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First Post
2 days ago
- Business
- First Post
Did money or politics cause Colbert cancellation? Either way, the economics are tough for TV
As recently as 2018, broadcast networks took in an estimated $439 million in advertising revenue for its late-night programs, according to the advertising firm Guidelines read more CBS says its decision to end Stephen Colbert's late-night comedy show is financial, not political. Yet even with the ample skepticism about that explanation, there's no denying the economics were not working in Colbert's favor. The network's bombshell announcement late Thursday that the 'Late Show' will end next May takes away President Donald Trump's most prominent TV critic and the most popular entertainment program in its genre. The television industry's declining economic health means similar hard calls are already being made with personalities and programming, with others to be faced in the future. For the late-night genre, there are unique factors to consider. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD As recently as 2018, broadcast networks took in an estimated $439 million in advertising revenue for its late-night programs, according to the advertising firm Guidelines. Last year, that number dwindled to $220 million. Once a draw for young men, now they've turned away Late-night TV was a particular draw for young men, considered the hardest-to-get and most valuable demographic for advertisers. Increasingly, these viewers are turning to streaming services, either to watch something else entirely or catch highlights of the late-night shows, which are more difficult for the networks to monetize. More broadly, the much-predicted takeover of viewers by streaming services is coming to pass. The Nielsen company reported that during the last two months, for the first time ever, more people consumed programming on services like YouTube and Netflix than on ABC, CBS and NBC or any cable network. Networks and streamers spent roughly $70 billion on entertainment shows and $30 billion for sports rights last year, said Brian Wieser, CEO of Madison & Wall, an advertising consultant and data services firm. Live sports is the most dependable magnet for viewers and costs for its rights are expected to increase 8% a year over the next decade. With television viewership declining in general, it's clear where savings will have to come from. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Wieser said he does not know whether Colbert's show is profitable or not for CBS and parent company Paramount Global, but he knows the direction in which it is headed. 'The economics of television are weak,' he said. In a statement announcing the cancellation, George Cheeks, Paramount Global's president and chief executive officer, said that 'This is purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night. It is not related in any way to the show's performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount.' Cheeks' problem is that not everyone believes him. Colbert is a relentless critic of Trump, and earlier this week pointedly criticized Paramount's decision to settle Trump's lawsuit against CBS over a '60 Minutes' interview with Kamala Harris. He called Paramount's $16 million payment to Trump a 'big fat bribe,' since the company is seeking the administration's approval of its merger with Skydance Media. On Friday, the Writers Guild of America called for an investigation by New York's attorney general into whether Colbert's cancellation is itself a bribe, 'sacrificing free speech to curry favor with the Trump administration as the company looks for merger approval.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD CBS' decision made this a pivotal week for the future of television and radio programming. Congress stripped federal funding for PBS and NPR, threatening the future of shows on those outlets. Journey Gunderson, executive director of the National Comedy Center, called the decision to end Colbert's show the end of an era. 'Late-night television has historically been one of comedy's most audience-accessible platforms — a place where commentary meets community, night after night,' Gunderson said. 'This isn't just the end of a show. It's the quiet removal of one of the few remaining platforms for daily comedic commentary. Trump, who has called in the past for CBS to terminate Colbert's contract, celebrated the show's upcoming demise. 'I absolutely love that Colbert got fired,' the president wrote on Truth Social. 'His talent was even less than his ratings.' Some experts questioned whether CBS could have explored other ways to save money on Colbert. NBC, for example, has cut costs by eliminating the band on Seth Meyers' late-night show and curtailing Jimmy Fallon's 'Tonight' show to four nights a week. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Could CBS have saved more money by cutting off the show immediately, instead of letting it run until next May, which sets up an awkward 'lame duck' period? Then again, Colbert will keep working until his contract runs out; CBS would have had to keep paying him anyway. CBS recently cancelled the 'After Midnight' show that ran after Colbert. But the network had signaled earlier this year that it was prepared to continue that show until host Taylor Tomlinson decided that she wanted to leave, noted Bill Carter, author of 'The Late Shift.'
The Star
12-07-2025
- General
- The Star
The Buddha's birthplace in Nepal avoids Unesco danger list
KATHMANDU: Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha and a Unesco World Heritage Site, has been spared inclusion on the List of World Heritage in Danger after the World Heritage Committee acknowledged Nepal's ongoing conservation and improvement efforts. The decision was made during the 47th session of the Unesco World Heritage Committee, held in Paris on Thursday (July 10), and was chaired by Bulgarian professor Nikolay Nenov. The committee decided not to place Lumbini on the danger list for one year, but will dispatch a reactive monitoring mission to evaluate the site's current condition. Unesco describes reactive monitoring as the process of reporting on the state of conservation of World Heritage properties that are under threat. According to Paragraph 169 of its Operational Guidelines, it is part of the procedure used to assess whether sites should be placed on the List of World Heritage in Danger or removed from the World Heritage List. The decision to defer inclusion came after discussions recognised conservation-friendly and reformative steps taken. Based on the findings of the upcoming monitoring mission, the committee will later decide whether Lumbini should be reconsidered for the danger list, said Gyanin Rai, senior director at the Lumbini Development Trust, who attended the session. Lumbini had been placed on the tentative danger list in 2024 following concerns raised in a 2022 monitoring report prepared by heritage experts Roland Lin Chih-Hung and Professor Yuga Kariya, who were deployed to the site by the World Heritage Centre and International Council on Monuments and Sites (Icomos). Discussions took place at the 46th session held in Delhi last year on whether Lumbini should be added to the danger list. At that time, an amendment proposal submitted by India resulted in Lumbini avoiding the listing. However, Nepal's proposals, concerns and suggestions regarding Lumbini were acknowledged, and a 12-point decision and directive were sent via the Nepali Embassy in France. Sanuraja Shakya, member-secretary of the Lumbini Development Trust, said Nepal had acted on all 12 points—covering conservation, legal clarity, and policy formulation—and submitted a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) report that yielded a favourable outcome. 'We addressed everything comprehensively,' he said. 'This has yielded good results. We will continue with conservation-focused work.' Officials said Unesco responded positively to Nepal's adoption of an integrated management framework and sector-specific strategies aimed at protecting and managing Lumbini's heritage. The five-sector strategies cover archaeology, visitor management, natural disasters, local development and engagement with the Buddhist community. The framework also serves as a broad guiding policy, while the sector strategies provide detailed operational plans. Additional efforts include conservation work on the Ashoka Pillar, Marker Stone and Nativity Sculptures using new technology to prevent seepage and maintain cleanliness—the moves that Unesco welcomed. Upgrades to the Maya Devi Temple included painting walls, installation of fans, lighting and electricity. Unesco had earlier urged Nepal to prepare a comprehensive, focused and results-oriented plan to keep Lumbini off the danger list. Effective on-site implementation—beyond written commitments—resulted in the current positive decision, said Rai. 'To keep Lumbini off the danger list, we invited global heritage experts and hosted the World Heritage International Conference, which proved highly impactful,' Rai said. Shakya added that Nepal thoroughly studied Unesco's past recommendations to understand points of concern and submitted a detailed State of Conservation report. The preparation involved close coordination with national and international experts, ministries, and the Department of Archaeology, he said. The 47th session of the Unesco World Heritage Committee runs in Paris from July 6 to 16. Unesco enlisted Lumbini in the World Heritage List in 1997. The UN body has repeatedly expressed concerns regarding human activities and the construction of various structures in the Lumbini area. The extended 45th session of the World Heritage Committee, held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from September 10-25, 2023, sought clarification from the trust. Accordingly, the World Heritage Committee wrote a ten-point letter seeking clarification before February 1, 2024. The trust replied to the World Heritage Committee before the set deadline. The UN agency expressed concern about the construction of an assembly hall and other structures in the area. - The Kathmandu Post/ANN
Borneo Post
05-07-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Sarawak launches guidelines for competency training, licensing in water supply sector
Julaihi (third right) shows the newly launched guideline book during the event while (from third left) Sharbini, Ibrahim and Jafri look on. — Photo by Mohd Faisal Ahmad KUCHING (July 5): Sarawak, through its Ministry of Utility and Telecommunication (MUT), has officially launched the Guidelines for Accredited Institutions on Competency Training and Examination for Main Layer and Pipe Fitter Licences 2025. The launch took place on Friday during the MUT Service Excellence Awards (APC) and Innovation Awards 2024 held at a resort in Santubong. Speaking at the event, State Minister of Utility and Telecommunication, Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi, said the guidelines were introduced to provide a structured framework for accredited institutions to conduct training and examinations for the issuance of Main Layer and Pipe Fitter licences. 'This measure aims to strengthen competency standards and improve the overall quality and efficiency of water supply service delivery in the state,' he said. Julaihi added that the newly introduced guidelines not only serve as a foundation for implementing competency training and examinations, but also contribute to improving the quality of pipe-laying and installation work within the industry. He emphasised that the initiative aligns with Sarawak's effort to bolster the state's water supply sector. 'This forms one of the key criteria to ensure the smooth implementation of water supply projects in Sarawak, as it serves as an important prerequisite, particularly for contractors registered with the Contractor and Consultant Registration Unit (UPKJ),' he said. Julaihi further noted that in response to the increasing demand for skilled manpower, his ministry will continue to expand cooperation with qualified institutions to develop a larger pool of competent workers. 'I believe it is also necessary, where possible, to extend outreach to relevant stakeholders, especially our youth, so we can gather greater participation in training programmes for Main Layer and Pipe Fitter certifications in the near future,' he added. He also said the Sarawak government is also working to increase the number of competent persons in the electricity sector. 'One of the key challenges we face in implementing the Additional Late Applicant Fund (ALAF) across Sarawak is the insufficient number of competent persons available to enable contractors to carry out works effectively across the state.' Also present were State Deputy Minister of Utility (Sarawak Energy Berhad and Petros) Dato Ibrahim Baki; State Ministry of Utility and Telecommunication permanent secretary Datu Jafri Lias; and Sarawak Energy Berhad chief executive officer Datuk Sharbini Suhaili. julaihi narawi utility ministry water guidelines
The Print
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Print
Why Union Minister Suresh Gopi-starrer ‘Janaki' is in censor board's crosshairs
Ironically, the notice was sent to the film makers on the day the movie was scheduled for a world-wide release. In a show cause notice dated 27 June, issued to the makers of Malayalam feature film JSK–Janaki v/s State of Kerala, the Board asked them to change the name of the lead character 'Janaki' in the title and dialogues, or wherever it occurs in the movie. The objection is under Clauses 2(xii) and 6 of the Guidelines for certification of Films of Public Exhibition. New Delhi: The word 'Janaki' is provocative, vulgar, offensive and contemptuous of race and religion. Or so the Central Board for Film Certification (CBFC) thinks. To make matters worse, the Board's notice gave liberty to the production company to appeal against the former's order before a tribunal that has been abolished. The notice said the company, if aggrieved by its order, can move the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT) within 30 days. However, with the notification of the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021, FCAT no longer exists. In Hindu mythology, 'Janaki' specifically refers to Sita, the wife of Lord Ram. The notice has now been challenged in the Kerala High Court, where the film producer has claimed that the Board's move is not just discriminatory, but also lacks consistency. In the writ petition filed before the HC, the producer—Cosmos Entertainment—claimed that many films with the word 'Janaki' in the title have been released in the past, with CBFC's clearance. Besides, films with titles or lead characters with names referencing other Hindu figures too have been screened without any objection from the Board, the petition claims. Therefore, the Board's move to block JSK—Janaki v/s State of Kerala—amounts to selective targeting and demonstrates non-application of mind, which is an arbitrary exercise of power, says the petition. The petition further asserts that the continued use of the name 'Janaki' in Indian cinema underscores that it is not intrinsically offensive or controversial. During a hearing Tuesday, the Kerala HC bench of Justice N. Nagaresh accepted the production company's suggestion to view the film before deciding on the petition. The film shall be screened for him on 7 July at 10 am at Lal Media, Palarivattom. Though the CBFC has officially not given reasons for the show cause notice it issued to the production company, before the court its lawyer had contended that the character 'Janaki' in the film is sexually assaulted. Speaking to ThePrint, the production company's advocate Anand Menon said that the objection came as a surprise to his client. 'When the movie was previewed in Trivandrum, the board's representatives orally told the production company that the movie would receive a UA 13+ certificate for its release,' he said. Also the Board's examining committee had cleared the movie. Sub-clause 12 of Clause 2 of the said guidelines provides that the Board shall ensure that the visuals or words that are contemptuous of racial, religious or other groups are not presented. Clause 6 authorises the Board to scrutinise the titles of the films carefully and ensure they are not provocative, vulgar, offensive or violative of any other guidelines. CBFC derives these delegated powers from sections 5B(1) and 5B(2) of the Cinematograph Act, 1952 that enumerates guiding principles to certify films. Under section 5B(1), the Board can decline to certify a film for public exhibition if the film or any part of it is against the interests of the security of the State, friendly relations with a foreign State, public order, decency or morality, or involves defamation or contempt of court or is likely to incite the commission of offence. The Guidelines for Certification of Films of Public Exhibition, which have been invoked to raise objection against JSK—Janaki v/s State of Kerala, have been issued by the Centre under section 5B(2) of the Act. This provision says the Centre can set out principles that will guide the competent authority to clear the film for release Significantly, the production company's advocate Anand Menon said that the Board has not recommended any other cuts or modifications, which indicate that the film, otherwise, satisfies the statutory certification standards. 'The refusal to certify the film solely on the basis of a fictional name reflects an excessive, unreasonable and disproportionate exercise of discretion,' he said. As per the petition in the HC, the CBFC had on 28 March issued a teaser certificate to the film without any objections. On 18 June, the film was screened before the CBFC's examination committee. When the production house did not receive any feedback from CBFC, it moved a petition in HC, seeking its intervention in light of the inaction and delay on the Board's part in issuing the censor certificate. During a hearing of this petition on 25 June, the Board told the HC it had constituted a revising committee to view the film and that it would file its report before the court. Two days later, however, the movie producer received the show-cause notice, objecting to the film's name. According to the production house, the film is slated for theatrical release in 21 countries and any disruption now will result in escalated logistics and distribution costs. The direction to change the name 'Janaki' in the title and dialogues at this belated stage will impose an unreasonable and disproportionate burden on the film's producers as implementing the change would require extensive re-dubbing by at least 16 voice artists, the petition points out. This will be 'commercially catastrophic, operationally impracticable and manifestly arbitrary,' the petition has said. Lead actor Suresh Gopi would alone have to re-dub over 96 instances where the name 'Janaki' appears. This is likely to take 15 days, whereas the film is scheduled to release in five languages and corresponding re-dubbing in all those languages would also be necessitated. CBFC's objection also threatens to disrupt the movie's release on OTT platforms since the contractual terms require the production company to hand over the final cut of the film by 30 July. (Edited by Viny Mishra) Also read: 127 cuts for Punjab '95 shows institutional paranoia
NDTV
03-07-2025
- Business
- NDTV
Centre Proposes Changes To TRP Policy To Boost Competition
New Delhi: In a bid to encourage competition, the government has proposed to remove entry barriers for companies keen to foray in the sector of television viewership measurement ecosystem. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has proposed amendments to the Policy Guidelines for Television Rating Agencies-2014 to ensure that the TRP system reflects the diverse and evolving media consumption habits of viewers across the country. The proposed changes include the deletion of key clauses - 1.5 and 1.7 - that earlier restricted cross-holdings between rating agencies and broadcasters, advertisers, or advertising agencies. The Ministry has invited feedback on the draft amendments by August 1 from viewers, broadcasters, advertisers or concerned citizens. The Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) is the only agency providing TV ratings, but it does not track connected TV device viewership, despite it being a major trend. Currently, India has approximately 230 million television households. However, only about 58,000 people meters are used at present to capture viewership data, representing just 0.025 per cent of the total TV homes. "This relatively limited sample size may not adequately represent the diverse viewing preferences across regions and demographics," an official statement said. It said the existing audience measurement technology does not sufficiently capture viewership on emerging platforms such as smart TVs, streaming devices, and mobile applications, which are witnessing growing adoption among audiences. The proposed amendments to Clause 1.4 of the Guidelines seek to introduce an easier-to-comply provision to explicitly prevent rating agencies from engaging in consultancy or advisory services that may result in a conflict of interest with their primary role. The proposed amendments aim to allow multiple agencies to foster healthy competition, bring in new technologies, and provide more reliable and representative data especially for connected TV platforms, an official statement said. "As viewing habits evolve, so must the way we measure them. The amendments will also enable more investments from broadcasters, advertisers, and other stakeholders to improve rating technology and infrastructure," it said. With these reforms, India aims to build a more transparent, inclusive, and technology-driven TV rating ecosystem. The existing policies had entry barriers that discouraged new players from entering the TV ratings sector. Cross-holding restrictions also prevented broadcasters or advertisers from investing in rating agencies.
