AFRICAN AMERICANS LOVE AFFAIR WITH PREMIUM TV ,IS COMING TO AN END?

According to a new Horowitz study,Black subscribers have long been some of pay TV's best customers.  Among the highest spenders on home TV, Internet, and phone services, Black households are the most likely to subscribe to digital add-ons like DVR, HD, and premium channels.  But recently-released data from Horowitz's 2014 FOCUS African America study indicate that Blacks, along with other multicultural audiences, are more likely than their White counterparts to consider cutting the cable cord.  
According to the study, Black audiences are some of the most passionate viewers of television content, with 40% of Black respondents saying they are "really into TV" compared to 33% of total urban respondents.  Consistent with previous years, Blacks also spend the most time watching TV content, with 39% reporting watching six or more hours per day.
"To date, cord-cutting has not had as big an impact on the pay TV business as many feared," notes Adriana Waterston, Horowitz's SVP, Marketing and Business Development, "but technology is a bigger disruptor among multicultural audiences, who tend to be early—and enthusiastic—adopters."
Blacks continue to be at the leading edge of new viewing technologies, with 36% of Black viewers saying new technologies are enabling them to watch more TV than ever before.  Furthermore, Black viewers report spending 23% of their TV viewing time streaming content.  In contrast, White viewers report spending 18% of their TV time streaming. View chart.
Black multichannel subscribers are twice as likely as Whites to report being likely to cancel their TV service in the next six months (20% vs. 10%).  Findings suggest that a greater reliance on new video technologies, rather than a lack of interest in TV, may be a contributing factor.  While Blacks who are likely to cord-cut report being "really into TV" at the same rate as total Blacks, these potential cord-cutters spend a higher percentage of their viewing time on alternative platforms (28%). View chart.
"The variety of consumer choices today is a game-changer," asserts Waterston.  "As online on-demand viewing becomes increasingly normalized and expected, MVPDs will need to focus on proving the value proposition of pay TV to retain their most valuable, tech-forward customers."
FOCUS African America is conducted among urban heads of household who are TV viewers. The 2014 edition is now available. 

Vote For The Best Rendition Of The Iconic Folgers® Jingle for A Chance To Win $10,000!

From PRNewswire 

Wake up, America, and see what's brewing in the Folgers® Jingle Contest. Visit www.Folgers.com/Jingle to meet the artists whose original renditions of the iconic Folgers Best Part of Wakin' Up™ jingle have earned them a spot in the Top 10. Cast one vote each day through June 19 for chances to win the $10,000 grand prize and daily prizes including Folgerscoffee for a year, iTunes® gift cards, signed Gavin DeGraw CDs and coffee mugs.

To view the multimedia content, please click: http://www.multivu.com/players/English/59903-folgers-jingle-contest/

Meet the inspiring Top 10 Jingle Contest finalists:

• Andrew David P., Fenton, MI
• Ben S., Nacogdoches, TX
• Chris C., Dublin, OH
• Djamila O., Harlingen, TX
• Enoch K., Chicago, IL
• Jon-Michael S., El Cajon, CA
• Kari F., West Henrietta, NY
• Sawyer F., Carthage, NC
• Stephanie P., Arlington, TX
• Willy R., Council Bluffs, IA

Earlier this year, the makers of Folgers Coffee and multi-platinum recording artist Gavin DeGraw teamed up to invite aspiring musicians to submit an original interpretation of the classic Best Part of Wakin' Upjingle. The Top 10 finalists found ways to weave passion, optimism and great coffee into their entries andFolgers is proud to share their inspired submissions with coffee enthusiasts everywhere.

"I was blown away by the different ways each of these ten artists blended their musical talent and unique style with the iconic Folgers Jingle," said Gavin DeGraw. "Building upon something everyone can relate to, like the jingle, and using it as a foundation to express your own thoughts and ideas is what being a songwriter and musician is all about."

Following the Online Vote, the winning rendition will be announced on or about June 24, 2013. For Official Rules, a list of daily prizes and complete details visit Folgers.com/jingle.  Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and D.C., 18 years of age and older. Void where prohibited.

No musical talent? No problem! Now everyone can put their words to the tune of the iconic Folgers jingle! Download Insta-Jingle, the newest iPhone® mobile digital device app from Folgers, powered by Smule®, available for free download at the App Store^SM. Choose from three genres including rock, country and R&B. Or, try all three to create a variety of different jingles you can share with your friends and family via Facebook, Twitter, or email.

JENNIFER LAWRENCE: FRUGAL BABE.

WILL PEPPER POTTS FIGHT SIDE-BY-SIDE, WITH IRON MAN?

SHARK TANK OFFERS OVER $500K IN LAST WEEK SHOW. From Sony pictures TV Last Friday's episode of Sony Pictures Television's hit ABC reality series, SHARK TANK, emerged as the #1 show among Adults 18-49 and Adults 25-54, and hit new Friday night highs among Men 18-49 and Men 25-54. The Sharks engaged in a series of tough negotiations with entrepreneurs, making investment offers totaling $650,000 -- bringing the season-to-date total of investment offers from the Sharks to over $2.5 million. After a heated battle between real estate mogul Barbara Corcoran and fashion and branding expert Daymond John, Queenie Davis and Andrew Goodrum from Rochester, NY, received an offer from Corcoran for $100,000 in exchange for 55% of her innovative shoe accessory, Boot Illusion. The add-on can turn any shoe into a boot. Corcoran then partnered with billionaire Mark Cuban to offer Fleetwood Hicks from Dallas, TX, $500,000 in exchange for 42% of his business, Villy Customs. The bike is designed on an interactive website making each one distinctly individual. Additionally, James Pittman from Buena Park, CA, turned down Corcoran's offer to invest $250,000 in exchange for 50% of Airbedz, his custom made air mattress that fits in the back of a pickup truck. Also, in a follow-up story, Shelly Ehler from Ladera Ranch, CA, was interviewed about the success of her ShowNo towels. The unique towel design provides coverage when changing out of a swimsuit in public places. With Lori Greiner's investment earlier this season, ShowNo is now available in Walt Disney World's two water parks in Florida. Entrepreneur and the inventor of Rollerblades, Scott Olson, from Waconia, MN, was unable to convince the Sharks to invest in his newest invention, Skyride, an elevated mono-rail bike system. Tune in to ABC on Friday, May 11 at 8 PM ET/PT when investors Mark Cuban, Barbara Corcoran, Kevin O'Leary, Robert Herjavec and Daymond John as they face a new round of entrepreneurs including two college students from Eugene, OR, who started their flavored peanut butter business from their dorm room; a music producer from El Segundo, CA, who wants to convince the Sharks to add a rock band to their portfolios; two guys from New York with what they believe is the next big trend in swimwear – interchangeable bikini wear; and Billy Blanks, Jr., the once-homeless son of Tae Bo legend Billy Blanks, from Canoga Park, CA, asks the Sharks to invest in his and his wife's dance fitness program designed for all ages, shapes and sizes. Additionally, in a follow-up story, Steve Gadlin from Evanston, IL is interviewed about his I Want To Draw A Cat For You drawing business, which Mark Cuban invested in earlier this season. The panel of five Sharks hears pitches of the best business and product ideas from some of America's brightest entrepreneurs. When the Sharks hear a great idea, they're ready to fight each other for a piece of it. If and when the Sharks are confronted with a really top-notch idea, and more than one of them wants to sink their teeth into it, a war between them can erupt.

COMEDY SHOWDOWN-NEWCOMER HART VS. EDDIE MURPHY (,WHEN HE WAS STILL FUNNY.)

EDWARD CULLEN USES HIS MILLIONS, TO BUY BELLA A MANSION

CBS CONTINUES TO MAKE TOO MUCH DAMN MONEY.

From PR Newswire

"CBS's strategy of producing and distributing industry-leading content around the world and across multiple platforms continues to pay off," said Sumner Redstone, Executive Chairman, CBS Corporation. "Our programming gets stronger every year, and our financial performance grows more and more robust. I am proud of the efforts of Leslie and his team, and I am certain CBS will continue to be a powerhouse throughout this year and beyond."


"2011 was a record year for CBS, and we're confident 2012 will be even better," said Leslie Moonves, President and Chief Executive Officer, CBS Corporation. "In the fourth quarter, margins continued to expand, and EPS continued to grow. And we've recently taken strategic steps to accelerate our growth in what we see as an improving marketplace. We've reached another key retransmission agreement, and we've extended our NFL contract well into the future. In addition, the performance of the CBS Television Network in the first half of this season was the industry's best in decades. Plus, as the election season progresses and the automotive rebound continues, our local businesses will continue to improve. What's particularly exciting, however, is our ability to capitalize on the fundamental changes in our business model, meaning that the ways we get paid for our content are becoming more lucrative all the time. As our momentum builds and our revenue mix becomes more steady and recurring, we are positioned to enhance margins, drive earnings, and return significant value to our shareholders for many years to come."

Revenues were $3.78 billion for the fourth quarter of 2011 compared with $3.90 billion for the fourth quarter of 2010, which included the second-cycle syndication sale of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and significant political advertising. Revenues in 2011 benefited from the Company's new digital streaming agreements and higher affiliate and subscription fees, including retransmission revenues.

Full year 2011 revenues of $14.25 billion increased 1% from the prior year, led by growth in higher-margin revenues, including a 6% rise in content licensing and distribution revenues, which were driven by new digital streaming agreements; a 9% increase in affiliate and subscription fee revenues; and growth in underlying advertising revenues. Comparability of revenues for 2011 was affected by the benefits to 2010 from CBS Television Network's broadcast of Super Bowl XLIV and significant political advertising revenues for midterm elections, as well as the new programming agreement for the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship ("NCAA Tournament"), which resulted in lower revenues but higher profits for 2011.

IT'S OFFICIAL, DIVORCE IMMINENT FOR ASHTON KUTHCER AND DEMI MOORE.