FCC

APPLE wants to slash the price of TV show downloads in half, according to a new report in Variety. The company has been presenting studios with the idea of selling shows for $0.99 per episode, telling them that increased volume will make up for the price drop. However, the studios are concerned that such low-priced 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 →

TIVO‘s STOP/WATCH service announced the top commercials for the June ratings period. According to TiVo data, the ten most-watched commercials all ran during the May 29th season finale of “House” on Fox. The commercials ranged from a 9.4 rating to a 12.1 rating, when all views were accounted for. However, the episode itself received a Continue Reading →

THE FCC approved the “open access” provision for the upcoming 700 MHz spectrum auction, which will allow consumers to use any compatible wireless device on 22 of the 62 available megahertz. However, the Commission will not require licensees to resell spectrum to other service providers. The auction will take place before January 28, 2008, and Continue Reading →

VIDMETRIX has launched its own multi-site video uploader. The tool will allow video publishers to automatically distribute their content to seven video-sharing sites: YouTube, MySpace, Metacafe, Google, Yahoo, Revver, and Veoh. Tubemogul, which announced a multi-site uploader last week, is adding 3 new distribution sites to its service today, bringing its total reach to 9 Continue Reading →

GOOGLE plans to participate in the upcoming auction for the 700 MHz wireless spectrum, provided the FCC adopts certain auction requirements. Google pledged to spend up to $4.6 Billion on spectrum if the auction rules require that winners allow open access to compatible wireless devices. In addition, Google wants auction winners to be required to Continue Reading →

FCC CHAIRMAN KEVIN MARTIN is proposing open access requirements for a 22 MHz block of the 700 MHz spectrum. In an interview on Tuesday, Martin pushed for a “truly open broadband network” available to any device and any application. He said that the current standard of bundling cellphone service with specific devices hinders innovation and Continue Reading →

APPLE is on the verge of partnering with Telefónica’s O2 to bring the iPhone to the UK. The phone will operate on O2’s 2.5G network, not the faster 3G standard. Reports circled earlier this week claiming that Apple will partner with Deutsche Telekom’s T-Mobile to release the phone in Germany. CABLE PROVIDERS are preparing to Continue Reading →

YAHOO will announce Yahoo Smart Ads today. Smart Ads will utilize behavioral targeting to create more relevant advertisements. Using the new technology, ads will be created on the spot, utilizing several known factors about a user — including recently-visited sites, location, age, and income. THE FCC issued waivers for the July 1st ban on integrated Continue Reading →

FCC Commissioner, Deborah Taylor Tate gave an interesting speech at the 46th Annual New York State Broadcasters Association Conference in Lake George the other day. She was sandwiched between David Rehr, president and CEO of the National Association of Broadcasters and Governor Eliot Spitzer, so her remarks were shorter than planned. She has posted the Continue Reading →