Ohio newspapers partner, bypassing AP
In an interesting announcement, Ohio’s largest newspapers will be sharing their stories with each other’s websites. The newspapers from Akron, Canton, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Toledo and Youngstown will share their best stories every day. In explaining the partnership, the Plain Dealer admits how papers keep the best stories from the AP for as long [...]
Briefs: YouTube, March sweeps, NY Times
– Schmidt says Google still scratching head over YouTube profits – Nielsen moves February 2009 sweeps to March because of DTV – New York Times newsroom gets upgraded to… Microsoft Office 2003
And your Webby Award hosts will be…
Seth Meyers of Saturday Night Live and Judah Friedlander of 30 Rock. The Webby Awards will be held in New York from June 8th–10th.
‘Startling revelations’ in new Borrell report
I’m still digesting the latest Borrell Associates report, “Online Promotions: The Big Shift,” but I think it’s safe to say that there are some surprising — and potentially controversial — predictions for local media. At the heart of the report is the forecast that online promotions — money that local companies spend to promote their [...]
Report: 3G iPhone for $199
If Fortune is right, there could be a game-changing move coming this summer that will bring the iPhone into the mainstream for many more consumers. While still tied to AT&T, Fortune says the 3G iPhone will come with a $200 discount from the wireless company that will bring the price down to $199 for the [...]
Newsroom culture and the forbidden web
In TV newsrooms, “it seems that adopting the culture of the web is often forbidden… until it’s compulsory,” writes Steve Safran. Which, when you think of it, is really true. I’ll add a new one to the list: linking your competition.
NBC, CBS to make second bid for Weather Channel
Reuters reports that NBC and CBS will submit a second bid for The Weather Channel and its digital properties. Owner Landmark Communications is trying to unload the network, and a second round of bids is due in early May. Reuters said the channel will likely fetch less than $5 billion.
Video games to all but replace movie industry
As David wrote below, Grand Theft Auto IV hits store shelves today. Some are even saying that GTA could be the best game title in history. Now, let’s put the violence discussion aside and focus on the mind-boggling media/technology aspects of the game. Just watch this trailer and review, which illustrates that GTA has taken [...]
Game over: Grand Theft Auto IV sales and reviews are in overdrive
The predictions that the latest installment of the popular GTA franchise would break Halo 3′s first-week sales figures appear to be true based on the release-day rush. At a time when media and entertainment spending is way down, GTAIV is set to pull in $400 million. It is also getting rave reviews as a “brutal [...]
Must reads at Advertising Age’s MediaWorks
Advertising Age’s MediaWorks section has a slew of articles that are worth your attention: The End of Network News as We Know It? Decreases in Ads and Viewers Mean Change Is in the Air for Big Three The Newspaper Death Watch: Tumultuous Week Highlights Industry’s Many Challenges What Recession? Online Giants Rake in Ad Bucks: [...]
Cox buys ad network builder Adify
Cox Enterprises has purchased Adify for around $300 million. Adify, which is on track to hit $35M in revenues this year, is best known for powering the Washington Post’s local blog network. It also powers NBC WeatherPlus’ ad network. Cox Enterprises includes Cox Communications (cable), Cox Newspapers, Cox Television, Cox Radio and Cox Auto Trader — so clearly lots of opportunities to create interesting ad networks powered by Adify. In fact, we can only wonder if the Cox TV stations will launch local ad networks similar to the CBS O&Os earlier this year. Release below…
Users square off on PeoplesCourtRaw.com
Some TV shows, when converted into user-powered web properties, make a lot of sense. Take the People’s Court, for example. The show’s new site, PeoplesCourtRaw.com, invites users to upload “public arguments” of an issue, both for and against. So for example, one issue is “boyfriends should pay for birth control.” Both the girlfriend and the [...]
Speaking of embedding video…
Saw this on El PaÃs yesterday and had to grab a screenshot: Two video embeds above the fold! It’s as if El PaÃs uses the video embed as their story art for the tease whenever possible. Brilliant!
WashingtonPost.com providing embedded videos
We keep pushing for more sites to allow their videos to be embedded. Well, another one is, but it’s not a TV station. The WashingtonPost.com now allows their video to be embedded, and offers two sizes you can choose from depending on your site’s design. Very smart.
Briefs: CBS video, net news, circulation, TV Guide
– CBS says its online video offers highest engagement for ads – Ratings and ad revenues at network TV news still in decline – Newspaper circulation continues to slide, new numbers show – TVGuide.com sees traffic surge, especially around younger shows
Bill Clinton ‘woefully unprepared’ for web coverage
The “War Room” of Bill Clinton, James Carville and George Stephanopoulos back in 1992 was political genius: a rapid-response approach to campaign stories bubbling up through the news media. But now, 16 years later, it seems that Bill Clinton is learning a few lessons about the next generation of media. “Nobody’s been a bigger victim [...]
Emmis Interactive offers services to others
Emmis Interactive, the digital arm of Emmis Communications, is beginning to offer its interactive services to other radio broadcasters and local media. “Emmis Interactive has been a true pioneer and innovator in the interactive space,” said Emmis CEO Jeff Smulyan. “I take great pride in what we’ve built, and we look forward to providing other [...]
Old shows getting lots of eyeballs online
In a press conference this afternoon, Warner Bros. is expected to announce today that it’s resurrecting the WB network — online. The site will feature archive video of many of the WB’s classic shows. Warner Bros. is pursuing the “long tail” of content, much like Hulu has done with its extensive lineup of vintage shows. [...]
