by Joanne Zornow

Cord cutting — taking your TV without a cable or satellite connection — is a very real phenomenon. TV execs are twitching as they note a growing trend among subscribers to drop television but keep high-speed Internet access for watching TV programming. Although the current number of cord cutting households is low, it does appear to be a growing trend with about 1 in 10 households being Web connected by cable-free.

by Peter M. Gordon

One of my favorite series this summer is Current TV’s “50 Documentaries to See Before You Die.” Hosted by Morgan Spurlock (Director/writer/star of “Supersize Me”), the series counts down the top documentaries of the last 25 years. Documentarians like Michael Moore and Penelope Spheeris, as well as an expert panel of film industry pros and critics, discuss the impact of the films and tell the stories of how they were made.

Schadenfreude, deriving pleasure from the misfortunes of others,is a German word and a morning drive and reality show formula for ratings success.

by Peter M. Gordon

Two questions for your consideration: “What are the networks looking for?” I also ask cable networks a similar question — “What shows do you want to air?”

Once serious but lately comedic actor Leslie Nielsen died last weekend at age 83. Famous for his Airplane and Naked Gun appearances, he once tried to compete with the other Nielsen — according to this 1998 April Fool’s article.

Detective Frank Drebin, we’re going to miss you.

Comcast will launch a network version of their VOD Fearnet channel — suggesting that VOD-only distribution isn’t ready for prime time. Or that prime time is still the best time for ad supported content.

As the 2010 Tour de France prepares to climb the Pyrenees, TV ratings are up while TDF numbers are down. Crashes and injuries have forced 20 cyclists to drop out.

But riders’ pain may be cable’s gain. Versus’ live morning coverage is setting ratings records.

Who says Twitter is useless and parents are stupid?

Here’s the story about a 20-something who tweeted his dad’s profane outbursts into a book deal and a CBS sitcom.

If 3D takes off as some predict, its only a matter of time until the “jungle out there” feels like it’s in your living room.

The upcoming Academy Awards broadcast on ABC is poised to do well in the ratings. The controversial decision to expand the Best Picture category from 5 to 10 films might frustrate purists, but it should also draw additional viewers.