Year-end note
Enter 2009, a year of change and hope
The coming year looks to be a tough one for media but the industry will emerge smarter and better for it. A message from the publisher.

Media economy
Outlook for ad spending in 2009: Ugly
Two major forces are conspiring to make this downturn worse: Marketers cutting budgets as media undergoes structural changes

Magazines
For magazines, the year of decision
The harsh ad economy will lead to even more closings and a sorting out of just which titles are destined to survive in print

New media
For the internet, years of awe are over
Pace of growth in ad spending is slowing down, and more and more it's seen as one medium among many, and not always the best one

Newspapers
For papers, 2009 looks even grimmer
Expect further drops in advertising and circulation and more big dailies going to just several days a week, or simply folding

Broadcast recap
For broadcast, strike's hurt runs deep
It may prove to be a turning point for the networks as they struggle to find new direction and fend off steeper ratings declines

Media economy
For Europe, a not so harsh slowdown
Ad spending is forecast to dip modestly in 2009, with the largest countries feeling it more. Print will see the deepest cuts.

Survey
So what were the big media stories?
As you look back on 2008, tell us what most defined the year. And tell us what you think will be the defining events of 2009.

Cable recap
Cable takes the final trophy: Prestige
Flush of original shows, as broadcast struggles, brings critical praise that a few years ago would have been unthinkable

Overnights
NBC wins with Giants-Panthers game
Averages a 4.8 in 18-49s against mostly reruns, 60 percent ahead of No. 2 Fox, with Giants overtime win. CBS earns a 2.0 with originals

Here & there
RIAA backing off downloader suits
Other shorts: Ecommerce spending down this year; CBS and Fox split weekend; Oregon paper axing its Monday edition

Overnights
Snoozer of a Thursday for broadcast
Flush of reruns heading into the holidays drags down Big Five. Just three originals air. CBS wins the night with a 2.2 in 18-49s.

Alternative media Monday
Tree of life: Sandals of many colors
Hip shoe chain puts up tree whose leaves are shoes in the brightest hues to celebrate the coming of spring in South Africa

Alternative media Monday
Here's winking at you (yes, it's an ad)
UK beauty site hiring models to wear a temporary tattoo of its logo on their eyelids and wink at whomever. Pay is by the wink.

TV This Week
Best tube bets this weekend
Friday: Football Subdivision championship on ESPN2; Saturday: NBC's 'WWE' troops tribute; Sunday: Showtime's 'Brotherhood'

Here & there
Nielsen: Ad spending falls 0.6 percent
Other shorts: Omnicom laying off 3,000 workers; 'Deep Throat' Mark Felt dies; e-scammer accused of bilking wannabe advertisers

• Here's winking at you (yes, it's an ad)
• Tree of life: Sandals of many colors
• 'Hey, buddy, care to trust your luck?'
• Fishing for customers, on the cheap