iTunes

NBC UNIVERSAL has decided not to renew its contract with APPLE to sell television shows on iTunes. NBCU is the top supplier of digital video for iTunes, accounting for 40% of downloads. NBCU reportedly wants more control over pricing, better piracy controls, and the ability to sell bundles of videos. Its current contract runs through Continue Reading →

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 →

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 →

In honor of the Music Publishers joining the lawsuit against YouTube for copyright infringement, my last article focused on music rights. Specifically, what rights you need if you want to avoid getting sued by overzealous stakeholders. Thank you all for your comments, here and via email. The most surprising thing about the discourse this week Continue Reading →

OMNICOM‘s ZIMMERMAN ADVERTISING has added the Z-Media Exchange to its “virtual advertising agency” concept. The virtual exchange will allow local businesses to purchase radio and TV spots. Agency executives will be able to view a market’s inventory, and make an offer. The exchange is a Zimmerman-branded version of the SoftWave Media Exchange. UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP Continue Reading →

CW is preparing to launch its new “cwickie” ad format. On August 10th, during “Friday Night Smackdown,” ELECTRONIC ARTS will lead off three pods with a 10-second cwickie. In addition, EA will run a 60-second isolated spot near the start of the program, and a 90-second isolated spot near the end. All ads will lead Continue Reading →

Click for Today’s MediaBytes Video THE ASSOCIATION FOR DOWNLOADABLE MEDIA launches today. The new trade group brings together 15 companies involved in the world of digital distribution, and aims to standardize ad content and measurement in downloadable digital media. Founding members include Apple, Nielsen, and National Public Radio. The trade group will focus on monetizing Continue Reading →

As I have often said, Steve Jobs is the world’s foremost expert in making me buy stuff I don’t need with money I don’t want to spend. In this regard, the 8GB iPhone is his ultimate achievement. It is, by far, the most viscerally exciting, aesthetically pleasing piece of technology I have ever held in 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 →