CohenConnect.com, Honest, accurate & outspoken: Lenny's thoughts on this world of ours
"These are the times to remember" (Billy Joel lyrics pluralized)
It’s that time of year again. No. I take that back. A few weeks ago, it was that time of year again. Regular and long-time CohenConnect readers may recognize the Comcast graphic with Santa Claus. I came up with that two years and a week ago, on Dec. 20, 2017. But I’ve been busy and … Continue reading Have you noticed Comcast’s Christmas gift to itself?
If you want to do something well, watch someone else do it. That’s the way to improve in most skills in life. That’s one reason I read Scott Jones’ blog, FTVLive.com. Say what you want about him or his spelling, but he’s usually right on the money when it comes to facts, and won’t make … Continue reading Reports: Nexstar says no to WPIX-NY, WSFL-Miami
It’s always good to be remembered, and hopefully being your last new year’s message of the year will keep some of my thoughts on your minds. (I’d be embarrassed to post something like this more than a week late, even by a few minutes!) Let me start with the most important: that I became an … Continue reading Odds, ends and new beginnings
Sometimes, interesting things happen when you read friends’ Facebook pages. I’m not talking about going to look on purpose, which I’ve done before. I’m just referring to seeing something on your news feed and clicking on it. That got me, as the title clearly says, banned from Facebook pages twice in 2 days! The one … Continue reading Banned from Facebook pages twice in 2 days!
I try not to go more than a week without posting something. Unfortunately, it has been 11 days dues to holidays that won’t be letting up anytime soon, and also my IT support specialist classes. (Last night, I finished Course 2, Week 1, out of 5 courses.) I just don’t like blogs that give a … Continue reading Eric Trump and his shekels
I don’t know, but I’m pretty sure you’ve had a busy week, between getting used to having your kids in school or planning what to do on this long holiday weekend. Sorry for the folks in “sunny Florida” with plans ruined while dealing with Tropical Storm Gordon. (But you're welcome for this souvenir to help … Continue reading Labor Day weekend leftovers
It’s a great day in broadcasting, or as great as things can get in this day and age. There will be no merger between Sinclair Broadcast Group and Tribune Media. Today, according to Axios, Tribune announced it “terminated its $3.9 billion merger agreement with Sinclair Broadcasting and that it has filed a lawsuit for breach … Continue reading Tribune to Sinclair: Judge’s gavel instead of merger’s handshake
This was starting to get a little hard to keep track of, and I wrote most of this last night. Good thing I waited to publish, because I had to really rewrite today! It’s looking like the big media merger I’ve been writing about so frequently may not happen! Even better, it looks like one … Continue reading Big merger, big problem, big surprise!
The Federal Communications Commission has a very important mission, but it’s not being fulfilled. In fact, the opposite has been happening over the past few days and it’ll likely lead to less children’s programming – and less attention when you complain about your TV, phone company or internet service provider. The FCC says its mission … Continue reading The FCC’s war on American children, adults
The negotiation spat between Fox and Sinclair is apparently over, and Sinclair’s proposed $3.9 billion merger with Tribune will have one less hurdle. 21st Century Fox announced it’s buying the seven TV stations Tribune owned that had to be spun off to not exceed ownership limits, but had not yet officially found buyers. Friday, from … Continue reading BREAKING NEWS: Fox buying Miami station
I've avoided writing much about Sinclair Broadcast Group trying to buy Tribune Media because I’ve been busy and I don't want to jinx any possibility the merger will fall through. But there has been some news, and the biggest for a local TV market could be Miami/Fort Lauderdale (of course!). You’ll remember, one of the … Continue reading Media mega-merger may be moving closer, impacting Miami
This is my 90th blog post and like most journalists, I identify mistakes all over and somehow -- often through publicity -- try to get them fixed. But not on this milestone. There's too much good to write about. I also want to point out the page CohenConnect Headlines Sitemap has a list of all the blog … Continue reading Who says everything I write is negative (but correct)?
They did it again! Villanova University’s men's basketball team is celebrating its second national championship in three years. According to the school’s president, Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, “In 2016, it had been 31 years since our last national championship for basketball, and now, just two years later, Villanova is once again the national … Continue reading Villanova Victory, Volume III
OK. Let’s get this right. Lawmakers and many Americans are angry about Facebook and how it handled 50 million users’ people’s data, but President Trump really hates Amazon. First, it’s owned by Jeff Bezos, who also owns The Washington Post, which Trump also hates. Second, sources told Axios Trump has talked about changing Amazon’s tax … Continue reading Who Trump hates more, Facebook or Amazon? Oh, and Stormy Daniels’ motion to make him speak!
There are two big changes in weather: The snow has stopped and The Weather Channel is being sold. Also, you can say the owner is a real person for two more reasons: The new owner is not a partnership between three corporations, like in the past – and he was one of the stars of the … Continue reading The Weather Channel’s new owner, a real controversial person
They haven’t been “Fair and Balanced” in a while but stating Monday, Fox News will be marketing itself as “Real News. Real Honest Opinion.” Yesterday, Ad Age magazine made the announcement. It’ll start with Fox’s own properties and then perhaps go elsewhere. The change follows the huge “revelation of sexual harassment allegations” that got Fox … Continue reading Fox News: Really ‘Real News. Real Honest Opinion’?
Gotta love a snow day if you don’t have anywhere to be. Yes, I have a busy week ahead and things to prepare, but they don’t require going out. The TV people were right this time. It’s almost 1pm and I’m supposedly getting 3 inches of snow an hour, which should end up as 6-10 … Continue reading Flakes and facts, lots on my mind
Surprisingly, I haven't seen this reported at all by South Florida media. Yes, they’re still consumed and reeling from the massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on Valentine’s Day, but this involves THEM, darnit, and they know it. There was nothing in the Miami-Herald, Sun-Sentinel, or New Times about it, nor TV stations WSVN … Continue reading WSVN without Fox? It’s possible if….
Let's start by updating my latest post on television. Last Thursday, in discussing Fox Sports paying a fortune for Thursday Night Football, I brought up Sinclair Broadcast Group – the largest TV owner in America – trying to buy Tribune Broadcasting, another biggie. Sinclair had given hints on what it would divest in order to get approval from … Continue reading Sinclair, Tribune TV stations combined: Why it’s not a done deal yet
How many of you watched the Super Bowl this year? Of course, in Philadelphia, that's a loaded question with the underdog Eagles in the game and beating the seemingly perennial winners, the New England Patriots. Same thing in New England. Their team was in the Super Bowl and they don't get sick of Tom Brady … Continue reading Got cable, satellite? You’ll foot the bill for Fox’s Thursday Night Football
The Super Bowl is over, the Eagles won and in a moment, I'll show you why the old phrase in the title -- “may be hazardous to your health” -- doesn't just apply to cigarettes, but also football. One of my favorite sportscasters since I was a teenager has been NBC's Bob Costas. He's very … Continue reading Football, even the Super Bowl, may be hazardous to your health
Time for the obvious, yet again. News organizations post their news on Facebook and other social media sites. Those articles, videos, slideshows, etc. also get picked up on search sites like Google, Yahoo and Bing (Microsoft). If they use the correct SEOs (Search Engine Optimization words) and have a little luck (or pay a … Continue reading Don’t post your content on Facebook if you don’t want readers getting it for free!
First, I have to thank everybody who looked at Monday's blog post. The analytics were incredible, the best ever (and that's all that counts, right? :)). If you haven't seen it yet, it gives a brief overview of the place I worked for 15 months until August. Feel free to comment below it, or on my Twitter … Continue reading Follow-up, fewer watching TV news, future president?
There's always a lot at stake at an NFL football game but this year, the league decided to break its own rules to avoid a ratings disaster for the last game of the season, on New Year's Eve. The National Football League is trying to save face after already having lower ratings than last year, … Continue reading Rules? NFL throws out ratings book for holiday weekend finale
No waiting until Christmas on Monday. Comcast, you obviously consider yourself too powerful. Today, your hard-earned rate hikes take effect. Santa says you've been such a good company this year, only getting me concerned and wasting my time by forgetting when my Xfinity introductory offer ends. Does anyone reading this have suggestions for me for … Continue reading Today, Merry Christmas to Comcast! You’re welcome!
Today, it was Matt Lauer. Some of you want the newest, shocking details. The Miami Herald called the accusations against him “crude misconduct.” Less known, it was a two-fer. Well-known Minnesota Public Radio host Garrison Keillor won’t be showing up for work anymore. Last week, Charlie Rose went down, fired for alleged sexual harassment over … Continue reading Hey, you accused! Would Mom say, wait until your father gets home?
Every situation is different, but death always seems to be a hard topic. We could be talking about a close relative, an acquaintance from years ago, a pet, or a famous person. How people respond is unique and usually understandable. Usually. And I will say it. Tom Petty’s younger daughter seems to be an exception. … Continue reading Disgraceful daughter
I've mentioned the sad state of the U.S. broadcasting industry these days, with big companies eating up smaller ones like never before. There are too few independently-owned stations left -- run by business people, some better meaning than others -- who actually live in the market they are supposed to serve on the public airwaves. Decisions … Continue reading No more newscasts, but what a farewell!
This is my first blog in several months, and only my second since arriving back in Philadelphia. The first was shortly after my return, so it has been way too long. That’s why I'm happy the article Let Me Tell You How ‘The Media’ Really Works... really got me thinking and helped me gather my thoughts, some … Continue reading The media: Certainly imperfect, definitely necessary and trying
When you've watched a daily TV show on and off for 20 years, even very rarely recently because work gets in the way, it becomes part of your life. There's no getting around that. So when I found out several members of the Days of our Lives cast were going to be two hours away, … Continue reading A great ‘day’ in Lenny’s ‘life’
I haven't posted anything in about 3 weeks. (I also haven’t heard from you asking for a post. Unbelievable! What’s up with that?) I haven’t been relaxing at the beach. Been doing plenty of writing. Just very busy at work and home. My parents’ visit has come and gone. Went very well. Wasn't sure for … Continue reading Odds & ends from 3 weeks
I'm noticing a trend, that a lot of my blogs have to do with work. That's not surprising because most of my waking hours are spent at work. There have been lots of accomplishments: getting video on the Web, a better understanding of what this market is interested in on social media, live streaming of … Continue reading Taking things a lot too seriously?
Yes! You read right! It finally happened! I’m going to be the next digital manager at WCYB-Channel 5 in the Tri-Cities, TN/VA (one letter off from WCVB-Channel 5 in Boston, but a world apart), working roughly 11-8, but you know news. More on the station and location in a moment. You probably know I’ve been holding out for the … Continue reading I got a job – and I’m moving!
Breaking news! Literally! Sound the alarm! Roll the animation! Shine the blue lights! Right now, as I’m writing this planned blog post, NBC News has announced it’s suspending Nightly News anchor Brian Williams for 6 months without his pay of $10 million a year. The memo from NBC News president Deborah Turness said in part: “Brian … Continue reading The news about Brian Williams, according to me