Hulu Losing 'Daily Show' ... More to Come?

I'm a big fan of Hulu. When I was working nights, it was better than DVR for me. It offers quality video with very little commercials. But one of my favorite shows to watch on Hulu is going away.


Viacom is spliting with Hulu ... meaning "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" and other Comedy Central programs will be removed from the site next week (including "The Colbert Report").


"Daily Show" is listed as one of the five most watched shows on Hulu.com. So why the split? From what I can tell from various news reports, Viacom and Hulu couldn't settle on a price. (It sounds like Viacom wanted more money ... and Hulu didn't want to give it to them).

Hulu has exploded over the last three years since it went live ... offering full-epsisodes of TV's biggest shows (also offers movie choices). In fact, more and more people are flocking to Hulu. Last September, the site had more than 508 million viewers ... 1.01 BILLION in December!

The New York Times summed up the whole fiasco, "The decision also highlights the large gulf between the expectations of consumers — who demand a wealth of free and easily accessible content on the Internet — and the media companies, who are seeking a more profitable business model online."

Hulu admits they are vulnerable: “... {the} concept of being the ultimate destination for TV shows only works if they can get the content — and the media companies will never let the balance of power over their content shift to a third party.”

Thursday's Media Mix (Palin Writing Again, Leno Leads Again, Honeymoon in the Slammer)

Video Clip of the Day: Friends help blind gamer beat Zelda

Penning Palin: Palin Writing Book on "American Virtues"

Honeymoon in the Slammer: Newlywed Couple Spend 1st Night In Jail

Leno Leads: Leno (with Palin) Beats Letterman ... Again!

Child Directed Planes at NY airport

NEW YORK (AP) - An air traffic controller at New York's Kennedy Airport is in hot water after he allowed his young son to radio instructions to several pilots.

The Federal Aviation Administration said it has placed the controller and a supervisor on administrative leave as it investigates. FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt called the episode a
"lapse in judgment."

The agency says it has also suspended all unofficial visits to FAA air traffic facilities while it reviews its policies.

The few quick exchanges between the elementary-school-aged child and jets waiting to take off from JFK became public after they were recorded and posted on the Internet. On the recordings, the child appears to be repeating simple instructions given by his father.

Zac Brown + Jimmy Buffett = Disaster?

I'm a big fan of "CMT Crossroads." It meshes a country singer with someone from an entirely different genre. Some of my favorites have been Willie Nelson & Sheryl Crow, Reba McEntire & Kelly Clarkson, Taylor Swift & Def Leopard and Jason Aldean & Bryan Adams (one of the best).

It's a show that can make you feel uncomfortable at times, but I don't think anything will be able to top CMT's upcoming show ... the country bum with the beach bum.

The Zac Brown Band ("Chicken Fried") will bring their tropical tastes and perform such classics as "Margaritaville" with Jimmy Buffett. The parrot head will also sing "Chicken Fried" with the ZB Band. This will either go really well ... or be a complete disaster. I really can see this going either way. ZB's hit "Toes" has a tropical flavor that I can see Jimmy sing. But ZB getting down on "Son of a Sailor"??? I just don't know about that!

What do you think?

CMT Crossroads: Jimmy Buffett and Zac Brown Band premieres March 19 on CMT.

Wednesday's Media Mix (Sarah's New Gig, Staplers That kill & Fiber Fight)

Video Clip of the Day: Dedicated to my friend Cami ... these dogs can snow board!

Sarah's New Gig: Former Alaska Governor Drops One-Liners, Pokes Fun at Herself on "Tonight Show"

Fiber Fight: Proclamation Temporarily Designates Kansas' Capital as "Capital City of Fiber Optics"

Killer Stapler?: Office Supplies That Can Kill You

Lucasfilm Weighs in on Ole Miss Mascot Mess

Ole Miss is searching for a new mascot, and the idea of having Admiral Ackbar as a mascot is gaining national momentum. The 'Ole Miss Rebel Alliance' first introduced the idea of the Star Wars character ... mostly as a way to get students to vote yes during a referendum to just introduce finding a new mascot. But like I said ... it's gaining momentum!

Now Lucasfilm is getting involved. After all, Ole Miss would need their permission to use the fish-faced Admiral. And they're not giving a glowing recommendation!

"Lucasfilm is flattered that our Star Wars fans at the University of Mississippi are considering electing Admiral Ackbar as their mascot. The last time we checked in with Admiral Ackbar, he was leading the Rebel Alliance Fleet on a critical mission so it will be difficult for him to show up for the games!"

Most students (and prestigious alumni) are against Ackbar suiting up for the games. Many are threatening to stop financial donations ... students are even threatening to leave Ole Miss.

Now that students gave the okay for a new mascot, a committee is picking exactly what that mascot will be.

Fading Relevance: Miss America Pageant Dumped (again)

Oh, to be 89-years-old and single again!

TLC is dumping the Miss America pageant after three years despite decent ratings. That means Miss America will be strutting her stuff to find a network. The pageant has aired on the cable channel since 2005 after CMT dropped the pageant. Before CMT, ABC aired the pageant for nine years before dropping the network rights. NBC first aired the pageant for 30 years!

The pageant had nearly 5 million viewers when it aired on Jan. 30 (not huge numbers, but they were up 28 percent from the year before).

TLC wouldn't give an exact reason for leaving Miss America homeless, but the cable network is going through a brand readjustment. They're trying to attract younger viewers (which means more money), and they're just not bringing in that demographic with Miss America.

TLC is in the midst of a brand readjustment, aging down its audience. And Miss America was probably seen as a property that no longer completely fit with the channel's direction.

NBC airs the Miss USA pageant (owned by the Donald ... as in Donald Trump).