TELEVISIONMeasuring Black Viewers: Nielsen Media Research said...

TELEVISION

Measuring Black Viewers: Nielsen Media Research said Wednesday it will change the way it measures TV ratings to better account for African American viewers. The changes would primarily impact local and syndicated markets and could result in more advertising and programs targeted at black audiences. The announcement coincided with the release Wednesday of a report commissioned by Rep. Cardiss Collins (D-Ill.) that found that black consumers spend $252 billion in the United States each year and watch 49% more television per household than non-blacks. John Dimling, president of Nielsen Media Research, said the company will work “to improve the way black American audience data is reported . . . especially in central city areas.” He said Nielsen would also “consider the possibility of larger sample sizes needed to generate more demographic breakouts among African Americans and other minority audiences.”

On-Line Trial Transcripts: Cable’s Court TV says it will make transcripts of the O.J. Simpson trial available to the public on-line regardless of whether cameras are permitted in the courtroom. Complete transcripts of the previous day’s proceedings will be available daily in Court TV’s Law Center, which can be accessed through America Online (keyword: Court TV), Prodigy (jum : CourtTV), and CompuServe (go: EDrive).

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Rosie’s Revenge: Roseanne, who has been taking potshots at the Fox and NBC films about her during talk-show appearances, is talking with NBC about providing live commentary during NBC’s “Roseanne and Tom: A Hollywood Marriage,” according to a Roseanne spokesperson. The network, which has scheduled the movie for 9 on Halloween night, declined to comment. . . . Meanwhile, Roseanne’s publicist on Wednesday confirmed reports that the actress is engaged to her bodyguard, Ben Thomas.

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Program Changes: KCOP Channel 13 is shaking up its floundering late-night lineup starting Monday. “Last Call,” which has been struggling in its 10:30 p.m. slot, will remain, but “The Newz,” which currently airs at 11 p.m., will be bumped to midnight. “The Jon Stewart Show” will be pushed from its midnight slot to 12:30 a.m. Reruns of “Roseanne” will run at 11 p.m. “Premier Story” will continue to air at 11:30 p.m. Network News Blurbs: CBS correspondent-anchor Deborah Norville will depart from the network when she starts maternity leave in December. Meanwhile, speculation in New York has Norville, a former “Today” co-anchor, as first in line to replace Bill O’Reilly as anchor of the syndicated “Inside Edition” after his contract expires in May. . . . Also at CBS, former “America Tonight” co-anchor and KABC Channel 7 reporter Dana King has been made co-anchor of “CBS Morning News.” King joins Monica Gayle on the broadcast, replacing John Roberts, who has gone to WCBS in New York.

MOVIES

Miramax Suit: A moviegoer has sued Miramax Films in Alameda County Superior Court for false advertising, contending the company lied about ticket sales on “Pulp Fiction” to promote the film. Jane Cutolo, who had not seen the movie, filed suit over claims that “Pulp Fiction” was the country’s most-watched film over the weekend. The suit asks that Miramax pay restitution to those who had seen the film and to its competitors for lost profits. Raising its own earlier estimate on ticket sales, Miramax said Monday that the Quentin Tarantino crime drama grossed $9.3 million from Friday to Sunday, topping sales for Warner Bros.’ “The Specialist,” which reported a gross of $8.97 million. Several media outlets questioned the figures, but since no independent box-office audit was available, there was no way to verify the reported grosses. Cutolo’s lawyer, Donald Driscoll, called Miramax’s figures “classic false advertising.” A Miramax spokesperson denied the charge.

THE ARTS

Union Takes On Joffrey: Citing non-payment of Joffrey Ballet dancer salaries for two weeks this year as well as similar defaults in two past seasons, the American Guild of Musical Artists has filed a demand for arbitration with the American Arbitration Assn. The union also cites unpaid medical reimbursements, severance pay and pension contributions. In response, C.C. Conner, executive director of the Joffrey, issued a statement saying that the company “had hoped to settle many of these claims in 1993-94” but that plans “were thwarted by the failure of presenters in Cleveland, Memphis and Atlanta to pay $255,000 in contracted performance fees this year.” A decision from the Arbitration Assn. was pending.

QUICK TAKES

Actor Raul Julia (“The Addams Family,” “The Burning Season”) was in guarded condition in a New York hospital Wednesday, after suffering a stroke Sunday. “It’s too early to comment, but his doctors are very optimistic,” the actor’s agent said. Julia is 54. . . . R&B; crooners Boyz II Men’s “II” album recaptures the No. 1 spot on Billboard magazine’s weekly album sales chart after selling 147,000 copies last week. R.E.M.’s “Monster” slips to No. 2, after selling 139,000 copies. . . . Groove Radio, a nationally syndicated music show hosted by “Swedish” Egil Aalvik and broadcasting the latest dance music, is now heard Friday and Saturday nights from midnight to 6 am. on KACD-FM (103.1)