Los Angeles - The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA), the other large Hollywood performers' union aside from the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), announced on Wednesday that its members have ratified its previously announced labor agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) by a 62.4% margin. [more..]

Santa Monica, Calif. - Video game publisher Activision has announced that its shareholders have approved its proposed $1.7 billion merger with Vivendi Games, with 92% voting in favor of the transaction. [more..]

New York - Americans are watching more TV than ever before, as well as more time online and on mobile devices watching videos, according to audience measurement firm Nielsen's first "three-screen" report. [more..]

Mountain View, Calif. - Google has introduced a new free virtual world application, "Lively," which -- much like similar services such as "Second Life" -- allows users to create and accessorize avatars and buildings within the virtual environment. [more..]

London - CBS-owned social music discovery service Last.fm announced on Wednesday the launch of a new artist royalty program, which the company said will give unsigned and independent artists the opportunity to accrue royalties every time their tracks are listened to on the site. [more..]

Philadelphia - Comcast, the nation's largest cable TV provider and a provider of broadband service to nearly 13 million customers, announced on Wednesday a collaborative agreement with VoIP provider Vonage, "to ensure that network management techniques are chosen that effectively balance the need to avoid network congestion with the need to ensure that over-the-top VoIP services like Vonage work well for consumers." [more..]

San Francisco - Mevio, a broadband entertainment network offering video, audio and music content, announced on Wednesday that it has secured $15 million in its third round of funding.
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New York - The FeedRoom, a provider of digital video distribution services for media companies, corporations and government agencies, announced on Wednesday that it has raised $12 million in new financing, led by NewSpring Capital. [more..]

Boston - Spire, a social network aimed at consumers with an average income of $250,000 or more, announced that it has closed a $9 million first round of financing, from Hearst Corporation, Trident Capital, TL Ventures and several private investors. [more..]

San Mateo, Calif. - CafePress, a service that allows for the creation and sale of user-generated, customized merchandise, announced on Wednesday that it has acquired Imagekind, a site that sells user-generated, high-quality framed art. [more..]

New York - NBC Universal announced on Wednesday that it will offer 3,600 hours of Olympics coverage across its flagship NBC and six cable networks, including nearly 2,900 hours of live coverage, and 2,200 hours of streaming Web video. [more..]

Fort Mill, S.C. - AT&T has announced a three-year, $6.4 million contract with Muzak, a provider of electronic music services to businesses. [more..]

Los Angeles - OurStage, a site that allows unsigned musicians to upload music and fans to vote for their favorites, has announced the launch of a new Marketplace tool, which will allow concert promoters and venue owners to search the site for new acts to book. [more..]

New York - The Alternative Distribution Alliance (ADA), a joint venture set up by Warner Music Group to distribute and manufacture records owned by independent record labels, announced that it has named Mitchell Wolk as its new president, replacing Andy Allen. [more..]

San Francisco - Digital music distributor INgrooves announced on Wednesday that it has added a "slew" of new artists and labels to its roster, including include Jimmy Buffett (Mailboat Records), John Michael Montgomery (Stringtown Records), K-Tel International (Chubby Checker, Tina Turner, Little Richard), Paid In Full Entertainment (Paul Wall, Chamillionaire), SMC Recordings and Strange Music. [more..]

Raleigh, N.C. - Lulu.com, an online marketplace for digital content, announced that it is partnering with the Entertainment Technology Center (ETC) at Carnegie Mellon University "to showcase new creative endeavors launched through the ETC Press, a new academic publishing imprint." [more..]