`New Moon' wolfs down $140.7M in opening weekend AP (November 23, 2009) (AP) - The vampire romance "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" sucked up $140.7 million in its first three days and pulled in a total of $258.8 million worldwide, according to studio estimates Sunday.
Schlumberger shares rise as analyst upgrades stock AP (November 23, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - Shares of Schlumberger Ltd. climbed on Monday as an analyst upgraded the stock, citing strong operating results, its attractive international exposure compared with peers and optimism about the oilfield services' earnings outlook.
Hero pilot jokes about marital boost in NBC show AP (November 23, 2009) LOS ANGELES (AP) - Pilot Chesley Sullenberger jokes that his heroic handling of a disabled jetliner brought him "rock star sex" in an interview for "NBC's People of the Year" TV special.
TV retailer QVC joins `Black Friday' frenzy AP (November 23, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - Television retailer QVC has made aggressive plans to keep shoppers watching - instead of mall-hopping - on Black Friday, an event it has traditionally ignored.
Winfrey to interview widow of Ted Kennedy AP (November 23, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - Another interview coup for Oprah Winfrey: Vicki Kennedy, wife of the late Sen. Edward Kennedy.
Romania's president, rival in runoff election AP (November 23, 2009) BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) - The third-place candidate in Romania's presidential election threw his support Monday behind the Western-backed socialist who faces the centrist president in a runoff seen as key to the country's emergence fr
Publisher of The Tennessean retires, successor set AP (November 23, 2009) NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - The Tennessean newspaper's president and publisher, Ellen Leifeld, is retiring and Gannett Co. Inc. has named Carol Hudler to replace her.
UK police refer 4 British lawmakers to prosecutors AP (November 23, 2009) LONDON (AP) - British police say they've referred the cases of four of the country's lawmakers to prosecutors after an investigation into lavish expenses claimed by some members of Parliament.
Kangaroo tries to drown dog, attacks owner AP (November 23, 2009) MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) - A kangaroo startled by a man walking his dog attacked the pair, pinning the pet underwater and slashing the owner in the abdomen with its hind legs.
Bulls escape on set of film starring Cruise, Diaz AP (November 23, 2009) MADRID (AP) - Seven bulls being used on the set of a film starring Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz have broken free in Spain and slightly injured two people.
Miley Cyrus tour bus overturns in Va., killing 1 AP (November 20, 2009) DINWIDDIE, Va. (AP) - The driver of a Miley Cyrus tour bus was killed Friday when the bus overturned, but the 16-year-old "Hannah Montana" star wasn't on board, Virginia State Police said.
Past CNN head, Bush aide named to broadcast board AP (November 20, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama has nominated a former press secretary to President George W. Bush and a past chairman of CNN to the Broadcasting Board of Governors. The independent agency oversees nonmilitary international broadcasts sponsored by the federal government, including Voice of America.
NYC TV newsman guilty of attempted assault on wife AP (November 20, 2009) WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (AP) - Cable television newsman Dominic Carter, an influential reporter on New York politics, was convicted Friday of an attempted assault on his wife.
Oprah's departure presents problem for TV stations AP (November 20, 2009) CHICAGO (AP) - For more than two decades, Oprah Winfrey has been the inspirational, change-your-life champion who reigned over daytime television much like Johnny Carson once ruled late night.
Vivendi inching closer to decision on NBC AP (November 20, 2009) PARIS (AP) - Media and entertainment conglomerate Vivendi SA is nearing a decision on whether to sell its stake in NBC Universal, which would clear the way for the creation of one of the most powerful media companies in the world.
List of top 15 cable shows in Nielsen ratings AP (November 20, 2009) (AP) - Rankings for the top 15 programs on cable networks as compiled by the Nielsen Co. for the week of Nov. 9-15. Day and start time (EST) are in parentheses:
Hundreds cheer Palin in Mich. for book tour AP (November 19, 2009) GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) - College students ditched class, employees skipped work and some huddled in the cold overnight just to make sure they get an orange wristband Wednesday that would let them meet Sarah
Washington Times denies ex-editor's bias claim AP (November 19, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - The Washington Times is denying a religious discrimination claim by the paper's former opinion editor.
NYC has lost nearly 60,000 jobs in communications AP (November 19, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - New York City, the center of the nation's information industry, has lost nearly 60,000 communications jobs since 2000, including in publishing and broadcasting, the comptroller's office said Wednesday.
AP says 90 layoffs this week reach payroll goal AP (November 19, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - The Associated Press said Thursday it laid off 90 news employees worldwide this week to reach its goal of cutting annual payroll costs by 10 percent.
Sony chief executive outlines turnaround plan AP (November 19, 2009) TOKYO (AP) - Sony said it aims to be profitable in gaming and flat-panel TVs by the fiscal year ending March 2011 as it slashes costs to turn around money-losing businesses.
Taylor Swift to have greeting card line AP (November 18, 2009) CLEVELAND (AP) - Fresh off her triumph at the Country Music Association Awards, Taylor Swift has won a deal to create a line of greeting cards for American Greetings Corp.
La. casinos see 6.9 percent revenue dip AP (November 18, 2009) NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Louisiana's state-licensed casinos, continuing to wade through the economic downturn like their counterparts in other states, recorded a 6.9 percent drop in gambling revenue last month from the previous October, state police reported Tuesday.
Study: CT scans rule out heart attacks faster AP (November 18, 2009) ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - A CT scan - a kind of super X-ray - provides a faster, cheaper way to diagnose a heart attack when someone goes to the emergency room with chest pains, a new study suggests.
Arkansas lottery to sell Mega Millions tickets AP (November 18, 2009) LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - The Arkansas Lottery Commission agreed Tuesday to sell Mega Millions tickets next year, making multistate jackpots available to lottery participants four nights a week instead of two.
California targets TVs to lower electricity demand AP (November 18, 2009) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - The most power-hungry television sets could soon be banned from store shelves in California as state energy regulators on Wednesday consider a first-in-the nation mandate intended to lower electricity demand.
A growing TV cover-up: Obnoxious pop-up promos AP (November 17, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - Somewhere in the universe of TV viewers, there's got to be a person who actually likes those pop-up, on-screen promotions.
Ruidoso Downs proposing track move to Las Cruces AP (November 17, 2009) SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - Ruidoso Downs is asking a state regulator to allow the horse racing track to move to Las Cruces, the state's second-largest city.
NY photographer testifies in Parker-Broderick case AP (November 17, 2009) ST. CLAIRSVILLE, Ohio (AP) - A freelance celebrity photographer says an Ohio police chief showed him a cell phone photo of a plaster cast of the stomach of the woman who carried twins for Hollywood couple Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick.
Viacom's cable networks win rights to Jackson film AP (November 17, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - Viacom Inc. says it has won exclusive rights in the U.S. to air "Michael Jackson's This Is It" on its MTV and BET cable networks starting in 2011.
Journalists kept in court after Jackson MD leaves AP (November 17, 2009) LAS VEGAS (AP) - A court officer briefly detained a group of journalists inside a Las Vegas courtroom Monday following a hearing involving Michael Jackson's former personal physician.
USA Today tests online edition at colleges AP (November 17, 2009) STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) - Penn State, Indiana and Missouri are the first schools to participate in a USA Today initiative meant to test how students respond to electronic versions of printed newspapers.
YouTube tries to help media find more free video AP (November 17, 2009) SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - YouTube is trying to help shrinking newsrooms expand their video coverage without increasing their payrolls.
Bloomberg hires Time deputy to lead BusinessWeek AP (November 17, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - Bloomberg L.P. says it is hiring Time magazine deputy managing editor Josh Tyrangiel to become the editor of BusinessWeek when it takes over the magazine next month.
Broadcast pioneer NBC prepares for cable takeover AP (November 16, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - Eight decades after pioneering the concept of broadcasting, NBC is on the verge of a startling move that illustrates broadcast television's decline.
Motorola buys broadband TV company BitBand AP (November 16, 2009) SCHAUMBURG, Ill. (AP) - Motorola Inc. said Monday it has agreed to acquire BitBand Technologies Ltd., a company that makes equipment for delivering television over broadband connections.
Sands looks to restart Macau casino work next year AP (November 16, 2009) HONG KONG (AP) - U.S. casino operator Las Vegas Sands Corp. plans to resume work in January on its multibillion-dollar gambling resorts in Macau after suspending construction last year amid a massive funding crunch, the company said.
New York Times to lay off news service workers AP (November 13, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - The New York Times News Service, which repackages Times stories for other media outlets, is laying off up to 25 employees.
Disney shares jump after strong 4Q results AP (November 13, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - Shares of the Walt Disney Co. got a boost Friday after the company posted a surprise 18 percent jump in its fiscal fourth-quarter profit and announced an executive job switch that might point to a successor to CEO Robert Iger.
Publishing vets set to launch newspaper in Detroit AP (November 13, 2009) ROYAL OAK, Mich. (AP) - Two veteran publishers are launching a daily newspaper serving the Detroit area, where the two largest newspapers have reduced home delivery to survive in a struggling industry.
Colorado parents plead guilty in balloon boy saga AP (November 13, 2009) FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP) - A Colorado couple who reported their son was aboard a runaway balloon could land in jail after pleading guilty Friday to charges they made up the story to generate publicity
Lee Enterprises posts $1.8M profit for 3Q AP (November 12, 2009) DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) - Lee Enterprises Inc., publisher of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and dozens of other newspapers, says it earned a small profit in the third quarter, helped by cost cuts and lower prices for paper.
Disney shuffles deck at struggling studio AP (November 12, 2009) LOS ANGELES (AP) - Marking a renewed focus on the proliferation of ways that movies are delivered to consumers, The Walt Disney Co. has elevated its home video chief to a new distribution role covering all formats.
'Call of Duty' game sells $310M in 24 hours AP (November 12, 2009) SANTA MONICA, Calif., (AP) - Activision Blizzard estimates that it sold about 4.7 million copies of its "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2" game worth $310 million in the first 24 hours in North America and the United Kingdom, making it the biggest-selling launch in the history of entertainment.
Oscars get record 20 animated submissions AP (November 11, 2009) LOS ANGELES (AP) - A record 20 films have been submitted for best animated feature at the Academy Awards.
Mass. movie studio project delayed AP (November 11, 2009) PLYMOUTH, Mass. (AP) - Plans to build a movie studio in Plymouth have been put on hold after developers canceled a $550 million construction loan agreement.
Belo prices $275 million in 8 percent notes AP (November 11, 2009) DALLAS (AP) - Belo Corp. said Wednesday it has priced a $275 million bond offering it plans to use for paying down a line of credit.
Ronnie Wood divorced by wife Jo over adultery AP (November 11, 2009) LONDON (AP) - Rolling Stones rocker Ronnie Wood has been divorced by his wife of 24 years on the grounds of adultery.
Ex-Miss California admits to making sex tape AP (November 10, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - Former Miss California USA Carrie Prejean calls a sex tape she made for an ex-boyfriend several years ago "the biggest mistake of my life."
Metropolitan Home magazine to close AP (November 10, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - Metropolitan Home will cease publication with its December issue, the latest home decor magazine to succumb to the industry's advertising slump.
AP asks judge to keep HOPE artist's lawyers AP (November 10, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - The Associated Press has asked a judge to deny a request by the attorneys of street artist Shepard Fairey to withdraw from his copyright battle over the Barack Obama "HOPE" poster.
Mutual of Omaha settles 'aha' suit against Winfrey AP (November 10, 2009) OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - Mutual of Omaha may have had its own "aha moment." The insurance company has decided to settle its lawsuit against Oprah Winfrey's production company over rights to the phrase.
TV star Rachael Ray helps reeling Ohio town AP (November 09, 2009) WILMINGTON, Ohio (AP) - Television cooking star Rachael Ray is boosting the local food supply for a struggling Ohio town.
Electronic Arts acquires Playfish for $275 million AP (November 09, 2009) REDWOOD CITY, Calif. (AP) - Video game publisher Electronic Arts says it has acquired Playfish, a privately held company that makes social network games, for $275 million in cash.
Ahead of the Bell: Disney earnings hurt by Scrooge AP (November 09, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - Walt Disney Co.'s new version of "A Christmas Carol" got a Bah Humbug from Deutsche Bank, which predicts a disappointing $31 million in opening weekend ticket sales will lead to smaller quarterly profits.
Top editor leaves China's boldest news magazine AP (November 09, 2009) BEIJING (AP) - The founder and editor-in-chief of a Chinese magazine known for pushing boundaries with the country's censors and chasing stories that could embarrass the government resigned Monday amid friction with her publisher, colleagues and the magazine said.
Dolan more than doubles 3Q profit AP (November 06, 2009) MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Dolan Media Co., a provider of legal and professional publications and services, said Friday its third-quarter profit more than doubled as revenue grew sharply in its mortgage default processing services business.
Deja vu: Wal-Mart, Amazon, Target in DVD price war AP (November 06, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is upping the ante heading into the holiday season, trimming the online preorder prices of some upcoming DVDs following last month's price cut on books.
MGM Mirage loses $750M as CityCenter's value drops AP (November 05, 2009) LAS VEGAS (AP) - MGM Mirage's latest casino project isn't open yet, but a drop in the $8.5 billion complex's value combined with falling revenue to push the casino operator into the red in its third quarter, the company said Thursday.
Sirius XM 3Q loss narrows as revenue rises AP (November 05, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - Sirius XM Radio Inc., the nation's only major satellite radio provider, on Thursday said its third-quarter loss narrowed as it booked smaller charges and revenue rose almost 27 percent.
E.W. Scripps narrows 3Q loss AP (November 05, 2009) CINCINNATI (AP) - Media company E.W. Scripps says it narrowed its loss in the third quarter despite another decline in revenue as the company continues to cut costs to cope with advertising declines hurting the industry.
Thomson Reuters posts drop in 3Q earnings AP (November 05, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - News and information provider Thomson Reuters Corp. said Thursday its third-quarter net income tumbled 60 percent from a year ago, as revenue in its legal and market divisions fell.
Group urges CW stations not to air 'Gossip Girl' AP (November 05, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - On-air promos for a sexual threesome on an upcoming episode of "Gossip Girl" have spurred the Parents Television Council to ask affiliates of the CW network to pre-empt the show.
Detroit, Michigan watch as Ohio OKs Toledo casino AP (November 05, 2009) DETROIT (AP) - Ohio voters have given their blessing to the opening of casinos in Toledo and three other cities, and that has Michigan officials and gambling interests paying close attention.
Pa. table games stalemate bumps into tuition bills AP (November 05, 2009) HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - An entrenched stalemate in the Capitol may mean students at major Pennsylvania universities will soon see higher second-semester tuition bills.
Scripps to get majority stake in Travel Channel AP (November 05, 2009) CINCINNATI (AP) - Scripps Networks Interactive Inc. said Thursday it will take a 65 percent stake in Cox Communications Inc.'s cable-television network Travel Channel, which reaches about 95 million U.S. households.
Sarah Palin promises more cities on book tour AP (November 04, 2009) ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - Former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin is promising to visit more cities than a conventional book tour when her memoir "Going Rogue" is published later this month.
Time Warner 3Q profit drops, boosts outlook AP (November 04, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - Media conglomerate Time Warner Inc. reported a 38 percent drop in third-quarter profit, hurt by declines at its AOL and publishing segments.
Voters in struggling Ohio approve 4 urban casinos AP (November 04, 2009) COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Ohio voters hit hard by the economic downturn have approved casinos on the fifth try by gambling supporters in the past two decades.
Wall Street Journal launches San Francisco edition AP (November 04, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - The Wall Street Journal says its new San Francisco Bay Area edition will launch Thursday, with a weekly section devoted to local news.
Denver public TV plans nonprofit news operation AP (November 04, 2009) DENVER (AP) - A Denver public television station is planning a nonprofit investigative news operation with a Web site and on-air program.
SF Chronicle goes glossy to attract readers, ads AP (November 04, 2009) SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - With its circulation falling faster than any other major U.S. newspaper's, the San Francisco Chronicle is determined to set the pace in a flashier way: It's about to become the first general-interest daily to print its editions on high-quality glossy paper.
Viacom 3Q profit jumps 15 pct on strong box office AP (November 03, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - G.I. Joe and the Transformers came to Viacom Inc.'s rescue in the third quarter, helping boost the company's earnings 15 percent with strong box office returns.
Author Ken Auletta searches for the Google story AP (November 02, 2009) (AP) - "Googled: The End of the World as We Know It" (The Penguin Press, 336 pages, $25.95), by Ken Auletta. Google is best understood in terms of billions. Three billion searches are conducted daily on the site. Company revenues last year exceeded $22 billion. It spent $1.76 billion for YouTube and $3.2 billion for the digital ad company DoubleClick.
'Precious' makes a 'surreal' premiere in Hollywood AP (November 02, 2009) LOS ANGELES (AP) - The cast and crew of "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire" continued their unexpected journey from a scrappy little screening 10 months ago at the Sundance Film Festival to a star-studded ga
HBO filmmakers get inside Obama campaign AP (November 02, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - Pivotal presidential campaigns are frequently defined in retrospect by documentaries.
TNT picks up NBC's axed police drama 'Southland' AP (November 02, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - Cable network TNT says it has rescued the shot-down NBC cop drama "Southland" and will bring it back in the new year.
DC station airs demo of bare breast self-exams AP (October 30, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - The ABC affiliate here is airing a two-part series that takes a close - and unobscured - look at breast self-exams. The series is airing during the fall "sweeps" period critical for a TV station's ad revenue, prompting concern by a parental watchdog group. But WJLA insists it's not just a naked attempt to boost the ratings.
NFL's Goodell to testify on Vikings suspensions AP (October 30, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is returning to Capitol Hill next week, this time to testify about the case of two professional football players whose suspensions for violating the league's anti-doping policy were blocked by the courts.
Pinnacle Entertainment loses money in 3rd quarter AP (October 29, 2009) LAS VEGAS (AP) - Pinnacle Entertainment Inc. wound up losing more money in its third quarter than a year earlier, even though its revenue was stable, in part because it repaid some debt early.
Ohio senators curious about casino money AP (October 29, 2009) COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Some Ohio senators were curious Wednesday about the possibility of plugging the state's budget hole with money from casinos, should they be approved by voters next week.
Doctor wrote about kissing Anna Nicole in diary AP (October 29, 2009) LOS ANGELES (AP) - One of Anna Nicole Smith's doctors worried about his own drug use and his professionalism after he kissed her and prescribed her highly addictive drugs, according to his diary, which was read in court.
Canwest says National Post might fold AP (October 29, 2009) TORONTO (AP) - Canada's beleaguered media giant Canwest Global Communications says it will shut down the unprofitable National Post newspaper if its operations are not transferred to a different holding company by Friday.
Nintendo's profit dives as Wii demand dwindles AP (October 29, 2009) TOKYO (AP) - Nintendo's first-half profit plunged as sales of its hit Wii home console fizzled, forcing the maker of Super Mario and Pokemon games to forecast annual earnings would fall for the first time in six years.
Plans to rebuild damaged CCTV building under way AP (October 29, 2009) BEIJING (AP) - The chief architect for the landmark new headquarters for China's powerful state broadcaster said the part of the complex that burned in a massive fire earlier this year can be repaired and does not need to be torn down.
Oprah on the road? Chrysler offers live TV service AP (October 29, 2009) AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) - Chrysler Group LLC says it will begin offering customers a television service in their vehicles featuring up to 20 channels of live TV.
'Slumdog' kids' truancy threatens their trust fund AP (October 29, 2009) MUMBAI, India (AP) - The two child stars of "Slumdog Millionaire" are at risk of losing their monthly stipend and their trust fund if they don't attend school more regularly, a trustee for the fund said Thursday.
Ex-Letterman writer claims hostile environment AP (October 28, 2009) LOS ANGELES (AP) - A former writer for David Letterman said she quit his NBC talk show in part because of alleged sexual favoritism and a hostile work environment.
Educators urge lower lottery profits for Ore. bars AP (October 28, 2009) SALEM, Ore. (AP) - Education advocates are pressing the Oregon Lottery Commission to reduce what they say are overly generous payouts to bars and taverns that host the state's video gambling machines.
Wynn 3Q profit drops as gamblers spend less AP (October 27, 2009) LAS VEGAS (AP) - The casino industry continues to struggle in the third quarter, with gamblers still clamping down on their spending. Such ongoing belt-tightening, coupled with increased expenses, pushed Wynn Resorts Ltd.'s profit down for the second consecutive quarter Tuesday.
Democrat-Gazette, Morning News pact approved AP (October 27, 2009) LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - The Justice Department has cleared the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Inc. and Stephens Media LLC to combine their operations in northwest Arkansas.
Court to hear arguments on E. Chicago casino money AP (October 27, 2009) INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - The Indiana Supreme Court will decide whether a share of East Chicago casino revenues earmarked for economic development should go to a nonprofit corporation or to the city.
IAC reports 3Q profit but ad revenue still slips AP (October 27, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - IAC/InterActiveCorp, which runs Match.com, Ask.com and other Web sites, says asset sales helped it profit in the third quarter while ad revenue continued to slump.