Earnings Preview: US Media Companies Still Face Modest Ad Revenue

From the Wall Street Journal:

EARNINGS PREVIEW: Media Companies Still Face Modest Ad Revenue

TAKING THE PULSE: Despite bullish comments from broadcasters of late about an uptick in advertising sales, analysts expect only modest improvement from the generally sluggish ad sales reported in the final quarter of 2011. Affiliate fees remain a key profit source for broadcasters and cable operators even as digital distribution deals will continue to help profits. "Affiliate fees are still the 'golden goose' of media," write analysts at Barclays. Meanwhile, cable distributors face an ongoing squeeze on profit margins due to higher programming costs and new competition from the likes of Verizon Communications Inc.'s (VZ) FiOS service.

COMPANIES TO WATCH:

Walt Disney Co. (DIS) - reports May 8

Wall Street Expectations: Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expect a profit of 56 cent a share on revenue of $9.56 billion for the second fiscal quarter. Disney reported a profit of 49 cents a share on revenue of $9.08 billion in Disney's 2011 second quarter.

Key Issues: Disney has warned that its studio segment would book up to a $120 million loss for the second quarter due to the poor box office performance of "John Carter," leading up to the resignation of studio Chairman Rich Ross last week. Analysts will look for more detail on the costs and the initial performance of highly-anticipated "The Avengers," slated for release May 4.

Viacom Inc. (VIA, VIAB): reports May 3

Wall Street Expectations: Analysts expect a profit of 90 cents a share on revenue of 3.33 billion for Viacom's second fiscal quarter. Viacom booked a profit of 63 cents a share and revenue of $3.27 billion in its 2011 second quarter.

Key Issues: Viacom's advertising revenue will be closely watched as the broadcaster faces ratings softness at two of its most important networks, Nickelodeon and MTV.

DirecTV (DTV): reports May 10 (estimated)

Wall Street Expectations: Analysts expect a profit of $1.05 a share on revenue of $7.03 billion. DirecTV reported a profit of 85 cents a share on revenue of $6.32 billion a year earlier.

Key Issues: DirecTV last month outlined plans to more than double its revenue and subscriber base in Latin America, which is becoming the satellite TV operator's main source of growth as its U.S. markets attract fewer new customers. DirecTV already said it added more than 550,000 subscribers in Latin America for the first quarter.

News Corp. (NWS, NWSA): reports May 9

Wall Street Expectations: Analysts expect a profit of 31 cents a share on revenue of $8.25 billion for News Corp.'s fiscal third quarter. The company, earned a profit of 24 cents a share on revenue of $8.26 billion in its 2011 fiscal third quarter.

Key Issues: In February, Chief Operating Officer Chase Carey has pointed optimistically to upcoming renewals on Fox News' pay-TV carriage rights, which coincide with popular election year news coverage. He also acknowledged ratings weakness at top-rated reality show "American Idol," which faces new competition from shows like NBC's "The Voice." News Corp., which owns this newswire, is also still dealing with the aftermath of a phone-hacking scandal at its U.K. newspapers division.

Cablevision Systems Corp. (CVC): reports May 3

Wall Street Expectations: Analysts expect a profit of 19 cents a share on revenue of $1.67 billion. Cablevision reported a 36 cents a share profit on revenue of $1.92 billion a year earlier.

Key Issues: Investors have aggressively dumped Cablevision shares over the past year amid worries about low growth prospects and overlap with Verizon's expanding FiOS service. They are also worried about a slew of high-level executive departures, including much-respected former Chief Operating Officer Tom Rutledge last year.

Nickelodeon UK To Show Brand New "Big Time Rush" Episode "Big Time Single" On 5th May 2012

According to Nickelodeon UK's brand new "Brand New Big Time Rush - Big Time Single" promo/trailer (below with a transcript), Nickelodeon UK will premiere and show the brand new episode of the hit Nickelodeon live action series "Big Time Rush" called "Big Time Single" on Nickelodeon UK and Ireland and Nickelodeon HD UK on Saturday 5th May 2012 at 5.30pm (repeated at 6.30pm on Nick Replay UK):

Kendall's just hit an all time low.

[Kendall Knight (Kendall Schmidt): Just leave me alone!]

So, in a brand new Big Time Rush, it'll take his three best friends...

[Logan Mitchell (Logan Henderson): Think of all the cool things you can do with the boys again!]

[Kendall: Kendall Knight is single again!]

...and one summer time hit...

[James Diamond (James Maslow): WE need you ready for our big summer now, and you're single now!]

[Background music: 'If I Ruled the World' by Big Time Rush, from BTR's second hit studio album "Elevate"]

...to get Big Time Rush back on top!

Don't miss brand new Big Time Single, Saturday The 5th May, only on Nickelodeon!

Nick.co.uk/BigTimeRush

In the brand new episode of "Big Time Rush" titled "Big Time Single", the BTR guys help Kendall cheer up after his big break up with Jo, who has gone to New Zealand for 3 years to shoot her role in a major motion picture, in order for him to get prepared for the band's new super huge summer single. Meanwhile, Gustavo Rocque [Stephen Kramer Glickman] has writers block while trying to write the band's summer single that has to "rule the world."

Also, Tweeted (posted) Nickelodeon UK and Ireland on their official Twitter profile page (@NickelodeonUK):

When is there new big time rush ??

@NickelodeonUK: Saturday 5th May - Only a week (ish) away!

May 2012 On Nickelodeon UK, Nickelodeon HD UK, NickToons UK, Nick Jr. Channel UK And Nick Jr. 2

Here are Nickelodeon UK and Ireland's, Nickelodeon HD UK's, Nick Replay UK's, Nicktoons UK and Ireland's, NickToons Replay's, Nick Jr. Channel UK and Ireland's, and Nick Jr. 2's channel highlights for May 2012:

More of Nickelodeon UK's May 2012 schedule highlights will be posted in this NickALive! Nickelodeon UK blog post when they are announced.

According to Nick Jr. UK and Ireland on their official Twitter profile page (@NickJrUK), Nick Jr. Channel UK and Ireland will be premiering and showing brand new episodes of Nick Junior UK and Ireland's new animated preschool television series "Dinosaur Train" every weekday from Monday 28th May 2012 until Friday 1st June 2012.

According to Nickelodeon UK's new "Big Time Weekend" trailer/promo, to celebrate Nickelodeon UK premiering the brand new "Big Time Rush" movie, "Big Time Movie", next weekend on Nickelodeon UK and Ireland and Nickelodeon HD UK, Nickelodeon UK and Ireland and Nickelodeon HD UK will be holding a special "Big Time Rush" themed Nickelodeon Shuffle weekend programming stunt on Saturday 26th May 2012 and Sunday 27th May 2012 between 2pm and 7pm (between 3pm and 8pm on Nick UK's plus one (+1) timeshift channel Nick Replay UK) called "Big Time Weekend" which will be hosted by the UK-Irish Boyband 'One Direction', and feature two marathons of some of the best episodes of "Big Time Rush", and the UK premiere of the brand new original Nickelodeon TV movie, "Big Time Movie", which is based on the hit Nickelodeon series and Nickelodeon boy band "Big Time Rush"!

According to Nickelodeon UK's new "This Saturday, an alien invasion is taking over Nickelodeon!" trailer/promo, Nickelodeon UK and Ireland and Nickelodeon HD UK will be holding a special alien themed programming stunt on Saturday 19th May 2012 between 9am and 11am (between 10am and 12pm on Nickelodeon UK's plus one (+1) timeshift channel Nick Replay UK; and repeated between 8pm and 10pm on Sunday 20th May 2012 (9pm-11pm on Nick Replay UK)) called "Alien Invasion", which will feature back-to-back alien-themed episodes of the popular animated original Nickelodeon shows (Nicktoons) "SpongeBob SquarePants", "Fairly Odd Parents", "Planet Sheen", and "The Penguins of Madagascar", which feature extraterrestrial guest stars

According to Nickelodeon UK's new "iT.U.F.F." trailer/promo, Nickelodeon UK and Ireland and Nickelodeon HD UK will be holding a special Jerry Trainor themed programming stunt over Saturday 19th May 2012 and Sunday 20th May 2012 called "iT.U.F.F.", which will feature back-to-back episodes of the hit original Nickelodeon shows "iCarly" and "T.U.F.F. Puppy" on both days between 1pm and 4pm (between 2pm and 5pm on Nick UK's plus one (+1) timeshift channel Nick Replay UK), featuring the best of Nickelodeon Star Jerry Trainor, who portrays the character 'Spencer Shay' on the popular Nickelodeon sitcom "iCarly", and provides the voice of 'Dudley Puppy' on the popular animated original Nickelodeon show ("Nicktoon") "T.U.F.F. Puppy".

According to Nickelodeon UK's "What's On" schedule section on the official Nickelodeon UK and Ireland website, Nick.co.uk, the third brand new episode of the hit Nickelodeon live action series "Big Time Rush" that Nick UK will premiere on Nickelodeon UK and Ireland and Nickelodeon HD UK in May 2012 will be the brand new BTR episode "Big Time Secret", which guest stars the Nickelodeon Star and "Victorious" actress Elizabeth Gilles, on Saturday 19th May 2012 at 5:30pm (repeated at 6.30pm on Nickelodeon UK's plus one (+1) timeshift channel Nick Replay UK).

According to Nickelodeon UK's new "Big Time Movie, coming soon to Nickelodeon!" teaser trailer/promo (below with transcript), Nickelodeon UK have confirmed the Nickelodeon News that Nickelodeon UK will be holding the UK premiere of the brand new original Nickelodeon TV movie, "Big Time Movie", which is based on the hit Nickelodeon series and Nickelodeon boy band "Big Time Rush", in May 2012, and will premiere the brand new "Big Time Rush" movie, "Big Time Movie", on Nickelodeon UK and Ireland and Nickelodeon HD UK on Saturday 26th May at 5.30pm (repeated at 6.30pm on Nickelodeon UK's plus one (+1) timeshift channel Nick Replay UK)

According to Nick Jr. UK on their official Twitter page (@NickJrUK), Nick Jr. Channel UK and Ireland will be premiering and showing brand new episodes of the popular animated Nick Jr. preschool show "Bubble Guppies" every weekday at 10am and 5pm from Monday 7th May 2012 until Friday 11th May 2012.

According to Sky's on-screen TV Guide and the official Nickelodeon UK website, Nickelodeon UK changed slightly changed the broadcast times for Nickelodeon UK and Ireland, Nickelodeon HD UK, NickToons UK and Ireland, Nick Replay UK, and Nick Jr. 2. on Monday 30th April 2012.

According to Nickelodeon UK's "What's On" schedule section on the official Nickelodeon UK and Ireland website, Nick.co.uk, the second brand new episode of the hit Nickelodeon live action series "Big Time Rush" that Nick UK will premiere on Nickelodeon UK and Ireland and Nickelodeon HD UK in May 2012 will be the brand new BTR episode "Big Time Superheroes" on Saturday 12th May 2012 at 5:30pm (repeated at 6.30pm on Nickelodeon UK's plus one (+1) timeshift channel Nick Replay UK).

According to Nickelodeon UK's new "The brand new Winx Club series, weekends at 7.30am, only on Nickelodeon!" trailer/promo, Nickelodeon UK are premiering and showing brand new episodes from season four of the animated television series "Winx Club" on Nickelodeon UK and Ireland and Nickelodeon HD UK every Saturday and Sunday at 7.30am (repeated at 8.30am on Nick UK's plus one (+1) timeshift channel Nick Replay UK).

Tweeted (posted) Nickelodeon UK and Ireland on their official Twitter profile page (@NickelodeonUK):

What a Friday! [11/05/2012] First of all, your daily dose of #AnubisSeason2 followed by BRAND NEW Life With Boys at 6.30pm :D

Also:

Missed this wks #AnubisSeason2 ? Dont forget u can catch up on Sat & Sun eve. Tbh [To be honest] I didnt miss it-jst want an excuse to watch it all again;) [House of Anubis Omnibus]

According to Nickelodeon UK's new "Brand New Power Rangers Samurai" trailers/promos, Nickelodeon UK will be premiering and showing two brand new episodes of the action packed live action series "Power Rangers Samurai", featuring the Power Rangers Samurai special "Clash Of The Red Rangers The Movie", back to back on Nickelodeon UK and Ireland and Nickelodeon HD UK this May Bank Holiday (May Day) on Monday 7th May 2012

According to Nickelodeon UK's brand new "Brand New Big Time Rush - Big Time Single" promo/trailer, Nickelodeon UK will premiere and show the brand new episode of the hit Nickelodeon live action series "Big Time Rush" called "Big Time Single" on Nickelodeon UK and Ireland and Nickelodeon HD UK on Saturday 5th May 2012 at 5.30pm (repeated at 6.30pm on Nick Replay UK) (transmission (TX) time to be confirmed by Nick UK)

Brand new episodes of "Big Time Rush": According to the official Sky Media UK websites 'Sky TV's Children's Television Highlights In May 2012' webpage, Nickelodeon UK and Ireland and Nickelodeon HD UK will be premiering and showing more brand new episodes of the hit Nickelodeon series "Big Time Rush" ('BTR') in May 2012 from Saturday 5th May 2012 as part of "May On Nickelodeon 2012":

Big Time Rush
Nickelodeon
Starts Saturday 5 May

Join the boys back at the Palm Woods in brand new episodes including Big Time Secret featuring Liz Gillies from Victorious! Tune in to see what they get up to!

Brand new "Tickety Toc" on Nick Junior UK: According to the official Sky Media UK websites 'Sky TV's Children's Television Highlights In May 2012' webpage, Nickelodeon UK's preschool channel, Nick Jr. Channel UK And Ireland, will be premiering and showing more brand episodes from Nick Jnr. UK's brand new animated children's series "Tickety Toc" weekdays throughout May 2012.

Tickety Tock
Nick Jr
Weekdays Throughout May

Every hour, the Tickety Toc Clock springs into life to chime the time. Two little wooden children appear with a trumpet and drum whilst a little wooden dog-train chuffs down a wooden track. It all happens as regular as clockwork!

Nickelodeon UK To Show More Brand New Episodes Of "Big Time Rush" During May 2012

According to the official Sky Media UK websites 'Sky TV's Children's Television Highlights In May 2012' webpage, Nickelodeon UK will be premiering and showing more brand new episodes of the hit Nickelodeon series "Big Time Rush" ('BTR'), and the brand new "Big Time Rush" movie "Big Time Movie", on Nickelodeon UK and Ireland and Nickelodeon HD UK in May 2012 from Saturday 5th May 2012 as part of "May On Nickelodeon 2012":

Big Time Rush
Nickelodeon
Starts Saturday 5 May

Join the boys back at the Palm Woods in brand new episodes including Big Time Secret featuring Liz Gillies from Victorious! Tune in to see what they get up to!

Below is a streaming video and transcript of Nickelodeon UK's brand new "Catch Big Time Rush go Big Time Bonkers in brand new episodes of Big Time Rush, every Saturday in May, only on Nickelodeon!" promo/trailer, which Nickelodeon UK is currently broadcasting on-air to advertise and promote Nickelodeon UK premiering brand new episodes of the popular Nickelodeon series "Big Time Rush" every Saturday at 5:30pm on Nickelodeon UK and Ireland and Nickelodeon UK HD throughout May 2012:

Brand new Big Time Rush is coming!

Lock the doors, and close all the windows, as you're weekends are about
to become...

...Super-Tastic!

See the boys as they rock...

...and roll...

all over the world!

We're going to England?!

Catch Big Time Rush go Big Time Bonkers in brand new episodes of Big Time Rush,
every Saturday in May, only on Nickelodeon!

Also available on Nickelodeon HD

Nick.co.uk/BigTimeRush.

Sony Pictures Giving Nickelodeon UK Favourite 'Sabrina The Teenage Witch' A Superhero Makeover

From Deadline Hollywood:

Sony Pictures Giving ‘Sabrina The Teenage Witch’ A Superhero Makeover

EXCLUSIVE: Sabrina The Teenage Witch is getting a makeover at Sony Pictures. The precocious teen witch who originated in 60s Archie Comics, is being recast as a superhero. The live action film will be an origin story in the vein of Spider-Man, about a young girl coming to terms with her remarkable powers.

Scribes Andrew Barrer & Gabriel Ferrari (they wrote Die In A Gunfight for MRC) will write the script, and Real Steel producers Don Murphy and Susan Montford are producing. Mark Waters, who worked on the presentation that Sony Pictures sparked to, might direct depending on scheduling. Archie Comics’ Jon Goldwater will be executive producer and screenwriter Jeff Stockwell, who also worked on the presentation, will be co-producer.

Sabrina previously had been turned into animated tv series in 1969, 1971 and again in 1999 and the source material was turned into the Melissa Joan Hart sitcom that ran seven seasons. While the tone of the movie will be edgier, they are keeping her talking black cat Salem, who here is a transformed prince creating unique love stories for Sabrina. The project is a priority for the studio with Doug Belgrad and Hannah Minghella fast tracking the negotiations.

“We mentioned it in a meeting to Amy Pascal who chimed in “I’m the little witch girl,’” Murphy and Montford said. “From then on we knew it was the right home.” They added that the popularity of the brand should allow for the studio to discover an actress for the Sabrina role. WME and Prolific rep Barrer & Ferrari.

Also, from Entertainmentwise:

Sabrina The Teenage Witch For 'Superhero' Movie Reboot

Nickelodeon favourite getting re-made

Photo: WENN.com
90s teen favourite Sabrina The Teenage Witch is reportedly being remade for the big screen... but the format is being drastically altered.

Deadline reports that, rather than being a high school student, the title character, made famous by Melissa Joan Hart, will be a superhero struggling to come to terms with her powers.

Salem, the talking cat voiced by Nick Bakay [in the 1990's/2000's television series and movies], will be a human character who will serve as Sabrina's love interest... meaning no Harvey. There is no mention in the report of Sabrina's kooky aunts Hilda and Zelda (Caroline Rhea and Beth Broderick), or best friend Valerie.

Broadcast on Nickelodeon in the UK, the sitcom was a hit for ABC and The WB in the US, airing seven seasons from 1996 to 2003.

Britney Spears made a guest appearance on the show, and Hart returned the favour by appearing in her music video for '(You Drive Me) Crazy'.

The live action "Sabrina The Teenage Witch" television series premiered on Nickelodeon UK in early 1996 and quickly became one of Nickelodeon UK's most popular shows ever, and continually won Nickelodeon UK's "Head To Head" and "Watch Your Own Week"/"Watch Your Own Wednesday" programming stunts in the mid-1990's and early 2000's.

UPDATE (Thursday 6th December 2012), from the Irish Film and Television Network:

Irish Co-Produced Animation ‘Sabrina: Secrets of a Teenage Witch’ To Air in US

Ashley Tisdale will voice the new series of 'Sabrina: Secrets of a Teenage Witch'

An Irish co-production of a reimagined ‘Sabrina the Teenage Witch’ has been picked up by US television network The Hub.

‘Sabrina: Secrets of a Teenage Witch’, an animated series, will be broadcast in the US in 2013, on popular kids station The Hub Network, which is a subsidiary of Discovery Communications and toy company Hasbro Inc.

The series, which is a Telegael co-production, is a reimagining of the long-running series ‘Sabrina the Teenage Witch’, which was based on the popular Archie Comics books.

Melissa Joan Hart originally played teenage witch Sabrina who lived in the mortal realm with her two aunts, who were also witches. The series followed Sabrina as she struggled to hide her magic from her mortal friends, obtain her witches licence and deal with her pet cat Salem, who had been condemned to life as a cat after plotting to take over the world as his former wizard self.

The series ran for seven years, and was first broadcast on ABC in America. Nickelodeon later aired it in the UK and Ireland, with RTÉ Two following suit.

‘Sabrina: Secrets of a Teenage Witch’ is being co-produced by Moonscoop, Archie Comics Publications, Inc, DSK Group India, Laughing Lion (India) and Telegael.

‘High School Musical’ star and ‘Phineas & Ferb’ voice over Ashley Tisdale will voice the new Sabrina, which will be written by ‘That 70s Show’ and ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ scribe Dean Batali. Trevor Wall (Hero:108) will direct the series.

Siobhán Ní Ghadhra, COO of Telegael, said the Galway-based production company is “delighted” to be involved with the animated series. “The character was very popular here when the original series was being broadcast and for Telegael to be involved in the new animated series is a huge honour,” she added.

Jon Goldwater, Co-CEO of Archie Comics, the original creators of ‘Sabrina the Teenage Witch’ said of the revised co-production: “We couldn’t be more thrilled to be working with Telegael and Moonscoop for this exciting new era of ‘Sabrina the Teenage Witch’. Sabrina has had a long and successful history in animation and TV and we are looking forward to continued success with this latest venture.”

Archie Comics is also responsible for a number of successful franchises, including ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ and ‘Sonic X’.

Telegael has previously co-produced popular animations such as ‘Wild Grinders’ and ‘The Woodlies’. The Hub Network airs such kids’ shows as ‘Transformers’, ‘My Little Pony’ and ‘Littlest Pet Shop’, all of which are franchises owned by The Hub’s parent company Hasbro.

‘Sabrina: Secrets of a Teenage Witch’ is expected to air on the channel in 2013.