July 3, 2008
Judge Orders YouTube to Give All User Histories to Viacom
According to The Inquistr, Google has been ordered to hand over details of every video ever watched on YouTube to Viacom, along with user names and IP addresses.
The decision was handed down by the United States District Court (Southern District of New York) in the ongoing Viacom action against YouTube, according to a report at Wired, adding: "The Electronic Frontier Foundation has already reacted, calling the order a violation of the Video Privacy Protection act that "threatens to expose deeply private information.""
Twist and Squeeze Remote Control
A TV remote you can twist and squeeze. Because most people only watch 12 different channels. By designer Jason Kline.
[via Yanko Design]
Movie trailers find big audiences online
Batman, Bond trailers are racking up millions of views on YouTube.
Web sites like Apple trailers, Coming Soon and others have increased the circulation and attention to trailers. A highly anticipated trailer will often top YouTube's charts in its first days of release.
For the last nine years, an open competition judged by film industry notables, held in May, awards a Golden Trailer for the best trailer.
"The Golden Trailer Awards recognize the creative people who make movie trailers, and the best examples of their unique art, in a gala award show."
[via MSNBC]
Hostage Ingrid Betancourt is Freed and talks on Dailymotion
Huge news here is the liberation from the FARCS of Ingrid Betancourt after 6 years of captivity in the Columbian jungle. You can watch a video of her speaking on Dailymotion after her relase. She looks wonderful. Everyone feared for her health. A picture released last November was alarming.
Her family in France (daughter, son, husband and ex-husband) moved heaven and earth, the French government and the press, relentlessly for 6 years. Her mother spoke to her via Columbian radio every day (she was allowed a radio). Her "imminent" liberation was mediatized several times, the disappointments where huge. Wonderful she is finally free and looking so well.
July 2, 2008
Networks are trying new ways to get viewers to watch ads
Whether using a split screen to keep the action going or recruiting celebrities to star in ad-sponsored micro-series, networks are continuing to experiment with ways to keep viewers tuned in during commercial breaks.
What several networks are doing:
- TLC: Split-screen featuring behind-the-scenes action during commercials
- MTV: Ad-sponsored micro-series featuring celebrities; comedic spots sponsored by advertisers
- ESPN: Split-screen during NASCAR events, showing race action and commercials side-by-side
[via The Hollywood Reporter]
Time Warner Cable Launches “StartOver"
Time Warner Cable's “Start Over;” is rolling out in NY. The service lets latecomers start a program over if they show up in the middle, but disables fast-forwarding through the ads.
Look Back is another similar service Time Warner featured that was piloted in South Carolina, giving viewers up to four hours to re-watch an episode.
[TV Decoder via NewTeeVee]
Has the TV drama really supplanted the novel as the 'narrative of our times'?
The BBC's controller of fiction Jane Tranter says it is TV drama that now "gives our lives meaning and shape" rather than literature. [The Guardian via TV Tattle]
"The golden age of television of television drama isn't today, but neither is it yesterday. The golden age is tomorrow," Tranter added, encouraging critics and commentators to take television as seriously as films, literature and high art.Television drama had supplanted the novel, she said, as the "narrative of our times that gives our lives meaning and shape".
Tranter encouraged writers to respond to the challenge of budget cuts and fewer slots by "thinking small" – taking advantage of the intimacy of the medium - and "thinking big" – considering the possibilities for ambitious stories on a global scale that could attract co-production funding. "
This DVD Will Self-Destruct
"No-return DVD rentals that essentially self-destruct within 48 hours after they are removed from their packaging are now rolling out at airports, travel centers and every Staples store across the country. TIME reports via NewTeeVee.
Each location will offer about 25 new movie releases and, rather than return them, consumers can recycle them for free when they're done watching or just throw them out.
The DVDs, which were created by the Georgia-based company Flexplay Entertainment, look like regular discs, but they are made with a special glue that is sensitive to oxygen. Once the disc is exposed to air, a chemical reaction causes the glue to darken so the laser in the DVD player can no longer read the disc. Sealed discs can last for about one year.
The company hopes these DVDs will appeal to business travelers who don't usually rent movies because their busy schedules make it hard to find time to return them."
IKEA to Launch Web Series
SXM and IKEA will co-produce “Easy to Assemble,” a scripted Web series written and created by and starring Illeana Douglas.
One episode a week will be launched beginning in late September to coincide with Ikea’s fall marketing rollout.
Off video of Sarkozy creates Dailymotion delight
Without his knowledge, someone filmed French President Nicolas Sarkozy waiting on the (somewhat chilly) set of Public TV France 3 before the show went on the air.
As his make-up is being applied, he gets annoyed at one of the cameramen who doesn't acknowledge his "bonjour" and says: "As a guest you would expect people to say hello, or we're not in the public service, we're with demonstrators. Incredible. Seriously. No, things are going to change. Things are going to change."
Brought to light by 89rue , it's been posted on Dailymotion.
France 3 is launching an internal investigation to find out who made the film.
Sarkozy was an online video hit previously, when he called a citizen a "bloody idiot" for refusing to shake his hand ("Casse-toi pauvre con!").
July 1, 2008
Study: TV still the viewing workhorse
Watching online streams isn't going to replace the living room TV set anytime soon: According to a study released Monday by the Nielsen and the Cable & Telecommunications Association for Marketing, 94% of US adults who subscribe to a cable or satellite service prefer to watch programming on their traditional sets rather than online.
[via The Hollywood Reporter. Read also WebPro News]
NBCUniversalStore.com offers products featured on network shows
NBCUniversalStore.com lets you buy products featured on the network’s shows with a section devoted to the Beijing Olympics. [via Hollywood Reporter.
The store also has a SeenON! feature that allows consumers to purchase items that were used on such NBC shows as "Lipstick Jungle," "Saturday Night Live" and "Deal or No Deal."
Related:
-- Shopisodes enable you to Dress Like Your Favorite TV Character
'Weeds' Star to Release New YouTube Show
Romany Malco, who plays Conrad, the pot-dealing partner of Nancy Botwin has been developing a character called Tijuana Jackson and plans to release one episode weekly on the popular video-hosting site YouTube, reports Buddy TV.
“[It is] the thing I'm most excited about. T.J. is a former convict currently under house arrest. He has three women that he lives with, women he utilized to solicit sex. So the court has made a stipulation: You stay out of jail as long as you support these women. I'm going to be releasing one episode a week on YouTube to test out the response.”
June 30, 2008
ReelTime to offer streaming movies from Walt Disney Studios
ReelTime Rentals and Disney have reached an agreement to "provide popular video on demand rentals as they become available from The Walt Disney Studios, including new and classic titles from Walt Disney Pictures, Disney-Pixar, Touchstone Pictures, Hollywood Pictures and Miramax Films."
[via engadgetHD]
You Face as a Remote Control
A UCSD computer science student has done a proof-of-concept demonstration on on video showing that you can use your face to slow down or speed up video playback.FashionFunky.
[via FashionFunky]
FCC Chairman: cable TV from phone companies a "victory for consumers"
A U.S. Appeals court has upheld the FCC’s 2007 order that made it easier for AT&T and other phone companies to move into the video business.
The cable industry challenged the FCC’s ruling, as did states, which have long held sway over the video franchising process. Today the court disagreed, telling the complaintants, in so many words, to shut their pie holes.
[via USA Today]
A Movie on Your TV at Home, Before You Can Rent It
In an industry first, Sony Pictures “Hancock,” starring Mr. Smith as a bungling superhero, hits theaters on Wednesday and will be available — after its theater run but before release on DVD — over the Internet, directly to viewers’ television sets. That is, if they own a Sony Bravia TV with a Web connection. The New York Times reports.
"... In November, after “Hancock” has had its run in theaters, it will be available for a fee with the click of a remote control for consumers who own Internet-equipped Sony Bravia televisions. The Bravia Internet link adds $299 to the cost of the television."
June 29, 2008
Spreading peace over the net
An inspirational YouTube story from the BBC.
Last year 16-year-old Trevor Dougherty from Ithica, NY, put together a short video titled STAND UP for WORLD PEACE.
The film was featured on the video-sharing website YouTube and was nominated for the "Most Inspirational" category in the YouTube Video Awards 2007.
Not only did Trevor Dougherty reach millions online but he physically gathered nearly 6,000 people together to make his point.
Synchronized Office Swimming
Female Russian office workers with time on their hands. Genius!
[via darkroastedblend]
Google enters the PC to TV arena
Google has just released Google Media Server. The Windows-only software works in conjunction with Google’s desktop search application - Google Desktop - to locate various media (photos, music and video) stored on your PC and make it available for streaming over a home network, such as a PlayStation 3.
[via last100]
June 28, 2008
Bill Gates Tribute Video: Looking Back, Moving ahead
Bill Gates had his last day at Microsoft yesterday. Microsoft published a very nice biographical video titled "Looking Back, Moving ahead" (Part 1, Part 2) that takes you through the life of Bill Gates.
[via I4U]
Two-Thirds of College Kids Watch Online Video
Two-thirds of college kids watch online video; at the same time, rates of TV ownership dropped to 79 percent this year from 82 percent the year before.
June 27, 2008
Bill Gates last full day at Microsoft
There is wonderful coverage all over the Web today as this is Bill Gates last day at Microsoft. For those us of who have not been fans of Microsoft over the years, we can only take our hats off for what he has accomplished in both technology and philanthropy.
As engadget so aptly put it, "the end of an era; a fresh beginning; good riddance -- whatever you think of Bill's final day at Microsoft, it's impossible to deny that his tenure there helped forever re-shape not just technology, but the world as we know it".
My favorite coverage though is on Gizmodo, who has been throwing Bill Gates retirement parties all week, filled with links to interviews, parodies, company insight and well wishing.
Above, a fun 60 Minutes interview where Bill Gates tells us how easy school was while chowing down on burgers at his favorite fast food joint. But my personal favorite is this one, where on another 60 Minutes show, he talks of his love for his wife Melinda in a Valentine's Day Special. A side not often seen.
For more video coverage of Bill Gates check out YouTube .
June 26, 2008
Remote (holder) Buddy
Remote (holder) Buddy exemplifies the need for a universal remote. Hear hear.
[via engadget]
Half UK web videos are from YouTube
According to new research from Comscore, almost half of all internet videos watched by Britons come from YouTube, reports Metro.
"During March, 48% of the 3.5 billion web videos watched in the UK came from Google sites, of which 99% were from YouTube.
... The BBC only has 1.2% share of the video viewing market despite the launch of the BB's iPlayer catch-up service. "
Coming Soon to YouTube: My Face-Lift
Doctors have long recruited patients to help advertise — witness the doctor-patient tag teams on talk shows and infomercials. But it’s now clear that doctors openly offer “thank you” rebates and discounts to patients who post videos of their breast augmentations, bright white teeth or nose jobs — or are willing to be taped extolling the virtues of their physician - on YouTube. The New York Times reports.
... "Doctors — and patients — have taken to online video postings with gusto. Type in the word “Botox” on YouTube and around 2,400 videos pop up. “Breast augmentation” garners over 2,000; “Lasik” around 2,000 videos."
ChannelFlip Launches: UK’s First “Video Magazine For Men”
The Inquisitr reports on the launch of what is claimed to be "the UK’s first “video magazine for men”.
"At launch, ChannelFlip offers over 200 “quirky yet informative” short video programs aimed at “tech savy men.” Content includes coverage of gadgets, technology, gaming and DVD releases. The site has Intel on board as the launch sponsor, and during a trial earlier this year attracted 150,000 viewer a month with over 1 million video views."
France To Tax Mobile, Internet And TV Revenues To Fund Public Broadcaster
French President Nicolas Sarkozy has made good on his promise to shake up the country’s media industry. Starting on January 1 next year prime-time advertising on public television will be phased out, with the lost revenues to be replaced by taxes collected from internet, mobile phone and commercial broadcasting companies, Sarkozy announced yesterday, reports Bloomberg via mocoNews.net.
June 25, 2008
Gandolfini 'Sopranos' wardrobe sells for $187,750
The Soprano's wardrobe was auctioned off at Christie's POP CULTURE Auction today. The highest bid was $43,750 for a faux bloodstained costume, worn by Tony in a scene when heis shot by a demented Uncle Junior.
Read full article in USA Today.
China OKs video sharing for sites
Chinese regulators have given 247 firms the go-ahead to run online video-sharing services after ordering dozens of companies to halt operations earlier this year -- but it has not licensed China's top three most popular websites; Tudou.com, Youku.com and 56.com.
[via Variety]
NBC to release show-specific streaming data
How many people are watching 30Rock on NBC's website? The TV network is going to start telling us, according to LA Times Blog.
"Trying to make advertisers more comfortable buying spots on online shows, NBC Digital Entertainment said today it would begin to release show-specific streaming data for the first time through the Nielsen Online VideoCensus. The network says this new type of measurement makes it possible for advertisers to compare audience numbers, show by show. "
BBC adds radio content to TV on new iPlayer
The BBC will launch its next generation iPlayer tomorrow with a fully integrated on-demand radio service alongside its seven-day catch-up TV content.
The service will give iPlayer users access to the BBC's TV and Radio content, with users now able to access BBC radio stations as live streams and 'listen again' features.
[via NMA]