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sales@spotsndots.com Copyright 2017.The Daily News of TV Sales Tuesday, June 13, 2017

OTT SUBSCRIPTIONS TOP CABLELOW COST MOST POPULAR REASON FOR SUB More people are now using streaming video services than have a cable subscription, according to data from Fluent LLC cited by eMarketer. The survey found that 67% of US Internet users watch or have access to a streaming service, while just 61% have cable in their homes. Millennials were the heaviest streaming users, which should not be a surprise. 77% of Millennials said they have access to a streaming service—but so did almost two-thirds (65%) of non-Millennials. It’s also no surprise that Netflix was king among both Millennials and those ages 35 and older. 61% of Millennials (61%) surveyed had access to the subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) service, compared with 45% of non-Millennials. Amazon Prime Video was the lone streaming service subscribed to by both age groups at the same rate—16% of respondents. Most of the other streaming platforms examined in the survey had a higher penetration rate among younger Internet users. Low cost was the top factor that persuaded respondents to pay for streaming content. More than one-third (34%) of respondents chose that as a reason for signing up for a streaming video service.

MORE AMERICANS GOING ON VACATION After a dip in 2016, more travelers from the U.S. and Europe will be packing their bags and heading on a vacation this summer. An annual consumer survey conducted by the crisis insurance company Generali Global Assistance found that 66% of Americans plan to travel this summer, up five percentage points from 2016. The survey noted that although more people are travelling, they are doing so for a shorter duration. Americans will go on vacation this summer for an average of 1.4 weeks, down from 1.7 weeks in 2016. With budgetary constraints on the rise globally, most travelers are electing to vacation within the confines of their own borders this summer. 41% of Americans said they will travel to U.S. destinations this summer. The same is true for the French (63%) and Italians (56%). While the seaside is the favorite destination of European travelers at 63%, the most sought after vacation spot for U.S. travelers this summer will be urban locations at 46%. Americans ranked the beach number two on the list of favorite destinations at 43% followed by the mountains (46%), the countryside (24%), and touring (23%). For Americans, Paris ranked as the top city that travelers wished to visit at least once in their lives, with New York City and London tying for second. (Continued on page 2)

ADVERTISER NEWS Gymboree says it has signed a Restructuring Support Agreement with its lenders that will allow it to continue to operate business as usual. It is filing a voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition and expects to operate the majority of its stores through the financial restructuring. Currently, the domestic store count stands at 532 Gymborees, 171 Gymboree Outlets, 148 Janie and Jacks, and 378 Crazy 8 stores……While German discount grocery chain Lidl

is opening its first U.S. stores this month, the German discount grocery chain that has been here for several years is announcing plans for a massive expansion. Aldi plans to invest $5 billion to open almost 900 new stores and remodel hundreds of others it already has operating. That would bring the count up to about 2500 locations in the next five years which could make Aldi the third largest grocery chain in the country behind

just Walmart and Kroger. Consulting firm Bain & Co. has predicted deep discount food stores will grow sales by about 10% a year for the next few years, about five times the overall supermarket industry growth……Progressive Grocer reports a Marsh Supermarkets spokesman says there are numerous bidders interested in taking over some of the bankrupt chain’s stores. Next step is an auction to take place in bankruptcy court with 44 locations on the block……Is Ikea on Amazon something furniture retailers will have to compete with in the near future? Reuters is reporting the Swedish-based home furnishings chain is ready to start testing online sales on third-party websites. The Furniture Today ranking of retailers based on furniture, bedding and accessories sales shows Ikea number three with $3.3 billion in annual sales from its 42 stores in the U.S. No contracts have yet been signed as to which digital sites Ikea will utilize……Capital Forum is reporting the Federal Trade Commission staff is prepared to recommend the agency should file a lawsuit to block the Walgreens/Rite Aid deal, which would make Fred’s proposed acquisition of hundreds of stores a moot point. The merger proposal has been under consideration since October, 2015……We had reported before on the upcoming Avenir “sub-brand” that Buick will be introducing offering deluxe features that the manufacturer hopes will move it closer to a luxury brand status. Automotive News says the retooled 2018 Enclave crossover now reaching dealers will start at $40, 970, but when the Enclave Avenir gets to dealers in the fall, it will be priced at $54,390 for front-wheel drive or $56,690 for all-wheel drive. Of four General Motors crossovers (Chevy Equinox and Traverse, and GMC Terrain), Enclave generates the highest transaction price.

PAGE 2 The Daily News of TV Sales @ www.spotsndots.com

NETWORK NEWS The new ABC version of American Idol has announced the 19 cities to hold live auditions. The auditions will be separated into two bus tours, one on the west side of the country and one on the east side, with Chicago and New Orleans being listed as Open Audition Cities. The bus tours will “search every corner of the nation in its pursuit of talent” according to the release from the network. American Idol is also encouraging competitors to audition on the internet, offering hopefuls the opportunity to submit audition videos online, or via Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Musical.ly using the hashtag #TheNextIdol……Damon Gupton will not return to the next season of the CBS procedural Criminal Minds. The actor is leaving the drama after one season due to creative changes in the show, according to a report in Variety. This season also saw the departure of another series star, Thomas Gibson, who was fired from the show at the start of the season after an altercation with a producer. The season 12 finale of Criminal Minds ended in a cliffhanger, with Gupton’s character, along with several others, in limbo as their SUV’s were rammed at high speed by an 18-wheeler. Season 13 of Criminal Minds returns to CBS in September……ABC has released a list of 100 TV stars that will compete in the network’s reboot of the Battle of Network Stars. The competition series is set to debut on ABC Thursday, June 29th. The hosts for Battle of the Network stars are Mike Greenberg and Joe Tessatore of ESPN. They will be joined by sideline reporters Cari Champion and Cassidy Hubbarth, both from ESPN. Super Bowl 50 winner DeMarcus Ware and MMA fighter/Olympia Ronda Rousey will be team captains. ABC will announce episode air dates later……CBS and Sinclair Broadcast Group jointly announced new affiliation renewal agreements for Sinclair owned and operated stations in four markets. The agreement includes KUTV in Salt Lake City, KEYE in Austin, WSBT in South Bend and WGFL in Gainesville, FL. The new agreement also includes the renewal of participation in CBS All Access, plus a commitment for distribution of Sinclair’s CBS affiliates via the new YouTubeTV live television service in markets where the offering is available……The production for the fourth season of ABC’s Bachelor Paradise has been suspended by Warner Bros. The company released a statement over the weekend that said, “We have become aware of allegations of misconduct on the set of Bachelor in Paradise in Mexico. We have suspended production and are conducting a thorough investigation of these allegations. Once the investigation is complete, we will take appropriate responsive actions.” Warner Bros. did not elaborate on what the allegations might be. Reports indicate most of the cast has been flown to Houston and are unaware of what’s happening.

....VACTIONS (Continued from Page 1) Hotels are still preferred for travel accommodations, but 48% of Americans and 23% of Europeans have slept in a tent under the stars. Additionally, 40% of Americans have slept in a cabin (vs. 18% of Europeans) and 20% have gone on an eco-tourism trip (vs. 13% of Europeans).

AVAILS FOX13-WTVT in Tampa, FL seeks an experienced Account Executive. This opening at the top rated station in Tampa requires the servicing of existing transactional accounts along with the development of new broadcast and digital business. Must be highly motivated and possess strong presentation and prospecting skills. Must have prior broadcast sales experience, preferably in an LPM market. Visit OUR WEBSITE then click on the “About Us” tab, then “Work for Us”, or visit our readily accessible station located at 3213 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, FL 33609. EOE.

ABC6 in Providence, Rhode Island is looking for a sales professional with sales experience to join this growing ABC affiliate as an Account Executive. We need an enthusiastic, accountable individual to work with local and regional clients– at the agency and local levels. This position is a great opportunity for someone looking for a move into a top 60 market. Please send resume to cantonio@abc6.com. No calls please. WLNE-TV/ABC6 is and

equal opportunity employer. KPNX 12 News in Phoenix, AZ is looking for the best Director of Sales in the country. The DOS will lead all sales efforts, manage a staff of sales managers and provide the strategy and vision to drive the sales team to success with the top priority of driving new business development efforts to grow enterprise revenue. Bachelor’s degree in marketing, business or related field, and a minimum of 10 years of media sales experience in a top 15 market. CLICK HERE for more info or to apply now. EOE WESH 2, the Hearst Television NBC affiliate in Orlando, Florida has an immediate opening for an experienced Sales Professional. If you are motivated by an excellent product, great compensation, and resources to be successful, while working in one of the fastest growing and most desirable markets in the country, look no further. We provide the tools for powerful marketing solutions, you provide client focus and desire to win. CLICK HERE for more information or to apply now. EOE.

COMPETITIVE INFO Snapchat’s growth is subsiding, reports Digital News Daily. The annual rate at which people are downloading the app has dropped by 22% over the first two months of the second quarter, according to analytics firm Sensor Tower. Worse yet, downloads in Apple’s App Store were down by 40% in April and May, year-over-year. But, BusinessInsider.com offers some support for Snapchat in their venture into TV-like programming. Video episodes are posted in Snapchat Discover for 24 to 48 hours and then disappear, giving people a reason to tune in. Partners like A&E, CBS and NBC supply content. The report says the app (not necessarially the programming) reaches 45% of 18-34 years olds in the U.S. on a given day — nine times more than the average daily reach on this demographic of the top 15 TV networks and nearly five times more than the top TV network.

6/13/2017

Jim Gaffigan

If it’s so great outside, why are all the bugs trying to get

inside my house?

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

BUSINESS BYTES There’s been a lot of discussion lately about what can be done with the space vacated when department stores close, and here’s one interesting idea. The Southdale Center in Edina, Minnesota will acquire a different kind of tenant to replace J.C. Penney in a three-story building: Life Time fitness centers will open early in 2019 with what is being called an “athletic resort.” Plans are for indoor and outdoor pools as well as a bistro. The facility will also offer basketball leagues, chiropractic help, physical therapy, a proactive medical practice, yoga, weight loss, and nutrition education. Life Time currently operates almost 125 centers around the country and is expanding. Its CEO says his vision is to turn shopping centers into “healthy lifestyle villages.” National Automobile Dealers Association data through April finds the average dealership has taken in $18.995 million through the first four months of the year, 0.9% less than this point last year. Gross profit has fallen 0.5% to $2.249 million and expenses have risen by 3.7% to $2.205 million, creating a 9.5% decline in net profit to $450,772 from $498,046 last year. “Luxury” dealerships are suffering the most—NADA says those dealerships are down 16.4% in total sales while “mass market” dealerships are up slightly at a gain of 0.9%. While sales for the average dealership are down in both the new-vehicle and used-vehicle departments, the Service, Parts, and Body Shop department operations are up 1.5% at the typical dealership, with warranty work up to 19.2% of sales from 17.9% last year. Those operations account for just 12.3% of dealership sales, but 48.5% of dealership profits. General Motors plans to continue to reduce sales to rental car companies through at least next year, continuing a policy that has contributed to a loss in market share but an increase in profits. GM’s North American president said sales to rental fleets will fall by about 50,000 units this year and more next year, which will make four straight years of declines. GM’s sales to rental fleets were as high as 16.1% of total sales in 2014 and were down to 11.7% last year with the percentage likely to dip into single digits. By selling fewer vehicles to rental fleets, GM keeps the residual values of its vehicles higher, which improves the economics of retail leasing and that can put customers in the market for a new vehicle more often. Automotive News notes GM’s retail sales are up 0.3% this year while the overall industry is down 2%.

PROBLEMS AHEAD FOR CUMULUS MEDIA? A story in the NY Post says things have gone from bad to worse at the second larget radio station owner in the U.S., Cumulus Media. They own 443 radio stations, 38 in major markets including New York, Los Angeles and Chicago. A quick look at the stock price tells the tale. Back in early 2014, Cumulus stock topped out at $64.04. When former Chief Executive Lew Dickey exited in September 2015, the stock was already an anemic $5.45. On Monday, Cumulus shares closed at 50 cents. Cumulus revenue was down 2.3% in 2016, but adjusted earnings were down over 20%. (NYPost.com)

WWSB ABC 7, the Raycom owned ABC affiliate in Sarasota, Florida seeks a dynamic Director of Sales to lead our team. This individual will have experience coaching, training and leading team members to consistently grow market share and revenue. Candidate must be an innovative leader who knows how to maximize revenue on all platforms including: Digital, OTT, Mobile, Social Media, and any new platform opportunities that may arise. CLICK HERE to learn more or to apply.

Be prepared to upload cover letter and resume. No phone calls please. EOE. WLBT, Raycom Media’s NBC affiliate in Jackson, MS has an opening for a Digital Sales Manager to work with other sales management to develop and grow digital revenue. The Digital Sales Manager will lead the station’s efforts in developing new and incremental digital business while reducing digital churn. The DSM will accompany sellers to presentations on a regular basis and assist directly in closing business.

CLICK HERE for more info or to apply now. No calls please. EOE.

TEMKIN: SUPERMARKETS, AUTOMOTIVE MOST TRUSTWORTHY The 2017 Temkin Trust Ratings, ranking 329 companies across 20 industries in terms of trust by consumers, finds the supermarket industry the most trustworthy in consumers’ eyes (a 68% rating), followed by automotive (66%) and investment firms (65%). As in many previous studies by many researchers, TV/internet services was by far the least trusted industry (36%) with the next lowest health plans (50%) and wireless (53%). H-E-B and Mercedes-Benz tied for the top spot among individual companies, each with an 82 rating. The now-merged (and name-changed) Time Warner Cable was at the very bottom with a 22% score, just slightly ahead of Comcast (23%).

6/13/2017

FunnyTweeter.com

CABLE COMPANY: Someone will be there between 6:30 am

and 9:45 pm.ME: That’s pretty vague.CC: Oh, sorry. It’ll be a

cable TV installer.

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