VERIZON announced that it has reached over 1 million FiOS TV customers, making it the 10th-largest multichannel service provider in the US. The company added over 700,000 customers during 2007, netting 226,000 in 4Q alone. The rapid growth rate means it will soon surpass Mediacom, which has 1.3 million cable subscribers.
NIELSEN will use its social site HeyNielsen.com to record commercial feedback live during the Super Bowl. After each commercial break, the site will ask its 32,000 members for ratings and commentary on the spots. Nielsen’s BuzzMetrics unit will also measure commercial responses shared on blogs, message boards and other online forums.
SPECTRUM BIDDING in the 700 MHz auction has reached $6.1 billion after a $2.4 billion jump on Monday. The valuable C Block spectrum is up to $3.42 billion. The NY Times believes that two companies (one of which may be Google) are fighting it out for the C block. The nationwide D block, which will be shared with public safety agencies, has received little attention so far with only $472 million in bids.
NBC has acquired LX.TV for around $10 million. LX.TV produces New York-centric “lifestyle programming,” which NBC will use as the basis for local programming in multiple markets. The network says the acquisition is part of an increased focus on local content production and part of an effort to grow its business “outside of the traditional television space.”
VISIBLE MEASURES has acquired Vidmeter and Vidmetrix. Vidmeter provides rankings of the top videos on the web while Vidmetrix provides content creators with syndication and tracking services. In related news, TubeMogul has launched a line of premium services for online video producers. The new services offer increased control of syndication and enhanced statistical analysis of video performance.
LIBERTY MEDIA is heating up its battle with Barry Diller and IAC, filing court papers to have Diller removed from IAC’s board. Liberty is also maneuvering to reclaim control of its voting power, which currently sits in Diller’s hands through a proxy agreement. Liberty is accusing Diller of misconduct while Diller simply accuses Liberty of being “insane.”
PLUS: The WGA has reached an interim deal with the Grammy’s that will bring Guild writers to the awards show. ENDEMOL, the producer of Deal or No Deal, will team up with Metacafe for an online trivia show called “Buzzed.” Lastly, TREMOR MEDIA will partner with DIGITALSMITHS to bring contextual ads to the large Tremor network.