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Turner Broadcasting seeks change. Too much NFL for advertisers?

A glut of NFL product could sack the networks and be good for advertisers.
A glut of NFL product could sack the networks and be good for advertisers.
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After the coffee. Before hopping a plane back to L.A.

The Skinny: I’m on the East Coast right now so the blood moon happened past my bedtime. The pictures looked cool though. I survived my Seder. Now I just need to burn off the meal and hope the rain doesn’t mess with my flight. Today’s headlines include a look at Turner Broadcasting as it begins an executive overhaul. Also, looks like David Fincher won’t direct a Steve Jobs biopic for Sony Pictures. Finally, will CBS’ carrying prime-time football keep commercial rates for ESPN and NBC’s football coverage from rising?

Daily Dose: Former Disney and Fox lobbyist Preston Padden spoke with research firm Moffett/Nathanson and said the Federal Communications Commission is “nowhere near the critical mass of broadcasters whose participation they are going to need” to have a successful spectrum auction. The FCC has been trying to persuade broadcasters to voluntarily return some of their airwaves so they can be auctioned to wireless providers. Broadcasters would get a cut of the proceeds. Padden said the FCC needs to overcome a “negative narrative” from the broadcast industry about the auction.

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Changes. Once one of the most stable and quiet units of Time Warner Inc., Turner Broadcasting is in the midst of a makeover under new leadership. Some top executives have left voluntarily, some not but regardless change is the buzzword there. A little shaking up may not be such a bad idea. TNT and TruTV’s ratings are down and even though TBS is strong, it needs some original programming to compliment all the “Big Bang Theory” reruns it plays. A look at Turner from the Los Angeles Times.

The last picture show. As Hollywood converts to digital distribution, movie theaters in rural markets may be left behind if they can’t afford to upgrade. Some are finding unique ways to raise money to overhaul their theaters. But not everyone may make it. The Wall Street Journal on the plight of small theater owners. Earlier this year, the Los Angeles Times reported on Paramount’s move to stop distributing movies on 35-millimeter film. Separately, big movie theater chains are trying to find their own ways to stay relevant with consumers, says the New York Times.

Too much of a good thing? The addition of Thursday night football to the CBS prime-time schedule this fall may bring more ad dollars to the network. At the same time though another big prime-time package could also keep commercial rates on other outlets that have games from rising as fast as in previous years. Although the Thursday package on CBS is not new, the games are expected to get bigger ratings than they did when they were exclusively on the NFL Network. Variety looks over the line of scrimmage.

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Sounds perfect for a movie about Steve Jobs. The Hollywood Reporter says Oscar-nominated director David Fincher won’t direct a biopic about Apple visionary Steve Jobs. Fincher, THR reported, was demanding more money and control over the film than Sony Pictures was willing to give him and negotiations broke down. Deadline Hollywood offered its own take, which was that the Fincher’s directing a Jobs movie was never a real story in the first place. Are they right or just attacking a rival news outlet? I aggregate, you decide.

Inside the Los Angeles Times: Tribune’s WGN hopes its new drama “Salem” can work some magic with viewers and advertisers.

Follow me on Twitter. It’s better than a tax refund. @JBFlint.

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