Archive - Mar 27, 2006 | Digital Media Wire

AOL Program Manager, Digital Media Services

AOL’s Digital Media Services (DMS) group is responsible for premium music, radio and video services and is key to AOL’s strategy to be the #1 provider of premium services to the Internet at large.

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Report: Cable Firm, Networks in Talks on Top 20 TV Show VOD Service

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 27, 2006 - 11:58am.

New York - The New York Times reported on Monday that Time Warner Cable, the nation's second-largest cable TV provider, is in talks with the major TV networks on a service that would offer the top 20 network TV shows as rated by Nielsen through a video-on-demand service. Time Warner Cable spokesman Mark Harrad confirmed that talks on the service were underway with CBS, ABC, Fox and NBC, but still in early stages. "There have been high-level discussions, but no definitive decisions or deals," Harrad told The Times. The service would offer a changing lineup of the current top 20 TV shows, to be available for an as-yet-undetermined length of time, through an on-demand service that would cost Time Warner Cable subscribers an extra $10 per month. Pay-TV providers such as HBO and Showtime already offer much of their original programming on-demand, as well as through show-specific subscription video-on-demand services; the networks have also experimented with offering downloads of popular shows for sale through Apple's iTunes Store. The major impediment to the service appears to be determining how the subscription fees would be divvied amongst the cable operator and various networks.

Universal, Lovefilm Launch U.K. Movie Download Service

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 27, 2006 - 11:57am.

London - According to news reports, Universal Pictures is planning to release new movies as digital downloads in the U.K. through a partnership with the Lovefilm online service. For the first time ever, U.K. users will be able to download and "own" a movie from a major studio (i.e. downloads will not expire) for about the same price as a DVD. The service will launch on April 10 with "King Kong" as one of an initial collection of 35 movies. New release downloads will sell for about $34.90, while library titles will cost about $17.45. Purchasers will receive one download for the desktop and another compatible with portable media players -- both of which will use Microsoft Windows digital rights management. "It gives instant access, it gives portability and it gives much greater flexibility for the consumer to consume his product any way they want," said Universal Pictures UK chairman Eddie Cunningham.

tags: Universal | Lovefilm Launch | U.K. Movie Download |

Apple Computer, Beatles Record Label Back in U.K. Court This Week

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 27, 2006 - 11:55am.

New York - The Beatles' record label, Apple Corps, will be in court again this week for a case that will determine whether Apple Computer violated an agreement between the two companies over the use of the Apple trademark in the music business, The New York Times reported. This is Apple Corps' third lawsuit against the iPod maker, which in 1991 paid over $26 million to the label to settle the second lawsuit -- at the same time promising not to enter the music business. Apple Computer was sued for the third time in 2003, after it launched its successful iTunes music download store; the hearing this week will determine whether Apple's forays into the music industry violate its 1991 agreement with Apple Corps.

Sheet Music Publishers Target Free Sheet Music, Guitar Tab Websites

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 27, 2006 - 11:54am.

New York - The Music Publishers' Association of the U.S. (MPA), whose members publish printed sheet music, recently confirmed that it has launched a campaign to shut down websites offering free sheet music and guitar tablatures. The MPA, whose members pay copyright holders and artists fees for the rights to legally publish sheet music, began taking actions against free sheet music and tab websites in December 2005. Most of these sites offer tablatures contributed by fans who figure out the notations themselves and submit them online for others who might wish to learn to play a particular song. Many of the notations offered have no legally-published sheet music counterpart. "While it is true that tablature for some of the songs on these sites have not yet been produced legally by a music publisher, it is the presence of the unauthorized free product that is largely to blame for that situation," the MPA said in a statement, adding that it believes "it is simply wrong and unjust that many illegal websites are able to make money, whether from selling advertising, other products or by other means, by giving away music that does not belong to them."

tags: Target | Sheet Music Publishers | Free Sheet Music | Guitar Tab Websites |

Sony to Discontinue Production of Original PlayStation Console

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 27, 2006 - 11:52am.

Tokyo - Sony Computer Entertainment has announced that it has discontinued production of its original PlayStation video game console, after shipping more than 103 million units worldwide since 1994. The company has said that its forthcoming PlayStation 3 will support games for the original PlayStation, and is also developing an emulator that will enable its handheld PSP game device to support PlayStation titles.

U.K. and Ofcom Support Proposal to Sell Unused Broadcast Spectrum

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 27, 2006 - 11:50am.

London - The U.K. government and Ofcom, the U.K. telecommunications watchdog, have both endorsed a plan to allow parts of unwanted or unused spectrum to be auctioned in order to raise funds for the government. "The government agrees with the audit that there is scope for more effective use of public sector spectrum through the introduction of spectrum trading and increased sharing with other users, and will work with Ofcom to enable this," the U.K. government said. The government insisted that it would ensure that enough spectrum is available for national security, defense and public services. The U.S. government hopes to raise billions of dollars when it auctions off spectrum freed by the transition to digital television broadcasting, now scheduled to take place on Feb. 17, 2009.

Report: U.S. Angel Investments Grow at Modest Pace in 2005

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 27, 2006 - 11:48am.

Durham, N.H. - Angel investments in the U.S. grew modestly last year, rising 2.7% to $23.1 billion, according to new figures from the Center for Venture Research (CVR) at the University of New Hampshire. The largest chunk of those investments, about 20%, went to companies focused on healthcare services and medical devices, followed by those focused on software (18%) and biotech (12%). Jeffrey Sohl, the director of CVR, said that a growing number of angel investors are taking part in later-stage investments. "This restructuring of the angel market has in turn resulted in fewer dollars available for seed investments, thus exacerbating the capital gap for seed and start-up capital in the United

Apple Offering Music Video Bundles, Song/Video Combos on iTunes

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 27, 2006 - 11:47am.

New York - Apple is now offering download bundles featuring multiple music videos from a single artist, as well as combinations of song downloads and music videos, in an effort to increase profit margins at its iTunes Store, Billboard reported. For instance, the company is offering all 21 music videos featured on a Tori Amos DVD, "Fade to Red," in a music video bundle for $24.99. Apple is also selling video bundles from Green Day and the Foo Fighters, and song/video bundles from Nelly and the Pussycat Dolls. "It's a natural fit," Eddie Cue, vice president of applications for Apple, told Billboard. "These are not replacements for people buying individual songs or albums. But they're great for well-established artists with a fan base behind them that wants more product."

Current TV Expands Carriage Agreement with Comcast

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 27, 2006 - 11:45am.

San Francisco - Current TV, the network featuring user-generated content launched by partners including former Vice President Al Gore, announced on Monday that it has expanded its distribution agreement with Comcast, the nation's largest cable TV provider. Under the new deal, Current TV's availability on Comcast will increase from 500,000 to 8 million customers; with the expansion, the network's overall distribution will increase to 28 million homes.

tags: Comcast | Expand | Current TV | Carriage Agreement |

NPR Using Melodeo Technology to Distribute Mobile Podcasts

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 27, 2006 - 11:37am.

Seattle - Melodeo, a provider of mobile content publishing technology, announced on Monday that NPR will use its Mobilcast application to deliver 45 of its radio podcasts to mobile phone users in the U.S. and Canada. Launch titles will include KCRW's "All Songs Considered" and all 24 of NPR's hourly newscasts.

tags: NPR | Distribute | Melodeo Technology | Mobile Podcasts |

World Wrestling Entertainment Forms Music Group

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 27, 2006 - 11:34am.

New York - World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) on Monday announced the formation of the WWE Music Group, a new division that will seek to license music for WWE productions, and also manage the prospective music careers of WWE performers. The WWE has released compilations of WWE Superstar theme songs, featuring tracks from artists including Three 6 Mafia, P.O.D. and Motorhead; WWE performer John Cena also recently released a hip-hop album on Columbia Records.

tags: World Wrestling Entertainment | Form | Music Group |

Sony Pictures, Thought Equity Launch Online Stock Footage Library

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 27, 2006 - 11:31am.

Culver City, Calif. - Sony Pictures Entertainment on Monday announced the launch of the Sony Pictures Collection, an online library of stock footage from its film productions. The company partnered with Denver-based Thought Equity to manage the stock film library, which includes more than 70,000 clips of explosions, stunts, natural phenomena and scenes from remote geographic locations that may be licensed for use in other productions.

tags: Sony Pictures | Launch | Thought Equity | Online Stock Footage Library |

mBlox, New-Visions to Operate Off-Portal Mobile Music Download Stores

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 27, 2006 - 11:27am.

London - Mobile payments technology provider mBlox announced on Monday that it has partnered with mobile marketing services firm New-Visions to launch a number of off-portal mobile music download services. The services will initially be offered in the U.K. through Vodafone and other wireless carriers that permit wholesale data services such as mBlox's. The services will offer one-fee mobile music downloads, that combine the price of the song with the cost of bandwidth to deliver the song data. Songs available will be provided by New-Visions label partners such as V2 Records and Ministry of Sound -- whose artists include Stereophonics and The Rakes.

tags: mBlox | New-Vision | Operate Off-Portal Mobile Music | Download Store |

inDplay Debuts Online Film Rights Trading Marketplace

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 27, 2006 - 11:24am.

San Francisco - InDplay on Monday announced the launch of its online film rights trading marketplace, allowing film buyers and sellers to negotiate, license and settle payments for specific rights online. San Francisco-based inDplay said the first client for its service is OK Company, which has handled over 140 international co-productions and independent films, and specializes in licensing film rights for worldwide markets.

tags: inDplay | Online Film Rights | Trading Marketplace |

Clear Channel Radio Adds WebSideStory Analytics to 1,200 Station Websites

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 27, 2006 - 11:20am.

San Diego - WebSideStory, a provider of digital marketing and customer analysis applications, announced on Monday that Clear Channel Radio, the nation's largest radio station owner, has deployed its Web analytics system across 1,200 radio station websites. San Diego-based WebSideStory's technology will measure and analyze visitor activity on the websites, tracking the popularity of audio and video content including on-demand music videos, station simulcasts, podcasts and live in-studio performances.

Akimbo to Offer MLB, c on Internet VOD Service

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 27, 2006 - 11:18am.

Santa Monica, Calif. - Akimbo, a provider of an Internet-based video-on-demand service, announced on Monday that it has signed new agreements to add programming from Major League Baseball and HDNet to its service. Akimbo will offer an entire season of on-demand baseball for free to new and existing subscribers; the company has also added select high-definition titles from HDNet's library to its service. Akimbo subscribers purchase a TV set-top box which enables delivery of programming over a broadband connection for $9.99 per month.

Sony Online Entertainment Ships "Untold Legends: The Warrior's Code" for PSP

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 27, 2006 - 11:14am.

San Diego - Sony Online Entertainment on Monday shipped its "Untold Legends: The Warrior's Code" title for PSP to retailers. The PSP version of the online roleplaying game
offers two-person cooperative play and head-to-head multiplayer features.

tags: PSP | Sony Online Entertainment | Releases | Untold Legends: The Warrior's Code |

Funkitron Releases "Poker Superstars II" PC Game

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 27, 2006 - 11:08am.

Boxford, Mass. - Game developer Funkitron on Monday released its PC game "Poker Superstars II," the sequel to its title based on the poker tournament broadcast on Fox Sports Net and NBC. The title features the likenesses of 15 poker pros seen on the TV series, including Johnny Chan, Barry Greenstein and Cyndy Violette.