Latest from Next TV in Hall-of-fame

HBO Scores Shaquille O’Neal Documentary

thomas.umstead@futurenet.com (R. Thomas Umstead) — Thu, 20 Oct 2022 18:01:00 +0000

HBO will chronicle the life and career of NBA Hall-of-Famer Shaquille O’Neal in a new documentary series debuting in November.

The four-part series, Shaq, will focus on the basketball legend whose larger-than-life personality transcended the sport and transformed him into a cultural icon, according to the network.

The series will feature interviews with O’Neal’s teammates Penny Hardaway, Dwayne Wade, Dennis Scott, Brian Shaw, Derek Fisher and Rick Fox as it documents O'Neal's ascent to NBA superstardom — which included four NBA titles and a league Most Valuable Player honor — as well as his successful off-the-court broadcasting and business ventures, HBO said.

Shaq is produced by Robert Alexander and Peter Berg’s Film 45 production company.

Also: Warner Bros. Discovery Ponies Up for Cast of 'Inside the NBA'

O’Neal said in a statement: “We kept this documentary real from the start, and I do feel like it is the most honest look into my life and career up until this point. This process allowed me to reflect publicly in a way I haven’t before, and I’m so proud of the work everyone has done to put it all together.” ■

Stations Often ‘Last Local News Source Standing,’ Says Emily Barr at B+C Hall of Fame

michael.malone@futurenet.com (Michael Malone) — Fri, 15 Apr 2022 13:48:31 +0000

Emily Barr, former president and CEO of Graham Media Group, gave an impassioned speech at the B+C Hall of Fame as she was inducted April 14. Barr urged local broadcast to stay strong amidst its mounting challenges.

“I have never been known to be shy so tonight I want to take a moment to speak a little truth to power,” she said. “If 42 years in local broadcasting has taught me anything, it is that each of us fundamentally identifies with the communities in which we live.”

Barr noted “a palpable sense of connection that comes from knowing your physical neighbors–sharing their joy and pain, supporting one another in good times and bad. Just being there.”

She stressed how important that connection was amidst the pandemic, and said it is what local television does best. “Local television connects community,” said Barr. “By providing a record of everything from the mundane, to the unbelievable, local TV news helps stitch together communities with the thread of its own stories— binding them through triumph and tragedy, challenge and celebration.”

Barr became Graham Media Group president/CEO in 2012 and announced her retirement earlier this year. Catherine Badalemente is the new group president/CEO.

The 2022 Hall of Fame inductees are here.

Barr described how so many people today are “left searching for information and finding comfort in conspiracy.” Social media, she said, is where they often turn, finding voices that sound like their own. “Social media scrapes our headlines, liberally mixing fact and fiction and feeding off our original reporting while giving us nothing for our efforts,” said Barr, who noted that the social platforms, unlike broadcast, are not regulated.

Barr criticized networks for shifting broadcast shows to streaming, including longtime ABC show Dancing with the Stars relocating to Disney Plus. Moreover, stations’ “ability to measure and monetize has been severely damaged and no longer appears capable of giving us an accurate reflection of who is watching.”

“We are, in many markets, the last local news source standing and that does not bode well for our collective future,” Barr added.

Barr stressed broadcast’s significant role in a democracy. “Now we are at a moment of inflection and it is essential that we work together to ensure that the free flow of information and a common frame of reference remains the underpinning of our democracy,” she said. “Because if you subscribe to the notion that all news is local–which, clearly, I do–then we must find a path forward that allows local news coverage not to just survive, but thrive.

“Quite frankly,” Barr concluded, “our future depends on it.”

NAB president and CEO Curtis LeGeyt, who attended the B+C Hall of Fame Thursday night, commented on Barr's remarks.

“Emily Barr is a fierce advocate for local broadcasting and knows firsthand from her decades of experience the need for trustworthy, reliable journalism that binds our communities together and supports a strong democracy," LeGeyt told B+C. "Her words have credibility because she has demonstrated this commitment in every role she has held in her illustrious career. I share her resolve in advocating for policies that provide broadcasters with the tools to ensure the future and viability of local journalism.”

The 30th anniversary B+C Hall of Fame black-tie dinner was held at the Ziegfeld Ballroom in New York City and about 450 were in attendance. ■

3rd Annual NYC TV Week Set from Oct. 20-22

MCN Staff — Wed, 04 Mar 2015 19:00:00 +0000

NewBay Media will hold its third annual NYC Television Week from Oct. 20 through Oct. 22.

The conclave, drawing top executives and thought-leaders from around the TV industry, will be held at the Waldorf Astoria and Park Central.

Featuring the 25th annual Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame and the second Content Show, as well as best-of-industry conferences such as the Hispanic Television Summit, Advanced Advertising and Next TV Summit, NYC Television Week offers education, information, and networking for leaders in broadcast, cable, advertising, and technology companies serving the industry.

NYC Television Week is presented by Multichannel News, Broadcasting & Cable, Next TV and Ratings Intelligence.

"For the third straight year, NYC Television Week will offer an unequaled opportunity for the industry to gather and discuss the rapid evolution of television in all of its many facets,” said Louis Hillelson, vice president/group publisher, NewBay Media. “From our milestone edition of the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame to vibrant conversations around technology, brand integration, diversifying audiences, and many other themes, an elite lineup of thought leaders and business standouts will make this a week not to be missed."

Registration for all NYC Television Week events opens in June with early bird rates and alumni discounts. Visit nyctelevisionweek.com and sign up for email alerts and event updates.

The preliminary lineup for the 2015 NYC Television Week is as follows:

*25th Anniversary Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame

October 20 • Waldorf Astoria

The Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame is the leading industry event honoring the pioneers, innovators and stars of the electronic arts. This black-tie affair brings out the best in the industry for a night of celebration and honoring the new inductees.

*Advanced Advertising

October 20 • Waldorf Astoria

Advanced Advertising returns to NYC Television Week with an in-depth look at the latest digital advertising technologies and how to use them to succeed. Topics include: programmatic TV, metrics, and addressability.

*The Content Show

October 21-22 • Park Central

Last year’s inaugural The Content Show brought executives and producers to the table to discuss their needs, the latest trends, and the future of content production. Look for the second year to cover even more ground and attract a wide variety of content providers and deal-makers.

Next TV Summit

October 21 • Park Central

The popular Next TV Summit returns to NYC Television week with a focus on broadcasting, content, technology, digital media and OTT. This will be the only East Coast Next TV Summit held this year.

Hispanic Advertising Summit

October 22 • Park Central

This is the 13th annual Hispanic Advertising Summit, but its first time as part of NYC Television Week. Covering programming, advertising, distribution technology, and more, the Hispanic Advertising Summit is a “must-attend” for anyone who reaches — or needs to reach — the expanding Hispanic audience.

Last year’s NYC Television Week drew more than 1,000 television industry executives to the Affinia Manhattan and featured 200 leaders as keynotes and presenters.

Among the notables: Josh Sapan, president and CEO, AMC Networks Inc.; Eric Berger, executive vice president, Digital Networks and general manager Crackle, Sony Pictures Television; John Muszynski, chief investment officer, Spark; John Collins, COO, National Hockey League; Robert DeBitetto, president of brand strategy, business development and A+E Studios, A+E Networks; Gil Goldschein, president, Bunim/Murray Productions; Chris Grant, CEO, Electus; Bruce David Klein, president and executive producer, Atlas Media Group; Lauren Lexton, co-founder and CEO, Authentic Entertainment; Brent Montgomery, CEO, Leftfield Entertainment; Henry Schleiff, group president, Discovery Networks; and Philip D. Segal, CEO and executive producer, Original Productions.

For information on 2015 NYC Television Week partnerships and sponsorship opportunities, contact Louis Hillelson at 917-231-4730 or lhillelson@nbmedia.com.

Find more information about 2015 NYC Television Week at nyctelevsionweek.com; you can follow it on Twitter at @NYCTelevisionWk.