APPLE has removed all NBC content from iTunes. The contract between the two parties has expired and no new agreement is in place. NBC content accounted for 30% of iTunes TV show sales. AOL has canceled its paid download service and partnered with AMAZON Unbox for digital download sales. Unbox content has been given its Continue Reading →
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The first time Mark Zuckerberg, co-founder and CEO of Facebook, got into social networking netiquette trouble with his online friends was back in September of 2006. Power users of the nascent site were aghast when suddenly, every thing they did on Facebook was instantly and automatically fed to everyone of their Facebook friends and even Continue Reading →
FACEBOOK has been forced to change Beacon’s default behavior due to mounting criticism and user unrest. Previously a transaction would broadcast to a user’s network automatically if he did not choose to prevent it. Under Beacon 2.0 transactions will not be published until a user actually agrees to it. Ignored requests will greet a user Continue Reading →
YAHOO and ADOBE will begin paying publishers to run ads inside PDF files. Publishers can upload a PDF to Adobe to have dynamic text advertising inserted. Advertisers will purchase the ads through Yahoo’s online system and have them contextually placed in relation to the contents of a PDF. Adobe and Yahoo have settled on a Continue Reading →
KEVIN MARTIN conceded defeat yesterday for his suggestion that the 70/70 rule is in effect. He withdrew a report that contained the 70/70 claim as justification for further cable regulation and will re-submit his proposal without it in the coming months. Martin’s plan to lower channel lease fees for independent networks was passed and will Continue Reading →
NBC UNIVERSAL will use TIVO‘s second-by-second viewer data and sell interactive ads on behalf of the DVR-maker. The ads will come in the form of clickable “tags” that reveal a company’s name even if a user is fast-forwarding through a commercial. A similar feature will allow users to easily record NBC Universal shows that are Continue Reading →
THE WGA and AMPTP will resume talks this morning. Negotiations will occur in an undisclosed location and a press blackout is in effect. The WGA reminded writers to return to picket lines even as the new round of talks begins. FIREBRAND will launch tonight on ION Television, offering users TV ads as entertainment. The show Continue Reading →
YAHOO signed a deal that will allow users to legally upload videos containing SONY BMG music to Yahoo’s video-sharing site. Sony BMG will receive a cut of advertising revenue generated by videos, which can be placed in a Yahoo.com player or embedded on third-party sites. Sony BMG cut a similar deal with Google Video and Continue Reading →
AMAZON unveiled Kindle, its new e-book reader on Monday. The device allows users to download e-books from the Amazon store wirelessly using Sprint’s EV-DO network. Over 90,000 books are available, with new releases priced at $9.99 and classics as low as $1.99. The device is already drawing some negative reviews, with several commentators questioning the Continue Reading →
SYNCTV will launch in private test form today, offering an online a la carte channel lineup with downloadable DVD-quality programs. The PIONEER spinoff will offer online channel subscriptions for a few dollars per month and sell individual episodes for $2. The company also promises forth-coming compatible media players and a public test version of the Continue Reading →