E-Commerce News: Multimedia

B2B in a Web 2.0 World, Part 1: Digital Media Relations

Friday - May 9, 2008

Attention! We're listening! Seeking competitive advantage and profitability through good relations with the social media, the B2B world has energetically embraced the grand online colloquy known as the two-way talk-back "conversation." Blogs, vlogs, e-communities and social networks, Internet forums, message boards, chat rooms, wikis, podcasts, webcasts, videocasts, RSS feeds -- these online social media platforms are now in play in the B2B relationships that organizations have with their vendors, suppliers, partners and contractors. [More...]

Defunct TorrentSpy Slammed With $110M Judgment in MPAA Suit

Thursday - May 8, 2008

A federal judge in Los Angeles has awarded the MPAA $110 million in compensation from Valence Media, operator of the now-defunct file-sharing Web site TorrentSpy. U.S. District Judge Florence-Marie Cooper ordered Valence Media to pay $30,000 for each copyright infringement of nearly 3,700 movies and television programs that were downloaded. The MPAA took TorrentSpy to court in February 2006. [More...]

Digital Shift Upends Warner Music in Q2

Thursday - May 8, 2008

Warner Music Group, whose artists include R.E.M., Madonna and Green Day, said Thursday that higher costs and a shift to digital music resulted in a wider second-quarter loss, and it suspended dividends. Shares tumbled more than 20 percent, or $1.87, to $7.18 in morning trading. For the period ended March 31, the New York-based recording company reported a loss of $37 million, or 25 cents per share. [More...]

Cablevision Shells Out $500M for Sundance Channel

Wednesday - May 7, 2008

Cablevision Systems is buying the Sundance Channel, a cable network founded by Robert Redford, for $496 million, the New York-area cable TV company announced Wednesday. The Sundance Channel will become part of Cablevision's Rainbow Media programming division but will continue on as a distinct network. Rainbow also includes the independent movie channel IFC, AMC and WE tv. [More...]

'Grand Theft Auto' Gets Away With Half a Billion Dollars

Wednesday - May 7, 2008

Take-Two Interactive Software is reporting record-setting sales of $500 million for "Grand Theft Auto IV," with more than 6 million units sold in just one week. "We knew 'Grand Theft Auto IV' would break new ground in terms of the player's experience. ... Now, it has broken sales and rating records as well," said Strauss Zelnick, Take-Two's chairman. [More...]

'Mario Kart Wii' a Disappointing Ride

Monday - May 5, 2008

I may finally be feeling some Wii fatigue. The Wii, Nintendo's super-popular and notably innovative game console, is far from perfect -- but it's also easily forgiven when the flaws are weighed against the extraordinary fun it offers. That has been my attitude until now, anyway. It's the recent release of "Mario Kart Wii" that is giving me pause. [More...]

Sezmi: A Set-Top Mash-Up

Sunday - May 4, 2008

A startup is betting that people are tired enough of their cable and satellite bills to take a look at an alternative pay TV system that combines a number of different technologies to deliver programming. Silicon Valley-based Sezmi revealed a system Thursday that amounts to a way for phone companies and local TV broadcasters to team up for an end run around satellite and cable. [More...]

AT&T Wireless Delivers a Little Bit of TV

Friday - May 2, 2008

AT&T announced the launch of its new AT&T Mobile TV service Thursday. Beginning May 4, subscribers to the service with a handset designed for mobile viewing will have access to as many as 150 simulcast or time-shifted programs, including live sporting events. The service will finally roll out in 58 markets including Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas and others, roughly five months behind schedule. [More...]

'Rock Band' Helps Drum Up 33 Percent Profit Growth for Viacom

Friday - May 2, 2008

Entertainment conglomerate Viacom, riding a wave of success from a video game launch and a strong showing by its television enterprises, reported a 33 percent increase in first-quarter profit Friday. Viacom, which owns the Nickelodeon, MTV and BET networks as well as moviemaker Paramount, reported earnings of $270 million, or 42 cents per share, from January through March. [More...]

iTunes Movie Buyers Lose Wait

Thursday - May 1, 2008

In a move that will surely please iTunes-using movie lovers, the Apple iTunes store has announced it will make movies available for download on the same day they are released on DVD. Previously, users had to wait 30 days to find a title on iTunes -- presumably a Hollywood studio requirement designed to give DVDs a chance to sell and to protect the traditional -- and lucrative -- DVD market. [More...]

Court Hits AOL, Yahoo, Real With Staggering Music Royalties Tab

Thursday - May 1, 2008

A federal judge has established a framework that determines the licensing fee amounts three online services -- Yahoo, AOL and RealNetworks -- should pay to the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. The fees could amount to $100 million, according to ASCAP, and will be paid to members whose music users have streamed over a seven-year period. [More...]

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