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NBC UNIVERSAL has struck a deal with AMAZON to distribute its television shows through the Unbox digital download service. The move comes just days after announcing it would not renew its contract with Apple’s iTunes. Episodes are currently available for $1.99 — the same price Apple charges on iTunes. However, Unbox has much tighter restrictions Continue Reading →

 CABLELABS has approved a new technical standard for IP video, in conjunction with major movie studios and consumer-electronics makers. It brings together Paramount, Sony Pictures, Walt Disney, Warner Brothers, Hitachi, Intel, Panasonic, and Toshiba. The specification will allow set-top boxes and other devices to transfer cable signals throughout home networks, and should spur growth Continue Reading →

FACEBOOK is working on a new, targeted advertising system. Using the system, advertisers will be able to target users based on favorite activities, musical preferences, and other personal information revealed in a user profile. The new ads will appear in a user’s “news feed,” which keeps them up-to-date on the activity of their Facebook friends Continue Reading →

GOOGLE is teaming up with MEDIA RIGHTS CAPITAL to distribute free ad-supported video content. MRC talent will produce short videos that contain paid product placement and advertising. The content will then be spread across the web via the Google AdSense network. The two companies will split all advertising revenue. SPRINT unveiled its WiMax plans. The Continue Reading →

THE TELEVISION BUREAU OF ADVERTISING announced that ePort is set to launch this November. ePort is the open-standard electronic exchange for buyers and sellers of TV spots, supported by CBS Television Stations, E.W. Scripps, Gannett Broadcasting, NBCU Stations, and several other broadcasters. The full suite of online transactions will be available in March 2008. FACEBOOK Continue Reading →

ABC is now streaming high-definition online video. On Tuesday the network launched a beta high-def player on ABC.com, offering one episode each of Lost, Desperate Housewives, Grey’s Anatomy, and Ugly Betty. ABC.com is the first network site to reach the high-def milestone. TUBEMOGUL has launched Load & Track, a free universal video uploading and tracking Continue Reading →

MICROSOFT has unveiled LiveStation, a peer-to-peer television broadcasting application. Built on the Silverlight platform, LiveStation will offer a major feature that Joost currently lacks: live TV. Microsoft is testing the application now, and a final version is due this October. NBC may stop creating original programming for Friday evenings, according to co-chairman Marc Graboff. In Continue Reading →

FACEBOOK officially announced an impressive list of application partners. 65 companies, from Amazon to Microsoft, are creating widgets that users can install on their pages. Facebook is encouraging the use of widgets for transactions and advertising. FACEBOOK also launched a video application that will allow users to create and share videos with other Facebook users. Continue Reading →

AT&T has reached the final stage of eliminating the Cingular brand. Today, Cingular stores will be changed to the AT&T name and logo. CLEAR CHANNEL will launch a mobile initiative in New York today. Listeners of Clear Channel Stations will be allowed to send requests for songs by text message and view playlists on their Continue Reading →

NIELSEN is requesting logs of commercial advertising from cable networks. Nielsen plans to begin rating commercials this fall, but this move suggests that it may be having difficulty implementing the new system. DAILYMOTION will start filtering content using fingerprinting technology supplied by Audible Magic Corp. The software will analyze the audio track of videos, and Continue Reading →