CBS Fined for Indecency
March 15, 2006
Broadcast networks need to tread lightly around the F-word.
As in FCC.
The Federal Communications Commission addressed more than 300,000 backlogged indecency complaints Wednesday, including a charge against the CBS missing-persons hit "Without a Trace."
All four big-timers--ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC--fell prey to the hunt for indecent content, with CBS leading the pack, as the FCC proposed fining the network and affiliates an unprecedented $3.63 million for a December 2004 episode of "Without a Trace" that featured teenagers engaging in orgy-style sexual shenanigans.
FCC hits TV stations for indecent shows (Reuters)
March 15, 2006
Reuters - U.S. communications regulators on
Wednesday proposed $3.9 million in fines against scores of
television broadcasters for violating federal decency limits,
including a record $3.6 million for stations that aired a show
depicting group sex.
"Sopranos" Stars Take Whack at New Contracts (E! Online)
March 15, 2006
E! Online - The Sopranos characters may already be made men, but the
show's actors wouldn't mind making a little more.
Summary Box: FCC Issues Fine Against CBS (AP)
March 15, 2006AP - INDECENCY PENALTY: The Federal Communications Commission proposed a $3.6 million fine against dozens of CBS stations and affiliates for broadcasting an allegedly indecent episode of "Without a Trace."
FCC: CBS Facing $3.6M Fine for Indecency (AP)
March 15, 2006
AP - A government crackdown on indecent programming resulted in a proposed fine of $3.6 million against dozens of CBS stations and affiliates on Wednesday — a record penalty from the Federal Communications Commission.
Wallace to Stop Being '60 Minutes' Regular (AP)
March 15, 2006
AP - Mike Wallace, the hard-driving reporter who has been with "60 Minutes" since its start in 1968, said Tuesday he will retire as a regular correspondent on the show this spring.
FCC: CBS Facing $3.6 Million Fine (AP)
March 15, 2006
AP - The government proposed a record fine of $3.6 million against dozens of CBS stations and affiliates Wednesday in a crackdown on what regulators called indecent television programming.
ABC to Broadcast 12 World Cup Games (AP)
March 15, 2006AP - ABC will televise 12 of the 64 games at this year's World Cup, including the final on July 9 and the first-round matchup between the United States and Italy on June 17.
EchoStar Communications 4Q Profit Soars (AP)
March 15, 2006
AP - Amid an increasingly competitive industry, satellite television provider EchoStar Communications Corp. credited healthy subscriber growth Wednesday for a 90 percent increase in fourth-quarter net income.
Players Championship to be screened live in China (Reuters)
March 15, 2006Reuters - More than 110 million homes in China will have access to live television coverage of the last two rounds of next week's Players Championship at Ponte Vedra Beach in Florida, the PGA Tour said on Wednesday.
"Sopranos" Whack Contracts
March 15, 2006
"The Sopranos" characters may already be made men, but the show's actors wouldn't mind making a little more.
Several supporting cast members of the HBO's hit mafia drama are looking to renegotiate their contracts, arguing that the splitting of the series' final 20 episodes constitutes two seasons, though they're only being paid for one.
Sheridan, Bolton Are Reportedly Engaged (AP)
March 15, 2006
AP - Singer Michael Bolton and "Desperate Housewives" actress Nicollette Sheridan are engaged, according to "Access Hollywood."
Jennie Garth Expecting Third Child (AP)
March 15, 2006
AP - Jennie Garth is expecting her third child with actor-husband Peter Facinelli, Us magazine reports.
Pakistanis watch "Bush-Mush" satire over and over (Reuters)
March 15, 2006Reuters - U.S. President George W. Bush went home two weeks ago, but ever since his visit Pakistanis have been watching multiple daily repeats of an animated television satire of his meeting with their own president.
China sets minimum age for TV contestants (Reuters)
March 15, 2006Reuters - Contestants on China's increasingly popular TV talent shows must now be at least 18 years old under new rules posted by central broadcast regulators Tuesday, highlighting Beijing's concerns about TV's influence on minors.
NBC, MSN team to sneak 'Heist' (Reuters)
March 15, 2006Reuters - After a string of ambitious online investments, NBC hopes to snatch even more viewers by giving its audience an online preview of its new drama "Heist."
'Big Night' alumni Tucci, Scott land pilot gigs (Reuters)
March 15, 2006Reuters - Stanley Tucci is set to co-star in an untitled medical drama pilot at CBS.
Syndicated shows iced by Winter Olympics (Reuters)
March 15, 2006Reuters - Most syndicated shows were down during the February sweep compared with a year ago as NBC's coverage of the 2006 Winter Olympics caused many pre-emptions and time-period shifts.
College basketball games tip off at iTunes (Reuters)
March 15, 2006
Reuters - College basketball fans
will get new ways to indulge their passion following a deal
announced Tuesday between CBS Sports and Apple.