Archive - May 1, 2006 | Digital Media Wire

Napster Launches Free, Ad-Supported Version of Streaming Service

Authored by dmw on May 1, 2006 - 7:16pm.

Los Angeles - Napster on Monday introduced a new ad-supported version of its digital music service at Napster.com. The site now offers a Web-based music player for Windows, Mac and Linux that provides access to its catalog of over two million songs, which users can play for free up to five times. The company also offers ad-free premium subscription versions of its service, ranging from $9.95 to $14.95 per month, and sells the songs in its library for 99 cents each. Another new Napster.com feature allow users to e-mail or post NapsterLinks to blogs or websites, providing direct links to streaming full-length versions of songs through the Napster music player. The company will also soon launch the Narchive, featuring original biographical information and exclusive artist photos, as well as contributions from users to a "People's History of Music." The new free service is initially available only to U.S. users, with plans to expand into other territories over time. Napster will split advertising revenue from the site with record labels.

XM Satellite Radio Closes $800 Million Debt Offering

Authored by dmw on May 1, 2006 - 7:15pm.

Washington - XM Satellite Radio, a provider of satellite radio service to more than 6.5 million subscribers, said on Monday that it has raised $800 million through a debt offering first announced two weeks ago. The company said that it sold $200 million in senior notes due in 2013 and another $600 million due in 2014 to institutional buyers, using the proceeds to retire debt scheduled to mature in 2009 and 2010. The moves are expected to lower the company's interest costs and extend the maturity dates of its debt portfolio. Separately, XM also said that it expects its new $250 million revolving credit facility to close shortly.

tags: Deals | XM Radio | Investing | Debt Deals |

Muze Acquires U.S. Assets of Loudeye for $11 Million

Authored by dmw on May 1, 2006 - 7:13pm.

New York - Muze, a provider of informational databases on music, movies, books and video games, announced on Monday that it has acquired the U.S.-based services and operations of Loudeye for $11 million in cash. Seattle-based Loudeye offers digital media services including encoding and streaming song samples offered on retail websites including Amazon.com; in Europe, its OD2 unit also operates a number of digital music stores on behalf of various retailers. New York-based Muze offers its informational databases in retail music store kiosks, and also online through Best Buy, eBay, Virgin Music and Yahoo.

Fox Interactive Media Acquires Early-Stage Firms Newroo, KSolo.com

Authored by dmw on May 1, 2006 - 7:11pm.

Los Angeles - Fox Interactive Media, the News Corporation unit whose recent acquisitions include MySpace and Scout Media, announced on Monday that it has completed its acquisition of early-stage companies Newroo and kSolo.com. San Francisco-based Newroo provides a search tool that helps users create their own websites by aggregating and remixing content from third-party websites and blogs, while kSolo.com is an online karaoke site that lets users share their performances. Financial terms of both transactions were not disclosed. "Fox Interactive Media's acquisitions of Newroo and kSolo demonstrate our commitment to empowering users with interesting tools that they can use to further enhance their online experience and online identity," said Fox Interactive Media president Ross Levinsohn. The company plans to utilize the technologies across various Fox Interactive Media properties.

CBS Radio, MSpot to Stream Stations to Sprint Mobile Phones

Authored by dmw on May 1, 2006 - 7:08pm.

New York - CBS Radio announced on Monday that it partnered with mobile entertainment distributor mSpot to make three of its sports stations available to Sprint wireless subscribers. Mobile streaming of CBS Radio's WFAN-AM (New York), WSCR-AM (Chicago) and WIP-AM (Philadelphia) will now be accessible through mSpot Sports.

Media Publishing Software Firm FilmLoop Raises $7 Million

Authored by dmw on May 1, 2006 - 7:07pm.

Palo Alto, Calif. - FilmLoop, a provider of free software that allows people to broadcast, find and share digital images, said on Monday that it has raised $7 million in its second round of funding from Palo Alto-based ComVentures. FilmLoop launched in November, and claims to have served more than 400,000 users since. The company plans to use the funding to further develop its photocasting technology and self-publishing tools, as well as grow its network through partnerships. The company was founded in 2004 by Kyle Mashima, the former vice president of strategic development at Adobe, and Prescott Lee the former CEO and co-founder of eCircles.

Mobile Service Provider flipt Lands $5 Million in First Round

Authored by dmw on May 1, 2006 - 7:06pm.

Palo Alto, Calif. - Newly formed mobile service provider flipt said on Monday that it has received $5 million in its first round of funding, co-led by Sequoia Capital and New Enterprise Associates. The company was founded by CEO Sam Altman during his sophomore year at Stanford, where he was studying computer science. Altman said that he developed the service, which will be geared toward teens and 20-somethings, to better organize his social life. The company plans to unveil its service in the coming weeks, when it will also announce executive team additions and mobile carrier partnerships.

GigaMedia Makes $15 Investment in Chinese Online Games Firm T2CN

Authored by dmw on May 1, 2006 - 7:05pm.

Shanghai - Online entertainment distributor GigaMedia announced on Monday that it has made a $15 million investment in Chinese online sports game publisher T2CN and received a minority stake in the company. T2CN claims 21 million registered users in China, who log on to play games such as "FunTown MahJong." The two companies will share revenue from T2CN's online casual games; advertisers on its portal include Coca-Cola and the NBA.

Indie Music Licensing Firm Pump Audio Raises First Round Funds

Authored by dmw on May 1, 2006 - 7:04pm.

Hudson Valley, N.Y. - Pump Audio, a provider of licensed independent music for TV and advertising producers, announced on Monday that it has raised an undisclosed amount of first round venture capital financing from Greycroft Partners and High Peaks Venture Partners. Founded in 2001, New York-based Pump Audio provides an online search engine for its catalog of tens of thousands of songs from independent musicians, which have been licensed from customers such as MTV Networks, HBO, NBC Studios and Saatchi & Saatchi. The company will use the funds for product development and international expansion.

Internet Video Delivery Firm Imagine Communications Raises $9.2 Million

Authored by dmw on May 1, 2006 - 7:03pm.

Cardiff by the Sea, Calif. - Imagine Communications, a provider of digital video programming delivery services for broadband operators, announced on Monday that it has raised $9.2 million in its first round of venture capital financing, from Carmel Ventures and Columbia Capital. Imagine says its PersonalizedTV platform provides bandwidth improvements and enhanced video quality, in addition to customized service offerings such as targeted ads and personalized audio. The company plans to introduce its first offering at the SCTE Cable-Tec Expo in Denver in June.

Lightspeed Audio Labs Raises $1.25 Million in Seed Financing

Authored by dmw on May 1, 2006 - 7:02pm.

Scotch Plains, N.J. - Lightspeed Audio Labs, a developer of online audio collaboration and content creation technology currently in stealth mode, announced on Monday that it has raised $1.25 million in seed funding from SAS Investors. The company will use the seed funds to complete the architectural design and prototype of its technology, and intends to raise $6-$10 million in first round financing in the next twelve months. "Our innovations in audio codec technology, combined with the proliferation of broadband access and the increased power of both client and server PCs, permits our engineering team to architect and deliver a significantly new type of service for musicians, music enthusiasts, and fans," said Lightspeed co-founder Dr. Schuyler Quackenbush, a former AT&T Bell Labs principal researcher and Fellow of the Audio Engineering Society.

Digital Content Marketplace a21 Raises $15.5 million in Private Placement

Authored by dmw on May 1, 2006 - 7:00pm.

Jacksonville, Fla. - a21, an online digital content marketplace for creative professionals, announced that it has raised $15.5 million in convertible debt with a group of institutional and accredited investors. The company said that it expects to use the proceeds to repay existing debt, to provide working capital, and for acquisitions and expansion. StarVest Partners, which invested $5 million in the deal with a21, led the deal, which also included Morgan Stanley.

MLB.com Launches "MLB.com Midday" Free Daily Video Webcast

Authored by dmw on May 1, 2006 - 6:59pm.

New York - Major League Baseball's MLB.com on Monday launched a new free video webcast show -- "MLB.com Midday" -- that is hosted by Casey Stern and will feature the day's baseball news, analysis and humor. Guest commentators will include hip-hop artist Phife Dawg (A Tribe Called Quest).

DivX to Create Online Store for the Institut National de l'Audiovisuel

Authored by dmw on May 1, 2006 - 6:58pm.

San Diego - DivX, a developer of video compression technology and provider of video-on-demand delivery services, announced on Monday that the Institut National de l'Audiovisuel (INA) of France will use DivX technology to create an online store for its holdings of state-owned multimedia. INA plans to distribute thousands of titles from its archive in DivX format.

MediaBay Launches Audio Newsfeeds for Indian Publications

Authored by dmw on May 1, 2006 - 6:56pm.

Cedar Knolls, N.J. - Spoken word audio distributor MediaBay on Monday launched SoundsGood Newscast, a subscription service of audio news feeds from Indian media outlets the Hindustan Times and Taldia. The Hindustan Times newscast broadcasts six days a week and costs $9.95 per month, while the Taldia feed runs five days a week and is $4.95 per month.

TNR Entertainment to Place DVD Rental Kiosks in A&P Stores

Authored by dmw on May 1, 2006 - 6:54pm.

Houston - TNR Entertainment Corp. (The New Release), an operator of DVD rental kiosks in supermarkets and grocery stores, announced on Monday an agreement to install its kiosks in 30 A&P Stores throughout Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware. The kiosks, which can store up to 200 titles, accept debit or credit cards as payment for $1 per day rentals.

Electronic Arts Ships "2006 FIFA World Cup" to Retailers

Authored by dmw on May 1, 2006 - 6:53pm.

Redwood City, Calif. - Electronic Arts on Monday shipped its "2006 FIFA World Cup" title for PlayStation 2, Xbox 360, Xbox, GameCube, Nintendo DS, Game Boy Advance and mobile phones. Redwood City, Calif.-based EA also announced that it has extended its video game partnership with the international soccer federation through 2014.

THQ to Publish Multiple Titles from Swedish Developer SimBin

Authored by dmw on May 1, 2006 - 6:51pm.

Agoura Hills, Calif. - Video game publisher THQ said on Monday that it has signed a multi-title publishing deal with Sweden-based developer SimBin Development Team AB. SimBin is developing an installment of its "GTR" racing franchise, overseen by pro racing driver and former FIA GT team owner Henrik Roos, for release in the spring of 2007 for the Xbox 360. Separately, THQ said its Relic Entertainment studio is currently developing the second expansion pack for its "Dawn of War" franchise. "Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War -- Dark Crusade" is slated for release in the fall of 2006.

2K Games to Develop Title for Columbia Pictures/Marvel Studios' "Ghost Rider"

Authored by dmw on May 1, 2006 - 6:49pm.

New York - 2K Games, a unit of video game publisher Take-Two Interactive, announced on Monday plans to publish "Ghost Rider," based on the Marvel Comics franchise and upcoming feature film adaptation from Columbia Pictures/Marvel Studios. The game is being developed for consoles and handheld systems by Climax Group for release alongside the film in February 2007.

Buena Vista Games to Publish "Spectrobes" for Nintendo DS

Authored by dmw on May 1, 2006 - 6:48pm.

Tokyo - Disney's Buena Vista Games announced on Monday that it will publish its first original title, "Spectrobes," for the Nintendo DS handheld. The anime-inspired action roleplaying game is being developed by Kyoto-based Jupiter Corporation; Buena Vista said a release date for the game will be announced at a later time.