The WALL STREET JOURNAL's Keach Hagey reports Fox' cable network programming unit, which includes FS1, saw a revenue jump of 13% last quarter, "helped by a 12% rise in domestic ad revenue and 19% increase in domestic affiliate revenue." But expenses "rose sharply, reflecting the cost of new channel launches." Operating income before EBITDA "rose by 11%." Fox also "reported an 11% decline in advertising revenue at its television segment, led by ratings declines at the Fox broadcast network's 'American Idol'" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 8/7).
DISHING IT OUT: Dish Network Chair & CEO Charlie Ergen yesterday said Dish would "obviously be a bidder" for the NFL Sunday Ticket package should it become available to providers other than DirecTV, which is currently in renewal talks with the league. Ergen on a Q2 earnings call said NFL rights are "the most valuable content in the world." But he added that with AT&T’s bid to acquire DirecTV "hinging on securing the Sunday Ticket, those rights are not on the table at this point." Ergen: "I think DirecTV, given the fact their merger (with AT&T) depends on it, (the NFL has) to be confident they’re in the driver’s seat" (VARIETY.com, 8/6).
