JEFF ZUCKER delivered the NATPE keynote yesterday, warning that the television industry is undergoing a “forest fire.” He discussed his decision to reduce pilot season and possibly curtail upfront expenditures as necessary steps toward “making less waste.” Zucker’s goal is to make NBC everywhere – from NBC.com to Hulu and beyond. He said the industry’s major challenge is to work with advertisers to create a next-generation advertising model that will help monetize online video.
NEXT.TV has launched a beta of its 100-channel free online VOD service featuring content from Showtime Networks, CBS, Hearst and more. Paid movie rentals and downloads will also be available with content provided by 20th Century Fox, Disney, Lionsgate, Sony, Warner Bros., Paramount and more. The service currently comes with certain HP laptops but will see a general release in March.
TV RATINGS have shown some major declines in the most recent year-over-year ratings due to the effects of the WGA strike. In the 18-49 demographic NBC is down 7%, Fox is down 15%, ABC is down 23% and CBS is down 26%. CW has been hurt worst of all, losing 50% of viewers compared to last year’s numbers.
LANDMARK COMMUNICATIONS will sell two television stations in Nashville and Las Vegas. The company is evaluating the future of its other businesses, which include The Weather Channel and its popular weather.com. That property alone could fetch $5 billion. Landmark has not officially stated exactly why it is selling its assets but everything is under review and possibly up for sale.
YAHOO officially announced plans to layoff 1,000 employees, which is 7% of its entire workforce. Cuts will be made in precise areas and specific projects in an attempt to turn the company around. Yahoo delivered the news along with a 23% decline in 4Q profits. That brought the already suffering stock down 10% — to reach a four year low.
PLUS: SPECTRUM BIDDING in the 700 MHz auction has quickly passed $8 billion. MYSPACE will officially open its site to developers next Tuesday, allowing Facebook-like applications. MICROSOFT will provide search and contextual ads to Wall Street Journal sites, while the Journal adds Facebook integration that allows online friends to share article recommendations. Lastly, SPRINT will resume talks with CLEARWIRE about partnering to create a nationwide WiMAX network.