VEOH has launched VeohTV, an application that aggregates video from thousands of video sources on the web. VeohTV pulls video feeds from all the major network sites, MySpace, Google, YouTube and “thousands of others.” It even allows recording of content and offers personalized recommendations based on viewing habits. IMEEM officially launched its social-networking, ad-supported music Continue Reading →
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YAHOO CEO Terry Semel has resigned from the company’s top position, and will be succeeded by Yahoo co-founder Jerry Yang. The transition occurs after a year of steadily declining stock value and failure to effectively compete with GOOGLE in the online advertising space. HBO is consolidating digital operations in its New York headquarters, and disbanding Continue Reading →
BLOCKBUSTER has decided to back the Blu-ray high-def standard over the HD DVD standard for its retail locations. A trial run of both formats in 250 stores found that 70% of rentals were Blu-ray. As a result, Blockbuster has decided to stock only Blu-ray titles in 1,450 stores. HD DVD discs will be available online Continue Reading →
News Corp. is planning to sell nine of its 35 local TV stations, mostly in medium-sized markets. The stations are profitable and should bring between $1.3-$1.5 billion. A News Corp. spokesperson said the company is selling the stations for strategic reasons. Strategic reasons? Most analysts agree, News Corp. doesn’t need the cash (even with the Continue Reading →
SONY PICTURES TELEVISION will launch The Minisode Network next week on MySpace. The network will feature 4 to 6 minute condensed versions of classic Sony-owned TV shows, such as “Charlie’s Angels.” Honda has signed on as the sole sponsor. Each minisode will feature an 8 second pre-roll, split into a 3-second billboard and a 5-second Continue Reading →
FCC CHAIRMAN KEVIN MARTIN is scheduled to speak today in support of The Family Choice Act of 2007. The proposed legislation will suggest several ways to protect children from viewing indecent and violent material on TV. One such measure, which Martin supports, is to allow consumers to purchase programming on an a la carte basis. Continue Reading →
GOOGLE has added Placement Performance reports to AdWords, allowing advertisers to track the success of campaigns on specific sites in the Google Content Network. The addition came in response to advertiser requests for transparency and control over ad placement, and will allow advertisers to easily identify responsive audiences. BLOCKBUSTER has cut prices for its online Continue Reading →
WARNER BROS. will begin a trial-run of releasing movies to VOD and DVD on the same day. The experiment begins on July 10th with “The Astronaut Farmer,” which underperformed at the box office. YOUTUBE will soon begin testing home-grown video fingerprinting to identify copyrighted material. Content owners of identified clips will have the option of Continue Reading →
APPLE is in advanced talks with Hollywood studios about offering downloadable movie rentals. Apple is said to be “aggressively pursuing” the idea, and wishes to launch the service in the fall. A downloadable Apple VOD system would compete heavily with cable company offerings.NBC has begun a unique online show that targets a new “prime Continue Reading →
“Half the money I spend on advertising is wasted; the trouble is I don’t know which half.” — John Wanamaker, US department store merchant (1838-1922) This may be the most famous quote in the advertising business. And for good reason — in the black art of media planning and buying lies the tacit understanding that Continue Reading →