GOOGLE will shutdown the paid portion of its Google Video service on August 15. The service has offered paid downloads for the past 19 months, but will now shift its focus to ad-supported video. When the service shuts down on Wednesday, purchased downloads will completely stop working, leaving consumers with worthless, unplayable DRM-ed files.
TV ONE has signed a six-figure scatter deal with Home Depot via eBay’s Media Marketplace. It becomes the second network to sign a deal using the system, following Oxygen Network’s deal with Intel. TV One’s ad sales chief Keith Bowen said the young network was eager to get involved in the Marketplace because online exchanges are imminent, and his network needs to embrace them.
ZOOM MEDIA & MARKETING will announce new interactive out-of-home ads today. Consumers owning Bluetooth-enabled devices will be able to download free content from ads in 100 bars and restaurants in New York, LA, and Chicago. Advertisers will offer movie trailers, music, video clips, and coupons via Bluetooth download.
TIME WARNER CABLE will soon offer Look Back, a time-shifting feature that does not allow ad-skipping. The free service will let cable customers watch shows after they have been broadcast, anytime before midnight of that day. However, the service will not allow any fast-forwarding or storage of content. It launches this October in limited markets.
GANNETT will offer a number of its news sites in free mobile phone – compatible versions. The company will tailor its local news sites to fit the smaller screens of handheld devices. USA Today’s national coverage will also get the mobile makeover. The sites will carry national, regional, and local advertising.