Logic argues that Microsoft will look to get with Yahoo. The only other player that’s looking over their shoulder is Barry Diller.

[So far, cable networks are not getting the average 9 percent or so ad rate increases that analysts had estimated.] My understanding is that [top cable] networks have been very active in completing deals at...

It’s really become a hot button as far as a health food,

With branded entertainment, it’s inevitable that advertising will find its way back into the model.

Is this an appropriate use of the NBC News and MSNBC News brand equity, or does it do more damage to these news brands than the positive branding it brings to NBC’s entertainment series?

The smaller, mid-sized networks are going to be the losers, … The [ad] buyers have been able to achieve their [price] goals with the bigger companies.

I’m sure there’s a lot of sales managers smiling big smiles this morning, … It could send spot prices up 20 percent over expected rates and it could bring in anywhere between a low of...

As opposed to alienating her from her constituency, I think (going to prison) connected her to it.

Economically, all the forces are in place for it to be a good upfront. Demand is there. But the advertisers are really rebelling. They’re threatening to put more and more money into cable television,

I think it’s up to each individual, … I’d rather donate it locally and give it to the United Way and designate what it goes to.

They hit a low on their pricing and discounting about three years ago. This was the first year they began to capitalize on that creativity.

Friendships are the main reason why I’m still active. The group is not the same as it was. The composition has changed because of age and injuries.

[HBO needs] a series that has long legs to it and generates a kind of buzz, excitement and ratings that `The Sopranos’ did, … Anything less than exceptional performance has to be considered underperformance.

For the last couple of years, there have been some spots left up in the air on a distressed basis. But the game continues to be one of the most efficient ways to generate quick...

We view South San Francisco as one of the strongest office markets in Northern California at the moment.

The prospects for leasing to major office tenants are solid given the trends currently under way on the Peninsula,

One of the big landowners is Clear Springs and they are developers of land. There would be talks of right-of-way donation from them.

We still got a generally weak economy. There’s uncertainty about the Middle East, Venezuela and Enron,

The Super Bowl is a way to reach to hard-to-get audiences,

This creates advertising and content on demand in a very easy and relevant way that advertisers can use to push those consumers who are interested in their products to a more intimate relationship.

The company now has to prove itself.

The deal indicates that consolidation in online ads is continuing even among the largest players. It puts increasing pressure on, and marginalizes, anyone who’s not at least No. 2 or No. 3 in a category.

I called the county attorney. It meets the legal test.

The question now is, how far down does NBC go and how much inventory can they sell (at the rates they want)?

If anything there’s been a little bit of a backlash,

[Given the myriad forms of entertainment now available to consumers,] the excitement of these big events in general is diminished, … There’s just so much out there.

Local advertising is bought more on a quarterly basis than an annual basis, … A lot of economists have been lulled into a false sense of growth due to strength of ’03 upfront [the advertising...

They’re trying to eat up every good idea that comes along. It’s ruining the television network marketplace for everyone.

I think there’s room for one (reality channel),

[Analysts said the ABC lineup was unexpectedly strong.] I think advertisers were expecting the worst this year from ABC, … [But] the advertisers walked away with the sense that they have potential.

It would be a very strong position for her.

To hold steady or even be down slightly is a strong story for broadcast given all of the competition,

Broadcasting is still the engine that drives the train. It’s still where marketers want their exposure.

I don’t see any end to the upward spiral.

There’s a little bit of a premium (for Super Bowl ads). But if you’re trying to reach men 18 to 49, it’s a fairly efficient vehicle.

I was the most bullish; I expected $8.75 billion. Even the bull was short,

(USA) has been the No. 1 or 2 cable network for a while and (raising ratings further) is a challenge to begin with, … Nonetheless, I’m sure it’s a disappointment for NBC Universal.

It seems almost inevitable that there is some fall off from broadcast to cable, but whether it’s anything meaningful is a big question. Advertisers going into the season will probably estimate it pretty close to...

It’s a big win in their efforts to remain competitive. When you’re No. 3 in prime time, you’re looking at a whole bunch of different needs and issues than when you’re No. 1.

That’s a severe drop,

(T)here’s a growing sense in financial circles that the company will stay together,

[As the economy continues to rebound, advertising budgets continue to fatten.] All ships should rise in this market, … It should be a record year.

That’s the direction where all advertising is going.

It’s a major step in collapsing the traditional ‘You can only watch it when we tell you can watch it