Deep 6

2) The KTBC Selena fixation. With O.J. done and gone, Channel 7 has emerged as Austin's most aggressive station in covering every possible detail of the Selena murder trial. Last week's highlights included extended interviews with the father of the slain Tejano singer. As long as the court is in session, ratings will remain high.

3) Monday Night Football. A recent promotional spot compared an upcoming game to an oncoming hurricane. I'm sure there are lots of folks in the southeast who could identify with the entertainment value of watching that one.

4) The ESPN-ization of local news. Speaking of football, the Texas/OU weekend signals the return of sports stories masquerading as news stores on our local television stations. I thought that was the reason ESPN had been invented.

5) The on-again, off-again Samsung deal. They are not coming to Austin, they are coming to Austin, they are not coming to Austin, they are coming to Austin. Maybe the media shouldn't report it until they really know.

6) Anti-focus groups focus groups. The Statesman's latest television ads feature the no-nonsense approach of new editor Richard Oppel. In one spot, he reveals that he's not too keen on making editorial decisions based on the decisions of focus groups. Fair enough, but what about the input of focus groups on their current marketing campaign?