This weekly feature quickly overviews news, updates and other unique info that spans the media we cover. Check back throughout the week as it’s constantly updated.
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Week of 12/5
NBC NEWS STATIONS ENTER INTO (FORCED) MARRIAGES And we don’t see it as a bad thing. As part of Comcast’s bid to buy NBC Universal last year, the U.S. government “persuaded” the two to have a news partnership between NBC owned stations (not affiliates) and local publications, websites or other news media. In the end, the partnership is meant to help better cover the ten cities in which NBC owns a station, and with the decline of local newspapers and staff, we see it is a win for the public and news outlets.
‘NFL’ STANDS FOR NEW FOUND LOOT The NFL is the preeminent sports league in the country and there is no stopping TV networks from wanting a piece. “[Networks] go without it at their own peril.” All of the current TV partners (CBS, NBC, FOX, ESPN, DirecTV) are close to an 8 year extension to 2021.
ACCENTS BETTER NOT BE AN ISSUE On last week’s Scan Button, we offered a piece on XBox’s new update with integration with TV. Now comes word that the update will have voice command to most of its search features.
IT’S BETTER TO JOIN THE PARTY LATE THAN NEVER JOINING AT ALL Cox cable company will be releasing an iPad app to view programming for free to subscribers of non-basic cable and Internet packages. Earlier this year, other cable companies like TimeWarner and Cablevision and satellite provider DirecTV also released an iPad versions of their services. Based on the timing of these releases, we can at least observe which cable companies are leading and following this industry.
PHONE COMPANY TO STEP INTO NETFLIX’S TURF In a move that will drive competition and innovation in Netflix’s one company world (Blockbuster and Red Box, please…), there are reports Verizon is planning a similar online video service that could possible launch in 2012. Apparently, Verizon has been researching this idea for the past two years but still has plenty of hurtles to clear, particlularly negotiating deals with content and programming partners. This move will pose the biggest threat (or as we’ve said, competition-driver) to Netflix because Verizon’s service could reach up to around 85 million homes.
MOAR TEBOW! MOAR TEBOW! Oh please just shoot us now! When Tim Tebow, the loveable/ hateable uncoventional QB for the Denver Broncos, crashes the TV, he does it with the same aplomb when he dives into the end zone from 3 yards out. ESPN is going to devote ONE HOUR of SportsCenter on Wednesday to his greatness which, at same time, will drive up wrath for him. Meanwhile, CBS and NBC are fighting for the ratings-rich coveted Patriots (Tom Brady) and Broncos (TEBOW!) game on December 18th. CBS has the matchup on its schedule, but the NFL and NBC want to “flex” the game for the Sunday night game. We hated him in college for his destruction of Tennessee teams, but we can’t criticize him any longer when the media is to blame for all this slurpiness.
