Tom Brokaw, whose network stayed with the tape, found the exercise riveting.
Ms. Garrett, whose network links financial planners and advisers who work for an hourly fee, advocates fee-only.
"The market moved," said Lincoln C. Scott, vice president for human resources at BJC, whose network includes Barnes-Jewish Hospital.
Live commercials "feel urgent and fresh, not like another canned thing," said Mr. Schuurmans, whose network is part of the MTV Networks division of Viacom.
That Mr. Sykes, whose network has struggled of late, will assume control of a crucial company division was baffling to some at Viacom.
The company, whose network computers are based on proprietary technology, has been losing business in recent years to servers based on lower-priced personal computers.
Its most valuable subsidiary, Asia Global Crossing, whose network links several important cities, is thought to be the real attraction for companies like Hutchison Whampoa and Singapore Technologies.
But at least one news executive whose network used part of the tape, speaking on condition of anonymity, said he felt every use of the video was questionable.
The United Way, whose network of local organizations raises money mostly for social services, youth and health, has seen drops in donations across the country.
AT&T, the sole carrier for the iPhone in the United States, whose network has been blamed for most of the reception problems, also declined to comment, referring questions on the issue to Apple.
Markus then put in a season as a writer and consulting producer for "The Larry Sanders Show," and, with Al Franken, created and wrote "Lateline," a smart stab at media satire whose network life was blighted and short.
