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SMART TV IS FASTEST-GROWING DEVICE The juggernaut of mobile phone use is changing the viewing dynamic, but the Video Advertising Bureau (VAB) says not in the way most assume. Viewers continue to leave the desktop for smartphones in droves as they take advantage of more on-demand options, while viewing on enabled smart TVs and multimedia devices grows significantly. Still, 89% of viewing is on TV with 8 out of 10 minutes being with Live TV; and time watching TVs beats time watching on smartphones 9 to 1 (desktop time also beats smartphones, 7 to 1). What isn’t changing is what they’re watching—predominantly TV shows. “Of all the emerging platforms, enabled smart TVs are growing the fastest,” said Evelyn Skurkovich, VP/strategic research and insights at the Video Advertising Bureau and author of its State of Digital Video report. “This reinforces the fact that people dedicate the most attention to TV content, and to watching on a TV screen.” Through June, smartphone use was up 9% over the same period last year, while SVOD increased 18%. Multimedia device use bumped 23%, and enabled smart TV use climbed 33%. Smart TV penetration is lowest among Black households, 20% according to Nielsen, but growing the fastest—43% year-over-year. Asian households have the highest penetration at 34%, with Hispanics at 26%. Even among young viewers, far more time is spent viewing video content on TV than other devices. For Adults 18-34 the figure is 82%--that’s 91 hours, 55 minutes per month watching TV; 25 hours, 51 minutes streaming video on a computer; and 3 hours, 37 minutes watching video on a smartphone. The TV percentage rises to 82% for A18-49, with TV at 111 hours, 43 minutes; computer 21 hours, 57 minutes; and smartphone 3 hours, 1 minute. Adults 25-54 also use the other devices, but they spend 85% of their viewing time with TV. The A25-54 tally is 129 hours, 55 minutes watching TV; 20 hours, 18 minutes streaming on a computer; and 2 hours, 26 minutes watching video on a smartphone. In short, device usage doesn’t vary that much by age. The VAB says digital viewing is shifting from computer screens to smartphone screens. Monthly viewing via computer is down year-over-year across all demos. However, the time spent viewing on a computer screen is up across all demos, with an average of 34% for Persons 2+. The entire report is available free from The VAB.

ADVERTISER NEWS Finally there’s some good news coming about the restaurant industry: The National Restaurant Association’s September Restaurant Performance Index says same-store sales were up in September with 40% of operators saying same-store traffic was up (almost double the 21% that had seen gains in August). The NRA adds that operators are still not very optimistic that positive numbers will continue, although 64% of chains are looking to invest money in expansion, remodeling or new equipment over

the next six months……Wingstop had a strong third quarter with a 4.1% same-store sales gain. It has added 104 net new locations this year through the end of the quarter and now expects 145-155 to be opened this year, up from an earlier estimate of 130-140……DineEquity, however, did not have a strong quarter with comps down 5.2% at Applebee’s and essentially flat, down 0.1%, at IHOP. Nation’s Restaurant News reports the company is blaming “a challenging macroeconomic climate and

price-sensitive consumers”……After a negative July, the furniture business appears to have rebounded in August with both new orders at the factories and shipments up 6% compared to August, 2015. Year-to-date, new orders are running 1% ahead of last year……Havertys, with 123 furniture showrooms in 16 states, said quarterly same-store sales were up 1.2%. The average ticket on the sales made was up 3.2%......Although some supermarket chains are having a tough time showing gains due to deflation in some major food categories, Publix managed a 0.9% same-store sales increase for the third quarter and a 2.1% increase in profits. Publix operates 1,129 stores in six Southeastern states……Pennsylvania-based Weis Markets also saw a comp store increase with a 2.7% gain. Profit was down 16.9% though, partially attributable to costs associated with taking over some former Food Lion and Mars locations……J.C. Penney says all its Black Continued on Page 3

TV VIEWING STILL SWAMPS SMARTPHONES

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The Daily News of TV Sales Thursday, November 3, 2016

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NETWORK NEWS Legendary actress Betty White will return to Bones for the 12th season of the FOX series. White will reprise her role a Dr. Beth Mayer, the world’s most experienced forensic anthropologist in the 10th episode of the final season. White originated the role in season eleven……The Monday night episode of NBC’s The Voice will bring viewer participation to a new level. Viewers of the singing competition will be able to vote in real-time and see real-time results, allowing the winners of the voting to advance to the top 12. Viewers can use either Twitter or The Voice’s official app to submit their vote……The Grammy-winning acapella group Pentatonix will have their own holiday special on NBC. The group recently released its third holiday album called “A Pentatonix Christmas,“ which features the group’s arrangement of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.” Reba McEntire and Kelly Clarkson are schedule to appear, and it’s possible that Dolly Parton will participate. Parton recently did a duet of her hit “Jolene” with the singing group. The special is scheduled for December 14th at 8 PM (ET) on NBC……The Good Wife spinoff finally has a title. The Good Fight will pick up one year from where the long-running CBS series left off. The Good Fight will center on an enormous financial scam that has destroyed the reputation of a young lawyer. The new series has recently added Erica Tazel (Justified) to the cast that includes Christina Baranski, Cush Jumbo, Delroy Lindo, Sarah Steele and Bernadette Peters. The first episode of The Good Fight will air on CBS while the remaining episodes will be available on CBS All Access……The exit of two senior Tonight Show staffers is fueling speculation that NBC’s late night leader is tweaking its image in the face of more aggressive competition. Producer-writer Gavin Purcell left to join Vox Media, then showrunner Josh Lieb left for Universal Television. Lieb had been with Jimmy Fallon since the move to 11:35 PM (ET) in February 2014. Competitors Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert have taken advantage of the current election season to step up the political jokes, while Fallon sticks with his tried and true formula. So far, the ratings have not changed that much, The Tonight Show remains the top late-show in the 18-49 demo, and remains the top late-night-show channel on YouTube and Facebook……TV veteran Kelsey Grammer has lined up a guest spot on ABC’s comedy Modern Family. Grammer will play Keifth, a circus ringmaster that used to date Eric Stonestreet’s character, Cam. Fred Willard will also return as Frank Dunphy, Phil’s father, in the same January episode.

SYNDIE SNIPPET Following a summer trial run, Page Six TV has been picked up for national syndication, beginning next fall. The daily gossip series from Endemol Shine North America, the New York Post and Twentieth Television will air on FOX O&Os in 17 markets as a solid base for national distribution. Page Six TV is hosted by John Fugelsang, with contributing experts like Mario Cantone, Bevy Smith, Variety reporter Elizabeth Wagmeister and New York Post Page Six reporter Carlos Greer.

AVAILS Do you love a fast paced environment with unlimited income potential? Then, we have the opportunity for you! KOMO/ABC in Seattle seeks a Multimedia Sales Account Executive. This individual will generate local sales revenue and achieve established sales goals by selling television spot advertising and other sales programs. Goals are attached to various platforms, including: KOMO TV, KUNS TV, digital, business development and direct business. Strong understanding of digital, social and content integration. CLICK HERE for more details or to apply now.

EOE/Drug Free. Winter is just around the corner! If you would prefer to be selling where summer never ends, WPBF 25, the Hearst owned ABC Affiliate in sunny West Palm Beach has an opportunity for you! WPBF 25 seeks a sales superstar to join our team. The ideal candidate must have broadcast TV sales experience and possess the drive and ability to thrive on multiple platforms in a fast paced, highly competitive

market. Your passion for developing new business will be encouraged and rewarded! CLICK HERE to apply. Equal Opportunity Employer. WTVM, THE local leader in business advertising solutions for Columbus-Auburn-Opelika, has a fantastic opportunity for an experienced Local Sales Manager. Must be a motivational leader with a clear focus on New Business and Digital development, helping insure our expanded sales force exceeds client expectations on any advertising platform. Our new LSM will motivate our Media Sales Consultants and their partner Success Managers to insure sales revenue goals are met and client needs are constantly addressed. Qualified applicants, CLICK HERE and attach resume & cover letter. No calls please. EOE-M/F/D/V WTOK-TV, the dominant ABC affiliate in Meridian, MS seeks a news leader who loves news, loves to teach, loves to produce and loves to innovate. The WTOK News

Director will be responsible for continuing the tradition of market leading standards, goals, and tactics for newsroom operations and content. The News Director will also be responsible for recruiting, hiring, coaching, mentoring, supervising and evaluating newsroom personnel. Applicants should have newsroom management experience, and

a 4 year college degree is preferred. Send cover letter/resume to: mhumanresources@wtok.com. Equal Opportunity Employer.

11/3/2016

The economy is so bad that Forbes came out with its list of the 400 richest Americans—and 200 of

them had moved back in with their parents.

Jay Leno

The Daily News of TV Sales @ www.spotsndots.com PAGE 3

POLITICAL AD SPEND DISAPPOINTS Pivotal Research Group analyst Brian Wieser has been looking at data from Advertising Analytics again—and finds that political advertising growth in October continued the deceleration he observed in September. The data from the firm which tracks political ad spend in real time showed that campaign ad spending fell by 5% for the 17 largest TV station groups in October 2016 vs. October 2015. “October is the make-or-break month for this category of spending with approximately half of the year’s total. The data we have reviewed indicates the year will end well below levels which most expected at the beginning of this election cycle,” said Wieser. Across 17 of the largest station groups—including ABC, CBS, Cox, E.W. Scripps, FOX, Graham Media Group, Gray, Hearst, Media General, Meredith, NBC, Nexstar, Raycom, Sinclair, Sunbeam, Tegna and Tribune—and on a like-for-like basis (with the same stations owned by each company in each of 2016 and 2014) the analyst said October bookings were down by 5% vs. 2014. “As spending through October accounted for 93% of all political spending during 2014, we can safely say that total spending for the year will likely end up only around +10% for the full year vs. 2014, which would suggest that 2016 will involve less total political spending relative to the last Presidential election year of 2012,” Wieser concluded. Illustrating individual growth rates at some of O&O station groups on a like-for-like basis, Wieser says Advertising Analytics’ data indicates that political ad bookings for October spending was up 22% at stations owned by ABC, up 4% at stations owned by CBS, down 21% at stations owned by FOX and up 90% at stations owned by NBC. Among some of the major independents, Sinclair was up by 19%, Tegna was down by 33%, Tribune was up 2%, Meredith down 9% and Media General was down 34%. As October represents the bulk of the quarter’s spending, the analyst says these spending levels are likely to reflect full fourth quarter trends for each of these groups. With unusually light spending by GOP nominee Donald Trump, Wieser sees 2016 as an anomaly. He tells investors “spending will likely return to higher levels in 2020.”

TUESDAY RATINGS As expected, the Chicago Cubs 9-3 victory over the Cleveland Indians in Game 6 of the World Series won the Nielsen 18-49 ratings for the night. The FOX coverage of the game took a 6.2 unadjusted rating in the demo and delivered 21.8 million total viewers. The closest competitor was the new NBC series This Is Us with a rating of 2.3. Elsewhere on NBC, The Voice clip show posted a 1.4 as did the 10 PM (ET) drama, Chicago Fire. ABC got a 1.4 for The Middle, and a 1.5 for the freshman comedy American Housewife. Fresh Off the Boat posted a 1.0, while another newcomer, The Real O’Neals, checked in with a 0.8. Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. finished the night for ABC with a 0.8 demo rating. CBS chose to air reruns for the night with NCIS doing a 1.1, Bull delivering a 1.0 and NCIS: New Orleans doing a 0.9. The Flash had a series-low 0.9 and No Tomorrow was flat against last week with a 0.3 for The CW.

AVAILS WAFF 48 in Huntsville, AL seeks a dynamic Digital Sales Manager to aggressively grow digital revenue for the #1 local news station in an extremely tech savvy market, who’s economy is built on space exploration, missile defense and biotechnology. Minimum of 3 years’ experience is required. The ideal candidate will lead, motivate and train sales staff, and collaborate with

other managers to grow new and existing accounts. CLICK HERE to learn more or apply. Be prepared to attach a resume. No calls please. EOE-M/F/D/V

MORE AVAILS ARE ONLINE @ SPOTSNDOTS.COMTo place a classified, please email: ads@spotsndots.com

SINCLAIR EXECUTIVE SUITE CHANGES David Smith is kicking himself upstairs at Sinclair Broadcast Group. Effective with the New Year he’ll transition from Chairman, President & CEO to Executive Chairman. Smith will have direct oversight of the development, implementation and globalization of the Next Generation Broadcast Platform (ATSC 3.0) and expansion of Sinclair’s news franchise. He’ll also be directly involved with public policy as it relates to the broadcast industry. Sinclair’s new President & CEO will be Christopher Ripley, moving up from Chief Financial Officer. Succeeding him as CFO is Lucy Rutishauser, who has been SVP Corporate Finance & Treasurer.

TEGNA REPPING OTT SALES Tegna has launched Premion to aggregate inventory from more than 80 OTT sources and offer local and regional advertisers access to premium long-form episodic content. Jim Wilson has been named President. With most OTT providers, the ads will run either 15 or 30 seconds in length and are in fast-forward disabled, pre-roll & mid-roll pods.

ADVERTISER NEWSContinued from Page 1Friday deals will be available online starting the day before Thanksgiving on Wednesday, 11/23. TV support will start next Wednesday, the day after the election……Sonic Automotive new-vehicle sales were down 3.8% in its third quarter to 36,054 units while used-vehicle sales were up 1.5% to 30,933. The company’s profit fell by 32% and it’s citing stop-sales orders on some models as a problem along with weakness in Houston (one of Sonic’s most important markets) and softness from the BMW brand. Same-store new vehicle sales fell 3.2%, worse than the industry average of 1.3%……Kellogg had a good quarter with profits up 42%, but the gain was mostly from lower costs and better margins. Its morning foods business, including cereals and Pop-Tarts, showed declines while sales of snack foods were flat.

11/3/2016

The economy is so bad that people are huddling around

Samsung phones just for the warmth.

Jimmy Fallon