ONLINE SERVICES/INTERACTIVE MEDIA
The iTunes music-download store has sold more than 4 billion tracks since its 2003 inception and surpassed Wal-Mart as the No. 1 music retailer in the U.S., according to Apple, which quotes a new NPD Group study. In its report, NPD says 12 music downloads are equal to a single CD. (CNBC/Associated Press 4/3)
MySpace on Thursday officially announced plans to launch a digital-music service designed to rival top online music retailer iTunes. The News Corp-owned social network has teamed up with leading record companies Sony BMG, Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group for its MySpace Music venture. Industry observers predict MySpace will spend about $50 million to $100 million on the project over five years. (The New York Times 4/4, Google/Associated Press 4/3, The Wall Street Journal 4/4)
Here’s what I don’t understand. I can’t find any music for purchase on the site save for the Snocap application which was already in operation. Most methods for purchase send users off-site to an alternative location. I understand that they are adding features in phases but MySpace should consider at least offering music for purchase from the featured artists before sending out the press release.
Fox Interactive Media could fall short of its fiscal 2008 revenue target of $1 billion, as it reorganizes to better exploit online advertising. The News Corp. division plans to launch its long-awaited online ad network, FIM Audience Network, consolidating its newly developed ad technologies. (http://www.reuters.com/article/businessNews/idUSN0444089220080404 4/4)
Companies such as Apple and Microsoft are putting heavy resources into a view of the future in which downloading movies will surpass optical discs as the preferred method of watching theatricals at home. But analysts say viewing downloaded movies on TV sets still carries a hefty price tag and requires some work from consumers. (Reuters 4/3)
CBSSports.com is expecting big numbers from this weekend’s March Madness match-ups. This year is the first time the site will provide simulcast coverage of the tournament’s Final Four games. More than 4.3 million visitors have watched games so far this year, up from 1.7 million last year. (Cynopsis 4/4, http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-streaming4apr04,1,5779928.story 4/4)
Microsoft and Yahoo execs met this week to discuss Microsoft’s proposal to acquire the Internet company but failed to resolve any of their differences. Microsoft showed no willingness to raise its cash-and-stock offer, and Yahoo continued to refuse to enter formal talks without a sweetened bid. (http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB120728254600289107.html 4/4)
Facebook must defend against a lawsuit that accuses founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg of stealing computer code, an appeals court says. The decision revives a 2004 suit by ConnectU founders Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss that was dismissed last year on procedural grounds. (http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601204&sid=ariFOMVAXrZw 4/4)
The first episode of season 3 of MOJO’s Three Sheets, a comedic travelogue following liquor connoisseur Zane Lamprey in his search for the world’s best alcohol, is now available online exclusively on Hulu.com, a week before its on-air premiere. (Cynopsis 4/4)
I decided to check this show out for myself and having family from Kentucky, I was forced to watch the bourbon edition. Fantastically entertaining show. Marauder thumb’s up on this one.
Meanwhile Paramount’s popular Facebook application VooZoo is launching in MTV Networks’ vMTV virtual world and on Makena Technologies’ There.com site sometime in Q2. VooZoo enables users to send video clips for $1 each from Paramount movies called “Voohoos,” representing distinctive emotions represented by memorable one-liners from flicks like Footloose, Flashdance and Zoolander. MTV will introduce its own clips of pop cultural moments through the VooZoo app. (Cynopsis 4/4)
I tested out the VooZoo application by sending a clip from one of my favorite movies on record to a variety of Clueless loving friends like me. A variety of clips are available from each movie in the library offering a number of personalized choices.
Thousands of video clips from Paramount Pictures’ movie archives will be available to the virtual 3-D online worlds of There.com and vMTV. Users will be allowed to express themselves with video clips of movie one-liners — say, Danny Zucko’s “Be cool, huh?” from “Grease” — at a cost of about $1. (http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/080403/film_paramount_there.html 4/3)
Adobe Systems is starting public trials of software that will deliver advertising-supported subscriptions to television programs, including CBS series “CSI” and “Big Brother.” Media companies including CBS and Viacom will provide their programming through the Adobe Media Player. (http://www.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idUSN0333978920080403 4/3)
