Spots N Dots
The Daily News Of TV Sales
January 28, 2016
NEXSTAR WINS BATTLE FOR MEDIA GENERAL
MEREDITH WALKS AWAY WITH $60 MILLION
The takeover battle for Media General, which has been going on since September,
appears to be at an end. Nexstar Broadcasting Group has a definitive deal to acquire Media
General for $4.6 billion in cash and stock—and Meredith Corporation has agreed to drop its
merger deal with Media General for a $60 million termination fee. Meredith will also have an
opportunity to negotiate to buy certain broadcast and digital assets currently owned by Media
General, although the announcement did not specify which spin-offs Meredith is interested in.
Once the deal closes—expected in late Q3/early Q4—Nexstar says it will have 171 full
power TV stations in 100 markets. Along with the company’s digital media properties, revenues
are projected to be in excess of $2.3 billion per year.
“We intend to implement our proven strategy of focusing on local programming and
effective digital media marketing solutions across the assets being acquired and will marry best
in breed practices from our existing operation with those from Media General,” said Nexstar
CEO Perry Sook.
Media General shareholders (including quite a few of our readers) will receive $10.55
cash for each current share and 0.1249 of a share of Nexstar for a total value of $17.14 per
share. The merged company, to be renamed Nexstar Media Group, will be owned 66% by
current Nexstar shareholders and 34% by current Media General shareholders. Also, two Media
General directors will join the Nexstar board of directors.
ADVERTISER NEWS
AT&T said it added 2.8 million wireless customers in Q4, although wireless-driven
revenue was down compared to a year ago. AT&T is adding plenty of non-smartphone devices
to its network, but it's also losing some postpaid customers, with postpaid sales dropping by
27%. On the video side, 214,000 satellite video customers were added by recently-acquired
DirecTV. However, overall video subscribers fell by 26,000, which the company attributed to "a
deliberate shift to satellite" and away from earth-bound U-Verse……Walmart and Murphy USA
aren’t breaking up, but Convenience Store News reports that they are changing their
relationship. Murphy announced that Walmart will now have the ability to develop a proprietary
gasoline program for its supercenter locations that are not currently supplied by Murphy USA.
The c-store operator stressed, however, that it will continue to “work closely with Walmart on
existing Murphy USA locations and anticipates further collaboration opportunities in the
future”……Elmer’s Restaurants Inc. has launched Egg N’ Joe, a new concept in Arizona
designed to take a piece of the growing niche of full-service restaurants that serve only
breakfast and lunch. Nation’s Restaurant News reports that the first of four locations planned for
the Phoenix area opened this month in Scottsdale, AZ. The menu at Egg N’ Joe borrows the
best dishes from Portland, OR-based Elmer’s, the 25-unit, three-daypart concept founded in
1960 that has long been known for breakfast and lunch. Among them are signature Elmer’s
dishes, like German pancakes and Dungeness Crab Benedict……Chicken Fries are becoming
an important staple for Burger King. The chain is introducing Jalapeño Chicken Fries, a spicy
twist on the original, as a limited time menu item. Burger King also announced two new
shakes—the Dr Pepper Shake and the Oreo Irish Mint Shake……Tiffany & Co. announced a
deal to have Coty Inc. develop a new line of Tiffany-branded fragrances for both women and
men, to be sold at Tiffany & Co. stores as well as at other select luxury retailers……Hormel
Foods said it had earnings growth in all five of its segments as net earnings rose 19% for 2015.
The company spotlighted success in the Refrigerated Foods segment as it prepared to add the
Applegate brand—targeting the natural and organic market……Molson Coors Brewing
Company has begun selling $2.35 billion of new stock. The cash will be used to fund the
previously announced acquisition from Anheuser-Busch InBev of SABMiller’s interest in
MillerCoors LLC and all other assets primarily related to the Miller brand portfolio outside of the
United States and Puerto Rico.
NETWORK NEWS
Two days before the Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers kick off in Super Bowl 50
on CBS, the network will air Super Bowl’s Greatest Halftime Shows Friday, February 5, at
9:00 pm (ET). NCIS: Los Angeles star Chris O’Donnell will host the two-hour special,
featuring fresh interviews with top performers who have made the Super Bowl Halftime Show
one of the most highly anticipated live 12 minutes on television, including Beyoncé (2013),
Bono (2002), Missy Elliot (2015), Bruno Mars (2014), Sir Paul McCartney (2005) and Katy
Perry (2015)……Telemundo exclusive talent, Ximena Duque, joins the cast of sister network
NBC’s long-running and popular daytime drama Days of our Lives. The Colombian actress will
be making her English-language television debut in the new role of “Blanca” for a story arc
beginning in May 2016, alongside popular Days of our Lives actors Galen Gering, Camila
Banus and Alma Delfina……Continuing its tradition of pairing artists in never-before-seen
Grammy Moments, The Recording Academy has announced a series of duets by Grammy
nominees James Bay and Tori Kelly, nominees Andra Day and Ellie Goulding, and nominee
Sam Hunt with seven-time Grammy winner and current nominee Carrie Underwood that will
take place during The 58th Annual Grammy Awards. The three and a half-hour awards show
airs live on CBS Monday, February 15, at 8:00 pm (ET)……Telemundo’s new original
production ¿Quién es quién? premieres on Tuesday, February 9, at 8:00 pm (ET). Starring
Eugenio Siller, Danna Paola, Kimberly Dos Ramos and Laura Flores, this romantic comedy
marks the return to the small screen of Danna Paola, after five years dedicated to music and
theater……ABC is getting animated ahead of Valentine’s Day. The 1975 special Be My
Valentine, Charlie Brown will air back-to-back with the 2002 classic A Charlie Brown
Valentine, beginning at 8:00 pm (ET) Friday, February 12……Gente de Zona, Gerardo Ortiz,
Maluma, Prince Royce, Thalía and Yandel are set to perform on the 28th edition of Premio Lo
Nuestro (PLN), the longest-running celebration of Latin music in the U.S. PLN 2016 will air on
the Univision Network live from Miami on Thursday, February 18, at 7:00 pm (ET)……CBS
Sports tees off the 2016 golf season at the Farmers Insurance Open on Saturday, January 30
and Sunday, January 31, at 3:00 pm (ET) each day. Bill Macatee serves as anchor this
weekend along with Sir Nick Faldo in the 18th tower. Ian Baker-Finch calls the action at the
17th hole and Gary McCord at the 16th hole. Peter Kostis and Dottie Pepper serve as oncourse reporters.
TUESDAY RATINGS
The CBS crime dramas drew the most viewers, but NBC won the young demo on
Tuesday night, led by Chicago Med and Chicago Fire. The Nielsen overnights put NBC at an
average 1.5 rating in Adults 18-49 and 4.5 in Households, with an average 6.814 million
viewers. CBS, led by an NCIS rerun, was at 1.1 18-49, 5.4 HH and 8.512 million; The CW, with
The Flash, 1.0 18-49, 1.6 HH and 2.685 million; FOX 0.9 18-49, 1.6 HH and 2.433 million; ABC
0.8 18-49, 1.8 HH and 2.777 million; Univision 0.7 18-49, 1.2 HH and 2.008 million; and
Telemundo 0.6 18-49, 0.9 HH and 1.577 million.
TRACKING TV SPOTS IN REAL-TIME
iSpot.tv says it it is now measuring TV ad performance across more than 10 million IPenabled TV screens, representing all DMAs, operators, and OTT devices. The company says
that makes it the first to provide the industry with a reliable syndicated system for measuring
and verifying TV ad plays on the TV screen across all formats and in real-time.
The newly instituted technology gives iSpot the capability to identify and track any ad
that appears on a TV screen, much in the way that a digital ad can be tracked across the digital
landscape. With measurement based on Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) digital video
standards, iSpot.tv now provides syndicated impression and average view rate measurement.
The measurement takes into account channel switching, fast-forwarding, and other behaviors
that interrupt an ad view on TV.
The most important measurement for video, according to iSpot, is that it brings average
view rate measurement to the TV screen for the first time. Each creative and media buy is
measured by number of starts, completions, and quartiles to generate average view rates for a
single advertisement, brand, or industry. This measurement is becoming increasingly important
as consumers continue to flip channels, fast-forward, and pull up the guide in the middle of TV
ads, the company notes.
FIAT CHRYSLER BOOSTING TRUCKS
Forecasters see 2016 as an all-time record year for U.S. auto sales, but Fiat Chrysler
Automobiles (FCA) is looking further out and adjusting its plans for the North American market.
As it reported $410 million in 2015 profits, FCA announced revised plans to focus more on
pickups and SUVs at its North American plants—and fewer passenger cars. “Jeep is the
bedrock of this business plan,” CFO Richard Palmer told analysts.
The revised FCA plan doesn’t include any new factories in North America. That’s a
disappointment to Toledo, which had been working to have FCA expand its Jeep operation.
FCA now says it will manage its production shifts within its existing plants.
Ford Motor Company reports 2015 profits today.
NIELSEN CLAIMS DOUBLECLICK SUCCESS
Appearing at the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) Annual Leadership Meeting,
Nielsen announced that its Digital Ad Ratings had successfully completed its beta period in
Google’s DoubleClick. Digital Ad Ratings is currently available in DoubleClick Bid Manager
and DoubleClick Campaign Manager in the U.S., Canada, France, Germany, Italy, U.K.,
Australia and Brazil, and DoubleClick for Publishers in the U.S. Digital Ad Ratings is the first
independent campaign audience measurement solution available in select DoubleClick markets
internationally.
Nielsen says Digital Ad Ratings enables DoubleClick Bid Manager and DoubleClick
Campaign Manager users globally to measure digital media with metrics fully comparable to TV.
Seamless tagging of campaigns in DoubleClick allows clients to optimize campaigns in-flight to
improve performance, increase efficiency and manage guaranteed buys with more clarity.
ACCOUNT ACTIONS
Smokey Bones Bar & Grill has selected Zimmerman, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, and
Omnicom agency, as its agency of record. Smokey Bones operates 67 restaurants in 16 states,
with plans to add more……Intuit has awarded its corporate brand account to Phenomenon,
Los Angeles, the company founded a decade ago by former DDB Worldwide exec Krishnan
Menon. The assignment for corporate branding does not affect Intuit’s relationships with the
agencies assigned to work on its key products, TurboTax and QuickBooks.
SINCLAIR BUYING TENNIS CHANNEL
TV station group owner Sinclair Broadcast Group announced a $350 million deal to
jump into nationwide basic cable with the purchase of Tennis Channel. Sinclair’s interest in
acquiring a cable net was already well known as it had been negotiating carriage agreements
with a number of MVPDs as it was renewing retransmission consent agreements for its
television stations. Sinclair says those new deals will increase carriage of Tennis from
approximately 30 million homes to approximately 50 million homes. Tennis claims rights to 90%
of all the televised tennis in the U.S.
AVAILS
KLFY (CBS affiliate) in Lafayette, LA is looking for a strong Local Sales Manager to work with
the GSM in guiding our sales effort. The LSM will manage television sales for the station
including local, new business and digital. This position requires an individual who possesses
strong leadership skills to lead a local sales team. 5 years’ experience in TV Sales (prior
experience in Sales Management preferred). Get more details or apply online now at
https://jobs.mediageneral.com/. EOE.
ABC Columbia (WOLO TV) is seeking a Digital Sales Specialist to develop and lead our
digital marketing effort. This newly created position will be at Columbia, South Carolina’s fastest
growing television station. We’re looking for an experienced, digital-savvy leader to create and
manage sales of web, mobile, digital, and other multi-platform opportunities. Minimum of 2 years
interactive sales experience required and former broadcast experience is preferred. Send
resumes to: smagee@abccolumbia.com. No phone calls please. Equal Opportunity Employer.
WAVY-TV (NBC) and WVBT-TV (FOX) in Norfolk, VA seeks a results-driven Account
Executive. This experienced sales professional needs a winning attitude and desire to
succeed! Managing agency business, new business generation, client relationship-building,
proposal preparation and presentation to a diverse customer base. Excellent communication,
customer service, and time management skills; a people-person responsible for developing
large-scale new business clients and growing digital revenue! Minimum 2 years media sales
experience. No calls please. CLICK HERE to apply. EOE/M/F/V/D
Raycom Media, 63 TV stations and a great culture, has several current job openings for a
Local Sales Manager in markets 50-150. If you are a dynamic, self-motivating Sr. AE or a LSM
with a proven sales history who exhibits strong leadership skills and the ability to recruit and
inspire the best talent…please apply! Candidates must demonstrate skills at training new AEs,
and negotiating direct and agency business. MORE DETAILS HERE. Qualified candidates,
email resume to tcarver@raycommedia.com for consideration. No calls please. EOE-M/F/D/V
KSTU Fox 13 Television, Salt Lake City, is accepting applications for a Sales Executive. First,
the AE will generate new revenue in the local market by converting advertisers to TV from other
mediums. Second, handle any repeat business by exceptional and result-oriented customer
service. Third, represent KSTU with the absolute highest integrity, professionalism, and hard
work. Get a full list of qualifications and requirements HERE. HURRY and email your resume
along with a FOX application found on our website to: hr@fox13now.com. EOE
Tribune Station Group, CBS affiliate, in Norfolk, VA (Market 42) has an immediate opening for
a Senior Level Account Executive. We're looking for an aggressive energetic candidate to
add to our successful sales team. Experience required with a proven track record in reaching
billing goals and developing new business. Must possess excellent negotiating skills and have
knowledge of Nielsen ratings and Scarborough information to help achieve our objectives.
Interested candidates should apply at www.wtkr.com or www.tribunemedia.com. EOE.
Traffic Manager: The Traffic Manager at the Meredith Traffic Hub in Phoenix is responsible for
an error-free work product that includes processing all spot orders, copy instructions, resolving
discrepancies, and programming input. The manager will also have a direct impact upon the
stations’ revenues as well as upon customer perceptions of how a well-run traffic department
should operate. High school graduate or equivalent. College graduate preferred. To apply
please do so through www.meredithcareers.com. Job number JR01571. EOE
Account Executive, WRAL-FM, Raleigh, NC. We’re searching for an experienced sales
professional to develop new business and grow existing radio and digital accounts. The ideal
candidate will have three years or more years of sales experience. A college degree, valid
driver's license with clean driving record, and a pre-employment drug screening are required. To
be considered for this position all candidates must APPLY ONLINE. EOE M/F. All Capitol
Broadcasting Company properties are tobacco free. Capitol Broadcasting Company
participates in E-Verify.
Shonda Rhimes is set to executive produce a show on ABC that picks up at the end of
Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. So I guess no one at ABC read the end of Romeo and Juliet.
--Jimmy Fallon
Winter storm Jonas slammed the East Coast, some places got up to 3 feet of snow, and more
than 12,000 flights were canceled. So for the airlines, it was business as usual.
--Stephen Colbert
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SPOTS N DOTS
The Daily News Of TV Sales
January 28, 2016
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