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Check FAQAbout Mike
Able to provide - Fixing, Live Radio, Print, Radio Newsgathering, Radio Packages and some TV. BBC credits include Diana Ross & The Best of Jazz (as co-writer/co-producer): The Capitol Records Story and Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story (as creator/writer/producer/host); and several BBC live Oscar specials (writer/host/producer). He was also reporter/field producer for Entertainment Weekly’s daily radio show); and on-air reporter/producer for NBC, Mutual, AP and Westwood One radio. Mike has produced numerous entertainment specials and arranged, researched and conducted more than 75,000 interviews with Royalty, world leaders (including three US Presidents), A-list celebrities and cultural icons (Dalai Lama, Nelson Mandela, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the King of Jordan, Robert DeNiro, Burt Lancaster, Sophia Loren and Brad Pitt - to name a few); co-wrote and/or co-produced BBC specials/series on such people as Marilyn Monroe, Gene Kelly, Bob Newhart, Alfred Hitchcock, Laurel & Hardy, Liberace, Sir Lew Grade, Neil Diamond and Simon & Garfunkel, along with an award-winning 12-hour special on Frank Sinatra and annual programs on and from the Oscars. Mike has traveled extensively throughout Europe, USA, Canada and South America on journalistic assignments for print, radio, TV, web and film. He has frequently covered/attended premier events, including the Academy, Emmy and Grammy Awards and Film Festivals in Cannes, Venice, Toronto, etc. The World Cup, the Olympics and Baseball’s All-Star game.
Fact Checking
Portfolio
Survey Says, Who Said That Linear Television is Dead?
The article explores the evolving landscape of linear television in the U.S. and globally, highlighting the impact of streaming services on traditional TV channels. Despite the challenges faced by linear TV, such as declining viewership and advertising revenue, industry experts like Marc Berman argue that it remains a valuable platform for advertisers. The rise of FAST channels and AVoD services, particularly in Europe, is noted as a significant trend, with companies like Pluto TV, Roku, and Tubi expanding their presence. The article also discusses the financial pressures on scripted content and talk shows, with potential salary cuts for high-profile hosts like Rachel Maddow. Industry predictions suggest a period of chaos and consolidation, with mergers and bankruptcies expected. Overall, the article questions the notion that linear TV is dead, emphasizing its continued relevance in the media landscape.
U.K. Planning FTA Online Move. U.S. Sticks With DTT
The U.K. is planning a transition from traditional TV broadcasting to an online system through Freely TV, involving major broadcasters like the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, and Channel 5. This move is driven by declining linear TV viewership and the need for a sustainable broadcasting model. The BBC, supported by the new Labor government, is planning this transition over a decade, ensuring no audience is left behind. In contrast, the U.S. remains committed to Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT), with no immediate plans to shift to online broadcasting. Concerns about cybersecurity, highlighted by a recent CrowdStrike failure, underscore the challenges of secure online content delivery. OFCOM and the BBC emphasize the need for collaboration across the media industry to navigate this significant shift.
NBCU sets Olympic ad sales mark with more than $1.25B from Paris Summer Games
NBCUniversal Media has set a new Olympic ad sales record for the Paris Summer Games, surpassing its previous $1.25 billion mark from the Tokyo Games. The company is projected to reach $1.4 billion in ad sales, driven by strong linear and streaming viewership. A significant portion of the growth comes from first-time Olympic ad buyers, contributing $500 million. Digital platforms, particularly Peacock, have played a crucial role in this surge, with streaming minutes surpassing previous Olympics. NBCU's dual prime-time strategy, offering extensive live coverage, has significantly increased viewership, with 33.8 million viewers on average. The company is also leveraging a private ad marketplace with The Trade Desk to maximize ad revenue.
Diamond carriage pact with Comcast may aid its chance to emerge from bankruptcy
Diamond Sports Group LLC has reached a new carriage agreement with Comcast Corp., allowing its Bally Sports regional sports networks to be available on Comcast's Xfinity Ultimate TV package. This development is a significant step in Diamond's efforts to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy, as it seeks to finalize agreements with the NBA and NHL. The company, a unit of Sinclair Inc., filed for bankruptcy in March 2023 due to declining linear landscape and substantial debt. The new deal with Comcast, its third-largest distributor, is crucial for Diamond's restructuring, as it holds local TV and streaming rights to several NBA, NHL, and MLB teams. Diamond is also working on a restructuring plan involving Amazon.com Inc. taking a minority equity position and Prime Video assuming its direct-to-consumer operations.
Women's Sports Turning Moments into Movements
The podcast episode discusses the growing interest and investment in women's sports, highlighting the significant increase in viewership, attendance, and media rights deals. The discussion covers the impact of star athletes like Caitlin Clark on the popularity of women's sports, the rising valuations of teams, and the potential for further growth in media rights and sponsorships. The conversation also touches on the role of the Olympics in promoting gender equality in sports and the increasing commercial opportunities for women's sports leagues. The episode concludes with a look ahead at future investment opportunities and the importance of grassroots development in sustaining the momentum of women's sports.
Warner Bros. Discovery on the Summer Games and the World
Warner Bros. Discovery is gearing up for extensive coverage of the Paris Summer Olympics, leveraging its rights across Europe to provide live broadcasts on various platforms, including Discovery+ and Max. The company plans to deliver an immersive experience with a significant on-ground presence in Paris and other venues across France. The opening ceremony promises to be a historic event, with athletes parading on the River Seine. Warner Bros. Discovery is committed to gender equality in sports coverage and aims to enhance viewership through strategic partnerships and innovative content delivery. The company also explores new commercial opportunities, such as licensing agreements with the IOC for Looney Tunes characters. The overall sentiment towards Warner Bros. Discovery's involvement in the Olympics is positive, reflecting their strategic focus and enthusiasm for the event.
MediaTalk: NBC Olympics' Gary Zenkel on Paris Games Coverage
NBC Olympics President Gary Zenkel discusses the extensive coverage plans for the Paris Olympics, highlighting the innovative use of iconic Paris locations for events and the ambitious opening ceremony on the Seine. NBCU plans to provide 7,000 streaming hours on Peacock, with significant linear coverage across multiple channels. The company is leveraging partnerships with social media platforms for short-form content and expanding distribution to theaters. The use of AI for personalized highlights and voice simulation by Al Michaels is also introduced. NBCU anticipates high viewership and profitability, with strong ad sales and widespread interest in the Games.
Live sports, auto spend drive strength for TV station owners in mixed ad market
U.S. TV station owners are experiencing a mixed advertising market, with local, auto, and sports programming showing strength, while national spot spending declines. The auto category is rebounding from pandemic-related issues, and local ad clients are maintaining their spending levels. Station groups like Gray Television, E.W. Scripps, Nexstar Media Group, Sinclair, and TEGNA anticipate fourth-quarter gains in core advertising. Live sports programming is also contributing to advertising success, with Nexstar's The CW securing rights for various sports and Scripps benefiting from local NHL deals. Technology is being leveraged to navigate soft spots in the market, with Sinclair refining its ad sales platform and using AI for client prospecting. However, TEGNA's core advertising was impacted by the loss of a national account for its OTT ad business, Premion.
TV Execs Unload Their Frustrations On TCA Journalists
The Winter Television Critics Association (TCA) Winter Press Tour, held at The Langham Huntington Hotel in Pasadena, California, saw a range of presentations from major TV outlets like ABC, Disney+, and Freeform. The event, which ran from February 5-15, 2024, was notably shorter due to last year's strikes affecting content availability. Highlights included Apple+'s star-studded presentations, FX's industry insights from John Landgraf, and PBS's focus on media challenges. Newcomer Hub Entertainment introduced its research on audience behavior. Key projects announced included documentaries by Ken Burns, new series from FX, and upcoming shows from AMC and National Geographic.
March Madness a winning proposition for sports betting
March Madness is a significant event for US sports betting, with the American Gaming Association estimating $2.72 billion in legal bets for the 2024 NCAA basketball tournaments. North Carolina's recent legalization of sports betting is expected to make it a major player, with an estimated $221 million in bets. The state allows a wide range of betting targets, including prop bets, and has seen significant marketing efforts from sportsbooks like ESPN BET and Fanatics. The women's tournament is also gaining popularity, though betting remains lower compared to the men's games.
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