Reuters - The new terrorism thriller "Body of Lies" failed to take the top spot at the weekend box office in North America, an apparent victim of moviegoers' preference for escapist fare amid global financial turmoil.
Reuters - State-owned Abu Dhabi Media Co (ADMC) said on Saturday it has tied up with National Geographic to produce up to 15 films focusing on human being's relationship with the world and environment.
AP - In this fall's TV season, a secret agent speeds around in a Chevrolet Camaro, a man tries to save the world with the help of a Dodge Ram pickup, and a famous talking car returns to the streets in the form of a Ford Mustang.
AP - The Federal Communications Commission has sided with the National Football League in a long-running programming dispute with Comcast Corp., ruling that Comcast should carry the league's NFL Network on its popular digital cable package.
Reuters - NBC Universal booked a loss on the Beijing Olympics in the third quarter, but will make a profit on the event once all is said and done, executives said Friday.
Reuters - Viacom Inc and CBS Corp warned that quickly deteriorating advertising sales would slash their profits, signaling that the financial crisis is hitting the media industry harder than previously thought.
Reuters - National Amusements Inc, a privately held company controlled by Sumner Redstone, will sell more than 20 percent of its stake in Viacom Inc and CBS Inc to pay down debt to comply with its credit agreement covenants.
Reuters - The Barack Obama presidential campaign will pay NBC and CBS almost $1 million each for the campaign's half-hour ad buy in primetime on October 29, according to documents made available by the respective networks.
Reuters - New York State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo on Friday sued Arbitron Inc, the largest ratings company for radio in the United States, accusing it of false advertising and deceptive business practices.
Reuters - A battle between tech companies like Google Inc and broadcasters over use of soon-to-be vacant airwaves will heat up soon as U.S. regulators release an anticipated report on the issue.
Mediaweek.com - ABC and CBS shared bragging rights on Oct. 7, with ABC first in households and total viewers (thanks, of course, to Dancing With the Stars) and CBS No. 1 among adults 18-49. Although CBS is benefiting by the improved performances of The Big Bang Theory (Viewers: #2, 9.39 million; A18-49: #2, 3.7/10) and How I Met Your Mother (Viewers: #2. 8.96 million; A18-49: #2, 4.0/10) from 8-9 p.m., recent 9:30 p.m. entry Worst Week (Viewers: #3, 8.85 million; A18-49: #3, 3.0/ 7) has to go. The biggest concern on Monday, meanwhile, has to be NBC's Heroes, which dipped this week to just 8. ...
Mediaweek.com - CBS took center stage in this second official week of the 2008-09 season, with a first-place finish in households, total viewers, adults 18-49 and adults 25-54. Fox was first among adults 18-34. And both networks posted minor losses from the year-ago period. CBS' strength early in the new season falls in the hands of its established hits (crime continues to pay on the network), breakout success The Mentalist, and the rising demographic appeal of Monday comedies The Big Bang Theory and How I Met Your Mother. ...
Mediaweek.com - TBS has renewed sitcom My Boys for a third season, with an order for nine additional episodes. The new season will begin in first quarter 2009.
AP - A recording company has sued Lil' Kim for $2.5 million, saying the Grammy-winning rapper hasn't delivered all the recordings their contract requires.
AP - Prime-time viewership numbers compiled by Nielsen Media Research for Sept. 29-Oct. 5. Listings include the week's ranking, with viewership for the week and season-to-date rankings in parentheses. An "X" in parentheses denotes a one-time-only presentation.