Televisa launches pay TV channel for Telemundo

Starting August 1st, Telemundo will have it own TV channel in Mexico... thanks to Televisa. The arrangement is possible as part of a 10-year content distribution deal both companies announced in 2008 and signed in March of this year.

Televisa will air Telemundo programming on one of its pay-TV networks. It has been broadcasting Telemundo content on its local channel 9 since April of last year.

Buyers for Boston Globe?

Two Boston groups are emerging as potential buyers of The Boston Globe. They submitted preliminary bids in The New York Times auction of the paper.

Boston Celtics co-owner Stephen G. Pagliuca and Jack Connors, the chairman of Partners HealthCare propose having a nonprofit foundation help fund and run the news operation, with the goal of making enough money to support the Globe’s journalism but without the pressure to make large profits.

Stephen E. Taylor, a former Globe executive, is leading the other group. He is also a member of the family that sold the Globe to the Times Co. in 1993 for $1.1 billion.

The Globe reports that its parent company has yet to review the bids and decide who will be invited to the next round.

Local newscasts back at Telemundo TPC markets?

Sources tell me that Telemundo is considering bringing back local newscasts to several markets that are now being serviced by the Telemundo Production Center (TPC) in Dallas and that the changes would be coming thanks to new Telemundo Station Group President Ron Gordon. Although it's not yet official, he recently told staff he's proposing bringing back control of the newscasts to local markets.

Back in 2006, parent company NBC decided to cut costs by eliminating local newscasts in San Jose, Phoenix, Denver, Houston, Dallas, San Antonio and Las Vegas. Telemundo created the TPC as a hub to produce newscasts that air in those markets... from Dallas. People I've spoken to in some of those markets say the effort has been a disaster in terms of lack of local coverage, which ultimately has hurt sales.

Telemundo spokesman Alfredo Richard tells me there is nothing definite, but admitted they are "exploring" the possibility of giving more local content to the newscasts, but always with support of the TPC. He denies the current format of regionalized news hasn't worked.

But an insider tells me that the changes could come as soon as October, with plans to train and place multi-media journalists (one man bands) in all the TPC markets. Locally anchored, low-staffed newscasts could start in January of 2010.

Yahoo partners up with Microsoft

Yahoo and Microsoft today announced a 10 year deal that is intended to make Google sweat. Through the new partnership Microsoft wants to show that its new, much-hyped search technology, Bing, is just as good or better than Google's. The objective is to take away sales biz from Google, which earns more than $20 billion a year from ads.

The AP reports the team effort will have Microsoft focus on search technology. Yahoo's responsibility would be Web advertising and "luring traffic" to its Web sites, which currently attract more than 570 million people worldwide each month.

It was only a little more than a year ago that Yahoo rejected a $47.5 billion offer from Microsoft to buy the company. Now, the Seattle-based company isn't even offering advance cash in the deal. Instead, Yahoo will get 88% of search ad sales made on its Web site. But Yahoo sees an upside - $500 million in operating profits, by spending less on search technology, even though that's not expected to happen until 2012.

Martinez moves to Atlanta

Cris Martinez, who has been doing morning weather and traffic at WOFL-35, is leaving the Fox station in Orlando. Starting August 10, he'll start a new job at WGLC-36, the CBS affiliate in Atlanta.

Cris has previously worked as weekend metereologist at KENS-5 in San Antonio and KHCW-39 in Houston.

Border Media to be liquidated

Border Media Partners, previously known as BMP Radio, will be taken over by its lenders, because the company failed to make any debt payments for the past 2 years.

The privately owned company, headquartered in Dallas, has 29 radio stations and online properties in Texas and Mexico. Most of the stations air Spanish-language programming.

Radio-online.com reports that according to an FCC filing, the lenders say the takeover was "amicable." CEO Jeff Hinson will step down on Friday. The company's assets will be liquidated.

Tom Castro founded BMP Radio in 2002.

Serrano gets entrepreneurial start

Vicente Serrano has been busy since he was laid off from his anchor gig at Telemundo in Chicago back in May. He started a blog published on Tribune's Chicago Now. Meanwhile, his production company, Mechicano Inc., will be launching a daily TV news magazine called "Sin Censura" to air on Azteca América's Chicago station in August, with plans for national expansion.

Vicente tells me the hour long show will focus on one topic, with an investigative report followed by an on-set discussion. He's rounded up a team of 15 people who will be working full time to produce and sell the show. María Morales Salazar is the executive producer. Other team members include correspondents Viviana Avila, Enrique García Fuentes and Esmeralda Medellín.

Vicente's production company will also be producing radio news capsules and an internet news site.

Michigan paper shuts down

The Ann Arbor News today printed its last edition, putting an end to its 174-year history.

The staff had been told in March that the paper's owner, Advance Publications, was planning to shut down the daily. According to the Detroit Free Press, the newsroom staff was already down to 20 from 60 four months ago. More than 200 people will be out of a job. A small group of people will stay on to work for AnnArbor.com, an online news site that will launch tomorrow.

Money woes force NAHJ to cancel awards ceremony

The layoffs in the industry and the awful economy have also caught up with the National Association of Hispanic Journalists. Facing a projected $300,000 deficit, NAHJ has decided to cancel this year's Noche de Triunfos awards ceremony, to concentrate on fundraising. Awards will be given out. The staff is working on the logistics. The cancellation of the event is said to be a one-time deal.

Noche de Triunfos was made a stand alone event, getting pulled from the annual convention programming in 2004, as part of NAHJ's fundraising strategy. But in the past 4 years, the association has struggled to make it financially viable, dedicating a great deal of time and human resources to put the show on.

Adding to NAHJ's troubles has been a 36% drop in membership and a huge drop in attendance at its annual convention, this year held in Puerto Rico. Barely 800 people attended, compared to almost 2,000 in the last convention (pre Unity last year). While it was not a financial success, those who made it to San Juan gave rave reviews on the multi-media training.

Estrada joins KTNC

Claudia Estrada leaves Telemundo in Chicago to move to San Francisco. Starting August 3rd, she will take over as VP of Sales of KTNC-42, the Estrella TV affiliate managed by Titan Broadcasting.

For the past 4 years Claudia has been VP of sales at WSNS-44. She has been at the Telemundo O&O since 2000. She previously worked at the Univision station in Chicago (WGBO-66) and for Exito newspaper.

McClatchy posts profit

Is there a bit of hope for the newspaper industry? McClatchy, which owns 30 newspapers after it disastrously bought Knight Ridder in 2006, doubled its profit in the second quarter compared to last year - from $19.7 million to $42.2 million.

Although its ad revenue fell 30% from a year earlier, the WSJ points out that McClatchy is seeing an "improving ad trend." The company has been reducing operating costs, mainly by eliminating one-third of its staff in the past year. But, it still has a crushing $2 billion debt acquired mostly from its purchase of the Knight Ridder newspaper chain. It is feared the heavy debt load could push McClatchy into bankruptcy protection.

The company's battered shares, which have lost more than 90% of its value, today closed at $1.01.

Romero named GM at KVDA

Starting July 23, Edward Romero will be the new general manager of KVDA-60, Telemundo's San Antonio station.

Edward has been working at the Telemundo Network Dallas sales office for the past 5 years. He previously worked for ESPN and Fox Sports en Español.

ZGS, which operates the station in San Antonio, made the announcement.

Morales resigns from Liberman Broadcasting

Less than 9 months after he joined Liberman Broadcasting to head the launch of Estrella TV, Ibra Morales has left the company.

I'm told he resigned last Friday. More details to follow.

Univision wins internet case against Televisa

Univision scored a big legal win on Friday, when Judge Phillip Gutierrez ruled in its favor in the internet rights case against Televisa.

The judge ruled that Televisa cannot broadcast its shows over the internet in the U.S., because it would violate the 25-year exclusive distribution deal with Univision. Televisa said it will appeal.

While it cannot plug its shows online in the U.S., Televisa told the L.A. Times that Univision doesn't have those rights either and that it "would vigorously oppose any such frivolous claim by Univision that it does."

Earlier this year, Televisa reached an out of court settlement with Univision on its programming deal, which ends in 2017.

Lenders to take over Young Broadcasting

Young Broadcasting tried... but failed to get interest for its television station group. On Tuesday, they called off an auction, when they couldn't get a decent bid for the company's assets. Given the outcome, it's expected that a group of bankers will take over ownership of Young Broadcasting for about $220 million.

According to MediaPost, a company attorney was in court yesterday to ask for approval of the sale next week, after Young only received a $120 million offer for the stations. The deal still has to be approved by the FCC.

Talk about a drop in value. Young bought KRON-4 in 2000 for a whopping $823 million dollars.

New Vision files for bankruptcy

Another one bites the dust? New Vision Television filed for Chapter 11 on Tuesday as it tries to restructure $400 million in debt. In the first days of the proceedings the company was able to secure a $28 million credit line to speed it through the process.

The Atlanta-based company, formed in 1993, owns and/or operates 14 full-power affiliates, 4 non-affiliate stations and has close to 800 employees.

Angulo gets top job at KTNC

Cesar Angulo has been named President and General Manager at KTNC in San Francisco. He was previously VP of Sales for KSTS-TV-48, the Telemundo station based out of San Jose.

KTNC is managed by Titan Broadcast Management which manages all of the former Pappas Telecasting stations.

Lippman leaves Univision

John Lippman, Sr VP of News and Operations of the Univision Station Group resigned after 14 years on the job. His last day was June 30th.

I caught up with John, who's having a little R&R, to ask him why he left. He tells me that for the past year he hasn't felt challenged and decided it was time to move on.

"I'm looking for a new challenge," he tells me "and with the turmoil the media business is now in, there are plenty of challenges out there." He points out that while many media companies are laying off, there are others who are hiring, particularly in online divisions. "Bilingual Hispanics are in a better position to compete for and claim these new jobs and to hold on to them," he says. "My experience in Univision has given me great respect for the people who are able to work in both languages and to me it's only a matter of time before the rest of the world wakes up to it."

Looks like John won't be replaced. Instead, 2 committees - one of regional general managers and another of regional news directors - will split up the duties of his job.

No word yet where John will land, but he promises to keep me posted.

Young calls off auction

Young Broadcasting, which this morning had been slated to auction off its 10 stations, including San Francisco's KRON-4, has pulled out of the auction. B&C reports that in its Cancellation of Auction notice to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, it declared the auction is no longer necessary.

It is speculated that none of the bids met the minimum requirement.

Comcast adds Spanish-language channels in California

Comcast is launching 80 new networks in Northern California and is plugging 13 Spanish-language entertainment channels to its lineup. Mediaweek reports the move is timed with customer upgrades from analog to digital.

The new offerings include regional Mexican music channels Bandamax and TeleRitmo, entertainment channel Multimedios, and Ritmoson Latino and Telehit.

Sinclair considers bankruptcy

Falling ad revenues and a $1.3 billion debt load is making Sinclair Broadcast Group Inc. think about filing for bankruptcy protection.

According to the Baltimore Sun, in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Sinclair said it doesn't have the cash to pay its debt and it can't sell its non-TV assets because of a lack of buyers with access to credit. So, it may consider restructuring through a voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing.

The Baltimore-based company owns or provides programming or sales to 58 television stations. The company's weakened stock tumbled at the news. It has scheduled a conference call for this afternoon to discuss its plans.

Novarro's contract expires, newscast canceled

It looks like anchor David Novarro, who joined WFLD 9 years ago, will be leaving the station.

The Fox station in Chicago is canceling its 10 pm newscast and won't be renewing his contract when it expires in September. The Chicago Tribune reports the staff were told of the changes on Friday.

David has been the 10 pm anchor since 2007. He also took over anchoring duties of the 9 pm newscast in March of last year. He started at WFLD as morning anchor. Before that, he was a reporter at WABC in NYC.

Fernandez out at WSNS

Eduardo Fernandez is no longer VP and general manager at WSNS-44, the Telemundo O&O in Chicago. The network's spokesman told the Chicago Sun-Times the GM's contract was up for renewal and it was mutually agreed to part ways. However, the paper suggests Eduardo's departure is linked to Ron Gordon's promotion to the presidency of the Telemundo Station Group.

According to a story in the Sun-Times, Eduardo was a well-liked member of the Chicago broadcast community. He joined WSNS as general manager in 2003. He previously worked in Grand Rapids, as VP and GM of Fox-owned WXMI-17.

Estrella's expansion continues

Liberman Broadcasting's new Spanish-language network just scored another affiliate. Estrella TV has cleared in Albuquerque, through KOAT-TV. The agreement with the Hearst station, which is an ABC affiliate, will clear the network's programming on its digital channels in Albuquerque, Carlsbad (KOCT-TV) and Silver City, N.M. (KOVT-TV).

Estrella TV is scheduled to launch in mid-August.

Corona suing KPRC

Wendy Corona is suing KPRC for breach of contract and defamation. She was laid off from her 4 and 6 pm anchor job in early January. Back then, the news director said her departure "was an economic decision."

According to the recently filed lawsuit, Wendy signed a 4 year contract in 2006, which allowed for her dismissal after the first 2 years as long as she received a 90-day written notice. Her attorney is saying the company dishonored her contract. The Houston Press reports Wendy is seeking damages for lost wages, benefits and damage to her reputation.

TV and radio salaries suffer drop

With all the layoffs, furloughs and pay cuts, it's no suprise that broadcast salaries have taken a dive. In 2008, TV news salaries fell 4.4 %. Radio news salaries dropped 1.8 %. But... if you add the rate of inflation, real wages fell by 8.2 % for TV and 5.6 % for radio news. It's the first time in 15 years that the average salaries dropped for both TV and radio news.

Every year professor Bob Papper, from Hofstra University and the RTNDA conduct an annual study on employment and salaries. This year's results show that on-air jobs were the hardest hit by salary reductions.

Papper expects layoffs to slow down, but salaries to continue to drop. He expects "higher priced people" retiring, getting laid off or taking salary cuts. But he's optimistic there will be a turnaround towards the end of this year and into 2010.

You can read more details of the study on the RTNDA Web site.

More stations go the pool route

Now it's the NBC, CBS and ABC affiliates in Grand Rapids that are teaming up to share video. Starting July 13, news directors or assignment editors will decide which events will be covered by the pool and the footage will be shared with all three stations.

According to a story on the Battle Creek Inquirer, the stations will take turns on sending their photographers to do the pool work.

Additional anchor duties for Arias

Erika Arias is WTIC's new 10 pm anchor. She will continue to anchor the station's 11 pm newscast - a job she landed in September of 2008.

Prior to joining the Fox 61 news team in Hartford, she spent 2 years at WFSB-3 as a weekend anchor and reporter.

She previously worked in Providence, Las Vegas, and freelanced for Fox News in Los Angeles.

Gratitude

I want to thank all my friends and colleagues who have sent me an outpouring of support and words of encouragement upon hearing of my father's passing.

The past 9 months have been very difficult, as I spent 12 hour days at the hospital and many more countless hours helping my father try to recuperate from his ailments, once back home. During some of those hospital stays my blogging was a little spotty, but I tried to keep it going as much as I could. I was so overwhelmed with the loss of my father, I just simply could not even attempt it after his death.

I have landed back in Los Angeles just hours ago, after 2 weeks in Argentina, where my father lived and passed away. I know I have missed sharing a lot of news with you in the past couple of weeks, but I will resume my blogging with full force starting tomorrow.

Thanks again for your past, present and hopefully, future support of my blog.