GreatLand Connections doomed by failed cable merger
GreatLand Connections would have been the fifth largest cable company in the United States, with more than 2.5 million subscribers, including 344,400 in the Indianapolis area.
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IBJ wins national general excellence award, receives other honors
Judges wrote: “The IBJ’s innovation and moxie shot it to the top" of the general excellence category. They praised the depth and range of news stories as well as last September’s Interview Issue and its collection of “diverse and edgy” interviews.
Pence picks longtime aide Lloyd to be communications chief
Matt Lloyd served as communications director on Mike Pence’s congressional staff for 10 years and as a senior advisor to his gubernatorial campaign.
Comcast officially calls off merger deal with Time Warner
Comcast Corp. has dropped its $45.2 billion deal to buy Time Warner Cable Inc., officially pulling the plug after concluding the merger would be rejected by regulators. The merger would have completely changed the cable industry landscape in central Indiana.
FCC also opposed to Comcast-Time Warner cable deal, source says
Representatives of the two biggest U.S. cable companies were told that FCC officials are leaning against the merger, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. The merger, if completed as planned, would shake up the cable industry in central Indiana.
WISH-TV hires news director to replace departing Bray
Elbert Tucker, who spent much of his 30-year TV news career leading stations in Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio, has been named news director, WISH-TV Channel 8 and sister station WNDY-TV Channel 23 announced Tuesday.
Comcast could walk away from Time Warner deal, sources say
Comcast is prepared to call off the deal if concessions needed to win federal approval are too strict, according to people familiar with the matter. The merger, if completed as planned, would shake up the cable industry in central Indiana.
Antitrust lawyers said to be leaning against Comcast merger
Staff attorneys at the U.S. Justice Department’s antitrust division are nearing a recommendation to block Comcast Corp.’s bid to buy Time Warner Cable Inc., according to people familiar with the matter.
Chicago sports marketing firm entering Indy market
Revolution, founded by Indiana University graduate John Rowady, recently acquired Indianapolis-based Acts Marketing. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Pence communications director Denault stepping down
Christy Denault, who started with Pence during his campaign for governor in 2012, said in a resignation letter that the “time has come for me to devote my energy and time to my family.”
State taps PR firm to boost tourism, economic development
The Indiana Economic Development Corp. announced Monday it was collaborating with the Indiana Office of Tourism Development in hiring Porter Novelli to strengthen Indiana’s reputation “as a welcoming place to live, visit and do business.”
WIBC pulling plug on ‘Rush Limbaugh Show,’ takes long view
Dropping one of the most popular radio shows in this market over the last two decades is part of a plan to remain a dominant force, WIBC officials said. The show’s syndicator already is talking with other local stations.
News director, meteorologist Bray set to leave WISH-TV
It’s not clear if Steve Bray is stepping down or was terminated at WISH-TV Channel 8, but sources said he has agreed to stay through the critical television ratings sweeps period, which concludes May 20.
New WRTV show joining TV-news binge
The arms race in local TV news continues to escalate. WRTV-TV Channel 6 is the latest station to up the ante, with plans to launch a local one-hour news program at 4 p.m. branded “The Now” on April 20.
NCAA final earns best preliminary TV rating in 18 years
Duke University’s 68-63 comeback win over Wisconsin in Indianapolis on Monday night on CBS-TV drew a 17.1 overnight rating and 27 share.
JW Marriott, Lucas Oil get massive exposure from Final Four
Lucas Oil Co. is the expected winner during this year's Final Four, and the JW Marriott is turning out to be just as good a billboard as it is a hotel.
NCAA semifinal in Indy draws best TV audience since 1996
The University of Wisconsin’s 71-64 victory Saturday night in Indianapolis averaged 22.6 million viewers across TBS, TNT and truTV, according to Turner Sports and CBS. That's up 39 percent from last season's matchup of the same teams.
‘Pet Pals TV’ creators turn spotlight on baby boomers
The people behind locally produced “Pet Pals TV” launched a television show last month aimed at central Indiana baby boomers. “Boomer TV” is off to such a fast start, the show’s creators already have an eye on taking it national.
Charter to pay $10.4 billion to acquire Bright House Networks
As expected, Charter Communications Inc. has agreed to acquire fellow cable operator Bright House Networks. Bright House has more than 120,000 customers in central Indiana.
Plug pulled on WFYI radio’s ‘Sound Medicine’ show
After 15 years on the air, "Sound Medicine" will broadcast its last new episode on April 26. The Indiana University School of Medicine, the show's primary funder, wants to change the direction of its marketing.