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Discusses CBS Broadcast Group 's mounting business problems following affiliate New World Communications Group's decision to switch its twelve television stations to Fox Broadcasting Co. 1993 ratings and revenue; CBS Chairman Laurence Tisch's narrow focus on broadcast; Fox owner Rupert Murdoch's business vision; Impact of stations' defections to television program `Evening News with Dan Rather and Connie Chung.'

Focuses on the entertainment industry in the United States. Contribution to the economy in employment and consumer spending; Establishment of a staggering array of theme parks, theaters, casinos and ball parks; Amusement industry as driving force for new technology; Rise in consumer spending on amusement despite the economic recession; Gambling as fastest-growing sector of the industry; More.

States that corporate struggle for digital technology is on. Why it is difficult to assess the significance of this technology; Developments at firms such as Time Warner, Tele-Communications, News Corp., Sony, and Walt Disney; Additional information. INSETS: Placing bets on the multimedia future.;What the money-runners are chasing, by Jeffrey M. Laderman..

The article reports on the consolidation trend in the film and television business in the U.S. as of December 1994. Former Walt Disney Studios chairman Jeffrey Katzenberg, teammates David Geffen and Steven Spielberg have teamed up with Capital/Cities ABC Inc. president Robert A. Iger to form a televsion studio. Intensifying the competition are government regulations concerning the ownership of TV programs by broadcast networks.

Discusses cable operator Comcast Corp.'s proposed takeover bid for home shopping network QVC Network Incorporated. Implications for QVC's proposed merger with CBS; Comcast Chairman Brian L. Roberts' business relationship with QVC Chairman Barry Diller; Speculations about QVC shareholder John C. Malone's next move concerning the company. INSET: HERB ALLEN'S MEDIA-FEST: SUDDENLY, A STAR IS UNBORN.

Reports on the economic conditions of the cable companies in the United States. Reduction of cable rates by the federal government by 17 percent; Deals between the cable and telephone companies; Scarce funding and channel capacity affecting the role of the cable companies in the development of information superhighway; Actions of some cable companies; Call for policy reforms.

Focuses on the performance of television networks in the U.S. Acceleration in the decline of network viewership reported by A. C. Nielsen Co.; Rise in rates of television networks despite shrinking market share; Statistics related to the advertising sales of the networks; Terms of negotiation between the networks and the advertisement buyers. INSET: Why the networks can't change channels on Nielsen, by S. Duffy..

The article ponders on whether U.S. President Barack Obama can address the challenges facing the nation on his second term, which will begin on January 20, 2013. Issues that require a bipartisan solution are mentioned, including unemployment, housing and immigration. Some Democrats are anticipated to push for legislation to reduce carbon footprint in response to the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, which devastated parts of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. INSET: Take Two.

The article discusses the belief of the international community that Iran is close to building a nuclear weapon. According to the author, tensions were raised in the last 10 years, with Iran's defiance on its nuclear program of the United Nations. Headed by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad who claims that the nuclear program of Iran is for generation of energy, Iran has been subjected to a series of economic sanctions including the freezing of Iranian assets in the U.S.

Discusses the media landscape awaiting Chris-Craft Industries Inc. and Paramount Communications Inc.'s new television (TV) network United Paramount to be launched in January 1995. Hiring of former Fox Broadcasting Co. Chairman Lucie Salhany to run the network; Chris-Craft Chairman Herbert J. Siegel; Network's marquee show `Star Trek: Voyager'; Competition in the TV network industry.

Evaluates the relationship between television networks and their affiliated stations. Defection of eight CBS affiliates to Fox Broadcasting Co.; Comments from Fox chairman Rupert Murdoch; Fox as a viable alternative to the three major networks in the United States; Growing independence of affiliates. INSET: Murdoch in Asia: Think globally broadcast locally...

Profiles N W Ayer Inc. CEO Steve Dworin. Reasons for Dworin's replacement of Jerry J. Siano as chief executive on April 18, 1994; Advertising accounts lost by company; Ayer's troubles stemming from a shortage of capital; Need to link into a global network to compete with Ogilvy & Mather Inc. in overseas presence.

Discusses possible deals brought about by the deregulation of broadcast networks. Lifting of antitrust consent decree restricting networks' financial interest in their programs; Return of Thomas S. Murphy as chief executive officer of Cap Cities; Deals with Paramount and Turner Broadcasting; Alliance between NBC and Turner; John C. Malone's negotiations with Fox Broadcasting Company.

Reports on the alliances formed by companies bidding for Paramount Communications Inc. Viacom's partnership with Nynex and Blockbuster Entertainment; QVC Network Inc.'s partnership with Baby Bells; Involvement of Time Warner Inc.

Reports on Paramount Communications Inc. merger with Viacom International Inc. Cost to Viacom; Paramount as an asset for companies planning to compete in digital media; QVC Network Inc.'s consideration of a counteroffer to Viacom's proposals; Terms of the merger agreement.

Reports on the growing congressional outcry against television violence. ABC network's `Murder in the Heartland'; Television ratings; Lobbyists' contentions.

Questions why there is so much confusion in the polls analyzing the presidential race. Voter opinions more fickle than usual; Marketers doubting their research; Tarnished reliability of public opinion research; Those who duck surveys; Consumers and voters clamming up.

Presents information on the recession in the television industry in the U.S. Criticism on the coverage of President George Bush's fishing trip at Florida Keys; Budget constraints have changed the newscasts that 27 million American households watch each evening; Restructuring of the network news; Loss due to the coverage of the Persian gulf war; Fall in advertising revenue; Lay off of staffs by CBS News; Increase in competition.

Reports that after growing at an eight percent average annual rate in the 1980s, inflation-adjusted revenues for the $2.4 billion market research industry declined one percent in 1990 in the U.S. Information on Pillsbury and other packaged-goods giants; Reduction of profits at big research firms; Views of technically minded researchers.

Focuses on new advertising agencies of several airline companies in the U.S. Reason for changing the advertising agency of Trans World Airlines Inc.; Deterioration of professionals in the airline business; Report that airlines want their agencies to generate growing amounts of day-to-day advertising to promote frequently changing fares.

Presents a report on how over the past four months, Japan has been waging a costly battle to expand into the United States luxury-auto market. Discussion on why Japanese luxury-car strategy may take a long time to pan out in today's soft market; View of Video Storyboard Tests, a market-research firm, regarding the spot for a new car campaign; Information on Toyota Motor Corp., which last fall introduced the Lexus luxury line of automobiles.

Reports on developments about television network acquisitions. Withdrawal of prospective buyers for CBS following Chairman Laurence A. Tisch's insistence on a high price; Ted Turner's claim that his shareholders Time Warner block his deal to buy NBC; Time Warner's negotiation to buy NBC from General Electric Co. INSET: The Network Shuffle.

Comments on the financial problems faced by media and marketing company Whittle Communications LP in the U.S. in 1994. Employee layoffs between 1992 and 1993; Plans to spin-off the company's business units; Background information on owner and media entrepreneur Christopher Whittle.

Reports on the joint venture between Cox Enterprises Inc. and Times Mirror Co. for the operation of cable television. Continental Cablevision as Cox's rival bidder for Times Mirror's cable operations; Economic aspects and consequences of the joint venture; Cox chairman James Cox Kennedy's strategies for dealing with Cox's return to public ownership and produce cable television programming.

Reports on confidence on the continued growth of cable-telephone technology despite the dissolution of cable joint ventures. Complaints about the Federal Communications Commission's rate regulations; American Telephone & Telegraph Co.'s proposed acquisition of McCaw Cellular Communications; Southwestern Bell's opting against restructuring its deal to account for Cox Enterprises Inc.'s reduced cash flow.

Opinion. Comments on lawmakers and the Justice Department's efforts to guarantee free competition among makers of cable converter boxes. Concern that cable companies are impeding new technologies in the delivery of advanced video services; Viacom's antitrust suit against Tele-Communications Inc.; Debates between television makers and cable companies on whether boxes should offer an onscreen menu of channels.

Presents a forecast on the United States entertainment industry for 1994. It reports that in the U.S. the entertainment industry, the latter part of 1993 was one big rerun of television host Monty Hall's old show, "Let's Make a Deal." Cable-TV companies linked up with studios, telephone companies reached out for cable companies, and even home-video giant Blockbuster Entertainment Corp. guaranteed itself a source of tapes by buying a pair of Hollywood production companies. In the year 1994, the investment bankers expect more hostile takeovers, and heftier prices. None may match the $30 billion merger of phone company Bell Atlantic Corp. and cable giant Tele-Communications Inc.

Opinion. Reports on the ruling by Alexandria, Virginia district Judge T.S. Ellis III's disallowing Bell Atlantic Corp. from entering the television-programming business. Move by Bell to build digital companies; Offer of movies and interactive services to consumers; Ruling as boosting cooperation among phone and cable companies.

The article explores the plans of U.S. media executive Barry Diller for the teleshopping company QVC Network Inc. It mentions Diller's intention of dominating electronic retailing with the company's proposal to merge with its competitor Home Shopping Network Inc. Aside from cable operator Comcast, he has also the support of John C. Malone, chief executive officer of Tele-Communications Inc. and chairman of Liberty Media Corp. Malone controls Home Shopping Network through Liberty and this helps ensure that the QVC merger will go through.

This article reports on the plan of corporate manager Ronald O. Perelman to acquire several media firms in the U.S. in June 1993. Last February, Perelman struck a deal for control of SCI Television Inc., a chain of six television stations. Now media watchers are wondering whether Perelman will use SCI as a springboard for bigger leaps, He already owns a Hollywood production company, New World Entertainment Group. And he recently bought 50% of a television program distributor, Genesis Entertainment. Some media executives predict that Perelman will try to assemble an ad hoc television network, supplying SCI's stations with his programming and selling them to advertisers as a package.

This article reports that TV newscaster Connie Chung will join Dan Rather as co-anchor of the CBS Evening News in the U.S. starting June 1, 1993. The CBS TV network says Chung's appointment is an attempt to propel the news program ahead of its rivals. Rather favors the arrangement because it frees him up to focus on his own magazine show, 48 Hours. He also wants to do more field reporting for the Evening News. Chung, on the other hand, will divide her time between the news and a prime-time magazine entitled, Eye to Eye With Connie Chung. The move made by CBS will put pressure on third-placer NBC Nightly News.

This article reports on the plan by actor Bill Cosby to acquire National Broadcasting Co. (NBC). In a move that has surprised and intrigued media mavens, the entertainer has taken the first steps toward acquiring NBC from owner General Electric (GE) Co. Cosby has not made a formal offer to GE. But his talent agency, William Morris Agency Inc., informed NBC president Robert C. Wright of Cosby's intentions on October 23, 1992. Wright insisted the network is not for sale, according to Norman Brokaw, chairman of William Morris. Cosby's lawyer, Herbert H. Chaice, says he and Brokaw are lining up bankers to advise them on a possible bid. Cosby is only the latest in a parade of Hollywood honchos who are said to be interested in NBC.

The article discusses how media experts say Duke University's thrilling victory on March 28, 1992 could boost television viewership of the final three games of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) tournament by more than 920,000 households. It is a good news for Eveready Battery Co. and ITT Corp., which have bought commercial time during the semifinal games. CBS Broadcasting Inc. is set to air the semifinals on April 4, 1992 and the NCAA Championship game on Monday, April 6. Advertisers are not the only folks cheering Blue Devils. CBS Inc. won an 11.9 Nielsen rating for the game, or 10.9 million TV households.

The article focuses on the corporate strategies of Robert Wright, president of National Broadcasting Company Inc. (NBC) in the U.S. Wright is considered to be a cost conscious executive. According to Wright, he would rather see NBC lose the ratings race than spend millions of dollars. According to investment bankers, Wright tried hard to sell off all or parts of the network last year, but he was frustrated by the bad regulatory environment.

The article reports on the plan of Alexander Kroll as chief executive officer of Young & Rubicam. Kroll is looking to rejuvenate the creative drive of the biggest advertising company in the United States. He is also looking for growth overseas as a key source of income. Kroll is predicting that the company could grow to as much as 60 percent.

Presents information on media baron Robert Maxwell. Discussion on his deal with "Daily News"; Information on his public and private companies; Publisher to take on a fabled New York City newspaper; Views of analysts; Discussion on the entrepreneur's finances; Strategy to make money in a dying tabloid market; Comparison with media baron Rupert Murdoch; Problems faced by Maxwell; Signs of a struggle.

Presents information on the donation of 20,000 cases of Coke by Coca-Cola Co. to American troops in Saudi Arabia. Information that over Labor Day weekend, refrigerated trucks filled with Coke made five trips under armed escort to base camps near the Kuwaiti border; Coverage of the gesture on Cable News Network and in the newspaper "The Washington Post"; Claim that with U.S. troops digging in their heels in Saudi Arabia, companies all around the country are vying to supply them with everything from nonalcoholic beer to videocassettes.

This article presents information related to certain legislative bills concerning advertising sponsored by various U.S. legislators. Senator Edward M. Kennedy is sponsoring a bill which permits state regulation of tobacco advertising. Senator Albert Gore and Representative Joseph Kennedy II are sponsoring a bill that requires advertisers to put health warnings on all alcohol advertisements.

Presents information on the broadcast of U.S. advertisements in the Soviet Union and the future market for U.S. advertising agencies. Description of a 12-minute commercial by Procter & Gamble which was aired during conductor Mstislav Rostropovich's televised homecoming; Need for the advertisement agencies to spend a lot of time and money before the markets in the East develop enough to support advertising profitably; Use of potential local clients to find out what the agencies can do; Exploration of the U.S. advertising market in the Soviet Union and East European countries.