FOX and CW both released statements promising scaled-back and “truncated” pilot seasons. Fox has cut 8 scripts from 20th Century Fox while CW will drop around a dozen projects. ABC may reduce script orders by as much as 30%. Meanwhile, Jeff Zucker gave more details on his plans for scaling back NBC’s pilot season. He Continue Reading →
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THE FCC will start the highly anticipated 700 MHz spectrum auction this Thursday, January 24th. On the block are some of the nation’s most valuable radio waves, which Chairman Kevin Martin calls “the building blocks for the next generation of broadband services.” This is expected to be the most lucrative auction ever conducted by the Continue Reading →
HBO will soon begin testing HBO on Broadband, a service that will allow current subscribers to watch the channel’s content online. The service requires a PC application that offers both automatic downloads and live streams of HBO channels. The service will enter a trial period this week in Green Bay and Milwaukee before spreading to Continue Reading →
THE DGA has reached a three-year deal with the AMPTP that delivers significant new media advances. The Guild will have jurisdiction over content created for the web and residuals for downloads will be based on distributors’ gross instead of the 20% of producer’s gross used under the home video agreement. Directors will receive .3% of Continue Reading →
“I felt a great disturbance in the Force, as if millions of voices suddenly cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced. I fear something terrible has happened.” — Obi-wan Kenobi (Long, Long Ago, In A Galaxy Far, Far Away) Many people believe that Obi-wan was referring to the destruction of Princess Leah’s home planet Continue Reading →
NBC officially unveiled “NBC Everywhere” and expanded the digital out-of-home network to include two new platforms. Ideacast will now carry NBC@TheGym, which will bring MSNBC and CNBC content to over 900 fitness centers. University Network will add NBC on Campus, bringing NBC content to “high traffic areas” on 181 college campuses. Existing platforms include screens Continue Reading →
APPLE announced DVD-quality iTunes movie rentals and direct AppleTV rentals in HD. Rentals will cost between $2.99 and $4.99 and be available 30 days after the DVD release. Users will have 30 days to begin watching a download and 24 hours to finish after it starts. All the major studios are supporting the venture. For Continue Reading →
iTunes Rentals Apple announced iTunes movie rentals with support from all the major studios. DVD-quality rentals will cost $2.99 for library titles and $3.99 for new releases. The service launches today and expects to have 1,000 titles available by the end of February. Apple TV has been updated to include support for direct rentals — Continue Reading →
APPLE CEO Steve Jobs announced iTunes movie rentals with support from all the major studios. DVD-quality rentals will cost $2.99 for library titles and $3.99 new releases. HD rentals will cost $3.99 for library titles and $4.99 for new releases. Users have 30 days to start watching a rental and 24 hours to finish once Continue Reading →
NETFLIX will remove the viewing limits on the company’s “watch instantly” video streaming feature, allowing subscribers to watch unlimited amounts of online TV shows and movies. Netflix offers over 6,000 titles through the service and recently announced plans to deliver content to TVs via an LG set-top box. The change is a defensive move that Continue Reading →