Media General

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Special Reports

  • NAB 2012: Everything you need to know about broadcasting's biggest tech event of the year.
  • Gearing Up For NAB 2012: The top tech trends and issues.
  • FCC Watch: 18 Topics In 244 Words Or Less: Get briefed on what's happening at broadcasting's favorite regulatory agency by top Washington communications attorneys David Oxenford and Brendan Holland.
  • 2011—Year In Review: Revisit the year’s top developments in business, programming, journalism, technology, regulation and more.
  • Audience Measurement: The state of ratings is examined in three parts: an interview with the head of the Media Ratings Council; the growing presence of Rentrak; and the search for a better local ratings currency.
  • Traffic Reporting: This four-part TVNewsCheck Special Report focuses on what it takes to stay on top of the growing commuter gridlock across the country.
  • Remembering 9/11: TVNewsCheck looks back 10 years after the attacks with a series of five articles.
  • TOP 30 TV STATION GROUPS: Fox Television Stations is No. 1 in the revenue-based rankings, followed by the groups of the other major broadcast networks: CBS, NBC and ABC, with Tribune rounding out the top five.

Industry Calendar

May 2012
Mo
28
Memorial Day
Holiday
June 2012
Mo
11
NAB Education Foundation
Celebration of Service to America Awards
Washington, DC
Tu
Th
12-14
PromaxBDA
The Conference 2012
Los Angeles, CA
Th
Su
14-17
Investigative Reporters & Editors
IRE 2012
Boston, MA
Sa
23
NATAS
Daytime Emmy Awards
Los Angeles, CA

Station Directory

Net Essentials

AP Breaking News

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Berkshire Buying Media General Papers
TVNewsCheck, May 17, 2012, 8:23 AM EDT

The $142 million deal “accelerates the timing of our strategy to focus on our broadcast television business and its future growth opportunities, including digital content and mobile DTV,” said Media General CEO Marshall Morton Full Story | Comments (5)

CEO: Paper Sale Would Boost Media General
Richmond Times-Dispatch, Apr 30, 2012, 6:14 AM EDT
Selling its newspaper operations would improve the overall market value of Richmond-based Media General Inc., the company's top executive told shareholders at its annual meeting. Link | Add comment
Quarterly report
Media General 1Q TV Revenue Up 12%
TVNewsCheck, Apr 18, 2012, 9:50 AM EDT
The gains are fueled by increased political revenues and higher retransmission fees. Full Story | Add comment
Media General Sets Amended Credit Agreement
RTTNews, Mar 20, 2012, 3:10 PM EDT
Media General Mulls Sale Of Newspapers
TVNewsCheck, Feb 22, 2012, 5:25 PM EST
Spinning off newspapers would help company reduce debt, the company said, noting that it has hired investment banker Peter J. Solomon Co. to advise it. Full Story | Comments (1)
Dma 14 (Tampa, FL)
Brad Moses Named President-GM Of WFLA
TVNewsCheck, Feb 22, 2012, 12:51 PM EST
Media General moves the GM of its WNCN Raleigh, N.C., to head its Tampa NBC affiliate. Full Story | Comments (3)
Earnings Call
Covenant Crisis Looming At Media General
TVNewsCheck, Jan 26, 2012, 4:35 PM EST
In its earnings call Thursday, company execs say they are hoping to modify the agreements for its $658 million in debt. If it can’t successfully renegotiate the covenants, Media General could be at risk of bankruptcy. It’s a threat that some analysts have been discussing quietly since last year. Full Story | Comments (2)
QUARTERLY REPORT
Media General 4Q Revenue Down 12%
TVNewsCheck, Jan 26, 2012, 8:25 AM EST
The company said the decrease was mostly due to “an expected and significant decrease” in political revenues in an off-election year. When factoring out political, broadcast revenues for the quarter increased nearly 9%. Full Story | Add comment
Dma 103 (Myrtle Beach-Florence, SC)
Randy Ingram Named VP-GM of WBTW
TVNewsCheck, Jan 3, 2012, 10:46 AM EST
Media General moves him from its WRBL Columbus, Ga., to head its Myrtle Beach-Florence, S.C., CBS affiliate, succeeding Michael Caplan. Full Story | Add comment
retrans wars — dma 53 (Providence, RI)
WJAR, Verizon Going Down To The Wire
Providence Journal, Dec 27, 2011, 9:30 AM EST
The Media General NBC affiliate posted a notice on its website and on-screen crawl asking customers to contact Verizon before the retransmission consent contract expires at 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 31. Negotions are continuing. Link | Add comment
dma 14 (Tampa)
Rumors Flying Over Possible WFLA Layoffs
Tampa Bay Times, Dec 8, 2011, 6:54 AM EST
For several weeks, staffers at NBC affiliate WFLA and the Tampa Tribune have been buzzing about rumors of impending new layoffs at the local outlets owned by Richmond, Va.-based Media General. Last week, emails and buzz indicated layoffs might come Monday. Now, some staffers fear job reductions could come early next week, possibly next Monday. Link | Add comment
10 Groups, ConnecTV To Offer 2nd Screen
TVNewsCheck, Nov 15, 2011, 6:16 AM EST
The partnership will offer a "second screen" app in early 2012, allowing viewers to tap into related content and swap comments with friends watching the same broadcast TV show at the same time. Broadcasters hope the app with lead to increased revenue, greater engagement and better tune-in promotion. Participating station groups include those of Pearl, the joint venture formed last year to pursue the mobile DTV business. They include Belo, Cox, Scripps, Gannett, Hearst Television, Media General, Meredith, Post-Newsweek and Raycom. Full Story | Comments (2)
dma 14
Media General Cleans House In Tampa
St. Petersburg Times, Nov 3, 2011, 7:18 AM EDT
Media General has replaced three top executives in charge of its Tampa NBC affiliate WFLA, Tampa Tribune and TBO.com as part of a restructuring that will also eventually include layoffs. John Cottingham has been named WFLA  interim general manager. Link | Comments (2)
Earnings call
Media General CEO Pressed On Finances
TVNewsCheck, Oct 19, 2011, 2:46 PM EDT
During the earnings call following today’s announcement of third-quarter results, CEO Marshall Morton fielded questions on the media company’s loan covenants and refinancing options. One bright spot is that its retrans revenues for the quarter were up 9.3% and Morton noted that the company hopes to conclude negotiations with NBC on a proxy agreement for retrans negotiatons early next month. Full Story | Add comment
Quarterly report
Media General Takes 11% 3Q Revenue Hit
TVNewsCheck, Oct 19, 2011, 9:32 AM EDT
The decrease in political and Gulf of Mexico oil spill-related advertising is a big part of the decline of the company’s overall results. When factoring out political, broadcast revenues for the quarter decreased 2.4%. Looking ahead, it says the fourth quarter should bring “a welcome strengthening in automotive advertising” and increased political revenues from early primaries in Florida and South Carolina. Full Story | Comments (1)
Dma 53
Vic Vetters Named GM Of WJAR Providence
TVNewsCheck, Sep 13, 2011, 4:52 PM EDT
The former group manager of stations in Burlington, Vt., and Utica, N.Y. is tapped by Media General to succeed Lisa Churchville in Rhode Island. Full Story | Add comment
Dma 37
Romine To Lead Media General In Spartanburg
TVNewsCheck, Sep 12, 2011, 11:34 AM EDT
The group owner moves Robert Romine from VP-GM of its Jackson and Hattiesburg, Miss., stations to the same slot at its WSPA (CBS)-WYCW (CW) duopoly in South Carolina. Full Story | Add comment
Quarterly report
Media General Posts 2Q Revenue Drop
TVNewsCheck, Jul 20, 2011, 8:29 AM EDT
Despite strong performances by its TV and website operations, the multimedia company posted a 6.8% decrease in revenues and a 58% drop in operating income. Full Story | Comments (1)
Media General Implements 15-Day Furlough
Poynter, Jun 23, 2011, 2:56 PM EDT
“The furlough program will cause financial disruption for employees and scheduling challenges for our operations,” CEO Marshall Morton writes in a memo sent to Media General staff this afternoon. “It’s little comfort that we are not alone." Link | Comments (5)
dma 14
Tension In Tampa As Layoffs Loom At WFLA
St. Petersburg Times, Jun 3, 2011, 11:40 AM EDT
It's been the talk of the local media scene for weeks: News that management has told employees that layoffs are coming, possibly next week, at Media General's Florida news platforms, including NBC affiliate WFLA, the Tampa Tribune and TBO.com. Link | Comments (7)
Media General Announces Exec Changes
TVNewsCheck, May 26, 2011, 11:10 AM EDT

O. Reid Ashe Jr. is retiring as EVP-COO at the end of the year. George Mahoney, John Schauss and James Woodward all receive promotions. Full Story | Add comment

digital dmas
Gannett Tests Hyperlocal Model In Tampa
NetNewsCheck, May 12, 2011, 8:56 AM EDT
In a market with fierce competition from a myriad of newspaper and television sites vying to be No. 1, Gannett chooses the sunny Tampa-St. Petersburg market as the online proving ground for its bold experiment in hyperlocal news sites. Link | Add comment
Quarterly report
Media General 1Q TV Revenue Dips 2.6%
TVNewsCheck, Apr 20, 2011, 8:27 AM EDT
But discounting political ad money, that figure becomes a 13% increase. Local media websites turn in a 20% revenue gain. Full Story | Comments (1)
Media General Names New Top Tech Exec
TVNewsCheck, Mar 30, 2011, 3:58 PM EDT
The TV station group has tapped Mark Turner, a 10-year company veteran, to succeed Ardell Hill as the chief technologist. He'll have the title of VP, broadcast services. Hill resigned from Media General earlier this month to join Baran Services Inc. as president of broadcast operations. | Add comment
Media General Adopts Utah Scientific's Dot.Box
TVNewsCheck, Mar 14, 2011, 7:05 PM EDT
Dma 34
WCMH Columbus Rebrands As ‘Here For You’
TVNewsCheck, Jan 31, 2011, 1:29 PM EST
Quarterly report
Media General 4Q TV Revenue Up 29%
TVNewsCheck, Jan 27, 2011, 8:53 AM EST
Hotly contested political races generated nearly $24 million in fourth quarter  revenues, compared with $3.7 million the year before. Also contributing was a strong automotive sector that powered a 6% gain in local time sales. Full Story | Add comment
Capex 2011
Media General's To-Do List: HD News, Mobile
TVNewsCheck, Jan 20, 2011, 10:01 AM EST
Ardell Hill, president of broadcast services for Media General, spells out his goals for his 18-station group this year. After completing work on a two-station plant in Augusta, Ga., he intends to introduce HD news into two more markets and equip two or three additional stations for mobile DTV. Other than that, it’s mostly replacing what needs to be replaced. Full Story | Add comment
Media General's Political Take Tops $41M
TVNewsCheck, Nov 17, 2010, 10:33 AM EST

Tight political races and a surge in advocate and party spending drive the revenue surge at its 18 stations. The company awards its employees a one-time payment equal to two furlough days, at total of $1.5 million. Full Story | Add comment

Media General Makes Market Appointments
TVNewsCheck, Nov 4, 2010, 10:38 AM EDT
The company, whose management is organized by geographic segments, has named Marilyn L. Hammond president and market leader, North Carolina, effective Jan. 1, 2011; Dan Bradley becomes president/market leader, Ohio/Rhode Island, effective immediately; and James R. Conschafter is now president/market leader, Virginia/Tennessee, succeeding the retiring James A. Zimmerman. Full Story | Add comment
dma 14
WFLA Tampa Launches Mobile DTV
TVNewsCheck, Oct 29, 2010, 2:52 PM EDT
The Media General NBC affiliate inaugurated mobile digital television service on Oct. 11, making it the first MDTV provider in the market. It becomes the group's second station to provide the service, with four to six more launches set in the coming months. Full Story | Comments (3)

Today's Top Stories

Classifieds

The Market

Symbol Last Change (%)
Nasdaq 2839.38 -10.74 (-0.38%)
NYSE 7552.36 +11.46 (+0.15%)
S&P 500 1320.68 +1.82 (+0.14%)
Updated 05/24 6:14p ET Quotes delayed at least 20 mins.
Source: Financial Content

Ratings

Overnights, adults 18-49 for May 23, 2012
  • 1.
    6.1/18
  • 2.
    2.6/7
  • 3.
    2.0/6
  • 4.
    1.5/4
  • 5.
    1.4/4
  • 6.
    0.4/1
Source: Nielsen
Reviews
Opinions
Features
  • David Wiegand

    Fans of Sex and the City have finally gotten their wish: Their beloved sex-focused sitcom is back on the air ... sort of. The four women have become four men, of course, and the writing isn't as good. Oh, and the laugh track so annoying, it's offensive. And did I mention that the costumes would be considered fashionable if you were holding a yard sale? Men at Work on TBS is almost quaint, it's so old fashioned. If it had any meat on its bones, you'd be tempted to say it's the sadly ignoble epitome of TV's long-festering emasculated-men syndrome. But it's so much of a big, forgettable, innocuous shrug, it's not even worth any actual vitriol.

  • Mike Hale

    The USA Network's motto is "Characters Welcome." Apparently they're especially welcome if they resemble Oscar Madison and Felix Unger. Already stocked with Odd Couple knockoffs in Psych and White Collar, USA adds to its inventory Common Law, another comic crime-fighting show about mismatched partners. But this latest entry exhibits very little of that kind of spark as it tries to wring laughs from the juxtaposition of counseling and police work. It looks too flat and schematically plotted to succeed as the type of lightweight summer fun we’ve come to expect from USA.

  • Joanne Ostrow

    Johnny Carson: Fantastic entertainer, miserable human being. That's the lasting message of Johnny Carson: King of Late Night, the new PBS American Masters film, a rich history of a rare product of television who dominated the small screen for decades. Unprecedented access to personal archives plus all existing episodes of The Tonight Show (1962-92), distinguishes this film by Peter Jones. Telling interviews with family and colleagues, including second wife Joanne Carson, former Tonight Show executive producer Peter Lassally and a number of biographers sharpen the picture. The clips are carefully selected to illustrate specific personality traits, the performance highlights are given context and meaning beyond funny lines and memorable moments.

  • Hank Stuever

    AMC's The Pitch is a sharply-made if slightly off-putting reality series that follows different advertising agencies each week as they compete for new accounts. The inspiration for the show — made clear by its own ad campaign — is to harness some of the verve generated by the network's acclaimed Mad Men. The Pitch has a way of making the ad world seem like a real downer — a repugnant exercise in egotism laced with depressing bouts of creative compromise.

  • Tim Goodman

    HBO's Veep stars Julia Louis-Dreyfus as former Sen. Selina Meyer, who accepts the vice presidential duty and regrets it almost immediately: She has no real power and gets muscled by the Senate, Congress and the (so-far-unseen) president, who delegates all the truly crappy jobs to her. Louis-Dreyfus has found perhaps her best post-Seinfeld role and takes to it with such fervor — the constant swearing, the barely veiled desire to become president, the unhappy give-and-take with other politicians and a delightful disdain for average citizens — that you can't help but applaud what is clearly an Emmy-worthy effort. Her work alone makes Veep a gem, but there's even more to like.

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