MediaBytes

NBC has decided to use reruns from USA Network and internationally-produced shows to help fill the void created by the writers strike. The network will air the “Monk” and “Psych” reruns on Sunday during prime-time. According to Ben Silverman, two shows are currently being produced for NBC outside the US using foreign writers not bound Continue Reading →

NBC officially announced that Jay Leno and Conan O’Brien will return to the air on January 2nd without their writing staffs. Conan expressed his support for the writers and said his show “may be terrible” without them. Ratings have dropped off considerably during reruns, with both shows losing over 30% of their audience. THE FCC Continue Reading →

THE WGA will attempt to force studios to bargain individually, breaking up the AMPTP group negotiations. The Guild claims it has the legal right to demand one-on-one bargaining. Meanwhile, David Letterman’s independent production company will seek an interim deal with the WGA that would allow Letterman to return with his writing staff intact. Jay Leno, Continue Reading →

NEWS CORP officially completed its acquisition of DOW JONES yesterday after 60% of shareholders voted to close the deal. Rupert Murdoch soon showed up at the Dow Jones holiday party wearing a Santa hat. He brought some gifts, in the form of a new CEO, a new publisher and permanent vacations for several top DJ Continue Reading →

FACEBOOK has opened up Facebook Platform to other social-networking sites in a bold response to Google’s OpenSocial application standard. The social-net will license its model and technology to allow other sites to implement Facebook applications. Social-net BEBO is the first to embrace this new arrangement, claiming to offer the “Open Applications Platform.” We may be Continue Reading →

THE GAO released a study yesterday finding that the FCC has “no comprehensive plan” in place for the upcoming transition to all-digital television. The report claims there is a risk of inadequate funding for converter boxes and potential failure to properly inform citizens of the end of analog. In related news, the NTIA announced that Continue Reading →

YOUTUBE has opened its revenue-sharing program to the general public and is accepting applications on YouTube.com. The site will only grant “partner” status to frequent contributors that have built up a YouTube audience while not violating the site’s terms of use. YouTube says partners with over a million views are earning thousands of dollars per Continue Reading →

STRIKE NEGOTIATIONS have broken down, signaling a turn for the worse in the ongoing labor dispute. The AMPTP claims the current problems stem from “radical demands” being made by the WGA, such as the right to join strikes on behalf of other industry guilds. The producers are insisting that the WGA remove certain demands before Continue Reading →

JAMES MURDOCH will oversee all of NEWS CORP.‘s operations in Europe and Asia in a move that will prepare him as an heir to the News. Corp throne. He will gain oversight of the Times of London, the Sun, Sky Italia and more. Murdoch will also move from Chief Executive of BSkyB to Chairman, replacing Continue Reading →

FACEBOOK made further concessions in its war against user privacy. Mark Zuckerberg publicly apologized on the company blog for “a lot of mistakes” surrounding Beacon — admitting the company did a “bad job” with its release. Most importantly, he announced that users will now be able to completely opt-out of Beacon. VERIZON has rolled out Continue Reading →