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NEWS CORP. and NBCU have released more details about their upcoming joint venture into the online video business. The new company will be called “Hulu.” CEO Jason Kilar posted a message on the newly-launched Hulu.com, saying that the site will begin a “private beta” phase in October. The site includes artwork from several top shows Continue Reading →

CRISPIN PORTER + BOGUSKY has signed up for StopWatch, TIVO‘s second-by-second viewer data service. The company will use the data to evaluate viewer reactions to its ads, which could influence future creative decisions. TiVo’s StopWatch releases a daily sampling of the data from 20,000 TiVo boxes. Starcom, Interpublic and a handful of other companies already Continue Reading →

SPRINT NEXTEL has chosen SAMSUNG to provide the infrastructure for its WiMax service in New York. Samsung is also providing the infrastructure in Washington D.C., Boston, and other cities. The service, called Xohm, is expected to launch in Washington D.C. in April 2008, and will follow in NY towards the end of next year. AKAMAI Continue Reading →

THE MAJOR NETWORKS are embracing online video more than ever to help launch their new fall lineups. NBC is out in front with the most aggressive move: offering full downloads of season premieres via Amazon.com and the iTunes Store. The episodes will also be available through VOD on almost 30 cable and satellite systems, and Continue Reading →

Adobe, maker of the Flash Media Server and its associated ubiquitous player, has announced that it will support the H.264 format. I know what you’re thinking — I lost you at “H.” I mean, seriously, could there be a more geek-centric thing to write about? Stay with me, that’s all the tech we’re going to Continue Reading →

 CABLELABS has approved a new technical standard for IP video, in conjunction with major movie studios and consumer-electronics makers. It brings together Paramount, Sony Pictures, Walt Disney, Warner Brothers, Hitachi, Intel, Panasonic, and Toshiba. The specification will allow set-top boxes and other devices to transfer cable signals throughout home networks, and should spur growth Continue Reading →

FACEBOOK is working on a new, targeted advertising system. Using the system, advertisers will be able to target users based on favorite activities, musical preferences, and other personal information revealed in a user profile. The new ads will appear in a user’s “news feed,” which keeps them up-to-date on the activity of their Facebook friends Continue Reading →

YOUTUBE will unveil a new advertising model today. Semi-transparent overlays will appear on the bottom of videos a few seconds after each clip begins. Viewers will be able to close the overlay, click it to launch an advertisement, or wait for it to fade away. YouTube tested formats with 200 advertisers, and found this approach Continue Reading →

ADOBE will add support for the H.264 standard to its Flash video player. An announcement is expected today, with a beta version of the upgraded software available for download immediately. Flash is installed on 98% of computers, and is favored by YouTube and other video-sharing sites. The move should help boost the quality of Internet Continue Reading →

Click to view today’s MediaBytes video. BUILDING B has received $17.5 million in funding for its next-generation set-top box. The company plans to release a box that merges content available on broadcast television with the niche content available on the web. It is remaining tight-lipped about its plans, but has hinted at using wireless to Continue Reading →