Coda

Upfront Talk from CNN

New York — CNN Ad Sales executive vice president and chief operating officer Greg D’Alba and his team still have miles to go before wrapping up customized upfront presentations to advertising agencies.

But the basic message is the same: When multiple platforms are tallied, CNN has the widest reach among all broadcast and cable networks and has a package of more than 30 programming specials grouped under nine subjects for sale during the 2009-10 season.

The news organization’s pitch points to information from the Nielsen TV/Internet Fusion database indicating that in January 27.7 million viewers watched CNN or went to CNN Digital Network online. Among that total were 18.2 million persons 25 to 54 (the so-called “news demo”), 15.8 million adults 18 to 49 and 5.3 million persons 18 to 34. Further, within the 25-to-54 set, there were 7.7 million households with annual income exceeding $100,000.

“CNN’s trust and credibility delivers an expansive audience that is very engaged in our diverse platforms,” said D’Alba.

Asked about the impact of MSNBC surpassing CNN in viewers and in the demo for the first time during the first quarter (Fox News Channel has ruled the cable news ratings roost for 87 months), D’Alba said that MSNBC “is competing on a shorter playing field for any day, week or hour. We have a significant long-field playing advantage.”

Without specifying sell-through, volume or CPM goals, D’Alba said overall he is “really encouraged” by CNN’s upfront prospects.

Last year, CNN and sister service HLN combined to generate $556.3 million in advertising revenue in 2008, up from $427.5 million in 2007, according to SNL Kagan estimates.

— Mike Reynolds

Overbuilder Grande Hints at Sale

San Marcos, Texas — Overbuilder Grande Communications could be moving closer to a sale, hinting in a securities filing that a third party may be trying to raise money for a bid.

Grande made the filing on April 8, essentially to dispel rumors that it was trying to raise money through a new credit facility to help finance a possible sale. Grande said those rumors were incorrect, although it is “aware of third-party efforts to finance a possible offer to purchase the company.”

Grande said it would not comment further.

That “third party” could be private-equity giant ABRY Partners. According to published reports, ABRY is close to securing a $125 million loan from SunTrust Bank to help finance a possible Grande bid. While the actual purchase price was not revealed, given that such deals can involve equity contributions of as much as 50%, the total bid could be worth up to $250 million.

Grande has about 146,000 customers in Texas, offering service to several communities including Austin, San Marcos, San Antonio, Waco, and parts of Houston. Revenue for the overbuilder rose 4% to $205.3 million in 2008 and cash flow rose 14.7% to $40.4 million.

— Mike Farrell

Digeo Summons More Moxi Vs. TiVo

Kirkland, Wash. — Paul Allen’s Digeo is doubling down on its retail strategy — to vie with TiVo for high-end home-entertainment buffs — by adding new Internet and home-networking features to the Moxi HD DVR.

Digeo has defended Moxi’s $799 retail price by noting the product — unlike TiVo DVRs — carries no monthly fees. Now the company is packing in features in the hopes to further justify the relatively high price tag.

Among the enhancements are PlayOn, digital media-server software installed on a PC, which allows Moxi users to browse and watch Internet videos from services such as Hulu and YouTube; and Web-browser bookmarking.

— Todd Spangler

YES Puts Yankees On FiOS VOD

New York — YES Network reached an agreement with Verizon’s FiOS TV to offer New York Yankees’ game telecasts and other programming on demand in New York state and in north and central New Jersey, the first VOD-affiliation pact for the regional sports ratings leader.

Starting April 8, FiOS TV subscribers have VOD access to Yankees Major League Baseball game telecasts and shows including the CenterStage interview show and The Joe Girardi Show with the Yankees’ manager, YES said.

The network, partly owned by the Yankees, said a game telecast would be available on demand after it had been replayed twice on YES.

— Kent Gibbons