Wars." As creative director at Orphanage Animation Studios Inc. he now finds himself among a small group of northern California artists hoping to rival the towering frontrunners in Hollywood computer animation: Pixar Animation Studios Inc. and Dreamworks Animation SKG Inc. --->AP

Media bigs still trying to figure out how and if to ask you to pay

In an article in the NY Times today titled "Looking for the proceeds in TV-in demand" major networks and cable companies are batting around how to ask us to dip in our pockets to watch our favorite programs when we want how we want. Would you pay $0.99 for an episode of CSI. NY Times

NY Daily News editor calls it quits

Michael Cooke, the editor in chief of The Daily News in New York, announced his resignation yesterday after less than a year at the paper. His last day will be Jan. 2. Martin Dunn, the current deputy publisher and editorial director of The Daily News, is expected to assume Mr. Cooke's responsibilities. Dunn and Cooke reportedly couldn't see eye to eye on editorial issues and Cooke got pissed and left. But no worries, he is headed back to Chi-town where he will hold the title of vice president for editorial of the Sun-Times News Group, part of Hollinger International.....how scandalous! In a office memo Mr. Cooke said: "It was a great job and I'm very happy to have had it," Mr. Cooke said yesterday. "I finish as a better journalist than when I started." Translation: "It was horrible job and I'm very happy to be leaving it"

Saddam trial has real TV moments

Former Iraqi strong man Saddam Hussein put on a show made for TV when he and co-defendants went into Tourettes mode, ''I am not afraid of execution'' yelled the bearded Saddam. The outburst was one of several by Saddam or his co-defendants during the session that also saw a brief walkout by his defense lawyers. Dam I wonder who or what pissed him off?

Networks always had a hard on for Katie Couric

Katie Couric has always been a target for the major networks trying to land her services. Many have tried silently and others like CBS are making it known that they are after one of NBC's top talents. CBS News President Sean McManus has been doggedly courting Couric to switch networks and assume the anchor seat of the "CBS Evening News" an opportunity many close to Katie say she shouldn't pass up. But fellow NBCer Brian Williams in a recent interview says that he spoke to Katie and told her that he thinks she should remain at NBC as co-host of "The Today Show" But could that be because if Katie takes the job at CBS she will be his direct competitor? CBS Chairman Leslie Moonves had tried to lure Couric away last spring when Dan Rather left the anchor desk. Since then, veteran Washington correspondent Bob Schieffer has served as interim anchor of the evening newscast, a stint he expected would last only a few months while network executives pondered how to remake the show. While the 48-year-old morning host is contemplating the offer, sources said, it's unclear whether she can formally negotiate a new job until her NBC contract expires in May.

Mediawire's Shittodolist this weekend!

Friday: Hey we don't know........Grab some friends and hit some bars. Or you can go check out a movie opening today. Hit The Mercury Lounge there are always hot bands rocking out there and the atmosphere is cool. CHRIS MILLS & THE NEW MISERABLE BASTARDS are performing. Saturday: Christmas is around the corner, hit the malls with the rest of America or simply stay home in your same undies you had on Friday night at The Mercury Lounge and shot online. Here is a list of great online shopping destinations which we're sure you know about but oh well here they are anyway.......... Macys.com Walmart.com Target.com Bluefly.com Amazon.com Bestbuy.com Zappos.com Sunday:Hey Sunday is when you catch up on your media fixings, like.... *Desperate Housewives *Curb Your Enthusiasm *Extreme Makeover Home Edition (This has gotten a bit too emotional driven) Or just go have dinner who knows. This is New York, there is always something to do!

Disney, an admitted killer

The Walt Disney Co. has admitted liability in the death of a 22-year-old man who was crushed on a roller coaster at Disneyland in 2003. Disney agreed to admit that the death of Marcelo Torres was caused by maintenance and mechanical failures on the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad as a condition of the settlement of the wrongful death lawsuit brought by his family. Here is what a spokesman for Disney said:"We deeply regret that the tragic accident occurred and are terribly saddened by the grievous pain this caused the Torres family," Now here is our translation: We deeply regret that the tragic accident occurred and are terribly saddened by the grievous pain this caused the Torres family,and for the fact that we now have to work harder to make sure this new movie is a hit to pay for all this mess" -->Reuters

TV Networks musical chairs on the horizon

We smell a game of musical chairs brueing with katie Couric being the biggest player. Nah we read it somewhere and now sharing it with you lovely folks. Expect CBS to announce that Katie Couric will take over as anchor of "CBS Evening News" any day now. The Los Angeles Times reports, "CBS News President Sean McManus has been doggedly courting Couric to switch networks" and take Dan Rather's old slot. Her $13-million-a-year contract with NBC doesn't expire until May. "Good Morning America" co-host Charlie Gibson may get the anchor chair of the late Peter Jennings at ABC's "World News Tonight." And, finally, look for Shelley Ross, the sidelined former exec producer of "GMA" and "Primetime Live," to replace Rick Kaplan as head of anemic MSNBC. Hey nothing for katie's sidekick Matt Lauer?

Media daaawwlings kiss and make up!

Oprah Winfrey used late night king David Letterman to promote her new broadway play 'The Color Purple' Talk show queen Oprah Winfrey visited the "Late Show with David Letterman" for the first time last night - and immediately made fun of the stars' so-called feud born of his infamous "Oprah, Uma" joke at the 1995 Academy Awards. "No, it was not a problem," a laughing Winfrey said of the one-liner, which Letterman repeatedly used - to little reaction from either Winfrey or Uma Thurman - when he awkwardly hosted the awards show. "I thought it was funny," she said. Yeah Oprah now you do because it's opening night baby!--> Today's NY Daily News