Internet Content Producer, KING5.com

Seattle

Read the full post March 5th, 2007

Couchville makes TV listings easy

A new site called Couchville (from the folks who behind Beyond TV) streamlines TV listings with drag-and-drop Ajax functionality. Just enter your zip and your TV service, then drag the program guide any which way like it’s a Google map. Click a show and see a schedule of upcoming episodes. Clean and simple.

4 comments March 5th, 2007

Microsoft blasts Google over copyright

One of Microsoft’s top lawyers isn’t pulling any punches in a speech at the Association of American Publishers. In his prepared remarks, Thomas Rubin says that Google’s success has come at the expense of book publishers, video producers and software companies. “Google takes the position that everything may be freely copied unless the copyright owner notifies Google and tells it to stop,” Rubin said. “In essence, Google is saying to you and to other copyright owners: ‘Trust us — you’re protected. We’ll keep the digital copies secure, we’ll only show snippets, we won’t harm you, we’ll promote you.’” In response, Google’s chief legal officer said the search giant has increased exposure “and in many cases more revenue” for authors, publishers and producers of content.

1 comment March 5th, 2007

First HD ‘South Park’ free on Xbox 360

South Park is giving away the popular episode, “Good Times with Weapons” on Xbox 360 for the next two weeks, and it just so happens to be the first high definition episode of the animated show. Coolness. Press release…

Read the full post 1 comment March 5th, 2007

Brightcove to add online video editing

Brightcove is working on a new online consumer editing and production tool called Aftermix that’s has some similarities to Jumpcut and a couple other online video sites. “(It’s) much like an iMovie for the web,” writes Brightcove CEO Jeremy Allaire in an email to Lost Remote. Users can upload video or even record video directly from a webcam into the editing timeline. But with a twist, Aftermix will allow editors to tap into rights-cleared assets from Brightcove’s media partners to incorporate into their video creations. No ETA yet for Aftermix’s launch. Meanwhile, Allaire likes to point out Brightcove’s success to date. “In three months we’ve gone from nothing to being one of the top 15 video sites, and are experiencing triple-digit growth every month,” he writes. While he says YouTube has won the first round in online video, “the next round will be focused on quality content, quality experiences and models that work with and for the interests of rights holders, while also embracing the passion and energy of end-users.”

2 comments March 5th, 2007

John Ashcroft blasts Sirius-XM merger, but wait…

Former Attorney General John Ashcroft is working as a lobbyist for the NAB in an effort to stop the merger between Sirius and XM Satellite Radio. He even sent a letter to his successor Alberto Gonzales explaining that it “raises most serious competition concerns.” But wait, XM says Ashcroft approached them first. “After the merger was announced, Mr. Ashcroft’s firm contacted us about hiring him to assist us,” said Nathaniel Brown, a spokesman for XM. “We declined. Apparently the National Association of Broadcasters opted to pay him to parrot their views.” (WSJ sub. req.)

2 comments March 5th, 2007

Geico ad campaign to become ABC sitcom pilot

Those Geico cavemen ads have impressed the ABC programming team so much they’re giving the cavemen a chance at their own sitcom. The pilot will feature the travails of three cavemen living in Atlanta as they battle discrimination, and at some point, a Geico spokesperson will make an appearance. Hmmm, an ad that turns into a TV show that’s partly an ad.

Adds Sam in comments: “Though this is almost guaranteed to be a schlocky one joke show that runs for five episodes, it’s not impossible to imagine that in the hands of good writers it could turn into Adult Swim style surreal awesomeness. Personally, I’d rather see the Gecko get his own show, but that’s just me.”

Adds Nadine: “I’ve been a huge caveman fan since day one. My dad just told me about this and I’m in shock. Although I adore the commercials, I can’t see how they can make it into a TV show. I’m a dork, though, so I’ll most definitely be watching the show. It can’t be much worse than what else is on TV, after all.”

15 comments March 5th, 2007

News briefs: CNBC.com, CNN Mobile, WorldNow

    - CNBC.com’s $1 million portfolio challenge gets underway
    - WorldNow helps ABC affiliates with video ads
    - CNN Mobile relaunches overseas with Lexus as sponsor

1 comment March 5th, 2007

Video game consoles growing fast

More that two-fifths of television households have a video game console, up an amazing 18.5 percent in the last two years, according to a new study by Nielsen. “The videogame console has become a major player in the battle for the living room,” said Jeff Herrmann, VP of Nielsen Wireless and Interactive Services. No doubt. Two-thirds of all men in TV households between ages 18-34 have access to a video game console in their homes. On a personal level, I watch significantly less TV now that I own an Xbox, although I can also download and watch on-demand TV via the Xbox 360’s marketplace.

1 comment March 5th, 2007

‘Nightly’ names new executive producer

NBC News VP Alexandra Wallace has been named the new executive producer of NBC Nightly News. Wallace is the first woman to lead a weeknight network evening newscast in a decade. Wallace replaces John Reiss, who was reassigned. Press release…

Read the full post Add comment March 5th, 2007

TodayShow.com gets its own URL

The Today Show’s web presence has always been a subsection on MSNBC.com, but today the show debuted its own URL, TodayShow.com, with a unique look and expanded features. “We recognize that the ‘Today’ brand and its fan base deserve a distinctive destination rather than existing solely as an MSNBC.com subsection. We’ve created a unique ‘Today’ environment with its own URL and a standalone experience,” said Charlie Tillinghast, president of MSNBC.com. The new site is basically co-branded with iVillage, and it features plenty of content from the women’s lifestyle site. TodayShow.com also features a Today Show blog called AllDay, Al Roker video blog, new columnists and message boards. Press release after the screen grab…

Read the full post 29 comments March 5th, 2007