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TELEVISION IS A GROWTH BIZ WITH RECORD PROFITS No one can argue with the success of Seinfeld. The sitcom ran for nine seasons on NBC, and there’s no doubt “the show about nothing” made a lot of money for a lot of people, and continues to make more in syndication. Alec Berg was a writer and producer of Seinfeld (and currently is executive producer of HBO’s Silicon Valley). Berg had an interesting response when asked if Seinfeld would have found its footing in today’s television landscape. His quickly replied “Absolutely one hundred percent no. No chance. Zero.” Berg’s emphatic answer was included in a Fortune.com article, Forget the Ratings, Television is a Growth Business with Record Profits. The article notes that TV advertising expenditures are expected to rise to $81.7 billion by 2020, up from $69.9 billion in 2015, per PwC. In addition, broadcasters are making bank with lucrative retransmission agreements from pay TV providers. SNL Kagan says those fees are should hit $11.6 billion by 2022. However, the way viewers consume today’s content is very different than when Seinfeld was the king of primetime. There’s Amazon & Hulu. And Netflix has roughly 49 million subscribers these days. Despite those challenges, network executives attending NAPTE in Miami agree that television remains a growth business. Mark Gordon of The MarkGordon Company notes that “If you have a hit network TV show, you have a massive opportunity to make a lot more money from it internationally, as well as though second, third and even fourth runs on other channels and platforms. “What has changed in TV is the way they make money”, said Berg. “There used to be a few giant stacks of money. Now there are dozens of smaller stacks. But the total amount of money is much higher.”

NEXSTAR/MEDIA GENERAL DEAL CLOSES Nexstar Broadcasting on Tuesday completed its $4.6 billion cash-and-stock purchase of Media General, 10 days shy of the one-year anniversary of when the deal was first announced. Nexstar has fulfilled terms of an agreement with Justice Department antitrust officials by selling 13 TV stations for a total of $548 million. According to deadline.com, Nexstar Media Group is now the No. 2 independent station owner, with 171 full-power stations in 100 markets, including 15 of the top 50. The group reaches nearly 39% of U.S. households.

ADVERTISER NEWS This Week In Consumer Electronics reports sales for consumer electronics and major appliance dealers were up 8.5% between 11/2 and January 2, even though the average ticket was essentially flat with the prior year’s corresponding period. Sales spiked in the Thanksgiving-Cyber Monday period with bricks-and-mortar sales up 16.1% and online sales up 15.8%......December furniture sales were up 3.1% over December, 2015 and up half a point over November. In a related note, Furniture Today’s Consensus Bedding Forecast estimates a 2.4% unit increase in shipments this year, with the wholesale dollar

volume of those shipments expected to rise by 4.2%. The top four brands, Serta, Sealy, Simmons, and Tempur-Pedic, have about a 70 share of the market……Luxottica Group is buying French lens maker Essilor International. Luxottica had been expanding from primarily making frames into making lenses, while Essilot had been expanding towards making frames. Luxottica owns Sunglass Hut, LensCrafters, and Pearle Vision, and the Ray-Ban brand……At the

very highest end of retailing, Tiffany holiday sales were below expectations, with same-store sales in North America down 4%......UnitedHealth, the nation’s largest insurer, reported a 9% increase in revenue and a 56% increase in profit. Growth in employer groups offset declines in individual benefit coverage……The next teen retailer to disappear may be Wet Seal, which is said to be exploring a liquidation or going-concern sale, according to The Wall Street Journal. The mall-based retailer filed for bankruptcy protection two years ago and then was taken over by private equity firm Versa Capital Management. Versa’s other retail investments include Eastern Mountain Sports and Bob’s discount furniture……After the largest banks reported generally tepid earnings last week, the regional banks are reporting quarterly results this week. Dallas-based Comerica reported a 41% increase in quarterly profit, helped by higher interest rates and a smaller need for loss provisions as the oil industry has started to recover……(continued on page 3)

TV REVENUE IS STILL ON THE RISE

The Daily News of TV Sales Wednesday, January 18, 2017

PAGE 2 The Daily News of TV Sales @ www.spotsndots.com

NETWORK NEWS FOX Sports is adding a twist to the network’s coverage of Super Bowl LI. This year’s game will again live stream online for free, and more than 170 FOX affiliates have teamed with FOX Sports to sell and deliver local digital ads in the Super Bowl stream. The participating affiliates will have access to the same linear TV broadcast and digital streaming inventory. CBS reported that 1.4 million viewers watched the Denver Broncos beat the Carolina Panthers in last year’s Super Bowl on CBS and NFL live streaming properties, while 111.9 million watched on TV, confirming that most Americans watch the Super Bowl on Television……The 24th season of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars will return to the network on Monday, March 20th at 8 PM (ET). The dance competition is produced by BBC Worldwide Productions, which produces Top Gear for The History Channel, and the upcoming game show on FOX called Hypnotize Me…… Univision Holding Inc. and Groupo Televisa announced a strengthened and expanded relationship between the two companies by unifying content development and production efforts. Univision’s current Chief News, Entertainment and Digital Officer, Isaac Lee will assume the role of Chief Content Office for both Univision and Televisa, effective immediately. Lee will continue to report to Randy Falco, President and CEO of Univision and will also report now to Televisa President, Emilio Azcàrraga Jean. Currently, Televisa has a nearly 40% stake in Univision this is expected to rise to nearly 49% when Univision completes its IPO……Reports from the Television Critics Association winter press tour are that the X-Men TV show is close to getting a pilot order from the FOX network. Lauren Shuler Donner, one of the film’s producers brought up the fact that the TV show may have a return of the villainous Sentinels, but they will be very different from how they’ve appeared on film. She did acknowledge that the show will be set in a world where Sentinels are chasing mutants……The star of the ABC hit drama series Quantico was rushed to the emergency room after being injured on the set last week. A spokesperson for ABC called it a “minor incident” and offered no additional details. TMZ.com reported that Priyanka Chopra suffered a concussion after she slipped and fell while filming a stunt. Reports say that Chopra was treated and released a few hours later and is resting at home. She’s expected to return to work very soon.

NRF: SALES EXCEEDED EXPECTATIONS The National Retail Federation says holiday retail sales were up 4% for November and December, beating its own estimate that business would rise by 3.6%. The numbers exclude automotive, gas stations and restaurants. “The economy was clearly stronger in the fall and consumers were more active during the holiday season than they had been earlier in the year,” NRF Chief Economist Jack Klein-henz said. “Economic indicators were up, retailers offered great deals, confidence improved and all of that empow-ered consumers to spend more.”

AVAILS KOCO 5, the Hearst Television ABC affiliate in Oklahoma City (41st DMA and growing), has an opportunity for a highly motivated Account Executive. The AE will be required to bring in new businesses to advertise on the TV and web. Exceed your goals utilizing the top syndicated programming, OU and OSU football, OKC Thunder NBA, OKC’s #1 web & mobile sites, and MeTV. Must be organized, with strong presentation skills, and a passion for developing new business. CLICK HERE to submit your resume and cover letter. EOE.

Comcast Spotlight, the advertising sales division of Comcast Cable, seeks a Local Sales Manager for its sales operation in Winchester, VA and Cumberland, MD. The LSM is responsible for managing the operation for small advertisers to have the opportunity to reach customers in their retail trading areas. The LSM also oversees the hiring, training, evaluating and assisting of a motivated staff to carry out marketing functions. 7+ years

related experience preferred. APPLY HERE. Comcast is an EOE/Veterans/Disabled/LGBT employer KOLD News 13, the Raycom-owned CBS affiliate in sunny Tucson, AZ is looking for a dynamic, self-motivated, idea driven Local Sales Manager with a proven sales history who exhibits strong leadership skills and the ability to recruit and inspire the best talent. Candidates must demonstrate skills such as; training new account executives, negotiating direct and agency business (local and national) and have experience and a desire to focus on digital, non-traditional and new business initiatives. CLICK HERE or more info or to apply now. EOE. The Networks of Mid-Missouri is seeking a highly motivated, competitive professional to lead its KQFX (FOX) and NMIZ (MyNetwork) team as Local Sales Manager. The LSM will implement the company’s plan to cultivate new local business, grow long lasting relationships with clients and shape a productive sales team through training and management. The position leads the revenue generating effort of the company through selling television air time, internet and special events. Cover letter and resume to: donnaf@kmiz.com. Tell us where you saw this ad! EOE. Are you ready to make a solid career move? WFXT/FOX25 in Boston may be the right fit for you if: You embrace change, innovation and new opportunities; You are good at recognizing the needs of others; You naturally develop successful, creative solutions that fit those needs; You are hungry to develop new business; You deliver unparalleled service and follow-through. Cox Media Group will provide you with the all of the tools, training and assets you need to succeed. This position requires 2+ years of media sales experience. Qualified? Send cover letter and resume to: Romeo.Solomon@coxinc.com

Send your jobs ads to: ads@spotsndots.com1/18/2017

Dozens of Democrats from Congress are boycotting

Donald Trump’s inauguration. Which is shocking because

I didn’t know there were still dozens of Democratic

members left.

Conan O’Brien

The Daily News of TV Sales @ www.spotsndots.com PAGE 3

ECONOMIC RATINGS A small bank in southern New Jersey became the first bank failure of 2017 last week after there were just five failures nationwide last year and eight in 2015. Bank failures had become a massive problem after the housing-induced recession several years back. 140 banks went under in 2009 and another 157 failed in 2010, before the problem started to subside in 2011, when there were 92 failures. NFL, GLOBES HOT WITH NEW SPOTS Verizon spent more in national media for new creative during the week of Jan 2-8 according to Kantar Media figures, with 38% of $8.3 million spent in NFL Playoffs and 21% in the Golden Globes telecast. The others in the top five for new creative were McDonald’s, Ford, Paramount Pictures and Apple. All of the top five had buys in the playoffs, while all but Ford were also in the Golden Globes. THIS AND THAT The National Automobile Dealers Association has released Dealer Profile data for November, and through the first eleven months of 2016, the average dealership had achieved 3.4% more in sales than from 1/15 through 11/15. But expenses were up an average of 5.1%, bringing net profit down by 5.7%. Average advertising investments were up 5.4%. Full year data will be available in about a month, and we’ll analyze the year in detail at that point……Here’s a bit of a surprise: the J.D. Power 2017 Auto Avoider Study says that only 24% of buyers considered buying an SUV last year, in a year when SUV sales were actually 42% of the market. Price may have been a factor in the initial reluctance to consider an SUV as on average an SUV costs 9% more than a comparably-equipped sedan. But Power comments “Low fuel prices, favorable lease deals and the availability of low-interest loans are attracting buyers to SUVs.”....Dish Network and Gray Television reached a last-minute retrans agreement Tuesday to avert a blackout in 50+ markets. Gray also announced that its closed on the purchase of stations inGreen Bay, Quad Cities, Iowa, and Fairbanks, Alaska.

MORE DIESELS COMING? Despite all the bad publicity that came from Volkswagen’s (and now possibly Fiat Chrysler) cheating on emission tests for its diesel engines, major carmakers appear to be moving towards expanding the use of diesels in their own vehicles. Diesels have primarily been used in the past on heavier-duty vehicles, partially due to fuel efficiency, but currently General Motors, Ford and Nissan are putting diesels into smaller and lighter vehicles including SUVs and even compact cars. GM will offer the option in four smaller vehicles this year including the Chevrolet Cruze and the Equinox crossover SUV. That company has a lot of experience with diesels in other markets including Europe and is confident it could avoid problems with the Environmental Protection Agency here. “We know how to do this in the United States with the EPA and the whole emissions piece of it,” GM’s product chief said. “We’re going to use that as a competitive advantage.”

AVAILS KBZK seeks a full-time Senior Account Executive in “The Gem of Big Sky Country”, Bozeman, Montana. Work and play in the fastest-growing communities in the scenic Rocky Mountains, bustling with activities for all seasons. Winter brings powder to the peaks at Bridger Bowl Ski Area and nearby Big Sky Ski Resort, while the spring brings high waters and thrilling rafting on the

Gallatin River. Summer is splendid for backpacking the Gallatin Divide, and fall colors bring nearby Yellowstone Park to life. Resumes to jstrong@kbzk.com. No calls please. EOE. Winter is here! If you would prefer to be selling where summer never ends, WPBF 25, the Hearst owned ABC Affiliate in sunny West Palm Beach has an opportunity for you! WPBF 25 is looking for a dynamic sales superstar to join our fantastic sales team. The ideal candidate must

have Broadcast TV sales experience and possess the drive and ability to thrive on multiple platforms in a fast paced, highly competitive market. Your creativity, originality, and passion for developing New Business will be encouraged and rewarded! CLICK HERE to apply. EOE.

ADVERTISER NEWS (continued from page one).... In the midst of re-launching its brand to appeal more to millennials by downplaying its former 1950’s retro image, Johnny Rockets’ opened 61 new locations in 2016, with a dozen more planned for this year. Its president of global operations says “From a net growth standpoint, the brand grew 10.1% (last year). That’s a big deal”……Automotive News reports Fiat Chrysler will keep the Dodge Grand Caravan minivan in production longer than the previously-planned August finale, even as FCA continues the push for the more-expensive Chrysler Pacifica. Sales of the Grand Caravan ($24,590 starting sticker price) were up 26% in 2016. The Pacifica starts at $29,590.

1/18/2017

According to a new report, 67 percent of millennials use

Netflix, which must really tick off whoever owns the

account they’re using.

Seth Meyers

MONDAY NIELSEN RATINGS - LIVE + SAME DAY