Cynopsis: DIGITAL

05/21/08

Good morning, it’s Wednesday, May 21, 2008, and this is your first early morning digital briefing.
 
CBS content will find its way on the Hulu portal after all, sort of. The venture announced a wave of new distribution partners including TVGuide, Break.com, Zap2it, BuddyTV, Flixter, myYearbook and the CBS/CNET-owned TV.com.  Nielsen Online’s April video streaming numbers made Hulu #1 among TV station sites where users watched 63.2 million videos and spent an average of 129.3 minutes per month. The fact that it got to #1 isn’t surprising – having the advantage of two network suppliers instead of one is quite an advantage – but the speed it got there is impressive, as April was its first full month in operation to the public.

 
Napster launched its own iTunes killer yesterday, selling 6 million DRM-free MP3s from all the major labels. (That’s about 1 million more than is currently available on Amazon’s MP3 store.) Prices will remain 99 cents for single tracks and $9.95 for most albums. The company’s all you can eat subscription music service will still contain DRM restrictions.
 
Comcast’s Fancast.com signed a deal with Viacom to begin streaming full episodes of MTV Networks and BET Networks fare including Comedy Central’s South Park, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and The Colbert Report. As part of the agreement Comcast VOD customers will receive more HD and standard def content from MTVN and BET. The MSO also plans to launch linear HD channels from both entities later this year.
 
CBS dusted off a bunch of classic TV shows for distribution on the CBS Audience Network including season 1 of The Love Boat and Family Ties, seasons 1 & 2 of Twin Peaks and seasons 1,2 & 3 of Beverly Hills 90210. (This joins the previously announced classics line up announced in Feb.) CBS Interactive also completed a nice looking new site to represent the Audience Network to advertisers.
 
A group of IFC Films movies will make their digital debut available for rent or purchase on Amazon’s Unbox service including Cristian Mungiu’s 2007 Palme d’Or winner 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days; Alfonso Cuaron’s Oscar nominated Y Tu Mama Tambien, Susanne Bier’s Oscar-nominated After the Wedding, Patrice Leconte’s My Best Friend; and Todd Graff’s Camp.
 
The $14.99/month RealNetworks SuperPass broadband service will add 80 hours of Endemol USA library reality shows including full-length episodes of Chains of Love, Under One Roof and I Want To Be a Hilton.
 
CNBC will supply a range of multimedia content to AOL’s newly launched Money & Finance video site. CNBC news videos will also be indexed through AOL’s Truveo search engine.
 

 
Video search engine Clipblast signed a deal to index video content from ClipSyndicate, which aggregates more than 200,000 clips from 80+ news sources.
 

 
Netflix has rolled out the device that will allow its 8.2 million DVD rental service subscribers to rent movies the digital way. It’s made by a company called Roku in nearby Saratogo, CA, known more for its online music players. The good news is that it’s cheap; at $99 it’s the cheapest of the last-10-feet boxes sold by far. The bad news is that it looks like half of a Scientific Atlanta cable box circa 1985. Also Netflix’s digital library (about 10,000 movies and shows) has a lot of catching up to do reach the breath of its DVD library (100,000 titles.)
 

 
Don’t look now but ITV is making a comeback. NBC Universal announced it has selected the OpenTV Participate solution to power, centralize and manage cross-platform interactive television applications, including web, mobile and set-top box, for NBC Universal’s broadcast and cable networks. NBC.com trialed the service last season synchronizing two-screen applications with Heroes, including real time polling and storyline predictions. No word yet on what programs will feature the interactive services.
 
TVN Entertainment is sinking in $28 million into its on demand infrastructure to support a suite of file-based delivery services allowing programmers to make menu, metadata, price and end date changes on the fly.
 

 
New research from Starcom demonstrating better ad recall – 60%-90% vs. only 25% on traditional TV – is creating more demand for digital upfront buys, according to the WSJ. Growing audiences on network portals is also proving to be compelling. Unique visitors to ABC.com grew 65.3% to 5.9 million in April from 3.5 million in December, according to Nielsen Online. ABC.com visitors watched 60.8 million streams of online shows in April (see below), up 80% from 33.8 million in December.
 
Online video advertising start-up Adap.tv launched a new self-service program for its OneSource open video ad platform.
 

 
Online TV Viewership at Network-owned portals in April
Company       Total Streams (millions)  Unique viewers (millions)
Hulu                      63.2                            2.4
ABC.com                60.8                            5.9
NBC.com                51.6                            2.3
FOX Broadcasting    21.9                            4.0
CBS Television        18.5                            3.3
Source: Nielsen Online, via WSJ
 
Hulu also broke into the top 10 of overall online video sites in Nielsen Online’s April report. YouTube continues to run circles around the competition, however, delivering more than 4 billion streams to 73.5 million users last month.
 
Top 10 Brands by Total Video Streams for April 2008 (Excludes Video Advertising)
Brand                          Total Streams (000)       Unique Viewers (000)
YouTube                           4,052,984                        73,537
Fox Interactive Media            328,974                        20,855
Yahoo!                                221,600                        22,179
Nick Kids & Family                 151,828                          6,323
MSN/Windows Live                149,684                          9,873
ESPN                                  125,327                          5,477
Disney Online                         93,649                          7,219
CNN Digital Network                84,782                          5,681
Turner Ent. New Media            81,586                          6,513
Hulu                                    63,228                          2,428
Source: Nielsen Online
 

 
Peter Wright has been named SVP & General Sales Manager/Digital Media Sales for the Warner Bros. Television Group (WBTVG). Peter will report to Michael Teicher, EVP, Media Sales, WBTVG. He will oversee domestic sales for both the broadband and wireless marketplaces, representing all content from WBTVG’s television production arms, digital venture Studio 2.0, and recently announced broadband destinations TheWB.com and KidsWB.com. 
 
Neighborhood news site Outside.in hired Mark Josephson, former President of Seevast Corp. and GM of About.com, as its new CEO. The company also announced a round of financing including existing investors Union Square Ventures, Milestone Venture Partners, Betaworks, and a group of prominent angel investors led by George Crowley.  A new investor, the New York City Investment Fund, also joined the round.
 
Philip Benoliel has been appointed CEO of Planetwide Media and MashON.com. Former CEO Marvin Winkler will continue his role as Executive Chairman of the Board .
 
Richard Marlis and Carmen Italia announced the opening of multiplatform creative studio Wild Canary, based in Burbank, CA. Joining Richard and Carmen are: Executive Producer of Animation Liz Seidman, Directors Paul DeMeyer and Gary Johns and Producer Chris Hutchison.
 
Shabber Jaffer will join mobile communications services platform Kadoink as Chief Financial Officer joining new hire Mark Robinson who joins as VP/Product Management.
 
Gorilla Nation appointed Rudy Tabasa as Director of Sales for its GNMulticultural vertical market aggregating web properties servicing the African-American and Latino communities. He will be based in GN’s new San Francisco office, servicing ethnic ad agencies across the U.S.
 

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM electricArtists

 
One of the fastest growing blogger tool sites over the past few weeks has been redlasso.com, providing a one-stop resource for embeddable national and local news clips. (It went from private beta to some 24 million uniques in one month). The interface is pretty basic – searches rely on the standard metadata stored on each clip. And you can only search raw footage from the past two weeks. But what a handy service for self made pundits who don’t want to spend all day on YouTube sifting through junk. However, it turns out redlasso never got permission to mine the video news data the site is sourcing. NBC, Fox News, Fox Television Stations and CBS jointly wrote a cease and desist letter asking the start-up to stop or else. The move demonstrates how quickly media companies are now willing to move to protect their assets, even if it comes at the price of alienating influential bloggers.
 
Later — Wayne
Wayne Karrfalt for Cynopsis: Digital
05.21.08

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JOB OPENING: CONTENT SYNDICATION MANAGER/Current TV -SF, CA: Oversee daily operations for online video content syndication program. Solid exp. required in tv prog., web-based media & web video .  [email protected] EOE (5/29)

JOB OPENING: MEDIA PROJECT MANAGERS & BUSINESS ANALYSTS/Multiple. NYC: Exp. w/content management or rights management required. Exp. w/requirements gathering and use case development a plus. Apply to: [email protected] (5/29)

JOB OPENING: Blogger, VH1 Digital, MTV/NYC: 2+yrs blogging exp, Strg Knwldg  of Entertainment/Pop Culture, Strg HTML/XML & Photoshop skills, Knwldg  of VH1 prgrmmng. On Camera exp a plus. EOE/M/F/D/AAP.  Apply www.mtvncareers.com (5/29)

JOB OPENING: ONLINE MEDIA PLANNER/NYC: 1+Online media planning/buying exp.; Proven ability managing multiple campaigns & client relationships; Entertainment industry client exp. a PLUS! Contact [email protected]  (5/28)

JOB OPENING: VP, WOMEN@NBCU RESEARCH/NBCU/NYC:  Dev. rsrch strategy incl ROI measurement. High visibility opp. Ext. cross-sectional analytic bckgrd req’d, incl cross-platform, primary, & sales rsrch Apply @ www.nbcunicareers.com (815762)  (5/28)

JOB OPENING: ACCT MGR/BET Ad Sales NY: Cable Salesperson5+yrs exp.Strong presentation skills. Comfortable w/multi-platform & integrated opps.Sales/Agency exp. required. Email Resume: [email protected] (5/28)

JOB OPENING: ADMIN ASST/BET Ad Sales NY: 2-3yrs exp. Must be det. oriented & have ability to multi-task in fast paced environment. Proficient in MS Word/Excel/PP. Exc oral/written skills. Email Resume: [email protected] (5/28)

JOB OPENING: TRAFFIC/CLEARANCE/DYNAMIC NYC MEDIA BUYING/PLAN’G AGENCY:  Handle all client commercial clearances & TV trafficking to networks. 1yr exp a + but college appl welcome. Cptr skills needed. Contact: [email protected]   (5/28)

JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR, AD SALES/MUSIC CHOICE/NY: 5+ yrs nat’l ad sales exp with strong relationships, proven track record of success, exp selling multi-platform/integrated ops a +. [email protected] (5/28)

JOB OPENING: ASSOC RESEARCH ANALYST/CNN Digital/NY: Support sales & research across multiple digital platforms. BA, Strong analytical aptitude, relevant internships pref’d. Apply: [email protected]  EOE (5/28)

JOB OPENING: SR PRODUCER/Reach Media, Inc/Dallas:  Experienced for the nationally syndicated Tom Joyner Morning Show to impact audience of 8 million four hours daily. Send materials to [email protected]. EOE. (5/28)

JOB OPENING:  RESEARCH SPECIALIST/(The CW/New York): Sales Media Research Analyst experience. Proficient w/Galaxy,  NPower, Adviews & MRI. Team player, ability to juggle many projects.  Email:   [email protected] RE: UCTC/98308BR  (5/24)

JOB OPENING: SUPERSTAR SALES DIRECTOR: Needed For Tribeca Internet Company. Sell the CPM inventory at theU.com and partner sites. Must be aggressive and self motivated. Contact:  [email protected]  include your resume and sales history  (5/24)

JOB OPENING: VP, MKTG & LICENSING/NY, 4Kids Entertainment, Inc:  Brand Marketer, Client Services, Strategic, Creative, Team Oriented w/ exp in Toys & Games Mkting/Dev., min. of 10 yrs exp. BS req.  Resume to:  [email protected] (5/23)

JOB OPENING: MGR PLANNING & SCHEDULING/USA NETWORK/NYC: Manage all day-to-day on-air promo scheduling, including scheduling all on-air promotion in the traffic system. 3-4 yrs exp and BA degree req. Go to www.nbcjobs.com 820304 (5/23)

JOB OPENING: DEV ASST/LA:  Need long term temp to support VP of Devt at major cable network. Hard working,  highly organized/eager to help. Incredibly fast past paced office. Submit resumes to:  [email protected] (5/23)

JOB OPENING: TELEVISION PROGRAM ESTIMATOR/NYC:  2+ years exp estimating broadcast television programming for Upfront in a media/advertising agency. Freelance assignment  lasting approx. 3-4 wks.  Apply [email protected] (5/23)

JOB OPENING: MANAGER CONTENT DISTRIBUTION/FUSE/MSG Media-Santa Monica office:  3 yrs exp & travel required. For more info and to apply, go to www.thegarden.com and click on employment   (5/23)

JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR CONTENT DISTRIBUTION/FUSE/MSG Media-NY Office: 5 yrs related exp. required. For more info and to apply, go to www.thegarden.com and click on employment  (5/23)

JOB OPENING: AUDIO/POST PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR/NICKELODEON/NY: Sup & schedl audio for animated series, incld post SFX/mix/layback & delivery. Exp w/music, cast, direct, producing A+. Email:  [email protected]  (5/23)

JOB OPENING: PRODUCER, SHORT-FORM ORG. PROGRAMMING-LOGO/MTV/NYC: 4+yrs Programming exp, Strg editorial skills, Knwldge of content creation mobile/wireless. Knwldge of LOGO brands. EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply www.mtvncareers.com (5/22)

JOB OPENING: SALES ASST-DR/SUPERSTATION WGN/NY: Provide admin. & sales support to DR Dept; order entry, confirmations, pre & post logs to clients, etc. Apply @ [email protected] (5/22)

JOB OPENING:  PRODUCER/SCRIPPS NETWORKS (HGTV/DIY/Food/FL/GAC) Knox: 5+ yrs prod exp long/short form Lifestyle TV/taped live/Online exp A+/exlent interpersonal skills. Full job descrip/apply at  www.scrippsnetworks.com Knoxville Based  (5/22)

JOB OPENING:  PR COORDINATOR/HGTV/New York: manage press inquiries, requests & events, liaison w/ HGTV talent & production companies, provide Admin support to PR team. 1-3 yrs PR exp. Full details & apply  www.scrippsnetworks.com (5/22)

JOB OPENING:  DIR PRODUCTION/LA: Mng movie prod for Disney Chl/ABC Family/Jetix; frm decision-mkg/budgt/prod to post. 7-10yrs TV, movie prod exp. Knowldg in guild and union agreemnts. Apply at: www.disneycareers.com Req# 162325  (5/22)

SPRING AND SUMMER INTERNSHIPS – These positions are for credit only – nobody gets paid here. They are posted for free, and students work for school credit only. For more information on the specs for posting an Internship ad, email Trish at [email protected] .

SUMMER INTERNSHIP/CREDITS ONLY:  Film Prod. company and financier is looking for self starters. Learn all aspects of film production. Strng comm skills & good attitude, begin ASAP. thru summer. [email protected]  (5/23)

SUMMER INTERNSHIP/CREDITS ONLY:  MKTG/ON-AIR: Fox Reality Channel-LA – summer intern for mktg & on-air production. 30-40 hrs/wk. Majors: Mktg, Adv, PR/Comm, TV/Film. Skills: Writing & computer; On-Air Pro/Avid a plus. [email protected] (5/23)

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SITUATION WANTED: NY SHOW RUNNER/DIRECTOR: Accomplished 12 yr tv veteran exp’d in developing & producing all different formats:hidden camera, talk, sports, game show, sketch comedy & music perf.Contact: [email protected]  (5/27)

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