Fox

Glenn Beck's show still has higher ratings than all of its 5 p.m. cable competitors put together, but it has been losing viewers at an alarming rate. And it's got fewer -- and less prestigious -- advertisers than "The Situation Room" or "Hardball with Chris Matthews." Will Fox pull the plug?

As the NFL lockout continues, television networks -- which spent billions of dollars to secure broadcasting rights to National Football League games -- are scrambling to fill what could become a gaping hole in their programming schedules.

The Qatar-based network is getting international kudos for its coverage of the growing Middle East crisis. But acclaim and a growing audience don't yet equal profits and market share for Al Jazeera, which has almost certainly been losing money since its launch in 1996.

It used to be all about surprising game-day viewers with knock-out ads and creating buzz after the final whistle. But lately more advertisers are posting commercials online ahead of the game, trying to build early buzz instead. Which strategy works better? At risk is a tidy sum.

A conservative TV watchdog group wants consumers to consider patronizing companies that advertise on family-friendly television shows this shopping season, rather than those that buy commercials on racier programs, but price is still likely to be the biggest influence on holiday shoppers.

After resolving its differences with Cablevision and Dish, News Corp.'s Fox has now blocked Web access to its shows from Google TV. Owners of televisions equipped with the Google TV service will still be able to watch regular Fox television on their sets, but won't be able to use it to view Fox shows on the Web.

MSNBC head Phil Griffin now says Olbermann, who was suspended indefinitely without pay on Nov. 5, has been punished enough. Olbermann's supporters certainly felt that way, calling his suspension by MSNBC for making political donations to Democrats "outrageous" and "bizarre."

MSNBC has suspended Keith Olbermann indefinitely after the host of Countdown With Keith Olbermann was accused of making donations to three Democratic political candidates in violation of the network's ethics policy.

If you're having a problem with a business, Consumer Ally can help. Write us at HelpMe@WalletPop.com. Q. I was completely duped by InfinityDish, an authorized DISH Network sales dealer in my area. The salesman was polite and I decided on the "Top 120" package for $49.93 per month with free HBO...

Many fans skipped the San Francisco Giants vs. Texas Rangers, which is a pity because the Giants played some extraordinary baseball as they captured the World Series. The poor ratings may prompt advertisers to ask for "make-goods" -- free commercials.