Good morning, it’s Wednesday, January 27, 2010, and this is your first early morning digital briefing.

Apple is in negotiations with US television networks to cut the prices of TV shows offered on the iTunes store in half as it moves to introduce its tablet computer, per the FT. Offering TV episodes a la carte has never generated much income for Apple (or generated much interest in the Apple TV device for that matter,) but lower prices could help spur demand. The news indicates that Apple’s proposed $30/month digital subscription service may be attracting few takers on the programming front.
 

 
Discovery isn’t the only programmer enamored with the 3D format. Encouraged by the success of “Avatar,” Warner Bros. has decided to release both the remake of “Clash of the Titans” and the two-part “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” in converted 3D, per THR.
 
Comcast’s sports network Versus has relaunched Versus.com, revamping the video player and adding community features and social networking functionality at multiple points. Versus is planning to try and drive more traffic to the site by featuring live streaming of the sports it licenses. The network completed its first live stream of the year on Sat., Jan. 23, with the final stage of the Tour Down Under; the first cycling competition of the year on the UCI ProTour calendar.
 
Univision‘s multiplatform “Unidos Por Haiti” campaign, which featured a 5-hour commercial free version of Sabado Gigante, raised $6.3 million in donations to the American Red Cross and a third of the total was received via’s Univision’s dedicated site Univisionhaiti.com. Coverage of the special drove a daily record on Univision.com, generating 1 million global unique cookies on Saturday.
 
The Tennis Channel has partnered with two online video suppliers for its coverage of the Australian Open this year. IPTV solutions provider RayV will manage live streaming of Grand Slam matches on tennischannel.com for the first time. Tennis Channel will also utilize Unicorn Media’s “Media-as-a-Service” software for on demand match highlights and accompanying content going forward.
 
E1 Entertainment has acquired all North American rights including DVD, television and digital rights, to Federico Fellini’s 1960 masterpiece “La Dolce Vita,” as well as other select classic Italian films for North America in a new deal with International Media Films.
 

 
A new online VOD service dubbed SeeSaw launched in the UK in closed beta yesterday, developed for the BBC’s ill-fated Project Kangaroo. (The project ended up being blocked by the UK’s Competition Commission a year ago for anti-competitive reasons.) Broadcasting infrastructure provider Arqiva, which acquired the Project Kangaroo assets last summer, is planning a launch of the service in March offering 2,000 hours of on demand programming from the BBC, Channel 4 and Five combining ad supported and PPV models.
 
YouTube has signed a deal to distribute short films produced by a new “LINC” comedy incubation partnership struck by Lionsgate and Massify.com. The site seeks pitches for high-concept, male-oriented comedies. A writer, director, cast, and crew will be attached through Massify’s online network, sort of a Linkedin for filmmakers, with Lionsgate’s feature film development team providing input throughout the process. Production of short films will begin in early May, with making-of footage, outtakes, behind-the-scenes footage, and the eventual completed film to be distributed via YouTube.
 
Program Partners announced a new alliance at NATPE with how to video producer Knowlera Media dubbed PPI Releasing to develop new content for stations on a barter and cash basis. The partnership, which will include access to a software-based multiplatform desktop distribution suite, hopes to offer turn-key, low cost solutions to enable stations to produce and monetize news features and local programs.
 
Ghostfacers is a yet another paranormal-themed series, this one a spin off of The CW’s Supernatural, developed for the web for both TheWB.com and CWTV.com. The ten 3-minute episodes follow the exploits of the team that initially appeared during the first season of Supernatural in the episode “Hell House.”
 

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM BATTLE OF THE BANDS: ROCK OF THE DECADES

 
Dockers and mobile app maker Shazam have developed a new integrated TV spot and smartphone program for the Super Bowl. Viewers who watch Docker’s “Men Without Pants” commercial can tag the spot by activating the Shazam music identification app to be taken to a branded content page. The “Wear the Pants” campaign and TV spot were created by the San Francisco office of Draft/FCB, while the Shazam integration was developed in partnership with OMD’s Ignition Factory.
 

 
The DOJ and the Canadian Competition Bureau approved the merger between Ticketmaster Entertainment and Live Nation. Conditions of the deal state that Ticketmaster must divest itself of one of its ticketing divisions, Paciolan, and license its software to competitor AEG Live – the thought being that competition will ensue for primary ticketing, innovation and discounting. The newly merged company will also be subject to “anti-retaliation provisions” for the next decade to prevent abuse of its power over concert tours, artist management, ticketing and venues.
 
Verizon Communications disclosed a Q4 $653 million net loss partly due to a $3 billion workforce reduction charge on revenues of $27 billion, and announced plans to cut 13,000 more jobs after performing similar cuts in 2009. Growth of the company’s triple play FiOS TV service slowed considerably, adding just 153,000 new TV and internet customers during the quarter. Verizon now serves 3.4 million FiOS internet customers and 2.9 million FiOS TV customers. Verizon’s Wireless business was a bright spot, with revenues growing by 22.5% from 91 million customers.
 
Online video platform provider Kyte has launched a major upgrade to its content management and analytics software solution. The console is designed to improve flexibility and simplify workflow capabilities for managing, publishing, moderating and measuring video content online and across social platforms. The platform also easily publishes video content to the iPhone, Blackberry, Nokia and Android mobile platforms. New features include:

• Improved user experience and workflow 
• Manual and smart playlists building
• Channel & player management tools
• Editorial workflow and user roles
• Audio shows with slideshow
• Show scheduling and moderation

 
Google’s Android mobile platform will be the #2 mobile OS in the world by 2013 with 68 million units in circulation, behind Nokia’s Symbian system, according a new IDC forecast. Smartphone shipments will surpass 390 million units from 2009-2013, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 20.9%.
 
Spurred by the success of Apple’s App store with 3.6 billion total apps downloaded from various app stores last year, mobile application outlets are expected to generated 6.6 billion downloads  this year, according to a new report from Futuresource Consulting. Global app store revenues will reach  $4.6 billion in 2010, rising to nearly $15 billion in 2013, including payments for direct pay-per-downloads and indirect value-add services such as in-app payments and subscriptions.  The Apple App Store alone is expected to generate an estimated $1.4 billion this year, according to a recent analysis by Piper Jaffray.
 

 
After the popular Google Voice app, which allows users to reroute calls from multiple numbers to a single account, was rejected for the iPhone, Google found a way to bring the app to both the iPhone 3.0 OS and the Palm Web OS yesterday. The new web app allows you to display your Google Voice number as the outbound caller ID (so return calls come back to your Google Voice number), send and receive text messages for free and place international calls via Google Voice at reasonable rates. The solution is mobile browser-based; go to m.google.com/voice to access it.
 
Ellen DeGeneres celebrated her 52nd birthday yesterday by launching a free Ellen iPhone and iPod touch app featuring access to exclusive videos Ellen herself has shot with her iPhone. Take a behind-the-scenes look at Ellen playing practical jokes and interacting with guests, view her latest monologue, video clips and pictures from the show or read Ellen’s blog and Twitter entries. The app was developed by Rhythm NewMedia.
 
Video uplink device maker LiveU will help capture live behind-the-scenes action leading up to and throughout The Grammy’s on Sunday night. The live stream will be combined with rare past Grammy moments and provide users with 72 hours of contiguous streaming content. LiveU offers a portable device that fits in a backpack, and transmits broadcast-quality video at up to 2Mbps in real time using multiple data networks including 3G, 4G, and WiFi.
 

 
Los Angeles-based public relations firm mPRm tapped Todd Greene as VP/Digital Media and Technology. The agency has also promoted Clay Dollarhide and Chelsea Hettrick-Krueger to Director. Clay heads up the agency’s sPRead Solutions division.
 
The NAB announced that CSI and Level 26 creator Anthony E. Zuiker has signed on to participate in a Super Session in April on multiplatform content creation and distribution.
 
Orlando, FL-based Channel Intelligence hired Lisle Holgate for the post of VP/Product Management. He will manage products and services that provide where-to-buy capabilities for manufacturers.
 

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM NATPE

                                            
It is events like this that begin to make you think that the FCC may be serious about taking all that extra bandwidth away from the nation’s broadcasters. YouTube’s CitizenTube page will provide an interactive element to tonight’s State of the Union address, President Obama’s first since taking office. During the speech, users will be able watch the video live on Citizentube and submit questions via text or video regarding the content of the address. Answers can be submitted live or for a few days following the event. Then next week, President Obama will answer the top questions as determined by the voting YouTube public in a live Q&A to be broadcast live on CitizenTube from the White House, time and date tba. 

Later – Wayne
 Wayne Karrfalt for Cynopsis: Digital
01.27.10

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JOB OPENING:  EPG COORDINATOR/CURRENT TV LA: Manage EPG presence. Watch shows, research material to create descriptions/titles that will catch our viewers’ attention. www.current.com for more details. [email protected] (2/2)

JOB OPENING:  SR. DIR, INTEGRATED MARKETING/MTV/NYC: 7+ yrs exp. creating successful 360 mktg campaigns a must; 3 + yrs mgt exp a must; B.A required. EOE/M/F/D/AAP www.mtvnetworkscareers.com (2/2)

JOB OPENING:  AFFL MRKTG, MRKTG COORD/Univision/NYC: REQS: Proactive. Multitasker. A1 Excel & PP skills. Provide: Admin, Creative & Campaign Dept Support. Maintain website. Send resume: [email protected] EOE (2/2)

JOB OPENING:  AFFILIATE MRKTG, INTEGRATED SOLUTIONS MGR/Univision/NYC: Develop/Execute distributor marketing and media partnerships/exp in media and consumer marketing/ Spanish fluent a plus send resume: [email protected] EOE (2/2)

JOB OPENING:  NAT’L ACCT EXEC/NYC: Newly formed Outside Television (partnership between RSN Resort TV & Outside magazine): Ad sales/sponsorship/content/web – 5 yrs TV sales/est’d relationships w/ buyers/clients.  Resume:  [email protected]   (2/2)

JOB OPENING: VP, PROD & PRGRMNG/MTV TR3’s/NYC: 10+ yrs in multiplatform Prod & Prgrmng; Exp w/scripted & non-scripted; Deep familiarity w/Latin TV, Film & sensibility, bilingual pref’d. EOE/M/F/D/AAP www.mtvnetworkscareers.com (1/30)

JOB OPENING: Bravo is looking for a DIRECTOR, RESEARCH: Please visit www.nbcunicareers.com site for more information and apply, job#1134456 (1/30)

JOB OPENING: MANAGER, INTEGRATED MARKETING/Nickelodeon/NYC: 5+yrs mrktg/sales exp. in mrktg/ad agency in Ent/Media, Strng Acct Mgmt exp, Stng Project Mgmt skills Digital A+ EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvnetworkscareers.com (1/30)

JOB OPENING: MANAGER, RETAIL DEVELOPMENT/NICK/Viacom CP/NYC: 3+yrs Retail Sales/Dev/Promo Mrktg/Buying, Sales Knwldg of Retailers, Exp w/Toy & Classes of Trade, Strng Analytical EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvnetworkscareers.com (1/30)

JOB OPENING: COORD, RETAIL DEVELOPMENT/NICK-Viacom ConsProd/MN: 2+yrs Mrktg/Sales in Retail, Strng Analytical skills, Strng Org Skills/Mng Multiple Projects, Strng Word/PPt/Xcel, EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvnetworkscareers.com (1/30)

JOB OPENING: ACCOUNT MANAGER/MSA Media/NYC: manage cable nets Gabriel/other SW. biz svc, lead biz dev, biz/prod plan, neg contracts. Min 5 yrs exp. Send resume/Salary to: [email protected] (1/30)

JOB OPENING: ONLINE AD SALES EXECS/Beezag.com/NYC: New online video platform hiring Ad Sales Exec must have nat’l brand & agency relationships. 5+ yrs exp. Immediate hire. Great benefits w/ stock equity. Resume: [email protected] (1/29)

JOB OPENING: NETWORK SALES/ION Media Networks/NY:  Highly motivated and creative network sales acct exec w/ established relationships and proven track record. EOE. Apply to [email protected] (1/29)

JOB OPENING:  DIR, ON AIR PROMOTIONS/Lifestyle & Entertainment Nets/MIA: 5+yrs Creative Dir exp @ TV Net / Agency, Stng Pple & Proj Mgmt skills, Strategic Plan, Prod knwldg, Spa MUST, Port+. Apply @ [email protected]  (1/29)

JOB OPENING:  RSRCH MGR/DIG AD SLS/NYC/BBC: give insight on traffic patterns, track perf, monitor mrkt & industry trends, comm w/ vendors. High level strat & independent prjct mngmnt. 4+ yrs exp. www.bbcamerica.com/employment.js p (1/28)

JOB OPENING:  DIR PARTNRSHIP MKT & LOCAL MKT ACTIVATION/NY:  Handls all 3rd party partshp, affil & local on-the-ground consmer evnt mkt & activations.10 yrs exp in cable/media/ent or music. Rez to: [email protected] DIR MKT in sub (1/28)

JOB OPENING:  SALES DIRECTOR/Gas Station TV/LA: Emerging digital media co. seeks rev. generator for its W. Coast territory. Focus on new bus. & maintaining key clients. Min. 5 yrs ad sales exp. Apply: http://www.gstv.com/about.php (1/28)

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SPRING INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: WEB INTERN: Animated, pre-school TV show. Update/maintain our website. Creative skills a plus. Admin duties including heavy filing. 20hrs/wk. Paid commute. Cover/resume to [email protected] (2/3)

SPRING INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY:  PRODUCTION INTERN: Animated, pre-school TV show. Exporting and labeling storyboards, formatting and labeling designs, admin duties including heavy filing. 20hrs/wk. Paid commute. Cover/resume to [email protected] (2/3)

SPRING INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY:  BRANDED ENTERTAINMENT INTERN/ NBCU: Seeks outgoing, eager to learn/detail-oriented/ppt skills;gain exp. in ad sales, prod, and mkt. 8hrs 3 days/wk min. CV: [email protected] (1/28)

SPRING INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: WEB INTERN/NYC: Inside edition is looking for a web intern for spring 2010. Tasks include resizing photos, writing captions, field research and logging footage. Contact Katie Harris:  [email protected] (1/28)

SPRING INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: AD SALES INTERN/Adam Carolla Podcast/Ent Co/LA:   Seeks strong writer, eager to learn and detail-oriented. Will gain exp. in ad sales, prod. and mkting. 8hrs/2 days per wk min. Cover/resume: [email protected] (1/28)

SPRING INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY:  GRAPHIC ARTIST INTERN/Adam Carolla Podcast/Ent. Co/LA:  Mac Savvy, Web design exp a + eager to learn & detail-oriented. Will gain exp. internet mktg & design. 8hrs/2 days wkly min. Cover/res:  [email protected] (1/28)

SPRING INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY: GENERAL ADMIN INTERN/Adam Carolla Podcast/Ent. Co/LA:  Strong writer, eager to learn & detail-oriented. Will gain exp. in bus dvlpmnt, prod, sales & mktg. 8hrs/2 days per wk min. Cover/resume: [email protected] (1/28)

SPRING INTERNSHIP CREDITS ONLY:  RETAIL INTERN/Adam Carolla Podcast/Entertainment Co/LA:  Will gain exp. in internet marketing, retail sales, Fulfillment & merchandising. 8hrs/2 days per wk min. Send cover letter, resume:  [email protected]   (1/28)

SITUATION WANTED ADS, POSTED BY THOSE LOOKING TO BE HIRED …  There is no charge for placing your Situation Wanted ad … for more information contact Trish Pihonak at [email protected]

SITUATION WANTED: WRITERS/RESEARCH ASST/LA: WIF Mentee in Screenwriting. Hands-on, web/print research, 1 on 1 interviews, & structured investigation of issues/historic events. Experience in prod/screenwriting. [email protected]   (2/3)

SITUATION WANTED: WRITER/DIRECTOR/EDITOR: with a diverse background in Hollywood and Bollywood.Latest www.IndianGangster.com Reel www.FearlessProductions.tv Snehal Patel [email protected] (2/3)

SITUATION WANTED: PRODUCER/WRITER/DIRECTOR/NY: Ultra-creative, award winning, all formats, all genres, all major networks and major cable.
Fast, frugal and fun! [email protected] (2/3)

SITUATION WANTED: FREELANCE DIGITAL MEDIA PLANNING AND BUYING/NYC: 13+ years experience in Direct Response & Brand Digital Advertising including Social Media, Mobile and In-Game. [email protected] (2/3)

SITUATION WANTED: ANIMATION PRODUCER/LA: 13+yrs / 220+ episodes of award winning network prime-time shows. Experienced in pre-production to Post, tapeless workflows & international pipelines. [email protected] (2/3)

SITUATION WANTED: SEGMENT PRODUCER/LA: Established contacts in Disc/Hist genre, Experience w/ international shows & trade-outs, Interned at Discovery, Excellent writing & research skills. [email protected] (2/3)

SITUATION WANTED: WEB EDITOR/EDITORIAL ASST/ENTRY-LEVEL POSITION/LA:  2010 UC grad, past intern at NBC UNI, Editor in Chief of school magazine. Motivated, enthusiastic and responsible! [email protected] (2/2)

SITUATION WANTED: ART/CREATIVE DIRECTOR/NYC:Concept through completion. Portfolio: www.baerdavis.com Email: [email protected] (2/2)

SITUATION WANTED: PRODUCTION MANAGER/NY: Hard working, organized, self-starter with 18+ years experience, seeking new position where all my assets can best be put to use. [email protected] (2/2)

SITUATION WANTED: DEVELOPMENT PRODUCER/LA:to dive in, develop, and create presentation materials for your unscripted/factually based ideas-from concept to pitch on a ‘per project’ basis. Email: [email protected] (2/2)

SITUATION WANTED: RESEARCH FREELANCER: 9 years TV research experience in broadcast, cable and syndication; WRAP, GALAXY EXPLORER, MRI.Please email: [email protected] (1/30)

SITUATION WANTED: SUPERVISING PRODUCER/SHOW RUNNER (LA/NYC) 7 years of network TV incl. live daytime, entertainment news, docudrama, competition reality & travel/food. Extensive exp. w/ camera, field, studio & post. [email protected] (1/30)

SITUATION WANTED: Dedicated & Experienced ADV. SALES PLANNER. Sales proposals, resolving client discrepancies, quarterly post analysis, special sales service projects, expert computer skills. Contact- [email protected]  (1/29)

SITUATION WANTED: Female voiceover artist with full studio. Versatile sound & styles. Experience in TV, film, radio, games, phone systems, websites, narration, promos, more… Contact [email protected] or visit www.marciheit.com (1/29)

SITUATION WANTED: 5 PRIME TIME EMMYS/ DOC. PROD, DIR., WRITER in L.A. Credits: National Geo, PBS, Discovery, History CH, TLC and MSNBC. Contact email: [email protected] (1/29)

SITUATION WANTED:  DIR. OF PRODUCTION/LICENSING (LA):  Experienced Producer – 14 yrs. All platforms. Licensing with major brands. Live music, docs, toys, casual games. http://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherhorvath – [email protected]  (1/28)

SITUATION WANTED:   EXPERIENCED TV & WEB PRODUCER/WRITER/EDITOR:  Worked for several stations/websites. Dreamweaver, HTML, SEO, CMS, Premiere, non-linear editing. Organized & analytical. Email: [email protected] (1/28)

SITUATION WANTED:  MUSIC CLEARANCE SERVICE – Expertise in music licensing – plus clip, photo + all IP licensing. Clients include major Film, TV and Advertising projects. Learn more @ www.CopyRightDepartment.com (1/28)

SITUATION WANTED: SR. DIGITAL SALES EXECUTIVE(NYC) 16+ years of experience with proven record of developing and retaining top-level account list. Contact:  [email protected]   (1/28)

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