For the Record

Cox Selected as 2009 'Operator of the Year’

New York — The editors of Multichannel News have named Cox Communications the 2009 “Operator of the Year,” and will profile the Atlanta-based MSO in print and online in a Sept. 28 special report.

Each year, the magazine recognizes one operator that has set itself apart from the competition and has had an impact on the overall industry through a combination of vision, innovation and service.

This year, Cox was chosen for taking risks and delivering results in a range of areas — from high-speed data and telephony to video-on-demand — while continuing to receive high marks for its customer service.

Scripps Networks’ Cable Revenue Rises

Cincinnati — Cable networks managed to stay the course in the second quarter at Scripps Networks Interactive, with revenue at its cable stalwarts like HGTV, Fine Living and Food Network ticking up slightly while sales on the interactive side of the business fell sharply.

Overall revenue was down 3.7% to $391 million and consolidated net income, including one-time charges, rose 49% to $79.5 million (48 cents per share) vs. $53.3 million (33 cents per share) in the prior year.

Revenue at Scripps Lifestyle segment — which includes cable networks HGTV, Food, Fine Living, DIY and GAC — was $351 million in the period, up slightly from $349 million in the prior year. Affiliate fee revenue rose 15%. Advertising revenue at the segment dipped 3.8%, a slight improvement from the 4.6% decline in the first quarter. Segment profit for the unit was down slightly to $172 million from $175 million in the prior year.

Bloomberg Gets Multiplatform 'Charlie Rose’

New York — Come September, Charlie Rose will be making the rounds on Bloomberg’s multimedia platforms.

Charlie Rose, which will continue to air on more than 220 public-television stations nationwide, will broadcast a next-day international edition on Bloomberg Television. Monday through Friday evenings, viewers will see a special edition of the previous night’s Charlie Rose program that may include additional footage, commentary and illustrative data.

Bloomberg Radio’s global service will air the program nightly, while Bloomberg. com and the company’s mobile applications will deliver clips and links.

Hallmark Movie Channel Tapped for FiOS TV

New York — The standard-definition version of Hallmark Movie Channel is joining Verizon Communications’s FiOS TV.

The deal, terms of which were not disclosed, secures positioning for Hallmark Movie Channel across the telco’s TV footprint, according to the parties.

Verizon currently carries both Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movie Channel in high-definition. The launch completes Verizon FiOS TV’s family-friendly suite of offerings from the trusted Hallmark brand.