MediaBytes – 05/15/07

THOMSON and REUTERS have agreed to a merger, forming the new Thomson-Reuters. The deal will face regulatory scrutiny. DISCOVERY plans an aggressive mobile video play. The company will launch 14 original mobile series this year. The content will be seen on Discovery Mobile. IAC is acquiring a “significant stake” in a major artist-management company, Front Continue Reading →

Bob Wright to Chair New Group

National Academy of Media Arts & Sciences
Recognizing the New Digital Generation New York, N. Y. – The Board of Trustees of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences today voted unanimously  to authorize the formation of a new peer group, the National Academy of Media Arts & Sciences, open to current and new members of any of the 19 chapters Continue Reading →

The Rap on Freedom of Speech

Hip-Hop Summit Action Network
How should we feel about the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network’s (HSAN) recommendation that, “recording and broadcast industries voluntarily remove/bleep/delete the misogynistic words ‘bitch’ and ‘ho’ and the racially offensive word ‘nigger’.” It’s not a free speech issue, is it? I. Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise Continue Reading →

DRM-Free iTunes – Did We Miss the Memo?

iTunes
“Today, EMI is taking the next big step forward in the digital music revolution. This is something that will become very popular” said Apple’s CEO, Steve Jobs. He was referring, of course, to the fact that Apple and EMI are going to start selling DRM-free music (no copy protection) through the iTunes Music Store. The Continue Reading →

MediaBytes – 04/05/07

Yahoo has launched Yahoo Alpha, a new search engine that mirrors Google’s minimalist design. Today’s Wall Street Journal discusses the challenge that hotel television is facing in the new media environment. Portable DVD players, iPods with video, and laptops with Internet connections are eating into profits for in-room TV services. Blyk is launching a free Continue Reading →