MSNBC.com launches ‘First Person’
As promised last year, MSNBC.com has launched a citizen journalism section, and it’s called “First Person.” Users can upload video, photos and stories in response to suggested topics. MSNBC.com used First Person earlier this month with the NBC Nightly News series, “Trading Places: Caring for Your Parents,” and the site received over 6,000 stories, photos [...]
Slick new feature on Yahoo Finance
While I was checking a few stocks to see how hard they were hit with today’s precipitious market drop, I noticed Yahoo Finance‘s new streaming quotes feature. As a stock rises and falls, the data updates dynamically in the page. Very cool. Also, you’ll notice I added Yahoo’s new stocks widget in the right sidebar [...]
Stocks drop on slow growth fears
Update: The Dow closed down 415 points (-3.3 percent) and the NASDAQ dropped 97 points (-3.9 percent) today after a slide in Chinese stocks and concerns the U.S. economy is decelerating more than anticipated. Yesterday, former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan said the economy may be headed for a recession. Nervous investors are beginning to [...]
Bob Woodruff’s story airs Tuesday
“To Iraq and Back: Bob Woodruff Reports” airs on ABC at 10 p.m after an appearance on Oprah earlier today. “I remember driving along in the tank, up that road, and standing up outside through the open hatch at the top,” he said. “When the IED actually exploded, I don’t remember that,” Woodruff continued. “But [...]
YouTube inks deal with the NBA
The NBA has created its own channel on YouTube as part of a revenue-sharing deal. Users can upload and rate their best basketball moves, and the best will be compiled into a top 10 list on the site. The NBA has also uploaded selected game highlights. Press release after the screen grab…
Media job cuts accelerating
U.S. media companies cut 17,809 jobs in 2006, up 88 percent over the year before, and the cost-cutting shows no signs of slowing. Meanwhile, hiring for digital media positions is running at a rapid pace to meet high demand. I’m still amazed at how most (but not all) people who work in TV are oblivious [...]
Apple TV rollout delayed until mid-March
Apple is going to spend a little more time tinkering with its device that will stream video from computers to your TV. Apple TV was originally slated to come out this month. But company spokeswoman Lynn Fox says “Wrapping up Apple TV is taking a few weeks longer than we projected, and we now expect [...]
Pew Internet Life: WiFi gaining in online use time
The Pew Internet and American Life Project has a new report (PDF) with oodles of good data about people who use WiFi to connect to the web. About 34% of internet users have gone online using WiFi. They use the web differently than those connected by a wire. From the study: – 72% of wireless [...]
Hearst invests in Local.com
Hearst Interactive Media announced a $8 million investment in Local.com, a business directory site. “Local.com is well positioned to capitalize on the consumer and advertiser trends that are delivering growth in the emerging local search advertising industry, said Kenneth Bronfin, president of Hearst Interactive Media in a statement. “We believe Local.com has the right strategy [...]
Behind the scenes of Washington Post’s video efforts
The Apple site has a great promotional video of the Washington Post’s online video efforts, and it’s worth a look. The WaPost now has 50 reporters carrying video cameras. I think it’s safe to say that’s the largest web video photography team in news. Plus, check out OnBeing, the video project profiled in the clip. [...]
Heaton – Voyeurism: Journalism’s 21st Century Crisis
PoMo Blog (and my work colleague) guru Terry Heaton’s newest essay deconstructs the voyeuristic nonsense of the recent news (“news”) cycle. The nonstop, wall-to-wall Anna Nicole and Britney’s head coverage is rationalized because “that’s what the audience wants,” right? Well, in the postmodern world, writes Terry: …this is just an excuse to validate and continue [...]
AP names Kevin Roach EP of online video
Congrats to Kevin Roach on being named the Associated Press Executive Producer of Online Video. Kevin goes to the AP’s Washingon-based Online Video Network after serving as ND at WDTN in Dayton, Ohio. He has a background in online as well, having served as a regional director of IBS. (Disclosures: I consulted for the AP’s Online Video Network and worked with Kevin in the early days of New England Cable News.) Full press release, after the jump.
Tyndall Report adds video of network news packages
The Tyndall Report was always a must read for the rundown of the networks’ nightly news stories. But now the site’s new iteration is a must see. The new Tyndall Report (RSS), is a video-centric marvel. The site has the rundown from the ABC, NBC and CBS nightly newscasts with links to the videos as [...]
Google expands video syndication network
We’ve been following Google’s test of a video syndication network that involves a three-way ad revenue split between the content provider, any site that wants to post the video, of course, Google. Now Google has added Dow Jones (WSJ), Condé Nast and Sony BMG Music Entertainment to its list of heavy-hitting media companies giving the [...]
BitTorrent launching TV, movie downloads
Coming today, BitTorrent is launching a download site with films from Warner Bros, Paramount, 20th Century Fox, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and Lionsgate along with TV shows such as 24. The idea is to influence 20- and 30-something guys who regularily download illegal torrents to upgrade to paid legal downloads. “We have to program for that audience and [...]
Tribune considering late offer
Tribune board members were close to settling on an internal overhaul of the company — which included spinning off its TV stations — when a Chicago real estate magnate made a last-minute proposal, reports the NY Times. Sam Zell’s offer would involve buying the entire company with help from an employee stock ownership plan. But [...]
Oscars: What did you think?
It was Hollywood’s big night. So how was the show? Tell us what you think in comments. Variety: Oscars a “stately if unspectacular-bordering-on-dull affair” NY Times: DeGeneres was “cheeky but good-natured” Washington Post: Oscars were “a bore and a horror” Boston Globe: Host DeGeneres schmoozes as audience snoozes Hollywood Reporter: 79th Oscars tight, not memorable
