Television
TEGNA and Minnesota Timberwolves Team for 5 KARE Telecasts
2024-12-11
The NBA's Minnesota Timberwolves are set to have five of their home games during the 2023-2024 season broadcasted on the NBC affiliate serving the Twin Cities, which is owned by TEGNA. This development comes at a time when cord-cutting and cost-trimming are on the rise, and pro sports play-by-play is finding a new home on free over-the-air television. The Timberwolves' home games will now reach a wider audience through this medium, providing an exciting opportunity for fans to enjoy the action without the need for a cable subscription.

Experience the NBA's Minnesota Timberwolves like Never Before on NBC

Impact of NBC Affiliation on Timberwolves' Home Games

The NBC affiliation for the Minnesota Timberwolves' home games is set to have a significant impact on the team and its fans. With a wider reach through free over-the-air television, more people will have the opportunity to watch the Timberwolves in action. This could lead to increased ticket sales and a boost in the team's popularity. Additionally, it allows for a greater connection between the team and the local community, as more fans will be able to follow the games and get involved. The NBC broadcast will also bring a professional touch to the games, with high-quality production and expert commentary. This will enhance the viewing experience for fans and make the Timberwolves' home games even more exciting.

Benefits for Fans and the Local Community

For fans, the NBC affiliation means that they can enjoy the Timberwolves' home games without the burden of a cable subscription. This gives them more flexibility in choosing how to watch their favorite team and allows them to share the experience with a wider audience. It also provides an opportunity for the local community to come together and support the team. Whether it's through watching the games at home or gathering at local viewing parties, fans will be able to connect with each other and create a sense of community around the Timberwolves. Moreover, the increased exposure through NBC could lead to more sponsorship opportunities and economic benefits for the local area.

Challenges and Opportunities in the Cord-Cutting Era

The cord-cutting era presents both challenges and opportunities for the NBA and the Minnesota Timberwolves. On one hand, the decline in cable subscriptions means that teams need to find new ways to reach their fans and generate revenue. The NBC affiliation is a step in the right direction, as it allows the Timberwolves to tap into a new audience and increase their viewership. However, it also requires the team to adapt to the changing media landscape and find ways to engage with fans in new ways. This may involve using social media, digital platforms, and other innovative marketing strategies to reach fans who are no longer relying on traditional cable television. Additionally, the team will need to ensure that the NBC broadcast provides a high-quality experience that meets the expectations of fans. This includes having reliable production and commentary, as well as providing timely and accurate information about the games. Overall, the NBC affiliation is a significant development for the Minnesota Timberwolves and the NBA, and it will be interesting to see how it impacts the team and its fans in the coming years.
Beth Klein, Universal TV's Casting Head, Set to Retire
2024-12-11
Universal Television's EVP of Talent and Casting, Beth Klein, is set to leave the studio at the end of the year after an illustrious 37-year career. This marks a significant moment for the studio as she departs without an immediate replacement.

Her Impact at Universal Television

Klein has held a unique position at Universal TV, being the first and only head of casting. She joined the studio in September 2011 as part of a new executive team during its rebranding from Universal Media Studios to Universal TV. Her early shows included Chicago Fire and Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Over the years, she has been at the forefront of casting for numerous Peabody Award-winning and Emmy-winning series. For instance, she was instrumental in the casting of Hacks, as well as the Law & Order, One Chicago, and FBI franchises. She also oversaw casting for NBC's live musicals like The Sound of Music, Hairspray, and the Emmy-winning Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert.Her commitment to authentic casting is evident in shows like Jason Katims' As We See It, centered around three roommates on the autism spectrum, and David Schulner's New Amsterdam, where characters were often portrayed by actors with similar afflictions. She was a driving force behind the StandUp NBC initiative, giving diverse stand-up comedians a chance to win talent-holding deals. She also worked closely with NBCU's Launch Talent and Casting Assistant program.Erin Underhill, President of Universal Television, said, "This is a bittersweet moment for all of us at Universal Television. While we're sad not to have Beth's incredible touch on our projects, we're happy for her new chapter. Her legacy will live on in the shows she championed and the future generations for whom she paved a path. We are incredibly appreciative of all her contributions, especially the care and compassion she put into overseeing casting every role."

Her Time at Showtime

Before joining UTV as SVP, Talent and Casting, Klein spent over 23 years at Showtime. She rose to SVP of Talent and Casting and was one of several executives to follow former Showtime topper Bob Greenblatt to NBCUniversal. At Showtime, she oversaw casting for a wide range of scripted series such as The Big C, Dexter, Weeds, The Borgias, The Tudors, Queer as Folk, The L-Word, Nurse Jackie, United States of Tara, Episodes, Shameless, and Californication. She also handled more than 30 TV movies and the pilots for House of Lies and Homeland. During her tenure at Showtime, she also worked for other divisions of CBS/Viacom, including Viacom Prods., where she oversaw casting for series like Ed and Sabrina the Teenage Witch.Klein said, "I have been fortunate to collaborate with some of the best in the business during my career, and while I will miss my colleagues, I am very excited to embark on this next chapter."
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The Truck Service Trends in Q2: Top Maintained Components
2024-12-11
Understanding truck trends is a task that demands time and patience. It's not merely about grasping the reasons behind service occurrences; rather, adopting a long-term perspective on truck service requirements enables one to perceive maintenance operations in a way that was previously unimaginable. This profound insight often serves as the catalyst for in-depth feature stories filled with the latest connected truck technologies. In this particular instance, it holds true with absolute sincerity.

Unlock the Secrets of Truck Service with Decisiv

Seasonal Impact on Truck Service Operations

Decisiv has been sharing exclusive truck service data with us for over a year, meticulously charting millions of truck service transactions across different seasons and equipment duty cycles. This provides us with a valuable window into the truck service realm. For instance, in the second quarter of 2024 data, air conditioning (AC) and heating systems witnessed the most significant quarter-over-quarter jump, with an astonishing 71.8% increase. This clearly reflects the fleet managers' proactive preparations for the summer months. Subsequently, tire, wheel, and hub activities also surged significantly, marking a 15.7% rise in wheel-related services during the quarter.The seasonal variations have a profound impact on truck service operations, influencing various components and systems. It showcases the importance of staying attuned to these seasonal trends to ensure the smooth running of truck services.

Persistent Trend of Automated Manual Transmission Service

Year-over-year, in the second quarter of 2024, there was a notable 53.8% increase in manual transmission services and a 16.8% rise in automatic transmissions. This trend indicates the continuous evolution and significance of transmission systems in the trucking industry. There is more on the horizon, suggesting that these trends will continue to shape the future of truck service.Nick Pittinger, the vice president of data services at Decisiv, noted that there was a recall in May related to gear shifter communication with the transmission. However, no significant activity related to this recall has been observed yet. They plan to revisit this when the Q3 data is available.

Truck Service Staples: Engine and Aftertreatment Systems

The power plant remains the dominant force in service activity, accounting for 19% of all operations. Exhaust systems follow closely at 11%, and these components consistently rank among the most serviced areas across different vehicle age brackets.Pittinger emphasized that among the 25 VMRS systems tracked by Decisiv, the power plant continues to have the largest impact not only in terms of service volume but also in terms of cost share. This highlights the criticality of the power plant and its associated systems in truck service.

The Role of Vehicle Maintenance Reporting Standards (VMRS)

The Vehicle Maintenance Reporting Standards (VMRS) plays a crucial role in making it possible to track truck service trends. Decisiv has developed automated VMRS encoding, which utilizes machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze individual service operations. It interprets the information captured during the creation of a repair order and assigns appropriate VMRS codes to completed operations.Pittinger stated that they have incorporated their VMRS Code Key 31 system and encoding model directly into their platform. This has significantly enhanced the VMRS encoding process, increasing its completion rate from around 10% to 15% coming from the dealers to an impressive 65% to 70% of the operations flowing through their platform.Watch the video to gain a deeper understanding of the truck service data, as well as the latest developments in automated manual transmission (AMT), cab and sheet metal, and power plant service.
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