That includes podcasts, webcast interviews and regularly scheduled CNBC appearances that publishers consider part of a reporter’s job and the union believes should bring additional compensation. The stoppage order, AP reports, represents a “sudden escalation of tensions” between the union and Dow Jones. E.S. Browning, a financial markets reporter who chairs the bargaining committee, says the decision was made when company representatives told negotiators that they would not discuss any of the union’s proposals. A Dow Jones spokesman told the AP the company is negotiating in good faith, “As we seek an agreement that serves the interest of all parties, we intend to focus our comments at the bargaining table.” A union bulletin here.
-- Rafat Ali
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After the entries are posted to Insomnia's web gallery, they will be available for the public to view and rate. Voting will continue through December 3rd and the 25 top rated films will be judged an expert panel.
Two winners will be chosen, the audience and the judges’ pick, and each winner will win a copy of Final Cut Studio, a copy of Shake, and an 80GB video iPod for their portable portfolio.
So get cracking, there is only 22 hours left. The contest ends at 5pm EST tomorrow.Verizon Wireless is the exclusive mobile partner of The Papdits and will make available free clips to Verizon subscribers on VCast.
NBC is also offering free episodes of its daytime soap opera Passions via a stream on NBC.com. As of yesterday, Passions episodes will be available on the same airdate after 6 p.m. and stay live on the site for a week.
"As we have shown with our prime-time programming, adding digital extensions to our shows is immensely popular," said Jeff Gaspin, president, NBC Universal Cable Entertainment, Digital Content, and Cross-Network Strategy in announcing the move.
(Source: MediaWeek)
-- Microsoft is also claiming bragging rights on another front: “Xbox 360 will be the first gaming console to bring standard and high-definition TV shows and movies via digital distribution over the Internet directly to the consumer.” The release stresses repeatedly that gamers are the target. Xbox 360 owners can access Xbox Live Marketplace with a free Xbox Live Silver membership and a broadband connection.
-- For CBS, it marks the first delivery of HD download-to-own. Shows include CSI, Jericho, Numb3rs Survivor.m-- and remastered HD episodes from Star Trek.
-- Turner will provide episodes from its animated Adult Swim and, for the first time, NASCAR download-to-own in the form of condensed races from NASCAR.com.
-- MSFT’s HD-DVD option for Xbox is due “mid November” for $200.
WSJ: Prices will be competitive with other download services. As for the TV connection: “But there is also a downside: the Xbox 360 has limited storage capacity, compared with most PCs. Xbox 360 users will be able to store only about 16 hours of standard-quality video and about 4½ hours of high-definition video on the machine, room for only a smattering of movies and television shows. Microsoft says users will be able to download television shows for free that they have previously purchased and deleted to make room for additional content on their consoles.”
CNNMoney: Some downloads will be in HD and wil cost a little more. Users have two weeks to start watching their movie downloads but once viewing begins a 24-hour clock starts ticking. Purchased TV shows aren’t portable. “Microsoft said it has developed a progressive download technology which will allow users to begin watching the program or film before it has downloaded entirely to the Xbox 360’s hard drive. Shorter programs, such as “South Park,” will be viewable instantly. Longer features, such as a high definition film, will require a short wait, so they can build up a cache.”
NYT: “Judging by the initial offerings, Xbox Live will be something of a cyberspace version of the Spike Channel, MTV Networks’ cable channel aimed at young men.” Peter Moore, corporate VP for interactove entertainment: “Direct revenue from this over the long term could be important. ... But this is also another reason to buy an Xbox 360. ... The interesting thing is that we’re delivering the 18-to-34-year-olds who aren’t watching TV.” NPD estimates more than 2 million Xbox 360s have been sold in the U.S. Also from Moore: “This is a razors and blades business. I’ve taken the hit on the razor. And the ability of Microsoft to offer more blades gives consumers more choice and drives more revenue.”
-- by Staci D. Kramer
Under the terms being discussed, customers of Verizon Wireless -- Verizon's joint venture with Vodafone Group Plc (VOD.L) -- would be able to view some YouTube videos on their cellphones through the carrier's premium V Cast service, the Journal said.
Verizon also would offer YouTube videos as an on-demand feature of a TV service it is launching throughout the nation, according to the paper.
A deal may give Verizon the exclusive right to carry YouTube videos for a limited period of time, one person with knowledge of the discussions told the Journal.
The move would make Verizon, the nation's no. 2 carrier, into a major video player against rival Sprint, who currently leads the market. It would also further legitimize YouTube as a content provider and quell Wall Street's concerns that the video-hosting giant is just a lawsuit waiting to happen.