Washington - The head of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is fearful that the nation's current credit woes could lead to lower bids in a major auction of wireless spectrum that is being closely watched by the local technology community that is scheduled for next Thursday. [more..]

Silver Spring, Md. - Talk show diva Oprah Winfrey is teaming with Discovery Communications to create "OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network," a multi-platform venture scheduled to debut in 2009 in more than 70 million homes. [more..]

New York - The video game industry, through its Entertainment Software Association (ESA) trade group, intends to create a political action committee (PAC) and begin making donations to politicians and candidates that support their views, The New York Times reports. [more..]

London - In the wake of a restructuring announced this week that will include up to 2,000 layoffs, the head of major record label EMI's digital division, Barney Wragg, has left the company, Billboard reported. [more..]

Los Angeles - 60Frames Entertainment, a producer and syndicator of Web entertainment content that has raised $3.5 million in funding from United Talent Agency and cable TV ad reseller Spot Runner, on Tuesday introduced launched its first slate of programming. [more..]

London - Toymaker Mattel, which owns the rights to the board game Scrabble outside of North America, has asked the online social network Facebook to remove an online knock-off called "Scrabulous" from its site, Reuters reports. [more..]

London - Openads, a developer of free, open source ad server software, announced on Wednesday that it has raised $15.5 million in its second round of financing, led by Accel Partners. [more..]

Paris - Criteo, a provider of personalize purchasing recommendations for online shoppers, has raised $10.3 million in its second round of venture capital financing, led by Index Ventures.
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Seattle - Mercent, a provider of online marketing technology for retail merchants, announced on Wednesday that it has raised $6.5 million in its second round of funding, led by TVC Capital. [more..]

For the 4 weeks ending Jan. 12, 2008, TicketsNow benefited more than StubHub from the search phrase ‘hannah montana tickets’, blogs Heather Dougherty of Hitwise. [more..]

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New York - Mansueto Digital, the online arm of the company that publishes INC and Fast Company magazines, on Wednesday announced FastCompany.TV, an online video network that will feature content from the magazine and feature blogger Robert Scoble as its managing director. [more..]

Cambridge, Mass. - A pair of MIT grad students on Wednesday announced the launch of TVLeagues.com, a site that lets users create fantasy leagues based on who they think will be eliminated from TV reality shows. [more..]

Cincinnati - Scripps, the owner of newspapers, local TV stations and cable networks including HGTV and Food Network, announced on Wednesday the launch of a social networking site that aims to be a "forum for diverse political and cultural ideas and opinion." [more..]

Saratoga, Calif. - Grayboxx, a provider of online local search engines, on Wednesday announced the nationwide launch of its service, which includes links "neighbor-recommended" local businesses. [more..]

New York - Vringo, a distributor of video ringtones, on Wednesday announced a deal with Time Warner's Turner Broadcasting System Europe, that will allow subscribers to download clips from Cartoon Network and Adult Swim as video ringtones. [more..]

Redwood City, Calif. - Electronic Arts has announced that it will release a version of its forthcoming game "Spore," from "Sims" creator Will Wright, for the Mac platform -- part of the company's initiative to publish more titles for Mac users. [more..]