MediaBytes

FAIR ISAAC released a study claiming that 10-15% of Internet ad clicks may be fraudulent. Two possible causes were cited: generating increased commissions and draining a competitor’s budget by repeatedly clicking on its ads. WPP will acquire 24/7 REAL MEDIA for over $600 Million. 24/7 distributes online advertising. CW announced a new option for advertisers: Continue Reading →

AMAZON announced a new digital music store. The store will sell unprotected MP3 tracks that can play on almost any device or computer. EMI is the only major label to sign on for the service, which will open “later this year.” GOOGLE will transition to “universal search.” Results will soon integrate video, text, news, and Continue Reading →

ABC will make its most popular programs available on-demand via Sprint Nextel phones. Shows such as Lost and Desperate Housewives will be available one day after broadcast. AOL acquired Third Screen Media, a mobile advertising network. The acquisition will allow AOL to sell banner ads for mobile web pages and text message advertising. NBC will Continue Reading →

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 →

CBS is rolling out the CBS Interactive Audience Network this week, as part of an overall shift in online strategy. CBS content will now be available through multiple web outlets. CBS believes that forcing viewers to come to a CBS-only site “hasn’t worked.” NBCU has decided to air originals of “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” Continue Reading →

NIELSEN is requesting logs of commercial advertising from cable networks. Nielsen plans to begin rating commercials this fall, but this move suggests that it may be having difficulty implementing the new system. DAILYMOTION will start filtering content using fingerprinting technology supplied by Audible Magic Corp. The software will analyze the audio track of videos, and Continue Reading →

NEWS CORP. will offer advertisers prominent MySpace placement during next year’s Super Bowl . Fox will promote the site during the game, and give advertisers additional ways to engage the audience. CBS and VIACOM have acquired a “small minority stake” in JOOST. THE NBA began selling basketball games via its own online store. Customers may Continue Reading →

COMCAST is working on a faster “wideband” cable modem. During a presentation at the National Cable and Telecommunications Association Convention, Comcast CEO Brian Roberts showed the modem downloading 4 gigabytes of content in less than four minutes. EBAY is in talks to acquire StumbleUpon, a popular internet service that automatically brings users to websites that Continue Reading →

ABC and ESPN have both signed a deal with Cox, which will offer hit shows on demand, but prevent users from skipping ads.  Top shows, including “Grey’s Anatomy,” will be available 12 hours after initial broadcast.  The deal includes a test of technology that will target ads to specific Zip codes and commercials that are Continue Reading →

BRIGHTCOVE has chosen TREMOR MEDIA as its primary ad sales partner. Tremor will sell ads across the extensive Brightcove video network, which includes content from The New York Times, Dow Jones, and MTV. NBCU will announce a 15-second limit on pre-roll ads for short-form, online video. TREMOR and BRIGHTCOVE will also limit ads to 15 Continue Reading →