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ONLINE SERVICES/INTERACTIVE MEDIA by Marauder

ONLINE SERVICES/INTERACTIVE MEDIA

Google just released third quarter earnings class=”snap_preview_icon”>. It reported revenues of $5.4 billion (about $4 billion after traffic acquisition costs are taken out, which is what Wall Street looks at) and profits of $1.3 billion. The $4 billion in revenues is right around what investors were expecting, and non-GAAP net income of $4.92 a share was well above the $4.79 consensus. Better control over costs contributed significantly to the upside surprise. (http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/10/16/google-struggles-with-third-quarter-earnings-liveblogging-the-conference-call 10/16)

YouTube will need at least two years to start making a meaningful contribution to parent Google’s revenue, analysts say. The concern for investors is that as Google’s revenue growth starts to decelerate there will be renewed focus on YouTube’s huge bandwidth and hosting costs. (Iwantmedia 10/17, http://www.reuters.com/article/technology-media-telco-SP/idUSVN153151520081016 10/16)

High definition has become a huge attraction at its iTunes store, according to Apple, which said Thursday that the four major broadcast networks were providing prime-time episodes on iTunes this season. Apple also said that since sales began last month, viewers have downloaded more than 1 million HD episodes. InformationWeek (10/16) , CNET (10/16)

TheWB.com introduced its latest original series slated to launch in December, Children’s Hospital, created by The Daily Show’s Rob Corddry. Rob stars with an ensemble cast of doctors (including Megan Mullally as The Chief) who exhibit all kinds of inappropriate behavior in front of the terminally ill pre-teens. WBTVG’s in house Studio 2.0 is producing. (Cynopsis 10/17)

Facebook unveiled the 25 winning applications developed under the fbFund, a program that will give each winner $25,000 to go toward develop their new ideas. Check out the rundown on the Facebook developer’s blog. Bottle Rocket, which will exist both online and as an iPhone app, looks like a winner. It allows you to compare notes with your friends on what wines they like and dislike to help you make an informed decision on the spot. (Cynopsis 10/17)

Facebook boss Mark Zuckerberg is plotting a possible push into the digital-music business in the wake of MySpace’s launch of MySpace Music last month. The social-networking giant is talking to a number of song-streaming services and music community sites about an outsourcing deal. (Iwantmedia 10/17, http://www.nypost.com/seven/10172008/business/friends_of_the_band_134022.htm 10/17)

Time Warner social-networking site Bebo plans a minimum of six original productions for 2009 under a newly created program banner dubbed “Bebo Originals.” The move makes Bebo’s efforts similar to that of television networks that commission, schedule and promote shows. (Iwantmedia 10/17, http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/technology/news/e3i2fb2f5317350048136afc8b2be8afb3b 10/16)

Ratings-challenged NBC is making the case that its programs are being seen by a huge audience when multiple platforms are added to the mix, reports TVWeek. For instance, NBC’s latest TAMi or Total Audience Measurement Index figures reveal that the premiere of The Office generated an aggregate 22.5 million impressions including 15.5 million on TV, 6.9 million streams online, 37,515 downloads (via iTunes, MSN and Amazon), 33,389 views on VOD and 37,775 via mobile devices. These numbers dropped across all platforms for the Oct. 9 episode however, to 12.8 million aggregate impressions including 10.9 million on TV, 1.9 million via streaming, 14,648 via downloads, 7,070 on VOD and 11,104 on mobile. (Cynopsis 10/17)

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