Filed under: BROADCAST/CABLE | Tags: CNN, Fox News Channel, Golf, Jeff Probst, MSNBC, NBC Universal, Tiger Woods, WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship
President Obama’s first address to a Joint Session of Congress this past Tuesday in primetime reached nearly 52.4 million total viewers. The speech was carried live on 10 television networks: ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, Telemundo, Univision, CNBC, CNN, Fox News Channel and MSNBC. (Cynopsis 2/27)
Bravo’s season five finale of Top Chef: New York Wednesday night at 10p cooked up 2.77 million A18-49 viewers and 3.74 million total viewers. According to Nielsen, this season ranks as the highest rated ever as Top Chef: New York averaged 2.14 million A18-49 viewers and 3.02 million total viewers, up 18% and 19% respectively versus Season #4. (Cynopsis 2/27)
The Golf Channel on Wednesday attracted 1.7 million viewers to its first-round coverage of the Accenture Match Play Championship, the largest audience ever to have tuned in to a first round of golf televised by the network. Not coincidentally, it was also the return to action of Tiger Woods. The New York Times (2/26)
FOX ordered two more seasons of The Simpsons ensuring the longest-running primetime series in history goes through its 22nd season. The network approved 44 additional episodes, taking the total library episode count just under 500 at 493. Currently the show is in its 20th season and a global year-long celebration called “Best. 20 Years. Ever” is underway through January 14, 2010, the actual 20th anniversary of the show’s premiere. (Cynopsis 2/27)
CBS confirmed it will continue reality competition series Survivor through the 2009-2010 season, serving up the 19th and 20th editions. Jeff Probst will also remain as host. (Cynopsis 2/27)
General Electric is slashing its quarterly dividend by nearly 68%, a move expected to save about $9 billion a year. The parent of NBC Universal has been paying a regular dividend for more than 100 years. Shares of GE have fallen nearly 70% since mid-September. (Iwantmedia 2/27, http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/GE-slashes-quarterly-dividend-save/story.aspx?guid=%7B618EAEEE%2DE61D%2D4522%2DA8B3%2D21D8DE89E8FE%7D 2/27)
Discovery Channel on Wednesday will debut “Hudson Plane Crash: What Really Happened,” the story of the US Airways flight that crash-landed in the Hudson River in January without the loss of life. The one-hour documentary will feature interviews with passengers, rescuers and aviation experts as well as a new computer animation that will break down the miraculous landing. Broadcasting & Cable (2/26)
Comedian/producer Jerry Seinfeld reunites with NBC for a new primetime comedy-reality series created by Seinfeld’s Columbus 81 Productions and executive producer Ellen Rakieten (The Oprah Winfrey Show) called The Marriage Ref (wt). The series will feature celebrities, comedians and sports stars all judging and offering advice to real-life couples dealing with typical marital problems. In describing the show concept Seinfeld said, “This is not a therapy show, it’s a comedy show. After nine years of marriage I have discovered that the comedic potential of this subject is quite rich.” NBC so far has not indicated when the show will premiere or be scheduled. (Cynopsis 2/27)
Time Warner says it will complete the spinoff of cable unit Time Warner Cable on March 27. The spinoff is intended to transform the conglomerate into a company more focused on movies, TV programming and magazines and to make both companies more competitive. (Iwantmedia 2/27, http://www.smartmoney.com/news/ON/?story=ON-20090226-001239-1731 2/27)
The cable division within highly diversified Cablevision Systems Corp. reported that revenue grew 7.4% in the fourth quarter of 2008. The cable provider added a total of 101,000 revenue-generating units during the period, including 53,000 VoIP subscribers. Chief Operating Officer Tom Rutledge announced that the company had a wideband service for residential and business customers in the works, but he did not give a specific release date. OneTRAK (2/26) , The Wall Street Journal (2/27) , Light Reading (2/26)
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Filed under: ONLINE SERVICES/INTERACTIVE MEDIA | Tags: Google, Microsoft, NBC Universal, Search, Tiger Woods, Twitter, Yahoo, YouTube
ONLINE SERVICES/INTERACTIVE MEDIA
New Yahoo chief Carol Bartz found a reason to post her first blog entry yesterday – to share some of her future plans including a new management structure she is putting into place that will “make Yahoo! a lot faster on its feet.” She also writes of the elimination of silos and a renewed focus on the customer, mantras familiar to folks on Madison Avenue. The first official management reshuffle involves the just-disclosed departure of CFO Blake Jorgensen, who made news at an investors conference this week when he said that Yahoo isn’t opposed to a search deal with Microsoft in principle. (Cynopsis 2/27)
Turner Sports’ PGATour.com site set a record for traffic on Wednesday for its hole-by-hole video coverage of the return of Tiger Woods. The site streamed 2.5 million videos and recorded nearly 24 million page views. (Cynopsis 2/27)
Google is launching its own feed on Twitter, the increasingly popular microblogging site. Will the Internet giant “pull a YouTube” and swoop in to make a bid for Twitter’s growing search capabilities? Would a tie-up with Google finally give Twitter access to a revenue stream? (Iwantmedia 2/27, http://www.pcworld.com/article/160311/google_joins_twitter_playing_around_or_preparing_to_purchase.html 2/26)
Microsoft has struck a deal with NBC Universal to bring about 30 movies for rent to the software giant’s Xbox 360 console in the U.K. and Ireland. The original content includes movies such as “Scarface” and “The Mummy Returns,” but plans are in the works to update the list and, possibly, include some of NBC Universal’s TV series. The Guardian (London) (2/26)
The New York Times is rolling out local neighborhood blogs, in areas such as Fort Greene and Clinton Hill, which will cover cultural events, restaurant openings and more. Each site will be helmed by a Times journalist with free labor from the CUNY journalism program. (Iwantmedia 2/27, http://www.brownstoner.com/brownstoner/archives/2009/02/the_times_to_st.php 2/27)
Not surprisingly traffic to job search and career development sites spiked by 20% overall in Jan. according to Nielsen Online with the category reaching nearly 50 million uniques. Career Builder remained the top job site but several lesser-known brands experienced huge jumps. And while 35-49 year olds remained the biggest demo the 65+ category grew the fastest, attracting 3.5 million unique visitors (a 41% increase). (Cynopsis 2/27)
Top 10 Online Career Development Destinations for January 2009
Site Jan-08 UA (000) Jan-09 UA (000) Percent Growth
Career Development Category 41,457 49,745 20
CareerBuilder Network 19,667 20,778 6
Yahoo! HotJobs 10,968 11,728 7
Monster 10,697 9,476 -11
Indeed.com 3,259 5,835 79
USAJOBS 2,161 4,398 104
Simply Hired 1,232 3,801 209
Job.com 2,408 2,977 24
Snagajob.com 1,341 2,466 84
About.com Jobs & Careers 1,806 2,356 30
Kenexa 1,944 2,235 15
Source: Nielsen Online
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Filed under: WIRELESS | Tags: App Store, Apple, CBS, Hulu, iPhone, StarTrek, Television, TV.com
With its App Store, Apple has succeeded in persuading iPhone customers to shell out a buck or two for information and other content that is available for free on the Internet, a feat that has impressed industry observers, who analyze how the company has created such a business. The New York Times (2/26)
CBS’s TV.com released its first iPhone app powered by Veveo that can play full episodes of a number of TV shows including two C.S.I.’s, NCIS, and the original Star Trek from the Paramount television vaults. One of the cooler features is a tool that enables users to create customized video feeds based on favorite shows, networks or topics. The feeds recommend content based on past viewing habits. (Cynopsis 2/27)
It’s at least worth stating that TV.com has beat Hulu in getting an iPhone application to market. That said, without playing around with it, Hulu focuses on quality rather than presence so I have a feeling that their iPhone app will be a superior experience. Yup, all guess work…but I’d bet on it.
Hip blogging platform Tumblr released its own free iPhone app that builds upon the features of the previously-released third party $1.99 Tumberette app. Features include the ability to post text, photos, links, chat or audio posts directly to your Tumblr blog. (Cynopsis 2/27)
A new report from ComScore suggests that mobile phones may be increasing the overall pie of web surfers or at least that heavy PC users are not necessarily also heavy mobile web users. Those who spend the least amount of time in front of their PCs are 30% more likely to surf the web on their mobile phones. The study also found that 15.2% of “light” PC internet users accessed news and information on their mobile device at least once per week, compared to a lower 11.7% of heavy PC internet users. (Cynopsis 2/27)
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Filed under: TECHNOLOGY | Tags: Apple, Business, Consumer Electronics Show, Electronics and Electrical, MacbookPro, Power Supplies, Serkan Toto, Sony
In case you don’t know where you’re going the next time you get into your new BMW, you shouldn’t worry … your vehicle will predict your destination for you. The auto manufacturer is developing a system called Intelligent Learning Navigation, which, based on factors such as driving habits and past destinations, can offer a logical guess about where you want to go and suggest the most fuel-efficient way to get there. Ubergizmo.com (2/26) , CrunchGear (2/26)
Apple unveiled the new 17″ MacBook Pro, touting its thin profile and new battery that supposedly lasts up to 8 hours and can recharged up to 1000 times. (Cynopsis 2/27)
The word is out, according to an HD Guru report, on the release dates and price points of the majority of Sony‘s 2009 HDTV lineup. The new models, first introduced at the 2009 International CES, are scheduled to hit stores in February and March. HD Guru (2/27) , Electronista (2/26)
Koetsu USA soon will begin distributing Goldenote’s high-end Koala Tube CD player, according to this report. The player — with Italian-based Goldenote’s Zero-Clock filter for precise playback and Electro-Power self-adjusting voltage supply for top-notch stability — will retail for a shade under $2,300. ElectronicHouse.com (2/26)
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Filed under: BROADCAST/CABLE | Tags: Academy Award, American Broadcasting Company, American Idol, CBS, LL Cool J, NCIS, Television, United States
CBS is winning viewers in head-to-head competition with Fox juggernaut “American Idol,” demonstrating rival programs can succeed against TV’s most-watched show. CBS’s crime drama “NCIS” is attracting 44% more 18-to-49 age viewers, with rock music and funnier dialogue. (Iwantmedia 2/26, http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601088&sid=aYRvKbA3092E 2/25)
Actor/rapper LL Cool J was tapped for the CBS spinoff of NCIS, cites Variety. LL Cool J will play a tough yet likable former Navy SEAL who goes undercover for the NCIS unit based in Los Angeles. CBS will air the spinoff as one half of a two-part NCIS episode later this season. (Cynopsis 2/26)
ABC sold 26 minutes of advertising time for about $72 million in its Feb. 22 Academy Awards broadcast, the most since 2004, according to TNS Media Intelligence. Marketers still “understand the unique power of TV advertising for marquee events such as the Academy Awards.” (Iwantmedia 2/26, http://www.tvweek.com/news/2009/02/abc_made_72_million_on_26_minu.php 2/25)
Citing double-digit ratings growth among key demographic groups by Discovery Channel and TLC, Discovery Communications CEO David Zaslav said the cable programmer’s U.S. networks generated an 8% revenue increase in the fourth quarter of last year. That news — plus an optimistic guidance for this year — sent the company’s shares 13% higher in Wednesday trading. The Wall Street Journal (subscription required) (2/26) , The Hollywood Reporter (2/25)
Television advertising is not only as effective as ever — it is possibly even increasing in effectiveness when it comes to increasing sales, claims a study by the Advertising Research Foundation. People want to “zone out and watch TV and let the communications wash over them.” (
Iwantmedia 2/26, http://www.brandweek.com/bw/content_display/news-and-features/direct/e3i03e9df1ef7d2112b4dd3f3ed8d4374bb 2/25)
ABC Family now can lay claim to the entire 153-episode span of “Gilmore Girls.” The network had acquired the rights to the first six seasons, and now it has added the seventh, which it will begin running in June. TVWeek.com (2/25)
Mediacom, the country’s ninth-largest cable provider, added 33,000 revenue-generating units in the fourth quarter of last year and raised its average revenue per unit 8.9%, to $90.88. Overall, the company reported revenue rose 8.3%, to $360.2 million. OneTRAK (2/25) , Multichannel News (2/25) , CED Magazine (2/2009)
Tivo has expanded its Stop||Watch DVR measurement service adding 17 more cable networks including IFC, Sundance Channel, BBC America, Universal HD and the Weather Channel. Tivo says 16 of the 93 networks in now monitors using its 20,000 home sample are not rated by Nielsen or other competitors. (Cynopsis 2/26)
Liberty Media doesn’t plan to combine the satellite operations of DirecTV with Sirius XM Radio, says CEO Greg Maffei. Bundling subscriptions to DirecTV and Sirius XM may be an “opportunity down the road.” Last week Liberty agreed to buy a 40% stake in Sirius XM. (Iwantmedia 2/26, http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-briefs26-2009feb26,0,133240.story 2/26)
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Filed under: ONLINE SERVICES/INTERACTIVE MEDIA | Tags: Barry McCarthy, Digg, Digital media, Facebook, Netflix, Streaming media, Television, Television program
ONLINE SERVICES/INTERACTIVE MEDIA
In the “foreseeable future,” Netflix is “likely” to offer its video-streaming service separate from its rent-by-mail offering, according to Barry McCarthy, the company’s chief financial officer. Netflix subscribers now can use a number of devices — not just a PC — to stream Netflix movies and TV shows, including the popular “Watch Instantly” content. Reuters (2/25)
After the uproar that ensued when Facebook tried to change its terms of service a couple weeks ago, along with its subsequent backpedaling and public assurances that users own their data, the company is trying a different tack. It is inviting users to comment and contribute on proposed changes to its terms of service. (http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/02/26/facebook-opens-up-its-terms-of-service-to-input-from-users 2/26)
U2 has Comcast – The Allmans have Onstream Media. The digital media services platform announced a deal to webcast the Allman Brothers Band‘s 40th anniversary, 15-day concert series beginning on Mar. 9 live from the Beacon Theater in New York via Moogis.com on a pay-per-view basis. All 15 shows can be viewed live or via archive for $125. (Cynopsis 2/26)
A super-secret Digg toolbar has been spotted in the wild
. We tracked down a beta tester who gave us the skinny on its features. The toolbar lets you Digg or Bury the page you are on, and shows how many Diggs it has already received. There are also links to show related pages, as well as more pages from the same source voted highly by the Digg community or marked as up and coming. (http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/02/26/digg-is-working-on-a-toolbar-to-go-after-stumbleupon-tinyurl-and-all-the-rest 2/26)
Faced with a tough economy, Google is working harder to make money off more of its properties. The Internet giant is extending its AdWords program to searches on Google News, delivering text ads on the search results page, just as it has long done with Web search results. (Iwantmedia 2/26, http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-10172410-93.html 2/25)
Tomorrow’s Cloud Computing Roundtable is sold out. For those of you who can’t join, Techcrunch will be live-streaming the event. (http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/02/26/cloud-computing-roundtable-sold-out-but-it-will-be-streamed 2/26)
Alaska Airlines has announced that they’ve started testing Row 44’s satellite-based Wi-Fi service on a handful of Boeing 737-700s. The first trial flight will take place between Seattle and San Jose (leaves Seattle at 2:20 PT today and returns on Flight 329 from San Jose back to Seattle) and the service will be free for 60 days. After today that aircraft will shift routes. Pricing hasn’t been set, but I’d imagine it’s close to what VA or AA is charging for Aircell’s Gogo service. (
http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/02/26/alaska-airlines-starts-testing-satellite-based-wi-fi-services 2/26)
The two behemoths of the web are at each others’ throats again. European Union regulators said yesterday they have accepted a request from Google to join in on antitrust proceedings launched in Jan. to investigate Microsoft’s dominance in the web browser market. Google continues to criticize Microsoft’s practice of bundling Internet Explorer with its Windows operating system, claiming it is stifling innovation for users. (Cynopsis 2/26)
The PGA finally gets its roar back this week with the return of Tiger Woods at the Accenture Match Play Championship and Turner Sports’ PGAtour.com is there to provide online users with a variety of content including hole-by-hole video coverage of Tiger’s rounds. (Cynopsis 2/26)
(Below) If only ever company was this innovative…
Procter & Gamble is summoning top execs from Google, Facebook, MySpace and Twitter to its Cincinnati headquarters March 9 for a so-called Digital Night. The consumer goods giant is being hush-hush about the event. A P&G spokeswoman says: “It is about learning.” (
Iwantmedia 2/26, http://adage.com/digital/article?article_id=134879 2/25)
Social app maker RockYou, which introduced a new feature earlier this month to add IAB-compliant video ads units to products, also began testing content distribution services with Ashton Kutcher’s Katalyst Media guaranteeing impressions within its apps, per NewTeeVee. RockYou was able to demonstrate 1.8 million impressions in a single day for Katalyst’s special Fashion Week episode of Blah Girls. (Cynopsis 2/26)
Internet advertising could fall by 5% in the first quarter of 2009, the first contraction in online ad spending since the dotcom bubble burst in 2001, according to market research group IDC. Also, the U.S. Internet ad market could get worse before the situation improves. (Iwantmedia 2/26, http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123558776209174437.html 2/25)
Some 48% of respondents of a new survey from We Media/Zogby Interactive cite the Internet as their primary source of news and information. Among 18-29-year-olds, the number is 55%. In addition, Web sites are now “more trusted” news sources than newspapers, television or radio. (Iwantmedia 2/26, http://www.adweek.com/aw/content_display/news/agency/e3i195c363ab252f976cb7ec76fade882cc 2/25)
The simple e-mail newsletter is leading the way in showing how to make money online. The most noted success story is DailyCandy, purchased by Comcast for a reported $125 million last fall. Thrillist, with annual sales of up to $10 million, is launching in its 10th city, Philadelphia. (Iwantmedia 2/26, http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/feb2009/tc20090224_035701.htm 2/25)
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Filed under: GAMING
Sony Computer Entertainment announced a milestone for the PlayStation Network, claiming more than 20 million registered users since its launch in Nov, 2006. (Not bad considering Sony has only sold an estimated 21 million PS3s – that’s a 95% sign-up rate.) Like Xbox Live, the PlayStation Network offers a range of on-line content and services, including on-line gaming, video chat and text messaging with other PS3 users, as well as games and video content downloadable from the PlayStation Store. The outlet now offers some 5,900 movies and TV episodes for purchase in the U.S. (Cynopsis 2/26)
