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Date

U.S. House Approves 2008 Digital TV Transition; $990 Million Subsidy

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on October 27, 2005 - 4:40am.
Washington - The U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee on Wednesday voted to approve a bill that sets Dec. 31, 2008 as the date for the U.S. digital TV transition, when broadcasters will give up their analog spectrum and begin broadcasting digital TV signals. The House bill includes $500 million for emergency communications services for local first responders. It also provides a $990 million subsidy to help consumers who can't afford the costly digital TV sets necessary to receive digital signals purchase a converter that allows their analog sets to receive digital TV, to be doled out in the form of $40 coupons by the Commerce Department's National Telecommunication Information Administration. About 21 million U.S. homes are estimated to rely on analog broadcast television signals, and existing law stipulates that broadcasters may not abandon analog broadcasts until at least 85% of a given market is equipped to receive digital TV. Several House Democrats criticized the House's subsidy as too small; the Senate's digital TV bill, passed last week, includes a $3 billion subsidy. The Senate bill also sets the transition date a bit later, on April 7, 2009. Differences between the House and Senate Committee bills will need to be worked out between lawmakers from both chambers before a full vote in Congress can take place.
tags: Digital TV Transition | U.S. House |

Time Warner's Board Mulls Potential AOL Deal with Microsoft, Google

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on October 27, 2005 - 4:37am.
Mountain View, Calif. - Time Warner's board of directors was expected to meet on Thursday to discuss the future of its America Online division, which has been pursued by several major suitors over the past several weeks. According to published reports, both Microsoft and Google have expressed interest in at least partnering with AOL, and possibly purchasing a minority stake in the Internet company. Although other companies, such as Yahoo, have shown interest in a similar deal, only Microsoft and Google remain in "serious discussions," the Times reported. A final decision by Time Warner's board is not expected for several weeks.
tags: Microsoft | AOL | Google | Deal | Time Warner | Board |

Shares of XM Satellite Radio Fall 10% as Quarterly Loss Widens

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on October 27, 2005 - 4:36am.
Washington - Shares of DC-based XM Satellite Radio, the country's largest provider of satellite radio services, dropped more than 10% on Thursday after the company posted a wider loss for the third quarter, despite strong increases in both revenue and subscriber growth. Hurt by significantly higher operating expenses and marketing costs, XM reported a loss of $131.9 million, up from $120.1 million a year ago. Revenue more than doubled to $153.1 million, and subscribers also doubled to just over 5 million. The company expects to add another million subscribers by year's end.
tags: XM Satellite Radio | Shares | Quarterly Loss |

RealNetworks Sees Q3 Profit on Strong Growth of Music, Games Services

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on October 27, 2005 - 4:33am.
Seattle - RealNetworks, a provider of media delivery technology and content subscription services, on Thursday announced a third-quarter profit buoyed by growth in its digital music and video games services. The company reported earnings of $11.2 million, compared to a loss of $7 million a year earlier, and revenue of $82.2 million, compared with $68.3 million in the third quarter of 2004. RealNetworks' games revenue grew 62% to $14.7 million for the quarter, while digital music revenue grew 39%, to $25 million. The company said it ended the quarter with a total of 1.3 million paying subscribers to its digital music services, which include Rhapsody, RadioPass and Comcast Rhapsody Radio. Earlier this month, RealNetworks announced that Microsoft would pay $761 million to settle the antitrust lawsuit it brought against the company, and also promote RealNetworks' music and games services on MSN.
tags: Games | Music | RealNetworks | Q3 Profit |

Resignations at Gizmondo Follow Revelations of Swedish Mafia Ties

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on October 27, 2005 - 4:31am.
London - Gizmondo Europe, the unit of Florida-based Tiger Telematics that developed the Gizmondo multi-functional handheld game system, on Thursday confirmed management changes and an internal review after it was revealed that a company executive and several staff members had Swedish mafia connections. The Swedish daily newspaper Aftonbladet reported that Gizmondo Europe executive Stefan Eriksson was convicted in the 90's of fraud and counterfeiting charges tied to Sweden's Uppsala Mafia. Eriksson and two other Gizmondo staff, including the company's head of security, resigned last week after their ties to Sweden's mafia were publicized. Also resigning was Gizmondo Europe managing director Carl Freer, who was not alleged to have mafia connections. The company announced that it has named Michael Carrender CEO, CFO and chairman of Gizmondo Europe; Carrender asserts that he was not aware of the former employees' ties to the mafia. The company released the Gizmondo in the U.K. in March, and last week began selling the device in the U.S. Gizmondo parent company Tiger Telematics soon plans to begin trading shares on the Nasdaq.
tags: Resignations | Gizmondo | Revelations | Swedish Mafia | Ties |

Lucasfilm Opens Singapore Digital Animation Studio

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on October 27, 2005 - 4:29am.
Singapore - Lucasfilm, the production company founded by "Star Wars" director George Lucas, on Thursday officially launched its new digital animation studio in Singapore. "When we announced the formation of Lucasfilm Animation Singapore last August, we said we'd open our doors this fall, and we're right on schedule," said Lucas. The company said it hired Phillip Stamp as director of animation for the Singapore studio, which will release its first production, an animated TV series called "Clone Wars" based on the "Star Trek" storyline, some time in 2007. "We're leveraging not only the technology, but the expertise and the techniques developed over the years at Industrial Light & Magic and LucasArts to train a new generation of digital artists at our Singapore studio," said Lucasfilm chief technology officer Cliff Plumer.
tags: Singapore | Lucasfilm | Digital Animation Studio |

Dutch Telco KPN Acquires 51% Stake in Mobile Ticketing Firm Beep

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on October 27, 2005 - 4:28am.
Amsterdam - Royal KPN, a telecommunications company based in the Netherlands, announced that it has acquired a 51% stake in mobile ticketing company Beep from Imtech, a local technical service provider. Financial terms were not disclosed. KPN and Imtech -- which will own the remaining 49% of Beep -- said they would work together to expand Beep's service in the Netherlands and Europe. The service allows Internet and mobile phone users to buy tickets for events; once purchased, the tickets are downloaded in the form of a barcode, which can then be scanned at entry to the event. "The Beep platform and the 2D barcode form an ideal stepping stone in the further development of mobile authentication and authorization services," KPN said. "Essentially all modern mobile phones are equipped to make use of the service."
tags: Acquisition | Dutch Telco | KPN | Mobile Ticketing | Beep |

MTV 5 Star to Promote New Albums Via On-Air, Online, Mobile

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on October 27, 2005 - 4:26am.
New York - Viacom's MTV Networks International announced on Thursday a massive international promotional initiative, MTV 5 Star, which will promote new album releases across its TV, Internet and mobile platforms in the Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America and Russia. The first artist to be promoted through MTV 5 Star is Shakira, whose upcoming "Oral Fixation Vol. 2" album will be given multiple, exclusive on-air programming blocks. MTV will also offer exclusive full-length streaming of the album on its website a week prior to release, and produce a series of Shakira "mobisodes" for distribution to cell phones.
tags: Mobile | Internet | On-Air | MTV 5 Star | New Albums |

Groove Mobile Licenses Digital Rights Agency Tracks for Cell Phones

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on October 27, 2005 - 4:23am.
Andover, Mass. - Groove Mobile, a provider of mobile music download services, announced on Thursday that it has signed a licensing deal with Digital Rights Agency (DRA), a digital distributor of independent label music. Under the deal, subscribers to Groove Mobile-powered mobile music services, such as Orange UK's Music Player, will have access to full-length downloads from DRA artists including Death Cab for Cutie, Bloc Party, Elliott Smith, Metric and Stars.
tags: Groove Mobile | Cell Phones | Licenses | Digital Rights Agency Tracks |

Zondervan, Talking Panda to Publish Version of Bible for iPods

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on October 27, 2005 - 4:21am.
Grand Rapids, Mich. - Zondervan, the world's largest Bible publisher, announced on Thursday that it has partnered with iPod software developer Talking Panda, to develop a multi-format version of the Bible for Apple's iPod. The $49 TNIV Audio Bible for iPod, slated for release in February 2006, will include the Bible in both audio and text formats, in addition to study notes and ten topical two-week reading plans.
tags: iPods | Zondervan | Talking Panda | Version of Bible |

Archos Introduces Gmini 402 Pocket Multimedia Center

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on October 27, 2005 - 4:19am.
Irvine, Calif. - French consumer electronics firm Archos on Thursday introduced its Gmini 402 Pocket Multimedia Center, a portable media player with a 2.2-inch color screen that plays video and audio, and displays digital photos. The $229 device features a 20GB hard drive capable of storing up to 80 hours of video, 10,000 songs or 200,000 photos.
tags: Archos | Gmini 402 Pocket Multimedia Center |

Yahoo's Flickr Photo Site Teams with Target for Prints Service

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on October 27, 2005 - 4:17am.
Sunnyvale, Calif. - Yahoo announced that it has partnered Target, to enable users of its Flickr online photo-sharing service to order prints online and have them developed at Target retail stores. The deal will also let Flickr members order items such as T-shirts, mugs and stamps with their photos printed on them.
tags: Yahoo | Deal | Target | Flickr Photo Site | Prints Service |

Food Network to Launch First Web-Only Series

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on October 27, 2005 - 4:15am.
New York - The Scripps Company's Food Network cable TV channel announced on Thursday that it will debut its first Web-only series on Monday, Nov. 21. "Eat This With Dave Lieberman" will follow Lieberman as he visits top restaurants in five U.S. cities. FoodNetwork.com will offer 13 3-5 minute episodes of the series, posting three new episodes on its website each week.
tags: Food Network | First Web-Only Series |

Denmark's The Game Factory to Develop Cartoon Network Title

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on October 27, 2005 - 4:13am.
Braband, Denmark - Danish video game developer The Game Factory announced on Thursday that it has signed an agreement with Time Warner's Cartoon Network, to develop a new racing game for PlayStation 2 and Nintendo DS based on the network's original animated series. The title will feature characters from "The Powerpuff Girls," "Cow & Chicken," "Courage, the Cowardly Dog," "I Am Weasel," "Johnny Bravo" and "Dexter's Laboratory." The as yet untitled game is slated for release in the fall of 2006.
tags: Cartoon Network | Denmark | The Game Factory |

The Adventure Company Ships "Agatha Christie: And Then There Were None"

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on October 27, 2005 - 4:11am.
Toronto - Canadian video game developer The Adventure Company on Thursday shipped its "Agatha Christie: And Then There Were None" PC game to retailers. The game is based on the classic mystery novel of the same name.
tags: Releases | The Adventure Company | Agatha Christie: And Then There Were None |

Intel to Promote Shanda's Chinese Media Center PC Software

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on October 27, 2005 - 4:08am.
Shanghai - Shanda Interactive Entertainment, a Chinese provider of online games and other entertainment content, announced on Thursday that it has signed an agreement with chipmaker Intel. Under the deal, Intel will jointly promote Shanda's EZ Center PC media software and EZ Pod PC remote control. The products provide users with easy access to Shanda's products and services.
tags: Shanda | Intel | Chinese Media Center | PC Software |

Airborne Entertainment Releases "Family Guy" Mobile Game

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on October 27, 2005 - 4:06am.
Montreal - Mobile game publisher Airborne Entertainment on Thursday launched "Stewie 2.0," a new mobile game based on Fox's animated TV series, "Family Guy." The game is initially available for Cingular and Nextel customers.
tags: Family Guy | Mobile Game | Releases | Airborne Entertainment |

Video Game Industry Benefit Raises $1 Million for Children's Charities

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on October 27, 2005 - 3:57am.
Washington - The Entertainment Software Association (ESA), a video game industry trade group, announced on Thursday that its ESA Foundation raised a record $1 million for children's charities during its annual benefit held last week. Through a black-tie gala dinner honoring George Lucas and an online auction that offered video game-related items, the organization raised funds that will this year benefit Web Wise Kids, National Students Against Violence Everywhere, Working Achievement Values Education, and PAX.
tags: VC | Video Game Industry | Children's Charities |