Cable's Business Model: Fewer Customers, Higher Prices

In every other business, driving away customers means losing money. But not in the cable industry. MORE

VH1 Encourages Naked Dating

Most people understand that nudity is inappropriate in public. Indeed, being outside one’s own home naked is grounds for a criminal charge of “indecent exposure,” and can result in not only a fine, but in the participant being placed on a “sex offender” registry. None of which matters a whit to VH1. MORE

MTV Enters Virgin Territory

MTV is a network aimed squarely at teens and young adults – yet nearly all of its programming is obsessed with promoting teens having sex. MORE

Anti-Christian Bigotry on Display in Salem

Set at the time of the witchcraft trials, WGN America's Salem exhibits all the depth, historical accuracy, and understanding of the nuances of 17th century America to be found on a Bazooka Joe bubble-gum wrapper. MORE

Can't See MTV? A Million Viewers Don't Care

The mega-conglomerates that run the entertainment industry love to claim that “we’re just giving people what they want.” But in a battle over cable fees, nearly a million subscribers have demonstrated they don’t miss networks like MTV. MORE

Hollywood's New Trend: Naked Dating

Nudity has long been a staple on premium cable networks. But now, “naked dating” programs are poised to become the next big thing on basic cable – and even broadcast – TV. MORE

HBO Urges Teens to Watch "Away From Your Parents"

The entertainment industry claims that it has a “longstanding commitment” to helping parents protect children from harmful media content. But a new series of ads from HBO put the lie to that claim. MORE

Questions Nobody is Asking about the Comcast-Time Warner Cable Merger

"How can the largest cable company in the country buy the second-largest and gain control over 19 of the country’s top 20 markets, 30% of cable, and 40% of broadband, and there be no serious questions?” asks David Carr of The New York Times. MORE

Nice Work If You Can Get It

Want to make $80 million? Simply become the head of Time Warner Cable, serve for 44 days, then sell the company to Comcast. Voila — instant “golden parachute.” MORE

NickMom Still Committed to Foul Content

Supposedly aimed at children ages 2-6, the Nick Jr. cable network drove away most of its viewers with its “NickMom” programming block two years ago. Despite its financial and popular failure, the network remains committed to pushing content totally unacceptable for children. MORE

Indecent “NickMom” Devastates Nick Jr. Network

Last October, Nick Jr. – a pay-TV network which billed itself as a “safe, educational place” for kids ages 2-6 – introduced its NickMom programming block, featuring references to genitalia, sex, drinking, and other inappropriate content. A year later, Nick Jr. is reaping what it sowed: plummeting viewership — and revenue. MORE

Why Hollywood Doesn’t Get Duck Dynasty

Last week saw the return of the wildly popular A&E cable series Duck Dynasty. Despite the show’s popularity, the entertainment industry is unlikely to build upon its success...because they do not understand it. MORE

Cable Networks: Changing Name$ for Profit

In any other area of business, if a product doesn’t sell, the company making it fails — but not in the world of pay TV. There, if nobody watches a particular network, the entertainment industry’s answer is simple: change the network’s name...and force people to keep buying it anyway. MORE