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sales@spotsndots.com Copyright 2017.The Daily News of TV Sales Thursday, March 2, 2017

TRUCK & SUV SALES UP, TOTAL SALES DOWN IN FEB.VW REBOUNDS; GM HANGS TOUGH Most car and truck makers saw sales drop in February, although strong truck and SUV demand helped General Motors, Honda and Nissan outperform the industry, along with a few of the smaller makers—notably Volkswagen A.G. Total industry sales slipped 1.1% to 1.33 million. Even so, the seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of sales was 17.57 million, which is still on par with the record pace of 2016—so this could still be a strong year for auto sales. “Our retail-focused go-to-market strategy is delivering robust results,” said GM U.S. sales VP Kurt McNeil. He noted that all GM brands grew their average transaction price, gaining $570 per unit to $34,900. GM’s total sales were up 4.2% to 237,388. Truck brand GMC led the way, up 17.2%, with Chevrolet up 3.4%, Cadillac down 8.6% and Buick down 9.4%. Nissan North America saw sales rise 3.7% to 135,740, with sales of crossovers, trucks and SUVs setting a February record. The Nissan brand was up 1.2% and the luxury Infiniti nameplate soared 32.5%. American Honda grew unit sales 2.3% to 121,686, with Honda up 4.3%, but the luxury Acura brand down 14.9%. Showing a recovery from its diesel PR damage, Volkswagen A.G. grew sales by 13.3% to 42,678. Importantly, a large portion of that was from the flagship Volkswagen brand, up 12.7%. The Bentley luxury brand jumped 150%, with Audi up 17.3% and Porsche 2.3%. The Ram truck brand was up 3.6% for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, but that wasn’t nearly enough to counter negative numbers for other FCA bands, so total sales dropped 10.1% to 168,326. The only other brand to gain was tiny Alfa Romeo, up 842.6%. Dodge was down 6.6%, Fiat 19.1%, Jeep 14.7% and Chrysler 28.1%. FCA said it has been reducing low-margin rental fleet sales, so retail sales were down only 3%. Ford Motor Company also said retail sales were down only 3%, while total units (including fleet) were down 4.0% to 207,464. Also, car sales were down 24%, while SUVs were up 6% to a February record and F-Series truck sales gained 9%. Lincoln sales were up 8.8%, while the Ford brand was down 4.5%. Toyota Motor Sales saw a 7.2% decline to 174,339. Toyota (including a few remaining Scion cars) fell 5.4% and Lexus was down 20.6%. Daimler AG sales grew 6.8% to 27,383, with Mercedes-Benz up 7.2% and Smart down 17.5%. BMW Group was down 2.4% to 24,702, with BMW up 0.3%, but Mini down 24.1%. Mitsubishi surged 38.3% to 10,924. Subaru had another good month, up 8.3% to 45,500. Though small in numbers, Jaguar Land Rover was up 16.4% to 9,231, with Jaguar up 130.4% and Land Rover down 10.4%. Mazda gained

ADVERTISER NEWS Lowe’s domestic comp-store sales were up 5.1% (below the 5.8% Home Depot had announced last week). For this year the chain expects to open another 35 stores and projects a 3.5% same-store growth figure……Best Buy comps were down 0.9% in the holiday quarter that’s so important in that retail segment, partially due to “unprecedented product availability constraints across multiple vendors and categories.” Weaker than expected demand in the gaming category also impacted the

results……Office Depot, turned down last year in its attempt to merge with Staples, issued a gloomy outlook for this year, saying sales will be down once again. It closed 65 stores in the fourth quarter and will shutter another 75 this year. In the quarter, North American same-store sales were down 4%……Continued strong new vehicle sales

may be impacting the auto aftermarket retail segment. AutoZone same-store sales were flat for its fiscal quarter that ended on 2/11. The chain was expanded by 33 locations during the quarter……We saw good results last week from off-price retailer TJX, and now Ross Stores has good numbers to report also. Total sales were up 8% with same-store sales up 4% in its fourth fiscal quarter, both numbers “above-plan” for the operator of the Ross and dd’s Discount banners. Still, the company says it’s “somewhat cautious” about this year, projecting just a 1-2% same-store gain……One of the steps Target will take to try to turn around its tepid numbers will be to open 100 small-format stores in the next few years, focusing on urban areas, densely-populated suburbs and some college campuses. Here’s an interesting side note: The fastest-growing category at Target in the past year? It’s adult beverages, especially craft beer and wine……Speaking of craft beer, Small Town Brewery, maker of Not Your Father’s Root Beer and some other variations, will now offer Not Your Mom’s Apple Pie and two other flavors, Strawberry Rhubarb and Iced Tea. All have at least 5.2% Alcohol by Volume……Bob Evans Farms Restaurants will roll out all-day brunch to its 523 locations after having seen improved breakfast numbers. In the latest quarter it reported, total comps had been down 1.8%, but breakfast numbers had been up slightly……Poor numbers from the Fiesta Restaurant Group. At Pollo Tropical, comp sales were down 4% and transactions fell by 7.3%, while at sibling Taco Cabana, the same metrics were down 3.5% and 4.5% respectively……The Automotive News Data Center reports inventories are building up on dealers’ lots with about an 85-day supply having been on hand at the start of last month. That’s eight days longer than the same time last year.

PAGE 2 The Daily News of TV Sales @ www.spotsndots.com

NETWORK NEWS The untitled Fox Marvel drama pilot has cast Stephen Moyer (True Blood) in the lead role. The pilot will revolve around an ordinary couple who discover that their children have mutant powers. Moyer will join a cast that already includes Blair Redford and Jamie Chung…...Jenna Fisher (The Office, You, Me and the Apocalypse) has been selected to star in the new ABC comedy pilot Splitting Up Together. Emily Kapnek (Suburgatory) will write the script for the comedy about a couple whose marriage is reignited after their divorce. Oliver Hudson (Rules of Engagement, Nashville) will co-star with Fisher in the pilot. Fisher is also slated to star opposite Ben Stiller in the upcoming feature film, Brad’s Status……ABC’s Doomsday has announced that Taye Diggs (Empire) will join the cast as Dr. Davis. Diggs is the most recent addition to a cast that includes Jack Davenport, Rachelle Lefevre and Dan Byrd……Bobby Moynihan of Saturday Night Live has agreed to be the lead in a new CBS pilot project called Me, Myself and I. The move signals Moynihan’s potential exit from SNL where he’s been a staple since joining the show in 2008. Me, Myself and I will center on one man’s life over 50 years and will focus on three distinct periods in his life: as a 14-year-old in 1991, a 45-year-old in present day, and a 65 year-old-in 2042. Moynihan will play the man in present day. NBC has not commented on Moynihan’s future status at SNL……Behind Enemy Lines, the reboot of the 2001 movie being developed at Fox, has added Gabriel Chavarria and Melia Kreiling to the cast that already includes Marg Helgenberger and B.J. Britt. Chavarria will play a Navy pilot and Kreiling is set to play a Naval officer of deep faith……Casey Wilson (Happy Endings) will co-star with Busy Phillips in Tina Fey’s new comedy pilot at NBC. The Sackett Sisters is about two estranged sisters who perform an act of public heroism, then are forced to navigate their newfound notoriety together. Bradley Whitford (The West Wing) play their dad……Rob Riggle will play the lead in a new untitled ABC multi-camera project about a single dad. Riggle will play an intellectual but emotionally challenged dad that moves to Queens with his two young daughters, and forms an unlikely family with the other residences of the apartment building. The pilot is written by Dannah Phirman and Danielle Schneider, creators of Hulu’s Hotwives franchise.

DONE DEALS Nexstar Media Group has named Robert Raff (pictured) as Vice President and General Manager of KSNT (NBC), KTMJ (FOX) and associated digital services, including KSNT.com, serving the Topeka (DMA #135) market. Previously Raff was VP and GM of WFXS (Fox) in Wausau…Veteran television executive Dean Littleton will be returning to Denver (DMA #17) as VP & GM of Scripp’s KMGH (ABC). Littleton has worked in the market previously as GSM at KUSA-KTVD. He’s spent the last eight years in Knoxville, most recently as GM of WATE

AVAILS Do you dream of a well-balanced professional and personal life? Are you interested in living in a community that offers an abundance of fresh air where you can hike, bike, boat and hunt…right outside your doorstep? KTVO ABC and CBS is located in Kirksville MO, serving the Kirksville MO\Ottumwa IA market, has an opening for a Sales Manager. We’re looking for someone who is motivated to learn and grow in this position. Get more info or apply now at: www.sbgi.net, look for job #7626. EEO/Drug Free

Nexstar Media Group is looking for a National Sales Manager with passion and drive to lead our Phoenix national sales efforts. The NSM will ensure that the top line goals are being met while increasing billing, maximizing share of business and strengthening client relationships in conjunction with our National sales teams across the country. Minimum of 2-4 years in sales management or 5+ years in media sales required. CLICK HERE for more

details or apply now. EOE. Fox Television Oakland/San Francisco, KTVU & KTVU Plus, are looking for a Local Sales Manager who will be responsible for the sale of advertising time and digital assets to local/regional clients and agencies. We’re looking for a team player who is detail oriented and resourceful with the ability to motivate and develop a local sales team. 3 to 5 years major market broadcast sales experience and a Bachelor’s degree (B.A.) from four-year College or university or equivalent work experience required. Got to http://www.ktvu.com/jobs to apply. EOE. E.W. Scripps is seeking a qualified, dynamic, driven leader to join our market leading team. We are currently seeking a high-energy, multi-tasking Local Sales Manager to join our sales team at KMGH-TV in Denver. The LSM is responsible for leading and motivating the local sales team, and for developing new business for station utilizing and maximizing all station platforms including but not limited to broadcast, digital and mobile Minimum 3-5 years media sales experience, management experience strongly preferred. Apply at www.scripps.com. EOE Local Sales Manager: KXLT TV (FOX), Rochester, MN seeks a strong leader in sales management for our multi-platform sales team. This position includes a base salary plus commission AND a bonus opportunity to reward your success. Are you respected as a great motivator of people? Driven to over deliver? As the LSM at KXLT, you will do all of this and more while leading a team of experienced, professional producers. If you’re ready to join an award winning station, send your cover letter, resume and references to: jneyens@kttc.com. EOE

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3/2/2017

Conan O’Brien

Scientists have found a way to grow human tissue on

apples. Now the only thing left for them to discover is a REASON to grow human

tissue on apples.

The Daily News of TV Sales @ www.spotsndots.com PAGE 3

BUSINESS BYTES In its annual report, Fiat Chrysler admitted the Securities and Exchange Commission and “several states’ attorneys general” are investigating if the company manipulated some vehicles to allow them to spew excess diesel emissions. The Environmental Protection Agency had said earlier the software found on more than 100,000 vehicles led to increased emissions of nitrogen oxides, which it said could be “a serious violation of the law.” The Wall Street Journal reports FCA could be “on the hook” for as much as $4.6 billion in fines……We’ve been watching that fascinating situation where Mattress Firm and its largest vendor, Tempur Sealy, will no longer do business with each other in a battle over price. While the manufacturer is the retailer’s largest supplier, so too has the chain been the largest retailer for the mattress maker. Furniture Today reports Tempur Sealy is moving on, and says it will increase national advertising, saying remaining retailers are “incredibly excited” about having Tempur Sealy products without needing to compete with Mattress Firm. And explaining the standoff with the retailer, its CEO said Mattress Firm gave Tempur Sealy “a surprise verbal termination” of its contracts in January and then “demanded significant economic concessions…we considered their demands but we ultimately concluded that it was in the long-term best interest…to terminate the contracts with Mattress Firm.”

RETAILERS IMPROVING CUSTOMER SATISFACTION After two years of declining customer satisfaction, the latest American Customer Satisfaction Index (ASCI) shows retailing up 4.7% to a score of 78.3 on a 100-point scale—an all-time high for the sector. The improvement extended across all six retail sectors tracked by ASCI: de-partment and discount stores; gas stations; drug stores; specialty retail stores; supermarkets; and online retail. “As traditional outlets such as Sears, Macy’s and JCPenney shed properties, shoppers may experience better service in the stores that remain,” said David VanAmburg, ACSI Managing Director. Department and discount stores gained 5.4% to 78. Dillard’s took first place, up 4% to an ACSI score of 83. In second place, JCPenney is the biggest gainer, up 11% to 82. Specialty retailers rose 3.9% to 80. Costco leads with an ACSI score of 83, followed by a trio at 81: Sam’s Club, L Brands and Barnes & Noble. Customer satisfaction with drug stores rose 6.8% to 78. Kmart pharmacy leads at 84, in part, ASCI says, because many customers that were less than satisfied have left. Albertsons Companies, which includes Safeway, came in second place at 83. Supermarkets gained 6.8% to 78, aided by falling food prices, higher quality and better service. Trader Joe’s rose to the top at 86, followed by Publix at 84. Internet retail leads the sector with an ACSI score of 83, up 3.8% from a year ago. Amazon continues to hold first place at 86, with tech-focused Newegg at 83.

AVAILS WSVN-7 FOX/Miami-Ft. Lauderdale is currently looking for a dynamic individual for an Account Executive position. Need to have the ability to thrive in a fast paced, competitive, multi-media environment. We are looking for a creative person to generate revenue by prospecting and selling for television and a variety of digital opportunities. Responsible for attracting new clients, proposal preparation and presentations as well as maximizing revenue on

existing account list. Send resume to Kim Witker: kwitker@wsvn.com. EOE. KSLA News12, a Raycom-owned CBS and Bounce affiliate serving the Shreveport/Bossier City market in Northwest Louisiana, is looking for a dynamic General Sales Manager to join the best sales team in the ArkLaTex. Candidate must be an innovative leader who knows how to maximize revenue on our CBS and Bounce stations and digital platforms. This individual will have

experience coaching, training and leading team members to consistently growing market share and new revenue. Please CLICK HERE to apply, and send a cover letter, resume and references. No calls please. EOE-M/F/D/V

GOOGLE JOINING SKINNY BUNDLE BATTLE The long-expected entry of Google into OTT television has been confirmed. The company says its entry, to be called YouTube TV, will launch later this spring. The skinny-bundle offering will cost $35 per month, including Big Four network affiliates and an array of cable networks associated with the four companies that own those broadcast networks—Disney-ABC, Fox Networks, NBCUniversal and CBS Corp. Thus far, none of the cable-only network groups are onboard. The YouTube TV subscription will be separate from YouTube Red.

MOBILE DOMINATES INTERNET DISPLAY ADS By 2020, more than three-quarters of all online display advertising revenue globally will come from mobile, according to a new forecast by IHS Markit. “Mobile advertising has grown stronger than any other medium in the last four years, and now accounts for a significant proportion of online advertising revenue,” said IHS Markit senior analyst Qingzhen Chen. Mobile display advertising surged 72% in 2015 compared to the previous year, and accounted for 45% of all online display advertising revenue, with a total of $30.7 billion. With final numbers yet to be tallied, the report projects that mobile advertising will be up 42% for 2016 to $41 billion and for the first time will generate more than half—55%—of all online display advertising revenue. COMCAST SAYS YES TO YES The YES Network and Comcast Cable have come to terms and will end a nearly 17-month blackout of the regional sports network. YES Network will return to Comcast’s Xfinity service in the areas previously served on March 31, with fans able to watch the New York Yankees vs. Atlanta Braves pre-season game live at 7:30 pm.

3/2/2017

Seth Meyers

According to a new study, cats may have more

potential than dogs to sniff out bombs. They just won’t

bother to tell you.