Dir. of Media Relations/Editorial, MediaSource
Columbus, OH
Read the full post January 8th, 2007
Archive for January 8th, 2007
Iger reveals new Disney.com home page
In his keynote speech at CES, Disney CEO Robert Iger gave a sneak peek of the new Disney.com site, which will launch later this month. The broadband centerpiece, called Disney XD, features both free and premium Disney video and games. Users can share videos, chat with friends in a social networking environment, listen to music, create playlists and play a “stunning array” of games. Screen grab of the home page follows below, as well as the press release with a few more details…
Read the full post 13 comments January 8th, 2007
Gates on user-created video, YouTube
KING 5 anchor Dennis Bounds, who was at CES today, was nice enough to let me squeeze in a question in his Bill Gates interview. The question: how important is user-created video to Microsoft’s success and do you consider YouTube to be a competitor?
Gates: “They’re a significant competitor in terms of all the Internet things they’re doing. That’s more on the consumer end. In business, in video for trainings and product things, we’ve always been the leader in giving people the tools to do that. But down on this consumer end, there’s a lot of hot activity, YouTube was part of that. We’re doing our best in providing options as well.”
Kind of a non-answer, but I was curious how he’d react. As you may know, Microsoft recently launched Soapbox, its first foray into user video.
Add comment January 8th, 2007
Hearst-Argyle joins NBBC network
Hearst-Argyle has finalized a deal to add its NBC affiliates to the National Broadband Company (NBBC), the online video network that’s jointly owned by NBC Universal and participating NBC affiliates. Details…
Read the full post 1 comment January 8th, 2007
Macworld Expo gets underway
If all the news out of CES isn’t enough, the much-anticipated opening keynote at Macworld Expo from Steve Jobs is scheduled for 9 a.m. PST tomorrow. Engadget will blog it live, as always. Meanwhile, there’s this mysterious message on Apple’s home page…
1 comment January 8th, 2007
‘24′ episodes leaked online
The first four episodes of the upcoming season of Fox’s 24 have been leaked online. AllYourTV reports the episodes first appeared on an Asian BitTorrent site on Saturday, and now are widely available on file-sharing and BitTorrent sites. (Thanks, Stephanie!)
Add comment January 8th, 2007
Yahoo Go 2.0 unveiled with local content
In a new partnership with Motorola announced at CES today, Yahoo unveiled the new Yahoo Go 2.0, new software that promises to “bring the Internet to your phone, not the other way around.” The devices are designed to detect users’ locations and provide local information ranging from weather reports to business and events listings along with other search results. “We see it as the next major Internet battle,” said Yahoo product strategy director Lee Ott. “We think we are positioned to win.” It’s yet another example of the portals pushing aggressively into the local domain, which simultaneously opens up new opportunities and creates new threats for local media. Screen shot of the service…
Yahoo Go! will also work with Samsung, Nokia and Blackberry phones.
Add comment January 8th, 2007
Google partners with Samsung
Samsung mobile telephones equipped with Google software applications will enable users worldwide to search the Internet, check email, and map routes in a new deal announced at CES today. The arrangement does not appear to have the level of local features that Yahoo’s new Yahoo Go 2.0 is offering.
Add comment January 8th, 2007
Tivo features coming to Comcast DVRs
For an added monthly fee, Comcast DVR subscribers will soon be able to download TiVo software so their DVRs behave more like TiVos. This was announced two years ago, and it’s finally hitting the market. Neither company revealed how much it will cost — or an exact launch date — but as a Comcast subscriber, I’m thinking it may be worth it. More TiVo-related announcements: TiVo viewers will be able to access RealNetwork’s Rhapsody service, and TiVo adds Music Choice to its lineup of broadband content.
8 comments January 8th, 2007
Hearst buys network of teen sites
Hearst Magazines Digital Media has acquired eCrush Inc., a collection of teen-oriented entertainment and social networking sites that include eCrush.com, eSpin.com and HighSchoolStyleBoard.com. Press release follows after the screen grab of eCrush…
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Verizon’s mobile TV not going local, yet
Verizon’s new V-CAST Mobile TV service, announced at CES, will include an all-star lineup of network content, but no programming from local TV stations. “There is an ability, over time, to build in local programming,” said John Stratton, Verizon EVP and chief marketing officer, who offered no timeline. Meanwhile, NBC says it will include content from MSNBC, CNBC as well as NBC’s Today Show and Nightly News with Brian Williams.
Add comment January 8th, 2007
Iger to preview new Disney.com
Later today at CES (4:30 p.m. PT), Disney CEO Robert Iger will preview a revamped Disney.com that’s been heralded as the core of Disney’s new internet strategy. The site will feature a social backbone that will allow users to create their own blogs as well as share and mash Disney content. More later…
5 comments January 8th, 2007
