Best Media Stocks To Buy Right Now

SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) ��Apple Inc. posted its highest close in almost a year on a day that mostly saw gains across the tech sector. H-P closed Tuesday with a slight loss, but then rallied in after-hours trading after reporting a profit in the latest quarter.

Apple (AAPL) �shares rose $9.66, or almost 2%, to close at $533.40, the highest finish for the iPhone and iPad maker since Dec. 2012.

In addition to Apple, many social media stocks closed with gains Tuesday following the prior-day�� losses. Yelp Inc. (YELP) �rose 6.4%, to $61.92; Pandora Media Inc. (P) �climbed by almost 3%, to $28.79; Facebook Inc. (FB) �rose 2.4%, to close at $45.89 and Twitter Inc. (TWTR) �gained nearly 3% to end the day at $40.18.

Best Media Stocks To Buy Right Now: Charter Communications Inc.(CHTR)

Charter Communications, Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides entertainment, information, and communications solutions to residential and commercial customers in the United States. The company offers cable video programming services, such as basic and digital video, premium channels, OnDemand, pay-per-view, high definition television, digital video recorder, and online video services; Internet services; Charter.net, which provides multiple e-mail addresses, as well as various entertainment, games, news, and sports content; and telephone services. It also provides broadband communications solutions, such as Internet access, data networking, fiber connectivity to cellular towers and office buildings, video entertainment services, and business telephone services under the Charter Business brand name to business and carrier organizations. As of December 31, 2011, the company served approximately 4.1 million video customers; approximately 3.5 million Internet customers; appr oximately 1.7 million telephone customers; and approximately 476,200 commercial primary service units. Charter Communications, Inc. was founded in 1999 and is based in St. Louis, Missouri.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Sean Williams]

  What specifically led both stocks higher today was speculation that Charter Communications (NASDAQ: CHTR  ) is on the acquisition hunt. According to CNBC, Time Warner Cable's CEO Glenn Britt has discussed the possibility of merging with Charter; however, CNBC also commented that Time Warner Cable isn't likely to pursue the deal. That still proved more than enough to send Time Warner Cable and rival Cablevision higher, as any M&A acquisition in this sector would only serve to improve pricing power for these broadcasting companies.

Best Media Stocks To Buy Right Now: CBS Corporation(CBS)

CBS Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a mass media company in the United States and internationally. The company?s Entertainment segment distributes a schedule of news and public affairs broadcasts, sports, and entertainment programming; produces, acquires, and distributes programming, including series, specials, news, and public affairs; produces and distributes theatrical motion pictures across various genres; and operates online content networks for information and entertainment. Its Cable Networks segment owns and operates multiplexed channels that offers subscription program services, including recently released theatrical feature films, original series, documentaries, boxing, mixed martial arts and other sports-related programming, and special events; and CBS College Sports Network, a 24-hour cable program service related to college sports. This segment also owns and manages Smithsonian Networks, which operates Smithsonian Channel, a basic cab le service in the United States. The company?s Publishing segment publishes and distributes adult and children?s consumer books in printed, audio, and digital formats. Its Local Broadcasting segment owns 29 broadcast television stations; owns and operates 130 radio stations in 28 U.S. markets and related online properties; and owns local Websites that combine television and radio local media brands online to provide the latest news, traffic, weather, and sports information, as well as local discounts, directories, and reviews. The company?s Outdoor segment sells advertising space on various media, including billboards, transit shelters and other street furniture, buses, rail systems, mall kiosks, stadium signage, and in retail stores. CBS Corporation was founded in 1986 and is headquartered in New York, New York.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Paul Ausick]

  The recent spat between Time Warner Cable and CBS Corp. (NYSE: CBS) that resulted in a month-long blackout of CBS stations from Time Warner in several markets over a dispute on retransmission fees is yet another signal that traditional cable and satellite providers may be suffering more than we think. CBS was reportedly demanding a payment of $2 a month per subscriber and Time Warner was offering $1 or less.

Best Insurance Companies To Watch For 2015: Time Warner Cable Inc(TWC)

Time Warner Cable Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a cable operator in the United States. It offers video, high-speed data, and voice services over its broadband cable systems to residential and commercial customers. The company provides a range of video services, including on-demand, high-definition (HD), and digital video recorder (DVR) services; residential high-speed data services with connection to the Internet; wireless mobile broadband Internet services; and digital phone services to residential customers. It offers video programming tiers and music services; high-speed data, networking, and transport services; and commercial digital phone service to small and medium-sized businesses under the Time Warner Cable Business Class brand. Further, Time Warner Cable Inc. sells advertising to various national, regional, and local customers. As of June 30, 2011, the company served approximately 14.5 million residential and commercial customers in the New Yor k State, the Carolinas, Ohio, southern California, and Texas. Time Warner Cable Inc. is based in New York, New York.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Paul Ausick]

  Charter Communications Inc. (NASDAQ: CHTR) is reported to be preparing an offer to acquire larger competitor Time Warner Cable Inc. (NYSE: TWC) at a price below $135 a share. Time Warner has reportedly indicated that it would likely accept an offer north of $150 a share, so if Charter comes in with its low-ball (a bear hug) offer the primary reason is that it wants to get the ball rolling.

• [By Steven Russolillo]

  By comparison, retail giant Target Corp.(TGT) has a $39 billion market cap, Yahoo Inc.(YHOO) has a $41.1 billion market value and Time Warner Cable(TWC) has a market cap of $37.6 billion.

• [By Evan Niu, CFA]

  Time Warner Cable (NYSE: TWC  ) has been named as one of the cable operators most willing to play ball with Apple, which entails ceding control of the interface to Apple. The countless number of interfaces that TV users currently have to cope with was always one of the biggest problems that Steve Jobs saw in the status quo, which he detailed in 2010:

Best Media Stocks To Buy Right Now: Discovery Communications Inc(DISCA)

Discovery Communications, Inc. operates as a non fiction media and entertainment company worldwide. The company provides original and purchased programming across various distribution platforms. Its content covers science, exploration, survival, natural history, sustainability of the environment, technology, docu-series, anthropology, paleontology, history, space, archaeology, health and wellness, engineering, adventure, lifestyles, forensics, civilization, and current events. The company owns and operates nine national television networks in the United States, including Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Science Channel, Investigation Discovery, Military Channel, Planet Green, Discovery Fit & Health, and Velocity. Discovery Communications also has interests in Oprah Winfrey Network, a pay-television network and Web site; The Hub that features original programming, game shows, and live-action series and specials; and 3net, a three-dimensional network. In addition, it o ffers network branded Web sites, and mobile and video-on-demand services; and distributes various national and pan-regional television networks. Further, the company develops and sells curriculum-based products and services to public and private K-12 schools, such as access to an online VOD service that includes curriculum-based tools, professional development services, and student assessment and publication of hardcopy curriculum-based content; and postproduction audio services to motion picture studios, independent producers, broadcast networks, cable channels, advertising agencies, and interactive producers. As of December 31, 2011, it operated approximately 150 distribution feeds in 40 languages. The company is headquartered in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Harold L. Vogel]

  *Includes AMC (AMCX), Cablevision (CVC), Charter, Comcast Cable (CMCSA) and networks, Discovery (DISCA), Disney (DIS) cable networks, Time Warner Cable (TWC) and cable networks, Viacom (VIAB) networks.

• [By Tom Taulli]

  Still, BCE has a strong brand and substantial financial resources, as well as a top-notch network that reaches more than 70% of Canadians. BCE also has the advantage of owning premium content, with rights to programming for Discovery (DISCA) and Viacom’s (VIAB) MTV. Its prospects also look bright with concern to mobile, where the company has invested heavily in its payments solutions.

Best Media Stocks To Buy Right Now: DISH Network Corporation(DISH)

DISH Network Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides direct broadcast satellite (DBS) subscription television services in the United States. It offers programming that includes approximately 280 basic video channels, 60 Sirius satellite radio music channels, 30 premium movie channels, 35 regional and specialty sports channels, 2,800 local channels, 250 Latino and international channels, and 55 channels of pay-per-view content. The company also offers local HD channels in approximately 160 markets and 215 national HD channels; and receiver systems, including a small satellite dish, digital set-top receivers, and remote controls. In addition, it provides DISHOnline.com, which enables DISH Network subscribers to watch 150,000 movies, television shows, clips, and trailers; DISH Remote Access that enables subscribers to remotely manage their DVRs using compatible mobile devices, such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops through their broadband-connected receiver; and Go ogle TV that enables DISH Network subscribers to search the Internet, check email, interact with social media, and find additional online programming content while simultaneously watching television. As of March 31, 2011, the company had approximately 14.191 million customers. DISH Network provides receiver systems and programming through direct sales channels; and independent third parties, such as small satellite retailers, direct marketing groups, local and regional consumer electronics stores, nationwide retailers, and telecommunications companies. The company was founded in 1980 and is headquartered in Englewood, Colorado.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Louis Navellier]

  DIRECTV Holdings LLC is the largest direct-broadcast satellite service in the United States, ahead of No. 2 DISH Network (DISH). DIRECTV continues to upgrade its services and add new customers even as its rivals in the cable TV business lose subscribers. With 27,200 employees, the company currently serves more than 37 million customers across the U.S. and Latin America.

• [By Jeremy Bowman]

  What: Shares of Clearwire (NASDAQ: CLWR  ) were on fire today, climbing up as much as 31% after DISH Network (NASDAQ: DISH  ) raised its bid for the 4G network provider from $3.30 to $4.40 a share, topping Sprint Nextel's (NYSE: S  ) bid by $1.

• [By Anders Bylund]

  Sprint Nextel (NYSE: S  ) and Clearwire (NASDAQ: CLWR  ) are nearing the end of their multiple bidding wars. Figuring out what Japanese wireless vendor Softbank and all-American broadcaster DISH Network (NASDAQ: DISH  ) might get is tough enough, but hardly the whole story. This drama is so complicated, one of the targets (Sprint) is even bidding on the other one (Clearwire).

• [By Dan Radovsky]

  Are we watching two companies engaging in the usual mergers and acquisition maneuvering between rivals? Or are the daily moves and countermoves of SoftBank and DISH Network (NASDAQ: DISH  ) , as they eye a pot containing Sprint Nextel (NYSE: S  ) and Clearwire (NASDAQ: CLWR  ) , more reminiscent of high-stakes five-card stud?

Best Media Stocks To Buy Right Now: DIRECTV(DTV)

DIRECTV provides digital television entertainment in the United States and Latin America. The company provides direct-to-home (DTH) digital television services, as well as multi-channel video programming distribution services in the United States. It offers various channels of digital-quality video entertainment and CD-quality audio programming directly to subscribers' homes or businesses, as well as video-on-demand services; and approximately 160 national high-definition television channels and 4 3D channels. The company also provides premium professional and collegiate sports programming, such as the NFL SUNDAY TICKET package, which allows subscribers to view the NFL games. In addition, it offers DTH digital television services in Latin America and the Caribbean, including Puerto Rico. The company provides its local and international programming under the DIRECTV and SKY brand names. As of December 31, 2010, it served approximately 19.2 million subscribers in the United States; and 8.9 million subscribers in Latin America. The company was founded in 1990 and is based in El Segundo, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Jason Moser and Eric Bleeker, CFA]

  Time Warner (NYSE: TWX  ) , AT&T (NYSE: T  ) , and DIRECTV (NASDAQ: DTV  ) are all bidding on Hulu. Sure, the streaming star has a nice content assortment, but what these bidders are really paying for is branding. Hulu's market share of about 10% may not seem that impressive, but it has great recognition and app placement within major platforms such as Roku and the Xbox. In the following video, Eric and Jason break down the streaming star's appeal.

• [By Ian Wyatt]

  And DirecTV (DTV) has shot up 20.5% as consumers flock to digital television with DVR capabilities.

  By owning shares of Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B), you essentially own a slice of all those stocks.

Best Media Stocks To Buy Right Now: Comcast Corporation(CMCSA)

Comcast Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides entertainment, information, and communications products and services in the United States and internationally. Its Cable Communications segment provides video, high-speed Internet, and phone services to residential and business customers. As of June 30, 2011, its cable systems served approximately 22.5 million video customers, 17.5 million high-speed Internet customers, and 9.1 million phone customers. The company?s Cable Networks segment operates cable entertainment networks, such as USA Network, Syfy, E!, Bravo, Oxygen, Style, G4, Chiller, Sleuth, and Universal HD; news and information networks, including CNBC, MSNBC, and CNBC World; cable sports networks comprising Golf Channel and VERSUS; regional sports and news networks; international entertainment, and news and information networks, such as CNBC Europe, CNBC Asia, and Universal Networks International portfolio of networks; cable television production oper ations; and digital media properties consisting primarily of brand-aligned Websites and other Websites, such as DailyCandy, Fandango, and iVillage. Its Broadcast Television segment operates the U.S. broadcast networks, NBC and Telemundo; 10 NBC and 15 Telemundo owned local television stations; broadcast television productions; and related digital media properties. The company?s Filmed Entertainment segment operates Universal Pictures, which produces, acquires, markets, and distributes filmed entertainment and stage plays worldwide in various media formats for theatrical, home entertainment, television, and other distribution platforms. Its Theme Parks segment operates Universal Studios Hollywood park and Wet ?n Wild water park, as well as licenses intellectual properties and provides services to third parties that own and operate Universal Studios Japan and Universal Studios Singapore. Comcast Corporation was founded in 1963 and is based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Jonathan Berr]

  Technological Prowess: Apple’s stock has skyrocketed in recent years thanks to revolutionary product (iPod, iPhone and iPad) after revolutionary product — but also on their many iterations. Next up for the company is likely the iPhone 6, which according to MacRumors is expected to launch Apple into the big-screen phone arena (something many Apple fans have yearned for), and should utilize a faster chip than current models. However, AAPL also reportedly is in talks with Comcast (CMCSA) about developing a video streaming/cable alternative that would presumably take on Netflix (NFLX); working on developing specialized applications for cars known as telematics; and has brought streaming capability to iTunes to further assert its musical dominance.Reports that the company’s best days are behind it seem harsh.

• [By Victor Selva]

  Comcast Corporation (CMCSA) is a media and technology company with two businesses, Comcast Cable and NBCUniversal Media LLC. The company has five segments: Cable Communications, Cable Networks, Broadcast Television, Filmed Entertainment and Theme Parks.

• [By Tim Beyers]

  Despicable Me 2, at an estimated $229.2 million in the U.S. and $472.4 million worldwide, is a similarly huge success for Comcast (NASDAQ: CMCSA  ) and NBCUniversal. Guillermo Del Toro's giant robots and Kevin James' belly flops never really stood a chance against Gru's mighty minions.