TIVO will allow users to order and download digital movies and TV shows directly from their television sets, starting today. The new “Buy on TV” functionality connects TiVo DVR’s directly to the Amazon Unbox download service. The TiVo-Amazon partnership formerly required users to log onto Unbox.com to initiate downloads.
NIELSEN/NETRATINGS will officially announce its transition from page views to time spent on a site as the deciding factor in ranking websites. The change will allow better tracking of visitors to online video sites, who may spend longer times on individual pages, watching digital content. The new method is expected to significantly alter online rankings. An announcement is expected today.
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL will launch an extensive new online video site that embraces the user-generated trend. Users will have access to archival footage of famous post-season performances, and be able to edit the video into personalized highlight reels. The official launch is expected during tonight’s All Star Game.
LIVE EARTH proved to be an online success and an off-line failure. Online, the event smashed records, generating 8 million unique streams — the most ever for an online entertainment event. Usage peaked on Saturday afternoon. Offline was a completely different story: on TV, Live Earth ranked as the least-watched program Saturday night, drawing only 2.7 million viewers to NBC.
FOX has named Kevin Reilly president of entertainment.