Filed under: BROADCAST/CABLE
HBO opens season two of its vampire series True Blood on June 14 at 9p. Starring Anna Paquin as Sookie Stackhouse and Stephen Moyer as Bill, a 173-year old vampire, True Blood’s new season of twelve episodes combine romance, suspense, mystery and humor set in the backwoods town on Bon Temps, Louisiana. True Blood was created by Alan Ball and is based on the Sookie Stackhouse novels by Charlaine Harris. (Cynopsis 5/12)
ABC is taking the makeover reality genre to a new level as the network signed British chef Jamie Oliver and Ryan Seacrest for a new unscripted series that offers healthy makeovers to a whole city, cites THR. The series is based loosely on Oliver’s highly praised school lunch project in the UK where his efforts to upgrade nutrition offerings within schools was documented in the 2005 series Jamie’s School Dinners. Seacrest heard about Oliver’s program and his desire to do something similar in the US and thus the concept was created. (Cynopsis 5/12)
AMC on Friday will present a roundtable discussion about changes in the entertainment industry in the latest version of its "AMC Storymakers" special. This time around, the show will feature Tom Cruise, Judd Apatow, Cameron Diaz and Nick Cassavetes. TVWeek.com (5/11)
Mediacom, the country’s seventh-largest cable provider, added about 4,000 basic subscribers during the first three months of the year as well as 17,000 digital additions, 24,000 broadband customers and 14,000 phone lines. Overall, the company reported that revenue was up 6.1% during the first quarter, to $360.4 million. OneTRAK (5/11) , CED Magazine (5/2009)
Cablevision Systems Corp. does not have plans to unload any of its businesses, according to a new statement. "The company feels it should make clear that it is not considering the sale of MSG, any of MSG’s businesses or any other Cablevision business at this time," Cablevision said Monday. The Wall Street Journal/Dow Jones Newswires (5/11)
Charter, a cable television operator that filed for Chapter 11 in March, is suing DirecTV over advertisements that try to persuade subscribers to switch TV service by touting Charter’s bankruptcy filing. The ads claim that Charter can’t provide the latest technology, given its troubles. (Iwantmedia 5/12, http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090512/ap_on_bi_ge/us_charter_directv 5/12)
Filed under: ONLINE SERVICES/INTERACTIVE MEDIA
ONLINE SERVICES/INTERACTIVE MEDIA
Hulu, the online television service, yanked most of the episodes of FX’s "It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia" per the network’s request, after users made the show one of the site’s most popular programs. One Hulu user commented in a forum: "Well, off to the torrent sites …" (Iwantmedia 5/12, http://www.wired.com/epicenter/2009/05/hulu-victim-success/ 5/12)
ComScore released its U.S. numbers for April, 2009 today and it shows Twitter reaching 17 million unique visitors in the U.S. during the month, an 83 percent increase from March when Twitter had 9.3 million domestic visitors. While Twitter nearly doubled its audience in April, its monthly growth rate did temper down from the 131 percent growth in March. (http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/05/12/twitter-still-headed-to-the-moon-with-17-million-us-visitors-in-april/ 5/12)
There was a lot of buzz last week upon the announcement that Twitter would soon expand its search offering to crawl links tweeted out on top of the tweets themselves. The ramifications of such a move are potentially large, as it would seem to be a way for Twitter to serve up a tailored, real-time view of what’s hot around the web. Who knows how long it will take Twitter to actually do that, but you don’t have to wait — another company, OneRiot
, is launching the same functionality today. (http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/05/12/twitter-is-talking-real-time-link-search-but-oneriot-is-launching-it-today/ 5/12)
Google has just launched a new “search options” feature on its main search page. When you click on “Search options” you can filter your search by different types of results (videos, forums, and reviews), by time (recent, past 24 hours, past week, past year), as well as seeing related searches, a “wonder wheel” view, or a timeline view.
MySpace is teaming up with production studio Endemol to produce the Web reality series "Married on MySpace," kicking off this week. The show, which will end with one lucky couple tying the knot live online, is sponsored by Touchstone Pictures, the studio behind the movie "The Proposal." (Iwantmedia 5/12, http://www.tvweek.com/news/2009/05/video_getting_married_on_myspa.php 5/12)
Just when it appeared that Web 2.0 may be abandoning the UGC ship for premium content, Break.com,![clip_image003[1]](http://dailymarauder.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/clip_image00312.gif?w=1&h=1 "clip_image003[1]"){kind=small}
a social video site for guys, is upping its budget to add more user generated content to the site. Through Break’s “stimulus package,” the site is increasing its investment in content purchased from its users and other amateur filmmakers by 50%. (http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/05/12/calling-all-dudes-breakcom-wants-your-fratastic-videos/ 5/12)
Filed under: WIRELESS
While SlingPlayer Mobile for iPhone is now available in the App Store, it only will work over a Wi-Fi connection as opposed to a cellular data connection. It also will run you $29.99. The only good news we could scrounge up is that Sling has allowed/enabled the iPhone client to work on any Slingbox, but they won’t officially support it. All in all, we’re sad to say, we really don’t see this going over well. (http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2009/05/12/slingplayer-mobile-for-iphone-available-in-app-store-in-wi-fi-only-flavor-runs-2999/ 5/12)
Was so excited about this when I first heard about it at CES in January but at $29.99 and only available on Wi-Fi, now less so.
People who use search engines on iPhones and devices that run Android software do so in a different fashion than users of conventional devices, findings that could have implications for how companies market and advertise over cell phones, according to a new study Google released. The study shows iPhone users tend to replicate their computer-based behavior in making longer queries than those who used search engines on other devices. MediaPost Communications (5/11)
Amazon took another step Monday toward pursuing a multiplatform agenda for selling electronic books by debuting a version of its Kindle Store that is designed specifically for the shape and size of iPhone and iPod screens. The iPhone’s App Store provides the downloadable Kindle application for free. InformationWeek (5/11)
Filed under: TECHNOLOGY
Streaming video platform Brightcove has added another partner to its already-impressive group of associates. Vudu
, purveyors of fine set-top boxes, have struck up a deal to stream Brightcove-associated content. (http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/05/11/brightcove-brings-its-ad-supported-videos-to-vudu-set-top-boxes/ 5/11)
Denon has announced that the Dolby Pro Logic IIz and Audyssey DSX post-processing surround technologies will be part of its new family of Blu-ray players. The news came as the company announced a slew of new products, including nine A/V receivers, two networked iPod docks and three headphones. TWICE (5/11) , ElectronicHouse.com (5/11)
Filed under: BROADCAST/CABLE
The audience for the 10-11 p.m. hour of Anderson Cooper’s "AC360" has dropped this month to 933,000 viewers — the first time he has fallen below the 1-million mark since the dog days of last August. CNN has invested heavily into marketing Cooper as the face of the network. (Iwantmedia 5/11, http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2009/05/anderson-coopers-shrinking-audience.html 5/11)
U.S. broadcast networks could see a 20% decline in the 2009 television upfront advertising market from the $9.23 billion in commitments from marketers secured last year, analysts say. That could mark the first serious decline in upfront dollars since the 2001 economic downturn. (Iwantmedia 5/11, http://adage.com/mediaworks/article?article_id=136553 5/11)
ABC approved a pick up for the science fiction drama, Flash Forward. The 13-episode order is from ABC Studios and is based on Robert J. Sawyer’s novel about a global catastrophe where everyone in the world blacks out for 2 minutes and 17 seconds and all share the same strange futuristic vision. (Cynopsis 5/11)
ABC identified actress/comedian Aisha Tyler to host a new talk show pilot, The Aisha Tyler Show aimed at younger audiences for syndication or cable. The show will utilize normal talk show elements along with comedic political commentary, produced comedy segments and social networking opportunities for fans to connect with Tyler via Facebook, Twitter and other platforms. Cynopsis 5/11
Hollywood’s legendary Walk of Fame, where more than 2,300 stars in film, television, music, live theatre and radio are honored, will be the subject of future television shows marking its 50th anniversary. Cynopsis 5/11
Scripps Networks Interactive, which includes cable channels such as HGTV and Food Network, saw first-quarter affiliate fees grow 17% because of higher rates and greater distribution. But the company also reported that advertising revenue fell 4.6% during the first three months of the year while overall revenue was down 7%, to $361 million, and net income came in at $60.1 million. TVWeek.com (5/8) , OneTRAK (5/8) , Mediaweek (5/8)
In other pilot pick up news, CBS has okayed the yet-to-be-titled spinoff of NCIS and the legal drama starring Julianna Margulies called The Good Wife for its fall schedule. Cynopsis 5/11
Comedy Central’s Jon Stewart will executive produce a two-hour special for History about the U.S. naturalization process. The show, to be titled "The Naturalized" and set to premiere in the fourth quarter, is being described by Nancy Dubuc, the channel’s executive vice president and general manager, as "very much in Jon’s tone and manner. The early stuff we’re seeing is quite funny, but really poignant and relevant." Broadcasting & Cable (5/11)
Cablevision says it is not considering the sale of Madison Square Garden, Newsday of any other company businesses. The cable firm announced last week that it is mulling the spin off of MSG. The company says it wants to emphasize it is looking at a "spinoff" and not a "sale." (Iwantmedia 5/11, http://www.newsday.com/business/ny-bzcable1212754163may11,0,1269190.story 5/11)
Filed under: ONLINE SERVICES/INTERACTIVE MEDIA
ONLINE SERVICES/INTERACTIVE MEDIA
Hulu.com has experienced meteoric growth among the top destinations for online video. But some analysts, such as Laura Martin of Soleil-Media Metrics, are beginning to wonder if it’s really a smart move in the long-term to be giving away all that content for free: "If you give away your premium content for free, you are basically hastening your own demise. There is a choice that companies have to make." Los Angeles Times (5/11)
Couple of thoughts on this one.
- Online advertising revenue is not contributing to the lost revenues on the traditional revenue formats. Jeff Zucker upgraded his “digital pennies” to “digital dimes” comment when speaking about digital revenue this year. That said, the simple fact is, even though Hulu garners a higher CPM, it’s not enough.
- Hulu doesn’t offer a link to electronic sell thru in essence walling the consumer in to this free streaming content model even though they may want to take the content on the go on an airplane or in the subway.
Google is in talks with some of the biggest U.S. newspapers, including the New York Times and the Washington Post, according to various reports. While the subject of the talks is not clear, "every Web publisher realizes that Google can direct a firehose of traffic to their content." (Iwantmedia 5/11, http://mediamemo.allthingsd.com/20090511/google-talking-to-new-york-times-washington-post-about-something/ 5/11)
Search-engine Goliath Google is preparing to run its first TV ads. The spots, for its new Chrome Web browser, will begin running next month on a number of platforms, including NBC Universal cable channels such as CNBC, Sleuth and Chiller. Advertising Age (5/8)
The Obama Administration’s new chief antitrust enforcer at the Department of Justice, Christine Varney, is making it very clear
that she is going to be much more aggressive in bringing antitrust actions against large, American corporations. The Bush Administration took a hands-off approach to antitrust enforcement, and that is about to change. Varney needs a high-profile case to make her name, and all indications are that she is eying Google. After all she needs to make an example out of a big powerful corporate “predator” and in this limping econmy there simply aren’t that many powerful companies to chose from.
ABC’s late-night news show "Nightline" is expanding its relationship with Twitter to develop "NightTline," a half-hour digital program hosted by the show’s anchors and correspondents that provides a forum for viewers to simultaneously discuss the news of the day through Twitter. (Iwantmedia 5/11, http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/story?id=7558877 5/11)
Tim Armstrong, the former advertising chief at Google, will be hard-pressed to make substantial improvements in his new job as CEO of AOL, analysts say. If he succeeds in turning around the floundering Time Warner unit, "he’s a genius." However, if he fails, "no one can blame him (Iwantmedia 5/11, http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20090510/FREE/305109973# 5/9)
MySpace has let go of as many as 45 employees in the last week, we’ve confirmed. Sources close to the company say that the exact figure may be smaller, but that MySpace has definitely laid off a significant number of people. MySpace has refused to comment on the matter, so it isn’t clear if this was the result of a canceled project, general layoffs, or performance-based cuts. A source says that early signs indicate that the open positions will not be filled by other employees. (http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/05/09/layoffs-hit-myspace/ 5/9)
![clip_image005[1]](http://dailymarauder.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/clip_image00511.jpg "clip_image005[1]"){kind=small}
ESPN Chicago, a new Web site for sports fanatics in the Windy City, may set off a digital war in regional sports. The ESPN local sports site raises questions about whether the network one day might bid for local sports television rights now secured by Fox and Comcast. (Iwantmedia 5/11, http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/content/may2009/db2009058_229025.htm 5/8)
Rio Caraeff, an exec with Universal Music’s eLabs, is expected to be named president of Vevo, the new music video site formed by Universal Music and YouTube, due to launch later this year. Universal and YouTube unveiled Vevo in April, saying it will be a showcase for music videos. (Iwantmedia 5/11, http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-10236773-93.html 5/8)
Comedy Central and its digital network Atom.com are co-funding the new online cop series The Fuzz produced by Waverly Films. Five webisodes have been approved featuring humans and puppets teaming to fight crime in a corrupt city. Cynopsis 5/11
Filed under: WIRELESS
Video search startup EveryZing
just landed its biggest fish yet: NBC Universal. Boston-based EveryZing signed a master service agreement with NBC to provide video search and search-optimization technologies across all of its online properties, which include NBC.com, iVillage, CNBC.com, and the websites for Bravo, Sci-Fi, and Telemundo. (The deal does not cover Hulu, which is a joint venture between NBC and Fox). (http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/05/11/nbc-invests-in-video-search-startup-everyzing-and-signs-up-as-its-biggest-customer/ 5/11)
Almost immediately following Twitter coming back from a planned downtime this afternoon, co-founder and current Chairman Jack Dorsey![clip_image001[1]](http://dailymarauder.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/clip_image0011.gif?w=1&h=1 "clip_image001[1]"){kind=small}
sent out a tweet![clip_image001[2]](http://dailymarauder.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/clip_image0012.gif?w=1&h=1 "clip_image001[2]"){kind=small}
letting his followers know that he was, “Getting ready to embark on something new and entirely different. Excited!” Dorsey is getting ready to launch his next startup, he’s confirmed to us. As the guy who actually invented Twitter, this is notable. (http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/05/08/nuts-twitter-inventor-about-to-launch-his-next-project-code-named-squirrel/ 5/8)
In an age when anyone with a video-capable cell phone can have their own TV channel on the Web, it is still the celebrities and rock stars who are getting all the views (just as on Twitter they get the most followers). Kyte![clip_image001[3]](http://dailymarauder.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/clip_image0013.gif?w=1&h=1 "clip_image001[3]"){kind=small}
CEO Daniel Graf knows this fact all too well. Of the 215,000 video channels on Kyte, nearly all are created by consumers, but only about 1,000 account for more than 90 percent of the mobile videos streamed via the service. And those 1,000 channels are invariably the work of professionals or the cell-phone videos of famous people such as musicians Lady Gaga (iTunes link![clip_image001[4]](http://dailymarauder.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/clip_image0014.gif?w=1&h=1 "clip_image001[4]"){kind=small}
) and Soulja Boy (iTunes link) (http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/05/11/kyte-streams-50-million-videos-a-month-rolls-out-iphone-apps-for-mtv-nba-and-others/ 5/11)
The CDC’s report on wireless substitution![clip_image001[5]](http://dailymarauder.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/clip_image0015.gif?w=1&h=1 "clip_image001[5]"){kind=small}
– aka canceling your land line for a cellphone – is out and we discover that one in five U.S. households have cut the cable, an increase of 2.7 percent over six months ago. Another tidbit: one in every seven American homes (14.5%) took all their calls on cellphones despite having a landline. (http://www.mobilecrunch.com/2009/05/11/center-for-disease-control-releases-report-on-wireless-families-one-in-five-fams-are-cellphone-only/ 5/11)
