(FORTUNE Magazine) – Next time you see a TV news anchor nodding wisely at what a chief executive or somebody else important or famous has to say, remember that the newscast footage, prepackaged as video news releases (VNRs), may come directly from corporations. VNRs tell a story, tout a product, or publicize an event. The best so faithfully imitate actual news segments that network, local, or cable news editors desperate for filler can run them unedited, as some of them do. Medialink, a Manhattan service that distributes VNRs by satellite, also tracks their ratings. Here are the most widely viewed Medialink releases for the first six months of the year (along with the number of viewers in millions): -- Sears announces the shutdown of its stores for repricing all its merchandise (70.2). -- HBO displays a video version of the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue (45.6). -- Showtime promotes pay-per-view coverage of a Robbie (spawn of Evel) Knievel motorcycle stunt (39.8). -- Disney catches quarterback Joe Montana in an ''unguarded'' moment saying that he will go to Disneyland after the Superbowl (18.2). -- Barbara Bush speaks out against child abuse for Childhelp USA (15.7). -- The Las Vegas Visitors' Bureau depicts Valentine's Day nuptial action in wedding chapels across the city (15.1). -- Maytag says Jesse White, the company's veteran Lonely Repairman, will retire (14.8). -- Disney opens its ''Blast to the Past'' at Disneyland by showing Chubby Checker still alive and twisting (14.8).