Fox to stream more shows
The first few episodes of Justice, ‘Til Death and Happy Hour will be streamed on Fox.com, Google Video, IGN.com, TVGuide.com and dozens more partner sites.
2 comments September 17th, 2006
Archive for September 17th, 2006
Warner inks landmark deal with YouTube
While Universal Music is threatening to sue, Warner Music has teamed up with YouTube in a first-of-its-kind deal. Here’s how it works: Whenever someone uploads a video with a Warner Music song playing in the background, new content-identification software on YouTube recognizes it. Warner can choose to accept or deny it. If accepted, whenever the clip is played, revenue from ads served along the side is shared between YouTube and Warner. In effect, this means that Warner is extending a license to anyone who uploads their music. “We are very excited,” YouTube co-founder and CEO Chad Hurley said. “This is a real landmark for our company.” YouTube is hoping the deal will serve as a springboard for similar media alliances to come. “Technology is changing entertainment, and Warner Music is embracing that innovation,” said Warner Music Chairman Edgar Bronfman Jr. “Consumer-empowering destinations like YouTube have created a two-way dialogue that will transform entertainment and media forever.” The press release issued this morning says the new technology will be in place at the end of the year. More details…
Read the full post 22 comments September 17th, 2006
AP photog imprisoned by US military as ’security threat’
The U.S. military in Iraq continues to hold an Associated Press photographer as a prisoner, five months after his arrest for being a “security threat.” Bilal Hussein, a native Iraqi, was arrested along with two insurgents. In an article at Wired, the man in charge of military operations in Iraq, U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Jack Gardner, is quoted as emailing the AP that Hussein “…has relationships with insurgents and is afforded access to insurgent activities outside the normal scope afforded to journalists conducting legitimate activities.” AP Executive Editor Kathleen Carroll says that journalists develop contacts on all sides of battle, and that merely being in their presence does not mean collaboration. “Journalists have always had relationships with people that others might find unsavory,” says Carroll.
11 comments September 17th, 2006
Movie downloads: close, but no pirate-buster
With all the recent announcements of companies getting into the movie download business, you’d think someone would get it right. There are two things we want: the option to “rent” and the option to own via burning to a DVD. The price should be less than a DVD in stores because there is no production cost, no shipping cost and no retail markup. So far, so disappointing. Hollywood continues to lag rather than lead. And users continue to steal because they have to.
10 comments September 17th, 2006
What do you call a Web 2.0 aggregator?
Mix the silliness of Web 2.0 logos (so shiny!) and the silliness of their names (tabblo? meez? jamendo?) and you have a silly Web 2.0 directory. GO2WEB20.net lists 2.0 companies by logo. Click on the logo and some information about the company appears. I would ask “what’s the point,” but if I did that for every site whose purpose confused me, I’d never get anything done. (Via CNET) A side of advice: Never invest in a software company whose sole feature could easily be duplicated in the next release of an operating system.
11 comments September 17th, 2006
Beyond ‘Macaque’: Paid bloggers stoke the VA Senate race
When Sen. George Allen (R- VA) didn’t get support from conservative bloggers for his “macaque” remark (and can you blame them?) he decided to hire a blogger of his own. His opponent, Democrat Jim Webb has his own paid bloggers (PBs?). The Washington Post looks at whether bloggers are dancing the line of campaign finance laws, and how they are poised to have more influence than ever in the elections.
Add comment September 17th, 2006
AOL enabling TV, movie downloads for Viiv PCs
Which is harder to figure out how to pronouce? “Viiv” or “Wii?” And iis thiis a trend? No matter. CNET News.com reports that AOL will announce a deal with Intel this week that will let consumers download TV shows and movies to PCs with Intel’s Viiv processor. They can they pipe the downloads straight to their TVs. Interesting to see a content provider do a deal with a processor company. Another baffling move, if you ask us. We once again get back to our “people only steal when you make them” philosophy of online content. Do they really think the average user knows what-the-heck kind of processor they have? Why keep limiting the audience for your own content?
6 comments September 17th, 2006
