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Cable TV
March 25, 2012
Disney Junior joins Time Warner Cable lineup
A new, kid-friendly channel is now available to Time Warner Cable subscribers.
The area’s dominant cable provider has added Disney Junior, a network aimed at 2- to 7-year-olds, to its digital lineup.
Offerings include many well-known shows popular with wee ones, including “Phineas and Ferb,” “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse,” “Lilo & Stitch,” “101 Dalmatians” and “Rolie Polie Olie.”
Find Disney Junior on Channel 155.
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March 22, 2012
Grande now delivering shows, movies online
Grande Communications customers can now watch their favorite shows on the go.
The San Marcos-based cable provider has rolled out its new FlexScreen service — which delivers movies and TV shows from 40 different networks free of charge — in each of the Texas cities it serves, including Austin and San Marcos.
An Internet connection and a subscription to Grande’s cable TV service are required to use FlexScreen, which can be accessed at mygrande.net.
HBO and Cinemax subscribers also have access to premium programming on their mobile devices via the HBO GO and MAX GO services.
Additional networks are set to be added to the FlexScreen lineup later this year, the company said.
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March 15, 2012
SXSW coverage no help for CNN's ailing morning show
Despite a slew of changes earlier this year, including a new slate of hosts, CNN’s morning programming continues to struggle.
‘Starting Point’ host Soledad O’Brien
Even a stop last week in Austin didn’t help.
South by Southwest founder Louis Black was interviewed Friday, live from Max’s Wine Dive, home of the CNN Grill during the interactive portion of the festival.
Figures from Nielsen Media Research show “Starting Point” hit a new low that day among advertiser-favored 25- to 54-year-olds.
“Early Start,” the show that precedes it, isn’t doing well, either.
The Nielsen numbers:
“Early Start” (6 a.m. edition): 105,000 total viewers, 38,000 25- to 54-year-olds
“Early Start” (7 a.m. edition): 136,000 total viewers, 54,000 25- to 54-year-olds
“Starting Point” (8 a.m. edition): 168,000 total viewers, 50,000 25- to 54-year-olds
“Starting Point” (9 a.m. edition): 223,000 total viewers, 72,000 25- to 54-year-olds
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March 14, 2012
UT alum snags high-ranking spot at cable's Bravo network
Hook ‘em!
A University of Texas graduate has been named to a newly created executive-level position at cable TV’s Bravo network.
Andrew Wang will serve as vice president of scripted development and production and “will oversee the development and production of scripted pilots and series, as well as serve as the primary liaison between the network and the scripted community,” according to Bravo’s announcement.
His previous TV credits include ABC Family’s “Pretty Little Liars” and A&E’s “Wedding Wars,” as well as the CW network”s “Gossip Girl,” “The Vampire Diaries” and “The Secret Circle.”
“With the network’s first scripted series expected to air in 2013, Bravo’s goal is to expand our diverse slate and bring our brand and everything it represents into the world of scripted programming,” said Eli Lehrer, the network’s vice president of development and original programming.
“Andrew has helped develop some of the most entertaining pop culture hits and we look forward to him bringing his creativity and experience to the network as we break new ground and move into scripted content.”
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February 20, 2012
Fox News celebrates a decade as top news channel
A cable news network? Run by Fox? Going up against long-established CNN?
When Fox News Channel debuted in 1996, many were scratching their heads. It seemed like such a crazy idea.
Now? Not so much. Fox News overtook CNN in the ratings in early 2002, and it just marked a decade as the most-watched cable news channel.
“It has been quite a ride,” said Bret Baier, host of the network’s nightly “Special Report” program. “No one really knew what Fox News Channel was. When you said `Fox,’ people would ask, ‘Isn’t that the “Simpsons” network?’”
In 2011, Fox News had the 13 highest-rated cable news programs. Baier came in at No. 3. Meanwhile, CNN’s most-watched show, “Anderson Cooper 360,” ranked 17th.
Oh, yes, things have changed.
Read more in my story from Monday’s American-Statesman.
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February 17, 2012
'Fox and Friends' beating 'CBS This Morning' in Austin
Even with new anchors Charlie Rose and Gayle King, the CBS network’s morning news program continues to struggle.
In Austin, “CBS This Morning,” which replaced the “Early Show” last month, is drawing just 4,000 viewers each morning, according to the latest Nielsen ratings.
Fox News Channel’s “Fox and Friends,” meanwhile, is grabbing an average of 14,000 Central Texas households each morning, giving it a 250 percent advantage over CBS.
That’s particularly impressive when you consider CBS is available to anyone over the air, while Fox News Channel is a cable-only offering. No cable, no “Fox and Friends.”
“Fox and Friends” airs weekdays from 5 to 8 a.m. Find Fox News Channel on Time Warner Cable Channel 48.
‘Fox and Friends’ hosts Steve Doocy, Gretchen Carlson and Brian Kilmeade
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October 31, 2011
Fox networks to stay on DirecTV
Crisis averted, Fox fans.
FX’s ‘Sons of Anarchy’
We just got word that DirecTV and News Corp. have signed a deal that will keep eight Fox-owned networks on the satellite provider’s lineup.
The current agreement, which covers FX, Fox Sports Southwest, National Geographic Channel, Fuel TV, Speed, Fox Soccer, Fox Movie Channel and Fox Deportes, was set to expire at midnight.
This is especially good news here in Austin because Saturday’s Texas-Texas Tech game is set to air on FX.
Fox posted this statement moments ago:
“Good News! We have reached an agreement for DirecTV to continue carrying all of Fox Networks channels, including: FX, your Regional FOX Sports Networks, SPEED, Nat Geo, FOX Soccer, FOX Soccer Plus, FOX Deportes, FUEL TV and FoxMovieChannel. In addition, in some markets, your local FOX station, FOX News Channel and FOX Business Network will also continue to be carried on DirecTV. Thank you for your patience and overwhelming support during this time.”
Fox was reportedly asking for a 40 percent increase in the fees it receives from DirecTV, which, like other cable and satellite providers, must compensate broadcasters for each channel offered.
Terms of the new deal were not revealed.
We’re not out of the woods just yet, though. KVUE could still disappear from DirecTV tonight.
DirecTV and Belo, which owns Austin’s ABC affiliate as well as a number of other stations across the nation, have yet to come to terms.
Stay tuned for updates …
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October 19, 2011
C-SPAN bus coming to Austin, Round Rock
C-SPAN’s “Road to Washington” bus tour rolls into Central Texas this week, with stops at schools in Round Rock and Austin Thursday and Friday.
The network’s bus is designed to show off how it’s covering the 2012 presidential race on air, online and via social media.
The local stop, as well as one in Dallas earlier this week, is sponsored by Time Warner Cable.
Here’s where C-SPAN will be:
Thursday
9-11 a.m.: Stony Point High School, 1801 Tiger Trail, Round Rock
1-3 p.m.: Fulmore Middle School, 201 E. Mary St., Austin
Friday
- 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: Travis High School, 1211 E. Oltorf St., Austin
C-SPAN bus visits Chicago
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October 16, 2011
Dispute could knock KVUE off DirecTV lineup
DirecTV customers could soon lose access to KVUE, Austin’s most-watched TV station.
KVUE’s Terri Gruca
Dallas-based Belo Corp., KVUE’s owner, is running ads on air and online telling viewers that the satellite provider’s contract to carry Belo stations across the nation expires at month’s end.
DirecTV spokesman Darris Gringeri, however, said customers needn’t worry.
“Their TV commercials are nothing more than a routine approach to try and gain leverage in negotiations,” Gringeri said. “DirecTV customers should ignore Belo’s scare tactics and enjoy their DirecTV service as they always have.”
The sticking point is compensation.
“KVUE and ABC have far more viewers on DirecTV than any single cable channel, yet KVUE and ABC do not receive the same level of compensation as many lesser-viewed channels,” KVUE President and General Manager Patti Smith wrote in a letter to viewers. “We do not believe that is fair.”
Read more in my story from Saturday’s American-Statesman.
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October 10, 2011
Red Cross gets $45,000 from Time Warner Cable
Time Warner Cable on Friday presented $45,000 to the American Red Cross, which will use the funds to assist Central Texans affected by the Sept. 4 wildfires.
The cable company collected $25,000 from community members and provided a dollar-for-dollar match for the first $20,000 in contributions it received.
Time Warner Cable, through its ClickedIn.com deals website, solicited donations Sept. 10-23. YNN, its 24-hour local news channel, also sought cash during a daylong fundraising drive on Sept. 14, in addition to running a number of public service announcements.
Michael Pearson, YNN news director; Stacy Schmitt, vice president of communications for Time Warner Cable; Marty McKellips, CEO, Red Cross of Central Texas; and Jose Dominguez, director of emergency services, Red Cross of Central Texas
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September 14, 2011
YNN raising money for fire victims
Tune to YNN, Time Warner Cable’s 24-hour local news channel, today to find out how you can help Central Texans in need after the recent wildfires that devastated Bastrop County, Spicewood and Steiner Ranch.
All day long, YNN’s news team will offer details on ways to assist the American Red Cross, which is assisting evacuees regionwide.
There’s also an hour-long special on the wildfires set to air at 7 tonight on YNN (Channel 8) and Time Warner Cable’s Texas Channel (Channel 888), then again at 11 p.m. on YNN.
The area’s dominant cable provider is also promising to match, dollar for dollar, every donation made through ClickedIn.com, its newly launched daily deal site.
Finally, Time Warner Cable has set aside a dedicated phone number and email address for its customers who were affected by the fires. Call (866) 563-6312 or shoot a message to ctx.online.execinquiries@twcable.com.
A temporary help desk has also been set up through Friday at the Colorado River Center, 75 Loop 150, Suite C in Bastrop. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Customers impacted by the fire will not be charged for Time Warner Cable equipment that was damaged or destroyed, a spokesman said.
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August 22, 2011
Economy Q&A with Fox Business Network's Neil Cavuto
The yo-yoing stock market has had lots of us popping antacids these past few weeks.
I chatted with Fox Business Network’s Neil Cavuto to get some insights on what’s happened so far — and what’s ahead.
American-Statesman: What’s behind the recent rollercoaster ride on Wall Street?
Neil Cavuto: Markets worldwide are realizing there’s only so much cash in the proverbial till. This isn’t just a U.S. problem. European governments are just as vulnerable.
The 513-point drop earlier this month caught a lot of people off guard. Was that an overreaction?
Markets always overshoot things on the upside and the downside. What we saw that day was mindless and wreckless disregard. They went after everyone.
How do we stabilize things?
The time for talking is over. We’ve run out of road to kick the can down. Governments worldwide have to get serious. I think we’ve hit the point of no return. They’ve made promises to us that they can’t keep. We have to redo the math.
Will that happen?
What disturbs me the most is how little we’ve learned from this carnage. We’re just happy to be out of the urgent moment. We’ve got to keep the pressure on our elected officials. Democrats and Republicans are both refusing to address issues with our entitlement programs.
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August 17, 2011
Time Warner Cable adds Fox On Demand
Missed your favorite Fox show?
Fret no more, my friends.
Time Warner Cable is adding Fox On Demand to its Primetime On Demand offerings in Central Texas.
Customers can already catch ABC, CBS and NBC programming on Primetime On Demand, which can be found on Channel 1005 or in high definition on Channel 1480.
With Fox On Demand, viewers can watch “Glee,” “House” and other Fox hits free of charge a day after they air.
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